Periwinkle (Vinca Major)

Appearance/specs:

(picture of Vinca Major)

-The species name major refers to the larger size in respect of the similar Vinca minor
L.
-Periwinkle (Vinca major), also known as bigleaf periwinkle, greater periwinkle, or large
periwinkle, is a spreading, perennial vine with blue-purple flowers, originally from
southern Europe and northern Africa.
-The non-flowering stems of periwinkle grow along the ground, while the flowering
stems stand upright.
Environment:
-This species is native southern Europe and northern Africa, from Spain and southern
France east to the western Balkans, and also in northeastern Turkey and the western
Caucasus. It prefers moist undergrowth, woodlands, hedgerows and banks along the
rivers at an altitude of 0800 metres (02,625 ft) above sea level. It grows well in full
sun and in deep shade
-Periwinkle grows most vigorously at low elevations (below 600 ft) and prefers damp,
shady, and frost-free areas. It is often seen in tree-covered drainages and creeks
How/why it's dangerous:
-Periwinkle forms dense strands that envelop other plant life and can prevent saplings
and shrubs from growing by blocking out the light. Periwinkle is easy to spread as it
moves from place to place with unintentional human help, in dumped garden waste or
as plant fragments carried along in water.
-Periwinkle is a fast-growing, competitive plant that crowds out other plants and degrade
animal habitat in infested areas. Riparian areas are especially susceptible to periwinkle,
where these vines crowd out native vegetation.
How it got here: Periwinkle was first introduced to the US as an ornamental garden
plant and as a medicinal herb
Pigeon Point Coyote Bush (Baccharis Pilularis)

Appearance/specs:

(picture of Baccharis Pilularis)

-The Baccharis pilularis shrub is generally smaller than 3 metres (9.8 ft) in height. Erect
plants are generally mixed (and integrate completely) with prostrate plants. It is glabrous
and generally sticky.
-The stems are prostrate to erect which branches s
preading or ascending. The leaves are 855 millimetres (0.312.17 in) long and are
entire to toothed and oblanceolate to obovate, with three principal veins.
-The flower heads are in a leafy panicle. The involucres are hemispheric to bell shaped.
This species is dioecious (pistillate and staminate flowers occur on separate plants).
-Both staminate and pistillate heads are 3.55 millimetres (0.140.20 in) long. Phyllaries
are in 46 series, ovate, and glabrous. The receptacles are convex to conic and
honeycombed. The staminate flowers range from 2030 and there are 1943 pistillate
flowers.
Environment:
-It is found in a variety of habitats, from coastal bluffs, oak woodlands, and grasslands,
including on hillsides and in canyons, below 2,000 feet (610 m).
-Coyote brush is known as a secondary pioneer plant in communities such as coastal
sage scrub and chaparral. It does not regenerate under a closed shrub canopy because
seedling growth is poor in the shade. Coast live oak, California bay, Rhus integrifolia,
and other shade producing species replace coastal sage scrub and other coyote bushdominated areas, particularly when there hasn't been a wildfire or heavy grazing.
In California grasslands, it comes in late and invades and increases in the absence of
fire or grazing. Coyote bush invasion of grasslands is important because it helps the
establishment of other coastal sage species.
Facts:
-Baccharis pilularis is cultivated as an ornamental plant, and used frequently in drought
tolerant, native plant, and wildlife gardens; and in natural landscaping and habitat
restoration projects. -The cultivar ground cover selections have various qualities of

height and spread, leaf colors, and textures. The upright forms are useful for hedges
and fence lines, and year round foliage.
-Coyote brush is usually deer-resistant. The plants are also drought tolerant after
maturity, requiring watering once a week until established, and then about once per
month during the first summer. They can mature in one to two years. The plants prefer
good drainage.
-Only male plants of Baccharis pilularis are cultivated for landscaping use. If these are
substituted for Baccharis pilularis subsp. consanguinea in ecological restoration, there
will not be as much seed set, nor recruitment of new individuals.