Rattlesnake Grass (Briza maxima L.), other wise known as Big quakinggrass, is now a common non-native grass species scattered throughout California grassland habitats.  It is mostly found in coastal grasslands and coastal woodlands,  but is found inland in many counties including Mendocino.  The species is quite common here at the UC-Hopland Research & Extension Center.  In some sites it can form dense, nearly pure stands that displace other species, but this is unusual.  Typically it is in a mixed community with other grasses and forbs.  The common names are derived from 1) the visual similarity to rattlesnake rattles, and 2) the "quaking" sound of the dry seeds head when blown by the wind.  The panicles are sometimes collected and dried to display in dry bouquets.

Soap Plants, or Soaproot, are mostly found in California.   Here at the UC-Hopland Research & Extension Center, the Wavy-leafed Soap Plant (or California Soaproot) (Chlorogalum pomeridianum) is quite common in the understory of oak woodlands and oak savannahs.  It is a perennial plant with a whitish bulb surrounded by a dark-brown fibrous sheath.  The juices of the bulbs contain saponins that form a lather when mixed with water and were used by Native Americans as a soap, thus giving the plant its common name.  Until the 1980s the plant was considered part of the family Liliaceae, but is now considered within the Asparagaceae family.  The flowers are borne on long stems, are bisexual, and typically open only in the late afternoon or evening and remain open throughout the night when pollination occurs by flying insects. 

Water Striders (Gerris remigis) can show up in the strangest places.  These striders found a 2 foot by 3 foot puddle near a water spring at the side of a road here at the UC Hopland Research & Extension Center.  Also called Pond Skaters, these insects are true bugs in the phylogenetic order Hemiptera.  They are common on quiet stream and pond waters from sea level to 8500' elevation.  The tarsi (last leg segments) have fine hairs that are hard to wet, supported by surface film, thus  allowing the insects to "surface-stride" on top of the water.  They are highly predaceous, feeding on a variety of aquatic insects.  In response to adverse conditions, some adults can fly to new habitats.

For twenty-one years the UC Hopland Research & Extension Center has maintained a Cabernet Sauvignon research vineyard.  Although small in size (2.0 acres), the design included 6 replicated blocks of four treatments each, with each treatment irrigated and metered independently.  Originally, the elaborate irrigation system and planted vines were to carry out a research project looking at the modification of wine characteristics through irrigation management.  Work by R.J. Smith, UCCE Sonoma County Viticulturalist, and T.L. Prichard, Water Management Specialist, Dept. of LAWR at UC Davis, showed that 60% of full potential water use was a "safe" management option.  Malate and titratable acidity, yield, berry weight, berries per vine, cluster numbers, and soil profile moisture content were all included in the data that was analyzed.   Subsequently the vineyard provided a research platform for other projects such as: 1) Impact of grape vine stress on root and scion health - interaction of vines, Phylloxera, Tetranychus and Fusarium, 2) Effects of 1-MCP (1-methyl cyclopropene affects the ripening process) on wine grape development, and the initial stages of 3) A comparison of organic, biodynamic, and conventional farming methods.  The vineyard has fulfilled its duty, and is now in the process of being removed. Photo by Steven Poor.