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Humboldt Bay owl's-clover

Scientific Name: Castilleja ambigua ssp. humboldtiensis

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Annual

Other Names:

       

Humboldt Bay Owl's Clover

Explore the fascinating world of the Humboldt Bay Owl's Clover, a unique plant found in specific regions of California.

Scientific Name and Nomenclature

  • Accepted Scientific Name: Castilleja ambigua Hook. & Arn. ssp. humboldtensis (Keck) Chuang & Heckard
  • Common Names: Humboldt Bay owl's clover, Humboldt Bay owl's-clover
  • Family: Orobanchaceae (formerly Scrophulariaceae)
  • Synonyms: Castilleja ambigua ssp. humboldtensis, Orthocarpus (mentioned but seems to be outdated classification)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Endemic to California.
  • Specifically found in the Humboldt Bay area and other Northern California regions.
  • Grows in salt marshes and high marsh environments.
  • Also found in coastal prairies and bluffs from Humboldt to Santa Barbara County.

Ecological Role

  • Considered a threatened plant in Northern California.
  • Its habitat is threatened by invasive species like Spartina (cordgrass).
  • Part of a diverse plant community in the high marsh.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Shares habitat with other rare plants like Point Reyes bird's beak.
  • Provides habitat for the rare California red-legged frog.
  • Observed alongside Lyngbye's sedge and eelgrass in some areas.

Further Information

  • BISON Web Link: http://bison.usgs.ornl.gov/api/scientificName/Castilleja%20ambigua%20humboldtiensis
  • ITIS Web Link: Castilleja ambigua ssp. humboldtiensis (Keck) Chuang & Heckard (TSN 524896)
  • Garden Guides: Information on Humboldt Bay Owl's-clover and gardening.
  • California Native Plant Society: Data on Humboldt Bay owl's clover.
  • Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge: Area where Humboldt Bay owl's clover is found.