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On the coast, the knobcone pine may hybridize with bishop pine (Pinus muricata), and Monterey pine (Pinus radiata). In the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada, knobcone pine is often a co-dominant with blue oak (Quercus douglasii). [7] The species is susceptible to fire, but this melts the cone resin, releasing seeds for regrowth. [4]
The trees of Closed-cone pine forest burned in every 25–50 years, and a few species including the knobcone pine (Pinus attenuata) are adapted to open the cones and release seeds for new growth following the heat of forest fires. However, as fire regulation and suppression becomes more effective these communities cannot renew themselves.
The most widespread naturally of the closed-cone pines is bishop pine (Pinus muricata), which can be found along the coast from Humboldt County, California in the north to the northwestern corner of Baja California in the south. Knobcone pine (Pinus attenuata) forests can occur further inland, on dry, rocky soils.
Elevations generally are less than 3,500 feet (1,100 m). Forest and woodland types can include areas of Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, canyon live oak, and knobcone pine, along with chaparral of chamise, deer brush, and manzanita. Along streams, cottonwoods, white alder, and willows occur. [7]
Common pines are lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), bishop pine (Pinus muricata), Monterey pine (Pinus radiata), and knobcone pine (Pinus attenuata). These forests can also be home to several endemic cypresses, including Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa), Gowen cypress (Cupressus goveniana), and Santa Cruz cypress (Cupressus abramsiana).
In moist stream canyons, other trees and shrubs prevail—bigleaf maple, western spicebush (Calycanthus Occidentalis), dogwood, white alder, and willows. At mid-elevations sugar pine, incense-cedar, white fir and Jeffrey pine join Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, and canyon live oak, while the other pines and oaks drop out of the mix.
Mature Pinus pinea (stone pine); note umbrella-shaped canopy: Pollen cones of Pinus pinea (stone pine): A red pine (Pinus resinosa) with exposed rootsYoung spring growth ("candles") on a loblolly pine
The reserve contains a diversity of plant communities, including old growth forest, freshwater marsh, red alder riparian forest and knobcone pine forest. Its four perennial streams support steelhead and coho salmon, and its wetlands are habitat to the rare San Francisco garter snake and California red-legged frog. Cultural resources include the ...