Baja California Birdbush [Ornithostaphylos oppositifolia (Parry) Small]
Listing CNPS List 2 R-E-D Code 3-3-1
State/Federal. Status -- None ERICACEAE Jan.-Apr.
Global Rank G4 State Rank S1.1
Distribution: San Diego County; Baja California, Mexico
Habitat: Coastal Chaparral is found at the lone U.S. site for birdbush, with both Xylococcus bicolor and Adenostoma fasciculatum present. The shrub cover here is relatively dense; soils are Olivenhain cobbly loam.
Known Sites: Baja California Birdbush is found at Boundary Monument 256 in the Tijuana Hills. On a visit in 1987, some "brushing" was evident at the site, which is the only known location in the United States for this distinctive shrub.
Forty specimens from Baja California are found at the San Diego Natural History Museum's herbarium; south to 30 23' north where collected by Moran (SD 54663) 1.5 miles east of Rancho El Cipres.
Status: Baja California Birdbush is declining at its one United States locale. The U.S. Border Patrol activities, including their preference for the clearance of brush near the border fence, threaten this population. Fire is the only other endangerment factor in evidence. All sites should be protected.
Copyright © May 1994 Craig H. Reiser.