Vernal Pool Plants

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Over 200 plant species grow in vernal pools. Half of these are rarely found outside this unique habitat. A single pool typically supports only 15 to 20 species in an unpredictable array of combinations. In that way, vernal pools are a lot like snowflakes – botanically speaking, no two are alike.

What is a weed?

A weed is a plant that easily moves in and colonizes new sites, usually following some type of disturbance. A weed is a plant out of place.

The weeds in vernal pool grasslands were brought to California from other parts of the World. The plants and animals which controlled their populations in their homelands do not live here. This allows the weeds to grow out of control and displace plants and animals native to California.

Sacramento Splash - Helping children understand and value their natural world picture

Meet Carol Witham, Botanist

Carol is a botanist, which means she studies plants. Carol says, "Nature is a place to have fun and learn new things at the same time. Just pick a little spot and watch it for a while. Soon you will discover hundreds of little things going on in just that one little spot. Multiply that by thousands and thousands of little spots, and wow!"

Learn more about what it takes to be a botanist.