The Sea Dahlia is a beautiful plant that grows on north facing,
steep bluffs near the ocean. It can be found in coastal scrub
areas between Northern Baja and San Diego County. It has large
yellow flowers and long spindly leaves. It grows long flower stalks
that are about three feet high. It is related to the California
Sunflower which grows on flatter ground near water. The flowering
part of the California Sunflower has a dark brown center; the
Sea Dahlia has a yellow center. The Sea Dahlia grows in the Winter
and Spring and is dormant during the Summer months. The fleshy
leaves are a food source for rabbits. This beautiful plant is
endangered for several reasons. The Sea Dahlia grows primarily
near the lagoons of San Diego County which are facing developmental
pressure. The flowers that the Sea Dahlia produce are lovely.
People walking through the lagoons often pick them. These flowers
contain the seeds necessary for the plant to reproduce the next
year. What a loss for all of us if we were to lose this beautiful
plant from our lagoon.
by Katie Petre, Philip Lindner, Carlos LaGrange, Jamey Abresch,
Mike Scott, Jessie Anderson, and Markell Staffieri.
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