Field Guide to San Francisco’s Flora · Fauna · Funga A NOTE FOR EXPLORERS This guide is meant to inspire exploration and learning. Always verify species identification using multiple sources, especially for edible or medicinal plants and mushrooms. Stay safe: Never consume wild species without expert confirmation. Observe wildlife from a respectful distance and follow local regulations. Species data and images sourced from iNaturalist.org. Consider contributing your own observations and/or supporting their work. San Francisco Field Guide 1 FLORA California Poppy Eschscholzia californica A vibrant flowering plant native to the U.S. and Mexico, it features bright orange to yellow blooms and serves as California’s state flower. Garden Nasturtium Tropaeolum majus A fast-growing flowering plant with vibrant yellow, orange, or red flowers and disc-shaped leaves, originating from the Andes. Coyote Brush Baccharis pilularis A drought-tolerant shrub native to California, it thrives in diverse habitats and supports local wildlife, particularly pollinators. Miner’S Lettuce Claytonia perfoliata A rosette-forming annual with pink or white flowers, thriving in cool, damp areas. Found in western North America and beyond. Bermuda Buttercup Oxalis pes-caprae A yellow-flowering plant native to South Africa, it propagates through underground bulbs and is invasive in many regions worldwide. Wild Radish Raphanus raphanistrum A flowering plant from the Brassicaceae family, it thrives in disturbed areas and is invasive in regions like Australia. San Francisco Field Guide 2 FAUNA Western Gull Larus occidentalis A large white-headed gull found along the Pacific coast, it is known for its distinctive yellow bill and aggressive territorial behavior. Red-Tailed Hawk Buteo jamaicensis A widespread bird of prey, found across North America, it thrives in diverse habitats, showcasing notable plumage variation and hunting skills. Anna’S Hummingbird Calypte anna This hummingbird, native to the western U.S., has expanded its range due to urban habitats and climate adaptation, thriving in diverse environments. White-Crowned Sparrow Zonotrichia leucophrys A medium-sized passerine with a gray face and black-and-white striped head, breeding in brushy northern habitats and migrating south. Common Raven Corvus corax A large, all-black passerine bird found across the Northern Hemisphere, known for its intelligence, adaptability, and complex vocalizations. Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias A large wading bird, common in wetlands and shorelines across North and Central America, known for its striking gray plumage and long legs. San Francisco Field Guide 3 FUNGA Chip Cherries Leratiomyces ceres This mushroom features a bright red to orange cap, dark purple-brown spores, and grows on wood chips in various regions worldwide. Red-Cage Fungus Clathrus ruber A striking fungus with a lattice-like structure, it emits a foul odor to attract insects for spore dispersal. Found in decaying wood. Scurfy Twiglet Tubaria furfuracea A small agaric fungus with a brown spore print, orange-brown cap, and mild odor. Often found in decaying wood. Honey Mushroom Armillaria mellea A widespread plant pathogen, this fungus causes root rot in trees, producing honey-colored mushrooms at infected bases. California Agaricus Agaricus californicus This fungus features a convex cap, free gills, and a ringed stipe. It has a brown spore print and may cause gastrointestinal upset. Mulch Maids Leratiomyces percevalii Medium-sized saprobic mushroom with a honey yellow to olive cap, adnexed gills, commonly found in woodchips and urban areas. San Francisco Field Guide 4 PHOTO ATTRIBUTIONS • Agaricus californicus - (c) Alex, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Ardea herodias - (c) Lyndsey, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Armillaria mellea - (c) MichellePrice_CJBG, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Baccharis pilularis - (c) inaughto, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Buteo jamaicensis - (c) Cricket Raspet, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Calypte anna - (c) Marcel_Pepin, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Clathrus ruber - (c) Casey H. Richart, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Claytonia perfoliata - (c) Gavin Slater, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Corvus corax - (c) Javier Sánchez Álvarez, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Eschscholzia californica - (c) John Cowles, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Larus occidentalis - (c) Laura Gaudette, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Leratiomyces ceres - (c) Thomas Mesaglio, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Leratiomyces percevalii - (c) LJ Moore- McClelland, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Oxalis pes-caprae - (c) Gianni Del Bufalo bygdb, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Raphanus raphanistrum - (c) Gavin Slater, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Tropaeolum majus - (c) Eleftherios Katsillis, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Tubaria furfuracea - (c) Jerry Cooper, some rights reserved (CC BY) • Zonotrichia leucophrys - (c) Mike Baird, some rights reserved (CC BY)