A Flora of the Trinity Alps of Northern California - by William J Ferlatte (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A Flora of the Trinity Alps of Northern California offers a thorough botanical study of one of California's most unique and rugged regions. Nestled within the Klamath Mountains, this area, with its varied elevations and diverse ecosystems, presents an opportunity to explore a flora that combines influences from both the Sierran flora and the coastal regions, all within a relatively small geographical area. The flora of the Trinity Alps is distinctive due to its unique location, which hosts many plant species that are found nowhere else in the state. This flora reflects the interplay of diverse climates, ranging from cool, moist areas at higher elevations to drier, more exposed lower slopes. Fieldwork for the study was conducted over several years, with particular focus on areas above 5,000 feet, revealing 266 species and many previously undocumented plants in this region.

The book divides the flora into key ecological zones, such as Mixed Conifer Forest, Red Fir Forest, and Subalpine Forest, each with its own characteristic plant communities. Within these zones, the flora displays a remarkable diversity, including species like the endangered Picea breweriana (Weeping Spruce) and Pinus balfouriana (Foxtail Pine), as well as the alpine species Saxifraga tolmiei and Primula suffrutescens. The author also notes that many species in the Trinity Alps are relicts from past, cooler climates, adding a historical layer to the region's botanical significance. The study highlights how glaciation and geological events shaped the current landscape and plant distribution, while also providing practical identification tools, including detailed keys and descriptions. For botanists, ecologists, and nature enthusiasts, this book serves as an essential resource for understanding and preserving the delicate ecosystems of the Trinity Alps.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press's mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1974.