Black-tailed Jackrabbit
Lepus californicus
Large long-eared hare with dusky upperparts and white belly; weighs 3-6 pounds. Nocturnal browser of grasses, clover, and garden crops. Critical prey linking vegetation to coyotes, hawks, and eagles.
Plants that support Black-tailed Jackrabbit
20 plants
Anglestem Buckwheat
Eriogonum angulosum
annual
browse young growth during spring emergence
Ashy Silk-tassel
Garrya flavescens
shrub
Evergreen shrub provides year-round shelter and supplemental browse
Balsam Bird's-foot Trefoil
Hosackia stipularis var. stipularis
perennial herb
browsing on herbaceous legume foliage year-round in California grasslands
Big Squirreltail
Elymus multisetus
grass
Spring growth provides nutritious forage when other vegetation is limited
Blow wives
Achyrachaena mollis
annual
herbivory on young foliage and stems during growing season
California Dichondra
Dichondra donelliana
perennial herb
Herbivory on low-growing foliage, especially in dry seasons
California Indian Breadroot
Pediomelum californicum
perennial herb
spring green growth critical for reproduction period
Chapparal Monkeyflower
Diplacus linearis
perennial herb
browse herbaceous growth in chaparral
Coast Whitethorn
Ceanothus incanus
perennial herb
Browse stems and leaves as part of chaparral forage diet throughout year
Desert Mallow*
Malacothamnus hallii
shrub
Browse during drought years when herbaceous layer limited
Foothill needlegrass
Stipa lepida
grass
primary grass forage in California grassland habitat
Hoary Manzanita
Arctostaphylos canescens
perennial herb
foliage and tender shoots year-round in chaparral habitats
Holly-leaf Buckthorn
Rhamnus ilicifolia
shrub
browses leaves and tender shoots; uses shrub for escape cover
Interior Silktassle
Garrya congdonii
shrub
browse tender shoots and leaves during dry season
Nipomo Mesa Ceanothus
Ceanothus impressus var. nipomensis
shrub
Evergreen foliage provides winter browse when other vegetation scarce
Nodding Needlegrass*
Stipa cernua
grass
grazing herbivore utilizing grass foliage as part of diet
Oakland Mariposa Lily
Calochortus umbellatus
geophyte
Emerging shoots and leaves grazed during spring growth
Pt. Reyes Checkerbloom
Sidalcea calycosa ssp. rhizomata
perennial herb
browse on mallow plants for moisture and nutrients; more important in drought periods
San Joaquin Milk Vetch
Astragalus asymmetricus
perennial herb
Opportunistic forage in San Joaquin Valley scrublands, especially spring growth
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
perennial herb
Opportunistic foraging on tender foliage and dried material in chaparral/grassland