Brush Rabbit
Sylvilagus bachmani
CA Special Concern
Brush rabbit is a Species of Special Concern
Small reddish-brown rabbit with cottony tail, weighing 1-2 pounds. Stays in dense brush and burrow systems; active at dusk. Preferred prey for raptors; its presence sustains local hawk and fox populations.
Plants that support Brush Rabbit
22 plants
Blow wives
Achyrachaena mollis
annual
browse on foliage when available; minor food source in chaparral habitat
Brittleleaf Manzanita
Arctostaphylos crustacea subsp. crustacea
shrub
Year-round shelter and browse in dense manzanita thickets
California Angelica
Angelica californica
perennial herb
Herbaceous foliage consumed during growing season
California Balsamroot
Balsamorhiza macrolepis
perennial herb
Spring and early summer foraging on new growth and leaves
California Dichondra
Dichondra donelliana
perennial herb
Herbivory on ground cover vegetation year-round
California Sheepburr
Acaena californica
perennial herb
primary herbaceous forager in coastal scrub and chaparral habitats
California bottlebrush grass
Elymus californicus
grass
early spring dietary component when fresh growth available Mar-May
Common Viburnum
Viburnum ellipticum
shrub
foliage and stems browsed year-round; shelter within dense shrub structure
Common rush
Juncus effusus
perennial herb
Browses on soft rush shoots year-round in wetland margins
Desert Gold Parsnip*
Aphyllon tuberosum
perennial herb
Native herbivore utilizing available plant material year-round in scrub habitat
Desert Mallow*
Malacothamnus hallii
shrub
Primary browse species for small mammals in coastal sage scrub
Giant Wakerobin
Trillium chloropetalum
perennial herb
Browses emerging leaves during spring when other vegetation is limited
Holly-leaf Buckthorn
Rhamnus ilicifolia
shrub
browses leaves and twigs; uses dense shrub for shelter and nesting cover
Indian Warrior
Pedicularis densiflora
perennial herb
Browsing on herbaceous foliage; available throughout growing season
Interior Silktassle
Garrya congdonii
shrub
utilize dense shrub for shelter and browse foliage opportunistically
Kings Mountain Manzanita
Arctostaphylos regismontana
perennial herb
Uses dense manzanita thickets for shelter; browses foliage opportunistically year-round
Mexican Elder
Sambucus mexicana
shrub
Browse on leaves and stems, shelter in dense growth
Pt. Reyes Checkerbloom
Sidalcea calycosa ssp. rhizomata
perennial herb
graze on Sidalcea plants as part of diverse herbaceous diet in coastal scrub habitat
Redwood keckiella
Keckiella corymbosa
shrub
browses tender shoots and leaves; uses dense shrub structure for cover and nesting
Santa Cruz Manzanita
Arctostaphylos andersonii
perennial herb
Year-round forage in coastal scrub habitat; uses dense manzanita growth for shelter and food
Shatterberry
Arctostaphylos nummularia
perennial herb
Evergreen shrub provides cover and year-round browse in chaparral habitat
Turkey Pea
Sanicula tuberosa
perennial herb
spring and early summer browse on tender new growth