Redwood Forest: Lower Canopy

Flora

Similar to the middle canopy, the lower understory thrives in the cool shade and moist, protected environment offered by the towering redwood trees. The western sword fern (Polystichum munitum), along with several other species of fern, seeks the coolest and shadiest portions of the forest (Bakker 1984; Kricher 1993).

In spring, wildflowers are a common sight and include redwood sorrel (Oxalis oregana), western trillium (Trillium ovatum), redwood violet (viola sempervirens), hooker's fairybell (Disporum hookeri), Pacific starflower (Trientalis latifolia), wood rose (rosa gymnocarpa), western wood anemone (Anemone lyallii) and western spring-beauty (Claytonia lanceolata). Other herbaceous species found in the lower canopy consist of giant horsetail (Equisetum telmateia), coastal shield fern (Polystichum californicum), licorice fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza), lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina var. cyclosorum), giant chain fern (Woodwardia fimbriata), California maidenhair fern (Adiantum jordanii) and five-fingered fern (Adiantum aleuticum) (Kricher 1993; Munz and Keck 1973; Shuford & Timossi 1989).

Fauna

The lower and middle canopies are used by a variety of low-to-the-ground bird species, as well as rodents, rabbits and a few larger mammals. The sharp, rapid "chick, chick" of Anna's humminbird (Calypte anna) can be heard as it flitters from bush to bush; or the short, descending notes of Wilson's warbler (Wilsonia pusilla) as it flies from a low lying thicket to the forest floor near a stream or swamp. Other species commonly found here include deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), raccoon (Procyon lotor psora) and black-tailed deer (Odocoileus columbianus) (Kricher 1993; National Geographic Society 1983).