The land immediately surrounding this small church was set aside as
a historical landmark in the 1950s, as was the slope below it, which
came to be known as the John Thomas Howell Botanical Garden, in honor
of the author of the venerable Marin Flora. But the land above and
below these parcels was slated for development and didn’t pass into
public hands until the 1990s. Today, the 117-acre preserve is the
only place to see the extremely rare Tiburon jewelflower. This odd
member of the mustard family has such dark maroon petals that they
appear to be nearly black, thus earning the scientific name Streptanthus
niger. These flowers may usually be seen in mid-May along the
Vistazo Fire Road, which traverses the lower portion of the preserve.
A small, steep trail connects the lower route to the Heathcliff Fire
Road that crosses the upper slope. Views from the top of the hill
(where the preserve adjoins the Tiburon Uplands County Park) are fabulous.
One can sit atop this windswept slope and fully appreciate how lucky
we are to have saved this slice of unique habitat.
|
|
Featured Species at this preserve:
Acmon Blue
Barn Swallow
Leopard Lily
Two-toned Tidytips
|
