Growth Rates and Phenology of Some Southern California Grassland Species

Abstract

Growth rates of southern California grassland species showed significant correlation with rainfall from November 1972 to June 1973. Maximum growth for the species ripgut grass, foxtail chess, wild oats, black mustard, and geniculate mustard occurred during winter and early spring. Plant development for these species began in late fall and ceased by mid-spring. It was hypothesized that species characteristics and slope exposures are important factors in plant development subsequent to germination, whereas, rainfall is critical to germination and growth rates.