34 CHAPARRAL. 
coppice after fire. Seedlings are rare, since the seeds are much 
relished by rodents. Its artificial extension should be encouraged. 
Rhus laurina, sumac (fig. 6), is found from the Santa Barbara 
National Forest southward into Baja California, but is usually con- 
fined to the lower zones below the 3,000-foot level. Unfortunately, 
though a very desirable species, it is not common in the present cover. 
It is evergreen, produces a dense shade, endures extreme heat and 
dryness, seeds abundantly, and makes vigorous coppice growth after 
fire. It has a spreading root system and is a good soil binder. 
Rhus ovata, sumac, extends from Point Conception southward 
along the coast to Baja California, and is native to the lower sub- 
zones, although it ranges as high as 5,000 feet. Though a desirable 
species, because it throws a good shade and makes rapid coppice 
growth after burning, it forms but a small part of the present cover. 
Its leaves are large and thick, and make a good leaf litter. A less 
important but similar species, Rhus integrifolia (fig. 7), is common 
at lower elevations, frequently along the seashore. 
yet Taylor 
_ soc 

Fic. 6.—Sumac, Rhus laurina, 6 feet high. 
Salvia mellifera, black sage, grows on dry situations throughout 
the chaparral area up to elevations of 3,250 feet. It is important in 
the Santa Barbara National Forest and northward, but undesirable, 
since it is low, casts only a medium shade, and is inflammable. 
Audibertia polystachia, white sage, is common in the Angeles Na- 
tional Forest and. southward, and in favorable situations forms 10 
per cent of the cover. In general, however, it 1s unimportant and 
undesirable. 2 
Quercus chrysolepis, canyon live oak, is by no means confined to 
canyons, but is distributed generally over California above the 
1,000-foot contour, and extends into Oregon, northwestern Arizona. 
and Mexico. Normally it is a large tree, and grows in mixture with 
highland oak and big-cone spruce. When a part of the chaparral it 
is smaller, and, except on certain areas in the Angeles National 
Forest, forms only an insignificant part of the cover. It is a desir: 
able species, however, since it is evergreen, longlived, tolerant, espe- 
