Cattails are emergent plants that like to have their “feet” (or root-like structures called underground rhizomes), in water. For most plants, this is a deal breaker, as flooding suffocates plants that are trying to uptake oxygen from their roots to process sugars they have made during photosynthesis. Cattails have a special adaptation to live in water. These plants absorb oxygen from their leaves, which are above the water’s surface, and pump it back down to the rhizomes.
Kids think the fruits of these plants look like corn dogs. Others think they look like the tails of cats. Another adaptation inside is feather-light seeds that travel on the wind. This allows seeds to fly across dry, inhospitable ground and find their way to the next pond.
Cattails create a great habitat for birds. Red-winged blackbirds, marsh wrens, and American coots all like to make nests here, protected from the watchful eyes of predators.
This spot is Track 3 on the Alpine Pond Nature Tour. For more information, click the link to be directed to the District’s website.
NOTE: No need to get your feet wet while looking for this cache. You are looking for a camo'd container inside larger camo.
Thanks to Marky and Joni for archiving Ponder GCHXH5 after 10 years and allowing this cache to happen!
About this Preserve
2,143 Acres | 10.9 Miles of Trails
Skyline Ridge Open Space Preserve offers visitors remarkable ridge vistas and trails through expansive meadows, oak woodland, and chaparral communities. Two trails are accessible to wheelchairs and baby strollers: a half-mile encircling Alpine Pond and a 1-mile trail along the shores of Horseshoe Lake; both areas offer picnic tables for your use. The David C. Daniels Nature Center, located at the edge of Alpine Pond, is open to the public on weekends, April through mid-November. Visit the preserve page for detailed information about preserve uses, accessibility, and amenities.
Hours
Sunrise to one-half hour after sunset
Congratulations to PDFrogs on the FTF!