What is CSS?

• California sage scrub or soft chaparral, sometimes divided into coastal sage scrub, interior sage scrub, and marine succulent sage scrub

• Dominated by shrubs and subshrubs , most ~ 0.5 - 2 m tall

• Many shrubs and subshrubs capable of facultative summer deciduousness to reduce drought risks

• Other drought adaptations include

• reduced leaf size
• woolly/hairy leaf surfaces give the formation a greyish/beige color
• volatiles (e.g., terpenes), creating a spicy smell
• succulence

• Ground coverage is more open than hard chaparral

• Herbaceous growth and vines are common due to CSS' openness

• Cacti are often present (Opuntia and Cylindropuntia spp.)