Santa Barbara Island
With an area of 1 square mile, Santa Barbara Island is the smallest of the Southern Channel Islands and is also one of the smallest islands in the entire chain. It is situated 38 miles from the California mainland. Santa Catalina, Santa Barbara’s closest island neighbor, is located 24 miles to the east. Santa Barbara Island is part of Santa Barbara County.
The flora of Santa Barbara Island includes about 90 native taxa and 45 non-native taxa. The natural distribution of at least 13 of the island’s native taxa are restricted to two or more of the California Islands; three plant taxa have been found only on Santa Rosa Island.
The three plant taxa which have been found only on Santa Barbara Island are:
- Dudleya traskiae (Santa Barbara Island live-forever)
- Eriogonum giganteum var. compactum (Santa Barbara Island buckwheat)
- Malacothrix foliosa subsp. philbrickii (Santa Barbara Island malacothrix)
One additional plant species (Platystemon californicus var. ciliatus) may also be endemic to Santa Barbara Island, but its relationships to the widespread creamcups on the mainland and on other islands need further study.
Upcoming SBBG Island Field Trips...
Springtime on Santa Cruz Island
Four days and three nights: Monday, May 6 through Thursday, May 9: Celebrate spring on the largest and most diverse of the California Channel Islands. The island’s rich flora includes almost 50 endemics not found on the mainland, and participants will encounter most of them! Along with the island’s endemic foxes and scrub jays, explore pine forests, wooded canyons, coastal headlands, deserted beaches, and isolated coves.
- Participants will stay in the island’s Central Valley, at the University of California’s rustic field station, which offers dorm-style accommodations, hot showers, and a full kitchen
- Our group will explore the island on foot and in 4WD vehicles
- Limited to 11 participants, who must be in good physical condition
- Register now
