The Native Americans also used the seed of the giant rye grass, Elymus condensatus , which grows around the perimeter of Mound Meadow, as an important food source. This is a plant community found in a narrow coastal strip from southern Oregon to San Mateo County, and in Monterey County from Pacific Grove to Point Sur. Most of the coastal scrub within Point Lobos State Reserve is dominated by Baccharis pilularis v. consanguinea , coyote bush, or Lupinus arboreus , bush lupine. 2. gray foliage to reflect sunlight - California sagebrush, pearly everlasting. 4. fine hairs on leaves to minimize water loss and reduce exposure to sun - Lizard tail, pearly everlasting.
Most species also have relatively small leaf areas to minimize moisture loss.
The dense growth of the coastal scrub also helps the whole community to conserve moisture and survive the dry summer. This dense growth also provides cover for many small animals which live within this area. Coastal Bluff Coastal bluff is often considered as a sub-community of northern coastal scrub. The adaptations of the plant species to this environment are a further refinement of the northern coastal scrub species' adaptations. Indeed, many of the species are the same, although the size of the individual plants may be greatly reduced.