Vegetation in the Mediterranean Climate Zone of North America

Adapted to low to moderate amounts of annual precipitation
(10" to 29" or so of precipitation), and also to drought

xerophytic (adapted to extended periods with little or no precipitation)

    1. sclerophyllous (hardened foliage) -- this the most common adaptation to long-term dryness made by vegetation in the Mediterranean Climate zone -- thickened, spongy, waxy leaves to retain water and restrict evapotranspiration (water loss)
      Examples: Manzanita, Oak, Bay Laurel
    2. Small leaves to reduce evaporation area. Example: oak
    3. Summer deciduous -- loses leaves in summer (California Buckeye)
Climate (excludes high mountain areas) Rainfall Range Characteristic Vegetation Range (along coast)

(See below)
Marine West Coast >25" >30" Redwood/Douglas Fir

>25-30" Douglas Fir, California Bay Laurel, Madrone

 Generally, Golden Gate north, but pockets further south in Santa Cruz Mountains and Santa Lucia range, but even in the Oakland-Berkeley Hills
Mediterranean 10"-25" Chaparral (name given to total assembledge of California Mediterranean vegeation) San Diego to Golden Gate Bridge and into Central Valley
Subtropical Desert <10" Dry grassland, scrubland, desert vegetation South of San Diego, and continentward of Tehachapis, San Gabriel, San Bernadino and Peninsular mountain ranges