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Perhaps the most unique invertebrate to be found in the oak forest community is the valley elderberry longhorn beetle(Desmocerus californicus dimorphous), a federally threatened species. The species spends its life cycle in close association with California elderberry and evidence of its presence (burrow holes near bases of branches) have been located during our surveys. The presence of this species requires that elderberry patches suitable for supporting the beetle be protected from disturbance. Planned restoration of the forest understory and other riparian habitats will provide additional niches for this threatened species. These actions will be discussed in the restoration goals section within this report. 2.53 Seasonal Wetlands Freshwater Emergent Wetlands: Seasonal Marsh Seasonal marshes are wetlands inundated during the winter wet season but dry during the summer months. For purposes of this plan, seasonal marshes will be distinguished from the more briefly flooded wetlands such as vernal pools. Seasonal marshes are characterized by the presence of particular kinds of emergent freshwater plants and maximum water depths of approximately 2-3 feet. Perennial plant communities include those that support an interspersion of scattered cattails (Typha latifolia) and "tules" or hardstem bulrush (Scirpus acutus) in the deeper areas, and spike-rush (Elaeocharis spp.) and sedges (Carex spp.) along the edges. Annual plant communities consist of smartweeds (Polygonum spp.), bearded springletop (Leptochloa fascicularis), swamp timothy (Crypsis schoenoides), and watergrass (Echinochloa crusgalli). Many of these annual plants are not natives, but have become naturalized. Cattail/tule habitats are collectively referred to as tule mix habitats; the annual plant communities are referred to as moist soil habitats and are typically flooded from fall through spring. Buckeye Ranch Resource Plan (November, 1993) 51