Observations by phildkim

Ficus “fig” sap of Ficus usually contains abundant latex, as in Ficus elastic, which was once a source of commercial rubber in tropical regions. Today, rubber is derived primarily from Hevea braziliensis, in the family Euphorbiaceae. A horticulturally important, wall-climbing fig, Ficus pumila, is commonly used in landscaping.

Ageratina adenophora “eupatorium adenophorum” is a perennial herbaceous shrub that may grow to 1 or 2 m. It has opposite trowel-shaped serrated leaves that are 6–10 cm long by 3–6 cm in width. The small compound flowers occur in late spring and summer, and are found in clusters at the end of branches. Each flowerhead is up to 0.5 cm in the diameter and creamy white in colour. They are followed by a small brown seed with a white feathery 'parachute'

Toxicodendron diversiloba “poison oak” is widespread in North America and frequently grows along the river bluffs, in oak woodland, and moist chaparral. In open habitat, this plant forms a self-supporting shrub; however, in wooded environments, it assumes a vine-like growth pattern and is referred to as poison ivy. An essential oil found throughout the plant can cause severe skin rash in humans. The shiny three-leaflet leaves turn red in late summer and autumn. Clusters of light-colored fruit show slight longitudinal ribbing. Horses and rabbits are known to eat the leaves with no ill effect, and the fruits are eaten by deer and birds.

Umbellularia californica “California bay” is wood used for carvings and sold under the name of Oregon myrtle-wood. Flowers of this gamily are bisexual, inconspicuous, usually with white or greenish sepals, four to sex merous, and borne in small lateral or terminal clusters. The petal-like structures are sepals; true petals are absent. The fruit is a one-seeded berry, and the seeds have no nonembryonic, ovarian nutrient tissue.

Salvia apiana “white sage” has, by far, the tallest inflorescences among local native species, extending well over 1-3 m in length. Flower stalks last just one season, while the remainder of the plant is perennial and seldom exceeds 0.6 m in height. The nearly white flowers have the style sharply bent to one side, as opposed to being positioned centrally.

Mimulus aurantiacus “bush monkey flower,” as depicted here, represents various colors forms (yellow to deep red) that have been considered separate species. All are woody perennials of sage scrub and chaparral habitats and are often associated with rock outcrops.

Carduus pycnocephalus “Italian thistle” is a European annual weed of disturbed sites. While most thistles have inforescence heads borne singly, in this species several are clustered at the stem tip. Although present for many decades in Northern Cailfornia, it is a recent invader into the watershed, first reported in 1967.

Pennisetum setaceum “African fountain grass” is a widely planted landscape plant and is commonly seen along freeways. There is concern about its rapid spread into wild areas in Southern California. Plants produce large quantities of seeds asexually. A recent cultivar sold in nurseries is reported to be sterile, but some uncertainty remains.

Malosma laurina “laurel sumac,” an evergreen shrub, occurs most frequently near the coast. Although sensitive to frost, as shown by persistent dead leaves after a freeze, the damage is less severe than it may appear. Fresh growth readily appears in spring.

Heteromeles arbutifolia “toyon, Christmas-berry, California holly” is a shrub or small evergreen tree of the foothill and alluvial fan chaparral communities. It prefers relativiely moist canyon bottoms and north-facing slopes. Clusters of small, white flowers appear by late spring and red “berries” ripen in autumn, providing an important food resource for some chaparral birds. This is a common landscape plant.

Eriogonum fasciculatum “California buckwheat” undoubtedly is the most abundant Eriogonum in our area and is much prized by commercial apiarists. The primary flowering period is mid-spring to mid-summer, although a few new flowers may continue to appear into late autumn from the largely drying and dying, chestnut-brown heads. This species is highly variable, leading to recognition of several subspecies. This is one of the earlier plants to recolonize after a fire.

Nicotiana glauca “tree tobacco” a slender, open shrub or small tree with bluish green leaves, flowers nearly all year. The yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers are particularly attractive to hummingbirds. This short-lived woody species, from South America, is highly toxic and should never be substituted for tobacco. The ripe and opened pod-like fruits house a very small, black, hemipterous insect that apparently sucks out the contents of the tiny seeds.

Ricinus communis “castor bean,” a usually short-lived, semi-woody, African perennial, is common throughout the river bottom and often becomes an aggressive weed, usually in rich or sandy, moist soils. Under ideal conditions, it can exceed 4 m in height. Leaves (30 cm or wider) are attached to the leaf stalk near the center of the lead, alternate, palmately 5-9 lobed, with two ant-attracting extra-floral nectaries on the petiole just beneath the leaf. Within a single, erect inflorescence, the upper 2/3 is composed of female flowers and ultimately, prickly fruits. The lower portion is composed of male flowers, each containing several dozen stamens. This plant contains the highly toxic poison ricin, as well as castor oil, used as purgative and a lubricant. There are a number of colorful forms that have been horticulturally selected.

Yucca whipplei “hesperoyucca, Spanish bayonet, chaparral yucca” has a rounded contour composed of bayonet-shaped leaves that terminate in rigid spines. Conspicuous uncranched inflorescences (2.5m) of white or purplish, stalked flowers appear around May. In autumn, after seeds have matured, the flower stalk and surrounding leaves die. There are several distinct populations; one reproduces by means of baby plants from below-ground, clone-forming stems or “pups” at the base, as well as by seeds, while others depend solely on seeds for reproduction. Yucca whipplei is commonly found in foothills and alluvial fans.