Pansies

Date collected: April 23, 2011

Location: Collected from the mountains of Griffith Park along the hiking trail
 

Nativity: Not native to California (Originally native to Europe & Asia minor)
It is a result of extensive hybridizing and selection of certain traits. 

Scientific name: Violax wittrockiana

Other names: Pansies
Habitat: This plant likes full sun to partial shade and warm climates. They can endure cooler temperatures as long as it is not too harsh. Their growth is much more efficient and faster when the soil is rich in nutrients.

Special notes: Pansies are fairly easy to grow and come in a wide variety of colors that include scarlet, orange, a pale yellow, light blue, purple, and white. They are durable and pest free!

Sources:  
Dave's Garden
Floridata.com

Red Bottlebrush Tree

Date collected: April 18, 2011

Location: Collected from the dog park in Hancock Park of Los Angeles

Nativity: Not native to California 
(Native to Australia)

Scientific name: Callistemon citrinus

Other names: Red Bottlebrush, Lemon Bottlebrush, Crimson Bottlebrush
Habitat: This tree thrives in average to dry soils; it is drought tolerant. It shouldn't be nearby coastlines because the high salt content of soils could kill it. In Australia where it originated, it prefers full exposure sunlight. 
 

Special notes: The Red Bottlebrush Tree is a major attraction for hummingbirds. They love the sweet nectar found in its fuzzy red flowers.

Sources: 
Calflora.org
Floridata.com

Striped Bamboo

Date collected: April 18, 2011

Location: Collected from the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles
 

Nativity: Not native to California (Native to Tropical Asia)

Scientific name: Bambusa vulgaris 'Vittata'

Other names: Striped Bamboo, Painted Bamboo, Hawaiian Golden Bamboo
Habitat: This bamboo plant originated in the humid tropics of Asia. They like a norm temperature of above 18°C and frequent precipitation. 

Special notes: Striped Bamboo has a striated appearance to it, hence its name. This bamboo, like many other species, dies after flowering. It only flowers once in its lifetime and it is unpredictable; the flowering span in bamboo could be anywhere between 10 and 120 years. The flowers do not have petals and rely on the wind to transport the seeds to another place. Mass flowerings of bamboo in the past have led to some in animal species that depend on them for food. This type of bamboo was used by Asian people to make baskets.

Sources:

Caldwellhort.com
Guadua Bamboo
Flowering of Bamboos
Bamboo Information
USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service

Dandelion

Date collected: April 18, 2011

Location: Collected alongside grass next to the tennis courts at Westwood Park
 

Nativity: Not native to California (Native to Europe & Asia)

Scientific name: Taraxacum officinale

Other names: Dandelion, Blowball, Faceclock
Habitat: Although Dandelions are not native to the United States, they are very widespread throughout the country. They are generally found in grassy lawns, fields, meadows, along roads, and even in cracks of sidewalks (places of lower altitudes).

Special notes: It is considered as a pesky weed, but it is not actually harmful to grasses because their roots are deeper in the ground and are beneficial to worms. Many people find merriment of blowing the seeds; it is believed to grant a wish to the person that is able to get all the seeds off the receptacle with one blow of air. Dandelions also have a medicinal use; they were used by the Native Americans to treat sore throats and as a laxative.

Sources:  

Woodrow.org

USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service

Puya venusta

Date collected: April 18, 2011

Location: Collected from the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles
 

Nativity: Not native to California (Native to Chile)

Scientific name: Puya venusta

Other names: Chagualillo
Habitat: In Chile, where it is warm, they can be found in altitudes of 0 to 500 meters and can have a height of 1.5 meters when fully grown. They like frequent exposure to sunlight and are drought resistant.

Special notes: This cactus has an ornamental value in gardens, for they have beautifully unique flowers in the shades of brilliant blues and purples. Caution must be taken when near them because they have sharp leaves.

Sources:  
Flowers of Chile

Western Spice Bush

Date collected: April 18, 2011

Location: Collected from the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles
 

Nativity: Native to California

Scientific name: Calycanthus occidentalis

Other names: Western Spice Bush
Habitat: The Western Spice Bush likes to be in the banks of streams where water is plentiful in the soil. They don't need full sun and can be in partially and fully shaded areas. They are found within the inner areas of California.

Special notes: This plant gives off a nice wine-like fragrance. 
They can be natural insect repellents for the garden.

Sources:   
Calflora.org
Dave's Garden
USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service 

False Freesia

Date collected: April 18, 2011

Location: Collected from the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles
 

Nativity: Not native to California (Native to Southern Africa, Mozambique)

Scientific name: Anomatheca laxa

Other names: False Freesia, Painted Petals, Pink Bermudiana
Habitat: This plant is suited to survive in both sunny areas and partially shaded areas. They are drought resistant, and are able to become dormant when soils are too dry. Their native land Mozambique has a tropical climate with a wet and a dry season.

Special notes: The False Freesia is in the same family as the Iris. They have a resemblance to Freesia plants, hence the name "False" Freesia. They do not require much care and are fairly easy to grow compared to Freesias.

Sources:  

USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service

False Freesia