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

Big Yellow Moon

Date collected: April 18, 2011
Location: Collected from the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden on the campus of University of California, Los Angeles
 
Nativity: Not native to California (Native to southern parts of Africa)
Scientific name: Cotula lineariloba
Other names: Big Yellow Moon, Brass Buttons
Habitat: This plant prefers muddy areas where water is plentiful. They love to be near beaches, salt marshes, and estuaries. They originated in wet areas in Africa.

Special Notes: Big Yellow Moons are nonstop bloomers. Blooming will slow down in the winter, but will not stop completely. They have a very unique appearance: they look like daisies with all of their petals plucked!

Source: 
California Gardens

Cosmos

Date collected: April 18, 2011

Location: Collected from a pot in Jin's backyard (Koreatown, Los Angeles)
 
Nativity: Not native to California 
(Native to Mexico and the southwestern part of the United States)
Scientific name: Cosmos binnipatus
Other names: Garden Cosmos, Mexican Aster
Habitat: This plant likes sunny areas with moist soil. It is drought tolerant and likes flat or hilly areas. They originate from Mexico and the southwestern part of the United States, where it is very sunny and warm.

Special Notes: Cosmos are annual plants that are very easy to grow. Some people consider it to be a weed. They shouldn't be eaten as they are poisonous.

Source:  

Floridata

USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service

Dave's Garden

Eucalyptus Tree

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 the east coast of Australia)

Scientific name: Eucalyptus grandis

Other names: Eucalyptus tree, Rose Gum/Flooded Gum
Habitat: These trees favor tropical, humid climates near coastlines, 
where the land is considerably flat and has soil that is fertile and moist. Eucalyptus trees originated in the eastern coastline of Australia, which has warm temperatures.

Special notes: Koalas have a diet that relies almost entirely on leaves from eucalyptus trees. Because the leaves consist of about 50% water, they seldom need to drink water in its liquid form.

Sources: 

Eucalyptus grandis

Wild Animals in Australia

Lester Rowntree

Scientific name: Arctostaphylos 'Lester Rowntree'

Date collected: April 18th, 2011

Location: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden located in the University of California, Los Angeles
Habitat: This plant needs full sunlight and is found on hillsides, but rarely because it is an endangered species of plant.
Nativity: The plant's nativity is in the West Coast and Mexico. There are some areas in California as well where you can see this plant, bu they are rare due to them being endangered.

Special notes: This plant has hard fruit that are berries for songbirds to eat after winter. The astonishing thing about this fact is that the berries resemble a mini apple. It is also thought that this plant was a hybrid of two other species of Arctostaphylos, but no one knows for sure.

Resources:
        Lester Rowntree Manzanita
        ARCTOSTAPHYLOS.
        Lester Rowntree

Cuban Royal Palm

Scientific name: Roystonea regia
Date collected: April 18th, 2011

Location: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden located in the University of California, Los Angeles
Habitat: This plant needs rich, well drained soil and needs sun throughout the day. They can be grown in Cuba and Florida, due high amounts of sunlight.

Nativity: The Cuban Royal Palm is cultivated in Florida, but its nativity is in Cuba.

Special notes: The R. regia is known to be a very good landscape icon. Many restaurants, hotels, and resorts use this palm tree because it could be placed in neat columns.

Resources:
       Royal Palm Trees
       Cuban Royal Palm

San Diego Barrel Cactus

Scientific name: Ferocactus viridescens

Date collected: April 18th, 2011

Location: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden located in the University of California, Los Angeles
Habitat: The F. viridescens can be grown in a variety of soil types and need plenty of bright sunlight. This cactus is found on rocky coastal bluffs near the slopes of a crest sometimes in numerous amounts. It can also be located in areas with hillsides and coastal chaparrals.

Nativity: The native region of this plant is located in the United States and Mexico. In the United States, it is near southern California and in Mexico it is located near northern Baja California.

Special notes: The F. viridscens is very similar to the F. cylindraceus, but in taxonomic views they are different.They cannot be distinguished very well, but the San Diego Barrel Cactus have shorter stems, while also containing different spines.
Resources:

        Ferocactus viridscens
       

Kidney Weed

Scientific name: Dichondra repens
Date collected: April 18th, 2011

Location: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden located in the University of California, Los Angeles

Habitat: It grows in plainy areas, grasslands, and other low valleyed areas. The soil that the plant lives in is mostly well drained and it grows very fast in cultivation. It is in most shady, dim areas.

Nativity: D. argentea is native in Australia, but not very grown due to some people considering them as weeds.

Special notes: The name "Kidney Weed" is from the fact that the plant has leaves shaped like kidneys.This helps the plant by giving it ground cover.

Resources:
        Kidney Weed
        Dichondra repens
       

Bear's Paw Fern

Scientific name: Aglaomorpha meyeniana

Date collected: April 18th, 2011

Location: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden located in the University of California, Los Angeles

Habitat: Their natural habitat is in temperate climates. Since they are grown throughout the world, they can adjust very fast. They thrive in arid conditions and are grown in fertile soil.

Nativity: Even though this plant is grown in Europe, Asia, and North America, it is actually native in Taiwan and the Phillipines.

Special notes: Bear Paw's Fern is a very effective in medicine. The medication made by this plant is used for getting rid of tapeworms, and it is heard that it is the best type of medication for that use. The oil that is extracted from the plant is very dangerous for the worms.

Resources:

       Herbs2000.com- The Male Fern
       Aglaomorpha meyeniana

Autumn Sage

Scientific name: Salvia greggii

Date collected: April 18th, 2011

Location: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden located in the University of California, Los Angeles

Habitat: Grows in desert soil, rock, and soil that is well-drained. Since they are native in Texas and Mexico, they are well adapted to hot and deserted areas.

Nativity: S. greggii is native in central, southern, and western Texas as well as north Mexico.

Special notes: The autumn sage is one of the 900 species in the mint family. The North American natives used this plant for deer resistance, rabbit resistance, and fragant foliage.

Resources:
       Desert Connections
       Delange.org: Autumn Sage

California Poppy

Scientific name: Eschscholzia californica

Date collected: April 18th, 2011

Location: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden located in the University of California, Los Angeles

Habitat: This plant is grown in areas with sandy soil and in the wild it is found near the western parts of California. They make great garden plants as well and the plant is also cultivated throughout the world. 

Nativity: The California Poppy is native to California, but it can be found in many areas along the whole western coast from Washington to Mexico. The plant is also cultivated in Australia, Chile, and France.

Special notes: The California Poppy is California's state flower. This plant was used by Indians mainly for medicine, but also used for charm. They got the sap of the Poppy, containing sedative alkaloid compounds, used for painkillers, toothaces, and even for treating disorders. Also women would make love charms with the flower for luring unresponsive lovers, but if found out they could be banished from the tribe. These days people sometimes use this flower as a tonic for their hair to make it thicker.

Resources:
     The California Poppy- Herbal uses
     Herbs2000.com: California Poppy

Douglas Iris

Scientific name: Iris douglasiana

Date collected: April 18th, 2011

Location: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden located in the University of California, Los Angeles

Habitat: Grows along coastal zones, near sight of the ocean. The coastal areas are from California to Oregon. Mostly on treeless hills with a lot of grass and casually extends farther inland.

Nativity: It is native to California and Oregon. It is near the coastal ends of the two states between Santa Barbara, California, and in central Oregon.

Special notes: This iris had many uses including food, tea, medicine, and for cordage or rope. From the iris seed, flour was made from the Monache and the Southern Yokuts in California. With the strong fibers from the plant it made a  very sturdy cordage or rope. This plant had also successfully healed wounds, ulcers, make freckles go away, etc. Last, the California Indian people used this flower to make tea for kidney issues.  

Resources:
     PacificCoastIris.org- Douglas Iris
     Gardenguides.com: Douglas Iris Plant

Willow Myrtle

Scientific name: Agonis flexuosa

Date collected: April 18th, 2011

Location: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden located in the University of California, Los Angeles

Habitat: Originated from the sandy plains of West Australia, healthlands, and coastal dunes. This plant is very tolerant on soil and is good for coastal or near-coastal areas. Could be found or grown in sunny to light shady areas and is commonly grown in parks or near streets, due to its ability in windstanding obstacles.

Nativity: A. flexuosa is native from West Australia, mainly southwestern, but also has a niche in the southeastern side of Australia. This tree is highly recognized in Australia, but many countries or areas use this tree in parks or on sidewalks of streets. It is also cultivated in the United States.

Special notes: This tree is also known as the Peppermint Tree, due to the feature that when the leaves of the tree is cut or crushed it gives off an overwhelming odor of peppermint. 

Resources:
         Metrotrees.com: Agonis flexuosa
         Smgrowers.com: Peppermint Tree

Giant Leopard Plant

Scientific Name: Farfugium japonicum 'Giganteum'

Date Collected: April 18th, 2011

Location: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden located in the University of California, Los Angeles

Habitat: This plant is selectively a species that is not grown in North America. It grows well in places with a lot of moisture, since it needs moisture to be grown. It is mostly found in shady areas where there is not much sunlight, can be found, or grown in areas with rich, wet soil, and on rocky coastal cliffs.

Nativity: This plant is native to the rocky coastal cliffs in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan, but is grown in most states like California, Texas, Lousiana, etc.

Special Notes: In partial areas of the plant is poisonous, so it should not be ingested. Also people grew this plant for its bold, attractive foliage. This plant is used for dramatic ground covers and has very good benefits near ponds or lakes due to the roots not being affected in floods or wet soil.

Resources:
             Qscaping.com: Giant Leopard Plant
             Floridata.com: Farfugium japonicum