Populus tremuloides

Populus tremuloides

Quaking Aspen

Populus tremuloides is a deciduous tree native to cooler areas of North America. The species is referred to Quaking Aspen, Trembling Aspen, and Quakies, names deriving from its leaves which flutter in the breeze. The tree-like plant has tall trunks, up to 25 metres, with smooth pale bark, scarred with black. The glossy green leaves, dull beneath, become golden to yellow, rarely red, in Autumn. The species rarely flowers, often propagating through its roots to form large groves.

It propagates itself primarily through root sprouts, and extensive clonal colonies are common. Each colony is its own clone, and all trees in the clone have identical characteristics and share a single root structure. A clone may turn color earlier or later in the fall than its neighbouring aspen clones. Fall colors are usually bright tones of yellow; in some areas, red blushes may be occasionally seen. As all trees in a given clonal colony are considered part of the same organism, one clonal colony is considered the heaviest and oldest living organism at six million kilograms and approximately 80,000 years old.

Chionochloa rubra

Chionochloa rubra

Red Tussock

This grass, endemic to New Zealand, is often found in great drifts in lowland and low-alpine areas in the volcanic mountains. Common on the mineral belts of the South Island and on poorly drained peaty valley floors or rolling slopes mostly below the tree line. Not especially showy in flower, but attractive for the strong red-copper foliage. It can grow to be 3-4' tall.

Fenestraria rhopalophylla

Fenestraria rhopalophylla

Baby toes or Window plant

 

 

Fenestraria is a monotypic genus of succulent plants in the family Aizoaceae. The species is also called babies toes or window plant. On each leaf there is transparent window-like area at the top, it is for these window-like structures that the genus is named (Latin: fenestra). In the wild, the plant grows mostly buried by sand. The transparent tips are often above the sand and allow light into the leaves for photosynthesis. F. rhopalophylla is native to Namibia and Namaqualand in southern Africa. The plants are generally found growing in sandy or calciferous soils under low < 100 mm rainfall.

 

 

Ratibida columnifera

Ratibida columnifera

Mexican Hat, Yellow Coneflower

These upright perennials (1-3') bloom in the summer at elevations between 5,000 to 8,5000 feet on plains and in openings in pine forests. The Yellow Coneflower has a purplish central cone and reflexed yellow petals whitele the Mexican Hat has drooping brick-red ray petalss and red disks. They prefer full sun and require little maintenance. They were often used bu Native Americans as a snakebite remedy and to reduce fevers.

Hemerocallis sp.

Hemerocallis sp.

Daylily

Daylily is the common name of the species, hybrids and cultivars of the genus Hemerocallis . The flowers of these plants are highly diverse in colour and form, often resulting from hybridization by gardening enthusiasts. Once considered part of the Liliaceae family, such as Lilium (true lilies), the genus name was given to the family Hemerocallidaceae in later circumscriptions.

The flowers of some species are edible and are used in Chinese cuisine. They are sold (fresh or dried) in Asian markets as gum jum or golden needles or yellow flower vegetables . They are used in hot and sour soup, daylily soup, Buddha's delight, and moo shu pork. The young green leaves and the tubers of some (but not all species are also edible. The plant has also been used for medicinal purposes. Care must be used as some species can be toxic.

http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Daylily-Salad

Lupinus albifrons

Lupinus albifrons
Bush Lupine

One of the largest genera of California wildflowers! A member of the pea family, Lupine's flower and palm-like, lobed leaves are their most identifying characteristics. Lupines grow in elevations of 2,000 to 12,000 feet, while the Bush Lupine is typically found at lower elevations. Bush Lupine grows to 5 feet tall with dark blue blossoms. Lupines are drought tolerant, fragrant and provide nitrogen to soil. "Lupinus" means wolf.

Prunus x domestica var. syriaca

Prunus x domestica var. syriaca

Mirabelle Plum

Origin: Originally cultivated from a wild plum from Asia Minor, the Mirabelle Plum is now a speciality grown in the French region of Lorraine which produces 80% of the global consumption. Mirabelle, derived from Mirabel in Latin, means beautiful and wonderous.

Uses: Two main cultivars are grown: the Nancy and the Metz. The Nancy is eaten mostly as a fresh fruit while the Metz is used principally in jams.

Clarkia franciscana

Clarkia franciscana

Presidio Clarkia

Origin Of Genus Name: Clarkia is named after Captain William Clark, co-leader and botanist of the Lewis and Clark party.

Presidio Locations: Found on serpentine bluffs and serpentine grasslands in open sunlit areas.

Range In State: Grows only in the Presidio and in the East Bay hills.The Presidio is the type locality for this species.

Description: This rare and endangered, native annual species has leaves that are widest at the base and taper off into a narrow tip. The petals of the flowers are wedge shaped with lavender to pink shading. The middle of the flower is white and the base is bright reddish-purple. Blooms May to July.

Native Californian Uses: Parched, pulverized seeds of Clarkia species were known to be used for food by the Miwok.

Pyrola picta

Pyrola picta

Shinleaf

Native to Yosemite at elevations between 4,000-7,000 feet. Has basal leaves unless it is the leafless variety known as P. aphylla, which derives its nutrients from myrcorhizal relationships with fungi. Pyrola means "pear-like" and picta means "decorated", both in reference to the leaves.

Gentiana lutea

Gentiana lutea

Great Yellow Gentian

Gentiana lutea is a species of gentian native to the mountains of central and southern Europe. Other names include 'Yellow Gentian', 'Bitter Root', 'Bitterwort', 'Centiyane', and 'Genciana'.

Staphylea bolanderi

Staphylea bolanderi

Sierra Bladdernut

Rare tree found on western canyon walls between 1000-4,500 feet north of Sequoia National Forest.

Shrub more than a tree, up to 15’. Compound leaves.