Sycamore Grove’s Native Garden - Livermore Area ...€¦ · Sycamore Grove’s Native Garden By:...
Transcript of Sycamore Grove’s Native Garden - Livermore Area ...€¦ · Sycamore Grove’s Native Garden By:...
Blue Eyed Grass Sisyrinchium bellum
Family : Iridaceae (Iris) Bloom Time: MarchMay
Commonly mistaken by its name, blue eyed grass is not a
grass at all. These beautiful flowers have blue-purple striped petals with a yellow center. Blue eyed grass is native to California grasslands. As these plants wilt, they have a mysterious quality of turning black. This species is easily naturalized in a meadow or wild garden. The blue eyed grass prefers some moisture and good drainage, but will tolerate summer dryness.The Ohlone used an infusion of the roots and leaves as a cure for indigestion and stomach pain, and similar uses are recorded from other Native American peoples.
➔ http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/foliage/blue-eyed-grass/blue-eyed-grass-care.htm , ➔ Keator, Glenn. Plants of the East Bay Parks . Niwot, CO: Presented by Mount Diablo Interpretive
Association in Cooperation with Roberts Rinehart, 1994. Print.
Buttercup Ranunculus californicus
Family: Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) Bloom Time: FebruaryMay
Buttercups are little yellow flowers with a varnished
appearance. They can grow up to 1230’’ tall! These wildflowers also have numerous yellow stamens and tiny green pistils. You are most likely to find these flowers in meadows or the wetlands. In fact, the Latin name Ranunculus means “little frog”, which refers to this species being found near water, like frogs.
➔ http://www.watershednursery.com/nursery/plant-finder/ranunculus-californicus/ ➔ Keator, Glenn. Plants of the East Bay Parks . Niwot, CO: Presented by Mount Diablo Interpretive
Association in Cooperation with Roberts Rinehart, 1994. Print.
California Mugwort Artemisia douglasiana
Family: Asteraceae (Daisy) Bloom Time: May August
The California Mugwort is a perennial herb that is
native to the Western United States. This includes California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. In these territories it is most commonly found in streambanks. It prefers direct sunlight and moist soils, but it can tolerate shady areas and dry soils. The California Mugwort was used by many Native American tribes to heal joint pain and rashes. It is also used by many birds as a nesting material.
➔ http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/specieslist.cgi?countylist=any&namesoup=california+mugwort&plantcomm=any&format=no_thumb&orderby=taxon
Buckeye Tree Aesculus californica
Family: Hippocastanaceae (Chestnut) Bloom Time: May June
The Buckeye Tree can be found in the dry, hot foothill
country. It would be a horrible mistake to replace chestnuts with these seeds, for they are violently poisonous. Even Native Americans stayed away from them - except in the worst of acorn years when they went to lengths to leach the toxins out of the nuts before cooking them. This tree changes every season, in winter it loses its leaves, during spring its branches grow white flowers, in summer it looses its leaves and in fall, the seed pods grow and are very much visible.
➔ Keator, Glenn. Plants of the East Bay Parks . Niwot, CO: Presented by Mount Diablo Interpretive Association in Cooperation with Roberts Rinehart, 1994. Print.
Blue Elderberry Sambucus nigra
Family: Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle) Bloom Time: April May
The blue elderberry is a deciduous shrub that can
grow to a whopping 30 ft. in height and 20 ft. in width. Although the leaves do look soft and smooth, they are actually strongly pointed and sharptoothed. Native American’s used the blue elderberry for many uses, with the most common being medicinal remedies.
➔ http://www.calfloranursery.com/plants/sambucus-mexicana
California Sagebrush Artemisia californica
Family: Asteraceae (Daisy) Bloom Time: May August
The california sagebrush is an evergray shrub that
can grow 34 feet tall. The stems of this plant are very slender and flexible, for they hold skinny leaves that are less than 5 centimeters long. These leaves can be light green or gray in color, and very hairy. Many think that this plant is related to other sages, but it is actually in the daisy or sunflower family. Native Americans used it for spices and to fights coughs and colds.
➔ http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/93--artemisia-californica
Checkerbloom Sidalcea malviflora
Family: Malvaceae (Mallow) Bloom Time: MarchApril
The checkerbloom is native to the west coast of
the United States, from Washington to California. This beautiful spring blooming perennial is most commonly found in meadows along the coast. Its stem can reach a maximum of 60 centimeters. This flower has five petals in different shades of of bright to dark pink, often with white veining.
➔ http://www.calfloranursery.com/plants/sidalcea-malviflora ➔ http://www.calflora.org/cgibin/species_query.cgi?wherecan recnum=7564
Hillside Gooseberry Ribes californicum
Family: Grossulariaceae (Gooseberry) Bloom Time: Jan March
The hillside gooseberry is a shrub that can grow to a
maximum height of 5 feet. This plant attracts a lot of wildlife, including butterflies, birds, and bees. The hillside gooseberry likes part shade and moderate water, which is why it is most commonly found near the coast.
➔ http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/577--ribes-californicum
Snowberry Symphoricarpos albus
Family: Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle) Bloom Time: June July
© Amy Wolitzer
The snowberry is a shrub that is native to California. It grows white berries, hence the name snowberry. It grows in shady and moist mountain and forest habitat, in woodlands and on floodplains and riverbanks. These berries are edible but have been described to taste like “bitter Ivory soap”. However, this plant is a food source of many animals including sheep, deer, bears, cattle, birds, and various small mammals.
➔ http://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_syal.pdf ➔ http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/667--symphoricarpos-albus-laevigatus
Yarrow Achillea millefolium
Family: Asteraceae (Daisy) Bloom Time: March June
© Amy Wolitzer
Yarrow is native to Asia, Europe, and North America. However, it has been introduced to places like New Zealand and Australia, and is a weed there. Yarrow was used as medicine by Native American tribes across the continent. Some people nowadays use yarrow in foods and teas. Its leaves are evenly distributed on the stems, with leaves at the bottom being the largest.
➔ http://www.finegardening.com/yarrow-achillea-millefoliu
Pearly Everlasting Anaphalis margaritacea
Family: Asteraceae (Daisy) Bloom Time: June August
© 2005 LouisM. Landry © 2008 Neal Kramer
The pearly everlasting is an Asian and North American flowering perennial that has narrow, alternating leaves. It is widespread across North America. This plant is dioecious. This translates to “two houses” referring to the fact that male and female flowers grow on separate plants. The leaves and young plants are edible when cooked thoroughly.
➔ http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=j330 ➔ http://www.calflora.org/
NarrowLeaved Milkweed Asclepias fascicularis
Family: Apocynaceae (Dogbane) Bloom Time: June August
© 2003 Christopher L. Christie As its name says, this plant is a perennial with narrow
leaves. It is an excellent food source for Monarch butterflies, but can be poisonous for cattle! The narrowleafed milkweed is most commonly found in open, grassy areas. The blooms cluster in colors of lavender, pale pinks, purple, or white. Indians made twine out of the outer part of the stem.
➔ http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/100--asclepias-fascicularis ➔ https://www.anniesannuals.com/plants/view/?id=2779 ➔ http://www.calflora.org/
Coyote Brush Baccharis pilularis
Family: Asteraceae (Daisy) Bloom Time: Sept. Dec.
© 1996 Margo Bors
The coyote brush is a shrub that is native to California, Oregon, and Washington. Like many shrubs, it is drought tolerant. You can most commonly find the coyote brush in coastal bluff, oak woodlands, grasslands, hillsides, and canyons. This plant features numerous small and stiff eggshaped green leaves that have jagged edges. It is a habitat and food source to native flies, predatory wasps, and small butterflies.
➔ http://ucanr.edu/sites/scmg/Plant_of_the_Month/Baccharis_pilularis/ ➔ http://www.calflora.org/cgibin/species_query.cgi?wherecan recnum=1031 ➔ http://www.calflora.org/
Western Redbud Cercis occidentalis
Family: Fabaceae (Pea) Bloom Time: Feb. April
© 2008 Aaron Schusteff
Like most plants, the western redbud is beautiful in all seasons. In early spring it has pink flowers. The seed pods ripen, turning purple in summer. As the plant grows, its foliage creates an excellent fall color and in winter, the branches turn silverygray. Native Americans used the branches of the western redbud to weave baskets.
➔ http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/3124/western-redbud/ ➔ http://www.calflora.org/
Indian Soap Plant Chlorogalum pomeridianum
Family: Liliaceae (Lily) Bloom Time: May August
© 2004 George W. Hartwell
The Indian soap plant is easy to spot in the wilderness because of its light green, wavyedged leaves that grow from one to two feet. Like all soap plants, this perennial starts growing as a bulb, then slowly forms its leaves and flowers. The flowers typically have six petals and are usually white. Before the plant is fully grown, the bulbs can be used as a medicine.
➔ http://www.calflora.org/ ➔ http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Chlorogalumpomeridianum ➔ http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/chlorogalum_pomeridianum.shtml
California Purple Aster Aster chilensis
Family: Asteraceae (Daisy) Bloom Time: May August
© Amy Wolitzer
The California purple aster is a perennial that is native to the West Coast of North America. It can be found in many different habitats including along the coast and in the coastal mountain ranges. It can grow to be between 40 centimeters to one meter. The hairy leaves are narrowly ovalshaped, pointed, and sometimes finely serrated along the edges.
➔ http://www.theodorepayne.org/mediawiki/index.php?title=Aster_chilensis_%27Purple_Haze%27 ➔ http://www.calflora.org/
Buckwheat Eriogonum fasciculatum
Family: Polygonaceae (Buckwheat) Bloom Time: May August
Photo by Jim Adams - Granada Native Gardens
Despite its name, buckwheat is not a wheat at all. In fact buckwheat is a “pseudocereal”, because its seeds are eaten and it is full of carbohydrates. Usually, neither the stems nor the leaves are hairy, although the upper stems are hairy on some cultivars. Buckwheat has triangular seeds and produces a flower that is usually white, although it can also be pink or yellow.
➔ http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=3243
California Fuschia Epilobium canum
Family: Onagraceae (Evening Primrose) Bloom Time: June October
© 2003 George Jackson
This plant is native to North America, but can most commonly be found in California. The California fuchsia is a subshrub that can grow to 60 centimeters tall. Our local variety has red flowers but other fuchsias may have colors from white, pink, orange, or red, all which are stunning. The small leaves may be opposite or alternate and can range in color from green to nearly white.
➔ http://www.laspilitas.com/groups/california-fuchsia.html ➔ http://www.calflora.org/
California Matchweed Gutierrezia californica
Family: Asteraceae (Daisy) Bloom Time: June October
© 2010 Neal Kramer
The California matchweed is a small shrub that can
reach up to 20 inches in height. It is native to California and can be most commonly found on slopes and plains. The California matchweed grows clumpy or gangly and stems in shades of gray and red which are lined with small linear green leaves.
➔ http://calscape.org/Gutierrezia-californica-(California-Matchweed)?srcr=sc570077c5eab4 ➔ http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Gutierrezia+californica ➔ http://www.calflora.org/
Toyon Heteromeles arbutifolia Family: Rosaceae (Rose) Bloom Time: June August
© 2004 George W. Hartwell Toyon is a common perennial shrub that is native to
Oregon and California. It typically grows from 25 meters and has a rounded top. Early in the summer, it produces small white flowers that can be 610 millimeters in width. Lots of different kinds of wildlife use the toyon for shelter and food including butterflies, mockingbirds, robins, coyotes, and bears. Native Americans used the leaves of the toyon in tea, which served as a stomach remedy.
➔ http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/339--heteromeles-arbutifolia ➔ http://www.calflora.org/
Hillside Pea Lathyrus sp.
Family: Fabaceae (Pea) Bloom Time: March May
© 2012 Neal Kramer © Amy Wolitzer
This native pea is found in grasslands in Sycamore
Grove Park. Like most peas, this one is a perennial that grows on a vine. The inflorescence can be an array of colors, but the hillside pea is mainly white or yellow with pink or purple accents. The leaves are made up of several leaflets of various shapes up to 4 or 5 centimeters long.
➔ http://www.calflora.org/
Coyote Mint Monardella villosa
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint) Bloom Time: May August
© Amy Wolitzer
Coyote mint is a perennial wildflower that can only be found in California. It grows in a small bush or matted ground cover tangle. Indigenous peoples of California used coyote mint as a remedy for an upset stomach, respiratory conditions, and a sore throat. It likes part shade to sun and is drought tolerant. These flowers are attractive to butterflies, because their nectar provides a good food source for them.
➔ http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/443--monardella-villosa ➔ http://www.calflora.org/
Wild Rose Rosa californica
Family: Rosaceae (Rose) Bloom Time: May August
© 2008 Ron Wolf
This plant is native California. The wild rose is drought
tolerant, but grows the best in moist soils near water sources. Each rose that grows on the bush has five petals and is generally flat. Colors range from deep pink to pearly white.
➔ http://www.calflora.org/
California Coffeeberry Frangula californica (Formerly Rhamnus californica)
Family: Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn) Bloom Time: June August
This plant is a species of flowering plant in the
buckthorn family. It is native to western North America,. The California coffeeberry appears in in oak woodland and chaparral habitats. It is a bush, whose branches may have a reddish tinge and the new twigs are often red in color.
➔ http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=frcac5
Redberry Rhamnus crocea
Family: Rosaceae (Rose) Bloom Time: February March
© 2003 Charles E. Jones Redberry is a species of buckthorn that is native to
California, Arizona, and Baja California. It is typically one to two meters high and can be found in chaparral woodlands, pacific coast ranges, and western foothills. The fruit was once used as food by Native Americans in the western United States. When the fruit is eaten in large quantities, the berry is reported to impart a red tint to the entire body.
➔ http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=rhcr
Arroyo Willow Salix lasiolepis
Family: Salicaceae (Willow) Bloom Time: February April
The arroyo willow is a species of willow that is native
to western North America. This plant’s main habitat is in California. It is a deciduous large shrub that has yellowish brown shoots and green leaves. Indians used the bark for pain relief (it contains aspirin!) and branches to build the frames for their tule houses.
➔ http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/600--salix-lasiolepis
Black Sage Salvia mellifera
Family: Lamiaceae (Mint) Bloom Time: March July
© Amy Wolitzer
Black sage is native to California, Baja California, and Mexico. It occurs from sea level to 1200 m elevation. It can grow on many different types of soil. The Chumash people used black sage for tea that could be rubbed on painful areas, or to soak one’s feet.
➔ http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/612--salvia-mellifera
California Figwort Scrophularia californica
Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figwort) Bloom Time: March June
The California figwort is a flowering perennial in the
figwort family. It is native to the western United States, including many habitats in California. It grows to about 2 3.5 feet tall, and grows the fastest when in full sun to light shade. This nectar producer attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
➔ http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/626--scrophularia-californica
Goldenrod Solidago velutina spp. californica
Family: Asteraceae (Daisy) Bloom Time:June October
© 2010 Jeff Abbas
The goldenrod is a species of flowering plant in the
aster family. This type of species can be found in meadows, prairies, and savannas. It is native to western North American from Oregon through California to Baja California. It grows in several different types of habitats including oak woodlands, valley grassland, chaparral, and sometimes disturbed areas.
➔ http://www.ediblewildfood.com/goldenrod.aspx ➔ http://www.calflora.org/
Mule Ears
Wyethia Family: Asteraceae (Daisy) Bloom Time: March May
© 2011 Steven Perry
Mule ears are a type of flowering plant in the sunflower family. It’s scientific name, Wyethia, is named after an early American explorer named Nathaniel Jarvis Wyethia. The name Mule Ears comes from how the leaves are shaped, like mule ears! It grows from eight to a whopping thirtysix inches tall. Mule ears tend to grow in colonies of hundreds, or even thousands of plants.
➔ http://www.swcoloradowildflowers.com/Yellow%20Enlarged%20Photo%20Pages/wyethia.htm ➔ http://www.calflora.org/
Lupine Lupinus sp.
Family: Fabaceae Bloom Time: March May
© 2009 John W. Wall
© Amy Wolitzer
The native garden features a species of lupine that
should regrow every year. We have yet to identify which species it is! We also put out seeds for annual lupines including Bicolor Lupine and Valley Lupine.
Purple Needle Grass Stipa pulchra (formerly Nassella pulchra)
Family: Poaceae (Grass)
It is native to California, where it can be found
growing in the coastal hills, valleys, and mountain ranges, as well as the Sacramento Valley and parts of the Sierra Nevada foothills and Baja California. This grass is a preferred material by Indians for weaving baskets. Purple needle grass became California’s state grass in 2004. This plant produces copious seeds, up to 227 pounds per acre!
➔ http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/663--stipa-pulchra
Yampah Perideridia sp.
Family: Apiaceae (Parsley) Bloom Time: June September
© 2007 Chris Winchell
This plant is native to western North America, and similar in appearance to other plants in this family, they have umbels of white flowers. These plants effectively mimic tall grass and are virtually invisible until they flower, since they tend to grow in grassy meadows, This plant was a very important staple plant to Native Americans in western North America.
➔ http://www.watershednursery.com/nursery/plant-finder/perideridia-kelloggii/
Gum Plant Grindelia camporum
Family: Asteraceae (Daisy) Bloom Time: June October
© 2014 Steve Matson
This plant is native to California, Nevada, and Baja
California, where it can be found in various habitats. Its branching stems are lined with many stiff, wavyedged, serrated leaves 2 to 3 centimeters long. Native Americans used this plant as a medicinal plant. It attracts many species of insects, butterflies, and beetles.
➔ http://www.calflora.org/
Blue Wild Rye Elymus glaucus
Family: Poaceae (Grass)
This grass is native to North America from Alaska to New York to northern Mexico. It grows in tufts of several stems which exceed 50 centimeters in height and may approach 150 centimeters total! This species of plant is very widespread and common, especially in North America.
Squirrel Tail Elymus multisetus
Family: Poaceae (Grass)
It is a species of wild rye that has many names, with
the most common being squirrel tail. It is native to most of North America west of the Mississippi river and also occurs in many ecosystems including the grassland. Squirrel tail is a perennial grass that can grow to around half a meter in height. The solid stems contain flat or rolled leaf blades.
Common Sandaster Corethrogyne filaginifolia (formerly Lessingia filaginfolia) Family: Asteraceae (Daisy) Bloom Time: May August
© Amy Wolitzer
This is a flowering plant in the daisy family. It is native to western North America from the southwest corner of Oregon through California to Baja California. In those places, it is commonly found in woodlands, forests, and grasslands.
➔ http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-taxon=Corethrogyne+filaginifolia