Crataegus pubescens, C. mexicana, Tejocote

According to Wikipedia, the name of this plant is Crataegus mexicana, not Crataegus pubescens as this sign at the UC Botanical Garden indicates. But who cares? "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." And indeed, this small tree is in the rose family and the fruit smells like a cross between a rose and an apple, also both in the rose family.

Tejocote is an important fruit in traditional Mexican celebrations. It is the main flavor in the hot juice drink (Ponche Villa) served in December. The fruit is also used as an offering on the Day of the Dead. They even make a rosary out of it. So, when Mexicans moved to California, of course they wanted to continue the tradition. But the tree wasn't growing here, and the Department of Agriculture was worried about pests that could stowaway on the fruit if it was imported. Thousands of pounds of illicit fruit were confiscated year after year. Until Jaime Serrato got the bright idea to grow the fruit in this country. So now it is more available here and everyone is happy. I am going to have to check Berkeley Bowl to see if they have it.

Tejocote has a high pectin content, so it would make a great addition to jam. The pectin is extracted in large quantities to use in the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and textile industries. The wood is hard and is used to make tool handles.

In fruit now at the UC Botanical Garden. In the Mexican bed near the entrance.

Passiflora Berkeley with Gulf Fritillary

Isn't this a pretty passion vine? I love the bright white with the lavender ring. It used to grow near the Ecole Bilingue elementary school in Berkeley, and they added butterflies to the curriculum because the kids noticed that it was covered in Gulf Fritillary Butterflies and got very excited. When a friend told me that the house was abandoned and scheduled for tear down, I became concerned because the butterflies loved that vine so much, and if it died, replacing would become impossible. As a result, in 2006, I worked with Carlos at the UC Botanical Garden to clone the vine. I took many cuttings from the front yard (the house was on Heinz Ave just below San Pablo, if I recall correctly) and learned about propagating vines. Carlos sold many of them, calling them "Sally's Rescue" and I planted one in my front yard. They are supposed to be hardy and vigorous, and the one I got cuttings from certainly was, but mine is more like an invalid. Too many snails, I guess.

In 2007, it was registered as "Berkeley" by Dr Les King. Just today, in a email from David Costen, I learned that DNA analysis indicates that it may be triploid.

Somebody registered a name for a plant I saved! Somebody else did DNA analysis on it! David and Les care about a plant I rescued from an overgrown abandoned front yard! Isn't that cool? I think this is my moment of famousity!

Ilex vomitoria--Yaupon

Ilex vomitoria: what a name! One would think that eating this plant would make people vomit, but no. That is not the case. The story is a bit more involved.

The tree is native to the southwest US and into Mexico. The Cherokee Indians (among others) lived within this range and used the leaves to make "black drink," a ceremonial caffeinated beverage. Village officials harvested leaves and twigs before the ceremony. They lightly roasted them (just like coffee) to make the caffeine water soluble (just like coffee). Then, they boiled the plant parts until the water became brown or black, giving the infusion its name. The drink was consumed by the tribal council using a large communal cup. At the end of the ceremony, they purged, giving the plant its name. The drinking and purging was supposed to purify councilmembers and remove any anger or sin.
(Sacred Plant)

Women and children were not allowed to be involved in the preparation or consumption of black drink.

American colonists also drank a tea made from Yaupon to take advantage of the caffeine content, but they called it "cassine" or "cassina."

Several specimens of this species grow at the UC Botanical Garden, but I was unable to find one in berry or bloom. I'll have to revisit this tree.



(Intoxicating Plant)

Glyptostrobus pensilis--Chinese Water Pine

Stunning fall foliage currently dominating view near the main bridge at the UC Botanical Garden. The Chinese Water Pine is deciduous and grows in wet places near ponds and streams. It is nearly extinct because people cut many down to use in cabinets, art and musical instruments. The wood is aromatic, fine textured, resistant to insects and easy to work. The soft buoyant roots are used in the same way cork is used: for bottle stoppers, It can still be found near rice paddies, where it is used to stabilize the banks.

This is one of those odd deciduous conifers. I always think of conifers as evergreens, and at first I was worried that this specimen was in trouble. But no!! It is just going through its normal yearly cycle of leaf drop. Yay!

Zantedeschia aethiopica--Cally Lily

These flowers are not in the lily family, but everybody I know calls them callas or calla lilies. They are in the Araceae family along with Jack-in-the-Pulpit and the titan arum. Callas are just beginning to bloom now, in January. They are from Africa, but they grow really easily around here. I remember talking to someone who was surprised about how easy they are, since they look so elegant. But really, they even become weedy, although most people welcome them in their gardens. If you give them water they will stay green all year, but in my yard, they die back in the summer.

Callas have been a favored item for several artists: Robert Mapplethorpe, Georgia O'Keeffe, Imogen Cunningham, Diego Rivera. My photos don't do them justice. Once, I saw someone jump out of her car with scissors to steal a bouquet. They are very special flowers, but not worth stealing!

Ceanothus griseus v horizontalis--Carmel Ceanothus

Another Ceanothus is coming into bloom at the UC Botanical Garden. The Garden calls it Carmel Ceanothus, but it is also called Carmel Creeper because it is low growing, only 1-3' tall. But it spreads 5-15', so it makes a nice ground cover. It likes full sun and good drainage. Also, too much water will shorten the life of any ceanothus, so go easy on the water. The deer like this one, it has nice big yummy leaves. This rapidly growing elegant plant makes a great bank cover. The variety 'Yankee Point' is generally available. The flowers of all Ceanothus are lightly fragrant. Come to the Garden for a sniff!

Berberis sargentiana

This Berberis has beautiful purple berries on it at the UC Botanical Garden right now. I could find little info on it, however. Both birds and people eat the berries of this genus, but I don't know if this particular species is edible. If you want to find this beautiful plant, it is right next to the New World Desert.