Skipper at the UC Botanical Garden

Cunninghamia lanceiolata--China Fir

Even though this evergreen conifer is called a fir, it is not actually a fir tree. Fir tree cones are upright on the branches, but as you can see, this tree has pendulous cones. The green female cones look cute with their upturned scales. Note that the male (pollen) cones are in a cluster of perhaps
20. I guess the men like company. The mosaic on the ground of the fallen branchlets is just lovely! Also a fire hazard, apparently, but isn't the duff always a fire hazard?

The wood is soft and scented, probably a bit like cedar. Here, the cedar is used for closets or blanket chests. In China, the Cunninghamia is used to build coffins and temples, among other things.

Glottiphyllum linguiforme or Mesembryanthemum linguiforme

Blooming now in the Tropical House at the UC Botanical Garden: a pretty little flower in the ice plant family. It does bear a certain resemblance to those pale yellow and lavender-pink flowers growing along freeways, doesn't it? I think this one must be a bit harder to grow. Linguiforme. I think that means "shaped like a tongue." I guess those leaves look tongue-shaped. But, guess what? Glottiphyllum also means "shaped like a tongue!" So I guess the name ends up meaning "Tongue-shaped leaves shaped like a tongue." Very redundant. But not as redundant as Rattus rattus.

Dasylirion Wheeleri--Desert Spoon

I think if I had named this plant, it would be called "Flower Worms." Just look at the shapes those flower stalks take as they emerge from the main stem! Looks fun up close. From a distance, the pale yellow flowers are not that impressive. There were so many bees on this plant when I snapped the pic at the UC Botanical Garden! All honey bees, as far as I could tell.

So this plant is not called "flower worms," it is called Desert Spoon because the base of the leaves are spoon shaped. They are quite rough and stiff, so I think no one would actually want to use the leaves as spoons. I have read that they are used in dried arrangements, however. The other common name is "Sotol" after the alcoholic drink made from the center core after the leaves are removed. It takes one plant 15 years to mature, and then only one bottle of sotol can be made from it. Very slow production. That center core can also be baked and eaten. Native Americans used the leaves to make mats, baskets and thatching. An imposing plant with many human uses.

Rhamnus californica--Coffeeberry

Those berries sure are lovely, but I think you would never want to make coffee out of them. I think it was named "Coffeeberry" because the berries look a bit like ripe coffee beans. This species is a very drought-tolerant evergreen. Hardy to about -5 degrees F. Usually grows about 4-6' high, but can get to be 10' high and wide. Likes sun or part shade. Prefers good drainage. In berry and for sale now at the UC Botanical Garden.

Buckwheats and other Plants for Sale

Need a bit of decoration for your patio table? Consider getting something from the UC Botanical Garden. Top: Juncus patens. This rush is very forgiving, very easy to grow. I love the sculptural quality of the leaves. Next: Dudleya. The dudleya are a bit more demanding, but not too hard. They like good drainage and little water, as you would expect with any succulent. The lower two pictures are Eriogonum grande var. rubescens. The buckwheats also like very good drainage. I love the deep pink flowers on this kind.

Buckwheats are hosts to many butterflies, which means that the caterpillars eat them. Blues, Metalmarks, and hairstreaks all use buckwheats.

Brunsvigia josephinae--Josephine's Lily

This weird, lilyish-looking plant is now blooming at the UC Botanical Garden. Part of its weirdness is the lack of leaves; like the naked lady, it has no leaves when it is in bloom. It flowers in late summer when rains won't dilute the nectar. Then the leaves and seeds grow when the rains come in the fall. Another part of its weirdness is the interesting curves in the stems that support the flowers. Seems like all these characteristics that make it look strange to us make it very attractive to the sugarbirds which pollinate it. The sugarbirds of South Africa don't hover like hummingbirds. They need a landing platform, which the Josephine's Lily has conveniently provided just below the flower. Cool, huh?