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J20161013-0046—Bahiopsis laciniata—RPBG—DxO by John Rusk Via Flickr: Bahiopsis laciniata—San Diego County viguiera. Formerly known as Viguiera lacinata. The range of B. laciniata extends southward from San Diego County to the Central Desert in Baja California. It has been used in restoration projects as far north as the San Francisco Bay Area to the displeasure of some restoration ecologists. Las Pilitas Nursery say the plant flowers nearly year around, an observation confirmed by the experience of Regional Parks Botanic Garden. Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA.

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E20161004-0001—Calliandra californica by John Rusk Via Flickr: Calliandra californica—Baja fairy duster. This plant, a native of Baja California, barely makes it into the California Floristic Province. I have another photo of the species in habitat at a location that must be near the southern border of the province. This specimen has been growing in a sunny, well-protected spot on the west side of our home since the late 1990s. It blooms every year. Photographed at a private garden in Berkeley, CA

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J20161006-0017—Acer macrophyllum—RPBG by John Rusk Via Flickr: Acer macrophyllum—bigleaf maple. California does not possess the large areas of hardwood forests that cover much of the eastern United States. Displays of fall colors are localized and limited for the most part to understory shrubs and trees. There are, of course, the glorious aspens as well as several species of maples. Bigleaf maple is simply glorious when the sun backlights the leaves. Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA.

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J20171002-0049—Bouteloua gracilis—RPBG—DxO by John Rusk Via Flickr: Bouteloua gracilis—blue grama. An important component of the shortgrass prairies of the American west, In California, the species is found mainly in the desert mountains. It is also an excellent ornamental grass that will accept mowing. Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA

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20170927_110749—Aesculus californica—Ohlone Pathway—DxO by John Rusk Via Flickr: Aesculus californica—California buckeye. Buckeye flowers are deadly for European honeybees, although that fact doesn't stop the honeybees from visiting the buckeyes in droves. Native bees coevolved with the buckeyes and are not bothered by the tree's toxicity. There are also occasional reports of livestock poisoning from animals consuming the buckeyes. Given these tidbits, this is not the tree to plant next to orchards or paddocks. Otherwise, enjoy. Photographed in Cedar-Rose Park along the Ohlone Greenway in Berkeley, CA.

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J20160926-0030—Symphyotrichum chilense—RPBG—DxO by John Rusk Via Flickr: Symphyotrichum chilense—Pacific aster. The name "chilense" is a misnomer as it it not a Chile native but it found in many plant communities along the Pacific coast from British Columbia to Santa Barbara and Ventura counties in California. A hardy perennial suited for informal gardens. S. chilense requires almost no summer water once estabished. The color of the ray flowers can vary from deep purple to nearly pure white. Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA

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H20130914-9909—Deinandra minthornii (Syn Hemizonia minthornii) w Diabrotica undecimpunctata undecimpunctata—RPBG—DxO by John Rusk Via Flickr: Deinandra minthornii (Syn Hemizonia minthornii) w Diabrotica undecimpunctata undecimpunctata—Santa Susana tar plant that is Included in the CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants on list 1B.2 (rare, threatened, or endangered in CA and elsewhere). It is also listed by the State of California as Rare. The are fewer than 20 occurrences in the Santa Susana and Santa Monica Mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. The insect is a western cucumber beetle. Farmers can only wish that this beetle was rare for it is a major pest of agricultural crops (although not much of one in the Bot Garden.) Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA.

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H20090917-1594--Helianthus californicus--RPBG by John Rusk Via Flickr: Helianthus californicus—California sunflower. Undoubtedly the tallest herbaceous plant in the Regional Park Botanic Garden, it can measure up to 12 feet in height. The species can be found in damp places around the Great Valley at elevations less than 1600 meters and south into Baja California. The photograph of the flowers against the sky is not an artistic choice—it is nearly the only way the flowers can be photographed. Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA

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J20150917-0068—Epilobium septentrionale—RPBG by John Rusk Via Flickr: Epilobium septentrionale 'Select Mattole'—Humboldt County fuchsia. The species is included in the CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants on list 4.3 (limited distribution). The cultivar 'Select Mattole' has been available for many years. It is a bit more robust in appearance than E. canum, its near relative. Pollinated almost exclusively by hummingbirds. Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA.

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H20120920-5647—Asclepias speciosa—RPBG by John Rusk Via Flickr: Asclepias speciosa—showy milkweed. The species has gained fame in recent years as an important larval plant for west coast monarch butterflies. Many weed manuals cite plants of the genus Asclepias as poisonous to livestock and even humans. It is, however, easy to find ethnobotanical references as well as recipes promoting the consumption of milkweeds.Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA.

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N20140915-0008—Hibiscus lasiocarpos var occidentalis—RPBG by John Rusk Via Flickr: Hibiscus lasiocarpos var. occidentalis—delta rose-mallow. Included in the CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants on list 1B.2 (rare, threatened, or endangered in CA and elsewhere). Small populations in marshy areas from Tehama County to near Stockon in San Joaquin County. This specimen is immature as the lengthy stamen tube has yet to reach its full glory. Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA.

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J20150917-0042—Symphyotrichum lentum—RPBG by John Rusk Via Flickr: Symphyotrichum lentum —Suisun Marsh aster. Included in the CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants on list 1B.2 (rare, threatened, or endangered in CA and elsewhere). Threatened, as are many wetland species, by the continued degradation of wetlands. Restricted to marshes along or near the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta .The species intergrades with Symphyotrichum chilense. Host plant to several species of butterflies and a nectar source for native bees. Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA.

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J20160915-0027—Eriogonum giganteum var giganteum—RPBG—DxO by John Rusk Via Flickr: Eriogonum giganteum var. giganteum—St. Catherine's lace. Included in the CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants on list 4.3 (limited distribution). Endemic to Santa Catalina Island. Widely planted in mainland gardens, parks, and public landscaping where it hybridizes freely with other buckwheats. The flowers turn from white to rust as they age and persist nearly indefinitely, a trait that make them useful in floral displays. The common name commemorates St. Catherine, virgin martyr of the Church, and one of the saints seen by Joan of Arc in a vision. Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA.

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J20160915-0027—Eriogonum giganteum var giganteum—RPBG—DxO by John Rusk Via Flickr: Eriogonum giganteum var. giganteum—St. Catherine's lace. Included in the CNPS Inventory of Rare and Endangered Plants on list 4.3 (limited distribution). Endemic to Santa Catalina Island. Widely planted in mainland gardens, parks, and public landscaping where it hybridizes freely with other buckwheats. The flowers turn from white to rust as they age and persist nearly indefinitely, a trait that make them useful in floral displays. The common name commemorates St. Catherine, virgin martyr of the Church, and one of the saints seen by Joan of Arc in a vision. Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA.

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20170912_092808—Cercis occidentalis—Ohlone Greenway—DxO by John Rusk Via Flickr: Cercis occidentalis—western redbud.. This redbud was almost certainly propagated by volunteers at Regional Parks Botanic Garden. It grows along the Ohlone Greenway a few steps north of Peralta as the path hugs the BART tracks between Peralta and Gilman. Photographed along a public trail in Berkeley, CA

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J20150903-0003—Solidago velutina ssp californica—RPBG—DxO by John Rusk Via Flickr: Solidago velutina ssp. californica—California goldenrod. Familar to most as just Solidago californica, this goldenrod was moved to S. velutina ssp. californica in The Jepson Manual (2nd ed.) A favorite of bees, butterflies, and other insects during late summer and autumn. This Solidago is found throughout most of California except for the deserts. Its range extends to Oregon on the north and Baja California to the south. Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA.

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J20160907-0007—Arnica lanceolata ssp prima—RPBG by John Rusk Via Flickr: Arnica lanceolata ssp. prima—clasping arnica. A, lanceolata ssp. prima in grows in western North America while A. lanceolata ssp. lanceolata grows in northeastern America. One can purchase Arnica gel at Trader Joe's. It is used as an analgesic in much the same way as Aspercreme. Some people swear by it although studies have shown it to be ineffective. Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA.