Flowering Plants
Spice bush - Calycanthus occindentalis
The bark of the spice bush shrub gives off a strong camphor smell when the stems are lightly scraped. The red "petals" on the plant are actually sepals. The inflorescence of the spice bush has a red wine aroma.
Field sedge - Carex praegracilis
Field sedge can be used as a lawn substitue. It requires significantly less water than traditional lawns and can be mowed back.
River she-oak - Casuarina equisetifolia
Dyckia fosteriana is a stemless bromeliad. It is able to withstand drough conditions, which is ideal for xeriscaped gardens.
Rusty leaf fig - Ficus rubinginosa 'Australis'
Ficus rubinginosa is native to Australia. Like many species of Ficus, the latex sap can be an irritatant to eyes and skin. It's root system is able to damage urban infrastructure if tree is not planted or taken care of properly.
Scarlet sprite grevillea - Grevillea rosmarinifolia 'Scarlet Sprite'
Plants that are in the Grevillea species have colorful flowers that attract both birds and insects. Traditioannly the Aborignial Peoples use the flowers for the sweet nectar that they produce. Some species of Grevillea contain cyanide so it is best to avoid drinking nectar from these flowers.
Cone-bush - Leucadendron salignum 'Safari Sunset'
Native to: South Africa. Drough tolerant and evergreen, this species of Leucadendron has spectaular red flowers that bloom during the colder months, in fall and winter.
Mexican rush - Juncus mexicanus
Great for errosion control in gardens. Typically grows in saturated or near saturated soils.
Moonlight pincusion - Leucospermum cordifolium
Native to: South Western Cape of South Africa. Leucospermum cordifolium flowers are an important part of the ecosystem in Africa. The nectar attracts birds and insects, and the insects attract insectivorous birds. Mutualistically the flowers benefit from visiting beetles and birds to help with pollination.
Southern magnolia - Magnolia grandiflora 'Little Gem'
Native to: Southeastern United States. The petals of Magnolia grandiflora are edible! The pickling of petals started in England and has a strong/intense flavor, similar to their smell. The leaf can also be used in a similar way as bay leaf to add flavor to soups and broths. Please consult a trusted foraging source before any harvesting or use of unfamiliar wild foods.
Black bamboo - Phyllostachys nigra
Native to: Southern China. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used the shavings of Phyllostachys nigra to stop bleeding and clear heat (heat is a TCM disease category).
Endemic to: California. The entirety of the Valley Oak can be used from the acorns to the wood, but it is also important in agroforestry for the edible greens, such as Clammy Clover, that grow around it.
Sumatra devil pepper - Rauvolfia samarensis
Native to: Samar, the third largest of the Philippine Islands. The genus name is sometimes spelled Rauwolfia. This species is often grouped with R. sumatrana due to the difficulty of sub-division.