LDARCH 112: Plants ID

identifying characteristics on one side > botanical name, common name, and family on the other

Camellia japonica, Japanese Camellia, Theaceae

- evergreen

- 16'-20' tall/wide

- Native to Japan

- part shade, full shade

- low to moderate water

- acidic, rich moist, well drained soil

- multi-trunked, 100 y/o, slow grower, smooth bark

- pink petaled, 2-5", dif. colors, showy

- flowers fall off as one, not petal by petal

Schinus molle, California Pepper Tree, Anacardiaceae

• evergreen

• 40' wide, 5-50’ tall

• native to Peru

• full sun, part shade, full shade

• low water, tolerant, deep water to establish

• 800-1000 y/o, grow medium to fast,

• droopy, graceful

• peppercorns smell like pepper

• flakey bark

• alternate leaves

Quercus agrifolia, Coast Live Oak, Fagaceae

• evergreen

• 75’ tall/wide

• native to CA coastal range

• full sun

• no summer water, deep tap root, well drained soil

• aggressive foliage, spikey, grey bark w/ veins, naked fruit

• evergreen, simple leaves

• catkin flower

• acorns, reddish brown

Sequoia sempervirens, Coast Redwood, Cupressaceae

• evergreen

• 380’ tall, 20’ wide

• native to CA coastal ranges, fog belt

• fog attaches to branches and leaflets, turns to condensation and is like a self irrigation system by dripping down to the rest of the tree over time

• full sun, part shade, full shade

• moderate water, fog

• deep soil, likes organic matter

• upright, 1800 y/o

• reddish hairy bark

• very intensive route system, suckers

• leaflets and needles

Heteromeles arbutifolia, Toyon, Rosaceae

• evergreen shrub

• 6-16’ tall, 10-20’ wide

• native to dry slopes and ridges of CA

• full sun, part shade

• low water

• clay soil, adaptable, drought tolerant

• smooth brown/grey bark

• evergreen/simple leaves, alternate, sharp teeth, dark leathery green

• rose like flower, white

• red “berry” bunches drooping

Magnolia x soulangeana, Saucer Magnolia, Magnoliaceae

• small deciduous tree

• 25’ tall/wide

• native to France

• full sun, part shade

• regular/moderate water

• acidic, neutral soil, some clay

• hybrid origin, fragrant, later fall-winter bloom

• alternat leaves, smooth

• flower; white, pink, 5-10”, 6-9 petals, cup shape

• cone fruit

Magnolia stellata, Star Magnolia, Magnoliaceae

• deciduous shrub

• 10’ tall, 20’ wide

• native to Japan

• full sun

• low to moderate water

• rich, well drained, slightly acidic soil

• flowers; single, strappier petals, white, look more star like

• cone-like fuzzy fruit bulbs

• multi-trunked, open spreading, 50-100 y/o

• grey/white bark

• like protected areas, no wind, dense branching

Ulmus parvifolia, Chinese Elm, Ulmaceae

• semi-deciduous

• 40-50’ tall, 35-50’ wide

• native China, Korea, Japan

• full sun, part shade

• low to moderate water

• well drained soil, drought tolerant

• deciduous, simple leaves, alternate, small

• vase shape, moderate branch density

• puzzle bark, tan underneath, doesn’t attract wildlife, great shade tree

Maytenus boaria, Mayten, Celastraceae

• evergreen

• 30-40’ tall, 15-20’ wide

• native to Chile

• full sun, part shade

• moderate water

• well drained, moist soil

• evergreen, simple leaves, alternate, 1-2”, margins finely serrated, mint green color

• compound flowers, yellow, white

• woody capsule fruit

• weeping, fine textured look from afar

• deep veins in trunk

Camellia sasanqua, Sasanqua Camellia, Theaceae

• evergreen shrub, small tree

• 4-6’ tall, 12’ wide

• native to Asia, Himalayas

• full sun, part shade

• moderate to high water

• rich, well drained soil, loam and sand

• evergreen/leaves, alternate, elliptical shape, 1-3”, pointed, dark green, shiny

• single flowers, 2-3”, white, pink, red

• woody capsule fruit, 1”, green to brown

• flowers fall petal by petal, stamens remain until end

Eucalyptus sideroxylon, Red Ironbark, Myrtaceae

• evergreen tree

• 30-100’ t, 20-50’ w

• native to Southeast Australia

• full sun, part shade

• occasional to low water

• well drained, neutral to akaline soil

• evergreen and simple leaves; blue, elongated ovals, flat, simple margins, pinky/red margins, red stems, alternate

• compound flowers; sea-urchins, clusters, white/pink/red, many stamens, fuzzy

• woody capsule fruit; filled w/ seeds, spring/summer

• red bark, droopy blue/green hanging leaves

• textured deep veins in bark, aggressive roots, coastal conditions

Senecio madraliscae, Blue chalksticks, Asteraceae

• succulent

• 1-2’ t, 2-3’ w

• native to south Africa

• was in front of Bakar Bio Labs

• full sun, part shade

• low water

• excellent drainage

• vertical leaves, alternate, green bean like, round cross section

• blue powdery protective coating

• compound flowers; creamy yellow/white

• used for spreading and ground cover

Acacia cognata ‘Cousin Itt’, cousin itt, Fabaceae

• shrub, evergreen

• 3-5’ t/w

• native to Australia

• full sun, part shade

• occasional to low water

• adaptable, no clay, good drainage

• evergreen, simple leaves; mini branchlets, very narrow, entire margins, 2-3’

• compound flowers; creamy color, rare

• fruit; seed pod, green to brown, rare

• grassy looking, low growing bushes

• texture plant, dense texture

• droopy leaves

• near Bakar Bio Lab

Rhaphiolepis indica, indian hawthorn, Rosaceae

• evergreen shrub, woody

• 4-5’ t/w

• native to south China, wooded slopes

• full sun

• moderate water

• evergreen, simple leaves; serrated margins, rounded, oval, blunt tip, glossy, alternate

• compound flowers; terminal clusters, light link, white to red, 0.5”

• blueberry fruit, rose hip, pome, 0.25”

• rounded, compact shrub, grow densely

Daphne odora, winter daphne, Thymelaeaceae

• evergreen shrub

• 4’ t, 4-8’ w

• native to China and Japan

• part shade

• moderate water, with time to dry between

• porous soil, perfect drainage

• evergreen, simple leaves; alternate, narrow, long oval, blunt pointed tip, undulating margins, dark green, glossy

• yellow margins on leaves

• compound flowers; aromatic, citrus, cluster, pink/white, 10-15 flowers in clusters

• fruits; droops, berry like

• dense, rounded, air circulation around roots

• near top of Haas

Woodwardia fimbriata, giant chain fern, Blechnaceae

• large fern

• 6-8’ t, 4-8’ w

• native to CA, pacific NW, redwood forest

• part shade, full shade

• moderate water to thirsty

• evergreen, compound leaves; feather arrangement, bipinnately divided

• 1 leaf of fern = frond

• no flower

• no fruit

• spores, rectangular “chain” pattern of spores on underside of leaves

Dianella tasmanica, tasman flax lily, Asphodelaceae

• grass-like perennial

• 2-3’ t, 2-7’ w

• native to Australia, New Zealand, Tazmania

• part shade

• low to no water

• well drained soil, drought adapted

• evergreen, simple leaves; entire margins, sword-like, 30”, 1’ wide, white margins

• compound flowers; violet/blue

• blue, bead-like fruit, 1/4”

• basal rosette, plant spreads as roots spread

• hair ball like, tangled

Furcraea parmentieri, no common name (NCN), Asparagaceae

• evergreen succulent

• 12’ t, 6’ w

• native to SW North America

• full sun, part shade

• low to occasional water

• very adaptable

• evergreen, simple leaves'; simple margins, sword-like, each leaf cupped (concave), very pointed, green blue, 3 ish feet long

• rosette form

• looks like a palm tree

• found at base of Haas stairs near portal

Lomandra longifolia ‘Breeze’, dwarf mat rush, Asparagaceae

• evergreen, grass like perennial

• 2-4’

• native to New Zealand

• full sun, part shade

• occasional water

• clay tolerant

• evergreen leaves; thin, 1/4” w, reliable lime green

• compound flowers; dense clusters, yellow/white

• spikey fruit, dark brown

• grows laterally

• feel the leaves, ribbion like to the touch

• found behind Wurster

Phaormium tenax and cv, New Zealand flax, Asphodelaceae

• grass-like perennial

• 10’ t/w

• native to New Zealand

• full sun, part shade

• low to no water

• evergreen, simple leaves; sword-like, as long as plant, 4-6” w, narrow, point tip

• compound flowers; on spikes, clusters, 1-2” tubes, dark red brown

• seed pod fruit

• branch structures taller to plant, strong fibers

• found behind Wurster

Cedrus deodora, deodar cedar, Pinaceae

• evergreen conifer tree

• 100’ t, 60’ w

• native to the Himalayas

• full sun, part shade

• low water, deep watering

• evergreen needle leaves, in bundles

• no flowers

• cone fruits; barrel shaped, 3”, not annually reddish/brown

• cone scales make it look like a rose

• cone shape form when young, flat top when older

• found in grove near VLSB

Eucalyptus globulus, blue gum, Myrtaceae

• large evergreen tree

• 180’ t, 80’ w

• native to Australia

• full sun

• occasional water, drought tolerant

• evergreen, simple leaves; 6-10”, entire margins, waxy blue

• single flowers; white, lots of stamens, poof balls

• woody capsule fruit, mint green with a plus sign shaped opening

• open rounded canopy, strong trunk with diagonal pattern bark

• found in grove near neuroscience building, west campus

Sequoiadendron giganteum, giant sequoia, Cuppressaceae

• large evergreen tree

• 300’ t, 75’ w

• native to west slopes of Sierra Nevadas

• full sun, part shade

• moderate water

• deep, rich soil

• evergreen, needles; stiff, sharp scales

• cone fruit’ 2”, red/brown

• heavy sweeping branches

• propagate thru fire

• found on west campus, on crescent lawn

Calocedrus decurrens, incense “cedar”, Cuppressaceae

• evergreen conifer

• 100’ t/ 20’ w

• native to california

• full sun, part shade

• evergreen needles, flat/ironed

• cone fruit, brown, 1”, duck’s bill shape

• upright form, arching branches, fissured red bark, shaggy, fragrant

• found near Mulford and Li Ka Shing

Liquidambar styraciflua, Sweet gum, Altingiaceae

• large, deciduous tree

• 80’ t, 60’ w

• native to East US

• full sun, part shade

• moderate water

• decid, simple leaves; 3-7”. serrated margins, green then fall colors

• palmate leaves = kinda shaped like a palm

• classic fall tree

• spikey ball fruit, capsule, green then brown

• branches grow diagonally upwards from trunk

• near mulford and Li Ka Shing

Cotoneaster horizontalis, rock cotoneaster, Rosaceae

• semi-decid, low spreading shrub

• 2-3’ t, 10’ w

• native to China, Taiwan

• full sun, part shade

• low water

• decid, simple leaves; round, 0.5”, entire margins, dark green to fall color, alternate

• white to pink flowers; 0.5”

• pome fruit; red, 0.5”, shiny

• not cold enough in CA to love their fruits; decid depending on climate

• very invasive

• horizontal tiers of criss-crossing branches

• in front of CNR behind the olive tree

Pinus pinea, italian stone pine, Pinaceae

• evergreen conifer

• 50’ t/w

• native to south Europe

• full sun, low water

• sandy soil

• evergreen needles; bundles of 2 needles, 5-8”, green/grey

• cone fruit; 8”, red/brown

• broccoli/umbrella shape, reddish bark

• found near chancellor’s house

Taxus baccata ‘Fastigiata’, irish yew, Taxaceae

• evergreen tree/shrub

• 20’ t, 5-10’ w

• native to Europe and west Asia

• full sun, part shade

• moderate water

• evergreen, simple leaves; dark green, 1”

• red berry-like fruit, 0.5”, very poisonous

• columnar, dense, branches all the way to the ground

• hedge

• flanking entrance of California Hall

Cedrus atlantica ‘Glauca’, blue atlas cedar, Pinaceae

• cultivated evergreen tree

• 60’ t, 40’ w

• native to Atlas mountains, Algeria

• full sun, part shade

• low water

• evergreen needles; needle bundles, tuffs of needle, silvery-blue, 1”

• fruit; cones, 2-3”, brown, flat top

• can look like a deodar cedar, more angular and stiff branches

• found across the pathway in front of California Hall

Ficus pumila, creeping fig/climbing fig, Moraceae

• evergreen vine

• 20-30’ tall

• evergreen, simple leaves; alternate, 1-4”, very rough texture, entire margins

• densely branched

• grey and bumpy bark

• will keep growing if not pruned

• found on well near optometry center

Cycas revoluta, sago palm, Cyadaceae

• large, branching cycad

• compound leaves; glossy, whirled, spikey, feels like plastic

• fuzzy pale orange gymnosperms inside a cone like structure made of fuzzy beige feather looking things

• tropical look

• basal clump

• very sharp

Afrocarpus gracilior, fern pine, Podocarpaceae

• evergreen

• evergreen, simple leaves; 2-3”, entire margins, pointy, flexible tip, dull forest green, new leaves = yellow

• fleshy cone, 1/2”

• typically seen as hedge growing against a wall

• use foliage to ID

• droopy foliage

Pinus canariensis, canary island pine, Pinaceae

• large conifer

• 80’ t. 35’ w

• evergreen needles; 3 needles in a bunch, 8”, dark green

• cones;

  • female; 8-12”, woody, scales

  • male; fuzzy with stems, 2”

• tall, narrow, columnar

• found near campanile

• bark is like a giraffe pattern

Ribes sanquineum, flowering currant, Grossulariaceae

• decid shrub

• 13’ t, 2/3 wide as it is tall

• decid, simple leaves; palmate, serrated, alternate, very textured, fuzzy, light green, fragrant, sticky when rubbed

• dangling spike, delicate pink flower, bell shaped bundle of flowers

• located near streams

• multi-trunked

• fragrant

• reddish and rough trunk/stems

• kinda smells like sage

Chaenomeles and cv., flowering quince, Rosaceae

• decid shrub to tree

• 5-6’ t

• decid, simple leaves; oval, serrated finely, blunt tip, 1-3”

• single flower; pink/rosey color, yellow stamens

• very showy

• found in women’s faculty building courtyard

Vibrurnum tinus, laurustinus, Adoxaceae

• large evergreen shrub

• 8-10’ w

• evergreen, simple leaves; oval, blunt tip pointed not sharp, fuzzy when held to sun, 2-3”, wave margins, bright to dark green

• compound flower; cyme structure, white

• multi-stemmed, light green when stressed, flowers growing altogether at end of branches

• fragrant

• found near Haas

Melaleuca viminalis, weeping bottlebrush, Myrtaceae

• evergreen

• 20-30’t, 15’ w

• evergreen, simple leaves; 2.5-4”, entire margins, alternate

• flowers; red, stamens, 1”

• woody capsule fruit, clustered along the branches

• hanging branches, shaggy trunk

Pittosporum tenuifolium ‘Silver Sheen’, silver sheen kohuhu, Pittosporaceae

• evergreen large shrub to small tree

• 30’ t, 20’ w

• evergreen, simple leaves; alternate, winkeled/wavy margins, paler green, 0.5-1.5”

• maroon+purple flowers, 1/4”

• woody capsule fruit; brown to black, red sticky seeds

• columnar when young, densely branched, fine visual texture, black stems

• hedge in front of Strada

Pyrus kawakamii, evergreen pear, Rosaceae

• evergreen, semi decid in berk

• 15-30’

• evergreen, simple leaves; round, 2-3”, wrinkled margins, light green, glossy

• single flower; white, 5 petals, lots of stamens, clusters

• pone fruit

• fark bark, chunky/blocky bark

• Strada courtyard