Here's something you might be interested in.
Elderberry, two species of which range over most of San Diego County, is in full bloom this month. The flat-topped, creamy-white blossoms of this large shrub or small tree can be seen in the natural coastal canyon areas such as Tecolote Canyon and Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, as well as in the more moist areas of the foothills and mountains. The elderberry's tiny fruits, which ripen in late summer, have traditionally been used for various drinks and preserves.
Magnolia, the southern-U.S.-native commonly planted as a decorative street tree in many of San Diego's older neighborhoods, continues to bloom this month. Its grandiose description in some botanical books as the "queen of the flowering broadleaf evergreens," accurately gauges its oversize, white, pleasant-smelling flowers.
Buckwheat, a late-bloomer among native plants in our area, is showing off its small, inconspicuous clusters of cream-colored flowers this month. Several kinds of buckwheat, found in dry, sunny locations throughout San Diego County, are the source of the "wild buckwheat" honey sold locally. Near the coast look for flat-top buckwheat, common on south-facing slopes. Here it shares space with other low-growing shrubs of the sage-scrub plant community like black sage and California sagebrush.
Elderberry, two species of which range over most of San Diego County, is in full bloom this month. The flat-topped, creamy-white blossoms of this large shrub or small tree can be seen in the natural coastal canyon areas such as Tecolote Canyon and Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, as well as in the more moist areas of the foothills and mountains. The elderberry's tiny fruits, which ripen in late summer, have traditionally been used for various drinks and preserves.
Magnolia, the southern-U.S.-native commonly planted as a decorative street tree in many of San Diego's older neighborhoods, continues to bloom this month. Its grandiose description in some botanical books as the "queen of the flowering broadleaf evergreens," accurately gauges its oversize, white, pleasant-smelling flowers.
Buckwheat, a late-bloomer among native plants in our area, is showing off its small, inconspicuous clusters of cream-colored flowers this month. Several kinds of buckwheat, found in dry, sunny locations throughout San Diego County, are the source of the "wild buckwheat" honey sold locally. Near the coast look for flat-top buckwheat, common on south-facing slopes. Here it shares space with other low-growing shrubs of the sage-scrub plant community like black sage and California sagebrush.