Moss (Campylopus flexuosus)

Date Collected: April 2, 2012
Location Collected: On a walk in the Mar Vista Area.
Clade: Moss is a non-vascular, seedless plant that produces spores.

Habitat: They grow near each other in clumps or mats in damp, shady areas and best known for the species that cover forest and woodland forests.

Nativity: Native to Arctic and Antarctic regions, these mosses form extensive covers on wetlands and near watercourses.

Special notes:  In Finland, peat mosses have been used for bread during breads and as Christmas decorations in Mexico. In Northern American tribes, mosses were used for wound dressing, basketry, and diapers.

Resources: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/393741/moss

                 http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch

Verbena (Verbena Temari)

Date Collected: April 2, 2012
Location Collected: In my aunts backyard in Mar Vista.
Clade: The Verbena belongs to the vascular plants and the dicot angiosperms.

Habitat: This annually growing plant thrives best in the full sunlight and moist, well-drained soil. It grows in all zones from spring through early autumn.

Nativity: It is native to North America and crossing borders such as that of Northern Canada and Southern Mexico.

Special notes: Verbena is used in herbal medicine usually as herbal tea, Spanish Verbena oil, liquor, and perfumes.

Resources: http://www.gardenguides.com/110-verbena-garden-basics-flower-annual-verbena-x-hybrida.html

                 http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/96promotions/verbena.html

Sage (Salvia Microphylla)

Date Collected: April 2, 2012
Location Collected: In my backyard, the Mar Vista area.
Clade: Salvia belongs to the vascular plants along with the eudicot angiosperms. 

Habitat: Sage grows at its best in sixty to seventy degrees Fahrenheit, full sun, and moist, well-drained soil; it can tolerate few watering.

Nativity: Native to the Mediterranean region, it is now also grown in Central Europe and Asia Minor.

Special notes: Salvia divinorum, a hallucinogen, meaning sage of the seers or sacred sage was used in ceremonies by Central American Indians.

Resources: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/516221/sage

                 http://www.selfsufficientish.com/sage.htm

California Poppy (Eschscholzia Californica)

Date Collected: April 3, 2012
Location Collected: At my aunts house in the Mar Vista area.
Clade: The California Poppies belong to the vascular plants. They are also classified as dicot angiosperms.

Habitat: Grows well in disturbed areas such as roadsides; commonly used for horticultures, revegetation, and the beautification of highways. Easy to grow, drought-tolerant, and self-feeding are its common characteristics.

Nativity: Native to California and Western United States where April 6 marks the celebration of the poppy as the state flower.

 Special notes:  The poppy is usually used as symbols during the remembrance of soldiers who passed away in war fighting to defend their country. In herbal medicine, it is used to counter the effects of anxiety and insomnia commonly seen in drugs and pills.

Resources: http://www.herbco.com/c-213-california-poppy.aspx

Passion Flower (Passiflora Kewinsis)

Date Collected: April 2, 2012
Location Collected: At my aunts house in the Mar Vista area.
Clade: The Passion flower belongs to the vascular plants. It can also be classified into the Eudicot Angiosperms. The Passion Flower also gives off fruit.

Habitat: This beautiful area grows in partially shaded, dry areas and along wood and fences all around the United States of America.

Nativity: It is native to the southeastern portions of the Americas but is now being cultivated all around Europe.

Special notes: It was initially used in the Americas and Europe as a calming herb for anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and hysteria. Up to this date it is still being used to treat insomnia and anxiety.

Resources: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/passionflower-000267.htm

                  http://www.springboard4health.com/notebook/herbs_passion_flower.html

Heliotrope (Heliotropium)

Date Collected: April 6, 2012
Location Collected: My aunts backyard in Mar Vista.
Clade: Heliotrope belongs to the vascular plant family. It can also be classified as a eudicot angiosperm.

Habitat: Thrives in an environment with full sun and well-drained moist soil. It grows all year long averaging one to three feet tall and one or two feet wide.

Nativity: The Southeastern states of New Jersey and Florida are where this plant is native. It commonly grows in New England and Australia, which is where it affects the cattle.

Special notes: Southeastern Europe uses the heliotrope for different fragrances while ironically Australia constantly fights against it because of the poisoning of its cattle.

Resources: http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/annual/heliotrope/

                  http://mason.gmu.edu/~sejtemai/projects/poison.htm#origin

Lantana (Lantana Camara)

Date Collected: April 6, 2012
Location Collected: In my aunts backyard in Mar Vista.
Clade: The Lantanas belong to the vascular plants along with the eudicot angiosperms. 

Habitat: Lantanas need regular watering the first couple of weeks until the roots have spread out. They require sunlight and not too much fertilizer since it will cause them to be prone to diseases. Although they are drought tolerant, being in too dry of an environment will decrease their bloom, performance, and growth rate.

Nativity: They are native to tropical regions of the Americas and Africa but also grow as invasive plants in Asia and Australia.

Special notes:  Lantana berries are edible only when ripe. Due to Lantana being naturalized in the southeast , areas of the United States such as Florida, Carolina, and the Gulf Coast are now referred to as “Egg and Ham”.

Resources: http://www.flowersgrowing.com/lantana/

Cactus (Gymnocalycium Mihanovichii)

Date Collected: April 4, 2012

Location Collected: The Cactus was in my backyard near Mar Vista. 

Clade: The Gymnocalycium Mihanovichii belongs to the vascular plants. It is also a eudicot angiosperm.

Habitat: This chin cactus is seen growing under the bushes where it is only under direct sunlight a few number of times a year.

Nativity: It is indigenous to Chaco Boreal in Paraguay but also distributed in other areas of South America like Argentina and Bolivia.

Special notes: These plants die as seedlings unless placed onto another cactus that has chlorophyll (due to the fact that photosynthesis requires chlorophyll).

Resources: http://www.cactus- art.biz/schede/GYMNOCALYCIUM/Gymnocalycium_mihanovichii/Gymnocalycium_mihanovichii/Gymnocaly cium_mihanovichii.htm

                  http://www.cactusinhabitat.org/index.php?p=specie&id=76&l=en

Blue Fescue (Festuca Glauca)

Date Collected: April 3, 2012

Location Collected: These pictures were taken in my grandpas backyard in the Mar Vista area.

Clade: Blue Fescue belongs to the vascular plants. It is also classified as a dicot angiosperm.

Habitat: High maintenance is needed as well as dry to medium, well-drained soil in the full sun. It uses ground cover and tolerates such things as rocky soil, drought, and air pollution. It requires about thirty to fifty centimeters of space.

Nativity: The Blue Fescue is native to Europe but can be found in places such as Missouri and California.

Special notes:  It is mostly used as an ornamental plant such as rock gardening and in the front row of flower beds without preventing growth of plants behind it.

Resources: http://www.bluestem.ca/festuca-glauca.htm

                 http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant- details/kc/c760/festuca-glauca-elijah-blue.aspx

                 http://www.cradocnursery.com.au/plants/Festuca-glauca.shtml

Gardenia (Gardenia Jasminoides)

Date Collected: April 2, 2012

Location Collected: On a walk in the Mar Vista area.

Clade: Gardenias belong to the vascular plants. They are part of the dicot angiosperms.

Habitat: Since the gardenia is a tropical plant, it grows best in warm temperatures and humid environments. Bright indirect sunlight, needs to be placed in acidic, moist, well-drained soil, regular watering, and organic matter help grow this plant to its fullest potential.

Nativity: This species of the gardenia are naïve to China and commonly cultivated in Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, and India.

Special notes:  This plant is used as a yellow dye in Korean clothing and food such as hwanpomuk. Pacific Islanders use its fragrances to create beautiful flower bracelets.

Resources: http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Rubiaceae/Gardenia_jasminoides.html

                 http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/plant-finder/plant-          details/kc/b555/gardenia-jasminoides.aspx

Queen Palm (Syagrus Romanzoffianum)

Date Collected: April 4, 2012
Location Collected: The Queen Palm pictures were taken from my backyard.
Clade: The Queen palm is a vascular plant which also belongs to the monocot angiosperms or "hidden" seeds.

Habitat: The Queen Palm grows best in the full sun and takes reflected heat. It needs low maintenance with watering about once or twice a month which is why they are able to survive in Arizona’s heat. These trees are mostly grown and found in most tropical and subtropical areas.

Nativity: It is native to South America, mostly Brazil, but also smaller portions of Argentina and Bolivia.

Special notes:  The leaves and inflorescences are used as animal feed and commonly when milking cows. The hard nut fruit it grows has the flavor of a mix between plum and banana, which birds and mammals consume.

Resources: http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Arecaceae/Syagrus_romanzoffianum.html

                 http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Syagrus_romanzoffianum.html

Lemon Tree (Citrus Lemon)

Date Collected: April 4, 2012

Location Collected: The Lemon Tree pictures were taken at a local flower store in Mar Vista.

Clade: The Citrus Lemon is a vascular plant. The plant belongs to the dicot angiosperms and produces fruit.

Habitat: The lemon attains best quality in the coast where the summers are too cool for proper ripening of the oranges and grapefruits. A temperature of twenty degrees Fahrenheit will severely damage the citrus lemon. It is widely known that the lemon tree can grow in infertile, poor soil.

Nativity: The great lemon is native to Asia although it is widely believed that it first grew in Southern India, Burma, and China.

Special notes:  It is largely used in the culinary industry as garnishes, iced  or hot tea , cookies, puddings, icing, preserves, pharmaceuticals, and most importantly lemonade.

Resources: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/lemon.html

Grapes (Vitis Vinifera)

Date Collected: April 4, 2012

Location Collected: The grapevine was in my grandfathers backyard. 

Clade: The Vitis Vinifera is a vascular plant. The plant belongs to the dicot angiosperms and produces fruit.

Habitat: Grapes require full sun but will survive in shade with organic soil. The frost at nighttime can be fatal to these crops Commonly found in the grapevines of the California valley. Manure, hay, straw, or weeds may be used to maintain the organic matter in soil.

Nativity: Vitis Vinifera are native to Asia Minor, where these delicious grow up to this date but are limited to the Northern Hemisphere.

Special notes:  These grapes are grown as food, eaten fresh, or processed into products like raisins, wine, and juice. Grape seeds contain 6-20% oil; which is used for edible reasons, soaps, and some cultures eat the leaves.

Resources: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Vitis_vinifera.html

Red Sensation (Cordyline Australis)

Date Collected: April 4, 2012

Location Collected: The plant district, in Downtown Los Angeles.

Clade: The Red Sensation is a vascular plant which belongs to the monocot angiosperms. 

Habitat: Many of these species grow in the tropical environments and require rich, organic soil that does not dry out easily. It does best in shaded areas and requires minimal water. It is now also cultivated in Australia, southeastern Asia, Polynesia and Hawaii.

Nativity: Red Sensation is native to great southern land New Zealand although it was initially believed it had originated in Australia.

Special notes:  Members of this species are commonly used as ornaments, food, and medicine. The Maori would roast the rhizome to extract sugar.

Resources: http://www.yates.com.au/gardening/grow/cordylines/

                 http://www.ehow.com/how_4903528_grow-cordyline-plants.html

Lavender (Lavendula)

Date Collected: April 4, 2012

Location Collected: The flower district, Downtown Los Angeles.

Clade: Lavender belongs to the dicot angiosperms. It is also among the many vascular plants.

Habitat: Lavender growth is best at full sun, pH of 6.4- 8.2, dry, sandy, and well-drained soils, and shady or damp location.

Nativity: It is native to Cape Verde, the Canary Islands, Southern Europe, the Mediterranean, and Asia. 

Special notes: The medical uses include herpes, denture issues, ovulation pain, mouth ulcers, phobias, and wrinkles. In Europe, dried lavender is used as seasoning fro meat and vegetables.

Resources: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/838.html

                 http://www.gardenguides.com/467-lavender-lavandula-angustifolia.html

                 http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_lavender.htm

Cape Honeysuckle (Tecoma Capensis)

Date Collected: April 4, 2012
Location Colleted: The Flower District, Downtown Los Angeles.
Clade: The Cape Honeysuckle belongs to the Dicot Angiosperms. It is also a vascular plant.
Habitat: Tecomaria capensis does best in full sun to light shade with a soil mix that is very drained. Although they do best in sun, they can also withstand the low temperatures of winter that may reach 48 degrees Fahrenheit.
Nativity: The Cape Honeysuckle is native to South Africa, Swaziland and southern Mozambique. But it is also planted in Southern Asia and the island of Hawaii.
Special notes:  If pruned, it can be quite dense and be used as a nesting site by certain species of birds. It is popular amongst sunbirds and certain insects due to the delicious nectar.
Resources: http://www.plantoftheweek.org/week472.shtml

                 http://www.plantzafrica.com/planttuv/tecomarcap.htm

Bromeliad (Bromeliaceae)

Date Collected: April1, 2012
Location Collected: My cousins backyard, Santa Monica.
Clade: The Bromeliad family belongs to the vascular plants but also belongs to the monocots which also makes it an angiosperm.
Habitat: The beautiful bromeliads grow in altitudes ranging from sea level to over fourteen thousand feet. They are found in a variety of habitats ranging from hot, dry deserts to moist rainforests and cool mountainous regions. The Epiphytic species are found growing on other plants such as shrubs, cactus, and trees.
Nativity: Bromeliad is native to the Neworld tropics and subtropics including Virginia, the Caribbean, and Central America.
Special notes:  The Incas, Mayas, and Aztecs used them as a form of food, protection, fiber, and ceremony.
Resources: http://www.bsi.org/brom_info/what.html

Jasmine (Jasminum Polyanthum)

Date Collected: April 1, 2012

Location Collected: The flower market in Downtown Los Angeles.

Clade: Jasmine is an angiosperm, with "hidden" seeds and is also a vascular plant. 

Habitat:  Pink Jasmine enjoys rich, drained, moist soil as benefits from liquid fertilizer that is given to it once a month in China. This fast growing plant requires full sun to partial shade, water regularly, and the ideal temperatures would be 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 50-55 degrees F during the day.

Nativity: Pink jasmine is native to the western and southern parts of China. This fast- growing evergreen can easily cover over twenty feet of a wall.

Special notes: Pink Jasmine is largely used in the medical field as an alternative for cancer, viral infections, and bacterial infections. Its’ oils are usually used in a variety of perfumes and food flavorings.

Resources: http://www.paghat.com/jasmine.html

                  http://garden.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Jasmine

Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis)

Date Collected: April 1, 2012

Location Collected: In my backyard in Mar Vista.

Clade: Rosemary also belongs to the Vascular, Seed Producing, and Angiosperm Clades.

Habitat: The requirements for this plant is a pH range of 6.5 to 8.5, dry to normal range of water, some sun to full sun, the soil range should be some soil and some clay, and an AHS heat range of two to twelve.

Nativity: The Rosemary Tuscan blue is native to the Mediterranean region and most specifically southern France.

Special notes:  This rosemary produces varieties of foliage is commonly used as spices in cooking.

Resources: http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pd_972b.html

                 http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/2068/tuscan-blue-rosemary.php

Orchid (Phalaenopsis)

Date Collected: April 1,2012

Location Collected: One of my grandfathers many Orchids in his backyard.

Clade: The Phalaenopsis is an Orchid which belongs to the vascular clade and the angiosperm clade.

Habitat: These orchids enjoy a warm climate with the ideal night temperature being sixty-two to sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Their daytime range is from seventy to eighty degrees Fahrenheit. Since, Phalaenopsis are of monopodium growth without any psuedobulbs to help store moisture, they require fifty to seventy percent humidity.

Nativity: The orchids are native to the southeastern region of Asia and are commonly found in the Philippines.

Special notes:  In Asia, these orchids, on average, bloom five to nine times per stem. Due to the beauty of these plants, they are commonly used as decorations in households, boutiques, weddings, funerals, hotel arrangements, and birthday parties.

Resources:  http://www.gardenguides.com/89148-examples-vascular-plants-easily-grow-philippines.html

                     http://www.orchidweb.com/phalcare.aspx

                     http://www.orchidsasia.com/pacific/orchids.htm

Hydrangeas (Hydrangea Macrophylla)

Date Collected: April 1, 2012

Location Collected: Walking in the Mar Vista area.

Clade: Hydrangeas belong to the vascular clade along with the angiosperm clade. Being an angiosperm the Hydrangeas have flowers that "hide" the seeds.

Habitat: Hydrangeas are found growing in the wilderness of the riverbanks and forest lands; they are harvested during autumn which marks the transition into winter.

Nativity: This shrub grows vertically into the air and is indigenous to the eastern regions of the United States varying from New York to Florida and westwards towards the city of Oklahoma.

Special notes:  The hydrangeas were first at the hands of the Cherokee Indians and later introduced it to the early Europeans as medicine for kidney stones. When using this plant for kidney stone, it is also used in a mixture of bearberry, parsley, gravel root, and piert.

Resources: http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_hydrangea.htm

                    http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=hyar