New Species Discovered on Lime Ridge
Though surrounded by houses, Lime Ridge in Walnut Creek is rich in rare plants, including two new species discovered by an amateur botanist.
Botany
Late Bloomers
As many a plain Jane turned prom queen will attest, blooming late can have its rewards. But it's also a challenge for local wildflowers.
Photosynthesis in Leaves That Aren’t Green
Q: How does photosynthesis occur in plants that are not obviously green, such as ornamental plum trees with deep purple-colored leaves? [Paul, Santa Cruz] A: Photosynthesis (which literally means “light...
Black Coal, Bright Flowers
The peaceful hills of Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve weren't always so: One hundred twenty years ago, you'd have found bustling towns full of miners and their families and, nearby,...
Flower Power
Sepal, stigma, stamen, style; pollen, pistil, petal. Say what?! Like all scientists, botanists have a specialized language for talking about the things they study, in this case, flowers. Next time...
Book Review: Field Guide to Plant Galls of California and other Western States
Field Guide to Plant Galls of California and Other Western States, by Ron Russo, UC Press, 2007, 400 pages, $24.95 www.ucpress.edu Many authors would be hard-pressed to write a guide...
Book Review: Wildflowers of Northern California’s Wine Country and North Coast Ranges
Wildflowers of Northern California’s Wine Country and North Coast Ranges, by Reny Parker, New Creek Ranch Press, 2007, 282 pages, $24.95 www.renyswildflowers.com Reny Parker is passionate about wildflowers. For 17...
Out on a Limb with Mistletoe
Most people know to watch out for mistletoe at holiday parties, but there's a lot more to this plant than that one-note holiday refrain.
Presumed Extinct
Mention extinct species, and most people think of long-gone mastodons and saber-toothed tigers. But we know that some Bay Area species have disappeared in just the last 200 years. Or...
