The study and science of plants.
Along the Bay's eastern shoreline, an odd collection of artists, shorebirds, and plants have made their mark on a little-known former landfill known as the Albany Bulb. Now the Bulb's unruly landscape finds itself in the midst of the debate over the design of the new Eastshore State Park. But you can still explore and unwind at this decidedly eclectic open space.
Have you ever wondered where to find free and reliable information about your favorite Bay Area plants? A unique, comprehensive online resource, CalFlora (www.calflora.org), serves as a clearinghouse for botanical information that can be used for education, research, conservation, or … Read more
After you’ve roamed the wildflower areas described in this issue, stop by the Oakland Museum of California for the 2002 California Wildflower Show on May 11-12. The museum’s crew gets up before dawn on Saturday and collects wildflowers from the … Read more
Nine places to see effusive displays of native wildflowers.
Books and Other References This small selection of wildflower guides lists those that are most useful for wildflower watchers in the Bay Area. Some of these books have been in continuous publication for decades, a good measure of their usefulness … Read more
One of the distinguishing features of life in the Bay Area is the presence of the world’s tallest trees, Sequoia sempervirens, coast redwoods. Now, everything you might want to know about redwoods can be found in two new books. Coast … Read more
Animal habits, or behavior, can indeed change due to the presence of nonnative plants. Two examples come to mind. Fennel is a plant native to the Mediterranean region of Europe which became an invasive weed in the Bay Area subsequent … Read more
Is it a mushroom? A moss? Bacterial scum? Trod on underfoot or passed by in blissful ignorance, lichens are perhaps the least understood element of the Bay Area landscape. But they are everywhere. And when we look closely at them, a colorful and diverse world opens up before our eyes.
University of California Press natural history guides are always welcome additions to a nature lover’s library, and the newest in the series is no exception. Trees and Shrubs of California, by John D. Stuart and John O. Sawyer, is the … Read more
In his article on “The Changing Nature of Joaquin Miller Park” author Rex Burress wrote that the fiddle-heads of young bracken ferns are edible “either cooked or raw.” However, before you head out to pick ferns for your soup pot, … Read more
Independent, nonprofit environmental journalism connecting people with nature in the San Francisco Bay Area.
