Text and research by the California Center for Natural History Fledging Hatching in early spring as fuzzy white balls that weigh about the same as two slices of bread, young redtails (Buteo jamaicensis) grow quickly, making high whistling calls to their … Read more
The study and science of plants.
Why Do Flowers Exist?
The world was not always so colorful.
Can An Antiseptic Nursery Stop Sudden Oak Death?
Can the SFPUC’s new nursery slow the spread of a tree-killing fungus?
How a Plant and an Ant Help Each Other to Survive
Vetch and Argentine ants cooperate, exchanging food for protection.
A Gardener in the World
Can the native plant movement outlast its scientific and cultural critics?
Fantastic Ferns and Where to Find Them
Winter in the Bay Area is a good time to spot the lesser-known stage of ferns
Fall Almanac: An Illustrated Guide to Northern California Nature
Illustrator Jane Kim and the California Center for Natural History share six species to watch for this fall.
The Discovery of the Oldest Redwood South of Mendocino Marks a New Era
The mammoth McApin Tree is not just the venerable elder in its grove. It’s thought the giant redwood holds within its fire-charred rings the surrounding forest’s formative secrets.
What Do I Do About Poison Hemlock Near My Yard?
A reader has poison hemlock growing near his yard. What should he do?
Are There Any Plants That Do Not Photosynthesize?
Can a plant live without photosynthesizing?