Plant Profile: Common Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata)
Karen Common blanket flower is a herbaceous perennial native to northwestern and north central US where it grows in meadows. It is a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also…
Plant Profile: Coral Aloe (Aloe striata aka A. hanburiana)
This evergreen succulent perennial is native to the rocky slopes of coastal and karoo areas of South Africa and belongs to the Asphodelaceae family that also includes daylily (Hemerocallis), red…
Plant Profile: Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)
Native to southern Italy, this short-lived perennial is a member of the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae, that also includes pinks, baby’s breath, and chickweed. The spreading plants form mats of densely…
Plant Profile: Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)
This evergreen perennial fern is native to eastern North America from Florida and eastern Texas north to Nova Scotia and west to Minnesota where it grows in shady woodlands, stream…
Plant Profile: Desert Four O’Clock (Mirabilis multiflora)
Also called Colorado four o’clock, this herbaceous perennial is native to southwestern US from California to Colorado and Texas where it grows in deserts, grassland, hillsides, meas, and pinyon-juniper woodland.…
Plant Profile: Crown Daisy (Chrysanthemum coronarium aka Glebionis coronaria)
Also known as garland chrysanthemum and edible chrysanthemum, this cool weather annual is native to the Mediterranean region but is common in California where it grows in disturbed areas and…
Edible Mushrooms: Meadow Wax Cap (Cuphophyllus pratensis)
Meadow wax cap grows singly or scattered in deciduous and conifer woodlands in North America but in grassy or open areas including lawns in Europe. It appears somewhat late in…
Plant Profile: Bitter Apple (Solanum incanum)
Known by many common names including thorn apple, bitter tomato, apple of Sodom, and bitterball, this tropical perennial is native to Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle east, eastwards to India.…
Plant Profile: Crystalline Ice Plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum)
This evergreen prostrate annual or biennial is native to southern Africa, Sinai, Canary Islands, and southern Europe where it grows on cliffs, coastal bluffs, sand dunes and disturbed areas. It…
Edible Mushrooms: Monk’s Head (Clitocybe geotropa aka Infundibulicybe geotropa)
Also known as trooping funnel, this mushroom is found during the fall in Europe and North America growing in fairy rings or troops in mixed woodlands including forest clearings and…