Terms

Acacia (Golden Wattle)(Acacia pycnantha)

• Description– Phyllodes: modified

petioles (parallel veins)– Evergreen

• Fruit– Legume

• Flower– Yellow

• Location– Australia

• Chemical– Tannins

• Uses– Perfume

• Family– Fabaceae

(pea family)

Beavertail Cactus (Opuntia basilaris)

• Description– Leaves modified into

Glochids– Stems modified as

Chladophylls

• Fruit: fleshy red fruit (pear)

• Flower: Yellow to red• Location: SW United

States

• Chemical– none

• Use– Can be eaten

• Family: – Cactaceae

Bladderpod (Isomeris arborea)

• Description– Compound leaves with 3

leaflets – Leaves alternate– Evergreen

• Fruit: Capsule• Flower: Yellow• Location: – Endemic to California– Desert Regions

• Chemical– Strong odor to reduce

predation

• Uses– None

• Family – Capparaceae

Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius)

• Description– Pinnately Compound

leaves – Leaves alternate– Evergreen

• Fruit: Drupe• Flower: small white • Location: – Tropical and subtropical

South America

• Chemical– Aromatic sap that may

burn– May act as a narcotic on

birds who eat berries

• Uses– Ornamental

• Family– Anacardiaceae

(Sumac family)

Black Sage (Salvia mellifera)

• Description– Simple leaves with small

hairs– Drought Deciduous

• Fruit: Schizocarp• Flower: blue or

lavender in stacked balls

• Location: – CSS & Chaparral

• Chemical– Diterpenoids used as pain

relievers

• Use– Rub on sore feet– Chumash brewed as sun

tea– Nectar used to make honey

• Family– Lamiaceae

(Mint family)

Bulrush (Schoenoplectus californicus)

• Description– Triangular leaf– Sedge-like

• Fruit: grain• Flower: brown or tan

panicle inflorescence• Location: – Indicator of Freshwater

in North and South America

• Chemical– none

• Use– Used by Native

Americans to make baskets, rope, canoes

• Family– Cyperaceae

California Buckeye (Aesculus californica)

• Description– Palmately Compound

with five leaflets– Deciduous

• Fruit: Capsule• Flower: Large white to

pink• Location: only Buckeye

endemic to California

• Chemical– neurotoxic glycoside

aesculin, which causes hemolysis of red blood cells.

• Use– Used by Native

Americans to kill fish– Toxic to honeybees

• Family– Sapindaceae

California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)

• Description– Leaves in clusters– Evergreen

• Fruit: Grain• Flower: white or brown

clusters• Location: Southwestern

United States – CCS and Chaparral

• Chemical– None

• Use– treatment of headache,

diarrhea, and wounds– Good for heart– Erosion control– Source of food for

honeybees in summer months

• Family– Polygonaceae

California Redbud (Cercis occidentalis)

• Description– Simple heart-shaped

leaves– Deciduous

• Fruit: Legume• Flower: Large Pink or

red• Location: Western

United States

• Chemical– None

• Use– Wood Veneer– Erosion control– Red bark used for

baskets

• Family– Fabeaceae

(Pea family)

California Sagebrush (Artemisia californica)

• Description– Slender flexible stems with

thin pinnate leaves– Evergreen

• Fruit: achene• Flower: narrow

inflorescence which are yellowish

• Location: Native to California and Baja in CSS and Chaparral

• Chemical– Terpenes to reduce

competition and predation

• Use– Erosion control– Reduce digestive issues

• Family– Asteraceae

(Sunflower family)

Caster Bean(Ricinus communis)

• Description– Palmate alternate Leaves– Evergreen

• Fruit: Spiny capsule (not a true bean)

• Flower: panicle-like inflorescence which are reddish in color

• Location: Native to California and Baja in CSS and Chaparral

• Chemical– Ricin (deadly)

• Use– Source of Caster Oil

used for digestive cleansing

– lubricant

• Family– Euphorbiaceae

Catalina Cherry(Prunus ilicifolia)

• Description– Simple toothed

alternating leaves (vary)– Evergreen

• Fruit: Drupe with large pit

• Flower: small white • Location: Native to

California and Baja in CSS and Chaparral

• Chemical– Tannins

• Use– Native Americans made

a fermented drink

• Family– Rosaceae

(Rose Family)

Catalina Ironwood(Lyonothamnus floribundus)

• Description– Compound Leaves

(fernlike)– Evergreen

• Fruit: Capsule• Flower: Cream • Location: Endemic to

Catalina Island

• Chemical– None

• Use– Ornamental but seeds

not very viable

• Family– Rosaceae

(Rose family)

Cattail(Typha sp.)

• Description– Flat simple leaf– Evergreen

• Fruit: nut• Flower: Dense Brown

Spike (wind dispersed)• Location: Indicator of

fresh water in Northern Hemisphere

• Chemical– None

• Use– Rhizomes are edible

• Family– Typhaceae

Ceonothus (Mt. Lilac)(Ceonothus sp.)

• Description– Simple leaf with three

prominent veins– Evergreen

• Fruit: Capsule• Flower: Blue • Location: Endemic to

California in chaparral

• Chemical– None

• Use– Eaten by Deer– Used for teas– Baskets

• Family– Rhamnaceae

Coast Live Oak(Quercus agrifolia)

• Description– Simple convex leaves

with dentate margins– Hairs in axils in leaves– Evergreen– No undergrowth due to

shade and Tannins

• Fruit: Nut• Flower: Catkins• Location: Coast of

California

• Chemical– Tannins

• Use– Food– Charcoal

• Family– Fagaceae

Coffee Berry(Rhamnus californica)

• Description– Simple, reddish bark on

stems– Evergreen

• Fruit: Drupe

• Flower: Greenish

• Location– Southwestern United States,

Chaparral

• Chemical– none

• Uses– Ornamental not as well

liked by deer– Erosion control– Heal burns and rashed– Used as laxative

• Family: Rhamnaceae

Coyote Bush(Baccharis pilularis)

• Description– Simple leaves that are often

sticky– Various shapes determined by

location– Large root system

• Fruit: Achenes

• Flower: small white or yellow

• Location– Southwestern United States,

Chaparral

• Chemical– Oils to prevent

predation

• Uses– Secondary pioneer

plant

• Family– Asteraceae

(Sunflower family)

Elderberry(Sambucus sp.)

• Description– Pinnately compound leaves with 5-

9 leaflets

– Deciduous

• Fruit: True berry

• Flower: Yellow in a umbella structure

• Location– Temperate to subtropical regions

of the world mostly Northern hemisphere

• Chemical– none

• Uses– Wine– Syrup

• Family– Adoxaceae

Encelia or Brittlebush(Encelia sp.)

• Description– White leaves– Evergreen

• Fruit: Acene

• Flower: Yellow

• Location– U.S. Desert

• Chemical– none

• Uses– Glue, Sealer, Gum,

Incense– Treat toothaches

• Family – Asteraceae

(Sunflower family)

Eucalyptus(Eucalyptus sp.)

• Description– 700 species– Alternate simple leaves– Evergreen– Gum Trees– Peeling bark

• Fruit: Capsule

• Flower: vary in color with an operculum

• Location– Australia

• Chemical– Terpenoids (aromatic)

• Uses– Planted to lower the water

table– Make pulp for paper– Antiseptic– Food additives– Insect repellent

• Family– Myrtaceae

Flannel Bush (Fremontodendron sp.)

• Description– Simple 3-lobed leaves– Evergreen– Fuzzy texture – modified

hairs called trichomes

• Fruit: Capsule• Flower: Large yellowish

orange Flowers• Location: Southwest

U.S. and Mexico

• Chemical– None

• Use– Water conservation

gardens

• Family– Malvaceae

Fremont Cottonwood (Populus fremontii)

• Description– Simple leaf with long

flattened petiole– Deciduous

• Fruit: Achene• Flower: Catkins• Location: Southwest

U.S. and Northern Mexico in riparian areas

• Chemical– None

• Use– Erosion control– Fuel and fence posts

• Family– Salicaceae

Fringe Tree (Chionanthus virginicus)

• Description– Simple leaf with long

flattened petiole– Deciduous

• Fruit: Drupe• Flower: Larger white• Location: Eastern U.S.

• Chemical– None

• Use– Dried bark and roots used

to treat inflammation– Crushed bark used to

treat sores and wounds

• Family– Oleaceae

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

• Description– Simple leaf which is fan

shaped– Deciduous

• Fruit: None• Flower: None• Location: China

• Chemical– Butyric Acid

• Use– Decorative – only males

planted in this country

• Family– Ginkgoaceae

Horehound(Marrubium vulgare)

• Description– Simple leaf with crinkled

appearance

• Fruit: Berry • Flower: White clusters on

stem

• Location: Europe, Africa and Asia

• Chemical– Essential oils

• Use– Antimicrobial and anticancer

properties– Candy– Grasshopper repellent– Invasive Weed

• Family– Laminaceae

(Mint family)

Incense Cedar(Calocedrus decurrens)

• Description– Scaled leaves in flat sprays– Branches Flexible

• Fruit: None • Flower: None

• Location: North America

• Chemical– None

• Use– Pencils– Light fires

• Family– Cupressaceae

Indian Paintbrush(Castilleja sp.)

• Description– Clover like leaves

• Fruit: Capsule • Flower: red, orange to

yellow (bracts)

• Location: North America

• Chemical– None

• Use– Eaten as greens– Hairwash– Dye

• Family– Orobanchaceae

Jacaranda(Jacaranda sp.)

• Description– Doubly compound leaves

• Fruit: Capsule • Flower: Purple – often

sticky

• Location: Central and South America

• Chemical– None

• Use– Ornamental plants– Acoustic guitars

• Family– Bignoniaceae

Jimson Weed(Datura stramonium)

• Description– Large simple toothed

leaves

• Fruit: Capsule • Flower: Large white to

purple

• Location: Americas

• Chemical– Atropine

• Use– Relieve asthma

symptoms– hallucinogen

• Family– Solanaceae

Jojoba(Simmondsia chinensis)

• Description– Simple leaves that stand

erect

• Fruit: Capsule • Flower: small greenish

yellow

• Location: North America

• Chemical– Oil (liquid wax ester)

• Use– Laxative– Salve– Biodiesel fuel– Cosmetics

• Family– Simmondsiaceae

Laurel Sumac(Malosma laurina)

• Description– Large Simple Leaves with

reddish edges

• Fruit: Drupe • Flower: Small white

• Location: Southern California, CSS and Chaparral

• Chemical– Volatile compounds

• Use– Tea for dysentery– Crown sprouting– Fire adapted

• Family– Anacardiaceae

(Sumac family)

Lemonade Berry(Rhus integrifolia)

• Description– Large Simple and alternating– Evergreen– Reddish twigs

• Fruit: Berry

• Flower: Small rosy pink

• Location: Southern California, Chaparral

• Chemical– Tannins

• Use– Lemonade like drink– Make candles

• Family– Anacardiaceae

(Sumac family)

Liquid Amber(Lizuidamber styraciflua)

• Description– Large Simple and palmate– Deciduous

• Fruit: Woody Capsule

• Flower: greenish

• Location: Southwestern U.S.

• Chemical– Styrax –

• Use– Plywood, furniture,

cabinets– Chewing gum

• Family– Altingiaceae

Mesquite(Prosopis sp.)

• Description– Deciduous– Doubly pinnate compound

leaves– Long Taproot (up to 200 ft)– Thorns

• Fruit: Legume

• Flower: Catkins with pale green or yellow flowers

• Location: Southern Deserts

• Chemical– None

• Use– Food (flour)– Furniture– Barbecues

• Family– Fabaceae

(Pea family)

Mulefat(Baccharis salicifolia.)

• Description– Simple Leaves– Sticky foliage

• Fruit: small achene

• Flower: small fuzzy pink or red-tinged white flowers

• Location: Southwest United States CSS and Chaparral and deserts

• Chemical– None

• Use– Erosion control

• Family– Asteraceaea

(Sunflower family)

Mustard(Bassica sp.)

• Description– Annual

• Fruit: Silque

• Flower: Yellow

• Location: Native to Mediterranean Europe

• Chemical– None

• Use– Pioneer plant (indicator of

distrubance)– Cooking oil– Spice– High in Vitamin C

• Family– Brassicaceae

(Mustard family)

Palm Tree(Washingtonia sp.)

• Description– Evergreen– Skirt– Near water (Oasis)

• Fruit: Drupe

• Flower: small and insignificant

• Location: – California– Mexico

• Chemical– None

• Use– Food– Baskets– Thatch Roofs

• Family– Arecaceae

Palo Verde(Parkinsonia microphylla)

• Description– Green bark– Small leaves that are drought

deciduous

• Fruit: Legume

• Flower: pale yellow

• Location: – Mojave Desert, Sonoran

Desert

• Chemical– None

• Use– Food (flour)

• Family– Fabaceae

(Pea family)

Pampas Grass(Cortaderia selloana)

• Description– Tall grass with leaves that cut

when going toward center of plant

• Fruit: Grain

• Flower: dense white panicles

• Location: – Southern South America

• Chemical– None

• Use– Flower arrangements

• Family– Poaceaea

(Grass family)

Pine Tree(Pinus sp.)

• Description– Leaves are needles

grouped into fascicles– Branches flexible

• Fruit: None

• Flower: None

• Location: – Worldwide

• Chemical– None

• Use– wood– Furniture, floors

• Family– Pinaceae

Sago Palm(Cycas Revoluta)

• Description– Palm-like

• Fruit: None

• Flower: None

• Location: Old World

• Chemical– Alkaloids, tannins,

steroids

• Use– Ornamental

• Family– Cycadaceae

Southern Black Walnut(Juglans nigra)

• Description– Compound leaves– Deciduous– Slight odor

• Fruit: Drupe

• Flower: green catkins

• Location: New World

• Chemical– None

• Use– Flooring, furniture– Food

• Family– Juglandaceae

Southern Magnolia(Magnolia grandiflora)

• Description– Thick Waxy Leaves – rusty

pubescence underneath

• Fruit: Follicle

• Flower: Large White

• Location: Southeastern U.S.

• Chemical– None

• Use– Ornamental– Make furniture, pallets

and veneer

• Family– Magnoliaceae

Sugar Bush(Rhus Ovata)

• Description– Large simple leaves with

reddish twigs – Ovate leaves that are folded

along the midrib

• Fruit: drupe

• Flower: small, pink

• Location: Southern California in chaparral.

• Chemical– Tannins

• Use– Ornamental

• Family– Anacardiaceae

(Sumac family)

Sweet Bay (Laurus sp.)

• Description– Glossy simple leaves– Evergreen

• Fruit: True berry• Flower: Pale yellow

green• Location: Native to

Mediterranean climate

• Chemical– Cineole oil

• Use– Astringent– Olympic Wreaths– Cooking (spices)

• Family– Lauraceae

Toyon(Heteromeles (Photonia) arbutifolia)

• Description– Christmas Berry– Simple leaf - dentate– Evergreen

• Fruit: pome

• Flower: small, white

• Location: Southern California in chaparral and CSS.

• Chemical– Tannins– Glycocides

• Use– Ornamental– Jelly from fruit– Tea for stomach ailments

• Family– Rosaceae

(Rose family)

Tree Tobacco(Nicotiana glauca)

• Description– Heart shaped leaves

• Fruit: Capsule

• Flower: Yellow tubular

• Location: South America

• Chemical– Nicotine

• Use– Smoked– Treat swelling and bruises– Biofuel

• Family– Solanaceae

Western Sycamore(Plananus racemosa)

• Description– Large palmate leaves that are

pubescent– Deciduous– Peeling Bark

• Fruit: achene

• Flower: inflorescence

• Location: California and Baja

• Chemical– None

• Use– Ornamental

• Family– Platanaceae

White Alder(Alnus rhombifolia)

• Description– Simple alternate leaves with

serrate margins – Deciduous– Bark with “eyes”

• Fruit: Strobili (females)

• Flower: Catkins (male)

• Location: California and Baja

• Chemical– None

• Use– Ornamental

• Family– Betulaceae

White Ash(Fraxinus americana)

• Description– Compound leaves that

are made of 5-9 leaflets– Leaves are opposite– Deciduous

• Fruit: Samara• Location: – Eastern North America– Moist habitats

• Chemical– None

• Uses– Baseball bats, oars,

flooring, tool handles

• Family: Oleaceae

White Sage(Salvia apiana)

• Description– Large white leaves with an

odor

• Fruit: Achene

• Flower: white to lavender

• Location: CSS and Chaparral of southwestern U.S.

• Chemical– Terpenes to reduce

competition and predation

• Use– Food (Pinole)

• Family– Lamiaceae

(Mint family)

Wild Radish(Raphanus raphanistrum)

• Description– Annual– Small simple leaves– Invasive species

• Fruit: Silques

• Flower: white to lavender

• Location: Native to Asia

• Chemical– None

• Use– Food

• Family– Brassicaeae

(Mustard family)

Willow(Salix sp.)

• Description– Narrow simple leaves– Usually Deciduous– Moist soils

• Fruit: capsule

• Flower: catkins

• Location: Northern hemisphere

• Chemical– Salicylic Acid

• Use– Aspirin

• Family– Salicaceae

Mustard(Brassicaceae) 

    

Cactus (Cactaceae) 

 

Mint (Lamiaceae) 

    

Rose (Rosaceae) 

 

Pea (Fabaceae)  

    

Sumac (Anacardiaceae) 

 

Sunflower (Asteraceae) 

     

Grass (Poaceae) 

 

Plant families