chitalpa

species: Chitalpa tashkentensis

common name: chitalpa

family: Bignoniaceae

where & when encountered: Ventura, CA - 2016

The chitalpa tree is a hybrid of desert willow (Chilopsis linearis) and southern catalpa (Catalpa bignonioides). The name chitalpa was coined in 1991 at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. The hybrid itself was created in by a botanist in Uzbekistan in 1964.

Madagascar palm

species: Pachypodium lamerei

common name: Madagascar palm

family: Apocynaceae

where & when encountered: Montecito, CA - 2016

A delightful plant, the kind of unique material we expect from Madagascar. If this is a palm, it has passed through the imagination of Dr. Seuss. Technically it is a type of succulent, and when mature produces fragrant white flowers.

grasstree

species: Xanthorrhoea genus

common name: grasstree

family: Asphodelaceae

where & when encountered: Montecito, CA - 2016

One of the rare and exotic specimens at Lotusland in Montecito, CA. This one hails from Australia  and is not something you see every day. The Aborigines have had multiple uses for this plant, with different parts used for making spears, brewing tea, plugging leaks (with the resin), even giving directions (the north-facing flowers bloom first).

golden medallion tree

species: Cassia leptophylla

common name: golden medallion tree

family: Fabaceae

where & when encountered: Ventura, CA - 2017

The golden medallion tree is a native of Brazil but now a very popular street tree in Southern California. When not in bloom this tree has very long pods.

fiddle-leaf fig

species: Ficus lyrata

common name: fiddle-leaf fig

family: Moraceae

where & when encountered: Santa Barbara, CA - 2010

This strikingly exotic-looking plant has exotic origins: tropical west Africa. The large leaves are fiddle-shaped, hence the name.

apricot mallow

species: Sphaeralcea ambigua

common name: apricot mallow

family: Malvaceae

where & when encountered: Red Rock Canyon State Park, CA - 2018

What mustard flowers are to most California roadsides, these beautiful apricot mallow plants are to the Mojave Desert - with the difference that they are native.

false spirea

species: Astilbe arendsii

common name: false spirea

family: Saxifragaceae

where & when encountered: Old Westbury, NY - 2018

Species of the Astilbe genus have been extensively cultivated and hybridized for ornamental purposes. The cultivar seen here is very striking.

ostrich plume

species: Astilbe thunbergii 'Straussenfeder'

common name: ostrich plume

family: Saxifragaceae

where & when encountered: Old Westbury, NY - 2018

At a glance these flowers remind me of tamarisk. Members of the Astilbe genus however are deliberately cultivated for gardens. Another name for ostrich plume is Japanese Astilbe, indicating its origin. The species is named for Carl Peter Thunberg, the father of South African botany.

black acacia

species: Acacia melanoxylon

common name: black acacia

family: Fabaceae

where & when encountered: Ventura, CA - 2018

Another Australian native, prized for its wood (which is used for boats, furniture and musical instruments), seen in Ventura's Plaza Park.