telegraphweed

species: Heterotheca grandiflora

common name: telegraphweed

family: Asteraceae

where & when encountered: Monterey County - 2015

A ubiquitous "weed" of the southwest US, by why a weed if it is native? I guess because it does such a good job surviving and getting around, often on roadsides.

papyrus

species: Cyperus papyrus

common name: papyrus

family: Cyperaceae

where & when encountered: Santa Barbara & Ventura, CA - 2016

We have all heard of papyrus as an early form of paper used by the Egyptians. I hadn't really properly encountered the plant though until October 2016, where I saw it at the Ventura Mission (above) and Lotusland (below). This species of sedge is native to Africa.