Author: Hannah Ko
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Lindera benzoin
Common Names: Phonetic Spelling: lin-DAIR-uh ben-ZOY-nuh Description: Distribution/Location: Native to the eastern United States, common in moist woodlands. We sometimes grow these for the Irvine Ranch Conservancy or see them while hiking near the OC Parks! Environmental Benefits: The berries are a food source for birds, and the shrub provides habitat for wildlife, including insects…
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Trifolium repens
Common Names: Phonetic Spelling: try-FOH-lee-um REE-penz Description: White Clover is a low-growing, perennial herb with trifoliate leaves and small, white to pinkish flowers arranged in dense, round heads. It spreads via creeping stems that root at the nodes, forming a dense mat. The leaves are trifoliate, with three leaflets that are often marked with a…
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Bigleaf Mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)
Physical Description The Bigleaf Mahogany is a large, tropical hardwood tree that can grow up to 150 feet (45 meters) tall. It has large, compound leaves and produces small, fragrant, white to yellowish flowers. The tree’s wood is highly valued for its rich, reddish-brown color and durability. Environmental Concerns The Bigleaf Mahogany is endangered due…
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Drosera rotundifolia
Common Names: Phonetic Spelling: DRAH-ser-uh roh-tun-dih-FOH-lee-uh Description: Distribution/Location: Environmental Concerns: Fun Fact: Sundews are remarkable for their carnivorous diet! They capture and digest insects using their sticky, dew-covered leaves, supplementing their nutrient intake in poor soil conditions. Charles Darwin was fascinated by Sundews and conducted extensive studies on their carnivorous behavior.
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Tree of Ténéré (Acacia raddiana)
Physical Description The Tree of Ténéré, a solitary Acacia species, was notable for being the only tree for hundreds of kilometers in the Sahara Desert. It had a slender trunk and small, compound leaves adapted to arid conditions. Unfortunately, the original tree was destroyed in 1973, but efforts are underway to propagate its descendants. Environmental…