Plant Information

1. California dogwood (Cornus californica)

Habitat: Deep canyon
Throughout the year this tree maintains its green leaves, as well as beautiful, creamy, white flowers that bloom most heavily in the spring.

2. Sea buckwheat (Eriogonum latifolium)

This buckwheat provied edible leaves for rabbits and nectar for many pollinating insects such as butterflies, wasps, bees and flies. This plant is a perrenial herb found in coastal habitats.

3. White sage (Salvia apiana)

Habitat: Coastal sage and chaparral
Like purple sage, the minty, slightly pungent flavor of white sage is also used for smudging, tea and in cooking. Compared to other sages, this plant has larger leaf and overall height. Its blue flowers bloom on three or four flower spikes.

4. Saltbush or Quail bush (Atriplex lentiformis)

Habitat: Coastal sage
Saltbush leaves can be used to season food and in raw form taste like potato chips. The white fuzz on the leaves help protect the plant from sun exposure. Its seeds are also edible, nutritious and contain a high amount of protein. Birds like to nest in its dense branches and leaves.

5. Arrow weed (Sagittaria sanfordii)

Habitat: Riparian
This plant’s root could be used as a natural soap, as well as dried and ground to make and edible flour. Its white flowers which resemble small orchids typically bloom throughout the summer.

6. Sagebrush (Artemisia californica)

Habitat: Coastal sage and chaparral
Its highly aromatic sent is similar to sage and can be used as a substitute in seasoning food. It loves full sun and little water and therefore serves as a good drought-resistant ground cover. Birds and other small animals benefit from hiding in its underbrush.

7. Blue elderberry (Sambucus mexicana)

Habitat: Coastal sage
Elderberry flowers are considered to be medicinal and its tiny, frosted, blue berries taste like tart grapes.  Many birds are attracted to these tasty treats. The elderberry is a particularly useful plant. Its flexible and easily hollowed wood was fashioned for many instruments including, flutes, rattles, firesticks, arrow shafts, bows, and pipes.

8. Purple sage (Salvia laucophylla):

Habitat: Coastal sage (sagebrush) and chaparral
The highly aromatic qualities of this plant have been used in Native American smudging (purifying incense), for delicious and medicinal tea, as well as to season food. Purple sage has pretty, bluish-purple flowers which bloom in spring.

9. Arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis)

Habitat: Riparian
Its young and supple branches could be used in basket weaving and furniture making. The bark contains a natural analgesic (salix) which works as a pain killer, commonly known as aspirin, when chewed.

10. California sycamore (Platanus racemosa)

Habitat: Riparian
Because this sycamore consumes enormous quantities of water and transpires water through its leaves at a high rate, it only survives near year-long water supplies.  This tree provides for both human and other animals; chunks of bark could be crafted into bowls and its wood could be used for home construction; birds consume its fruit and other mammals eat its twigs and bark.

11. Giant buckwheat or St. Catherine’s lace, (Eriogonum giganeum)

Habitat: Coastal sage and chaparral
This plant features a very showy flower head on large jumble, which produces large quantities of small seeds. It blooms nearly year round and attracts many pollinators with its numerous flowers.

12. Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium)

Habitat: Deep canyon
True to its name, this plant has berries which share the bluish and dusty look of a grape. Although edible, its berries taste fairly bitter. Its pretty yellow flowers typically bloom in late winter or early spring. In addition to its beauty, this plant offers medicinal properties such as anti-inflammatory relief for skin diseases and antibacterial alkaloids.