11/2/2013

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© Project SOUND

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden

Gardening with California Native Plants in Western L.A. County Project SOUND – 2013 (our 9th year)

© Project SOUND

A Rose is a Rose:

the family Rosaceae

C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake

CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve

Madrona Marsh Preserve

November 2 & 5, 2013

Roses have always been a source of

inspiration

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

Shakespeare

A rose is a rose is a rose.

Gertrude Stein

© Project SOUND http://www.easy-drawings-and-sketches.com/draw-a-rose.html

What do all these plants have in common?

© Project SOUND

Cotoneaster – non-native

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The Rose Family

The rose is a rose

And was always a rose; But the theory now goes

That the apple’s a rose, And the pear is, and so’s The plum, I suppose.

The dear only knows What will next prove a rose. You, of course, are a rose, But were always a rose.

Robert Frost

© Project SOUND

The Roses family: family Rosaceae

Medium size (19th largest) : 75-100 genera and ~ 3000 species

Goes back ~ 90 million years (fossil ‘roses’)

Worldwide distribution except in the arctic; greatest diversity in the north temperate regions.

Trees, shrubs and perennials – only a few annuals

© Project SOUND

http://delta-intkey.com/angio/www/rosaceae.htm

The Rose family is complex taxonomically

Old, widespread family – lots of time to diversify

First classifications were too simplistic – based on fruit characteristics (which can sometime be misleading)

We’ll come back to taxonomy when we discuss fruits next Apr.

© Project SOUND

http://santabarbaraarborist.wordpress.com/2013/02/28/if-shakespeare-was-an-arborist/

Economic importance of the rose family

One of the six most economically important crop plant families, and includes: apples, pears, quinces, medlars, loquats, almonds, peaches, apricots, plums, cherries, strawberries, raspberries and roses.

Many genera are also highly valued ornamental shrubs; these include Cotoneaster, Crataegus, Photinia, Potentilla, Prunus, Pyracantha, Rosa, Sorbus, Spiraea, and others.

© Project SOUND

http://media.mlive.com/newsnow_impact/photo/fli0918-apples29jpg-

cfa7644879fb210b.jpg

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Like any family, the Rose family has some

‘black sheep’

Several genera are also introduced noxious weeds in some parts of the world, costing money to be controlled.

These invasive plants can have negative impacts on the diversity of local ecosystems once established.

Such naturalised pests include Acaena, Cotoneaster, Crataegus, Pyracantha, Rubus and Rosa.

© Project SOUND

http://goweros.blogspot.com/2011/12/invasive-

cotoneasters-at-fox-hole.html

Cotoneaster

Let’s look at some CA native Rosaceae

© Project SOUND

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

CA Wild Rose – Rosa californica

http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/wildflower_watch_wk18.htm

Wild roses are important

habitat plants

Blooms: Main season: May-Aug (but blooms

intermittently in warm season) Flowers: single pinks; color varies

slightly Important pollen source for bees and

other insects

Fruits (hips) Summer/fall Edible; good syrups & jellies goldfinches, bluebirds, grosbeaks,

robins, mockingbirds, and sparrows--relish the hips

Plants/foliage Dense, spiny foliage provides good

cover and nesting sites for birds

http://www.qty.com/anna3.html

http://static.flickr.com/29/37921551_c468a94b4a_m.jpg

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Three classes of CA native wild Rosa

Thicket-Forming Roses: (Subg. Rosa, Sect. Cinnamomeae) 1. Rosa californica

2. Rosa nutkana var. nutkana

3. Rosa pisocarpa

4. Rosa woodsii

Wood and Ground Roses: (Subg. Rosa, Sect. Gymnocarpae) 5. Rosa gymnocarpa

6. Rosa spithamea

7. Rosa bridgesii

8. Rosa pinetorum

Subg. Hesperhodos 9. Rosa minutifolia

© Project SOUND © Project SOUND

Interior Rose – Rosa woodsii ssp ultramontana

Native to much of w. North America – British Columbia to CA & NM

In CA: High Cascade Range, High Sierra Nevada, San Gabriel Mountains, San Bernardino Mountains, Great Basin Floristic Province, Desert Mountains

Yellow Pine Forest, Subalpine Forest, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Joshua Tree Woodland, wetland-riparian between 3500 and 11500 feet

Moist or seasonally wet

? Ssp or var.??

© Project SOUND

Interior Rose – Rosa woodsii ssp ultramontana

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

http://archive.is/JkiE

© Project SOUND

Interior Rose: much like CA Wild Rose

Size: 5-8+ ft tall

Spreading; can form thickets

Growth form: Woody shrub

Upright to mounded with age

Stress deciduous

Sparse, straight prickles

Foliage: Typical rose leaf (compound);

smaller than garden rose

Medium green; may be yellow in fall

Roots: suckers from roots – not rhizomes (as once thought)

J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

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© Project SOUND

Flowers: the best a

wild rose can offer

Blooms: spring/summer usually May-June in our area

Flowers: Single rose

Pale to medium pink

Very fragrant – among the best

Wonderful tea, potpourri, flavoring

Fruits (hips): Red when ripe

The best tasting of any – really premium

©2008 Thomas Stoughton

http://web.ewu.edu/ewflora/Rosaceae/Rosa%20woodsii.html

http://www.fireflyforest.com/flowers/3214/rosa-woodsii-woods-rose/

The place of roses in

the edibles garden

Seed dispersion – birds & mammals

Some genera in Rosaceae have fruits that are especially tempting – and high in vitamin C

Collect in fall when red and slightly soft – best after first cold snap

Rosehips make delicious: Tea (dried)

Jelly

Syrup

Etc. © Project SOUND

©2006 Larry Blakely

©2009 Barry Breckling

© Project SOUND

Quite adaptable Soils: Texture: better with medium to

coarse/rocky

pH: any local

Light: Full sun (coast) to part-shade (hot,

inland)

Best flowers/fruits w/ at least morning sun

Water: Winter: needs good rain/irrigation

Summer: fairly drought tolerant but best with some summer water (Water Zone 2 or 2-3)

Fertilizer: none/light (1/2 strength)

Other: organic mulch OK

©2012 Jean Pawek

©2001 Gary A. Monroe

© Project SOUND

Inland Rose: good if you’ve

got the right spot

Good for N & E-facing slopes - even with no water

Barriers/hedges/hedgerows

Large shrub at back of beds

Try in a large container

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What makes a rose smell like a rose?

Some roses [Damascus Rose] known for scent – used to make rose oil

It turns out the answer is complex: a number of aromatic compounds are involved

The unique ones that give the scent are: beta-damascenone, beta-damascone, beta-ionone, and rose oxide.

Even though these compounds exist in less than 1% quantity of rose oil, they make up for slightly more than 90% of the odor content due to their low odor detection thresholds

© Project SOUND

http://hildablue.com/2013/03/16/how-to-recognize-quality-rose-

water-and-how-to-make-your-own/

Beta-damascenone presence

and quantity is considered as

the marker for the quality of

rose oil.

Many uses of rose scent

Rose oil – ‘Attar of roses’

Perfume distillation

Rose water – easy to make Jar

Rose petals (scented)

Hot water

Time

1 Tbsp vodka as preservative

Potpourri

© Project SOUND

http://www.thecraftycrow.net/2009/07/making-things-from-the-garden.html

Many native roses have a

lovely rose scent

Perhaps you want a real ‘specimen’ wild

rose

© Project SOUND © Project SOUND

Baja Rose – Rosa minutifolia

http://qbgdocents.org/Bloom_board/Bloom_Board_May_10/IMG_0796.jpg

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‘The Thorny Rose Affair – Lenz, 1982

April, 1882 – botanizing expedition to Baja

Jones was beginning a significant career as field botanists; Parry lead the expedition – experience in border surveys

4/12 - Rosa minutifolia discovered growing along the side of the road on the protected slopes of the hills just inland from the beach.

The controversy which arose and was to cause so much ill feeling between Jones and others revolved around who first discovered the rose and Jones's accusation that Parry stole his rose.

© Project SOUND

Marcus Eugene Jones

1852-1934

Charles Christopher Parry

1823-1890

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/ina/roses/minutifolia.html

Otay Mesa east of San Diego (rare) and n. Baja (pretty common)

Chaparral, north-facing Diegan Sage Scrub ; common constituent of the coastal scrub community in northern Baja

© Project SOUND

Baja Rose – Rosa minutifolia

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/ina/roses/minut_Calif.html

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/ina/roses/map_minutifolia.html

© Project SOUND

Baja rose: small leaves & many prickles

Size: 4-6 ft tall

5-6 ft wide

Growth form: Upright to mounded stems;

tangled, dense

Young foliage often red-tinged

Many stout, straight prickles – this one is really prickly (one proposed name: Rosa horrida

Foliage: Compound rose leaves, but

small (< ¼ “ leaflets) and wrinkled – very unusual

Drought-deciduous; re-leaf with first rains

©2010 Anna Bennett

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/ina/roses/minut_twig_full.html

Botanical terms: thorns vs. prickles

Thorn: a modified branch with a sharp point [pyracantha]

Prickle: a sharp pointed outgrowth of the epidermis (the outer ‘skin’ ) of a stem [example: rose]

© Project SOUND http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/ina/roses/minut_twig_full.html

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© Project SOUND

Flowers are bright &

showy

Blooms: very early – usually Jan-Apr in w. L.A. County; tied to rain cycle

Flowers: Single rose flowers

Often very bright pink, magenta color; fragrant

Great for insect pollinators

Fruits : Edible, but small and rather

prickly; birds & critters don’t seem to mind

Vegetative reproduction:

Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Rosa_minutifolia

Growing roses from seed

Choose very ripe hips

Let them soften several days in water

Remove the seeds; sterilize with 5% bleach solution

Clean remaining pulp from seeds

Stratify: I use moistened coffee filters (1:1 water: hydrogen peroxide) – several months in fridge

Plant & cross your fingers

© Project SOUND http://www.hazmac.biz/050801/050801RosaMinutifolia.html

©2010 Anna Bennett

© Project SOUND

Requirements: think coastal Baja

Soils: Texture: adaptable – even clays

pH: any local

Light: full sun to part-shade

Water: Winter: need adequate water

Summer: like a little summer water, esp. at monsoon time (August)

Fertilizer: likes poor soils

Other: much more adaptable to garden conditions than one might expect – even grown N. CA gardens

Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/ina/roses/minut_habitat_full.html © Project SOUND

Baja Rose: drier parts

of the garden

Erosion control on slopes

Rock gardens, and climbing over boulders

Barrier hedge

With desert chaparral plants: Enceliafarinosa, Eriogonum fasciculatum, Fremontodendron mexicanum, Mirabilis californica, Trichostema lanatum, Salvia apiana, and Simmondsia chinensis

Backs of beds

Try in large container

http://commons.wikimedia

.org/wiki/Rosa_minutifolia

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© Project SOUND

Not all ‘Roses’ look like roses – until

you know what to look for

Rose family members share some

physical characteristics: leaves

Generally arranged spirally, but sometimes opposite

Simple or pinnately compound (either odd- or even-pinnate).

Leaf margin is most often serrate.

Paired stipules are generally present (primitive feature)

Spines may be present on the midrib of leaflets and the rachis of compound leaves.

© Project SOUND

http://www.hiltonpond.org/ThisWeek080501.html

Rose family members also share some

floral traits Generally "showy“

They are radially symmetrical and almost always hermaphroditic (both male & female parts in same flower).

Generally have five sepals, five petals and many spirally arranged stamens.

The bases of the sepals, petals, and stamens are fused together to form a characteristic cup-like structure called hypanthium.

Often arranged in racemes, spikes, or heads

© Project SOUND

Flowers in ‘parts of 5’

http://montana.plant-life.org/families/Rosaceae.htm

Rose family members also exhibit some

variability: fruits & seeds

Many fruits of the family are edible.

There are many different types of fruit; we’ll discuss these more in April 2014

© Project SOUND

Hawthorn

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Some common CA Rosaceae genera

Adenostoma – chamise

Amelanchier – serviceberry

Argentina – silverweed

Cercocarpus – mountain mahogany

Chamaebatiaria – desert sweet

Crataegus – hawthorn

Fallugia – Apache plume

Fragaria – strawberry

Geum – avens

Heteromeles – toyon

© Project SOUND

Some common CA Rosaceae genera

Holodiscus – oceanspray

Horkelia – horkelia

Lyonothamnus – Catalina ironwood Potentilla – cinquefoil

Prunus – plum

Purshia – bitterbrush

Rosa – rose

Rubus – blackberry

Sorbus – mountain ash

Spiraea – spirea

© Project SOUND

Toyon/California Christmas Berry –

Heteromeles arbutifolia Heteromeles arbutifolia 'Davis Gold'

Similar in all ways to red-berried form except has yellow fruits when ripe

Reportedly also more disease resistant

http://redwoodbarn.com/images/toyonyellow.jpg

Note that the leaves and flowers are

what you’d expect for Rose family

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© Project SOUND

*Redshanks – Adenostoma sparsifolium

Coastal CA from San Luis Obispo Co. to Baja

Locally: Santa Monica, San Gabriel Mtns.

dry, well-drained slopes and mesas at elevations from 1,000 to 7,000 feet (most 1,500 to 5,000 feet )

© Project SOUND

*Redshanks – Adenostoma sparsifolium

Charles Webber © California Academy of Sciences © Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_JM_treatment.pl?6677,6681,6683

© Project SOUND

Redshanks: large chaparral shrub/tree

Size: 6-18+ ft tall

10-15 ft wide

Growth form: Large woody shrub/tree

Many trunks/branches with shreddy red bark on older limbs – ‘born to burn’

Nice natural shape – rounded

Moderate growth rate; lives 100+ years

Foliage: Sclerophyllous leaves: thick,

linear/narrow, sticky

Roots: has lignotubers (sprouting roots)

© Br. Alfred Brousseau, Saint Mary's College

©2004 Steven Perkins

Charles Webber © California Academy of Sciences

Medicinal uses of Redshanks

Used externally in the treatment of arthritis.

Infusion of leaves used in the treatment of colds and chest complaints, and also as a mouth wash to treat toothaches.

An infusion of dried leaves or branches used in the treatment of stomach ailments, inducing either bowel movements or vomiting.

Crushed twigs have been mixed with oil and used as a salve

© Project SOUND

http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ADSP

http://www.smmflowers.org/bloom/species/Adenostoma_sparsifolium.htm

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© Project SOUND

What a flower show!

Blooms: in summer – usually June-Aug.

Flowers: Small white/cream flowers

Clearly rose flowers when you look closely

On dense flowering branches – plant covered with blooms in a good year

Very important pollinator plant

Vegetative reproduction: in some areas, most reproduction is now vegetative; sprouting roots

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/adenostoma-sparsifolium

© Project SOUND

Plant Requirements Soils:

Texture: adaptable; often grows in shallow soils in nature – likes well-drained

pH: any local

Light: full sun

Water: Winter: needs good rains or

irrigation – normally gets more than here.

Summer: summer dry to occasional ‘summer monsoon’

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: organic mulch

Steven Perkins @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

http://www.smmflowers.org/bloom/species/Adenostoma_sparsifolium.htm

In Santa Monica Mtns

© Project SOUND

Redshanks: dramatic

Often trimmed up as a small tree to accent its form, distinctive bark

Has nice natural shape as a large shrub

Not for fire-prone areas J.S. Peterson @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Adenostoma_sparsifolium http://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=26425

Holly-leaf & Catalina Island Cherries Prunus ilicifolia

http://www.wildscaping.com/plants/plantprofiles/Prunus_ilicifolia.htm

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Holly-leaf & Catalina Island Cherries Prunus ilicifolia

Holly-leaf Cherry (ssp. ilicifolia): southern North Coast Ranges, Central- & Southwestern California (except Channel Islands) to Baja

Catalina Island (ssp. lyoni): Channel Islands and mainland Baja California

Both: shrubs grow in the moister areas of dry chaparral shrub lands and foothill woodlands.

The biggest difference is in

the leaves

Holly-leaf Cherry: Has serrated leaf margins

More shrub-like

10-25 ft tall (usually)

10-20 ft wide

Catalina Island Cherry: Has smooth leaf margins

More tree-like

20-40+ ft (usually)

10-20 ft wide http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Rosaceae/Prunus_ilicifolia.html

http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/catalinacherry.html

Holly-leaf Cherry in nature

Often found in canyons and on north-facing slopes

alluvial fan sage scrub, chaparral,

coast live oak riparian forest, coast live oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, sycamore riparian woodland, walnut woodland

Most often interspersed with

other shrubs Usually fairly slow growing May live up to 100+ years

http://www.coestatepark.com/prunus_ilicifolia_at_coe.htm

Catalina Island Cherry on Catalina

© 2006 BonTerra Consulting

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Attractive flowers & berries

Blooms:

Mar-May Flowers small, white,

clustered Showy, lightly scented Excellent for native

pollinators

Fruits (cherries)

Ripe Sept-Oct Red to dark red Big pit; sweet flesh Many birds, animals

love them! Are edible – with

preparations

http://www.ecnca.org/Plants/Photo_Pages/Prunus_ilicifolia.htm

You can grow your own from seed…or

buy one at our fall plant sale

Fresh seed – fall

Be patient – seeds may take 4-9 months to sprout – or may sprout right away

http://www.lifeandleaf.com/category/leaf/seed/

Native Cherries in the garden…almost

anywhere Make a nice, small evergreen

tree

Can be pruned to suit many garden needs: Shrub Hedge Screen

Great choice for scent and habitat gardens – get a lot for your money

Fine in large containers & planters

Fine on slopes/banks

Hardy: good for roadways, commercial plantings

http://www.yerbabuenanursery.com/images/new_botimages/large/0511_j.jpg

Good hedge/screen plants

Many plants in Rosaceae – esp. those with edible fruits - can be pruned and shaped extensively

Hedged

Espaliered

So you can have native fruit trees even in a small space

More on these in 2014

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Native Rosaceae span a range of water

requirements

Many (especially those from S. CA) are remarkably drought tolerant once established

Some actually are better with less water:

Slower growth

Better health – decreases risk of fungal and other diseases/pests

Others are ‘opportunists’

Some just need regular water to look nice in the garden

© Project SOUND © Project SOUND

*Antelope Bush – Purshia tridentata

©2009 Thomas Stoughton

British Columbia to CA/NV/CO

San Gabriel & Bernardino Mtns. (particularly on the desert side)

Dry slopes in many plant communities with 12 to 36 inches precipitation

Lewis & Clark Expedition sent back first specimen – used by Frederick Pursh who first described it (1814)

© Project SOUND

*Antelope Bush – Purshia tridentata

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-

bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=77219

©2005 Steve Matson ©2010 Lee Dittmann © Project SOUND

Antelope Bush: drought tolerant shrub

Size: 4-10 ft tall

to 8 ft wide; usually 4-5

Growth form: Woody shrub; two forms:

Taller, mounded shrub

Low-growing (< 4 ft.) ‘groundcover’ form

Many branches – dense

Natural layering

Foliage: Small, three-lobed leaves

Shiny green above; light below

Roots: deep taproots; often associated w/ N-fixing bacteria

©2003 Michael Charters

©1987 Gary A. Monroe

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Purshia_tridentata

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© Project SOUND

Flowers for pollinators

Blooms: late spring/early summer depending on weather

Flowers: Small, rose-type, cream or yellow

Profuse bloomer – thousands of flowers

Irresistible to native pollinators

Seeds: Large seeds for family

In turban-shaped dry capsule

Vegetative reproduction: natural layering; re-sprouting (some better than others – ask nursery if purchasing)

©2008 Matt Below

©2010 Lee Dittmann ©2012 Aaron Arthur © Project SOUND

Adaptable & hardy Soils: Texture: adaptable; best in

medium-coarse

pH: 6.0-7.5

Light: Full sun to part-shade

Water: Winter: adequate

Summer: quite drought tolerant; probably best as Water Zone 2

Fertilizer: none; likes poor soils

Other: OK with organic mulch

Should be pruned back by 1/3 each year to maintain vigor – normally browsed

©2010 Lee Dittmann

©2012 Jean Pawek

© Project SOUND

Antelope Bush: a sensible choice

• Erosion control on dry slopes

• Water-wise shrub

• In habitat garden: insects & birds

• Medicinal garden: leaf poultice/wash for itches, rashes, insect bites, Leaf tea was used as a general tonic and for colds, pneumonia, liver disease, to expel worms, and as an emetic and laxative for stomach ache and constipation. Twigs, leaves, and berries were used as a laxative.

©2010 Lee Dittmann

http://www.unce.unr.edu/programs/sites/nemo/lid/plantlist/plantdetails.asp?ID=40 © Project SOUND

Douglas’ Spiraea – Spiraea douglasii

©2006 Steven Thorsted

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Southern AK to n. California

2 var. (var. douglasii; var. menziesii)

Redwood Forest, Red Fir Forest, wetland-riparian, 0-6400 feet

Damp meadows, riparian zones, bogs, marshes, open swamps, and the margins of ponds and lakes

© Project SOUND

Douglas’ Spiraea – Spiraea douglasii

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=45201

©2012 Jean Pawek © Project SOUND

Woodsy perennial of moist places

Size: 2-6 ft tall

4-10+ ft wide

Growth form: Spreading herbaceous

perennial

Many wand-like stems

Fast-growing

Foliage: Simple, medium-green leaves;

light colored below

Stress-deciduous

Roots: spreads by suckers (under-ground shoots) to form dense thickets.

©2009 Julie Kierstead Nelson

© Project SOUND

Flowers: a gardener’s

delight!

Blooms: summer – June-Sept.

Flowers: Medium to bright pink

Many tiny ‘rose’ flowers on wand-like stalks

Long stamens make flower stalks appear ‘fuzzy’

Really lovely

Excellent native pollinator habitat – esp. bees

Seeds: Eaten by birds and critters

Vegetative reproduction:

©2003 Michael Charters

http://www.laspilitas.com/nature-of-california/plants/spiraea-douglasii

The colors of the Rose family: limited

Members of the Rosaceae that occur in the wild NEVER have blue flowers or true red flowers

This is because the Rosaceae lacks the genes to produce true blue or pure red flower pigments.

Interestingly, they do have other genes which produce the red-orange fruits

© Project SOUND

http://camissonia.blogspot.com/2012_08_01_archive.html

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© Project SOUND

Spiraeas are forest plants Soils: Texture: any

pH: any local

Light: Part-shade

Dappled shade under trees

Water: Winter: plenty; tolerates

seasonally flooding

Summer: best with regular water (Water Zone 2-3 to 3); will die back at Zone 2, but will not spread as fast

Fertilizer: fine

Other: loves leaf mulch

© Project SOUND

Use Spiraea for:

Summer color in woodland gardens; informal hedge

In large containers

Under pines, redwoods

On moist slopes, stream banks

In any moist area of garden

©2006 Steve Matson

© 2004, Ben Legler:

http://nosleepingdogs.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/spiraea-douglasii-full-plant.jpg?w=470&h=783

© Project SOUND

Beach Strawberry - Fragaria chiloensis ssp.

pacifica

© Project SOUND

* Woodland Strawberry – Fragaria vesca ssp. californica

© 2002 George Jackson

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Species reminiscent of strawberries

Potentilla

Argentina

Geum

All have similar leaves

Flowers are also similar – and yellow

Grow as herbaceous groundcovers – some more spreading than others

Fruits are dry capsules

© Project SOUND

USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA NRCS. Wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. USDA

Natural Resources Conservation Service. © Project SOUND

Pacific Silverweed – Argentina egedii ssp. egedii (Potentilla anserina vars. grandis, pacifica)

© 2005 Dr. Amadej Trnkoczy

http://flickr.com/photos/27830975@N05/3061843001/in/photostream/

The genus Geum ~ 40 species, mostly in the

northern hemisphere, but also in southern Africa and the Andes of South America.

At least three different evolutionary clades (groups)

All of the Geum species of North America have enlarged, persisting styles at the top of each ovary. In some species [Geum], the styles are straight and bristly, while in others they have feathery plumes.

© Project SOUND

Some species have been

developed into common

garden cultivars

http://www.anniesannuals.com/plt_lst/lists/general/lst.gen.asp?prodid=1487

© Project SOUND

* Apache Plume – Fallugia paradoxa

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© Project SOUND

* Large-leaved Avens – Geum macrophyllum

©2007 Matt Below

Much of N. America: British Columbia Great Lakes to Baja

Locally in San Bernardino Mtns

Forests, including Yellow Pine forest

Mostly moist, partially shaded areas such as moist forest openings, stream banks, meadows and shrub thickets

© Project SOUND

* Large-leaved Avens – Geum macrophyllum

http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=26835

http://www.wnmu.edu/academic/nspages/gilaflora/geum_macrophyllum.jpg

© Project SOUND

Avens: perennial groundcover plants

Size: < 2 ft tall (flower stalks taller)

2-3 ft wide

Growth form: Herbaceous perennial

Spreads entirely by seed – not a true vegetative spreader

Foliage: Stress deciduous

Basal leaves with long erect petioles, a larger, more or less heart-shaped terminal leaflet

Al Schneider @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database © Project SOUND

Blooms: spring-early summer; April to June or July

Flowers: Like a yellow strawberry or

buttercup flower

On flowering stems above plant – like strawberry but longer

Have ‘invisible’ dark dots that are nectar guides for insects

Mostly pollinated by small pollinator flies

Seeds: seeds in balls that look like pincushions – unusual; stick to clothes

Flowers: often mistaken for buttercups

Sheri Hagwood @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

11/2/2013

21

Geum vs. Potentilla (Cinquefoil): close cousins

Both: Bright yellow, 5-petaled flowers and a

distinctive calyx appearing to have 10 sepals (there are five true sepals that alternate with five narrower, sepal-like bracts).

Geum (Avens) Pinnately compound leaves

Potentialla (Cinquefoil) – lack the long, persistent, twisty styles of

Geum.

palmately compound leaves with leaflets arranged like fingers on a palm

© Project SOUND http://www.missouriplants.com/Yellowalt/Potentilla_simplex_page.html

© Project SOUND

Likes some water Soils:

Texture: any

pH: 5:00-7:00 (moderate alkalinity tolerance)

Light: Part-shade; dappled sun under

trees

Water: Winter: adequate

Summer: occasional to regular water – Water Zones 2 to 2-3

Fertilizer: fine

Other: self-sows freely in moist soils; remove seed heads if an issue

©2007 Matt Below

Sheri Hagwood @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

© Project SOUND

Avens has its place

As a natural lawn substitute in moist areas – could combine with Yarrow

Good groundcover under trees

Around water features, rain garden

As an attractive pot plant

Sheri Hagwood @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

©2010 Jean Pawek

Small Rosaceae make great pot plants

Use a large enough container; some have extensive root systems

Use a good, well-drained potting mixture, modified for special needs (if any)

Monitor soil moisture – don’t over-water

Place where plants get good air circulation

© Project SOUND

http://camissonia.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-winters-tale-in-southern-california.html

Raised bed with assorted monkey flowers

(Mimulus spp.), Large-leaved Avens (Geum

macrophyllum), and annuals including Sticky

Phacelia (Phacelia viscida), Wind Poppy

(Stylomecon heterophylla), Baby Blue Eyes

(Nemophila menziesii), and Chinese Houses

(Collinsia heterophylla).

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Avens: an important medicinal plant

poultice of smashed or boiled leaves for cuts, boils;

decoction of roots for stomach pain, acid;

tea from roots and chewed leaves during labor, childbirth

tea made of plant material can also be gargled to sooth sore gums.

An eyewash was also prepared from the leaves.

The Haida boiled the roots to make a steambath to treat rheumatism.

© Project SOUND

© 2010, Ron Bockelman

In summary, we’ve learned that there are

many native members of the Rose family

© Project SOUND Oceanspray

We’ve learned some common traits shared

by members of the Rose family

Woody stems, often with prickles, or trailing stems with runners

Simple or compound leaves, often evergreen

Stipules at the base of the leaf

Large flowers with five petals or clusters of tiny flowers with five petals – flowers in ‘parts of five’

Many stamens

Often woody trees, shrubs or climbers

© Project SOUND

Holodiscus discolor

Some are surprisingly drought tolerant,

while others like water & shade

© Project SOUND

© 2010, Ron Bockelman

11/2/2013

23

© Project SOUND

* Western Chokecherry – Prunus virginiana var. demissa

http://www.wildflower.org/gallery/result.php?id_image=23962

We’ve only just gotten started with

the edible members of the Rose

family – but that will have to wait for

another lecture

Topics for 2014 – some good ones

Climate change & the home garden

Edible fruit plants

Life-friendly pest management

And much, much, more

© Project SOUND

Plant Sale: CSUDH Nov. 9th, 14th

© Project SOUND

Go to ‘Native Plants at CSUDH’ blog for more details, plant list

Other fun activities - November

Potpourri from Native Plant Trimmings – 11/9 & 11/10 – Mother Nature’s Backyard

Pruning workshops: Gardena Willows – 11/16

Mother Nature’s Backyard – 11/16 afternoon

Garden of Dreams (CSUDH) – 11/15 & 11/22 – e-mail me if coming

Natural Dyes 11/10 – exhibit – Mother Nature’s

Backyard

11/17 – show & tell meeting ‘South Bay Natural Dye Circle – Madrona, 1:00-4:00

© Project SOUND

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So, get out and do something fun this month

© Project SOUND

And take some time to smell the roses

© Project SOUND