Life in a Cubic Foot Pictures

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Woodruff

Asperula Odorata(Galium)

Woodruff, Galium odorata, is a sweet-smelling, perennial herb native to Western Eurasia. The distinct bright green star-shaped leaves form around the stem of the plant with small white flowers of four petals each (cyme flowers) at the tips of the stem. The plant can grow up to 20 inches long and often sprawls under taller plants and trees (usually in forests) for shade. G. odorata likes full shade and moist environments and thus cannot thrive during summers in drier biospheres. Its miniscule seeds are like burrs, with tiny hooks that stick to animals and clothes, spreading the plant to a variety of places such as San Diego, CA from its native Eurasian locale. The strong aromatic qualities of Galium odorata (hence the odorata) are due to the presence of coumarin, which have led to the plants’ use as a tea and a flavoring agent. However, this natural chemical can be toxic in higher concentrations.

Annual Sowthistle

Sonchus Oleraceus

Annual sowthistle, Sonchus oleraceus, is commonly found in California coastal areas where, as its common name denotes, it pesters gardeners year round. Under these favorable conditions, this weed blooms with daisy-like flowers that mature into dandelion-like seed heads. These white, fluffy seed heads differ from that of dandelions in that dandelions are more rounded, whereas those of the annual sowthistle could be likened unto an Einstein-esque hairdo. The seeds in the head are surrounded by long, wispy, thin hairs that can be easily carried by the wind, allowing these weeds to be quite common in most of California. This weed is also characterized by the white, milky sap that seeps from its hollow stems when cut. S. oleraceus also harbors many different types of aphids and nematodes that can carry plant viruses that destroy fruit and vegetable crops. In other words, it’s not the ideal plant for your home garden.

Southwestern Cupgrass

Eriochloa acuminata

Southwestern cupgrass, Erichloa acuminata, is an annual summer grass native to California that usually blooms from June to November. It is characterized by the cuplike shape of its seed spikelets, which are arranged around a narrow, hairy stem. The grains are very small, but the flower heads they are arranged upon can range from two to ten inches in length. The grains themselves are flat on one side, rounded on the other, and pointed at the tip. E. acuminata can grow up to four feet tall, with several other stems growing out of the same plant, all of which are only sparsely, if at all, hairy. Southwestern cupgrass becomes established in disturbed soil, like agricultural areas or urban/disturbed topographical zones.