Golden Barrel Cactus

Common Name: Golden barrel cactus
Scientific Name: echinocactus grusonii
Clade: vascular, seed producing, angiosperm, dicot
 Date collected: April 23, 2011
Location Collected: Mildred E Mathias Botanical Gardens - UCLA; as you enter go right, next to building and greenhouse
Habitat: Semi-desert, among volcanic rocks on medium to steep slopes at an altitude of about 1,400 m; found next to opuntia microdasys; native to Mexico.
Nativity: Non-native
Special Notes: The seeds are edible. They can be ground into an oily paste which is edible, and can be put into piñole, atole, or tortillas, or eaten raw. Some species of Barrel lean over, pointing south, and can be used as a compass. The spines have been used as phonograph needles, fishhooks, awls, needles, and for tattooing. The cactus was used as a cooking pot by the  Indians. The Barrel Cactus is precious and has difficulty surviving with humans.
Resources: http://www.extraplicity.com/galleries/barrel.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinocactus_grusonii

Spice Bush

Common Name: Spice Bush
Scientific Name: Calycanthus occidentalis
Clade: vascular, angiosperm, dicot
Date Collected: April 23, 2011
Location collected: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens - UCLA; pass the bridge over the river and up the hill on the path with cement.
Habitat: Moist stream banks below 4000 ft; soil moist with sun or partly shady; near the sugar bush; native to Califonia
Nativity: Native
Special Notes: Wood used by indigenous peoples for arrow; A light brown dye is obtained from the flowers.The wood and the bark from fresh shoots 
has been used in basket making.
Resources: http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Calycanthus%20occidentalis
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=CAOC5
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=LINDE2

Choclate Flower

Common Name: Choclate Flower
Scientific Name: Berlandiera lyrata
Clade: vascular, angiosperm, dicot
Date collected: April 23, 2011
Location Collected: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens - UCLA; as you enter the second entrance you go downhill 2-3 meters.
Habitat: Dry, rocky limestone soils and Well-drained sand, loam, clay, caliche. Well-drained plains & mesas; it requires sun and part shade; it was found near the new butterfly weed; it's native to central south USA
Nativity: Native to the US, but not native to California.
Special notes: This flower smells like chocolate and on warm days it will fill the air with fragrance.
 Resources: http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=BELY

Sugar Bush

Common Name: Sugar Bush
Scientific Name: Rhus Ovata
Clade: vascular, seed producing, angiosperm, dicot
Date Collected: April 19th, 2011
Location Collected: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens - UCLA; top of the garden.
Habitat:Found on dry slopes under 800 meters and  in chaparral, scrub, and desert communities in medium to coarse textured soils. It is typically found inland and away from the coast where it is very dry. It is found in California, Arizona and Baja CA
Nativity: Native
Specal Notes: the fruit of Rhus ovata can be used to make a drink similar to lemonade; An infusion of the leaves has been used in the treatment of chest pains, coughs and colds. An infusion has also been taken just before giving birth to facilitate an easy delivery. 
Resources: http://www.biology.sjsu.edu/facilities/garden/plants/Rhus_ovata.html
http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch
http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/r/rhus-ovata=sugar-bush.php

Dwarf yeddo hawthorn

Common Name: Dwarf Yeddo Hawthron
Scientific Name: Rhaphiolepis umbellata 'minor'
Clade: vascular, seed producing, angiosperm, dicot
Date Collected: April 19, 2011
Location Collected: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens - UCLA
Habitat: full sun to light shade; soil moisture is low to average and well-drained; the soil is loam to sandy; it's found in Japan and Korea.
Nativity: Non-native
Special notes: The fruit is edible when cooked, and can be used to make jam; it is trimmed into small compact hedges or balls for foundation plants
Resources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhaphiolepis
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=RHAPH

Yaupon

Common Name: Yaupon
Scientific Name: Ilex vomitoria - dwarf form
Clade: vascular plants, seed producing, angiosperms, dicot
Date collected: April 19, 2011
Location Collected: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens - UCLA
Habitat: inhabits a variety of habitats from dry sand hills to swamps to coastal regions; requires full sun; found in S.E USA
Nativity: Not native to California however native to the US.
Special Notes: Native Americans used the leaves and stems to brew a tea, commonly thought to be called asi or black drink for male-only purification and unity rituals.
Resources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilex_vomitoria
http://allseasonsgardenshop.com/product.sc?productId=214

Flannel Bush

Common Name: flannelbush
Scientific Name: Fremontodendron
Clade: Vascular, seed producing, angiosperm, dicot
Date Collected: April 19, 2011
Location collected: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens - UCLA; far back of the garden, follow the steps up.
Habitat: the plant prefers light and medium loamy soils, requires well-drained
soil;prefers acid, neutral and alkaline soils, and can grow in very alkaline soils. it can grow in semi-shade or no shade. it requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. It is native to California.
Nativity: Native
Special Notes: The bark can be made into cordage then used in making nets;The plant is part of a North American formula called essiac which is a popular 
treatment for cancer.
Resources: http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Fremontodendron%20californicum
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=FREMO2

Misson Manzanita

Common Name: Mission Manzanita
Scientific Name: Xylococcus bicolor
Clade: vascular, seed producing, angiopserm, dicot
Date Collected: April 19, 2011
Location collected: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens - UCLA; go up the hill at the very top of the garden.
Habitat: Dry chaparral slopes below 2000', Sout Coast, south Channel Islands; It likes full sun and regular water;It tolerates most soils, but needs perfect drainage. It is native to rainfall areas of about 15-20 inches/year. Native to South California and Baja, C.A.
Nativity:Native
Special Notes: The Luiseno Native American tribe bruised ripe berries and soaked them overnight in cold water to produce a cider-like drink.
Resources: http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/missionmanzanita.html 
http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch

Bush Anemone

Common Name: Bush Anemone
Scientific Name: Carpernteria Californica
Clade: Vascular plants, seed producing plants, angiosperms, dicots.
Date collected: April 19th, 2011
Location collected: Mildred E. Manthias Botanical Gardens - UCLA
Habitat: found in elevations from 1500 to 4000 feet; found where moisture is relatively abundant, on north-facing slopes and in ravines; it is better suited to a moister, cooler climate that existed thousands of years ago; requires drainage and sandy soil; Native to Sierra Nevada of California.
Nativity: Native
Special Notes:It is a popular ornamental plant in gardens grown for its decorative flowers; it is now much more common in cultivation than in the wild. The genus was named in honor of Dr. William Marbury Carpenter
Resources: http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch
http://www.sierrafoothill.org/carpenteria.htm

Japanese Flowering Cherry

Common Name: Japanese Flowering Cherry
Scientific Name: Prunus serrulata 'kwanzan
Clade: vascular, seed producing, angiosperm, dicot.
Date Collected: April 19th, 2011
Location Collected: Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Gardens - UCLA; go slightly downhill, down the path and as you approach the curve it's on the left. 
Habitat: damp loam that has adequate drainage properties; subject to twig or bark damage during severe winters or rapid temperature changes; found in East Asian states including Japan, Korea, and China

Nativity:Non-native

Special notes: Cherry blossoms and leaves are edible and both are used as food ingredients in Japan. The blossoms are pickled in salt and Umezu (ume vinegar), and is used for coaxing out flavor in Wagashi, (a traditonal Japanese confectionery,) or Anpan, (a Japanese sweet bun)

Resources: http://plants.usda.gov/java/nameSearch
http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/flowering-cherry