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