What's Blooming in May?

Here we are at the end of May, and the plant world is still blooming in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is not surprising because of our Mediterranean climate, where almost anything grows. The rains have pretty much subsided for the season (but we may still experience some short-lived showers in places).

Echium spp.

Aesculus californica

The Echium bloomed in early May, and I’ve seen Aesculus californica (California buckeye) blooming all through the month. Many succulents are producing flowers as well, including the beautiful Leucospermum cordifolium (pincushion).

Leucospermum cordifolium

May seems to be the month of white blossoms. The rhodies and magnolias are putting out their blooms, as well as the California blackberry. In my yard the ornamental black cherry tree has been flowering, as well as the white Mimulus that I purchased at the San Francisco Garden show (definitely a good purchase). The Salvia provides relief with its hot pink color, as does the Plumbago that grows along Interstate 580 near San Leandro with its blue color.

Rhodie spp.	Possibly another Rhodie spp.
Salvia spp.	Mimulus spp.
Rubus ursinus	Magnolia spp.
Plumbago spp.	Prunus spp.

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This is just a sampling - I have seen many other species blooming including both Callisteman viminalis (Bottle brush) and Campsis radicans (Trumpet vine) with their deep red flowers, and Jacaranda with its purple flowers. I wonder what is in store for us in June!

Zooming In

With a Plugable digital microscope (250x magnification) and a computer, you can zoom in on the plant world to see details you can't see with the naked eye. The digital microscope is an inexpensive gateway to the miniature world, and can provide hours of nerdy fun for the curious. You can capture snapshots and videos to record your exploration. Here is a gallery of snapshots from recent projects (see Sex in the Garden for past projects).

Wood decomposers detail	Wood decomposers
Azalea petals	Azalea stigma and stamen
Brittlebush seed (Encelia farinose)	Anise seeds
Polypodium leaf	Polypodium underleaf spores
Toyon inflorescence	Toyon detail

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Here is a video that shows a tiny insect travelling through azalea petals.







I am still experimenting with lighting and focusing, but am fascinated with getting such a close look at the plant world. What a treat to zoom in to see tiny decomposers, barbs on a brittlebush seed, polypodium fern spores, and a tiny insect!

Birds and Bees – Seeds

This year we are learning more about plant propagation in a series called "Birds and Bees." In the last installment, our topic was the process of plant fertilization, which results in a seed that is comprised of the endosperm (nourishment for the seed), and an embryo (the immature plant within a seed). This time we are taking a closer look at seeds and seed parts.

Seeds can be distinguished between monocotyledons and dicotyledons (also called eudicots). Monocots are flowering plants that bear a single cotyledon  (one seed leaf), and usually have long, stalkless leaves with parallel veins (such as maize, grasses, lilies, and palms). Dicots are flowering plants that bear two cotyledons (two seed leaves), and usually have broad stalked leaves with netlike veins (like roses, daisies, beans, and oaks). Seed parts are similar for both categories, with slight variation.

Seed parts for beans (dicots) and corn (monocots)

As always, terminology is important for understanding seeds and seed parts.

Term	Description
Seed Coat	The protective coating around the seed.
Cotyledons	The food storage structure in seeds, and the first leaves that appear for seedlings.
Epicotyl	The region above the cotyledons.
Radicle (or Plumule)	The embryonic root.
Hypocotyl	The embryonic axis. This is the location between the root and where the cotyledons attach.
Endosperm	The food storage tissue in seeds.
Pericarp	The fruit wall in stone fruits, like peaches, pears, and apples. The pericarp is fused with the seed coating. (Not shown)
Miscellaneous	Monocot specialization: Coleorhiza – the sheath that envelops the radicle in monocots, such as grasses. Coleoptile – the protective sheath that covers the emerging shoot in monocots, such as grasses. Scutellum – the shield-like cotyledon of some monocots, such as barley and rice.

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Learn More:

• Botany for Gardeners, by Brian Capon (Timber Press 2005). See Part V Reproduction, Chapter 9, “From Flowers to Fruits”.
• Pollination and Fertilization, derived from Pollination and Fertilization, by Robert Bear and David Rintoul, for Open Stax, Rice University (Creative Commons).

Merritt College Plant Sale Spring 2016

Merritt College just held their annual spring plant sale on the weekend of April 30^th and May 1. The plant sale is part festival and part marketplace, and a great venue for mingling with fellow plant lovers and knowledgeable horticultural students. You can find healthy, well-rooted California native, drought-tolerant, and organic vegetable starters to purchase. For best selection, get there early on Saturday (but I have found great plants even late on Sunday).

The Horticulture Club and associated volunteers grow the starters on premise, in the green house and planting beds. The Horticulture and Sustainable Agriculture departments team up to experiment with interesting ideas for raised beds, using natural materials. They also propagate many varieties of native plants, and heirloom produce and trees.

Approaching the Plant Sale on the Merritt College campus

This year I found several new plants to try. I purchased a couple of interesting cherry tomato plants, and a few shade-loving plants and ground covers for my "white garden". The pink dianthus is for a hot, sunny location in the garden. I already planted a few of the plants, and look forward to getting the rest planted soon.

The Spoils - ready to plant

The Merritt College plant sales coincide with the ideal planting times here in the East Bay—in the Fall (right before the wet season, so that roots can go deep and become established), and in the Spring (at the end of the wet season, when the soil is still soft and moist). These are great sales for stocking up on beautiful plant starters.