becca_monroe3's Journal

South African Plum (Plum tree)

1’, 2’, 3’, 5, 6’, 7’, - Group 6
Group 6 - 1’, 3’, 11’, 18’, 24’, 29’, 30’, 31 - South African Plum

Key Characteristics:

• Leaf margin smooth
• Leaflets asymmetrical

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44910278

Pines

1’, 2’, 3, 4’ - Group 3
Group 3 - 1’, 2, 3 - Pines

Key Characteristics:

• Leaves needle like
• Leaves clustered in bundles

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44909497

My natural area is along a trail called the Acalanes Ridge Trail. In order to find the plants I observed, you should start at the trailhead and follow the path for about 10 minutes. The first plant you will see on the left of the path is the Bristly Oxtongue. This small weed-like plant is surrounded by dry grass and weeds. Next I observed the Weeping Bottlebrush tree. This tree was farther along the path, about a five minute walk from the first plant. The tree has bright red flowers and is near a fence on the right side of the path—it is very easy to spot as it is the only nature around with any color besides green. I then came across the Chinese Privet about another five minute walk up the trail. This tree was surrounded by Oak leaves and it was about 10 feet away from a brown, wooden trail post with an arrow pointing left towards a dirt path. This tree is located right at the base of a small hill and there are several other tall trees and flowers surrounding it. The next plant, the Genus, is located right next to the wooden trail post. There are other shrubs and short plants surrounding the post, and the trail is at an uphill slope. Lasty, I found the Prickly Pear tree directly across the path from the trail post. This tree was surrounded by flat grass and was resting up against a fence. I believe the trail was located in the middle of a serpentine grassland plant community. As I walked further along the trail I entered a natural area full of rolling hills that were covered in grass and tall flowers, and had very few trees. The area was beautiful and I am excited to go back to see what other plants I can discover and identify.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44552053
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44551631
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44551260
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44550673
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/44551127

1. I would use the lemon tree's leaves for toilet paper because they were smooth, flat, and some of them were fairly wide/large in size. If I used two or three leaves at a time, they would cover a fair amount of surface area and do the job nicely. https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/42701446
2. I love walking around my neighborhood and looking at all the different trees and plants. Recently I have become more appreciative of the nature around me and the refreshing feeling that comes with stepping outside. I think now more than ever, people are enjoying the trees in their neighborhood and feeling grateful to be surrounded by such beauty and life.
3. One pro to planting non native trees is that they can provide new habitats for animals in the area, as well as add to the beauty of the city. One con is that some non native trees can be destructive to the environment and can change the ecosystem around where they're growing.