Polystichum kruckebergii is a species of fern known by the common names Kruckeberg's sword fern and Kruckeberg's hollyfern. It is native to western North America from Alaska to Utah to California, where it grows in rocky mountain habitat in subalpine and alpine climates. This fern produces several narrow, erect leaves 10 to 25 centimeters long. Each leaf is made up of many oval to triangular leaflets, each no more than about 1. 5 centimeters long. The leaflets overlap and are somewhat twisted in their axes. Their edges are cut or toothed, the teeth sometimes tipped with spines.

Polystichum lemmonii is a species of fern known by the common names Lemmon's holly fern and Shasta fern. It is native to western North America from the Sierra Nevada of California north to Washington. It is also known from British Columbia, where there is a single occurrence in the mountains above the Okanagan Valley. It grows in mountainous habitat on ultramafic rock substrates, often in serpentine soils. This fern produces several narrow, erect lance-shaped leaves 10 to 35 centimeters long. Each leaf is made up of many oval leaflets which are overlapping, folded, and twisted such that the leaves may appear almost cylindrical. Their edges are cut or toothed.

Polystichum lonchitis is a species of fern known by the common name northern hollyfern, or simply holly-fern. It is native to much of the Northern Hemisphere from Eurasia to Alaska to Greenland and south into mountainous central North America. It grows in moist, shady, rocky mountain habitat. This fern produces several erect linear leaves up to 60 centimeters long. Each leaf is made up of many lance-shaped to oblong leaflets up to 3 or 4 centimeters long, the longest ones occurring distal to the midpoint of the leaf, the basal leaflets smaller and triangular in shape. The leaflets have toothed and often spiny edges. Media related to Polystichum lonchitis at Wikimedia Commons

Polystichum scopulinum is a species of fern known by the common names mountain hollyfern and rock sword fern. It is native to much of western North America, and it is known from disjunct occurrences in eastern Canada, as well. It grows in rocky habitat, often in full sun. It is widespread but mostly found in small populations, and is noted to be most abundant on serpentine soils. This fern produces several erect, narrowly lance-shaped leaves up to 50 centimeters in length. The leaves narrow near the bases. Each leaf is divided into many lance-shaped or oblong leaflets up to 3 centimeters long. The toothed leaflets are sometimes twisted on their axes and overlapping.

Populus angustifolia is a species of poplar tree known by the common names Narrowleaf Cottonwood and Willow-leaved Poplar. This tree is native to the Great Basin in the United States where it is most often found by streams and creeks at some elevation. The tree is slim in profile, with yellow-green lance-shaped leaves-(lance-shaped), with scalloped margins. The catkins are fluffy and white. The buds are sticky and gummy and were enjoyed as a sort of chewing gum by local Native American peoples, including the Apache and Navajo.

Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii) is a fast-growing native shade tree found in alluvial bottomlands and along streamsides at elevations from 0 to 6,500 feet. It thrives in moist soils with plenty of sunlight and is known for its striking, heart-shaped leaves that shimmer in the wind.

This tree is tough and easy to grow, reaching up to 100 feet tall and 35 feet wide when well-watered. It can grow 10–20 feet in a single year, making it ideal for large spaces but unsuitable for small gardens. Due to its invasive roots, it should not be planted near lawns or structures.

Often, only male trees are sold to avoid the "cotton" produced by female trees. Fremont cottonwood is ecologically important, providing habitat and food for birds and butterflies.

Grows best in loamy, medium draining soil. Selection (male) for the garden.

Fremont Cottonwood (Populus fremontii ssp. fremontii) is a native tree that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in alluvial bottomplands and streamsides, at elevations from 0-6500 feet.

Populus tremuloides is a deciduous tree native to cooler areas of North America. The species is referred to as Quaking Aspen, Trembling Aspen, and Quakies, names deriving from its leaves which flutter in even a slight breeze. The tree can become tall, up to 25 meters, but is more often half that height, with smooth pale bark scarred with black. The glossy green leaves, dull beneath, become golden to yellow, rarely red, in Autumn. The species rarely flowers, often propagating through its roots to form large clonal groves. The quaking or trembling of the leaves is due to its flattened petioles. The specific epithet, tremuloides, is given for this trembling characteristic. Other species of Populus have petioles flattened partially along their length, while the Quaking Aspen's are flattened from side to side along the entire length of the petiole. This quaking of the leaves produces a soft sound that many consider a hallmark of the Quaking Aspen. It can be found in many parts of North America. In California it is most common in the Sierras and other high elevation mountains. Nurseries usually sell only male plants because female plants can produce large amounts of cottony seeds. Unless you have acreage, use caution in planting this tree because it will send out suckers long distances to quickly form a dense grove that will fill in any moist area. There are usually few understory plants in Quaking Aspen groves.

Black Cottonwood (Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa) is a native tree that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 100 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are yellow and bloom in the mid spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in alluvial bottomplands and streamsides, at elevations from 0-9000 feet. Tough and easy to grow as long as it is in sun, near a water sources and has very good drainage. Black Cottonwood is a great choice to help build a natural irrigation system - its long shallow roots will reach out to the water source and pull underground water molecules through your garden. It needs moist soil until mature, and then becomes moderately drought tolerant.

Porophyllum gracile is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common names odora and slender poreleaf. It is native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States from California to Texas, where it can be found in rocky and sandy desert scrub habitat. This species grows into a small, short lived perennial shrub with branching slender stems measuring up to about 70 centimeters in maximum length. The stems are hairless and waxy in texture. The sparse waxy leaves are linear in shape and 1 to 5 centimeters in length. The herbage is glandular and aromatic with a strong scent.

Potamogeton natans L. (Broad-leaved Pondweed, Floating Pondweed, Floating-leaf pondweed) is an aquatic species in the genus Potamogeton native to quiet or slow-flowing freshwater habitats throughout the Holarctic Kingdom. It produces both floating and submersed leaves on the same plant. The floating leaves are ovate to oblong-ovate and almost always heart-shaped at the base. They are dark green, leathery, opaque, with translucent longitudinal veins. They are 5 to 10 centimeter long, pointed at the tips, and rounded at the base.

Pacific Potentilla (Potentilla anserina ssp. pacifica) is a native perennial herb that grows in Northern, Southern and Central California, primarily in the North Coast, the Central Coast and South Coast regions. It tends to grow in wet and brackish places, at elevations from 0-800 feet.

Varileaf Cinquefoil (Potentilla diversifolia) is a native perennial herb that grows in Central California, primarily in the High Sierra Nevada region. It is moderately fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in a semi-upright form to a height of 3 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are yellow and striking, and bloom in the late spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in moist rocky places, at elevations from 8000-11600 feet.

Potentilla gracilis, known as Slender Cinquefoil, or Graceful Cinquefoil is a species of cinquefoil. Named varieties are:

Dodecatheon clevelandii is a species of Dodecatheon native to California and Baja California. Its common name is padre's shooting star. It is generally found in open grassy areas. It is spring deciduous, dying back to the ground after the rains cease. It has basal clumps of leaves up to 16 centimeters long with nodding flowers each about an inch long on stems up to a foot tall. The flowers are magenta to deep lavender to white. This species hybridizes with Dodecatheon hendersonii, from which it can be distinguished by its green stem.

Padre's Shootingstar (Dodecatheon clevelandii ssp. sanctarum) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in grassy places, at elevations from 0-2000 feet.

Shooting Star (Dodecatheon clevelandii ssp. insulare) is a native perennial herb that grows in Southern and Central California, primarily in the South Coast Range, the South Coast and Channel Islands regions. It tends to grow in grassy places, at elevations from 0-2000 feet.

Shooting Star (Dodecatheon clevelandii ssp. patulum) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in grassy slopes, at elevations from 0-2000 feet.

Dodecatheon jeffreyi is a species of flowering plant in the primrose family known by the common names Sierra shooting star, Jeffrey's shooting star, and tall mountain shooting star. This wildflower is native to western North America from California to Alaska to Montana, where it grows in mountain meadows and streambanks. This is a thick-rooted perennial with long, slightly wrinkled leaves around the base. It erects slim, tall, hairy stems which are dark in color and are topped with flower clusters of 3 to 18 showy flowers. Each flower nods with its mouth pointed to the ground when new, and becomes more erect with age. It has four or five reflexed sepals in shades of pink, lavender, or white which lie back against the body of the flower. Each sepal base has a blotch of bright yellow. From the corolla mouth protrude large dark anthers surrounding a threadlike stigma. The flowers of this species were considered good luck by the Nlaka'pamux people, who used them as amulets and love charms.

Dodecatheon pulchellum, commonly known as pretty shooting star, few-flowered shooting star, dark throat shooting star and prairie shooting star, is a perennial herb with single, leafless flower stems, growing from very short erect root stocks with no bulblets. It grows to a height of 5 to 40 centimeters. Its leaves are basal, 2-15 centimeter long, blades oblong-lance-shaped to oblance-shaped, mostly entire to somewhat small-toothed, narrowed gradually to winged stalks nearly as long.

Dodecatheon alpinum is a species of flowering plant in the primrose family known by the common name alpine shooting star. This wildflower is native to the southwestern United States where it grows in wet areas in mountains. It is partially aquatic, sometimes growing along the edges of bogs and in shallow, slow rivulets. This is a thick-rooted perennial with narrow, straight leaves around the base. It erects slim, tall stems which are dark in color and are topped with flower clusters of one or more showy flowers. Each flower nods with its mouth pointed to the ground when new, and becomes more erect with age. It has four reflexed sepals in shades of bright pink or lavender which lie back against the body of the flower. These may have bases of white or yellow which rim the corolla. From the corolla mouth protrude large black anthers and a thready stigma.

Proboscidea parviflora is a species of flowering plant in the family Martyniaceae known by the common names doubleclaw and red devil's-claw. It is native to the desert southwest of the United States and northern Mexico, where it grows in sandy, dry, and disturbed habitat and blooms during the hot summer. This is an annual herb growing from a taproot and producing sprawling, spreading stems. The leaves have rounded, oval, or roughly triangular blades up to 15 centimeters long which have smooth edges or faint lobes or teeth. The inflorescence is an array of several showy bell-shaped flowers with five lobes flaring several centimeters wide. The flower is white to pink or purple, sometimes with mottling or lines of spots in the throat, and often a purple blotch on the upper lip. A yellow nectar guide extends along the lower lip. The fruit is a large seed pod many centimeters long, a cylindrical body tapering into a very long, thin, curving tail. As the fruit dries the tail cracks open and splits into two hooked, claw-like halves. The young fruits and seeds were used for food and the dark-colored hardened dry fruits were used in basketry local Native Americans.

Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana) is a common subspecies of the small to medium-sized flowering tree in the legume family, Fabaceae. It is native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, but has been introduced to at least a half-dozen other countries. In California's Central Valley and deserts it is an important habitat plant for many species of wildlife. Honey Mesquite has a rounded crown and crooked, drooping branches with feathery foliage and straight, paired spines on twigs. In some settings it will remain a low growing shrub forming dense thickets that are used as refuge by rabbits, quail, and other animals. In other settings it grows as a tree that reaches 20-30 feet, rarely as tall as 50 feet. It is highly adapted to arid environments with a very deep taproot (up to 100 ft.) to reach underground water. The fruit is a nutritious "bean pod" that is valued by many animals and was eaten by native people of the desert. It has spines and caution should be used when deciding where to plant it. It is an essential plant for the desert wildlife garden.

Prosopis pubescens, commonly known as Screwbean Mesquite or Tornillo, is a species of flowering shrub or small tree in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is native to the southwestern United States (Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, California, southern Nevada and Utah) and northern Mexico (Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Sonora). In California it is found primarily in desert areas from Inyo County southward. It has light brown bark, usually short, straight spines (1-3 centimeter/0.39-1.2 inches), twice-compound leaves, and numerous, small, yellowish flowers appearing in elongate spikes. It is found along streams and valleys in deserts, particularly in damp or saline soil, and grows to about 7 meter (23 feet). It is distinguished from the very similar Honey Mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) by its tightly twisted seedpods (legumes) which very much resemble turned screws. This morphology may have been an evolutionary defense against seed predators such as bean weevils (Bruchinae). Like Honey Mesquite, these seed pods are valued by wildlife and were eaten by native people.

Prunella vulgaris, known as common selfheal, heal-all, heart-of-the-earth or h kh tho in Vietnamese, is a medicinal plant in the genus Prunella. It grows from 1 to 2 feet high, with creeping, self-rooting, tough, square, reddish stems branching at leaf axis. The leaves are lance shaped, serrated and reddish at tip, about an inch long and 1/2 inch broad, grow on short stalks in opposite pairs down the square stem. The flowers grow from a clublike, somewhat square, whirled cluster, immediately below this club are a pair of stalkless leaves standing out on either side like a collar. Flowers are two lipped and tubular, the top lip is a purple hood, and the bottom lip is often white, it has three lobes with the middle lobe being larger and fringed upwardly. Flowers bloom at different times depending on climate and other conditions; Mostly from June to August. For medicinal purposes, the whole plant is gathered when the flowers bloom, and dried. The leaves and small flowers of heal-all are edible. Heal-all is a perennial herb found throughout Europe, Asia, Japan and the United States of America, as well as most temperate climates. Its origin seems to be European, though it has been documented in other countries since before any history of travel. In the United Kingdom it is abundant throughout Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England. In the Republic of Ireland it is currently abundant in the west in counties Galway and Clare, the south-west in Kerry, the south coast and is also found around the central basin of Ireland. It is often found growing in waste ground, grassland, woodland edges, usually on basic and neutral soils. It is grown in any damp soil in full sun or in light shade. Seeds are sown in very early spring in a flat outdoor area.

Lance Leaf Self Heal (Prunella vulgaris var. lanceolata) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in wet places, at elevations from - feet.

Hybrid of Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia (Hollyleaf Cherry) and P. ilicifolia ssp. lyonii (Catalina Cherry). Tolerates almost any soil type. Prefers sun in coastal sites, and sun or part shade in inland sites. Selected for use in the garden.

Prunus andersonii is a species of shrub in the rose family, part of the same genus as the peach, cherry, and almond. Its common names include desert peach and desert almond. It is native to eastern California and western Nevada, where it grows in forests and scrub in desert and mountains. Prunus andersonii is a shrub approaching two meters (80 inches) in height, its tangling branches narrowing to spiny-tipped twigs. Serrated, lance-shaped to oval leaves occur in clusters, each leaf measuring up to 3 centimeters (1. 2 inches) long. The shrub is deciduous. The inflorescence is a solitary flower or pair of flowers. Each flower has usually five concave pink petals each just under a centimeter (0. 4 inches) long, with many whiskerlike stamens at the center. Flowers bloom before or at the same time as the leaves appear. The fruit is a fuzzy reddish-orange drupe around a centimeter (0. 4 inches) wide. The fruits are fleshy in years with ample moisture, and dry in drought years. The seed is a heart-shaped stone. The plant reproduces sexually via germination of the seed, and vegetatively by sprouting from its rhizome. One plant may sprout and resprout from its rhizomes to form a very large clone which can spread over several acres.

Oregon cherry or Bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata) is a species of Prunus native to western North America, from British Columbia south to California, and east to western Wyoming and Arizona. It is often found in recently disturbed areas, open woods, on nutrient-rich soil. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing to 1-15 meter tall with a slender oval trunk with smooth gray to reddish-brown bark with horizontal lenticels. The leaves are 2-8 centimeter long, thin, oval-shaped, and yellowish-green with unevenly-sized teeth on either side. The flowers are small, 10-15 millimeter diameter, with five white petals and numerous hairlike stamens; they are almond-scented, and produced in clusters in spring, and are pollinated by insects. The fruit is a juicy red or purple cherry 7-14 millimeter diameter, which, as the plant's English name suggests, are bitter. As well as reproducing by seed, it also sends out underground stems which then sprout above the surface to create a thicket.

Prunus fasciculata (syn. Emplectocladus fasciculata (Torr.); Desert almond) is a perennial deciduous shrub native to the deserts of Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah. It prefers sandy or rocky soil on dry slopes and washes up to 2200 meter. of altitude. It grows up to two meters high, exceptionally larger, with divaricately branching, spinescent, lightly thorned branches, often in thickets. The bark is grey and smooth. The leaves are 5-10 millimeter long, spatulate, oblance-shaped, linear, arranged on very short petioles in fascicles, or bundles. The flowers are small and white with 3 millimeter; petals, occurring either solitary or in fascicles and are subsessile growing from the leaf axils. They are dioecious. Male flowers have 10-15 stamens; female, one or more pistils. The plant displays numerous fragrant flowers from March to May, which attract the bees that pollinate it. The drupe is about 1 centimeter long, ovoid, light brown and hairy with thin flesh.

Hollyleaf cherry or Evergreen cherry is a species in the Rosaceae (Rose) family that is native to coastal California and northern Baja California. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree up to 15 meters tall, with dense, sclerophyllous foliage. The leaves are 1.6-12 centimeter long with a 4-25 millimeter petiole and spiny margins, somewhat resembling those of the holly, hence its English name; they are dark green when mature and generally shiny on top, and have a smell resembling almonds when crushed. The flowers are small (1-5 millimeters), white, produced on racemes in the spring. The fruit is a cherry 12-25 millimeter diameter, edible and sweet, but contains little flesh surrounding the smooth seed. Great for birds.

There are two recognized subspecies; ssp. lyonii (commonly known as Catalina Island Cherry) is native to the Channel Islands. It was formerly considered a separte species, and it is very similar in appearance and genetics to other P. ilicifolia. They hybridize readily, and many plants sold in nurseries may be unintentional hybrids.

Hollyleaf Cherry (Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia) is a native evergreen tree or shrub in the Rose family that grows in the coastal and inland valleys strip of northern, central, and southern California. It tends to grow on slopes or in valleys, at elevations from 0-5200 feet. It grows in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and southern oak woodland habitats and can vary greatly in size depending on conditions. In dry, rocky or shallow soils it will be bush-like from 5 to 15 ft. In richer soils with more moisture it will attain large shrub or small tree size, up to 30-40 ft.
The leaves are holly-like and evergreen. The flowers are small and white; the fruit is a one inch red to dark purple drupe that is popular with wildlife. The closely related subspecies Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii (Catalina Cherry) is endemic to the Channel Islands, but in appearance and behavior the two can be difficult to distinguish as they hybridize readily.

Catalina cherry (Prunus ilicifolia ssp. lyonii) is a lovely evergreen shrub with shiny soft leaves and dark cherry colored fruit.  In late spring, striking white flowers appear. Older trees may resemble coast live oak.

As a native plant, it grows in chaparral woodland, primarily in the Channel Islands region.

The edible fruits are favored by birds and other wildlife. 

Catalina cherry can be planted as a hedge because its dense vegetation creates a good screen. It is fairly easy to grow and will tolerate garden conditions, with summer watering once or twice a month. It is fast growing once established and moderately long-lived.  Fallen fruits may stain concrete paving, if any is nearby. 

Choke Cherry (Prunus virginiana) is a species in the Rosaceae (Rose) family, in the Bird Cherry (Padus) subgenus. It is native to North America where it is found almost throughout the continent except for the deep south and the far north. The plant is widespread in California, particularly in the mountains. It is a suckering shrub or small tree growing to 5 meter tall. The leaves are oval, 3-10 centimeter long, with a coarsely serrated margin. It is deciduous, and the leaves provide some fall color. The flowers are produced in racemes of 15-30 inches late spring (well after leaf emergence). The fruits are about 1 centimeter diameter, range in color from bright red to black. Although they are said to be edible, they contain small amounts of cyanide, especially when unripe. The very ripe berries are dark in color, less astringent, and contain less cyanide. Despite the potential toxicity, the fruits were valued by many Native people.

Western Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana var. demissa) is a native tree or shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It is fast growing and short-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 20 feet, with active growth during the spring and summer. Flowers are white and striking, and bloom in the spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in rocky slopes, at elevations from 0-8200 feet.

Bicolored Everlasting (Gnaphalium bicolor) is a native perennial herb that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in dry places, at elevations from 0-7500 feet.

California Cudweed (Pseudognaphalium californicum) is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family. It is native to the west coast of North America from Washington to Baja California, where it is a member of the flora of many habitats, including chaparral. In California it is most often found near the coast from Sonoma County southward and in the Sierra foothills.

This is an annual or biennial herb with branching stems. Its green herbage is hairy, sticky and scented. The flower head is a wide cluster of flowers, each enveloped in ringed rows of bright white. The flowers are very long lasting when dried and are used in flower arrangements.

Classification is disputed between the genera Pseudognaphalium and Gnaphalium, but it is presently classified as Pseudognaphlium. Also, some sources refer to this plant as Pearly Everlasting, but that's actually the common name of a different species (Anaphlis margaritacea). California Cudweed would work best in an informal garden or wildscape. It re-seeds prolifically, so be prepared to pull seedlings from areas where it is not wanted.

Pseudognaphalium canescens (syn. Gnaphalium canescens) is a species of flowering plant in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family known by the common name Wright's Cudweed. It is native to western North America from western Canada to northern Mexico. It can be found in many habitats, from mountains to plateau to coastline. The many-branched stem is erect to a maximum height of around a meter. It is gray-green and woolly with many narrow leaves. Atop the stem branches are flower clusters of several pointed oval-shaped pale yellowish, cream, or white flower heads. Each woolly head is a few millimeters across and contains many tiny disc florets. This plant is seldom seen in gardens but is useful for restoration projects.

White Everlasting (Gnaphalium canescens ssp. microcephalum) is a native perennial herb in the Asteraceae (Sunflower) family that grows primarily in southern California, along the central coast, and in the Sierras. It tends to grow at elevations from sea level to 6,500 feet. Like other members of this genus, the flowers are very long-lasting when dried and are used in flower arrangements. It is the larval host plant for the American lady butterfly. Fuzzy greenish-white leaves and stems sometimes visited by Woolcarder Bees, who harvest the fuzz to build their nests. Flowers very long lasting and good in dried flower arrangements. Pioneer species along with native grasses and lotus (Acmispon) species.

The Bigcone Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga macrocarpa) is an evergreen conifer native to the mountains of southern California, occurring from the San Rafael Mountains in central Santa Barbara County and the southwest of the Tehachapi Mountains of southwestern Kern County, south to Julian in San Diego County. It is notable for having the largest (by far) cones in its genus, hence the name. Bigcone Douglas-fir typically grows from 15-30 meter (50-100 feet) in height and 0.5-1.5 meter (2-5 feet) in trunk diameter. The growth form is straight, with a conical crown from 12-30 meter (40-100 feet) broad, and a strong and spreading root system. The bark is deeply ridged, composed of thin, woodlike plates separating heavy layers of cork; bark of trees over 1 meter (3 feet) in diameter is from 15-20 centimeter (6-8 inches) thick. The main branches are long and spreading with pendulous side shoots.

Douglas Fir or Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii, is an evergreen conifer native to the coastal regions of western North America, from central California north through Oregon and Washington to British Columbia, Canada. In California, it is found in the Klamath Mountains and the Cascade Range, the California Coast Ranges as far south as the Santa Lucia Mountains in Monterey County, and the Sierra Nevada as far south as the Huntington Lake region in Fresno County.

In California the Douglas Fir and its variety named Coast Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii) occur from near sea level along the coast to 5,900 feet (1800 m) in the Sierra Nevada. Eastward they are replaced by its variety named Rocky Mountain Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca). Its variety named Mexican Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. lindleyana) is endemic to central and northern montane Mexico.

Douglas Firs commonly live more than 500 years and occasionally more than 1,000 years. The species name, menziesii, honors Archibald Menzies, the first European botanist to document it (1791). The common name honors botanist David Douglas, who introduced it into cultivation (1827). Douglas Firs are commercially important for lumber.

Due to their robust mature size Douglas Fir trees are not frequently planted in small to mid-size residential gardens. Since they can get exceptionally large they need to be provided with plenty of space to grow above and below ground.
Douglas Firs are the second-tallest conifer species in the world after Coast Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens). Trees 200-250 feet (60-75 meters) in height and trunks 5-6.6 feet (1.5-2 m) in diameter are common in old growth forests. Maximum heights of 330-390 feet (100-120 m) and trunk diameters of 15-20 feet (4.5-6 m) were historically documented. The "Doerner Fir" in Oregon is the tallest known currently living Douglas Fir at 326 ft. (99.4 m) tall; and the "Queets Fir" in Olympic National Park has the widest known currently living trunk at 16 ft. (4.85 m) in diameter.

The Coast Douglas Fir or Coast Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii, is an evergreen conifer variety of Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) native to western North America, from central California north through Oregon and Washington to British Columbia, Canada. In California, it is found in the Klamath Mountains and the Cascade Range, the California Coast Ranges as far south as the Santa Lucia Mountains in San Luis Obispo County, the Sierra Nevada as far south as the Yosemite region, and a southernmost small stand in the Purisima Hills of Santa Barbara County.

In California the Coast Douglas Fir variety and species Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) occur from near sea level along the coast to 5,900 feet (1800 m) in the Sierra Nevada. Eastward they are replaced by the variety named Rocky Mountain Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca). The variety named Mexican Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. lindleyana) is endemic to central and northern montane Mexico.

Coast Douglas Fir trees are not frequently planted in residential gardens, they get very large and need to be provided with substantial space to grow. Douglas Firs are the second-tallest conifer species in the world after Coast Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens). Trees 200-250 feet (60-75 meters) in height and trunks 5-6.6 feet (1.5-2 m) in diameter are common in old growth forests. Coast Douglas Fir commonly lives more than 500 years and occasionally more than 1,000 years.

Psilostrophe cooperi is a flowering plant in the daisy family known by the common names Cooper's paper daisy and whitestem paperflower. It is native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of the United States and Mexico. This is a low, spreading bush with pale green, hairy foliage. The daisylike flower heads have 3 to 8 deeply toothed golden-yellow ray florets. The flower heads are often bunched together at the tops of the stems in a rounded spray. The flowers persist for a time and then dry and become papery while maintaining their yellow color.

Psorothamnus arborescens is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name Mojave indigo bush. Psorothamnus arborescens is native to southwestern North America, where it can be found in many types of desert and dry mountainous habitats. It grows at 100-1,900 metres (330-6,230 ft) in elevation. It is found in the Californian Mojave Desert and Colorado Desert, south into the Sonoran Desert in Northwest Mexico, east past the Sierra Nevada into the Nevada Great Basin desert, and west into the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California. Psorothamnus arborescens is a shrub growing no more than 1 metre (3. 3 ft) tall, its highly branching stems sometimes with thorns. The leaves are each made up of a few pairs of green linear to oval leaflets up to a centimeter in length. The inflorescence is a long raceme of many flowers with reddish green calyces of sepals and bright purple pealike corollas up to a centimeter long. The fruit is a glandular legume pod up to a centimeter long containing one seed. Varieties: The varieties of this species are generally similar in appearance but more restricted in distribution:Psorothamnus arborescens var. arborescens (syn: Dalea fremontii var. saundersii (Parish) Munz) - southwestern Mojave Desert, 400-800 metres (1,300-2,600 ft) elevation. Psorothamnus arborescens var. minutifolius - White and Inyo Mountains, Mojave sky islands, east of Sierra Nevada, 150-1,900 metres (490-6,230 ft) elevation.

Psorothamnus schottii is a species of flowering plant in the legume family known by the common name Schott's dalea. It is native to the Sonoran Deserts of northern Mexico and adjacent sections of Arizona and the Colorado Desert in California. Psorothamnus schottii is a shrub approaching two meters in maximum height. Its highly branching stems are green to woolly gray-green and glandular. The gland-pitted linear leaves are up to 3 centimeters long and not divided into leaflets. Psorothamnus schottii is a shrub approaching two meters in maximum height. Its highly branching stems are green to woolly gray-green and glandular. The gland-pitted linear leaves are up to 3 centimeters long and not divided into leaflets. The inflorescence is an open raceme of up to 15 flowers. Each flower has a deep purple blue pealike corolla up to a centimeter long in a glandular tubular calyx of sepals with pointed lobes. The fruit is a legume pod coated in glands and containing on

The Smokethorn (Psorothamnus spinosus) is a perennial legume tree common to the desert washes of the southern part of California, Arizona, and most of Baja California. The Smokethorn is also common to Joshua Tree National Park, where it is called the Smoketree. The twigs of the Smokethorn are slender and densely covered with fine whitish hairs. The flowers are lateral clusters of purple in June, with small seeded pea pods as its fruit.

California Hoptree (Ptelea crenulata) is a slow-growing drought-adapted deciduous tree, reaching up to 16 feet tall. California Hoptree naturally grows in chaparral and woodlands habitats. Known for its dense foliage, with glossy, deep green leaves, California Hoptree makes a great hedge or privacy screen.California Hoptree is typically an understory plant, so does best in partial sun with minimal irrigation. In the spring, many clusters of fragrant cream-colored flowers appear, attracting butterflies and native bees.

Brackens (Pteridium) are a genus comprising several species of large, coarse ferns. Ferns (Pteridophyta) are vascular plants that have alternating generations, large plants that produce spores and small plants that produce sex cells (eggs and sperm). Brackens are in the family Dennstaedtiaceae, which are noted for their large, highly divided leaves. They are commonly found on moorland. Brackens are cosmopolitan, being found on all continents except Antarctica and in all environments except deserts. The genus probably has the widest distribution of any fern genus in the world. In the past, the genus was commonly treated as having only one species, Pteridium aquilinum, but the recent trend is to subdivide it into about ten species.

Hairy Brackenfern (Pteridium aquilinum var. pubescens) is a native fern that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in meadows and woodlands and slopes, at elevations from 0-10000 feet.

Pinedrops is the common name for the plant Pterospora andromedea of the family Ericaceae; it is the only species in the genus Pterospora. It grows in coniferous or mixed forests in heavy soil. It is native to North America from southern Canada to the mountains of Mexico and is most commonly found in the western half of the continent, though small populations are found in the northeast United States and eastern Canada. The visible portion of Pterospora andromedea is an unbranched flower spike (raceme) generally 30-100 centimeter in height, though it has been reported to occasionally attain a height of 2 meters. The above-ground stalks are usually found in small clusters between June and August. The stalks are hairy and feel somewhat sticky to the touch. They have scale-like structures that are described by some authorities as vestigial leaves or sterile leafs. The upper portion of the red stalk has a series of yellowish, bell-shaped flowers that face downward.

Purshia mexicana is a species of perennial flowering small tree in the rose family known by the common name Mexican cliffrose. It is native to western-northern Mexico, the region of the Sierra Madre Occidental cordillera. A different phase which was published as var. stansburyana (but should have been stansburiana) and which is now treated as Purshia stansburyana occurs in the southwestern United States, centered on the Colorado Plateau regions of Utah-Colorado, and Arizona-New Mexico; also much of the Great Basin mountains to the west. The range of Mexican Cliffrose is from the western Mexican Plateau in the south, and the southern Sierra Madre Occidental cordillera north to a small region of northwest Sonora; it has a continuous range in the cordillera from Chihuahua south through Durango and Zacatecas, all mostly north of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, though a few scattered locales do occur in the belt. In the United States, the range is centered on the Colorado Plateau mostly of central and southern Utah, central and northern Arizona, the entire desert and rock-formation Canyon Lands region; the range continues east into southwest Colorado and neighboring western New Mexico. The range continues westwards into the Great Basin desert regions, and southwest into the Mojave Desert including eastern California; scattered locales occur in central New Mexico, and possibly central Baja California.

Purshia stansburyana (previously P. stansburiana but due to a 2006 rule change under the ICBN, the last letter has been restored since the plant was named in honor of Howard Stansbury) is a species of flowering plant in the rose family known by the common name Stansbury's cliffrose. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it grows in woodlands, desert, and plateau habitat. It often grows anchored on cliffs and prefers rocky, granular soils, especially limestone. Purshia stansburyana is a shrub generally growing up to about one to three meters tall, known to approach 4 meters to up to 8 meters in exceptional circumstances, becoming somewhat treelike. It easily hybridizes with other Purshia species. It is covered in shreddy bark. The small, very thick, glandular leaves are divided into several lobes which may be divided into sub-lobes. The leaves on the upper side are dotted with punctures, i. e. are punctate. The shrub blooms abundantly in white or cream-colored flowers with clawed petals. Blooming continues from spring until the first frost. The fruit is an achene, a long plumelike structure up to 6 centimeters long. The plume is dispersed on the wind and by animals such as rodents. The shrub is drought-tolerant and the seedlings may actually survive better in years of below average precipitation. The Stansbury's cliffrose shrub provides valuable browse for many wild ungulates, including elk, mule deer, and desert bighorn sheep, as well as livestock. Many birds and rodents consume the seeds, with rodents caching them underground, where they may sprout later. It is used for revegetation projects in degraded habitat in its native region, and as an ornamental. It was used by Native American groups for a variety of purposes, the bark being worked into fiber for clothing, bedding, and rope, and the branches being made into arrows.

Purshia tridentata is a nitrogen fixing shrub in the Rose family, native to mountainous areas of western North America ranging from southeastern British Columbia in the north, east to Montana and south to California and New Mexico. It grows on arid mountainsides; in California it occurs between 700-3,400 meter above sea level (Jepson) in the southern mountains and into the eastern Sierras, but lower further north, at 320-1,065 meter from the Cascades up to British Columbia (Plants of British Columbia). Common names include Antelope Brush, Antelope Bitterbrush, Buckbrush, Quinine Brush, and less commonly Deerbrush, Blackbrush, and Greasewood. Some of these names are shared with other closely related species. There are two recognized Varieties: Var. tridentata is generally found from Tulare County northward. Var. glandulosa is generally found from Mono County southward. This is an attractive plant for dry, mountainous areas and very important for wildlife. Although it is native to arid places, it can tolerate garden conditions as long as drainage is good.

Desert Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata var. glandulosa) is a native shrub that grows in southern and central California. It tends to grow in , at elevations from 2800-9000 feet.

Antelope Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata var. tridentata) is a native shrub that grows in northern, southern and central California. It tends to grow in , at elevations from 3000-11200 feet.

Pycnanthemum californicum is a species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name Sierra mint. It is endemic to California, where it grows in mountains and foothills throughout the state, in chaparral, woodland, forest, and other habitat. It is a perennial herb growing erect one half to one meter in height, with hairless to fuzzy, aromatic herbage. The oppositely arranged leaves are lance-shaped to nearly oval, each a few centimeters long. The inflorescences are located in clusters about the stem just above each upper pair of leaves. Each flower has a whitish upper lip and a purplish lower lip, sometimes with spots.

Pyrrocoma apargioides is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name alpineflames. It is native to the western United States from the Sierra Nevada of California east to Utah, where it grows in the forests and meadows of high mountains. It is a perennial herb growing from a taproot and producing one or more stems to 30 centimeters in length. The stems are decumbent or upright, reddish, and hairless to slightly woolly. Most of the leaves are located around the base. They are thick and leathery, lance-shaped with large sawteeth along the edges, and measure up to 10 centimeters long. The inflorescence is usually a single flower head lined with centimeter-long phyllaries which are reddish to green with red edges. The head has a center of yellow disc florets and a fringe of ray florets which are yellow, often splashed with red along the undersides, measuring up to 1. 6 centimeters in length. The fruit is an achene which may be well over a centimeter in length including its pappus.

The Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia) is an iconic, majestic tree that serves as a cornerstone for wildlife and the surrounding ecosystem. It is easily-recognized by its gnarled branches and grand canopy. The Coast Live Oak flowers each spring and its acorns attract a wide variety of birds and butterflies - over 270 species rely on these trees for habitat and food.

With its rich green foliage and unique branching pattern, the Coast Live Oak is a favored choice for both residential and commercial landscapes. These resilient trees can live for centuries, often surpassing 250 years, and can grow impressively tall, reaching mature heights ranging from 30 to 80 feet.

It is one of the only California native oaks that thrives in coastal environments, it enjoys fog and mild winters. In the first year after planting, water once a week. Then, reduce it to once a month until it reaches about 10 feet tall. After that, avoid watering directly during summer.

Coast Live Oaks like to have their roots shaded. When they're young, surround them with mulch, rocks, or smaller native plants. Some California natives, such as Toyon and Manzanitas, do well as "understory" plants under the Coast Live Oak. Fallen oak leaves provide natural mulch for the tree. Don't fertilize oaks. They'll amend the soil over time with their own leaves and build the natural mycorrhizal fungus in the soil they need to thrive. Gradually, they become islands of natural fertility that improve the health of the nearby plants.