UCLA Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden

To continue our adventures in Baja California , here is Euphorbia xanti, or Baja spurge. Though it typically blooms in winter and spring, ours has a few flowers at the moment. Similar to poinsettias, which are also a type of Euphorbia, the white flower you see here is actually a combination of a true flower surrounded by modified leaves called bracts. The actual reproductive structures are found in the center of the bracts in a structure called a cyathium, visible in this photo as the yellow part. Bougainvillea is a non Euphorbia example of this kind of bract/cyathium structure. #euphorbia #euphorbiaxanti #cyathium #morphology #baja #bajacalifornia #plants #botany #bajaspurge

Let’s take a little virtual trip to Baja California this week! Follow us to take a closer look at some of the plants native to that region that are growing in the Garden. This is Stenocereus thurberi var. littoralis, the Dwarf organ pipe cactus! This dwarf variety is native only to Southern Baja #stenocereus #stenocereusthurberilittoralis #cactaceae #cactusflower #desertplants #succulent #cactus #dwarf #dwarforganpipecactus #losangeles #baja #bajacalifornia #flora #botanicalgarden

Seasonal festivities bring together traditions, history, family and friends. To a botanist, they are also a case study of the deeply interconnected relationship between nature and culture. Join us for the 4th annual Botany of the Holidays as we travel to China and Brazil to share the botanical origins of some winter holiday traditions, and see just how important plants are to celebrations around the world. This year’s speakers include: .Terry Huang Assistant Director, Bota...nical Garden .Marcel Vaz UCLA PhD Student, Kraft Lab .Xinyi Yan UCLA Alumna, PhD Student at UT Austin This event is free, but RSVP (link in bio) to reserve a space and receive streaming information. An email will be sent out before the event to attendees with details for how to stream live. #botanyoftheholidays #botanicalgarden #publicgarden #botany #holidays #lunarnewyear #westwoodvillage #ucla #ethnobotany

Salvia lanceolata, or Rusty sage, is native to the Cape Region in South Africa that shares a similar Mediterranean climate type with Los Angeles. We grow many plants from this region because they are well-adapted to handle the weather conditions we experience here and are drought-tolerant. This pink and yellow beauty is now blooming in the Pavillion garden. #salvia #salvialanceolata #sage #southafrican #mediterraneanclimate #botanicalgarden #nature #plantstagram

Opuntia monacantha, Drooping prickly pear, blooming in the Desert Garden. #opuntia #opuntiamonacantha #cacti #cactusflower #desertplants #succulents #plantstagram #droopingpricklypear #pricklypear #nopal #botanicalgarden

Yucca inflorescences up in the Desert Garden #desertgarden #desrtplants #yucca #inflorescence #pollination #naturephotography #publicgarden #socal

Puya is a genus within the bromeliad family that is a bit different than most of its relatives. These plants are terrestrial and drought-tolerant, in contrast to many species within this family that are epiphytic and grow in the branches of trees in cloud forests and rainforests. Many Puya species are native to central Chile , which experiences a similar Mediterranean climate like we have here in Los Angeles. Typically spring bloomers, this Puya coerula var. monteroana decided to put up two very large inflorescences in October. Look at those fabulous blue petals!! #puya #matorral #puyacoerulea #puyacoeruleamonteroana #blueflowers #inflorescence #droughtolerant #gardener #wow #losangeles #mothernature #plantstagram #chile

Thank you to those who joined us this weekend for a Nature Journaling Workshop with Artist Deborah Shaw! Here are a few glimpses into the creativity of some of the participants. If you missed this event, you can check out a recording of the livestream in our bio. Special thanks to Margaret, Marie, Mary, Michelle, J, Joanne, Kelly, Marilyn, and others for sharing your artwork! #naturejournal #nature #plantstagram #flowers #leaves #illustration #botanicalillustration #naturalhistoryillustration #artclass #lifelonglearning #meditation #debshaw #MEMBG #publicgarden

This botanical garden grows on the unceded lands of Gabrielino/Tongva tribes. We are working to listen to, create space for, and share access to land with local Native people. Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and is just one reminder in the year to celebrate Indigenous cultures and to think about how we can understand history, learn about the diverse people who call Tovangaar / Los Angeles home, and hopefully change the future. Will you take pause today and learn more about the local tribes in your area and important issues they are raising awareness about?

Join Artist Deborah Shaw tomorrow Saturday October 10th at 10am to learn more about observing nature! Link in bioNature Journaling Workshop Focused observationdrawing, sketching, and writingchanges how we look at the world around us. Nature journaling forces us to see, instead of look. Suitable for all levels and ages (including beginners) this workshop will explore various journaling techniques to enhance drawing skills, explore ideas and document our place and time. The ...only required supplies are pencil (a regular #2 or softer) and paper, although any other art supplies are certainly welcome. A downloadable reference sheet will be available for attendees. This event is freeRSVP to reserve a spot (link in bio)!#nature #naturejournaling #outdoorclassroom #observations #notebook #leafstudy #plants #plantstagram #losangeles #botanicalillustration #botanicalart #naturehood See more

Autumn in the Garden: Nature Journaling + Virtual Backgrounds + More! - https://mailchi.mp/4fc778b70250/gardennewsletter-5081470

The magic of the golden hour amidst the tropical plantings of bromeliads, bananas, and gingers. #bromeliad #inflorescence #bananas #ginger #tropical #goldenhour #socal #summervibes #garden #naturephotography #botanicalgarden #turtles #losangeles #nature