San Gabriel Valley Cactus and Succulent Society

California’s Gems: A Brief Look into the Weird and Wonderful Botany of California

About a year ago at this time, I was lucky enough to take a botanical trip into the heart of one of California’s more famous but unexplored deserts. From wacky weather to geometric geology, every piece of the landscape and ecosystem was a wonder to behold. The focus of the conversation today will go beyond the scope of this small trip, but it serves as a great introduction to some of the many hidden gems California has in terms of desert-dwelling plants. Some families and forms will be familiar, such as ferns and crassula, which have taken on remarkable adaptations to survive extreme conditions. I also hope to introduce species that many have not heard of or seen, with a brief introduction to the plants that shed light on the geological history of California. Hopefully, many are encouraged to see new worlds open up before them, even in their own backyards

Short Bio:

Howdy! I’m Eli Cohen, currently a student at Pasadena City College and a propagator of many fascinating arid plants! My fixation with the unusual forms, lives, and adaptations of xerophytic plants is a lifelong passion that started over a decade ago. I am also an active member of LACSS, and love being involved in the education and enthusiasm for nature that the community brings. I hope to share some of the joy and beauty I have discovered in pockets of the world that may be overlooked, or other aspects of the natural world that don’t always get the limelight, starting with California’s superb deserts.