by Miguel Padilla
(An image of the Paraguay nightshade, or blue potato bush, with small purple flowers in bloom amongst vibrant green leaves.)
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, or so they say. What I have seen is a form beyond comparison. A transcendent type of beauty held quietly by those with a penchant for the natural world. With its robust plant diversity, Southern California boasts towering palm trees, ancient Joshua trees, and poppies in every color imaginable. This rich plant diversity has served as a backdrop for many of us, all while made famous by Hollywood movies and social media hotspots. In memoriam of my years spent and gone while observing this beauty, I come to you with the hope and joy of one who has found comfort in our local landscape.
The Mediterranean climate here warms and cools, but never overstaying its welcome. Climate change has disrupted that in recent years, but even so, our grasses, succulents, and landscapes remain. They are steadfast symbols of California's ecological perseverance. With forests, deserts, and rocky terrains all visible in an hour's time, my enduring hope is that this land endures the ravaging forces of time. Generations to come should be afforded these opportunities, as the beauty in our diverse plant-life should be made available to everyone.
Did you know that California is home to the most diverse plant-life in the United States? With over 5,000 native plant species, and over 1,500 well-established non-native plant species, California is seen as the paradigm of biodiversity nation-wide.
(An image of the Mexican Bush Sage, taken alongside a path across from our very own Campus’s planetarium)
I've found that a native-plant appreciation runs deep in Southern California culture. The popularity for succulents as houseplants has exploded in recent years, with the benefits of plant-ownership made more obvious through word of mouth. The calming influence of plants in our busy lives has helped our minds heal from many of our everyday stressors. From reducing stress, supporting cognitive health, to improving air quality, native-plants have added much to our lives and continue to do so.. Much of our very own animal diversity can be attributed to this abundance of variable native plant-life as well, with animal and human life benefitting from this exchange of flora and fauna.
The benefits of incorporating native plants into our environment are astounding as well. A few have caught on, but not nearly enough in my opinion. Gardens, front lawns, and public landscapes are enhanced by the colors and economic value native plants provide. These plants directly aid in the protection of our environment, as they require less maintenance, less watering, and reduce pollution at large when the use of equipment such as lawn mowers are rendered unnecessary.
On a more personal level, many of my greatest memories were made alongside this state's majestic landscapes. The brown swashing hues of the Mojave, the rugged imposing badlands south of Redlands, and the evergreen mountain ranges headed into the San Bernardino Forest range – they are my muses. How nature coexists as one between the balance of animal, plant, and life, the thought of this chaotic interplay creating such beauty is humbling beyond words. California's plant biodiversity is born from the existence of Earth's natural forces, and my love for plants, by my heart's appreciation for their very existence.
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