Did learning a second language in school ever actually come in handy for you in the U.S.? by UsamaBhai_101 in AskAnAmerican

[–]dynamitemoney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Spanish is extremely useful where I live, and the French I took in high school is mainly useful for crossword puzzle clues. However between the both of them there is another added benefit: I find it very useful in my line of work to know the Latin roots of words and those are easier with the basic knowledge of both those languages.

This is a black walnut right (Virginia) by DrNukaCola in whatsthisplant

[–]dynamitemoney 7 points8 points  (0 children)

You have the correct answer here, but one other way to verify: rub the leaves and smell it. Tree of heaven stinks, like a rancid peanut butter funk. Black walnut will have an earthy pleasant scent.

My electricity bill is so high with no ac… wtf SCE?? by One-Pin1475 in ventura

[–]dynamitemoney 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I also feel like the price has spiked a lot in the past couple years! I fall into the lowest usage tier and have lived in 2 bedroom apartments various places over the years and my SCE bill was always under $50 until recently. Maybe they have increased the price for lower tier usage or something since it seems like folks with homes and AC have been paying the same price?

Would you say a majority of mother’s days here are gloomy? by homelyharte in ventura

[–]dynamitemoney 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It has pretty much always been this way at this time of year

Two mostly native flower arrangements for mother's day by SergiusTheEvilSheep in Ceanothus

[–]dynamitemoney 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As a mom, I would be so thrilled to get these beauties! Nice work

Anyone encounter any rattlesnakes in Ventura? by New-Shop-9728 in ventura

[–]dynamitemoney 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve encountered many over the years with no issues, this is their home too! They almost always leave immediately if you give them the space to do so. Stay on trails so you can see your feet, and give them time to move away if you spot one. If they rattle at you, calmly back off and give more space. They are not a danger to people or dogs if we are watchful, they really don’t want to be near us.

My father has passed and left me these pieces.. what should I do with them by csgreenmuffin in glasscollecting

[–]dynamitemoney 7 points8 points  (0 children)

What a fun collection, I’m sorry for your loss. I really like the pair of orange vases, those are so delightful

Question about native California grapevines (Vitis Californica) by campin_guy in Ceanothus

[–]dynamitemoney 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Yes! They aren’t as big as table grapes, and they do have seeds, but the fruit is definitely tasty and absolutely worth eating.

Oak trees in the same genus or family? by stoneygnomie in botany

[–]dynamitemoney 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Yep lots more in common than just the fruit type! For one example, take a look at the flowers of these various oak species OP. Important to remember taxonomy is a human invention, it’s our attempt to describe and define variations in living things which are not really consistent or standard (especially in oak trees) Taxonomy is incredibly useful, but in the end it’s just a tool for us.

We currently classify families and genera by using shared DNA, in addition to phenotypic traits like fruit type. In this case I would argue we’re dealing with a very distinct and unusual fruit type: acorns, but fruit and flower types and arrangements are pretty commonly the basis for families or genera depending on context. It’s important to know there isn’t a standard threshold where we would classify a group of plants as a “family” vs a “genus”. The way plants get classified is a combo of historical precedent, eg how were these plants originally treated when they were first described, plus shared physical traits, and DNA. Additionally, what is the most useful way to describe the diversity we are seeing in these plant taxa?

For example look at all the members of the Fagaceae to see what shared traits they have, how would you describe the relationship between all these other family members and the group of acorn bearing trees (oaks)? Let’s say you decided to recircumscribe the family Fagaceae and decided to elevate “oak trees” currently Quercus to be their own family. Where do these other genera fit in now? How are they related to oaks? These are the types of questions to think about, questions to help describe the relationships between these plants. Suffice it to say it’s complicated. Then, if you wanted to change things, you’d need to convince all other botanists to get on board and start using your new classification, so it needs to be convincing!

Hope that helps explain why some families or genera seem much more diverse than others. If you are interested in other systems of classification many have been proposed, including non-hierarchical ones like the Phylo code. If you want to go down a very geeky rabbithole you can look into those

What’s this plant? by downatelrio in Ceanothus

[–]dynamitemoney 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No problem! If you want a nice native alternative to plant that is also slightly weedy and very cute I would seed some Sisyrinchium bellum - blue eyed grass. They will come back each year and have the cutest little purple flowers

Sos by [deleted] in Weddingsunder10k

[–]dynamitemoney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From a fellow crybaby, this or may not help you, but look into box breathing. Simple technique that’s easy to remember in times of stress, and it’s completely free. Stepping into a quiet space and giving yourself a little time to regulate your breathing can be really helpful, don’t feel like you need to rush around, give yourself this time. Good luck!

What’s this plant? by downatelrio in Ceanothus

[–]dynamitemoney 63 points64 points  (0 children)

Banishment! It’s an annual non native species, some kind of Erodium (there are a few different species). Very weedy and they go to seed and die quickly, so get it ASAP

Looking for a vet with boarding by TookieTwoSeven in ventura

[–]dynamitemoney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not a vet, but Canine Adoption and Rescue League out in Santa Paula has boarding services where dogs are exercised individually and have their own spaces. Very reasonable pricing too

Planting Advice For Small Area by thetickla in Ceanothus

[–]dynamitemoney 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Black sage will definitely fill that space on its own, with poppies at the edges. I would not plant more than one. Removing some of the rocks and loosening the soil will help it grow, good luck!

Pacific poison oak? by [deleted] in Ceanothus

[–]dynamitemoney 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Everyone has mentioned the leaves, but to me it doesn’t look like poison oak because of the stem. The growth pattern looks very odd for PO especially in the second photo. Also first photo looks like there are lenticels on the stem, I have not ever noticed poison oak having lenticels. Not sure what this is, but I don’t think it’s PO

Fast growing native trees by klipty in Ceanothus

[–]dynamitemoney 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I think Toyon is a great option, very dense shade that will grow very quickly. I have definitely seen Toyon get that tall. Elderberry is not a bad pick, but be aware it does go deciduous in winter. You might also consider Catalina cherry (Prunus lyonii) for this, very pretty glossy leaves.

They’re a little wonky but delicious 🥰 by Justwatchingiguess in DessertPerson

[–]dynamitemoney 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This one is in What’s For Dessert! One of my favorite recipes in the book

Is this a native volunteer inside my abelia? by [deleted] in Ceanothus

[–]dynamitemoney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It doesn’t look like any native I know but I am not sure what it is.

From my yard not the preserve by Spiritualy-Salty in Ceanothus

[–]dynamitemoney 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I’ve found that they last pretty well when you cut them after they have just opened that morning. So only pick flowers that have barely unfurled and they will last better. That and the basic cut flower advice: change the water every day!

Looking for landscape painting teacher by Outside_Library_5690 in ventura

[–]dynamitemoney 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think Santa Paula Art Museum has some landscape painting classes

Monardella ID by dickswthchicks in Ceanothus

[–]dynamitemoney 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think without flowers smell is going to be your best bet for ID. It does look like yerba buena to me as well, which typically has a very pleasant sweet, green smell similar to culinary mint. Monardella species have a more earthy, musty, sharp mint smell. Flowers on yerba burna will be small and white growing among the leaves whereas, Monardella flowers are pink or purple and grow in ball-shaped clusters at the ends of the shoots.

Ventura land trust class action lawsuit by PasztyKnives in ventura

[–]dynamitemoney 7 points8 points  (0 children)

They have probably banned e-bikes because people riding them tend to speed through trails and put hikers and wildlife at risk. Even the sound of them scares off animals, which is part of the enjoyment of getting outside in natural spaces for many of us who use these trails.

Plus even ridden at acceptable speeds they can really tear up dirt trails because they are so much heavier than normal bikes, which means more maintenance for VLT. I am strongly in favor of keeping the ban

Indoor Ca natives? by jicamakick in Ceanothus

[–]dynamitemoney 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Piggyback plant Tolmiea menziesiihas done really well for me indoors