Araliaceae: Ginseng Family

Elk Clover – Aralia californica

Blooms:

June–Aug

Plant Height:

1–3 m

Flower Size:

Small cluster

Origin:

Native

Habitat:

Damp, shady places

Notes:

This is not a true clover, but is closely related to English Ivy (Hedera helix, see below).  Both plants have very similar, undistinguished greenish-white flowers born in small spherical clusters.  The very large (1–2 m) leaves are its most distinctive feature; individual leaflets are up to 25 cm long.  Berries are red, turning to black.  Photo #1 by CJH.

Clover, Elk

English Ivy – Hedera helix

Blooms:

Aug–Nov

Plant Height:

Vine

Flower Size:

Small cluster

Origin:

Eurasia

Invasive?

Yes – high

Habitat:

Woodland

Notes:

Widely cultivated and notoriously aggressive.  It is a strong climber and can quickly cover the trunk of its host tree. Leaves on juvenile stems are palmately 3–5-lobed, those on flowering stems are are ovate to diamond shaped. Its flowers are almost identical to those of the Elk Clover, i.e. small, greenish-white flowers in small spherical clusters.

Floating Marsh Pennywort – Hydrocotyle ranunculoides

Blooms:

Mar–Aug

Plant Height:

5–35 cm

Flower Size:

Very small

Origin:

Native

Habitat:

Ponds & lake margins

Notes:

This can be found in large quantities, in water or on pond margins.  The leaves are round to kidney shaped, with 3 to 7 distinct, deeply cut lobes.  It has clusters of 5–10 tiny white flowers.