header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
September 19
1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
toll house


Let's Go Outside | Commentary by Evelyne Vandersande
| Thursday, Feb 21, 2013

evelynevandersande_mugFacebook is a wonderful tool, allowing us much more rapid communication. In January, a young woman sent us a photo from a bush covered with pink blossoms, and we all celebrated. The chaparral currant was officially in bloom, and it was the first sign of the coming spring.

That was great news. In this strange world we live in, where so many things are changing, I find great comfort in observing the constant cycle of the seasons. We can count on that remaining the same year after year, and seeing all of the “firsts of the season” are a reason to be excited and pleased.

Chaparral currant

Chaparral currant

You should know there is a short walk at Placerita called “Bloom of the Season” on the fourth Saturday of the month from 9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. The chaparral currant is one of my favorites; it blooms in winter and early spring when some bright color and fresh blooms are so welcome. The clusters of pink flowers are really pretty; the small and slightly fuzzy leaves have a delicious scent, too. Rub them through your fingers and the smell is acidic and pungent. The leaves smell like blackcurrant, a related plant that is popular in Europe (you might know the liqueur, cassis). Strangely enough, the fruit is not flavorful. They are small, black berries with a powder-like coating that the birds always see first before you get a chance to have a taste. The native Americans used the roots for toothache.

Wild cucumber

Wild cucumber

Another first flower of the year is the wild cucumber, and you can find them everywhere. They are a vine with tendrils that cascade from trees and bushes, creeping on the ground until they can find some support and then climb up toward the light. Their fast growth pattern is really exuberant and their fresh, new, light green color shows them as one of the newcomers of the season.

Their flowers are small and white, with both male and female flowers growing on the same plant. Usually, the fruit starts developing while the female flower is still open. The fruit looks weird: a green, 3- to 5-inch-long capsule shaped like a hand grenade, covered with one-half to 1-inch-long sharp spikes.

You have to hold them gingerly. The capsule hangs down on a strong, short stalk and splits open at the end when ripe, to release the four to 12 brown seeds that are contained in four chambers. The fruit and seeds are poisonous. The brown, dry pods remain on the plant for some time and look like bath loofahs. Kids are always intrigued by them and ask if they are nests.

The wild cucumber is also called a man root. It grows from a large root – sometimes as heavy as 100 pounds. The more you learn about nature, the more intriguing it is: Wild cucumber is a common vine, so it is strange to imagine all of those man roots under the ground, forming almost a battalion.

Wild peony

Wild peony

Another photo we received on Facebook was from a lady who wanted us to identify a wild peony. The blossom was beautiful, and we asked right away where she had seen it. They do not last long, and if you want to see them in bloom, you have just a small window of opportunity.

Not too many wild flowers have the impact of the wild peony. The blossom is gorgeous, almost exotic looking. It could be our wild orchid of Placerita. They are dark red with five to six petals, but the flower does not open completely like the cultivated peony and remains in a cupped shape.

This is the only variety found in our area naturally. They seem to come back in the same area year after year, a beautiful large flower on a single stalk. It was used by the native Americans for medicinal purposes – as a powder to cure colds and sore throat, and as a tea against menstrual pain and depression.

Those wild peonies make a lasting impression when you are lucky enough to see one in bloom. They are not really rare but are certainly not plentiful, either.

Hoary-leaved ceanothus

Hoary-leaved ceanothus

You might think, “Why should I read about flowers I have never seen? “ This why I chose ceanothus as the next flower. You all have seen it even if you did not know the name of it, and the show is going to start in the next few weeks, so I want you to be to able to know what is going on.

The hills around Santa Clarita are covered with the bush called hoary-leaved ceanothus, and they will explode in white blossom. It is spectacular. The smell is sweet and strong like honey.

When the blossoms are finished, another ceonothus takes over with a dark purplish-blue bloom, and that is hairy-leaved ceanothus. You might have heard the common name, wild lilac. Both of those flowers are saponic, meaning that if you rub some water and those blossoms in your hands, you will develop a lather. Surely the native Americans were aware of this property. We were told the Tatatiam, the local tribe, bathed every day.

I wanted to share with you some of the excitement of the coming spring. Look for signs all around you, and let’s enjoy all those “firsts” together: first bud, first baby birds, and first leaves. Happy Spring!

 

Evelyne Vandersande has been a docent at Placerita Canyon Nature Center for 27 years. She lives in Newhall.

 

Wild cucumber

Wild cucumber

eve022113c

Wild peony

eve022113a

Chaparral currant

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

No Comments

    Leave a Comment


    Opinion Section Policy
    All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
    Read More From...
    RECENT COMMENTARY
    Friday, Sep 13, 2024
    As a father of three, I understand firsthand the importance of guiding our children through open communication and keeping them engaged in extracurricular activities and sports to foster their growth.
    Thursday, Sep 12, 2024
    You may have noticed that things look a little different around our city. Maybe you noticed the motion sensor lights at our parks, or the solar panels being installed in city parking lots.
    Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024
    California State  Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) is urging residents to prepare an emergency evacuation plan as the Line Fire, Bridge Fire and several other wildfires continue to pose a serious threat to High Desert and foothill communities.
    Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024
    As we approach the November 2024 elections, the importance of informed voting cannot be overstated. The choices we make at the ballot box will shape the future of our city, state and nation. Yet, in an era where soundbites often substitute for substantive discussion, how can voters truly grasp the complexities of the issues at hand?
    Friday, Sep 6, 2024
    As scorching triple-digit temperatures engulf Los Angeles County throughout the weekend and excessive heat warnings have been issued for many communities in Los Angeles County’s Fifth District, I urge residents to do their part to lessen the threat of wildfires.
    Thursday, Sep 5, 2024
    After being part of the Parks and Recreation Commission in the early 90s and spending nearly 30 years on the City Council, my life has been dedicated to creating a community where residents and businesses feel welcomed and safe here in Santa Clarita.

    Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
    1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
    toll house
    The Counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino today announced the opening of multiple joint Local Assistance Centers to assist residents impacted by the Bridge and Line Fires.
    L.A., San Bernardino Counties to Open Joint Local Assistance Centers for Residents Impacted by Bridge and Line Fires
    Valencia Gynecology Associates, owned by longtime Santa Clarita Valley OB-GYN physician Don Nishiguchi, MD, has joined the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital network. 
    Valencia Gynecology Assoc. Joins Henry Mayo Network
    JCI Santa Clarita is proud to announce the upcoming Veteran’s Resource Fair, scheduled to take place on Sept. 21 at William S. Hart Park. 
    Sept. 21: JCI Invites All Veterans to Upcoming Resource Fair
    A "friendies" field tournament  is being  hosted by the Saugus Instrumental Music program, with support from Valencia High, later this month. 
    Sept. 21: All Valley Showcase Comes to Valencia High
    Public, member-supported 88.5 FM The SoCal Sound, Southern California’s leading Triple-A (adult album alternative) format radio station has announced the lineup for its inaugural “Year-End Bash” taking place on Saturday, Dec. 7.
    Dec. 7: CSUN Owned 88.5-FM The SoCal Sound Announces “Year End Bash” Lineup featuring Ben Gibbard
    The Master's University cross-country teams continued their successful 2024 campaigns with strong finishes at the BIOLA Invitational on Friday, Sept. 13 at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, Calif.
    TMU Women Win, Men Place Second at XC Invitational
    Sheriff’s Department Announces New Law Enforcement Gang Policy
    Sheriff’s Department Announces New Law Enforcement Gang Policy
    The biology department at California State University, Northridge has stayed committed to promoting STEM research carried out by K-12 students and teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
    CSUN Student Research Journal Celebrates 28 Years of Inspiring Scientific Imagination
    Did you know the SCVEDC has an interactive, online tool that provides themed virtual tours of the amazing features the community has to offer? 
    Take a Virtual Tour of the Santa Clarita Valley
    California Institute of the Arts alum and visionary filmmaker Tim Burton (Film/Video 1979) was honored with the 2,788th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
    CalArts Alum Tim Burton Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
    1962 - Articles of incorporation filed for Golden State Memorial Hospital on Lyons Avenue [story]
    Golden State Hospital
    The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center welcomes back Jim Curry for an evening concert celebrating the music of John Denver on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom at Bella Vida.
    Oct. 5: SCV Senior Center Welcomes Jim Curry ‘Take Me Home’
    As part of the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency's ongoing commitment to ensuring local groundwater quality and reliability, the SCV Water recently began construction on a new treatment facility to remove perchlorate and volatile organic compounds at Well 205 in Valencia.
    SCV Water Begins New Water Treatment Project in Valencia
    Get ready to set sail at the Pirates SENSES Block Party, presented by the city of Santa Clarita, Thursday, Sept 19 from 7-10 p.m. on main street in Old Town Newhall.
    Sept. 19: SENSES Pirate Block Party
    No. 21 College of the Canyons football team knocked off No. 5 Fullerton College 29-13 on Saturday night behind a stifling defensive effort and five field goals from Luis Rodriguez.
    No. 21 Canyons Knocks Off No. 5 Fullerton 29-13
    Six of the seven Foothill League Varsity football teams begin league play Friday night, Sept. 20.
    Foothill League Football Begins for SCV Teams
    The California Institute of the Arts will present the "NAACP Santa Clarita Masquerade Ball", Friday, Oct. 4, 7-11 p.m. at 24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355.
    Oct. 4: NAACP Santa Clarita Masquerade Ball at Cal Arts
    The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating two human cases of a rare parasitic infection, Baylisascaris procyonis, also known as raccoon roundworm.
    Public Health Investigating Disease Spread from Animals to Humans
    1879 - First official Newhall School building erected near Walnut & Ninth streets [story]
    First Newhall School
    The city of Santa Clarita is hosting Make A Difference Day on Saturday, Oct. 26 and is looking for enthusiastic residents to volunteer for various projects that benefit local nonprofits, as well as the city.
    Oct. 26: Volunteers Needed for Make a Difference Day
    Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital and PathPoint announced the graduation of Aiden Land and Andrew Mendence from the Project SEARCH internship program.
    Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, PathPoint Celebrate Grad Interns
    The William S. Hart Union High School District has announced upcoming community information meetings about Learning Post Academy Independent Study School, Thursday, Sept. 18 and Friday, Sept. 19.
    Sept. 18-19: Learning Post Academy Online Information Meetings
    The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting Wednesday, Sept. 18, 5 p.m. in open session to interview and appoint a new trustee for Area 5.
    Sept. 18: COC Board to Interview, Appoint Area 5 Trustee
    SCVNews.com