Flower Scavenger Hunt  

  Our town of Albany is a wonderful place to live. One of the great things about Albany is that you can walk around the neighborhood and enjoy looking at the many front yard gardens. There are so many flowers to see and learn. Below is a list of ten flowers that can currently be found in season within Albany (as of April 1st, 2020). Get some exercise and walk around with your family to try to see if you can find these flowers… So make like an Albany turkey and wander!!!

Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae)

The Bird of Paradise plant is originally from South Africa. In South Africa it is called a crane flower due to the plant looking like a crane bird. The plant does not release pollen into the air. Because it does not release pollen into the air, it does not cause allergies to people.

Common Yellow Woodsorrel (Oxalis stricta)

The Common Yellow Woodsorrel plant is commonly found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. It often grows in meadows. This plant also behaves differently during the daytime than during the nighttime. During the daytime the flower blooms open. During the night time it closes up.

Pride of Madeira (Echium candicans)

The Pride of Madeira plant is originally from an island called Madeira. The island of Madeira is located between Portugal and Morocco, and Madeira means wood in Portuguese. This plant is considered an invasive species to California. This plant is often removed by gardeners to help native plants survive.

Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

The Sweet Alyssum plant is also originally from the island of Madeira, located between Portugal and Morocco. This plant often grows in areas near the coast. The smell of this flower is thought by some people to be similar to honey. The Sweet Alyssum plant is commonly found throughout Albany along undeveloped areas near sidewalks.

Narcissus (Narcissus jonquilla)

The Narcissus plant (sometimes called Daffodils) is originally from the Mediterranean region around Europe and Africa. The name Narcissus shares its name with a man named Narcissus from a famous ancient Greek myth. The myth goes that Narcissus loved himself so much that he fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. Narcissus stared at himself for so long that he died and fell in the water. The Narcissus flower grew from the spot where he died.

Calla Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)

The Calla Lily plant is originally from southern Africa. The plant grows well in marshes. Although they are commonly called lilies, they are actually not related to the lily flower. Instead they are related to the plant family of Arums. Real lilies look very different. Real lilies have six petals, unlike a Calla Lily that has one petal.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

The Lavender plant is originally from Asia, Africa, and Europe. The plant is well known by its pleasing smell that many people find calming. Often it is mixed in lotions, oils, perfumes, and herbal teas. Try finding this plant by sniffing with your nose.

Golden Poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

The Golden Poppy plant is originally from California and Mexico. The plant is officially California’s state flower. The flower can be three different colors of yellow, orange, pink, or red. Some people cook the leaves as food, but this is not recommended. There are many kinds of plants that are toxic and even a few that are deadly. Do not try eating plants without a very knowledgeable guide. Also, plants can absorb toxins from soil that is contaminated. Do not eat plants that grow in questionable soil.

Aloe Vera (Aloe rubroviolacea)

The Aloe Vera plant is originally from Arabia. The plant is commonly used as medicine throughout the world. It is the gel inside the plant that is often used as medicine. The gel of Aloe Vera is often used to help many skin problems including burns, dry skin, rashes, and acne.

Mexican Sage Bush (Salvia leucantha)

The Mexican Sage Bush plant is originally from Mexico. The petals of the flowers are white. These white flowers are often visited by hummingbirds and butterflies for pollination. The part of the flower that is purple that covers the white petals is called the sepals. These purple sepals feel velvety to the touch.