The Natural History of Foster City, California
by James K. Sayre
a draft manuscript
12 May 2005
Chapter 9 - Ornamental Trees
Before Foster City was constructed, there were most like no trees growing in the diked-off marshlands that Mr. Brewer had converted into pasturelands about 1900. There is, however, one record that some eucalyptus trees had been planted early on at Little Coyote Point, which is were the San Mateo Bridges have their western terminal.
Many fine ornamental trees can be seen around Foster City. Trees that have origins over many different parts of the world can be seen gracing roadside, parking lots, parks and private residences
Let us examine these additions to the Foster City flora on the basis of their original natural range:
From Australia:
Eucalyptus, Acacia, Bottlebrushes (Callistemon), and Paperbarks (Melaleuca), .
family: Protea - Proteaeae
Common name Scientific name Original range
Silky oak Grevillia robusta Australia
family: Myrtle - Myrtaceaceae
Common name Scientific name Original range
Bottlebrush Callistemon spp. Australia
Flaxleaf paperbark Melaleuca linariifolia Australia
Cajeput tree M. quinquenervia Australia
Dwarf Blue gum Eucalyptus globulus compacta
California
Red Ironbark E. sideroxylon Australia
White Ironbark E. leucoxylon Australia
Red-flowering gum E. ficafolia Australia
Lemon-scented gum E. citriodora Australia
Lehmann's mallee E. lehmannii Australia
Silver Dollar gum E. polyanthemos Australia
Blue box E. bauerana Australia
From New Zealand
Myoporum or Ngaio - Myoporum laetum -
or Mouse-hole Tree.
New Zealand Christmas Tree or Pohutukawa - Metrosideros excelsus
family: Pine - Pinaceae
Common name Scientific name Original range
Pine Pine spp.
family: Banana - Musaceae
Common name Scientific name Original range
Banana Musa paradisiaca Asia
End.
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