[JacobAldridge]

As a recent first time visitor to California, from Australia, the abundant eucalyptus and jacarandas were a major surprise. Of course the palm-lined strips in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles were expected, though still impressive - I hadn't thought to lump those in with the other immigrants.

Thankfully we also got up to Muir Woods (just north of San Francisco) for a taste of the pre-European flora. Looks to be an interesting book, weaving the history of the state through the botanical angle.

[fit2rule]

I'm Australian, lived in LA for a decade or so .. and my trips around the Griffith Park area always led me to a particular grove of eucalypts and jacaranda that always reminded me, very much, of home. There are parts of that park that could be Australia, imho .. minus the snakes, but plus coyotes and cougars ..

[TACIXAT]

Native Los Angelope, when I visited Australia there were definitely parts where I was like, this looks like home! I think it was just the eucalyptus, but it was pretty sweet.

[fit2rule]

Its the desert life for us all!

[danieltillett]

Jacarandas are actually from Brazil - I do love them though :)

[JacobAldridge]

Many years ago I worked on a book about the riverfront homes of Brisbane - I was surprised to learn that the two most conspicuously flowering trees (the other being the Poinciana, from Madagascar) were just as imported as the design of the 'Queenslander' style house (which arose in colonial India).

[danieltillett]

The true Australian whole flowering tree is the Illawarra Flame tree - these are rather spectacular when in full bloom [1].

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brachychiton_acerifolius

[ZanyProgrammer]

"Thankfully we also got up to Muir Woods (just north of San Francisco) for a taste of the pre-European flora" -Its not like the entire ecosystem of California is palm trees. The way you make it sound, it sounds pretentious.