Wild Foraging

Sticky Monkey

Flowers by Roux sources flowers from all kinds of places including the wild places in Marin. The flowers in the arrangement were foraged on a back country hike in Marin. The bright orange blossoms are from a Monkey Bush. The red blossoms are wild Honeysuckle along with California  Buckeye, California Bay Leaves for greenery and the tall angular white flowers, Tall Whitetop are actually in the mustard family. The idea here is to try and re-create the harmonious feeling of all of these elements that you experience in the wild. The honeysuckle was actually growing up and around the monkey bush—two different plants but creating such a lovely tableau. The monkey bush is so perky and lush and the honeysuckle is fragrant and trailing.                                                                The Monkey Bush isn't native to California or North America. Its natural habitat is in Southeast Asia, specifically in countries such as China, Taiwan, and Vietnam.  It is possible that the Monkey Bush was introduced to California through the horticultural trade, where it gained popularity for its attractive foliage and tropical appearance. Once introduced, it may have been cultivated in nurseries and eventually found its way into private gardens and public landscapes throughout the state. The Monkey Bush  gets its name from the unique shape of its leaves, which some people believe resemble the shape of a monkey's paw. This leaves on the plant are elongated and finger-like and may have led to the association with a monkey's paw, thus giving rise to the common name "Monkey Bush."                                                                                                                                    California's diverse climate and topography, produces a remarkable array of floral beauty. The state's varied ecosystems harbor an abundance of species, including the brilliant yellow goldfields, the elegant pink shooting stars, and the iconic red Indian paintbrush. These wildflowers not only dazzle the eye but also provide essential habitats for pollinators and contribute to the ecological balance. California's wildflowers truly embody the state's natural splendor.