Vinca plants are subshrubs or herbaceous, and have slender trailing stems 1–2 m (3–6 feet) long but not growing more than 20–70 cm (8-30 inches) above ground; the stems frequently take root where they touch the ground, enabling the plant to spread widely. The leaves are opposite, simple broad lanceolate to ovate, 1–9 cm (0.25–3.5 inches) long and 0.5–6 cm (0.25–2.25 inches) broad; they are evergreen in four species, but deciduous in the herbaceous V. herbacea, which dies back to the root system in winter.
The flowers, produced through most of the year, are salverform (like those of Phlox), simple, 2.5–7 cm (1–3 inches) broad, with five usually violet (occasionally white) petals joined together at the base to form a tube. The fruit consists of a pair of divergent follicles; a dry fruit which is dehiscent along one rupture site in order to release seeds.[5][6]
5 purple petals with tinge of white.
Smooth, medium-sized, waxy and slightly thick green leaves.
Thin green stem.
Saw in backyard on 09-20-2012 at 7pm. Saw again on 09-21-2012 at 8am in garage sleeping. About 20" Found 'molting' pieces of the skin in garage after removing snake. Will add pic soon
Just starting to flower
A stray bunny on the sidewalk
A ton of seals basking on the beach!
Last look at his territory before becoming a father.
A rabbit that hopped a little too far from its family got caught alone in the middle of the golf course. Sorry for the low quality.
Pink flower with cylinder-shaped petals growing off a plant with long leafs with spiky sides.
A juvenile gull (according to Wikipedia) just repeatedly walking back and forth along the cement wall near Sproul.
Goslings got pretty big in a month. Almost can't tell them apart from their dad.
Saw this poor squirrel shivering while eating its lunch. Lots of scattered showers and chilly breezes today.
2nd winter gull overlooking lower Sproul plaza. Took this picture after it had just found some food scraps dropped by Cal students leaving Golden Bear Cafe.
Went out to Pier 39 to observe the sea lions. Saw three of them in a free-for-all body slamming spree in what seemed to be a battle for space to lie down, sleep, and sunbathe. Lots of barking...
Although there were many sea lions bunched together on the other floating platforms near Pier 39, this sea lion was all alone and never went into the water the whole time I was there, even though he wasn't sleeping. He looks pretty cut up, I wonder if he picked too many fights with the other sea lions and is now being outcast. That would be really sad.
Small flock of gulls lounging near the sea lions of Pier 39. Thought the formation was interesting.
I was attempting, unsuccessfully, to relocate a fragrant fritillary population collected 123 years ago! I saw vetch instead! Read more here...