Unknown tree Asteraceae in North Long Beach

[fastfeat]

Anyone recognize this small tree? It's been here for a long time. (I first saw it when I lived in Bellflower years ago and forgot about it 'til Don Hodel "found" it again recently...) It seems to be a fall-winter bloomer (prob. daylength dependent). I originally thought it might be a Montanoa species, but I don't think any have yellow ray flowers.

[Palms1984]

What an incredible tree!

I think Quail Botanical Gardens (Now: San Diego Botanical Gardens) has this plant.

Do you know how old this tree is?

[fastfeat]

This tree has been identified by David Keil and Matt Ritter from Cal Poly SLO as Viguiera quinqueradiata from dry, mid-elevation scrub forest in Mexico.

I don't know its age, but it was about this size in the late 90s. I'm guessing it was perhaps planted in the 70s(?)

Got a few people working on propagating it now; look for it at a Huntington or LA Arboretum sale in the hopefully near future.

[fastfeat]

Here it is at its peak a couple of weeks ago:

[Trava]

How cold hardy is that tree?Does the birds likes to eat seeds?

Edited November 10, 2012 by Trava

[fastfeat]

How cold hardy is that tree?Does the birds likes to eat seeds?

I'm sure it will take a few degrees of frost (it's in a location that occasionally drops slightly below freezing), but not sure how much ultimately.

Not sure about birds. Would seem likely in its native area, but, since it's exotic here, I don't know if local birds species eat its seeds.

[Trava]

Thanks for info.Looks very nice,I beleive it is full of seeds for finches.