Podcast at Podcastle

(What a goofy-looking post title.)

Something Wicked This Way Plumbs is live at Podcastle. Tentacles, candy corn, and the men’s bathroom. What else do you need for Halloween comedy?

Mystery tree solved

The mystery tree is a mock orange. About 90% certain this is right.

I keep looking at pictures of orange jessamine too, which is a close relative. But it seems like the tree is far too tall to be a jessamine.

Tree identification, take 3

I’m thinking walnut. All these things came off the same tree. But the leaf pattern doesn’t look right for walnut, so I’m confused. A variety of walnut maybe? The leaves are simple, not compound.

ETA: Bay laurel! I think it’s a bay laurel.

Tree identification

Wow, you guys got nearly all of them! Once I have a plant name to try, it’s pretty easy to cross-check with Google. You’re awesome. So here’s what we have, from the pics here.

1 & 2. Pyracanthus, aka California holly
3. Unknown, see below
4. Buddleia, aka butterfly bush (possibly blended with another plant in here)
5. Camellia (possibly magnolia, but I took a close-up of the leaves and I think camellia is right).
6. Bottlebrush, aka New Zealand Christmas tree
7. Cape honeysuckle (probably)

As for #3, it’s pretty hard to ID without seeing leaves. I figured out how to get a better pic. So this is the tall skinny tree with no low-level branches (it seems to be natural, not trimmed that way). Anyone know what kind of tree this is? The leaves are smooth, elongated, a little shiny, with curved edges which come to a point.

ETA: It also has some kind of berry or nut. Below the tree are many tiny white bell-shaped flowers that seem to have come from it, but I’m not sure. I am REALLY hoping this isn’t a willow oak; I would have to take it out.

ETA again: Oh no. I think it’s an olive tree… which is my other severe plant allergy. Oak and olive.

ETA: This flower fell off the tree in question. Please tell me this isn’t an olive tree. I do see some things resembling olives way up high…

What kind of trees do I have?

Dear internet,

I like knowing what trees/plants are nearby. Unfortunately, I grew up in Wisconsin and so my tree-names are very Midwestern. I know a few of the plants here–we have a lovely birch tree and a bougainvillea. But there are a number of California plants at my new house and I don’t know their names. Can anyone help me? I want to care for them properly.

(Yes, there are plant-identifying books, but I thought I’d start with just asking people.)

Read more »

Quick updates

I’m settling into the new house. It’s currently really, really hot here and we don’t have blinds yet. Talk about greenhouse effect.

I’ll be at World Fantasy, even though the website doesn’t list me for some reason. I’ll be reading at 11:30 Friday night. I’ll try to read something drinking-appropriate.

Chronic pain support groups (online)

Asking for a friend. Does anyone know of good online support groups/resources for people with chronic pain issues? Thanks.