Autumn in LA

I realize this photo looks like nothing but the epitome of dry and dead to most people.  After months of no rain, lots of harsh sun, and many days over 100º, it's hard to expect anything to thrive.  But next to the frighteningly large forest of Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a drift of my favorite plant, Longstem Buckwheat (Eriogonum elongatum).   Can you see it's cheerful stems of rust and cream colored pom poms?  Let's go in for a closer look... 

This is California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum foliolosum), just a few paces away from the Longstem.
 

Golden hills, before the winter rain comes and they turn bright green again.

Another plant that seems to be thriving after the harsh summer conditions.  I have no idea what it is, but it always seems to grow near buckwheat and on rocky hillsides.  Anyone out there know?  I should probably take some time to look it up.  It's tiny, and easily looked over until you zoom in on those cheerful faces. 

This is a stunning example of St. Catherine's Lace (Eriogonum giganteum) in someone's yard, not far from the hillside pictured above.  Three kinds of Buckwheat/Eriogonum within a few hundred feet of each other, some wild, some not, makes for a very lovely fall walk.