California Buckeye Tree (Aesculus californica)
California buckeyes lose their leaves in the dry hot summer, keeping only their seeds, decorated like Christmas trees. Upon the first real rains, the seeds drop: this is the best time to push new roots into the soil. Then the leaves regrow and the buckeye is ready for photosynthesis: plenty of water, still enough light. We collected many buckeyes from this tree, including the six fat ones that Helen holds. Road C, below the bridge.