California Buckeye (Aesculus californica)
One flower spike has several develoiping buckeye nuts. The buckeye is drawing all of its energy back into the roots, and using some energy to develop the seeds -- which will decorate the tree all the hot dry summer, waiting for the first rains and an auspicious time for planting. Mader Valley Trail, Portola Valley Ranch. 7/20/2023, 8:31 am.