Iceplant

 

"Ice Plant Season," 8x10" watercolor on Arches 100% cotton rough w/c paper

Iceplant: it's in bloom all along the bay. Those hot pink petals that you have to be careful not to overdo when working with watercolor. Those sturdy succulent fingers that envelope the flowers. 

Nature can be so bold and beautiful.   

Also invasive, apparently. A coastal shrub native to coastal South Africa, iceplant was brought to California in the early 1900s to prevent erosion near train tracks and roadsides. Spreads easily and can choke out other native plants. 

Be careful, iceplant--don't get too pushy. But you are very pretty.