I've known about the Sunnyside Conservatory for some time - it's a Victorian-era conservatory at 236 Monterey Boulevard with a long history - abandoned by its original owners, the lot at one point was so overgrown that a subsequent buyer of the lot had no idea that the conservatory was even there - it had been overgrown by vegetation. But I also knew that there were some unusual trees on the property, so last weekend I wandered by to check it out.

I found some interesting stuff - one of the city's largest and most mature wine palms (Jubaea chilensis). On the steps up to Joost Street is a stunning Caracas wiganida (Wigandia urns) - with giant, showy purple flowers - only the 2nd one I've found in San Francisco. And to the right as you face the conservatory is some kind of Banksia - in the protea family, with unusual yellow flowers.