Here's an interesting article about origin of many seeds we grow in
So. Calif:
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Wildflowers of Israel

by Leslie Berliant, Contributing Writer

Lupinus Mountain Blue. Below: Ammi Visnaga. Photos courtesy SeedCount

Enter any Trader Joe’s grocery store in Southern California and you
are likely to find vibrant sunflowers with golden orange leaves and a
dark center among the bouquets and potted plants. What many customers
might not realize is that the sunflower being sold is called Jerusalem
Gold, which is grown in Santa Barbara from a seed native to Israel.

Many of the cucumbers, bell peppers, basil and tomatoes grown in
Southern California also come from Israeli seeds. Even some vegetables
and herbs imported from places like Mexico come from seeds that
originate in Israel.

Israeli agriculture has had a big impact around the world, even if few
people know about it. And that is true in Southern California, too,
where a Mediterranean climate provides ideal conditions for flora from
the Jewish state.

(rest of article with pictures at http://www.jewishjournal.com/
mount_sinai/article)/wildflowers_of_israel_20100324

Hypatia