Francesco Franceschi (March 2, 1843 – November 27, 1924) – known in Italy by his title and birth name of Cavalier Emanuele Orazio Fenzi – was an Italian banker and horticulturist who spent part of his later career in the United States, where his efforts contributed to the introduction of new plant species in southern California.

[2] Although he manifested an early interest in botany and gardening – especially tropical species – he initially acceded to his grandfather's desire that he go into the Banca Fenzi.

[5] In 1891, following an economic crisis in Italy that decimated the family's Bank and wealth, and as a part of a major Italian diaspora that began around 1880, Fenzi emigrated with his wife and three of their children to America.

Eaton planted an enormous variety of both native and non-native trees at Riso Rivo, including live oak, camphor, cinnamon, avocado, Abyssinian banana, candlenut, and many species of citrus and palms.

[6] The partnership with Eaton ended in 1895 when Franceschi moved the SCAA to Santa Barbara from Riso Rivo, where he ran it as a combination experiment station and commercial nursery.

[7] The partnership ended badly after just two years, in a lawsuit between the partners from which Riedel walked away with both the SCAA and its prime location in downtown Santa Barbara.

[9] Two years before he died, Franceschi was awarded the Frank N. Meyer Memorial Medal by the American Genetic Association in recognition of his contributions to his adopted country.

[1] In Libya, he started a nursery and a number of related projects: a collection of date species from around Tripoli, a herbarium of native plants, and a reorganization of the library at the School of Agriculture.

After his death, part of his Santa Barbara estate was bought by a wealthy American philanthropist, Alden Freeman, who greatly admired Franceschi's work.