THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 3 



fiMwcr, lasting for weeks. I'adini; finally to a pale bine, it 

 (lisappear> to he replaced by the wonderl'nl California poppies 

 which 1)\- this time mm the rollini; hillside and wide plains in- 

 to a flaming, living gold, in some sections covering miles with 

 a w ave of solid, unbroken color. 



Now blending with tliis brilliant "carpet of hre" the blue 

 lupin in direct contrast, blooms in wide spreading profusion, 

 hlruiketing a sloping hillside with shadowy blue mingling with 

 the gold of the pop[)ies over a wide area. This fl(nver lasts 

 from earl}- spring until well into the summer. It is similar 

 to the larkspur which also adds its blue and white blossoms to 

 the countless numbers adorning the country. 



l)lue woidd seem a prevailing color. There are the mar- 

 ianas, called California bluebells or baby blue eyes, from the 

 deep \'ale-blue of its delicate petals, which is found in more 

 sheltered places and not so abundant. Then the chia, or rough 

 leaved sage, a small feathery flower ip ball-like clusters around 

 a single spike and consisting of from one to four heads. 

 rJooniing later, its waves of delicate blue transform the land 

 ?.s far as eye can see, long after others have faded and gone. 

 After the blossoms fade away the dried spike and heads remain 

 standing, shaking out their small gray seeds over hillside and 

 iind plain. These seeds were formerly used by the Indians 

 of California for food, and are very nutritious. 



Again we have the owl's clover, or pink paint-brush which 

 blooms abundantl}- and for a long period, tinting the earth 

 for miles. Others 1 should like to call attention to are the 

 vervein, or wild heliotr(^pe ; the wild coreopsis; tidy tips, a 

 yellow daisy; and the tiny cream cups, of pale yellow. These. 

 with various others less noticeable, shading irom deep to pale 

 jiinks, blues, yellows, and lavenders are too numerous to men- 

 tion singly. 



