THE NORTH TEMPERATE ZONE 143 



Ten species of true lilies are found in California, including some 

 of the finest of the genus. These are mostly mountain species, 

 or in the coastal region growing in the moist canyons, or forest. 

 The Humboldt and Washington lilies of the Sierra Nevada, and 

 the redwood lily (Lilium rubescens) are especially beautiful. 



In the northern part of the state are several fine species of 

 Erythronium, a genus which reaches its finest development in 

 the northern Pacific States. 



Especially beautiful are the many species of Calochortus, "Mari- 

 posas," " butterfly-tulips," the majority of which are confined to 



Fig. 39. — Death Valley. Photo., Dr. W. S. Cooper. 



California. Another common and attractive genus is Brodiaea 

 (now split up into several genera), with umbels of white, blue, or 

 yellow flowers. Allium, Chlorogalum and Zygadenus are other 

 common genera of Liliaceae. Of the Iridaceae, the genus Iris 

 has a number of common and handsome species, and the showy 

 Sisyrinchium helium is one of the most abundant spring flowers in 

 central California. 



A feature of the Californian flora is the great number of species 

 within some genera, as well as the large number of endemic 

 genera, sometimes monotypic. Of the former, Trifolium, Lupinus, 

 Calochortus, Mimulus, Pentstemon, may be cited; of the latter, 

 Platystemon, Romneya, Bloomeria, Brevoortia, Limnanthes, 



