FLORA OF HONEY LAKE VALLEY. 11 



The slow-flowing sloughs of Susan River vary from four to ten 

 feet in width, and are in only a few places quite deep. The banks 

 often produce dense growths of Salix sessili/olia, with some *S. 

 longifolia, Rosa Californica ultramontana, with very brilliant flowers 

 and Kibes temiiflorum, which produces fruits varying from yellow or 

 bright red to almost black ;* these fruits have rather tough skins, but 

 a pleasantly acid flavor, and are much used by the Pah'yute Indians 

 and white settlers, the latter making jelly from them. The deeper 

 pools are the home of Nuphar polysepalum, with bright yellow 

 flowers sometimes five inches in diameter, and leaves often fully 

 twelve inches long, and either floating or erect. The normal growth 

 of the sloughs consists of dense masses of Tules (Scirpus lacustris occi- 

 dentalism, Bur Reed {Sparganium), and Cat Tail (Typ/ia), while in the 

 shallower places one finds Alisma, Damasonium Californiczim, with 

 prettily-fringed petals, Bolelia, Arrowhead (Sagittaria), Duck Weed 

 (Lemna), Zannichellia, Hippuris, Ceratophyllum, and several species 

 of Pond Weed (Pota??wgeton). 



The shallow western end of the lake produces a luxuriant growth 

 of water-loving plants. In the shallowest parts Eleocharis palustris 

 abounds, and in about 18 inches of water one finds Polygonum 

 Muhlenbergii,\\Qve usually, though not always, erect instead of float- 

 ing, Utricularia, Marestail {Hippuris), Ceratophyllum, Chara, species 

 of Potamogeton, and Scirpus fiuviatilis, called Blade Grass. The 

 latter plant appears not to have been previously recorded from the 

 Pacific Coast states; I can find no salient points in which my spec- 

 imens differ from the descriptions of >S. fluviatilis, or from speci- 

 mens from Minnesota; I am indebted to Dr. Brainerd for pointing 

 out its probable affinities. Beyond this depth of 18 inches there 

 is a broad fringe of Tules across the end of the lake. A popular 

 local fallacy exists that an increase of water causes Blade Grass to 

 develop into Tules. 



* According to Lindley "there are two varieties, the one bearing 

 black, and the other yellow, fruit; the former changes from yellow to 

 red, and finally acquires a deep blackish purple hue; the latter always 

 retains its yellow color." The bushes I saw bore only yellow and red 

 fruits, but I saw black fruits gathered from the banks of Susan River, 

 and have had the same form sent from Washington State. 



