MINT FAMILY 2.QJ 



high peaks. The flowers are yellow, or perhaps white with 

 a yellow center. Further specimens, especially in fruit, are 

 much desired. 



7. MERTENSIA. 



1. M. sibirica Don. Stems erect, leafy, 1 to 5 ft. high, from 

 a perennial base. Stem-leaves 



oblong or ovate, acute, 2^ to ^ /^s 



6 in. long, % to V/2 in. wide; 

 the lower long-petioled, larger. 

 Flowers light blue, tubular, 

 with distinct white crests in 

 the opening, about J /> in. long. 

 Nutlets dull, wrinkled or rough- 

 ish when dry. 



This Mertensia is one of 

 the handsomest blue-flowered 

 plants to be found in the high mountains, where it grows 

 along brooks and in other moist places. It is remarkably 

 smooth for a Borage, being almost devoid of pubescence. 

 The flowers, which are pink in bud, are borne in showy, 

 terminal clusters, some nodding, some erect, often with con- 

 spicuously protruding styles. It is sometimes called "Moun- 

 tain Bluebell," but the true bluebells are all campanulas. 



8. AMSINCKIA. 



1. A. spectabilis F. & M. An erect annual, simple below, 

 V2 to 2 ft. high, bristly-hairy. Leaves lanceolate, 1 to 3 in. 

 long. Flowers showy, yellow, in coiled spikes. Corolla about 

 y 2 in. long, funnelform. Nutlets ovate, rough. 



The species of Amsinckia all have rather showy, yellow or 

 orange-colored flowers, very different from those of other 

 members of this family. Although the herbage is very harsh 

 to the touch, it is much relished by browsing animals. Our 

 single species was found in warm soil near El Capitan Bridge, 

 where it was doubtless introduced, since it normally belongs 

 to lower altitudes. 



LABIATAE. Mint Family. 

 Aromatic herbs or low shrubs with square stems and oppo- 

 site leaves. Corolla 2-lipped. Stamens 4, or the upper pair 

 sometimes wanting or without anthers, inserted on the 

 corolla-tube. Ovary superior, 4-lobed around the central 

 2-cleft style, each lobe becoming a seed-like nutlet (as in 

 Boraginaceae). 



