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Studies in Sisyrinchium—X. The species of California 
EuGENE P, BICKNELL 
The blue-eyed grasses of California, as shown by the collections 
which have passed under review in a study of the group, are com- 
mon in many parts of the state and in nearly all parts are repre- 
sented by one or more species, forming a noteworthy if not every- 
where conspicuous element in the flora. 
The widely diversified topographical features and sharply 
contrasted climatic conditions embraced within the great area 
of the state might well lead us to expect some striking reflection 
in so responsive a genus as Szsyrinchium occurring throughout, 
more especially since so many other sections of the United States 
have been found to possess a more or less characteristic group of 
species, and yet it has long been commonly supposed that scarcely 
more than a single species belonged to the California flora. In fact 
since Dr. Watson, in 1877, separated the most conspicuous Cali- 
fornia species from its eastern relatives under the name of Sisyrin- 
chium bellum this name has been in common use for almost all 
specimens collected within the boundaries of the state.* 
Within these boundaries, however, is an interesting group of 
Species few of which appear to extend far beyond them. How 
many species make up this group cannot as yet be determined. 
Six or seven come out clearly enough from the mass of specimens 
which have been available for study, and others might be proposed 
on evidence perhaps sufficient yet not altogether convincing. For 
the present seven species are recognized. Of these Sisyrinchium 
bellum, the most conspicuous, appears also to be the most abund- 
ant. It proves, however, to be not at all of general distribution 
*The e yellow-flowered pa formerly included in Sisyrinchium are here excluded 
from consideration, having alre been separately treated under the revised genus 
fydastylus, (Studies in ‘Sipriteckinn'-= VIII . Bull. Torrey Club, 28: 570-592. 
1901.) 
even more distinct eo Olsynium of Rafinesque takes over another plant long 
accepted as a Sisyrinchium, the Sisyrinchium grandifiorum Douglas, as already pointed 
tudies in Sisyrinchium— VII. Bull. Torrey Club, 27: 237. 1900.) 
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