22 AS CALIFORNIA FLOWERS GROW 



to animals makes it valuable to man. Its whole 

 family the Cruciferae, from its petals being ar- 

 ranged like a cross is useful, giving us many of the 

 vitamines now considered so necessary to our vital- 

 ity and also the principal condiments which trans- 

 form ordinary foods into palatable dishes. In Cali- 

 fornia, there are many Cruciferae, and they are 

 worth while studying. Note the similarity in the 

 shape of their blossoms and the number and ar- 

 rangement of the stamens and the differences in the 

 shapes of their seed-cases. Which shaped pod will 

 get the new seeds farthest away from the mother 

 plant? Several of our Cruciferae are really natives 

 of the Eastern Continent; but, through the efficiency 

 of their seed-cases, they accompanied the human 

 pioneers to this Western land. The Radish is one of 

 these seventeenth century immigrants, and in the 

 genial climate of California its descendants have 

 increased in size and in beauty. 



One of the best plants in which to study the pro- 

 cess of cross-fertilization is the Willow-Herb. The 

 blossoms wave at the top of the stem, usually a 

 bright magenta which can be seen at some distance. 

 The four petals open broadly, disclosing the eight 

 stamens standing up bravely, with their firm little 

 anthers on top; while the undeveloped style and 

 stigma remain crouched in the center. The anthers 

 ripen in the sunshine and pour out their pollen on 



