58 AS CALIFORNIA FLOWERS GROW 



species here pictured is verrucose, so named because 

 it is covered with wart-like elevations. Ceanothus 

 was given the genus by Theophrastus, a Greek who 

 studied under Plato and under Aristotle. Among 

 many books that he wrote were ten volumes entitled 

 u Of the History of Plants" and eight called "Of 

 the Causes of Plants." Does not that last title sound 

 fascinating? Does it not make us seem a part of 

 the World History when the native plants we are 

 studying fit into the same class as those known in 

 the days of Aristotle? 



A plant that passes as an insignificant weed has 

 a picturesque way of grouping its flowers. Just as 

 in the case of the Ceanothus, the Plantain has per- 

 fect blossoms, each one of which is capable of seed- 

 making. However, the Plantain wishes a superior 

 seed; and having learned that its individual flowers 

 have no attraction, it sends up long ribbed stalks 

 towering above its lance-like leaves and swells out 

 the top into a spike of densely crowded flowerets. 



Just examine one the next time you walk. You 

 find them anywhere there is enough earth to give 

 them a footing, whether it be along the State High- 

 way or bordering a city sidewalk. See how the 

 flower head sways in the slightest breeze. This 

 motion will catch the eye of bird or insect even if 

 the color is not impressive. Do all the flowers 

 mature at the same time? Notice the tiny bracts 



