212 LUTHER BURBANK 



The original parent form from which the one 

 best larkspur was selected as the progenitor of 

 new races was of the species known as Delphin- 

 ium hybridum, or hybrid larkspur. As the 

 name implies, this plant is itself of hybrid ori- 

 gin, but it has been cultivated a long time in 

 Europe, being unusually popular in England, 

 and ranks as a true species, or at least as a good 

 horticultural variety. 



There are numerous other species of larkspur, 

 sixty or more altogether. Some are annuals 

 and some perennials. Our native California 

 species are among the most beautiful. One 

 of these, named nudicaule, is a perennial grow- 

 ing along the sides of streams and in shady 

 canons, although on occasion even mounting 

 to the tops of high rocks. It bears flowers 

 of a bright orange red, sometimes varying to 

 yellowish, that are very showy. The plant 

 is easily cultivated either from seed or by 

 division, as indeed are nearly all perennial 

 larkspurs. 



Another species is D. cardinale, a large, 

 strong plant growing in the southern part of 

 , California, the flowers of which are bright red 

 and yellow, though quite different in general 

 appearance from those of the one just named. 

 Yet another larkspur that is of interest is D. 



