Popular Studies of California Wild Flowers 15 



of Ceanothus sometimes add to the confusion of botanists. The 

 term "Wild Lilac" is somewhat misleading, for although there is 

 some resemblance between the blossoms, it is not related to the lilac. 

 Its botanical name, Ceanothus, is quite as popular. It is sometimes 

 called Blue Myrtle. 



The shrub bore another quaint name by the old settlers "Wait- 

 A-Bit" which is quite descriptive of the thornlike twigs which hold 

 one back, occasionally, while walking or riding through its thickets. 

 The word Ceanothus is from the Greek Keanothos, meaning a kind 

 of thistle, and was probably given our plant because of thorn-like 

 characteristics of certain species. The term "Mahala Mats" as 

 applied to the prostrate variety has a somewhat poetic origin, being 

 the Indian name, meaning "Squaw's Carpet." 



Its elusive fragrance is most pleasing 1 in the fresh spring of the 

 year, when the hills are suddenly tinted with its wild, sweet blooms. 

 It is one of our very best honey flowers, and the drowsy hum of the 

 bees may be heard throughout the day as they diligently gather its 

 nectar. Later its odd looking dark seeds are a favorite food of the 

 quail. 



Of course, many promising hillsides have most necessarily been 

 cleared of Wild Lilac and other shrubby growths. But I am sure 

 there must always remain enough of it to give distinctive color and 

 charm to many of our mountain regions. 



