. 



HARVEST BRODLEA (Brodioea grandiflora, Smith). Flowers 

 blue, an inch or so long, funnel-shaped, with a spreading bor- 

 der, like small blue Lilies, borne in a loose 5-10 flowered umbel, 

 on a leafless stalk from a few inches in height to a foot or more. 

 The grass-like, radical leaves usually dry up and vanish before 

 the blossoms come, which is usually in May, June, and July, 

 when the hay harvest is in progress. The species is common 

 in fields, grassy hillsides, and woodland glades throughout 

 Central California and northward through Oregon and Wash- 

 ington. The solid bulb is edible, and a favorite tidbit with 

 Indians. After slow roasting in hot ashes it becomes sweet and 

 not unpalatable. 



There is a related blue-flowered species, Brodiaa laxa, Benth, 

 found frequently in similar situations, but this plant is usually 

 taller, the flowers less spreading, more numerous, and of a 

 papery texture. It, too, was once a highly prized vegetable 

 among the Indians of Northern California, and the use of the 

 bulbs for food gained for it the common name of "Highland 

 Potato" in some sections. A more poetic common name for 

 this species is Ithuriel's Spear, though the appropriateness is 

 not apparent. It has been collected as far south as Los 

 Angeles. 



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