BEACH PRIMROSE (Oenothera cheirdnthifolia, Horn.). Flow- 

 ers showy yellow, frequently turning greenish when withering, 

 axillary upon the trailing, white, downy stems which are 2 feet 

 or so long, and very leafy. Leaves thickish, oblong, the upper 

 clasping, and all of them gray with a minute downiness, that 

 gives the entire plant a silvery look. 



The Beach Primrose, like most of its charming family, is a 

 lover of the open sunny places, and is a very common plant on 

 the sea beaches of Southern California, and as far north as 

 Monterey, forming conspicuous mats upon the sands, w r hether 

 in flower or not. The specific name means "with leaves like 

 Cheiranthus" the wall flower. 



The meaning of the name Oenothera is a puzzle, and has been 

 variously defined. It is certainly of great antiquity, but just 

 what plant in ancient times was meant by it is open to conjec- 

 ture. Dr. Nathaniel L. Britton, Director of the New York 

 Botanical Garden, is convinced that the word means "wine- 

 scenting," because the root of the original Old World plant was 

 probably used for perfuming wine. This appears to be the 

 most reasonable explanation so far offered. 



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