THE LARKSPUR 213 



decorum, an extremely variable form growing 

 usually on overflowed land. 



The flowers of this wild species vary almost 

 as much as do our hybridized and cultivated ones. 



Growing side by side in a bed of wild lark- 

 spurs of this species may be found plants bear- 

 ing flowers varying from deep blue, pale blue, 

 dark rosy pink, pale pink and yellow, to almost 

 pure white. The flowers of these are quite 

 large and showy, but the colors, although so vari- 

 ant, are seldom brilliant. This is one of the spe- 

 cies the seed of which requires time and patience 

 to induce germination. 



The larkspur known as D. californica is a 

 giant species, often found in canons toward the 

 coast. It towers to a great height, sometimes 

 reaching seven or eight feet, but the flower is 

 insignificant when compared with most other 

 species, both in size and color. They are pur- 

 plish blue or dingy white in color. 



The combination of this species by crossing 

 with some of our cultivated ones has not re- 

 resulted in producing anything of value. 



There are several other native species of this 

 State and some of them are mentioned in detail, 

 chiefly to show the variation among them, sug- 

 gesting the possibihty of interesting develop- 

 ments when the various forms are combined. I 



