LUTHER BURBANK 



best larkspur was selected as the progenitor of new 

 races was of the species known as Delphinium 

 hybridum, or hybrid larkspur. As the name im- 

 plies, this plant is itself of hybrid origin, but it has 

 been cultivated a long time in Europe, being unus- 

 ually 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 growing 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 all perennial 

 larkspurs. 



Another species is D. cardinale, a large, strong 

 plant, growing in the southern part of California, 

 the flowers of which are also 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 the D. 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. 



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