LUTHER BURBANK 



There are twenty or more species of plants 

 belonging to the lily family wild along the Pacific 

 Coast that make up a group which the botanist 

 classifies under the generic name Brodiaea. 



There are allied plants in South America, re- 

 garding the precise classification of which there is 

 some difference of opinion. But for the purpose 

 of the horticulturist the entire group may be 

 ranked under the name of Brodiaea. The plants 

 have not been extensively cultivated until recently, 

 and they have received no popular name. 



The different species vary greatly in form, size, 

 and arrangement of the flower. The color of the 

 flower is usually either blue or rose or pm^jle, 

 though sometimes white. There is also a crimson- 

 flowered climbing species, known as Brodiaea 

 vohibilis, which somewhat rarely becomes white. 

 Crossing the Brodiaeas 



I have crossed this climbing species with the 

 species known as Brodiaea capitata, and with vari- 

 ous others. Some of these crosses produce most 

 beautiful flowers intermediate between the par- 

 ents. Unfortunately the best hybrids were de- 

 stroyed by gophers before I had opportunity to 

 save the seed. The interest of the brodiaeas in the 

 present connection hinges on the fact that the 

 plants have bulbs or corms that when cooked are 

 very acceptable as food. Several of the species, 



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