44 



TREES AND FLOWERS OF 



(blue) 



(cream) 



STICKLEAF 



Violet (Viola). The violet, one of the most famil- 

 iar and widely distributed wild flowers of the world, 

 is very abundant in the Park, occurring generally in 

 moist, shady places. There are several species of both 

 the blue and yellow violets, but only an expert can 

 distinguish them. At this altitude, the violet has a most 

 remarkably late blossoming season, lasting almost un- 

 til August in favored spots. 



Stickleaf (Afentzelia) . This plant has a limited 

 distribution in the Park, being found only below the 

 6,500 foot level and in exceedingly dry places where 

 the soil is loose and sandy. It is so striking in ap- 

 pearance, however, and so peculiar in other respects 

 as to merit particular mention. It is a stout, loosely 

 branching, bushy herb, about a foot or eighteen inches 

 in height. The leaves are lance-shaped, with a few 

 large teeth projecting from the sides, giving an outline 

 somewhat like small thistle leaves. They are thickly 

 covered with tiny hooked bristles that cling to any- 

 thing they touch ; hence the common name. The flow- 

 ers are about three inches in diameter, with usually 

 five or ten light yellow petals and very numerous long 

 stamens. They open at night and close in the day- 

 time. Blossoms during July and August. 



