36 \\ ILD FLOWERS OF CALIFORNIA 



In earlier botanical works the genus is treated under the name Hosackia and 

 recently it has been divided up into a large number of genera which leads to greater 

 confusion, and is only of value to the specialist. 



L. americanus is a very common and variable annual species conspicuous during 

 the summer by its foliage and solitary pinkish axillan' flowers which form a strong 

 contrast to the surrounding brown herbage. It is highly prized by stockmen in 

 the Great Plains region where it is called Dakota vetch. 



Loins glaber is a perennial, almost shrubby species common in the coast ranges 

 from the Bay region south to San Diego. It may be seen during the summer on 

 sterile railroad embankments where nothing would be expected to grow. The 

 numerous stems are reed-like owing to the small leaves which are early deciduous. 

 The flowers are small, mostly solitary in the axils, yellow, later turning reddish. 

 It is known as deer-weed or wild alfalfa by the stockmen because of its value as 

 summer forage. 



Lotus Torreyi is not unlike alfalfa in general height and appearance. It has 

 strong underground rootstocks enabling it to form dense green patches which are 

 readily grazed by stock. It is found along shaded stream banks in the Sierras 

 and in low moist meadows of the coast ranges. 



Lotus stipularis is particularly abundant in cut-over Redwood forests. It 

 grows to a height of one to two feet with densely hirsute or glabrous sticky, foliage. 

 Flowers yellow to red with purple markings, pods straight and about an inch long. 

 Not liked by cattle. 



Lotus corniculatus, sometimes called Ground Honeysuckle, is a very pretty 

 plant which has established itself abundantly in pastures adjacent to the ocean in 

 northern Sonoma county. It has a long semi-tuberous root and partially trailing 

 stems. The flowers are large, bright-yellow mixed with red. We do not find it 

 mentioned in any of the California floras. It is a useful pasture plant and is often 

 sown in Europe with the little white Dutch clover. 



The species represented at the exhibit will be named under No. 429 A-Z. 



PSORALEA 



430. Scurfy Pea Psoralea 



Prostrate or very tall ill-scented herbs or semi-shrubs, covered with dark 

 glandular dots from which the name "scurfy pea" has been derived. The leaves 

 consist of from three to five leaflets which are pinnate or palmate. The flowers, 

 which are in clusters, may be whitish, pink or purplish. The pod is indehiscent and 

 one-seeded. Readily eaten by stock. 



431. Prostrate Scurfy Pea Psoralea orbicularis A creeping, rooting plant 



with roundish leaflets and 

 purplish flowers with long 

 stalks. Grassy meadows 

 throughout the State. 



432. Psoralea strobilina Erect, 2-3 feet high, flowers 



purple. Hills, Bay region. 

 Seldom collected. 



433. Tall Scurf)- Pea Psoralea macrostachya Erect and very tall, 4 to 10 



feet, flower stalks much 

 longer than the leaves. 

 Purple flowers in silky- 

 woolly clusters. Delta re- 

 gions and bottoms of can- 

 yons throughout the State. 



434. Green Scurfy Pea Psoralea physodes A foot or so high with 



many nearly smooth stems 

 spreading from the base. 

 Recognized by its green- 

 ish-white flowers. Wood- 

 ed slopes and hills. Coast 

 ranges. 



