48 WILD FLOWERS OF CALIFORNIA 



523. Pigmy-weed Tillaea minima A very small plant an inch 



or two high, with opposite 

 leaves and minute white 

 or pinkish flowers in the 

 axils. Sterile soils, So- 

 noma to San Diego. 



524. Tillaea Drummondii Similar, but with red flow- 



ers on very short pedicels. 

 Moist places, Sacramento 

 Valley. 



525. Stone-crop Sedum spathulifolium Flowers yellow. Rocky 



walls in secluded canyons. 

 Bay region north. 



526. Sedum Rhodiola Flowers deep purple, alpine 



bogs, Sierras. 



527. Sedum radiatum Flowers yellow. Summits, 



Monterey to Mendocino. 



528. Sedum pumilum Flowers yellow. Gravelly 



soil. Buttes. Sacramento 

 Valley. 

 Several additional species in the Sierras, Mendocino County and near San 

 Diego. 



529. Cotyledon 



Stout perennials with thick fleshy leaves, the lower ones in rosettes. Flowers 

 often large and showy, yellow or reddish. Petals united into a pitcher-shaped 

 corolla. There are perhaps a dozen species in the State, but local in their distri- 

 bution. 



The leaves of some of the species were eaten by the Indians. 



Mostly on rocky ledges in ravines in the mountains or near the ocean. 



The species are not yet well known to botanists and good specimens in flower 

 and fruit would be welcomed by them. 



530. SUNDEW FAMILY DROSERACEAE 



An interesting group of insectivorous plants with remarkable habits. They 

 will not be found by the casual observer and one must get clnse to mother earth 

 to discover them. The principal genus is Drosera, with about 100 species in the 

 world, mostly Australian. About half a dozen occur in North America, two 

 extending to California. 



Drosera Rotundifolia is to be found in the cold low wet places in the Sierras 

 and in Mendocino County, often hidden by the grass. The same species one finds 

 in Great Britain when kneeling down in the heather awaiting the rise of a covey 

 of grouse. 



It is a small plant with tentacle-like petioles radiating from the base and 

 expanding into small round disk-like leaves. The leaves are covered with red hairs, 

 on the ends of which are small drops of sticky fluid appearing like dew even in 

 bright sunshine. This fluid is sweet and attracts insects which become entangled 

 in the hairs which hold them as a vise until death. The plant then eats them, or 

 at least is believed to absorb the insects for its nourishment. A peduncle bearing 

 a spray of white flowers arises from the center and lucky indeed is the one who 

 is fortunate enough to find them when open for inspection. 



Drosera anglica is also found in Europe but very seldom in California, Sierra 

 Valley. It is similar, but with oblong, wedge-shaped leaves instead of round. 



The Sundews were at one time prized in Europe for medicinal purposes and 

 a cosmetic was made from the juices when mixed with milk. 



LOOSESTRIFE FAMILY LYTHRACEAE 



Ours are unattractive plants with square, erect stems and purplish or whitish 

 flowers in the axils where they are more or less concealed by the leaves. 



