WILD FLOWERS OF CALIFORNIA 71 



792. ASTER 



A very large genus with 140 or more species in North America, and Hall 

 describes seventeen from southern California. Jepson records four species with 

 four varieties in the middle western California. Perhaps about thirty species in 

 the State distributed widely, on the coast, in the marshes, on the beach sands, in 

 the meadows of the mountains and generally throughout the State. 



They are recognized as good forage, especially for sheep. The Slender Aster, 

 A. cxilis, is a weed along river-bottoms and waste places generally. The Wild 

 Asparagus or Mexican Devil-weed, A. spinosus is a veritable pest in the southern 

 counties, particularly Imperial Valley. It spreads readily by means of under- 

 ground shoots and is difficult to eradicate. 



They occur as annuals, biennials and perennials, some even shrubby. The 

 cultivated garden China Aster, A. chinensis is well known and a favorite. The 

 Michelmas Daisies are perennials also in cultivation, flowering in the autumn. 



The species on exhibit will be recorded under 792 A-Z. 



793. Warm Springs Aster Brachyactis frondosa Conspicuous, near warm 



mineral waters, especially 

 by its fluffy pappus. Si- 

 erras and eastern foot- 

 hills. 



FLEABANE ERIGERON 



Another large genus like Aster with 130 or more species and about eighty of 

 them in North America, with perhaps thirty in California. Almost everywhere 

 one goes he finds some species of Erigeron, either as a weed, a wild flower or as 

 an alpine plant high up on the lofty peaks. Erigeron is chiefly distinguished from 

 Aster by the involucral bracts which are narrow, equal and little imbricated, the 

 scanty and fragile pappus, and by more numerous and narrower rays. Much diffi- 

 culty, however, will be found in correctly determining some of the species which 

 merge into other genera like Cottyza. We will not attempt to enumerate the species. 



An ugly plant and all too prevalent is the Horseweed, E. canadensis. From it 

 is distilled a volatile oil used to deter the attacks of mosquitoes. It is also used 

 in medicine and the dried plants are quoted at five to six cents a pound. Unfortu- 

 nately stock does not like it as it contains resinous and bitter juices. The hands 

 should be protected when pulling it, as it affects some people in a manner similar 

 to that of Poison Ivy. 



Conyza Coulteri Erect, tall leafy stems from 



an annual root, pubescent 

 and viscid, whitish flow- 

 ers. Two kinds, pistillate 

 and perfect. Achenes 

 small, elliptic-oblong, pap- 

 pus dull-white, soft. Al- 

 kaline flats, San Joaquin 

 Valley to Mexico. 



BACCHARIS 



Mostly perennial, sticky shrubs or herbs with many-flowered heads, and whitish 

 or yellowish inconspicuous dioecious flowers. Achenes small several-ribbed. Pap- 

 pus in the fertile flowers of copious mostly soft and fine bristles, and in the sterile 

 flowers less copious and often tortuous. 



A South American genus with about nine species entering California through 

 its southern border and extending up to the interior and along the Coast 

 795. Mule Fat Baccharis viminea A willow-like shrub the fo- 



liage of which is said to 

 be readily eaten by horses 

 and mules. From desert 

 to coast of southern Cali- 

 fornia, and extending to 

 San Francisco Bay re- 

 gion. 



