g/j_ California Trees and Flowers. 



ABIES. 



The firs are magnificent trees, of pyramidal form and rapid 

 growth. 



A. bracteata Nuttall. A tall, slender, strictly pyramidal tree, 

 ioo to 150 feet high and one to two teet in diameter. Unknown 

 in cultivation. 



A. concolor Lindl. The Silver Fir is a very ornamental 

 tree, growing from 80 to 150 feet high, attaining a diameter o* 

 three or four leet. Foliage of a pale silvery green, whence its 

 name. 



A. grandis Lindl. The White Fir attains a height of 200 to 

 300 feet, with a diameter of three or four feet, and is distinguished 

 by the glossy, green upper surface of the leaves. 



A. magnifica Murray. The Red Fir exceeds 200 feet 

 in height, and reaches a diameter of ten feet. Foliage rigid, 

 bark thick of a reddish brown color, from which it receives its 

 vernacular name in common with the following species. 



A. NOBiLis Lindl. Red Fir, scarcely distinguishable from the 

 preceding species. 



abronia. 



The Abronias are charming trailing plants, sometimes called 

 wild verbenas from the resemblance between the verbena and 

 their showy umbels of brilliant flowers, which are of great fra- 

 grance, and produced abundantly. 



A. latifolia Eschscholtz. Waxy lemon yellow flowers, pos- 

 sessing the odor of orange blossoms. A hardy annual in culti- 

 vation, perennial in its wild state, like the following species. 



A. umbellata Lam. The finest species, producing a pro- 

 fusion of large umbels of bright rose-purple flowers.* 



A. villosa Watson. A slightly smaller plant, but producing 

 equally large umbels of bright rose-purple flowers.* 



ABUTILON. 



The Abutilons are highly prized green-house plants, of elegant 

 habit. California offers one of the most beautiful species, as yet 

 unknown in cultivation. 



A. aurantiacum Watson. A low compact shrub, a foot high, 

 with large, velvety, light green leaves and showy 'golden flow- 

 ers.' Found near the southern border of the state, in Lower 

 California. 



ACACIA. 



Several Australian species of Acacia have been extensively 

 grown in California, either for their beauty or utility. Only one 

 species is a native, and that, A. Greggii, or Cat's Claw, cannot be 

 recommended for trial. These are mostly small trees or shrubs 

 of rapid growth. 



