148 California Trees and Flowers. 



P. Clevelandi Gray. One to three feet high, with dark green 

 foliage and bearing a spike of lovely bright solferino-colored flowers, 

 each an inch long. 



P. Paemeri Gray. A tall growing species, with a long panicle 

 of large white flowers delicately veined with purple. 



P. spectabieis Thurber. Corolla an inch long, broad, bluish- 

 purple. Plant two or three feet high, glabrous. Flowers in a loose 

 elongated panicle. A very showy species. This genus contains 

 nearly a hundred species, nearly all worthy of cultivation, and 

 many native to California. 



PHACELIA. 



P. campanularia Gray. One of the finest species in the genus 

 yet known in cultivation. Has received a first-class certificate in 

 England, where it was introduced a few years ago. 



P. congesta. A useful plant in bee-gardens, like the rest of the 

 genus, and one of the best known species in cultivation. 



P. tanacetifolia Benth. The Tansy-leaf Phacelia has long 

 been in favor in cultivation for its beautiful foliage. An erect hardy 

 annual, one to three feet high, bearing cymosely clustered spikes of 

 light bluish flowers. 



P. tanacetifoeia alba. A fine cultivated variety, with white 

 flowers. 



P. Orcuttiana Gray. One to three feet high, branching, bear- 

 ing a profusion of small white flowers with brilliant yellow centers. 



P. Parryi Torr. One of the loveliest and most desirable of the 

 many pretty annuals of Southern California for cultivation, second 

 only in value to P. campanularia. The plant delights in warm 

 sunny exposures, and produces large brilliant royal purple flowers 

 with an open rotate corolla. Everyone admires this modest flower, 

 whose bright face looks out at one with something akin to a human 

 expression. 



P. whitlavia Gray. Large bell-shaped blue flowers. 



PICEA. 



P. Sitchensis Carr. Probably the tallest spruce known, grow- 

 ing 150 to 200 feet high, and of pyramidal form. An excellent timber 

 tree. 



PLATYSTEMON. 



P. Californicus Benth. A low annual, a span high, with deli- 

 cate sulphur-yellow flowers, called Cream-cups by the children- 

 Belongs to the Poppy family. 



PROSOPIS. 



P. juliflora D C. The Mesquit tree of the desert regions, some- 

 times planted for hedges. The bean-like pods of this tree are useful 

 for forage, and form an important article of food among some Indian 

 tribes. Very sweet and nutritious. 



