Descriptive Flora 



85 



Lesquerella recurvata (Engelm.) S. Wats. Cloth of Gold. 



Bladder-pod. 



This slender-stemmed, early blossoming annual springs from 

 a cluster of root leaves, varying in shape, and has tiny, bright 

 yellow, cruciform flowers about one-eighth inch across, that 

 blossom up the stem tipping the ends with gold as the stem 

 grows. Leaves simple alternate. Blades entire, one-fourth to 

 one inch long, varying from broadly linear on the stems to 

 wedge-shaped at the base, and covered with tiny branched hairs 

 (use magnifying glass). Petals four, small, arranged in the 

 form of a cross. Stamens six, four long, two short. Fruit a 

 smooth, globular pod the size of a small pea, with a thin partition 

 in the middle, maturing upward on the ever lengthening stem, 

 the pedicels recurved. Flowers are wide open in full sun but 

 close at sundown or immediately after being picked. Wide- 

 spread. February, March and April. 



Lesquerella polyantka (Schlecht.) Wats. Slender Bladder-pod. 



Similar in general construction to Lesquerella recurvata 

 given above. Plants are taller, bloom about 2 weeks later, usually 

 when the pods are well formed on Lesquerella recurvata. 

 Flowers are larger, and pedicels are ascending and do not re- 

 curve when the pods mature. Stem leaves longer, about IV2" 

 long, broadly linear or oblong. Widespread. 



Lesquerella gmndiflora (Hook.) S. Wats. Bladder-pod. 



Similar to the Bladder-pods above but stem leaves are 

 broader, oblong or oblong-oblanceolate, 1/2 to l 1 /^' long, entire or 

 wavy, sessile and somewhat clasping. Flowers larger, % to 1 /^' 

 across. Petals obovate, 2 to 3 times as long as the sepals. Pods 

 smooth, on ascending or spreading pedicels, y 2 to %" long. In 

 sandy soil. February, March and April. 



Lesquerella lasiocarpa (Hook.) S. Wats. Hairy Bladder-pod. 



An annual similar to the other Lesquerellas but stems are 

 coarser and longer. Stem leaves usually broader, oblong, vari- 



