ae =" Z=_—_ a Cae ER Le So SSae A cated WILD FLOWERS FROM THE MOUNTAINS, CANONS AND VALLEYS of CALIFORNIA + EMMA GRAHAM CLOCK RETURN TO ALBERT R. MANN LIBRARY ITHACA, N. Y. ornell University Libra ild flowers from the mountains, canons TTT 3 1924 001 686 595 Cornell University The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924001686595 Buiazinc Star Mentzelia levicaulis—Loasa or Blazing-Star Family Reduced one-third WILD FLOWERS FROM THE MOUNTAINS, CANONS AND VALLEYS of CALIFORNIA 1 m| A Selection of Favorite Blossoms, e\}| with Reproductions from Water- Lew! colors é6y Emma Graham Clock SAN FRANCISCO H. 8. CROCKER COMPANY PUBLISHERS Copyrighted, 1915, By H. S. Crocker Company San Francisco Full credit is very gratefully made by the author to those writers and publishers from whom short quotations have been taken to illustrate her favorite California flowers To My Parents JosEPpH GRAHAM Purse Mapison GRAHAM “And he gathers the prayers as he stands, And they change into flowers in his hands, Into garlands of purple and red.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Introduction From hundreds of wild flowers of Cal- ifornia those which are the gayest and most familiar and also representative of the whole State have been selected for this gift book. It 1s the wish of the author that those who have never seen these flowers may now make their acquaintance, and that those who know them may be pleas- antly reminded of them and their associations. Many bulbs and plants of California wild flowers are eagerly bought and cultivated in Europe and our Eastern States, while they are almost neglected here. May you now have a place in your gardens, as well as in your hearts, for our wild flowers! Emma Graham Clock Blazing Star Late in summer in the dry beds of brooks, this magnificent blossom is found dazzlingly radiant and filling the air with its delight- ful perfume. Someone has said the long sta- mensare like lashes of light that trim the stars. The leaves of these plants have sharp hairs so that they are “sticky,” as the children say, and do not seem very friendly. I have often wondered why this plant is not culti- vated, at least in our parks. (See Frontispiece) There are star-flowers, Dear, in the human world— Children with angel wings half furled, Who find like you that the sun shines strong, Who at times like you for the soft rain long. Edward Howard Griggs [3 ] Scarlet and Blue Larkspur California has many beautiful larkspurs growing on plain and mountain-sidein colors of red, white or blue. The sketch on the page opposite is of blossoms found in a cafion of Napa County where they were growing in masses—a bed of red or one of royal blue. In the southern part of California, the red larkspur grows to a height of fully ten feet. The Spanish call these flowers espuela del caballero, “the cavalier’s spur.” Rather this wayside flower, To live its happy hour Of balmy air, of sunshine, and of dew. A sinless face held upward to the blue; A bird-song sung to it, A butterfly to flit On dazzling wings above it, hither, thither— A sweet surprise of life—and then exhale A little fragrant soul on the soft gale, To float—ah! whither? Ina D. Coolbrith ScarLeT Larkspur Reduced one-fourth Brut Larkspur Reduced one-fourth Delphinium nudicaule—Crowfoot Family Delphinitum—Crowfoot Family—‘“‘Cavalier’s Spur” Baby-Blue-Eyes When eastern snows of February are falling, the baby-blue-eyes have already budded and are coming into blossom in California. Be- fore the vineyards have been plowed this flower has crept in and opened its blue eyes— to the great delight of young and old. It is found also in uncultivated places, seeking soft ground, where it spreads rapidly and bears many beautifully blue blossoms. Oh, not in Ladie’s gardens My peasant posy! Smile thy dear blue eyes. Not only—nearer to the skies— In upland pastures dim and sweet— But by the dusty road Where tired feet Toil to and fro. Dana’s Botany Basy-Biuse-Eyves Nemophila insignis—Waterleaf Family Slightly reduced Mariposa Tulip This is another favorite flower and is found on valley and on hillside. One driving to Yosemite will often see a sunny mountain slope adorned with these exquisite flowers, white, lilac, yellow, or magenta. They are Nature’s chalice of nectar, for the bees, flies, and other insects are always hovering over them. The petals of some mariposas when in full bloom resemble wings and have been named butterfly lilies. O dainty nursling of the field and sky! What fairer thing looks up to heaven’s blue, And drinks the noontide sun, the dawning’s dew? Thou winged bloom! thou blossom butterfly! Mariposa TuLip Calochortus venustus—Lily Family Reduced one-third Matilija Poppy Matilija—queen of all California flowers, with fragrant blossoms five to nine inches acrossand petals which resemble silken crépe. The buds are as beautiful as the blossom, which remains open for many days. They are large spreading plants and are grown from root cuttings, as the seeds do not ger- minate until the second year. It is found in the cafions near Santa Barbara and in some other parts of the state. The Indians esteem this plant for its medicinal qualities. Grandly thou rear’st thy snowy chalice high And in its cup a sphere of sunshine lies, As if the warmth distilled from summer skies Were caught to win the vagrant butterfly. Anon. [10] Matitija Poppy Romneya Coulteri—Poppy Family Reduced one-half J ) California Azalea One of the showiest of mountain flowers. It grows on a shrub four or five feet high. Its heavy perfume is carried far by the winds and the sportsman often looks up and smiles at “the creamy blur of white that the rho- dodendrons make.” The roots and leaves are said to be poisonous, but one may handle them without harm. Yet I would warn you not to partake of honey made from these flowers, as the mountain people say it causes sickness if not death. The sound of running water Is in our ear alway— A dream-song with us through the night, A dream-song through the day. Down cafions where the lilies Shake out a rich perfume, Past hillsides where azaleas Show white against the gloom. Alberta Bancroft CaLiroRNia AZALEA Rhododendron occidentale—Heath Family Slightly reduced Squaw Grass High up on the mountains, where moisture has collected from the fogs of summer, clumps of plants resembling pampas grass may be seen. It grows for several years with- out a blossom. Then, some spring, appear these feathery, creamy-white flowers. The squaws make some of their best baskets from the long narrow leaves. The Scarlet Paint Brush isa mountain flow- er, and rivals in color the scarlet geraniums of the garden. And there comes a low, delicious sound of bells For the lilies all a-cluster In the mossy woodland aisles, All their lovely chimes are sounding For their sisters of the spring, Who have come through March’s bluster, And through April’s frowns and smiles, And their odors, all abounding With them bring. Mrs. L. R. Osborne Squaw Grass Xerophyllum tenax—Lily Family ScarLet Paint BrusH Castilleia latifolia—Figwort Family Reduced one-half Columbine How one exclaims on finding a columbine bending over a stream or dancing in the woods! They may often be seen hanging. like jewels over a cliff, their curved petals, yellow above; their beautiful leaves making a picture one does not forget. The name, columbine, is taken from columba, “a dove,” which refers to the resemblance of its neéta- ries to a circle of doves around a dish— much used by ancient painters and sculp- tors. The columbine is the state flower of Colorado. Skirting the rocks at the forest edge With a running flame from ledge to ledge, Or swaying deeper in shadowy glooms, A smoldering fire in her dusky blooms; Bronzed and molded by wind and sun, Maddening, gladdening every one With a gypsy beauty full and fne— A health to the crimson columbine! Elaine Goodale [16] CoLUMBINE Aquilegia truncata—Crowfoot Family Natural size Ruby Lily Thisis the most fragrant of all California wild flowers or perhaps of any in the world. The perfumes of all spices seem blended and poured into their waxen cups, which they generously give out to the passing breeze. It is a mountain flower not easily found. It opens pure white, dotted with purple, and gradually turns to a ruby color. It attains the height of seven to nine feet. Searching and strange in its sweetness, It steals like a perfume enchanted Under the arch of the forest, and all who Perceive it are haunted, Seeking, and seeking forever, till sight of The tily is granted. Henry Van Dyke [18] Rusy Lity Lilium rubescens—Lily Family Slightly smaller Mission Bells: Chocolate Lily This fritillary is one of the oddest and most beautiful of flowers. It is grace and elegance itself. It grows in the bushes of the hillside, coming up a solitary scape with leaves and buds. One is said to have been found three feet high with nineteen bells. They are not as plentiful as the red fritillaria—so that one must be very observant if he would gather a stalk of these bells. Soundless thou art, but, as the breezes swing Thy tiny chimes, the fairies hear their call And troop to dance within their mystic ring When day is done and twilight shadows fall. Fe bws Mission BELLS Fritillaria lanceolata—Lily Family Reduced one-half California Poppy The well-known and best-loved California flower is the yellow poppy. It grows in every valley and onevery plain,spreading over them its gold-red mantle. Near Los Angeles are fields of poppies which are visited by hun- dreds of tourists and they consider it a great pleasure to gather a handful of these gold- en cups. The Indians boil this plant and eat it. A drug is made from the poppy which is said to cure headache and insomnia. The golden poppy is God’s gold, The gold that lifts nor weighs us down, The gold that knows no miser’s hold, The gold that banks not in the town, But singing, laughing, freely spills Its hoard far up the happy hills. , Joaquin Miller [ 22 ] (Copra De Oro) California Poppy Eschscholtzia Californica—Poppy Family Reduced one-third Scarlet Fritillaria Sharp must be the eyes that see these flowers among the bushes, and strong must be the one who clambers up the mountain-side to seize as a prize a bunch of them; but, when found, their swinging bells are so charming and graceful that one is fully repaid for the effort. I kneel to one here by the rocks That just broke, in its morning of bloom, The pure alabaster box Of noble and precious perfume; I will leave this to live its bright day And fill the whole place with its scent, While I take but the pleasure away Its beauty and fragrance have lent. Aurelius Martin [ 24 ] ScarLeT FritiLearia Fritillaria cocci Li i C 2 ! cinea—Lily Fam Slightly reduced y , ily Ground Iris The stately iris seems “born to the purple,” as it was the emblem of the kings of France after 1280. As a motif for ornament it goes back to the Etruscans—or earlier. The iris is found in summer among the fragrant ferns, and mingles with them its own perfume. Full of vigor and self-confidence, it stands proudly remembering its noble lineage and reminds us that goodness and usefulness are worthy the honor of all. O flower-de-luce, bloom on, and let the river Linger to kiss thy feet! O flower of song, bloom on, and make forever The world more fair and sweet. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow [ 26 ] Grounp Irts Tris longipetala—Iris Family Reduced one-fourth Diogenes Lantern + Brodiaea Diogenes’ lantern is the children’s favorite. Its knowing look and graceful nodding blos- somsand its lovely fringed petals attract them. When one is found, what a shout of delight and chatter as they really talk to this friendly, wise-looking Hower. This yellow ower usu- ally grows near the lovely dark-blue brodiza, which sends up a scape a foot or two high with five to ten flowers. The Indians eat the bulbs of the brodiza and call them“Bo.”’ Upon thy slender stalk thou stand above the throng Of lesser weeds, a purple-vestured King, Bowing in gracious majesty, while long The larks, thy golden-throated minstrels, sing. Livermore [ 28 | Diocenes’ LANTERN Calochortus amablis—Lily Family Natural size Harvest BropL#a Brodiza grandiflora—Lily Family Natural size Leopard Lily Although both names are given it, that of leopard lily seems more appropriate than tiger lily, for this brilliant ower, as the spots are so clearly marked on it. This lily has been known to grow to the height of ten feet,a giant among flowers, with from twenty- five to thirty blossoms on one plant. Its radiant recurved petals are almost sure to surprise us whenever we discover it. They may be found in countless numbers on the mountain-side near brooks or springs. There is a place where the tiger lilies, Like the garden of a dream, Thick-banked and tall on either hand Have lined a mountain stream. And the pines are dark above that place, And the ferns are dark below; And the stream flows murmuring on and on, Down from its heights of snow. Alberta Bancroft Leorarp Liry (Tiger Lily) Lilium pa Natural size . Farewell to Spring The godetia is the flower fairy which her- alds the arrival of bright summer-time and when it opens its crimson petals we know by this token that spring has said goodby and summer is here. In the valley of the Coast Range it covers great spaces, making the mountain meadows look as though a rosy, silken, tissue veil had been draped over them. The wild oats, Avena fatura, seem to be its constant companion and behind them it often hides its blushing face. No haughty city damsel thou, In frippery arrayed; But, here beneath the greenwood bough, A simple country maid. And thou, in dainty calico Of mingled red and white, Art sweeter than the maids that go In cloth of gold bedight. F..L. W. [ 32 ] Fart WELL TO SPRING rodelld antena—Evenine Primrose kamil Shghtly reduced i - a : : a _ | = a -_