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WASHINGTON LILY (Lilhim washingtonianum )
This beautiful Lily grows amid
the chaparral of exposed slopes. The
white, wax-like flowers are borne on tall, erect
stalks, overtopping the humbler shrubs that
form their protecting thickets.
A YOSEMITE FLORA
A DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT
OF THE FERNS AND FLOWERING PLANTS,
INCLUDING THE TREES, OF THE YOSEMITE NATIONAL
PARK; WITH SIMPLE KEYS FOR THEIR
IDENTIFICATION; DESIGNED TO
BE USEFUL THROUGHOUT
THE SIERRA NEVADA
MOUNTAINS
BY
HARVEY MONROE HALL
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF BOTANY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
AND
CARLOTTA CASE HALL
Illustrated with Eleven Plates
and One Hundred and Seventy Figures
in the Text
\*7&
PAUL ELDER AND COMPANY PUBLISHERS, SAN FRANCISCO
1912
Copyright, 1912
BY
Harvey Monroe Hall Issued April 8, 1912
Printed by
Taylor, Nash & Taylor
San Francisco
CONTENTS
Preface . . v
Introduction
Origin, Distribution, and Characteristics of the Yosemite
Flora 1
Explanation of Terms 7
Classification and the Use of Keys 13
Analytical Key to the Families 17
Descriptive Flora 25
Glossary 273
Index 277
ILLUSTRATIONS
Washington Lily Frontispiece
Trees of the Stream Banks Facing page 4
Big Tree " "46
Leopard Lily " "56
Mariposa Lily " "58
Meadow Borders of the Upper Tuolumne . . " "96
Thickets of Service Berry " " 124
Evening Primroses in Yosemite Valley . . " " 162
Azaleas along the Merced " 178
Polemoniums among Summit Rocks ... " 190
Timber-line in the High Sierra Nevada . . " 250
PREFACE
The Yosemite National Park is perhaps the most delightful region in all the world for the study of plant life. The wide variety of conditions here found, ranging from the hot and desic- cated slopes of the brush-clad foothills to the cold, bleak summits above timber-line, the abode of glaciers and perpetual snow, gives to the iiora an exceedingly diverse and interesting character. Innumerable springs, creeks, rivers, ponds, and lakes provide suitable habitats for moisture-loving plants. Rocky outcrop- pings, enormous cliffs, and gravelly ridges accommodate species adapted to such situations. The irregular topography yields southward facing slopes which receive the full effect of the sun's rays, as well as northzvard slopes where the sun's rays are little felt, where it is therefore cool, moist, and shady. The altitude ranges from two thousand five hundred feet in the foothill belt to thirteen thousand and ninety feet along the crest of the Sierra Nevada. All of these factors conspire to produce a remarkably varied and interesting vegetation.
The richness of this flora is indicated by the nine hundred and fifty-five species and varieties here described. The total number represented in the Yosemite National Park is considerably greater, since the grasses, sedges, and rushes are here omitted. Including an estimate for these, it is safe to assume that the number of species and varieties of flowering plants and ferns to be found within the one thousand one hundred and twenty-four square miles of the park is not less than about one thousand tivo hundred.
In preparing a pioneer flora for a district like the Yosemite, many corners of which have not yet been botanically explored, it is manifestly impossible to avoid the omission of some species. The authors have made use of every available source of infor- mation and have themselves botanized over much of the Park. It is therefore improbable that the list will be greatly extended except for the addition of foothill species, which will doubtless be found creeping up along our lower borders, especially in the vicinity of Wawona and Hetch Hetchy valleys, and for the addition of boreal species, the ranges of which will be extended southzvard at high altitudes. Information in regard to additions will be welcomed, particularly when accompanied by well pre-
VI PREFACE
pared specimens. Random notes and mere fragments of plants are of but little scientific value. Directions for preparing her- barium specimens and the data which should accompany them will be gladly supplied on request.
While encouragement should be given to the gathering of flowers in moderation for purposes of study or for the more convenient enjoyment of their beauty, it is hoped that all plant lovers will discourage at every opportunity the plucking of large quantities. The wasteful and thoughtless destruction of our native vegetation is deplorable. It is nothing short of vandalism that uproots entire plants or strips bushes of their beautiful Howers, which are cast aside when the ardor cools or are carried indoors where their beauty soon fades. Those who. know the plants love them, and like them best in their natural surround- ings. Flowers are most attractive in their native haunts and visitors to our mountains enjoy them from the trails. If the depredations continue it will soon be necessary for the authorities to enact regulations against the plucking of all flowers as they now prohibit the gathering of snow-plants.
The preparation of this Flora has been greatly facilitated by the kind assistance of many friends. Professor Willis Linn Jepson, of the University of California, placed at our disposal his collections made on excursions through the Park in 1909 and 191 1. Professor Le Roy Abrams, of Leland Stanford Junior University, has likewise permitted the use of a collection made in the Yosemite in 191 1. Among the members of the Sierra Club who have assisted in a similar manner may be mentioned Miss Helen D. Geis, Miss Lydia Atterbury, Miss Katherine D. Jones, and Mr. Fred M. Reed. Miss Harriet Walker and Miss Rhoda R. Reed have supplied specimens and have assisted in other ways. A portion of the information concerning Indian uses of plants was gleaned from conversations with Dr. C. Hart Merriam. Pro- fessor W. A. Setchell and Mr. and Mrs. T. S. Brandegee, of the University of California, have contributed many valuable sugges- tions and critical notes, and Mr. J. W. Flinn, of the same insti- tution, has generously assisted the authors in various ways. To all of these we zvish to extend our most sincere thanks.
Free use has been made of lists of Yosemite plants by Mrs. Katharine Brandegee and by Mr. J. W. Congdon, both of whom published in the biological journal, "Zoe." The writings of John Muir contain much botanical information. The forests, the meadows, and the flowers of the Sierra Nevada are described in a most delightful manner in his "Mountains of California" and "Our National Parks." The fern lists of Mrs. J. G. Lemmon, Miss Cosy Hutchings, and Mr. S. H. Burnham have been con-
PREFACE Vll
sidered. The Herbarium, Library, and Botanic Gardens of the University of California have been freely consulted in the prep- aration of the Flora and all collections made by the authors are now preserved at this Institution.
The text figures in this Flora are original and were prepared by Miss Anna Hamilton, Miss Helen M. Gilkey, and Mrs. Car- lotta C. Hall. The frontispiece and the illustrations facing pages 56 and 58 are from photographs by Mr. O. V. Lange, the plates facing pages 96, 178, and 250 are from photographs by Professor J. N. Le Conte, those facing pages 4 and 124 are from photo- graphs by the Pillsbury Picture Company, that facing page 190 is from a photograph by Mr. Frank Adams, while those facing pages 46 and 162 are from the collection of the Southern Pacific Company and are used through the courtesy of Mr. James Horsburgh, Jr.
Note Concerning Names and Accents. — No new botanical names or combinations are published for the first time in this Flora. Such as are ascribed to the authors have been previously published, either in the "Botanical Gazette," vol. 31, or in the "University of California Publications in Botany," vols. 1, 3, and 4. A name appearing in italics at the end of a botanical descrip- tion is to be considered a synonym. Botanical names are usually pronounced according to the pronunciation of Latin after the English method, although exceptions are necessarily frequent. As a general guide, the names in this Flora are marked with accents. Two accents are used, the grave C) to indicate the long English sound of the vowel, the acute (') to show the shortened or other- zvise modified sound.
INTRODUCTION
ORIGIN, DISTRIBUTION, AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE YOSEMITE FLORA.
WERE it permitted us to view the Sierra Nevada as they appeared in past geologic times, we would see that at one period they were the workshops of mighty glaciers which, like powerful giants, were grinding down the mountains, hewing out Yosemites, polish- ing domes, and converting solid rock into fertile soil. As one prepares a field before the time of sowing, so, in the glacial period, these titanic forces were preparing the way for the forests, the meadows, the flowery fields yet to come. For in those early days our region was devoid of ordinary vegetation, being entirely under the influence of ice and snow. Finally, as conditions changed, the glaciers, having completed their work, retired to the slopes of the highest peaks and their places were taken by trees and shrubs, grasses and flowers, as we now find them. It may be of interest to consider briefly the origin of this flora.
The present vegetation of the Yosemite National Park has been derived from at least three sources. One element had its origin in the lowlands of California, where it still flourishes, sending representatives, like the species of Ceanothus, Manzanita, and Yerba Santa, up through the foothills to the warmer parts of our district. A second group of species reaches us from the desert borders on the east. These had their origin in the Mexican Region from which they gradually spread northward, finally crossing the Sierran passes to flourish at a few places on the westerly slope. The Sagebrush is doubtless one of these, and even the Pinon Pine of the desert ranges has been recently found on a branch of the Tuolumne. The third, and by far the most important element in our flora, is the boreal. It is a generally accepted theory that during the glacial period species belonging normally to Arctic regions were compelled to migrate southward, on account of the great reduction in temperature. At the close of the glacial period conditions were reversed, and these northern species, now finding the climate gradually growing warmer and warmer, were forced to recede to colder regions and not only migrated back to the North but also retreated to the mountains, where they found conditions somewhat similar to those of their original northern home. It is not surprising, therefore, to find many Sierran plants occurring, almost without modification, in
2 THE YOSEMITE FLORA
Washington, Canada, and Alaska, where, however, they grow at a lower altitude. Some of these species, as the White-bark Pine, the Cassiope, and the Bitter-root, are found also in the Rocky Mountains, while not a few of them, such as the Alpine Sorrel, the Sibbaldia, and the Shrubby Cinquefoil, extend quite around the world in circumpolar regions.
As implied in the foregoing, the most influential factor in the geographic distribution of plants is temperature. Now, in a mountainous district, such as ours, the temperature depends largely upon altitude, and we therefore find that species adapted only to warm temperatures are restricted to the foothill belt, that those adapted to moderate temperatures occupy the middle alti- tudes, while species so constituted as to be able to carry on their life functions with a relatively small amount of heat flourish on the plateaus and peaks of the highest mountains. Since each species thus comes to inhabit only those places where conditions of temperature are suitable, the result is a grouping of plants into more or less definite belts of vegetation. These have been worked out for most of North America by Dr. C. Hart Merriam, of the United States Biological Survey, who has designated them as Life Zones and developed a system of nomenclature that is generally adopted by biologists. One must not expect to find these zones always clearly defined. Often the line between two belts is as sharp as though cut by a knife; again the belts over- lap and intermingle in so confusing a manner that even the expert is baffled in an attempt to distinguish them. In the Yo- semite National Park four such belts are recognized, as follows :
1. Foothill Belt {Upper Sonoran Life Zone). This belt is composed chiefly of endemic Californian species. The vegetation is largely chaparral, that is, thickets of shrubs, mostly with stiff branches, small, often thick or leathery leaves, and not rarely with spines. Annuals grow in abundance between the shrubs but only during the spring and summer months. The root systems of plants in this belt are well developed and the herbage is often woolly, or densely hairy, or coated with resin. Such qualities are characteristic of plants obliged to conserve their moisture, the Foothill Belt being mostly a dry as well as a warm zone. The upper line of this belt lies normally at about 3000 feet altitude, but it reaches 5000 feet on warm southerly or westerly exposures, while on slopes facing the north it may descend to as low as 2000 feet. Characteristic plants are the Digger Pine, Wedge-leaf Ceanothus, Bladder-nut, California Buckeye, and Poison Oak.
2. Yellow Pine Belt {Transition Life Zone). In this belt we find endemic and southern species intermingling with those of northern origin. All of the more frequented portions of the Park,
THE YOSEMITE FLORA 3
including the Wawona, Yosemite, and Hetch Hetchy valleys are within its confines. There is a strong infusion of foothill species, however, in these lower districts, particularly on warm walls and gravelly slopes. As indicated by its name, this is primarily a forest belt, dominated by the Yellow Pine, one of the noblest of our coniferous trees and the most widely distributed of them all. Within this zone occur not only the largest trees and the grandest forests of which any country can boast, but also the greatest variety of cone-bearing species. Restricted to it are such well- known representatives as the Big Tree, Sugar Pine, White Fir, Douglas Fir, and Incense Cedar, each with its own peculiar attractions and all conspiring with the Yellow Pine and with each other to form open, airy, balsam-scented forests. Along the streams grow such trees as the Nuttall Dogwood, with its showy masses of pure-white bloom, the White Alder, the Black Cotton- wood, and many sorts of willows, while among the flowering shrubs of this belt are the Azalea, the Deer-brush, the Choke- cherry, the Thimble Berry and many others. Along its lower borders the Yellow Pine Belt meets that of the foothills at alti- tudes averaging 3000 feet, as along El Portal Road, but in other places it varies from 2000 to 5000 feet, as already indicated. Its upper limits occur at about 6200 feet, although the belt may be continued upward to 7000 or 8000 feet on warm slopes, or it may be depressed to as low as 4000 feet along cold streams or valleys. The upper edge of this belt is well defined where it crosses the Yosemite Falls Trail at about 5000 feet altitude. As one ascends the trail, he notes such species as Douglas Fir, Incense Cedar, California Laurel, Broad-leaf Maple, Sword-fern, Wild Ginger, and Soap Plant. All of these are plentiful until the 5200-foot contour is reached, but not one of them occurs much above this altitude.
3. Upper Coniferous Belt (Canadian and Hudsonian Life Zones). Only species of boreal origin are found in this belt. On ascending the trails from the lower valleys, it gradually dawns upon one that he is passing into a new world. One by one the familiar plants of the Yellow Pine Belt drop out, their places in the forest being taken by new forms. The Yellow and Sugar pines are here replaced by the Jeffrey, and that in turn by the Silver Pine; no longer do we see the Black Oak with its tall trunk and spreading crown, but in its place are thickets of the dwarf Huckleberry Oak; the white-plumed Deer-brush remains only as a memory, its mantle having descended to another Cean- othus, the compact, intricately branched Snow-bush, and many lesser sorts of annual and perennial herbs occur only at these higher levels. This is the Upper Coniferous Belt, characterized
4 THE YOSEMITE FLORA
by cool summers and much snow and ice in the winter time, for it extends up to timber-line, where Alpine conditions prevail.
4. Belt Above Timber-line (Arctic-Alpine Life Zone). As in the last preceding belt, the plant species here are entirely of boreal origin. For those who are not particular as to technical requirements, this is the most easy of all belts to distinguish, since its lower limits are fixed by the upper line of the forests, from which it extends to our highest summits. Here grow only those plants which, through the peculiar constitution of their protoplasm, are enabled not only to endure the rigors of winter but to make their growth and form flowers and seed with a rela- tively small amount of heat. In these regions spring comes on with a rush after the melting of the snow, for each plant must hasten to mature its crop of seed before it is caught by the cold storms of early autumn. All have deep, perennial roots, while low and tough stems, often much gnarled, are the fashion. The leaves are likewise tough in most cases, having a thick epider- mis, and they are mostly huddled near the base or along the short stems. These characteristics are due not only to the short grow- ing period but also to the need of conserving moisture, since, as a result of low temperature, steep slopes, porous soil, strong winds, and reduced atmospheric pressure, a lack of sufficient water is one of the plant's chief contentions. Among the more interesting of these Alpine plants may be mentioned the Arctic Willow, which creeps along the ground, rising only to a height of three or four inches ; the Cassiope, with thick, overlapping leaves and dainty pendent flowers; and the Alpine Sorrel, which ex- tends around the world in Arctic regions, ranging southward to high peaks in the Rocky Mountains and in the Alps. The Pole- monium shown in the illustration facing page 190 is a typical Alpine species, having a strong, perennial root, numerous short stems with compact leaves, and showy flower-clusters.
As has been intimated in the preceding paragraphs, tempera- ture is not the only factor to be considered in a study of dis- tribution. Among the other environmental influences we should note the effect of soil, light, air, animals, and especially water. Let us now briefly look into a few of these factors, observing both their influence on distribution and their effect on the appearance of the vegetation.
The moisture relation often determines the kind of plant that can grow in a given place. We therefore find, within each of the great belts as already outlined, markedly different types of vege- tation, known technically as plant formations. These formations often extend from one belt into another. Where the subsoil is moist and the surface soil only moderately so, as over most of
TREES OF THE STREAM BANKS
Along the water-courses is found an assemblage of plants quite different from those inhabiting drier places. White Alders, with their smooth, gray trunks, may be seen on either side of this stream. Their branches interlock above, providing a canopy of green foliage. The furrowed trunks of the Incense Cedar are also in evidence, although this tree is by no means restricted to the proximity of streams. Such entrancing views are not uncommon in our mountains. This particular one may be seen in the upper part of the Yosemite Valley.
THE YOSEMITE FLORA 5
r
our district, the result is a forest, with us a coniferous forest. When, however, the moisture is near the surface, as in many val- leys and around springs, the result is, not a forest, but a meadow. When a group of trees occurs in a meadow, it indicates that the moisture at that spot is deeper in the soil ; in fact, such forest islands are, in most cases, plainly seen to be situated on land which is slightly more elevated or better drained than the sur- rounding areas.
It sometimes happens, especially on warm, well-drained slopes, that the moisture-content of the soil is too small for either meadows or forest, in which case a chaparral formation may result. This consists of low shrubs, usually with deep roots and with, other characters which especially adapt them to dry situ- ations, as has been pointed out in considering the Foothill Belt. The thickets of Chinquapin, Huckleberry Oak, Manzanita, etc., at considerable altitudes, also belong to the chaparral formation and are always found where soil moisture is comparatively scarce.
Other formations which may be traced out by the interested student include that of the stream banks, known as the riparian formation. Around and especially in the quiet ponds and lakes another type of vegetation will be encountered; still another on the crests and summits; and so a dozen or more distinct forma- tions may be recognized, each made up of forms particularly adapted to that special environment.
That external conditions exert a profound influence on the structure and appearance of plants is well known. We have already seen that those growing in dry places have special de- vices for acquiring and retaining moisture. As contrasted with these it will be noted that plants growing in moist situations, as along streams, around lakes or springs, and in shady places are devoid of such adaptations; the root system is often shallow, the leaves are broad and without hairy or resinous coats, the stems are taller and without spines or thorns.
Such plants as we have just described often owe their charac- ter not only to an abundance of water, which is the most influen- tial factor affecting the shape of plants, but also to the absence of excessive light. Shady places are usually moist places, and it is sometimes difficult to determine whether certain characters are the result of the moisture or of the light relation. Often they re- sult from both factors operating at the same time. Leaves ex- posed to strong sunlight not infrequently assume a vertical posi- tion, thus presenting but a small surface to the sun's rays, as may be seen in some manzanitas. On high mountains, where the light is very intense, leaves are provided with a thick epidermal layer which. doubtless serves for purposes of protection. Plants in the
6 THE YOSEMITE FLORA
full glare of the sun have, almost without exception, narrow or especially protected leaves, thus guarding against excessive light, which might destroy contents of their live tissues, and at the same time protecting themselves from excessive withdrawal of moisture through their pores.
As contrasted with these light-tolerant species, it is interesting to examine the shade-loving plants. Here we find an abundance of foliage, the broad, smooth, and thin leaves being spread out in such a manner as to receive the full benefit of the diffused light sifted through the upper layers of the vegetation. Even the arrangement of the leaves so as to prevent overlapping is as though planned with the greatest of care. The Enchanter's Nightshade is a good example, the leaf-blades being broad and exceedingly thin. The Monkshood, Columbine, Twayblade, Meadow-rue, and Thimble Berry are other instances. The leaves of the Twinberry, «a plant of shaded places, are decidedly thinner than those of the manzanitas of our exposed slopes.
Rock-plants have exceptionally adverse conditions with which to contend. Aside from the great exposure to light, the soil from which their nourishment is drawn is very shallow and is moistened only during rains. Many of these plants, such as the Stonecrops, have acquired a fleshy habit, the thick, juicy leaves and stems being filled with water in time of plenty to provide for their needs in time of drought. The epidermal layers are smooth and tough and with but few openings.
Such adaptations to environment as we have been considering result not only in a varied aspect of the vegetation as a whole, but often produce so great a change in the appearance of plants belonging to one species that even trained botanists are deceived. Many a supposedly "good new species" has been named and de- scribed which farther observation has shown to be only an extreme form of a well-known species, the result of an unusual environment. The common Monkey-flower is one of these plastic species. Under favorable conditions it grows to heights of two or three feet, producing many large leaves and flowers, yet it varies into forms only two or three inches high, with minute leaves and flowers "scarcely large enough to measure." This pygmy form is common around the Yosemite, especially on very shallow soil underlaid with granite, and all intermediate stages may here be observed. Other examples might be cited, where variation ex- tends not only to shape and size but to color, amount of pubescence, lobing of leaves, and many other characters, all of which greatly affect the appearance of a plant. In searching for an explanation of these variations the investigator must consider, not one or two, but all of the possible factors.
EXPLANATION OF TERMS 7
In a district like ours, where the topography is exceedingly diverse, the number of combinations in which external factors may unite to influence the appearance of the vegetation is very great. The number of species represented is therefore large and the variation within each species is often considerable. The detailed study of such modifications and their causes is one of the most promising fields of botanical research and it would be diffi- cult to find better opportunities for these studies than are afforded in the Yosemite National Park.
EXPLANATION OF TERMS. The descriptions in this Flora are, in the main, couched in clear and readily intelligible language. For purposes of accuracy, however, it is often necessary to use terms which are familiar only to botanists. For the guidance of others, the following brief outline has been prepared, which, used in connection with the glossary just preceding the index, should fully equip any intelli- gent student for the successful and pleasurable use of this book. Special terms used entirely or mostly in a single family of plants will be explained in the family descriptions.
The Root and Root-like Organs. The root ordinarily grows downward from the base of the stem, forks and spreads in the earth, absorbing food and water for the plant. Fibrous roots have slender, thread-like branches. Tap- roots are single strong roots that descend perpendicularly, with few branches. Rootstocks are underground, horizontal, root-like stems, usually rooting at the joints and sending up leafy stalks. The rootstocks of ferns produce fronds instead of leaves. Bulbs are thickened underground bodies made up chiefly of fleshy leaves, as in the Onion. They may be scaly, as in the Lilies, or with a fibrous coat, as in the Soap-root.
The Stem.
The stem grows upward from the root and bears buds which grow out into leafy branches. It finally produces flowers and fruit.
Stems are of two types. In Endogens the woody portion occurs in small bundles or fibers, which, in cross-section, are seen to be distributed throughout the stem. In Exogens the woody system grows in annual concentric layers between a central pith and an exterior bark, so that in cross-section we see a series of rings of wood, or in the first year one ring, surrounding the pith and sur- rounded by the separable bark. Endogenous stems produce leaves with parallel veins, while leaves on exogenous stems are nearly always net-veined.
8
EXPLANATION OF TERMS
A node is the place of attachment of a leaf or group of leaves. An internode is the portion of a stem cornprised between two nodes.
Stems and their branches may be erect, or they may be ascend- ing, i. e., rising somewhat obliquely or curving upward. Prostrate stems may emit roots from their joints, when they are said to be creeping, as in the Strawberry.
The Leaves.
Leaves are lateral expansions and usually bear a bud in the axil, i. e., the angle formed by the leaf and the stem or branch. They are essentially digestive organs, their function being to com- bine materials brought by the crude sap from the roots with car- bon dioxide obtained from the air, thus forming substances which may be used in building plant tissues. Only green leaves are able to perform this work.
l 2
Leaves and Their Arrangement. — 1. Simple leaf; b, blade; p, petiole; s, stipule. 2. Stem with alternate leaves. 3. Stem with opposite, sessile leaves. 4. A whorl of six leaves.
%*^S
Compound Leaves. — 1. A palmately compound leaf with three leaflets, as in clovers. 2. A palmately compound leaf with more than three leaflets, as in the Lupine. 3. A pinnately compound leaf with three leaflets, as in Bur Clover and some Hosackias (note the stalk of the terminal leaflet). 4. A pin- nately compound leaf with more than three leaflets, as in the Loco-weed and in some Hosackias. 5. A compound leaf ending in a tendril, as in the Vetches and in the Sweet Pea.
EXPLANATION OF TERMS
/ft
1 2 3
Leaf-outlines. — 1. Awl-shaped. 2. Linear. 3. Lanceolate. 4. Oblong. 5. Elliptic. 6. Oval. 7. Ovate.
Leaf-outlines and Extremities. — 1. Oblanceolate, with acute apex. 2. Spatulate, with obtuse apex. 3. Wedge-shaped, or cuneate. 4. Acuminate. 5. Heart-shaped at base. 6. Clasping.
An ordinary leaf consists of a usually flat portion, the blade, joined to the stem by a leaf-stalk or petiole. When there is no petiole, the leaf is said to be sessile on the stem. Stipules are out- growths from the base of the petiole. They may be small and scale-like, or larger and leaf-like. They are often absent.
As to position, leaves are clasping, when the base more or less surrounds the stem horizontally; sheathing, when the base of the blade or petiole forms a vertical sheath around the stem; alternate, when not opposite to each other but arranged singly at different heights ; opposite, when two grow from the same node at opposite sides of the stem ; whorled, when several are arranged around the stem like the spokes of a wheel.
Simple leaves have a blade of a single piece. Compound leaves are divided to the midrib into separate parts, called leaflets. Pinnately compound leaves have the leaflets arranged along the
10
EXPLANATION OF TERMS
sides of a common stalk, or rachis. In palmately compound leaves they all spring from the summit of the common petiole, like the fingers of a hand. In a bi-pinnate leaf the leaflets are again divided to the base, as in the fronds of many ferns.
The terms used in describing the shapes and margins of leaves may be best understood by a study of the figures (adapted from Gray's Structural Botany) and of the definitions in the glossary at the end of the book.
Leaves are sometimes broader at apex than at base, in which case the prefix ob, meaning inversely or oppositely, is often con- venient.
2 3 4 5 6
Leaf-margins, Lobed Leaves, and Venation. — 1. An entire leaf. 2. A toothed or dentate leaf. 3. A lobed leaf, the divisions extending not more than half way to the midrib. 4. A parted leaf, the divisions reaching nearly to the midrib. 5. A parallel-veined leaf. 6. A net-veined leaf.
The Flower.
The flower comprises all of the plant parts which have to do with reproduction, that is, with the formation of fertile seeds. Some plants, however, reproduce without the aid of true flowers and do not set seed. Such are the so-called "flowerless plants" (Cryptogams), of which only the ferns are here described. Flowering plants, or seed plants, are known as Phaenogams.
The parts of a flower (any one of which may be wanting in some cases) are as follows:
The perianth comprises both calyx and corolla, or only the calyx when the corolla is wanting. The showy part of most Irises, Lilies, Eriogonums, etc., is the perianth.
The calyx forms usually an outer circle of greenish parts, mostly for purposes of protection. It may be of distinct sepals, or these may be united into a cup-shaped, bell-shaped, or some other form of one-piece calyx.
The corolla forms an inner circle of parts usually colored for purposes of attraction, since flowers depend largely upon insects for the carrying of their pollen. It may be either choripetalous, that is, composed of separate parts (petals) as in the Buttercup, Mustard, Rose, etc. ; or the corolla may be sympetalous, that is,
EXPLANATION OF TERMS
II
with the petals united into a one-piece corolla, as in the Morning- glory, Gilia, Pentstemon, etc. For purposes of convenience, those exogens in which the petals are distinct are spoken of as members of the Choripetalae, while those with united petals are the Sympetalac. The former have also been known as "Poly- petalae," the latter as "Monopetalae" and "Gamopetalae." Flowers without a corolla are said to be apetalous.
Filament Stamen
Receptacle
A Pattern Flower. — The figure represents a choripetalous flower, with sepals, petals, and stamens all distinct (not united) and inserted on the receptacle. The single, simple pistil here figured has a superior ovary.
The stamens supply the pollen used by the plant in fertilizing the ovules, which then develop into seeds. This pollen is usually produced in the form of a yellow powder contained in a 2-celled, terminal pouch, the anther. At maturity the anther opens, scat- tering the pollen, or it may be carried by insects or by the wind, etc. The thread-like stalk of the stamen is the Ulament.
The pistil always occupies the center of the flower and is con- cerned with the bearing of seeds. It may be single, as in the Poppy and Primrose, or there may be several or many pistils to a single flower, as in the Buttercup. A complete pistil consists of three parts: (1), the ovary, or enlarged base, which includes one or more ovules, each of which is the forerunner of a seed; (2), a style, which is a usually slender continuation of the ovary and supports (3), the stigma, which is sometimes a mere point to the style, sometimes a flattish disk, sometimes a narrow line, sometimes a broad blade.
The function of the stigma is to catch the pollen-grains and, through the action of its secretions, cause them to send microscopic tubes through the tissues of the pistil to the ovules. Certain contents of the pollen-grain then
12 EXPLANATION OF TERMS
pass through this tube and unite with elements in the ovule, after which the latter develops into a fertile seed. The element derived from the pollen is the male element, while that in the ovule is the female element and, with few exceptions, their fusion is essential if fertile seeds are to be formed. Flowers which contain stamens but not pistils are staminate, or male flowers; those which bear pistils but not stamens are pistillate, or female flowers. Most flowers produce both stamens and pistils.
Simple pistils are those composed of a single fundamental unit (carpel). They always produce a one-celled fruit, and this may contain a number of seeds, as in the Pea pod, or a single seed, as in the Plum and Cherry. These simple pistils may occur singly in each flower, as in the Pea, or they may be numerous and heaped up in the middle, as in the Buttercup and Raspberry, but so long as they do not actually fuse into one body they are distinct pistils. When a simple pistil produces but one seed in a dry and hard outer covering (ovary wall) which does not open at maturity, it is called an akene. The seed-like bodies in the Com- posite Family and in the Buttercup are akenes. A compound pistil is formed by the fusion of several parts into one body, as may be indicated by the several cells to the ovary or by the distinct styles or stigmas. Most seed-vessels contain several cells and result from a compound pistil, as in Flax, Azalea, and Grape. One- celled ovaries with several distinct styles are less common. St. Johnswort is an example.
Superior ovaries are those which are entirely free from the calyx, i. e., the calyx is not in any way adherent to the ovary, which is attached to the receptacle. The Lily, Poppy, Mustard, Pea, Pentstemon, and in fact most flowers have superior ovaries. An inferior ovary is one to which the calyx is firmly united, so that it cannot be pulled away without tearing the ovary, as in the Orchid, Evening Primrose, and Godetia. The calyx in this case surrounds the ovary and is also attached to it, while the ovary itself is attached to the receptacle farther down and in this sense is "inferior." As the inferior ovary ripens, the calyx matures with it, forming an outer coat which often gives additional pro- tection to the seeds. In some cases the calyx is attached only part way up, giving us a half-inferior ovary, as in some members of the Saxifrage Family.
The Fruit and Seed. The fruit consists of the ripened ovary and whatever other parts persist until the seed is ripe. In this sense a fruit need not be fleshy or pulpy. Pods, burs, capsules, etc., are botanical fruits. The seed is the mature ovule. It contains an embryo, or young plant, and often a mealy, oily, or albuminous substance which supplies nourishment for the growing plantlet after germination.
CLASSIFICATION I3
The Arrangement of the Flowers.
By inflorescence is meant either the arrangement of the flowers on a plant or the flower-cluster itself. A flower is terminal when at the summit of a stem or branch; axillary, when in the axil of a leaf, as in most mints. A peduncle, or flower-stalk, is the stalk either of a solitary flower or of a flower-cluster. A pedicel is the ultimate branchlet of a cluster, supporting a single flower.
Bracts are small leaves occurring in a flower-cluster below the calyx. Sometimes they are very small and scale-like, sometimes colored. When several bracts encircle a flower or head of flowers, they are collectively called an involucre, as in Eriogonum and in the Sunflower. In the Nuttall Dogwood the involucre is so showy that its bracts are often mistaken for petals. Involucres are often cup-shaped and resemble calyxes. The more common types of inflorescence are explained in the figures.
Types of Inflorescence. — I. A raceme (note the stalked flowers) ; b, bract; p, pedicel. 2. A spike (flowers sessile). 3. A panicle (flower6 scattered). 4. An umbel. 5. A head.
CLASSIFICATION AND THE USE OF KEYS.
For purposes of convenience, if for no other reason, it is well to have the multitudinous forms of plant life classified according to some established system. They are more conveniently dis- cussed and comprehended when those individuals which are most alike are brought together under one name. This elementary unit, or group of individuals, all of which are of the same kind, is the species of the systematic botanist. Thus, all of the in- dividuals of Yellow Pine are of one species, the Yellow or ponderosa species of Pine, while all of the individuals of the Sugar Pine belong to the Sugar or lambertiana species.
Again, it is convenient to have brought together those species which are most alike. This larger group, comprising several or often many similar but distinct species, is the genus (plural genera). All species of Pine, be they Yellow or Sugar or any other kind of Pine, belong to the Pine genus, written Pinus in the Latin form; the species of Fir belong to another genus,
14 CLASSIFICATION
Abies; both of the Redwoods to the genus Sequoia, etc. The botanical name consists of the generic name followed by that of the species. We therefore write as the botanical name of the Yellow Pine, Pinus ponderosa; of the Sugar Pine, Pinus lam- bertiana; of the One-leaf Pifion Pine, Pinus monophylla, etc. The generic name is frequently indicated by its initial letter only, and the species name is commonly followed by that of the botanist who first properly applied it. The name of the author is often abbreviated. Varieties, when they occur, are indicated by an additional name following that of the species, a variety being con- sidered a mere form of a species, often brought about by differ- ences in the soil, exposure, or other elements of the environment.
The next step in our system of grouping is to bring similar genera together into a larger and more comprehensive group, the family. The pines, the firs, the redwoods, the cedars, and many other similar genera are thus classed together as the Pine Family, or Pinaceae, since they possess certain characters in common, such as the cone-bearing habit. There are in all, 280 families of flowering plants, but only 82 of these are represented in the Yosemite National Park. Just as individuals are grouped into species, species into genera, and genera into families, so these last are collected into larger groups, some of which are used in our Analytical Key to the Species.
But the aim of botanical classification is not merely to arrive at a convenient grouping of plants. Its object is far-reaching and its methods are based upon the fundamental principles of evolution, heredity, and descent. The ultimate aim of systematic botany is to discover a natural system of classification in which all forms of plant life will be grouped according to their relationships. For there is a natural relationship — a blood-con- nection—existing between all plants, just as there is between all people, and the tracing of these connections is at once the most fascinating and the most important of all botanical problems. The student of organic relationships is following the steps through which the innumerable forms of life have been evolved. In his mind's eye he sees the development and modification of plant forms, the survival of the fit, the suppression of the unfit; he traces the development of an organic world.
Botanical classification, if complete and correct, would express all there is to know concerning the relationships of plants. But our knowledge is sadly deficient. The investigator is often mis- led into assuming that superficial resemblance indicates blood- relationship, or he is falling into other of the numerous pits of deception, and therefore the discovery of the natural system in all its details is a slow and laborious process. Until this task can be
USE OF KEYS 1 5
completed, we are obliged to resort to a more or less artificial grouping of many plants, purely as a matter of convenience.
The Use of Keys. — In using keys as an aid in the determin- ation of plants, there are certain precautions which should be observed. Perhaps the most important of these is that the key will unlock nothing unless the characters of the plant in hand are first understood. A preliminary examination of the flower and its parts is especially desirable, and care should be taken in gathering material to see that all stages from the young plant to the mature fruit are represented as far as possible. If the beginner will select plants with large flowers for his first trials, and especially if he will take the trouble to write out their characters, with the aid of our introductory lessons and glossary, he will avoid much of that confusion which results from an im- perfect understanding of plant descriptions. Due allowance must always be made for a certain amount of variation in plants, especially as to size. When a number of specimens of one species are available, it is well to select an average one for study rather than either of the extremes, for descriptions are seldom drawn in such a way as to include the unusual or abnormal forms of a species.
The first step in determining the name of a plant is to decide upon the family to which it belongs. In our Analytical Key to the Families the first division separates off the Fern Group, which is the only family of the so-called flowerless plants here described. Division II (Flowering Plants) includes all plants which bear true seeds. Formerly they were called Phaenogamia and were characterized as producing true flowers. Of this great division there are two sub-divisions, as will be seen by reference to the key, (1) the Gymnosperms, which are represented with us only by our cone-bearing trees and the so-called California Nutmeg, and (2) the Angiosperms, which latter class includes the bulk of our species. The beginning student of the Yosemite Flora will probably be but little interested in that part of our key preceding the line, "Subdivision 2, Angiosperms."
The next segregation, into the class of Monocotyledons and the class of Dicotyledons, is based upon so many characters that the student seldom goes astray here. The fact that so many sets of characters run parallel in the two groups of families strength- ens our belief that this segregation is a natural one. In fact, all of the divisions so far have been based on natural relation- ships. Leaving, now, the first class, let us take up the second, which is by far the larger and therefore the more difficult. We here find the Dicotyledons segregated into an apetalous, a chori- petalous, and a sympetalous section, a classification which is
1 6 USE OF KEYS
largely artificial and is used only for convenience. At this point, as in some other places, one must note that in running a plant to its family he has a choice, not of two, but of three sets of characters (in this case indicated by the Roman numerals I, II, III). Having determined the section to which a plant belongs, one follows through the successively subordinated divisions of that section, as indicated by the indentation of the lines upon the page, until he arrives at the name of the family. A key to the genera of each family will be found at its proper place in the book, and likewise keys to the species when there are more than three in a genus.
It will be noted that the arrangement of the families in the text does not follow the order of the key. This is because the key is partly artificial, being arranged with a view to ease of use, while in the body of the book families which have a natural relationship are brought next to each other as far as possible. This is also true of the arrangement of the genera within each family, and even the species are arranged according to natural relationships wherever these have been carefully worked out. The nomenclature here adopted for plant names follows the rules laid down by the International Botanical Congress, except in a few unimportant details.
ANALYTICAL KEY TO THE FAMILIES
(Carried out in some cases to genera)
Division I. FERN GROUP (Pteridophyta)
Plants without true flowers ; reproduction by spores ; only the Fern Family, with several or numerous fronds from a rootstock with fibrous roots is here described Polypodiaceae, 25
Division II. FLOWERING PLANTS ( Sperm atophyta )
Plants with true flowers containing stamens or pistils or both; reproduction normally by seeds.
Subdivision 1. GYMNOSPERMS (Seeds naked) Evergreen trees and shrubs, cone-bearing except in Taxaceae; leaves needle-like, awl-like, scale-like, or narrowly linear ; stamens and pistils never borne in the same flower; ovules not in a closed ovary, maturing into naked seeds.
Fruit a woody cone bearing several to many seeds. .Pinaceae, 40 Fruit berry-like or plum-like, 1-seeded Taxaceae, 46
Subdivision 2. ANGIOSPERMS (Seeds enclosed) Evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, and herbs, not cone-bearing; leaves various; ovules in a closed sac, or ovary, which at maturity becomes the fruit and encloses the seed.
Class 1. MONOCOTYLEDONS
Leaves with principal veins parallel (net-veined in Erythronium, Disporum, and Trillium) ; flower-parts usually in 3's or 6's, never in 4's or 5's; embryo with 1 cotyledon; stems with neither pith nor ring-like layers, but with the fibers distributed through them (showing as dots in a transverse slice) ; ours all herbs. (Class 2 on p. 18.)
1 8 KEY TO THE FAMILIES
Ovary or ovaries simple; flowers with only scale-like calyx, if any, and no corolla. Flowers not in axils of dry chaffy bracts.
a. Immersed branching aquatics with thread-like
leaves, or the floating leaves broad and flat.
Naiadaceae, 47
b. Immersed ellipsoidal or roundish free-swimming
aquatics without true leaves Lemnaceae, 48
c. Marsh or aquatic plants with ribbon-like leaves ;
stamens and pistils in separate rounded clus- ters Sparganiaceae, 47
d. Marsh plants with grass-like leaves and perfect
flowers in racemes Juncaginaceae, 47
Flowers in the axils of dry chaffy bracts.
Stems mostly cylindric and hollow; leaf-sheaths split opposite the blade; anthers attached at
the middle Gramineae, 48
Stems mostly 3-sided, solid; sheaths entire; an- thers attached at the base Cyperaceae, 48
Ovary compound; flowers with calyx or corolla or both. Calyx and ovary wholly free from each other; sta- mens mostly 6. (Ovary superior.) Plant rush-like; flowers small, greenish or brown.
Juncaceae, 49 Plant not rush-like.
Pistils numerous, in a circle Alismaceae, 48
Pistil one, compound Liliaceae, 49
Calyx adherent to the ovary. (Ovary inferior.) Flowers regular, stamens 3; capsule 3-celled . . Iridaceae, 60 Flowers irregular, stamen 1 (rarely 2) ; capsule
1-celled Orchidaceae, 61
Class 2. DICOTYLEDONS Leaves net-veined; flower-parts usually in 4's or 5's, never in 3's (exceptions occur in some members of Poppy, Buckwheat, and Spurge families) ; embryo with 2 cotyledons; stem with annual layers when perennial. I. APETALOUS SECTION. Corolla none; calyx present, herbaceous or sometimes petal-like (some- times none). (II. on p. 20.)
A. Trees, shrubs, and woody climbers. (B. on p. 19.) Flowers in catkins, i. e., sessile in narrow scaly spikes, at least the staminate ; pistillate flowers on same or different plant. Leaves opposite; flowers in cup-like bracts Garrya, 173
KEY TO THE FAMILIES 19
Leaves alternate.
Pistillate and staminate flowers both in catkins (or cones). Flowers 1 to each scale or bract.
Seeds hairy, many in a capsule Salicaceae, 65
Seed not hairy, solitary, in waxy-coated clus- ters Myricaceae, 69
Flowers 2 or 3 to each scale or bract ; seeds in a
woody cone Betulaceae, 70
Pistillate flowers not in catkins.
Fruit a nut in a leafy tube Corylus, 70
Fruit a nut in a scaly cup or bur (acorn or chest- nut) Fagaceae, 71
Flowers not in catkins. Leaves opposite. Ovary adherent to calyx; leaves simple; parasitic
on trees Loranthaceae, 73
Ovary free from calyx and corolla; leaves com- pound.
Climber ; fruit of many tailed akenes Clematis, 94
Tree ; fruit long-winged Vraxinus, 185
Leaves alternate, simple; erect trees and shrubs.
Stamens 4 or 5 ; fruit berry-like Rhamnus, 154
Stamens 9 ; fruit olive-like Lauraceae, 101
Stamens numerous; fruit tailed, dry, 1-seeded
Cercocarpus, 133 B. Herbs. Calyx free from the ovary. (Ovary superior.)
a. Pistils more than 1, distinct, becoming 1-seeded
fruits ; stamens many Ranunculaceae, 94
b. Pistil 1, 3-celled; calyx and corolla both wanting;
flower-clusters surrounded by a petal-like in- volucre ; juice milky Euphorbiaceae, 150
c. Pistil 1, 4-celled; aquatic with hair-like leaves.
Callitrichaceae, 151
d. Pistil 1, 1-celled ; calyx present.
Stipules sheathing the stem at the nodes .. Polygonaceae, 76
Stipules present but not sheathing Urticaceae, 73
Stipules none.
Fruit a several-seeded capsule; styles 3 to 5
Caryophyllaceae, 88 Fruit 1-celled, 1-seeded. Flowers in clusters surrounded by an invo- lucre ; leaves entire, in whorls or all basal, rarely alternate Polygonaceae, 76
20 KEY TO THE FAMILIES
Flowers not involucrate ; leaves alternate. Bracts none ; flowers greenish . . . Chenopodiaceae, 83 Bracts and flowers thin and dry, not green..
Amaranthaceae, 83
Bracts leaf-like, densely hairy Eremocarpus, 150
Calyx adherent to the ovary. (Ovary inferior.) Leaves entire; flowers perfect.
Aquatic ; leaves densely whorled Haloragidaceae, 169
Land plants; leaves alternate or basal.
Seeds many; leaves broad-heart-shaped
Aristolochiaceae, 75
Seed solitary ; leaves elliptic Santalaceae, 74
Leaves deeply toothed or lobed; flowers lacking sta- mens or pistils.
Erect herb; seeds numerous, small Datiscaceae, 162
Climbing herb; seeds several, large Cucurbitaceae, 237
II. CHORIPETALOUS SECTION. Calyx and corolla both present, the latter of distinct petals. (III. on p. 22.)
A. Stamens more than double the number of petals (always more than 10). (B. on p. 21.)
Stamens free from the calyx (hypogynous).
Pistils few to many, distinct Ranunculaceae, 94
Pistil 1, compound.
Sepals falling as the corolla opens Papaveraceae, 101
Sepals persistent; aquatics with broad floating
leaves Nymphaeaceae, 93
Sepals persistent; land plants. Petals more numerous than the sepals (5 to 16) ;
succulent plants Portulacaceae, 84
Petals of the same number as the sepals (5). Leaves alternate ; flowers not yellow ; stamens
all united Malvaceae, 157
Leaves opposite, entire; flowers yellow; sta- mens united into bundles Guttiferae, 159
Stamens borne on the calyx (perigynous). Leaves opposite, simple.
Petals 4, white Philadelphus, 121
Petals many, red Calycanthaceae, 101
Leaves alternate, with stipules; flowers white yellow
or pinkish Rosaceae, 123
Leaves alternate, without stipules, rough; flowers
yellow Loasaceae, 161
KEY TO THE FAMILIES 21
B. Stamens not more than double the number of petals.
Calyx free from the ovary or ovaries. (Ovary
superior.) (For "2. Calyx adherent," see p. 22.)
Pistils more than one and distinct from each other.
Petals and sepals of just the same number as pistils.
Leaves simple, fleshy Crassulaceae, 113
Leaves pinnately compound Floerkia, 149
Petals and sepals not of same number as pistils.
Stipules persistent; leaves alternate Rosaceae, 123
Stipules none or indistinct.
Petals and stamens 5 or 10 each Saxifragaceae, 115
Petals (red) and stamens numerous
Calycanthaceae, 101 Pistil only one.
Pistil simple, as shown by the single style, stigma, and ovary-cell. Flowers irregular; stamens united; fruit a sev- eral-seeded pod Leguminosae, 135
Flowers regular; stamens not united.
Calyx 5-lobed ; fruit 1-seeded Rosaceae, 123
Calyx of 2 sepals ; fruit several-seeded ; leaves
fleshy Portulacaceae, 84
Pistil compound. Ovary 1-celled. Corolla irregular, the petals unlike.
Sepals 5; petals 5, the lower one spurred.
Violaceae, 159 Sepals 2; petals 4, none spurred; corolla
heart-shaped at base Fumariaceae, 102
Corolla regular, the petals all alike.
Shrubs with 1-seeded fruits Anacardiaceae, 151
Herbs; capsule several to many-seeded.
Sepals 2 ; herbage fleshy Portulacaceae, 84
Sepals 4 or 5 ; leaves scale-like, not green.
Pleuricospora, 177 Sepals or calyx-lobes 4 or 5 ; leaves green.
Leaves all opposite Caryophyllaceae, 88
Leaves all at base, roundish Droseraceae, 112
Ovary and usually the fruit 2-celled. Fruit a capsule, rarely winged; herbs. .Cruciferae, 103 Fruit winged; trees.
Leaves simple, palmately lobed Aceraceae, 153
Leaves pinnately compound Oleaceae, 184
Ovary more than 2-celled. Anthers opening by pores at the top Ericaceae, 174
22 KEY TO THE FAMILIES
Anthers opening lengthwise.
a. Herbs.
Ovules and seeds numerous Saxifragaceae, 115
Ovules and seeds 1 to 4 in each cell. Leaves all entire.
Petals 5; stamens 5, on the receptacle.
Linaceae, 149 Petals 4; stamens 4, on the calyx.
Lythraceae, 162 Leaves divided or compound Geraniaceae, 148
b. Shrubs, trees and woody climbers. Stamens as many as petals and opposite
them.
Erect or prostrate shrubs Rhamnaceae, 153
Climbing vines Vitaceae, 156
Stamens alternate with the petals. Leaves pinnately compound; fruit a
bladdery pod Staphyleaceae, 152
Leaves palmately compound; fruit a
1-seeded pod Sapindaceae, 153
2. Calyx adherent to the ovary. (Ovary inferior.)
Flowers in umbels, i. e., all on nearly equal pedicels
from the summit of a common stalk; all herbs.
Umbelliferae, 170 Flowers not in umbels.
Styles 2 to 5, distinct or united below Saxifragaceae, 115
Style 1, undivided (but sometimes with slender stigma-lobes). Flowers scattered, in racemes or spikes; herbs.
Onagraceae, 162 Flowers in close rounded clusters ; shrubs and
trees Cornaceae, 172
III. SYMPETALOUS SECTION. Calyx and corolla both present, the latter with petals united at least at base.
A. Stamens free from the corolla.
Stamens distinct from each other.
Anthers opening by pores at the top, except in one
species without green herbage Ericaceae, 174
Anthers opening lengthwise Campanulaceae, 237
Stamens united into a tube around the style Lobeliaceae, 238
KEY TO THE FAMILIES 23
B. Stamens on the corolla.
1. Stamens more than 5 (and ovary superior).
Petals 4, in pairs ; sepals 2; stamens 6 Dicentra, 102
Petals 5.
Pistils 4 or 5, distinct; stamens 10 Crassulaceae, 113
Pistil 1. Flowers very irregular; stamens 10; ovary 1-
celled Leguminosae, 135
Flowers regular; stamens many, united into a
tube. .N Malvaceae, 157
2. Stamens 5 or less. Calyx free from the ovary. (Ovary superior.) (For "Calyx adherent," see p. 24.) Corolla regular (i. e., the lobes all alike).
Ovaries 2, becoming a pair of pods when both mature. Stamens lightly united or distinct, not attached
to the stigmas Apocynaceae, 187
Stamens united, and adherent to the stigmas, the
column bearing hood-like appendages
Asclepiadaceae, 188 Ovary 1, 4-lobed, forming 4 nutlets.
Leaves alternate, not aromatic Boraginaceae, 203
Leaves opposite, aromatic Labiatae, 207
Ovary 1, entire.
Style 3-cleft at apex; capsule 3-celled. . Polemoniaceae, 190 Styles or stigmas 2 or 1. Stamens opposite the divisions of the corolla.
Primulaceae, 182 Stamens alternate with the divisions of the corolla. Leaves heart-shaped at base, as broad as
long, or wanting Convolvulaceae, 190
Leaves not heart-shaped at base.
Stemless plants ; leaves (simple) all at base
of a naked flower-stalk Plantaginaceae, 230
Stems present and bearing leaves. Herbage perfectly glabrous; leaves all opposite (or whorled) and entire;
capsule 1-celled Gentianaceae, 185
Herbage more or less pubescent; leaves various. Styles 2, or 1 and 2-cleft; capsule 1
or 2-celled Hydrophvllaceae, 197
24 KEY TO THE FAMILIES
Style 1, entire; capsule or berry 2-
celled Solanaceae, 213
Corolla irregular (from strongly 2-lipped to nearly regular) ; stamens with anthers 4 or 2; style 1.
Ovary 4-parted, forming 4 seed-like nutlets Labiatae, 207
Ovary and capsule 2-celled Scrophulariaceae, 213
Ovary and capsule 1-celled.
Parasites without green foliage Orobanchaceae, 229
Aquatics with finely cut green leaves . Lentibulariaceae, 230 Calyx adherent to the ovary. (Ovary inferior.) Stamens distinct from each other. Leaves alternate; flowers regular; stamens 5;
herbs Campanulaceae, 237
Leaves opposite or whorled. Stamens 1 to 3; flowers irregular, small. Valerian aceae, 236 Stamens 4 or 5, rarely 2.
Leaves either opposite and with stipules, or
whorled and without stipules Rubiaceae, 231
Leaves opposite or perfoliate, but neither
whorled nor with true stipules. . Caprifoliaceae, 233 Stamens united into a tube around the style. Flowers not in heads; fruit many-seeded ... Lobeliaceae, 238 Flowers in a head with a calyx-like involucre;
fruit 1-seeded Compositae, 239
DESCRIPTIVE FLORA
POLYPODIACEAE. Fern Family. Plants with stems (rootstocks) more or less creeping and usu- ally underground, sending up leaves (fronds) singly or in groups. The stem on which the frond is borne is known as the stalk. Its continuation through the frond is called the rachis (plural, rachises). In ours the frond is cut almost or entirely to the mid- vein, never entire. When cut to the midvein the divisions are called pinnae (singular, pinna) and the frond is said to be pin- nate. Each pinna may be again divided, in which case the frond is said to be 2-pinnate, or if cut again it is Z-pinnate, and if still again, as in some Pellaeas, the frond is 4-pinnate. In this Flora the ultimate division is always termed the segment. When the frond is simply pinnate, as in Pellaea bridgesii, each segment is a pinna. On the back of the frond are borne the fruit-masses (sori, singular, sorus), usually along the veins or margins. The sorus is composed of many stalked spore-cases (sporangia), each hav- ing a vertical many- jointed elastic ring which, at maturity, breaks transversely and somewhat straightens, thus discharging the spores. The spores correspond to seeds of flowering plants. The sporangia often rise from a common stalk (receptacle) to which a special covering (indusium) is attached when young; some- times the indusium is formed of the altered and recurved margin of the frond. On germination, the spores produce flat, green leaf-like tissues (prothallia) J/3 in. or less wide. These in their turn produce male and female bodies that unite and grow into the fern as we commonly see it. Thus all ferns pass through two generations, — one asexual, the other sexual.
frond
Rachis
..Stalk
J) 1
Fern Characters. — 1. A simply pinnate frond with its stalk; here each pinna is a segment. 2. A 2-pinnate frond; here each pinna is parted into several segments. 3. A sorus, much enlarged; I, indusium; R, receptacle; S, one of the sporangia.
26 FERN FAMILY
A. Sori without indnsia. Backs of fronds without powder.
Fronds simply pinnate 1. Polypodium.
Fronds at least 2-pinnate; high altitudes 2. Phegopteris.
Backs of fronds with whitish or yellowish powder 3. Gymnogramma.
B. Sori witli indusia.
Sori marginal, covered by the altered reflexed margin of the frond. Stalks light or straw-colored (except at base).
Fronds of 2 sorts, fertile and sterile, differing in
appearance 8. Cryptogramma.
Fronds all alike 5. Pteris.
Stalks dark-colored.
Fronds and stalks either scaly or woolly or both; indusia separate, or if continuous the segments
bead-like 6. Cheilanthes.
Fronds and stalks neither scaly nor woolly.
Indusium not continuous, bearing sporangia on its under surface; segments thin; midvein not
medial, sometimes wanting; damp places *• Adiantum.
Indusium continuous, the sporangia on the surface of the frond; segments thick (except P. brew- eri)\ midvein medial; dry exposed places... '« Pellaea. Sori not marginal, each covered with a special indusium. Sori round.
Indusium scale-like, attached to the vein below the
sporangia !3- Cystopteris.
Indusium saucer-like or fringe-like, inferior, i. e., attached centrally to the stalk beneath the spo- rangia 14- WOODSIA.
Indusium shield-shaped, superior, i. e., attached cen- trally to the stalk above the sporangia.
Indusium orbicular, without a sinus U« Polystickum.
Indusium kidney-shaped, or if orbicular then with
a narrow sinus 12. Aspidium.
Sori oblong; tall ferns.
Segments of frond cut-toothed; sori oblique to the
midribs 10. Asplenium.
Segments of frond not cut-toothed; sori parallel to
the midribs 9. Woodwakdia.
1. POLYPODIUM. 1. P. vulgare L. Common Polypody. Stalks 2 to 8 in. long, slender, firm, erect, naked. Fronds smooth, 4 to 12 in. long, 1 to 4 in. broad at base, ovate-oblong or oblong-linear, cut to or nearly to the rachis into entire or toothed oblong-linear acute or obtuse segments. Sori large, round, usually in one row midway between the margin and midrib, without indusia. Veins free, with 3 or 4 veinlets having thickened ends, the lowest veinlet on the upper side of the vein bearing a sorus at its end.
FERN FAMILY 27
From its name, one might expect to find the Common Polypody of fre- quent occurrence but we saw it only once. It grows, together with the Brittle-fern and Golden-back, in a rocky crevice which the spray of Yo- semite Falls keeps constantly damp.
2. PHEGOPTERIS. Beech-fern.
1. P. alpestris Mett. Alpine Beech- fern. Stalks clustered, 4 to 12 in. long, straw-color, grooved, with large scattered scales when young. Fronds 12 to 24 in. long, oblong-lanceolate, acute, smooth, tapering toward the base, 2-pinnate; segments deeply cut fruiting profusely except those of the lower pinnae. Sori small, round, on the backs of veins, without indusia.
Although this fern has not yet been defected in our district, there is little doubt of its occurrence at high altitudes, since it has been Poly podium vulgare
found in the High Sierra Nevada of Tulare Co., to the south of us, and also on Pyramid and other high peaks to the north. The fronds, which are surprisingly large for an Alpine plant, are delicate and finely cut, closely resembling those of the Lady-fern.
3. GYMNOGRAMMA. 1. G. triangularis Kaulf. Golden-back. California Gold- fern. Stalks densely clustered, slen- der, brown, shiny, iy2 to 12 in. long. Fronds 1 to 6 in. long and nearly as broad at base, triangular, pinnate; pinnae sessile, generally opposite, 3 or 4 pairs, upper ones confluent into a pinnatifid apex, lowest pair much the largest and broader on the lower side and often again pinnate; seg- ments obtuse, more or less scolloped, under surface covered with yellow or white powder. Sori oblong or linear, following the veins, often covering the whole under surface at maturity,
28
FERN FAMILY
thus obliterating any pattern and hiding the powder; in- dusium wanting. (Gymnopteris triangularis Underw. Ceropteris triangularis Underw.)
The Golden-back, immediately recognized by its yellow powder (white when young), has been found growing in damp rock crevices at the foot of the lower Yosemite Fall, near the Snow Creek Trail, and in other damp or semi-damp rocky places along the walls. In dry periods the fronds of this fern roll up, thus protecting themselves until the drought is over. A variety viscosa Eat., is recognized. Its pinnae are more distant, less divided, the upper surface viscid, and the powder creamy white.
Adiantum pedatum
FERN FAMILY 29
4. ADIANTUM. Maidenhair. Sori borne on the inner surface of reflexed portions of the margin of the frond, the indusium thus formed being divided into varying lengths. Midrib of the ultimate segments lateral or the forking and usually free veinlets rising directly from the stalk of the segment. Stalks mostly dark reddish-brown and usually highly polished.
1. A. pedatum L. Five-finger Fern. American Maidenhair. Stalks 2 to 15 in. long, dark-brown and polished, forked at summit and bearing 6 to 14 finger-like pinnae. Fronds semi- circular in outline, central finger longest (sometimes 1 ft. long and 2 in. wide); segments short-stalked, triangular- oblong, lower margin entire, upper margin lobed and finely cut and bearing a few oblong-lunate sori. Principal vein of each segment parallel and close to the lower margin, the vein- lets rising to the upper margin.
Five-finger, sometimes called American Maidenhair, grows only where there is plenty of moisture. It likes best cool, damp, protected rock-crevices. A beautiful grotto of this kind may be seen from the trail as one climbs out of Tenaya Canon above Mirror Lake. To the left of the trail about half way up is an overhanging arch of rock from which water drips and under the arch is a beautiful waving fringe of this fern. It is fervently hoped that its inaccessibility will long save it for the appreciation of true fern lovers. Those who had the privilege of visiting the Yosemite Valley twenty and thirty years ago say that the Five-finger then grew abundantly about the vari- ous falls. Today it is almost exterminated. Very careful search revealed it in only a few unfrequented places or ledges not easily reached.
2. A. jordanii Muell. Stalks a few inches to a foot long, continued through the frond, blackish and polished. Frond about as long as the stalk, broadly ovate or triangular, 2 to 3-pinnate below; segments long-stalked, % to 1 in. wide, rounded, fan-shaped, or even kidney-shaped, lower margins entire, upper edges lobed twice or several times; the lobes in sterile fronds sharply toothed; lobes in the fertile fronds recurved, forming long indusia. Veins all radiating from the stalk of the segment. {A. emarginatum Hook.)
This Maidenhair, although common in the Coast Ranges, seems to be scarce in the Sierra Nevada. It grows only in moist places at low altitudes, as on Mt. Buckingham and elsewhere near El Portal. A. capillis -veneris L., the Venus- hair, has been reported from Yosemite Valley, but its occur-
30 FERN FAMILY
rence is doubtful. It is known by the narrower, lanceolate frond and somewhat wedge-shaped segments.
5. PTERIS. Brake. Bracken. 1. P. aquilina L. Common Brake. Rootstocks widely
creeping. Stalks scattered, erect, rigid, straw-color or reddish brown, a foot or more high. Fronds 2 to 5 ft. long and as wide at the base (frequently attain- ing a greater size), triangular-ovate in outline, hairy on under surface, 2 to 4-pinnate, lowest pinnae very large, rapidly becoming smaller and less divided above, edges of the segments entire. Sori on a continuous marginal receptacle and covered by the continuous double indusium. (Ptcridium aquilinum Kuhn.)
The Common Brake is found in many parts of the world. It is well known in the Sierra Nevada, where the creeping habit of its rootstock often causes whole hillsides and valley bottoms to be densely covered by the broad fronds, but it is absent from high altitudes. Our West American form (var. lanuginosa Bong.) differs from the eastern form in its greater size and in having silky hairs on the under surface of the frond. The spores do not usually develop until late July or August. Much use is made of this fern by the Indians who use the rootstocks for food and also in basketry.
6. CHEILANTHES. Lip-fern. Small ferns with the fronds divided 2 to 4 times into small segments and the under surface covered with scales, wool, or powder, except in C. californica. Sori borne toward or at the ends of free veins, small and roundish at first, afterward forming a nearly continuous marginal line, covered by a more or less continuous indusium formed of the reflexed margin of the lobes or whole segments. Stalks dark-brown and shiny.
FERN FAMILY 3 1
1. C. gracillima Eat. Lace-fern. Stalks densely clustered, 1 to 6 in. long, dark brown, white-chaffy when young, rachises with persistent delicate scales. Fronds 1 to 4 in. long, 1 in. or less wide, linear- oblong, 2-pinnate or occasionally 3-pinnate espe- cially near the base; pinnae crowded, % to J^ in. long; segments crowded, -h in. long, oblong, smooth above (white-hairy when young), heavily covered beneath with light reddish-brown wool but not scaly. Indusium brown, formed of the continuously recurved margin of the segment.
The Lace-fern is common in our region and northward on rocky walls and summits. It was locally noted at many places around the Yosemite Valley and up Tenaya Canon.
2. C. myriophylla Desv. Elegant Lip-fern. Stalks clus- tered, \l/2 to 6 in. long, reddish brown, cov- ered when young with scales and hairs inter- mixed. Fronds 2 to 8 in. long, \y2 in. or less wide at base, oblong-lanceolate, 3 to 4- pinnate; segments crowded, bead-like, ^g in. or less wide, smooth above, with brown cil- ated scales and matted wool beneath, mar- gin unchanged but much incurved.
This Lip-fern is abundant in rocky places, especially along the walls of our lower val- leys, ranging up to 5000 ft. or more in alti- tude. In times of drought the fronds of this and many other ferns of arid places roll up and become dry. When the roots are again supplied with moisture, these dry and apparently dead fronds unroll and become active. Some botanists class our plant as C. fendleri Hook., a species distinguished by its almost entire scales, absence of wool, and slender, cord-like rootstocks. All of our specimens, however, seem to be C. myriophylla, or at the most only forms of it.
Three other species of Cheilanthes have been reported from the Yosemite Valley and below, but we have seen no authentic specimens from our district. They are the following: C. calif ornica Mett., of the Coast Ranges, may be distinguished by the smooth delicate fronds, green on both sides and without hairs. The indusia are separate, lunate, and occur one at the end of each fertile veinlet. C. cooperae Eat., grows in the clefts of rocks at Hites Cove, on the South Fork of the Merced. Its fronds are densely white-hairy, the segments not bead-like, as in the two species described above. The indusia are more or less confluent, usually extending over the ends of several vein- lets but not continuous all around the segments. C. clevelandii Eat,, is very doubtfully accredited to our district. In technical characters and general
32 FERN FAMILY
appearance it is much like our C. myriophylla but the fronds, although scaly beneath, are not woolly, and the rootstocks are elongated and cord-like.
7. PELLAEA. Cliff-brake. Usually small ferns with fronds divided 1 to 4 times, en- tirely without scales or wool except for a small tuft of scales at the base of the stalk. Sori near the ends of the free veins, eventually forming a marginal line which is covered by a con- tinuous indusium formed of the altered reflexed margin of the segment. Stalks dark-brown, smooth and polished. (Cheilan- thes calif ornica might be sought here, but the separate lunate indusia turned back over the ends of fertile veinlets between the teeth readily distinguish it.)
Fronds simply pinnate.
Texture thick, veins not plainly visible; pinnae
mostly not parted 1. P. bridgesii.
Texture thin, veins clearly visible; pinnae mostly
2-parted 2. P. breweri.
Fronds 2-pinnate; texture thick, veins not visible.
Fronds narrowly linear in outline 4. P. brachyptera.
Fronds broader, lanceolate to ovate in outline.
Segments sharply pointed 5. P. wrightiana.
Segments obtuse or notched at tip 6. P. andromedaefolia.
Fronds 3-pinnate when fully developed, at least toward base of the frond.
Segments obtuse or notched at tip 6. P. andromedaefolia.
Segments sharply tipped.
Fronds oblong-lanceolate, 4 to 12 in. long 3. P '. ornithopus.
Fronds triangular, 1 to 3 in. long 7. P. densa.
1. P. bridgesii Hook. Stalk 2 to 6 in. long, brown and glossy. Fronds blue-green, as long or longer than the stalks, y2 to \y2 in. wide, linear-oblong, simply pinnate; segments
x *
Pellaea bridgesii
Pellaea breweri
FERN FAMILY
33
5 to 18 pairs (usually 10 to 12), ovate, J4 to 1 in. long (usually Yz in. long), % to J/2 in. wide when flat (folded lengthwise until maturity), mostly opposite. Indusium whitish, narrow, continuous.
This Cliff-brake grows in the clefts of rocks, usually above 5000 ft. alt. Quantities of it may be seen on the open, ex- posed summit passed over by the long trail to Nevada Falls. Specimens found here and along other trails at high points show a tendency to lobing and even parting of the segments, as in the following species.
2. P. breweri Eat. Stalks 2 to 3 in. long, very fragile, red- dish brown and shiny. Fronds 2 to 6 in. long, 24 to 2 in. wide, oblong in outline, simply pinnate; segments 6 to 12 pairs, *k to 1*4 in- long* thin, usually parted into two lanceolate obtuse lobes of which the upper is the larger (lobes sometimes 3 or 4). Indusium broad, continuous and pale.
Professor W. H. Brewer first collected this fern, finding it, in 1863, near Sonora Pass at 7000 to 8000 ft. alt. It has been collected at Mono Pass and on Mt. Dana at high altitudes, and it also occurs in the Rocky Mts. The fronds are much thinner than in other Pellaeas, and the stalks are exceedingly fragile.
3. P. ornithopus Hook. Bird-foot Cliff-brake. Stalks 2 to 10 in. long, clustered, dark-brown, shiny, stout and rigid. Fronds equalling or longer than the stalks, 1 to 5 in. wide at base, rigid, broadly ovate-lanceolate or triangular in outline,
xi P. ornithopus
brachyptera
P. wrightiana
2 to 3-pinnate at least at the bases of the lower pinnae; pinnae spreading, often rising obliquely, each with 5 to 16 pairs of 3-foliate (sometimes 5 to 7-foliate) secondary pinnae; seg- ments \i to -h in, long, sharp-tipped, margins rolled back to the midrib (in the rare sterile fronds the segments are roundish).
The resemblance of the segments to a bird's foot has given rise to the common name, Bird-foot Cliff-brake. This is the
34 FERN FAMILY
most common Pellaea in our district, the rigid stalks growing in dense clumps on all of the cliffs around the Yosemite and similar valleys. The plants possess a remarkable ability to resist drought, since they grow in exceedingly dry places where often exposed to the full force of the glaring sun. It seems probable that the next two species will be eventually united with this, since intermediate forms are being con- stantly collected. Our text figures seem to indicate a marked difference but they represent extreme forms of these three species.
4. P. brachyptera Baker. Stalks 2 to 8 in. long, clustered, dark-brown, erect and wiry. Fronds about equalling the stalks, Y^ to 1*4 in- wide, narrowly oblong-linear in outline, 2-pinnate; pinnae sessile, ascending, short, often broader than long; segments % to ^ in. long, crowded, oblong-linear, with sharp tip, the margins rolled back to the midrib, making the segment almost cylindric. — Doubtfully distinct from no. 3, dif- fering chiefly in the narrower fronds, their pinnae closely ap- pressed. Yosemite and Little Yosemite valleys and north- ward in the Sierra Nevada.
5. P. wrightiana Hook. A species very closely resembling no. 4 and perhaps better accepted as a form of it, being dis- tinguished only by the shape of the frond, which is broader in outline (broadly lanceolate or ovate) due to the widely spreading pinnae. From no. 3 it differs mainly in having 2-pinnate fronds. — Specimens referrable to this form have been gathered above the Yosemite Valley.
6. P. andromedaefdlia Fee. Coffee-fern. Stalks 2 to 12
in. long, light-brown and scattered. Fronds as long as the stalks or some- times longer, 3 to 8 in. wide, ovate or ovate-oblong, 2 to 4-pinnate (usually 3-pinnate); pinnae distant and spread- ing; segments l/$ to ^2 in. long, oval, obtuse, fertile ones with margins rolled back. The Coffee-fern is a common spe- cies in the Coast Ranges, where it grows on rocky hillsides. We did not find it in the Yosemite National Park, but Mr. S. H. Burnham has reported it from near the foot of Nevada Falls and it has also been reported from Mt. Buckingham. It is a widely distributed species, ranging to South America and South Africa. The segments have edges strongly rolled backward, thus resembling coffee berries.
FERN FAMILY
35
P. densa Hook. Oregon Cliff-brake. Stalks densely tufted, 2 to 9 in. long, chestnut-brown, slender and wiry. Fronds bright green, 1 to 3 in. long, 1 to 1^4 m- wide at base, triangular or ovate, 3-pinnate below; seg- ments Y\ to H in. long, linear-lanceolate, sharp-tipped, margins narrowly recurved in fertile fronds and edged with distinct indusia, the rare sterile fronds sharply toothed. {Crypto gramma densa T>ie\s.) The Oregon Cliff-brake is commonly found in the clefts of rocks along the Yosemite walls and northward through the Sierra Nevada into Oregon. In altitude it extends from the foothills to at least 8000 ft. It was noted near Bridal Veil Falls, Ledge Trail, Nevada Falls, etc. It is at once recognized by its dense clusters of small, fertile, triangular fronds, the segments of which are very narrow and crowded.
8. CRYPTOGRAMMA. Rock-brake.
1. C. acrostichoides R. Br. Ameri- can Rock-brake. Stalks densely clus- tered, straw-like, 2 to 4 in. long, those bearing fertile fronds much longer. Fronds 2 to 4 in. long, 2 to 3-pinnate; sterile fronds with narrowly winged rachises, their ovate or obovate seg- ments decurrent and toothed; seg- ments of the fertile fronds stalked, oblong-linear, pod-like through the recurving of the margins, which thus form continuous indusia. Sori on the backs of free veins, oblong, at length running together and covering the back of the segment.
Under the edges of rocks on open summits and along cliffs this Rock- brake may be found. Its intense green and differentiated fertile fronds separate it from other ferns of this region. Magnificent specimens were collected on Sentinel Dome. It is also found on Clouds Rest and other high points.
36
FERN FAMILY
9. WOODWARDIA. Chain-fern. 1. W. radicans Sm. Great Chain-fer^n. Stalks stout, 8 to 12 in. long. Fronds 3 to 6 ft. or more long, oblong-ovate, simply pinnate; pinnae 4 to 15 in. long, broadly lanceolate in outline and cut pinnately almost to the midrib; segments slightly scolloped and minutely toothed. Sori oblong-linear, in cavities, in a chain each side of the midvein of the seg- ments; indusium fixed by its outer margin to the fertile vein- let and covering the cavity as a lid.
The Great Chain-fern is one of the largest and perhaps the most magnificent of our ferns. As one travels from El Portal into the Yosemite Valley he may see it at the roadside near the Cascades growing in stately groups of from 5 to 20 fronds. It may be expected along living streams at low altitudes though it is more abundant in the Coast Ranges than in the Sierra Nevada. A dwarfed form, 18 in. or less high, grows at the upper end of Yosemite Valley, about 300 ft. above the floor. Mr. S. H. Burnham reports having seen such a form on the trail to Yosemite Point. Specimens of this form col- lected by us are in fine fruit, nearly every pinna being rich in sori along its midvein as well as on its segments.
10. ASPLENIUM. Spleenwort.
1. A. filix-femina Bern. Lady-fern. Stalks a few to 18 in. long, stout, sometimes reddish, dark and chaffy at base. Fronds 1 to 5 ft. long, 3 to 18 in. broad, thin and soft, oblong- lanceolate, sharply tipped, narrowed at the base, 2 to 3-pin- nate; segments obtuse or sharply pointed, toothed and lobed, sometimes cut almost to the midrib. Sori oblong or linear, oblique to the midrib; indusium straight or curved, attached by one side to the fertile free veinlet. (Athyrium filix-femina Roth.)
The Lady-fern grows in beautiful, green, vase-like groups,
FERN FAMILY 37
usually in shady places where a brook or spring keeps the rich, black soil continuously damp. It is luxuriant at the Iron Spring in Tenaya Canon, also in Bridal Veil Meadows, and where Grouse Creek crosses the Wawona Road. Sometimes the indusia are so strongly curved in the spleenworts that
1 2 3
1. Asplenium Ulix-femina. 2. Var. latifolium. 3. Var. cyclosorutn. 4. Var. angustum. 5. Enlarged segment.
they are mistaken for the wood-ferns, especially when the sori are mature. The great variation in size, shape of frond and cutting of pinnae and segments has given rise to a number of named varieties, some of which are found in our region.
Var. latifolium Hook., has fronds 2 to 3 ft. high, oblong-lanceolate, 2-pin- nate or nearly so; pinnae 1 to 4 in. long, oblong-linear, with narrow-winged secondary rachises; segments ovate, broad, obtuse, once or twice serrate; sori nearer the midvein than the margin. Var. cyclosorutn Rupr., has fronds very large (sometimes 5 ft. high and 18 to 20 in. broad) ; segments often \Yi in. long, pinnately incised or nearly again pinnate; indusium usually strongly curved. Var. angustum Eat., has narrow rigid fronds, 2 to 3 ft. high, nearly 2-pinnate; pinnae curved upward or oblique; sori abundant.
11. POLYSTICHUM. 1. P. munitum Presl. Sword-fern. Stalks an inch or two to a foot long, chaffy with large scales at least toward the base. Fronds 1 to 4 ft. long, evergreen, lanceolate in outline, simply pinnate; segments many, 1 to 4 in. long, linear and tapering, enlarged on the upper (and sometimes lower) side of the nearly sessile base, toothed, the teeth bristle-tipped. Sori round, borne on the veinlets, abundant, forming dense rows at maturity; indusium orbicular, without a sinus, fixed by the depressed center to the middle of the sorus above the sporangia. Veins free. (Aspidium munitum Kaulf.)
38 FERN FAMILY
In general habit this species closely resembles the Rigid Wood-fern, but the indusium is so characteristic that they are placed in different genera. It forms ornamental clusters on many of our talus slopes. In addition to the species, we have two of its varieties, as follows : Var. imbricans Maxon,
Polystichum munitum nudatum form Var. imbricans
which has been collected at Staircase Falls, etc., is smaller than the species; fronds broader at base; pinnae more crowded, ascending-imbricate and more oblique to the rachis; stalks scaly at base but otherwise mostly naked; sori near the margin and confined to the upper pinnae. The other variety (Aspidium munitum nudatum Eat., apparently not transferred to Polystichum) was first described from a speci- men collected near Nevada Falls, and has since been found also on the Ledge Trail and along the Wawona Road. Its fronds are smaller than in the species, the stalks less chaffy; the pinnae fewer, short and broad, and farther apart; the sori confined to a few upper pinnae.
P. aculeatum Roth., has been reported from our district. If found, it may be known from P. munitum by the fronds, which are 2-pinnate, or if simply pinnate then with deeply cut pinnae. (Aspidium aculeatum Swartz.)
teeth.
12. ASPIDIUM. Wood-fern. Shield-fern.
rigidum var. argutum Eat. Rigid Wood-fern. Stalks 3 to 12 in. long, chaffy. Fronds dark-green and smooth above, paler and somewhat glandu- lar beneath, 8 to 24 in. long, 3 to 10 in. broad, ovate-lance- olate in outline, 2-pinnate; lowest pinnae broadest; seg- ments oblong, incised or doubly toothed with spine-like Sorus large, round; indusium kidney-shaped or round
FERN FAMILY 39
with a narrow sinus, attached centrally to the receptacle above the sporangia (see enlarged sorus in figure). Veins free. {Dryopteris rigida arguta Underw.)
The Rigid Wood-fern, together with our Sword-fern, grows in semi-moist places throughout the State. They are espe- cially abundant and attain their greatest size in the foggy coast mountains. Along the trails at lower and middle alti- tudes of the Sierra Nevada one frequently sees their fronds gracefully spread out in the lee of a protecting rock. These beautiful fronds remain green throughout the year. On this account, and also because of their hardiness, these ferns are much prized for ornamental planting.
13. CYSTOPTERIS.
1. C. fragilis Bern. Brittle-fern. Stalks clustered, fragile, \yA in. to 1 ft. long. Fronds 2 to 12 in. long, broadly lanceolate, smooth, 2-pinnate; pinnae oblong-ovate or tri- angular; segments ovate or ovate- oblong, obtuse, decurrent along the more or less winged rachis, toothed or lobed. Sori small, roundish, on the backs of the veins; indusium delicate, hood-like, attached by a broad base to the veinlet below the sporangia (not under them) and usually turned back by them as they ripen, or wither- ing away. (Indusia are best studied when the sori are young.) {Filix fra- gilis Underw.)
This dainty, fragile fern is common among damp rocks by streams and in other moist, shaded places. In shape and cut of the frond it resembles our Woodsias, but it is lighter green in color, much more delicate in texture, and somewhat larger in size.
14. WOODSIA.
Small, dark-green ferns, fruiting freely the length of the frond. Sori round, on the backs of free veins; indusium deli- cate, attached to the receptacle beneath the sporangia which it partly or wholly encloses at first, often early dividing into irregular lobes, thus forming a fringe. (Indusia are best studied in young sori.)
40 PINE FAMILY
1. W. scopulina Eat. Rocky-mountain Wood- sia. Stalks densely clustered, 1 to 5 in. long, straw-like, dark below, short-hairy. Fronds V/2 to 8 in. long, 1 to \l/2 in. broad, oblong-lanceolate, short-hairy and glandular, pinnate or 2-pinnate, when simply pinnate the segments deeply cut and toothed, the lower pinnae shorter than the middle ones. Sori submarginal; indusium deli- cate, cleft into narrow divisions terminating in hairs. — On exposed rocks at Mono Pass, Ledge Trail, etc. Not common.
2. W. oregana Eat. Like the preceding but the fronds and stalks quite smooth, fertile fronds
taller than the sterile ones, indusium very minute and divided almost to the center into a few beaded hairs. — Reported from the Yosemite Valley.
PINACEAE. (Coniferae.) Pine Family. Evergreen trees with resinous sap and needle-shaped, linear, or scale-like leaves. Stamen-bearing and pistil-bear- ing flowers in separate scaly catkins on the same tree, the pistillate catkins becoming cones. Seeds either small and bony or large, nut-like, and winged.
A. Leaves needle-like. Needles 2 or more in a cluster enwrapped at base by a thin
sheath (leaf solitary in P. monophylla) 1. Pinus.
B. leaves narrowly linear or awl-like, 2 or 4-ranked.
Cones erect, the scales falling separately 4. Abies.
Cones pendent, falling whole.
Seeds winged; cone-scales overlapping.
Bracts longer than the scales; leaf-scars smooth 2. Pseudotsuga.
Bracts shorter than the scales; branchlets roughened by
the persistent leaf-bases 3. Tsuga.
Seeds not winged; cone-scales not overlapping 5. Sequoia.
C. Leaves minute, scale-like, thickly clothing- the branchlets. Fruit a dry cone.
Cone nearly globose, 2 in. or more thick 5. Sequoia.
Cone oval, 1 in. or less long, 2 of the scales spreading. .. 6. Libocedrus. Fruit a globose berry; branchlets cord-like 7. Juniperus.
1. PINUS. Pine. Trees with needle-like leaves in clusters of 2 to 5, each clus- ter sheathed at base by papery scales (sheath 1-leaved in P. monophylla). Cones maturing in the second autumn, reflexed or pendulous, their scales woody and each bearing 2 winged seeds.
PINE FAMILY 41
a. Leaves in fives.
Cones nearly sessile, subglobose, 1 to 3 in. long 1. P. albicaulis.
Cones long-stalked, long and slender.
Leaves 1 to 3 in. long; cones 6 to 8 in. long 2. P. monticola.
Leaves 2 to 4 in. long; cones 13 to 18 in. long 3. P. lambertiana.
b. Leaves in threes, 5 to 12 in. long.
Cones 3 to 10 in. long, the scales prickle-tipped 4. P. ponderosa.
Cones 6 to 10 in. long, the scales with stout spur-like tips. 5. P. sabiniana.
c. Leaves in twos, 1 to 3 in. long; cones 1 to 1 54 in- long. 6. P. murrayana.
d. Leaves solitary; cones 2y2 to 3y2 in. long 7. P. monophylla.
1. P. albicaulis Engelm. White-bark Pine. Bark thin, whitish, smooth or somewhat grooved. Needles in S's, 1 to 2y2 in. long. Cones nearly sessile, ovoid or nearly globose, of a beautiful deep purple, becoming yellowish brown, 1 to 3 in. long.
The White-bark Pine is a small tree, sometimes erect but usually dwarfed or prostrate and broader than high, the branchlets naked save for the bush-like tuft of leaves toward the ends. It is found only near timber-line, where it forms a narrow belt on all the high mountains. On the easterly slopes of the Sierra Nevada it is replaced by the Limber Pine (P. flexilis James), a very similar tree but with longer, yellowish brown cones narrowly ovate in shape.
2. P. monticola Don. Silver Pine. Bark reddish or whit- ish, thin, very smooth or checked into small plates. Needles in 5's, 1 to 3 in. long. Cones pendent on long stalks, in clus- ters near the ends of high branches, 6 to 8 in. long, 3 to 3}4 in. thick, very slender when young, the scales somewhat spreading and flexuous.
This is a graceful tree, SO to 120 ft. high, with mainly hori- zontal slender branches and blue-green foliage. It inhabits high altitudes, being common from 7000 ft. nearly to timber- line, and is sometimes found as far down as 5000 ft. alt. On Clouds Rest the Silver Pine is the dominant tree along the trail from the pinnacles to the summit, and it also grows, but in small numbers, around Sentinel Dome.
3. P. lambertiana Dougl. Sugar Pine. Bark brown or reddish, 2 to 4 in. thick, with rough ridges. Needles in 5's, 2 to 4 in. long. Cones long-stalked, pendent from the ends of the branches, 13 to 18 in. long, 4 to 6 in. thick (when open), the scales rigid and spreading at right-angles when mature and dry.
The Sugar Pine is our most handsome tree. John Muir calls it the Queen of the Sierras. It is commonly 100 to 180 ft. high, with a clear trunk, a flat-topped crown, and hori- zontal, arm-like branches from the ends of which depend
42
PINE FAMILY
Pinus monticola
the long, slender cones. One may
see exceptionally fine forests of
Sugar Pine near Crockers, and
near the Merced and Mariposa
groves. In the Yosemite it is com- mon only along the Wawona Road
leading out of the valley, but there
are several splendid individuals near
Camp Curry. Its normal altitudi- Pinus lambertiano
nal range is from 4000 to 7000 ft. 4. P. ponderosa Dougl. Western Yellow Pine. Bark in
typical trees 2 to 4 fn. thick, yellowish brown, divided into large scaly-surfaced plates; in some forms (and always when young) the bark is red- dish brown and irregularly grooved and ridged, not in plates. Needles in 3's, 5 to 10 in. long. Cones breaking through near the base and falling, leaving the basal por- tion on the limb, usually 3 to 5 in. long, ovate or oval, each scale bearing a stout point or prickle at the thickened apex. This pine is the most abun- dant tree of the Sierra Ne- vada, forming the "Great Yel- low Pine Belt" of middle
PINE FAMILY 43
altitudes. It is a forest tree, 60 to 225 ft. high, with mas- sive trunk and a long, open crown, the lower branches often horizontal or drooping. The Jeffrey Pine (P. ponderosa var. jeffreyi Vasey) is a variety in which the bark is rough, even in old trees, and the cones are larger (5 to 8 or even 11^4 in. long) ; the foliage is very dense, dark blue-green, and fra- grant. It grows mostly at higher levels than the true Yellow Pine, mixing with that form where the ranges overlap, as in Little Yosemite Valley, but extending, in some cases, to altitudes of 9000 ft.
5. P. sabiniana Dougl. Digger Pine. Gray Pine. Bark rough, ashen. Leaves in 3's, 6 to 12 in. long, sparse and grayish. Cones massive, breaking through near the base and falling, short-oval, 6 to 10 in. long, 4 to 6 in. thick, each scale tapering to a stout incurved beak 1 in. long.
The Digger Pine is a broad, round-topped tree, 40 to 60 ft. high, with usually several trunks from the ground. It is a foothill species ranging up to Hetch Hetchy and a few stragglers reach the Wawona Road near Alder Creek.
6. P. murrayana Ore. Com. Lodgepole Pine. Murray Pine. Bark very thin, covered with
small scales. Leaves in 2's, 1 to 3 in. long. Cones nearly globose when open, 1 to 1}£ in. long; the scales thin, prickle- tipped. (P. contorta var. murrayana Engelm.)
The Lodgepole Pine is a slender, sym- metrical tree, usually 50 to 100 ft. high (dwarfed or prostrate near timber-line),
with pyramidal crown, the trunk often with branches nearly to the ground. It is confined to moist soil and therefore grows along streams or meadows or on fairly level land, occurring on hillsides only at the higher altitudes. It belongs to a higher belt than the Yellow Pine, but often grows with it, as along the Merced River in Yosemite Valley. In Cali- fornia it is often called "Tamarack," but the true Tamarack (Larix) is a deciduous tree which does not occur native in this state.
7. P. monophylla Torr. One-leaf Pinon. Bark thick, rough. Leaves one in a place, cylindric, curved, V/i to 2 in. long. Cones subglobose, 2y2 to 3^ in. long; scales thick, each bearing a minute deciduous prickle.
This small, flat-crowned nut pine was found at about 5500 ft. alt. in the Piute Creek gorge above the Tuolumne River,
44 PINE FAMILY
by Mr. H. W. Gleason, of the Sierra Club party of 1909. Its home is along the desert ranges, and it had not been pre- viously known on the westerly slope of the Sierra Nevada except from the Kings River southward.
2. PSEUDOTSUGA. False Hemlock. 1. P. taxifdlia Britt. Douglas Fir. Bark on old trees 1 to 6 in. thick, soft, dark-brown, alter- nately red and white inside, fissured (thin and smooth on young trees). Leaves spreading, usually on drooping branch- lets, linear, J^ to V/z in. long. Cones maturing the first autumn, pendent, oval, \yA to 3 in. long, 1% to \yA in. thick, the scales thin, rounded, shorter than the 2-lobed bracts which bear a spear-like point in the notch of each. (P. mucronata Sudw. Tsuga douglasii Carr.)
Next to the Sequoias, this is the most massive tree of the Pacific forests, attain- ing its best development in Oregon and Washington, whence the lumber is mar- keted under the name of Oregon Pine. In the Sierra Nevada it is restricted to middle and lower altitudes, ranging east in our district to Hetch Hetchy, head of Nevada Falls, Glacier Point, Bridal Veil Creek, and Chinquapin. Beautiful speci- mens may be seen scattered along the southerly side of Yosemite Valley, especially near Bridal Veil Falls.
3. TSUGA. Hemlock.
1. T. mertensiana Sarg. Alpine Hemlock. Bark brown, red inside, nearly smooth or fissured. Leaves standing out all around the branchlet, linear, % to 1 in. long. Cones maturing the first autumn, solitary on ends of branchlets, pendent, nearly cylindric when open but tapering, V/2 to 3 in. long, 1 to 1% in. wide, the scales thin and spreading.
The Alpine Hemlock, the most graceful and slender of all our trees, becomes 25 to 100 ft. high, bearing branches nearly to the ground. Above, it narrows to a slender top, with drooping branchlets, the slender whip-like leader pendent. It is restricted to high altitudes near timber-line.
4. ABIES. Fir. Symmetrical trees, the regularly whorled branches forming flat sprays. Leaves linear, ridged and whitened beneath, not
Bark smooth and
PINE FAMILY 45
fascicled. Cones maturing the first autumn, erect, the thin scales deciduous and falling to the ground leaving the taper- like persistent axis.
1. A. concolor L. & G. White Fir. whitish, becoming gray and very rough on old trunks, pale inside. Leaves spread- ing in 2 opposite directions or all curving upward, leaving smooth round scars when they fall, mostly 24 to 1^4 in- long. Cones nearly cylindric, 2 to 5 in. long, 1 to \y$ in. thick; the rounded scales incurved at apex, twice as long as their bracts.
The White Fir is a beautifully sym- metrical tree, 60 to 200 ft. high, with regularly tapering crown through which the silvery shaft is visible in growing specimens. It is common at middle alti- tudes but requires better soil and more moisture than Yellow Pine. The text figure illustrates a cone from which all but the lower scales have fallen, exposing the persistent central axis.
2. A. magnifica Murr. Red Fir. General appearance and characters of White Fir but bark on old trunks reddish, in section reddish brown and purple. Cones much larger, 4 to 8 in. long, 2J^ to 2>l/2 in. thick, their bracts either shorter than the scales or (in var. shastensis Lemmon) much exceeding them and the tips reflexed. — Of higher
altitudes; forming forests at 7000 to 10,000 ft.
5. SEQUOIA. Redwood.
1. S. gigantea Dec. Big Tree. A massive tree, 100 to 325 ft. high, with rounded crown and red furrowed bark. Leaves awl-like, ^ in. or less long, only the tips free from the branchlets. Cones maturing the second autumn, ovoid, 2 to 3$4 in- long.
The Big Tree occurs in isolated groves from Placer County south to Kern County, forming large forests toward the south, but limited in our district to the Mariposa, the Merced,
46 YEW FAMILY
and the Tuolumne groves. It is exceeded in height only by the Coast Redwood (S. sempervirens, the only other living species) although some Australian species of Eucalyptus are of about the same height. It is the most massive of all trees, and perhaps the oldest. Actual ring counts place its maxi- mum age at 2300 years, but a few individuals have doubtless reached a greater age. John Muir, after careful study of portions of a burned cavity, estimated one to be 4000 years old.
6. LIBOCEDRUS. Incense Cedar. 1. L. decurrens Torr. Incense Cedar. Bark 2 or 3 in. thick, reddish brown, fibrous, break- ing in age into thick ridges. Leaves J4 in. or less long, adherent to the stem, only the tips free. Cones brown, ^ to 1 in. long, urn-shaped when closed, two of the scales re- curving in age and only these bear seeds.
This is a beautiful, pyramidal tree, 50 to 150 ft. high, with trunk rapidly tapering from the thick base, usually bearing branches nearly to the ground. It occurs singly or in very small groves throughout the middle portions of the Yellow Pine Belt.
7. JUNIPERUS. Juniper.
1. J. occidentalis Hook. Western Juniper. Sierra Juni- per. Bark brown or gray, becoming shreddy. Leaves scale- like, closely compacted about the stem in whorls of 3, */& in. or less long, each with a pit on the back. Berries globose, blue-black, with a whitish bloom, less than J/2 in. thick, the flesh resinous.
The Juniper is a sturdy, sub-alpine tree, 10 to 60 ft. high, often much gnarled, irregular, and stubby. It is especially common on rocky slopes and ridges from Nevada Falls and Eagle Peak to Mt. Conness and Mt. Ritter.
TAXACEAE. Yew Family. Trees with linear leaves 2-ranked by a twist in the petiole. Stamens and ovules borne on different trees. Fruit in our single genus solitary, plum-like, 1-seeded.
BIG TREE
(Sequoia gigantea)
The Big Tree usually forms groves. This specimen, standing well apart from its neighbors, displays to good advantage the distinctive features of the species. The straight and massive trunk, the stocky branches, and the rounded crown are all characteristic. The White Firs to the left and the Yellow Pine at the extreme right, are themselves trees of some magnitude, but their size is scarcely appreciated when compared with this Monarch.
BUR-REED FAMILY 47
1. TORREYA.
1. T. calif ornica Torr. Californian Nutmeg. Leaves rigid, linear or tapering, bristle-tipped, 1 to 2 in. long, dark green above, yellowish green beneath. Fruit elliptic, green, becoming streaked with purple, V/i to 1% in. long, the pulp thin and resinous.
The California Nutmeg is a handsome tree 20 to 90 ft. high, with compact dark-green foliage. Along the road from El Portal one sees small, bushy specimens and a few good-sized trees, always growing well apart from each other, but a short distance up Cascade Creek there is a splendid group of six or seven shapely trees. It does not reach Yosemite Valley, but is found at Hetch Hetchy and at the Mariposa Grove.
Taxus brevifolia Nutt., the Western Yew, has been re- ported from the Merced Canon. It is a small tree with linear leaves in flat sprays and scarlet, berry-like fruits.
SPARGANIACEAE. Bur-reed Family. Marsh and aquatic herbs with cylindric stems from root- stocks. Flowers in heads near the summit, the uppermost heads containing only stamens, the lower only pistils.
1. SPARGANIUM. Bur-reed. 1. S. simplex Hudson. Stem 1 to 2 ft. high. Leaves rib- bon-like, exceeding the stem, }£ in. or less wide. Heads 2 to 4 of each kind. — Hetch Hetchy, Yosemite, Johnson Lake, Tuolumne Meadows, etc.
NAIADACEAE. Pondweed Family. Our only representatives of this family are certain un- determined species of Potamogeton (Pondweeds). They are aquatics with jointed, mostly rooting stems, only the float- ing leaves flat and firm; flowers small, with sepals stamens and ovaries 4 each. Complete specimens with mature seeds are much desired.
JUNCAGINACEAE. Arrow Grass Family. Marsh herbs with leaves all basal and flowers inconspicu- ous. Our single species has a calyx of 6 greenish sepals, no corolla, 6 stamens, and 3 to 6 simple pistils united around a central axis.
1. TRIGLOCHIN. Arrow Grass. 1. T. maritima L. Leaves densely clustered on the root- stock, very narrow, 2 to 6 in. long, fleshy, with papery
48 WATER PLANTAIN FAMILY
sheaths at base. Flowering stalks naked, 6 to 18 in. high, bearing a long narrow raceme of very small flowers. — Of wide distribution, especially along sea shores; occurs in saline soil at Tuolumne Meadows.
Two other members of this family may be expected in quiet ponds, such as we have in Eagle Peak Meadows and in Little Yosemite Valley: Scheuchzeria palustris L., with long, grass-like leaves sheathing the stem by a papery base; stem zigzag, terminated by a loose raceme of few flowers with sheathing bracts. Lilaea subulata H.B.K., has very thin, ribbon-like leaves, also sheathing at base, but the flowers are sessile in close, bractless spikes resembling catkins.
ALISMACEAE. Water Plantain Family. Marsh herbs with broad sheathing leaves from the bases of naked stems. Perianth of 3 greenish sepals and 3 white petals. Stamens 6 or more. Ovaries numerous, each be- coming a 1-seeded dry fruit.
1. ALISMA. Water Plantain.
1. A. plantago-aquatica L. Leaves long-petioled; blade ovate or oblong, 2 to 8 in. long, \y2 to 4 in. broad. Flowers white, small, on pedicels ^ to 1 in. long. Ovaries becom- ing flattened, 17 to 25 in the circle.
As the ponds dry up in late spring or summer, the Water Plantain sends up its hollow, smooth stem, which branches above to form a loose panicle of small, white flowers, much overtopping the broad, erect leaves. The plants, which are plentiful in the meadows of the Yosemite, Hetch Hetchy, etc., commonly grow to a height of 2 or 3 ft.
GRAMINEAE. Grass Family. Since the grasses are seldom collected by the amateur, and since the species are difficult of determination, the family is not further considered in this book.
CYPERACEAE. Sedge Family. The members of this family are mostly known as sedges. They resemble grasses but are easily distinguished by the characters stated in the key to the families. Because of the difficulty of their determination, especially for the ama- teur, they are here omitted.
LEMNACEAE. Duckweed Family. The plants of the Duckweed Family consist of minute, stemless fronds which produce a few flowers from the edge
RUSH FAMILY 49
or upper surface and commonly hanging roots from be- neath. The genus Lemna is doubtless represented in our district, but what species occur is not known.
JUNCACEAE. Rush Family. This family is represented by the true rushes {Juncus), which have 3-celled, many-seeded capsules, and by the wood rushes (Luzula), which have 1-celled, 3-seeded capsules. They are grass-like plants with inconspicuous flowers and are not further described here.
LILIACEAE. Lily Family. Perennial herbs with perfect regular flowers. Stems from bulbs, corms, or rootstocks. Perianth of 6 segments, the outer 3 often called sepals, the 3 inner called petals. Stamens 6, opposite the perianth-segments, 3 sometimes without an- thers. Ovary superior, developing into a few to many-seeded 3-celled capsule or berry; styles or stigmas 3.
A. Stems nearly naked, tne leaves being entirely or chiefly "basal.
Styles 3, distinct down to the ovary.
Stem glandular-pubescent, from a rootstock 2. Tofieldia.
Stem glabrous, from an ovate bulb 3. Zygadenus.
Style 1, sometimes 3-lobed, but not down to the ovary. Flowers few to many, in umbels, i. e., all on pedicels arising from the summit of the stem. Perianth-segments distinct to base; herbage onion- scented 6. Allium.
Perianth-segments united below into a tube 7. Brodiaea.
Flower solitary, white; leaves broad 13. Clintonia.
Flowers in racemes or panicles.
Basal leaves 4 to numerous, conspicuous. ;
Flowers blue; leaves erect 12. Camassia.
Flowers yellow; leaves erect 1. Narthecium.
Flowers whitish, narrow; leaves spreading 5. Chlorogalum.
Basal leaves 1 or 2.
Perianth-segments similar, not hairy 10. Erythronium.
Inner segments much broader than the outer, each
with a hairy gland 11. Calochortus.
B. Stems leafy.
Fruit a berry.
Flowers white, J4 in. long, in dense clusters 14. Smilacina.
Flowers greenish, J4 in. long, nodding 15. Disporum.
Fruit a dry capsule.
Leaves 2 in. or less wide.
Flowers yellow or white, 1 in. or more long 8. Lilium.
Flowers purplish, mottled, V% to H in. long 9. Fritillaria.
Leaves 2 to 6 in. wide.
Flowers greenish, }4 in. long 4. Veratrum.
Flowers purplish, 2 in. long 16. Trillium.
50 LILY FAMILY
1. NARTHECIUM. Bog Asphodel.
1. N. californicum Baker. Stem 1 or 2 ft. high, nearly naked. Leaves densely tufted on a creeping rootstock, 4 to 8 in. long, not z/^ in. wide, acute. Flowers yellow, ^ in. long, short-pediceled in a narrow simple raceme. Perianth-seg- ments not united, oblong-linear, acute. Stamens 6, with densely woolly filaments. Seeds with a long bristle at each end.
Although rather common in northwestern California, the Bog Asphodel is one of the rarest plants in the Sierra Nevada, having been found south of Nevada Co. only at Le Conte Falls, Tuolumne Canon, where it was gathered by Mr. Fred M. Reed, of the Sierra Club party of 1911. It grows in marshy or moist places. The showy yellow racemes far over- top the stiffly erect clumps of grass-like leaves. A character by which it may always be known is the yellow woolliness of the apparently thickened filaments.
2. TOFIELDIA. False Asphodel.
1. T. intermedia Rydb. Stems 6 to 12 in. high. Leaves linear, 3 to 6 in. long. Flowers in a„ compact terminal head about ^2 in. thick, the individual flowers less than % in. long. Perianth-segments not united, shorter than the 6 stamens. Styles 3. Capsule obovate, acute, 3-beaked, with numerous linear 2-tailed seeds.
The leaves of False Asphodel might easily be mistaken for grass leaves, but the compact head of greenish white flowers is unmistakable. It grows in moist places at considerable altitudes, as along the new Snow Creek Trail at 6000 ft.
3. ZYGADENUS.
1. Z. venenosus Wats. Death Camas. Stem simple, 1 to 2 ft. high. Leaves linear, usually folded, shorter than the stem. Flowers erect, greenish white, scarcely % in. long, in a simple loose terminal raceme. Stamens 6, free from the perianth and about equalling it. Capsule 3-lobed.
The leaves of the Death Camas are often mistaken for grass when the plants are young, and thousands of sheep are killed every year on the stock ranges as a result of eating them. But hogs eat the bulbs, which are often called "hog potatoes," with impunity. It grows in meadowy places, as at the Hog Ranch, Yosemite and Little Yosemite valleys, and Benson Lake, but it is nowhere very abundant.
LILY FAMILY 5 1
4. VERATRUM.
1. V. californicum Dur. False Hellebore. Stems stout and leafy, 3 to 6 ft. high, bearing a large panicle of greenish flowers. Leaves ovate or elliptic, acute, sheathing at base, 6 to 12 in. long, 2 to 6 in. wide, the upper ones smaller. Flowers Yz in. long, nearly sessile on the branches of the pani- cle; stamens shorter than the segments.
The leafy clumps of False Hellebore are characteristic of wet, sub-alpine meadows and stream banks. Its large leaves have given it the name of "Skunk Cabbage," but that is a very different plant and does not grow in California. The shoots of the False Hellebore are poisonous to stock but they are seldom eaten. Veratrum is closely related to Tofieldia and Zygadenus, as is indicated by the 3 distinct styles.
5. CHLOROGALUM.
1. C. pomeridianum Kunth. Soap Plant. Stem 2 to 5 ft. high. Leaves mainly in a basal tuft, numerous, ^ to 2 ft. long, T/2 to V/z in. broad, with wavy margins. Flowers narrow, 24 in. long, borne along the few long branches of a spreading panicle. Perianth-segments distinct, linear, white, purple- veined. Stamens 6. Capsule top-shaped, 3-lobed.
The Soap Plant is so named because of its large, sapon- aceous, fibrous-coated bulb, which forms a lather with water and may be used in washing. Only the tuft of coarse, grass- like leaves are seen during the spring, but in late summer the tall, flowering stalks shoot up and unfold their delicate flowers, which, however, open only in the afternoon. It is abundant at altitudes under 5000 ft.
6. ALLIUM. Onion.
Odorous plants with simple stems (scapes), each stalk ending in a bracted umbel of pediceled flowers. Leaves few, grass-like, nearly basal. Perianth of 6 nearly equal distinct segments, each with a stamen attached to its base. Ovary superior, globose, developing into a 3-lobed 6-seeded capsule.
Stamens exserted from the perianth.
Stems flattened 1. A. validum.
Stems round; flowers light rose-color 2. A. sanbomii.
Stamens not exserted from the perianth.
Flowering stems 2 to 16 in. high 3. A. campanulatum.
Flowering stems very short; high mountains.
Bracts 3; segments very acute 4. A. tribracteatum.
Bracts mostly 2; segments obtuse 5. A. parvum.
52 LILY FAMILY
1. A. validum Wats. Swamp Onion. Tall comparatively stout plant, 1 to 3 ft. high, the 2-edged stem and the leaves from an oblong bulb or a creeping rootstock. Leaves 4 to 6, often l/$ in. wide. Flowers many, pink, in a dense terminal head-like cluster subtended by 2 to 4 thin bracts united at base and longer than the pedicels.
This onion is common in moist places of considerable alti- tude, the plants often growing in small beds. Although its bulbs are somewhat fibrous they are very acceptable as a flavoring ingredient for soups and stews in a region where vegetables are difficult to procure.
2. A. sanbornii Wood. Stem terete, a foot or two high, from a white ovate bulb. Leaves 2 or more, not exceeding the stem. Bracts 4; pedicels % to */2 in. long. Flowers light rose-color; the ovate-lanceolate segments about % in. long, shorter than the stamens and style. — A rare species, reported from the Yosemite.
3. A. campanulatum Wats. Stem terete, 2 to 16 in. high, from an ovate bulb. Leaves 2 or 4, usually longer than the stem. Bracts 2, acuminate, shorter than the pedicels, these 14 to a full inch long. Flowers light rose-color, the lanceo- late segments about J4 in- l°ng> exceeding the stamens and style. — In open, coniferous forests. A low form with short pedicels and small flowers has been segregated as A. bid- welliae Wats.
4. A. tribracteatum Torr. Bulb-coats with transverse re- ticulation. Leaves usually 2, much longer than the stem, which is only J4 to 2 in. long. Bracts 3, acuminate. Flowers in a loose head, pale pink, with dark midveins, the narrow acute segments ^ m- long- Capsule not crested. — Tuolumne Meadows and above.
5. A. parvum Kell. Bulb-coats without reticulation. Leaves 1 or 2, exceeding the very short stem. Bracts mostly 2. Flowers in a compact head, pink, with broad dark midveins, the segments rather obtuse. Capsule not crested. — Near tim- ber-line on Mt. Lyell. A. obtusum Lemmon, is a related form with solitary leaf, 3 bracts, and crested capsules. A. atnbiguum Jones, perhaps even closer to A. parvum, is distinguished by its bulb-coats, which are marked off into 6-sided or diamond- shaped figures. Neither of these is definitely known from our district.
7. BRODIAEA. Brodiaea. Flowering stem erect or twining, with few grass-like leaves
LILY FAMILY 53
all from the roundish corm (called a bulb), bearing a bracted terminal umbel of flowers each on a jointed pedicel. Perianth withering-persistent, funnelform or tubular. Stamens 6, 3 of them sometimes merely dilated filaments without anthers.
a. Flowers yellow, with brown nerves; stamens 6, all
with anthers.
Stamens with broad winged filaments 1. B. ixioides.
Stamens with thread-like filaments 2. B. gracilis.
b. Flowers white; stamens 6, all with anthers 3. B. hyacinthina.
c. Flowers either blue, purple, or pinkish; only the 3 in-
ner stamens anther-bearing, except in no. 6. Flowers blue or purple; stems usually erect.
Pedicels 1 to 3 in. long; flowers \% in. or more long. 4. B. grandiftora. Pedicels 1 in. or less long; flowers under Y$ in.
Three outer filaments broad, without anthers 5. B. multiflora.
Filaments all anther-bearing, the inner 2-winged. . .6. B. capitata. Flowers rose-color, x/i in. long; stems twining 7. B. calif ornica.
1. B. ixioides Wats. Golden Brodiaea. Pedicels ^ to 2 in. long. Flowers y2 to 24 m- l°ng; segments longer than the tube. Stamens 6, alternately long and short, inserted in 1 row; filaments dilated, notched or rounded at the broad sum- mit, the anther raised on a minute stalk.
The stems of the Golden Brodiaea vary in height from a few inches to over a foot and are surmounted by loose um- bels of showy yellow flowers, whose segments are veined with brown. The altitudinal range extends from the foot- hills to at least 8500 ft., but on the higher levels it is largely replaced by the next species.
2. B. gracilis Wats. General habit and appearance of B. ixioides. Stem 9 in. or less high. Pedicels 54 to 1 in. long. Flowers about Y2 in. long, segments about equalling the tube or slightly longer. Filaments very slender, inserted in 1 row. — Common from Crane Flat and Indian Creek to Lake Ten- aya, Glacier Point, Conness Creek, and other places of high altitudes.
3. B. hyacinthina var. lactea Baker. White Brodiaea. Stem 1 to 2 ft. high, terminated by the compact umbel of white flowers, the segments with green midveins. Pedicels Y^ to 24 in. long. Flowers about y2 in. long, cleft to below the middle. Stamens 6, in one row; filaments triangular at base, tapering above. — Moist soil in low places: Yosemite Valley, Hog Ranch, Wawona, etc.
4. B. grandiflora Smith. Harvest Brodiaea. Stem stout, 6 to 18 in. high, the blue or violet flowers in a large and open terminal umbel. Pedicels 1 to 3 in. long (rarely only 34 in.), much exceeding the membranous whitish bracts. Flowers 1%
54 LILY FAMILY
to \}i in. long, tapering to the slender base, cleft to below the middle. Outer (sterile) filaments oblong-lanceolate, about equalled by the erect anthers of the inner stamens. (Hookera coronaria Salisb.)
The large flowers of the Harvest Brodiaea are conspicuous sights in the half-brown grass of dry meadows in late spring and summer, but it does not reach the higher mountains. It has been found at Yosemite, Hetch Hetchy, Wawona, and similar places of moderate altitude.
5. B. multifldra Benth. Pedicels % in. or less long, ex- ceeded by the ovate purple bracts. Flowers % in- long, con- tracted above the swollen base, the throat again enlarged, cleft one-third the way down into spreading segments. Three outer filaments broad, obtuse, entire, without anthers, about equalling the erect 2-toothed anthers of the inner stamens. — A species with the habit and blue flowers of B. capitata, but much less plentiful. It grows at Hog Ranch.
6. B. capitata Benth. Common Brodiaea. Plant 6 to 18 in. high, with a head-like cluster of flowers subtended by several purple or metallic bracts. Pedicels % to 1 in. long. Flowers ^2 in. long, cylindric, cleft one-third to one-half the way down into slightly spreading lobes. Inner filaments with thin wings which extend beyond the anthers; outer filaments dilated only toward the base, their anthers smaller than the inner ones.
This, the commonest species of the coast districts and the Sierra Nevada foothills, extends well up into the pine belt and is not rare in the Yosemite. The small bulbs, known as grass- nuts, are often eaten by children, who, like the Indians, pre- fer them uncooked. The plant is variously known as Wild Hyacinth, Cluster Lily, and Blue Dicks.
7. B. californica Jepson. Twining Brodiaea. Pedicels 14 to 1 in. long, either shorter or somewhat longer than the large pink bracts. Perianth pinkish or rose-color, J/2 in. or less long, with inflated angled tube and narrow throat, cleft to about the middle. Outer (sterile) filaments strap-shaped, notched; inner filaments flat, continued above as two wings behind the anther. (Stropholirion californicum Torr. Brodiaea volubilis Baker.)
The weak stems of this species commonly climb on other plants around which they are disposed to twine, and in this manner carry their rose-pink flower-heads to heights of 1 to 8 ft. It belongs to the lower mountains, reaching our borders in the vicinity of Wawona, Hetch Hetchy, etc.
LILY FAMILY 55
8. LILIUM. Lily.
Leafy simple stems from scaly bulbs, with showy yellow or white flowers in terminal clusters. Upper and lower leaves alternate, the middle usually in whorls, all sessile. Perianth of 6 equal lanceolate spreading or recurved segments. Sta- mens 6, inserted on the receptacle, shorter than the perianth. Style long, the stigma 3-lobed; capsule 3-celled, many-seeded.
Flowers white, about 3 in. long 1. L. washingtonianum.
Flowers yellow.
Perianth-segments straight or recurved only from
near the tip, 1 to 1J^ in. long 2. L. parvutn.
Perianth-segments recurving from below the mid- dle. Flowers 2 or 3 in. long; bulbs large, matted,
with jointed scales; in wet places 3. L. pardalinum.
Flowers 3 or 4 in. long; bulbs ovoid, 2 to 6 in.
thick, not matted; coarse plant of dry soil. 4. L. humboldtii. Flowers 1J^ to 2 in. long; bulbs \y2 to 2 in.
thick, not matted; smooth slender plant.. 5. L. columbianum.
1. L. washingtonianum Kell. Washington Lily. Stems 2 to 5 ft. high, from a large bulb of thin unjointed scales 1 to 3 in. long. Leaves oblong or lanceolate, 3 to 5 in. long, l/2 to \y2 in. wide. Flowers fragrant, pure white, becoming pur- plish, sometimes finely dotted, on erect pedicels 1 to 4 in. long. Perianth-segments 2 to Zl/2 in. long, the upper third spreading.
The Washington Lily is an inhabitant of the chaparral, always growing where protected by coarser plants, proudly carrying its beautiful white flowers with their soft fragrance above the more humble shrubs which compose its protective thickets. It is nowhere abundant but is well distributed up to altitudes of about 7500 ft. and ranges along the whole length of the Sierra Nevada and north to the Columbia River. In northern California it is sometimes known as Shasta Lily.
2. L. parvum Kell. Stems V/2 to 6 ft. high, from a small bulb of short thick jointed scales. Leaves lanceolate, 3 or 4 in. long, 1 in. or less broad. Flowers 2 to very many, on erect or ascending pedicels. Perianth-segments 1 to V/2 in. long, usually recurved from near the tip, orange-yellow spotted with purple.
Although the flowers of this lily are not so large as in other species, it is nevertheless a very striking plant when well de- veloped, as it commonly is in moist situations. Twenty-eight flowers were counted on a single plant which grew by a rivulet in Bridal Veil Meadows, and many more have been
56 LILY FAMILY
reported by other observers. It grows in nearly all springy places up to at least 7000 ft. alt.
3. L. pardalinum Kell. Leopard Lily. Stem 3 to 7 ft. high, from a mat-like mass of bulbs with jointed scales. Leaves lanceolate, 3 to 7 in. long, often 1 to 2 in. broad. Flowers numerous, at maturity sharply recurved on their pedicels. Perianth-segments 2 or 3 in. long, strongly recurved from near the base, bright orange-yellow with purple spots on the lower half.
The Leopard Lily is ever associated in one's memory with pleasant places. It is especially partial to shady stream banks and to half-boggy meadows around springs, where its gorgeous yellow panicles far overtop the grasses, ferns, and other herbaceous vegetation. The species is of wide distri- bution in California, but in the Sierra Nevada it is restricted to canons mostly below 3500 ft. alt. It is often known as "Tiger Lily," but that name rightfully belongs to an Asiatic species, well known as a garden plant.
4. L. humboldtii R. & L. Stems stout, 4 to 8 ft. high, from a large bulb of fleshy scales 2 to 3 in. long. Leaves lanceo- late, wavy, 3 to 5 in. long, Y\ to 1 in. broad. Flowers on stout spreading pedicels, recurved at maturity. Perianth-segments 3 or 4 in. long, recurved above the short narrowed base, red- dish orange with purple spots. — In dry, open places, perhaps not in the Yosemite district.
5. L. columbianum Hanson. Stems slender, 2 to 4 ft. or more high, from a small bulb of short fleshy scales. Leaves lanceolate, not wavy, 2 to 5 in. long, x/2 to 1% in. broad. Flowers on slender curving pedicels. Perianth-segments V/2 to 2 in. long, strongly recurved, bright reddish orange, thickly spotted with purple. — A species of more northerly distribu- tion, but to be looked for.
9. FRITILLARIA.
Stem simple, erect, from a bulb of thick scales. Leaves narrow, sessile, alternate or the lower usually in whorls. Flowers on recurved pedicels in a simple raceme, purplish brown with yellow markings, the 6 segments distinct and longer than the 6 stamens. Styles 3, united at base.
1. F. parviflora Torr. Small-flowered Fritillaria. Plant V/2 to 3 ft. high, light green and very smooth. Leaves 3 to 5 in. long. Flowers 3 to 20, the concave segments about Y2 in. long. Capsule 6-winged. — Occasional in pine woods below 6000 ft. alt.
LEOPARD LILY (Lilium pardalinum)
The Leopard Lily is ever associated
in one's memory with pleasant places. It
is partial to shady stream banks and to half-boggy
meadows around springs, where its gorgeous yellow
panicles far overtop the grasses, ferns, and
other herbaceous vegetation.
LILY FAMILY 57
2. F. atropurpurea Nutt. Smaller, mostly y2 to V/2 ft. high. Flowers rarely more than 5, l/2 to % m- long. Capsule acutely angled. — Higher altitudes, as at north base of Mt. Lyell.
10. ERYTHRONIUM. Dog-tooth Violet.
1. E. purpurascens Wats. Bulbs narrow, coated with a membranous sheath. Leaves 4 to 6 in. long, J/2 to 2 in. wide, wavy-margined. Flowers light-yellow or tinged with purple, deep-orange at base, slender-pediceled, nodding, about Y\ in. long, the segments not united. Stamens 6. Style 3-lobed. Capsule more than 1 in. long.
The stem of this beautiful lily is about a foot long and bears, near the base, a single pair of large leaves, while above it ends in a loose raceme of 4 to 8 showy flowers. The spe- cies is very rare in our mountains, being reported only from Illilouette Canon and from the Keltz Mine, near Sonora. It is an inhabitant of moist places.
11. CALOCHORTUS. Mariposa Lily.
Stems from corms often miscalled "bulbs," with few leaves and showy cup-shaped or globose flowers in open clusters. Perianth falling from the capsule at maturity; outer seg- ments (sepals) lanceolate or oblong, greenish or colored; inner segments (petals) broad, narrowed to a claw above which is a conspicuous gland or pit. Stamens 6, on the base of the segments. Ovary 3-angled, capped by 3 sessile stig- mas, maturing into a many-seeded capsule.
1. C. nudus Wats. Star Tulip. Stem 10 in. or less high, much exceeded by the single flat ribbon-like leaf, bearing a terminal cluster of flowers on weak pedicels which usually become recurved (flowers rarely solitary). Petals broadly fan-shaped, % to ^ in. long, white or pale lilac, almost with- out hairs; gland divided transversely by a toothed scale.
The Star Tulip is a dainty inhabitant of meadowy places from the Hetch Hetchy to the Mariposa Grove and may rarely be found as high as 7500 ft. alt. Its blossoms appear in June.
C. benthamii Baker, the Yellow Star Tulip, has been found near Groveland. It has clear-yellow flowers about x/2 in. long, the petals densely covered with yellow hairs.
C. maweanus Leichtl., known as Pussy's Ears, has been reported from the Yosemite. Its petals are white or pur- plish blue and are covered with long hairs.
58 LILY FAMILY
2. C. nuttallii T. & G. Stems a few inches to V/2 ft. high, longer than the very narrow leaves, with a bulbous swelling at base and bearing usually several large flowers on erect pedi- cels. Petals obovate or wedge-shaped, 1 to V/2 in. long, white, tinged with greenish yellow or lilac, a brown or purplish spot or band above the yellow base, this brown eye sometimes entirely surrounded by yellow; gland broadly A-shaped, densely hairy, surrounded by long scattered hairs.
In the Yosemite meadows, where this Mariposa Lily is rather common, the plants are tall and the flowers beautifully colored, while at higher altitudes they are much dwarfed and the flowers are very pale. This high-mountain form, also known by the anthers, which are deeply notched at base, is sometimes described under the name of C. leichtlinii Hook.
3. C. venustus Benth. Mariposa Lily. Similar to no. 1 but with usually larger and more open flowers, which are mostly very highly colored, the petal-gland oblong and with densely matted hairs.
This is one of the handsomest of all the Mariposa lilies and is remarkable for the range of its color forms. Along the Wawona Road, near Alder Creek, one form has deep-wine-red petals which are darker toward the middle and are crossed below by a broad yellow band, while on near-by plants the petals are nearly white, with a dark-brown eye. surrounded by yellowish. C. venustus grows also below Crockers, but it does not invade the higher altitudes, where it is replaced by C. nuttallii.
12. CAMASSIA.
1. C. quamash Greene. Camas. Flowering stem 1 to 2^ ft. high, from a coated bulb, longer than the grass-like leaves. Flowers blue, in a loose simple terminal raceme, the pedicels % to J4 m- long and jointed at the summit. Perianth Ya, to 1 in. long; segments not united, 3-nerved. Stamens 6, on the base of the perianth. Capsule 3-lobed.
The Camas, or Quamash, inhabits boggy meadows, where its blue flowers are very conspicuous above the other plants. The bulbs of a related species were formerly much eaten by the Indians of the Northwest, who prepared them either by boil- ing or by roasting in pits. Much care was exercised to pre- vent the similar but poisonous bulbs of Death Camas from becoming mixed with the mess. In our district the true Camas has been found from Little Yosemite Valley and Eagle Peak to Crockers and Lake Eleanor.
MARIPOSA LILY
{Calochortus venustus)
This Lily is remarkable for
the range of its color-forms. Its flowers
vary from deep wine-red to nearly white and the petals
are variously marked with yellow and
rich reddish brown.
LILY FAMILY 59
13. CLINTONIA. Clintonia.
1. C. uniflora Kunth. Leaves 2 to 5, thin, 3 to 9 in. long, 1 or 2 in. broad, shortly- acute, tapering to the sheathing base, sparsely hairy. Flower white, erect, 24 to 1 in. long, pubescent, the segments distinct and exceeding the 6 stamens. Style one.
The most conspicuous part of this plant is the cluster of large leaves, which much exceeds the single-flowered, naked pe- duncle. It grows from a creeping rootstock and is found only in shady places along our lower borders, as in the Merced and Tu- olumne groves and near Chinquapin. It is closely related to Smilacina and Disporum, as is indicated by the berry-like fruit.
14. SMILACINA. False Solomon's Seal. Stems simple and leafy, from rootstocks, bearing small white flowers in close clusters. Leaves sessile and clasping, many-nerved. Perianth-segments not united, spreading. Style single, 3-lobed at summit. Fruit a globose 1 to 3-seeded berry. ( Vagnera. )
1. S. sessilifolia Nutt. Stem 1 to 2 ft. high. Leaves ovate or oblong-lanceolate, 2 to 6 in. long, acute, obscurely pu- bescent. Flowers in a simple raceme, the pedicels spreading. Stamens shorter than the lanceolate perianth-segments, their filaments very slender. — Rarely met with; more common in the Coast Ranges.
2. S. amplexicatilis Nutt. Similar to no. 1 but often larger and coarser, the flowers in branched clusters (panicles). Sta- mens much longer than the perianth, their filaments broad. — Occurs only sparingly, as in Yosemite Valley and along the Wawona Road. The herbage is usually rough with short hairs, especially among the flowers, but a perfectly smooth and glabrous form (or species ?) occurs at 8500 ft. in Mat- terhorn Canon and elsewhere in the Sierra Nevada.
60 IRIS FAMILY
15. DISPORUM. Fairy Bells.
1. D. trachyandrum Britt. Leaves ovate, somewhat heart- shaped at the sessile base, abruptly acute, 1 to 2j^ in. long. Flowers greenish, not Yi in. long, on short drooping pedicels, solitary or in small clusters. Stamens shorter than the peri- anth; anthers with very short stiff hairs. Ovary and obo- vate scarlet berry glabrous.
The flowers of this plant are seldom seen, for they are neatly tucked away on short, pendent stalks beneath the broad and thin leaves of the spreading upper branches. The lower part of the stem, which may be a foot or two high, is nearly devoid of foliage. It is one of the rarest of Dis- porums, being restricted to the westerly slope of the Sierra Nevada. It grows around Bridal Veil Meadows and along the road to Chinquapin.
16. TRILLIUM. Wake Robin.
1. T. sessile L. Common Trillium. Stem simple, Y\ to 2 ft. high, naked below. Leaves 3, all borne in a whorl at the summit, round-ovate, net-veined, 3 to 5 in. long and about as broad. Flower solitary, sessile in the whorl of leaves, about 2 in. long, dull purple (rarely white). Segments and stamens 6 each. Ovary 3-celled, becoming a fleshy reddish capsule. — Rare in the Sierra Nevada; probably occurs in the Big Tree groves, in the var. angustipetalum Torr., with leaves narrowed at base and petals narrowly oblanceolate to linear. T. ovatum Pursh, with distinctly peduncled flowers, grows in the Coast Ranges and the northern Sierra Nevada.
IRIDACEAE. Iris Family. Perennial herbs with sheathing grass-like leaves and perfect regular flowers, the 6 petal-like divisions of the perianth in 2 series. Stamens on the base of the sepals. Ovary inferior, becoming a 3-celled capsule; style 3-cleft. Flowers \x/x in. or more long, with dissimilar segments. .. 1. Iris. Flowers under }4 in. long, with similar segments 2. Sisyrinchium.
1. IRIS. Wild Flag.
Stems from stout creeping rootstocks. Perianth with a distinct tube above the ovary; outer segments spreading, the inner narrower and erect. Stamens distinct, with narrow anthers beneath the arching petal-like style-branches. Seeds numerous, black, flat.
1. I. hartwegii Baker. Stems 6 to 12 in. high, many, very
ORCHID FAMILY 6l
leafy up to the pair of showy terminal flowers. Leaves about *4 in. wide, the larger ones overtopping the flowers, glabrous. Pedicels Yz to 3 in. long, partly enfolded in the long lanceo- late-acuminate bracts, which are separate from each other. Petals either yellow and with lavender veins or pale laven- der, with deeper-colored veins and a yellow medial portion; tube about % in. long; sepals and petals 1ZA to 2 in. long.
The home of this beautiful Iris is the half-dry, open, coni- ferous forest of middle altitudes, it being quite common from Crockers to the Mariposa Grove. The two color forms often grow together and are much admired by tourists.
2. I. missouriensis Nutt. Western Blue Flag. Stems stout, H to 2 ft. high, nearly naked except at base. Leaves about % in. wide, mostly shorter than the stem, glabrous. Bracts usually opposite, thin and somewhat papery. Petals pale blue, 2 to 2^2 in. long, the tube about % in. long.
This large-flowered Iris grows in moist places on Snow Creek, in Hetch Hetchy Valley, etc., and is common east of the Sierra Nevada. A white-flowered form is reported from Mono County.
2. SISYRINCHIUM.
Low perennials from fibrous roots. Perianth-segments all alike. Style-branches slender. Seeds globular.
1. S. bellum Wats. Blue-eyed Grass. Stems J^ to 2 ft. high, from a cluster of fibrous roots. Leaves very narrow, shorter than the stem, glabrous. Pedicels 1 in. or less long, projecting from the pair of green sheathing bracts. Flowers blue, yellow at base, about Y% in. long, the six segments equal and similar. Style short, with slender stigmas. Seeds sev- eral, rounded.
The grass-like leaves and delicate, blue flowers of this plant are well known in California, where it is common on grassy hillsides and in meadows. It is plentiful in Yosemite Valley, blossoming in late spring.
2. S. elmeri Greene. Characters essentially those of no. 1, but flowers yellow, with purple lines, the segments acute. — Lake Eleanor (type locality), Wawona Road, etc.
ORCHIDACEAE. Orchid Family. Perennial herbs with alternate leaves (except Listera) some- times reduced to scales, the lower sheathing. Flowers in ra- cemes or spikes or solitary, perfect, irregular. Sepals 3, alike. Petals 3, 2 alike, the third, or "lip," usually differing
62 ORCHID FAMILY
in size and shape. Filaments united with the style to form a column which is capped by the single anther (anthers 2 in Cypripedium). Ovary inferior, developing into a 3-celled cap- sule with numerous minute seeds.
A. Plants without green herbage; the leaves reduced and scale-like.
Herbage pink or reddish 7. Corallorhiza.
Herbage pure white 3. Cephalanthera.
B. Plants with green herbage.
Lower petal with a slender spur at base 2. Habenaria.
None of the petals spurred.
Leaves a single rounded pair midway of the low stem;
flowers green 6. Listera.
Leaves several, basal; flowers white to flesh-color. Sepals y2 in. or less long.
Raceme spirally twisted 5. Spiranthes.
Raceme straight 4. Epipactis.
Sepals ll/t to 2l/2 in. long; lip an inflated sac 1. Cypripedium.
1. CYPRIPEDIUM. Lady's Slipper.
1. C. montanum Dougl. Mountain Lady's Slipper. Leaves sessile, acute, broadly ovate, clasping, 4 to 6 in. long, 2 or 3 in. broad, pubescent (like the stems) with short glandular hairs. Flowers 1 to 3, short-pediceled. Sepals and wavy- twisted petals linear-lanceolate, \y2 to 2 in. long, purplish; lip an inflated sac, 1 in. long, dull white, veined with purple. Capsule nearly erect, oblong, ^ to 1 in. long.
The Mountain Lady's Slipper is a stout, leafy plant, 1 to 2 ft. high, from a tuft of fibrous roots. It grows in moist places around Yosemite Valley, the Mariposa Grove, etc., and is often gathered because of its peculiar, showy flowers.
2. HABENARIA. Rein-orchis.
Erect plants with simple stems from a cluster of fleshy roots, passing above into slender spikes of white or greenish flowers. Leaves closely sessile, the lower clasping or sheath- ing the stem. Lower petal, or lip, flat and spreading, with a slender spur at base.
1. H. unalaschensis Wats. Slender plant, a foot or so high. Leaves all near the base, 3 to 5 in. long, ^ to 3A m- wide. Flowers small, greenish, widely separated in the open spike, much exceeding the bracts. Petals, sepals, and lip each about Vn in. long, the narrow spur slightly longer; upper petals straight. Capsule oblong, sessile or nearly so, when mature y2 in. long. — In good soil of pine and fir forests, but not in wet places.
ORCHID FAMILY 63
2. H. leucostachys Wats. Sierra Rein-orchis. Stem ro- bust, 1 to 4 ft. high, leafy throughout. Leaves lanceolate, 4 to 9 in. long, y2 to 1 in. wide, the upper ones smaller and narrower. Flowers larger, white, in a rather dense spike, mostly shorter than the slender bracts; lip rhombic-lanceo- late; spur lA to y2 in. long; upper petals inarched and over- lapping at tip; capsule sessile, y2 to 24 m- long. — In wet or boggy places of middle altitudes; the most common and showy species.
3. H. sparsiflora Wats. Less robust, 1 to 3 ft. high, leafy throughout. Leaves lanceolate, the larger 3 to 9 in. long, T/2 to 1 in. wide. Flowers greenish, somewhat scattered in the open spike, usually shorter than the bracts; lip narrow, linear or lanceolate; spur ^ in. or less long; upper petals inarched, their tips overlapping; capsule sessile, l/2 in. long. — Not rare along streams at 4,000 to 8,000 ft. alt.; the only green-flowered orchis of wet places.
H. hyperborea R. Br., a species with greenish flowers in a dense, thick spike, the short spur scarcely exceeding the sepals, has been reported from our district, but the plants were apparently H. sparsiflora.
3. CEPHALANTHERA.
1. C. austinae Heller. Leaves reduced to white sheaths an inch or two long. Flowers numerous, sessile, pure white. Sepals and petals similar, oblong-lanceolate, about y2 in. long; lip shorter, its base concave and the limb rounded. (C ore- gana Reich.)
In this species the whole plant is pure white, its nourish- ment being derived entirely from decaying vegetation. The clean stems grow from slender rootstocks to a height of 1 to 2 ft. and are very conspicuous in the dense forests, but they are by no means abundant. The species has been found near Big Meadows, near Crane Flat, in Little Yosemite Val- ley, and at Eight-mile Station. Its range extends northward along the Sierra Nevada and North Coast Ranges and through Oregon to Washington.
4. EPIPACTIS.
Erect plants from creeping rootstocks. Flowers in bracted terminal racemes which are more or less glandular. Upper sepal and petals united into a hood over the lip; lip concave at base, without callosities.
1. E. gigantea Dougl. Stream Orchis. Leaves sessile,
64
ORCHID FAMILY
prominently veined, acute, the lower ovate, clasping, 4 to 8 in. long, an inch or two wide; upper leaves lanceolate, smaller. Flowers 3 to 12, short-pedi- celed, greenish or rose-pink, strongly veined with purple. Sepals ovate-lance- olate, 24 in- long, the upper one con- cave. Petals slightly smaller; lip pouched at base, with narrow wing-like margins, the summit broader and entire but wavy-crested. Capsule becoming Y\ to 1 in. long, recurved or spreading. The stout, leafy stems of the Stream Orchis are 1 to 4 ft. high, ending in a raceme of peculiar, leafy-bracted flowers. It grows only in wet places, often associated with ferns, Thimble Berry, the Sierra Rein Orchis, and other moisture loving plants. Although nowhere abundant, it has been found in the Yosemite and Hetch Hetchy valleys, etc., and is of wide dis- tribution. Some botanists consider our species identical with E. royleana Lindl., an inhabitant of the Himalaya Mts.
2. E. decipiens Ames. Rattlesnake Plantain. Leaves all basal, thick, spreading, broadly lanceolate, 2 to 4 in. long including the petiole. Flowers numerous, longer than their bracts. Sepals less than J4 m- long. Lip narrowed to sum- mit, the margins incurved. Capsules erect, Y% in. long. (Good- yera menziesii.)
This plant does not bloom until midsummer, but it may be known long before that time by its thick leaves which are marked, especially up the middle, by conspicuous white veins. The stems are 1 to V/t ft. high and are very glandular, espe- cially above. It is common in the Yosemite.
5. SPIRANTHES. Ladies' Tresses.
1. S. romanzoffiana Cham. Stem from a fascicle of thick oblong roots, 6 in. to 2 ft. high, leafy below, terminating in a twisted spike of white flowers. Leaves oblong to linear, acute, narrowed at base but sessile. Flowering spike 1 to 4 in. long; bracts large, taper-pointed. Sepals and petals all united, about Yz in. long; lower petal recurved, narrowed below the rounded wavy summit.
The Ladies' Tresses makes its appearance in July in meadowy places of moderate altitude and is especially com- mon in meadows of the upper end of Yosemite Valley.
WILLOW FAMILY 65
6. LISTERA. TWAYBLADE.
1. L. convallarioides Torr. Simple solitary stem 3 in. to a foot high, from fibrous and creeping roots, with a pair of broad sessile opposite leaves just below the raceme. Leaves or- bicular, often pointed at apex, 1 to 2y2 in. across. Flowers 6 to 12, greenish. Sepals and petals linear, less than y^ in. long; lip flat, 2-lobed, less than y2 in. long.
This peculiar plant, known at once by- its single pair of rounded leaves, grows in the edges of bogs by the Mineral Spring of Yosemite Valley and may be expected elsewhere, especially at somewhat higher altitudes.
7. CORALLORHIZA. Coral-root. Pinkish or straw-colored plants, with coral-like rootstocks, the erect stems terminating in naked racemes of dull-colored flowers on short pedicels which become reflexed in fruit. Leaves reduced to papery sheaths. Sepals and petals about equal, the upper incurved. Pollen-masses in 2 pairs, distinct, sessile upon a short oblong gland.
1. C. multifldra Nutt. Plant 1 to 2 ft. high. Sepals oblique at base and continued as a short spur, which is adnate to the ovary; sepals and petals % to nearly y2 in. long; "lower" petal, or lip, concave, 3-lobed, nearly white and conspicuously spotted with purple. — Growing among pine needles or other decaying vegetation; widely distributed but nowhere common.
2. C. bigeldvii Wats. Much like the preceding but with the base of the sepals merely swollen over the ovary, not spurred; sepals and petals larger, about y2 in. long, strongly veined but none of them spotted; "lower" petal very con- cave, entire or barely toothed. — Found only in coniferous forests or elsewhere in decaying vegetation; only occasion- ally seen in the Yosemite district.
SALICACEAE. Willow Family. Deciduous trees and shrubs with alternate simple leaves the stipules sometimes falling early. Flowers in narrow spikes (catkins), the staminate and pistillate on different plants. Calyx and corolla none. Stamens 1 to many. Fruit a capsule with many seeds each with a tuft of hairs at base.
66 WILLOW FAMILY
Trees and shrubs; scales of the catkin entire or merely toothed. 1. Salix. Trees; scales deeply cut; leaves ovate or roundish 2. Populus.
1. SALIX. Willow. Winter buds covered by a single scale. Catkins appearing with or before the leaves, their scales not deeply toothed. Stamens 1 to 10.
A. Stamens 3 to 9; filaments hairy; leaves mostly 3 to 7 in. long-; slender trees.
Petioles glandular at summit; leaves Vi in. or more wide. 1. 5. lasiandra. Petioles not glandular; leaves narrower, mostly curved... 2. 5". nigra.
B. Stamens 2 or 1; shrubs, rarely tree-like.
o. Creeping shrub, rooting at the joints 11. 5. arctica.
b. Narrow-leaved shrub of low altitudes; leaves x/& to }4
in. wide, \Yi to 5 in. long; peduncles short, leafy;
filaments hairy 3. 5". longifolia.
c. Narrow-leaved shrub; leaves silvery-silky beneath,
mostly green above ; stamen 1 4. 5". sitchensis.
d. Erect shrubs and trees; leaves wider in proportion
(except no. 8); stamens 2. Peduncles short, not leafy-bracted.
Catkins nearly globose; leaves glabrous 12. 5. monica.
Catkins cylindric; leaves pubescent when young.
Capsules silky; leaves obovate 5. 5". scouleriana.
Capsules glabrous 6. S. lasiolepis.
Catkins cylindric; leaves glabrous. (See no. 7.) Peduncles evident, leafy-bracted; mostly of over 6,000 ft. alt. Capsules and mature leaves glabrous; stigmas notched. . 7. S. cor data. Capsules pubescent.
Twigs white; leaves small, narrow, silvery-pu- bescent 8. S. tnacrocarpa.
Twigs green, brown, or yellowish.
Leaves entire 9. S. glauca.
Leaves glandular-toothed 10. 5". calif or nica.
1. S. lasiandra Benth. Yellow Willow. Sword-leaf Wil- low. Leaves lanceolate, taper-pointed, 2 to 7 in. long, l/2 to 1 in. wide, glabrous, paler beneath; stipules conspicuous on vigorous shoots. Catkins \]/A to 2*4 in. long, their peduncles leafy-bracted. Capsules slender-pediceled, glabrous.
The Yellow Willow is a slender tree, common along streams and around lakes at the lower altitudes. It is readily known by the small, wart-like glands on the petioles and the leaf-margins are also often minutely glandular.
2. S. nigra Marsh. Black Willow. Leaves narrowly lanceolate, long-pointed, often curved, glabrous, 2 to 7 in. long, }i to x/2 in. wide, on very short petioles; stipules falling early. Catkins ?4 to 2r/2 in. long. Capsules glabrous.— A tall
WILLOW FAMILY 67
tree with rough, dark bark, normally belonging to river banks at low altitudes and probably not reaching the Park boundary.
3. S. longifdlia Muhl. Long-leaf Willow. Leaves linear- lanceolate, very acute, remotely toothed, 1 to 5 in. long, y& to J4 in. wide. Stipules very early deciduous. Catkins ^2 to V/2 in. long, on short leafy peduncles. Capsules glabrous.
The many erect branches of this willow form rounded clumps 5 to 15 ft. high. The leaves are mostly glabrous, but there is a var. argyrophylla And., known as Coyote Willow, with a permanently silvery-pubescent foliage. Both forms grow in rocky stream beds along our lower borders. Still another form, with leaves up to 2>l/2 in. long and l/2 in. wide, and catkins 1 or 2 in. long, has been described from the Yosemite under the name of 5". bolanderiana Rowlee.
4. S. sitchensis Sans. Sitka Willow. Leaves narrowly oblong, acute at both ends, very prominently veined, white and velvety beneath, soon green above, 1 to 3 in. long, % to Yt. in. wide; stipules minute and lanceolate, or wanting. Cat- kins narrow, becoming 1^ to iy2 in. long, on short leafy peduncles. Capsules pubescent.
The Sitka Willow, also known as Velvet Willow and as Silky Willow, belongs typically to the north coast but occurs in a narrow-leaved form at a few places in the Sierra Nevada: Yosemite Valley (near Stoneman Bridge and Happy Isles); Nevada Falls; Merced Lake; Stubblefield Canon; Kaweah River; Gilmore Lake, near Tahoe; etc. There are several varieties named by Jepson. The silkiness of the foliage is approached only in S. macrocarpa, but that has much shorter catkins and white-powdery twigs.
5. S. scouleriana Barr. Nuttall Willow. Leaves obo- vate, rounded above or very shortly acute, entire, 1 to 2 in. long, y2 to 1*4 in« wide, glabrous above, becoming so be- neath; stipules semicordate, toothed. Catkins nearly sessile, y2 to 1 in. long, scaly-bracted but not leafy at base. Capsules white-silky. (S. ilavescens Nutt. S. nuttallii brachystachys Sarg.) — A shrub or small tree, best known by its broad leaves; occasional in meadows and along streams at moderate alti- tudes.
6. S. lasiolepis Benth. Arroyo Willow. Leaves oblong or broadly lanceolate, acute, obscurely toothed, \l/2 to 5 in. long, Y% to 1% in. wide, green and glabrous above, white-pubescent or pale beneath; stipules mostly wanting. Catkins nearly sessile, 24 to ll/2 in. long. Capsules glabrous or a little pubescent.
68 WILLOW FAMILY
The meadows of Yosemite and other low valleys are bor- dered by thickets of the Arroyo Willow, which forms rounded clumps 10 to 20 ft. high. It is sometimes called White Willow.
7. S. cordata var. mackenziana Hook. Leaves narrowly oblong, rounded to a broad base, slenderly acute, glabrous, pale beneath, 1 to 3 or 4 in. long, Y* to 1^2 in. wide; stipules conspicuous and rounded or early deciduous. Catkins 1 to 1^4 m- l°ng> tne leaves of the peduncles falling early. Style long, with short bifid stigmas. Capsules glabrous, slender- pediceled. — A rare shrub, found near Sentinel Hotel in the Yosemite and at Johnson Lake.
8. S. macrocarpa var. argentea Bebb. Silver Willow. Leaves lanceolate, entire, acute at both ends, appressed-silky beneath, becoming green above, 1 to \y2 in. long, f£ in- or less wide; stipules none. Catkins 24 in. or less long. Style very short. Capsules densely short-pubescent.
The smooth, silvery-pubescent foliage and short, thick catkins best mark this beautiful willow (see also S. sitchensis). It is a slender, white-twigged shrub, 6 to 18 ft. high, and grows only in the higher valleys, as along the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne, and Walker Lake, Mono Co.
9. S. glauca var. villosa Anders. Leaves lanceolate to oblanceolate, acute, narrowed at base, entire, 1 to 3 in. long, J4 to Yz in. wide, soft-pubescent when young; stipules lance- olate or none. Catkins on short leafy peduncles, the pistil- late 1 to 3 in. long, their scales brownish and hairy. Stigmas either entire or lobed.
This shrub (2 to 12 ft. high) forms thickets along the shores of lakes and on moist banks. It is the most common willow of upper altitudes, ranging from 7000 ft. to timber- line.
10. S. californica Bebb. Doubtfully distinct from no. 9, differing chiefly in its very finely toothed leaves. It grows at Snow Flat and probably elsewhere in the range of S. glauca villosa.
S. lemmonii Bebb, is a doubtful species close to S. glauca and reported from our higher mountains. It is described as a tall, slender shrub with nearly glabrous leaves, the scales of the catkins pitch-black.
11. S. arctica var. petraea Anders. Alpine Willow. Leaves lanceolate, tapering to each end, entire, about 1 in. long, Ya to y2 in. wide, glabrous. Catkins erect, 1 or 2 in. long. Capsules silky.
SWEET-GALE FAMILY 69
The short, tortuous stems of this willow form a depressed body only 1 to 4 in. high and the flowering1 shoots rarely ex- ceed 6 in. It is a common inhabitant of moist slopes near timber-line, often growing entangled with other alpine dwarfs and sedges.
12. S. monica Bebb. Mono Willow. Leaves oblong or oblanceolate, acute at each end (or the lower obtuse), entire or nearly so, % to 1*4 in- long* glabrous or lightly pubescent around apex; stipules none. Catkins small, roundish, sessile or on a very short 2-bracted peduncle. Capsules sessile, sparsely silky. — Mono Pass, Mt. Dana, Tuolumne Meadows, Rancheria Mt., etc., occurring as a low, profusely branched shrub, the lower branches reclining but not creeping. The Common Cottonwood (P. fremontii) replaces this species in the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys.
2. POPULUS. Poplar. Trees, similar to willows but with mostly broader leaves. Buds covered by several scales. Scales of the catkins as though torn. Stamens numerous. Stigmas long.
1. P. trichocarpa T. & G. Black Cottonwood. Leaves ovate or lanceolate, truncate or heart-shaped at base, acute, finely toothed, 2 to 5 in. long, on petioles ^2 to 2 in. long, green above, brown or whitish beneath.
The Black Cottonwood becomes a conspicuous, broad- topped tree along the rivers in Hetch Hetchy, Yosemite, and Wawona valleys. The bark is whitish and smooth at first, but fissured on old trunks into long, narrow plates.
2. P. tremuloides Michx. Aspen. Leaves round-ovate or orbicular, abruptly tipped, faintly toothed, Y\ to 2J^ in. long, on petioles }£ to 2 in. long.
The Aspen is a slender, graceful tree with leaves constantly quivering even when there is apparently no breeze, the flat petiole being specially adapted to ease of movement. The bark is greenish white, becoming black. No other American tree has so wide a range as the Aspen, which grows from Hudson Bay and the Arctic regions south to Tennessee and Mexico. In our district it grows on moist slopes and along streams, forming thickets or small groves. It belongs to the Upper Coniferous Belt, rarely descending to 4500 ft.
MYRICACEAE. Sweet-gale Family. Shrubs and small trees with alternate simple leaves without stipules. Flowers in short catkins, without calyx or corolla.
yO BIRCH FAMILY
1. MYRICA. Wax Myrtle. 1. M. hartwegii Wats. Sweet Bay. A deciduous pubescent shrub with fragrant foliage. Leaves oblanceolate, acute, V/2 to 3 in. long, narrowed to a short petiole, toothed. Stamen- bearing flowers in catkins scarcely y2 in. long, each with 3 or 4 stamens. Pistil-bearing flowers in shorter catkins which become berry-like and waxy-coated in fruit. — Rare, but found on Big Creek, below the Mariposa Grove, and in the Merced Canon below the Yosemite.
BETULACEAE. Birch Family. Deciduous trees and shrubs with alternate simple petioled leaves and deciduous stipules. Flowers mostly in catkins appearing before the leaves.
Fruit nut-like, in a leafy tube 1. Corylus.
Fruits small, many, in a woody cone 2. Alnus.
1. CORYLUS. Hazel.
1. C. rostrata var. californica DC. California Hazel. Leaves thin, roundish, toothed, V/2 to 4 in. across, glandular- hairy. Nut ovoid, hard, y2 in. long, enclosed in a hairy tube }i to V/2 in. long.
Although more common in the Coast Ranges, the Hazel is by no means rare from the Tuolumne to the lower end of Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove, ascending to 5500 ft. on Moss Creek. It is a loose, spreading shrub, 6 to 10 ft. high.
2. ALNUS. Alder.
1. A. rhombifdlia Nutt. White Alder. Leaves oblong- ovate, tapering to each end, irregularly glandular-toothed, 2 to 4 in. long. Pistillate catkins erect, becoming woody cones, l/2 to Y\ in. long, bearing margined nutlets.
The Alder, which is a straight tree 30 to 80 ft. high, with smooth, pale bark, grows along all of the larger streams, but does not ascend above 5000 ft. alt. A characteristic grouping of the trees is shown in our illustration facing page 4.
A. tenuifolia Nutt., the Mountain or Narrow-leaf Alder, may reach our higher mountains from the north. It is a shrub with doubly toothed leaves.
Betula occidentalis Hook., the Western Birch, grows on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada. It is a tree with smooth, brown bark and roundish, toothed leaves 1 or 2 in. long. Birches are distinguished from alders by the solitary instead
OAK FAMILY 7 1
of clustered pistillate catkins, which do not become permanent woody cones.
FAGACEAE. Oak Family. Trees and shrubs with hard wood and alternate simple leaves. Staminate flowers in slender clusters (catkins) ; calyx several-lobed; stamens 4 to 12; petals none. Pistillate flowers borne on the same plant, 1 to 3 in each scaly involucre; ovary adherent to the calyx; petals none.
Fruit a smooth acorn borne in a scaly cup 1. Quercus.
Fruit a spiny bur containing 1 to 3 nuts 2. Castanea.
1. QUERCUS. Oak.
Flowers greenish or yellowish, the staminate in pendulous catkins; pistillate in young leaf-axils, the ovary with 3 to 5 styles or stigmas. Fruit an acorn in a scaly cup.
Bark gray or whitish; stigmas sessile or nearly so.
Tree (sometimes dwarfed) ; acorn-cup thick, with gold- en fuzz 1. Q. chrysolepis.
Shrub ; cup thin, without golden fuzz 2. Q. vaccinifolia.
Bark dark or black; stigmas on long styles.
Leaves entire or merely spiny-toothed 3. Q. wislizenii.
Leaves with bristle-tipped lobes 4. Q. kelloggii.
1. Q. chrysolepis Liebm. Maul Oak. Leaves ovate or oblong-ovate, acute, entire or toothed (even on the same twig), 1 to 3 in. long, green above, golden beneath with a fine fuzz, becoming smooth and pale. Acorns ovate, globose, or cylindric, either blunt or acute, 1 to V/z in. long, in very shallow fuzzy cups.
The Maul Oak is a gray-barked, \T=~*^
evergreen tree, 20 to 60 ft. high, with roundish or spreading crown. It is one of the live oaks and belongs to the foothills and the Yellow Pine Belt, becoming dwarfed along its upper limits. It may be distinguished, even in its shrubby form, by the golden-yellow color of the backs of some of its leaves and by the golden fuzz on the thick acorn-cups.
2. Q. vaccinifolia Kell. Huckleberry Oak. Leaves oval or oblong and obtuse, or ovate-lanceolate and acute, mostly entire, }£ to \l/2 in. long, J4 to lA in. wide, short-petioled, not golden beneath and the margins not rolled back. Acorns globose-ovate, ^ to y2 in. long, in thin cups % in. deep.
This oak forms meadowy patches of low chaparral around
4.
*]2 OAK FAMILY
the rim of Yosemite Valley and on all the higher mountains. The bark is light-colored and the twigs glabrous.
3. Q. wislizenii DC. Interior Live Oak. Leaves rigid, oblong to ovate, entire or spiny-toothed, 1 to 2^2 in. long, green and shining above, yellow- ish green beneath. Acorns cylindric to conic, acute, 1% to \l/2 in. long, in reddish-brown cups. — A small, round-headed tree with smooth, black bark becoming fissured only on large trunks. Belongs to the foothills but reaches 3400 ft. in the Merced Canon. Q. kelloggii Newb. California Black Oak. Leaves thin, broad, deeply parted, each of the several lobes with 1 to 3 or more coarse bristle-tipped teeth, 3 to 8 in. long, 2 to 5 in. wide, green and shining above, lighter beneath. Acorns oblong, obtuse, 1 to 1*4 m- long, deeply set in a cup ^ to 1 in. deep. (Q. calif ornica Cooper.)
Our Black Oak is a graceful, deciduous tree, 30 to 80 ft. high, with broad, rounded crown and dark bark checked into small plates. It inhabits valley floors and benches of the Yellow Pine Belt, becoming dwarfed and shrubby at 7000 ft. alt. Q. more- hus Kell., which is probably a hybrid between this and Q. wislizenii, occurs at El Portal. It has shallowly lobed leaves, the lobes pointing upward, and its cups are similar to those of Q. wislizenii.
Q. breweri Engelm., the Brewer Oak, and Q. dumosa Nutt., the Scrub Oak, have been reported from the Yosemite but without specimens. The former is a shrub with round-lobed leaves; the latter, which is a foothill shrub, has leaves either entire or spiny-toothed.
2. CASTANEA. Chestnut. 1. C. sempervirens Kell. Bush Chinquapin. Leaves ob- long or lanceolate-oblong, narrowed at base, obtuse, lj4 to 3
MISTLETOE FAMILY 73
in. long, y2 to 1 in. wide. Catkins unbranched, 1 to \y2 in. long, in clusters.
The Bush Chinquapin is a spreading evergreen shrub 1 to 6 ft. high, with smooth bark and yellowish foliage. The large burs are unlike anything else in the mountains. It grows mostly at altitudes of over 6000 ft., often uniting with Bitter Cherry and Snow-bush to form extensive beds of chaparral.
URTICACEAE. Nettle Family. It is probable that the common Nettle {Urtica gracilis var. holosericea Jepson) will be found in our mountains. It is an erect, unbranched herb, 4 to 10 ft. high, with ovate, toothed leaves and stinging hairs.
LORANTHACEAE. Mistletoe Family. Evergreen shrubs, parasitic on trees. Leaves opposite, entire, often reduced to scales. Flowers greenish, small, the staminate and pistillate on separate plants. Sepals and stamens 2 to 5 each. Ovary inferior, becoming a berry. Flowers and berries globose; stems stout, mostly over 6
in. long 1. Phoradendron.
Flowers and berries compressed; stems slender, mostly
under 6 in 2. Arceuthobium.
1. PHORADENDRON. Mistletoe. Parasites with flat thick leaves, or these reduced to scales in our third species. Flowers globose, mostly 3-lobed, sunk in the jointed stems. Fruit a globose pulpy sessile berry, maturing the first winter.
1. P. villosum Nutt. Common Mistletoe. Stems 1 to 3 ft. long, pubescent, leafy. Leaves deep green, elliptic, obtuse, 3-nerved, Y\ to \l/2 in. long, y4 to ^ in- wide, short-petioled. Berries pinkish. — Common on oaks.
2. P. bolleanum Eichler. Stems ^ to 1 ft. long, leafy, becoming glabrous. Leaves greenish yellow, narrow, obtuse, nerveless, l/2 to 1 in. long, yA in. or less wide, short-petioled. Berries pearl-white. — Common on Fir and Juniper.
3. P. juniperinum Englem. Stems y2 to 1 ft. long, glabrous, yellowish. Leaves reduced to triangular obtuse scales. Berry whitish or light red. — On Juniper, the var. libocedri Engelm., with longer and more slender joints, on Incense Cedar.
2. ARCEUTHOBIUM. Glabrous parasites with square stems and scale-like leaves
74 SANDALWOOD FAMILY
united at base in pairs. Flowers crowded, compressed, the staminate 2 to 5-parted, the pistillate 2-toothed. Fruit on a recurved pedicel, maturing the second autumn. The ripe berries suddenly eject the sticky seeds to a distance of several yards. (Rasoumofskya.)
1. A. americanum Nutt. Stems slender, much branched, greenish yellow. Staminate plants 3 or 4 in. long, producing terminal flowers on distinct joints of an open panicle. Fertile plants much smaller. — Known only on the Lodgepole Pine.
2. A. douglasii Engelm. Similar to no. 1 but only *4 to 1 in. high. Branches nearly erect, solitary or with accessory ones behind (never beside) the primary ones. Flowers in short (mostly 5-flowered) spikes. — On Douglas Fir. The var. abietinum Engelm., larger, 1 to 3 in. high, with spreading branchlets, grows on the White and Red Fir. Either form may also be expected on Yellow Pine.
3. A. occidentale Engelm. Stems stout, 2 to 5 in. high, much branched. Staminate flowers in long spikes (flowers 9 to 17). — On Yellow, Jeffrey, and Digger Pine, Juniper, and Alpine Hemlock, perhaps also on Fir. Distinguished from no. 2 by the greenish-brown instead of yellowish stems and by the accessory branchlets of fruiting plants, which bear scales instead of flowers.
SANTALACEAE. Sandalwood Family. Leaves entire. Calyx 4 or 5-cleft. Stamens 4 or 5, in- serted on a fleshy disk. Style 1; ovary inferior, becoming a 1-seeded fruit.
1. COMANDRA.
Bastard Toad-flax.
1. umbellata Nutt. Leaves alter- nate, oblong, thin, acute, much nar- rowed at base, 1 to V/2 in. long, the lower ones scale-like. Calyx-tube continued as a neck to the dry round- ish fruit.
This is a very smooth, leafy per- ennial, y2 to \]/2 ft. high, with small, greenish-white flowers in terminal clusters. The root forms parasitic attachments to the roots of trees and shrubs. It is plentiful in all our mountains.
BIRTHWORT FAMILY 75
ARISTOLOCHIACEAE. Birthwort Family. Flowers perfect, the brownish or greenish perianth 3-lobed,
the tube somewhat attached to the 6-celled ovary. 6 to 12, on the ovary.
Stamens
1. ASARUM. Wild Ginger.
1. A. hartwegii Wats. Leaves alternate, entire, broadly heart-shaped, pubescent below, 3 to 5 in. broad, on petioles 3 to 6 in. long. Flowers short-pedun- cled, in the leaf-axils. Calyx- lobes triangular, continued into a tail 24 to V/2 in. long. Fila- ments stout, continued beyond the anthers as a slender append- age. Styles 6, united at base.
This peculiar plant is appar- ently stemless, the fragrant, creeping rootstocks being hid- den in a mass of dried leaves or other matter. The hairy, brown- ish flowers, with their long-tailed calyx-lobes, are nearly hidden by the clumps of broad leaves, which are often beautifully mot- tled with white. From its com- mon name one might assume that the roots could be used as a substitute for ginger, but such is not the case. They are highly aromatic, however, and this has led to the suggestion that they might be used in the manu- facture of sachet powders. The Wild Ginger is common in good soil in the lower part of the Yellow Pine Belt.
2. A. lemmonii Wats. Calyx-lobes only y2 in. or less long and not tailed, the filaments not appendaged; otherwise similar to no. 1. — A rare species, found growing near logs in the Merced Grove.
Aristolochia californica Torr., the Dutchman's Pipe, has been found at "Tissack Bridge", but it is common only in the foothills of the northern Sierra Nevada and of the Coast Ranges. Tissack Mountain is the Indian name of Half Dome. The plant is a woody vine with heart-shaped leaves and in- flated flowers (1 in. or more long) which turn back on them- selves so as to bring the opening near the base.
y6 BUCKWHEAT FAMILY
POLYGONACEAE. Buckwheat Family. Herbs and low shrubs with simple leaves and small regular flowers without petals. Stamens 4 to 9. Calyx 3 to 6-cleft. Ovary 1-celled, mostly triangular, becoming a dry 1-seeded fruit (akene).
Leaves without stipules; flowers surrounded by an involucre. Involucre 1 or 2-flowered; annuals.
White-woolly plant; involucres sessile 1. Chorizanthe.
Green plant; involucres peduncled 2. Oxytheca.
Involucre several-flowered; coarse perennial plants (ex- cept E. virgatum) 3. Eriogonum.
Leaves with papery or membranous stipules sheathing the stem, alternate; flowers without involucre. Calyx-lobes 6, the 3 outer reflexed in fruit, the 3 inner
erect and enlarging 4. Rumex.
Calyx-lobes 4, the 2 outer spreading, the 2 inner erect;
Alpine plant with roundish succulent leaves 5. Oxyria.
Calyx-lobes 5 or 6, equal and erect in fruit 6. Polygonum.
1. CHORIZANTHE.
1. C. membranacea Benth. Leaves linear, entire, acute, 1 or 2 in. long, the uppermost and even the bracts not much reduced. Involucres several in each sessile head, 1-flowered, papery, the 6 teeth bristle-tipped.
The erect, white-woolly stems of this annual are Yz to 2 ft. high, simple below, but branching above and bearing several or numerous bristly heads of pale flowers. It grows in dry, loose soil of the foothills, reaching 4000 ft. alt. in Yosemite Valley.
2. OXYTHECA.
1. O. spergulina Greene. Leaves linear, entire, 2 in. or less long, somewhat hairy. Pedicels % to y2 in. long. Involucre 4-cleft. Flowers rose-color; outer segments obtuse; inner segments 3-toothed. (Eriogonum spcrgulinum.)
This delicate annual (2 in. to 3 ft. high) has its leaves all in a basal tuft and bears a simple to diffusely branched panicle of small flowers on capillary pedicels. It is common in loose soil of the Yellow Pine Belt.
3. ERIOGONUM. Leaves alternate or in circles or basal, without stipules. Flowers on slender pedicels, several to many in each 4 to 8- toothed involucre. Calyx 6-parted, persistent. Stamens 9. Styles 3.
BUCKWHEAT FAMILY A. Flower-heads peduncled, in terminal umbels.
77
Umbel simple (its rays unbranched, bracted only at base). Bracts at base of umbel in a leafy whorl.
Leaves rounded, Y% in. or more wide; stems reclin- ing at base 1. E. lobbii.
Leaves oblanceolate, less than ^ in. wide; stems
erect 2. E. umbellatum
Bracts inconspicuous, not leafy.
Foliage densely matted 3. E. incanum.
Foliage loose, the stems being more diffuse at base... 4. E. marifolium. Umbel compound (its rays being forked and bracted at about the middle).
Leaves J/2 in. or more wide 1. E. lobbii.
Leaves less than J^ in. wide (usually V\ in. or less). Involucres deeply lobed, lobes becoming reflexed;
leaves lanceolate or spatulate 5. E. stellatutn.
Involucres with short erect teeth; leaves ovate or
roundish 6. E. ursinum.
Flower-heads either sessile along1 the branches or terminal, never umbellate.
Perennials with woody base.
Leaves nearly sessile, white-woolly on both sides
Heads terminal, mostly solitary
Heads scattered along the branches
Leaves long-petioled, green above
Annual, slender, heads less than J4 in. high
... 7. E. ovalifolium. ... 8. E. wrightii. ... 9. E. nudum. ... 10. E. virgatum.
1. E. lobbii T. & G. Flowering stems 3 to 8 in. high, from a little-branched thick base. Leaves thick, oval or roundish, very obtuse, distinctly petioled, J^ to 2 in. long and nearly as wide, white-woolly, often glabrate above. Umbels very pubescent, of 2 to 5 rays only V/2 in. or less long. Involucres nearly J4 in. long, the lobes becoming recurved. Flowers rose-color. — Tuolumne Canon, Lundy, and northward, on gravelly slopes.
2. E. umbellatum Torr. Sulphur Flower. Flowering stems 3 to 12 in. high, from a much- branched woody leafy base. Leaves oblanceolate or oblong, tapering to a petiole, ^ to 1 in. long, white-woolly, often becoming glabrous at least above. Umbels of 3 to 10 stout branches ^ to 2 in. long. Involucre-lobes becoming re- flexed. Flowers yellow.
This low but almost bush-like plant, with numerous yellow heads, is conspicu- ous on stony hillsides at middle alti- tudes, blossoming in July and August.
78 BUCKWHEAT FAMILY
It is common around Yosemite Valley, often in forms indis- tinguishable from E. stellatutn.
3. E. incanum T. & G. Flowering stems numerous, 9 in. or less high, from a dense mat of gray foliage. Leaves oblanceolate or oval, Y\ to nearly 1 in. long, densely and permanently white-woolly. Umbel of 5 to 10 slender branches 2 in. or less long, or the whole inflorescence reduced to a small head in Alpine forms. Involucres with short erect teeth. Flowers yellow, often tinged with red. — In decom- posed granite at high altitudes: Sentinel Dome, Lake Tenaya, Clouds Rest, etc. The type specimens came from the Tuolumne River at 8000 to 10,000 ft. alt.
4. E. marifdlium T. & G. Very much like E. incanum, of which it is perhaps only a form. Foliage-stems less compact, the mats therefore more open. Leaves ovate or oblong, sometimes glabrous above. — High mountains, as in Tilden Canon at 8200 ft. alt.
5. E. stellatum Benth. Flowering stems 6 to 12 in. high, from a loosely branched woody base. Leaves lanceolate, l/t to 1 in. long, white-woolly at least beneath. Involucres in usually compound umbels with whorls of leaf-like bracts at the nodes. — Differs from E. umbellatum only in having the branches of the umbel again divided. Snow Creek, at 6600 ft., Glacier Point, and similar places.
6. E. ursinum Wats. Flowering stems 6 to 15 in. high, from short and thick very leafy basal branches. Leaves oval or roundish, % to ^ m- l°n&> nearly as broad, white-woolly beneath, greenish above. Umbel compound but very com- pact, whole inflorescence V/i in. or less long, subtended by many conspicuous bracts. Flowers very pale yellow. — Tahoe district and northward, in the high mountains; to be expected within our borders.
7. E. ovalifolium Nutt. Plant forming a dense white mat an inch or two high, from which arise naked simple flowering stems 1 to 9 in. long, each terminating in a dense head of flowers. Leaves oval or roundish, J4 in. or less long, per- manently white-woolly on both sides, so densely compacted as to hide the short thick foliage-stems. Flowers roseate, white, or yellow. — Gravelly slopes in the Alpine Zone, as on Mt. Dana.
8. E. wrightii Torr. Stems woody, leafy, and much branched below, the naked flowering shoots rising to 12 or 18 in. and bearing small clusters of rose-colored flowers. Leaves oblanceolate, % to 1 in. long, with smaller ones densely clus-
BUCKWHEAT FAMILY 79
tered in their axils, white-woolly on both sides. — Frequent in stony and gravelly, places, flowering in late summer.
9. E. nudum Dougl. Stems few, erect, several inches to 2 ft. high, mostly glabrous above, clustered with the leaves on a woody taproot. Leaves oblong, obtuse, usually 1 in. long except in Alpine forms, on petioles of more than twice their length, densely woolly beneath. Involucres in close heads and in the forks of the inflorescence, or terminating simple stems in Alpine plants. Bracts in 3's, short, rigid, and scale-like. Flowers dull white or pink. — Common every- where.
10. E. virgatum Benth. Stems few or solitary, erect, 3 in. to 3 ft. high, from an annual root, woolly throughout. Leaves chiefly basal, oblanceolate, usually wavy-margined, woolly. Involucres sessile, scattered along the slender branches, each subtended by 3 lanceolate scales. — A foothill species, ex- tending up to 4200 ft. or more.
4. RUMEX. Dock. Perennials with small greenish or reddish flowers in ter- minal panicles. Leaves alternate, entire or with few lobes; stipules sheathing the stem. Calyx of 6 sepals, the outer small and spreading, the inner somewhat colored, becoming larger and appressed to the 3-angled akene. Stamens 6. Styles 3.
Plant small, slender; flowers unisexual.
Leaves mostly lobed at base 1. R. aceto sella.
Leaves never lobed 2. R. paucifolius.
Plant large, coarse; flowers mostly with both stamens and pistils.
Leaves green, strongly wavy; sepals broad-winged. .3. R. crispus.
Leaves green, slightly wavy; sepals narrow- winged. 4. R. conglomerate.
Leaves pale, flat, willow-like 5. R. salicifolius.
1. R. acetosella L. Sheep Sorrel. Stems 1 to V/2 ft. high, from slender roots with running branches, the flowers in a narrow panicle. Leaves mostly basal, oblong to oblanceolate, usually with slender basal lobes, petioled. Flowers becoming reddish, on very short pedicels jointed at the top. — An Euro- pean weed with very acid leaves, naturalized in all the lower valleys.
2. R. paucifolius Nutt. Stems a foot or so high, from a thick root, the flowers in a loose open panicle. Leaves chiefly basal, lanceolate or narrow, never lobed, 1 or 2 in. long, petiole usually longer. Flowers reddish, on pedicels jointed at the base. — A weed of moist places: Yosemite, Lake Tenaya, Bloody Canon, etc.
8o
BUCKWHEAT FAMILY
3. R. crispus L. Curly Dock. Stems stout, V/2 ft. or more high. Leaves oblong-lanceolate from a broad base, the blade 4 to 10 in. long. Flowers in long very dense panicles with nearly erect branches and few leaves, the clusters com- pact and red-brown in fruit. Fruiting sepals with broad veiny border. — Common around weedy meadows and in moist places at moderate altitudes.
4. R. conglomerates Murr. Green Dock. Stems clustered, 2 to 4 ft. high. Leaves oblong, the lower with broad base, the blade 3 to 6 in. long. Flowers in clusters along the slender spreading leafy branches. Fruiting sepals nearly covered by the callous grain. — Low, damp ground in Yosemite Valley and probably common in all similar places.
5. R. salicifolius Weinm. Willow Dock. Stems 1 to 3 ft. high. Leaves willow-like, narrowed to both ends, 2 to 5 in. long, pale. Flowers in dense clusters, on short spreading branches, only the lower of which are leafy. — To be expected at low altitudes.
5. OXYRIA. Alpine Sorrel. O. digyna Camptd. Stems numerous and tufted on a thick root, 3 in. to 1 ft. high. Leaves all basal, kidney-shaped, 24 to 2 in. across, on very long petioles. Flowers in a narrow panicle with erect branches. Calyx reddish, of 2 outer spread- ing sepals and 2 inner erect ones. Stamens 6. Stigmas 2, sessile on the ovary which develops into a compressed 2-winged akene.
The Alpine Sorrel is a char- acteristic inhabitant of moist places among rocks at high ele- vations, invariably indicating the Alpine Zone. It is readily known by its broad and smooth succu- lent leaves, which have a pleas- ant, acid taste, and by the reddish tint, especially of the flowers.
6. POLYGONUM. Knotweed. Leafy herbs, one species woody at base. Leaves alternate, entire, their stipules forming membranous sheaths around
BUCKWHEAT FAMILY 8l
the stem. Flowers small, on jointed pedicels; calyx of 4 to 6 nearly distinct petal-like erect segments. Stamens 4 to 9. Styles 2 or 3. Fruit a dry akene, either 3-angled or some- what flattened.
a. Flowers in a loose panicle; leaves 1 in. or more
wide 1. P. polymorphism.
b. Flowers in dense oblong leafless racemes; leaves
narrower.
Stems with few leaves; flowers white 2. P. bistortoides.
Stems leafy; flowers rose-color or pink.
Raceme solitary; leaf-sheaths not bristly 3. P.amphibium.
Racemes several; leaf-sheaths bristly-fringed 4. P. persicaria.
c. Flowers in the leaf-axils.
Twining herb with heart-shaped leaves 13. P. convolvulus.
Prostrate woody perennial S. P. shastense.
Slender glabrous annuals with narrow leaves.
Plants prostrate 6. P. aviculare.
Plants erect.
Leaves obovate; stems reddish, leafy 7. P. minimum.
Leaves narrower.
Stems 6 to 24 in. high. f\
Flowers erect.
Leaves merely acute 8. P. ramosissimum.
Leaves with fine tips 9. P. tenue.
Flowers pendent 10. P. douglasii.
Stems 4 in. or less high
Stems much branched 11. P. kelloggii.
Stems simple below 12. P. imbricatum.
1. P. polymdrphum L. Stems stout, erect, 2 to 7 ft. high, perennial. Leaves ovate or lanceolate, acute, 3 to 6 in. long, 1 to 2J/4 in. wide, narrowed or rounded to a winged petiole y2 to 1 in. long. Flowers greenish white or rose-color, small but numerous in a much branched bracted terminal panicle often 1 or 2 ft. long. (P. phytolaccaefolium Meisn.) — In wet soil along creek banks and the margins of lakes, from the Hetch Hetchy and Yosemite valleys to Tuolumne Meadows.
2. P. bistortoides Pursh. Stems several from a woody root, 6 in. to usually 1 or 2 ft. high. Basal leaves oblong or lanceolate, 3 to 5 in. long, y2 to 1 in. wide, distinctly petioled; upper leaves smaller, sessile. Flowers white, in compact cylindric or roundish heads terminating the stem.
The white flower-heads of this Polygonum are conspicuous above the green herbage in nearly all of the mountain meadows, especially where the soil is wet, being of tall stature when growing at moderate altitude, but much dwarfed along its upper limits.
3. P. amphibium L. Water Persicaria. Aquatic perennial with stout stems not branching above the rooting base, sel-
82 BUCKWHEAT FAMILY
dom more than \x/2 ft. high. Leaves usually floating, oblong to lanceolate, acute, 3 to 6 in. long, 1 to 2 in. wide, long- petioled. Flowers bright rose-color, in a dense oblong raceme which is x/2 to 2 in. long. — Usually growing in water but sometimes on muddy banks where the stems become erect and more pubescent. It has been collected in the Hetch Hetchy meadows.
4. P. persicaria L. Lady's Thumb. An introduced annual with usually erect stems, 1 to 5 ft. high, leafy throughout. Leaves lanceolate, 1 to 4 in. long, J4 to 1 in. wide, short- petioled. Flowers pink, in dense oblong racemes (}/2 to 1% in. long) terminating short branchlets. — In moist situations but not in water; Yosemite Valley.
5. P. shastense Brewer. A low spreading perennial with numerous leafy and woody twigs inclined to creep along the ground. Leaves linear, rather less than y2 in. long, acute. Flowers in the lower leaf-axils, rose-color or nearly white. — Only near timber-line on the higher peaks.
6. P. aviculare L. Yard Grass. A green glabrous annual with prostrate wiry stems often several feet long. Leaves oblong, acute, % to Y\ in. long. Flowers from most of the axils, erect. — An European weed, naturalized around some of the settlements.
7. P. minimum Wats. Stems scurfy, reddish, y^ to 1 ft. high, leafy to the summit. Leaves mostly obovate or broadly oblong, broad at apex but abruptly short-pointed, l/^. to 24 in. long, nearly sessile. Flowers erect. Akenes black, shining, slightly exserted from calyx. — A high-altitude species found in moist soil on Mt. Watkins at 6900 ft. alt., also (by Miss Helen D. Geis) in Yosemite Valley, where doubtless carried down by streams.
8. P. ramosissimum Michx. Stems 1 or 2 ft. high, almost woody, ridged, the few branches ascending. Leaves linear- oblong, y2 to lx/2 in. long, narrowed to each end, short- petioled. Flowers several in each of the axils, on erect pedicels. Stamens 3 to 6. Akenes granular, not shining. — Yosemite Valley, etc.
9. P. tenue Michx. Much more slender than no. 8 and only 1 ft. or less high, the leaves mostly narrowed to a slender tip; stamens 8. — Reported from "Yosemite and above."
10. P. douglasii Greene. Stems slender, y2 to ll/2 ft. high, with very few branches. Leaves linear-oblong, y2 to 2 in. long, sharply pointed, sessile. Flowers remote, usually only
GOOSEFOOT FAMILY 83
1 or 2 in each axil, the pedicels reflexed. Akenes black, shin- ing.— Abundant in Yosemite Valley, etc., and occurring at higher altitudes as var. latifolium Greene, with shorter stems, broader leaves, and more crowded flowers.
11. P. kelloggii Greene. Stem 2j4 in. or less high, with numerous erect branches from the base. Leaves crowded, linear, under l/2 in., acute, the upper not much reduced. Flowers erect, crowded. — Ostranders, and elsewhere in the higher mountains.
12. P. imbricatum Nutt. Stem solitary, slender, usually simple below, 1 to 3 in. high. Leaves remote, linear, ^ to 1 in. long, acute, the upper ones short and crowded. Flowers erect, crowded. (P. watsonii Small.) — Moist soil at middle and upper altitudes.
13. P. convolvulus L. Black Bindweed. Stems 1 ft. or more long, twining. Leaves ovate, broad and "eared" at base, taper-pointed, 1 to 2 in. long, glabrous. Flowers in clusters or racemose. Akene black. — An introduced weed, abundant near settlements.
CHENOPODIACEAE. Goosefoot Family. Weedy herbs with alternate leaves, no stipules, and minute greenish flowers. Ovary 1-celled, becoming a dry 1-seeded fruit. In our single genus the flowers are sessile in small dense bractless clusters, the persistent calyx is 5-parted, and the stamens are 5 in number.
1. CHENOPODIUM. Goosefoot. Pigweed.
1. C. album L. Lamb's Quarters. Pigweed. An erect simple-stemmed white-mealy annual, 1 or 2 ft. high. Leaves ovate to lanceolate, mostly angulate-toothed, the blade 1 or
2 in. long. Flower-clusters in panicled spikes. — An introduced weed of waste places. C. murale L., with coarsely toothed, bright-green leaves, on much-branched stems, is also to be expected.
2. C. bdtrys L. Jerusalem Oak. An erect very gland- ular greenish annual, 3 in. to 1 ft. high, simple or branched from the base. Leaves oblong, pinnatifid into oblong angular lobes, y2 to V/2 in. long. Flower-clusters in narrow leafless panicles. — Introduced weed found in Yosemite Valley; the herbage noticeably glandular and aromatic.
AMARANTHACEAE. Amaranth Family. Weedy herbs with alternate leaves, no stipules, and minute
84 PURSLANE FAMILY
flowers each between 3 dry and rigid sharp-pointed bracts. In our single genus the stamens are 5 or 3 and the 1-seeded fruit is 2 or 3-beaked at apex.
1. AMARANTHUS. Amaranth. 1. A. graecizans L. Tumble Weed. A coarse diffusely branched annual, 1 or 2 ft. high, the stems smooth and whitish. Leaves obovate or spatulate, very obtuse, white- veined, 1 in. or less long, slender-petioled. Flowers crowded in the upper leaf-axils. Sepals 3. (A. albus L.) — A common introduced weed of the plains, reaching our lower valleys. Other species are also to be expected, especially A. calif ornicus Wats., known by its nearly prostrate stems and single sepal to the fertile flowers.
PORTULACACEAE. Purslane Family.
Low herbs with succulent entire leaves and regular flowers. Ovary free from the calyx, becoming a many-seeded capsule. Capsule breaking crosswise at maturity; stamens 5 to numerous. 1. Lewisia. Capsule splitting longitudinally; stamens 3 or S.
Flowers in racemes or scattered 2. Montia.
Flowers in close coiled spikes; stamens long-exserted 3. Spraguea.
1. LEWISIA. Bitter-root. Herbs with thick perennial roots (slender stems from a corm in L. triphylla) and fleshy linear leaves. Sepals 2 to 8. Petals 3 to 16. Style-branches 3 to 8. Capsule thin, the upper part splitting off as a cap at maturity.
Leaves short, not exceeding the fully opened flowers 1. L. rediviva.
Leaves exceeding the flowers.
Leaves all basal, a pair of short bracts on the stem.
Sepals entire, % in. or more long 2. L. nevadensis.
Sepals glandular-toothed, less than lA in. long 3. L. pygmaea.
Leaves 2 to 5 in a whorl midway of the stem 4. L. triphylla.
1. L. rediviva var. yosemitana K. Brandegee. Yosemite Bitter-root. Leaves thick and fleshy, spatulate or narrowly oblong, mostly ^ to 1 in. long, crowded on the summit of a thick fleshy root. Flowers solitary and terminal on short erect stalks, overtopping the leaves when fully opened. Sepals mostly 2 to 4, oblong, acute, pinkish, glandular- margined. Petals 4 to 12, white, probably varying to rose- color, l/2 to 24 in. long. Stamens 15 to 22. Style-branches 4 or 5.
The Bitter-root, which is said to be used by the Indians for food, is of wide distribution in western North America,
PURSLANE FAMILY 85
but the Yosemite variety is one of our most local and rare forms. It was first collected, "somewhere about Yosemite Valley," in 1891 by Mrs. Willie F. Dodd. Then, after a period of twenty years, it was re-discovered by members of the Sierra Club party of 1911, who brought it in from the
Lewisia rediviva yosemitana Lewisia pygmaea
summit of Mt. Watkins and from the crown of El Capitan. This material and the field notes taken by Professor Jepson, one of the collectors, indicate that our form is an exceedingly variable one. The flower-stalks are jointed only near the base and are apparently without bracts, while in the type material, as described by Mrs. Brandegee, the stalks were jointed and bracted near the summit, from which the flowers promptly fell at maturity. There is also a wide variation in the number of flower-parts, indicating that this is only a variety of L. rediviva, which differs chiefly in its larger size and greater number of sepals, petals, stamens, and style- branches. Aside from its botanical interest, which centers around its remarkable variability, the Bitter-root has an in- teresting history. Its generic name was given in honor of Captain Meriwether Lewis, of the Lewis and Clark Expedi- tion, while its common name has more recently been used to designate an important mountain range in Montana, where it has been adopted as the State Flower. The specific name, rediviva, was applied because of the plant's power to revive after long periods of drought. Specimens uprooted for several days have been known to unfold their flowers when placed in water.
86 PURSLANE FAMILY
2. L. nevadensis Rob. Leaves several from the globular or somewhat elongated thick root, linear, 2 to 5 in. long, commonly exceeding the flower-stalk. Sepals 2, not gland- ular. Petals 6 to 8, white, about y2 in. long. Stamens 10 to 12. Styles 4 or 5. (Calandrinia nevadensis Gray. Oreobroma nevadensis Howell.)
The thick, fleshy petals, often suffused with pink, render this plant quite conspicuous in low, moist places, notwith- standing its low stature. It grows in moist soil along meadow borders at altitudes of 5000 to at least 9000 ft., as on Ascen- sion Mt., and in Stubblefield Canon.
3. L. pygmaea Rob. Pygmy Lewisia. Leaves numerous, from the summit of a carrot-like root, linear, ^ to 2 or 3 in. long, mostly exceeding the flower-stalks. Sepals 2, the margin with a row of purple glands. Petals 6 to 8, white or rose-red, about 54 m- long- (Calandrinia pygmaea Gray. Oreobroma pygmaea Howell.)
This attractive little plant, usually recognized in its fresh state by the purple-fringed sepals, is encountered only near timber-line (Snow Flat, Mt. Dana, etc.), where it often grows in soil kept moist by melting banks of snow.
4. L. triphylla Rob. Stems slender, 1 to several, from a globose corm. Leaves a pair or a whorl of 3 to 5 midway of the stem, linear, Y2 to 2y2 in. long. Flowers on slender pedicels. Sepals 2, entire. Petals 54 m- or less long. (Claytonia triphylla Wats. Oreobroma triphylla Howell.)
The classification of this delicate plant has given botanists no end of trouble, but because of the crosswise splitting of its capsules it seems to belong in this genus. The flowers, although somewhat fleshy, are very dainty, being of a light- pink color. The species is well distributed in the mountains and grows in moist soil.
2. MONTIA.
Fibrous-rooted succulent herbs. Sepals 2, rounded, com- monly a little unequal. Petals 5 or fewer. Stamens 3 to 5. Capsule 3-valved, opening down the sides; seeds 2 to 5. (Claytonia, of some authors.)
Flowering stems with a single pair of leaves united into a
disk 1 • M. perfoliata.
Flowering stems with opposite leaves
Petals equal, much exceeding the sepals 2. M. chamissoi.
Petals unequal, scarcely exceeding the sepals 3. M. fontana.
Flowering stems with alternate leaves.
Stamens 5 ; stems simple 4. M. parvifolia.
Stamens 3 ; stems erect, branched 5. M. linearis.
PURSLANE FAMILY 87
1. M. perfoliata Howell. Miner's Lettuce. Plant T/2 to \ ft. high, not producing runners. Basal leaves numerous, the earliest linear, the later varying to ovate or orbicular or even kidney-shaped and on petioles 2 to 8 in. long; stem- leaves a single pair united into a disk beneath the raceme of small white or pinkish flowers. Petals % in. long, twice as long as the sepals. — Abundant everywhere except at very high altitudes, passing into many peculiar forms, often much reduced and delicate.
M. spathulata Howell, is similar to no. 1 but with stem- leaves distinct, or somewhat united on one side, nearly equal- ling the short flower-cluster. — Reported from the Yosemite.
2. M. chamissdi D. & J. Stems with slender runners which bury themselves and produce bulblets. Leaves op- posite, in several pairs, oblong-spatulate, 1 to 3 in. long including the narrowed base (whole plant much reduced in Alpine forms, sometimes only ^ in. high). Flowers 1 to 9, on slender pedicels which spread or recurve in fruit. Petals pale rose-color or nearly white, 54 m- l°ng> much exceeding the sepals. (M. chamissonis Greene.) — Wet, meadowy or mossy places: Crane Flat; Yosemite Valley; Tuolumne Meadows.
3. M. fontana L. Water Montia. Stems slender, 2 to 6 in. long, often rooting from the joints. Leaves opposite, narrow, Y% to Y\ in. long. Flowers few, the pedicels becom- ing recurved. Petals minute, white, united at base. — Of wide distribution, a diminutive form occurring at Yosemite Falls.
4. (M. parvifolia Greene. Stems fine and thread-like, J^ to 1 ft. long, often reclining and running. Leaves alternate; the lower obovate or oblanceolate, 2 in. or less long includ- ing the petiole; middle and upper leaves scarce, only % to */> in. long, sessile, linear-lanceolate. Flowers few, racemose, the pedicels becoming reflexed. Petals rose-color to white, % to y2 in. long, much exceeding the sepals. — On moist rocks around Yosemite Valley, etc. Bulblets are found in the leaf-axils, but drop off in drying.
5. M. linearis Greene. Stems erect, usually much branched, 3 to 6 in. high, annual. Leaves alternate, linear, ^4 to 2 in. long, sessile by a broad base. Flowers in racemes, the pedicels ^2 in. or less long, recurving in fruit. Sepals round- ish, blunt, white-margined. Petals white, unequal. Stamens 3. — Known in our district only from near Camp Curry, Yosemite Valley, where it was found in 1911 by Miss H. A. Walker.
88 PINK FAMILY
3. SPRAGUEA.
1. S. umbellata Torr. Pussy-paws. Leaves 1 to 3 in. long, spatulate, obtuse, thick, those on the flower-stalks much re- duced. Flowers in terminal clusters of coiled spikes, forming close heads or open panicles. Sepals and bracts papery, rose- tinged, equalling the 4 rose or whitish petals. Stamens 3, exserted. (Calyptridium umbellatum Greene.)
The chaffy flower-clusters of this plant are borne on nearly naked stalks, which rise 4 to 12 in. high from a rosette of basal leaves on a strong taproot. It is common in sandy soil throughout the mountains, becoming perennial, with a thick root, and much dwarfed at high altitudes. This pygmy form is the var. caudicifera Gray. Mr. Grinnell, the zoologist, tells us that the Pussy-paws is greatly appreciated by chipmunks. These little animals shell out the minute, black seeds with wonderful dexterity and after filling their cheek pouches, carry the booty to hiding places, where it is presumably stored up for winter use. As many as 750 of these seeds, perfectly clean and free from chaff, have been found in the cheek-pouches of a single chipmunk.
CARYOPHYLLACEAE. Pink Family. Herbs with mostly thickened nodes, simple entire opposite leaves, and regular flowers. Sepals and petals 5 or 4 (or petals wanting), the stamens as many or twice as many. Ovary superior, 1-celled, with 2 to 5 styles, becoming a several or many-seeded capsule.
Sepals united; petals clawed 1. Silene.
Sepals distinct; petals without claws.
Styles 5; petals notched; plants 4 to 12 in. high 2. Cerastium.
Styles 3 or 4; petals parted nearly to base or absent; plants
4 in. or more high 3. Stellaria.
Styles 3; petals entire. (Styles 3 or 4 and plant very low
in A. compacta.) 4. Arenaria.
Styles 4 or 5; petals minute and nearly entire or absent;
plants less than 4 in. high 5. Sagina.
1. SILENE. Catch-fly. Campion. Annual and perennial large-flowered herbs. Calyx tubular or inflated, 5-toothed. Petals 5, narrowed below to a claw, which usually bears near its summit an entire or cleft scale. Stamens 10. Styles 3 or 4.
Annual with pale flowers; a homely weed 1- S. antirrhina.
Perennial with bright-red showy flowers 2. 5. californica.
Perennials with white or pale-rose flowers.
PINK FAMILY 89
Flowers mostly nodding.
Petals cleft into 4 narrow lobes 3. 51. lemmonii.
Petals cleft into 2 lobes 4. 5". bridgesii.
Flowers strictly erect.
Leaves ovate or lanceolate 5. 5". menziesii.
Leaves linear, forming mats 6. 5". watsonii.
1. S. antirrhina L. Sleepy Catchfly. Leaves oblong- lanceolate or linear, about 1 in. long. Flowers small, pink or red, erect. Petals scarcely exserted from the calyx, notched.
This erect, sparingly branched weed (1 ft. or so high) has smooth stems except that the middle of each upper internode is sticky. It grows in the Yosemite and doubtless in other of the lower valleys.
2. S. californica Dur. Indian Pink. Leaves lanceolate or broadly elliptic, narrowed to a sessile base, 1 to 3 in. long. Flowers 1 in. long, deep red, erect. Petals with 2 broad lobes flanked by 2 narrow ones. Stamens and styles exserted. Seeds covered with minute protuberances.
The stems of this plant rarely rise more than 6 to 12 in. above the ground but are sometimes much taller. They are from thick, perennial roots and, like the leaves, are finely pubescent. The strikingly handsome flowers are occasionally seen on shaded hillsides along our lower borders, as at Hodgdon Ranch, Hites Cove, Wawona Road near Eight- mile, etc.
3. S. lemmonii Wats. Leaves lanceolate to oblanceolate, acute, usually shorter than the internodes on flowering stems. Flowers J/2 to Y in. long, mostly nodding, solitary or in clus- ters of 2 or 3 along the upper part of the stem. Petals white or pale rose, cleft into 4 linear segments, the claw with 2 narrow appendages. Styles much exceeding corolla.
This is by far the most common Catchfly at middle altitudes and is at once recognized in the field by the drooping flowers and finely fringe-cut petals. The stems are branching and leafy at base and 1 to 2 ft. high.
4. S. bridgesii Wats. Habit and general characters of S. lemmonii, from which it may be distinguished by the petals which are cleft into only 2 segments. — Yosemite Valley is the type locality of this species, reported also from Snow Creek and Mt. Dana.
5. S. menziesii Hook. Stems weak, 2 in. to 2 ft. high, very leafy throughout. Leaves mostly longer than the internodes, broadly lanceolate to ovate, acute at each end, the upper leaves scarcely smaller. Flowers y^ to Y in. long, in a leafy-
90 PINK FAMILY
bracted panicle (solitary in dwarf specimens). Petals white, cleft into 2 segments and often with a pair of small scales on the claw, about equalled by the style. — Not common: Yo- semite Valley; slopes west of Mono Lake.
6. S. watsonii Rob. Plant with many slender erect stems, 10 in. or less high, from a compact leafy base, finely glandular. Leaves narrowly linear, |4 to 2 in. long. Flowers y2 to 24 in- long, strictly erect, solitary or few, terminal. Petals white or rose-color, the short blade with 2 lobes, each lobe usually with a short lateral tooth, the claw with obtuse appendages. — Of high altitudes; known by the straight stems, each termin- ated by a large erect flower.
S. douglasii Hook., of the Tahoe district and northward, may be known, if found, by its narrow leaves and tall, nearly glabrous stems each bearing 1 to 3 large, erect flowers.
2. CERASTIUM. Mouse-ear Chickweed. Pubescent branching herbs with sessile leaves and no sti- pules. Sepals and petals 5 each, the latter white and notched or cleft. Stamens 10 or 5. Styles 3. Capsule becoming longer than the calyx, 10-toothed at apex.
1. C. viscdsum L. Mouse-ear Chickweed. Leaves ovate to elliptic, y2 to 1 in. long. Flowers white, small, on short pedicels. Petals not longer than sepals (scarcely % in.). Stamens 10, 5 of them without anthers. — A homely annual weed, 4 to 12 in. high, in fields and along roadsides.
2. C. arvense L. Field Chickweed. Leaves linear, nar- rowly lanceolate, acute, l/2 to lJ/2 in. long. Flowers several in each terminal cluster, erect, long-pediceled. Petals white, twice as long as sepals, deeply notched. — A leafy-based per- ennial, often matted, 4 to 8 in. high, growing in the crevices of rocks along the Ledge Trail, at Vernal Falls, etc.
3. STELLARIA.
Low herbs, with numerous flat leaves and white slender- pediceled flowers. Leaves entire (crisped in one species), sessile. Sepals and petals 5 each, the latter always bifid or divided into 2 lobes, rarely wanting. Stamens 3 to 10. Styles 3 or 4. (Alsine.)
Petals shorter than the sepals, or wanting; stems weak.
Leaves broad, long-petioled 1. S- media.
Leaves sessile or nearly so.
Flowers from the axils of very narrow bracts 2. S. nitens.
Flowers in terminal umbels 3. S. umbellata.
Flowers from the axils of broad leaves 4. S. crispa.
PINK FAMILY 91
Petals exceeding the sepals; stems erect.
Herbage nearly glabrous S. 5". longipes.
Herbage glandular 6. S. jamesii.
1. S. media Cyr. Common Chickweed. Stems weak, often reclining, marked with a pubescent line. Leaves ovate, acute, narrowed to a slender petiole, or the upper narrower and sessile. Flowers on slender pedicels which become deflexed in fruit. Petals shorter than sepals. — A weed, introduced around the settlements.
2. S. nitens Nutt. Stems very slender, 4 to 12 in. high, from an annual root, shining and nearly glabrous. Leaves mostly linear-lanceolate, acute, % to y2 in. long, sessile (the very lowest smaller and petioled). Flowers on long ascend- ing pedicels from the axils of minute whitish bracts. Sepals white-edged, tapering to sharp points, the petals much shorter or wanting. — A low-altitude plant, found at Vernal Falls.
3. S. umbellata Turcz. Stems smooth, weak, ascending from a prostrate base. Leaves lanceolate or elliptic, *4 to ZA in. long. Flowers umbellate, i. e., several from the summit of each branch, the spreading pedicels l/2 to \y2 in. long and short-bracted at base. Petals minute or none. (Alsine baical- ensis Cov.). — Soda Springs of the Tuolumne, and perhaps elsewhere at high altitudes.
4. S. crispa C. & S. Stems numerous, weak, often re- clining, glabrous, 1 to 3 ft. long. Leaves thin, ovate, usually crisped on the edges, acute, J/2 to 2 in. long. Flowers solitary from the leaf-axils, on pedicels % to 2 in. long. Petals shorter than sepals or none. — In meadows and other grassy places.
5. S. longipes Goldie. Stems numerous, slender, erect, 6 to 15 in. high, from running rootstocks, the whole plant smooth and nearly glabrous. Leaves linear-lanceolate, very acute, y2 in. to 1 in. long. Flowers solitary or loosely clus- tered, on pedicels of various lengths. Petals white, 2-parted to below the middle, longer than sepals.
This is perhaps our most common Stellaria. It grows throughout the Yellow Pine Belt in moist or grassy places. When shaded by other plants its stems and leaves are much longer and more slender than in the ordinary form.
6. S. jamesii Torr. Stems erect, strongly angled, usually 6 to 12 in. high, pubescent and viscid above. Leaves lance- olate, slenderly acute, 1 to 2l/2 in. long. Flowers on short pedicels (1 in. or less) in leafy panicles. Petals white, 2-cleft above the middle, equalling or longer than sepals. — Not rare in shaded places of the Yellow Pine Belt.
92 PINK FAMILY
4. ARENARIA. Sandwort. Low branching annuals and perennials with linear sessile leaves without stipules. Sepals and petals 5 each, the latter white and entire. Stamens 10. Styles 3. Petals shorter than the rigidly sharp-pointed sepals; leafy
glandular perennial 1. A. nuttallii.
Petals longer than the sepals.
Plant perennial, with more or less woody base.
Compact Alpine plant, not 3 in. high 2. A. compacta.
Taller, more loosely branched.
Flowers on long pedicels; stems branched throughout. .3. A. capillaris. Flowers in small heads; stems simple above the leafy
base 4. A. congesta.
Plant annual; flowers showy, on naked pedicels 5. A. douglasii.
1. A. nuttallii Pax. Stems leafy, numerous and matted, from a thick perennial root, 2 to 6 in. high, glandular. Leaves rigid, sharply pointed, about y^ in. long. Flowers short-pedi- celed, in green leafy-bracted clusters. Sepals with strong midrib, rigidly sharp-pointed. Capsule with 3 entire valves. — To be expected at more than middle altitudes. The form with leaves less rigid, scarcely spreading or pungent, and very attenuate sepals % in. long is the var. gracilis Rob.
2. A. compacta Coville. Stems much branched and leafy, forming dense mats only an inch or two high, from a thick woody root. Leaves awl-like, less than *4 m- l°ng» minutely hairy. Flowers terminal on short naked pedicels, small. Sepals acute, green only in the middle, shorter than the petals. — Alpine plant from Mt. Dana, near Bloody Canon, and the Mt. Whitney district.
3. A. capillaris Poir. Stems erect from a branching per- ennial base, densely leafy below, 3 to 8 in. high. Leaves rigid, sharp-pointed; the lower in dense fascicles, ^ to 1 in. or more long; upper in pairs, shorter. Pedicels glandular, mostly X/A to 34 in. long, the flowers therefore scattered. Sepals obtuse or barely acute. Capsule with usually 3 toothed valves.
This Arenaria grows on nearly all of the domes and gravelly summits from El Capitan and Sentinel Dome to Mt. Conness, etc. The leafy portion is often very compact, espe- cially in plants of high altitudes, and the old branches are woody and scaly with dry leaves of previous years.
4. A. congesta Nutt. Perennial and branching at the densely leafy base, the simple erect stems 6 to 12 in. high. Leaves rigid, sharp; the lower fascicled, l/2 to 2 in. long;
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upper opposite, shorter. Pedicels glabrous, J4 m- or less ^ong, the flowers therefore in terminal head-like clusters. Sepals acute. Capsule normally with 3 toothed valves.
Although this Arenaria is common both north and south of the Yosemite, it has been reported but once from within the Park. It inhabits loose, soil at more than middle altitudes. The var. suffrutescens Rob. has woody stems %. in. thick and long pedicels, the flowers in umbels. Var. subcongesta Wats, has flowers in expanded branching clusters.
5. A. douglasii Fenzl. A nearly glabrous much-branched annual, 2 to 8 in. high. Leaves filiform, not rigid, % to 1 in. long. Flowers numerous, on spreading naked pedicels, larger than in other species (over % in. across). Sepals acutish, narrowly thin-margined. Capsule with 3 entire valves. — In loose soil of open places, mostly at less than 4500 ft. alt.; our only annual species.
5. SAGINA. Pearlwort. Diminutive annual and biennial herbs with narrowly linear or filiform exstipulate leaves and minute long-pediceled flowers. Petals white and shorter than the sepals, or wanting. Styles 4 or 5. Capsule 1-celled.
1. S. apetala Ard. Stems nearly erect, not matted. Pedi- cels from the leaf-axils and terminal, minutely glandular, straight. Flower-parts mostly in 4's. Petals minute or want- ing.— Yosemite Valley near Stoneman Bridge.
2. S. occidentalis Wats. Stems loosely branched, spread- ing. Pedicels axillary and terminal, glabrous, straight. Flower-parts in 5's. Petals nearly equalling the sepals. — To be expected.
3. S. linnaei Presl. Stems densely matted, 3 in. or less high. Pedicels all terminal, glabrous, often becoming bent or recurved at summit. Flower-parts in 5's. Petals nearly equalling the sepals. — Yosemite Valley near Pohono Bridge and Happy Isles.
NYMPHAEACEAE. Water Lily Family. Aquatic perennial herbs with horizontal rootstocks and large floating leaves. Represented with us by a single, large- flowered species.
1. NYMPHAEA. Water Lily. 1. N. polysepalum Engelm. Indian Pond Lily. Floating leaves 8 to 12 in. long, 6 to 9 in. broad, with rounded basal
94 BUTTERCUP FAMILY
lobes and a closed sinus. Calyx cup-shaped, 2^2 to 4 in. across; sepals 7 to 12, yellow and petal-like, or the outer greenish. Petals 12 to 18, y2 in. long and resembling stamens. Stamens with dark-red anthers but yellow pollen. Fruit nearly globose, with narrow neck and concave summit.
The Water Lily is a conspicuous inhabitant of quiet ponds from Lake Eleanor and Hetch Hetchy to the Yosemite, Eagle Peak Meadows, etc. The round leaves, known as lily pads, float .on the surface of the water, above which the stout pedi- cels carry the thick-sepaled, yellow flowers. The Klamath Indians, of Oregon, roast the seeds, which they call wokas, and eat them either dry, as we do popcorn, which they much resemble in taste, or as a porridge or bread after they have been ground into a meal (Coville).
RANUNCULACEAE. Buttercup Family. Crowfoot Family. Herbs with alternate or basal leaves (except Clematis, a climber with opposite leaves), and without true stipules. Flower-parts all free and distinct. Sepals often petal-like. Petals sometimes wanting. Stamens mostly numerous. Pis- tils 1 to many, superior, 1-celled, each bearing a single style, maturing into dry fruits or berries.
A. Flowers without spurs or hoods, the sepals and petals all flat
or concave.
Leaves compound.
Flowers white, Yi in. across; leaves opposite 1. Clematis.
Flowers white, very small; leaves alternate 8. Actaea.
Flowers greenish, very small; leaves alternate 2. Thalictrum.
Leaves simple, entire or lobed.
Sepals 5, green or white; petals yellow or white or re- duced to greenish glands 3. Ranunculus.
Sepals 6 to 9, white or blue; petals none 4. Caltha.
B. Flowers either with 1 or more slender spurs or helmet-shaped.
Petals 5, continued backward as slender spurs 5. Aquilegia.
Petals 4, unlike; upper sepal continued backward as a spur. 6. Delphinium. Petals 2; upper sepal continued upward as a helmet-shaped
hood 7. Aconitum.
1. CLEMATIS. Virgin's Bower.
1. C. ligusticifolia Nutt. Leaves opposite, compound; leaflets 5 to 7, ovate, broad at base, irregularly toothed, 1 to 3 in. long. Sepals 4, petal-like, V8 in. long. Petals none. Sta- mens numerous. Akenes many, the feathery tails very con- spicuous in fruit.
The stems of this Virgin's Bower clamber over bushes and
BUTTERCUP FAMILY 95
trees by the aid of their leaf-stalks, thus making more con- spicuous the showy flowers, which are borne in clusters on long peduncles from the upper leaf-axils. It belongs to low altitudes but reaches Wawona and the Hetch Hetchy.
2. THALICTRUM. Meadow-rue.
1. T. fendleri Engelm. Leaves glabrous, alternate, com- pound to thrice compound (leaflets with rounded lobes), the 3 to 5 basal ones with long petioles dilated at insertion, the uppermost sessile. Flowers on leafy stems, staminate and pis- tillate on different plants. Sepals greenish, falling early. Petals none. Stamens many; filaments thread-like; anthers linear, attached at base. Akenes 5 to 15, sessile, swollen on one side, about % in- long, tapering to the slender persist- ent style.
The fern-like leaves of the Meadow-rue are borne on smooth, perennial stems 1 to 3 ft. high. The numerous, greenish, staminate flowers are like so many tassels suspended from the branches of a loose panicle. It grows in moist places at all altitudes below timber-line. T. polycarpum Wats, is a related species of the foothills, and reported from Yo- semite Valley, distinguished by its very numerous akenes each about % in. long.
3. RANUNCULUS. Buttercup. Crowfoot. Herbaceous fibrous-rooted perennials with yellow or white flowers. Sepals and petals 5 to 15 each, the latter with a small nectar-bearing pit at base or reduced to scales. Pistils numer- ous, developing into a globular or oblong head of akenes.
Flowers white; leaves finely dissected; aquatic 1. R. aquatilis.
Flowers white; leaves roundish, lobed 2. R. hystriculus.
Flowers yellow. Leaves entire.
Stems creeping, rooting from the nodes 4. R. flammula.
Stems not rooting from the nodes 5. R. alismaefolius.
Leaves lobed or parted.
Plant 9 in. or less high, glabrous.
Flower-stalk naked 3. R. cymbalaria.
Flower-stalk leafy-bracted 6. R. o.vynotits.
Plant 1 to 2 ft. high, pubescent.
Akenes (seed-bodies) round, with short incurved
beak 7. R. calif omicus.
Akenes ovate, with long straight beak 8. R. orthorhynchus.
1. R. aquatilis L. Water Buttercup. Leaves roundish, the submersed ones divided into many thread-like divisions. Flowers white, with yellowish centers, short-stalked and as
g6 BUTTERCUP FAMILY
though floating. Sepals 5, early falling. Petals 5, scarcely % in. long. Akenes rough. — In ponds near Crockers.
2. R. hystriculus Gray. Leaves mostly from the base, on petioles 2 to 5 in. long; the blade nearly orbicular, J4 to 2^2 in. across, with several rounded and bluntly toothed lobes. Stems 4 to 10 in. high, bearing only 1 or 2 flowers. Sepals 5, *4 to 24 m- long Dut unequal, white. Petals reduced to green- ish scale-like nectaries. Styles hooked. Akenes thin, papery, loosely investing the small seed.
This flaccid, glabrous perennial grows on shaded rocks and ledges kept moist by seeping water or spray from waterfalls, and is rare except near the Yosemite, where it has been found at Vernal, Royal Arch, Staircase and Nevada falls, and in Lit- tle Yosemite Valley. It is so unlike the other buttercups, especially in its reduced petals and almost bladdery seed- bodies, that some botanists place it in