The National tribune., 1893-09-21
SOUTH CALIFORNIA FLOWERS.

prayers when we ask for unnecessary things" is
utterly spurious. II God doles out TO only those
things without which we could not live. why did
he cover earth with flowers? Is it absolutely
necessary for that the bluebell should ring its
anthems, and the wild rose nod its fragrant greet
ing? Our Heavenly Father, spreading before a
lovely picture, bids Us enjoy It's beauties, and no
part Of it is airer than that which represents the
Flora OF Southern California.
win you in fancy, dear c. c. friends, take a
walk with me and pluck some OF these flowers? II
so, must go Spring day, when blue skies
pcrfumed secrets.
As we stand on a little hill and look down on the
miniature valley. stand in the valley and
look up at the bill we exquisite carpeting
of blue and gold When look closely, we see
the blue is formed by the noddiBg lilacea or wild
onion, and the gold by our own State flower, the
poppy (Escischotzal. Cora Chase has likened
this flower Of gold" when it grows mt the foot OF
~ lofty mountain to an innocent child gazing into
the face of r stern old man.
And straight Ia Shasta's awful face
Smiles up this flower OF gold"
Not far away from the peoples their relatives,
the cream cups. Little nuns are they. with their
pale-green hoods. Here some wild panses or
violeIs Viola peduncuiata) We will gather
great lunches Of these TO lay in our baskets. but
must be careful not 10 crush the beautiful Mari
posa lilies, which we gathered in yonder sheltered
nook. The Spaniards call them butterfly tulips
because of the large, dark spots on their petals.
See. yonder are some monkey flowers (Mimu-
lus) noddng their heads al you, but they not
in the least like monkey faces. They really
pretty bilabiate blossoms Of from pale yellow
10 the deepest orange and all the intermediate
hues.
Here is some wild heliotrope. 1t is of the Bor-
age family. But you disappointed ia It, for IL is
neither very fragrant nor very fair. However.
right at hand Is flower whicii fulfils ali expecta-
lions raised by its name-sweet pea Heguminoss gel.
You must take you disentaugle il from the
branch which IL ~ clinging. for il often twines
lovingly around a shrub as banefu il is beauti.
fui. The poison oak waves it glossy dark boughs
very gracefully and enticinRly, but TO the
unwafy hower-Raiberer who takes a branch TO put
with his other treasures Ia a short time he will
probably wish he had never been born.
Growing on this barren mountain-side Is the
Indians paint brush, painted cup, soldiers
cap,as ii is varousy called. See its little spikes of
the most brilliant red one can imagine They al
ways remind me of lady's esr-drops.
Are you tired? Then will rest under this
great sycamore. Here we Will come ut Christmas
time to gather the mistletoe bough" for we shall
always find Ii clinRing TO the sycamore like the
luIuriantiy smaller trees and bushes is The
dodder or love vine. 1t is very SNOWY, being of a
brilliant yellow hue.
As we sit here and gaze listessly on sky and hill
and valley we see here and there "A Spanish bay
onet raising its stately head far above It's Iowlier
neighbors. This royal flower which holds court
chiefly during the Summer months hes for its real
name Yucca Gloriosa," but / like best "The
Lords Candesiiek :" Some one has apily called il
" The Triumph OF Natures Handiwork." grows
some 20 feet high and has flowers much resembling
tube roses. II is said there sometimes $500
blossoms on q single stalk.
We must prepare for home now for the sun is
setting. and we have no long twiiigJis in Califor-
mia. As we walk slowly down Tie h.l we will
gather the sweetest flowers Of ali the dear little
baby blue-eyes (Nemophils). Pluck them care
fully, for they very fragile and will not bear
rough treatment. We wander home, thanking
God for his sweetest thoughts-6owers. Loyalty
Ina Wright, South Los Angeles Cal