Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-03-09
LOWER CALIFORNIA FLORA
Peninsula Unknown and ImpOr.
tant Sections Unexplored.
One Day FiOwsr-Oecked Country and
Neat a barren Desert---pisuts Have
Economic Vslue--Some
Monstrositics.

o'dtes ->a'loHdl fferDarlu1n, a DranCh or
OF the national museum. at Washington,
D. c.. Edward A. Goldman OF the
biological survey. department Of agri-
culture, reports many interesting fact.
the botanica! feature. or
Lower California, where it Is said occurs
one Of the most wonderfully diversified
f'oras 10 be found in thu world.
Doubtless owing to its isolation and
the lack Of knowledge concerning its
flora. Lower California was not inciud-
ed with the botany Of Mexico published
some years ago. and the plants. as a.
whole, have not been treated in any
general flora Of North America. This
region is still comparatively little known.
and important sections remain TN
explored
The flora Of the Peninsula proves to
be readily sepsrable into two main div-
sions: one identical With that OF south
ern California. which entering from the
north occupies tho northwest coast and
the Sierra del Final and San Pedro
Martir mountain regions. comprises
species which disappear rapidly to the
southwark; the other division. compris-
ing more austral or tropical flora
iacent mainland coast Of Mexico. oc-
cupies the entire southern part OF the
peninsula. except the submits OF the
high mountains. where recur some Of
the more northern species. and extends
northward in a narrow strip east OF
the San Pedo Martir mountains
The region as whole is OF unusual
Interest, owing in part 10 its configura-
ton and to the inclusion within its
borders Of these widely differing floral
areas. which are separated roughly at
about latitude IS degrees. The higher
mount aims tabout aOO to 1000 feet are
crowned by familiar appearing forests Of
oak and pine. but at lower levels. es-
pecially in The more arid desert sections,
a number Of species in adapting them
selves to their environment have develop
ed into monstrous forms which pre-
vail as to give the landscape a strange
and grotesque aspect. Several remark
bic genera seems to be peculiar to the
peninsula, and a number Of new species
besides other characteristic or interesting
forms are described or figured in Mr..
Godmans report. which Is illustrated
with % plates and a map of the district
covered by the expedition.
The northern part of this territory is
extends in a general way throughout the
peninsula: the middle section is occupied
by desert plains and mountains. and
there is A touch of the tropics at the
southern end The large trees of south
, ern California, including pines. oaks. and
sycamores. arc seen in the extreme
northern portion. The wood OF the local
ironN God. a tree OF the desert. is very
hard. and is said to make one Of the
hottest fires Of any known wood; the
fire was so hot that on several occasions
the bread Of the explorers was burned
in baking.
One of the peculiar plants having ar
economic value is the orchilla. a llchen
which formerly was exported to Fin gland
where 1t was used in making fast dye,
in several colors before the cheaper ami
line dyes came into general use. Now
however with the increased demand foi
vegetable dyes. its popularity may rs
turn. Two other plants OF economic
value are the trees known as the copa
and torote, which are used in dyeins
and tanning. In Mexico the corpal is
used also an incense. The bark o.
/ the palo hlanco, white tree, Is also uset
| for tanning, great quantities being ship
ped abroad.
! The cirios. or bee-trees. are among tbs
most peculiar on the peninsula. theii
tall near bare trunks roach aloft to abou
is meters and present the appearance Of
giant inverted carrots with the little
roots extending into the air Some o
hop
ing over, assume fantastic shapes. Man!
Of the larger ones are hollow and are
/ inhabited by awarms of wild bees
or course cactuses grow plentifuliy il
/ the desert regions; they vary from small
slender species to giant forms witt
large trunks and limbs. One cactus Il
reported to resemble huge caterpillar
and strangely enough. IT actually moves
over the desert, very slowly to be sure
/ but nevert heless it moves the olde
parts dying as the new stems reach GU
and take root.
Another curious plant monstrosit.
with which the deserts Of the centra
portion OF the peninsula are thckl,
strewn Is the ccpalquin 1t has a shor
and every crooked trunk from which
many fat taperng branches emerge /,
such twisting convoutons as to sug
Gest tho idea that the unfortunate ire
IS IN great pain, or remind the visito
| or the LAGOON statue with its ever pres
ent snakes. When travelling by moon
| light. the author states that the con
torted trunks OF these trees seem to as
sumo even more fantastic shapes, unit
ons feels that he is In an unreal worl,
possessing wonderland of curiou
plants,
| 1t seemed strange to find one day
beautiful country decked in flowers, an
on perhaps the next to come to a dry
parched and barren desert. some part
or which may not have had rain 70
years. where the water-holes were 40 4
." miles apart. When showers do occu
In these regions they are frequentl
| local. and their path across the deser
Is often readily traced by the burst o
green and Towering plants which sprin
up In day or two after such a shower
1t seems that the desert often needs n
more than sprinkling OF water to be
come verItable garden spot
ETED TILE XXAD VXIuATT