Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 51.djvu/366

354 Among other lovers of moist localities are the Aralia, or wild sarsaparilla (the long, aromatic roots of which are sometimes used as a substitute for the genuine commercial article), and the poisonous Cicuta, or water hemlock, a member of the parsley family, easily distinguished by its lofty, hollow stem, large tripennate leaves, and umbels of numerous rays of small white flowers. On the borders of Lake Tahoe flourish the beautiful pond lilies, prized by boat-riders as trophies of summer excursions; the white Brasenias, or "water shields"; and the sulphur-yellow Nuphars, or "spatterdocks," the large flat leaves of which are the favorite camping ground for small green frogs. Most of the forest underbrush is composed of the manzanita, or "little apple" (Arctostaphylos), sometimes known as the "bear-berry," as Bruin feasts on the fruits. This shrub averages about five feet in height and has round, thick leaves and tiny white or rose-colored blossoms which ripen in early autumn into dull red, globular berries, resembling Indian beads. The smooth, mahogany-hued bark peels annually, like that of the madrone; and the larger boughs furnish a hard cabinet wood capable of a fine polish.

Other flowering shrubs include the heathlike bryanthus; the Audiberta, or white sage; the rabbit brush, and the Oregon grape or holly-leaved barberry (Berberis), a low bush with prickly, polished foliage and racemes of yellow flowers, succeeded by round blue berries much like those of the elder. In great patches under the pines grow the Chamobatia (a little evergreen plant about a foot in height with blossoms like those of the strawberry), and the trailing Vaccinium, or "squaw's carpet," recognized by its small, serrated leaves, and round, pale-pink bells, or hard, reddish seed vessels. The Alpine phlox clings to the rocks in high altitudes, together with the arctic willow and dwarf conifers, while the juniper redeems barren, sandy sections from utter desolation.

Two pretty little wood plants, nestling in the dry leaves under the trees, are the Pyrola, or "shin-leaf," and the pipsissewa, or "prince's pine" (Chimaphila), the former having radical variegated leaves and nodding white flowers, suggesting those of the lily of the valley, and the latter being known by its shining evergreen foliage and terminal clusters of waxy, flesh-tinted blossoms of delicate fragrance.

Near by usually grow the quaint little "Dutchman's breeches," with their fine compound leaves and drooping, pink corollas, as well as the Asarum, or wild ginger, so called on account of the rootstock, which has a pungent flavor. This is an odd-looking herb, with several heart-shaped leaves, and a curious, brownish-purple flower, about the size of a large thimble, which makes its appearance just above the surface of the ground, and has no petals, but a three-parted calyx.