[Sidenote: =Shield-leaf=
_Streptánthus tortuòsus_
=Yellowish, purplish
Summer
California=]
Nothing about this odd-looking plant is pretty and it almost seems as
if it were trying to make up by eccentricity for its lack of beauty.
It is common in dry, sandy places in the mountains and our attention
is first attracted to the tall, branching stalks, because they are
strung with such queer-looking leaves. In summer the upper ones are
bright-yellow or dull-purple and they clasp the stem and curve over,
so that they look like small brass shields, pierced by the stem. There
are three or four of these curving leaves, very smooth and shiny, and
several more below, which are flatter and dark-green, and the stem,
from six inches to three feet high, is oddly twisted and leans to one
side. The small flowers are yellowish or mauve, veined with purple,
less than half an inch long and peculiar in shape. The contrast in
color between the flowers and leaves is very odd and very ugly, but as
if this were not enough, later in the season the curious thing hangs
itself with ridiculously long, slender pods, like great hooks, and
looks queerer and more disheveled than ever.
[Sidenote: =Arizona Streptanthus=
_Streptánthus Arizònicus_
=White
Spring
Arizona=]
Prettier and not so queer-looking as the last. The leaves are
arrow-shaped, clasping at base, rather leathery, bluish-green,
with a "bloom" and tinged with purple on the backs, the lower ones
toothed, and the pods are about two inches long, flat and tinged with
purple. The flowers are half an inch long, pearly-white, the petals
yellowish, veined with purple, and are quite pretty. This grows in dry
places.
[Illustration: Arizona Streptanthus--Streptanthus Arizonicus.