[Sidenote: _Laphàmia bisetòsa_
=Yellow
Summer
Ariz., New Mex., Tex.=]
An insignificant plant, except that it grows on the sides of bare,
red rocks or head-downward on the under side of overhanging ledges,
apparently needing little or no soil, and is therefore noticeable. It
forms round clumps, one or two feet across, with many slender stems,
about six inches high, small, pale yellowish-green, roughish leaves,
and small yellow flower-heads, without rays. This is rare and grows in
the Grand Canyon.
There are several kinds of Grindelia, common in the West, recommended
as a remedy for Poison Oak.
[Sidenote: =Gum Plant=
_Grindèlia latifòlia_
=Yellow
Spring
California=]
Coarse but rather effective flowers, with smooth, stiff, branching
stems, about three feet high, and dark dull green leaves. The
flower-heads are over an inch and a half across, with bright yellow
rays and centers and very resinous, shiny buds.
There are several kinds of Balsamorrhiza. Both the Latin and common
names allude to the aromatic roots.
[Sidenote: =Arrow-leaf Balsam-root, Big Root=
_Balsamorrhìza sagittàta_
=Yellow
Spring
Utah, Ida., Cal., Nev., Col.=]
A very handsome plant, the contrast between the gray-velvet leaves and
the great yellow flowers being very striking. It forms large clumps,
about a foot and a half high, with slightly downy flower-stalks and
heart-shaped or arrow-shaped, toothless leaves, pale gray-green and
velvety, covered with silvery down, whiter on the under side. The
flowers are over three inches across, with clear bright yellow rays,
and a deeper yellow center, fuzzy and greenish-yellow in the middle.
The involucre is almost white, thickly covered with silvery, silky
wool, and the flowers are pleasantly sweet-smelling. This grows on dry
hillsides.
[Sidenote: =Cut-leaved Balsam-root=
_Balsamorrhìza macrophýlla_
=Yellow
Spring, summer
Utah, Wyo.=]
A strikingly handsome plant, forming clumps even larger than the last,
with similar flowers, but with quite different foliage. The leaves are
rich-green, and decorative in form, more or less slashed into lobes
and very sticky, with hairy margins and leaf-stalks, and are nearly as
tall as the hairy, sticky flower-stems, from one to two feet high. This
grows in rich soil in mountain valleys.
[Illustration: Cut-leaved Balsam Root--Balsamorrhiza macrophylla.]
[Illustration: Laphamia bisetosa.
Gum Plant--Grindelia latifolia.