INDIAN WARRIOR.
Pedicularis densiflora, Benth. Figwort Family.
Root woody. Stems.—Six to twenty inches high. Leaves.—Alternate; oblong-lanceolate; pinnate; leaflets lobed and toothed; diminishing into the flower-bracts. Calyx.—Campanulate; five-toothed. Corolla.—Club-shaped, bent downward above the calyx and oblique to it; one inch long; the two upper lobes united and containing the stamens; the three lower mere teeth. Stamens.—Four. Style filiform; exserted. Ovary.—Two-celled. Hab.—Throughout Western California.
These blossoms, which come early in the season, seem "warmed with the new wine of the year." They often stand in little companies in openings among the trees, and the rays of the afternoon sun slanting in upon them brighten and vivify them into a rich, warm claret-color. The leaves, finely dissected, like certain fern-fronds, are often of a bronze tone, which harmonizes finely with the flowers.
To the casual observer, this flower resembles the Indian paint-brush. In reality, it belongs to a closely allied genus. But in this blossom the bracts do not constitute the brilliant part of the inflorescence, and the calyx, instead of being the showy, sheathing envelop it is in the paint-brush, is quite small and inconspicuous.
Mrs. Blochman has quaintly and aptly alluded to the corolla of this flower as a long and slender mitten, just fit for some high-born fairy's hand.
Among the children of our mountain districts this flower is known as "Indian warrior."
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