WHISPERING BELLS (Emmenantlie penduliflora), a North American herb of the water-leaf family (Hydrophyllaceae), known also as California yellow bells, native to mountain slopes from central California to Utah and southward to Mexico. It is a low, much-branched, sticky-hairy annual, Io in. to 20 in. high, with deeply-cut leaves and bell-shaped, cream-coloured or yellow flowers, 2 in. long, borne on slender, pendulous stalks in loose
clusters. This characteristic plant of the chaparral (q.v.) is grown in gardens for its showy, persistent flowers. When dry after fruiting these give forth a slight rustling sound.