"Our Lord's Candle" is a type of yucca plant that looks like a candle. It has long sharp leaves that point outward in all directions. In springtime its 4- to 8-foot stalk is covered with cream-colored flowers. Native to California, the plant's scientific name is Yucca whipplei.

Fourth-grader Marlena decided to make a mosaic of this plant. Mosaics are pictures made by gluing small bits of colored things such as stones or tiles to a hard surface. Marlena used dried beans and seeds to make her mosaic.

Marlena learned that the Yucca whipplei was of great importance to Native Americans. The leaves, made into cord, were used for sewing and making rope. Other parts of the plant provided food.

The design took shape as Marlena searched for things to use for her mosaic in her neighborhood market. She chose raw organic pepitas, green split peas, and mung beans for the leaves.

Pearl barley, red winter wheat and flax make up the stem. The flowers are made from whole-grain quinoa, millet and basmati rice.

"I did the outline first and then glued down the seeds in the middle of the drawing," said Marlena. "Then I went to the flowers and finished by working on the leaves."

Follow Marlena's example. Do research on a plant or animal and send us a drawing. Be sure to tell us what you learned and how you drew it. We will publish some of your art in future columns. The next lesson appears in the Sunday, July 6 Kids' Reading Room page in the Comics Plus section. Maybe it will be yours!

*This Learning Link was written by Carol Felixson of UCLA Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains Reserve and UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden. Both sites offer ideas for drawing from nature. To see previous Drawing From Nature lessons and the drawings in color, go to http://www.botgard.ucla.edu/kids.html and nrs.ucop.edu/Reserves/stunt/newsforkids.html

Copyright 2003 Los Angeles Times