PARTY LINES : CHARITY BURSTS INTO FULL BLOOM.

Byline: Barbara De Witt 

In the world of flowers and florists, there are the Rose Parade and Las Floristas.

During the latter's dinner-dance at the swanky California Club in downtown Los Angeles, I learned it isn't an organization of florists, but a group of women who came up with a fragrant idea in 1938 to raise money for handicapped children.

The evening in which florists and mannequins (i.e. models) for the April 23 Las Floristas Floral Headdress Ball were announced had a South Seas theme reflected in the pink-and-green floral-trimmed invitations as well as the decor, which included lavish centerpieces topped with huge white and purple cata le ya orchids.

And as partygoers entered the dance floor through a flower-covered archway, I noticed many women wearing flowers in their hair.

According to Burbank floral designer Clark Jellison, ``The entire floral scene has changed. Corsages on the chest are rarely seen and have been replaced by flowers in the hair. And when it comes to bouquets, the era of a simple design is gone, and we're back to the era of Victorian elegance with a profusion of flowers.''

He also said large orchids are making a comeback, but the single hottest flower of the moment is the gerbera daisy from South Africa - but you wouldn't wear one in your hair or in a corsage because they need to be in water, he explained.

The designer, who closed his floral shop and began creating flower arrangements on a grander scheme for the Rose Parade (two of his floats won prizes this year), and his partner Kelly Burke have planned a rain-forest theme for their entry in the annual contest. According to Burke, the mannequin's headdress will include parrots, dragonflies, a monkey and lots of dried flowers. Fitting all those critters can't be taken lightly; the masterpiece will weigh as much as 30 pounds and reach 6 feet into the air.

As we dined on filet mignon, with a dessert of creme brulee in a pool of chocolate sauce topped with an orchid and a chocolate butterfly, dinner chairwoman Gail Reeves of Encino told me about the organization. She says there are 400 members who work to raise money to support clinics for handicapped children - including Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center and USC Medical Center.

Besides raising money through dining-for-dollars galas, the members help with Valentine's Day and Halloween parties at the hospitals and even put the children on gurneys and take them out to hunt for Easter eggs.

Also at my table was longtime member Katherine Bentley, who explained to me that the group started from the very beginning with headdresses as a way to be different in a sea of charitable organizations. They started out small with simple flowers arrangements, but now every flower arranger in town wants to be in the competition - and only eight are chosen. So the winning florist carries the same clout in his or her business as an Oscar-winning actor.

For tickets to the upcoming floral spectacle at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, call [phone].

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4 Photos

Photo: (1) Schmoozing at the Las Floristas gala at the California Club in Los Angeles are Glendale members Anna Dulcich, left, and Mandy Viole with guest Ron Tutor of Hidden Hills. The women will be mannequins at the Beverly Hills Hotel on April 23 for the Las Floristas Floral Headdress Ball.

Lee Salem

(2) Carol Connors, left, Elizabeth An and Barbi Benton display their best chapeaus at the Mad Hatters party at Crustacean restaurant in Beverly Hills. Connors and An will be honored May 16 at the Women of Achievement benefit for John F. Kennedy University.

Paul Marsh

(3) Sharing a laugh at the opening night party for ``Tongue of a Bird'' at Ciudad restaurant in Los Angeles are theater buffs Monica Burnham, left, Jane Wyatt, Barbara Levee and Eva Marie Saint. The play, whose stars include Sharon Lawrence of TV's ``NYPD Blue,'' runs through Feb. 7 at the Mark Taper Forum.

Craig Schwartz

(4) Tropical flowers in pink and green accent the Las Floristas' gala invitations.