DANIELS ON FLORA OF MANISTEE, MICHIGAN. 125 



THE FLORA OF THE VICINITY OF MANISTEE, MICJ3. 



FRANCIS POTTER ]QANIELS, A. M, 

 INTRODUCTION. 



An attempt is liere made to set forth the results of a study of the flora 

 of Manistee, Mich., and vicinity, made during' the year 1900. An earnest 

 effort was made to discover and study all species growing within a radius 

 of five or six miles from Manistee, but doubtless the flora given here is far 

 from complete. The season was unusually wet and large portions of the 

 swamps and marshes were inaccessible much of the year. The list of 

 aquatics is doubtless too small. Besides some common species may not 

 have been noticed, since the interest naturally centered upon new and 

 unusual forms. But I succeeded in noting some 750 species, most of which 

 grow in the vicinity of Manistee, although I have included a few found in 

 the neighboring counties of Lake and Mason. The ecology of this flora is 

 of unusual interest. On the dunes the littoral flora of the Great Lakes 

 mingles with the flora proper of the interior of the State. Moreover the 

 denuding of the region of its pines has occasioned many changes in the 

 conditions of plant growth. The problem of reforesting these denuded 

 districts will find its solution only after a careful study of the present 

 conditions of plant growth. But clearly one year's observation is insuffi- 

 cient to note all the many gradual changes that are taking place. Only a 

 careful study year after year of the same region can enable the botanist 

 to determine the full import of what he sees. But a faithful picture of 

 present conditions is not without its value. It may add its increment to 

 what already is known. 



Manistee is situated on the shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of 

 Manistee river. It is about eighteen miles north of the 44th parallel and 

 about the same distance west of the 86th meridian. The main part of the 

 city lies south of the river, which expands into a long narrow lake skirting 

 the eastern side of the city. Two rivers flow into this lake, the Little 

 Manistee and the Big Manistee or Manistee river proper. Manistee lake 

 lies northwest and southeast. The town of East Lake lies on its east 

 shore, and near its northeast extremity is Filer City. The lake at most 

 times is jammed with logs, and its north end especially has many stagnant 

 offshoots, separated by marshy flats. 



The shore of Lake Michigan stretches southwest by northeast. In front 

 of the city the shore is sandy and large dunes have formed. Southwest 

 of the city the sands and dunes suddenly cease, and the steep banks are of 

 clay for an indefinite distance. Northwestward the sands and dunes con- 

 tinue for a mile or so when the clay formation begins again until Bar 

 Lake is reached some two miles beyond. 



The region south of Manistee consists of light sandy soil, much of the 

 district consisting of pine barrens, but westward toward the lake the soil is 

 heavier and there are a few good farms. Several small lakes lie in the 

 heart of this desolate region, the largest being Canfield's lake. North of 

 the city the soil is of varied character. The dunes gradually become better 



