59 



Salix fluviatilis Xutt. (River-baxk Willow). — This little alentler-stpmmed and 

 slender-lcafeil form so conimon on all creek and river banks seems to he equally 

 common on tb(; banks of Bitter Creek and its tributaries. It forms a green 

 fringe or even large patches on the low, salt-encrusted banks. Not usually 

 thought to have any value, but here in the desert occasionally browsed by sheep, 

 especially wben snow makes other feed hard to obtain. Bitter Creek, .June 2 

 (3102). 



Salix bsbbiana Sargent. (Bebb's Willow). — It was something of a surprise to find 

 tMs willow in the heart of the desert. In a draw near the railroad at Creston, 

 August 27 (4270). 



POLYGONACEiE. 



Eriogomim campanulatum Nutt. (Narrow-leafed Eriogonum). — Often browsed 

 by cattle, but of no considerable value. The Gap, north of Rock Springs, July 

 25 (.3.597). 



Eriogonum effusum Xutt. — A small, branched plant with a woody base, the young 

 stems tender and eaten by sheep; not plentiful. In the clay draws at the head 

 of Salt- Wells Creek, .July 17 (37.53). 



Eriogonum ovalifolium Nutt. — A small ca^spitose plant, exceedingly common on 

 Ixith plains and hilis. There are several forms of it, the commoner one having 

 white flowers, but in the desert, wbere it is especially abundant, bright yellow 

 forms predominate. It is probably of no economic importance". Point of Rocks, 

 June 1 (3087) ; Bitter Creek, June 2 (3099) ; Red Desert, June 3 (3117). 



Rumex tuberosum A. Nels. (TtiBEROXs Dock). — On some of the alkali-covered flats 



adjacent to Bitter Creek this unusual plant was found. A dock springing from 



large oblong tubers which lie shallowly buried in the loose, ash-like alkali soil. 



From these the plants spring up early, the stems, a foot or more in height, 



bearing long spikes of flowers; the large, bright-red wings of the fruits make 



them very conspicuous on the otherwise almost naked ground. Bitter Creek, 



June 2 (3114). 



CHENOPODIACEiE. 



Chenopodium album L. (Lamb's Quarters). — This well-known weed seems to be 

 at home even in the desert, except in the more pronounce<l of its alkali soils. 

 Wamsutter, .Inly 10 (3685); Bitter Creek, July 12 (3705). 



Chenopodium fremontii Wats. (Fremont's Goosefoot). — A succulent, branched, 

 leafy plant, 1 to 2 feet high ; if growing thickly it is more slender and less leafy. 

 This must be placed among the plants of possible forage value. It thrives on 

 saline soil, in some localities making a pure growth, and if it can be shown that 

 it has forage value large crops of it can readily be grown. Wamsutter, July 10 

 (3671). 



Chenopodium glaucum L. — This is a spreading form of goosefoot with thick, 

 fleshy leaves, and succulent stems. It thrives in soil impregnated with alkali, 

 and, as was said of the preceding one, if it has any value, lai'ge crops of it can 

 be grown on otherwise worthless alkali soils. Bitter Creek, .Inly 12 (3704). 



Chenopodium leptophyllum Nutt. (Narrow-leafed Goosefoot). — A slender, wil- 

 lowy form, a foot or so in height. Bitter Creek, July 12 (3704a). 



Blitum capitatum L. (Strawberry Bute). — This seems to be very rare, only a 

 few specimens being seen. South Butte, July 13 (3544). 



Monolepis nuttalliana Greene. — A small, much branched, succulent plant, 5 to 7 

 inches high, common on saline soils throughout the West. Wamsutter, July 11 

 (3686). 



Atriplex argentea Nutt. (Silvery Salt-sage). — A branched, annual plant, with 

 silvery leaves and stems, common about alkali lakes. Possibly it has forage 

 value during its season, but when mature it seems to become dry and worthless. 

 Howell Lakes, September I (1466). 



Atriplex confertifolia (Toir. ) Wats. (Spiny Salt-sage.)— A much-branched, 

 spiny shrub, 15 to 20 inches high, inttducing early in the season a large amount 



