BIOLOGICAL, RECONNOISSANCE AT FLATHEAD LAKE. 127 



of the prairie or open liillside, rarely taken in woods, and then only in open 

 places. 



The western milfoil, Achillea millefolium, L., is also a conspicuous 

 flower of the landscape. Everywhere in open prairies it grows in great 

 abundance, although not in such great masses as the Clarkia. It is 

 everywhere common, but grows among the other vegetation without ap- 

 parently monopolizing the soil. In the Mission valley the milfoil thrives 

 luxuriantly. In the early spring its clusters of dissected leaves lends a 

 charm of color. Later the stem ascends, in midsummer reaching matur- 

 ity. Its abundance of white composite flowers, scattered among the blue 

 Lupinus, purple Clarkia, red Geranium and yellow Balsamorrhiza, is easily 

 recognized and is very conspicuous. Later, in August and September, 

 the plant withers and dries on the stem; the leaves dry and becom,e a dull 

 brown; the flower stalks and flowers have fulfilled their mission, and 

 the whole plant is dead and withered. 



Another flower of the plain and open hillside is the composite Bal- 

 samorrhiza sagittata, Nutt. This plant has large, thick, auriculated 

 leaves, growing in clusters from thick rootstalks. The flower heads 

 grow singly on branchless stalks a foot or two high. The plants do 

 not grow tall. The large leaves spread out in every direction, casting 

 shade over the smaller vegetation. Not only does the shade retard the 

 growth of competitors, but the large rootstalks monoplize the soil. The 

 flowerstalks are numerous, each with a large, yellow, and conspicuous 

 head. The plant grows in masses. Its best season is in June. It be- 

 gins to blossom in early May, continuing until late in July. In August 

 the leaves wither on their stems, rattling more with the movement of an 

 animal than dried corn stalks. Balsamorrhiza grows abundantly on the 

 dry and level plains. It is a xerophytic plant. It ascends the dry and 

 open hillsides, and the large areas of yellow flowers may be detected miles 

 away. Occasionally it seems to get into low and swampy meadows, 

 where it struggles for an existence. It is sometimes seen in dense 

 timber, often in open timber, but thrives best on open plain or hillside. 

 It grows abundantly at all altitudes in the western part of the state up 

 to 6,000, more sparingly for perhaps another thousand. In the Mission 

 valley it has its best growth on the slopes nearer the mountains, and 

 in the open woods and treeless hillsides. In the Mission range a species of 

 Lupinus is as conspicuous as any of the flowers previously mentioned, 

 and fully as abundant. Early in the spring its palmately compound 

 leaves make their appearance, easily recognized. In May it has begun 

 to bloom, the flowers continuing until late in July, when the last 

 unfold. At the time of our passage, July 11, the plants had passed their 

 best, save an occasional stalk which was covered with deep blue flowers, 

 causing exclamations of pleasure and delight from the botanists of the 

 party. Like the plants previously mentioned, this lupine thrives in the 

 open plains or hillsides, but is almost as abundant on partially wooded 

 slopes. Mountains from 2,000 to 3,000 feet high are in spring time cloth- 

 ed from foot to summit with its luxuriant growth, its deep blue making 

 a charming mixture with the sombre green of the yellow pine, red fir, or 

 the brighter green of the tamarack and balsam. Unlike the Clarkia, 



