19*41 PALMER, THE LIGNEOUS FLORA OF RICH MOUNTAIN 121 



Quercus alba L. The White Oak is a common tree throughout. Some 

 magnificent specimens, with trunks a meter or more in diameter, and attain- 

 ing a height of 25 or 30 meters, may still be seen in inaccessible places 

 on the north slopes of Rich Mountain. On top of the mountain it is the 

 most abundant arborescent species, but attaining only a small size. The 

 variety latiloba Sarg. grows with the typical form. 



Quercus stellata Wang. The Post Oak is very common in the rocky 

 valley, and is found in open places on the slopes and abundantly on top 

 of the mountains. 



Quercus stellata var. araneosa Sarg. In sandy soil in the valley of 

 Big Creek. Apparently rare. 



Quercus stellata var. Margaretta (Ashe) Sarg. Found rarely in the 

 valley near Page. 



Quercus Muhlenbergii Engelm. The Chinquapin Oak is found rather 

 sparingly both in the valley and on the slopes and tops of the mountains. 



Quercus Phellos L. A few small specimens of the Willow Oak were 

 found along Big Creek, near Page. Its presence here indicates its greater 

 adaptibility than its congener, Q. nigra, both species being equally common 

 in the lowlands of the larger streams of the vicinity. 



Quercus borealis var. maxima Ashe. The northern Red Oak is of 

 rather frequent occurrence on the steep rocky slopes on both sides of the 

 mountains, but is apparently rare or absent in the valley and on the table- 

 land of Rich Mountain. 



Quercus Shumardii var. SchnecJcii (Britton) Sarg. This species is found 

 both in the valley and on the north mountain slopes. In the latter situation 

 it often becomes a fine large tree. 



Quercus rubra L. This species — the Spanish Oak of the books — but 

 usually called Red Oak in the South, is abundant in the valley but is not 

 often found at the higher levels. 



Quercus velutina Lam. The Black Oak is common both in the rocky 

 valley and on the slopes and tops of the mountains. 



Quercus velutina var. missouriensis Sarg. This rather well marked 

 variety, with its less deeply cut and permanently pubescent leaves, is 

 sometimes found here, growing with the typical form. 



X Quercus heterophylla Michx. (Q. borealis maxima X Phellos) . A hybrid 

 apparently between these species was found in the valley near Page, 

 and close to Big Creek. Both of the supposed parent species are growing 

 in close proximity to it, and since Q. Phellos is rare, it is not surprising 

 that it should have been cross pollinized by another species. From the 

 narrow and variable character of the leaves it is evident that the Willow 

 Oak is one parent, and the Red Oak is suggested by the texture and lack 

 of pubescens in the foliage and by the character of buds and branchlets, 

 as well as by its proximity. Although of adult size there was no fruit 

 when the specimens were collected. 



