220 PLANT SOCIETIES 



by large underground parts for the storage of water. 

 Halophytic plants are often fleshy. 



359. Plant societies may also be distinguished with 

 reference to latitude and temperature. There are tropi- 



371. A seashore society, of sand dune plants. New Jersey. 



cal societies, temperate-region societies, boreal or cold- 

 region societies. With reference to altitude, societies 

 might be classified as lowland (which are chiefly hydro- 

 phytic), intermediate (chiefly mesophytic), subalpine or 

 mid-mountain (which are chiefly boreal), alpine or high- 

 mountain. 



360. The above classifications have reference chiefly to 

 great geographical floras or societies. But there are socie- 

 ties within societies. There are small societies coming 

 within the experience of every person who has ever seen 

 plants growing in natural conditions. There are roadside, 

 fence -row, lawn, thicket, pasture, dune, woods, cliff, barn- 

 yard societies. Every different place has its character- 

 istic vegetation. Note the smaller societies in Figs. 369 



