FLORA OF THE PACIFIC COAST 



The large number of forms, the remarkable adapta- 

 tions to so rigorous a habitat, and the brilliancy of 

 the colors displayed all conspire to make a study of 

 the Alpine flora an exceedingly attractive occupa- 

 tion. The highest summits are beyond the reach of 

 seed plants, but the rocks support a meager lichen 

 flora. 



Flora of the Northwest Coast (mainly of the 

 Humid Transition area). The term Northwest 

 Coast is here used to designate the coastal slope of 

 Washington and Oregon, west of the Cascade Mount- 

 ains, and northern California west of the Coast 

 Ranges. Because of its moist climate and equable 

 temperature this coastal strip sustains the densest 

 forests in North America. Save on the open prairies, 

 which occur in limited number, the herbaceous flora 

 is composed almost entirely of broad-leaved meso- 

 phytes. These, however, are exceedingly luxuriant. 

 In the densest shade the ground is covered with 

 mosses and ferns, of which a sword fern (Poly- 

 stichum munitum) is the most abundant. Here also 

 are found the huckleberries (Vaccinium parvifolium 

 and V. ovatum). Where the forest is more open 

 the sword fern is replaced by the common brake 

 (Pteris aquilina), and two sub-shrubs become com- 

 mon, namely, the Oregon grape (Berberis nervosa) 

 and the salal (Gaultheria shallon). The salal is 

 especially prominent, often covering the forest floor 

 for miles with almost impenetrable thickets. Along 

 stream-borders from Santa Cruz northward to near 

 the Oregon line will be found the delightfully fra- 

 grant western azalea (Rhododendron occidentale), 

 while the California rose bay (R. calif ornicum) is 

 partial to rugged mountain sides and grows as far 

 north as British Columbia. 



In favorable situations, particularly in the more 

 southerly redwood belt, we find a good representa- 

 tion of herbaceous shade-plants. Several species of 

 Heuchera and Tellima throw out their rounded 

 leaves in broad rosettes, and twin-flowers (Linnaea 

 borealis) overhang the moss-covered logs. Vancou- 

 veria, with fern-like foliage but flowers so odd that 

 they are termed inside-out flowers, grow in small 

 clumps on the better-drained slopes. Here also 

 trail the wood-loving Whipplea (W. modesta) and 

 the yerba buena (Micromeria chamissonis), the trail- 

 ing mint which gave to San Francisco its earliest 

 name. On wet bottom-lands and along streams one 

 will find the salmon berry (Rubus spectabilis), the 

 red-berried elder (Sambucus callicarpa), and sev- 

 eral species of Ribes. The devil's club (Echinopanax 

 horridum), a foetid prickly red-fruited shrub with 



154 



