60 Alpine Characteristics of the Coteau des Prairies. 



[Paper C] 



NOTES ON THE ALPINE CHARACTERISTICS OF THE 



MINNESOTA CREST FLORA OF THE COTEAU 



DES PRAIRIES. 



B. P. Sheldon. 



In Minnesota the rolling series of prairie hills known as 

 the Coteau des Prairies, reaches its greatest heights in Lyon, 

 Lincoln and Pipestone counties. 



It is to be noted that nowhere in the state, except in the 

 iron ranges on the north, do we attain so high an altitude as 

 when we travel over the exposed treeless bluffs which con- 

 stitute the crest of the Coteau. 



Lake Benton which is the highest above the level of the 

 sea of any of the Minnesota lakes, occupies a long narrow 

 depression in the Coteau, presumably a part of the bed of an 

 ancient watercourse. Arriving at the town of Lake Benton 

 during the month of August, 1891, 1 was particularly struck 

 by the characteristics of the flora. 



In general we find many of the typical praire plants of 

 the southern part of the state. But there are also species 

 from the Saskatchewan district and the Rocky mountains, 

 which find on these high and dry bluffs something remark- 

 ably approaching their natural habitat. 



It is to the prevalence of these, and to the peculiarly 

 dwarfed habits of growth of the general flora that I wish to 

 direct particular attention. 



The phrase '^Alpine characteristics," as applied to a part 

 of this flora, should not be misunderstood. It is not that 

 we have here a large number of peculiarly mountain plants, 

 but rather that in their dwarfed habits of growth, nearly 

 every species observed resembles the stunted and stubby 

 growth so familiar to everyone who has traveled over bare 

 mountain heights. I have noted that these hills are well 

 nigh treeless, but in the gulches and w^aterways down their 

 sides, stunted growths of Quercus tinctoria Bartr. are fre- 

 quently found. Quercus macrocarpa Mich, is more rare, and 

 I have frequently gone miles without seeing a single speci- 

 men. 



