io6 A Study of the Vegetation of 



Rumex mexicanus Steironema ciliatum 



Rumex occidentalis Trifolium douglasii 



Senecio serra Zygadenus venwwsus 

 Sidalcea oregana 



In this region the associes is represented by a single consocies, 

 namely that dominated by Deschampsia caespitosa. This char- 

 acteristic grass with its densely tufted perennial stems, which 

 often reach a height of over 3 feet, often occurs in nearly pure 

 growth. In favorable situations, the clumps may reach a diame- 

 ter of 9 inches. 



The Quamasia socies is well marked in the early spring when 

 large areas in the wet meadows are characterized by the dark 

 blue flowers of Quamasia quamash (Fig. 32). These scapose 

 plants, reaching a height of 2-2.5 f eet > are terminated by elongated 

 racemose clusters of as many as 30 large, blue flowers. The in- 

 dividuals frequently occur as abundantly as 35-45 in a square 

 meter. The edible bulbs, which are nearly an inch in diameter and 

 buried only 4 inches in the soil, are a favorite food of the Indians. 



Heracleum lanatum, the cow parsnip, is very abundant in wet 

 meadows along streams (Fig. 34). It not only reaches far above 

 other herbaceous vegetation, but its large size and numerous, 

 large, white-flowered umbels, which bloom for weeks, make this 

 socies a very conspicuous one for the major part of the growing 

 season. 



Wet meadows in early spring are characterized by the great 

 abundance of Ranunculus platy phallus. Its great numbers, com- 

 bined with its profuse flowering habit, makes this socies one of 

 the most important of the vernal period. The plant has rather a 

 bushy habit. Growing about 2 feet high, it often spreads at the 

 top over a diameter of 3 or more square feet. The golden yellow 

 flowers are 2.5 centimeters in diameter. 



Many parts of the wet meadows are dominated by large areas 

 of Iris missouriensis. The growth habit of this cosmopolitan 

 species is too well known to need further comment here (Fig. 33). 



The black sunflower, Wyethia amplexicaulis, often found in 

 rather dry prairies, is typically at home in the wet meadows. 



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