16 THE BIOLOGY OF HARDING COUNTY 



burrow. Cloudiness is unusual. Consequently in regard to light, 

 the steppe approaches the desert. 



(b) Some of the more conspicuous plants and animals of the 

 steppe. The predominant plants are the grasses. Perhaps chief 

 are the grama grass (Bouteloua*), buffalo grass (Buchloe), wheat 

 grass (Agropyron), wire grass (Aristida). Tickle grass (Agrostis) 

 and blue stem (Andropogon), are abundant in the slight draws. 



The Composites are certainly entitled to second place. In 

 fact except in the spring they surpass the grasses. The most 

 noteworthy genera are: Blazing Star (Liatris), Goldenrod 

 (Solidago), Coneflower (Ratbida), Golden Aster (Chrysopsis), 

 White Aster (Aster), Resin or gum-weed (Grindelia), Nigger- 

 head (Brauneria), Wormwood and Sage (Artemisia), Sun- 

 flowers (Helianthus), Yarrow (Achillea), Prairie Pink (Lycodes- 

 mia), Sideranthus, Erigeron, Actinella. 



The Legume family ranks third. It includes some of the 

 most aboundant plants of these plains: Leadplant (Amorpha), 

 Prairie Clover (Petalostemon), Dakota Vetch (Lotus), Buffalo 

 bean, Loco, etc. (Astragalus), Lupine (Lupinus), Psoralea; and 

 in the draws the true vetch or wild sweet pea (Vicia), (and the 

 Oxalis). 



Monocots, other than the grasses, are the Wild Onion 

 (Allium), Prairie Lily (Calochortus and Leucocrinum.) There 

 are several crucifers ; Shepherd's Purse (Capsella), Wall Flower 

 (Erysimum), Lesquerella, Sophia, Arabis. 



Various sorts of evening primroses are conspicuous because 

 of showy flowers. Genera represented are Anogra, Onagra, 

 Gaura and Meridolix. Members of the Chenopodaceous plants 

 (Chenopodium, Eriogonum, etc.) are plentiful in the more clayey 

 or more sandy portions. Two scrophs (Orthocarpus and Pent- 

 stemon) adorn the plains. Among the many other abundant 

 genera may be mentioned: The roses (Rosa), Wild Flax 

 (Linum), Milk wort (Polygala), Malvastrum, Cogswellia, Puc- 

 coon (Lithospermum), Oreocarya, Plantain (Plantago.) 



The steppe grades, in areas of the sandy loam, into the sand- 

 hill formation. The wire-grass association is an intermediate phase 

 between the typical short grass ( Grama and buffalo) and the 



beyond. 



*For specific names consult "The list of plants collected in this area' 

 )nd. 



