various pretty typical situations 1 have met willi 

 of course yraduallv into each other. 



Tiie different phml-societies merge 



i.if*.- .^v4 



Fig. 13. Fiom tlie Abakan Steppe near Askys. Typical gras.s steppe 



mainly with Koclcria gracilis and Fesliica ovimi siihspcc. sulcata In 



the background reddish-grey Devonian sandstone bills reaching 



100—150 m. above the ground. 



On sandy steppes near Ust Abakansk on the eastern bank of the river, I have 

 collected the following plants at the beginning of June: 



Koeleiia gracilis. Fesliica ovina var. sulcata. Carex siipina. Cairx pediformis. Carer 

 stenophylla. Stipa pennata var. Joannis, Triliciim cristaliim var. imbricatiim, Erilrichium 

 pectinaliim, (especially commom on the «Kurgans») Androsaces inaxin^a, Echinospermum 

 Lappula var. anisacanthiim. Astragalus stenoceras, Polentilla soongorica subspec. glandiiloso 

 nov.siibspec.Leplopyrnmfumarioides, Thermopsis lanceolata, Algssiim alpeslre, Astragalus 

 testiciilatus, Onosina echioides var. Gmelini (some few scattered specimens here and 

 there somewhat overtopping the common low steppe vegetation, are visible at a great 

 distance because of Iheir gaudy light yellowish colour), Iris flavissima, and Cotyledon 

 spinosa (in June only found rosettes). 



In rather stony places, on declivities, elc, are here to he found Lychnis sibirica, 

 Polentilla subacaulis. Thymus Serpyllum var. angiistifoliiim. Thalictriim petaloideum. 

 Oxytropis pilosa, Scrophularia incisa. and Dracocephahiin nutans. 



Here and there on the steppe are to be found some slightly moister slopes with 

 open brushwood consisting chiefly of Caragana arboiescens and Cotoneaster melanocarpa, 

 and with the following plants characteristic of these habitats: 



Spiraea hyperici folia, Scorzonera radiata, Solidago Virgaurea, Aster alpinus, 

 Genliana humilis. Iris ruthenica. Iris ensala, Hesperis matronalis var. sibirica, Mgosotis 



23 



