32 PLANT LIFE OF ALABAMA. 



(Lirioderidron tulipifera), cucumber tree (Magnolia cwmnhmtn}* per- 

 simmon (Diospyros virginiana), sassafras (Sassafras .SY/.S.SY///Y/.S), buck- 

 eye (Aesculv spp.), sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), the chestnut 

 oak (Quercus acuminata), and Spanish oak (Quercus digitatd) make 

 their appearance. Chestnut ( Castanea denfafa) and black gum (Nyssa 

 sylvatica) are common, and of cone-bearing trees the yellow pine 

 (Pinus echinata) and scrub pine (P. virginiana) are met with. In this 

 division the cultivation of Indian corn exceeds that of small grain. 

 Sorghum and the sugar beet are successfully grown. The cultivation 

 of the grape and peach adds to the variety of the fruits, as also in the 

 corresponding division of the preceding zone. 



The Upper Sonoran Area. This, the arid western division of the 

 Upper Austral life zone, extends from the vaguely denned limits of 

 the last division over the great western plains; beyond the Rocky 

 Mountains it covers much of the great basin and parts of California. 



LOWER AUSTRAL ZONE. 



The Lower Austral zone, like the Upper Austral, is divided into a 

 humid eastern and an arid western area. 



Au&roripa/rian Area or Louisianian Flora. This consists of the 

 eastern or humid division of the Lower Austral zone, and embraces 

 in its southern reach the subtropical belt of North America. Begin- 

 ning with a narrow strip of the Atlantic coast near the southern 

 shores of Chesapeake Bay, this area covers the coastal plain of the 

 Southern Atlantic States nearly to the southern extremity of Florida 

 and the Gulf States to the center of Texas and the southern section 

 of Indian Territory, finding its western limit between longitude 90 

 and 95. It follows the lowlands of the Mississippi River toward its 

 junction with the Ohio. This Louisianian flora has been designated 

 as the realm of the magnolia, southern pine, and dwarf palmetto. 

 The greatest part of the arable land is devoted to the cultivation of 

 cotton. Rice and sugar cane, particularly in the lower part of this 

 division, contribute to home demands and furnish staple products for 

 export. The subtropical cowpea takes the place of clover for forage 1 

 and as an ameliorating crop. The sweet potato is the chief root crop. 

 and corn is the only grain crop cultivated for breadstuff. Peaches 

 and grapes are successfully grown, and in the lower belt the loquat 

 or Japanese medlar, while in proximity to the Gulf the orange ripens 

 its fruit. 



Lower Sonoran Area. This flora, consisting of the western and 

 arid extension of the Lower Austral zone, extends from the plains of 

 western Texas to the Pacific Ocean. It is generally recognized as the 

 cactus region, or the Mexico-Calif or nian region. 



