28 



and during the months of June and July produces a large number 

 of large yellow flowers, When a band of sheep comes to a patch 

 of this sunflower the leaders rapidly eat off all the flowers; those 

 following them pick out the young, tender leaves in the center of 

 the plant, while those in the rear bite off the old leaves, eat the 

 stem and then trample on the blade, leaving a very dejected- 

 looking patch. Mr. Van Buren told us that during the month 

 of August, when forage is not so abundant and some of the 

 ranges are being grazed for the third or fourth time, sheep will 

 eat a considerable quantity of the leaves. The herders also said 

 that in the autumn when feed is scarce the sheep eat the dead dry 

 leaves. Prof. Coville* mentions a species of sunflower ( Wyethia) 

 growing in the mountains of Oregon, which is the favorite spring 

 food for sheep. It is unfortunate that the sheep do not care much 

 for this plant, as it occurs in great quantities, and has a very long,, 

 tough root, an inch or more in diameter, which couid not easily 

 be trampled out by continuous grazing. 



BIG SUNFLOWER BALSAM ROOT, 



(Balsantorhiza sagittata, Nutt,) 



PL, VI. 



This tall sunflower was found on many parts of the ranges 

 visited, but not so abundantly as the common sunflower just 

 mentioned. It is a perennial plant, with thick, resinous roots, 

 large, somewhat woolly leaves and yellow flowers. The two 

 species, although similar in general appearance, can be readily 

 distinguished by a comparison of the leaves. The big sunflower 

 has two pointed lobes at the base of. the blade of the leaf, while 

 the leaves of the common sunflower merely taper to a point at 

 their junction with the stem. This can readily be seen by a 

 comparison of Pis. V and VI. 



LITTLE SUNFLOWER. 

 (Helianthella Californica, Gray.) 



PL. VII. 

 This plant was found to be quite common on dry hillsides on 



*Bulletin 15, Division of Forestry, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, p. 25. 



