40 BULLETIN 545, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



False hellebore is a perennial herb, 1 J to 6 feet tall. Just beneath 

 the ground the stalk becomes fleshy and much expanded, and from 

 this protrudes a number of rootstocks and from 35 to 40 coarse, 

 "ropy," tough roots, the latter penetrating the soil to a depth of 

 about 20 inches. The stem is very stout and has an abundance of 

 short-petioled or sessile, acute and broad leaves; the panicle is elon- 

 gated, drooping, and provided with a profusion of green flowers (Plate 

 XXXVII). 



False hellebore flourishes best in a comparatively wet soil. It 

 grows densely in marshy basins, along creek banks, and in swales of 

 nearly all kinds in the upland ranges of the Hudsonian zone. It 

 wilts notably, in most cases beyond recovery, when the soil water 

 content is reduced to from 11 to 14.5 per cent. The flower stalks 

 rarely put in their appearance until about August 5, and in certain 

 places the flowers do not unfold until September 1. The lower 

 flowers expand first, and the lower part of the panicle is the first to 

 mature the seed. Dissemination takes place shortly after maturity, 

 and since the seeds are flat, broad, and winged, they are well scattered. 

 The earliest seeds to ripen in 1909 (about August 25) showed an 

 average germination of 24 per cent. Those which matured after 

 September 5 had practically no viability. 



The forage value of false hellebore varies with the time of year, 

 though in a way opposite from that of most grazing plants. Except 

 very early in the spring, prior to the expansion of the leaves, when 

 the young shoots are grazed by sheep to a certain extent, it is seldom 

 eaten until after one or two rather severe frosts. Usually not until 

 after August 15 is any considerable portion of the plant grazed with 

 much relish on upland ranges, but later in the fall sheep eat it. In 

 many instances only 3 or 4 inches of the coarse stalk is left. The 

 leaves and pithy portion of the stalk are the parts relished. 



Stockmen generally hold that this plant is poisonous if eaten 

 before it has been frosted. To what extent false hellebore has a 

 toxic effect on stock early in the season is not known, but no authentic 

 cases are on record where sheep have been poisoned by it. The 

 short rootstocks are no doubt poisonous, but late in the season, at the 

 time when the plant is generally grazed, the roots are rarely pulled up. 



FIRE WILLOW. 

 (Salix scouleriana.) 



In the region studied the willow family, including poplars or 

 aspens, furnish more first-class browse than any other group. Fire 

 willow, or NuttalTs willow as it is sometimes called, is a common 

 invader of burned-over lands, where it is the most important 

 species. 



