378 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [NOVEMBER 
conditions. Wind-tossed specimens of Picea mariana, Abies 
Fraseri (Picea-Abies-Prunus Association), are seen. Huge rocks 
and bowlders project from the rounded dome. Menziesia pilosa, 
Ribes prostratum, Sorbus americana are common. Rhodo- 
dendron catawbiense grows within a few feet of the Mitchell 
monument. The herbaceous plants of the summit are Strep- 
topus roseus, Scirpus caespitosus, Carex brunnescens, Houstonia 
serpyllifolia Rumex acetosella, Trifolium repens, Asplenium 
filix-foemina, Saxifraga Michauxii in the crevices of the rocks, 
and Clintonia borealis. None of these herbs are true alpines. 
Mosses are found on the trunks of trees and on the rocks, the 
following being noted: Ulota crispa, Bryum nutans, Semato- 
phyllum delicatulum, Hylocomium proliferum, Polytrichum gra- 
cile, Hypnum Schreberi (Polytrichum-Hypnum Association). The 
trees of the summit are Picea mariana, Abies Fraseri, Betula 
lutea, Prunus pennsylvanica. 
The coniferous forest on Grandfather Mountain consists essen- 
tially of the same arborescent species, viz., black spruce and 
balsam. Associated with these are Viburnum alnifolium, Vac- 
cinium stamineum, Acer spicatum, and Rhododendron cataw- 
biense (Viburnum-Vaccinium Association). Polypodium vulgare 
grows in masses, associated with Galax aphylla, Oxalis acetosella, 
Thalictrum clavatum, Maianthemum canadensis, and Clintonia 
borealis. 
The forest of cone bearers on the higher elevations of Roan 
Mountain consists of Picea mariana and Abies Fraseri as the 
dominant trees. Intermixed with these, but never forming pure 
growths, occur Aesculus octandra, Sorbus americana, Fagus ameri- 
cana in a dwarfed form, and asa third lower story, Ribes rotundi- 
folium, Cornus atternifolia, and Alnus alnobetula. The forest 
floor, beneath the shade of the dominant trees, supports seedling 
conifers, Circaea alpina, Veratrum viride, Oxalis acetosella, Viola 
blanda, Thalictrum clavatum, Polypodium vulgare, Asplenium 
filix-foemina, Dryopteris spinulosa dilatata, Houstonia serpylli- 
folia, Tiarella cordifolia, and Clintonia borealis. 
3% The identification of the mosses I owe to Mrs. Elizabeth G. Britton and that of 
the flowering plants to Dr. John K. Small, to whom my thanks are due. 
