106 A Study of the Vegetation of 
Rumex mexicanus Steironema ciliatum 
Rumex occidentalis Trifolium douglasi 
Senecio serra Zygadenus venenosus 
Sidalcea oregana ; 
In this region the associes is represented by a single consocies, 
namely that dominated by Deschampsia caespitosa. This char- 
acteristic grass with its densely tufted perennial stems, which 
often reach a height of over 3 feet, often occurs in nearly pure 
growth. In favorable situations, the clumps may reach a diame- 
ter of 9 inches. 
The Quamasia socies is well marked in the early spring when 
large areas in the wet meadows are characterized by the dark 
blue flowers of Quamasia quamash (Fig. 32). These scapose 
plants, reaching a height of 2—-2.5 feet, are terminated by elongated 
racemose clusters of as many as 30 large, blue flowers. The in- 
dividuals frequently occur as abundantly as 35-45 in a square 
meter. The edible bulbs, which are nearly an inchin diameter and 
buried only 4 inches in the soil, are a favorite food of the Indians. 
Heracleum lanatum, the cow parsnip, is very abundant in wet 
meadows along streams (Fig. 34). It not only reaches far above 
other herbaceous vegetation, but its large size and numerous, 
large, white-flowered umbels, which bloom for weeks, make this 
socies a very conspicuous one for the major part of the growing 
season. 
Wet meadows in early spring are characterized by the great 
abundance of Ranunculus platyphyllus. Its great numbers, com- 
bined with its profuse flowering habit, makes this socies one of 
the most important of the vernal period. The plant has rather a 
bushy habit. Growing about 2 feet high, it often spreads at the 
top over a diameter of 3 or more square feet. The golden yellow 
flowers are 2.5 centimeters in diameter. 
Many parts of the wet meadows are dominated by large areas 
of Iris missouriensis. The growth habit of this cosmopolitan 
species is too well known to need further comment here (Fig. 33). 
The black sunflower, Wyethia amplexicaulis, often found in 
rather dry prairies, is typically at home in the wet meadows. 
106 
