56 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 70 



around Long's Peak Inn and the lower slopes of the mountains. 

 At the higher altitudes the limber pine {Pinus flexilis) is frequent. 

 This species is recognized by its very elastic " limber " branchlets 

 which bend without breaking. 



The herbaceous plants with showy flowers, the real " flowers '' 

 of the tourist, are abundant and attractive. One of the most con- 

 spicuous plants is the green gentian (Frasera speciosa) , not so much 

 for the flowers as for its stately appearance. It grows to the 

 height of 2 to 4 feet, a single erect stem with numerous leaves 

 and masses of green flowers from their axils. There are several 



Fig. 62. — A young growth of lodgepole pine (Piiiits coutorta), the coin- 

 mon pine of Estes Park. Altitude 9,000 feet. One peak of Twin Sisters 

 rising at the right. 



species of gentian, some rare, some alnnidant, all much sought by 

 tourists. The lui)ine (Liipinits dcciiiiibcus) , with racemes of blue 

 flowers, the harebell [Cauipanitla rotundifoUa) , with delicate stems 

 and large blue bell-shaped flowers, and several species of daisies 

 (Erii^cron) are among the more showy of the late summer flowers. 

 Above timber-line are the alpine meadows, boggy areas supporting 

 a growth of grasses and sedges with other plants intermixed. There 

 are no trees, but shrubs extend upward in the protected valleys or 

 depressions. The pine and spruce are found in the form of " krum- 

 holz," stunted growths in the lee of rocks, as described in a preceding 



