94 BOTANICAL GAZETTE [AUGUST 
SPECIES OF THE VERNAL FLORAL ASPECT 
-Factes.—Poa pratensis} (base of slopes and in depressions). 
PRINCIPAL SPECIES.—Spiesia Lamberti sericea, Sisyrinchium angustifoliumy, 
Antennaria campestris,*} Spiesia Lamberti, Castilleja sessiliflora. 
SECONDARY SPECIES.—Viola pedatifida,t Oxalis violacea,t Lithospermum 
canescens, Carex Meadii,} Meriolix serrulata, Hedeoma hispida, Plantago 
Purshii,f Antennaria neodioica,} Lithospermum angustifolium, Oxalis stricta, 
Carex festucacea,} Polygala alba, Poa compressa,} Astragalus crassicarpus.*} 
TERTIARY SPECIES.—Pentstemon gracilis, Nothocalais cuspidata, Linum 
rigidum, Lappula texana, Astragalus plattensis, Gaura coccinea, Senecio platten- 
sis, Psoralea esculenta, Vicia linearis, Osmodium molle, Astragalus hypoglottis, 
cucullata 
UDERAL SPECIES.—Lepidium virginicum, Melilotus officinalis,t Melilotus 
oy Fg — Lappula. 
zk ET 
pe + Forming associations. 
The first week in May is marked by the flowering of N othocalais 
cuspidata and Lithospermum angustifolium. The solitary yellow 
head of the false calais, frequently 5°™ in width terminating a long 
(20 to 30°) naked scape, makes it very conspicuous, though it is 
never more than sparse to subcopious. It is largely confined 1 
loosely sodded ridges and high slopes, and is pronouncedly of xef0- 
phytic tendencies. It is perennial by an excessively thickened rot. 
The achenes are heavily provided with pappus, assuring a wide 
dissemination. é : 
Nothocalais has scarcely bloomed before the puccoons are ™ 
flower, L. angustifolium appearing several days before the hoaty 
puccoon (L. canescens). The former with its terminal leafy raceme 
of light-yellow flowers and its sparse occurrence remains an incol 
spicuous element. The hoary puccoon occurs throughout with the 
other, but more abundantly. Its orange-yellow flowers in a compact 
leafless umbel make it perhaps the most conspicuous though it soe 
the most abundant element in the vernal aspect. Both of the puccoons 
are abundantly pubescent and in their structure and distribution 
show marked xerophytic tendencies. They are perennials by deep 
thick roots. The smooth nutlets preclude all but a very limited 
migration. 
Castilleja sessiliflora, Viola pedatifida, Oxalis violacea, SY 
rinchium angustijolium, and Spiesia Lamberti sericea bloom Be a 
