32 



The Botanical Survey of Nebraska 



wood, Ostrya virginiana, although even much more abundant 

 than the Hnden, is a small tree which does not reach the level of 

 the general forest canopy and hence plays only a role of minor 

 importance. It survives only because of its very great tolerance, 

 enduring a degree of shading to which many other trees succumb. 

 Most of the dead or fallen trees in figure 12 are Cercis cana- 

 densis. Indeed in this community the light values are so low that 



«*r>¥i^i^ -^ti^i. 



Figure ii. Location of the station in the prairie at Peru. The flood plain 

 of the Missouri river is shown at the right. 



a layer of either well developed shrubs or of herbs is entirely 

 lacking. Some eke out an existence for a period as relicts, many 

 trees grow for a time, and with certain tolerant herbs make up 

 the scant vegetation. But except in favorably lighted places the 

 moss-covered ground is predominately in evidence. A major 

 quadrat (4 m. square) made in October, 1917, showed the fol- 

 lowing plants growing at this forest station : 



38 



