28 



WILD FLOWERS AND TREES OF COLORADO 



was raised high and dry above the water level, the storm waters from 

 thunder showers and the spring freshets of mountain streams have 

 worn away the land unevenly into valleys, gulches and plateaus. 



Even where there has been little cutting away by stream erosion, 

 where the plain is truly a flat expanse, it is interesting and beautiful 



Fig. 28. — Shrubs and Trees near a Sub-alpine Lake 

 To the left are shrubby willows and birches; at the right are wind-blown Engelmann 

 spruces. It is to.be noted that there are no branches on the side of the trees next to the 

 lake. This is due to the prevailing winds which are from that direction. 



at least in the joyous spring season. At that time there are days and 

 days with short showers or steady drizzling rain and the dry barren soil 

 becomes moist and fertile. For many of the plains plants the growing 

 season thus ushered in is very short, confined to April, May and June. 

 This is because of the dryness which belongs to summer. So a whole 

 series of profusely-flowering herbs come to blossom in quick succession, 



