COLORADO WILD FLOWERS 3 



tion which, extending from the lower altitudes to the highest points, are 



as follows : 



i. Plains zone — treeless, except along streams, dry in summer but with 



a profusion of handsome flowers in the moist months of spring. 

 2. Foothill zone — scattered trees; rock pines, pinyons, oaks, etc. The 



flowering herbs are numerous and remain in blossom longer than do 



those of the plains. The climate resembles that of Iowa and northern 



Illinois but is drier. 



Fig. 2. — A Group or Sand Lilies 



Montane zone — chiefly forests of lodgepole pine or, in southern Colo- 

 rado, Douglas spruce, white fir and some rock pines; aspens are 

 abundant. Here are many beautiful flowering plants which do not 

 extend down to the lower altitudes of plains and foothills. The 

 climate resembles that of New England but winters are more mild. 

 Sub-alpine zone — chiefly forests of Engelmann spruce. The flower- 

 ing herbs are not so numerous as in the lower zones but are very 



