YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK 



(green) (white) 



25 



MOUNTAIN MAPLB 



Mountain Maple (Acer). Unlike certain species 

 already mentioned, which are shrubs in the Park and 

 reach tree size at more favorable altitudes, the moun- 

 tain maple is always a shrub. It is found only be- 

 low the level of the park plateau, in the same moist 

 gulches and stream valleys that the birch and alder 

 inhabit. It grows to about the same size as the birch, 

 but its twigs, though slender, do not droop. Its leaves 

 and seeds are practically identical in appearance with 

 those of the tree maples, and since the seeds remain 

 on the trees all summer the plant is easily identified. 

 The bark is light gray and smooth ; it develops shallow 

 furrows only on the larger stems. 



Dogwood (Cornus). The common dogwood of the 

 Yellowstone Park region is the same species as the 

 osier dogwood of the East. The bush reaches an aver- 

 age height of about four feet, and is found only where 

 there is abundant moisture ; it is in a class with the 

 willows in this respect. The early-blooming white 

 flowers, small and crowded into dense, flat-topped 

 bunches, are followed by waxy white berries. Leaves 

 and branches are opposite. The leaves are somewhat 

 oval in outline, but taper off to a sharp point; they 

 are bright green above and pale beneath. The bark is 

 brownish-red, furrowed with gray on the older stems. 



