PROCEDURE 



Seasonal development was recorded for plant species common to all four areas and 

 for conspicuous species on each area. Individual plants of selected species were marked 

 for repeated observation. Exclosures protected these plants from livestock. Dates of 

 various developmental stages for each species were established from the development of 

 marked plants plus supplemental observation of the surrounding plants. If development 

 of a marked plant appeared to be abnormal, a more typical specimen was selected for 

 subsequent observations. The areas were visited weekly from the onset of active growth 

 in the spring until the majority of the species became dormant in the fall. 



The developmental stages discussed in this report are as follows: 



Forbs 



1. Growth starts--f irst evidence of current year's herbaceous growth. 



2. First bloom--first fully developed blossoms. 



3. Full bloom--aspect of most individuals of the species in full flower. 



4. Bloom over--approximately 90 percent of flowering completed. 



5. Dissemination starts--f irst evidence of seed drop. 



6. Plant dried--at least 90 percent of the herbage dried. 



Grasses 



1. Growth starts--first evidence of current year's herbaceous growth. 



2. Flower stalks appear--f irst evidence of booted flowering culms. 



3. Flowers in bloom--approximately 25 percent or more of flowers in anthesis. 



4. Dissemination starts--first evidence of seed drop. 



5. Drying--at least 10 percent of herbage dried. 



6. Plant dried--at least 90 percent of the herbage dried. 



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