ROCKY MOUNTAIN CASSIOPE 



Cassiope mertensiana (Bongard) Don 



With the exception of the rare orchids, the Rocky Mountain 

 cassiope is perhaps the most romantic of American mountain flowers. 

 It is found in perfection about tree line in the Canadian Rockies, 

 which is usually at an altitude of 6,500 to 7,500 feet. Here, in favor- 

 able localities, it frequently forms dense, thick mats, and when in full 

 bloom the plants are literally covered with delicate white bells. The 

 tiny stems holding the blossoms may be either green or red, and when 

 the flowers fall the seed capsules are usually red in color, becoming 

 brown as the season advances. Growth in a single season is rather 

 limited, and the stiff, woody stems underneath bear silent witness to 

 the vicissitudes of plants at high altitudes. To the camper a bed of 

 cassiope is most satisfying, for in addition to its springiness it 

 possesses an elusive fragrance that persists even when the plants are 

 quite dried out. The red, pink, and white mountainheathers are fre- 

 quently found growing with the cassiope, and add color to the wild- 

 flower carpet on the mountain sides. 



Rocky Mountain cassiope is to be found from Montana to northern 

 California and Alaska. 



The specimen sketched was obtained at Burgess Pass near Field, 

 British Columbia, Canada. 



PLATE 75 



