ELKSLIP 



Caltha leptosepala De Candolle 



The traveler seldom sees the beautiful elkslip in perfection, be- 

 cause it frequents retired spots high in the mountains. It grows in 

 dense masses, preferring swampy meadows wet by the cold water 

 from melting snow. The leaves suggest those of the cyclamen, but 

 the flowers, with their yellow centers and white petals, are more 

 like the flowers of bloodroot. Sometimes the petals are tinged out- 

 side with pale blue. They soon fall when the hot sun strikes them. 



Elkslip has a wide range, occurring from New Mexico to Wash- 

 ington, Alberta, and British Columbia. It belongs to the Crowfoot 

 Family and is closely related to the marshmarigolds of the East. 



Near Mount Assiniboine, where this specimen was collected at 

 an altitude of 5,000 feet, the alpine meadows in places are covered 

 with its sturdy growth. Mount Assiniboine is fifty miles by trail 

 south of Banff, Alberta, Canada. 



PLATE 2.8j 



