WESTERN MENZIESIA 



Nlen^iesia glabella Gray 



Many of the steep wooded slopes in the higher valleys of the 

 Northwest Coast are covered with blueberry bushes and other 

 shrubs, and in company with them is found the western menziesia, 

 sometimes called false blueberry. The dainty bells, hanging from the 

 upper portions of the bushes, are tinged with vermilion or pink. 

 When the leaves and stems are crushed, an unpleasant skunklike 

 odor is very evident. The ponies never eat the bush, and so escape the 

 effects of the poison that this plant has recently been proved to con- 

 tain. The flowers soon wither when hot days come, and are followed 

 by curious little seed vessels. The genus name was given in honor 

 of its discoverer, Archibald Menzies, one of the earliest botanists to 

 visit the Northwest Coast. 



The genus Menziesia belongs to the Heath Family. The species 

 ranges from Wyoming to Oregon, British Columbia, and Alberta. 

 It has a relative also in the Appalachian Mountains. 



The sketched branch was obtained on the side of the Yoho Val- 

 ley, near Field, British Columbia, Canada, at an altitude of 6,500 feet. 



PLATE 2.98 



