APPENDIX B. 
BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 
Only those characteristics of Douglas fir are considered that affect the 
distribution and regeneration of the Douglas-fir forest. 
FLOWERS. 
The pistillate flowers are borne at the ends of the branches, just’ back of 
the terminal buds, on distinct stalks one-eighth to one-fourth inch long. :The - 
staminate flowers are borne on the preceding season’s growth, farther back 
than the pistillate flowers, on stalks one-eighth to one-fourth inch Jong. 
They usually mature before the pistillate flowers. The Douglas fir is polli- 
nated entirely by wind, and this development and arrangement of flowers 
decreases the chance for self-pollination. (Pl. XIX, fig. 1.) The flowers are 
monoecious and diclinous. side 
FRUIT. 
The cones are pendent on stalks one-fourth to three-fourths inch long and 
about one-eighth inch in diameter. The cones are generally 14 to 5 inches 
long and about 24 to 3 inches in diameter. They are about 1% inches in 
diameter near the base, with a gradual taper to the rounded point. The 
trident bracts extend from one-fourth to one-half inch beyond the scales, with 
the center point about one-fourth inch longer than the side points. Two 
winged seeds are borne under each scale. (Pl. XIX, fig. 2.) The cones 
mature in one season and are ripe in late August or early September. The 
seeds are shed within a few weeks after maturity, but some good seeds may 
remain in the cones for more than a year. Seeds that do not contain endo- 
sperm, and are consequently infertile, are often not shed until winter, and 
when they leave the cones they may, because of their lightness, be widely 
distributed over the snow by wind. The average number of seeds per pound 
is about 38,000. 
The cones do not open appreciably until they lose about 35 per ceut of 
their green weight in moisture. They open best when 40 to 50 per cent has 
been evaporated.t When the cones are exposed to intense heat, they do not 
open as well as when evaporation occurs more gradually. Sometimes cones 
that have passed through fire remain closed. 
BUDS. 
The buds are dark russet-brown when mature. Greenish buds are subject 
to frost injury. 
LEAVES. 
The leaves are three-fourths to 2 inches long. They are grayish green 
beneath and dark green on the upper side. On older branches they are 
slightly flattened with rounded points; on seedlings they are slender with acute 
points; and on terminal shoots the leaves are flattened with short points. (PI. 
XG fig: 1.) 
The leaves are persistent for several years, some remaining for seven 
years in the open. and older stands, although very few remain more than 
three’ years in the thrifty young or dense stands. The cotyledons or seed 
leaves are linear with a tapering point. The number varies from six to 
nine. (PI. XX, fig. 2.) 
1 Willis, C. P. Incidental Results of a Study of Douglas Fir Seed in the Pacific North- 
west. Journal of Forestry, vol. 15,, No. 8, P. 991. 1917. 
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