Chapter I: Preface (1)

The present volume, though prepared in manual form, is meant only as a guide to the rich and interesting flora of the Canadian Rockies and Selkirks or those portions traversed by the Canadian Pacific Railway between Banff and Glacier. While many of the plants herein described are found throughout the entire region, yet the species characteristic of the two mountain ranges are vastly different. For the most part those of the Rockies might be characterised as plants adapted to the withstanding of severe conditions of drouth and cold, being mostly low and tufted, with small surfaces of leaf exposure, either thick and leathery or in many instances with an ample covering of protecting hairs; while those of the Selkirks, owing to the more humid atmospheric conditions, are essentially moisture-loving forms, with a luxuriant growth of stems and leaves; it is only where the conditions are similar in the two regions that we find the same or similar forms existing. Few of the more characteristic Rocky Mountain species extend west of the divide, while of those of the Selkirks, few extend east of it, except where there is a luxuriant forest growth, with the consequent retention of moisture, and then only at altitudes of from 2000 to 3000 feet greater.

Contrasting the plants of this region with those of the European Alps it is interesting to note, that while the species are for the most part vastly different, yet there is a certain close resemblance in the families and genera which are represented; the Anemones are here, but not in the scarlets and crimsons, running more to whites and purples, and so are the Buttercups, dwarf many of them, but with large, showy flowers; the Saxifrages and Drabas are innumerable as are the Vetches and also the Heaths, but the latter with fewer and very different species. Some plants, however, like the White Mountain Avens (_Dryas octopetala_), the Butterwort (_Pinguicula vulgaris_), the Moss Campion (_Silene acaulis_), the Mountain Cranberry (_Vitis-idæa_) and the Low Cranberry (_Oxycoccus_), the One-flowered Wintergreen (_Moneses uniflora_), the Forget-me-not (_Myosotis alpestris_) and others are found on both sides of the Atlantic, yet we have no such array of Primroses or Gentians as our European brothers, though both genera are represented with us, while on the other hand they can boast of nothing comparable to our Indian Paint-Brush, found throughout the region on the river shores and bars during late June and early July and later through the summer in its innumerable forms and colours in the moist alpine meadows and slopes.

The ferns and their allies with the more striking of the trees and shrubs have been included in the present work, together with the majority of the herbaceous flowering plants, though some of the largely represented but less striking groups such as the Grasses, Sedges, and Willows have been entirely omitted, not seeming of sufficient general interest to warrant the space required for their intelligent treatment. The species are arranged in accordance with their scientific relationships, with keys to the genera and a general key to the families. Among the illustrations herein contained, many of the plants of the Northwest are figured for the first time.

Acknowledgment is here made to Messrs. David McNicoll, Robert Kerr, and other officials and employees of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company through whose courtesy was made possible the gathering of the data for the basis of this work.

S. B.

ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES,
PHILADELPHIA, October 28, 1907.

CONTENTS

PAGE
PREFACE v
GLOSSARY xxv
GENERAL KEY TO THE FAMILIES xxxiii
ADDER’S-TONGUE FAMILY 1
FERN FAMILY 3
HORSETAIL FAMILY 14
CLUB-MOSS FAMILY 18
SELAGINELLA FAMILY 22
PINE FAMILY 23
YEW FAMILY 34
ARUM FAMILY 35
BUNCH-FLOWER FAMILY 36
LILY FAMILY 41
LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY FAMILY 45
IRIS FAMILY 52
ORCHID FAMILY 53
WILLOW FAMILY 68
BIRCH FAMILY 70
MISTLETOE FAMILY 72
SANDALWOOD FAMILY 73
BUCKWHEAT FAMILY 75
PURSLANE FAMILY 80
PINK FAMILY 81
CROWFOOT FAMILY 90
BARBERRY FAMILY 109
POPPY FAMILY 110
MUSTARD FAMILY 111
STONE-CROP FAMILY 125
GRASS-OF-PARNASSUS FAMILY 126
SAXIFRAGE FAMILY 128
GOOSEBERRY FAMILY 146
ROSE FAMILY 150
APPLE FAMILY 165
PLUM FAMILY 167
PEA FAMILY 168
FLAX FAMILY 182
CROWBERRY FAMILY 183
STAFF-TREE FAMILY 184
MAPLE FAMILY 185
ST. JOHN’S-WORT FAMILY 186
VIOLET FAMILY 187
OLEASTER FAMILY 191
EVENING PRIMROSE FAMILY 193
GINSENG FAMILY 199
CELERY FAMILY 201
DOGWOOD FAMILY 205
WINTERGREEN FAMILY 207
HEATH FAMILY 211
HUCKLEBERRY FAMILY 220
PRIMROSE FAMILY 226
GENTIAN FAMILY 231
BUCKBEAN FAMILY 236
DOGBANE FAMILY 237
WATER-LEAF FAMILY 238
BORAGE FAMILY 240
MINT FAMILY 244
FIGWORT FAMILY 248
BUTTERWORT FAMILY 262
MADDER FAMILY 263
HONEYSUCKLE FAMILY 264
VALERIAN FAMILY 271
BELLFLOWER FAMILY 273
CHICORY FAMILY 275
THISTLE FAMILY 283
INDEX 323

ILLUSTRATIONS

PLATE FACING PAGE

Mimulus Lewisii Pursh. _Red Monkey-Flower_ _Frontispiece_

1 Pinus albicaulis Engelm. _White Pine_ 24
1 Pinus Murrayana Oreg. Com. _Jack Pine_ 24

2 Larix Lyallii Parl. _Lyall’s Larch_ 26
2 Thuja plicata Don. _Giant Cedar_ 26

3 Abies lasiocarpa (Hook) Nutt. _Balsam Fir_ 28
3 Pseudotsuga mucronata (Raf.) Sudw. _Douglas Fir_ 28

4 Tsuga Mertensiana (Bong.) Carr. _Mountain Hemlock_ 30
4 Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg. _Hemlock_ 30

5 Picea albertiana. S. Brown. _Alberta Spruce_ 32
5 Picea albertiana. S. Brown. _Alberta Spruce_ 32

6 Zygadenus elegans Pursh. _Tall Zygadenus_ 38
6 Zygadenus gramineus Rydb. _Zygadenus_ 38

7 Stenanthella occidentalis (A. Gray). Rydb. _Stenanthium_ 40
7 Clintonia uniflora Kunth. _Clintonia_ 40

8 Tofieldia intermedia Rydb. _False Asphodel_ 42
8 Vagnera stellata (L) Morong. _Star-Flowered Solomon’s Seal_ 42

9 Erythronium grandiflorum. Pursh. _Snow Lily_ 44

10 Lilium montanum A. Nels. _Red Mountain-Lily_ 46
10 Kruhsea streptopoides (Ledeb) Kearney. _Kruhsea_ 46

11 Cypripedium passerinum Rich. _Small White Lady’s Slipper_ 54
11 Cypripedium parviflorum Salisb. _Small Yellow Lady’s Slipper_ 54

12 Corallorhiza Corallorhiza (L). Karst. _Coral-Root_ 56
12 Lyschiton kamtschatcense (L.) Schott. _Western Skunk-Cabbage_ 56

13 Cytherea bulbosa (L.) House. _Calypso_ 58
13 Orchis rotundifolia Pursh. _Small Round-Leaved Orchid_ 58

14 Limnorchis dilatatiformis Rydb. _Purplish-Green Bog-Orchid_ 62
14 Peramium Menziesii (Lindl.) Morong. _Menzies’ Rattlesnake
Plantain_ 62

15 Ophrys borealis (Morong). _Northern Twayblade_ 64
15 Ophrys nephrophylla Rydb. _Heart-Shaped Twayblade_ 64
15 Cœloglossum bracteatum (Willd) Parl. _Long-Bracted Orchid_ 64
15 Limnorchis fragrans Rydb. _Fragrant White Bog-Orchid_ 64
15 Lysiella obtusata (Pursh) Rydb. _Small Northern Bog-Orchid_ 64

16 Comandra pallida DC. _White Comandra_ 74
16 Eriogonum subalpinum Greene. _Tall White Eriogonum_ 74

17 Claytonia lanceolata Pursh. _Spring Beauty_ 80
17 Claytonia parvifolia Moc. _Small-Leaved Spring Beauty_ 80

18 Silene acaulis L. _Moss Campion_ 82
18 Lychnis apetala L. _Nodding Lychnis_ 82

19 Alsine borealis (Bigel.) Britton. _Northern Stitchwort_ 86
19 Mœhringia lateriflora (L.) _Blunt-Leaved Sandwort_ 86
19 Arenaria capillaris nardifolia (Ledeb.) Regel.
_Rock Sandwort_ 86

20 Caltha leptosepala Hook. _Caltha leptosepala_ 104
20 Trollius albiflorus (A. Gray) Rydb. _Western Globe-Flower_ 104

21 Aquilegia brevistyla Hook. _Small Blue Columbine_ 102

22 Aquilegia flavescens S. Wats. _Yellow Columbine_ 106
22 Aquilegia formosa Fisch. _Western Columbine_ 106

23 Delphinium Brownii Rydb. _Mountain Larkspur_ 108
23 Anemone globosa Nutt. _Wind-Flower_ 108

24 Anemone Drummondii S. Wats. _Alpine Anemone_ 92
24 Anemone parviflora Michx. _Northern Anemone_ 92

25 Pulsatilla hirsutissima (Pursh) Britton _Pasque-Flower_ 94
25 Pulsatilla occidentalis (S. Wats.) Freyn. _Western Anemone_ 94

26 Atragene columbiana Nutt. _Purple Virgin’s-Bower_ 90

27 Ranunculus saxicola Rydb. _Ranunculus saxicola_ 100
27 Ranunculus alpeophilus. A Nels. _Ranunculus alpeophilus_ 100
27 Ranunculus Eschscholtzii Schl. _Snow Buttercup_ 100

28 Ranunculus eremogenes Greene. _Ditch Crowfoot_ 98
28 Ranunculus Purshii Richards. _Pursh’s Buttercup_ 98
28 Ranunculus inamœnus Greene _Ranunculus inamœnus_ 98

29 Thalictrum megacarpum Torr. _Thalictrum megacarpum_ 96
29 Thalictrum occidentale A. Gray. _Western Meadow Rue_ 96

30 Delphinium Menziesii DC. _Blue Larkspur_ 110
30 Lithophragma parviflora (Hook.) Nutt. _Lithophragma_ 110

31 Physaria didymocarpa (Hook.) A. Gray. _Bladder-Pod_ 116
31 Smelowskia calycina (Desv.) C. A. Meyer. _Smelowskia_ 116

32 Draba oligosperma Hook. _Whitlow-Grass_ 112
32 Draba andina (Nutt.) A. Nels. _Mountain Whitlow-Grass_ 112

33 Draba glacialis Adams _Whitlow-Grass_ 114
33 Draba aurea Vahl. _Golden Whitlow-Grass_ 114

34 Parnassia montanensis Rydb. & Fern.
_Marsh Grass-of-Parnassus_ 126
34 Ribes lacustre (Pers.) Poir. _Swamp Gooseberry_ 126

35 Mitella nuda L. _Naked Bishop’s-Cap_ 132
35 Pectiantia pentandra (Hook.) Rydb. _Mitrewort_ 132

36 Saxifraga cernua L. _Nodding Saxifrage_ 136
36 Saxifraga rivularis L. _Alpine Brook Saxifrage_ 136

37 Micranthes Nelsoniana (D. Don.) Small. _Nelson’s Saxifrage_ 140
37 Micranthes Lyallii (Engler) Small. _Lyall’s Saxifrage_ 140

38 Muscaria cæspitosa (L.) Haw. _Tufted Saxifrage_ 138
38 Micranthes rhomboidea (Greene) Small. _Mountain Saxifrage_ 138

39 Spatularia Brunoniana (Bong.) Small. _Tall Saxifrage_ 142
39 Leptasea austromontana (Wiegand), Small. _Common Saxifrage_ 142

40 Tiarella unifoliata Hook. _Western Foam-Flower_ 150
40 Lutkea pectinata (Pursh) Kuntze. _Cut-Leaved Lutkea_ 150

41 Rubus pedatus Smith. _Creeping Raspberry_ 152

42 Rubus parviflorus. Nutt. _Salmon-Berry_ 156

43 Fragaria glauca (S. Wats.) Rydb. _Wild Strawberry_ 158
43 Amelanchier florida Lindl. _Service-Berry_ 158

44 Dryas octopetala L. _White Mountain Avens_ 164
44 Dryas Drummondii Rich. _Drummond’s Mountain Avens_ 164

45 Geum strictum Ait. _Yellow Avens_ 162
45 Sieversia ciliata (Pursh) Don. _Long-Plumed Purple Avens_ 162

46 Phaca americana (Hook.) Rydb. _Arctic Vetch_ 172
46 Homalobus aboriginorum (Rich) Rydb. _Indian Vetch_ 172

47 Aragallus deflexus. (Pall.) Heller. _Drooping Vetch_ 176
47 Aragallus viscidulus Rydb. _Sticky Oxytrope_ 176

48 Aragallus Lamberti (Pursh) Greene. _Loco Weed_ 180
48 Lathyrus ochroleucus Hook. _White Vetch_ 180

49 Empetrum nigrum L. _Black Crowberry_ 182
49 Linum Lewisii Pursh. _Wild Blue-Flax_ 182

50 Pachystima myrsinites (Pursh) Raf. _Mountain Lover_ 184
50 Viola adunca longipes (Nutt.) Rydb. _Dog Violet_ 184

51 Elæagnus argentea Pursh. _Silver-Berry_ 190
51 Lepargyræa canadensis (L.) Greene _Buffalo-Berry_ 190

52 Epilobium luteum Pursh. _Yellow Willow-Herb_ 194
52 Chamænerion latifolium (L.) Sweet. _Broad-Leaved Willow-Herb_194

53 Chamænerion angustifolium (L.) Scop. _Fire-Weed_ 196
53 Berberis aquifolium Pursh. _Trailing Mahonia_ 196

54 Echinopanax horridum. (Smith) Dec. & Planch. _Devil’s Club_ 200

55 Cornus canadensis intermedia Farr. _Bunch-Berry_ 204

56 Pyrola asarifolia Michx. _Liver-Leaf Wintergreen_ 208
56 Pyrola uliginosa Torr. _Bog Wintergreen_ 208
56 Moneses uniflora (L.) A. Gray. _One-Flowered Wintergreen_ 208

57 Chimaphila umbellata (L.) Nutt. _Prince’s Pine_ 210
57 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. _Bear-Berry_ 210

58 Oxycoccus oxycoccus (L.) MacM. _Small Cranberry_ 212
58 Gaultheria ovatifolia A. Gray. _Ovate-Leaved Wintergreen_ 212
58 Vitis-idæa Vitis-idæa (L.) Britton. _Mountain Cranberry_ 212

59 Cassiope Mertensiana (Bong.) Don. _White Heath_ 216
59 Phyllodoce empetriformis (Smith) Don. _Red False-Heather_ 216
59 Phyllodoce glanduliflora (Hook.) Rydb. _White False-Heather_ 216

60 Ledum grœnlandicum Œder. _Labrador Tea_ 218
60 Azaleastrum albiflorum (Hook.) Rydb.
_White Mountain Rhododendron_ 218

61 Menziesia ferruginea Smith. _Smooth Menziesea_ 220
61 Kalmia microphylla (Hook.) Heller. _Dwarf Swamp-Laurel_ 220

62 Vaccinium erythrococcum Rydb. _Alpine Bilberry_ 222
62 Vaccinium globulare Rydb. _Thin-Leaved Bilberry_ 222
62 Vaccinium ovalifolium Smith. _Blueberry_ 222

63 Primula Maccalliana Wiegand. _Maccalla’s Primrose_ 228
63 Androsace carinata Torr. _Sweet Androsace_ 228

64 Trientalis arctica Fisch. _Arctic Star-Flower_ 230
64 Dodecatheon conjugens Greene. _Shooting-Star_ 230

65 Gentiana affinis Griseb. _Large Gentian_ 234
65 Romanzoffia sitchensis Bong. _Romanzoffia_ 234

66 Phacelia sericea (Graham) A. Gray. _Mountain Phacelia_ 238
66 Phacelia heterophylla Pursh _Phacelia heterophylla_ 238

67 Lappula floribunda (Lehm.) Greene. _False Forget-me-not_ 242
67 Lithospermum linearifolium Goldie. _Narrow-Leaved Puccoon_ 242

68 Collinsia parviflora Dougl. _Small-Flowered Collinsia_ 248
68 Elephantella grœnlandica (Retz.) Rydb.
_Long-Beaked Elephantella_ 248

69 Pentstemon confertus Dougl. _Yellow Beard-Tongue_ 250
69 Pentstemon pseudohumilis Rydb. _Pentstemon pseudohumilis_ 250

70 Pentstemon fruticosus (Pursh) Greene.
_Large Purple Beard-Tongue_ 262
70 Pinguicula vulgaris L. _Butterwort_ 262

71 Linnæa americana Forbes. _American Twin-Flower_ 266
71 Lonicera ebractulata Rydb. _Fly Honeysuckle_ 266

72 Lonicera involucrata (Rich.) Banks.
_Involucred Fly Honeysuckle_ 270

73 Valeriana sitchensis Bong. _Wild Heliotrope_ 272
73 Lobelia Kalmii strictiflora Rydb. _Brook Lobelia_ 272

74 Hieracium umbellatum L. _Narrow-Leaved Hawk-weed_ 276
74 Agoseris aurantiaca (Hook.) Greene. _Agoseris aurantiaca_ 276

75 Erigeron acris L. _Blue Fleabane_ 288
75 Erigeron salsuginosus (Rich.) A. Gray.
_Large Purple Fleabane_ 288
75 Saussurea densa Hook. _Saussurea_ 288

76 Erigeron discoideus Rydb. _Cut-Leaved Fleabane_ 292
76 Erigeron melanocephalus A. Nelson. _Black-Headed Fleabane_ 292
76 Erigeron multifidus Rydb. _Cut-Leaved Fleabane_ 292

77 Aster Lindleyanus T. & G. _Aster Lindleyanus 298

78 Erigeron aureus Greene. _Golden Fleabane_ 302
78 Gaillardia aristata Pursh. _Great-Flowered Gaillardia_ 302

79 Arnica cordifolia Hook. _Heart-Leaved Arnica_ 304
79 Arnica louiseana Farr. _Pale-Flowered Arnica_ 304

GLOSSARY

ACAULESCENT: with stem so short that leaves appear to arise
directly from root.
ACHENE: a small, dry, one-seeded indehiscent, seed-like fruit.
ACUMINATE: tapering gradually to a point.
ACUTE: with an abrupt point.
ADNATE: growing together as the stamens with the petals, or the
anthers with the filament.
ALTERNATE: (leaves) not opposite but arising at different points
on the stem. Stamens are alternate with petals when they are
situated in the intervals.
ANTHER: the part of the stamen which contains the pollen.
APICAL: pertaining to the top or apex.
AURICULATE: with ear-like appendages at base.
AXIAL: pertaining to an axis.

BILABIATE: two-lipped.
BLADE: the expanded portion of a leaf.
BRACT: a modified and usually small leaf at the base of a flower
or flower-cluster. In the latter case it is usually
associated with others.
BRACTEOLATE: furnished with small bracts.

CÆSPITOSE: growing in tufts.
CALYX: the outer whorl of floral leaves forming usually a green cup.
CAMPANULATE: bell-shaped.
CANESCENT: greyish-white, due usually to fine hairs.
CAPILLARY: hair-like.
CAPITATE: arranged in a head; knob-like.
CAPSULE: a dry, dehiscent seed-vessel.
CARPEL: a pistil-leaf. The pistil is regarded as being composed of
one or more such carpels.
CATKIN: the scaly, cylindrical flower-cluster of Willow, Birch, etc.
CAUDATE: with a tail-like appendage.
CAUDEX: the perennial rootstock of an otherwise annual plant.
CHARTACEOUS: papery or parchment-like.
CILIATE: fringed with marginal hairs.
CINEREOUS: ashen or greyish.
CLEISTOGAMIC: (flowers) never opening as the late flowers of
violets, etc.
CONNATE: united.
CORDATE: heart-shaped.
CORIACEOUS: leathery.
CORM: a solid bulb.
CORYMBOSE: with a flat-topped or convex flower-cluster, the
flower-stalks of which arise at different points on the axis,
and of which the outermost flowers are the oldest.
CRENATE: with rounded teeth.
CRENULATE: with small rounded teeth.
CUNEATE: wedge-shaped.
CUSPIDATE: ending in a sharp, hard point.
CYME: a flat-topped or convex flower-cluster, the flower-stalks of
which arise at different points on the axis, and of which the
innermost flowers are the oldest.

DECIDUOUS: subject to fall, as leaves of most trees and calyx and
corolla of most flowers before the fruit forms.
DECUMBENT: (stems) reclining on the ground with summit tending
to rise.
DECURRENT: (leaves) with base prolonged below insertion and forming
a sort of wing.
DELTOID: broadly triangular.
DENTATE: toothed, usually with teeth projecting outwards.
DENTICULATE: with little, outwardly projecting teeth.
DIŒCIOUS: having staminate and pistillate flowers on separate
plants.
DISC: the central part of a head as opposed to the ray,
_e. g._, in the sun-flower. Also a fleshy expansion
of the receptacle of the flower.
DRUPE: a stone-fruit.
DRUPELET: a small stone-fruit.

ELLIPTIC: with the outline of an ellipse.
ENTIRE: with the margin even and not toothed, lobed, or divided.
EROSE: irregularly margined.

FIMBRIATE: fringed.
FLOCCOSE: with loose tufts of wool-like hairs.
FOLIACEOUS: leaf-like.
FOLLICLE: a fruit of one carpel (pistil-leaf) which splits only
by one suture.
FUSIFORM: spindle-shaped.

GALEA: a helmet-shaped body.
GLANDULAR: with small prominences which appear to have a secreting
function.
GLAUCOUS: covered with a bluish or white bloom.
GLOBOSE: spherical.

INCISED: sharply and irregularly cut into.
INDUSIUM: the membrane covering the fruit-dots of ferns.
INFERIOR: (side of flower) the one away from the axis of the
flower-cluster; (ovary) united with the calyx tube, the
other floral parts apparently growing from its summit.
INFLORESCENCE: the mode of arrangement of flowers on the stem;
the flower-cluster.
INTERNODE: the portion of the stem between the places where the
leaves arise.
INVOLUCRE: a whorl of small leaves at the base of a flower
or flower-cluster.

KEEL: the lower petals of the peculiar corolla of the pea, etc.,
which are united in the form of the keel of a boat.

LACINIATE: with deep, triangular, narrow lobes.
LANATE: woolly.
LANCEOLATE: narrow and tapering at each end.
LATERAL: pertaining to the side.
LEAFLET: one of the divisions of the blade of a compound leaf.
LINEAR: narrow and flat with the margins parallel.
LYRATE: lyre-shaped.

MONŒCIOUS: having the separate staminate and pistillate flowers
on the same plant.
MUCRONATE: with a short, abrupt point.

NODE: the point of the stem from which one or more leaves arise.

OBLANCEOLATE: lance-shaped with the base tapering downwards.
OBTUSE: blunt.
ORBICULAR: circular.
OVATE: egg-shaped (applied to flat bodies).
OVOID: egg-shaped (applied to solids).

PALMATE: (compound leaf) with the divisions so arranged that they
radiate from the petiole-like the fingers of the hand.
PANICLE: a branched, flower-cluster with the older flowers
outermost.
PANICULATE: with much branched open flower clusters.
PAPILLÆ: minute, blunt projections.
PAPPUS: the bristles, awns, or hairs which crown the fruit of
the Composites.
PARIETAL: (placentæ) attached to the wall of the ovary.
PEDUNCLE: a flower-stalk.
PERENNIAL: lasting from year to year.
PERFOLIATE: (leaves) having the basal part so extended and united
as to make it appear as though the stem grew through them.
PERIANTH: the calyx and corolla collectively.
PETAL: a corolla-leaf.
PETALOID: petal-like.
PETIOLE: the leaf-stalk.
PINNÆ: the primary divisions of a compound leaf.
PINNATE: compound with leaflets arranged along a common axis.
PINNATIFID: pinnately cleft.
PINNULES: secondary pinnæ.
PLACENTÆ: the parts of the ovary to which the seeds are attached.
PLUMOSE: feathery.
POLLEN: the fertilising powder of the anther.
POLYGAMOUS: having both perfect and imperfect flowers.
PROSTRATE: lying flat on the ground.
PUBERULENT: covered with tiny almost imperceptible hairs.
PULVINI: cushions or pads.

RACEME: a flower-cluster in which the stalked flowers are arranged
along an elongated axis.
RACEMOSE: raceme-like.
RACHIS: the axis.
RADICAL: arising from the root, or portion of the stem resembling
the root.
RECEPTACLE: the usually somewhat enlarged portion of the stem on
which parts of a flower or of a flower-cluster are borne.
RENIFORM: kidney-shaped.
REPAND: wavy-margined.
RETICULATE: arranged like a network.
REVOLUTE: rolled backward.
RHIZOME: an underground stem; a rootstock.
RHOMBIC: having the shape of a four-sided figure with parallel and
equal sides which may be either perpendicular or oblique to
each other.
RHOMBOID: of a somewhat rhombic shape.
ROTATE: wheel-shaped.
RUNCINATE: coarsely cut into with the segments turned backward.

SAGITTATE: shaped like an arrow-head with the lobes turned downward.
SAMARA: a simple, indehiscent, winged fruit.
SAPROPHYTE: a plant which grows on dead organic matter.
SCALE: a minute, rudimentary leaf.
SCAPE: a leafless or nearly leafless flower-stalk arising from near
the ground.
SCARIOUS: dry, thin, membranous.
SCURF: minute scales on the epidermis (skin).
SEPALS: the divisions of the calyx.
SERRATE: with teeth pointing forwards.
SERRULATE: with minute forward pointing teeth.
SESSILE: (leaf) without any stalk.
SHEATH: a tubular structure such as is formed by the lower part of
the leaves of grasses, etc.
SILICLE: a short and broad silique.
SILIQUE: the elongated two-valved and usually dehiscent fruit of the
Cress family. It is divided by a partition and the placentæ are
parietal.
SINUATE: with a strongly wavy margin.
SINUS: the recess between the lobes of a leaf.
SORI: the fruit-dots of ferns.
SPADIX: a fleshy spike as in the Araceæ.
SPATHE: a large bract or pair of bracts enclosing a flower or an
inflorescence.
SPATULATE: spoon-shaped.
SPIKE: a flower-cluster in which the flowers are stalkless on an
elongated axis.
SPORANGES: the sacs containing the spores.
SPORE: the reproductive body of ferns.
SPOROPHYLL: leaf-like organ or receptacle containing spores.
STAMEN: the organ of the flower which produces the pollen.
STAMINODIA: sterile stamens or structures which are developed
in the place of stamens.
STELLATE: star-shaped.
STIPE: the leaf-stalk of a fern.
STIPULE: an appendage such as is found at the base of many
leaf-stalks.
STOLON: a trailing and rooting shoot.
STRIATE: marked with slender, longitudinal stripes.
STRICT: straight and upright.
STYLE: (of pistil) the elongated portion at top of ovary.
SUBULATE: awl-shaped.
SUPERIOR: (side of flower) the one next the axis of a
flower-cluster; (ovary) free from calyx tube.

TERETE: cylindrical, circular in cross-section.
TERNATE: in threes.
TOMENTOSE: clothed with matted wool-like hairs.
TORULOSE: knobby; swollen at intervals.
TRUNCATE: as if cut off at the top.
TUBERCLE: a small knob-like outgrowth.
TURBINATE: top-shaped.

UMBEL: an umbrella-like flower-cluster.
UNDULATE: wavy.

VALVATE: (leaves in bud) meeting by the margins, not overlapping.
VERTICILLATE: whorled.
VEXILLUM: the standard of the peculiar flower of pea, etc.
VILLOUS: with long soft hairs.

GENERAL KEY TO THE FAMILIES

PLANTS WITHOUT FLOWERS

FERNS AND THEIR ALLIES

Leaves large, fern-like.
Sporanges in a spike or panicle above the sterile leaf.
=Ophioglossaceæ.=
Sporanges borne in sori, on the backs or margins of the leaves.
=Polypodiaceæ.=
Leaves small, reduced to scales.
Stems erect, hollow, jointed, rush-like; leaves reduced to
sheaths at the joints; sporanges in the terminal, cone-like
spike. =Equisetaceæ.=
Stems not hollow, creeping; leaves numerous, scale-like;
sporanges of one kind, solitary in the axils of the leaves.
=Lycopodiaceæ.=
Stems creeping, moss-like; leaves numerous; sporanges of two
kinds in the axils of the upper leaves, which are formed into
a quadrangular spike. =Selaginellaceæ.=

PLANTS WITH FLOWERS

WOODY STEMMED PLANTS; TREES, SHRUBS, AND VINES

TREES OR SHRUBS WITH RESINOUS JUICE; LEAVES USUALLY EVERGREEN.
Fruit a cone, either dry or berry-like. =Pinaceæ.=
Fruit a fleshy crimson berry. =Taxaceæ.=

TREES, SHRUBS, OR VINES WITH WATERY JUICE.
Leaves deciduous.
_Flowers in catkins._
Staminate and pistillate catkins on different
plants; seed with white, silky hairs. =Salicaceæ.=
Staminate and pistillate catkins on the same
plant; fruit cone-like. =Betulaceæ.=
_Flowers not in catkins._
(A) Trees.
Leaves simple, not lobed; flowers white. =Drupaceæ.=
Leaves lobed; flowers greenish-yellow. =Aceraceæ.=
Leaves pinnate; flowers white. =Pomaceæ.=
(B) Shrubs or vines.
*Stems spiny erect or trailing.
(_a_) Leaves simple or lobed.
Flowers small in dense terminal racemes.
=Araliaceæ.=
Flowers few in axillary clusters or racemes.
=Grossulariaceæ.=
(_b_) Leaves pinnate or palmate. =Rosaceæ.=
**Stems not spiny but with minute scales;
fruit silver, scarlet or orange berries.
=Elæagnaceæ.=
***Stems erect, smooth.
(_a_) Petals distinct.
†Leaves simple.
Flowers small, in flat heads or clusters.
Petals 4; stamens 4. =Cornaceæ.=
Petals 5; stamens numerous. =Rosaceæ.=

Flowers in axillary clusters or racemes;
petals 5; stamens numerous.
Fruit a berry. =Drupaceæ.=
Fruit a pome. =Pomaceæ.=
††Leaves pinnate; flowers yellow. =Rosaceæ.=
(_b_) Petals united.
Flowers small, short-campanulate in
axillary or terminal heads.
=Caprifoliaceæ.=
Flowers large, funnel-form, in terminal
or axillary clusters. (_Azaleastrum_)
=Ericaceæ.=
Flowers bell or urn-shaped, few, axillary.
=Vacciniaceæ.=
****Stems creeping or twining, smooth or hairy.
Flowers with distinct petals, blue or
purple. (_Atragene_). =Ranunculaceæ.=
Flowers with united petals.
Corolla tubular. =Caprifoliaceæ.=
Corolla bell-shaped. =Ericaceæ.=
Leaves evergreen; shrubs or vines.
Leaves pinnate; flowers yellow. =Berberidaceæ.=
Leaves simple.
Flowers inconspicuous; fruit a black berry. =Empetraceæ.=
Flowers showy, open, campanulate or urn-shaped,
white or pink. =Ericaceæ.=

HERBACEOUS PLANTS

Plants without leaves.
Parasitic on branches or stems of evergreens. =Loranthaceæ.=
Not parasitic on trees; roots coral-like. (_Corallorhiza_)
=Orchidaceæ.=
Plants with leaves.
_Leaves parallel-veined._
(A) Flowers small, collected on a spadix. =Araceæ.=
(B) Flowers not collected on a spadix.
*Flowers regular; corolla lobes 6; stamens 6.
(_a_) Leaves grass-like, mostly at the base.
Flowers white or greenish. =Melanthaceæ.=
Flowers pink. (_Allium_). =Liliaceæ.=
Flowers blue. (_Sisyrinchium_). =Iridaceæ.=
(_b_) Leaves not grass-like, mostly on the stem.
Flowers white or pink. =Convallariaceæ.=
Flowers green. =Melanthaceæ.=
Flowers yellow or orange. =Liliaceæ.=
Flowers red or wine-color. (_Kruhsea_.)
=Convallariaceæ.=
**Flowers irregular, frequently with broad or
inflated lip and spur. =Orchidaceæ.=
_Leaves not parallel-veined._
(A) Flowers small, in close heads surrounded by an involucre.
Flowers all alike, florets ligulate. =Cichoriaceæ.=
Flowers not alike, central ones tubular, marginal
usually with rays. =Carduaceæ.=
(B) Flowers in umbels at the ends of the stems or branches.
Umbels broad, flat or nearly so, flowers white, yellow,
or purple. =Apiaceæ.=
Umbels round.
Flowers greenish; leaves compound. =Araliaceæ.=
Flowers white or pink; leaves simple.
(_Eriogonum_.) =Polygonaceæ.=
(C) Flowers not in umbels.
*Flowers regular.
(_a_) Flowers with 2 sepals and 5 petals;
corolla pink. =Portulacaceæ.=
(_b_) Flowers with 3 sepals and 3 petals;
seeds triangular. =Polygonaceæ.=

(_c_) Flowers with 4 sepals and 4 petals.
Stem angular; leaves in whorls. =Rubiaceæ.=
Stem round; leaves not in whorls.
Stamens 6, erect. =Brassicaceæ.=
Stamens 8, spreading. =Onagraceæ.=
(_d_) Flowers with 5 sepals or petals, distinct.
†Stamens as many or twice as many as the
corolla lobes.
Stems swollen at the nodes. =Caryophyllaceæ.=
Stems not swollen at the nodes.
Stem leaves numerous, entire, thin;
flowers in terminal or axillary
clusters, white or greenish. =Santalaceæ.=
Leaves basal, entire; flowers solitary
on a 1-leaved scape. =Parnassiaceæ.=
Leaves mostly basal, lobed or cut;
flowers in a close spike or head. =Saxifragaceæ.=
Leaves and stems fleshy.
Follicles 2. =Saxifragaceæ.=
Follicles 4. =Crassulaceæ.=
Leaves numerous, stiff, awl-shaped;
stems low, tufted. =Saxifragaceæ.=
††Stamens more than twice as many as the corolla lobes.
§Leaves basal or mostly so.
Leaves evergreen, simple or lobed, flowers yellow
or white, solitary on naked scapes.
(_Dryas._) =Rosaceæ.=
Leaves not evergreen, simple, lobed, or much divided.
Smooth.
Stems erect or floating. =Ranunculaceæ.=
Stems creeping.
Flowers white or pink. =Rosaceæ.=
Flowers yellow. =Ranunculaceæ.=
Rough-hairy.
Flowers yellow or pink. =Rosaceæ.=
Flowers white, blue or purple.
=Ranunculaceæ.=
§§Leaves mostly on the stem.
Leaves finely cut; stems creeping; flowers
white. =Rosaceæ.=
Leaves entire.
Leaves bright green, black-dotted;
flowers yellow. =Hypericaceæ.=
Leaves glaucous, without black dots;
flowers blue. =Linaceæ.=
(_e_) Flowers with 5 sepals and 5 united petals
or lobes.
†Stamens 3; flowers small, in terminal
clusters. =Valerianaceæ.=
††Stamens 5.
Opposite to the corolla lobes.
=Primulaceæ.=
Alternate with the corolla lobes.
Stems smooth, leafy; corolla
campanulate.
Stem leaves broad; flowers pink.
=Apocynaceæ.=

Stem leaves narrow; flowers blue.
=Campanulaceæ.=
Stems rough-hairy.
Corolla salver-form; stamens included.
=Boraginaceæ.=
Corolla tubular; stamens exserted.
=Hydrophyllacæ.=

†††Stamens 10; flowers mostly in terminal
heads or singly. =Pyrolaceæ.=
**Flowers irregular.
(_a_) Leaves all entire and basal, forming rosettes;
flowers blue. =Lentibulariaceæ.=
(_b_) Leaves all heart-shaped; flowers blue, white
or yellow. =Violaceæ.=
(_c_) Leaves not heart-shaped, simple or much cut,
not pinnate.
Stems square; flowers in close verticels in
the axils of the leaves or in terminal
heads. =Menthaceæ.=
Stems round; flowers numerous in elongated
terminal leafy heads or few on slender
stems in the axils of the upper leaves.
=Scrophulariaceæ.=
(_d_) Leaves palmate; flowers blue in elongated spikes.
=Ranunculaceæ.=
(_e_) Leaves pinnately divided; flowers pea-like.
=Papilionaceæ.=
(_f_) Leaves compoundly lobed, not pinnate.
Stems low, spreading, flowers small in
dense terminal or axillary spikes.
=Papaveraceæ.=
Stems erect; flowers drooping in open
terminal heads, either showy and spurred
or not showy and without spurs; leaves
maiden-hair fern-like. =Ranunculaceæ.=

Alpine Flora of the Canadian Rocky Mountains

OPHIOGLOSSACEÆ

_Adder’s-Tongue Family_

More or less succulent fern-like plants, consisting of a stem and leaf growing from a fleshy root. Sporophyll in the form of a spike or panicle.

[Sidenote: =Botrychium lunaria= (L.) Sw. _Moon-wort._]

Very fleshy, 2—12 inches high. Leaf usually sessile, borne at or above the middle of the stem, pinnate with 2—8 pairs of moon-like or fan-shaped lobes which vary from crenate to entire and either close and folded together or distant; spore-bearing portion 2—3 pinnate, often dense, 1—2 inches long, about as high as the leaf.

In open or exposed situations, frequently on the tops of the highest mountains, rather rare; occurring in midsummer.

[Sidenote: =Botrychium simplex= E. Hitchcock. _Small Moon-wort._]

Plant 2—6 inches high, slender and very variable. Leaf ovate, obovate or oblong, entire, lobed or pinnately parted, borne near the base of the stem; spore-bearing portion a simple or slightly compound spike, sometimes reduced to only a few sporanges; apex of the leaf and spore-bearing portion erect in fruit.

In alpine meadows or grassy slopes, frequently through the Rockies but very inconspicuous; during summer.

[Sidenote: =Botrychium virginianum= (L.) Sw. _Virginia Grape Fern._]

Stem slender, 4 inches to 2 feet high. Leaf thin, ternately divided and spreading 3—12 inches across, pinnately much divided into oblong-toothed segments; spore-bearing portion long-stalked, much above the leaf 2—3 pinnate, cinnamon brown, when ripe.

In rich moist woods, sparingly throughout the region during the summer.

POLYPODIACEÆ

_Fern Family_

Ferns of various habits, the rootstocks horizontal, often elongated or short and erect; the leaves simple, pinnate, pinnatifid or decompound, coiled at the ends when young. Sporanges borne in clusters (_sori_) on the lower side or margins of the leaves or their segments, with or without a membranous covering (_indusium_).

Represented in the region by the following 10 genera.

Sori without indusia, leaves 2—3 pinnate or ternate. =Phegopteris.=
Sori with marginal indusia formed by the more or less altered edge
of the leaf.
Sporanges at the ends of the veins, borne on a reflexed
portion of the leaf. =Adiantum.=
Sporanges on a continuous vein-like receptacle
which connects the apices of the veins. =Pteridium.=

Sporanges at or near the ends of the unconnected veins.
Leaves of two kinds, the spore-bearing ones contracted
and more or less pod-like. =Cryptogramma.=
Leaves uniform; sori minute, indusium usually interrupted.
=Cheilanthes.=
Sori not marginal, provided with spinal indusia.
Sori oblong on oblique veins; leaves pinnate. =Asplenium.=
Sori round.
Indusium conspicuous.
Leaves firm; indusium peltate. =Polystichum.=
Leaves membranous; indusium reniform. =Dryopteris.=
Indusium inconspicuous.
Indusium under the sorus, stellately divided. =Woodsia.=
Indusium hooded, fixed by a broad base. =Filix.=

[Sidenote: =Phegopteris alpestris= (Hoppe) Mett. _Western Beech Fern._]

Rootstock short, thick, erect or oblique; stems 4—10 inches long with a few brown spreading scales near the base; leaves 1—2 feet long, oblong-lanceolate, thrice pinnate, the pinnæ deltoid-lanceolate, the lower ones distant and smaller, pinnules oblong-lanceolate, finely cut-toothed; sori small, rounded and nearly marginal.

On moist banks in the Selkirks, frequent especially in the vicinity of Glacier, where it forms clumps of considerable diameter, up to 7000 feet elevation.

[Sidenote: =Phegopteris Phegopteris= (L.) Underw. _Long Beech Fern._]

Rootstock slender and creeping; stems 6—9 inches long; leaves triangular, thin, usually longer than broad, 6—9 inches long, 4—6 inches broad, hairy on the veins, especially beneath; pinnæ linear-lanceolate, the lowest pair deflexed and standing forward, segments oblong, obtuse, entire, the basal ones joined to the main rachis; sori small, near the margin.

In moist woods in the Selkirks at the lower elevations, not common.

[Sidenote: =Phegopteris Dryopteris= (L.) Fée. _Oak Fern._]

Rootstock slender, extensively creeping; leaves or short black stipes, broadly triangular 4—8 inches wide, the three primary divisions 1—2 pinnate, segments oblong, obtuse, entire or toothed; sori near the margin.

In moist woods and thickets throughout the region at the lower altitudes, frequently forming beds of considerable size.

[Sidenote: =Adiantum pedatum= L. _Maidenhair Fern._]

Rootstock slender, creeping; stems 9—18 inches long, dark chestnut brown or nearly black, shining, forked into nearly equal branches at the summit; leaves obliquely orbicular in outline, 8—18 inches broad, thin, the pinnæ arising from the branches of the stem, somewhat radiately arranged, the larger ones 6—10 inches long, 1—2 inches broad, pinnules triangular-oblong, or the terminal one fan-shaped, the lower margin entire and slightly curved, the upper cut, bearing the linear-oblong sori.

Sparingly throughout the region in woods or moist shaded situations, among rocks.

[Sidenote: =Pteridium aquilinum pubescens= Underw. _Bracken._]

Rootstock stout, widely creeping, subterranean; stems hairy, 1—2 feet high, erect, straw-colored or brownish, leaves soft-hairy, especially on the under surface, 2—4 feet long, 1—3 feet wide, ternate, the three branches each bipinnate, the upper pinnules undivided, the lower more or less pinnatifid.

In dry woods, thickets, and open hillsides, throughout the region.

[Sidenote: =Cryptogramma acrostichoides= R. Br. _American Rock-brake._]

Rootstock stout, short, and chaffy; stems densely tufted, straw-colored, 2—6 inches long, very slender, chaffy below; leaves ovate or ovate-lanceolate in outline, thin, smooth, 2—3 pinnate, the sterile shorter than the fertile, their segments and pinnules crowded, ovate-oblong or obovate, crenate or slightly sharply cut; fertile leaves with linear or linear-oblong segments half an inch long, the margins at first rolled back to the midrib, at maturity expanded and exposing the light brown sporanges.

Forming tufts among rocks throughout the region but most frequent in the Selkirks.

[Sidenote: =Cryptogramma Stelleri= (S. G. Gmel.) Prantl. _Slender Cliff-brake_.]

Rootstock slender, creeping, thread-like; stems slender, scattered 2—3 inches long, dark brown; leaves thin, ovate in outline 2—5 inches long, 1—2 inches wide, 2—3 pinnate or pinnatifid above, the fertile taller, with narrower pinnules and segments, pinnæ lanceolate-deltoid, cut to the rachis, in few lobed or entire segments; indusium broad; veins conspicuous.

In crevices of damp or dripping rocks, preferably limestone, in the Rockies up to 7000 feet elevation; not common.

[Sidenote: =Cheilanthes Féei= Moore. _Hairy Lip Fern._]

Rootstock creeping, covered with pale rusty-brown scales; stems tufted, wiry, chestnut brown, 2—4 inches long, hairy; leaves oblong-lanceolate in outline 4—9 inches long, gradually attenuate to the apex, twice pinnate; pinnules somewhat distant, lanceolate-deltoid, acute, deeply pinnatifid or incised, more or less covered with stiff hairs and usually somewhat glandular; sori numerous, covered by the infolded ends of the rounded oblong lobes.

On rocks and among broken stones at the lower altitudes of the eastern Rockies; growing in matted masses.

[Sidenote: =Asplenium viride= Huds. _Green Spleenwort._]

Rootstock stout, creeping, chaffy with brown scales; stems numerous, densely tufted, brownish below, green above; leaves linear-lanceolate, 2—8 inches long, once pinnate, pale green, with 12—20 pairs of ovate or rhomboid, crenate; obtuse, unequal-sided pinnules; sori oblong, numerous, or scattered.

On dry rocks and slides, frequent through the Rockies.

[Sidenote: =Asplenium Filix-fœmina= (L.) Bernh. _Lady Fern._]

Rootstock creeping, rather slender for the size of the plant; stems tufted, 6—10 inches long; straw-colored, brownish or reddish, with scattered brown scales which are large and numerous at the broadened base; leaves broadly oblong-lanceolate, pinnæ lanceolate, acuminate, 4—8 inches long; pinnules lanceolate, incised or serrate, sori short, the indusia straight or variously curved.

In moist woods and thickets throughout the region but especially in the Selkirks, being a common fern in the woods in the vicinity of Glacier.

[Sidenote: =Polystichum Lonchitis= (L.) Roth. _Holly Fern._]

Rootstock short, stout, and densely chaffy; stems 1—5 inches long, bearing large dark brown scales, with some smaller ones; leaves rigid, leathery, and evergreen, narrowly lanceolate in outline, once pinnate; pinnæ broadly lanceolate, scythe-shaped, 1—2 inches long, acute or acuminate at the apex, with an ear-like projection on the upper side at the base, and with a nearly straight edge on the lower, densely spiny-toothed; sori large, nearer the margin than the midrib.

In large tufts among rocks throughout the region.

[Sidenote: =Dryopteris Filix-mas= (L.) Schott. _Male Fern._]

Rootstock stout, ascending, or erect, chaffy; stems 4—6 inches long, very chaffy below; leaves broadly lanceolate, acute or acuminate at the apex, slightly narrowed at the base, 1—3 feet long, rather firm, half evergreen, pinnate or partly 2-pinnate; pinnæ lanceolate, broadest at the base, gradually acuminate, 3—6 inches long, pinnatifid almost to the rachis, or pinnately divided into oblong, smooth lobes; sori large, borne near the margin, more numerous on the lower halves of the segments.

In rocky woods in the Selkirks on the lower slopes of Mt. Macdonald.

[Sidenote: =Dryopteris spinulosa dilatata= (Hoffm.) Underw. _Spinulose Shield Fern._]

Rootstock stout, chaffy; stems 6—18 inches long, bearing large brown scales with dark centres; leaves broadly ovate or triangular-ovate, commonly 3-pinnate; pinnules lanceolate oblong, the lowest often much elongated; sori medium size; indusium smooth.

In moist woods through the Selkirks, probably the most abundant fern in the vicinity of Glacier.

[Sidenote: =Dryopteris oreopteris= (Sw.) Maxon.]

Rootstock short, erect or decumbent, scaly; stems light straw-colored, 2—6 inches long, tufted, copiously scaly throughout, with light brown scales; leaves 1½—2 feet long, rather firm, broadly lanceolate, gradually tapering from near the middle to both ends; pinnæ 2—3 inches long, deeply pinnatifid, gradually shorter to the lowest which are more distant, broadly triangular, and less than an inch long; segments flat, oblong, and nearly entire; rachis straw-colored, densely scaly with light brown scales, nearly to the apex.

In the Selkirks on the moist mountain slopes and rocky ravines at Glacier.

[Sidenote: =Woodsia scopulina= D. C. Eaton. _Rocky Mountain Woodsia._]

Rootstock short, creeping, and densely chaffy; stems brown, darker at the base, 2—4 inches long, glandular-hairy; leaves mostly glandular-hairy throughout, lanceolate, 6—12 inches long, tapering from about the middle to both ends; pinnæ numerous, oblong-ovate, pinnatifid into oblong-toothed segments; sori nearly marginal.

In crevices in the rocks and among broken stones on slides, throughout the Rockies, up to an elevation of 7000 feet; frequent.

[Sidenote: =Woodsia oregana= D. C. Eaton. _Oregon Woodsia._]

Rootstock short; stems smooth, brownish below. Leaves smooth, 2—10 inches long, lanceolate; pinnæ triangular, oblong, obtuse, pinnatifid, lower ones rounded and somewhat remote from the others; rachis straw-colored; pinnules oblong-ovate, dentate or crenate, the teeth often turned back and covering the submarginal sori.

Among broken stones on the slides near the base of Mt. Stephen in the Rockies.

[Sidenote: =Filix fragilis= (L.) Underw. _Brittle Fern._]

Rootstock short; stems 4—8 inches long, leaves thin, smooth throughout, oblong-lanceolate, only slightly tapering below, 4—10 inches long; pinnate or 2—3 pinnatifid; pinnæ lanceolate-ovate, irregularly pinnatifid with a broad central space, and bluntly or sharply toothed segments, decurrent along the margined or winged rachis; sori small, half way between the margin and the midrib; indusium narrow, soon withering.

In crevices in rocks and among broken stones throughout the Rockies.

[Sidenote: =Filix montana= (Lam.) Underw.]

Rootstock slender, widely creeping; stipes 6—9 inches long, slender; leaves deltoid-ovate, 3—4 pinnate, 3—6 inches broad, the lowest pinnæ triangular-lanceolate and much larger, their inferior pinnules 1—1½ inches long, deeply divided into oblong lobes, deeply toothed; sori numerous; indusium acute, soon withering.

On damp mossy banks and rocks throughout the Rockies; not common.

EQUISETACEÆ

_Horsetail Family_

Green, rush-like plants with usually hollow, jointed, simple or often much branched stems, rising from subterranean rootstocks; the branches verticillate.

Leaves reduced to toothed sheaths; sporanges clustered beneath the scales of terminal, cone-like spikes.

[Sidenote: =Equisetum arvense= L. _Field Horsetail._]

Stems annual, the fertile appearing in early spring before the sterile; fertile stems 4—10 inches high, soon withering, light brown, their loose sheaths mostly distant, whitish, ending in about 12 brown acuminate teeth; sterile stems green, much branched and slender, 2 inches to 2 feet high with numerous, mostly simple, 4-angled solid branches with 4-toothed sheaths.

In moist sandy soil throughout the region, frequent in wet woods and swampy places.

[Sidenote: =Equisetum sylvaticum= L. _Wood Horsetail._]

Stems annual, the fertile appearing in early spring before the sterile, at first simple, at length much branched, resembling the sterile except in the withered apex; stems 8—20 inches high, producing verticillate compound branches which are curved downward; sheaths loose and cylindric, those of the stem whitish, with 8—14 rather blunt brown teeth.

In moist sandy woods and thickets in the Selkirks, not common.

[Sidenote: =Equisetum fluviatile= L. _Swamp Horsetail._]

Stems annual, all alike, 2—4 feet high, bluish-green, smooth, usually producing upright branches after the spores are formed; sheaths appressed with about 18 dark brown or nearly black, short acute teeth.

In sloughs and shallow ponds throughout the region, frequent.

[Sidenote: =Equisetum hyemale= L. _Common Scouring rush._]

Stems stiff, evergreen, 2—4 feet high, rough, 8—34-furrowed, the ridges with two distinct lines of tubercles; sheaths rather long, cylindric, marked with one or two black girdles, teeth dark brown or nearly black and membranous, soon deciduous; spikes tipped with a rigid point.

In wet places and on banks and slides in the valley of the Kicking Horse River.

[Sidenote: =Equisetum variegatum= Schl. _Variegated Equisetum._]

Stems perennial, slender, evergreen, 6—18 inches long, rough, usually simple from a branched base, commonly tufted, 5—10 furrowed; sheaths companulate, distinctly 4-keeled, green variegated with black above; the teeth 5—10, each tipped with a deciduous bristle.

In moist, sandy soil throughout the region up to an elevation of 7000 feet, sometimes forming large patches.

[Sidenote: =Equisetum scirpoides= Michx.]

Stems perennial, evergreen, very slender, 3—6 inches long, rough, flexuous and curving, growing in tufts closely matted to the ground, mostly 6-furrowed with acute ridges, simple or branching from near the base; sheaths black, with three membranous rather persistent bristle-tipped teeth.

On moist sandy shaded banks throughout the Rockies.

LYCOPODIACEÆ

_Club-moss Family_

Branching, moss-like plants with small lanceolate or subulate, sometimes oblong or roundish simple leaves, arranged in two or many ranks on trailing or sometimes erect, usually branched stems.

Sporanges solitary in the axils of the leaves or on their upper surfaces.

[Sidenote: =Lycopodium Selago= L. _Fir Club-moss._]

Stems usually yellowish throughout, 3—6 inches high, thick, rigid, erect, 2—5 times forked, the branches forming a level topped cluster; leaves crowded, uniform, ascending, elongated, lanceolate with a spiny tip, the upper mostly 8-ranked and sterile, those below bearing small sporanges in their axils, leaves of the lower half of the stems again sterile; plant propagated also by enlarged bud-like organs.

Throughout the region in alpine meadows and slopes above 6000 feet elevation.

[Sidenote: =Lycopodium annotinum= L. _Stiff Club-moss._]

Stems much branched, slender, prostrate and creeping, rather stiff, 1—4 feet long, the branches similar, ascending 5—8 inches high, sparingly forked; leaves uniform, spreading, 5-ranked, rigid, linear-lanceolate, minutely serrulate, nerved below, spikes solitary or several at the ends of the branches, oblong, cylindric 1—1½ inches long, composed of ovate or ovate-cordate, short-acuminate and denticulate bracts, each with a sporange in its axil.

In woods throughout the region, frequent.

[Sidenote: =Lycopodium clavatum= L. _Running Pine._]

Stems extensively creeping, 1—4 feet long with similar short, irregular ascending or decumbent, densely leafy branches; leaves much crowded, many-ranked, incurved, linear-subulate, bristle-tipped, the lower denticulate, the upper nearly entire or slightly decurrent on either side; spikes 1—4 on long peduncles; bracts membranous, roundish, and irregularly denticulate below.

In dry woods and open grounds, rather rare in the region, observed only in the Selkirks around Glacier and Roger’s Pass.

[Sidenote: =Lycopodium sitchensis= Rupr. _Arctic Club-moss._]

Stems prostrate, 8—12 inches long, on or a little beneath the surface; sending up frequent branched stems which form compact masses of vertical, compressed branches 2—3 inches high, with occasional stronger, spike-bearing branches; leaves lanceolate with a broad base, spreading and curving upwards, thick, entire, acute, in five rows on the branchlets; the spikes nearly sessile.

On grassy alpine slopes 6000 feet and upwards in the Selkirks, especially in the region about Glacier.

[Sidenote: =Lycopodium complanatum= L. _Trailing Christmas-green._]

Stems extensively creeping, with erect or ascending reinform or fan-shaped branches, several times forked above with crowded flattened branchlets; leaves minute, overlapping, flattened, 4-ranked, the lateral row with somewhat spreading tips; peduncle slender, 2—6 inches high, forked, bearing 2—4 linear-cylindric spikes, bracts broadly ovate, acuminate, with pale irregularly cut margins.

In mossy woods at the lower altitudes, more or less frequent throughout the region, especially in the Rockies.

[Sidenote: =Lycopodium alpinum= L. _Alpine Club-moss._]

Stems prostrate, 8—20 inches long on or near the surface of the ground, forming numerous, several times branched clusters 2—3 inches high with glaucous leaves, and occasional stouter, compressed spike-bearing stems, extending above the others; leaves 4-ranked, erect, flattened, those of the lateral rows two to three times larger than those intermediate; spikes sessile, few, ½—¾ of an inch long.

In alpine meadows, on slopes, and in open woods throughout the region from 6000 feet upwards.

SELAGINELLACEÆ

_Selaginella Family_

Moss-like plants with branching stems and scale-like leaves which are many ranked and uniform, or 4-ranked and of two types spreading in two planes. Sporanges solitary in the axils of the leaves which are so arranged as to form more or less quadrangular spikes.

[Sidenote: =Selaginella selaginoides= (L.) Link. _Low Selaginella._]

Sterile stems, prostrate and creeping, small and slender; fertile stems thicker, ascending, simple 1—3 inches high; leaves lanceolate, acute, spreading, sparsely spinulose-ciliate; spikes solitary at the ends of the fertile branches, bracts lax, ascending lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, strongly fringed.

A light green moss-like plant growing in wet sandy grounds in the Rockies; not infrequent.

[Sidenote: =Selaginella densa= Rydb.]

Densely tufted sterile branches very short and crowded; leaves, densely crowded, many-ranked linear or needle-shaped in age, slightly flattened and grooved on the upper side, the margin fringed, tipped with a white bristle; fertile branches erect, the spikes quadrangular ½—¾ of an inch long, bracts folded together, thick, triangular-ovate, fringed on the margin and tipped with a white bristle half as long as that of the leaves.

In sterile dry ground and on exposed rocks throughout the region from the bases to the tops of the highest mountains, forming grayish-green mats on the ground.

PINACEÆ.

_Pine Family_

Resinous trees and shrubs mostly with evergreen, narrow, entire or scale-like leaves; the pollen sacks and ovules borne in separate spikes; fruit a cone with numerous, several or few, woody, papery or fleshy scales, sometimes berry-like; seed wingless or winged.

Scales of the fruit numerous, alternate; leaf-buds scaly.

Leaves in clusters.
Clusters ensheathed at the base, containing 2, 3, or 5 leaves.
=Pinus.=
Clusters not ensheathed at the base containing many leaves. =Larix.=
Leaves solitary.
Cones erect; scales deciduous. =Abies.=
Cones pendent; scales persistent.
Branchlets smooth; bracts 3-toothed. =Pseudotsuga.=
Branchlets roughened by the persistent leaf bases.
Leaves petioled, not pungent. =Tsuga.=
Leaves sessile, pungent. =Picea.=

Scales of the fruit few, opposite; leaf-buds naked.
Fruit fleshy and berry-like. =Juniperus.=
Fruit a dry cone. =Thuja.=

[Sidenote: =Pinus albicaulis= Engelm. _White-bark Pine._]

A tree 20 or 30 feet high generally with a short trunk 2—4 feet in diameter, stout, very flexible branches, often standing nearly erect and forming an open irregular broad head; often a low shrub and nearly prostrate at high altitudes; bark thin with creamy-white plate-like scales; leaves stout, rigid, slightly incurved, clustered at the ends of the branches 1½—2½ inches long; cones oval or subglobose horizontal, sessile, dark purple, 1½—3 inches long with thickened acute scales.

On alpine slopes and exposed ridges from 5000 feet elevation upward, occurring occasionally in the Rockies, but frequent throughout the Selkirks at or near the timber line.

[Sidenote: =Pinus Murrayana= Oreg. Com. _Black Pine, Jack Pine._]

A tree 40—80 feet high with a trunk 1—3 feet in diameter, slender, strict; branches frequently persistent nearly to the base of the stem, somewhat pendulous below, ascending near the top of the tree, forming a pyramidal spire-topped head; bark thin, close, light orange-brown with appressed scales; leaves 2 in a bundle, yellowish-green, 1—3 inches long, stout; cones yellowish-brown and shining oval to sub-cylindric oblique at the base, often clustered ¾—2 inches long, with slightly concave scales with slender deciduous prickles.

The most abundant tree at the lower altitudes throughout the Rockies, frequently covering vast tracts, and rising on the mountain sides to 6000 feet or occasionally higher.

[Sidenote: =Larix Lyallii= Parl. _Lyall’s Larch._]

A tree usually 40—50 feet high with a diameter of 18—20 inches and remote, elongated, tough, persistent, nearly black branches, with prominent winter buds with conspicuous long white matted hairs fringing the margins of their scales and often nearly concealing the buds; bark on the old trunks ½ to ¾ of an inch thick, pale gray, divided into shallow irregular plates; leaves many in a cluster, 4-angled, slender, blue-green 1—1½ inches long; young cones showy with dark red or yellow-green scales and dark purple bracts; when mature, ovate 1½—2 inches long with reddish-purple scales and long tipped dark purple bracts.

An alpine tree occurring with more or less frequency throughout the Rockies from Banff to Field, from 6000 to 8000 feet elevation, at or near the tree limit, often much stunted and almost shrub-like; very abundant on the mountains in the region about Lake Louise.

[Sidenote: =Abies lasiocarpa= (Hook) Nutt. _Sub-alpine Fir, Balsam Fir._]

A tree usually 40—100 feet high with a trunk 1—5 feet in diameter, short crowded tough branches, usually slightly pendulous near the base and forming dense spire-like slender heads; bark rough on the older trees, with thick, appressed, cinnamon-red scales; leaves pale blue-green flat, 1—1¾ inches long on the lower branches, rounded or notched at the apex; on the upper branches thickened, not more than ½ an inch long, flattened and closely appressed with long rigid points; cones, oblong-cylindric, rounded, truncate or depressed at the narrowed apex, dark purple and soft-hairy, 1½—4 inches long with scales gradually narrowed from the broad rounded apex to the base, about 3 times as long as the bracts.

This tree the Balsam of the region is found throughout on the higher mountain slopes and summits, frequently forming the timber line in which case it is shrub-like and stunted.

[Sidenote: =Pseudotsuga mucronata= (Raf.) Sudw. _Douglas Spruce, Red Fir._]

A magnificent tree 80—100 feet high, with a trunk 2—3 feet in diameter, or frequently larger, with slender crowded branches and long pendulous lateral ones forming, while the tree is young, an open pyramid, soon deciduous from the trees crowded in the forest and leaving the bare trunk naked for ⅔ of its height and surmounted by a comparatively small, narrow head; bark on the young trees, smooth, dark gray-brown and lustrous, on the old trunks several inches thick, divided into oblong plates broken into irregularly connected ridges; leaves crowded, yellowish-green, straight or slightly curved, narrow, ¾—1¼ inches long, obtuse or acute at the apex; cones pendent on long stout stems, 2—4¼ inches long, with thin slightly concave scales; bracts often extending half an inch beyond the scales.

Throughout the Rockies in the lower wooded valleys, the handsomest tree of this section especially when young, now rather rare in the mature state along the line of the railway, but may be so seen to perfection in the Yoho and some of the other outlying valleys.

[Sidenote: =Tsuga heterophylla= (Raf.) Sarg. _Western Hemlock._]

A tree frequently 200 feet high, with a trunk 6—10 feet in diameter, with short slender usually pendulous branches forming a narrow pyramidal head; bark orange-brown, thin when young, an inch or more thick on mature trees and divided into broad flat ridges; leaves flat, dark green and lustrous on the upper surface, marked below by broad white bands; cones sessile, oblong or oval, ¾—1 inch long with few yellowish-brown oblong scales abruptly contracted at the middle and purplish toward the base.

Abundant throughout the Selkirks.

[Sidenote: =Tsuga Mertensiana= (Bong.) Carr. _Mountain Hemlock._]

Tree usually 70—100 feet high with a tapering trunk 2—5 feet in diameter and gracefully pendent slender branches and drooping lateral ones; bark grayish and scaly, on mature trees 1—1½ inches thick divided into rounded ridges with closely appressed cinnamon scales; leaves more or less in clusters, standing out all over the sides of the branches, rounded, light bluish-green or in some pale blue ½—1 inch long; cones sessile, cylindric, oblong, narrowed toward the blunt apex and somewhat toward the base, pendulous, 1—3 inches long, with thin scales usually as broad as long, with slightly thickened or erose margins, purplish-brown, 4 times as long as the sharp, purple bract.

On the slopes and exposed ridges through the Selkirks, a most attractive tree.

[Sidenote: =Picea Albertiana= S. Brown. _Alberta Spruce._]

A tree 30—60 feet high, slender, strict; twigs smooth and shining or occasionally glandular, hairy, but never glaucous, yellowish-brown when young becoming darker with age, leaf bases long and standing out at right angles from the stem; leaves pale blue or blue-green, ½—1 inch long, nearly straight or curved, acute or with a rigid tip, 4-sided; cones ovate or oblong, bright crimson when young, at maturity 1—1½ inches long and nearly as broad when expanded, scales stiff and rigid, broadly rounded at the apex, entire, broader than long, cinnamon brown with a chestnut edging; bract very small with a sharply angular tip.

The common spruce in the lower valleys and river bottoms throughout the Rockies.

[Sidenote: =Picea Engelmanni= (Parry) Engelm. _Engelmann’s Spruce._]

A tree often 150 feet high but usually much lower, with a trunk reaching 4—5 feet in diameter; spreading branches, produced in regular whorls and forming a narrow compact pyramidal head, and gracefully hanging short lateral branches; bark when mature reddish-brown and broken into thin scales; leaves soft and flexible, slender or slightly incurved, stouter on the fertile branches, ½—1⅛ inches long, glaucous when young, becoming dark blue-green; cones oblong-cylindric, 1—2 inches long, lustrous, light chestnut brown with thin flexible wedge-shaped scales, with erosedentate margins.

On the higher mountain slopes in the Rockies, but much lower in the valleys of the Selkirks, where it grows to a great size.

[Sidenote: =Juniperus Siberica= Burgs. _Alpine Juniper._]

A depressed rigid shrub, with many slender, decumbent stems, curving upward and forming a circular mass frequently 10 feet in diameter and 18 inches high; bark reddish-brown; leaves numerous ⅓—½ an inch long, awl-shaped, rigid, spreading nearly at right angles to the branches, linear-lanceolate, acute, and tipped with sharp, slender points; channelled and whitened above, lustrous green beneath; berry-like cones, blue and glaucous, subglobose or oblong about ¼ of an inch in diameter.

On dry hills and stony slopes throughout the region.

[Sidenote: =Juniperus prostrata= Pers. _Shrubby Red Cedar._]

A depressed, creeping shrub seldom more than a foot high, with spreading branches; bark grayish-brown; leaves scale-like, appressed, 4-ranked, acute, with a short spiny point; berry-like cones, light blue and glaucous, a third of an inch in diameter.

On dry stony ground and slopes throughout the Rockies.

[Sidenote: =Thuja plicata= Don. _Giant Cedar._]

A tree frequently 200 feet high with a broad, gradually tapering buttressed base sometimes 15 feet in diameter; branches short, horizontal, usually pendulous at the ends, bright yellow-green during the first year, becoming reddish-brown and lustrous; bark thin, cinnamon-red, divided into broad rounded ridges by shallow fissures; leaves ovate, long pointed, ¼ of an inch long or less; cones purplish-brown, much reflexed, clustered at the ends of the branches, ½ inch long with 6 oblong thin leathery scales with thickened spine-bearing tips.

Occasionally met with in the lower valleys on the western slope of the Rockies; becoming an immense forest tree in the moist valleys of the Selkirks where it forms a striking feature of the landscape.

TAXACEÆ

_Yew Family_

Trees or shrubs with narrow flat evergreen or deciduous leaves and a drupe-like fruit.

[Sidenote: =Taxus brevifolia= Nutt. _Western Yew._]

A small straggling tree or shrub seldom over 20 feet high and up to 12 inches in diameter; bark thin, covered with greenish-purple scales; leaves about ½ an inch long, linear-lanceolate, flat, dark yellowish-green above, paler below with stout midribs and rigid points; fruit a fleshy crimson disc ⅓ of an inch long and as broad, surrounding the hard, nearly black, depressed seed.

Occurs locally in the Selkirks, forming much of the underwood on Beaver Creek.

ARACEÆ

_Arum Family_

Smooth perennial herbs with tuberous or corn-like rootstocks and mostly basal, large showy leaves; flowers small and numerously crowded on a spadix which is generally surrounded or subtended by a simple showy leaf-like organ called a spathe.

A very numerous family found mostly in the tropics and represented in our region by but a single species.

[Sidenote: =Lysichiton kamtschatcense= (L.) Schott. _Western Skunk Cabbage._]