Part 8

Bearberry, Kinnikinnic Arctostaphylus uva-ursi

Plate 16, fig. 10

The Bearberry is a trailing plant with evergreen leaves that forms dense mats in pine forests and on gravel-slides and denuded hills at 3000-10000 ft. The drooping clusters of tiny waxen blossoms with pink edges are hidden beneath the leaves in early summer. They later develop into crimson berries which contrast with the evergreen foliage and hence serve as decorations, resembling the well-known holly of the Christmas season.

GENTIAN FAMILY

Rose Gentian Gentiana amarella

Plate 18, fig. 1

The Rose Gentian is interesting on account of its great variability in size and form. In dry spots and on alpine peaks, the plants are often only 1/2-1 in. tall with the flower even longer than the stem. In moist situations and in shade they may be a foot or two high and much branched. The flowers are lilac with a fringe of hairs at the opening of the paler tube. They bloom throughout the summer and are found in meadows and in fir, spruce and aspen forests at 6000-12000 ft.

Fringed Gentian Gentiana serrata

Plate 18, fig. 2

The Fringed Gentian is named from the finely cut edges of the petals and is closely related to the Fringed Gentian of the East. The deep blue flowers have lighter streaks or patches downward and they bloom throughout the summer. The plants grow in wet meadows and along brook-banks at 8000-13000 ft.

Green Gentian Frasera speciosa

Plate 18, fig. 3

The flowers of the Green Gentian are pale greenish-white with dark bluish spots on the tips of the petals. They are crowded in huge clusters a foot or two long on plants 2-6 ft. tall. They bloom all summer and are visited by many kinds of insects in search of honey. The nectaries are protected by a fringe of hairs. The plants grow in spruce and aspen woods or in grassy clearings at 6000-10000 ft.

Fragrant Gentian Gentiana barbellata

Plate 18, fig. 4

This is also a fringed gentian with very fragrant flowers which bloom in late summer. The petals are pale blue and curiously long. The plants are rare but may be found in open parks and meadows at 9000-12000 ft.

GENTIAN FAMILY

1 Rose Gentian: Gentiana amarella 2 Fringed Gentian: Gentiana serrata 3 Green Gentian: Frasera speciosa 4 Fragrant Gentian: Gentiana barbellata 5 Prairie Gentian: Eustoma russellianum 6 Blue Gentian: Gentiana calycosa 7 Star Gentian: Swertia perennis]

Prairie Gentian Eustoma russellianum

Plate 18, fig. 5

The Prairie Gentian is one of the largest flowered gentians. Wet meadows at 4000-5500 ft. are brilliant in midsummer with the deep reddish-purple flowers. The plants rarely grow taller than 15 in.

Blue Gentian Gentiana calycosa

Plate 18, fig. 6

The deep blue flowers of this Gentian grow in clusters on plants 5-20 in. tall. They bloom in midsummer and autumn and are found in aspen woods and meadows at 8000-12000 ft. Practically all species of Gentians yield a substance which is one of the best simple bitters and is used in medicine.

Star Gentian Swertia perennis

Plate 18, fig. 7

The starry blue-purple or white flowers of the Star Gentian are clustered on stems 3-20 in. tall. They grow along brook-banks and in wet meadows and bogs at 8000-13000 ft. and bloom during midsummer.

POTATO FAMILY