Page:The Selkirk mountains (1912).djvu/194

168 Alpine Anemone (Anemone occidentalis) is conspicuous in leaf and flower and fruit.

The American Globe flower (Trollius laxus) borders the brooks near the snow; these with the Saxifrages, Violets and other beautiful flowers grow in the ascending gardens throughout the summer. It is common to find the same species in seed, blossom and bud within 100 yards of altitude. One can pass through Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall in the descent of a few hundred feet. This is one of the many charms of botany in high mountains.

The Rose family takes "a first place" either in flower or in fruit. The Strawberry (Fragaria) and Raspberry (Rubus) grow profusely and are of fine flavor. Strawberries grow so thickly in places in the Columbia and Beaver Valleys that a pailful can be speedily gathered. Between Golden and Donald, about 500 feet above the river, are many such places. The Evening Primrose family is represented by numerous species as the Fireweed (Epilobium augustifolium), and the low-growing species with broad leaves and large purple flowers (Epilobium latifolium) found on gravel bars. Another species (Epilobium luteum) with large yellow flowers is found in the swamps around Rogers Pass, a rare and beautiful species.

The Composites, blooming lavishly in July and August, include Asters, Golden Rods, Ragworts, Everlastings, Thistles, Arnicas, Flea-banes. Everlasting (Antennaria) is the nearest to Edelweiss that grows in the Canadian Mountains. Doubtless if that rare and famous flower of the lofty Swiss altitudes were transplanted to the Selkirks it would take root.

Both the Monkey Flower and the Painted Cup (Castilleia) belong to the Figwort family. Altogether there are six species of the Monkey Flower, four being less conspicuous and showing only to the knowing botanist. Orchids there are, but not in profusion. The Moccasin Flower or Ladies' Slipper (Cypripedium) grows in three species, the most common being the Northern Ladies' Slipper (Cypripedium passerinum).

The Fern family is well represented in the Selkirks by the following genera; Botrychium, Adlantum, Aspidium, Asplenium, Cryptogramma, Cystopteris, Onoclea, Osmunda, Pellaea, Phegopteris, Polypodium, Pteris, Woodsia. Also two ferns, very rare in Canada, were found by Professor Macoun, growing on Mt. Avalanche.