U.S. Departme• Forest Service

ARLIS

-.JK 146 .V54 1972 .u.s. Departme• CHECK FOR j N\~p Forest Service Agr -T- IN Fot..'b&~ . Leslie A. Viereck .·.·.:.·.·:·::

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Leslie A. Viereck, Principal Plant Ecologist Institute of Northern Forestry Pacific Northwest Forest and-Range E;xperiment Station U.S.D.A. Forest SerVice, College, Alaska

and

I' ·~- Elbert L. Little, Jr., Chief Dendrologist i '::!- ~ Division of Timber Management Research 0 U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Washington, D.C. 0 0 ~ 0' "l"' {'()

Agriculture Handbook No. 410

Forest Service United States Department of Agriculture

ARLIS Washington, D.C. 1972 Alaska Resources Library & Information Services ARLIS Alaska Resources Library & Information Services

ife Serviae """"'',..,."..... "'oad Anchorage, Alaska 9-9-503 Library of Congress Catalog Card;Number: 70-176230

Cover: The scratchboard cover design by William Berry is a typical white spruce-paper birch stand in interior Alaska in early winter. The shrub layer is alder and willow.

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C. 20402 Stock Number 001-00

Page List of species ~------1v Introduction ------1 Previous work ------2 Preparation of this handbook ------3 Plan ------4 How to use this handbook ------5 )lcknowledgTJnents ------~------5 Statistical summary -----"------6 Growth forms ------~------6 )llaska trees ------~-----~------8 Geographic distribution ----~~------9 Local and rare species ------10 Vegetation of )llaska ______..\______11 Coastal forests ------~------13 1. Coastal spruce-hemlock forests ------14 Interior forests ------~--.:______15 2. Closed spruce-hardwood forests ------15 3. Open, low growing spruce forests ------18 4. Treeless bogs ------.--...::.______19 5. Shrub thickets ______::.:.:.______20 Tundra ------21 6. Moist tundra ------21 7. Wet tundra ------22 8. )llpine tundra ------22 Vegetation map ------23 Keys for identification______24 Key to )llaska trees based mainly on leaves ______25 Winter key to deciduous trees of )llaska ------28 Key to genera of )llaska shrubs ------30 Winter key to )llaska shrubs ------34 Alaska trees and shrubs ------43 Key to )llaska willows ------78 Vegetative Key to )llaska willows ------82 Selected references ------254 Index of common and scientific names ------260

iii LIST OF SPECIES 1 Page Yew :family (Taxaceae) 1. Pacific yew, Tamus brevifolia Nutt. (LS-ST, C, R) 44 Pine :family (Pinaceae) 2. lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta Dougl. (ST-LT, C) ______45 3. tamarack, Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch (ST-MT, I) ___ 48 4. black spruce, Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P. (ST-MT, I) ____ 51 5. *whitespruce,Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss (MT-LT,I-c) __ 52 6. *Sitka spruce,.Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. (LT, C) ______54 7. *western hemlock, Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg. (LT, C) ------58 8. *mountain hemlock, Tsuga mertensianu, (Bong.) Carr. (ST-LT, C) ------59 9. Pacific silver fir, .Abies arnabilis (Dougl.) Forbes (MT-LT, C,R) ------61 10. subalpine fir, .Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) Nutt. (ST-LT, C,R) ------62 Cypress :family (Cupressaceae) 11. *western redcedar, Thuja plicata. Donn (LT, C) ______64 12. *Alaska-cedar, Ohamaecyparis nootkatensis (D. Don) Spach (MT-LT, C) ------66 13. common juniper, Juniperus communis L. · (PS-SS, I-C) ____ 68 14. creeping juniper, Juniperus horizontalis Moench (PS, I) ___ 69

Willow :family (Salic~eae) 15. *balsam poplar, Populus balsamifera L. (MT-LT, I-c) ___ 72 16. *black cottonwood, Populu8 trichbcarpa Torr. & Gray (LT, C) ------74 17. *quaking aspen, Populus tremuloides Michx. (SM-MT, I) __ 76 18. netlea:f willow, Salix reticulata L. (PS, I-C) ______86 19. Setchell willow, Salix setchelliana Ball (PS, I-c) ______87 20. polar willow, Salix polaris Wahlenb. ssp. pseudopolaris (Flod.) Hult. (PS, I-c) ------88 21. skeletonlea:f willow, Salix phlebophylla Anderss. (PS, I) ___ 89 22. least willow, Salix rotundifolia Trautv. (PS, 1-C) ______90 23. arctic willow, Salix arctica Pall. (PS, I-C) ______91

1 Size is indicated by letters: LT, large tree; MT, medium tree; ST, small tree; LS, large shrub; MS, medium shrub; SS, small shrub; PS, prostrate shrub. General distribution is given as I, interior, and C, coastal, with small letter where restricted, and R, rare. The 10 tree species producing nearly all the commercial timber are indicated by an asterisk (*). Explanation under Statistical Summary, page 6. iv Page 24. Alaska bog willow, Salix fusoesoens Anderss. (PS, I-C) ---- 92 25. ovallea:f willow, Salix ovalifolia Trautv. and Salix stolonifera Cov. (PS, i-C) ------94 26. graylea:f willow, Salix glauoa L. (MS-ST, I-C) ------95 27. barren-ground willow, Salix braohyoarpa Nutt. ssp. niphoolada (Rydb.) Argus (SS-J\II:S, I) ------97 28. halberd willow, Salix hastata L. (MS, I) ------98 29. low blueberry willow, Salix myrtillifolia Anderss. (SS, I) --- 99 30. tall blueberry willow, Salix novae-angliae Anderss. (LS, I) ------101 31. Barclay willow, Salix barolayi Anderss. (MS-LS, I-C) ____ 102 32. Hooker willow, Salix hookeriana Cov. (LS-ST, C, R) 106 33. undergreen willow, Salix oommutata Bebb (MS, I-C) _____ 106 34. Chamisso willow, Salix ohamissonis Anderss. (PS, I) ______108 35. park willow, Salix montioola Bebb. (MS-LS, I-c) ______108 36. Richardson willow, Salix lanata L. ssp. riohardsonii (Hook.) A. Skwortz. (MS-LS, I-C) ------110 37. Barratt willow, Salix barrattiana Hook. (SS, I) ______110 38. :feltlea:f willow, Salix alawensis (Anderss.) Cov. (LS-ST, I-C) ------i12 39. silver willow, Salix candida Fluegge (MS, I, R) ______115 40. Bebb willow, Salix bebbiana Sarg. (LS-ST, I-C) ______116 41. diamondlea:f willow, Salix planifolia Pursh ssp. pulohra (Cham.) Argus (PS-LS, I-C) ______118 42. Scouler willow, Salix soouleriana Barratt (LS-MT, I-C) ___ 120 43. Sitka willow, Salix sitohensis Sanson (LS-ST, I-C) ______122 44. littletree willow, Salix arbusouloides Anderss. (LS-ST, I--c) ------123 45. sandbar willow, Salix interior Rowlee (LS, I) ______126 46. Pacific willow, Salix lasiandra Benth. (LS-ST, I--c) ______126 Bayberry :family (Myricaceae) 4'7. sweetgale, ·llfyrioa gale L. (SS-MS, I-C) ______128 Birch :family (Betulaceae) 48. dwarf arctic birch, Betula nana L. (SS-MS, I-C) ______130 49. resin birch, Betula glandulosa Michx. (SS-MS, I--c) ______130 50. *paper birch, Betula papyrifera Marsh. (ST-LT, I-C) _____ 134 51. American green alder, Alntts orispa (Ait.) Pursh (MS-LS,I) ------~------140 52. Sitka alder, Alnus sinuata (Reg.) Rydb. (LS-ST, I-C) ____ 142 53. red alder, Alnus rubra Bong. (ST-MT, C) ______144

v Page 54. thinlea£ alder, Alnus tenuifolia Nutt. (LS-ST, I-C) ______146 Mistletoe £amily (Loranthaceae) 55. hemlock dwarf-mistletoe, Arceuthobium tsugense (Rosend.) G. N. Jones (Parasite, C) ------146 Gooseberry £amily ( Grossulariaceae) 56. swamp gooseberry, Ribeslacustre (Pers.) Poir. (MS, I-C) __ 150 57. stink currant, Ribes bracteosum Dougl. (MS-LS, C) ______150 58. northern black currant, Ribes hudsonianum Richards. (PS- MS,I-C) ------152 59. skunk currant, Ribes glandulosum Grauer (SS-MS, I) _____ 154 60. trailing black currant, Ribes laxiflorum Pursh (PS-MS, C) 155 61. American red currant, Ribes triste Pall. (P.S-MS, I-C) 156 Rose £amily (Rosaceae) 62. Pacific ninebark, Physocarpus capitatus (Pursh) Kuntze (MS-LS, C) ------158 63. Beauverd spirea, Spiraea beauverdiana Schneid. (SS, I-C) __ 159 64. Douglas spirea, Spiraea douglasii Hook. (MS, C) ______160 65. luetkea, Luetkea pectinata (Pursh) Kuntze (PS, i-C) _____ 162 66. Oregon crab apple, llfalus diversifolia (Bong.) Roem. (ST, C) ------162 67. Greene mountain-ash, Sorbus scopulina Greene (MS-ST, I-C) ------~-~------166 68. European mountain-ash, Sorbus aucuparia L. (ST-MT, C, introduced) ------~------167 69. Sitka mountain-ash, Sorbus sitchensis B-oem. (MS-ST, C) __ 168 70. Siberian mountain-ash, Sorbus sambucifolia (Cham. & Schlecht.) Roem. (MS, Aleutian;Is., R) ______169 71. saskatoon serviceberry, Amelanchier alnifolia (Nutt.) Nutt. (MS, I, R) ------171 72. Pacific serviceberry, Amelanchier florida Lindl. (MS-ST, C) 172 73. black hawthorn, Orataegus douglasii Lindl. (LS, c, R) ----- 172 74. American red raspberry, Rubus idaeus L. var. strigosus (Michx.) Maxim. (MS, I-C) ______175 75. salmonberry, Rubus spectabilis Pursh (MS-LS, C) ------'- 176 76. western black raspberry, Rubus leucodermis Dougl. (MS, C, R) ------~------177 77. western thimbleberry, Rubus parviflorus Nutt. (MS, C) ____ 178 78. bush cinquefoil, Potentilla fruticosa L. (SS-MS, I-c) ______180 79. Drummond mountain-avens, Dryas drummondii Richards. (PS, I-c) ------182 vi I r Page 1 1 80. white mountain-avens, Dryas octopetala L. (PS, I-c) ______184 j 81. entire-lea£ mountain-a vens, Dryas integrifolia V ahl ( PS, I -c) 184 82. prickly rose, Rosa acicularis Lindl. (SS-MS, I-c) ______187 83. Woods rose, Rosa woodsii Lindl. (SS-MS, I, R) ______189 84. Nootka rose, Rosa nutkana Presl (MS-LS, C) ______190 Maple family (Aceraceae) 85. Douglas maple, Acer glabrum Torr. var. douglasii (Hook.) Dipp. (MS-ST, C) ------192 Elaeagnus family (Elaeagnaceae) 86. buffaloberry,Shepherdiacanadensis (L.) Nutt. (MS,I-c) __ 194 87. silverberry, Elaeagnus commutata Bernh. (MS-LS, I) ---- 196 Ginseng family ( Araliaceae) 88. devilsclub, Oplopanax homdus (Sm.) Miq. (MS-LS, i-C) 197 Dogwood family ( Cornaceae) 89. red-osier dogwood, Comus stolonifera Michx. (MS-LS, I-C) 199 Crowberry family (Empetraceae) 90. crowberry, Empetrum nigrum L. (PS, I-C) ------201 Pyrola family ( Pyrolaceae) 91. pipsissewa, Ohimaphila umbellata (L.) Barton (PS, C, R) __ 204 Heath family (Ericaceae) 92. copperbush, Oladothamnus pyrolaeflorus Bong. (MS, C) ___ 204 93. narrow-leaf Labrador-tea, Ledum decumbens (Ait.) Lodd. (SS, I-C) ------:------206 94. Labrador-tea, Ledum groenlandicum Oeder (MS, I-C) ____ 207 95. Lapland rosebay, Rhododendron lapponicum (L.) Wahlenb. (PS-SS, I) ------209 96. Kamchatka rhododendron, Rhododendro,n camtschaticum Pall. (PS, C) ------210 97. rusty menziesia, M enziesia fer'r'Uginea Sm. (LS, i-C) ______212 98. alpine-azalea, Loiseleuria procumbens (L.) Desv. (PS, I-C) 212 99. bog kalmia, Kalmia polifolia Wang. (SS, C) ------214 100. red mountain-heath, Phyllodoce empetriformis (Sm.) D. Don (PS, c, R) ------215 101. blue mountain-heath, Phyllodoce coerulea (L.) Bah. (PS, I, R) ------216 102. Aleutian mountain-heath, Phyllodoce aleutica (Spreng.) Heller (PS, i-C) ------217 103. four-angled cass~ope, Oassiope tetragona (L.) D. Don (PS, I-c) ------219

vii Page 104. Mertens casswpe, Oassiope mertensialtUL (Bong.) D. Don (PS, C) ------220 105. starry cassiope, Oassiope stelleriana (Pall.) DC. (PS, I-C) 220 106. Alaska cassiope, Oassiope lycopodioides (Pall.) D. Don (PS, C) ------222 107. bog-rosemary, Andromeda polifolia L. (PS-MS, I-C) ----- 223 108. leatherlea£, Ohamaedaphne calyculata (L.) Moench (PS-SS, I) ------224 109. salal, Gaultheria shallon Pursh (MS, C) ------226 110. Miquel wintergreen, Gaultheria miqueliana Takeda (PS-SS, Aleutian Is., R) ------226 111. bearberry, Arctostaphylos '111/)a-ursi (L.) Spreng. (PS, I-C) 230 112. alpine bearberry, Arctostaphylos alpina (L.) Spreng. (PS, I-c) ------230 113. red-£ruit bearberry, Arctostaphylos rubra (Rehd. & Wilson) Fern. (PS, I-c) ------231 114. mountain-cranberry, Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. (PS, I-C) ___ 233 115. dwar£ blueberry, Vaccinium caespitosum Michx. (PS-SS, i-C) ------234 116. red huckleberry, Vaccinium parvifolium Sm. (MS-LS, C) __ 236 117. early blueberry, Vaccinium ovalifolium Sm. (MS, i-C) ---- 236 118. Alaska blueberry, V accinium alaskaense Howell (MS, C) ---- 238 119. bog blueberry, Vaccinium uliginosum L. (PS-SS, I-C) ---- 240 120. bog cranberry, Vaccinium owycoccos L. (PS, I-C) ______240 Diapensia £amily (Diapensiaceae) 121. diapensia, Diapensia lapponica L. (PS, I-C) ______242 ./ Honeysuckle £amily ( Capri£oliaceae) 122. Pacific red elder, Sambucus callicarpaiGreene (LS-ST, C) __ 243 123. high bushcranberry, Viburnum edule (Michx.) Ra£. (MS-LS, I-C) ------244 124. snowberry, Symphoricarpos albus (L.) Blake (SS-MS, C, R) 246 125. twin-flower, Linnaea borealis L. (PS, I-C) ------248 126. bearberry honeysuckle, Lonicera involucrata (Richards.) Banks (MS-LS, C, R) ------250 Composite £amily ( Compositae) 127. £ringed sagebrush, Artemisia frigida Willd. (SS, I) ______252 128. Alaska sagebrush, Artemisia alaskana Rydb. (SS, I) ______252

viii INTRODUCTION

"Alaska Trees and Shrubs" de woody plants, have hard stems scribes and illustrates the native composed largely of wood tissue. woody plants of the 49th State. It These stems are perennial, in that follows "Pocket Guide to Alaska they remain above the ground 1 Trees" (Taylor and Little 1950 ) from year to year. In contrast, as a somewhat larger reference cov herbs are either soft stemmed ering also the shrubs, their identi plants that die at the end of the ficatiOn, distribution, and uses. growing season (annuals) or are Upon the elevation of Alaska to plants whose stems die down to the statehood in 1959, interest in ground each year (perennials) . Alaska's natural resources, includ The numerous species of herbs, ing management and conservation, such as wildflowers, weeds, grasses, has greatly increased. This hand and sedges, are not included in this book was prepared for people de handbook. siring to learn the names of native Trees are defined as woody trees and shrubs and additional re plants having one erect perennial lated information. The varied au stem or trunk at least 3 in. ( 7.5 dience includes: ( 1) Foresters, em.) in diameter at breast height wildlife managers, and recreation ( 4% ft., 1.4 m.) , a more or less and land-use planners who need to definitely formed crown of foliage, identify woody plants in their work and a height of at least 12 ft. ( 4 in land management and especially m.) (Little 1953). However, large the many seasonal employees from willows of tree size but with sev outside; (2) Alaskan residents with eral trunks from the same root and a desire to know more about their shrubby species rarely attaining natural surroundings; ( 3) tourists these dimensions are accepted here with an interest in the scenery and as trees. vegetation; (4) students and teach Shrubs are woody plants smaller ers studying various aspects of than trees, commonly with several plant life; ( 5) military personnel perennial stems from the base. in programs of conservation and Among these are large or high survival; (6) scientific groups, shrubs and small or low shrubs. especially those with meetings or Also .included are dwarf shrubs field trips in Alaska; and (7) con and subshrubs, creeping or pros servation groups concerned with trate plants with erect woody stems the preservation and development or woody at base, even if only 1-2 of the State's resources; and ( 8) in. (2.5-5 em.) above the ground. all who are interested in the en Woody vines, or plants with climb vironment in general and problems ing stems supported usually on such as destruction of vegetation other plants, are not native in the and pollution. Trees and shrubs, classed as northernmost State. Alaska has no woody plants 1 Names and dates in parentheses refer poisonous to the touch or in con to Selected References, p. 254. tact with the skin. Poison-ivy and

1 poison-oak (Rhus spp.), though are not distinguished, but these can widespread in all but 1 of the be found in the botanical floras. lower 48 States, are absent. How Cultivated plants introduced from ever, as noted, several species (also other areas, such as ornamental some herbs) have fruits or foliage shrubs and fruits, are not included. poisonous when eaten. Many native species, being adapted Identification of the trees and to the local climates, are grown shrubs of Alaska is not difficult, around houses as shade trees and because relatively few kinds of ornamental shrubs. One intro trees and shrubs grow in far north duced ornamental tree SJ?ecies, ern lands. Most States contain European mountain-ash, ments in within their boundaries at least clusion, having spread from culti twice as many native tree species vation until established or natur as does Alaska. The number seems alized. relatively less also, because some tree species generally are shrubby Previous Work and many are not widely distrib Many botanists and foresters uted within the State. have studied the trees and shrubs New residents and visitors will of Alaska. Naturalists with the find some familiar species. Nearly early exploring expeditions col all species of large woody plants lected botanical specimens, which native in Alaska grow wild some were named by European special where in the lower 48 States. ists. A history of the botanical ex More than half of the Alaska tree ploration has been prepared by species range as far south as some Hulten ( 1940a) . part of California. Information about the woody This handbook covers all Alaska plants of the 49th State has ap from the narrow southeastern peared in numerous publications. coastal region along the Pacific Selected Reference~ (p. 254) lists Ocean west and southwest through many, such as flor!j.s, monographs, the long chain of the Aleutian and lists, which ha've been helpful Islands, and north through the in in the preparation of this hand terior to the Arctic Ocean, also book and which may be consulted the many islands along the coasts. for further details. The most com However, this reference should be prehensive references for identifi useful over a larger area in north cation --'of the higher plants of western Canada, including the Alaska are the technical floras by Yukon Territory, District of Mac Hultilll (1941-50, 1960, 1968) and kenzie, and northwestern British by Anderson ( 1959) . Columbia. Most native woody Foresters have long been active plants of those adjacent areas will in Alaska. Most of the valuable be found here. coastal forest lands were designa The species of wild woody plants ted as forest reserves between the recorded in the technical botanical years 1892 and 1902. These areas floras of Alaska are included. No became the Tongass and Chugach additions have been noted, but 3 National Forests in 1907, 2 years more shrub species have been ob after establishment of the Forest served to reach tree size. Nearly Service in the United States De all species are described and illus partment of Agriculture. Under trated. However, 5 rare or minor multiple use planning, these pub species are mentioned briefly under licly owned timberlands are man their closest relatives. In general, aged for orderly development of the variation£ within a species, the many resources so that the land such as varieties and subspecies, remains productive.

2 The trees of Alaska were in identification of woody plants and cluded in the classic, well illustra served as the start in the prepara ted reference published in 1908 tion of this handbook. As the (reprinted ~n 1967), "Forest Trees dendrologist of the USDA Forest of the Pacific Slope," by George Service, he was co-author of the B. Sudworth (1864-1927), for 1950 revision of "Pocket Guide to many years dendrologist in the Alaska Trees" (Taylor and Little Forest Service. "Pocket Guide to 1950) and included the 49th State Alaska Trees" by Raymond F. in publications about the trees of Taylor, research forester, appeared the United States. first in 1929. This compact book The senior author has been en let described and illustrated 28 gaged in field work in Alaska since species. A revision in 1950. by 1949 with various Federal and Taylor and Little contained 31 State agencies including Mt. Mc species ( 1 naturalized), as well as Kinley National Park, U.S. Army, b.rief descriptions of 12 shrub Atomic Energy Commission, U ni species. versity of Alaska, and Alaska De Many other publications on the partment of Fish and Game. Since forests and trees of Alaska have 1963 he has been conducting re been issued by the Forest Serv search on the forests of interior ice. "Alaska's Forest Resource" Alaska with the Institute of North (Hutchison 1967) is a report of the ern Forestry, of the Forest Service, first forest inventory of Alaska, at College, Alaska. made as part of the nationwide During the preparation of this Forest Survey. "Characteristics handbook, the authors have col of Alaska Woods" (U.S. Forest lected and examined many botani Products Laboratory 1963) com cal specimens of the woody plants piled information relating to the of Alaska. Their plant collections characteristics, distribution, and have been deposited mostly in the utilization of 11 commercially im Forest Service Herbaria at Fort portant species. Collins, Colorado, and Juneau, Forestry research in Alaska is Alaska, and the University of being conducted by the USDA Alaska at College. The large col Forest Service through its Insti lections at the National Herbar tute of Northern Forestry under ium, U.S. National Museum of the Pacific Northwest Forest and Natural History, Washington, Range Experiment Station, with D.C., have been consulted also. A headquarters at 809 NE. 6th Ave., set of the junior author's specimens P.O. Box 3141, Portland, Oreg. has been deposited there. 97208. Following early studies in The text of the willow genus the 1920's, a project location (for (Salix), the heath family (Erica merly research center) was estab ceae) , and several other families lished at Juneau in 1948. Present was prepared by the senior author. address is Federal Bldg., P.O. Box The junior author wrote the text 909, Juneau, Alaska 99801. An of the trees (except willow) , the other project location at the Uni rose family (Rosaceae), and several versity of Alaska is the Forestry other families. Sciences Laboratory, College, Alas The range maps in this handbook ka 99701. were prepared by the senior author primarily from the excellent de Preparation of this Handbook tailed distribution maps in "Flora An extensive field trip in Alaska of Alaska and Neighboring Terri by the junior author in 1961 indi tories" by Eric Hulten (1968). cated the need for a reference for Additional information has been

3 compiled from published and un est Service, U.S. Department of published sources including reports Agriculture (Little 1953). Scien and other information from the tific names of shrubs follow con Forest Service, Bureau of Land servative usage. Other widely used Management, and Alaska Depart names including synonyms have ment of Fish and Game, and from been added. the authors' observations. Maps Descriptions and notes refer to for the willows follow closely those trees and shrubs growing in Alas in "The Genus Salix in Alaska and ka. Measurements are in the Eng Yukon" by George W. Argus lish system, but equivalents in the (1972). metric system have been added in There is still much to be learned parenthesis. Basic equivalents are: about tree and shrub distribution :Ys inch ( 3 millimeters) ; % inch in Alaska. In order that more (1 centimeter) ; 1 inch (2.54 centi detailed information can be assem meters) ; 1 foot ( 0.3048 meter) ; bled, the earlier request for addi 3.28 feet ( 1 meter) . A ruler with tional data, particularly regarding both inches and centimeters ap the ranges of trees and shrubs, pears on the last page. Trunk is repeated here. This information diameters of trees are measured at can be sent to the Forestry Sciences breast height ( 4¥2 ft. or 1.4 m.) . Laboratory, College, Alaska 99701. Most tree species attain larger heights and diameters southward. Plan Geographic distribution within As listed under Contents, this Alaska, as known, is stated by Introduction is followed by: Vege place names along the corners and tation of Alaska, Keys for Identi borders of the range. The larger fication, the descriptive text of areas under management by the Alaska Trees and Shrubs in the Federal Government are listed be usual botanical arrangement by cause of special interest to resi plant families, and an index of com dents and visitors. Those cited mon and scientific names. A brief are South Tongass, North Tongass, description is given for each :r;>lant and Chugach National Forests, un family and for each genus with 2 der the Forest Service, U.S. De or more species. The species are partment of Agriculture. Mt. Mc numbered in one series for ready Kinley National Park and Glacier reference to drawings and maps. Bay and Katmai National Monu For each species there are in ments are under the National cluded: (1) Common and scien Parki Service, U.S. Department of tific names, also other names in the Interior. Kodiak and Aleutian use; (2) nontechnical description Islands National Wildlife Refuges, with emphasis on identification, Kenai National Moose Range, and vegetative characters including Arctic National Wildlife Range are size and habit, leaves, twigs, and all under the Fish and Wildlife buds (also bark and wood of trees), Service, U.S. Department of the and reproductive characters, such Interior. General distribution be- · as flowers and fruits; (3) notes in yond Alaska has been added. A cluding abundance, site, vegetation map of Alaska showing these areas, type, and uses, such as wood, food, as well as most place names men and wildlife; (4) geographic dis tioned, is printed on the end tribution both within and outside papers in front. Alaska; (5) distribution map of Because of space limitations, the Alaska; and (6) drawing. species distribution maps are small, Common and scientific names of thus, distribution is not shown in trees are those accepted by the For- detail. The range is mapped as

4 continuous to the outer boundaries. helped in the preparation of this Small gaps within, suc.h as high handbook. Arland S. Harris, re mountains and glamer-covered search forester, has contributed areas, are not shown. much information on the trees and Each species is illustrated by shrubs of southeast Alaska includ one or more line drawings. Most ing descriptions, ranges, and uses. show a lea:fy twig (or stem) with Mrs. Joan Foote, biological tech both flowers and fruits, some. al~o nician, had aid~d in collecti;ng and winter twigs. The scales are mdi processing specnnens, draftmg the cated, mostly natural size or one vegetation map, reviewing the keys, half natural size. and checking numerous details. Mrs. Suzanne Foster Manley, as How to Use this Handbook sistant botanist, has drafted the species distribution maps and made Most native trees and shrubs of a number of drawings. Other Alaska can be identified easily ·by drawings were made by Carol Ann reference to the drawings, descri p Kanter, Hazel M. Hartman, and tions, and maps. If you know a Marion D. Shoquist. common name, consult the Index Many drawings are from Forest of Common and Scientific Names Service publications. The figures for page nuJ?bers, then m~tch your in "Pocket Guide to Alaska Trees" specimen with the drawmgs and (1950) have been retained. Most text. The List of Species under appeared originally in "Forest Contents. may be ?onsulted,. if the Trees of the Pacific Slope" (Sud family Is recogmzed or I~ the worth 1908) . Nine others were specimen resembles one previously made for the 1950 revision by Leta named. · Hughey. That of tamarack was It is desirable to have flowers or by W. F. Wight (1908). Some fruits or both, as well as a twig or drawings of shrubs are from "Im stem with leaves. However, most portant Western Browse Plants" trees can be identified from foliage (Dayton 1931) and "Key to Im alone. f>Ortant Woody Plants of Eastern Many trees and a few shrubs are Oregon and Washingt?n" (H~yes evergreen and can be identified and Garrison 1960). SIX drawmgs readily at any time of the year. of willows ( S aliw) , species number For those plants shedding their 25, 26, 31, 32, 33, and 43, are from leaves, frequently a few ~ld l~aves "The Willows of Alaska?' (Coville and fruits can be found m wmter 1901). either still .attached or on the Twenty-two drawings are from ground beneath. In winter, twig "Vascular Plants of the Pacific and bud characters are useful. Northwest" by C. Leo Hitchcock, Maps may be used to elimin~te Arthur Cronquist, Marion Own species not known to grow wild bey, and J. W. Thompson (1955- where the specimen was found. 69). These are species number 28, If clues to identification are lack 29, 35, 3'7, 39, 56, 5'7, 58, 60, 61, ing, Keys for Identification (page 62, 65, '74, '76, '79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 24) should be consulted. There 8'7 88, and 94. Grateful acknowl are keys for both summer and win ed~ent is given the authors and ter, which are based mostly on the _PUblishers, University of vegetative characters. W ashmgton Press, Seattle, ~ash., for permission to copy these Illus Acknowledgments trations. Many persons, notably fellow William Berry, Alaskan artist, workers in the Forest Service, have has prepared the scratchboard 5 cover design of a typical white of his detailed species distribution spruce-paper birch stand in in maps, which have been adapted terior Alaska in early winter. here with minor additions. His Dr. George W. Argus, Canadian floras and other publications have Forestry Service, Ottawa, Ont., been indispensable references in authority on the extremely com the preparation of this handbook. plex genus of willows (Saliw) with Lloyd A. Spetzman, botanist, many years of field experience in New Crops Research Branch, Alaska, has assisted in identifying Agricultural Research Service, collections and in providing an U.S. Department of Agriculture, advance manuscript copy of "The who has had extensive field work systematics of the genus Saliw in in Alaska, has made many valuable Alaska and Yukon" (Argus 1972). suggestions and has checked the Professor Eric Hulten, N atur species distribution maps. His de historiska Riksmuseum, Stockholm, tailed vegetation map of Alaska has Sweden, the foremost authority on been followed largely in the smaller Alaska plants, sent advance copies map published here. (In pocket.) STATISTICAL SUMMARY The trees and shrubs of Alaska, Pine family (Pinaceae), 5 gen described and illustrated here, era, 9 species number 128 species in 54 genera Gooseberry family ( Grossularia and 19 plant families, as summar ceae), 1 genus, 7 species ized in the List of Species under Honeysuckle family (Caprifol Contents. However, one of these, iaceae) , 5 genera, 5 species European mountain-ash (Sorbus aucuparia), is introduced. Also, The largest genera of native 6 additional species of shrubs, woody plants in Alaska are as fol mostly rare in Alaska, are men lows: willow (Saliw), 33 species; tioned briefly as follows : sprout blueberry ( V accinium), 8; currant ing willow ( Saliw stolonifera), ( Ribes), 7; and alder (Alnus), eastern arctic willow (S. arcto raspberry (Rubus), and cassiope phila), wedgeleaf willow (S. speno ( Oassiope), 4 each. Of the other phylla), Athabasca willow ( S. genera, 8 have 3 species each, 9 athabascensis) , Canada gooseberry have 2, and 31 have only 1. ( Ribes owycanthoides) , and a small Thus; willow (Saliw) far out cranberry ( V accinium palustre) . numbers all other genera having Thus, the total number of native 33 species, one-fourth of all the woody plants treated is 133 species. woody species in Alaska. Obvi Most species are grouped in rel ously, the cold climate and abun atively few families. The willow, dant wet sites are favorable for de rose, and heath families together velopment of willows. Likewise, have about two-thirds of the spe the heath family (Ericaceae), hav cies. Of the 19 plant families, 9 are ing nearly one-fourth of the spe represented by a single species cies, is well displayed in the each, and 2 others by 2 each. The numerous bogs or muskegs and largest are as follows : other sites with acid soils. Willow family ( Salicaceae), 2 Growth Forms genera, 36 species Heath family (Ericaceae), 13 The woody-plant species of genera, 30 species Alaska differ slightly in size and Rose family (Rosaceae), 10 gen growth form or life form from era, 21 species those of the lower 48 States. Size

6 class is indicated in the List of covering also Yukon Territory and Species under Contents. other neighboring territories. The size groups, with limits and The number of native tree spe number of native species totaling cies in the largest State is low, 127, are listed below. A species only 33 species, less than in any is counted only once, under the other State. Most States have more largest size attained. than twice as many tree species. The average height of tree spe LT Large trees, more than 70 cies becomes less northward in ft. (21m.) high, 12 species Alaska. Only 12 species are MT Medium trees, 30-70 ft. (9- classed as large · trees. Nine of 21 m.) high, 5 species these are confined to the coastal ST Small trees, 12-30 ft. ( 4-9 forests of southeast Alaska, and m.) high, 16 species only 3 are found in the interior LS Large shrubs, 6-20 ft. ( 2-6 forests. Of the 16 species of small m.) high, 19 species trees, several commonly are shrubs MS Medium shrubs, 2-6 ft. (0.3- and infrequently reach tree size. 2 m.) high, 30 species However, a few other species SS Small or low shrubs, 0-2 ft. classed as large shrubs in Alaska ( 0-0.6 m.) high, 12 species are trees southward. PS Prostrate or creeping shrubs, Vast areas of Alaska, shown as 32 species tundra on the vegetation map, have ~arasite or epiphyte, 1 spe no native trees. The tundra vege cies tation beyond the tree line has a Woody vines, none climate so severe that trees are ab sent. In some ways it corresponds A more detailed classification of to the alpine zone above timberline the life forms of plants based on high mountains southward. largely upon the location of re Northward the number of shrub newal or perennating buds was species becomes less in Alaska, also prepared by Raunkiaer (1934). He the height is relatively lower. showed further that the percent However, the number of species of ages of the different classes varied prostrate, or creeping, or mat somewhat according to climate. forming shrubs is higher, 32 spe The simpler classification here cies or nearly one-fourth of the omits herbaceous plants and com total of woody plants. These bines species growing in three dwarf plants with slender stems rather different climates of the and a small amount of woody tis coastal and interior forests and sue at the base might have been tundra of Alaska, each with dis omitted. Several are so slightly tinct vegetation. woody that they are often classed Several observations on growth as herbs, subshrubs, or half-shrubs. forms may be made when the These small shrubs, included with woody plants of Alaska are com some hesitation, emphasize the pared with those of the lower 48 adaptations to the severe cold States. First, the number of woody climate. plant species northward in Alaska The only native species of woody becomes smaller, both in total and epiphyte or parasite, hemlock in percentage of total flora. The dwarf-mistletoe (Arceuthobium 133 native woody plant species tsugense) , is confined to southeast listed here for Alaska are only Alaska. about 8 percent of the 1,559 vas There are no native species of cular plant species accepted by woody vines or climbing plants in Hulten (1968) for a larger area Alaska. The nearest example is

7 trailing black currant ( Ribes lam 8 ft. (2.4 m.) or more. Western iflorum) , which has branches run hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) at ning along the ground but is some tains 190 ft. (58 m.) in height and times vinelike and climbing on 5 ft. (1.5 m.) or more in trunk shrubs. diameter. A giant black cotton A conspicuous element has ever wood (Populus trichocarpa) near green leaves. Of the 14 species of Haines has a massive trunk 32 ft. conifers, all except 1 are evergreen 6 in. (9.9 m.) in circumference and with leaves reduced to needles or a broken top 101ft. (30.8 m.) high. scales. Some species of creeping Sixteen species, about half, are shrubs and low shrubs, particu small trees less than 30 ft. (9 m.) larly in the heath family, have per high. All 8 species of tree willows, sistent leaves, classed as broad but as well as 8 others, are classed as relatively small and thick. These both shrubs and trees and often plants may be covered by winter may be seen as shrubs, especially snows. in unfavorable sites. A few genera are represented by Three additions to "Pocket species of different sizes and Guide to Alaska Trees" are ac growth forms. Willows (Salim) cepted here as sometimes reaching range from several species with tree size. Grayleaf willow (Salim tiny prostrate or creeping stems glauca) in favorable sites may be to 7 of small trees and 1 medium come a small clump-forming tree sized tree. Both shrub and tree to 20 ft. ( 6 m.) high and 5 in. 'S:pecies are found in these genera : (12.5 em.) in trunk dmmeter. Pa birch (Betula) , alder (Alnus) , cific red elder (Sambucus calli mountain-ash (Sorbus), and serv carpa) and Greene mountain-ash iceberry (Amelanchier). Dog (Sorbus scopulina) have been ob wood (Oornus) and raspberry served to reach the same height in (Rubus) are represented not only southeast Alaska. by shrubs but by herbaceous spe The 33 species of Alaska trees cies, which are mentioned also for belong to 17 genera in 8 plant identification. families.· However, the pine fam ily (Pinaceae) contains 9 species Alaska Trees and the willow family (Salicaceae) Thirty-three of the 133 species 11 tree species. Largest genera are : of native woody plants in Alaska willow-'( Salim), 8 tree species, and described here reach tree size, al spruce ( Picea), poplar (Populus) , though several commonly are and a1der (Alnus) , 3 each. shrubby and a few are rare. As Four tree species of southeast trees make up only one-fourth of Alaska are so rare and local that the species of this handbook and they would not likely be seen with were treated separately in "Pocket out a special trip to the places Guide to Alaska Trees" (Taylor mentioned. These are Pacific yew and Little 1950), a summary seems ( Tamus brevifolia), Pacific silver appropriate. fir (Abies amabilis), subalpine fir In the List of Species under (Abies lasiocarpa) ,' and Hooker Contents, only 12 tree species in willow (Salim hookeriana). Alaska are classed as large, that Nearly all the commercial timber is, more than 70 ft. ( 21 m.) high. of Alaska is produced by 10 tree However, 2 conifers of the south species, indicated by an asterisk eastern coastal forests become very (*) in the List of Species. Six are large. Sitka spruce ( Picea sitch conifers and 4 are hardwoods. In ensis) reaches a height of 225 ft. the coastal spruce-hemlock forests ( 69 m.) and a trunk diameter of of southeastern Alaska the 5 im-

8 portant conifers are as follows : State given for each . .Also, Hulten Sitka spruce ( Picea sitchensis) , (1968) published a small map of western hemlock (Tsuga hetero each .Alaska species showing the phylla), mountain hemlock (Tsuga entire natural distribution as seen mertensiana) , western redcedar around the North Pole. ( Thuja plicata) , and .Alaska-cedar The only .Alaska tree species na ( Ohamaecyparis nootkatensis). The tive also in the Old World is Sitka lone commercial hardwood in the alder (Alnus sinuata), which southeast is black poplar (Populus ranges into northeastern .Asia. By trichocarpa) . In the interior some authors thinleaf alder (Alnus spruce-hardwood forests, the com tenuifolia) has been united with an mercially important species- are Old World species, European speck white spruce ( Picea glauca) and led alder (A. incana (L.) Moench). 3 hardwoods, balsam poplar (Pop .Also, Pacific red elder (Sambucus ulus balsamifera), quaking aspen callicarpa) has been treated also as (Populus tremuloides), and paper a variety of European red elder birch (Betula papyrifera). ( S. racemosa L.) of Eurasia. The number of tree species na Seven tree species of the interior tive in any area of .Alaska is rela spruce-hardwood forest are trans tively small. Many localities have continental in range, being widely fewer than 10 tree species, while distributed in the northern conifer great expanses of tundra beyond ous forest ("north woods" or boreal the tree line and above the timber- forest) from .Alaska across Canada line of mountains have none. . east to Labrador and Newfound The extensive spruce-hardwood land and south into the Northeast forests of interior .Alaska are com ern States. Besides the 3 common posed of only 3 coniferous tree conifers and 3 hardwoods men species, white spruce (Picea glau tioned under .Alaska Trees, Bebb ca) , black spruce ( P. mariana) , willow (Saliw bebbiana) is a small and tamarack ( Lariw laricina) , tree with similar distribution. and 3 hardwoods, balsam poplar Three tree species have a great (Populus balsamifera), quaking north-south distribution. Lodge aspen ( P. tremuloides), and paper pole pine (Pinus contorta) and birch (Betula papyri/era), also 5 black cottonwood (Populus tricho or fewer species of willow (Saliw) carpa) range south in the coastal and 2 of alder (Alnus) sometimes forests from .Alaska to California reaching tree size. and beyond in mountains of north ern Baja California, more than 30° Geographic Distribution oflatitude. Quaking aspen (Popu Numerous species of .Alaska's arc lus tremuloides) , the tree species tic shrubs, also herbs, are widely with the greatest geographic extent distributed in far northern regions in North .America, has a north around the globe, or circumpolar, south range of about 48° from across Canada, Europe, and .Asia to .Alaska and northwestern Canada Siberia. Other .Alaskan species ex south to mountains of Mexico. tend just to northern Europe, while Sandbar willow (Saliw interior), a several range west into Siberia but shrub along the banks of the Yukon not beyond. Some, known as arc River in central .Alaska, seems tic-alpme species, occur southward equally adapted as a small tree above the timberline in the alpine along the Mississippi River in zone of the Rocky Mountains and Mississippi and Louisiana and high peaks of New England. These ranges also into northern Mexico. widespread species are indicated in The woody plant species of the text by the range outside the .Alaska generally can be separated

9 Left, map of white spruce (Picea glauca), showing maximum spruce-hardwood forests of the interior (1). Right, Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), showing occurrence of coastal spruce-hemlock forests (C) of southeast Alaska. into two groups according to dis (also 2 varieties of paper birch) . tribution within the State corre Nineteen, or more than half, grow sponding to the forest regions, as wild somewhere in California. indicated in the List of Species un der Contents. Many are confined Local and Rare Species to the coastal spruce-hemlock for Few of Alaska's species of native ests (C) of southeast Alaska. trees and shrubs are local or re Others are characteristic of the stricted in distribution and possibly spruce-hardwood forests of the in rare or endangered at present. terior (I) or the tundra beyond. Nearly all woody species of local However, some species are found in occurrence here have broader areas both regions or extend a short dis beyond the State's boundaries and tahce into the other. Of the 33 spe obviously are not in danger of ex cies of trees native in Alaska, 20 are tinction. Most are found also east confined to the coastal region, sev ward in adjacent Canada, but a few eral to the southern end. The other occur westward in nearby Asia. 13 are found in the interior, but 11 About 25 species of trees and shrubs of these extend at least a short dis have local ranges in Alaska, as tance southward to the Pacific coast shown lh the maps published here. also. These .local and rare species are The two forest regions which mentidned below. limit the distribution of many No species of woody plants is woody plant species are shown on confined to Alaska, or endemic. the vegetation map and by maps of One tree variety, by some authors the characteristic tree species, which accepted as a species, is restricted are repeated here. The map of to Alaska though not rare, Kenai white spruce (Picea glauca) shows birch (Betula papyrifera var. the maximum extent of the spruce kenaica). Setchell willow (Salix hardwood forests of the interior setchelliana), a distinct prostrate (I). That of Sitka spruce (Picea species, is endemic to Alaska and sitchensis) locates the occurrence extreme southwestern Yukon Terri of the coastal spruce-hemlock for tory. Yakutat willow (Salix am ests (C) of southeast Alaska. plifolia Cov.), for many years re All Alaska's tree species range garded as a local species in the southward across Canada to other Yakutat Bay region, recently has States, with the exception of 3 been united as a synonym of Hooker usually shrubby species of willow willow (Salix hookeriana), of the

10 r 1 Pacific coast from British Colum Canal near Skagway and Haines: bia to California. A few minor lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. variations of shrubs, named. as va latifolia) and western paper birch rieties or subspecies but omitted (Betula papyrifera var. commu here, may be endemic to Alaska tata). Subalpine fir (Abies lasio also. carpa) appears both here at the The woody species of local dis northern end of southeast Alaska tribution may be grouped into the and also at the southern end. following: southeastern, interior, The following species, mostly and extreme western. Several spe Canadian, are local or rare in in cies of more southern range are terior Alaska : rare at their northern limit in ex treme southeast Alaska. They are: creeping juniper Juniperus horizontalis Pacific yew Tamus brevifolia eastern arctic willow Pacific silver fir Abies amabilis Salix arctophila Pacific ninebark Athabasca willow · Physocarpus capitatus Salix athabascensis Douglas spirea Spiraea douglasii silver willow Salix candida cranberry V accinium palustre Canada gooseberry These more southern species are Ribes oxycanthoides found both at the southern end of saskatoon serviceberry southeast Alaska and also north · Amelanchier alnifolia ward at the northern end : Woods rose Rosa woodsii blue mountain-heath subalpine fir Abies lasiocarpa Phyllodoce coerulea black hawthorn Orataegus douglasii western black raspberry Of special interest are a few east Rubus leucodermis Asian species reaching North bearberry honeysuckle America only in western Alaska. Lonicera involucrata Two known in Alaska only in the A few species enter Alaska from westernmost Aleutian Islands are Canada only at or near the north Siberian mountain-ash (Sorbus east end of southeast Alaska, sambucifolia) of Siberia and namely: Miquel wintergreen (Gaultheria ·miqueliana) of Japan and adjacent Hooker willow Salix hookeriana Asia. Wedgeleaf willow (Salix pipsissewa Ohimaphila umbellata sphenophylla) of Siberia has been red mountain-heath reported from Seward Peninsula. Phyllodoce empetriformis Another Asiatic species common in snowberry Symphoricarpos albus the Aleutian Islands and local Two tree varieties cross the eastward and northward is Kam Rocky Mountains westward into the chatka rhododendron (Rhododen coastal forests at the head of Lynn drom camtschaticum).

VEGETATION OF ALASKA

Alaska is a land of contrasts well as hundreds of square miles of contrasts in climate, physical geog boggy lowlands. The climate var raphy, and vegetation. Containing ies from mild and wet to cold and 365.5 million acres (146 million dry. Temperatures in the interior hectares) , Alaska has the high may range over 150° F. (83° C.) in est mountain in North America, as 1 year and precipitation may be less

II than 10 inches (250 mm.) annually areas. Much of Alaska is still wil in contrast to 150 inches ( 3,800 derness, and the value of undis mm.) annual precipitation and a turbed wild areas may someday far temperature range of 70° F. (38° outweigh the potential value for C.) in the southeastern coastal area. producing lumber and pulp. An Spanning nearly 1,300 miles (2,100 increasing number of people look km.) of latitude and 2,200 miles to Alaska for wilderness that is no ( 3,500 km.) of longitude, Alaska's longer present in the more devel vegetation varies from the towering oped areas of the world. Thus, it fast growing forests of the south is important that some areas of eastern coast, through the low, Alaska forests be retained in their slow-growing boreal forests of the natural state. Tourism in Alaska interior, to the treeless tundra of is an important and growing indus the north and west. Distribution try, based primarily on scenic, wil of the vegetation types is shown in derness, and wildlife values. the folded map at the end of this The Alaska forests provide many handbook. recreational opportunities, includ Of Alaska's great land surface, ing hiking, camping, fishing, and approximately 119 million acres canoeing. In the National Forests ( 48 million hectares) are forested. are extensive trails and shelter sys Of these, 28 million acres (11.2 mil tems that can be used by the hiker, lion hectares) are classified as hunter, or canoeist. The National "commercial forests." These great Parks and Monuments provide the timber reserves provide the basis visitor with an opportunity to see for one of the State's largest indus some of the most spectacular forest tries, and one that will continue to and mountain scenery, while the expand in size and importance as Wildlife Refuges and Ranges, al the timber demands of the heavily though primarily set aside for the populated areas of the world in protection and management of crease. At present, most of the wildlife species, also have camp State's timber production is from grounds, trails, and other recrea the South Tongass, North Tongass, tional facilities. In the interior and Chugach National Forests, boreal forests, the Bureau of Land which contain 92 percent of com Management and the State of mercial forests of coastal Alaska.· Alaska have provided camp Nearly all of the rest is from other groundS, canoe trails, and occa areas within the coastal forests. sional . hiking trails through the But as timber demands increase, forest~d and tundra areas. More more and more use will be made of development of recreational facili the great timber reserves of the ties is planned for the future. interior boreal forests. Much of One of the most important re this land is presently under the sources of the Alaska forests is the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management, but the State of wildlife species that inhabit them. Alaska is in the process of selecting The Alaska forests provide a living most of the commercial forest land. place for large numbers of birds Production of timber on State lands and mammals, most of which are has increased annually since state dependent upon the woody plants hood and will continue to increase either directly or indirectly for as more land is selected and the food and shelter. Even those big demand for timber grows. game animals, such as the mountain In addition to the timber values, sheep, mountain goat, and muskox, there are many other important that spend much of their lives above uses of Alaska's forest and tundra or beyond tree line, often use low

12 woody plants for food during some birds that nest and rear their young part of the season. · before migrating southward in the Of the forest species, the moose fall. In addition, the Alaskan for is probably the most abundant and ests and tundra are dotted with nu widespread large mammal of the merous lakes that serves as nesting interior forests; occasionally its places where large numbers of range extends into the coastal waterfowl rear thmr young during areas. The moose survives the win the short summer season. ter primarily by browsing on wil Thus it can be seen that the for lows and other shrubs, especially ests of Alaska provide more than in areas where the shrubs are grow timber to the people of Alaska and ing thickly following forest fires, the rest of the United States. They and in willow thickets along the offer wilderness, a place to hike, rivers. In coastal areas, the black hunt, fish, and areas to see and tail deer feeds primarily on blue photograph wildlife. They are im berry and other shrubs during the portant in protecting our water re periods when the snow covers the source, and they furnish a habitat lower vegetation. In the summer f?r a large number of wildlife spe the deer feeds mainly on the her cies. baceous plants that grow in the The following section lists the openings in the coastal forests. main vegetation types of Alaska Even the caribou, often considered and the most important trees and a tundra animal, spends the win shrubs found in each. Numbers 1-8 ters in the open forested area adja correspond to the types designated cent to tree line, especially where by color in the folded vegetation lichen growth is abundant. In the map in the pocket. summer the caribou may utilize sev eral woody shrubs, especially resin Coastal Forests and dwarf arctic birch and willows, The dense forests of western as well as the herbaceous tundra hemlock and Sitka spruce, a con vegetation. The small red squirrel, tinuation of similar forests along which is itself a source of food for the coast of British Columbia, larger furbearers, is dependent Washington, and Oregon, extend throughout the winter on seeds about 900 miles ( 1,440 km.) along from spruce cones stored beneath the Alaska coast from the south the ground. eastern tip to Cook Inlet and Ko Several bird species survive diak Island. Commercial stands through the Alaskan winters pri occur from sea level to about 1,500 marily by utilizing the woody feet ( 460 m.) elevation, but scat plants as a source of food. Ptarmi tered trees rise to a timberline at gan feed on willow and shrub birch 2,000 to 3,000 feet ( 460 to 915 m.) . buds, while ruffed and sharptailed The coastal forests are charac grouse forage for berries from the terized by steep rough topography. past summer and feed on the buds In many areas only a narrow band of shrubs and trees. The spruce of trees exists between the ocean grouse of the interior and the blue and the tundra on snowclad moun grouse of the coastal areas live tains above. The scenic grandeur largely from the needles and buds of the region is unsurpassed. The of the spruce trees, as well as ber narrow waterways with steep for ries and buds of many shrubby ested slopes, the rugged high moun species. tains, and the many glaciers reach In the summer, insect life ing to the coast through forested abounds in the forests and produces valleys along with an abundance of food for large numbers of small streams and lakes offer a wealth of

13 recreation values to Alaskans and less or may have a few scattered tourists. shrubby trees o£ shore pine (lodge The climate is cool and cloudy in pole pine), western hemlock, moun summer, and the winters are mild. tain hemlock, Alaska-cedar, and Snowfall may be heavy in some Sitka spruce. forested areas in the northern part, In the northern and western sec but much o£ the high precipitation tions o£ the coastal forests, the falls as rain. Annual precipitation makeup o£ the tree s:pecies changes. varies from as much as 222 inches Western redcedar IS not found ( 5,640 mm.) on the outside coast north o£ Frederick Sound, and o£ the southeasternmost islands to Alaska-cedar drops out at Prince 25 inches ( 630 mm.) at Homer on William Sound. Cottonwood is the boundary between coastal and extensive along some o£ the glacial interior forests. The mean annual outwash rivers and becomes com temperature in the coastal forests mercially important in the Haines ranges from 46° F. (8° C.) at area and on the alluvial terraces Ketchikan to 37° F. ( 3 o C.) at Cor to the west. Western hemlock be dova. Summer temperatures range comes o£ less importance westward in the upper 50's (13-16° C.) and but is found as far as Cook Inlet. winter temperatures for the coldest Only Sitka spruce remains as the month range from the low 20's important tree in the coastal for ( -6° C.) to the mid 30's ( + 2° C.). ests west o£ Cook Inlet and the lone conifer on Afognak and Kodiak I. Coastal Spruce-Hemlock Islands. Douglas-fir, which is characteristic o£ the coastal forests Forests o£ Oregon, Washington, and south In the southern part the coastal ern British Columbia, does not forests are composed primarily o£ reach Alaska. western hemlock and Sitka spruce The common trees and shrubs o£ with a scattering o£ mountain hem the coastal forests are as follows : lock, western redcedar, and Alaska cedar. Red alder is common along Trees streams, beach fringes, and on Sitka spruce Picea sitchensis soils recently disturbed by logging western hemlock and landslides. Black cottonwood Tsuga heterophylla grows on the flood plains o£ major mount~ hemlock rivers and recently deglaciated Tsuga mertensiana areas on the mainland. Subalpine Alaska-cedar fir and Pacific silver fir occur occa ; Ohamaecyparis nootkatensis sionally at tree line and near sea red alder Alnus rubra level but are not abundant enough black cottonwood to be o£ commercial value. Blue Populus trichocarpa berries, huckleberry, copperbush, devilsclub, and salal are the most Shrubs important shrubs. Because o£ the Sitka alder Alnus sinuata high rainfall and resulting high hu salal Gaultheria shallon midity, mosses grow in great pro rusty menziesia fusion on the ground, on £allen logs, M enziesia ferruginea and on the lower branches o£ trees, devilsclub Oplopanaw horridus as well as in forest openings. stink currant Ribes bracteosum In poorly drained areas at low trailing black currant elevations, open muskegs o£ low Ribes lawiflorum shrubs, sedges, grasses, and mosses western thimbleberry are common. These areas are tree- Rubus parviflorus

14 salmonberry Rubus spectabilis impervious layer so that bogs and Barclay willow Saliw barclayi wet areas are common. Snowfall Scouler willow Saliw scouleriana averages 55 inches (140 em.) per Sitka willow Saliw sitchensis year at Fairbanks, but snow cover Pacific red elder usually J?ersists £rom mid-October Sambucus callicarpa until m1d- to late-April. Day Alaska blueberry length is also extreme in the boreal V accinium alaskaense forest regions with nearly 24 hours dwar£ blueberry o£ daylight available £or plant V accinium caespitosum growth in June, but with only a early blueberry £ew hours o£ sunlight during the V accinium ovalifolium winter months. Forest fires have red huckleberry always been an important aspect o£ V accinium parvifolium the environment o£ the Alaska in high bushcranberry terior forests. Even now with Viburnum edule modern fire detecting and fighting techniques, more than 4 million Interior Forests acres may burn in a single dry The white spruce-paper birch summer. forest, extending £rom the Kenai The vegetation types in interior Peninsula to the south slopes o£ the Alaska £orm a mosiac o£ patterns Brooks Range and westward near that is related in part to past fire ly to the Bering Sea, is called history, to slope and aspect, and the boreal forest or taiga-the to the presence or absence o£ Russian equivalent. These forests permafrost. Most forest stands cover about 32 percent o£ the area are mixtures o£ two or more tree or about 106 million acres ( 42.4 species but are usually classified million hectares). However, only by the dominant species. about one-fifth or 22.5 million acres ( 9 million hectares) are clas 2. Closed Spruce-Hardwood sified as commercial forest land. Forests Characteristic forest stands are found in the Tanana and Yukon White spruce type.-In general, Valleys. Here, in contrast to the the, best commercial stands o£ coast, climatic conditions are ex white spruce are £ound on the treme. The mean annual tempera warm, dry, south-facing hillsides ture is 20 to 30° F. ( -7° C. to and adjacent to rivers where drain -1° C.) but winter temperatures age is good and permafrost lack below -40° F. ( -40° C.) are ing. These stands are rather open common and the coldest month under the canopy but may contain averages -10 to -20° F. ( -23° to shrubs o£ rose, alder, and willow. -29° C.). In contrast, summer The forest floor is usually carpeted temperatures may reach into the with a thick moss mat. On the 90's (above 30° C.), and the warm better sites 100 to 200 year-old est month o£ the year has an spruce with diameters o£ 10 to 24 average o£ 60° F. (16° C.). Per inches (25 to 60 em.) may average manently frozen ground is o£ 10,000 board £eet per acre (58 scattered occurrence in the south cubic meters per hectare) . Stands ern part o£ the interior forests in which commercial white s:pruce and nearly continuous in the north are dominant occupy 12.8 million ern sections. Although precipita acres (5.1 million hectares) in in tion is light, 6 to 12 inches ( 150 terior Alaska. The most common to 300 mm.) per year, evaporation trees and shrubs o£ the white is low and permafrost forms an spruce type are as follows :

15 Trees The most important woody plants white spruce Picea glauca to follow immediately after fire are: paper birch Betula papyri/era Common Shrubs balsam poplar Populus balsamifera narrow -leaf Labrador-tea Common Shrubs Ledum decumbens red-fruit bearberry Labrador-tea Arctostaphylos rubra Ledum groenlandicum crowberry Empetrum nigrum prickly rose Rosa acicularis narrow-leaf Labrador-tea littletree willow Salix arbusouloides Ledum decumben8 Barclay willow Salix barclayi American red currant Ribes triste Bebb willow Salix bebbiana prickly rose Rosa acicularis Scouler willow Salix scouleriana feltleaf willow Salix alaxensis dwarf blueberry littletree willow Salix arbusculoides V accinium caespitosum Bebb willow Salix bebbiana mountain-cranberry bu:ffaloberry Shepherdia canadensis V accinium vitis-idaea mountain-cranberry Occasional or Rare Shrubs V accinium vitis-idaea bog blueberry American green alder Alnus crispa V accinium uliginosum Sitka alder Alnus sinuata high bushcranberry thinleaf alder Alnus tenuifolia Viburnum edule red-fruit bearberry Arctostaphylos rubra Occasional to Rare Shrubs bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi crowberry Empetrum nigrum resin birch Betula glandulosa bush cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa rusty menziesia American red currant Ribes triste M enziesia ferruginea bu:ffaloberry Shepherdia canadensis bush cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa Beauvered spirea grayleaf willow Salix glauca Spiraea beauverdiana halberd willow Salix hastata bog blueberry Richardson willow V accinium uliginosum Salix lanata ssp. richardsonii park willow Salix monticola ./ tall blueberry willow Quaking aspen type.-Following Salix novae-angliae fire and a willow stage, fast grow Scouler willow Salix scouleriana ing a~pen stands develop in upland dwarf blueberry V accinium caespitosum areas on south facing slopes. The aspen mature in 60 to 80 years and are eventually replaced by white spruce, except in excessively dry Recent burns.-Because of ex sites where they may persist. Oc tensive burns during the past 100 years, large areas of the interior casionally aspen stands also follow are in vanous stages of forest suc fire on well drained lowland river cession. The succession that fol terraces and, in t-hese situations, lows fire is varied and depends are usually replaced by black upon topography, previous vegeta spruce in the successional sequence. tion, severity of burn, and avail Stands with aspen dominant oc able seed source at the time of burn. cupy about 2.4 million acres (960,- In general, fires are followed by 000 hectares) in central Alaska. a shrubby stage consisting pri Woody plants occurring in the as marily of light-seeded willows. pen type are as follows :

16 Trees occupy about 5 million acres (2 quaking aspen Populus tremuloides million hectares) of interior for white spruce Picea glauca ests and are especially widespread black spruce Picea mariana in the Susitna River Valley. Trees and shrubs occurring in the birch Common Shrubs type are as follows : bearberry Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Trees prickly rose Rosa acicularis Bebb willow Salix bebbiana paper birch Betula papyrifera Scouler willow Salix scouleriana white spruce Picea glauca buff'aloberry Shepherdia canadensis black spruce Picea mariana mountain-cranberry Common Shrubs V acciniu,m vitis-idaea narrow-leaf Labrador-tea Occasional to Rare Shrubs Ledum decumbens red-fruit bearberry Labrador-tea Arctostaphylos rubra Ledum groenlandicum Alaska sagebrush American red currant Ribes triste Artemisia alaskana prickly rose Rosa aoicularis fringed sagebrush Bebb willow Salix bebbiana Artemisia frigida Scouler willow Salix scouleriana resin birch Betula glandulosa Barclay willow Salix barclayi crowberrJ; . Empetrum nigru1n mountain-cranberry common JUmper V accinium vitis-idaea Juniperus communis high bushcranberry Labrador-tea Viburnum edule Ledum groenlandicum dwarf blueberry American red raspberry V accinium caespitosum Rubus idaeus var. strigosus Occasional to Rare Shrubs dwarf blueberry V acoinium caespitosum crowberry Empetrum nigrum bog blueberry rusty menziesia V accinium uliginosum M enziesia ferruginea high bushcranberry devilsclub Oplopanax horridus Viburnum edule northern black currant Ribes hudsonianum Paper birch type.-Paper birch American red raspberry is the common invauing tree after Rubus idaeus var. strigosus fire on east- and west-facing slopes Pacific red elder and occasionally on north slopes Sambucus callicarpa , and flat areas. This species oc Greene mountain-ash curs either in pure stands or more Sorbus scopulina often mixed with white spruce, The balsam 'J!Oplar type.-An aspen, or black spruce. Shrubs other tree species of importance may be similar to those under as within the closed spruce-hardwood pen but usually Labrador-tea and forest in interior Alaska is balsam mountain-cranberry are more com poplar, which reaches its greatest mon. Paper birch may be 60-80 size and abundance on the flood feet (18-24 m.) tall and have di plain of the meandering glacial ameters up to 18 inches ( 46 em.), rivers. It invades sandbars and but an average diameter of 8-9 grows rapidly to heights of 80-100 inches (20-22 em.) is more com feet ( 24 to 30 m.) and diameters mon in the interior birch stands. of 24 inches ( 60 em.) before being Stands dominated by paper birch replaced by white spruce. Balsam 17 poplar also occurs in small clumps abundant seed over the burned near the altitudinal and latitudinal areas. A thick moss mat, often limit of trees in the Alaska Range of sphagnum mosses, sedges, grass and north of the Brooks Range. es, and heath or ericaceous shrubs Commercial stands occupy 2.1 mil usually make up the subordinate lion acres ( 840,000 hectares) , pri vegetation of the open black spruce marily along the Yukon, Tanana, stands. Associated with black Susitna, and Kuskokwim Rivers. spruce in the wet bottom lands is the In the Susitna Valley balsam pop slow-growing tamarack. As with lar is often replaced in this type the black spruce, it is of little by black cottonwood or by hybrids commercial value, seldom reaching between the two. The woody plants a diameter of more than 6 inches of this type include: ( 15 em.) . The woody plants of Trees these low growing spruce forests include the following: balsam poplar Populus balsamifera Trees black cottonwood black spruce Picea mariana Populus trichocarpa tamarack Larix laricina white spruce Picea glauca paper birch Betula papyrijera Common Shrubs white spruce Picea glauca American green alder Alnus crispa Common Shrubs Sitka alder Alnus sinuata red-fruit bearberry thinleaf alder Alnus tenuifolia Arctostaphylos rubra littletree willow Salim arbusculoides crowberry Empetrum nigrum feltleaf willow Salim alamensis Labrador-tea prickly rose Rosa acicularis Ledum groenlandicum high bushcranberry prickly rose Rosa acicularis Viburnum edule littletree willow Occasional to Rare Shrubs Salim arbusculoides silverberry Eleagnus commutata Bebb wiilow Salim bebbiana bush cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa grayleaf willow Salim glauca high blueberry willow blueberry willow Salim novae-angliae ./ Salim myrtillifolia Scouler willow Salim scouleriana diamondleaf willow buffaloberry Shepherdia canadensis · . Salim planifolia ssp. pulchra Scmfler willow Salim scouleriana 3. Open, Low Growing bog blueberry V accinium uliginosum Spruce Forests mountain-cranberry On north-facing slopes and V accinium vitis-idaea poorly drained lowlands, forest succession leads to open black Occasional to Rare Shrubs spruce and bogs, usually underlain resin birch Betula glandulosa by permafrost. The black spruce d war:f arctic birch Betula nana are slow growing and seldom exceed narrow-leaf Labrador-tea 8 inches ( 20 em.) in diameter and Ledum decumbens are usually much smaller; a tree -rusty menziesia 2 inches ( 5 em.) in diameter is M enziesia ferruginea often 100 years in age. The black bush cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa spruce comes in abundantly after dwarf blueberry fire because its persistent cones V aocinium caespitosum open after a fire and spread bog cranberry V accinium omycoccos

18 4. Treeless Bogs the glaciated area~ They are also common on the extensive flat areas Coastal areas.-Within the coast of the lower Yukon and Kuskok al forests in depressions, flat wim Rivers. areas, and on some gentle slopes The vegetation of these bogs con where ·drainage is poor, treeless sists of varying amounts of grasses, areas occur. The vegetation is sedges, and mosses, especially variable but most commonly con sphagnum. Often the surface is sists of a thick sphagnum moss made uneven by stringlike ridges. mat, sedges, rushes, low shrubs, Much of the surface of these bogs and fruticose lichens. This type is too wet for shrubs but on the is locally called "muskeg." Often drier peat ridges are a number of a few slow growing, poorly heath or ericaceous shrubs, willows, formed, shore pine, western hem and dwarf birches. The woody l<.>ck, or Alaska-cedar are scattered plants of the treeless bogs include ·on the drier sites. In more ex the following: posed situations and in the driest areas, shrubs may be dominant 0 ommon Shrubs over the sedge and herbaceous mat. Ponds are often present in the bog-rosemary Andromeda polifolia peaty substrate. Characteristic resin birch Betula glandulosa shrubs of the coastal Alaska bogs dwarf arctic birch Betula nana include: leatherleaf Ohamaedaphne calyculata bog-rosemary Andromeda polifolia narrow-leaf Labrador-tea crowberry Empetrum nigrum Ledum decumbens common juniper Labrador-tea Juniperus communis Ledum groenlandicum bog kalmia Kalmia polifolia sweetgale Myrica gale Labrador-tea Barclay willow Saliw barclayi Ledum groenlandicum Alaska bog willow rusty menziesia Saliw fuscescen.~ M enziesia ferruginea low blueberry willow Barclay willow Saliw barclayi Saliw myrtillifolia undergreen willow Saliw commutata diamondleaf willow bog cranberry V accinium owycoccos Saliw planifolia ssp. pulchra bog blueberry bog cranberry V accinium owycoccos V accinium uliginosum bog blueberry mountain-cranberry V accinium uliginosum mountain-cranberry V accinium vitis-idaea V accinium vitis-idaea Interior areas.-Within the bo Occasional to Rare Shrubs real forest are extensive bogs where conditions are too wet for American green alder Alnus cri.~pa tree growth. North of the Alaska Sitka alder Alnus sinuata Range in the unglaciated areas, thinleaf alder Alnus tenuifolia they occur on old river terraces red-fruit bearberry and outwash, in filling ponds and Arctostaphylos rubra old sloughs and occasionally on crowberry Empetrum nigrum gentle north, facing slopes. They bush cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa are common south of the Alaska grayleaf willow Saliw glauca Range, on the fine clay soils netleaf willow Saliw reticulata formed in former glacial lake ba Beauverd spirea sins and on morain!tl soils within Spiraea beauverdiana

19 5. Shrub Thickets early blueberry V accinium ovalifoUum Coastal alder thickets.-Dense red huckleberry thickets of shrubs occur in a num Vaccinium parvifolium ber of sites in all the major vege Floodplain thickets.-Another tation zones in Alaska. In coastal major shrub type, floodplain Alaska there are extensive alder thickets, is found on the flood thickets between the beach and the plains of the rivers. Although forest, between the treeline and somewhat different in species com the alpine tundra meadows, and position, the type is rather sim extending from treeline downward ilar from the rivers of the south through the forest in avalanche ern coastal areas to the broad tracks and along streams. The braided rivers north of the Brooks shrub thicket is also common in Range. This type forms on newly southeastern Alaska in the many exposed alluvial deposits that are clearcut areas. The alder thicket periodically flooded. It develops is almost impenetrable as the boles quickly and may reach heights of of the shrubs tend to grow horizon 15 to 20 feet ( 4.5-6 m.) in the tally as well as vertically. To south and central Alaska and 5 to travel through the thicket is even 10 feet (1.5-3 m.) along the rivers worse; the spiny devilsclub and north of the Brooks Range. The salmonberry are frequently pres main dominant shrubs of this type ent. Beneath the alders there is are willows and occasionally alders often a well developed grass and with a number of lower shrubs un fern layer, as well as a number der the canopy. The shrubs of of herbs and shrubs. The most this type include the following : common woody plants in this type are as follows: American green alder Alnus crispa Sitka alder Alnus sinuata thinleaf alder Alnus tenuifolia luetkea Luetkea pectinata Sitka alder Alnus sinuata rusty menziesia red-osier dogwood M enziesia ferruginea Oornus stolonifera Oregon crab apple silverberry Eleagnus commutata Malus diversifolia sweet.gale Myrica gale devilsclub Oplopanam horridus prickly rose Rosa acicularis stink currant Ribes bracteosum Am~rican red raspberry trailing black currant Rubus idaeus var. strigosu8 Ribes lamiflorum feltleaf willow Salim alamensis Nootka rose Rosa nutkana littletree willow Salim arbusculoides Western thimbleberry Barclay willow Salim barclayi Rubus parviflorus Bebb willow Salim bebbiana salmonberry Rubus spectabilis barren-ground willow Barclay willow Salim barclayi Salim brachcarpa ssp. niphoclada Scouler willow Salim scouleriana undergreen willow Salim commutata Sitka willow Salim sitchensis grayleaf willow Salim glauca Pacific red elder halberd willow Salim hastata Sambucus callicarpa sandbar willow Salim interior Sitka mountain-ash Richardson willow Sorbus sitchensi8 Salim lanata ssp. richardsonii Alaska blueberry Pacific willow Salim lasiandra V accinium alaskaense park willow Salim monticola dwarf blueberry tall blueberry willow V accinium caespitosum Salim novae-angliae

20 diamondleaf willow Tundra Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra Setchell willow Salix setchelliana The low tundra vegetation can Sitka willow Salix sitchensis be divided into three main types: bu:ffaloberry Shepherdia canadensis moist tundra, wet tundra, a:rid al high bushcranberry pine tundra. Within each of these Viburnum edule major types are mosaics of sub Birch-alder-willow thickets.-A types related to differences in to third type of shrub thicket occurs pography, slope, aspect, and sub near tree line in interior Alaska strate. and beyond tree line in extensive areas of the Alaska and Seward 6. Moist Tundra peninsulas. It consists of resin birch, alder, and several willow Moist tundra occupies the foot species, usually forming thickets hills and lower elevations of the 3 to 10 feet (1-3 m.) tall. The Alaska Range as well as extensive thickets may be extremely dense, areas on the Seward and Alaska or they may be open and inter peninsulas, the Aleutian Islands, spersed with reindeer lichens, low and the islands of the Bering Sea. heath type shrubs, or patches of The type varies from almost con alpine tundra. The alders tend to tinuous and uniformly developed occupy the wetter sites, the birch cottongrass ( Eriophorum) tus the mesic sites, and the tundra socks with sparse growth of other openings the drier or wind exposed sedges and dwarf shrubs to stands areas. The type extends below tree where tussocks are scarce or lack line where it is often associated with ing and dwarf shrubs are dom widely spaced white spruce. Shrubs inant. Over wide areas in Arctic of this type include the following: Alaska, the cottongrass tussock type is the most widespread of all American green alder Alnus crispa vegetation types. In northern Sitka alder Alnus sinuata areas the type is often dissected by alpine bearberry polygonal patterns created by un Arctostaphylos alpina derlying ice wedges. On the Aleu resin birch Betula glandulosa tian Islands the type consists of dwarf arctic birch Betula nana tall grass meadows interspersed crowberry Empetrum nigrum with a dense low heath shrub type. narrow-leaf Labrador-tea The shrubs found in this type from Ledum decumbens the Aleutian Islands to the north bush cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa slope of the Brooks Range include Barclay willow Salix barclayi the following : undergreen willow Salix commutata Alaskan bog willow American green alder Alnus orispa Salix fuscescens alpine bearberry diamondleaf willow Arctostaphylos alpina Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra resin birch Betula glandulosa Richardson willow dwarf arctic birch Betula nana Salix lanata ssp. riohardsonii four-angled cassiope netleaf willow Salix retioulata Oassiope tetragona Beauverd spirea entire-leaf mountain-avens Spiraea beauverdiana Dryas integrifolia bog blueberry white mountain-avens V aooinium uliginosum Dryas ootopetala mountain -cranberry narrow-leaf Labrador-tea V acoinium vitis-idaea Ledum deoumbens

21 alpine-azalea socks. The few woody plants Loiseleuria prooumbens occur on the driest sites where the Aleutian mountain-heath microrelief raises them above the Phyllodooe aleutioa standing water table. The shrubs Kamchatka rhododendron in this type include the following: Rhododendron oamtsohatiou1n bog-rosemary Andromeda polifolia Lapland rosebay . resin birch Betula glandulosa Rhododendron lapponioum dwarf arctic birch Betula nana arctic willow Salix arotioa narrow-leaf Labrador-tea Barclay willow Salix barolayi Ledum deoumbens Barratt willow Salix barrattiana Alaska bog willow Salix fusoesoens Chamisso willow Salix ohamissonis diamondleaf willow undergreen willow Salix oommutata Salix planifolia ssp. pulohra Alaska bog willow Salix fusoesoens netleaf willow Salix retioulata grayleaf willow Salix glauoa Richardson willow Richardson willow Salix lanata ssp. riohardsonii Salix lanata ssp. riohardsonii ovalleaf willow Salix ovalifolium, diamondleaf willow bog cranberry V aooinium oxyooooos Salix,planifolia ssp. pulohra bog blueberry ovalleaf willow Salix ovalifolia V aooinium uliginosum polar willow Salix polaris mountain-cranberry netleaf willow Salix retioulata V aooinium vitis-idaea least willow Salix rotundifolia Beuverd spirea Spiraea beauverdiana bog cranberry V aooinium oxyooocos 8. Alpine Tundra bog blueberry V aooinium uliginosum In all the mountain ranges of mountain-cranberry Alaska and on exposed ridges in V aooinium vitis-idaea the arctic and southwestern coastal areas, t:P.ere is a zone of alpine tundra. Much of this type con 7. Wet Tundra sists of barren rocks but inter spersed between the bare rocks and The wet tundra type as shown rubbly are low mat plants, both on the vegetation map includes herbaceous and shrubby. Dom also the low coastal marshes of inant in this type in northern areas southern Alaska. The type is most and fin the Alaska Range are low extensive along the coastal plain mats of white mountain-avens north of the Brooks Range, the which may cover entire ridges and northern part of the Seward slopes along with many mat form Peninsula, and on the broad Yukon ing herbs, such as moss-campion delta. It is usually found in areas ( Silene aoaulis L.) , black oxytrope with many shallow lakes and little ( Oxytropis nigresoens (Pall.) topographic relief. Standing wa Fisch.), arctic sandwort (Minu ter is almost always present in the artia arotioa (Stev.) Aschers. & summer and in the northern parts Graebn.) , and several grasses and permafrost is close to the surface. sedges. In the southeastern coast Microrelief is provided by peat al mountains and the Aleutians, ridges and polygonal features re the most important plants are the lated to frost action and ice low heath shrubs, especially cas wedges. The vegetation is pri siopes and mountain-heaths. They marily a sedge and cottongrass are most abundant where snow ac mat, usually not formed into tus- cumulates in the winter and lingers

22 into late spring. On the Aleutian polar willow Salim polaris Islands this type consists primar diamondleaf willow ily of crowberry, bog blueberry, Salim planifolia ssp. pulehra mountain -cranberry, alpine-azalea, netleaf willow Salim retieulata and several dwarf willows. Shrubs least willow Salim rotundifolia in this. type throughout its range dwarf blueberry in Alaska include the following: V aeeinium eaespitosum alpine bearberry bog blueberry Arctostaphylos alpina V aeeinium uliginosum resin birch Betula glandulo8a mountain-cranberry dwarf arctic birch Betula nana V aeeinium vitis-idaea Alaska cassiope Oassiope lyeopodioides Vegetation Map Mertens cassiope . 0 assiope mertensiana The colored folded vegetation starry cassiope Oassiope stelleriana map of Alaska (in pocket) , com four-angled cassiope piled by the senior author, combines Oassiope tetragona some aspects of five published diapensia DiazJensia lapponiea Alaska vegetation maps. It follows wh1te mountain-avens primarily the detailed, large-scale Dryas oetopetala "Vegetation Map of Alaska" by entire-leaf mountain-avens Lloyd A. Spetzman (1963), com- Dryas integrifolia , piled for the Military Qeology crowberry Empetrum nigrum Branch of the U.S. Geological alpine-azalea Survey. Other maps consulted Loiseleuria proeumbens are the following : A. W. Kuchler's narrow-leaf Labrador-tea map "Potential Natural Vegeta Ledum deeumbens tion of Alaska" (U.S. Geological luetkea Luetkea peetinata Survey, National Atlas, Sheet No. Aleutian mountain-heath 89, 1967), "Vegetation Map of Phyllodoee aleutiea Northwestern North America" blue mountain-heath (Sigafoos 1958); Alaska Forest Phyllodoee eoerulea Regions in the revision of "Pocket red mountain-heath Guide to Alaska Trees" (Taylor Phyllodoee empetriformis and Little 1950) ; and the revised, Kamchatka rhododendron enlarged map printed in color Rhododendron eamtsehatieum in "Alaska's Forest Resource" Lapland rosebay (Hutchison 1967). The last, much Rhododendron lapponieum reduced, appeared also on the map arctic willow Salim aretiea "Major Forest Types" (U.S. Geo Chamisso willow Salim ehamissonis logical Survey, National Atlas, Alaska bog willow Salim fuseeseens Sheet No. 182, 1969). In addition, ovalleaf willow Salim ovalifolia the · compiler has made some skeletonleaf willow changes based on his own observa Salim phlebophylla tions and experiences.

23 KEYS FOR IDENTIFICATION

Keys are provided to aid identi be retraced and different steps cation, both in summer, when tried. With incomplete specimens, leaves, flowers, and fruits are it may be desirable to check both present, and in winter, when twigs, groups of a pair where the con winter buds, and bark are used. trasting characters are absent or Four assembled here are as fol uncertain. lows: Key to Alaska Trees Based Emphasis is given to nontechni Mainly on Leaves, Winter Key to cal and vegetative characters, Deciduous Trees of Alaska, Key which are present over longer to Genera of Alaska Shrubs, and periods than flowers or fruits, Winter Key to Alaska Shrubs. also, to the larger parts. However, Also, each genus with two or more a hand lens will be helpful for species has a key to its Alaska observing details. species. For the willows (Salim), The first step is to select the the largest genus, there are two: proper key for the specimen, Key to Alaska ·willows and Vege whether it is a tree or shrub and tative Key to Alaska Willows. in summer or winter condition. A key is an outline for identify Usually, the keys based mainly on ing specimens or plants through leaves and other vegetative char the process of elimination. This acters are simpler and easier to device is a short cut to save time use than the winter keys. The in reading every description until latter must depend largely upon the one that ag-rees is found. The differences in twigs and buds. species are divided into two group;; Even in winter, enough old leaves, according to certain distinguishing flowers, and fruits may be found characters, and each group is di for use of the main keys. Of vided successively into two smaller course, keys based largely on leaves groups down to a single species at can be used throughout'the year the end. The name of a particular for the evergreens. specimen is found through selec For example, a tree specimen tion, one by one, of the group in with broad leaves would be identi which it belongs. fied with the Key to Alaska Trees Like an outline, the · keys are Based Mainly on Leaves. First, indented. The two groups form both contrasting parts or groups ing a pair of contrasting charac of the key, beginning with the pair ters are designated by the same let "A" and "AA," should be cread. ter, single and double, and spaced The specimen with broad leaves one directly below the other but belongs under "AA," and all the trees under "A," having needlelike usually not together. Step by step, or scalelike leaves, are eliminated. elimination proceeds from left to Next, the lines "N" and "N~" are right by selection of the group to read. If the leaves and twigs are which the specimen belongs until in pairs (opposite), the specimen the name is reached. Species num belongs under "NN." Then, if the bers are cited beside each name leaves have 3 long-pointed lobes, for reference. Then verification is the specimen agrees with "j" in made by comparison with descrip stead of "jj" and is a Douglas tion, illustration, and map. If maple. Confirmation is made by agreement is lacking or doubtful, comparison with the description, the steps followed in the key may illustration, and map. 24 Key to Alaska Trees Based Mainly on Leaves A. Leaves needlelike or scalelike, evergreen (except in tamarack) , trees resinous (except in yew) ; seeds more or less exposed and not enclosed in a fruit-conifers or softwoods (gymnosperms) . B. Leaves needlelike, flattened, abruptly pointed but not prickly, in 2 rows comblike with leafstalks extending down twig; seeds single in scarlet juicy cuplike disk; rare in extreme southeast Alaska ------1. Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia) BB. Leaves needlelike or scalelike, not as above; seeds borne on scales of a cone. C. Leaves needlelike, more than :14 in. (6 mm.) long, single, or clustered. D. Needles shedding in fall, 12--20 in cluster on short spur twigs (also single on leading twigs)------ ------3. tamarack (Larix larioina) DD. Needles evergreen, single or 2 (sometimes 3) in a bundle. E. Needles 2 (sometimes 3) in a bundle with sheath at base- 2.lodgepole pine (Pinus oontorta) . F. Cones pointing backward, opening at maturity; generally low spreading tree of muskegs in coastal forests --- ------2a. shore pine (Pinus oontorta var. oontorta) FF. Cones pointing outward, mostly remaining closed many years; tree often tall and narrow of inner fiord forests at head of Lynn Canal (Skagway to Haines)------ ---- 2b.lodgepole pine (Pinus oontorta var. latifolia) EE. Needles single, without sheath at base. G. Older twigs roughened by projections where needles were shed. H. Needles sharp-pointed, stiff, without leafstalks-spruce (Pioea). I. Needles 4-angled. J. Twigs hairy; needles mostly less than :Y2 in. ( 12 mm.) long, resinous; cones egg-shaped or nearly round, mostly less than 1 in. (2.5 em.) long, curved down on short stalks, remaining on tree ------4. black spruce (Pioea mariana) JJ. Twigs hairless; needles more than lj2 in. (12 mm.) long, with skunklike odor when crushed; cones cylindric, 1:14-2¥2 in. (3-6 em.) long, falling at maturity ______5. white spruce (Pioea glauoa) II. Needles flattened but slightly keeled ___ ::. ______6. Sitka spruce (Pioea sitohensis) HR. Needles blunt, soft and not stiff, with short leaf-stalks -hemlock (Tsuga) K. Needles flat, appearing in 2 rows, shiny dark green above, with 2 whitish bands (stomata) on lower surface ------ ------'7. western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) KK. Needles half-round and keeled or angled beneath, crowded on all sides of short side twigs, blue green, with whitish lines (stomata) on both surfaces ------ ----- 8. mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana) 25 GG. Older twigs smooth-fir (Abies). L. Needles shiny dark green on upper surface and silvery white with many lines (stomata) on lower surface ------9. Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis) LL. Needles dull dark green with whitish lines (stomata) on both surfaces ------ ------10. subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) CC. Leaves scalelike, usually less than Vs in. (3 mm.) long, crowded, forming fanlike or flattened sprays. M. Leafy twigs flattened; leaves flattened and curved, not spreading ______11. western redcedar (Thuja plicata) MM. Leafy twigs 4-angled or slightly flattened; leaves pointed, spreading ------ ------12. Alaska-cedar ( Ohamaecyparis nootkatensis) AA. Leaves broad and flat, shedding in fall (deciduous); trees non resinous; seeds developed from a flower and enclosed in a fruit flowering plants (angiosperms) . N. Leaves and twigs arranged singly (alternate). 0. Leaves not divided into leaflets (simple). P. Leafstalks (petioles) mostly less than lf2 in. (12 mm.) long; leaves mostly more than twice as long as broad, with edges finely toothed or without teeth; winter buds covered by a single scale-willow (Salix). Q. Leaf edges without teeth or only sparsely and indistinctly toothed. R. Leaves rounded at base, broadly elliptic, becoming hairless on both sides __ 32. Hooker willow (Salix hookeriana) RR. Leaves tapering or short-pointed at base, narrower, with hairs on lower surface. S. Lower surface of leaves covered by dense hairs, appearing silvery, white, or gray. T. Leaves thick, lower surface with dense white woolly hairs ______38. feltleaf willow (Salix alaxensis) TT. Leaves thin, lower surface with dense straight hairs. U. Lower surface of leaves silvery silky hairy, upper surface green with scattered hairs ______43. Sitka willow (Salix sitchensis) UU. Lower surface of leaves dull gray hairy, upper surface greenish gray and hairless ______26. grayleaf willow (Salix glauca) SS. Lower surface of leaves visible through less dense hairs. V. Leaves thick, nearly hairless above; hairs on lower surface short and stiff, at least some red, giving reddish hue ---~------ ------42. Scouler willow (Salix scouleriana) VV. Leaves thin, hairy on both sides; hairs longer, not reddish ______40. B.::~bb willow (Salix bebbiana) QQ. Leaf edges finely and distinctly toothed from base to apex. W. Leaves 1-3 in. (2.5-7.5 em.) long, mostly short-pointed at both ends ------~------ ------44. littletree willow (Salix arbusculoidesl WW. Leaves 2-5 in. (5-12.5 em.) long, long-pointed, mostly rounded at base __ 46. Pacific willow (Salix lasiandra)

26 PP. Leafstalks (petioles) mostly more than ¥2 in. (12 mm.) long (often shorter in alder) ; leaves less than twice as long as broad, with edges finely or coarsely toothed; winter buds with 2 or more scales exposed. X. Leaf edges finely toothed with_ curved and rounded teeth cottonwood, poplar, aspen (Populus). Y. Leaf blades nearly round, less than 2 in. ( 5 em.) long; leafstalks flattened ------ ------1'7. quak;ing aspen (Populus tremuloides) YY. Leaf blades longer than broad, 2¥2-5 in. (6-12.5 em.) long; leafstalks round. Z. Seed capsules pointed, hairless, 2-parted; leaves pale green and brownish beneath; tree of interior forests ------15. balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) ZZ. Seed capsules rounded, hairy, 3-parted; leaves whitish beneath; tree of coastal forests ------ ------16. black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) XX. Leaf edges coarsely toothed with sharp-:pointed teeth. a. Leaf edges doubly toothed with teeth of 2 Sizes. b. Leaf edges not lobed; bark papery and peeling off, white, brown, or pinkish-50. paper birch (Betula papyrifera). c. Leaves long-pointed, usually wedge-shaped at base; bark usually white. in age; interior Alaska ------50b. Alaska _paper birch (Betula papyrifera var. humilis) cc. Leaves mostly short-pointed. d. Leaves thin, mostly rounded at base; bark usually reddish brown; northern part of southeast Alaska ------50a. western paper birch (Betula papyrifera var. commutata) dd. Leaves thick, wedge-shaped or rounded at base, with white hairs on toothed edges; bark usually dark brown or gray; southern and southern interior Alaska ------50c. Kenai birch (Betula papyrifera var. kenaica) bb. Leaf edges wavy or shallowly lobed; bark usually gray and smooth, not papery nor peeling off-alder (Alnus). . e. Leaves yellow green above, shiny on both sides and especially beneath, sticky when young, edges with relatively long-pointed teeth ------ ------52. Sitka alder (Alnus sinuata) ee. Leaves dark green above, dull, not sticky when young, edges with short-pointed teeth. f. Leaves thick with edges curled under slightly, with rusty hairs along veins beneath ______------53. red alder (Alnus rubra) ff. Leaves thin with edges flat, finely hairy or nearly hairless beneath ------ ------54. thinleaf alder (Alnus tenuifolia) aa. Leaf edges with uniform teeth. g. Leaves short-pointed, sometimes 3-lobed ______66. Oregon crab apple (Malus diversifolia) 27 gg. Leaves rounded at apex ------,------ ---- 72. Pacific serviceberry ( Amelanchier florida) 00. Leaves divided into 7-17 leaflets (compound), the leaflets at tached along extended leafstalk and shedding with it mountain-ash (Sorbus). h. Leaflets mostly 11-15, short-pointed, edges toothed nearly to base. i. Leaflets becoming hairless ------ ------67. Greene Mountain-ash (Sorbus scopulina) ii. Leaflets white-hairy beneath; naturalized tree ______68. European mountain-ash (Sorbus aucuparia) hh. Leaflets mostly 9 or 11, rounded or short-pointed at apex, edges not toothed in lowest third ------ ------69. Sitka mountain-ash (Sorbus sitchensis) NN. Leaves and usually twigs in pairs (opposite). · j. Leaves with 3 long-pointed lobes, irregularly or doubly toothed ______85. Douglas maple (Acer glabrum var. douglasii) jj. Leaves divided into 5 or 7 leaflets (compound), finely toothed ------122. Pacific red elder (Sambucus callicarpa)

Winter Key to Deciduous Trees of Alaska

A. Twigs with many wartlike, blackish spur twigs about lJs in. (3 mm.) long; upright brown cones usually present; trees with pointed crown ------3. tamarack (Larix laricina) AA. Twigs without spur twigs or with longer spurs; trees with spreading, usually rounded crown. B. Winter buds, leaf-scars, and twigs arranged singly (alternate). C. Winter buds covered by a single scale ------willow (Salix; the species not readily distinguished in winter) CC. Winter buds with 2 or more scales exposed. D. Winter buds usually resinous or sticky, shiny, brown, long pointed; lowest bud-scale centered over leaf-scar-cottonwood, poplar, aspen (Populus). . E. Winter buds 14 in. ( 6 mm.) or less in length, slightly or not. resinous ____ 17. quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) EE. Winter buds %-1 in. (10-25 mm.) long, very resinous. F. Tree of interior forests ------ ------15. balsam poplar (Populus· balsamifera) FF. Tree of coastal forests ------ ------16. black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) DD. Winter buds not resinous or sticky (slightly so in Sitka alder) ; lowest bud -scale at side of bud. G. Winter buds mostly stalked (slightly in No. 52), with the 3 exposed scales meeting at edges (overlapping in No. 52) ; old, hard, blackish cones or conelike fruits usually present-alder (Alnus). H. Cones with long stalks more than ¥2 in. (12 mm.) long, mostly longer than cones ------ ------52. Sitka alder (Alnus sinuata)

28 HH. Cones with short stalks less than lf2 in. (12 mm.) long. I. Cones lh-1 in. (12-25 mm.) long------ ------53. red alder (Alnus rubra) II. Cones less than lf2 in. (12 mm.) long ------ ------54. thinleaf alder (Alnus tenuifolia) GG. Winter buds not stalked, composed of overlapping scales; fruits not conelike. J. Winter buds :14 in. (6 mm.) or less in length; bud-scales with few or no hairs. K. Twigs with many ·small whitish dots (lenticels and resin); bark papery, peeling off ______------50. paper birch (Betula papyrifera) KK. Twigs with few inconspicuous dots (lenticels) ; bark not papery. L. Winter buds blunt-pointed, dark brown; twigs coarse, gray or brown, often with dense gray hairs near tip, with short side twigs or spurs ______66. Oregon crab apple (Malus diversifolia) LL. Winter buds sharp-pointed, purple; twigs slender, reddish purple, shiny, hairless, without short side twigs or spurs ------ -- '72. Pacific serviceberry (Amelanchier florida) JJ. Winter buds large, usually more than % in. (10 mm.) long; inner exposed bud-scales densely hairy-moun tain ash ( S orbus) . M. Winter buds with whitish hairs. N. Winter _buds re~dish brown, inner scales with whitish hairs at tip ------ --- 6'7. Greene mountain-ash (Sorbus scopulina) NN. Winter buds densely covered with whitish hairs; naturalized tree ------68. European mountain-ash (Sorbus aucuparia) MM. Winter buds with rusty brown hairs ------69. Sitka mountain-ash (Sorbus sitchensis) BB. Winter buds, leaf-scars, and usually twigs in pairs (opposite). 0. Twigs slender, reddish, with small dark red buds ------ ------85. Douglas maple (Acer glabrum var. douglasii) 00. Twigs stout, gray, with large gray buds ------ ------122. Pacific red elder (Sambucus callicarpa)

29 Key to Genera of Alaska Shrubs

This summer key is for:_ use with single native shrub species. Keys to . flowering specimens and is based species are included in the text for upon some flower and fruit char the genera with 2 or more species. acters, as well as vegetative char For incomplete specimens the win acters of twigs and leaves. The 46 ter key to Alaska shrubs is also genera of shrubs are included. Iden available. It is more detailed, in tification is to species also in the 26 cluding species except in willow genera represented in Alaska by a ( S aliw) , as well as genera.

A. Plants parasitic on conifer twigs; leaves reduced to paired brownish scales ___ 55. hemlock dwarf-mistletoe (Arceuthobium tsugense) AA. Plants growing on land ; leaves green. B. Shrubs without true flowers; seeds in persistent berrylike resinous blue or green cones; leaves scalelike, awl-shaped, or needlelike, resinous ------13-14. juniper (Juniperus) BB. Shrubs with flowers; seeds enclosed in fruits; leaves mostly broad (if needlelike or scalelike, fruit a capsule or black berry). C. Flowers crowded in heads or catkins. D. Flowers in dense yellow heads; leaves finely dissected, whitish hairy, with sagebrush odor ------ ------127-128. sagebrush (Artemisia) DD. Flowers in catkins, long narrow clusters, male and female separate; leaves various. E. Fruit a capsule with many hairy seeds; bud covered by 1 scale ------18--46. willow (Salim) EE. Fruit a nutlet, 1-seeded, not hairy, bud covered by 2 or more scales. F. Leaves aromatic, with minute resin dots, oblanceolate, rounded at tip and with several coarse teeth; male catkins erect ______47. sweetgale (Myrica gale) FF. Leaves not aromatic or resin dotted, elliptic or ovate, toothed along margin; male catkins drooping (birch family, Betulaceae) . G. Leaves small, mostly less than 1 in. (2.5 em.) long, nearly as broad as long, twigs densely glandular ------48-49. birch (Betula) GG. Leaves larger, mostly more than 2 inches (5 em.) long, · longer than broad, pointed at tip; twigs not. glandular ------51-54. alder (Alnus) CO. Flowers not in heads or catkins. H. Leaves with minute scales; flowers with calyx but no corolla ( elaeagnus family, Elaeagnaceae) . I. Leaves opposite, with brown scales ------ ------86. buffaloberry ( Shepherdia canadensis) II. Leaves alternate, with silvery scales ------ ------87. silverberry (Elaeagnus oommutata) HH. Leaves not scaly; flowers with both calyx and corolla. J. Petals separate. K. Ovary or ovaries superior, with calyx and corolla attached below.

30 L. Ovaries few to many (rose family, Rosaceae) . M. Fruits dry; stems without spines and prickles. N. Shrubs low or prostrate, less than 6 in. ( 15 em.) high. 0. Leaves twice divided into 3 narrow pointe1l seg ments, thin, hairless ------ ------65. luetkea (Luetkea pectinata) 00. Leaves oblong, leathery, densely white-hairy beneath ____ 79-81. mountain-avens (Dryas) NN. Shrubs upright, more than 12 in. (30 em.) high. P. Leaves pinnately compound; petals yellow ______78. bush cinquefoil (Potentilla fruitcosa) PP. Leaves simple; petals white or pink. Q. Leaves 3-5 lobed, palmately veined ______62. Pacific ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) QQ. Leaves not lobed, pinnately veined ______------63-64. spirea (Spiraea) MM. Fruits fleshy; stems mostly with spines or prickles. R. Fruit a raspberry or similar, of crowded drupelets; leaves simple or divided into 3-5 leaflets ------74-77. raspberry, salmonberry, thimbleberry (Rubus) RR. Fruit a rose hip, fleshy and rounded enclosing the "seeds"; leaves pinnate with 5 or more leaflets ------82-84. rose (Rosa) LL. Ovary 1. S. Leaves less than 1A, in. (6 mm.) long, needlelike; fruit berrylike, blue black or purple ------ ------90. crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) SS. Leaves larger and broader; fruit a capsule. T. Leaves thin, deciduous, with straight or entire margins ------92. copperbrush ( Oladothamnt68 pyrolaeflorus) TT. Leaves thick and leathery, evergreen, with rolled or toothed margins. U. Leaves densely woolly beneath, rolled under on margins ____ 93-94. Labrador-tea (Lednm) UU. Leaves ~airless beneath, sharply toothed on margins ------ ---- 91. pipsissewa ( Ohimaphila umbellata) KK. Ovary inferior, with petals and sepals attached above; fruits fleshy. V. Leaves opposite or paired ------ ------89. red-osier dogwood ( Oornus stolonifera) VV. Leaves alternate or single. W. Low creeping shrubs; petals 4, red to pink, bent backward; fruit a cranberry ------ ----- 120. bog cranberry (Vaccinium owycoccos) WW. Upright shrubs; petals 5, spreading. X. Leaves palmately veined and lobed. Y. Leaves small, not prickly; twigs slender, mostly without spines or prickles ------ ------56-61. currant, gooseberry (Ribes)

31 YY. Leaves large, with prickles on veins; twigs stout, very spiny ------ ------88. devilsclub ( Oplopanaw horridus) XX. Leaves or leaflets pinnately veined; fruit like a small apple ( pome) (rose family, Rosaceae) . Z. Leaves pinnately compound with 7-17leaflets ___ _ ------67-70. mountain-ash (Sorbus) ZZ. Leaves simple. a. Leaves elliptic, rounded at apex, not lobed ______71-72. serviceberry (Amelanchier) aa. Leaves mostly ovate, pointed at apex, ofteri lobed. h. Twigs usually bearing stout spines; fruit blackish ------73. black hawthorn ( Orataegus douglas#) bb. Twigs sometimes ending in spines; fruit yellow or red ------66. Oregon crab apple (Malus diversifolia) JJ. Petals united, at least partly, into a corolla tube. c. Leaves alternate or single (heath family, Ericaceae ; except No.121). d. Fruit a berry or berrylike. e. Ovary superior. f. Fruit a berrylike capsule, covered by fleshy purplish or white calyx; leaves sharply or wavy toothed on margin ------ ---- 109-110. salal, wintergreen (Gaultheria) ff. Fruit a drupe with 4-5 stony nutlets, red or blue- black; leaves not toothed on margin ______111-113. bearberry (Arctostaphylos) ee. Ovary inferior; berry blue or red; leaves entire or finely toothed on margin ------~ ___ 114-119. blueberry, huckleberry (Vaccinium) dd. Fruit a dry capsule. g. Shrubs more than 4 ft. (1.2 m.) high; leaves thin, deciduous; twigs and leaves with glandular (" St• IC k y ") h airS . ------97. rusty menziesia (Menzie8ia ferruginea) gg. Shrubs less than 4 ft. (1.2 m.) high; leaves thick, evergreen; twigs and leaves without glandular ("sticky") hairs. · h. Upright shrubs, loosely branching, not forming mats; leaves not crowded, not needlelike, more than lf2 in. (12 mm.)·long. i. Leaves oblong to linear, edges rolled under. j. Corolla purple, saucer-shaped; leaves whitish beneath with inQonspicuous veins ______99. hog kalmia (Kalmia polifolia) JJ· Corolla pinkish to crimson, urn-shaped; leaves greenis~ or whitish beneath with conspicuous veins ------107. bog-rosemary (Andromeda polifolia) 32 ii. Leaves elliptic or oblanceolate, edges not or slightly rolled under. k. Flowers erect or spreading, with saucer-shaped showy pink to purple corolla ______95-96. rosebay, rhododendron (Rhododendron) kk. Flowers hanging singly under twig, with bell shaped white corolla ------108. leatherleaf ( Ohamaedaphne calyculata) hh. Low shrubs forming dense mats; leaves crowded, needlelike. I. Flowers usually several at stem tip, corolla yellow, blue, or red ------ ---- 100-102. mountain-heath (Phyllodoce) II. Flowers usually single, corolla pink or white. m. Stems partly erect, to 6 in. ( 15 em.) high; flower stalk less than lh in. (12 mm.) high ___ _ 105. starry cassiope ( 0 assiope stelleriana) mm. Stems creeping, forming dense mats less than 2 in. (5 em.) high; flower stalk %-1% in. (2-4 em.) long ------ ---- 121. diapensia (Diapensia lapponica) cc. Leaves opposite or paired. n. Ovary superior, with calyx and corolla attached below (heath family, Ericaceae) . o. Leaves scalelike, pressed against stems ------ ------103-106. cassiope ( Oassiope) oo. Leaves larger, spreading. p. Stems creeping, forming dense mats to 2 in. ( 5 em.) high; leaves needlelike, ~ in. ( 6 mm.) long ______98. alpine-azalea (Loiseleuria procumbens) pp. Stems upright, 4-20 in. (1-5 dm.) high; leaves oblong, %-1% in. (2-4 em.) long ______99. bog kalmia (Kalmia polifolia) nn. Ovary inferior, with calyx and corolla attached above (honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae). q. Stems creeping; leaves evergreen, rounded, 1,4-% in. (6-15 mm.) long and wide ------ ------125. twin-flower (Linnaea borealis) qq. Stems upright. r. Leaves pinnately compound with 5-7 sharply toothed leaflets ------ -- 122. Pacific red elder (Sambucus callicarpa) rr. Leaves simple. s. Leaves slightly 3-lobed above middle, with sharply toothed margin ------123. high bushcranberry (Viburnum edule) ss. Leaves entire or slightly toothed. t. Twigs not angled; leaves blunt-pointed; corolla pink to white; berrylike drupes white ___ _ 124. snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) tt. Twigs 4-angled when young: leaves short pointed; corolla yellow, sometimes tinged with red; berries black ______126. bearberry honeysuckle ( Lonicera involucrata) 33 Winter Key to Alaska Shrubs To find the name of a shrub in learning this genus. Recognition its winter condition, you must be of willows will eliminate running somewhat of a detective. The first each willow through several steps twig seen may not run down in the key. When you finally quickly in the key. Every bit of reach a name in the key, check it evidence will help in finally de with the description and range on termining the name. In the field, the map. If either does not agree look for old leaves and remains of with your plant, go back through flowers and fruits, also well the key to see if alternatives might formed buds of foliage and flowers have been taken along the way. for the next year. Take notes on As it is only for native species, the size and general characteristics this key may not work for shrubs and look around the area carefully to see whether the specimen is planted around homes. typical. This winter key to Alaska shrubs Becoming familiar with the is to species except in the willows. characters used in the key may Species of willow are not readily save time. Thus, knowing that distinguished in winter. However, all shrubs in Alaska with winter if old dead leaves are present, the buds covered by a single bud-scale vegetative key to willows may be are willows (Saliw) will aid in used for further identification.

A. (AA on p. 37). Plants evergreen or with leaves persistent in winter. B. Plants parasitic on conifer twigs; leaves reduced to paired brownish scales __ 55. hemlock dwarf-mistletoe (Arceuthobium tsugense) BB. Plants growing on land; leaves green. C. (CO on p. 36). Low shrubs usually less than 1 ft. (30 em.) high, mostly forming mats or clumps. D. Leaves scalelike, awl-shaped or needlelike, narrow. E. Plants resinous, with persistent berrylike resinous cones, co niferous. F. Leaves awl-shaped, sharp-pointed, spreading in groups of 3 ______13. common juniper (Juniperus communis) FF. Leaves mostly scalelike, 15lunt, pressed against twig, paired ------14. creeping jmiiper (JunipeTUS horizontalis) EE. Plants not resinous, not producing berrylike cones, heatherlike. G. Leaves less than 14 in. (6 mm.) long, scalelike or needlellke; twigs without peglike leaf-scars. H. Leaves alternate or whorled, spreading, linear or linear lanceolate, not scalelike. I. Leaves mostly 4 in a whorl, sometimes alternate, linear, Ys-14 in. (3-6 mm.) long, rounded at tip, with groove on lower surface, hairless; black berries sometimes persistent ------ ------1)0. crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) II. Leaves alternate, linear-lanceolate, Yl_ 6 -% 6 in. (2-5 mm.) long, pointed, without groove on lower sur face, often with long hairs on margin; dried capsule often persistent at tip of twig ______.:__ 105. starry cassiope ( Oassiope stelleriana)

34 HH. Leaves paired or opposite, scalelike, pressed against twig. J. Leaves deeply grooved on lower surface, Ys-% 6 in. (3-5 mm~) long ------ -- 103. four-angled cassiope ( Oassiope tetragona) JJ. Leaves not deeply grooved on lower surface, ){6- %2 in. (1.5-4mm.) long. K. Twigs with leaves about ){ 6 in. (1.5 mm.) in diameter ------106. Alaska cassiope ( Oassiope lycopodioides) KK. Twigs with leaves Ys in. (3 mm.) in diameter ___ _ 104. Mertens cassiope ( Oassiope mertensiana) GG. Leaves more than% in. ( 6 mm.) long, needlelike. L. Twigs smooth; leaves tightly rolled under, with dense brownish hairs beneath ------93. narrow-leaf Labrador-tea (Ledum decumbens) LL. Twigs with peglike leaf-scars; leaves flat-mountain heath (Phyllodoce). (The 3 species below are not readily distinguished by leaves.) M. Leaves short, %6-% 6 in. (5-8 mm.) long and about ){6 in. n.4-1.8 mm.) wide ------101. blue mountain-heath (Phyllodoce coerulea) MM. Leaves longer, more than %6 in. (8 mm.) long, and narrower. about Ya 2 in. (1-1.2 mm.) wide. N. Lower surface of leaves with white hairs ______102. Aleutian mountain-heath (Phyllodoce aleutica) NN. Lower surface of leaves with reddish resin glands or hairless ------100. red mountain-heath (Phyllodoce empetriformis) DD. Leaves relatively broader. 0. Leaves with brown resin dots on both surfaces ______95. Lapland rosebay (Rhododendron lapponicum) 00. Leaves without brown resin glands. P. Leaves mostly less than% in. (10 mm.) long. Q. Leaves crowded, spatula-shaped, appearing as a whorl at tip of stem __ 121. diapensia (Diapensia lapponica) QQ. Leaves scattered, rounded or linear. R. Leaves elliptic, rounded at tip, lower surface with dense hairs; stems coarse, much branched; plants of dry alpine and arctic tundra ------ ---- 98. alpine-azalea (Loiseleuria procumbens) RR. Leaves oval to lance-shaped, short-pointed, lower surface hairless; stems very fine, creeping in peatmoss; plants usually in bogs ------ ---- 120. bog cranberry (Vaccinium omycoccos) PP. Leaves more than% in. (10 mm.) long. S. Leaves oblong, leathery, with wavy-toothed or straight edges, densely white hairy beneath, with 2 narrow long-pointed stipules. T. Leaves wedge-shaped at base; plants mainly pioneers on gravel and sand ------79. Drummond mountain-avens (Dryas drummondii)

35 TT. Leaves notched (heart-shaped) at base; plants of alpine tundra or open spruce and shrubs near treeline. U. Leaves with straight or slightly wavy edges, not or . slightly rough above, without glands and scales on midvein beneath ------81. entire-leaf mountain-avens (Dryas integrifolia) UU. Leaves with wavy-toothed edges, very rough above, with glands and scales on midvein beneath __ 80. white mountain-avens (Dryas ootopetala) SS. Leaves oval or spatula-shaped, not densely white hairy beneath, with stipules. V. Leaves spatula-shaped, broadest at tip and tapering toward base. W. Leaves whorled, edges with sharp teeth ______91. pipsissewa ( Ohimaphila umbellata) WW. Leaves alternate, edges not toothed. X. Leaves without petiole, with conspicuous stiff hairs on edges and lower surface; upright shrub of alpine tundra of southwest Alaska ------~------96. Kamchatka rho dodendron (Rhododendron oamtsohatioum) XX. Leaves with petiole ¥sin. (3 mm.) long, hairless ' on lower surface; reddish berries often per sistent; creeping shrub, usuaily of dry forested area ------ -- 111. bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) VV. Leaves oval, broadest at middle. Y. Leaves not toothed, with edges slightly roiled under ------114. mountain -cranberry ( V aooinium roitis-idaea) YY. Leaves toothed, flat. Z. Leaves toothed at tip; delicate creeping herbaceous shrub __ 125. twin-flower (Linnaea borealis) ZZ. Leaves finely wazy-toothed; dwarf shrub of Kiska Island in eastern Aleutians ______110. Miquel winter,green (Gaultheria miqueliana) CC. (Con p. 34). Shrubs usuaily more than 1ft. (30 em.) high (less in tundra) , not forming mats. a. Leaves 2-4 in. (5-10 em.) long, broad, shiny, sharply toothed on edges ______109. salal (Gaultheria shallon) aa. Leaves less than 2 in. (5 em.) long, narrow, dull, not toothed on edges. b. Leaves with dense brownish red curly hairs beneath. c. Leaves oblong, 1-2 in. (2.5-5 em.) long, %6-lh in. (5-12 mm.) wide, curled downward slightly on edges; fruit stalk bent or curved throughout its length ______------94. Labrador-tea (Ledum groenlandioum) cc. Leaves linear, %6 -% in~ (8-15 mm.) long, %4-lfs tn. (0.5- 3 mm.) wide, tightly roiled under, curled edges covering lower surfac;e; fruit stalk abruptly bent near cap:;;ule ------ -- 93. narrow-leaf Labrador-tea (Ledum deoumbens) 36 bb. Leaves hairless or nearly so beneath. d. Leaves flat or only slightly rolled under, with scurfy scales often appearing as white dots; young twigs with fine short white hairs ------ ------108. leatherleaf ( Ohamaedaphne calyculata) dd. Leaves rolled under, without scurfy scales; twigs hairless. e. Leaves elliptic, %-¥2 in. (3-12 mm.) wide, slightly rolled under, whitish beneath, veins inconspicuous; southeast Alaska ____ 99. bog kalmia (Kalmia polifolia) ee. Leaves slightly narrower, Yt 6 -~ in. (2-6 rom.) wide, tightly rolled under and partly concealing greenish or whitish lower surface with conspicuous veins; throughout Alaska ------ ------107. bog rosemary (Andromeda polifolia) AA (A on p. 34). Plants deciduous, leafless in winter, dead leaves some- . times persistent. f. Leaves (or leaf-scars) and twigs opposite or paired. g. Twigs and buds covered with minute brown shield-shaped scales ------86. bu:ffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis) gg. Twigs not scaly. h. Buds large, more than % in. ( 10 mm.) long and nearly as broad, stalked; twig stout, dying back at tip; pith broad ----- ------122. Pacific red elder (Sambucus callicarpa) hh. Buds small, mostly less than % in. (10 rom.) long, if longer then less than %6 in. ( 5 mm.) wide, stalked or stalkless; twig slender, usually not dying back; pith narrow. i. Twigs 4-angled or squarrish ------ ---- 126. bearberry honeysuckle (Lonicera involucrata) ii. Twigs round. j. Leaf-scars raised, often torn or indistinct, with 1 bundle scar; twigs very slender with bark becoming shreddy ______124. snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) jj. Leaf-scars not raised or torn, with 3 or more bundle-scars; twigs less slender, with bark not shreddy. k. Twigs gray, hairless, buds red. I. Buds long, narrow, pointed, dark brownish red, outer bud-scales united at edges, inner bud-scales hair less; loose straggling shrubs often with persistent red berries or fruit stalks ------ ---- 123. high bushcranberry (Viburnum edule) II. Buds rounded, blunt, bright red, outer bud-scales often spreading and exposing hairy inner bud-scales; erect shrub or small tree with maple key fruits often persistent ------85. Douglas maple (Acer glabrum var. douglasii) kk. Twigs red, shiny, densely gray hairy near tip; buds gray brown ------89. red-osier dogwood ( Oornus stolonifera) ff. Leaves (or leaf-scars) and twigs alternate or single. m. Twigs with spines, thorns, or prickles (often absent on young plants and new shoots, especially in No. 75) . n. Twigs very stout, light brown, densely covered with slender sharp spines ______88. devilsclub ( Oplopanam horridus)

37 nn. Twigs slender, of various colors, with spines less dense or partly enlarged at base. o. Spines. stout, %-1 in. (10-25 mm.) long, few on shiny red brown twigs; purplish black berries often persistent ------73. black hawthorn ( Orataegus douglasii) oo. Spines less than lf2 in. ( 12 mm.) long. p. Spines 3-9 at nodes and smaller single spines between; pith with spongelike cavities; shrubs usually trailing ___ _ ------56. swamp gooseberry (Ribes lacustre) pp. Spines single; pith not spongelike; erect shrubs. q. Twigs light brown or whitish, soft and easily broken, bark usually shreddy, pith occupying more than %; old raspberries often present-raspberry (Rubus) . r. Twigs brown. s. Twigs straight, covered with bristles and prickles ------74. American red raspberry (Rubus idaeus var. strigosus) ss. Twigs zigzag, with weak straight rounded prickles ------75. salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) rr. Twigs whitish, with stout hooked flattened prickles or spines ------76. western black raspberry (Rubus leucodermis) qq. Twigs dark red, hard, bark not shreddy, pith occupying less than %; old rose hips often present-rose (Rosa). t. Twigs with prickles or spines round or partly so, many to few. u. Prickles or spines many ------ ------82. prickly rose (Rosa acicularis) uu. Prickles or spines few, scattered ______------83. Woods rose (Rosa 1ooodsii) tt. Twigs with few flattened prickles or spines usually paired at nodes ------ ------84. Nookta rose (Rosa nutkana) mm. Twigs without spines, thorns, or prickles. v. Shrubs low, less than 6 in. (1~ em.) high or dying back to woody base. f w. Shrubs creeping. x. Buds covered by a single bud-scale ------ ------18-25. dwarf willows (Salim spp.) (If old dead leaves are present, the vegetative key to willows may be used for identification to species.) xx. Buds with 2 or more bud-scales. y. Red or brown leaves or skeletonized leaves persisting, black berries often persistent ______---- 112. alpine bearberry (Arctostaphylos alpina) yy. Leaves shedding first year; red berries often persistent ___ 113. red-fruit bearberry (Arctostaphylos rubra) ww. Shrubs herbaceous, dying back to woody base; dead leaves often persistent, divided into narrow segments. z. Leaves twice 3-forked, hairless, without odor ______------65. luetkea (Luetkea pectinata) 38 zz. Leaves finely dissected, whitish hairy, with sagebrush odor persisting. A. Basal leaves :14-lh in. (6-12 mm.) long, 2-3 times divided into narrow segments Ya 2 in. (1 mm.) wide ----- ------127. fringed sagebrush (Artemisia frigida) AA. Basal leaves 1-2 in. (2.5-5 em.) long, 2-3 times divided into spatula-shaped segments Yt 6-Ys in. (2-3 mm.) wide __ 128. Alaska sagebrush (Artemisia alaskana) vv. Shrubs usually upright and more than 6 in. (15 em.) high. B. Twigs with expanded buds of next year's catkins, remains of last year's catkins, and conspicuous dots (lenticels or resin glands) . 0. Twigs resinous, buds of next year's catkins small, :14 in. (6 mm.) long and stalkless, covered by several white bordered bud-scales; remains of last year's catkin spikelike; winter buds not stalked, of overlapping bud-scales. D. Remains of last year's catkin a stalkless straight stout spike% in. (10 mm.) long, Yt 6 in. (1.5 mm.) wide, with conspicuous concave bud-scars; resin dots inconspicuous, on young twigs only ------ ------47. sweetgale (Myrica gale) DD. Remains of last year's catkin very narrow, %-% in. (10-15 mm.) long, lfs 4 in. (0.5 mm.) wide, long stalked; twigs covered with resin glands-birch (Betula). E. Shrubs usually less than 2 ft. ( 0.6 m.) high, in bogs and tundra; catkin scale without resiniferous dot or hump, glandless; broad wing around nutlet ______48. dwarf arctic birch (Betula nana) EE. Shrub to 5 ft. (1.5 m.) high, near tree line; catkin scale with resinous dot or hump, often glandular; wing of nutlet narrow, often broader toward apex ______49. resin birch (Betula glandulosa) 00. Twigs not resinous, buds of next year's catkins%-% in. (10-15 mm.) long on stalks of %6-% in. (5-10 mm.), bud-scales not white-bordered; old, hard blackish cones or conelike fruits usually present-alder (Alnus). F. Winter buds of overlapping scales. G. Cones %-% in. (10-15 mm.) long, on stalks 1;4,-1;1! in. (6-12 mm.); shrub of interior Alaska ______51. American green alder (Alnus orispa) GG. Cones lh-3,4 in. (12-20 mm.) long, on stalks %-% in. (10-20 mm.); shrub or small tree of southern and southeast Alaska ------ ------52. Sitka alder (Alnus sinuata) FF. Winter buds with 3 exposed scales meeting at edges. H. Cones lh-1 in. (12-25 mm.) long ------ ------53. red alder (Alnus rubra) HH. Cones less than lh in. (12 mm.) long------ ------54. thinleaf alder (Alnus tenuifolia) BB. Twigs without catkins.

39 I. Stipules and bases or stumps of petioles persistent, partly covering buds. J. Stipules narrow, bent or twisted; twigs soft, canelike, dying back from tip ------ ---- 77. western thimbleberry (Rubus parvifloru8) JJ. Stipules broad, papery, spreading; twigs hard, not dying back------ ------78. bush cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticoga) II. Stipules and bases of petioles absent. K. Fruits persistent in conspicuous clusters. L. Fruits fleshy, like a small apple, red; winter buds large, mostly more than % in. (10 mm.) long, with densely hairy inner bud-scales; large shrubs and small trees---:-mountain -ash ( S or bus) . 11/. Winter buds with whitish hairs. N. Winter buds reddish brown, inner bud-scales with whitish hairs at ti:p ------67. Greene mountam-ash (Sorbu8 8copulina) NN. Winter buds densely covered with whitish hairs; naturalized tree ------68. European mountain-ash (Sorbu8 aucuparia) MM. Winter buds with rusty brown hairs. 0. Winter buds dull reddish brown, densely rusty hairy ------69. Sitka mountain-ash (Sorbu8 8itchen8i8) 00. Winter buds shiny reddish brown, slightly rusty hairy; only in westernmost Aleutian Islands ------70. Si berian mountain-ash (Sorbtt8 gambucifolia) LL. Fruits dry, 3-5 from a flower, egg-shaped, podlike, splitting open, brown; winter buds less than % in. (10mm.) long. P. Fruits%-% in. (6-10 mm.) long; bark peeling and shedding in long strips ------62. Pacific ninebark (Phygocarpu8 capitatu8) PP. Fruits less than Ys in. (3 mm.) long; bark not shedding. Q. Fruit clusters flat-topped to half round ______63. Beauverd spirea (Spiraea beauverdiana) QQ. Fruit clusters conic, much longer than broad ______64. Douglas spirea (Spiraea dougla8ii) KK. Fruits absent or borne singly. R. Winter buds covered by a single scale ------ ------15--46. willow ( Saliw) (Species not readily distinguished in winter. Old leaves arid catkins sometimes can be found for identification to species in the Vegetative Key to Alaska Willows. Descriptions, size of plants, and range maps may be helpful.) RR. Winter buds with 2 or more scales exposed. S. Twigs with rusty brown scales when young, becoming silvery; silvery berries often persistent ______87. silverberry (Elaeagnu8 commutata)

40 SS. Twigs and fruits not as above. T. Twigs without end buds; side buds with 2 bud scales meeting at edges (except in No. 119) ; fruit a blue or red berry, seldom persistent blueberries and huckleberries ( V aooinium) . U. Shrubs mostly less than 16 in. ( 40 em.) high; twigs round or sometimes slightly angled. V. Bud-scales 2, meeting at edges ____ 115. dwarf blueberry ( V aooinium oaespitosum) VV. Bud-scales several, overlapping ______119. bog blueberry ( V aooinium uliginosum) UU. Shrubs mostly more than 2 ft. ( 60 em.) high; twigs angled. W. Twigs green, strongly angled; fruit red ___ _ ------116. red huckleberry ( V aooinium pa'I'Vifolium) WW. Twigs brown or reddish, weakly angled; fruit blue or black. X. Fruit stalks usually less than% in. (1 em.) long, curved, not enlarged below fruit ------117. early blueberry ( V aooinium ovalifolium) XX. Fruit stalks often more than % in. (1 em.) long, straight or nearly so, en larged just below fruit __ 118. Alaska blueberry ( V aooinium alaskaense) TT. Twigs with true end buds covered by 3 or more bud-scales. Y. Shrubs spreading; twigs angled, with papery shedding or shredded bark, often with un pleasant odor when crushed; pits porous or spongy-currants ( Ribes) . Z. Twigs stout, 1,4 in. (6 mm.) in diameter; leaf- scars heart-shaped, large, gray ______57. stink currant (Ribes braoteosum) ZZ. Twigs slender, less than o/t 6 in. (5 mm.) in diameter; leaf-scars V-shaped, narrow and inconspicuous. a. Twigs with black gland dots. b. Buds hairless; twigs Yl_ 6 in. (2 mm.) in diameter ______58. northern black currant ( Ribes hudsonianum) bb. Buds with white hairs; twigs about Ys in. (3 mm.) in diameter ______59. skunk currant (Ribes glandulosum) aa. Twigs without gland dots. o. Twigs hairy, yellow brown, becoming dark brown, about o/t 6 in. ( 5 mm.) in diameter ______60. trailing black currant ( Ribes laxiflorum) oo. Twigs hairless, light brown, becoming reddish brown and shredded, about

41 ¥s in. (3 rom.) in diameter ____ 61. American red currant ( Ribes triste )c YY. Shrubs erect (or becoming small trees) ; twigs rounded, with bark not shedding (except in No. 92) ; pith hard, solid. d. Twigs paired or whorled, widely forking, with . gland hairs, odorous when crushed __ 97. rusty menziesia ( M enziesia ferruginea) dd. Twigs not paired, without gland hairs. e. Winter buds orange ------92. cop perbush ( OladothamnttB pyrolaeflorus) ee. Winter buds darker. f. Winter buds blunt-pointed, dark brown; twigs coarse, gray or brown, often with dense gray hairs near tip, with short side twigs or spurs __ 66. Ore gon crab apple (Malus diversifolia) ff. Winter buds sharp-pointed, purple; twigs slender, reddish purple, shiny, hair less, without short side twigs or spurs. g. Shrub rare in central and southern Alaska ______71. saskatoon serve iceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) gg. Shrub or small tree of southern and southeast Alaska ______------72. Pacific serv iceberry (Amelanchier florida)

42 ALASKA TREES AND SHRUBS

YEW FAMILY exception) trees and shrubs with narrow or small leaves resembling (Taxaceae) needles or scales. Pacific yew The seed plants with seeds ( Tawus brevifolia N utt.) , the partly exposed (gymnosperms) , not Alaska member of the yew family, enclosed in fruits, are represented is distinguished by the brown in Alaska by 3 families of con seeds borne singly in a scarlet, ifers or softwoods, the yew family juicy, cuplike or berrylike disk, (Taxaceae), the pine family (Pi by the flat, pointed, nonresinous naceae), and the cypress family needles in 2 rows, and by the (Cupressaceae) . The Alaska ex twisted leafstalks extending down amples are evergreen (with 1 the twig.

Figure I.-Pacific yew (Taxus brevifo lia), natural size.

43 1. PACIFIC YEW spruce. The irregular distribution may be related to dispersal of the (Taxus brevifolia Nutt.) seeds by birds. Growth is slow. Another species of yew has been in Other name: western yew. troduced in southeast Alaska as an Small tree or large shrub of ex ornamental shrub and hedge plant. treme south end of southeast Pacific yew has been found in Alaska, to 20-30 ft. (6-9 m.) tall, Alaska only on a few islands near with straight conical trunk 2-6 in. Ketchikan. These include Annette, (5-15 em.) or rarely 12 in. (30 em.) Dog, Cat, Mary, Bold, and Gravina in diameter at breast height, with Islands. Also southern end of open crown or horizontal or droop Prince of Wales Island north to ing branches. Leaves (needles) in Kasaan Island in Kasaan Bay. 2 rows,~-% in. (12-20 mm.) long, Probably rare in nearby areas. flat, slightly curved, stiff or soft, South Tongass National Forest. abruptly pointed but not prickly, Pacific coast region from Alaska shiny yellow green above, paie and British Columbia south green beneath, not resinous. Peti through western Washington to oles yellow, extending down the central California and in moun slender twigs, twisting to produce tains to Idaho and northwestern an even, comblike arrangement of Montana. needles. Bark purplish brown, thin, scaly, ridged, and fluted. Wood bright red with thin light PINE FAMILY yellow sapwood, fine-textured, (Pinaceae) heavy, hard, elastic. Pollen and seeds on different Conifers, or softwoods, are eco trees ( dioecious) . Seeds single, % nomically the most important group in. (1 em.) long, brown, exposed at of trees in Alaska. Many have tall apex but partly surrounded by a straight trunks and narrow crowns, thick scarlet, juicy, cuplike disk or except where dwarfed near the "berry." limits of tree growth. However, Southward, the strong, durable the 2 native species of juniper are wood is used for poles, bows, canoe low shrubs. These narrowleaf ever paddles, and cabmet work. How greens make up nearly all the trJleS ever, in Alaska the trees are too of the-'coastal forests of southeast scarce to be commercially impor Alaska and most of the timber of tant. The plants could serve as or the interior forests. They furnish namentals. nearly all the State's lumber, pulp The seeds are poisonous when wood, building logs, and other wood eaten, causing vomiting, diarrhea, products. and inflammation of urinary ducts These cone-bearing trees are res and the uterus. Also, yew foliage inous softwoods with needlelike or is poisonous when browsed by live scalelike evergreen leaves with seeds stock. However, the juicy scarlet exposed in cones, usually hard and "berries" around the seeds are not woody. Pollen is borne in small toxic. male cones usually on the same Pacific yew is rare and local in plant, and true flowers and fruits the extreme south end of southeast are lacking. Alaska's conifers are Alaska, near sea level on poor sites classified in 3 plant families, yew and in canyons. It is scattered in family (Taxaceae), pine family understory of the coast forest of (Pinaceae) with needlelike leaves, western redcedar, western and and cypress family (Cupressaceae) mountain hemlocks, and Sitka with scalelike leaves. Members of

44 ·the yew :family have ·seeds borne from the peglike projections. The singly in a scar:let juicy cuplike cones hang down. disk, rather than m a cone, and may Fir (Abies), 2 species, Pacific not be true conifers. silver fir and suoalpine fir. N eedle'3 The pine :family (Pinaceae) is flat and without leafstalks, often well represented m Alaska by 5 spreading in 2 rows or curving up genera and 9 species o:f trees with ward. Older twigs smooth with narrow, mostly long needles. The round leaf-scars. Cones upright in cones have many cone-scales, each highest branches of the narrow bearing 2 long-winged seeds at its pomted crowns. As the cone-scales base. Characters o:f the 5 genera fall :from the axis at maturity, old and names o:f their Alaska species cones are not found on or under the are summarized here :for ready trees. identification. Larch ( Lariw) , the only Alaska 2. LODGEPOLE PINE conifer shedding its leaves in. :fall and leafless in wmter. One species, (Pinus contorta Dougl.) tamarack (L. laricina (Du Roi) Other names: scrub pine, tama K. Koch), with slender flexible rack pine. needles borne 12-20 in a cluster on The general description and short stout spur twigs (or single on range o:f this species are followed by leading twigs). similar notes :for the 2 varieties in Pine (Pinus) , 1 species, lodge Alaska. Small to large evergreen, pole pine ( P. contorta Dougl.) , resinous tree o:f southeast Alaska, with 2 varieties. Needles 2 in a 20-75 ft. ( 6-23 m.) tall and 8-32 in. bundle or cluster with sheath at (20-81 em.) in trunk diameter, with base, relatively long and stiff. crown rounded spreading or narrow Cones one-sided, with many prickly pointed. Leaves (needles) 2 in a cone scales. bundle with sheath at base, 1-214 Spruce ( Picea) , 3 species, black, in. (2.5-6 em.) long, relatively long white, and Sitka spruce. Needles and stiff, often twisted, yellow sharp-pointed and stiff, either 4- green to dark green with whitish angled or flattened and slightly lines (stomata). Twigs stout, keeled, extending out on all sides o:f orange when young, becoming gray twig. There is no leafstalk, but brown and rough. Winter buds each leaf is attached on a small . short-pointed, o:f many narrow red stalklike or peglike projection o:f brown scales. Bark gray to dark the twig. Older twigs without brown, scaly, thin or becoming ·needles are rough because o:f these thick. Wood resinous or pitchy, projections. Cut branches of spruce coarse-textured, straight-grained and hemlock shed their needles (scrubby trees with spiral grain), promptly upon drying. The cones moderately lightweight, moderately hang down. (In the preparation of soft. Heartwood hght yellow to botanical specimens, immersion of yellow brown, sapwood narrow and freshly cut twigs in boiling water whitish. for a :few minutes before pressing Cones 1 to few, almost stalkless, reduces shedding of needles.) egg-shaped, one-sided, 1:14-2 in. Hemlock ( T suga) , 2 species, (3-5 em.) long, light yellow brown, western and mountain hemlock. with many priCkly cone scales, ma Needles short, blunt, soft and not turing in 2 years, persistent, open stiff, flat or slightly keeled, with ing or remaining closed many years. short leafstalks, spreading in 2 rows Seeds brown, about% in. (15 mm.) or curved UJ?Ward. As in spruce, lo!lg, including the long broad the older twigs are slightly rough wmg.

45 Figure 2a.-Shore pine (Pinus contorta var. contorta), natural size.

Alaska's only native species of pine is not important for lumber because of its mostly small size and limited occurrence. The wood is used for poles and fuel. The sweet orange-flavored sap served the In is mostly for rough construction, dians as a delicacy, fresh or dried. occasionally for boxes, siding, fin In the vicinity of Fairbanks, the ish, and flooring. inland variety has been introduced This species including 3 geo as a fast growing hardy shade tree. graphic varieties has a broad range Wood of lodgepole pine of the from southeast Alaska, central Yu Rocky Mountain region is suitable kon, and southwestern Mackenzie, for pulping for papers and fiber south in mountains and along coast board. Other uses are lumber, rail to Colorado, Utah, and California; road ties, mine timbers, and poles, a~so local in northern Baja Califor posts, and fuelwood. The lumber ma.

46 Figure 2b.-Lodgepole pine (Pinus con torta var. lati/olia), natural size.

Key to the 2 Alaska Varieties

Cones pointing backward, opening at maturity; generally low spreading tree of muskegs in coastal forests ------,------ ------2a. shore pine (Pinus contorta var. contorta) Cones pointing outward, mostly remaining closed many years; tree often tall and narrow of inner fiord forests at head of Lynn Canal ( Skag- way to Haines) ___ 2b. lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var.latifolia)

2a. SHORE PINE a low spreading or scrubby tree 20- 40 ft. ( 6-12 m.) high and 8-12 in. (Pinus contorta Dougl. var. (20-30 em.) in trunk diameter. contorta) However, it sometimes becomes 75 ft. (23m.) tall and 18-32 in. ( 45-81 Other names : lodgepole pine, em.) in diameter. Cones pointing scrub pine, tamarack pine. backward on twig, opening at ma Shore pine, the common pine turity in October-November but through southeast Alaska, is often remaining attached.

47 The dwarf coastal form is com southward. Cones hard, heavy, mon in open muskegs of peat moss pointing outward, mostly remain and on benches near lakes. Intol ing closed many years, opening erant of shade, it grows in open after a forest fire to release seeds. stands as a scrub pine, straight However, in Alaska some cones when young but gnarled in age, open at maturity. with large branches extending al The Rocky Mountain variety of most to the ground. On the poorest lodgepole pine can be added to the sites, it is often like a prostrate list of Alaska trees, though not shrub. It is best developed and mentioned in botanical references. largest in the better-drained borders This inland variety differs from between muskeg and hemlock or shore pine in being generally a hemlock-redcedar stands. Occa taller tree with narrow crown and sionally the trees are pioneers of thinner scaly bark, in having rapid growth after infrequent fires slightly longer needles, and in the or logging or on outwash sand and slightly larger, heavier, closed cones gravel. which point outward on the twig This coastal variety ranges rather than backward. throughout southeast Alaska north This variety of lodgepole pine to the head of Lynn Canal at crosses the Coast Range from Can Haines and to Glacier Bay and ada into Alaska only in the vicinity Dixon Harbor. The northwestern of Skagway and Haines and Chil outlier is an area of several square kot River at the head of Lynn miles on rolling muskegs about 15 Canal near the northernmost end miles (24 km.) east of Yakutat, of southeast Alaska. It forms where the trees of poor form reach stands in the mixed forest with 40 ft. ( 12 m.) in height and 1 ft. Sitka spruce, western paper birch, (30 em.) in trunk diameter. South and subalpine fir (also from the Tongass and North Tongass N a Rocky Mountains) and in the inner tionaI Forests, Glacier Bay N a fiords down to sea level. North tionaI Monument. Pacific coast Tongass National Forest. Also from southeast Alaska through northward in Yukon Territory western British Columbia to north along Yukon River and tributaries western California. near Dawson to within about 50 miles ( 80 km.) of the Alaska bor der. -'East to southwestern Mac kenzie and south through western 2b. LODGEPOLE PINE Alberta and British Columbia and in Rocky Mountains to Colorado (Pinus contorta var. latifolia and Utah. Engelm.)

Other names: Rocky Mountain 3. TAMARACK lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta ssp. latifolia (Engelm.) Critchfield. (Larix laricina (Du Roi) The Rocky Mountain or inland K. Koch) variety of lodgepole pine reaches the State only in the vicinity of Skagway and Haines. This mostly Other names : Alaska larch, tall form with narrow crown be eastern larch, hackmatack; Larix comes 50-75 ft. ( 15-23 m.) high alaskensis W. F. Wight, L. laricina and 8-12 in. (20-30 em.) in trunk var. alaskensis (W. F. Wight) diameter here and somewhat larger Raup.

48 Figure 3.-Tamarack (Larix laricina), natural size. Winter twigs at bottom.

Small to medium-sized deciduous tree 30-60 ft. ( 9-18 m.) high, with straight tapering trunk 4-10 in. (10-25 em.) in diameter, occasion ally to 75ft. (24m.) tall and 13 in. (33 em.) in diameter, horizontal branches extending nearly to ground, and thin pomted crown of blue green foliage. Leaves (needles) stout spur twigs to % in. ( 6 mm.) shedding in fall (deciduous) , in long, bearing crowded raised leaf crowded clusters of 12--20 on short scars, becoming blackish and rough. stout spur twigs or branches or Winter buds small, round, about single on leading twigs, %-1 in. 7{ 6 in. (2 mm.) long, covered by (1-2.5 em.) long, very narrow, many short-pointed overlapping slender and flexible, 3-angled, blue scales. Bark dark gray, smoothish, green, turning yellow before falling thin, becoming scaly and exposing in_early autumn. Twigs long, stout, brown beneath. Wood light brown, dull tan, hairless, with many short hard, heavy, elastic.

49 Cones curved upright on short kleet River, which drains into Nor stalks along horizontal twigs, ton Sound, and to Napaimiut on the rounded,%-% in. (1-1.5 em.) long, lower Kuskokwim River. Mt. Mc dark brown, composed of about 20 Kinley National Park. There are rounded, finely toothed cone-scales, broad gaps separating the Alaska opening in early autumn and re trees from the main range from maining attached in winter. Seeds Yukon Territory eastward, except light brown, % in. ( 12 mm.) long, for 2 records from near the Alaska including long broad wing. Yukon Border. From Alaska, Yu Tamarack is the only Alaska konTerritory, and District of Mac conifer shedding its leaves in win kenzie east ·across Canada along ter. It is scattered in muskegs and northern limit of trees to Hudson various moist soils of the interior in Bay, Labrador, and Newfoundland, open stands with paper birch, black south in Northeastern United spruce, alders, and willo1vs. Occa States to New Jersey, Illinois, and sionally it forms dense stands on Minnesota (local in Maryland and flood plains with black spruce and West Virginia) , and northwest to white spruce. Where it does occur northeastern British Columbia. naturally on upland well drained The Alaska tree were named as a sites, its growth rate may be equal separate species, afterwards re to that of white spruce; one stand duced to a variety and to synonymy. in the Tanana Valley has produced The slight differences in cone-scales trees 13 in. ( 33 em.) in diameter in and their bracts seem insufficient 100 years. for retention of a separate name. The durable, strong wood is used to some extent for poles, railroad ties, and fenceposts. · Interior Alaska tamarack is re SPRUCE (Picea) stricted to drainages between Brooks Range on the north and Spruce trees have short leaves Alaska Range on the south. Lo (needles) spreading on all sides of cally abundant along Tanana River twig, mostly 4-sided or slightly flat but scattered along Yukon and Kus tened, sharp-pointed and stiff, shed kokwim Rivers and up Koyukuk ding promptly on drying. Twigs River to Allakaket but not north to become rough from peglike bases the limit of trees. West to Unala- of leaves. The cones hang down.

Key to the 3 Alaska Species

Leaves (needles) 4-angled, with whitish lines (stomata) on all sides. Twigs hairy; needles mostly less than% in. (12 mm.) long, resinous; cones egg-shaped or nearly round, mostly less than 1 in. (2.5 em.) long, curved down on short stalks, remaining on tree ------ ------4. black spruce (Picea mariana) Twigs hairless; needles more than % in. (12 mm.) long, with skunk like odor when crushed; cones cylindric, 11,4-2¥2 in. (3-6 em.) long, falling at maturity ------5. white spruce (Picea glauca) Leaves (needles) flattened but slightly keeled, with 2 whitish bands (stomata) on lower surface; twigs hairless; cones cylindric, 2-3% in. (5-9 em.) long, falling at maturity ------~---- ------6. Sitka spruce (Picea sitchen.~is) 50 Figure 4.-Black spruce (Picea mari ana), natural size.

4. BLACK SPRUCE ( Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) Other names: bog spruce, swamp spruce. Evergreen resinous tree of inte rior forests, usually small and 15- 30 ft. ( 4.5-9 m.) high, and 3-6 in. Cones curved downward on short (7.5-15 em.) in trunk diameter, stalks, small and short, egg-shaped with narrow pointed crown. Often or nearly round, %-1:14 in. ( 1.5-3 a shrub 10 ft. (3 m.) or less in em.) long, dull gray or blackish, height. Sometimes a medium-sized remaining on tree several years and tree to 50-60 ft. ( 15-18 m.) tall and often conspicuously clustered in 9 in. ( 23 em.) in trunk diameter, tree tops; cone-scales rigid and brit the maximum height measured 72 tle, rounded, and slightly toothed. ft. ( 22 m.) . The branches are short, Seeds brown, about ¥2 in. ( 12 mm.) sparse, and often slightly drooping long including large wing. at ends. Leaves (needles) short Black spruce is characteristic of stalked, spreading on all sides of cold wet flats, muskegs, north-fac twig, :14-% in. (6-15 mm.) long, ing slopes, silty valley terraces, and 4-angled, pointed, stiff, ashy blue lake margins in the spruce-birch green, with whitish lines (stomata) interior forests up to an altitude of on all sides. Twigs slender, hairy, 2,000 ft. ( 610 m.), locally to 2,700 covered with very short reddish ft. ( 823 m.). Extending to tree line hairs, becoming brown and rough on gentle damp slopes, such as from peglike bases of leaves. Bark northern side of Alaska Range. thin, composed of gray or blackish Dense pure stands are frequently scales, brown beneath, the cut sur on wet area burns. Clusters of face of inner bark yellowish. Wood black spruce are common, because yellowish white, light-weight, soft, the lower branches take root to fine-textured, with growth rings form a ring of small trees around very narrow to almost microscopic. the central parent tree. 51 Besides its usually different habi 5. WHITE SPRUCE tat and smaller size with more com pact branching, black spruce is dis (Picea glauca (Moench) tinguished from white spruce by Voss) the shorter and blunter needles, hairy twigs, and smaller cones with Other names: western white brittle, shghtly toothed cone-scales spruce, Canadian spruce, Alberta curved down on short stalks and spruce, Picea glauca var. albertiana remaining attached several years. (S. Brown) Sarg.; Porsild spruce, The twigs of black spruce are re P. glauca var. porsildii Raup. ported to be tougher and gummier White spruce, the most important also; These 2 species of the interior tree of the spruce-birch interior for forests can be distinguished also in est, is a medium-sized to large tree the seedling stage by the finely 40-70 ft. ( 12-21 m.) high and 6-18 toothed leaf margins in white in. (15--46 em.) in trunk diameter. spruce and absence of teeth in black On the best sites it reaches 80-115 spruce. Logs and tree trunks can ft. ( 24-35 m.) and 30 in. ( 76 em.) , be identified by inner bark color, but at timberline it becomes a pros yellowish in black spruce and whit trate shrub with a broad base below ish in white spruce. Annual growth the snow-cover line. Crown pointed rings of black spruce wood are nar and usually very narrow and spire rower also. like, sometimes broad and conical, The wood is of slight importance composed of slightly drooping for lumber because of the small size branches with upturned ends and of the trees. Occasionally the logs many small drooping side twigs. are cut along with white spruce for Leaves (needles) short-stalked, cabins. The trees are important as spreading on all sides of twig but fuel, especially in stands killed by massing on top near ends, lh-% in. fire, remaining standing and well (12-20 mm.) long, 4-angled, sharp preserved for several decades. pointed, stiff, blue green, with whit Southward black spruce is a popu ish lines on all. sides; leaves and lar Christmas tree. twigs with skunklike odor when Interior Alaska north to southern crushed. Twigs slender, hairless, slopes of Brooks Range but at lower orange brown, becoming rough elevations and not as far north as from peglike bases of leaves. Bark white spruce. West to upper thin, _gray, smoothish or in scaly Kobuk River and to Elim at base plates, the cut surface of inner bark of Seward Peninsula; reported only whitpsh. Wood almost white, the to Kaltag on Yukon River and the sapwood not easily distinguished, Stoney River on Kuskokwim River. moderately lightweight, moderately Southwest at base of Alaska Penin soft, of fine and moderately uneven sula to Bristol Bay at Naknek. texture, with growth rings easily South of Alaska Range in Susitna seen in cross-sections. Valley, Cook Inlet and·Kenai Pe Cones nearly stalkless, hanging ninsula south to Homer, and Cop down, cylindric, 11,4-21!2 in. (3-6 per River basin south to Tonsina. em.) long, shiny light brown, fall Not in southeast Alaska. Chugach ing at maturity; cone-scales thin National Forest, Mt. McKinley N a and flexible, margins nearly straight tiona! Park, Kenai National Moose and without teeth. Seeds brown, Range. East across Canada near about% in. (10 mm.) long, includ northern limit of trees to Hudson ing large wing. Bay, Labrador, and Newfoundland, White spruce is the commonest south to New Jersey, Minnesota, tree of interior Alaska, occuring Manitoba, and British Columbia. from near sea level to tree line at

52 ;;··.

Figure 5.-White spruce (Picea glauca), natural size.

·about 1,000-3,500 ft. (305-1,607 m.). The tree line is lowest in the north and west and on north-facing slo:r;>es and highest in the southeast interiOr vades the open forests of birch and and on south-facing slopes. This aspen that follow fire. The trees species is found in mostly open for have average growth rate, attaining ests, usually with paper birch or in an age of 100-200 years at maturity. pure stands. In a few places, such Alaska trees commonly have very as the Chugach National Forest, it narrow crowns and short broad extends to tidewater. Although not cones and have been referred to a · exacting as to site, this species western variety (western white grows best on well drained soils on spruce, var. albertiana (S. Brown) south-facing gentle slopes and Sarg.). In.contrast the trees of the sandy soils along the edges of lakes typical variety, for example, in the and rivers. It forms the tallest for Lakes States and Northeast, have ests along the large rivers, where broader conical crowns. Another running water thaws the soil. It is western variation scattered in seldom found where permafrost is Alaska has smooth bark with resin close to the surface. White spruce blisters (as in fir) and relatively often replaces balsam poplar along broad crown (Porsild spruce, var. the river floodplains and also in- porsildii Raup). 53 On Kenai Peninsula, where this slope and north to south slopes o£ species meets Sitka .spruce, hybrids Brooks Range and northwest to or intermediate trees occur, as noted Noatak River near Chukchi Sea. under that species. Natural hy West to upper Fish River on Sew brids between white spruce and ard Peninsula, Unalakleet, Moun black spruce apparently are very tain Village on Yukon River, Ho rare in interior Alaska. One inter litna River on Kuskokwim River, mediate tree identified as a hybrid· and reaching Bristol Bay coast at was discovered among trees o£ these Dillingham on Nuskagak Bay. two species on the north edge o£ Also south o£ Alaska Range £rom Tanana Valley about 250 miles Susitna Valley to Cook Inlet and ( 400 km.) east-southeast o£ Fair northern Kenai Peninsula and east banks, at about 1,800 feet ( 550 m.) to Copper River basin. Chugach elevation. National Forest, Mt. McKinley N a White spruce is used extensively tiona! Park, Katmai National in interior Alaska £or cabin logs, Monument, Kenai National Moose peeled and in natural form, sawed Range, Arctic National Wildlife flat on 3 sides, or milled on lathes Range. East across Canada near into uniformly round logs having northern limit o£ trees to Hudson diameters o£ 6, 8, or 10 inches (15, Bay, Labrador, and Newfoundland, 20, or 25 em.). Large numbers o£ south to New York, Minnesota, pilings and rough timbers £rom in Montana, and British Columbia, terior Alaska have been transported also local in Black Hills. to the North Slope £or construction o£ oil drilling platforms. Timbers . 6. SITKA SPRUCE for bridges and corduroy roads are (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) other uses. A small quantity is cut for fuel also. This species supplies Carr.} much o£ the lumber sawed in in Other names : tideland spruce, terior Alaska, also dimension ma yellow spruce, western spruce, sil terial for buildings in light and ver spruce, coast spruce. medium construction. Early uses Sitka spruce is the largest and included flumes, sluice boxes, and one o£ the most valuable trees in boats. Alaska, also the State tree. Large In Canada, white spruce is the to very large everg-reen tree to 160 most important commercial tree ft. ( {9 m.) in height and 3-5 ft. species and the foremost pulpwood. (0.9-1.5 m.) in trunk diameter, in Uses include scaffolding planks, frequently to 200-225 ft. (61-69 m.) paddles and oars, sounding boards and '7-8 ft. (2.1-2.4 m.) or more. in musical instruments, shop fit From the much enlarged or but tings, agricultural implements, tressed base, the tall straight evenly kitchen cabinets, boxes, cooperage, tal?ering trunk rises to an open shelving, veneer, and plywood, The pomted broad conical crown with seasoned wood is almost tasteless horizontal branches. Leaves (nee and odorless and well suited £or dles) standing out on all sides o£ food containers. twig, flattened and slightly keeled, The range o£ white spruce %-1 in. ( 15-25 mm.) long, sharp through interior Alaska corre pointed, dark green, the upper sur sponds to that mapped £or the face slightly keeled or angled and spruce-birch interior forests, north with 2 whitish bands (stomata), and west to the limit o£ tree growth lower surface rounded or slightly but not in the southeast. In the keeled and sometimes with few northeast to Firth River and its whitish lines. Twigs stout, stiff, tributary Joe Creek on the Arctic hairless, light brown to dark brown,

54 Figure 6.-Sitka spruce (Picea sitchen sis), three-fourths natural size.

Cones short-stalked, hanging down, ~ylindric, 2-31!2 in. (5-9 em.) long, hght orange brown, falling at. maturity; cone-scales .long, stiff, thm, rounded and Irregularly toothed. Seeds brown, about 1h in. becoming rough from peglike bases (~2 mm.) long, including large of leaves. Bark gray and smooth wmg. ish on small trunks, thin, becoming Sitka spruce forms more than -dark purplish brown with scaly 20 percent of the hemlock -spruce plates, the inner bark whitish with coastal forests of Alaska and also brown dots. Wood moderately occurs in pure stands. It grows lightweight, moderately soft, of fine more rapidly and to larger size than and moderately even texture, and western hemlock and is more light usually very straight grained. Sap requiring. The largest old growth wood nearly white and heartwood trees in southeast Alaska have light reddish brown. trunk diameters exceeding 8 ft. 55 (2.4 m.) and ages of 500-750 years southeast Alaska town of Sitka is or more. Many years ago there located. was reported a giant 141-h ft. ( 4.4 Sitka spruce produces high-grade m.) in trunk diameter measured wood pulp, the best on the Pacific 6 ft. ( 1.8 m.) above the ground, but coast. The wood with that of west further information including the ern hemlock is extensively used in locality is lacking. (The national manufacture of newsprint. This champion Sitka spruce, at Forks, species is also the principal saw "Wash., is somewhat larger, approxi timber tree of southeast Alaska and mately 17.9 ft. ( 5.4 m.) in trunk is made into all the usual forms of diameter and 248 ft. (75.6 m.) in lumber. The high-grade lumber height.) Westward on the Chugach from the large clear trunks has National Forest, the trees are many uses. It is the most impor smaller, averaging 80 ft. (24 m.) tant wood for airplane and glider in height, 1lh ft. ( 45 em.) in diam construction, and in World War II eter, and about 200 years in age. was utilized especially in British At Afognak and Kodiak Islands mosquito bombers. Other impor there are pure stands of Sitka tant uses are oars, ladders and scaf spruce, the only conifer. On Ko folding, and boats, particularly rac diak Island near the southwestern ing sculls. Resonant qualities, limit, this tree is reported to be large size, and uniformity make the migrating westward during the wood valuable for piano sounding past few centuries. boards. Much low-grade lumber is This species extends from sea made into packing boxes for the level to the timberline up to about Alaska salmon industry. Other 3,000 ft. (914 m.) in the coastal uses are general construction, food mountains but grows mainly at al containers, shelving, and kitchen titudes below 1,500 ft. ( 457 m.). furnishings. Alaska has about two However, dwarf plants have been fifths of the total supply of this seen as high as 3,500-3,900 ft. species and seven-eighths of the (1067-1189 m.) on unglaciated United States supply. !ocky outcrops (nunataks) project The range of Sitka spruce is the mg above the Juneau Ice Field. same as the hemlock-spruce coastal In bare or open areas, such as at forests of southeast and southern Glacier Bay, the bushy trees often Alaska. Throughout southeast propagate by layering. The lowest Alaska north to head of Lynn branches touch the ground, become Canal at Skagway, Glacier Ray, partly covered up, develop roots, and Yakutat Bay. West along and then turn upward to form sepa coast of southern Alaska to Prince rate trees. Sprouts from stumps William Sound, Kenai Peninsula, have been observed also. and west side of Cook Inlet. Along Small groves of Sitka spruce southern coast of Alaska Peninsula trees were planted as early as 1805 southwest to its westernmost limit by Russians at Unalaska, near the at Cape Kubagakli near southern eastern end of the treeless Aleutian boundary of Katmai N a tiona] Islands and far outside the tree Monument. Also Afognak Island limits. These trees are still grow and eastern half of Kodiak Island, ing and have produced cones. where it is the only conifer. South Younger trees are absent, perhaps Tongass, North Tongass, and Chu because of grazing. Several plant gach National Forests, Glacier Bay ings have been made also on other National Monument, Kenai N a Aleutians. Both the common and tiona! Moose Range, Kodiak Island scientific names honor Sitka Island, National Wildlife Refuge. From now Baranof Island, where the Kodiak Island and southern Alaska 56 Figure 7.-Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), natur~l size.

Cone-scales are short as in white spruce but like Sitka spruce in be ing thin, light brown, and irregu larly toothed. These hybrids are found on Kenai Peninsula where the ranges o£ the two species meet southeast along Pacific coast to and overlap slightly and may be northwestern California. sought elsewhere along the border On Kenai Peninsula there are between the coastal and interior natural hybrids between white forest types. spruce and Sitka spruce (Pice a glauoa X sitohensis; Lutz spruce, HEMLOCK (Tsuga) Pioea X l!utzii Little) . The hybrid is a tree 55-70 £t. (17-21 m.) high Hemlock trees have very slender and 1-1:lf2 ft. ( 30-45 em.) in trunk leading twigs or leaders which are diameter. Hybrid trees are recog curved down or nodding. The nized by their leaves and cones in leaves are short needles, flat or half termediate between those o£ the round, blunt, so£t, and not stiff, parent species. The leaves are with short lea£-stalks, shedding slightly 4-angled, less so than in promptly on dryin~. Twigs are white spruce and are near Sitka very slender, becommg roughened spruce m the whitish upper sur by peglike bases a£ter leaves £all. faces. The cones are intermediate The cones are stalkless and usually in size or small as in white spruce. hang down. 57 Key to the 2 Alaska species Leaves (needles) flat, appearing in 2 rows, shiny dark green above, with 2 whitish bands (stomata) on lower surface; %-1 in. (1.5-2.5 em.) long ------7. western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) Leaves (needles) half-round and keeled or angled beneath, crowded on all sides of short side twigs, blue green, with whitish lines (stomata) on both surfaces; cones cylindric, 1-2% in. (2.5-6 em.) long----- ------8. mountain hemlock ( Tsuga mertensiana)

7. WESTERN HEMLOCK Seeds about % in. ( 12 mm.) long including large wing. (Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Western hemlock is the most abundant and one of the most im Sarg.) portant tree species in southeast Alaska and forms more than 70 per Other names: west coast hem cent of the dense hemlock-spruce lock (lumber) , Pacific hemlock; coastal forests. This species attains formerly Tsuga mertensiana auth. its largest size on moist flats and Large evergreen tree becoming lower slopes, but with abundant 100-150 ft. (30-46 m.) tall and 2-4 moisture, both atmospheric and soil, ft. ( 0.6-1.2 m.) in trunk diameter, it grows well on shallow soils. It is very tolerant of shade. with long slender trunk often be This species is one of the best coming fluted when large, and short pulpwoods for paper and paper narrow crown of horizontal or board and products such as rayon. slightly drooping branches, the very Other important uses are lumber slender leading twig curved down for general construction, railway or nodding. The largest trees are ties, mine timbers, and marine pil as much as 190 ft. (58 m.) in height ing. The wood is suited also for and 5 ft. (1.5 m.) or more in diam interior finish, boxes and crates, eter. Leaves (needles) short kitchen cabinets, flooring and ceil stalked, spreading in 2 rows, 1_4-% ing, gutter stock, and veneer for in. ( 6-22 mm.) long, flat, rounded plywood. The outer bark contains at tip, flexible, shiny dark green a high percentage of tannin and is above, and with 2 whitish bands a potential source of this product. (stomata) on lower surface. Twigs Alaska Indians made coarse bread slender, dark reddish brown, finely from the inner bark of this tree and hairy, roughened by peglike bases shore pine. Western hemlock is the after leaves fall. Bark reddish State tree of Washington. brown to gray brown, becoming Western hemlock has the dis thick and furrowed into scaly tribution of the hemlock -spruce plates; a pocketknife will disclose coastal forests of southeast and southern Alaska but does not go as the red inner bark not found in far west as Sitka spruce, not reach spruce. Wood moderately light ing Afognak and Kodiak Islands weight, moderately hard, of moder or the west side of Cook Inlet. ately fine and even textured, non It extends throughout southeast resionous. Heartwood pale reddish Alaska north to head of Lynn Canal brown, sapwood similar or whitish. at Skagway, Glacier Bay, and Ya Cones stalkless and hanging kutat Bay, west to Prince William down at end of twig, small, elliptic, Sound and east side of Cook Inlet %-1 in. (1.5-2.5 em.) long, brown, to Portlock at southwest end of with many thin papery scales. Kenai Peninsula and northwest to

58 Figure B.-Mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana), natural size.

drooping branches, and very slender hills around Anchorage. South leading twig curved down or nod Tongass, North Tongass, and Chu ding; a shrub near timber line. gach National Forests, Glacier Bay Leaves (needles) mostly crowded National Monument, and Kenai N a on all sides of short side twigs and tiona! Moose Range. Southeast curved upward, short-stalked, ~-1 along Pacific coast to northwestern in. ( 6-25 mm.) long, flattened above California and east in mountains and rounded, keeled, or angled be to southeastern British Columbia, neath (half-round in section), stout northwestern Montana, and north and blunt, blue green and with ern Idaho. whitish lines (stomata) on both surfaces. Twigs mostly short, 8. MOUNTAIN HEMLOCK slender, light reddish brown, finely hairy, roughened by peglike bases (Tsuga mertensiana (Bong.) after leaves fall. Bark gray to Carr.) dark brown, thick, and deeply fur rowed into scaly plates. Wood Other names: alpine hemlock, moderately heavy, moderately hard, black hemlock. and moderately fine and even tex Small to large evergreen tree be tured. Heartwood pale reddish coming 50-100 ft. (15-'-30 m.) high brown, sapwood thin and similar and 10-30 in. (25-76 em.) in trunk or whitish. diameter, maximum about 125 ft. Cones stalkless and usually hang (38 m.) and 40 in. (1 m.), with ing down, cylindric, 1-2% in. (2.5- marked taper when open grown, 6 em.) long and% in. (2 em.) wide, narrow crown of horizontal or purplish but turning brown, with

59 many thin papery scales. Seeds Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga men. light brown, about :Y2 in. ( 12 mm.) ziesii (Mirb.) Franco; Ps. tamifolia long including large wing. (Poir.) Britton) though not native Mountain hemlock extends from is sometimes planted in southeast sea level to an altitude of 3,000- Alaska as an ornamental and in 3,500 ft. (914-1067 m.), growing in forestry tests. Growth is rapid. an altitude higher than other trees. The flat leaves (needles) o/s-1~ in. On upland sites, it is well formed (1.5-3 em.) long resemble those of and resembles western hemlock. fir but are narrowed into stalks at Toward the timberline, it replaces base and have an elliptic leaf-scar. the latter and becomes a prostrate ·winter buds are distinctive, shrub. It grows with shore pine in pointed, red brown, and not resin muskegs of deep peat as well as on ous. The elliptic, light brown subalpine slopes on the ocean side cones 2--3¥2 in. (5-9 em.) hang of the Coast Range in southeast down and have thin rounded cone Alaska. In the Prince William scales and prominent 3-toothed Sound and Cook Inlet regions, bracts. Douglas-fir, one of the mountain hemlock is found on bet world's most valuable timber trees, ter drained slopes and near tide is widespread i:p. the Pacific coast and Rocky Mountain regions north water, reaching its maximum in British Columbia nearly to height. Alaska. On the coast it extends The wood is marketed with west almost to the north end of Van ern hemlock, being similar but couver Island and slightly inland somewhat more dense, and has the north to Gardner Canal. In the in same uses. Nearly pure stands of terior it ranges north to Fort Mc mountain hemlock on Prince of Leod and Tacla Lake at latitude Wales Island have been logged for 55°, north of the southern tip of pulp. The wood has been used for Alaska. railroad ties. However, in the higher altitudes where commonly found, mountain hemlock is largely inaccessible and unimportant com FIR (Abies) mercially. Southeast and southern Alaska. Fir trees have narrow pointed Through southeast Alaska north to crowns with mostly horizontal head of Lynn Canal at Skagway, branches. The leaves are flat nee Glacier Bay, and Yakutat Bay, dles without leafstalks, those on west to Prince William Sound, lower branches often spreading in Kenai Peninsula, and east side of 2 rows along the twig~ others mostly Cook Inlet. Also local at Lake curving upward. Older twigs are Iliamna on Alaska Peninsula. smooth with round leaf-scars. South Tongass, North Tongass, and Cones are upright and stalkless in Chugach National Forests, Glacier the highest branches. At maturity Bay National Monument, Kenai the cone-scales and seeds are shed, National Moose Range. Southeast but the narrow upright axis per along Pacific Coast of British Co sists on the twig. No old cones re lumbia and in mountains to western main on the trees or on the ground. Montana and central California. Two species of fir are present in This species honors the German southeastern Alaska, both rare and naturalist Karl Heinrich Mertens local. They are not likely to be ( 1796-1830), who discovered it near seen without a special trip to one of Sitka, Alaska, in 1827. the places mentioned.

60 Figure 9.-Paeific silver fir (Abies ama bilis), natural size.

Key to the 2 Alaska Species Leaves (needles) shiny dark green on upper surface and silvery white with many lines (stomata) on lower surface ------ ------9. Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis) Leaves (needles) dull dark green with whitish lines (stomata) on both surfaces ------10. subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) 9. PACIFIC SILVER FIR southeast Alaska, becoming 80 ft. (Abies amabilis (Dougl.) ( 24 m.) tall and 24 in. ( 60 em.) in Forbes) trunk diameter, maximum 149 ft. Other names: silver fir, white ( 45 m.) tall and 49 in. ( 1.24 m.) in fir (lumber). diameter. Leaves (needles) crowded Medium-sized resinous and aro and spreading, stalkless, %-114 in. matic tree rare and local in extreme (2-3 em.) long, flat, deeply grooved

61 and shiny dark ~Teen above, be 10. SUBALPINE FIR neath silvery white with whitish lines (stomata), those on lower (Abies lasiocarpa (Hook.) branches notched or rounded at tips Nutt.) and spreading in. 2 rows, those to ward top of tree shorter and sharp pointed, twisted in brushlike mass on upper side of twig. Twigs slen Other names: alpine fir, white der, finely hairy. Bark smooth, fir (lumber). gray, splotched with white. Wood Small to medium-sized evergreen with whitish sapwood and pale tree, rare and local in southeast brown heartwood, fine-textured, Alaska, commonly 20-60 ft. (6-18 lightweight, soft. m.) high and 4-12 in. (10-30 em.) Cones in highest branches, up in trunk diameter, with long, nar right, 4-5 in. (10-12.5 em.) long, row, sharp-pointed or spirelike 2-2¥2 in. (5-6 em.) in diameter, crown and branches extending purplish, finely hairy or nearly nearly to base, resinous and aro hairless; many fan-shaped rounded matic. However, larger trees to 95 overlapping scales, falling from ft. ( 29 m.) tall and 27 in. ( 69 em.) axis in autumn. Seeds light brown, in diameter have been observed. about 1 in. (2.5 em.) long, includ Leaves (needles) crowded and ing broad wing. spreading, stalkless, %-1¥2 in. (2-4 The trees are logged with other em.) long, flat, dark blue green and conifers. Fir logs are sawed into with whitish lines (stomata) on lumber with Sitka spruce, if large both sides, grooved above, those on and clear, or chipped with hemlock lower branches rounded or occa and used for pulp. Southward, where more abundant, the wood is sionally notched at tip and in 2 used for interior finish. rows, those near top of tree shorter' Pacific silver fir is rare and local pointed, stiff, and twisted upward in extreme southeast Alaska. It and curved on upper side of twig. has been recorded from well-drained Twigs gray, rusty hairy. Bark ash lower slopes of canyons, benches, gray, smooth, thin. Wood pale and flats from sea level to 1,000 ft. brown, fine-textured, lightweight, (305 m.) altitude. In the Salmon soft, usually knotty because of the River valley near Hyder, it is com many_.,persistent branches. mon in the coastal forest of Sitka Cones in highest branches, up spruce and eastern hemlock, being right, cylindric, 2¥2--4 in. (6-10 very shade tolerant. Large trees em.) long and 1:14-1¥2 in. (3--4 em.) were found on forest survey plots in diameter, dark purple, finely east of Ketchikan in mountains near hairy; many fan-shaped, rounded, Marten Arm of Boca de Quadra, overlapping scales, falling from Smeaton Bay of Behm Canal, and axis in autumn. Seeds light brown, near Thorne Arm. Northeast of % in. (1.5 em.) long, including Ketchikan, trees have been observed broad wing. in Carroll Inlet and George Inlet. Subalpine fir is of rare, local oc However, earlier reports from Kos currence in mountains of southeast ciusko Island and near northern end of Prince of Wales Island re Alaska. This inland tree grows. in main unverified. South Tongass cool, moist subalpine slopes near National Forest. South through timberline, becoming shrubby or Pacific coast region of British Co prostrate, and is found on the val lumbia and in mountains to Oregon ley floors as well. It appears to be and northwestern California. very shade tolerant.

62 Figure 10.-Subalpine fir (Abies lasio carpa), natural size.

Near the southernmost tip o:f ris Ridge near Hollis on Prince of Alaska, subalpine fir is known from Wales Island, associated with several localities. At Hyder it is mountain hemlock and Sitka reported to be common mostly at spruce. higher altitudes near the timberline At the northern end of southeast at 2,500 ft. (762 m.) and accessible Alaska, subalpine fir from the in on the Texas Creek road. It grows terior of British Columbia crosses with Pacific silver fir in the forest over the divide of the Coast Range. of Sitka spruce and hemlock. In Taku River valley northeast of Southeast of Ketchikan, subalpine Juneau, this species extends from fir has been recorded from Very In the Canadian border down to sea let, Boca de Quadra, and Thorne level on outwash of Norris Glacier. Arm. Another stand is found at It is common, scattered with Sitka 3,000 ft. (914 m.) altitude on Har- spruce, hemlock, and black cotton-

63 wood. Near Skagway at head of Alaska-cedar ( Ohamaecyparis Lynn Canal, subalpine fir descends nootkatensis (D. Don) Spach), the from timberline at 3,000 ft. (914 only species of white-cedar. Leaves m.) to sea level. scalelike, pointed and spreading. Northeastward in Yukon Terri Leafy twigs 4-angled or slightly tory, this species occurs within 125 flattened. Cones small, hard, nearly miles (200 km.) of the Alaska bor round. der along Stewart River, a tribu Juniper (Juniperus), 2 species, tary of Yukon River. South Ton common juniper and creeping juni gass and North Tongass National per. Dwarf shrubs with scalelike Forests. Southeast Alaska, central or awl-shaped leaves, small round Yukon Territory, and southwest berrylike cones, and few wingless ern District of Mackenzie, south seeds. through British Columbia and southwestern Alberta and in moun tains to New Mexico, Arizona, and II. WESTERN REDCEDAR Oregon. Subalpine fir has been reported (Thuja plicata Donn) from 3 localities in south central Alaska: Copper River basin, Men Other names : giant arborvitae, tasta Pass on Glenn Highway, and canoe cedar, shinglewood, Pacific mountains northeast of Anchorage. redcedar, arborvitae. Specimens are needed before those Large evergreen tree 70-100 ft. unverified range extensions should (21-30 m.) tall, sometimes 130 ft. be accepted. ( 40 m.), with tapering trunk 2-4 ft. (0.6-1.2 m.) in diameter, sometimes to 6 ft. (1.8 m.), swollen or but tressed base, pointed conical crown, CYPRESS FAMILY and horizontal branches curving (Cupressaceae) upward at tips. Leaves scalelike, flattened, Yl_ 6-Ys in. ( 1.5-3 mm.) The cypress family ( Cupres long, on leader twigs to 1;{., in. ( 6 saceae) has 2 genera and species of mm.) long and pointed, shiny yel trees in Alaska, also a third genus low green above and dull green with 2 species of low shrubs, juni below. Leafy twigs flattened, in pers. This family formerly in fanlirre sprays, slightly drooping, cluded in the pine family is charac older twigs gray and smooth. Bark terized by small scalelike leaves graj or brown, thin, fibrous and paired or in 3's. The cones are stringy or shreddy, becoming thick small with few cone-scales bearing and furrowed into long ridges. mostly few seeds with short side Wood with the distinctive odor of wings. However, junipers have cedars, fine-textured, straight berrylike cones and wingless seeds. grained, lightweight, moderately Characteristics of the 3 genera soft, and brittle. Heartwood red and names of their Alaska species dish brown, the narrow sapwood are summarized here for ready white. identification. Cones clustered near ends of Western redcedar ( Thuja plicata twigs and becoming turned up on Donn), the only Alaska species of short stalks, elliptic, ¥2 in. ( 12 mm.) thuja. Leaves scalelike, flattened long, light brown, composed of sev and curved, on flattened twigs in eral paired elliptic leathery cone fanlike sprays. Small cones clus scales. Seeds 3 or fewer under a tered near ends of twigs and becom cone-scale, %6 in. (5 mm.) long, ing turned up. light brown, with 2 narrow wings.

64 Figure 11.-Western redcedar (Thuja plicata), natural size.

Western redcedar is native in the Western redcedar is well suited southern hal£ of southeast Alaska for boat and canoe construction. from sea level to 3,000 ft. (915 m.) It is the most widely used wood for altitude on the west slopes of the shingles. Other uses of this very Coast Range, attaining its largest durable lightweight wood are util size below 500 ft. ( 150 m.) . Al ity poles, fenceposts, light construc though sometimes in pure stands, tion, pulp, clothes closets and chests, it is also dominant in the redcedar conduits, piling, and fish-trap floats. hemlock forest and scattered in the The Indians employed the wood for hemlock-spruce forest. It is of totem poles, dugout canoes, and moderately slow growth and long houses and made mats, baskets, and lived. ropes from the stringy bark. This 65 is an important timber tree of the purplish brown. Wood with dis coast region of British Columbia. tinctive odor, fine-textured, rela Western redcedar is exported to tively straight-grained, moderately Japan in log form, though some is heavy, moderately hard. Heart used locally. wood bright yellow with narrow Southern half of southeast band of lighter sapwood. Alaska north to Wrangell and vi Cones scattered, short-stalked, cinity of Petersburg on southern nearly round, less than Y2 in. (12 parts of Mitkof, Kupreanof, and mm.) in diameter, hard, ashy gray, Kuiu Islands. On Kupreanof often covered with whitish bloom, Island north to Duncan Canal (col of 4 or 6 paired rounded hard cone lected on Woewodski Island) but scales each with a central pointed not found at Portage Bay on north projection, maturing in 2 years. end where formerly reported. Seeds 2-4 under a cone-scale, %6 South Tongass National Forest and in. (4 mm.) long, brown, with 2 south end of North Tongass N a broad wings. tiona} Forest. Pacific coast region Alaska-cedar extends along the of southeast Alaska south to north coast of southeast Alaska from sea western California, also east in level to timberline but is best devel Rocky Mountains to eastern Mon tana and southeastern British Co oped at 500-1,200 ft. (150-365 m.) lumbia. altitude. It is scattered with western redcedar, in pure stands, in forests of Sitka spruce and western hem lock, and, on higher slopes or mus 12. ALASKA-CEDAR kegs, with mountain hemlock. The trees are slow-growing, those 15-20 ( Chamaecyparis nootkatensis in. ( 38-51 em.) in trunk diameter being 200-300 years old. (D. Don) Spach) The very durable aromatic wood is easily worked and takes a beau Other names: Alaska yellow tiful finish. It is valuable for win cedar, N ootka false-cypress, yellow dow frames and exterior doors, boat cedar, Alaska cypress, Sitka cy construction, and similar purposes. press, yellow cypress. It is _used also for utility poles, Medium sized evergreen tree 40- piles, interior finish, furniture, 80 ft. ( 12-24 m.) high and 1-2 ft. cabinet work, patterns, and nove] ( 30-60 em.) in trunk diameter, ties.' Indians of southeast Alaska sometimes a large tree to 100 ft. made their canoe paddles from this (30 m.) tall and 4 ft. (1.2 m.) in wood. Much Alaska-cedar is ex diameter, with narrow crown of ported to Japan in log form, though slightly drooping branches. Leaves some is used locally. scalelike, Yt 6-Ys in. ( 1.5-3 mm.) Through southeast Alaska north long, pointed and spreading, yellow to Lynn Canal and Yakutat and green, with slightly spreading, west in southern Alaska to Glacier pointed tips; leaves on leader twigs Island and Wells Bay in Prince to 1;4 in. ( 6 mm.) long and sharp William Sound. South . Tongass, pointed. Leafy twigs 4-angled or North Tongass, and Chugach N a slightly flattened, in flat, spread tiona] Forests. Pacific coast region ing sprays on drooping slightly from southern Alaska southeast branches, becoming reddish brown. through British Columbia and in Bark shreddy, with long narrow mountains to Oregon and north shreds and fissures, ash gray or western California.

66 Figure 12.-Alaska-cedar (Chamaecy paris nootkatensis), natural size.

67 JUNIPER (Juniperus) shaped, sharp-pointed, and spread ing. Male and female cones mostly on different plants. Cones small, Low or prostrate aromatic ever berrylike, fleshy, round, ~-% in. green shrubs (elsewhere also trees). (6-10 mm.) in diameter, mostly Leaves opposite in 4 rows or in 3's, blue, fleshy, resinous, not opening, crowded, scalelike, blunt, and containing usually 1-4 wingless closely pressed against twig or awl- seeds.

Key to the 2 Alaska Species Leaves awl-shaped, sharp-pointed, spreading in groups of 3 ______------13. common juniper (Juniperus communis) Leaves mostly scalelike, blunt, pressed against twig, paired ______------14. creeping juniper (Juniperus horizontalis)

13. COMMON JUNIPER Common juniper becomes a small tree rarely in New England and (Juniperus communis L.) frequently in Europe. Including a few geographic varieties, this spe Other names: low juniper, cies is the most widely distributed mountain common juniper; Juni conifer in the world and the most perus communis var. saxatilis Pall., widespread tree species in the north var. montana Ait., var. depressa temperate zone. In northern Eu Pursh, ssp. nana (Willd.) Syme; rope the fruits have been used to J. sibirica Burgsd., J. nana Willd. flavor gin. Juniper is planted as Low or prostrate spreading ever .an ornamental in Alaska, mostly as green shrub to 2 ft. (0.6 m.) high, a ground cover in dry and rocky forming mats or clumps to 10 ft. locations. (3 m.) · in diameter. Leaves in Scattered to rare in rocky tundra, groups of 3 (whorled), spreading sunnyslopes, sandy areas, and for at right angles or curved slightly est openings. Throughout most of downward, awl-shaped, ~-% in. Ala$a except extreme northwest, (6-12 mm.) long, less than ¥! 6 in. Alaska Peninsula, and Aleutian (1.5 mm.) wide, stiff, very sharp Islands. From southeast Alaska pointed, jointed at base, whitish north in central Alaska to Porcu and grooved above, shiny yellow pine, Yukon and Koyukuk Rivers green beneath. Twigs slender, 3- and north of Brooks Range to angled, light yellow, hairless. Bark Chandler, Canning, and Shaviovik gray or dark reddish brown, rough, Rivers and west to Bering Sea scaly and thin. (Elim) and west side of Cook Inlet. Cones lateral on very short scaly South Tongass and North Tongass stalks, berrylike, round, ~-% in. National Forests, Mt. McKinley (6-10 mm.) in diameter, blue and National Park. Alaska, east across covered with a bloom, hard, mealy, Canada to Labrador, Newfound resinous and sweetish1 maturing in. land, and Greenland, south mostly 2 or 3 years and persistent. Seeds in mountains to Georgia, Illinois, 3 or fewer, light brown, more than New Mexico, and California. Also lj8 in. (3 mm.) long, pointed. across northern Europe and Asia. 68 Figure 13.-Common juniper (Juni perus communis), natural size.

14. CREEPING JUNIPER (Juniperus horizontalis Moench) Other name: creeping savin. Prostrate or trailing evergreen shrub with long horizontal stems often rooting- and with short erect twigs 2-6 m. ( 5-15 em.) high. Leaves paired in 4 rows, mostly scalelike, YI 6 in. (1.5 mm.) long, blunt and short-pointed with gland dot, blue green, shedding with 69 Figure 14.-Creeping juniper (Juniper. us horizontalis), natural size. twigs, on young plants and leaders guishing characters are as follows : awl-shaped, sharp-pointed, % 6 A~ ( 1) leaves borne singly (alternate) , in. long (5-6 mm.) long. Twigs with margins evenly toothed or less than 7{ 6 in. ( 1.5 mm.) broad, without teeth (entire) but not 4-angled, covered with scale leaves. lobed; (2) flower clusters (catkins) Cones terminal and curved down composed of an axis bearing many on short stalks, berrylike, round, small flowers each above a scale, in *-%6 in. (6-8 mm.) in diameter, early spring before or with the light blue and covered with a bloom, leaves; (3) flowers without sepals fleshy, resinous. Seeds 4 or fewer, or petals, of 2 kinds on different brown, lh in. ( 3 mm.) long. plants, male flowers with pollen and Rare and local on dry rocky on other plants the female flowers slopes and sunny sands. Southeast with seeds; and ( 4) the tiny seeds interior Alaska along Chitina and with long white cottony hairs, Copper Rivers and west to Hicks borne in small seed capsules mostly Creek (east of Palmer). Alaska, 2-parted. Mackenzie, and Yukon, east to Cottonwoods, poplars, and aspens Great Slave Lake, Hudson Bay, usually have broad leaves with Labrador, and Newfoundland, south petiole nearly as long as blade, stout to New York, Michigan, Iowa, and twigs-(and large winter buds with Colorado. several scales exposed, resinous (ex Used as an ornamental ground ceptf in aspen), an end (terminal) cover in interior and south central bud present. Willows usually have Alaska. narrow leaves with very short peti oles, slender or wiry twigs, and small winter buds covered by a WILLOW FAMILY single scale, without an end bud. Catkins in the genus of cotton ( Salicaceae) woods hang down, while those of The willow family ( Salicaceae) willows are upright or slightly contains the cottonwoods, poplars, spreading. Flowers of cottonwoods and aspens (all in the genus Popu have deeply lobed scales soon shed l1t8 with 3 tree species in Alaska), ding, a broad or cup-shaped disk, and the willows (Salim), a large and 10 to many stamens. Willow genus of 30 or more native species flowers have scales without or with ranging in size from creeping or teeth, persistent or late shedding, dwarf shrubs to large shrubs and disk reduced usually to 1 small small trees ( 8 species) . Distin- gland, and 2-8 stamens.

70 Figure 15.-Balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera), natural size. Winter twig at lower right.

71 COTTONWOOD, POPLAR, cies of the cottonwood genus, all ASPEN (Populus) common trees, are balsam poplar, This genus has no single English black cotton wood, and quaking common name. The 3 Alaska spe- aspen.

Key to the 3 Alaska Species Leaf blades longer than broad, 2¥2-5 in. ( 6-12.5 em;) long; leafstalks round. Seed capsules pointed, hairless, 2-parted; leaves pale green and brownish beneath; tree of interior forests ------ ------15. balsam poplar (Populus balsamifeTa) Seed capsules rounded, hairy, 3-parted; leaves whitish beneath; tree of coastal forests ___ 16. black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) Leaf blades nearly round, less than 2 in. ( 5 em.) long; leafstalks flattened ------1'7. quaking aspen (Pop1tlus tremuloides)

15. BALSAM POPLAR gray' smooth, becoming rough, thick, and deeply furrowed. Wood (Populus balsamifera L.) with thick whitish sapwood and light brown heartwood, fine-tex Other names : tacamahac, taca tured, lightweight, soft. mahac poplar, cottonwood; Popu Flower clusters (catkins) 2-3lj2 lus tacamahaca Mill. in. (5-9 em.) long, narrow, droop Medium-sized deciduous tree ing; with many small flowers about usually 30-50 ft.· ( 9-15 m.) high, Ys in. (3 mm.) long, each with disk with straight trunk 4-12 in. (10-30 and above a light brown hairy lobed em.) in diameter and long thin open scale, male and female on different crown, sometimes a large tree 80- trees ( dioecious). Male flowers 100 ft. (24-30 m.) tall and 2 ft. with 20-30 reddish purple stamens; ( 60 em.) in trunk diameter. Leaves female flowers with conic slightly with slender petioles 1-2 in. (2.5-5 2-lobed hairless ovary and 2 broad em.) long, round, finely hairy. Leaf wavy stigmas. Seed capsules in blades ovate or broadly lance catkins to 6 in. (15 em.) long, short shaped, 2¥2-4¥2 in. (6-11 em.) long, stalked, egg-shaped, %-% 6 in. (6- 1¥2-3 in. ( 4-'7.5 em.) wide, mostly 8 mm.) long, long-pointed, light long-pointed at apex and rounded brown, hairless but warty, 2-parted, at base, with many small rounded with many·· tiny cottony seeds. teeth, hairless or nearly so, shiny Flowering in May-June before the dark green above, pale green and leaves, fruit maturing in June. rusty brown beneath. Twigs red Balsam poplar, sometimes errone brown and hairy when young, with ously called balm-of-Gilead, is a orange dots (lenticels) , becoming rapidly growing tree. It is common gray, with raised leaf scars show in river valleys including sandy ing 3 dots. Winter buds large, to bottoms and gravelly flood plains, 1 in. (2.5 em.) long, long-pointed, terraces, and coarse alluvial fans sticky or resinous, covered with throughout the interior except near shiny brown scales, with pungent the coasts. In forests, especially in balsam odor which permeates the openings and clearings, it is asso air in spring. Bark light gray to ciated with white spruce, birch, and

72 aspen. It is often common with wil lows and alders in flood plain thickets and along river banks. In the mountains balsam poplar extends to somewhat higher alti tudes than white spruce, to 3,500 ft. (1067 m.) altitude or more on north and west slopes of the Alaska Range. Also, it projects farther north to the Arctic slope in a few places. At Firth River near the northeast corner of Alaska and north of the treeline, balsam pop Figure 16.-Black cottonwood (Popu lar, white spruce, and feltleaf wil lus trichocarpa), natural size. Winter low are the only tree species. twig at left. The wood is used chiefly for boxes, crates, and pulpwood south ward. A small amount is sawed for

73 use in the Anchorage area and ef l'tts triohocarpa var. hastata (Dode) forts are being made to broaden the Henry; P. balsamifera L. ssp. tri market. chocarpa (Torr. & Gray) Bray Interior Alaska, north and west shaw, var. californica S. Wats. to limits of trees, south to Kodiak Large deciduous tree to 80-100 Island and northern end of south ft. (24-30 m.) tall, with straight east Alaska. On south slopes of trunk 3ft. (1m.) in diameter, with Brooks Range in drainages of Por narrow pointed crown; in age larger cupine, Koyukuk, Kobuk, and N oa and developing a tall massive trunk tak Rivers; north of Brooks Range and small flat-topped crown. in small isolated stands along many Leaves with slender petioles 1~-2 of the rivers draining into Arctic in. ( 4-5 em.) long, round, finely Ocean but best developed and most hairy. Leaf blades broadly ovate, extensive along Canning River. 2~-5 in. (6-12.5 em.) long, 1~-3 W'" est to Igloo near western tip of in. ( 4-7.5 em.) wide, mostly long Seward Peninsula; southward, at pointed at apex, rounded or slightly Unalakleet, and reaching coast of notched at base, with many small Bristol Bay near Dillingham; on rounded teeth, hairless or nearly Alaska Peninsula as far west as so, shiny dark green above, beneath Chignik, and on Kodiak Island. whitish and often with rusty specks. South of Alaska Range in Cook In Twigs red brown and hairy when ~et and Copper River drainages and young, with orange dots (lenticels), m extreme northern part of south becoming dark gray, sometimes eastern Alaska near Haines and angled, with raised leaf scars show Skagway and Taku Inlet near Ju ing 3 dots. Winter buds large, to neau. North Tongass and Chugach % in. (2 em.) long, long-pointed, National Forests, Mt. McKinley sticky or resinous, covered with National Park, Katmai National shiny brown scales. Bark gray to Monument, Kenai National Moose dark gray, smooth, becoming rough, Range, Kodiak National Wildlife thick, deeply furrowed with flat Refuge, Arctic National Wildlife ridges. Wood with thin whitish Range. sapwood and light brown heart East across Canada to Labrador wood, fine-textured, lightweight, and Newfoundland, south in eastern soft. United States to West Virginia, Flower clusters (catkins) 1 ~-3 Indiana, and Iowa and in western in. (~7.5 em.) long, narrow, droop mountains locally as far south as ing, with many small flowers about Colorado. Ys int (3 mm.) long, each with disk Balsam poplar intergrades or hy and above a light brown hairy lobed bridizes with black poplar in south scale, male and female on different ern Alaska where ranges of the two trees ( dioecious) . Male flowers overlap, as mentioned under the with 40-60 reddish purple stamens; latter. Rare hybrids with quaking female flowers with rounded densely aspen, which has smaller, rounded hairy ovary and 3 broad lobed leaves and flattened petioles, have stigmas. Seed capsules in catkins been recorded also. to 6 in. (15 em.) long, short-stalked, rounded, 'X_ 6 in. (5 mm.) in diam 16. BLACK COTTONWOOD eter, white hairy, 3-parted, with (Populus trichocarpa many tiny cottony seeds. Flower ing in May before the leaves, fruit Torr. & Gray) maturing in June-July. Other names: cottonwood, bal Black cottonwood is the largest sam cottonwood, northern black broadleaf tree in Alaska, growmg cottonwood, Pacific poplar; Popu- rapidly to a height of 80-100 ft.

74 (24-30 m.) at maturity. It is also tive, balsam poplar. Both have the hardwood or broadleaf tree of much the same general appearance greatest size in northwestern North and similar habitats. The chief Affierica, reaching a height of 125 differences ~e in the seed capsules, ft. (38 m.) on the best sites at age which in black cottonwood are 35 years. nearly round, densely hairy, and A champion of this species, the split into 3 parts and which in largest then known, was discovered balsam poplar are longer than in Alaska in 1965 by foresters on broad and long-pointed, hairless but the State timber inventory project. warty, and split into 2 parts. Also, :Measurements of this giant are as there are minor differences in flow follows : circumference of trunk at ers. The pistil of black cottonwood breast height, 32 ft. 6 in. ( 9.9 m.), has 3 carpels and 3 stigmas, while total height, 101 ft. (30.8 m.), and that of balsam poplar has 2 carpels estimated spread of crown, 60 ft. and 2 stigmas. The number of ( 18.3 m.) . It is located on State stamens is reported to be greater in land about 25 miles (40 km.) north black cottonwood. Leaves of black west of Haines on a gravel flat 300 cottonwood generally are broader ft. (91 m.) from Klehini River in proportion to length and seem to about 5 miles ( 8 km.) west of the be whiter beneath. As the ranges village of Klukwan. This ancient of the two species are separate ex tree had its main stem broken off cept at their narrow borders, most many years ago but has several trees or specimens without seed large branches forming the top. capsules can be identified by local The trunk is deeply grooved and ity. hollow. In 1969 a larger black cot Black cottonwood hybridizes ex tonwood was found near Salem, tensively with balsam poplar where Oreg., thus replacing the northern the ranges meet and overlap rival as the national champion. slightly, for example, in the Cook Though with a broken top and not Inlet and Lynn Canal areas. Hy as tall, the Klukwan giant has a brids or intermediate trees are rec slightly broader trunk than the ognized by the seed capsules, which Oregon winner, which measures 30 may be 3-parted and hairless or ft. 2 in. (9.2 m.) in circumference. 2-parted and hairy. This species is found in lowlands Pacific coast of southeastern of the coastal forests of southeast Alaska, rare toward southern end and southern Alaska. It is best and reported from only a few developed at lower levels on river islands; commoner from Stikine bottoms and sandbars, forming pure River north to head of Lynn Canal stands with undergrowth of wil along the Dyea, Chilkat, and Kle lows and alders. It is common on hini Rivers, Glacier Bay, and Yaku the valley floors of a few large tat Bay; west to Prince William streams, such as Stikine and Taku Sound, Cook Inlet, Susitna Valley, Rivers. Very rare on islands. and Kodiak Island. South Ton Trees are planted for shade in gass, North Tongass, and Chugach towns of southeast Alaska. South National Forests, Glacier Bay N a ward, the wood is used for boxes tional :Monument, Kenai National and crates, pulpwood, and excelsior. :Moose Range, Kodiak National The small supply in Alaska is a Wildlife Refuge. Southern Alaska possible source of paper pulp, and southern Yukon Territory veneer, and lumber. Square cut south through British Columbia to logs have been used for cabins. :Montana, Idaho, and California Black cottonwood is not easily and in mountains to Utah and Baja distinguished from its close rela- California.

75 Black cottonwood and balsam Flower clusters (catkins) 1-2112 poplar have long been regarded as in. (2.5-6 em.) long, narrow, droop separate species. The two have ing, with many small flowers Ys in. geographic ranges mostly far apart (3 mm.) long, each with saucer and grow under somewhat different shaped disk and above a brown climates with different associated hairy lobed scale, male and female tree species. Recently black poplar on different trees ( dioecious) . Male has been united by a few botanists flowers with 6-12 stamens; female as a subspecies of balsam poplar, flowers with conic ovary, short because of the slight differences and style, and 2 stigmas each 2-lobed. the intermediate trees where the Seed capsules in catkins 3--4¥2 in. ranges meet. However, foresters (7.5-11 em.) long, nearly stalkless, treat the two as separate species in less than 14 in. (6 mm.) long, conic, forest management. hairless, 2-parted, with many tiny cottony seeds. Flowering in May 17. QUAKING ASPEN before the leaves, fruit maturing in (Populus tremuloides May-June. Quaking aspen is a fast-growing Michx.) tree common on south slopes, well Other names: American aspen, drained benches, and creek bottoms trembling .aspen, popple, squaws throughout the interior of Alaska tongue; Populus tremuloides var. to about 3,000 ft. (914 m.) altitude. aurea (Tidestr.) Daniels. It often occurs in dense pure stands, Small to medium-sized deciduous especially following forest fires. tree commonly 20--40 ft. ( 6-12 m.) Aspen frequently propagates by tall, maximum 80ft. (24m.), with suckers from roots. Growth will straight trunk 3-12 in. (7.5-30 em.) continue for 80-100 years before the in diameter, maximum 18 in. ( 46 stands begin to deteriorate. Also em.), and short, irregularly bent in forests with white spruce and limbs making a narrow domelike birch. Rare hybrids with balsam crown. Leaves with slender flat poplar have been noted. tened petioles 1-2.5 in. ( 2,5-6 em.) The wood has not yet been uti long. Leaf blades nearly round, lized commercially in quantity in 1-2 in. (2.5-5 em.) long and broad, Alaska. Elsewhere it is used for short-pointed at apex, rounded at pulpwood, boxes and crates, and ex base, with many small rounded celsiOr:' teeth, hairless, shiny green above, Interior Alaska as far north as pale beneath, which tremble in the the oouth slopes of Brooks Range slightest breeze, turning bright yel but not as far north or as high in low (sometimes reddish) in autumn. mountains as white spruce; west Twigs slender, reddish and slightly ward to Koyukuk and Kobuk hairy when young, becoming gray, Rivers; south on Yukon River to with raised leaf scars showing 3 Holy Cross and on Kuskokwim to dots. Winter buds conic, 14 in. Bethel and to base of Alaska Penin (6 mm.) long, long-pointed, of sula at Lake Iliamna; south of shiny red brown hairless scales, not Alaska Range in Susitna Valley, resinous o!' .flower buds s~ightly so. Cook Inlet, Kenai Peninsula, and ·· Bark whitish or greemsh gray, Copper River ·areas. Southeast smooth, thin, with characteristic , Alaska only in extreme northern curved scars and black knots. part near Haines and Skagway at Wood of broad whitish sapwood head of-Lynn Canal. Chugach Na and light brown heartwood, fine tional Forest, Mt. McKinley N a textured, lightweight, soft, and tional Park, Kenai National Moose brittle. Range.

76 Figure 17.-Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), natural size. Winter twig at right.

The most widely distributed tree species in North America, ranging from Alaska east across Canada to Labrador and Newfoundland, south in the Northeastern United States to New Jersey, Virginia, and Mis souri, and south in western moun tains to Trans-Pecos Texas, Cali fornia, and Mexico.

WILLOW (Salix) tall and large shrubs or small trees, Willows are well represented in usually with many stems. As 8 of Alaska, as in other far northern the 33 Alaska species are known to lands. In habit they vary from attain the size and habit of small prostrate or creeping dwarf shrubs trees, willows (Saliw) are the larg to erect bushes 2-6 ft. ( 0.6-2 m.) est genus of trees here. Numerous 77 variations occur, and some species The great variation in willows seem to intergrade or hybridize, and their tendency to hybridize often making identification difficult. make it difficult to construct a com Some botanists distinguish by name pletely workable key. Two keys many additional varieties or sub are provided. For using the first species of Alaska willows. key to Alaska willows, it is best to Although field identification is have material grown under normal difficult, especially in winter, the conditions (not sprouts from stumps willows as a group can be distin of fast-growing roadside shoots) guished by the usually slender or and to have both mature catkins wiry twigs, the winter buds covered and leaves. Because the catkins by a single bud -scale, and by the often develop before the leaves, it bitter quininelike taste of the bark. may be desirable to tag the shrub The short-stalked leaves generally and return to it at different times are long and narrow, with smooth during the growing season. In ad or finely toothed edges. The yel dition; unusual growth forms re lowish or greenish male and female sulting from differences in site can flowers are borne in hairy, narrow not always be included in the key. catkins 1-3 in. (2.5-7.5 em.) long, For example, a high-growing shrub on separate trees or shrubs in early becoming occasionally a low pros spring before or with the leaves. trate one near its range limits is The fruits in tassellike catkins included only under the section of are pointed, thin-walled seed cap the key for upright tall willows. sules about lh in. (6 mm.) long, The second key, for specimens with which split open in spring and sum out catkins, is a vegetative key mer to release the numerous tiny based on leaves, twigs, and growth seeds with tufts of cottony hairs. form. Shrubby willows are widely dis With considerable field experi tributed almost throughout Alaska, ence, one can learn to distinguish extending beyond the limits of trees to the Arctic coast, Bering Sea, and many willows. It is best to start Aleutian Islands. They are the un with the more common and distinc dergrowth of the open spruce-birch tive willows, such as Sitka willow forest of interior Alaska and form and Scouler willow in southeastern thickets on sandbars and other po Alaska, and feltleaf willow, dia rous soils along streams. Although mondleaf willow, and Bebb willow not· suitable for lumber because of in central Alaska. Once the char their small size, shrubby willows acter1stics of these become familiar, provide important summer and win it is easier to recognize the less com ter food for many game animals, mon and less easily identified wil especially moose and ptarmigan. lows.

Key to Alaska Willows A. Low, prostrate shrubs less than 3 ft. (1 m.) tall, usually only a few inches in height, with branches frequently rooting at nodes (see also AA for several normally upright shrubs, such as Salim oraohyoarpa ssp. niphoolada and S. pulohra, which may be prostrate in the tundra). B. Ovaries and seed capsules hairy (sometimes with few scattered hairs in age) . C. Creeping shrubs with long branches rooting at nodes, 4-12 in. (10-30 em.) high; leaves more than % in. (20 mm.) long; catkins usually more than 1¥2 in. ( 4 em.) "long.

78 D. Leaves round, strong net-veined, dark green above and grayish white below; catkins at ends of long leafless twigs; female flowers with 2 glands at base of pedicel ------ ------18. netleaf willow (Salix reticulata) DD. Leaves ovate or obovate, light green above and below, not strongly veined; catkins on leafy side twigs; flowers with only 1 gland at the base of the pedicel. E. Leaves finely toothed around margin; catkins about 1% in. ( 4 em.) long ------'------ ------34. Chamisso willow (Salix chamissonis) EE. Leaves entire on margin; catkins 1%-3 in. (4-7.5 em.) long ------23. arctic willow (Salix arctica) CC. Matted or creeping shrubs, usually less than 4 in. (10 mm.) tall; leaves less than % in. ( 2 em.) long; catkins less than 1% in. ( 4 em.) long. F. Plants densely matted, from central taproot, with abundant brown skeletonized leaves persistent in mat; leaves green on both surfaces ---~------ ------21. skeletonleaf willow (Salix phlebophylla) FF. Plants not mat-forming; creeping and rooting at nodes, with few dead leaves; leaves pale beneath ------ ------20. polar willow (Salix polaris ssp. pseudopolaris) BB. Seed capsules hairless, ovaries usually hairless, sometimes with few scattered hairs. G. Leaves distinctly toothed on all or part of margin; shrubs trailing to semi erect, to 3 ft. ( 1 m.). H. Leaves obovate or oblanceolate, tapering gradually at base, thick and fleshy' light blue green and shiny on upper surface; seed capsule stout, light green, fleshy; scales light green with hairs on margins; on silt and gravel bars or gravel and sandy beaches ------ ------19. Setchell willow (Salix setchelliana) HH. Leaves not tapering gradually at base, not thick and fleshy; seed capsule elongate, not fleshy; bogs and other wet habitats. I. Leaves regularly toothed around margin, green on both sur faces, net-veined pattern conspicuous on underside; to 3 ft. (1 m.) high ------ ------29. blueberry willow (Salix myrtillifolia) II. Leaves with irregular minute glandular teeth around lower edges; 6-24 in. ( 15-61 em.) tall ------ ------24. Alaska bog willow (Salix fusce8cens) GG. Leaves with entire margins; prostrate or matted shrubs less than 6 in. ( 15 em.) high. J. Creeping shrubs with elongate, prostrate branches; leaves usually more than % in. (2 em.) long; catkins many flowered, % in. (2 em.) or longer ------ -- 25. ovalleaf willow (Salix ovalifolia and S. stolonifera) JJ. Densely matted shrubs usually from central taproot; leaves less than % in. (2 em.) long, crowded; catkins short, less than lh in (12 mm.) long, few-flowered (6-12) ___ _ ------22. least willow (Salix rotundifolia) 79 AA. Erect shrubs or small trees, usually more than 3 ft. ( 1 m.) tall (or prostrate in exposed sites near range limits) . K. Pedicels, ovaries, and seed capsules hairless (young ovaries in some species with few hairs, especially near tip). L. Leaves long and narrow (linear) to 4 in. (10 em.) long and only ~-% in. (6-10 mm.) wide, usually with scattered glandular teeth; silt and sandbars of interior Alaska ___ _ ------45. sandbar willow (Salim interior) LL. Leaves much wider in proportion to their length, toothed or entire. M. Catkins stalkless (occasionally with a few small leaves in park willow, S. monticola). N. Young twigs densely hairy; stipules long, narrow, glandu lar margined, persisting on twig several years; leaves entire or with few teeth ------36. Richardson willow (Salim lanata ssp. richardsonii) NN. Young twigs glabrous; stipules broad, shedding; leaves toothed on margin, reddish when young ______.:__ . ------35. park willow (Salim monticola) MM. Catkins on leafy twigs. 0. Leaf margins distinctly toothed. P. Leaves hairless or with scattered hairs near midvein (or young developing leaves with dense long hairs) . Q. Leaves lance-shaped, 4-5 times as long as broad, with long narrow tip, shiny above; scales of catkin yellow, soon shedding ------ ------46. Pacific willow (Salim lasiandra) QQ. Leaves rounded or blunt at tip, not lance-shaped; scales of catkin not yellow or deciduous. R. Leaves whitish (glaucous) beneath, ovate to obovate, toothed or entire on margins, hairless or with few hairs on veins of upper surface (or both surfaces with long silky hairs when young); pedicels short, abo-gj; Ya 2 in. (1 mm.) ------ ------31. Barclay willow (Salim barclayi) RR. Leaves light green beneath, dark green above, regu larly toothed, hair1ess; pedicels lft 6-Ys in. (1.5-3 mm.) ----~------30. tall blueberry willow (Salim novae-angliae) PP. Leaves with scattered hairs on both surfaces, even in age, light green on both surfaces ------ ------33. undergreen willow (Salim commutata) 00. Leaf margins entire or with few small teeth near base. S. Twigs with dense long hairs when young; catkins large and thick, to %, in. ( 2 em.) in diameter; styles Ys in. (3 mm.) long, small tree ------ ------32. Hooker willow (Salim hookeriana) SS. Twigs hairless or with scattered hairs, never densely hairy; catkins usually less than % in. (15 mm.) in diameter; styles less than lft 6 in. (1.5 mm.) long; shrub. T. Leaves hairless or hairy only on midvein.

80 U. Leaves broadly lance-shaped, completely hairless; pedicels Ya 2-7{6 in. (1-1.5 mm.) long; style 7{; 4 in. ( 0.5 mm.) long ------ ------28. halberd willow (Salim hasta~a) UU. Leaves ovate to obovate, usually hairy on midvein; pedicels 7{; 4 in. (0.5 mm.) long; style 7{6 in. ( 1.5 mm.) long ------ ------31. Barclay willow (Salim barclayi) TT. Leaves hairy and light green on both surfaces ______33. undergreen willow (Salim commutata) KK. Ovaries hairy (mature seed capsules sometimes with :few hairs near tip). V. Pedicels o:f flower and seed capsule lfs-% 6 in. (3-5 mm.) long, conspicuous, exceeding scales ------ ------40. Bebb willow (Salim bebbiana) VV. Pedicels shorter, less than lfs in. (3 mm.) long, not exceeding scales. W. Leaves distinctly glandular toothed around margin ______------44. littletree willow (Salim arbusculoides) WW. Leaves irregularly or indistinctly toothed or entire. X. Leaves without hairs on lower sur:face, except occasionally on midvein, upper sur:face shiny green; stipules long and narrow, glandular margined, persistent several years' ------41. diamondlea:f willow (Salim planifolia ssp. p~tlchra) XX. Leaves distinctly hairy on lower sur:face, upper sur:face not shiny green; stipules shedding. Y. Leaves' hairless above, lower sur:face with dense woolly hairs ______38. :feltlea:f willow (Salim alamensis) YY. Leaves hairy on both sur:faces, sometimes with scattered hairs. Z. Leaves linear or lance-shaped, 5-'7 times longer than broad; whole plant silvery :from dense woolly hairs on lower sur:faces o:f leaves and on twigs, upper sur:face with scattered hairs ------ ------39. silver willow (Salim candida) ZZ. Leaves broader, 3-4 times as long as broad. a. Lower surface o:f leaves shiny, silky :from straight appressed silvery hairs ------ ------43. Sitka willow (Salim sitchensis) aa. Lower sur:face o:f leaves wihout silky sheen. b. Lower surface o:f leaves with scattered, short, stiff hairs at least partly red, giving a reddish hue; catkins without lea:fy stalks, developing be:fore leaves; pedicels lfs in. (3 mm.) long______42. Scouler willow (Salim scouleriana) bb. Lower sur:face o:f leaves densely hairy, with woolly hairs, never red. Catkins either stalkless on lea:fy twigs or developing be:fore or with the leaves; pedicels short or lacking. c. Leaves densely hairy on both sur:faces, regularly glandular on margin, st.ipules broad, hair less; catkins stalkless, developing be:fore 81 the leaves; bud-scales giving off a waxy substance when twig is dried or pressed; low compact shrub with coarse branches ______37. Barratt willow (Salim barrattiana) cc. Leaves less densely hairy, especially on upper surface, without glands on margins; cat kins on leafy stalks, developing with or after the leaves; usually upright shrub with slender branches. d. Petioles lfs-% in. ( 3-10 mm.) long, yellow; leaves obovate to oblong, short-pointed to blunt; catkins cylindrical, densely flow ered; pedicel Ya 2 in. (0.5-1 mm.) long______26. graylea:f willow (Salim glauca) dd. Petioles shorter, less than lfs in. ( 3 mm.) long, reddish; leaves strap-shaped, rounded or blunt; catkins narrowly cylindrical, loosely flowered ___ 27. barren-ground willow (Salim brachycarpa ssp. niphoclada)

Vegetative Key to Alaska Willows

Because lea:f, twig, and growth three-:fourths o:f the Alaskan willow :form characteristics o:f some wil specimens. However, many will not lows are extremely variable, a vege key out or will key to a wrong spe tative key cannot account :for all cies. Usually, it should be possible the variability. The key must deal to narrow the choice to 2 or 3 spe primarily with the typical speci cies. The species descriptions, men in a typical location. Perhaps drawings, and maps will then be o:f the :following key will serve :for aid in :further determination.

A. Low prostrate shrubs less than 12 in. ( 30 em,) high. B. Creeping shrubs with long prostrate branches, often rooting at nodes, but with branches ascending :from 4--12 in. (10-30 em.); leaves more than 1 in. (2.5 em.) long. C. Leaves toothed around margin, green on both sur:faces or some times lighter green beneath. D. Leaves bluish green, leathery or fleshy, 3--4 times as long as wide, tapering gradually to base ------ ------19. Setchell willow (Salim setchelliana) DD. Leaves not bluish green, oval, not tapering to base, thin. E. Leaves nearly as wide as long, elliptic, %-2 in. (2-5 em.) long; branches prostrate ------ ------34. Chamisso willow (Salim chamissonis) EE. Leaves 2-3 times as long as wide, %-1¥2 in. (1--4 em.) long, branches ascending ------ ------29. low blueberry willow (Salim myrtilli.folia) CO. Leaves entire or toothed only on basal hal:f, green above, whitish (glaucous) beneath.

82 F. Leaves dark green above, conspicuously net-veined, round, with long red petiole ------ ------18. netleaf willow (Saliw retioulata) FF. Leaves not conspicuously netveined, more than 2 times as long as broad, petiole green. G. Leaves fleshy, 3-4 times as long as wide, tapering to base, bluish green; on dry gravel sites ------ ------19. Setchell willow (Saliw setohelliana) GG. Leaves not fleshy or bluish green, 2 times as long as broad, not tapering to base; in bogs or on arctic and alpine tundra. H. Trailing shrub with long branches rooting at nodes, leaves finely glandular toothed on basal half; usually in boggy sites ~------ ------24. Alaska bog willow (Saliw fusoesoens) HH. Leaves entire, forming dense mats from short branches; mostly in dry alpine and arctic sites ------ ------23. arctic willow (Saliw arotioa) BB. Matted or creeping shrubs, usually less than 4 in. (10 em.) tall, usually in compact mats without long creeping branches; leaves less than 1 in. (2.5 em.) long, entire. I. Leaves green on both surfaces. J. Shrubs densely matted, often from a central taproot; leaves Jess than % in. (2 em.) long; stems brown to reddish brown. K. Shrub mat with abundant dead leaves persistent; leaves %~% in. (1-2 em.) long ------ ------21. skeletonleaf willow (Saliw phlebophylla) KK. Shrubs with few or no dead leaves; leaves lfs-% in. ( 4--10 mm.) long ------ ------2. least willow (Saliw rotundifolia) J J. Shrubs forming loose mats, usually with long trailing buried branches; stems pale yellow, thin; leaves to 1 in. (2.5 em.) long, usually smaller ------ ---- 20. polar willow (Saliw polaris ssp. pseudopolaris) II. Leaves green above, whitish (glaucous) beneath ------ ---- 25. ovalleaf willow (Saliw ovalifolia and S. stolonifera) AA. Erect shrubs or trees, more than 1 ft. ( 30 em.) high. L. Upright shrubs usually less than 3 ft. (1 m.) high. M. Leaves with hairs on lower surface, gray or silvery. N. Leaves linear to lanceolate, 5-7 times longer than broad, with dense woolly hairs beneath; rare shrub of interior bogs ------39. silver willow (Saliw candida) NN. Leaves broader, not densely woolly beneath. 0. Leaves with dense straight hairs, often oriented in vertical plane; petioles green, yellow, or brown; low compact shrub with thick branches; bud scales giving off yellow waxy substance when plant is dried ------ ------37. Barratt willow (Saliw barrattiana) 00. Leaves with scattered hairs; petioles reddish; upright shrub with slender branches; buds not giving off waxy substance ------27. barren ground willow (Saliw braohyoarpa ssp. niphoolada)

83 MM. Leaves without conspicuous hairs. P. Leaves. fleshy, bluish green, 3-4 times as long as broad, taper ing gradually to base ------ ------19. Setchell willow (Saliw setohelliana) PP. Leaves thin, green, oval. Q. Stipules, if present, persisting less than 1 year. R. Leaves toothed around margin, lower surface light green, not whitish (glaucous) ------ ---- 29. low blueberry willow (Saliw myrtillifolia) RR. Leaves toothed only on basal half with fine glandular teeth, lower surface whitish (glaucous) ______24. Alaska bog willow (Saliw fusoesoens) QQ. Stipules persistent several years. S. Stipules broad at base and glandular toothed along mar gins; twigs coarse, brown to black, with dense hairs persistent several years ------36. Rich ardson willow (Saliw lanata ssp. riohardsonii) SS. Stipules linear, narrow at base, without glandular teeth; twigs fine, usually reddish brown and shiny, without dense hairs after 1 year ______41. diamondleaf willow (Saliw planifolia ssp. pulohra) LL. Tall shrubs or trees 3-25 ft. (1-'7.5 m.) or more in height. T. Leaves linear, 1%-4in. (4-10 em.) long, and 14 in. (6 mm.) wide, with scattered small teeth; usually growing on river alluvium ------45. sandbar willow (Saliw interior) TT. Leaves broader. U. Adult leaves with hairs on lower surface. V. Lower surface of leaves with dense hairs, appearing silvery, white, or gray. W. Lower surface of leaves with dense white woolly hairs. X. Leaves long and narrow, lance-shaped, 2-4 in. (5-10 em.) long and only 14-% in. (6-15 mm.) wide; low shrubs seldom exceeding 4 ft. (1.2 m.) in height; rare in boggy sites in interior Alaska ___ _ ------39. silYery willow (Saliw candida) XX. Leaves broader, 2-4 in. (5-10 em.) long, and %-1% in. ( 12-40 mm.) wige; tall shrub or tree to 30 ft. (9 m.), common in many sites over most of Alaska ------38. feltleaf willow (Saliw alawensi8) WW. Lower surface of leaves with dense straight hairs. Y. Lower surface silky hairy, upper surface green, with scattered hairs; tall shrub or tree to 20 ft. ( 6 m.) high ______43. Sitka willow (Saliw 8itohen8is) YY. Lower surface dull gray hairy, upper surface greenish gray, without hairs; shrub usually less than 10 ft. (3 m.) high ------ ______26. grayleaf willow (Saliw glauoa) VV. Lower surface of leaves visible through less dense hairs. Z. Margins of leaves distinctly toothed. a. Leaves light green on both surfaces, not shiny, oval, about 2 times as long as broad; shrub 3-6ft. (1-2 m.) high ------ ------33. undergreen willow (Saliw oommutata)

84 aa. Leaves dark green and shiny above, whitish (glaucous) beneath, 3-4 times as long as broad; shrub 10- 15 ft. (3-4.5 m.) tall, with slender branches ______44. littletree willow (Salix arbusculoides) ZZ. Margins of leaves not toothed or with a few teeth on basal half. b. Hairs on lower surface short and stiff, at least some red, giving a reddish hue ------ ------42. Scouler willow (Salix scouleriana) bb. Hairs denser, longer; not reddish. c. Tall shrubs or trees 10-25 ft. (3-7.5 m.) tall; twigs diverging at nearly right angles from the main stem ______40. Bebb willow (Salix bebbiana) cc. Medium shrubs, usually under 10 ft. (3 m.) high; twigs usually branching at 45 ° angle or less. d. Petioles lfs-% in. (3-10 mm.) long, yellow, leaves obovate to oblong, acute to obtuse ------ ------26. grayleaf willow (Salix glauca) dd. Petioles less than lj8 in. ( 3 mm.) long, reddish, leaves strap-shaped, rounded or blunt ----- ------27. barren-ground willow (Salix brachycarpa ssp. niphoclada) UU. Adult leaves without hairs on lower surface. e. Stipules persistent on the twigs several years. f. Stipules broad at the base and glandular toothed along margins; twigs coarse, brown to black, densely hairy, even after several years ------36. Richardson willow (Salix lanata ssp. richardsonii) ff. Stipules linear, narrow at base, without glandular teeth; twigs, fine, usually reddish brown, shiny, without dense hairs at 1 year ------41. diamondleaf willow (Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra) ee. Stipules not persisting more than 1 year. g. Leaves with teeth around margin. h. Leaves 3-4 times as long as broad; tall shrubs or trees. i. Leaves large, 3-4 in. (7.5-10 em.) long, lance-shaped, with long tapering tip; young twigs woolly ______46. Pacific willow (Salix lasiandra) ii. Leaves smaller, 2-3 in. (5-8 em.) long, not lance shaped, shortpointed; young twigs not woolly_ ____ 44. littletree willow (Salix arbusculoides) hh. Leaves less than 3 times as long as broad. j. Leaves whitish (glaucous) beneath. k. Leaves broadly lance-shaped to oval, usually nar rowing to small projection at tip (apiculate), often reddish when young; well drained alluvial soils and upland forests ______35. park willow (Salix monticola) kk. Leaves ovate, blunt at tip; not reddish when young; moist habitats in open and forested areas and near treeline ------ ------31. Barclay willow (Salix barclayi) jj. Leaves light green, not whitish (glaucous) beneath __ _ 30. tall blueberry willow (Salix novae-angliae) 85 gg. Leaves entire or with teeth only on lower part. 1. Tall shrubs or trees, 10-25 ft. (3-7.5 m.) tall. m. Leaves large at maturity, to 3 in.. (7.5 em.) long, obovate; in Yakutat Bay area------ ------32. Hooker willow (Saliw hookeriana) mm. Leaves smaller, 1~-2~ in. (4-6 em.) long, duil grayish green above, elliptic to ovate; widely distributed in most of Alaska except southeast ------40. Bebb willow (Saliw bebbiana) ll. Smaller shrubs, to 10 ft. (3m.) tall, occasionally taller. n. Leaves strap-shaped, grayish; petioles reddish, stip ules absent ------27. barren-ground willow (Saliw braahyaarpa ssp. niphoalada) nn. Leaves oval, green, petioles green or yellow, stipules usually present. o. Upper leaf surface light green, not shiny; typically on river alluvium, interior and northern Alaska __ 28. halberd willow (Saliw hastata) oo. Upper leaf surface dark green, usually shiny; typically in moist sites, open and forested areas in coastal Alaska ------~------ ------31. Barclay willow (Saliw baralayi)

18. NETLEAF WILLOW Netleaf willow is easily recog nized by its thick round leaves with (Salix reticulata L.) the net-veined pattern and by its long slender reddish catkins. It is Other names : thickleaf willow, common in a wide variety of vege reticulate willow. tation types throughout most of Prostrate creeping shrub, rooting Alaska, although it IS more common along branches and ascending only in tundra than in forests. It grows a few inches; not a dense mat for on both dry and wet sites in the mer. Leaves nearly round to oval, arctic and alpine tundra. In the to 1~ in. ( 4 em;) long, thick and boreal -forest, it is most common leathery, prominently net-veined on around the edges of bogs and on both surfaces but more conspicu hummocks within the bogs, but it ously beneath; margins entire, up sometimes grows in open stands of per surface green and roughened, black and white spruce, usually lower surface whitish (glaucous) near timberline. with scattered hairs along veins, From Juneau area in southeast petioles slender, red, *-% in. (6- northward across the State. To 20 mm.) long. Twigs coarse, pur 5.000 ft. (1,524 m.) altitude on plish when young, becoming red rocky cliffs or nunataks of Juneau dish brown with age. Ice Field. On the Aleutians there Catkins erect, long and slender, is a gap in the range between Car to 2 in. (5 em.) long, on long leaf lisle Island and Attu Island. North less stalks; scales rounded, with Tongass and Chugach National long hairs on inner surface and Forests, Glacier Bay and Katmai nearly hairless on outer. Seed cap· National Monuments, Mt. McKin sules stout, reddish, with short ley National Park, Kenai National white hairs. Flowering in June, Moose Range, Aleutian Islands N a seeds dispersing July to August. tional Wildlife Refuge, Arctic N a-

86 Figure 18.-Netlea£ willow (Salix retic ulata), natural size. Male catkin at left; seed capsules at right.

tional Wildlife Range. Eastward across northern Canada to New foundland, south to Great Slave Lake and northern Hudson Bay.

19. SETCHELL WILLOW (Salix setchelliana Ball) young but becoming smooth and A semi-prostrate loose shrub with gray, coarse. branches sometimes ascending to Catkins thick and fleshy, %,-114 12 in. ( 30 em.). Leaves obovate or in. (2-3 em.) long and % in. (12 oblanceolate, 1-2% in. (2.5-6 em.) mm.) thick; scales large and con long,%-% in. (1-2 em.) wide, thick spicuous greenish yellow, with hairs and fleshy, tapering to a petiole on margins. Seed capsules thick Ys-14 in. (3-6 mm.) long, rounded and large, to% in. (10 mm.) long, at tip, margins entire or Irregularly greenish yellow, turning brown glandular-toothed. Upper surface with age. greenish blue and shiny, lower sur Setchell willow is unique in face pale green to whitish (glau- · Alaska because of its thick fleshy ·cous), with long silky hairs when leaves and catkins. It does not young but becoming hairless. Twigs seem to be closely related to any waxy, with dense long hairs when other willow. In habitat it is also

87 Figure 19.-Setchell willow (Salix set chelliana), natural size. Female cat kin at upper left; seed capsules at right.

unusual, being nearly totally re stricted to the gravel outwash of the glacial rivers of the Alaska Range and adjacent mountain ranges. Gravel bars of the rivers of north slope of Alaska Range as far west as Tonzona River and south, to Matanuska River in Cook Inlet re gion. An isolated collection on ter races of Alsek River near Yakutat. mm.) long and % as wide, on short North Tongass National Forest, petioles; bright green on both sur Mt. McKinley National Park. Also faces to slightly paler beneath, mar in southwestern Yukon Territory, gins entire, sparsely hairy beneath Canada, on silt and gravel outwash when young but becoming hairless of the Donjek and Alsek Rivers and with age. Twigs slender, rooted at beaches of Lake Kluane. nodeS, often buried, smooth and Named for William Albert Set reddish. chell ( 1864-1943), California bota Gttkins erect on leafy stalk ~- nist who made a collection of 1lh in. (2-4 em.) long, developing Alaska willows. with the leaves; scales broad and rounded at tip, brown to black and slightly lighter at base, with dense 20. POLAR WILLOW long hairs. Seed capsule broad, (Salix polaris W ahlenb. ssp. flask-shaped, ~ in. (6 mm.) long, on short stalks, reddish-purple, pseudopolaris (Flod.) Hult.) densely hairy when young but be Other names: Salix pseudopo coming nearly hairless with some laris Flod., S. polaris var. selwynen hairs remaining near tip. si8 Raup. Polar willow is common to A small prostrate shrub forming abundant in the arctic and alpine loose to sometimes dense mats, 1-2 tundra of central and western in. tall ( 2.5-5 em.) , with branches Alaska. It forms loose mats in often buried in moss or soil. Leaves snow beds and along small streams oval to rounded, ~-~ in. (6~20 where it is often imbedded in the

88 Figure 20.-Polar willow (Salix po laris), natural size. Seed capsules at left; female catkin at right.

21. SKELETONLEAF WILLOW (Salix phlebophylla Anderss.)

A tiny densely matted prostrate moss and sedge mats. It charac shrub lh-1% in. (1-4 em.) tall, teristically forms a much looser mat usually with a thick central tap than least willow and skeletonleaf root. Leaves oblanceolate to obo willow and is usually found in vate, %6-% in. ( 8-20 mm.) long wetter sites. and %6 -% in. (5-10 mm.) wide, In alpine and arctic tundra of entire on edges, shiny green on both most of central, northern, and west surfaces, with scattered hairs when ern Alaska but lacking along the young but becoming hairless with southern coast except for one loca age. Veins 3-5 pairs from midrib tion at Atka Island in the central and rather prominent beneath. Aleutians. To 5,400 ft. (1,646 m.) New leaves crowded near tips of altitude on rocky cliffs of Juneau twigs, old leaves persisting at base Ice Field. Mt. McKinley National one or more years, brown and par Park, Aleutian Island National tially skeletonized. Twigs radiat Wildlife Refuge, Arctic National ing from central taproot, much Wildlife Range. West along the branched and rooting sparingly. Arctic coast to Banks and Victoria Catkins erect, lh-1 in. ( 12--25 Islands, and south in the Rocky mm.) long, on short leafy shoots, Mountains to the Peace River in developing with the leaves; scales northern British Columbia. The broad, blunt, and black at tip, dark typical subspecies in northern Eur red at base, with long silky hairs. ope and Asm. Seed capsules% in. (6 mm.) long,

89 Figure 21.-Skeletonleaf willow (Salix phlebophylla), natural size. Female catkin at left; seed capsules at right.

22. LEAST WILLOW (Salix rotundifolia Trautv.)

Includes Saliw rotundifolia ssp. dodgeana Argus. A densely matted prostrate shrub, on short stalk, densely silvery hairy usually from a central taproot, when young but becoming nearly forming mats about 1 in. (2.5 em.) hairless at maturity. high. L~aves ovate, less than ¥2 in. Skeletonleaf willow is common (12 mm.) long, and% to% as wide, on dry usually exposed sites in the entire, shiny green on both surfaces, arctic and alpine tundra. It forms 2-3 pairs of veins prominent be small dense mats along with a large neath ;__some dry leaves persistent number of mat-forming plants, es about 1 year. Twigs radiating pecially mountain-avens. Closely from. a central taproot, slender, related to least willow (Saliw ro muci! branched, and rooting at tundifolia) but differs in having nodes. large, slightly hairy capsules, abun Catkins short and few-flowered, dant skeletonized leaves, and 3-5 ¥2 in. (12 mm.) long, with 6-10 pairs of veins on leaves instead of flowers; scales dark brown to 'black, 2-3 pairs in least willow. As nu thinly hairy. Seed capsules hair merous specimens are intermediate, less, to :14 in. ( 6 mm.) long. possibly th~ two should be combined Least willow is found in the arc m one species. tic and alpine tundra in a variety Most of the mountains and arctic of vegetation types from dry scree tundra of central and western to wet snow bed slopes. For differ Alaska. Mt. McKinley National ences between this willow and the Park, Katmai National Monument, closely related skeletonleaf willow Arctic National Wildlife Range, ( Saliw phleobophylla), see the lat Aleutian Islands National Wildlife ter. Refuge. West to the Mackenzie Arctic and alpine tundra of cen Mountains, and in eastern Asia. tral and western Alaska, but not in

90 Figure 22.-Least willow (Salix rotun difolia), natural size.

Twigs reddish, coarse, and much branched, rooting at nodes. Catkins relatively large, to 4 in. (10 em.) long and% in. (15 mm.) thick, erect on stalks that may be leafless or with 2 or 3 leaves; scales brown to black with long silky hairs. Seed capsules broad, %6 in. (8 mm.) long, with scattered hairs, reddish to pale brown. Flowering southeast Alaska. Along the south in June and July, fruits ripening ern coast from the Aleutians to in July and August. Prince William Sound. Chugach Arctic willow is extremely vari National Forest, Mt. McKinley Na able in growth form and in the size tional Park, Katmai National and the shape of the leaves. It has Monument, Kenai National Moose been subdivided into several spe Range, Aleutian Island National cies, which by some botanists have Wildlife Refuge, Arctic National been treated as subspecies and varie Wildlife Range. In North Amer ties. ica only in Alaska and adjacent In the ~trctic and alpine tundra Canada. Eastern Asia. it may occur as a loose trailing shrub or compact low mats. It is found in both dry and wet sites and 23. ARCfiC WILLOW in protected and exposed situations. In southeast Alaska although pri (Salix arctica Pall.) marily-1n the alpine tundra, it may occur at sea level on glacial out Other names: Salix torulosa wash and moraines. Trautv., S. crassijulis Trautv., S. Through the tundra and moun angolorum Cham. tainous areas of Alaska. South A trailing low shrub frequently Tongass, North Tongass, and Chu forming dense mats to 8-10 in. (20- gach National Forests, Mt. McKin 25.5 em.) high, coinmonly lower. ley National Park, Glacier Bay Leaves variable in shape but gen and Katmai National Monuments, erally obovate to elliptic %.-3 in. Kenai National Moose Range, Aleu (2-7.5 em.) long and %-1% in. tian Islands National Wildlife (1-3 em.) wide, blunt or short Refuge, Arctic National Wildlife pointed at tip. Upper surface dark Range. East across northern Can green and often shiny, under sur ada, south in the mountains to Que face pale green, margins entire. bec and California. Northern Eu Petiole %6-% in. ( 5-15 mm.) long. rope and Asia. 91 Figure 23.-Arctic willow (Salix ··arc tica), natural size. Female catkin at left; seed capsules at right. .

Ano.ther closely related species: wedgeleaf willow (Salix spheno phyllp A. Skvortz.), of northeast ern Asia, has been reported from Seward Peninsula and the extreme northeast corner of Alaska. ·

24. ALASKA BOG WILLOW (Salix fuscescens Anderss.) The closely related eastern arctic willow (Salix arctophila Cock.) of Other name: S alir;e arbutifolia eastern Canada has been collected Pall. in several locations in the eastern Trailing shrubs only4-12 in. (10:... Brooks Range including J ago Lake 30 em.) high. Leaves typically and along Firth River. It resem obovate and rounded at tip, occa bles arctic willow (S. arotioa) in sionally elliptic and pointed, %::- appearance but has darker, more 11;2 in. (1--4 em.) long, margins en shiny upper leaf surfaces. tire or toothed near base, upper sur- 92 Figure 24.-Alaska bog willow (Salix fuscescelUI), natural size. Female catkin at upper left; seed capsules at right• • Alaska bog willow occurs com monly in wet tundra and small bogs beyond treeline and in open black spruce and bogs throughout most of the Alaskan boreal forest. On the southern coast of Alaska at Ko face- ·Shiny dark green, l<~wer sur diak Island, the Alaska Peninsula, face whitish.. (glaucous)._ Petioles and the Cook Inlet regio:n, one col Ys-:14 in. ( 3-6 mm.) long. Twigs lection from Chichagof Island in · dark brown and smooth when southeastern Alaska; northward to young, .becoming lighter with age. Arctic Ocean at Pt. Barrow, East Catkins %.:...1% in. (2-4 em.) . ward to Alaska-Yukon border in long, on leafy shoots developing upper Tanana and Yukon River with leaves, loose-flowered, ·dark valleys and on north slope of Brooks · purple; scales hairy, dark colored Range. North Tongass and Chu toward the. tip.. Seed capsules long gach National Forests, Mt. McKin and thin,·on stalk 7{ 6J/s in. (1.5-3 ley National Park, Katmai National mm.) long, dark purple and with Monument, Kenai National Moose scattered hairs when young but be Range, Arctic National Wildlife coming brown and hairless with Range. Eastward in a narrow band age. Flowering. in June, fruits across northern Canada to .Hudson ripening in July. Bay. Throughout northern Siberia.

93 Figure 25.-0valleaf willow (Salix ovali /olia), natural size. Female catkin at top; seed capsules at left; male cat kin at right.

suggested that they probably repre sent variation within one species. Leaves elliptic to round, %-1 iri. (1-2.5 em.) long and lh-% as wide, on slender petioles, upper surface · green, lower surface pale green to whitish (glaucous), margins entire, . Twigs slender, orange to dark red dish biown, creeping and rooting at nodes. · Catkins %, -1lh in. ( 2--4 em.) 25. OVALLEAF WILLOW em.) long, on leafy shoots with (Salix ovalifolia Trautv. and scattered hairs when young, soon becoming hairless; scales reddish · Salix stolonifera Cov.) 'brown, hairy. Seed capsule smooth and greenish, whitish (glaucous) or Other names : sprouting willow, reddish purple, becoming brown Salim arctolitoralis Hult., S. fiagel with age. · laris Hult., S. cyclophylla Rydb., Willows of the ovalleaf group S. ovalifolia var. arctolitoralis Ar occur primarily in tundra along the gus, S. ovalifolia var. glacialis Ar Arctic and western coast and in al gus, S. ovalifolia var. cyclophylla pine tundra in southeastern Alaska. (Rydb.) Ball. In the Arctic they occur most com Ovalleaf willow includes two monly along beaches and in saline .. closely related prostrate creeping meadows and more rarely in wet willows of coastal Alaska, distin sites along rivers on inland sites, guished with difficulty. It has been although never far from the sea.

94 Figure 25.l.:...... ,Sprouting willow (Salix stoloni/era), natural size. Male catkins at top; female catkin at lower left; seed capsules at lower right.

In southeastern Alaska they grow 26. GRAYLEAF WILLOW primarily in wet sites in the alpine tundra. . (Salix glauca L.) Range of ovalleaf willow, Salix ovalifolia, north coast of Alaska Other names: Saliw cordi folia southward to the Aleutians and Pursh, S. desertorum Richards., westward to Attu Island and all S. glauoa ssp. aoutifolia (Hook.) islands off the west coast of Alaska. Hult., ssp. oallioarpaea (Trautv.) Range of sprouting willow, Saliw Bocher, ssp. desertorum (Richards.) stolonifera, southern Alaska from Anderss., ssp. glabresoens (An Prince of Wales Island westward derss.) Hult. to Aleutian Islands. To 5,600 ft. An erect to spreading shrub with (1,707 m.) altitude on rocky cliffs a dull gray appearance, commonly of Juneau Ice Field. Both species, 3-4 ft. ( 1-1.2 m.) tall but in ex South Tongass and North Tongass posed sites may be depressed and in National Forests, Glacier Bay N a favorable sites may become a small tional Monument, Aleutian Islands tree to 20 ft. ( 6 m.) high and 5 in. National .Wildlife Refuge, Arctic (12.5 em.) in trunk diameter. National Wildlife Range. Known Leaves variable in size, shape, and only from Alaska and adjacent hairiness, oval to lanceolate, 1lh- Canada. 3lf2 in. ( 4-9 em.) long and %-1¥2 95 Figure 26.--Grayleaf willow (Salix glau ca), natural size. Female catkin at upper left; male catkins at lower left; seed capsules at right. in. (1-4 em.) wide, short-pointed to rounded at tip, margins usually en tire but occasionally with small glandular teeth on the lower part. Upper surface green, densely hairy to nearly hairless; lower surface whitish (glaucous) with scattered hairs. Petiole Ys-% in. (3-10 mm.) long. Stipules minute, glandular margined, Ys 2-% 6 in. (1-8 mm.) long. Twigs reddish brown to 96 Figure 27.-Barren·ground willow (Sal· ix brachycarpa ssp. niphoclada), nat· ural size. Seed capsules at left· · female catkin at right. · ' grayish, hairy or hairless, with dense white hairs when young. southeast Alaska it occurs only at Winter buds reddish brown with Glacier Bay, the Haines-Skagway scatter:ed hairs. Bark gray, smooth, area and mountains above Juneau becommg rough and furrowed. to 5,000 ft. (1,524 m.) altitude. Catkins %-2 in. (2-5 em.) long, ~ orth Tongass and Chugach N a on leafy shoots, usually several honal Forests, Glacier Bay and inches back from end of branches Kat~ai N ation.al Monuments, Mt. develop~ng with the leaves, persist Mc~mley N at10nal Park, Kenai ent durmg most of the summer and N abonal Moose Range, Arctic N a often after leaves have fallen· tiona! Wildlife Range. East across scales light brown to yellow' North America to Labrador and rounded on tip, hairy on both sur~ Newfoundland, south to southern faces. Seed capsule ha:iry, gray British polumbia, and in the Rocky when young and turnmg hght Mountams to northern New Mexico. brown with age; on short stalk Northern Europe and Asia. Though generally shrubby, gray Ys2-Y16. in: (1~1.5 rom.) long. Flowermg m June, fruits ripe in leaf willow in Alaska reaches the •Tuly and August. size of small, clump-forming trees . Grayleaf willow is common after This species is added here to the fi_re and as a pioneer species along l~st of Ala~ka trees, the eighth na rivers and roads and on glacial out tive tree willow. wash, mine tailings, and abandoned The closely related species Atha fields in interior Alaska in thickets hasca willow (Salix athabascensis with other willows: It' also occurs Raup) has been collected in two lo as an individual open shrub in most cations in the upper Tanana River forest types in the boreal forest. valley. In the J\rctic and western parts of Alaska, It grows on the floodplain 27. BARREN-GROUND and cutbanks of rivers as well as WILLOW protected sites in tund~a habitats. Because it is such a common species (Salix brachycarpa Nutt. ssp. and seldom grows too tall to be niphoclada (Rydh.) Argus) reached by moose, it is an important browse species. Other names: Salix niphoclada Throughout Alaska except Aleu Rydb., S. brachycarpa var. mexiae tian Islands and southeast coast. In Ball, S. muriei Hult., S. niphoclada

97 var. muriei (Hult.) Raup, S. glauoa tional Wildlife Range. Eastward ssp. niphoolada (Rydb.) Wiggins. to the Mackenzie River and Hudson A low shrub with gray appear Bay, and southward to northern ance, prostrate to erect, usually 1-3 British Columbia. ft. (3-10 dm.) tall but occasionally to 6ft. (2m.) in lowland and pro tected sites. Leaves variable, obo vate to lanceolate, short-pointed, 1- 28. HALBERD WILLOW 1¥2 in. (25-40 mm.) long, %6 -% in. (Salix hastata L.) (5-10 mm.) wide, upper surface green, thinly hairy, lower surface whitish (glaucous), more thickly Other names: Farr willow, Salix hairy. Petioles %2-Ys in. (1-3 walpolei (Cov. & Ball) Ball, S. mm.) long, reddish to yellow. farrae Ball var. walpolei Cov. & Stipules glandular along edge, 7{ 6 - Ball, S. hastata var. farrae (Ball) Ys in. ( 1.5-3 mm.) long. Twigs Hult. thin, reddish brown to yellowish A much branched spreading brown, densely hairy when young, shrub 3-6 ft. ( 1-2 m.) high. Leaves becoming hairless. Winter buds elliptic, lanceolate to oblanceolate, reddish brown, hairy. 1-2 in. (2.5-5 em.) long and about Catkins l-2¥2 in. (25-60 mm.) % as wide, short-pointed, hairless, long, on ends of leafy twigs, nar edges entire or with shallow teeth, rowly cylindrical, appearing gray upper surface yellow green to green, from the dense hairs on flowers and lower surface whitish (glaucous). scales; scales yellowish to dark Petiole slender, ¥1_ 6 -% 6 in. (1.5-8 brown, rounded, hairy on both sur mm.) long. Twigs reddish brown faces, Catkins developing with the to brown, shiny, with dense white leaves, catkins persisting through hairs when young. out the summer and often through Catkins %-1¥2 in. (2-4 em.) long, the following winter. Seed capsule on leafy stalks, usually scattered grayish green when young but be along twig 2-4 in. (5-10 em.) from coming brown with age, thinly end, with the leaves; scales yellow hairy on short stalk ¥:3 2 in. (1 mm.) at base and brown at apex, hairless long. Flowering in June and July, or thinly hairy. Seed capsules lfs seeds dispersed in July and August. :J,i in. ( 3-6 mm.) long on short Barren ground willow is most stalks, light brown to reddish brown common in arctic and alpine areas when mature; flowering in late as a low shrub on talus slopes, in June, ~eeds dispersed during late upland mountain-avens (Dryas) .July and early August. tundra, and in moist meadows and Halberd willow occurs occasion along stream margins. It occurs as ally in the boreal forest of interior a taller shrub, usually with other Alaska, primarily in willow thickets willows in the boreal forest as a along small streams, but also as a pioneer on well drained alluvium pioneer species on river sandbars and glacial outwash and moraine. and on glacial moraines. It also Through central and northern occurs occasionally in alpine sedge Alaska but not found in the Yukon bogs but does not seem to be abun Kuskokwim delta, the extreme west dant anywhere. From north slope ern part of the Alaska Peninsula, of Brooks Range at Umiat south to Aleutian Islands, or southeast Alaska Range and Matanuska Val Alaska. Chugach National Forest, ley and eastward to MacKenzie Mt. McKinley National Park, Kat Mountains. Chugach National For mai National Monument, Kenai N a est, Mt. McKinley National Park, tiona! Moose Range, Arctic Na- Arctic National Wildlife Range.

98 In isolated areas in central Canada as far east as Hudson Bay and in the mountains as far south as west ern Wyoming. Across northern Europe and Asia and south in the mountains of both continents.

29. LOW BLUEBERRY WILLOW (Salix myrtillifolia Anderss.)

Low shrubs usually 8-24 in. (20- 61 em.) tall, much branched and often prostrate. Leaves elliptic, ovate, to obovate, %-17'2 in. (2-4 em.) long and %-% in. ( 1-2 em.) wide, blunt or short-pointed at tip, margins toothed, upper surface dark green and shiny, lower surface slightly lighter, conspicuously net vemed. Petioles short, stipules small and inconspicuous and soon shedding. Twigs brown to gray, hairless, finely hairy when young. Figure 28.-Halberd willow (Salix has Catkins usually %-114 in. (2-3 tata), natural size. Male catkin at em.) long hut occasionally to 2 in. upper left; seed capsules at right.

99 Figure 29.-Low blueberry willow (Sa lis myrtillifolia), natural size. Seed capsules at left; male catkins at right.

(5 em.) long on leafy stalks ap pearing after the leaves have started to develop; scales brown to gray with long gray hairs. Seed capsules green to brown, hairless, ~ -% 6 in. ( 6-8 mm.) long on stalks Umiat on north slope of Brooks ¥!6-Ys in. (1.5-3 mm.) long. Range southward in interior Alaska Occasional in black spruce stands to upper Kuskokwim River, Mata and bogs in the interior of Alaska. nuska Valley, and Copper River. Locally abundant as a successional Mt. McKinley National Park. species following burning of low Eastward to southern Hudson Bay lying black spruce stands. It also and Labrador, south to St. Law occurs occasionally in bogs below rence River and southern British and just above treeline. From Columbia.

100 Figure 30.-Tall blueberry willow (Sa lix novae-angliae), natural size. Seed capsules at upper left; male catkin at lower left; female catkin at lower right.

em.) long and about Ya as wide, blunt to short-pointed at tip; mar gins with teeth often glandular tipped, upper surface dark green, lower surface lighter but not whit ish (glaucous), prominently net veined, with long silky hairs when young, soon becoming hairless. Petioles Yt 6 -~ in. (1.5-6 rom.) 30. TALL BLUEBERRY long. Stipules variable, small and WILLOW inconspicuous to o/J_ 6 in. (5 rom.), broad, and glandular toothed. (Salix novae-angliae Anderss.) Twigs brown, usually straight, coarse, with dense white silky hairs Other names : Salix pseudo cor when young. data Anderss., S. myrtillifolia An Catkins %-2% in. ( 2-6 em.) derss. var. pseudo-myrsinites (An long on leafy stalks, appearing derss.) Ball, S. pseudo-myrsinites after the leaves have started to Anderss. develop; scales short, brown, with A tall erect shrub usually 6-8 ft. long gray hairs. Seed capsule (2-2.5 m.) tall, occasionally to 20 green to brown, hairless ~-% 6 in. ft. ( 6 m.) and treelike. Leaves ( 6-8 rom.) long on stalks Yt 6-Ys elliptic to obovate, 1-3 in. (2.5-'7.5 in. ( 1.5-3 rom.) long. Flowering

101 in early to mid-June, seeds matur with the leaves, scales about Ya 2 in. ing in late June to mid-July, cat (1 mm.) long, black, with long kins £ailing in late July. hairs. Seed capsules short and This is a common willow on the stout, on short stalk, hairy when silt and sandbars o£ the Tanana and young but soon becoming hairless, Yukon Rivers, where it occurs as a green to reddish. Flowering in pioneer with other willows. It is June, seeds ripening in July, most also common in willow thickets catkins £ailing by August. along small streams and roadsides. Barclay willow is the most com Closely related to blueberry willow mon thicket-£orming shrub along and often included as a subspecies. the southern coast o£ central Alaska However, the two appear to be quite in £orest openings, along small distinct in ecology, size, and growth streams, and in wet alluvial sites. £orm. On the Kenai Peninsula it £orms Central Alaska £rom Yukon extensive thickets at treeline in River southward to Copper River areas where it is protected by win basin. Mt. McKinley National ter snow deposits. Park. East to British Columbia Closely related to and easily con and southward in mountains to fused with low blueberry willow northern California and southern and undergreen willow, but these Utah. latter willows have leaves green to pale beneath but never whitish (glaucous) . 31. BARCLAY WILLOW Along coast o£ Alaska £rom southeastern tip to Aleutian Islands. (Salix barclayi Anderss.} Occasional to rare in Alaska Range and in the interior lowlands. South Spreading, much branched shrubs Tongass, North Tongass, and Chu tending to £orm dense thickets 3-6 gach National Forests, Mt. McKin ft. (1-2m.) high, sometimes to 10- ley National Park, Glacier Bay 20 £t. ( 3-6 m.) and treelike, vari and Katmai National Monuments, able in growth £orm, lea£ structure, Kenai National Moose Range, Aleu color, and habitat. Leaves broadly tian Islands National Wildli£e elliptic to obovate, %-3 in. (2-7.5 Refuge. South along the coast to em.) long and %-1% in. (1-3 em.) Washington and eastward to Al wide, short-pointed tip and wedge berta apd Montana. shaped to rounded at base, margms Twigs o£ Barclay willow often toothed, serrate to entire; upper end in rounded galls, composed o£ surface shiny yellow green thinly de£onhed leaves and caused by in hairy when young but becoming sects. Presence o£ these galls o£ten hairless, sometimes with short red ca1led "willow roses" may aid iden dish hairs along midrib; lower sur tification. £ace whitish (glaucous), thinly This species honors George Bar hairy but soon becoming hairless; clay, English botanical collector usually turning black m drying. with the surveying expedition o£ Petioles 7i 6-% in. ( 1.5-6 mm.) the ship Sulphur along the western long. Stipules inconspicuous and coast o£ America in 1835-41. soon dropping. Twigs blackish and Where the range o£ Barclay wil densely hairy when young, becom low overlaps that o£ Hooker willow ing reddish brown and hairless with and undergreen willow, there is blackish buds. Bark gray or green considerable difficulty in separating ish brown, smooth. the three species. The £ollowing Catkins 2-3 in. (5-7.5 em.) long, key provided by George W. Argus on stalks with 2-3leaves, appearing should help in identification.

102 Figure 31.-Barclay willow (Salix bar clayi), natural size. Male catkins at left; female catkins at bottom; seed capsules at right.

103 Figure 32.-Hooker willow (Salix hook eriana), natural size. Female catkin at left; seed capsules in center; male catkin at right.

A. Leaves green or pale beneath, not whitish ------ ------33. undergreen willow (Salix commutata) AA. Leaves whitish (glaucous) beneath. B. Stipules present; leaves without hairs beneath; lacking long silky hairs at the base of twigs; styles greenish ------ ------31. Barclay willow (Salix barclayi) BB. Stipules absent (sometimes very small on vigorous shoots); leaves long silky hairy beneath, at least along midrib; long silky hairs persistent at the base of twigs; styles red in life, drying dark ------32. Hooker willow (Salix hookeriana) 104 ~.·.

Figure 33.-Undergreen willow (Salix commutata), natural size. Male cat kin at upper left; female catkin at lower left; seed capsules at right.

105 32. HOOKER WILLOW (Moresby Island) and extreme southwestern British Columbia, (Salix hookeriana Barratt} Vancouver Island, and Puget Sound region of western Washing ton south to northwestern Cali fornia. Reported also from eastern Other names: bigleaf willow, Siberia. Yakutat willow, Salix amplifolia This species honors William ·Cov. Jackson Hooker ( 1785-1865) , Eng A shrub or small tree, usually lish botanist, in whose work the about 10-16 ft. (3-5 m.) tall but description was published. occasionally attaining a height of 25 ft. ( 7.5 m.) and a trunk diameter of 8-15 in. (20-38 em.). Leaves oval to broadly obovate or rarely 33. UNDERGREEN WILLOW the uppermost ovate, 1lf2-3 in. ( 4- 7.5 em.) long and %-2 in. (2-5 em.) (Salix commutata Bebb) wide, broadly pointed to rounded at apex, mostly rounded at base, A much branched dense shrub edges without teeth or sparsely 3-6ft. (1-2m.) tall, with an over wavy-toothed, pale green above, all light green appearance. Leaves whitish beneath, more or less hairy elliptic to obovate, to 2¥2 in. ( 6 on both sides while unfolding but em.) long and about % to lf2 as becoming hairless. Twigs stoutish, wide; entire or glandular toothed dark brown, densely white- or gray on margins, dense gray hairy on woolly for 2 or 3 years. Buds dark both surfaces when young but only reddish brown, hairy. Bark gray, thinly hairy with age, light green smooth. on both surfaces. Petioles Ys-14 Catkins on leafy stalks, appear in. (3-6 mm.) long. Stipules well ing before or with the leaves, 3-4 developed and leaflike with glandu in. (7.5-10 em.) long and ¥2-% in. lar margins to% in. (1 em.) long, (12-15 mm.) wide at maturity; persistent or deciduous. Twigs scales brownish to blackish, covered densely gray hairy when young but with long whitish hairs. Seed cap becoming hairless with age, dark sules long, hairless. Flowering in brown. Buds of next season's cat mid-May to early June, seeds ripen- kins are often large and red by ing mid-June to July. · mid to late summer. In Alaska, Hooker willow grows Catkins %-1¥2 in. (2-4 em.) in a variety of sites including beach long on leafy shoots, developing ridges, stabilized sand dunes, and with or after the leaves; scales coastal meadows. Rare in Alaska, brown with dense woolly hairs. except in the Yakutat Bay region Seed capsules 14 in. ( 6 mm.) long, where it has been known for many hairless, reddish but becoming years as a local species, Yakutat brown with age. Flowering mid willow (Salix amplifolia Cov.). June to July, seeds ripening late Collected recently from a few other July and August. coastal areas including Middleton Undergreen willow forms_ thick Island. At Yakutat the plants are ets in the mountains of south cen browsed by moose. tral Alaska at and just above tree Coastal Alaska in the vicinity of line along small streams and in Prince William Sound and Yakutat areas protected by winter snow Bay. North Tongass National For accumulation, usually with several est. Also coastal dunes, Pacific other willows. It also occurs oc Coast from Queen Charlotte Islands casiomtlly along the coast in wet 106 Figure 34.-Chamisso willow (Salix chamissonis), natural size.

From the mountains in the north ern part o:f southeast Alaska west ward in the coastal mountains to Kodiak Island and the Alaska Peninsula to the eastern Aleutian Islands, north to the south slopes o:f Alaska Range. North Tongass and Chugach National Forests, open habitats. It is quite similar Kenai National Moose Range, in appearance and often grows with Aleutian Islands National Wildh:fe Barclay willow but the so:ft green Refuge. East to southern Yukon color resulting :from the dense Territory and Saskatchewan, south woolly hairs on the new leaves help to Washington, western Montana, to distinguish it. and northern Wyoming.

107 34. CHAMISSO WILLOW Named for Ludolf Adalbert von Chamisso ( 1781-1838) , German (Salix chamissonis Anderss.) botanist who visited Alaska in 1816 and 1817 on the ship Rurik.

Prostrate loosely branched creep ing shrub rooting along the 35. PARK WILLOW branches and 4-6 in. (10-15 em.) high at the ends. Leaves broadly (Salix monticola Bebb) obovate, rounded at tip and wedge shaped at base, %-2 in. (2--5 c:rr .. ) Other names : cherry willow, long and %-% as wide, glandular serviceberry willow; Salix pado toothed on margin; green on both phylla Rydb., S. pseudomonticola surfaces but slightly paler beneath. Ball, S. pseudomonticola var. pado Petioles long and slender, %-% in. phylla (Rydb.) Ball. (10-15 mm.) long. Twigs gray or An erect shrub, 3-12 ft. (1-3.5 brown, coarse, often buried in m.) tall in Alaska but becoming a mosses and rooting at nodes. small tree southward in western Catkins erect on leafy twigs, Canada and northwestern contig about 1l!z in. (4 em.) long, develop uous United States. Leaves oval ing with the leaves; scales black to elliptic, 1-4 in. (2.5-10 em.) long, with grayish hairs. Seed capsnles l!z-% as broad, usually abruptly long and slender with gray hairs, pointed to rounded at tip, glandular stalkless or on a very short stalk. toothed on margins, purple to red Flowering from late June through dish yellow when young but soon July, seeds ripening July and turning green, shiny green and August. hairless above, whitish (glaucous) Chamisso willow is a rare shrub beneath, with prominent veins. of the Arctic tundra of northern Petioles*-% in. (6-10 mm.) long. and western Alaska and the alpine Stipules small and inconspicuous tundra of interior Alaska. In the or on fast growing shoots larger Arctic it grows as a very loose and leaflike with glandular teeth. creeping shrub in wet meadows, Twigs yellow to reddish brown, seepage areas, and adjacent to snow shiny, hairy when young but becom fields. It is abundant in the Eagle ing hair-less. Bark gray, smooth. Summit area north of Fairbanks Catkins short, 1* -2l!z in. ( 3-6 where it forms loose mats in similar em.) lpng, stalkless twigs, appear habitats. Readily distinguished ing in May and early June before from the other creeping willows by the leaves and usually shedding by its glandular toothed leaves and the end of J nne ; scales 'ii 6 in. ( 1.5 slender gray hairy capsules. mm.) long, brown with long hairs. The Eagle Summit area north of Seed capsules short and stout, lfs Fairbanks, western Arctic coast o/J.6 in. (3-5 mm.) long, hairless, from Nome northward to Cape short-stalked, seeds ripening in Thompson, St. Lawrence Island, the June. north slope of the Brooks Range; A common pioneer willow on the also on Attu Island in the Aleu braided rivers of interior Alaska tians. Aleutian Island National and along other rivers and lake Wildlife Refuge, Arctic National shores, forming thickets with other Wildlife Range. Eastward to Rich willows. Occasional in floodplain ardson Mts. in northwestern Dis balsam poplar and spruce stands trict of Mackenzie, Canada, also in and in upland black spruce. In northeastern Asia. early summer the reddish color of

108 Figure 35.-Park willow (Sali~ mon ticola), natural size. Seed capsules at left; male catkins at right.

109 the new leaves stand out from the in May and early June, seeds ripen other willows. Along the rivers it ing in July, catkins shedding by is utilized as a browse species by August. snowshoe hares and moose. Richardson willow is a common Central interior Alaska along thicket-forming shrub of stream Yukon and Tanana Rivers, south banks and moist slopes in the east to the Susitna and Copper Arctic and above timberline where Rivers and at Haines and Skagway it is often associated with alders near northern end of southeast and shrub birch, also in open spruce Alaska. Mt. McKinley National stands and old burns at lower Park. East to Hudson Bay and elevations. south to Ontario, Colorado, and From the Arctic coast south Oregon. ward through most of central and south central Alaska but not reach ing to western Alaska Peninsula or Kenai Peninsula. In southeastern 36. RICHARDSON WILLOW Alaska only in mountains in area from Juneau to Haines. North (Salix lanata L. ssp. Tongass National Forest, Glacier richardsonii (Hook.) Bay National Monument, Mt. Mc A. Skwortz.) Kinley National Park, Arctic National Wildlife Range. This subspecies occurs across northern Other names : woolly willow, Canada to Baffin and Southampton Salix richardsonii Hook. Islands, south to Northwestern Erect much-branched shrubs usu Hudson Bay and British Columbia; ally forming dense clumps 3-6 ft. northeastern Asia. The species oc ( 1-2 m.) tall, sometimes to 15 ft. curs across northern North Amer ( 4.5 m.) . Leaves elliptic to obo ica, Europe, and Asia and south in vate, %-2% in. (2-6 em.) long, mountains of Asia. about % to % as wide, short pointed or rounded at apex, entire or toothed on margins, both sur faces with long thin hairs when 37. BARRATT WILLOW young but becoming hairless with (Salix barrattiana Hook.) age, dark green above, whitish ~· (glaucous) beneath. Petioles stout, lfs-% in. (3-10 mm.) long. Stip A ·low upright shrub, usually ules conspicuous, long and narrow, 1-2 lt. (30-60 em.) tall, commonly with glandular teeth on the edges, forming loose clumps several yards persistent on the twig for several (meters) across. Leaves tending years. Young twigs stout and to have a vertical orientation, ellip densely hairy, dark brown to black; tic to obovate, 1%-2% in. ( 4-6 em.) older twigs hairless, orange-red to long and ~ to Ya as wide, short red-brown and characterized by pointed apex, both surfaces grayish persistent stipules. Bark gray, from long silky hairs. Petioles to smooth. · % in. ( 15 mm.) largest on upper Catkins 1%-2% in. ( 4-6 em.) leaves. Twigs stout, densely hairy long on leafless peduncles, develop when young and remaining so for ing early in spring before the many years, older twigs reddish leaves; scales dark brown to black brown to dark brown. with dense silky hairs. Seed cap· Catkins 1~-2 in. (3-5 em.) long, sules stout, green to light brown, sessile on twigs, erect in habit, ap hairless, on short stalks. Flowering pearing in spring before the leaves; no Figure 36.-Richardson willow (Salix lanata ssp. richardsonii), natural size. Seed capsules at left; female catkin at right. scales black, pointed at tip, with form into dense thickets, and its long silky hairs. Seed capsule upright leaves and twigs. When stout, about :!A, in. ( 6 mm.) long, collected and pressed, the scales, with silky white hairs on pedicels stipules, and young twigs exude a 7{6 in. (1.5 mm.) long. yellowish oily substance that stains Barratt willow is a rare shrub in the paper yellow. Young twigs are Alaska although it may be locally browsed by moose. abundant above treeline on gravel From the head o£ the Chitina terraces o£ some rivers in the River in the Copper River drainage Alaska Range where it may reach north to the north slopes o£ the altitudes o£ 4,600 ft. ( 1,400 m.). It Alaska Range as far west as eastern also occurs occasionally in wet al end o£ Alaska Peninsula. On the pine meadows. It is conspicuous south slopes o£ the Brooks Range among Alaskan willows and easily at Wiseman and on the north slope determined at a distance by its £rom the Canning River eastward silvery appearance, its low growth to the border. Mt. McKinley N a-

lll tional Park, Arctic National Wild limits of the spruce-birch interior life Range. South and east to forest, it is the only tree willow in Yukon Territory, southern British many areas, such as north and west Columbia, Montana and Colorado. of Kodiak Island and at Firth Named for Joseph Barratt River on the northeast Arctic slope. ( 1796-1882) , American student of In many places in northern Alaska, willows. this willow is important as the only wood available for fuel. Though not the common "diamond willow" from which ornamental canes are 38. FELTLEAF WILLOW made, the trunks sometimes have this pattern of diamond-shaped (Salix alaxensis (Anderss.) scars where the lower twigs have Cov.) died. Feltleaf willow is a preferred browse species of moose which pull down and break branches and Other names: Salix longistylis trunks up to 1V2 in. ( 4 em.) in Rydb., S. alawensis var. longistylis diameter. Eventually the shrub (Rydb.) Schneid., ssp. longistylis grows above the reach of the moose (Rydb.) Hult. and becomes too thick for the A shrub or small tree to 20-30 moose to break. It is reported that ft. (6-9 m.) high with a trunk 4-7 the inner bark has served as food in. (10-18 em.) in diameter, occa for humans. sionally dwarfed and nearly pros Widely distributed and common trate in exposed places. Leaves almost throughout Alaska from elliptic or oblanceolate (reverse northern part of southeast Alaska lance-shaped), 2---4 in. (5-10 em.) to Arctic Ocean. Southeast Alaska long and %-1 V2 in. ( 1.2---4 em.) from Wrangell to head of Lynn wide, short-pointed, usually taper Canal at Skagway, Glacier Bay, ing to base, edges without teeth or and Yakutat Bay; north through nearly so, above dull green and the interior to the Arctic coast and hairless or sometimes somewhat northwest to Cape Lisburne; west short-hairy, beneath covered with to Bering Sea; southwest on Alaska a dense white or creamy-white felt; Peninsula and Aleutian Islands to midrib yellowish. One-year and 2- Unalaska Island; and south to year twigs stoutish, usually white Kodia* Island, Cook Inlet, and woolly. In a common variety (var. Prince William Sound. North longistylis (Rydb.) Schneid. or ssp. Tongiass, South Tongass, and Chu longistylis (Rydb.) Hult.) the gach National Forests, Glacier Bay young twigs and buds without hairs and Katmai National Monuments, and often with a bluish white Mt. McKinley National Park, bloom. Bark gray, smooth, becom Kenai National Moose Range, Ko ing rough and furrowed into scaly diak National Wildlife Refuge, plates. Arctic National ·wildlife Range. Catkins stoutish, not stalked, ap East to northwest shore of Hudson pearing before the leaves, 2---4 in. Bay and south to central British (5-10 em.) long at maturity; scales Columbia, but not reaching con blackish. Seed capsules long, tiguous United States. Also in pointed, white-woolly. Flowering eastern Asia. May and June, seeds ripening in This willow was first collected at June and July. Kotzebue Sound beyond Bering Feltleaf willow is widely distrib Strait. The specific name alawensis uted in valleys almost throughout means Alaskan but is from an old Alaska. Extending beyond the spelling. ll2 ll3 Figure 38.-Feltleaf willow (Salix alax ensis), natural size. Male catkins at upper right; female catkins at lower right.

ll4 39. SILVER WILLOW (Salix candida Fluegge) Other names: sage willow, hoary willow. Figure 39.-Silver willow (Salix candi An erect shrub usually 6 ft. (2 da), natural size. Seed capsules at m.) or less in height, with an over upper left; male catkins at lower all silvery appearance. Leaves ob left. long to lanceolate, short-pointed at

115 / both ends, 2-4 in. (5-10 em.) long long and %-1 in. ( 10-25 mm.) and only :14-% in. (6-15 mm.) wide, edges without teeth or some wide, edges entire or wavy and com what wavy, dull green above, gray monly rolled toward lower surface; or whitish and roughly net-veined upper surface silvery from dense beneath, more or less hairy on both woolly hairs when young but be sides but becoming less hairy with coming hairless and dark green age. In an uncommon variety, the with age; lower surface remaining smaller leaves are hairless or nearly silvery with dense woolly hairs. so beneath and often less rough. Twigs covered with white woolly Twigs slender, branching at wide hairs when young but becoming angles, yellowish to brown, gray smooth and reddish with age. hairy when young but afterward Catkins %-2 in. (~5 em.) long, becoming hairless. Bark gray to narrowly cylindrical, stalkless on dark gray, smooth, becoming rough twigs, in early spring before the and furrowed. Wood lightweight, leaves; scales brown, rounded at tip, brittle. with long white hairs. Seed cap· Catkins on short leafy stalks, sules stout, :14 in. ( 6 mm.) long, before or with the leaves, at matur covered with short dense woolly ity 1-3 in. (2.5-7.5 em.) long and hairs. loose, scales narrow, yellowish with Silver willow is a rare shrub in reddish tips, hairy. Seed capsules Alaska, having been collected only long, very slender, with short hairs a few times in bogs and other wet Ys-o/1. 6 in. (3-5 mm.) long, on slen sites along the Tanana and Yukon der, sparsely hairy stalks. Flower Rivers. The silvery appearance of ing mid-May through mid-June, leaves, twigs, and catkins, and the seeds ripening by mid- to late June, narrow leaf shape give it a char catkins shed by mid-July. acteristic appearance. Bebb willow is the most common Along Tanana and Yukon Rivers upland willow in interior Alaska, from Canadian border west to Fair occurring as scattered individuals banks and Fort Yukon. East in most forest types. It is also the across Canada to Labrador, south most common species in the willow to New Jersey, Colorado, and stands that follow forest fires on up British Columbia. land sites and in thickets adjacent to str~ams, swamps, and lakes. In open meadows it forms large spreading shrubs. It is an im 40. BEBB WILLOW port~nt browse species for moose throughout interior Alaska. In (Salix bebbiana Sarg.) winter heavy snows tend to bend the branches down so that they are Other names : diamond willow, in reach of both moose and snow beak willow, S. 'f'ost'f'ata Richards., shoe hares. S. dep'ressa L. ssp. 'f'Ostmta (An Bebb willow is the most impor derss.) Hiitonen. tant producer of "diamond willow." A large shrub 10 ft. (3 m.) tall This term applies to several species or a small, bushy tree 15-25 ft. with diamond-shaped patterns on (4.5-7.5 m.), rarely 35ft. (10.5 m.) their trunks. When the stems are with trunk diameter of 6-9 in. ( 15- carved they result in a striking 23 em.). Leaves elliptic and pattern of diamond-shaped cavities pointed at both ends to broadly with a sharp contrast between the oblanceolate or obovate-oval and white or cream sapwood and the very short-pointed at apex and reddish brown heartwood. Dia broad at base, 1-3¥2 in. (2.5-9 em.) mond willow is carved into canes,

ll6 Figure 40.-Bebb willow (Salix bebbi ana), natural size. Seed capsules at left; male catkin at upper right.

Copper River basin area but oc cur in Alaska throughout the bOreal :forest :from the Kenai Peninsula northward. In addition to the Bebb, the :following also :form "dia monds" although usually to a lesser degree: Park willow, :feltlea:f wil low, littletree willow, and Scouler willow. In other areas o:f the United lamp posts, furniture and candle States, Bebb willow :formerly was holders. In the old roadhouse at used :for baseball bats, charcoal, Copper Center, the newel posts and gunpowder, and withes :for furni balusters o:f the whole staircase ture and baskets. have been carved :from diamond Widely distributed in interior willow. Alaska, south to the Pacific Coast. The . depressions or "diamonds" In the northern part o:f southeastern are caused by one or more fungi Alaska at Glacier Bay and the head which attack the willow at the junc o:f Lynn Canal. In central Alaska tion o:f a branch with the main :from Prince William Sound north trunk. The "diamond willows" oc to the south slopes o:f the Brooks cur most commonly under shade o:f Range, west on the Yukon River trees or where the site is poor. to Holy Cross, and south to Katmai, They are most abundant in the Kodiak Island, and the Kenai

117 Figure 41.-Diamondleaf willow (Salis planifolia ssp. pulchra), natural size. Female catkin at left; seed capsules at right.

This §pecies commemorates Mich ael Schuck Bebb ( 1833-95) , Amer ican Sijecialist on willows.

41. DIAMONDLEAF WILLOW (Salix planifolia Pursh ssp. Peninsula. North Tongass and Chugach National Forests, Mt. pulchra (Cham.) Argus) McKinley National Park, Katmai National Monument, Kenai N a Other names: Salix pulchra tiona! Moose Range, Kodiak N a Cham., S. pulchra var. yukonensis tiona! Wildlife Refuge. East across Schneid. Canada to Hudson Bay, Labrador, An upright much branched shrub and Newfoundland, and south to 3-6 ft. (1-2 m.) tall, rarely to 15 New Jersey, Nebraska, New Mexico, ft. ( 4.5 m.) , often forming loose and central California. Also in thickets in wet habitats but becom eastern Asia. ing a prostrate creeping shrub in

ll8 Figure 42.-Scouler willow (Salix scou· leriana), natural size. Seed capsules at upper left; female catkin at upper right; male catkin at lower right.

glandular-toothed, persisting on twigs 2-3 years. A few brown exposed sites in arctic and alpine leaves usually remain on the twigs tundra. Leaves elliptic to oblance through the following winter and olate, pointed at both ends and often into the next summer. Twigs shiny diamond-shaped, as stated in the dark brown, reddish or pur{>le, name, 1-2¥2 in. ( 2.5-6 em.) long hairy when young but becommg and about Ya-lh as wide, hairless hairless in age. Bark dark gray, and shiny green above and pale to smooth. whi~ish (glaucous) beneath, entire Catkins 3,4-1¥2 in. ( 2-4 em.) long on edges or with a few small teeth stalkless on the branches, develop near base. Petioles Ys-% in. ( 4- ing in early spring before the 10 mm.) long, slender. Stipules leaves; scales blackish in upper %-lh in. (6-12 mm.) long, linear, part and hairy. Seed capsules %6 ll9 in. (8 mm.) long, stout, hairy, 42. SCOULER WILLOW greenish gray when young but be coming brown with age, on a short (Salix scouleriana Barratt) stalk. Flowering in late May and early June, seeds ripening in late June and July; catkins shedding by August. Other names : mountain willow, A common shrub in bogs and black willow, fire willow. other wet sites in the boreal :forest A shrub or tree with compact o:f Alaska, :forming thickets usually rounded crown usually 15 :ft. ( 4.5 m.) tall and 4 (10 em.) i:r: ~ru:f!-k 3-5 :ft. ( 1-1.5 m.) tall. It is a mo~e !n. upright, often isolated shrub m diameter but m some localities m black spruce stands. It also occurs Alaska becoming a tree 50-60 :ft. in the arctic and alpine treeless (15-18 m.) tall and 16-20 in. (40.5- regions along streams and in the 51 em.) in trunk diameter. tundra where it may become a pros Leaves variable, mostly oblanceo trate shrub. Indians and Eskimos late to narrowly obovate or some eat the young leaves as a green, both times oblong or elliptic, 2--~ in. {5- raw and cooked. The leaves must 12.5 em.) long and lh-1¥2 m. wide be picked when young, or they have ( 12--40 mm.), mostly very . short a bitter taste. pointed at apex and ta permg to In winter the twigs are browsed base, edges without teeth to by moose and snowshoe hare, and sparsely wavy-toothed, dark green the persistent leaves are often eaten and nearly hairless above, beneath by Dall sheep. Diamo:f!-dlea:f wil whitish to white and more or less low is one o:f the :few willows that gray hairy or becoming ~usty hairy can usually be identified. in the when older. Twigs stoutish, yellow winter condition; the shmy red ish or greenish brown a;nd densely twigs, the persistent stipules, and hairy when young, reddish to dark the persistent brown leaves are brown and nearly hairless when characteristic. older· buds red. Bark gray Almost all o:f Alaska except the smooth, thin, becoming dark b~own, western Aleutians and the coastal divided into broad flat ridges. :forests o:f southeastern Alaska. Wood light brown tinged with red Alono- the south coast :from Un and with thick whitish sapwood, alask~ Island to Prince William fine-textured, lightweight, so:ft. Sound. In southeastern Alaska only Catkins stout, stalkless ~w

120 Figure 43.-Sitka willow (Salix sitchen sis), natural size. Seed capsules at left; female catkin at right; male catkins at lower right.

fires. It is often called "fire wil low" because of its rapid occupa tion of burned areas, forming blue green thickets. In southeastern Alaska it comes in abundantly after logging and also occurs along streams and roadsides and occa sionally in the more open spruce and hemlock stands. Over all of abundant in the vicinity of Anchor southeastern and south central age and Kenai Peninsula where it Alaska, it commonly reaches tree has become widespread in the up size. In south central Alaska where lands following past widespread it is an important moose browse

121 species, most trees have been barked thinly hairy when young but when by moose. In the interior of older hairless and dark reddish Alaska, Scouler willow occurs in brown. Bark gray, smooth, becom spruce, birch, and aspen stands, and ing slightly furrowed and scaly. occasionally in bogs, but is most Wood pale red, fine-textured, light common in areas that have been weight, soft. burned. It is one of several used Catkins slender, tightly flowered for "diamond willow" carvings. on short leafy stalks, appearing Southern end of southeastern with the leaves, 2-4 in. (5-10 ern.) Alaska north and west along the long at maturity; scales small, coast to Kodiak and Katrnai, north brown, densely hairy. Seed cap· to the Tanana River. Also in the sules short, silvery hairy. Flower upper and central Yukon River dis ing in May, seeds ripening in early trict around Dawson. South Ton to mid-June, catkins shedding by gass, North Tongass, and Chugach July or early August. National Forests, Mt. McKinley Sitka willow is common in the National Park, Glacier Bay and coastal forest region of southeast Katrnai National Monuments, Ke Alaska, growing m sunny locations nai National Moose Range, Kodiak along streams and beaches or in the National Wildlife Refuge. East upland where the forest is open or ward to Saskatchewan and south absent. The satiny sheen on the to New Mexico and California. lower surface of the leaves serves This species honors its discoverer, to distinguish it from other willows. John Scouler ( 1804-71) , Scotch The wood is not used commercially naturalist who made plant collec though the Indians burn it in dry tions on the northwest coast of ing fish, as the smoke has no bad North America in 1825-27. odor. The supple twigs have been used by the Indians in basketrnak ing and for stretching skins, and the pounded bark has also been applied to heal wounds. 43. SITKA WILLOW Pacific coast region of southeast and southern Alaska. Throughout (Salix sitchensis Sanson) southeast Alaska from Ketchikan north~est to head of Lynn Canal at Other names : silky willow, Skagway, Glacier Bay, and Yaku Saliw coulteri Anderss. tat Bay, and west to Prince Wil A large shrub or small tree 10-20 liam" Sound, Cook Inlet, and ft. (3-6 rn.) high with trunk 4-6 Kodiak Island, north as far as in. ( 10-15 ern.) in diameter or Anchorage and the Chitna River. rarely 30 ft. ( 9 rn.) tall and 12 in. South Tongass and North Tongass ( 30 ern.) in diameter. In exposed places, becoming a low, nearly pros National Forests, Glacier Bay N a trate shrub. Leaves oblanceolate tiona! Monument, Kenai National or .narrowly obovate or sometimes Moose Range, Kodiak National elliptic, 2-4 in. (5-10 ern.) long, Wildlife Refuge. Alaska and usually short-pointed at apex, British Columbia south along the mostly tapering to a narrow base, coast to southern California and edges without teeth or sparsely east to New Mexico and Black and inconspicuously wavy-toothed, Hills. Also in eastern Asia. above dark green and with sparse Sitka willow was named for short hairs when young, beneath Sitka, Alaska, near which it was paler and with short silvery, silky discovered by Karl Heinrich Mer hairs. Twigs slender, sometimes tens in 1827.

122 Figure 44.-Littletree willow (Salix ar busculoides), natural size.

44. LITTLETREE WILLOW thinly short-hairy, the older reddish brown, hairless, and shiny. Bark (Salix arbusculoides gray to reddish brown, smooth. Anderss.) Catkins small and slender on very short stalks, appearing slightly before or with the leaves, 1-2 in. An erect shrub 10-15 ft. (3-4.5 ( 2.5-5 em.) long at maturity; scales m.) tall or commonly a small tree blackish. Seed capsules small, 25-30 feet (7.5-9 m.) tall and 5-6 thinly silvery-hairy. Flowering in. ( 12--15 em.) in trunk diameter. mid-May to early June, seeds ripen Leaves narrowly elliptic-lanceolate, ing mid- to late June. often oblanceolate while unfolding, Littletree willow is one of the 1-3 in. (2.5-7.5 em.) long,%-% in. most common willows, forming (10-20 mm.) wide, usually short dense thickets along streams and pointed at both ends, with edges rivers in interior Alaska. It also finely but shallowly toothed, green grows in the upland along streams and hairless above, beneath whitish and is a common successional to white and finely silvery-hairy or species following the burning of in an uncommon variety hairless; open stands of black spruce in wet veins closely parallel. Twigs slen sites. It is less commonly found as der, much branched, the younger a shrub in stands of white spruce yellowish brown and sometimes and birch. On the north slope of

123 FiiPU'e 45.-Sandbar willow (Salix in terior), natural size. the Brooks Range, it grows on streambanks and gravel bars in association with several other wil low species. It is one of several ward to the Kobuk River and Yu species that form "diamond wil kon Delta. Mt. McKinley National low" patterns. Park, Kenai National Moose Range, Widely distributed in interior Arctic National Wildlife Range. Alaska from the Copper River East to Hudson Bay and south to basin northward to the northern British Columbia and central foothills of the Brooks Range, west- Quebec.

124 Figure 46.-Pacific willow (Salix lasi andra), natural size.

125 45. SANDBAR WILLOW 46. PACIFIC WILLOW (Salix interior Rowlee) (Salix lasiandra Benth.)

Other names: Salix longifolia Other names: western black Muhl., Salix exigua ssp. interior willow, yellow willow. (Rowlee) Cronq. A tall shrub or small tree to 20 An upright shrub, 10-12 ft. (3- ft. ( 6 m.) high. Farther south ill 3.5 m.) tall in Alaska, but becoming contiguous United States, it is a a small tree 20 ft. ( 6 m.) high in small tree 20-30 ft. ( 6-9 m.) tall contiguous United States. Leaves but occasionally a larger tree 50-60 long and very narrow, 1¥2-4 in. ( 4-- ft. (15-18 m.) tall with a trunk 10 em.) long, usually :14 in. ( 6 mm.) 2-3 ft. ( 60-90 em.) in diameter. wide, light green on both surfaces, Leaves lance-shaped, 2-5 in. ( 5- edge sometimes entire but usually 12.5 em.) long and lh-1 in. ( 12-25 with sharp rather widely spaced mm.) wide, long pointed, mostly teeth; petiole short. Twigs long, rounded at the base, with edges thin, unbranched, brown, and finely toothed, shiny green above, smooth. glaucous and more or less hairy Catkins 1-2¥2 in. ( 2.5-6 em.) beneath. Twigs hairy when young, long on leafy stalks, appearing with stoutish, chestnut to reddish, shiny, the leaves; scales long, pale yellow, hairless with age. Bark gray, with thin hairs, and dropping soon smooth, becoming rough and deeply after the catkin opens. Seed cap· furrowed. Wood pale brown, sule long and slender, to %in. (10 brittle. mm.) long on a short stalk. Flow Catkins on leafy stalks, appear ering in June, seeds ripening in late ing with the leaves, 2-4 in. long June and July. (5-10 em.) at maturity; scales yel Sandbar willow is an occasional lowish, hairy toward the base. pioneer on the sand and silt bars of Seed capsules without hairs. the rivers of interior Alaska, where Pacific willow is an occasional it is often the first willow to invade pioneer species on the sand and a newly exposed bar, primarily by silt bars of the rivers of interior the development of shoots from its Alaska.,.usually with other willows widely divergent root system. It but occasionally forming pure seems to be unable to compete with stand~. It is occasional to rare other shrubs and trees, for it is in the uplands in willow thickets seldom found in the older succes along streams and roadsides. sional stages along the river and Interior and southeast Alaska. seldom reaches a height of more than 6-8 ft. (2-2.5 m.) in these In southeast Alaska only in the localities. It is utilized as browse vicinity of Yakutat, Haines, and by moose, which often winter on the Skagway and in British Columbia young islands and sandbars of the adjacent to the boundary along the Tanana and Yukon Rivers. Stikine and Chilkat Rivers. In Central Alaska in the Yukon, interior Alaska from Palmer north Porcupine, and Tanana River val to the central Yukon River dis leys and on the north slope of the trict and Wiseman and west to Holy Brooks Range along the Colville Cross on the lower Yukon River. River at Umiat. East across Can North Tongass National Forest. ada and south to Virginia, Louisi East to Saskatchewan and south ana, New Mexico, and northern to southern California and New Mexico. Mexico.

126 BAYBERRY FAMILY (Myricaceae)

Fragrant shrubs in Alaska (else where also small trees). Leaves Fipre 47.-Sweetgale (Myrica gale), natural size. Leafy twig at upper alternate, simple with entire or left; male catkins at upper center; toothed margins, and with small fruits at upper right; winter twigs at aromatic yellow resin dots on both lower left. surfaces. Flowers small, yellowish, 127 without sepals or petals, unisexual, in late summer and the stalks of male and female on separate plants previous summer's spikes often in short scaly spikes (aments) , remain throughout the winter, giv stamens usually 4--8, ovary 1-celled. ing the winter twigs a distmct Fruit, tiny nutlike, with whitish appearance. waxy coat, 1-seeded. Includes bay Along the Yukon and Tanana berry and sweetfern of eastern Rivers to the western coast but not United States. In Alaska only 1 in intervening hills and mountains. species. Common along the coast from Alaska Peninsula southeastward. South Tongass, North Tongass, and Chugach National Forests, 47. SWEETGALE Glacier Bay and Katmai National (Myrica gale L.) Monuments, Kenai National Moose Range, Kodiak Island National Wildlife Refuge. Across Canada to Other name: Myrica gale L. southern end of Hudson Bay, Lab var. tomentosa C. DC. rador, and Newfoundland, south in Low shrub 1-4 ft. ( 3-12 dm.) mountains to North Carolina and tall, of low wet habitats, usually Tennessee and to northwest Oregon. branching loosely at base. Leaves Also in northern Europe and east oblanceolate, 1-2 in. (25-50 mm.) ern Asia and Japan. long and %-~ in. (10-12 mm.) wide, rounded at tip with several coarse teeth, tapering at base to short petiole ¥s in. ( 3-5 mm.) long, BIRCH FAMILY thinly hairy on both surfaces and dotted with yellow waxy glands. (Betulaceae) Twigs slender, finely hairy when young, dark brown to gray with The birch family (Betulaceae) is yellow resin dots and white dots represented in Alaska by 2 genera, (lenticels), resembling birch and birch (Betula) and alder (Alnus), alder. Buds lfs in. (3 mm.) long, and 7 species, also intergrading pointed, dark reddish brown, varietes and hybrids. Distinguish hairless. ing characters are as follows : ( 1) Flowers male and female on sep Leaves~·borne singly (alternate), arate plants ( dioecious), small, in broad, margins sharply and usually conspicuous, yellowish, in spikes in doubly toothed with teeth of 2 sizes, early spring before the leaves. and in alders often slightly wavy Male (staminate) spikes %-% in. lobed; ( 2) flower clusters (catkins) (10-15 mm.) long, female (pistil composed of an axis bearing many late) spikes 1,4-% in. (6-10 mm.), minute greenish flowers 2-3 above a both dotted with yellow waxy scale, in early spring before the glands. Fruit a green 2-winged leaves, from buds partly formed the nutlet lfs in. (3 mm.) long, resinous preceding summer; (3) flowers with waxy. minute calyx, of 2 kinds on the same Sweetgale is one of Alaska's ear plant (monoecious); (4) male flow liest blooming plants, flowering ers with pollen in long, narrow from mid-May to the first week in catkins at end of twig and female June,· depending on locality. It is flowers in short catkins on sides of a common shrub of low wet areas, twig; and ( 5) fruits conelike, ~- especially bogs in interior Alaska 2 in. (1.2-5 em.) long, of many and tidal flats along the coast. The nutlets ("seeds") and scales. following year's flower spikes form The tree birches of Alaska are

128 easily recognized by their smooth, and hybridize wherever their thin, white, pinkish, coppery brown, ranges meet. The dwarf birches or purplish brown bark, which peels have round, rounded-toothed leaves off in papery strips; the soft cone less than %in. (2 em.) long, while like fruits shed, leaving slender the tree birches have larger, ovate axis. Alders generally have smooth leaves 1%-3% in. ( 4-9 em.) long. gray bark, which is not papery, The tree birches of Alaska are and usually have at all seasons some treated as 3 geographical varieties old dead, hard, blackish or dark of a single transcontinental species, grown conelike fruits remaining on paper birch (Betula papyrifera the twigs. Birch twigs commonly Marsh.). Western paper birch have raised gland dots and have ( var. commutata (Reg.) Fern.), of winter buds not stalked, composed the northern part of southeast of overlapping scales. Alder twigs Alaska, has leaves mostly rounded lack glands and have usually stalked at base and usually reddish brown winter buds with 3 exposed scales bark. Alaska paper birch ( var. usually meeting at their edges or humilis (Reg.) Fern. & Raup), overlapping. common through the interior for ests, has rather long-pointed leaves usually wedge-shaped at base and usually white bark in age (or red dish brown when young or in dense stands). Kenai birch ( var. kenaica BIRCH (Betula} (W. H. Evans) Henry), of south ern and southern interior Alaska Alaska has 2 species of dwarf, and treated by some authors as a shrubby birches both widely dis distinct species, has relatively thick, tributed, and 3 kinds of tree birches. usually short-pointed leaves and These are variable and intergrade usually dark brown or gray bark.

Key to Alaska Birches

A. Leaf blades rounded or elliptic, thick, less than 1:14 in. (3 em.) long, rounded teeth on edges; shrubs or sometime8 small trees with smooth bark not peeling. B. Leaf blades less than% in. (2 em.) long; low shrubs less than 5 ft. ( 1.5 m.) high. C. Leaf blades often broader than long, o/! 6-% in. (5-12 mm.) long, straight or notched at base ------ ------48. dwarf arctic birch (Betula nana) CC. Leaf blades longer than broad, mostly %-% in. (10-20 mm.) long, wedge-shaped at base ------ ------49. resin birch (Betula glandulosa) BB. Leaf blades 1-1:14 in. (2.5-3 em.) long; large shrubs or trees becoming more than 10 ft. (3 m.) high ------ ------49.1. hybrid birches (Betula hybrids) AA. Leaf blades ovate, 1%-3% in. (4-9 em.) long, mostly thin, with pointed teeth on edges; trees with thin papery bark, peeling off __ 50. paper birch (Betula papyrifera), 3 varieties in Alaska.

129 D. Leaves long-pointed, usually wedge-shaped at base; bark usually white in age (or reddish brown when young or in dense stands) ; interior Alaska ------~--- ---- 50b. Alaska paper birch (Betula papyrifera var. humilis) DD. Leaves mostly short-pointed; bark brown or pinkish; southern and southeast Alaska. E. Leaves thin, mostly rounded at base; bark usually reddish brown; northern part of southeast Alaska ------50a. western paper birch (Betula papyrifera var. commutata) EE. Leaves thick, wedge-shaped or rounded at base, with white hairs on toothed edges; bark usually dark brown or gray; southern and southern interior Alaska ------ ------50c. Kenai birch (Betula papyrifera var. kenaica)

48. DWARF ARCTIC BIRCH apex. Flowering June, fruits ma turing July-August. (Betula nana L.) Moist soil, muskegs or bogs, rocky alpine slopes, and hummocks on tundra. Very widespread nearly Other names : dwarf birch, throughout Alaska over the coasts dwarf alpine birch, Betula nana and in mountains of interior from subsp. emilis ( Sukatch.) Hult., B. northern part of southeast Alaska glandulosa var. sibirica (Ledeb.) to western end of Alaska Peninsula Blake. and Bering Sea, north to Arctic Low spreading deciduous shrub Coast. North Tongass and Chu commonly lh-3 ft. ( 1.5-9 dm.) gach National Forests, Mt. Mc high. Leaves alternate, almost stalk Kinley National Park, Katmai N a less, with slender petioles ¥1 6 in. tiona! Monument, Kenai National (2 mm.) long. Blades round or Moose Range, Kodiak Island Wild kidney-shaped, often broader than life Refuge, Arctic National Wild long, %6-lh in. (5-12 mm.) long, life Ra:p.ge. Alaska, across north %6-o/s in. (5-16 mm.) wide, ern Canada to Labrador and rounded at apex, finely wavy Greenland. Not in contiguous toothed to straight or notched base, UniteU States. Also across north thick, hairless, above green, be ern Eurasia. neath pale green, turning cooper red in autumn. Twigs slightly resinous and slightly hairy, with few minute warty glands. Male flower clusters %-1 in. ( 1- 49. RESIN BIRCH 2.5 em.) long, with brown scales. Female flower clusters ~-% in. (Betula glandulosa Michx.) (6-10 mm.) long, green. Fruits conelike, elliptic, %6-¥2 in. (5-12 Other names : shrub birch, mm.) long, %6 -~ in. (5-6 mm.) glandular scrub birch, bog birch, wide, light brown, with many 3- ground birch, dwarf birch. lobed bracts or scales without res Deciduous shrub mostly low and inous dot or hump on back. Nut spreading to erect, 1-5 ft. ( 0.3-1.5 lets many, elliptic, with 2 narrow m.) high or taller, forming clumps. wings of equal width from base to Leaves with short hairy petioles

130 Figure 48.-Dwarf arctic birch (Betula nana), slightly enlarged.

%6 J_.i in. (5-6 mm.) long. Blades elliptic to broadly obovate, mostly %-% in. (1-2 em.) long, rounded but longer than broad, rounded at apex, finely wavy-toothed except near wedge-shaped base, thick and leathery, often with gland dots on both surfaces (visible only with high magnification) , above shiny dark green and usually hairless, beneath yellow green and often finely hairy. Twigs often finely hairy when young, densely resinous The leaves and young twigs are with warty glands, with a gray browsed by caribou and reindeer. layer of wax. Bark reddish brown, In winter the buds and twigs are becoming dark gray, smooth, not clipped by v.tarmigan. peeling. · Moist soil, especially in muskegs Male flower clusters (catkins) or boggy areas, hummocks on tun several near base of twigs, Yz-1 in. dra, and boarders of lakes and (12-25 mm.) long, %6-14 in. (5-6 streams. Forming extensive thick mm.) wide, of light brown scales ets at treeline in the Alaska and and numerous stamens. Female Brooks Ranges. Widely distrib flower clusters several to many on uted in interior Alaska from north older twigs l_.i-lj2 in. ( 6-12 mm.) ern Brooks Range and Firth River long, ¥! 6 in. (2 mm.) wide, green southward. Mt. McKinley N a ish. Fruits conelike, %-1 in. (10- tional Park, Arctic National Wild 25 mm.) long, Ys-14 in. (3-6 mm.) life Range. Alaska, across north wide, mostly erect, with many 3- ern Canada to Labrador and Green lobed bracts or scales with resinous land, south in Northeastern United dot or hump on back. Nutlets ellip States to Maine, New York, Mich tic, flattened, reddish brown, more igan, and Minnesota, and in west than ¥! 6 in. (2 mm.) long, with 2 ern mountains to Colorado and very narrow wings rutrrowest at California. base. Flowering May-June, fruits This species hybridizes with maturing July-August, persistent dwarf arctic birch and the tree in winter. birches.

131 Figure 49.-Resin birch (Betula gland ulosa), natural size. Leafy twig with fruits at left; male and female catkins in center; winter twig at right.

49.1. HYBRID BIRCHES the hybrids between a tree and a shrub species are large shrubs or (Betula hybrids) small trees. Bark is like that of the tree parent but does not peel off. Leaves are intermediate in size Many plants have characters in and vary in shape and margin. The termediate· between those of the shrubby species hybridize with one tree and shrub birches described another as do the varieties of paper and illustrated here. These hybrid birch, the tree species. birches can be recognized by their Yukon birch, the hybrid between characters between those of their resin birch and paper birch (Betula parents growing nearby. In size, glandulosa X papyri/era; Betula 132 Figure 49.1-Yukon birch (Betula glandulosa X papyri/era), natural size. Leafy twig with female catkins and fruits at upper left; leafy twig with male and female catkins at lower left; winter twig at right. 133 Xeastwooaiae Sarg., B. Xoom diameter. Leaves with slender pet miwta Sarg., B. oooiaentalis auth.) , ioles Yz-1 in. (1.2-2.5 em.) long. is the common hybrid birch through Leaf blades ovate, 1:Y2-3Yz in. ( 4- interior Alaska, for example, at 9 em.) iong, 1-2Yz in. (2.5-6 em.) Fairbanks. Often found near tree wide, long-pointed or short-pointed line, where birch trees below meet at apex, wedge-shaped or rounded a band of resin birch shrubs above. at base, coarsely and usually doubly Large, spreading clump-forming toothed, mostly dull dark green and shrub 10-12 ft. (3-3.7 m.) high, hairless above, light yellow green with many stems 1 in. (2.5 em.) in and hairless or slightly hairy be diameter, sometimes becoming a neath. Twigs slender, hairless, red small tree 15-20 ft. ( 4.5-6 m.) high dish brown with many small whit and 3-6 in. (7.5-15 em,) in di ish dots, with short side twigs ameter. Leaves with slender peti (spur shoots) covered by many oles :14-% in. (6-10 mm.) long. raised half-rounded leaf-scars, be Leaf blades elliptic to diamond coming reddish black. Winter shaped, 1-1:14 in. (2.5-3 em.) long, buds conic, :14 in. ( 6 mm.) long, %-1:14 in. (2-3 em.) wide, short long-pointed, dark brown, slightly pointed or rounded at both ends, resinous, covered by 3 overlapping with rounded teeth on edges, thick, scales. Bark smooth, with long becoming hairless. Twigs often horizontal lines (lenticels), thin, densely covered with gland dots. separating into papery striJ?S and Bark reddish black, smooth and not peeling off, from white to pmkish, peeling. Fruits conelike % in. (2 coppery brown, or purplish brown em.) long. Alaska, Yukon Terri in the different varieties; inner bark tory, and Alberta. orange. Wood of wide white sap The hybrid between dwarf arctic wood and light reddish brown birch and paper birch has been heartwood, fine-textured, moder named Horne birch (Betula nana ately hard, and moderately heavy X papyrifera; Betula Xhornei · (the densest of Alaska cominercial Butler, B. Xbeeniana A. Nels.). woods). The tree parent in central Alaska Flowers male and female on same twig, tiny, in groups of 3 above a is Alaska paper birch and in south scale (bract). Male flowers in nar ern Alaska, Kenai birch. row catkins partly developed the preceding summer, 1-4 in. (2.5-10 em.) long composed of calyx and 2 stamoos; female flowers in shorter 50. PAPER BIRCH clusters %-1 in. (1-2.5 em.) long, (Betula papyrifera Marsh.) composed of ovary and 2 styles. Fruits conelike, cylindric, 1-2 in. (2.5-5 em.) long and% in. (1 em.) Other names: white birch, canoe wide, slender-stalked and hanging birch. down. Nutlets ("seeds") many, lft 6 The general description and in. ( 1.5 mm.) long, brown, with 2 range of this species are summa broad wings. Flowering in May rized here, followed by similar notes June, bef9re the leaves, fruit shed for the three varieties in Alaska. ding gradually into winter. Small to medium-sized deciduous Paper birch is one of the most tree usually 20-60 ft. ( 6-18 m.) widespread tree species in northern high and 4-12 in. (10-30 em.) in North America and is composed of trunk diameter, becoming 80ft. (24 6 or fewer intergrading geograph m.) tall and 24 iri. ( 60 em.) in ical varieties. Widely distributed

134 Figure 50a.-Western paper birch (Betula papyri/era var. commutata), natural size. Winter twig with old fruits at left; leafy twig with fruits in center; winter twig with buds of male catkins at right. from northwestern Alaska east (locally south to Nebraska and in across Canada to Labrador and mountains to North Carolina, Newfoundland, south in Northeast South Dakota (Black Hills), and ern States to Pennsylvania and Colorado). Iowa and in Western States to Paper birch is a characteristic Montana and northeastern Oregon species of the interior forests of

135 Alaska, designated as spruce-birch 50a. WESTERN PAPER forests, and is associated with white spruce and aspen. In the upper BIRCH Cook Inlet area, extensive pap~r birch forests occupy the rolling (Betula papyri/era var. benchland above the bottoms and commutata (Reg.) Fern.) extend up the slopes of the foothills to about 800 ft. ( 244 m.) . Growth is .moderate to fast. On the more Other names: paper birch; Be favorable sites, trees 80 to 100 years tula papyrifera var. oooidentalis old attain a height of 60-70 ft. auth. and ssp. oooidentalis auth., ( 18-21 m.) and a trunk diameter of not B. oooidentalis Hook. 12-14 in. ( 30-35 em.) Average di Small to medium-sized tree 20- ameter is 8-10 in. (20-25 em.) and 60 ft. (6-18 m.) high and 4-16 in. maximum about 29 in. (73 em.). (10-40 em.) in trunk diameter. Maximum age recorded is about 230 Trunks often clustered, having years. originated from sprouts at base of Near cities and villages in In old trees. Leaf blades ovate, 1lf2- terior Alaska, paper birch has been 31f2 in. (4-9 em.) long, 1-2¥2 in. used primarily for fuel, mainly (2.5-6 em.) wide, mostly long fireplace wood. It has served loc pointed or short-pointed at apex, ally for mine props. A small rounded at base, coarsely doubly amount of lumber is cut and mar toothed, dark green and hairless keted locally in Interior Alaska. above, beneath slightly hairy, espe However, attempts to develop ex cially in angles of veins; peti port markets have not yet been oles slightly hairy and glandular. successful because of high costs and Twigs orange brown, with few hairs transportation problems. The wood and whitish dots when young. has been made into cabinets and Bark on small trunks smooth and wall paneling. usually reddish (coppery or pur The wood of paper birch varie plish) brown, sometimes blackish, ties growing in Alaska is suitable on larger trunks becoming papery for pulping and papermaking by and pinkish brown, pinkish, or several processes. It is satisfactory sometimes whitish. also for furniture, cabinetmaking, M;le flower catkins 3-4 in. (7.5- veneer and plywood, handles, boxes 10 em.) long, narrow. Fruits cone and crates, clothes pins, spools, and like 1-1¥2 in. (2.5-5 em.) long, bobpins. Other uses of paper birch finefy hairy, spreading; nutlets with southward are turned and carved wings broader than body; bracts articles, toothpicks, and toys. The with long middle lobe and 2 short wood works easilyand takes finishes lobes, hairy on edges. and stains satisfactorily. The uni Western paper birch is local and formity of grain is a distinct ad uncommon along the mainland vantage in the manufacture of ve coastal river drainages and lakes in neers and plywoods. the northern part of southeast Northern Indians made canoes Alaska, separated from the other and various small articles from the Alaska tree birches. It occurs on smooth thin bark. Because of its thin, rocky soils, usually below 1500 durability and ease of working, feet ( 457 m.) elevation, often with bark was used as sheeting under sod lodgepole pine, following fire and on cabin roofs. Birch trees are on poor sites. The wood is not used planted also as ornamentals to dis locally. play their attractive bark. · Vicinity of Lynn Canal, from

136 Figure SOb.-Alaska paper birch (Betula papyri/era var. humilis), natural size. Winter twig at lower left.

137 Taku River and Juneau to Skag common through the interior up to way. North Tongass National For tree line. It is best developed on est. Southern Yukon Territory warm slopes with moist porous soils east to District of Mackenzie and but is also common on cold north Saskatchewan and south to Mon slopes and poorly drained lowlands tana and Washington. Also in following fires. Birch is generally northern Ontario and in North in a mixture with white or black east from Labrador and Quebec spruce, which replace it in the suc south to northern New York and cessional sequence after fire. At Massachusetts. Cook Inlet there are important birch forests. Here paper birch has its best development on the 50b. ALASKA PAPER rolling benchlands and lower foot BIRCH hill slopes up to an altitude of about 800ft. (244m.). (Betula papyri/era var. Common in spruce-birch forests humilis & throughout most of interior Alaska (Reg.) Fern. Raup) but not. in southeast. North to south slopes of Brooks Range and Other names: Alaska white northwest to Kobuk and Noatak birch, Alaska birch, canoe birch, Rivers and to coast along south side paper birch, white birch; Betula of Seward Peninsula; south to papyrifera ssp. humilis (Reg.) Unalakleet and Russian Mission on Hult., B. papyrifera var. neo Yukon River. South of Alaska alaskana (Sarg.) Raup,B. alaskana Range in Susitna Valley, Kenai Sarg., B. neoalaskana Sarg., B. Peninsula, and Copper River val resinifera auth., not (Reg.) Britton. ley. Chugach National Forest, Mt. Small to medium-sized tree 20-80 McKinley National Park. East to ft. (6-24 m.) high and 4-24 in. (10- Yukon Territory and District of 61 em.) in trunk diameter. Leaf Mackenzie and south to Saskatche blades ovate, 11;2-3 in. (4-7.5 em.) wan and British Columbia. long, 1-2 in. (2.5-5 em.) wide, rather long-pointed, sharply to broadly wedge-shaped at base, 50c. KENAI BIRCH coarsely toothed, dark green or yellow green and hairless above, be ( f!etula papyriJera var. neath pale yellow green, dotted kenaica (W. H. Evans) Henry) with glands and usually with ; angles of lower veins hairy; Other names: Kenai paper petioles becoming hairless. Twigs birch,_ black birch, red birch; Be with many raised resinous dots. tula kenaica W. H. Evans, B. Bark white, or pinkish white, some kamtschatica var. kenaica (W. H. times grayish white or yellowish Evans) Jansson. white, papery. Small to medium-sized tree 20-80 Male flower catkin short, 1-1Y2 ft. ( 6-24 m.) high and 4-12 in. in. ( 2.5-4 em.) long, thick, greenish (10-30 em.) in trunk diameter, brown. Fruits conelike, 1-1% in. rarely 18 in. ( 46 em.) . Leaf blades ( 2.5-3.5 em.) long, hairless, hang ovate or nearly triangular, 11;2-2 ing down or spreading. Nutlets in. (4-5 em.) long, 1-1% in. (2.5- with wings broader than body; 4.5 em.) wide, relatively thick, usu bracts with middle lobe usually ally short-pointed, broadly wedge longer than the blunt, diamond shaped or rounded at base, margin shaped lateral lobes, hairy on edges. coarsely and often doubly toothed Alaska paper birch is the variety with white hairs, dull dark green

138 Figure 50e.-Kenai birch (Betula papy rifera var. kenaica), natural size.

and often slightly hairy above, be (2.5 em.) long, erect or spreading. neath pale yellow green and dotted Nutlets with wings slightly nar with glands and hairy on veins; rower than body; bracts, with lobes petioles usually hairless. Twigs o:f about equal length, rounded at reddish brown hairy, and often apex, side bracts slightly diamond with resin dots when young, be shaped. coming blackish and hairless. Kenai birch, named :from Kenai Bark usually dark brown, often Peninsula and known only :from blackish or reddish brown, some Alaska, is :found in the southern times becoming pinkish or grayish part o:f the spruce-birch interior white, papery. :forests but not southeast. Cook Male Hower catkins short; about Inlet, Kenai Peninsula area, and 1 in. (2.5 em.) long, narrow, dark west to Kodiak Island and base o:f brown. Fruits conelike, about 1 in. Alaska Peninsula at Kaguyak and

139 Brooks River. Chugach National though 2 intergrade and have been Forest, Katmai National Monu united as varieties of same species. ment, Kenai National Moose Range, Alders are easily recognized by Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. their smooth gray bark with hori Northward this variety inter zontal lines (lenticels) and the grades or hybridizes with Alaska clusters of 3-9 slender-stalked old paper birch. Specimens apparently dead, hard, blackish or dark brown nearer Kenai birch have been re conelike elliptic fruits generally ported from interior Alaska along present. Male flowers in narrow the Tanana, Yukon, and Kuskok catkins, 3 above a scale, composed of wim Rivers, at Unalakleet, and on 4 sepals and usually 4 stamens. Seward Peninsula. Female catkins short, about ¥2 in. ( 12 mm.) long; flowers 2 above a ALDER (Alnus) scale, composed of ovary and 2 styles. Alder roots, like those of Alaska has 4 kinds of alders, 3 legumes, often have root nodules, of which reach tree size. All are swellings that fix nitrogen from the treated here as separate species, air and enrich the soil.

Key to the 4 Alaska Species Leaves yellow green above, shiny on both sides and especially beneath, sticky when young, edges with relatively long-pointed teeth; stalks about as long as conelike fruits; nutlets with 2 broad wings; winter buds of overlapping scales. Leaves not lobed on edges; conelike fruits%-% in. (10-15 mm.) long; shrub of interior Alaska ------ ------51. American green alder (Alnus crispa) Leaves wavy lobed on edges; conelike fruits ¥2-% in. (12--20 mm.) long; shrub or small tree of southern and southeast Alaska ______------52. Sitka alder (Alnus sinuata) Leaves dark green above, dull, not sticky when young, edges with short pointed teeth; stalks shorter than conelike fruits; nutlets with 2 narrow wings or none; winter buds of 3 exposed scales meeting at edges. __. Leaves thick with edges curled under slightly, with rusty hairs along veins beneath; conelike fruits ¥2-1 tn. ( 12--25 mm.) long; nutlets with 2 narrow wings ------53. red alder (Alnus rubra) Leaves thin with edges flat, finely hairy or nearly hairless beneath; conelike fruits%-% in. (10-15 mm.) long; nutlets almost wingless ------54. thinleaf alder (Alnus tenuifolia)

51. AMERICAN GREEN Spreading shrub 3-13 ft. (1-4 ALDER m.) tall. Leaves with short slender dark red brown petioles ~-¥2 in. ( 6--12 mm.) long. Blades ovate or (Alnus crispa (Ait.) Pursh) broadly elliptic, mostly 1¥2-3 in. (4-'7.5 em.) long, 1-2 in. (2.5-5 Other names: green alder, em.) wide, sometimes larger, rela mountain alder; Alnus viridis Viii. tively thick, short-pointed at apex, ssp. crispa (Ait.) LOve & Love. rounded or broadly wedge-shaped

140 Figure 51.:--American green alder (Al nus crispa), natural size. Winter twigs with buds of male catkins and old fruits at lower left; female and male catkins at lower right. 141 at base, edges sharply and finely 52. SITKA ALDER toothed with long-pointed nearly egpal or even teeth and not lobed (Alnus sinuata (Reg.) Rydh.) slightly sticky resinous on both surfaces, above shiny yellow green Other names: Alnus crispa (Ait.) and h~irless, beneath pale green Pursh ssp. sinuata (Reg.) Hult., A. and with tufts of whitish hairs in fruticosa Rupr. var. sinuata (Reg.) vein angles. Twigs hairless, smooth Hult., A. sitchensis (Reg.) Sarg. dark brownish red, with many light Deciduous shrub 5-15ft. ~1.5-4.5 dots (lenticels), becoming dark m.) high or a small tree to 30 ft. gray. Buds long-pointed, :14-% in. (9 m.) tall and 8 in. (20 em.) in (6-10 mm.) long, red-brown, with trunk diameter. Leaf blades ovate scales hairy on edges. 2¥2-5 in. (6-12.5 em.) long, 1¥2-3 Male flower clusters (catkins) in. ( 4--7.5 em.) wide, short-pointed, ~,4-3 in. (2--7.? em.) long, about % rounded at base, shallowly wavy m. ( 1 em.) wide, of many reddish lobed and doubly toothed with long brown sticky scales and many yel pointed teeth of 2 sizes, sticky when low stamens. Female flower clus yo:ung, speckled yellow green and ters 1-7,:14-% in. (6-10 mm.) long. shmy above, beneath lighter, shiny, Fruits conelike, %-% in. (10--15 and hairless or nearly so; petioles ¥2-% in. (12--20 mm.) long. Twigs m:m.) long, %6-% in. (8-10 mm.) wide, brown to dark brown with sticky, finely hairy, and orange slender stalk :!4 -¥2 in. ( 6--12 mm.) brown when young, becoming light long. N~tlets elliptic, flattened, al gray. Winter buds short-stalked most Ys m. (3 mm.) long, with 2 ~o stalkless on young twigs, to ¥2 broad wings. Flowering May m. (12 mm.) long, of overlapping June, fruit maturing in July. scales. Bark gray to light gray . Alder twigs and buds make up an smooth and thin. ' Important part of the winter food Male flowers in narrow catkins of the white-tailed ptarmigan. In 3-5 in. (7.5-12.5 em.) long. Fruits the fall and winter the "seeds" (nut ~~-%in. (12--20 mm.) long, on long lets) are eaten by many songbirds. slender spreading stalks %-% in. Common, often forming thickets (~0--20 mm.) long, nutlets elliptic, on gravelly slopes and flood plains. with 2 broad wings. Flowering in Widely distributed in interior of May-June. central and northern Alaska north Sitka alder often is a spreading to Colville River, north slopes of shrub; common to abundant, with ~rooks Range, Firth River, Porcu many stems, forming thickets in pme, Yukon, and Koyukuk Rivers marshes, along streams, on land and west to Bering Strait. Mt: slides, and in clearings, from sea McKinley National Park, Katmai level to the alpine zone above the ~ ational Monument, Kenai N a timberline. It also becomes a small tlonal Moose Range, Arctic N a tree, often with many trunks. tional Wildlife Range. Alaska and This pioneer species follows dis Yukon Territory across Canada t~rbances s~ch as landslides, log to Labrador, Newfoundland, and gmg, or glacial retreat. It requires Greenland, south to New York mi~eral soil s~ed~ed and develops N <;>rtl?- Carolina (high mountains): rapidly on mOist sites but grows on Michigan, and Oregon. Also across s01ls too sterile for other trees. northern Asia. Sitka spruce often becomes estab Toward the southern coast this lished at the same time. Alder acts species intergrades with Sitka alder as a nurse tree, improving soil con which is regarded by some author~ ditions, and adding organic mat as a variety or subspecies. ter and nitrogen. It thrives with

142 Figure 52.-Sitka alder (Alnus sinuata), natural size. Winter twig with buds of male catkins at right.

143 overhead light but is intolerant of pointed at both ends, shallowly shade and disappears from the stand wavy lobed and doubly toothed when overtopped by Sitka spruce. with both large and small teeth, Being smaller and hence more thick, edges curled under slightly, quickly overtopped, Sitka alder is dark green and nearly hairless probably not such a serious com above, beneath pale with rusty petitor as red alder on logged areas. hairs along veins; petioles%-% in. The wood produces good fuel and ( 6-20 mm.) long. Twigs hairy is usp.d for smoking fish. when young, becoming dark red Southeast and southern Alaska with light dots. Winter buds along the Pacific coast. Through stalked, to % in. ( 1 em.) long, dark out southeast Alaska northwest to red. Bark gray, splotched with head of Lynn Canal at Skagway white, smooth or becoming slightly and Yakutat Bay, west along coast scaly, thin. Wood nearly white to Afognak and Kodiak Islands, when freshly cut,· soon turning to Alaska Peninsula, and eastern Aleu light reddish brown, fine-textured, tian Islands. Also local in western moderately lightweight, soft. Alaska on Bering Sea ( N ushagak Male flowers in narrow catkins and N orne). South Tongass, North 3-6 in. (7.5-15 em.) long. Fruits Tongass, and Chugach National on short stalks %-¥2 in. ( 6-12 mm.) Forests, Glacier Bay and Katmai conelike, lh-1 in. ( 12--25 mm.) National Monuments, Kenai N a long; nutlets elliptic, with 2 narrow tiona! Moose Range, Kodiak Island wings. Flowering in April-May. and Aleutian Islands National Red alder is common throughout Wildlife Refuges. Alaska and southeast Alaska on stream bottoms Yukon Territory southeast to south with rich, rocky, moist soils and western Alberta, western Mon along beaches where creeks enter tana, and northern California. the sea. On landslides it forms al Also in northeastern Asia. most impenetrable thickets, often Intergrades with American green with Sitka alder. alder (Alnus crispa (Ait.) Pursh), Red alder is a pioneer species on especially northward in interior, mineral soil, thriving on moist sites. and often treated as a variety or It is common below 1,000 feet ele subspecies of that species. Sitka vation and absent at higher eleva alder reaches larger size than tions, where Sitka alder IS frequent. American green alder, becoming a Being-Iarger, red alder is more com small tree, and has mostly larger petitive and requires more time for leaves with margins wavy lobed ·as overttopping. Both species come in well as toothed, also larger, longer along roadsides and where ground stalked cones. is disturbed after logging. They are a I?roblem in road maintenance, requirmg continual clearing of 53. RED ALDER shoulders and side slopes. Seeds of both species are produced within (Alnus rubra Bong.) five years and being tiny are blown great distances. Other names : western alder; Of little economic importance in Alnus oregona N utt. Alaska at present, red alder is the Small to medium-sized deciduous leading hardwood southward in the tree 20-40 ft. ( 6-12 m.) tall, with Pacific Northwest, where it is a straight trunk 4-16 in. (10-40 em.) larger tree and is made into furni in diameter. Leaf blades ovate or ture. The wood is used also in elliptic, 3-5 in. (7.5-12.5 em.) long, smoking meat and fish and for wood 1%-3 in. (4.5-7.5 em.) wide, short carving.

144 Throughout southeast Alaska northwest to Yakutat Bay. South Tongass and North Tongass N a tional Forests, Glacier Bay N a tional Monument. Pacific coast re Figure 53.-Red alder (Alnus rubra), gion from southeast Alaska south natural size. Male and female cat east to southern California; also kins at upper right. locally east to northern Idaho.

145 54. TIDNLEAF ALDER as a variety or subspecies o£ Euro pean speckled alder (Alnus incana (Alnus tenuifolia Nutt.) (L.) Moench), o£ Eurasia. It is closely related also to speckled al der (A. rugosa (Du Roi) Spreng.), Other names: Alnus incana (L.) o£ eastern Canada and Northeast Moench ssp. tenufolia (Nutt.) ern United States, which also has Breitung, A. incana ssp. rugosa var. been united with the Old World occidentalis (Dippel) C. L. Hitchc. species. Deciduous large shrub or small tree 15-30 ft. (4.5-9 m.) high, com monly forming clumps with trunks MISTLETOE FAMILY to 8 in. (20 em.) in diameter. Leaf blades ovate or elliptic, 2--6 in. (5- (Loranthaceae) 15 em.) long, 1%-2¥2 in. (3-6 em.) wide, short-pointed, rounded at Parasitic dwar£ shrubs on woody base, shallowly wavy lobed and plants, with jointed brittle stems, doubly toothed with both large and brown, yellow, or green. Leaves small teeth, thin, dark green and opposite, small or reduced to scales. becoming hairless above, beneath Flowers small, male and female on pale green and hairy or nearly hair different plants ( dioecious) , calyx less; petioles %-1 in. (6-25 rom.) 2--6-parted, corolla none, stamens loJlg. Twigs reddish and hairy as many as parts o£ calyx, pistil when young, becoming gray. Bark with 1-celled inferior ovary and gray to dark gray, smooth, becom stigma. Fruit a berry, often sticky. ing reddish gray, thin and scaly. Only 1 species in Alaska. Wood light brown. Male flowers in narrow catkins 55. HEMLOCK 1¥2-3 in. (4-7.5 em.) long. Fruits on short stalks less than % in. ( 6 DWARF-MISTLETOE rom.) long, conelike %-%in. (1-1.5 ( Arceuthobium tsugense em.) long; nutlets elliptic, almost wingless. Flowering in May-June. (Rosend.) G. N. Jones) Large trunks have been cut £or poles. The wood is used £or smok Other names: dwarf-mistletoe; ing salmon. Thinlea£ alder with Arceuthobium campylopodum En the larger willows commonly forms gel:gt. £. tsugense (Rosend.) Gill. thickP.ts along streams in central Parasitic dwarf shrub on twigs, and southern Alaska. Interior lower branches, and trunks o£ hem Alaska £rom Yukon River valley lock trees, greenish to reddish or south to base o£ Alaska Peninsula brownish, usually inconspicuous, at Katmai, Kenai Peninsula, and hairless. Stems slightly fleshy, o£ Copper River valley. Also north end short thick angled joints enlarged o£ southeast Alaska £rom vicinity at nodes, brittle. Male plants 1¥2- o£ Juneau to Glacier Bay. North 4 in. (4-10 em.) h1gh, much Tongass and Chugach National branched; female plants smaller, Forests. Glacier Bay and Katmai less branched. Leaves reduced to National Monuments. Alaska and paired brownish scales 7{ 6 in. (1.5 Yukon Territory southeast to south mm.) long, joined at base in ring western Saskatchewan and south in around twig. mountains to New Mexico and Cali Flowers minute, paired and stalk fornia. less or nearly so at sides o£ twig; By some authors this alder o£ male flowers less than Ys in. ( 3 western North America is treated mm.) broad, yellowish, with 3-4

146 Figure 54.-Thinleaf alder (Alnus te nui/olia), natural size. Male and fe male catkins at upper right.

147 sepals and 3-4 stamens; female Generally distributed through flowers about Yl_ 6 in. (1.5 mm.) coastal forests of southeast Alaska, broad, with 2 persistent sepals and common but seldom noticed or pistil with inferior ovary and style. collected. On mainland and is Fruit an elliptic· flattened bluish lands north to Juneau and Haines berry Ys-% 6 ·in~ (3-5 mm.) long at altitudes up to about 500 ft. ( 152 on curved stalk,. with mucilaginous m.), to 1,100 ft. (335 m.) on Chi or stickyc flesh, discharging or chagof Island. South Tongass shooting the sticky seed suddenly and North Tongass National For with force to about 20 ft. ( 6' m.) ests. Southeast Alaska south in distance. Flowering in August coastal forests to Oregon and to September, fruit maturing the fol- Sierra Nevada in central Cali lo'Ying September. . fornia. Haines (latitude 59° 13' "The deformed branches of in N.) is the northernmost known lo fected trees, including witches cality of the mistletoe family not brooms (dense broomlike masses), only in North America but appar swollen limbs, and swollen twigs, ently in the world. aid in recognition. However, these symptoms may have other causes. Also, there are cup scars after the limbs die back. Large burls or swellings are formed by GOOSEBERRY FAMILY trunk infections. Hemlock dwarf-mistletoe is ( Grossulariaceae) Alaska's only parasitic woody plant and sole example of the mistletoe One genus, Ribes, occurs in Alas family. Largely confined to hem~ ka, containing both gooseberries (2 locks, as the scientific name sug species) and currants ( 5 species). gests. Western hemlock (Tsuga Shrubs with erect, spreading, or heterophylla) is the commonest prostrate branches. Leaves alter host. However, this species occurs nate, palmately veined and palm also on mountain hemlock (Tsuga ately lobed, frequently with gland mertensiana) and very rarely on ular hairs. Twigs with or without Sitka spruce ( Picea sitchensis). prickles and spines, angled, with Southward it has been found on papecy shedding bark; pith po pines, firs, and other kinds of rous or spongy. Flowers usually in spruces. racep1es, but occasionally solitary, This parasite is of considerable borne on side shoots with 1 or 2 economic importance in southeast leaves at base, small; tubular base Alaska, though estimates of the with 5 sepals larger and more con damage are not available. Growth spicuous than the 5 scalelike petals; of hemlocks is slowed somewhat, stamens 5 ; pistil with inferiqr 1- but the trees are not killed. Many celled ovary and 2 styles. Fruit a old -growth stands are infected, many-seeded berry with dried re while others are not. Control mains of flower at tip. measures have been undertaken Species with spines or prickles on the National Forests. Prac on their stems are usually called tical control is by clearcutting in gooseberries and those with un fected stands. To remove the seed armed branches, currants. Both source of the parasite and to be groups are utilized for making effective, the infected understory jams and jellies. The gooseberry plants down to about 6 ft. (2 m.) family is sometimes included in high must be cut. Elsewhere, the the closely related saxifrage fam slash is sometimes burned. ily ( Saxifragaceae).

148 Figure 55.-Hemlock dwarf-mistletoe (Arceuthobium tsugense), natural size. Plant with male flowers at Jeft; plant with female flowers in center; plant with fruits at right.

Key to the Alaska Species

A. Stems armed with spines and prickles; leaves small, less than 2 in. (5 em.) long ------56. swamp gooseberry (Ribes laoustre) AA. Stems unarmed; leaves larger, more than 2 in. (5 em.) long. B. Ovary and fruit with resin dots. C. Racemes 6-12 in. (15-30 em.) long, with 20-40 flowers; sepals greenish, fruit with white to bluish bloom; twigs coarse, YsJ,4 in. (3-6 mm.) in diameter, brownish, sheddmg bark; leaves longer than broad, underside with resin glands ___ _ ------57. stink currant. (Ribes braoteosum) CC. Racemes 3 in. ( 8 em.) long, 6-12 flowered; sepals whitish; fruit black without bluish bloom; twigs slender, :14 in. (6 mm.) or less in diameter, gray with black spots, smooth; leaves broader than long, underside without resin glands ______------58. northern black currant. (Ribes hudsonianum) BB. Ovary and fruit without resin dots, often with stalked glands. D. Berries with stalked glands, red or black to dark blue; sepals green, white, or light pink; flower racemes ascending; leaves 5-lobed, divided to middle. 149 E. Berries red, sepals white to pink, without hairs; twigs fine, less than lh in. (3 rom.) in diameter------ ------59. skunk currant (Ribes glandulosum) EE. Berries black to dark blue; sepals green to white, with hairs on back; twigs coarse, more than lh in. ( 3 rom.) in diameter ___ 60. trailing black currant (Ribeslawiflorum) DD. Berries smooth, without stalked glands, red; sepals reddish; flower racemes dropping, leaves mostly 3-lobed, occasionally with pair of smaller lobes at base, not divided to middle ------61. .American red currant (Ribes triste) 56. SWAMP GOOSEBERRY Along rivers of the interior, in the Cook Inlet-Kenai Peninsula . (Ribes lacustre (Pers.) Poir.) area as far west as Naknek Lake in Katmai National Monument, and Other names : prickly currant, along the coast of southeastern swamp currant, swamp black cur Alaska. South Tongass, North rant, bristly black currant, Ribes Tongass, and Chugach National owycanthoides var. lacustre Pers., Forests, Glacier Bay and Katmai R. echinatum Dougl. National Monuments. Alaska, Usually a spreading shrub some eastward to James Bay, southern times erect, 2-4 ft. ( 3-12 dm.) Labrador, and Newfoundland, tall, with spiny twigs and deeply south to Pennsylvania, Tennessee, dissected leaves with skunklike Minnesota, Colorado, and Califor odor. Blades 1¥2-2 in. ( 3.5-5 em.) nia. Also in isolated locations in long and 1¥2-2 in. ( 4-5 em.) wide, eastern Asia and northern Japan. 5-lobed and divided %-% to mid Canada gooseberry ( Ribes oxy rib, the lower pair of lobes smaller, canthoides L.) has been recorded each lobe again dissected into sev from 2 localities in south-central eral rounded teeth. Petioles %- Alaska. This spiny shrub resem 1¥2 in. (2-4 em.) long, with bristly bles swamp gooseberry somewhat hairs. Twigs yellowish brown, but has flowers and fruits single or densely to sparsely covered with paired along the stem. The berries sharp spines, lh-% 6 in. (3-5 mm.) are edible but sour. Also from Yu long with a few larger spines at kon 'Thrritory to Hudson Bay, nodes. south to Michigan and Montana. Flowers 6-15 on a drooping ra ceme, sepals light green to purplish, oval, lh in. (2.5-3 mm.) long, cov ered with gland-tipped hairs. Fruit a berry 14-% 6 in. ( 6-8 mm.) 57. STINK CURRANT in diameter, black to dark purple, bristly with gland tipped hairs. ( Ribes bracteosum Dougl.) Flowering in June, fruit ripening in August. Other name : blue currant. Swamp gooseberry is an occa- . Erect to spreading shrub, 3-8 ft. sional shrub with white spruce and (1-2.5 m.) tall, with large leaves Sitka spruce in the interior and and long racemes of flowers and coastal forests. Because of the oc fruits, and sweet, rather disagree currence in isolated clumps and able odor. Leaf blades 3-8 in. commonly low production and the (7.5-20 em.) long and slightly skunklike odor, the bristly berries broader, 5-7 lobed, lobes toothed are infrequently used for making at edge and short-pointed at tip, jellies and jams. underside dotted with tiny resm

150 Figure 56.-Swamp gooseberry (Ribes lacustre), one-bali natural size. Fruits at center; winter twigs at right.

glands. Petioles variable in ovary conspicuously glandular. length, from shorter to much Fruit a spherical berry % in. ( 1 longer than blade. Twigs coarse, em.) in diameter, glandular, with those of previous year to ~ in. ( 6 white to bluish bloom and fetid mm.) in diameter, brown to gray odor. Flowering in May and June, ish, often with shredded bark; fruit ripening in late July and buds large and red. August. . Flowers in long erect to ascend Stink currant occurs commonly · ing racemes 6-12 in. ( 15-30 em.) with alder in openings in coastal long with 20-40 flowers; stalks spruce hemlock forests and in dis slender, to% in. (1 em.) long, with turbed wet places along roadsides. leaflike bract at base often exceed In spite of the strong odor, Indians ing the stalk, sepals white or green along the coast consume the fruits ish, often with purple tinge, after mixing with salmon roe and spreading, Ys in. (3-4 mm.) long; storing for the winter. 151 Figure 57.-Stink currant (Ribe11 brac teo§J'm), one-half natnral size.

58. NORTHERN BLACK CURRANT ( Ribes hudsonianum Richards.)

Other name: Hudson Bay cur rant. Coastal Alaska as far north as Usually an erec~ shrub 3-6 ft. Prince William Sound. South (1-2 m.) tall but northward often Tongass, North Tongass, and Chu prostrate and spreading, 1-3 ft. gach National Forests, Glacier ( 3-9 dm.) tall, with strong, rather Bay National Monument. From unpleasant odor when leaves or Alaska south along the coast to berries are crushed. Leaf blades northwestern California. 3-4 in. (8-10 em.) wide and 2-3

152 t •

Figure 58.-Northern black currant (Ribes hudsonianum), one-half nat· ural size. Flowers at upper left; win ter twig center. in. (5-8 em.) long, broadly 3-lobed in spruce, birch, and aspen types. about Ya to midvein, lobes sharply Near treeline it grows with alders. toothed at edge, with resin dots The berries are not utilized be and scattered hairs on lower sur cause of their bitter taste. face; petioles about % as long as Primarily an interior species but blade. Twigs gray and shmy, reaching the coast at Seward, scattered with small black glands Prince William Sound, and in the or short black hairs. Buds red, vicinity of Haines and Juneau.· Ys-14 in. ( 3-6 mm.) long hairless, One collection has been made at on short stalks. Hyder, an inland location in ex Flowers 6-12 in short racemes treme southeastern Alaska. North 2-3 in. (5-8 em.) long; sepals to south slopes of the Brooks Range white, triangular, elongate, Ys-% 6 and west to lower Yukon and in. ( 3-5 mm.) long; ovary resin Kuskokwim Rivers. North Ton dotted. Fruit an oval berry, black, gass, South Tongass, and Chugach usually with resin dots but without National Forests, Mt. McKinley bloom, bitter. Flowering in June National Park, Kenai National and July, fruits ripening in July Moose Range. Alaska east to Hud and August. son Bay, south to Minnesota, Utah, Northern black currant is a and Oregon. A closely related common shrub of boreal forests species occurs in eastern Asia. 153 Figure 59.-Skunk currant (Ribes glandulosum), one-half natural size. Winter twig at left.

nearly-"to middle into 5 lobes, the lower pair smaller. Petioles about equal to blade, with a few bristle like hairs near base. Twigs smooth and grayish, becoming brown and with shredded bark with age. Buds 14-% in. (6-10 mm.) long, red dish, with fine white hairs at tip 59. SKUNK CURRANT of scales. Flowers 10-20 in erect racemes, ( Ribes glandulosum Grauer) 3-4 in. ('7.5-10 em.) long that droop when the fruit ripens, individual Other names : fetid currant, flower and fruit stalks (pedicels) Ribes prostratum I..'Her.. %6-% 6 in. (5-8 mm.) long with Low shrub 2--3 ft. ( 0.6-0.9 m.) gland-tipped hairs; sepals spread high with sprawling or reclining mg, white to pinkish, rounded, ~6 branches and strong fetid odor. in. (2 mm.) long; ovary with Leaf blades 1-3 in. (2.5-'7 em.) gland-tipped hairs. Fruits bristly long and slightly broader, divided red berries 14 in. ( 6 mm.) in diam-

154 Figure 60.-Traillng black currant (Ri bes laxiflorum), one-half natural size. Fruits and winter twig at upper right.

eter, with gland-tipped hairs. 60. TRAILING BLACK Flowering in June, berries ripen ing in late July and early August. CURRANT Skunk currant has a scattered distribution in interior Alaska, (Ribes laxiflorum Pursh) most commonly in disturbed areas beside roads and adjacent to Usually a low spreading shrub cleared fields. In spite of its with branches running along the strong "odor, it makes excellent ground but sometimes vinelike and jelly. climbing on erect shrubs. Leaf Locally abundant in interior blades 2¥2-3 in. ( 6-8 em.) long Alaska at Fairbanks and Manley and 3-4 in. (7-10 em.) across, di Hot Springs, south to Bristol Bay vided into 5 deep, triangular lobes and Kenai Peninsula. Mt. Mc doubly toothed along ·edge with Kinley National Park. Alaska to sharp or rounded teeth, lower sur southern British Columbia and face light ·green with small yellow east across Canada to Hudson Bay, glands near base. Petiole 2-3 in. Labrador, and Newfoundland, (5-7.5 em.) long. Twigs yellow south in mountains to North Caro brown and hairy when young, lina and to Wisconsin and Minne stout, Ys-% 6 (3-5 mm.) in diam sota. eter, becoming dark brown and 155 slightly fissured. Buds 14-% 6 in. ing somewhat larger (10 x 4 in. (6-8 mm.) long, light to dark red, or 25 x 10 em.), usually 3-lobed hairy on surface and edges. but often with pair of small lobes Flowers 10-20 in a raceme 4-6 near base, lobes broadly triangu in. (10-14 em.) long; sepals ¥s in. lar and coarsely toothed along (3 mm.) long, greenish white, red edges. Petiole ¥2-% as long as or dark purple, broadly triangular blade. Young twigs smooth and and rounded at tip; with gland light brown but soon becoming tipped hairs on ovary and pedicel shredded and reddish brown, a 14 in. (6-8 mm.) long. Fruits characteristic feature in winter. black berries ¥2-% in. ( 12-15 mm.) Buds dark red, %6-14 in. (5-6 in diameter with bluish bloom and mm.) long. gland-tipped hairs on surface, with Flowers 6-20 on a drooping fetid odor when crushed. Flower raceme 2-4 in. (5-10 em.) long; ing in early to late May at the time sepals rounded, 7{ 6 in. ( 2 mm.) of leafing, fruits ripening in late long, purplish, inconspicuous. July to early August. Fruit a translucent red berry 14- Trailing black currant is pri % in. (6-10 mm.) in diameter, marily a low spreading shrub of smooth, sour. Flowering in May disturbed ground, open meadows, and early June before or with the cutover forest land, and dense leaves, fruit ripening in August. spruce-hemlock forests of coastal American red currant is a rather Alaska. In Oregon and Washing common shrub in the white spruce ton, this shrub may become vine and paper birch forests of the in like and reach heights of 20 ft. ( 6 terior of Alaska. North and west m.) , but in Alaska it is seldom of the treeline, it is found in wil more than 4 ft. ( 1.2 m.) high. low and alder thickets in protected From Susitna Valley and Kenai ravines. In southeast Alaska, it Peninsula southwest along coast. grows only at the heads of some South Tongass, North Tongass, of the fiords usually in association and Chugach National Forests, with alder thickets. American red Glacier Bay National Monument, currant closely resembles the com Kenai National Moose Range. East mercially grown currants and is to Alberta and Idaho and south to widely_..used in Alaska for jellies California. and jams as well as eaten raw. Motltly within the boreal forests of Alaska but occasionally grow ing beyond the treeline as at Umiat 61. AMERICAN RED on the north slope of the Brooks CURRANT Range, extending to the 'Bering Sea at Norton Sound. In south ( Ribes triste Pall.) east Alaska at head of Lynn Canal in the vicinity of Haines and Other name: northern red cur Skagway. Chugach National For rant. est, Katmai National Monument, Low spreading shrub with Mt. McKinley National Park, bright red berries, branches pros Kenai National Moose Range. trate and frequently rooting at East across Canada to Labrador nodes, sometimes erect to 2-3 ft. and Newfoundland, south to West ( 6-9 dm.) high. Leaf blades 4 in. Virginia, Minnesota, South Da (10 em.) long and 2-3 in. (5-8 kota, and Oregon. Also in north em.) broad but along coast becom- eastern Asia.

156 Figure 61.-American red currant (Ribes triste), one-half natural size. Flowering twig at upper left; winter twig at right.

ROSE FAMILY mostly persistent, 5 petals mostly white or less commonly pink, pur (Rosaceae) ple, or yellow, many stamens, and usually 1 pistil with 2-5-celled The rose family (Rosaceae) is ovary (often inferior) and 2-5 well represented in Alaska by 22 styles (sometimes many simple species and 10 genera of woody pistils); and (3) fruit variable, plants among the State's 65 native like an apple (pome) or plum species. Distinguishing characters (drupe), aggregate of many 1- are as follows: ( 1) leaves alter seeded fruits ("berry"), or many nate, simple or pinnately or palm separate fruits. Numerous wild ately compound, with paired stip and cultivated fruits and orna ules; (2) flowers regular, often mental plants belong to this family. large and showy or small and Several native genera produce many, with cuplike base, 5 sepals fruits edible to mankind as well as 157 wildlife, for example, service Flower clusters ( corymbs) ter berry ( Amelanohier), crab apple minal, much-branched, flattened, (Malus) , raspberry (Rubus), and 1¥2-2 in. ( 4--5 em.) across. Flow strawberry (Fragaria). Others, ers white, nearly Y2 in. (12 mm.) such as mountain-ash ( S O'J'bus) , across, composed of greenish cup mountain-avens (Dryas), and spi shaped base (hypanthium), 5 long rea (Spiraea) are ornamentals. pointed light green persistent sepals Rose (Rosa) is both ornamental ¥s in. ( 3 mm.) long, with star and edible, rose hips being a good shaped hairs, 5 white rounded pet source of vitamin C. als about %6 in. (5 mm.) long, Four native species of the rose about 30 stamens as long as petals family and another naturalized or longer and 3-5 pistils slightly species become small trees in united at base with 1-celled ovary Alaska. All belong to the apple hairless or nearly so, 2--4 ovules, sub-family and have juicy or mealy and slender style. Fruits 3-5 pod fruits resembling small apples. like (follicles) , 14-% in. ( 6-10 These species are Pacific service mm.) long, egg-shaped, swollen, berry (Amelanohier florida), Ore ending in long-pointed style, light gon crab apple (Malus diversi brown, opening on 2 lines, persist folia), Greene mountain-ash (Sor ent in winter. Seeds 2--4, more bus soopulina), Sitka mountain than 7{ 6 in. (2 mm.) long, pear ash ( S or bus sitohensis) , and the shaped, shiny, light brown. Col naturalized European mountain lected with flowers and fruit in ash ( Sorbus auouparia) . July and August. Moist soil, streambanks, near coast, probably uncommon and 62. PACIFIC NINEBARK local. Extreme southeast Alaska, (Physocarpus capitatus collected at Kazan, Nawashy, and Le Conte Bay. South Tongass (Pursh) Kuntze) National Forest. Southeast Alaska south in lower mountain slopes to Other name: Physooarpus opuli western Washington, western Ore folius (L.) Maxim. var. tomentellus gon, and central and southern Cali (Ser.) Boivin. fornia, also in northern Idaho. Spreading to erect deciduous Plants of related species are shrub 3-16 ft. (1-5 m.) high. grown lis ornamentals. Leaves alternate, with narrow paired sti pules less than 14 in. ( 6 ~SPIREA (Spiraea) mm.) long, shedding early, and slender petioles ¥2-114 in. (1.2-3 Deciduous shrubs with alternate em.) long. Blades ovate to heart simple small leaves, short petioles, shaped, 114-3 in. (3-7.5 em.) long and blades with toothed edges, and wide, palmatelY," 3-5 lobed without stipules. Flowers many about half to midrib, the lobes in much-branched terminal clusters, short-pointed and irregularly or small, with cup-shaped base (hy double toothed, above dark green panthium), 5 persistent sepals, 5 with sparse star-shaped hairs or rounded white or pink petals, hairless, beneath paler and often many stamens, and mostly 5 dis with star-shaped hairs. Twigs tinct pistils .composed of 1-celled angled, hairless or with minute ovary, 2-several ovules, and slender star-shaped hairs. Bark peeling persistent style. Fruits mostly 5 and shedding in long strips (hence podlike (follicles), splitting open the common name) , exposing the on 1 line, containing 2-several mi orange-brown inner bark. nute seeds.

158 Figure 62.-Pacifi.c ninebark (Physo . carpus capitatus), one-half natural size.

Key to the 2 Alaska Species

Flower clusters flat-topped to half round, petals white; leaves rounded at both ends, with edges mostly toothed nearly to base ------ ------63. Beauverd spirea (Spiraea beawverrlia'IUt) Flower clusters conic, much longer than broad, petals pink to rose; leaves short-pointed to rounded at both ends, with edges toothed in upper half ------64. Douglas spirea (Spiraea aouglasii)

63. BEAUVERD SPIREA Flowers many, crowded, short stalked, small, about 1,4, in. ( 6 mm.) (Spiraea beauverdiana across, with 5 triangular sepals Schneid.) bent down, 5 white petals (or rose tinged in center, pink in bud) lf1 6 Other name: Alaska spirea. in. (2 mm.) long, many white sta Small much-branched deciduous mens more than twice as long as shrub 1-2 (4) ft. (3-6 (12) dm.) petals, and 5 pistils. Fruits usu high. Leaves with short petioles ally 5 podlike (follicles) less than lf1 6 in. (2 mm.) long. Blades ellip Ys in. ( 3 mm.) Ion~, shiny brown, tic to ovate, %-2 in. ( 1.5-5 . em.) finely hairy, con taming 2-several long, %-1:14 in. (1-3 em.) wide, narrow seeds, persistent in winter. rounded at both ends, edges sharp Flowering June-August, with ma ly toothed nearly to base (some ture fruits July-September. times almost without teeth) , above A variable spemes. Plants at dull green and hairless or nearly so, high altitudes are dwarfed (often beneath paler and often finely less than 8 in. (2 dm.) high) with hairy. Twigs slender, purplish small leaves and were named a brown, hairy when young, after separate variety ( var. stevenii wards outer bark shedding in long Schneid.; S. stevenii (Schneid.) thin strips. Buds about lf1 6 in. (2 Rydb.) This species honors Gus mm.) long, of few slightly hairy tave Beauverd (186'7-1942), Swiss scales. botanist. Flower clusters ( corymbs or Common in tundra, swamps, headlike) terminal, flattened to half black spruce muskegs, and forests, round, %, -1¥2 in. ( 2--4 em.) across. from lowland to alpine. Almost 159 Figure §.3.-Beauverd spirea (Spiraea beau11erdiana), natural size. Winter twig with old fruits at right. t tional Moose Range, Kodiak. N a tiona! Wildlife Refuge, Arctic National Wildlife Range. Also Yukon Territory, District of Mac kenzie, and northeastern Asia.

64. DOUGLAS SPIREA (Spiraea douglasii Hook.) throughout Alaska except extreme north, Aleutian Islands, and south Other names : Menzies spirea; east part. Chugach and North Spiraea menziesii Hook., S. doug Tongass National Forests, Mt. Mc lasii var. menziesii (Hook.) Presl Kinley National Park, Katmai and ssp. menziesii (Hook.) Calder National Monument, Kenai Na- & Taylor.

160 Figure 64.-Douglas spirea (Spiraea douglasii), natural size.

short-pointed to rounded at both ends, edges sharply toothed in upper half, above dark green and usually hairless, beneath pale green and sometimes hairy. Twigs slen Erect deciduous shrub 3-5 ft. der, reddish brown, with fine soft ( 1-1.5 m.) high. Leaves with hairs when young, sometimes near short hairy petioles about Ys in. ly hairless, becoming dark brown (3 mm.) long. Blades elliptic to and hairless. Buds lft 6 in. (2 oblong, 1~-3 in. (3-7.5 em.) long mm.) long, scaly, white hairy to and %-1 ~ in. ( 1-3 em.) wide, ward apex.

161 Flower clusters (panicles) ter stalked flowers %6 in. ( 8 mm.) minal, 11;2-6 in. ( 4-15 em.) long, across. Flowers composed of half conic, several times as long as round base, 5 pointed sepals, 5 broad, mostly finely hairy. Flow rounded spreading white petals, ers many, crowded, short-stalked, about 20 stamens united at base, small, ~ in. ( 6 mm.) across, with and usually 5 pistils. Fruits 5 5 triangular sepals bent down, 5 podlike (follicles) with several pink to rose petals, round to obo minute seeds. Flowering J nne vate, YI_ 6 in. (2 mm.) long, many September, fruit maturing July pink to rose stamens, and 5 pistils. September. Fruits 5 podlike (follicles) Ys in. Common, forming mats or car (3 mm.) long, shiny brown, hair pets in alpine meadows near snow less or nearly so, containing 2 to in mountains. On rocky peaks to several narrow seeds, persistent in 4,900 ft. ( 1,500 m.) altitude in winter. Collected in flower in July Juneau Ice Field. Reported to be and August, with mature fruits in suitable for planting in rock September. gardens. Moist soil, especially borders of Through southeast and southern streams and lakes. Ketchikan and Alaska west to Kodiak Island and elsewhere in extreme southeastern Alaska Peninsula and north to Alaska. South Tongass National Alaska Range. South Tongass, Forest. Southeast Alaska alon,g North Tongass, and Chugach coast and inland to northern Cali National Forests, Glacier Bay fornia, eastern Oregon, and central and Katmai National Monuments. Idaho. Alaska and Yukon Territory south Named for the discoverer, David in mountains to Alberta, Idaho, and Douglas (1798-1834), Scotch bo California. tanical explorer. Plants of Alaska This genus of a single species was and adjacent coast of British Co dedicated to Friedrich P. Llitke lumbia have been accepted also as (1797-1882), Russian admiral and a separate species, Menzies spirea geographer who visited Alaska in (Spiraea menziesii Hook.), later 1827 on his voyage around the reduced to a variety. world.

65. LUETKEA 66. OREGON CRAB APPLE (Luetkea pectinata (Pursh} (MI.llus diversifolia (Bong.} Kuntze} Roem.)

Other names: partridge-foot, Other names: western crab ap meadow -spirea. ple, wild crab apple, Malus fusca Creeping and mat-forming her (Raf.) Schneid., M. rivularis baceous undershrub with prostrate (Dougl.) Roem., Pyrus diversifolia stems and erect leafy stems 2-6 in. Bong., Pyrus fusca Raf. (5-15 em.) high. Leaves crowded Deciduous small tree to 25ft. (7.5 at base, alternate above, bright m.) high, with usually several green, hairless, less than 1 in. (2.5 trunks to 5 in. ( 12.5 em.) in di em.) long, twice divided into 3 nar ameter, much branched, or a shrub row pointed divisions. forming thickets. Leaves with Flower clusters (racemes) at top slender petioles 1-2 in. (2.5-5 em.) of erect leafy stems, to 2 in. ( 5 em.) long, ovate, elliptic, or lance-shaped, long, bearing many small short- 11;2-4 in. (4-10 em.) long, short-

162 Figure 65.-Luetkea (Luetlcea pectinata), natural size. pointed, sharply toothed and some Flower clusters (cymes) with times slightly 3-lobed toward apex, slender stalks bearing several to shiny green and becoming hairless many flowers% inch (2 em.) broad, above, beneath pale and usually composed of 5 pointed hairy sepals, slightly hairy. Twigs hairy when 5 rounded white or pink petals, 20 young, becoming red and shmy and stamens, and pistil with inferior later brown or gray, the side twigs 2-4-celled ovary and 2-4 styles. or spurs short and spinelike. Win Fruit oblong, like a small apple ter buds very small, 7i 6 in. ( 1.5 ( pome) ; ¥2-% in. ( 12-20 mm.) mm.) long, rounded, brown, com long, yellow or red, with thin sour posed of many scales. Bark gray, flesh and 2-4 papery lined cells, smooth to slightly scaly, thin. each with 1 or 2large seeds. Flow Wood light brown, heavy, hard, ering in June, fruit maturing fine-textured. August-October.

163 Figure 66.-0regon crab apple (Malus diversifolia), natural size. Winter twigs at right.

Where the trees are sufficiently large, the wood is suitable for tool . handles. It is also used for smoking salmon but less commonly than alder wood. The crab apples were eaten by the Indians and are used in jellies and preserves. bottoms, low slopes, and heavy wet Commonly a shrub forming soils along the Pacific coast of thickets or a slow-growing small southeast and southern Alaska. tree scattered to plentiful on beach From southern end north to Haines meadow and muskeg fringes, river and Skagway at Lynn Canal, also

164 Figure 67.-Greene mountain-ash (Sor bus scopulina), one-half natural size. Winter twig at right.

alternate, with paired stipules at tached to petiole, pinnate with 7- 17 toothed leaflets paired except at at Yakutat and from Prince Wil end. Flower clusters ( corymbs) liam Sound southwest to end of terminal, much branched, showy. Kenai Peninsula. South Tongass, Flowers many, small, white, com North Tongass, and Chugach Na posed of calyx of 5 triangular per tional Forests. Alaska and south sistent sepals, 5 white mostly ward near coast to Washing rounded petals, 15-20 stamens, and ton, Oregon, and northwestern pistil with inferior 2-5-celled ovary, California. 2 ovules in each cell, and 2-5 styles. Fruits like a small red apple (pome) with calyx at apex, 2-4- MOUNTAIN-ASH (Sorbus) celled with 1-2 flattened seeds in each cell. Alaska has 3 native Deciduous shrubs and small trees species, 2 of which become sma:ll with stout twigs and large buds trees, and 1 introduced and natural with overlapping scales. Leaves ized tree species. 165 Key to the 4 Alaska Species

Leaflets 9 or 11 or more, oblong or elliptic, short-pointed or rounded at apex. Leaflets mostly 11-15, oblong, short-pointed, edges toothed nearly to base. · Leaflets becoming hairless; shrub or rarely small tree ------ ------~------67. Greene mountain-ash (Sorbus soopulina) Leaflets white-hairy beneath; naturalized tree ------ ------68. European mountain-ash (Sorbus auouparia) Leaflets mostly 9 or 11, elliptic, rounded or short-pointed at apex, edges not toothed in lowest third ------ ------69. Sitka mountain-ash (Sorbus sitohensis) Leaflets mostly 7 or 9, lance-shaped, long-pointed (westernmost Aleutian Islands) ------70. Siberian mountain-ash (Sorbus sambuoifolia)

67. GREENE minal, rounded, 1~-3 in. (3-7.5 em.) broad, bearing on whitish MOUNTAIN-ASH hairy stalks many fragrant flowers (Sorbus scopulina Greene) % in. (1 em.) across, composed of 5 minute triangular sepals, 5 elliptic Other names: western mountain petals %6 in. (5 rom.) long, many ash; Sorbus alaska;na G. N. Jones stamens, and pistil with inferior not Hollick, S. andersonii G. N. hairy 3-4-celled ovary and 3-4 Jones, Pyrus soopulina (Greene) styles. Fruits fewer than 25, like Longyear. a small apple (pome), round, less Deciduous shrub 3-13 ft. (1-4 than % in. (10 rom.) in diameter, m.) high, rarely becoming a small bright shiny red, bitter, with few tree to 20 ft. ( 6 m.) high and 4 in. elliptk.brown seeds more than ¥s (10 em.) d.b.h. Leaves pinnate, 4-9 in. (3 rom.) long, persistent in win in. (10-23 em.) long, with paired, ter. Flowering June-July, matur very narrow hairless stipules ~-% ing ftuits in July. in. (6-10 rom.) long. Leaflets 11- Openings and clearings in forests. 15, stalkless, oblong-lanceolate, 1~- Central interior Alaska from cen 2¥2 in. ( 3-6 em.) long and %-% tral Yukon River and Bering Sea in. ( 1-2 em.) wide, unequal and south to Katmai, southern, and rounded at base, short- or long southeast Alaska. South Tongass, pointed at apex, edges sharply North Tongass, and Chugach N a toothed almost to base, becoming tiona! Forests, Katmai National hairless, above shiny dark green, Monument. Alaska and British beneath slightly paler. Twigs with Columbia southeast to Alberta, whitish hairs when young, with South Dakota, New Mexico, and scattered elliptic dots (lenticels). California. Buds conical, dark reddish brown, This shrubby species was ob inner scales with whitish hairs. served at Haines as a small tree 20 Bark gray, smooth. ft. ( 6 m.) high and can be added Flower clusters ( corymbs) ter- to Alaska's list of trees.

166 Figure 68.-European mountain-ash (Sorbus aucuparia), one-half natural size. Fruits at upper left; winter twigs at right.

68. EUROPEAN MOUNTAIN-ASH ( Sorbus aucuparia L.)

Other name: Rowan-tree. Deciduous small to medium tree hairy or woolly, winter buds con planted as an ornamental in south ical, %6-% in. (5-10 mm.) long. east Alaska and sparingly natural Bark dark gray, smooth, with hori ized, 20-40 ft. ( 6-12 m.) tall and 1 zontal lines ( lenticels) , aromatic. ft. (30 em.) in trunk diameter, F1ower clusters ( corymbs) ter with symmetrical rounded crown. minal rounded, 4-6 in. (10-15 em.) LeavesJ?innate, 4-8 in. (10-20 em.) across, bearing 75-100 flowers on long, with paired 3-angled stip densely white-hairy stalks. Flowers ules. Leaflets 9-17, oblong or % in. (10 mm.) across, composed lance-shaped, 1-2 in. ( 2.5-5 em.) of 5 triangular white-hairy sepals, long, short-pointed, with edges 5 white rounded petals %6 in. (4 coarsely toothed except near un mm.) long, many stamens, and equal rounded base, dull green and pistil with inferior hairy ovary and becoming hairless above, pale and 3-4 styles. Fruits many, hke a white-hairy beneath. Young twigs small apple (pome), round, % in. and winter buds densely white- (10 mm.) in diameter, bright red; 167 seeds elliptic, light brown, %6 in. hairless above, pale and hairless or ( 4 nun.) long. Fruits maturing in nearly so beneath. Twigs stout, August-September. rusty hairy when young, becoming Planted as an ornamental tree gray, with few elliptic dots (lenti at Wrangell, Ketchikan, Sitka, cels) , with odor and bitter taste of Juneau, and probably other towns cherry. Buds oblong, to% in. (12 along the coast of southeast Alaska, mm.) long, dull reddish brown, where it spreads rapidly from cul densely rusty hairy. Bark gray, tivation. Sparingly naturalized smooth. Wood pale brown, light along roads and forming thickets. weight, fine-textured. The fruits persist into late fall and Flower clusters ( corymbs) ter early winter and provide food for minal, rounded, 2-4 in. (5-10 em.) birds, such as crossbills, grosbeaks, across, bearing 15-60 flowers on and cedar waxwings, which prob rusty-hairy stalks. Flowers small, ably spread the seeds. Numerous 14 in. ( 6 nun.) across, fragrant, crows can be seen eating the fruits composed of 5 broadly triangular in trees of southeastern towns also. hairless sepals, 5 white rounded Not a true ash, European moun petals 14 in. ( 5 mm.) long, many tain-ash is the only introduced or stamens, and pistil with inferior exotic tree to become established hairy ovary and 3--4 styles. Fruits in Alaska and grow as if wild. Its several to many, like a small apple specific name, meaning to catch (pome), round, %-% in. (10-12 birds, refers to the use of the muci nun.) in diameter, red but becoming laginous fruits by fowlers in mak orange and purple, with few elliptic ing birdlime. brown seeds ¥s in. ( 3 nun.) long. Naturalized in southeast Alaska. Flowering June-August, fruits ma Native of Europe and Asia but turing in August-September. widely planted and naturalized in Uncommon to rare in forests many places across Canada and from sea level to timberline, Pacific northern contiguous United States. coast of southeast and southern Alaska. Throughout southeast Alaska from Ketchikan and Hyder 69. SITKA MOUNTAIN-ASH north to head of Lynn Canal at Skagway, west along coast to (Sorb us sitchensis Roem.) Glacier Bay, Yakutat, Prince Wil Other names: western moun liam -Sound, Cook Inlet, Katmai tain-ash, Pacific mountain-ash. Region at base of Alaska Peninsula, Deciduous shrub 4-8 ft. (1.2- and 'Afognak and Kodiak Islands. 2.5 m.) high, or a small tree to 15- South Tongass, North Tongass, and 20 ft. ( 4.5-6 m.) high and 6 in. ( 15 Chugach National Forests. Glacier em.) in trunk diameter, with hand Bay and Katmai National Monu some, round-topped head. In rocky ments. Kenai National Moose alpine situations at higher altitudes Range. Alaska southeast along it is a low shrub often only 1-2 ft. coast to southern British Columbia ( 30-61 em.) high. Leaves pinnate, and in mountains to Washington, 4-8 in. (10-20 em.) long, with central California, Nevada, and paired narrow rusty-hairy stipules. northwestern Montana. Reported Leaflets usually 9 or 11 (sometimes from Yukon Territory. 7 to 13) , elliptic or oblong, 114- Often cultivated as an orna 2% in. ( 3-6 em.) long, rounded or mental north to Anchorage but with blunt-pointed at apex, with edges less regular form than European coarsely and sharply toothed above mountain-ash. Birds eat the fruits. the middle, dull blue green and Sitka mountain-ash is named for 168 Figure 69.-Sitka mountain-ash (Sor bus sitchensis), one-haH natnral size. Fruits at upper left; winter twig at upper right.

Sitka, Alaska, where it was dis covered. Hybrids with Greene em.) wide, usually broadest near mountain-ash (Sorbus scopulina unequal rounded base, gradually Greene) have heen reported. narrowed to long-pointed apex, edges sharply toothed almost to base, becoming hairless,. above shiny green, beneath dull and paler. 70. SIBERIAN Twigs rusty hairy when young, be MOUNTAIN-ASH coming gray, with few elliptic whit ish dots (lenticels). Buds shiny (Sorbus sambucifolia reddish brown, sticky, slightly rusty (Cham. & Schlecht.) Roem.) hairy. Flower clusters ( corymbs) ter Other names: elder-leaf moun minal, rounded, 11M, -2 in. ( 3--5 em.) tain-ash; Pyrus sambucifolia Cham. wide, bearing 8-15 flowers on & Schlecht. slightly rusty hairy stalks. FJ.ow· Deciduous shrub 2-5 ft. ( 0.6-1.5 ers %-% in. ( 1-1.5 em.) across, m.) high. Leaves pinnate, 2%-5 composed of 5 triangular sepals in. ( 6-12.5 em.) long, with paired hairy on edges, 5 white rusty hairy lance-shaped stipules rounded petals %6 in. ( 5 mm.) ~in. (3 mm.) long. Leaflets 7 or long, many stamens, and pistil with 9 (11), lance-shaped, 1-1%, in. (2.5- inferior hairy 5-celled ovary and 5 4.5 em,) long and %-% in. (1-2 styles. Fruits few, like a small 169 Figure 70.-Siberian mountain·ash (Sorbus sambucifolia), one-half nat ural size. Fruits at upper left. apple (pome), elliptic, %-% in. (10-15 mm.) in diameter, reddish with a bloom, with calyx at apex, containing £ew dark brown seeds more than Ys in. ( 3 mm.) long. Flowering in July, £ruits maturing small elliptic to oblong blades in August. mostly rounded at both ends and The £ruits are described as not coarsely toothed on edges. Buds very acid and suitable £or jam. oblong or conical, long and narrow, In Alaska only in 4 o£ western covered by several overlapping most Aleutian Islands (Attu, Bul scales. Flowers several in small dir, Alaid, Agattu). Aleutian terminal clusters (racemes) appear Islands National Wildlife Refuge. ing with or be£ore the leaves, com Asia £rom Kamchatka to Korea posed o£ bell-shaped base (hy and Japan. panthium), calyx o£ 5 persistent lobes- Ur sepals, 5 showy narrow SERVICEBERRY white petals, 10-20 stamens, and pistil~ith inferior 2-5-celled ovary ( Amelanchier) with 2 ovules in each cell and 2-5 styles mostly united at base. Fruit Deciduous shrubs or small trees. like a small apple (pome), round, Leaves alternate, simple, with dark blue or purple, with calyx at paired narrow stipules soon shed apex, juicy and sweet, containing ding, short petioles, and mostly 4-10 seeds and cells.

Key to the 2 Alaska Species Leaves nearly round, thick, about as broad as long, hairy beneath when young; calyx densely hairy when young ------ ------71. saskatoon serviceberry (.Amelanohier alnifolia) Leaves elliptic, longer than broad, thin, hairless or nearly so beneath; calyx hairless or nearly so ------ ------72. Pacific serviceberry (.Amelanchier florida) 170 Figure 71.-Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), one-half nat ural size. Winter twig at left.

(small tree to 13 ft. (4 m.) south ward). Leaves with slender peti oles%-% in. (1-2 em.) long, hairy when young. Blades nearly round, %-flh in. (1-4 em.) long, %-114 in. ( 1.5-3 em.) wide, rounded at both ends with teeth toward apex, 71. SASKATOON thick and firm, above dark green SERVICEBERRY and hairless, beneath paler and hairy when young. (Amelanchier alnijolia Flower clusters (racemes) 1:14- (Nutt.) Nutt.) 2% in. ( 3-6 em.) long. Flowers 5-15, fragrant, %-% in. ( 1.2-2 em.) Other name: northwestern serv broad, composed of calyx of 5 nar iceberry. row lobes, densely woolly when Shrub 3-6 ft. (1-2 m.) high young, 5 white oblong petals % in. 171 (1 em.) long, about 20 short sta Bark gray or brown, thin, smooth mens, and pistil with inferior hairy or slightly fissured. Wood light 5-celled ovary and 5 styles. Fruit brown, heavy hard, fine-textured. like an apple (pome), rounded,% Flower clusters (racemes) 1%-3 % in. ( 1-1.5 em.) in diameter, pur in. (4-7.5 em.) long, erect. Flowers ple or nearly black and covered several, fragrant, about 1 in. (2.5 with a bloom, sweet, juicy, and em.) across, composed of 5 pointed edible, containing several elliptic persistent sepals hairless or nearly flattened brown seeds %6 in. ( 5 so, 5 white oblong petals %-% in. mm.) long. Flowering in June, (12-15 mm.) long, about 20 sta maturing fruit in July. mens, and pistil with inferior hairy A rare shrub in Alaska, growing ovary and 5 styles. Fruit like an on steep dry south-facing bluffs, apple (pome), rounded, %-% in. usually with aspen and common (10-12 mm.) in diameter, purple juniJ?er. Not abundant enough to and covered with a bloom, sweet, be significant as a wildlife food. juicy, and edible, with few dark Listed as suitable for ornamental brown seeds l4 in. ( 5 mm.) long. planting in interior Alaska for the Flowering June-July, maturing white flowers and attractive fruits, fruit August-September. spreading freely and forming The fruits of the 2 native species thickets. of serviceberry are eaten fresh or Interior Alaska along Chitina prepared in puddings, pies, and and Copper Rivers and the head of muffins. The dried berries are used Cook Inlet. Also along Tanana and like raisins and currants. Birds central Yukon Rivers as far west are fond of the fruits. as Galena and it Chilkat River at Forests and openings, Pacific northern end of southeast Alaska. coast of southeast and southern Alaska and Y tlkon Territory east Alaska in four separate areas: to western Ontario and Minnesota, Extreme southeastern Alaska north south to Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, to Wrangell; northern part of Utah, and Oregon. southeast Alaska from Taku River to Haines and Skagway at head of Lyrin Canal; Kenai Peninsula and Cook Inlet area; and base of Alaska 72. PACIFIC SERVICEBERRY Peninsula to Wood River Lakes ( Amelanchier florida Lindl.) area nm-th of Dillingham. South Tongass, North Tongass, and Chu gach ; National Forests, Katmai Other names : western service National Monument, Kenai N a berry, juneberry. tiona! Moose Range. Alaska and Deciduous shrub or small tree to western British Columbia and sou~,h 16 ft. (5 m.) high and 5 in. (12.5 along coast from western Wash em.) in trunk diameter. Leaves ington to northwestern California. longer than broad, elliptic or ob long, 1-2 in. (2.5-5 em.) long, %- 1l4 in. ~2-3 em.) wide, rounded at both ends, coarsely toothed above 73. BLACK HAWTHORN middle, thin, dark green and becom ing hairless above, pale green and ( Crataegus douglasii Lindl.) hairless or nearly so beneath, peti oles slender, %-1 in. (1-2.5 em.) Deciduous shrub collected in long. Young twigs reddish brown, Alaska only at Hyder at southeast becoming hairless. Winter buds border, and in the Prince William narrow, purplish, of several scales. Sound area, southward becoming a

172 :.

Figure 72.-Pacific serviceberry (Amelanchier florida), one-half natural size. Win ter twig at right.

small spreading tree 25--40 ft. (7.5- Flower clusters ( corymbs) ter 12 m.) high and 1lh ft. ( 45 em.) minal, broad with several flowers d.b.h. Leaves alternate, with lh in. ( 1.2 em.) across on slender paired broad, toothed stipules, stalks, composed of greenish base slender petioles lh-% in. ( 1.2-2 (hypanthium), 5 long-pointed se em.) long, and obovate to ovate thin pals reddish at end, 5 white rounded blades 1-3 in. ( 2.5-7.5 em.) long spreading petals % in. ( 6 mm.) and %-2 in. ( 1.5-5 em.) wide, long, 10-20 stamens, and pistil with broadest toward the short-pointed inferior 2-5-celled ovary and 2-5 apex, base short-pointed sharply styles. Fruits like small apple toothed and often slightly lobed, ( pome) , many in drooping clusters becoming hairless, above shiny dark on long stalks, rounded, lh in. ( 12 green, paler beneath. Twigs slen mm.) in diameter, shiny black with der hairless shiny reddish, often calyx persistent at apex, thick light with straight or slightly curved yellow flesh, sweetish and mealy but stout red to gray spmes %-1 in. somewhat insipid and usually 5 (1-2.5 em.) long. Bark gray, nutlets % in. ( 6 mm.) long. smoothish. Rare and very local in Alaska, 173 Figure 73.-Biaek hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii), natural size. Winter twig and old fruits at left.

or spines on stems and leaves. Leaves~.alternate, simple and pal mately lobed or pinnately or pal mately compound with 3-5 toothed collected only at Hyder at southeast leafletS, with paired stipules at border and in the Prince William tached to base of petiole. Flowers Sound area. Southern and south clustered, often large, composed of east Alaska and British Colum saucerlike to conic base (hypan bia and south to Montana, Wy thium), calyx of 5 persistent sepals, oming, Nevada, and California; 5 white to red petals, many stamens, also in southwestern Ontario and and many pistils with 1-celled Michigan. ovary, 2 ovules, and style. Fruits aggregate, composed of usually many separate drupelets, fleshy, mostly edible, 1-seeded. Repre RASPBERRY (Rubus} sented in Alaska by 4 species of shrubs 2-7 ft. (0.3-2.2 m.) high Shrubs with perennial or bien and by 3 species of low herbs less nial stems, perennial herbs, and than 1 ft. ( 0.3 m.) , which are trailing vines, mostly with prickles described briefly.

174 Figure 7 4.-Ameriean red raspberry (Rubus idaeus var. strigosus), one baH natural size. Winter twig at right.

Key to the 4 Alaska Shrub Species

Leaves compound, with 3 or 5 leaflets; stems often spreading, spiny or prickly; fruit rounded. Twigs covered with bristles and prickles; fruit a red raspberry ______------74. American red raspberry (Rubus idaeus var. strigosus) Twigs with spines or prickles. Twigs light brown, zigzag, with weak straight rounded prickles; petals pink to purple; fruit yellow to dark red, edible, almost tasteless ------75. salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) Twigs whitish, with sto•.1t hooked flattened prickles or spines; petals white; fruit reddish to black raspberry ------ ------76. western black raspberry (Rubus le1.woaermis) Leaves simple, palmately 3-7 lobed; stems erect, without spines or prickles; fruit red, half round, edible ------ ------77. western thimbleberry (Rubus parviflor"U8) 74. AMERICAN RED var. canadensis Richards., R. strig osusMichx. RASPBERRY Deciduous bristly shrub 2--4 ft. (Rubus idaeus L. var. strigosus (0.6-1.2 m.) high with biennial stems. Leaves pinnately compound, (Michx.) Maxim.) 2%-7 in. (6-18 em.) long, with very narrow paired stipules less than Other names: red raspberry, % in. ( 1 em.) long. Leaflets 3 or raspberry; Rubus idaeus ssp. mel 5, paired except at end, ovate, 1%- anolasius (Dieck) Focke, R. idaeus 3% in. (4-9 em.) long, %,-2 in. (2- 175 5 em.) wide, long-pointed at apex, ( 6-10 mm.) long. Leaflets 3, ovate, rounded at base, irregularly toothed mostly 1-2lh in. (2.5-6 em.) long and shallowly lobed, above green and %-2 in. ( 1.5-2.5 em.) wide, the and mostly hairless, beneath gray terminal one larger than the lateral green and usually hairy. Twigs pair, thin, long-pointed at apex and reddish brown, covered with bristles short-pointed at base, sharply and and prickles, often hairy. Bark irregularly toothed and shallowly yellow brown, shreddy. lobed, above green and nearly hair Flower~ 1-4 lateral, small, %-lh less, beneath paler and slightly in. (10-12 mm.) across, composed hairy. Twigs zigzag, light brown, of calyx of 5 narrow hairy sepals becoming hairless, often with scat about % in. ( 6 mm.) long, 5 white tered sharp weak spines or prickles oblong petals about % in. ( 6 mm.) ¥! 6-Ys in. (2-3 mm.) which break long erect or slightly spreading, off easily. Bum Ys-% in. (3-10 many (75-100) stamens, and many mm.) long, light brown, of over pistils. Fruit aggregate, a red lapping scales, white hairy at raspberry, rounded, % in. (2 em.) pointed apex with 2 needlelike stip long and broad, of many hairy ules at base. Bark light brown, drupelets, separating from base. becoming shreddy. Flowering June-July, fruits ma Flowers 1 or 2 lateral on long turing July-September. slender stalks, large and showy, 1lh Red raspberries are eaten fresh in. ( 4 em.) across, composed of or in jams and jellies. calyx of 5 spreading long-pointed Common to abundant in openings hairy greenish sepals%-% in. (10- and borders of forests, forming 15 mm.) long, 5 spreading elliptic thickets, also a roadside weed. pink to reddish purple petals %-% Across Alaska from interior to in. (15-22 mm.) long, many (75- southeast, but not in far north, 100) purplish stamens, and many Alaska Peninsula, or Aleutian ( 20-40) pistils. Fruit aggregate, Islands. Chugach, North Tongass, separating from base and persistent and South Tongass National For calyx like a raspberry, orange to ests. Mt. McKinley National Park, dark red, conelike, %-1 in. ( 1.5- Kenai National Moose Range. 2.5 em.) long and broad, juicy, of Alaska across Canada to New many small drupes, edible, taste foundland, south to North Carolina, mil.d. _Flo~ering April-July, ma Iowa, Arizona, California, and turmg frmt by early July near northern Mexico. Ketchikan but not until August on A variable species with geograph ~odi~k and Afognak Islands and ical varieties, this one also in north at higher altitudes. ern Asia. The typical variety ex The fruits make good jelly but tends across northern Europe to are rather seedy for jam. They are northwestern Asia. eaten by bears in the fall. New leaves and twigs are browsed in the 75. SALMONBERRY spring by deer, moose, and moun tain goats. (Rubus spectabilis Pursh) Salmonberry is scattered to com Large or small thicket-forming mon or abundant in moist soil, deciduous shrub 2-7 ft. (0.6-2 m.) forming dense thickets in openings high, with erect and curved biennial in low land forests, clearings, and stems. Leaves compound, 2-5 in. along streams. It spreads quickly (5-12 em.) long, slender hairy axis after clearcutting and can be a seri and paired very narrow needlelike ous competitor of conifer regenera hairy persistent stipules %-% in. tion on moist valley bottom sites.

176 Figure 75.-Salmonberry (Rubus spec tabilis), one-half natui-al size. Winter twig at right.

Southeast and southern Alaska to Aleutian Islands. South Tongass, North Tongass, and Chugach N a tiona! Forests, Glacier Bay and Katmai National Monuments, Ke stipules less than lA, in. ( 6 mm.) nai National Moose Range, Kodiak long. Leaflets 3, ovate, %-3 in. Island and Aleutian Islands N a (2-7.5 em.) long, %-2 in. (1-5 em.) tional Wildlife Refuges. Alaska wide, short to long-pointed at apex, south to northwestern California. rounded at base, edges irregularly Also a variety in Japan. Hybrids toothed to shallowly lobed, above with nagoon-berry (Rubus arotious green and hairless or nearly so, L.), a herbaceous species, have been beneath whitish hairy. Twigs whit recorded from southern and south ish, with many stout hooked flat east Alaska (Alaska bramble, R. tened prickles or spines to lA, in, X alMkensis Bailey). ( 6 mm.) long. Flower clusters (racemes) of 2- 76. WESTERN BLACK 7 flowers close together at leaf base, less than lf2 in. ( 12 mm.) across, RASPBERRY composed of calyx of 5 narrow (Rubus leucodermis Dougl.) hairy sepals lA, -lh in. ( 6-12 mm.) long and bent downward, 5 white Other name: whitebark rasp petals shorter than sepals, many berry. (70-100) stamens, and many pistils. Deciduous spiny shrub 3-6 ft. Fruit aggregate, a reddish to black (1-2m.) high, with biennial stems. raspberry with whitish bloom, Leaves compound, 3-5 in. (7.5-12.5 rounded, to lf2 in. ( 12 mm.) broad, em.) long, with very narrow paired . of many hairy drupes, edible, sep- 177 Figure 76.-Western black raspberry (Rubus leucodermis) one-half natural size. Fruits at upper left. arating from base. Collected with hairs. Blades rounded or 5-angled, fruit in August and September. 2lf2-6 in. ( 6-15 em.) long and Rare in southeast Alaska, possi broad, thin, palmately lobed with bly introduced. Recorded from mostly 5 (sometimes 3 or 7) shal abandoned Tongass Village, Sitka, low short-pointed lobes, heart and Haines, also along railroad at shaped at base, edges sharply Indian Creek southeast of Anchor doubly toothed with gland teeth, age. South Tongass and North with 5 main veins from base, above Tongass National Forests. Alaska dull g~;een and nearly hairless, be and British Columbia south to neath. paler, slightly hairy and with southern California, east to Utah, stalked gland hairs along veins. Wyoming, and Montana. Twigs greenish, finely hairy and with stalked gland hairs. Bark gray, shreddy or flaky. 77. WESTERN Flower clusters ( corymbs or pan TIDMBLEBERRY icles) terminal and flat-topped. Flowers mostly 3-7, 1lf2-2 in. (4-5 (Rubus parviflorus Nutt.} em.) across, composed of calyx of 5 spreading narrow hairy greenish Other names: thimbleberry; R. sepals%-% in. (10-15 mm.) long, nutkanus Moe. 5 white obovate spreading petals Deciduous erect shrub 2-5 ft. %-1 in. (20-25 mm.) long, many (0.6-1.5 m.) high, with erect peren stamens, and many pistils. Fruit nial stems, without spines. Leaves aggregate, thimblelike, half round simple, with paired lance-shaped and flattened, lf2 in. ( 12 mm.) stipules ~-lh in. (6-12 mm.) long across, juicy and edible, composed and slender petioles 1-4 in. (2.5- of many small hairy red drupelets 10 em.) long with stalked gland 7{ 6 in. (2 mm.) long. Flowering 178 ~-

Figure 77.-Winter thimbleberry (Ru bus parviflorus), one-haH natural size. Winter twig at right.

179 June-July, with mature fruits throughout Alaska, across Canada August-September. to Labrador and Greenland, south The fruits are excellent for jelly to New York. Also across northern but too seedy for jam. Eurasia. The edible berries are Common in moist soil in thickets collected in quantities in late Aug a_nd openings of forests, along road ust and early September and are Sides, and on cutover land, south stored frozen by the Eskimos for east Alaska north to Lynn Canal winter use. Rich in vitamin C, and Yakutat. South Tongass and even when frozen soon after pick North Tongass National Forests. ing, the berries are eaten fresh· and Southeast Alaska east to Ontario in jam, shortcake, and pie. and Minnesota, south in mountains Nagoon-berry (Rubus arcticus to New Mexico, California, and L.; other names: wineberry, Arctic northern Mexico. bramble, kneshenada; R. aeaulis Besides the 4 shrubby species Michx., R. stellatus Sm., R. arotious with woody stems described here, ssp. aoaulis (Michx.) Focke, R. 3 additional native species of this arotious ssp. stellatus (Sm.) Boi genus are herbs with creeping stems vin). Herbs 2-10 in. (5-25 em.) or erect herbaceous stems usually high from spreading rootstock. less than 1 ft. ( 30 em.) high. These Leaves with slender petioles 1-2 in. are summarized below. ( 2.5-5 em.) long and 3 almost stalk Five-leaf bramble (Rubus peda less elliptic toothed leaflets o/s-1% tus Sm.). Slender trailing herba in. (1.5-3 em.) long; a variation ceous vine rooting at nodes and with simple rounded leaves 1-2 in. forming mats, flowering twigs less (2.5-5 em.) long and broad, deeply than 1 in. ( 2.5 em.) high. Leaves 3-lobed. Flowers 1-3, pink or red, 2-4, palmately compound, with %-1% in. ( 2-3 em.) across. Fruit slender petiole 1-3 in. (2.5-7.5 em.) red, lh-% in. ( 1.2-2 em.) across, long and 5 nearly stalkless obovate of 15-40 drupelets not separating irregularly toothed leaflets %-1% from calyx, edible. The berries are in. (1-3 em.) long. Flower 1, erect a favorite for jam, jelly, and wine, white, ¥2-% in. (1.2-1.5 em.) because of their excellent flavor. across, with petals and sepals about Common in sedge meadows and equal. Fruit of 1-6 red drupelets bogs, interior, western, southern, % in. long (1 em.), juicy, edible, and sootheast Alaska and through used for jam. Forests in southern Aleutian Islands. This widespread and southeast Alaska, southeast to varil).ble species has intergrades and Alberta, Montana, and Oregon. hybrids among its races. Across Also in Japan. Canada to Labrador and New Cloudberry (Rubus chamae foundland, south to Minnesota and morus L.; baked-apple berry). Colorado. Also across northern Erect herb 2-8 in. (5-20 em.) high Eurasia. from creeping rootstock. Leaves 2 or 3 with slender petioles lh-1 in. 78. BUSH CINQUEFOIL ( 1.2-2.5 em.) long and rounded blades 1-2 in. (2.5-5 em.) across, (Potentilla jruticosa L.) with 3 or 5 rounded lobes and finely Other names: shrubby cinque toothed border. Flower 1 erect foil, yellow-rose; Dasiphora fruti white, lh-1 in. ( 1.2-2.5 em.) across. oosa (L.) Rydb. Fruit lh-% in. ( 1.2-2 em.) in di Much branched deciduous shrub ameter, edible, composed of 6-18 1-5lh ft. (0.3-1.7 m.) high. Leaves large pink drupelets the color of a alternate, pinnate, %-1% in. (2-3.5 baked apple. In bogs almost em.) long, with paired clasping,

180 Figure 78.-Bush cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa), natural size. Winter twig at right.

ovate, light brown membranous hairy persistent stipules 1,4-¥2 in. ( 6-12 mm.) long, w1th very slender light brown hairy axis. Leaflets 5, stalkless, close together near end of axis and paired except at end, narrowly oblong or oblanceolate, %-%in. (6-20mm.) long and ¥! 6- % in. (2-6 mm.) wide, short pointed at both ends, edges turned maturing July - September and under, above dull green with in persistent. conspicuous pressed hairs, beneath Wild plants tested in interior whitish green with silky hairs. Alaska as ornamentals have scrag TWigs slender, light brown, with gly growth. Several horticultural long silky hairs, becoming hair varieties including dwarf and large less. Bark brown gray, shreddy. flowered are cultivated elsewhere. Flowers borne singly at leaf bases It is reported that the leaves have or 3-7 in small terminal clusters been used for tea by the Eskimos (cymes) , erect on slender silky at Nome. hairy stalks, large and showy %- Common to abundant in moist 1% in. (2-3 em.) across, composed soil of swamps and borders of of saucer-shaped hairy base (hy streams and lakes and on dry panthium), 5 narrow green bracts rocky hillsides. Almost through % in. ( 6 mm.) long, 5 spreading out Alaska except western Alaska ovate hairy sepals 1,4 in. ( 6 mm.) Peninsula, Aleutian Islands, and long, 5 rounded spreading yellow most of southeast. Chugach Na petals%-% in. (10-15 mm.) long, tional Forest, Mt. McKinley N a 20-30 short stamens, and many tional Park, Katmai National Mon pistils with very hairy 1-celled ument, Kenai National Moose ovary, 1 ovule, and short persistent Range, Arctic National Wildlife style attached on side. Fruits Range. Alaska across Canada (akenes) many, egg-shaped, ¥! 6 in. to Labrador, Newfoundland, and (2 mm.) long, light brown and cov Greenland, south to New Jersey, ered with whitish hairs, 1-seeded. Iowa, New Mexico, and California. Flowering June- August, fruits Also across northern Eurasia.

181 MOUNTAIN-A VENS (Dryas) across, composed of saucerlike or convex base (hypanthium), calyx of 8-10 persistent sepals, 8-10 widely spreading white petals (pale Evergreen densely tufted, herba yellow and slightly spreading in ceous dwarf shrubs with pros Drummond mountain-avens, Dryas trate stems woody at base, branch drwrrvmondii), many stamens, and ing, rooting, often forming large many pistils with 1-celled ovary rounded mats or clumps. Leaves with 1 ovule and slender hairy styles crowded but alternate, with 2 nar forming feathery plumes. row long-pointed stipules attached Besides the 3 species generally ac to slender petiole. Blade mostly cepted and illustrated here, varia oblong, leathery, with wavy toothed tions and hybrids have been de or straight edges, dark green above scribed. Also 2-5 additional species and densely white-hairy beneath. or subdivisions listed under other Flowers many and showy, solitary names are sometimes accepted in on erect stalks, %-1 in. ( 2-2.5 em.) Alaska.

Key to the 3 Alaska Species Leaves short-pointed (wedge-shaped) at base; flowers nodding with pale yellow, slightly spreading petals ------ ------79. Drummond mountain-avens (Dryas drummondii) Leaves straight or notched (heart-shaped) at base; flowers erect with white, widely spreading petals. Leaves with edges wavy-toothed from apex to base, very rough on upper surface, with glands and scales on midvein beneath ------ ------80. white mountain-avens (Dryas ootopetala) Leaves with edges straight (entire) or slightly wavy in lower half, not rough or slightly rough on upper surface, without glands and scales on midvein beneath ------ ------81. entire-leaf mountain-avens (Dryas integrifolia) -· 79. DRUMMOND usuall~ slightly hairy with sunken veins, beneath densely white hairy. MOUNTAIN-AVENS Flowers solitary, nodding on (Dryas drummondii whitish hairy stalks 2-8 in. ( 5-20 em.) high, yellow, %-1 in. (2-2.5 Richards.) em.) across, with saucer-like base, 8-10 ovate short-pointed, blackish, Other name: yellow dryas. gland hairy sepals nearly ~ in. ( 6 Evergreen herbaceous dwarf mm.) long, and 8-10 yellow petals shrub with prostrate stems, form nearly lf2 in. (12 mm.) long. Fruits ing large mats. Leaves crowded, headlike of many akenes %6 in. ( 4 with long slender petiole. Blades mm.) long with persist~nt long elliptic, %-1~ in. (1.5-3 em.) long, hairy styles forming feathery %-% in. ( 1-2 em.) wide, thick, plumes 1-1¥2 in. (2.5-3.5 em.) long rounded at apex and short-pointed in mass 1-2¥2 in. ( 2.5-6 em.) in at base, edges wavy-toothed and diameter. Flowering June-July, turned under, above dark green and fruits maturing July-August.

182 Figure. 79.-Drummond mountain-avens (Dryas drummondii), natUI'Ial size.

Arctic-alpine to lowland areas Wildlife Range. Alaska and Yu especially as a pioneer on gravel kon Territory east to Great Slave bars of flood plains. Interior Lake, south to Montana, and local Alaska in eastern Brooks Range in Washington and Oregon; local and from Alaska Range south to on north shore of Lake Superior Kenai Peninsula and to north end and in Gaspe Peninsula region. of southeast Alaska. North Ton gass National Forest, Mt. McKinley The scientific name honors the National Park, Glacier Bay Na discoverer, Thomas Drummond tional Monument, Kenai National ( 1780-1835), Scotch botanical ex Moose Range, Arctic National plorer in North America.

183 80. WHITE Arctic National Wildlife Range Alaska and Yukon Territory east MOUNTAIN-AVENS to Mackenzie Delta and south in (Dryas octopetala L.) Rocky Mountains to Colorado, Utah, and Oregon. Also Greenland and Iceland and across northern Eurasia. Other names : eight-petal moun One variation (Dryas octopetala tain-avens; Dryas octopetala ssp. ssp. alaskensis (Porsild) Hult.) has alaskensis (Porsild) Hult. ssp. the leaves broadest above middle hookeriana (Juz.) Hult., var. hook and more numerous teeth deeply eriana . ( Juz.) Breit., var. kam divided nearly half way to midvein. tschatica (Juz.) Hult., var. viscida Interior Alaska, especially above Hult. ; D. alaskensis Porsild, D. tree line, except far north, south crenulata Juz., D. kamtschatica west, and southeast, also in Yukon Juz., D. punctata Juz. Territory and Mackenzie Delta. Evergreen tufted herbaceous This species is widely grown in dwarf shrub with prostrate stems. rock gardens and is rated as ex Leaves crowded, with slender peti cellent for interior Alaska. Plants ole. Blades oblong, %-114 in. (1- of this and the other Alaska species 3 em.) long, %6-% in. ( 0.5-1 em.) can be propagated by layering or wide, rounded at apex and short by cuttings. pointed, rounded, or notched at base, edges coarsely wavy toothed and turned under, above shiny green, hairless and rough with veins deeply sunken, beneath densely 81. ENTIRE-LEAF white hairy and with glands and MOUNTAIN-AVENS scales on midvein. Flowers solitary on erect hairy (Dryas integrifolia Vahl) stalks 1-5 in. ( 2.5-12.5 em.) high, white, 1-114 in. (2.5-3 em.) across, Other names: Dryas chamis with convex base, 8-10 narrow, sonis Spreng. ex J uz., D. integri gland hairy sepals 14 in. ( 6 mm.) folia var. sylvatica Hult. and ssp. long, and · 8-10 widely spreading sylva~ica (Hult.) Hult., D. sylvat white petals%-% in. (10-12 mm.) ica (Hult.) Porsild) . long. Fruits headlike, of many Evergreen herbaceous dwarf akenes ¥s in. ( 3 mm.) long with shrhb with prostrate stems. Leaves persistent elongate hairy styles crowded with slender hairy petiole forming feathery plumes more than 14 in. ( 6 mm.) long. Blades nar 1 in. (2.5 em.) long. Flowering rowly oblong or lanceolate, %-1 May-June, fruits maturing July (1%) in. (1-2.5 (3.5) em.) long, August. lfs-% in. ( 0.3-1 em.) wide, thick Arctic-alpine areas through most with blunt apex, broadest near of Alaska except northern coastal rounded or notched base, edges plain, Aleutian and Kodiak Islands, mostly turned under and without and south central and southeastern teeth or with few wavy teeth to coastal areas. Southeast to Glacier ward base, above shiny dark green, Bay and head of Lynn Canal. smooth, and usually hairless, be Chugach National Forest, Mt. Mc neath densely white hairy. Kinley National Park, Glacier Bay Flowers solitary on erect stalks and Katmai National Monuments, 1-4 (8) in. (2.5-10 (20) em.) high, Kenai National Moose Range, hairy, and usually with blackish

184 Figure 80.-White mouiltain-avens (Dryas octopetala), natural size. gland hairs, %-1 in. (2-2.5 em.) also in open spruce stands near across with convex base, 8-9 nar timberline. Arctic-alpine areas row, gland hairy sepals nearly ~ nearly throughout Alaska from in. ( 5 mm.) long, and 8-9 spreading Bering Strait to Canadian border white petals%-% in. (10-12 mm.) but not found in the Aleutians, long. Fruits headlike, of many southwest, and extreme southeast. akenes Ys in. ( 3 mm:) long with Chugach and North Tongass N a persistent long hairy styles forming tiona! Forests, Mt. McKinley N a whitish feathery twisted plumes tiona! Park, Glacier Bay National %-1 ~ in. ( 2-3 em.) long in mass Monument, Kenai National Moose 1-1% in. (2.5--3.5 em.) in diameter. Range, Arctic National Wildlife Flowering May-August, fruits ma Range. Alaska across northern turing June-August. Canada to Greenland, Labrador, Common and widespread in low and Newfoundland, and south to land and alpine tundra, on gravel Gaspe Peninsula, north of Lake bars and rocky slopes, in muskegs, Superior, and southeastern British

185 Figure 81.-Entire-lea:f mountain-avens (Dryas integrifolia), natural size.

Columbia (reported £rom Mon pointed, and edges mostly without tana and long ago £rom New teeth, and taller flower stalks. It Hampshire). is £ound in bogs and spruce forests A variation at low altitudes in on gravel and limestone in interior interior Alaska (Dryas integrifolia Alaska except £ar north, southwest, var. sylvatica Hult.) has leaves and southeast, also in Yukon Terri long-stalked, long, thin, flat, with tory and northwest District o£ round apex, base rounded or short- Mackenzie.

186 ROSE (Rosa) (hypanthium) narrowed at apex, 5 narrow sepals mostly persistent, Deciduous shrubs, sometimes 5 large spreading commonly pink climbing, with prickly or spiny petals broad and notched at apex, twigs. Leaves alternate, with many stamens, and within the hairy paired stipules attached to base of base many pistils with 1-celled hairy petiole, pinnate with leaflets paired ovary, 1 ovule, and style. Fruit except at end, toothed on edges. berrylike, a rounded reddish fleshy Flowers few or single; large, fra hip containing several to many grant, composed of rounded base "seeds" ( akenes) .

Key to the· 3 Alaska Species

Leaflets simply toothed; stipules long-pointed, not toothed; twigs with slender round prickles or spines, many or scattered (interior Alaska) . Leaflets pale green and slightly hairy beneath; stipules mostly broad; prickles many; flowers 1 to few, about 2 in. (5 em.) across----- ------82. prickly rose (Rosa acioularis) Leaflets whitish green and mostly hairless beneath; stipules narrow; prickles few, scattered; flowers several in clusters, about 1 in. (2.5 em.) across ------83. Woods rose (Rosa woodsii) Leaflets mostly doubly toothed with teeth of 2 sizes; stipules short pointed, with gland teeth; twigs with few flattened prickles or spines paired at base of leaves or twigs (nodes); flowers mostly 1, more than 2 in. (5 em.) across (southeast and southern Alaska) ------ ------84. ~utka rose (Rosa nutkana)

82. PRICKLY ROSE young, becoming dark red purple to gray, bristly with many straight (Rosa acicularis Limll.) slender gray sharp spines or prickles~-* in. (3-6 mm.) long, unequal and round (not flattened) . Other name : wild rose. Buds YI 6 -~ in. (2-3 mm.) long, Spiny much branched shrub 1-4 blunt, dark red, with few hairless ( 7) ft. ( 0.3-2.2 m.) high. Leaves scales. alternate, pinnate, 2-3% in. (5-9 Flowers 1, sometimes 2 or 3, at em.) long, with hairy glandular end of short mostly lateral twigs, axis and paired broad pointed stip on slender curved hairless stalk 1- ules %-1 in. (1-2.5 em.) long. 1% in. (2.5-4 em.) long, large, 1%- Leaflets mostly 5 (3-9), paired ex 2* in. ( 4-6 em.) across, with hair cept at end, stalkless, elliptic, less greenish base (hypanthium) mostly o/s-2* in. (1.5-6 em.) long pear-shaped, elliptic or rounded and *-1* in. (0.5-3 em.) wide, and narrowed into neck at apex, 5 rounded at both ends, edges toothed, narrow leaflike greenish sepals o/s- the teeth often gland-tipped, above 1* in. (1.5-3 em.) long, narrowest dull green and usually hairless, in middle, hairy and with gland beneath pale green and slightly hairs, and 5 pink to rose petals hairy. Twigs light green when %,-114 in. ( 2-3 em.) long. Fruit

187 Figure 82.-Priekly rose (Rosa acicu· laris), one-half natural size. Winter twigs at right. berrylike, pearlike, elliptic or prepared from the pulp after seeds rounded hip%-% in. (15-20 mm.) and skins are removed by sieving. long and ~-% in. (6-15 mm.) Flavor is improved by combining in diameter, dark red or pur with a tart fruit or juice such as plish, fleshy and edible, becoming cranberry or high bushcranberry. shrunken ~nd wrinkled, curved It is reported that a tea has been downward and bearing at apex made _from the leaves. Rose hips the persistent long sepals mostly are eaten by grouse and other birds pressed together, containing few duripg fall and winter. light brown hairy "seeds" ( akenes) Wild rose bushes make attractive nearly %6 in. (5 mm.) long, per ornamentals when transplanted in sistent through winter. Flowering interior Alaska but need careful June-July, fruits turning red in pruning. August. Locally common in shaded under The reddish edible fruits of this growth of deciduous and spruce and related species, known as rose forests, with aspen on old burns, hips or rose haws, are very rich in also thickets, roadsides, and bogs. vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and serve Almost throughout central Alaska as a winter source. They are gath except extreme north, southwest, ered in the fall when hard but Aleutian and Kodiak Islands, and persist through the winter, be southeast. Collected north of coming soft. The juice extracted by Brooks Range at Umiat and Sadler boiling is mixed with other fruit ochit Hot Springs. Chugach Na juices or used in jellies or syrups. tional Forest, Mt. McKinley N a Jams, marmalades, and catchup are tiona} Park, Kenai National Moose

188 Figure 83.-Woods rose (Rosa woodsii), one-half natural size. Winter twig at right.

N ootka rose (Rosa nutkana Presl) intermediate between the parents occur in southern Alaska where the ranges meet.

83. WOODS ROSE (Rosa woodsii Lindl.) Range, Arctic National Wildlife Range. Alaska east across Canada Spiny deciduous shrub 2-5 ft. to Labrador and Anticosti south (0.6-1.5 m.) high. Leaves alter to West Virginia, Minnesota, New nate, pinnate, 2-4 in. (5-10 em.) Mexico, Idaho, and British Co long, with paired narrow pointed lumbia. Also widespread across stipules %-% in. (1-2 em.) long. northern Eurasia. Leaflets 5-9, paired except at end, A variable species. Hybrids with rounded at apex, short-pointed at 189 base, edges toothed, above green in. ( 3-6 mm.) long, straight or and hairless, beneath whitish green slightly curved at base o£ leaves or and hairless or .finely hairy. Twigs twigs (nodes) or nearly spineless. greenish, becoming reddish brown, Buds ¥s in. (3 mm.) long, blunt, hairless, with £ew scattered straight dark red, with £ew hairless scales. or curved spines or prickles Ys-~ Flowers mostly 1, sometimes 2 in. (3-6mm.) long. or more, at end o£ short lateral Flowers mostly several in lateral twigs, on stout erect stalk %-1 in. clusters (cymes) , sometimes £ew or (2-2.5 em.) long, large, 2-2¥2 in. 1, 1-1¥2 in. ( 2.5--4 em.) across, with (5-6 em.) across, with rounded rounded base (hypanthium) %6 in. mostly hairless base (hypanthium) ( 5 mm.) wide, 5 narrow persistent .%-% in. (6-10 mm.) broad, 5 sepals %-% in. (10--20 mm.) long, narrow leaflike persistent sepals mostly not glandular, and 5 light %-1~ in. (15-30 mm.) long, nar pink to rose petals lh-% in. ( 12- rowest in middle, hairy and with 20 mm.) long. Fruit berrylike, gland hairs, and 5 ;eink to rose rounded or elliptic hip ~-lh in. petals %-1~ in. (20--30 mm.) (6-12 mm.) long and wide, contain long. Fruit berrylike, rounded ing many hairy "seeds" ( akenes) red or purplish hip :lh-% in. ( 12- more than Ys in. (3 mm.) long. 20 mm.) in diameter, without neck, Flowering in July. with long sepals at apex, hairless, Apparently rare and local in fleshy, containing several to many Alaska, collected only at Circle Hot hairy shiny brown "seeds" ( akenes) Springs and Tok. Yukon Terri %6__14 in. (5-6 mm.) long, be tory and District o£ Mackenzie east coming wrinkled and persistent to Saskatchewan and Wisconsin, through winter. Flowering June and south to Kansas and Colorado. August, with mature fruits in Named £or Joseph Woods ( 1776- August. 1864) , English botanist and spe Rose hips o£ this species are cialist on roses. utilized £or jelly, preserves, and catchup and as a source o£ vita min C as noted under prickly rose. Forming thickets along beaches, 84. NOOTKA ROSE coastal areas o£ southeastern and (Rosa nutkana Presl) south~rn Alaska, Kodiak Island, and -Aleutian Islands (collected Spiny deciduous shrub 5-8 ft. only at Unalaska). Common (1.5-2.5 m.) high, sometimes only arodnd Haines and Skagway at 2 ft. ( 0.6 m.). Leaves alternate, head o£ Lynn Canal and on Kodiak pinnate, 2lf2--4 in. (6--10 em.) long, Island but uncommon elsewhere. with hairy· glandular axis and South Tongass, North Tongass, paired short-pointed stipules % and Chugach National Forests, % in. ( 1-2 em.) long with gland Kenai National Moose Range, Ko teeth. Leaflets mostly 5-7 ( 9), diak National Wildlife Refuge, paired except at end, stalkless, Aleutian Islands National Wild elliptic or ovate, lh-2 in. ( 1.2-5 life Refuge. Southeast along coast em.) long, ~-1¥2 in. (0.6--4 em.) £rom Aleutian and Kodiak Islands wide, rounded at both ends, edges to northwestern California and in mostly doubly toothed with gland land in mountains to eastern Ore teeth, above dull green and hair gon, Utah, and Colorado. less, beneath paler and mostly hairy As indicated by the names, this along viens. Twigs pink brown, species was discovered at N ootka hairless, with £ew mostly paired Sound, Vancouver Island, British stout flattened whitish spines Ys-~ Columbia.

190 0 (Rosa nut- F 8 N otka rose • Winter ...,luure )one-a4-• h lf natural size. kana • . ht twigs at rig •

191 MAPLE FAMILY short-pointed, Ys-~ in. (3-6 mm.) long, dark red, the side buds paired (Aceraceae) (opposite). Bark gray, smooth. Wood light brown, heavy, hard, The maple family composed of fine-textured. deciduous trees is represented in Flower clusters ( corymbs) ter Alaska by Douglas maple in the minal, appearing with the leaves, southeast part. Maples have the with several flowers on slender following characteristics for rec spreading or drooping stalks. ognition: (1) leaves paired ( op Flowers mostly male and female posite), long-stalked, broad, 3- on different trees ( dioecious), lobed or 5-lobed and toothed; (2) about Ys in. (3 mm.) long, com flowers male and female on the posed of 4 narrow yellow green same or different trees, small, in sepals as long as the narrow yel clusters appearing with the leaves; low green petals, 7-8 stamens, and and (3) fruits, distinctive paired in female flowers very short sta winged, 1-seeded keys. In winter mens and pistil with 2-celled ovary the paired (opposite) 0-shaped and 2 styles. Fruit of paired, leaf-scars aid in recognition. winged, 1-seeded keys (samaras) %-1 in. (2--2.5 em.) long, usually red until shed, then turning to light brown. Flowering in May, fruit maturing July-August. Common along shores in south 85. DOUGLAS MAPLE east Alaska, sometimes fringing (A.cer glabrum Torr. var. tidal meadows or bogs. Occasional in rich moist soils on forested douglasii (Hook.) Dipp.) slopes. The trees are seldom large enough for commercial purposes. Other names: dwarf maple, Southeast Alaska, common along Douglas Rocky Mountain maple; the coast north to the head of Lynn Acer glabrum ssp. douglasii Canal at Skagway. South Tongass (Hook.) Wesmael, A. douglasii and North Tongass National For Hook.; variety of Rocky Moun ests. Southeast Alaska, southeast tain maple, A. glabrum Torr. to western and southern British Deciduous small tree of south Columbia, southern Alberta, west east Alaska becoming 20--30 ft. ( 6- ern ;Montana, and northwestern 9 m.) tall and 6-12 in. (15-30 em.) Wyoming, and west to Idaho, in trunk diameter but often a sev Washington, and Oregon. Rocky eral-stemmed shrub 4-6 ft. (1.2-- Mountain maple (Acer glabrum 1.8 m.) high. Leaves paired ( op Torr., including this and other posite) , ovate, 2-4 in. (5-1 0 em.) varieties) extends southward to long and broad, slightly heart northwestern Nebraska and in shaped at base, shallowly 3-lobed mountains to southern New Mexico with the lobes long-pointed, deep and southern California. ly, sharply, and irregularly or Douglas maple is the only mem doubly toothed, hairless, shiny ber of the maple family ( Acera dark green above, pale beneath with ceae) native in Alaska. Named for yellowish veins. Petioles 1%-4 its discoverer, David Douglas in. (4-10 em.) long, slender, red ( 1798-1834) , Scotch botanical ex dish tinged. Twigs paired ( oppo plorer, who introduced many site), reddish, hairless, with U trees from western North America shaped leaf scars. Winter buds to Europe.

192 Figure 85.-Douglas maple (Acer gla brum var. douglasii), one-half nat ural size. Winter twigs at left.

ward nearly to the boundary (not to Queen Charlotte Islands) and southward in the Pacific coast region to southern California. Bigleaf maple is readily distin guished by the paired (opposite) long-stalked, very large leaves 5- Bigleaf maple (AceT macTo 14 in. (12.5-35.5 em.) long and phyllum Pursh) has been reported broad, which are heart-shaped, from the southern end of south deeply 5-lobed with additional eastern Alaska, apparently in smaller lobes, and with few teeth. error. It was not found in a spe The clustered fruits are paired, cial search along Portland Canal winged 1-seeded keys 1* -2 in. at the border with British Colum ( 3-5 em.) long and 1f2 in. ( 1.2 bia. However, it extends north- em.) wide, bristly hairy at base.

193 ELAEAGNUS FAMILY out stipules, not toothed on edges. Flowers small, lateral, single or (Elaeagnaceae) few with both stamens and pistil (bisexual) or male and female, without petals, composed of tube Deciduous shrubs (elsewhere also (hypanthium), 4-lobed calyx, 4 or small trees and also evergreen), 8 stamens, and pistil with 1-celled covered with scurfy or star-shaped ovary, 1 ovule, and style. Fruit silvery or brown scales. Leaves drupelike, consisting of fleshy tube alternate or opposite, simple, with- and 1-seeded nutlet.

Key to the 2 Alaska Species Leaves opposite, green above and brownish scaly beneath; flowers male and female on different plants ------ ------86. buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis) Leaves alternate, silvery scaly on both surfaces; flowers bisexual ----- ------87. silverberry (Elaeagnus commutata)

86. BUFFALOBERRY with paired branches, young twigs and buds covered with reddish (Shepherdia canadensis brown scales. Buds flattened, (L.) Nutt.) composed of pair of small leaves (scales). Flowers small, about 7i 6 in. ( 5 mm.)_-wide, yellowish or brownish, Other names: soapberry, so- male and female on different opolallie; Lepargyraea canadensis pla~ts ( dioecious) , in short lateral (L.) Greene, Elaeagnus canadensis spikes in spring before the leaves, (L.) A. Nels. from round buds Ji 6 in. (1.5 mm.) Deciduous shrub 2-6 ft. ( 0.6-2 in diameter formed in previous m.) high, with silvery or reddish summer. Male flowers with calyx brown minute scales. Leaves op of 4 spreading scaly lobes and 8 posite, wth short scaly petioles less stamens alternate with lobes of than ¥s in. (3 mm.) long, without disk. Female flowers with scaly stipules. Blades ovate, lh-2 in. cup bearing at apex 8-lobed disk (1.2-5 em.) long, %-1 in. (0.6- with 4 lobed calyx, and pistil with 2.5 em.) wide, rounded or blunt 1-celled ovary, 1 ovule, and short at both ends, not toothed on edges, style. Fruit elliptic, red or yel above green and slightly hairy lowish, % in. .( 6 mm.) long, nearly with scattered star-shaped hairs, transparent, drupelike with calyx beneath densely covered with red at apex, fleshy and edible but al dish brown scales and silvery star most tasteless or bitter, and 1 nut shaped hairs. Twigs gray, scaly, let. One of the earliest flowering

194 Figure 86.-Buft'aloberry (Sherpherdia canadensis), natural size. Flowering twig at upper right; winter twig at left. 195 plants in the interior, blooming in m.) high, sometimes treelike, early May as soon as the snow has spreading from rootstocks, much melted; fruits maturing in July. branched. Leaves alternate, with The fruits were gathered in short petiole less than ~ in. ( 6 quantities and eaten by the In mm.) long, without stipules. dians. Fruits were pressed into Blades elliptic to ovate, 1-2¥2 in. cakes, which were smoked and (2.5-6 em.) long, %-1 in. (1-2.5 eaten, the taste sweet at first then em.) wide, blunt or short-pointed replaced by a bitter taste (sap at both ends, not toothed on edges, onin) like quinine. Also the fruits densely silvery scaly on both sur were mixed with sugar and water faces, paler beneath. Twigs cov and beat into an edible foam or ered with rusty brown scales when froth, which was used on deserts young becoming silvery. Buds like whipped cream. The berries Ys-~ in. (3-6 em.) long, covered are eaten in the fall by grouse and by 2 long scales or small leaves. bears. Plants are sometimes grown Flowers 1-3 at base of leaves, for ornament. short-stalked and turned down, Uncommon or locally common in ¥2-% in. (12-15 mm.) long, ex openings and forests of dry up ceptionally fragrant, silvery, fun lands and in aspen forests on old nel-shaped, composed of tube with burns. Forming dense thickets on calyx of 4 yellow lobes at apex, 4 gravel bars of rivers near tree short stamens alternate and in line. Widespread across eastern serted in tube which is yellowish interior Alaska to north slope within, and pistil with 1-celled Brooks Range and Firth River, ovary, 1 ovule, and long style. Fruit elliptic, lh-% in. (12-15 south to Skagway and Homer. mm.) long, silvery, drupelike, com Reaching the Chukchi Sea coast at posed of dry mealy, edible tube and Kotzebue. North Tongass N a 1 narrow slightly 8-angled nutlet. tiona! Forest, Mt. McKinley N a Flowering mid-June, fruit ripening tional Park, Glacier Bay National in August. Monument. Kenai National Moose The fruits are eaten raw or Range, Arctic National Wildlife cooked in moosefat, especially by Range. Arctic America from Alas the Ip.dians. Plants are grown as ka and Yukon Territory to Great ornamentals in interior Alaska, Bear Lake, James Bay and New spreading from roots. Elsewhere foundland, south in mountains to the; plants are used sometimes as Maine, New York, Michigan, New a windbreak. Mexico, and Oregon. Common locally on rocky south facing slopes and forming thickets on sandbars of major rivers in the interior. Central Alaska from 87. SILVERBERRY Yukon and Porcupine Rivers south to Matanuska and west to ( Elaeagnus commutata upper Kuskokwim River. Mt. Bernh.) McKinley National Park. Alaska and Yukon Territory east to Great Slave Lake, James Bay and Gaspe Other name: E. argentea Peninsula, south to Minnesota, Pursh, not Calla. South Dakota, Colorado, and Deciduous shrub 3-12 ft. (1-3.7 Utah.

196 ~ \1 ~"'fll tl .

. \ . ~N ;l ~~ w

conspicuous, greenish, in spread ing rounded clusters (umbels), 5- parted, with inferior ovary. Fruit a berry; often flattened and 2- celled.

88. DEVILSCLUB

Figure 87 .-Silverberry (Elaeagnus ( Oplopanax horridus commutata), one·half natural size. Winter twigs at right. (Sm.) Miq.)

Other names: E chinopanaw GINSENG FAMILY horridus (Sm.) Decne. & Planch., F atsia horrida (Sm.) Benth. & ( Araliaceae) Hook. f. Large deciduous spiny shrub 3-10 ft. (1-3 m.) high, with few or several thick stems and very Mostly tropical trees and shrubs, few branches. Leaves few, alter represented in Alaska by 1 species nate, very large, with long stout of herb and the following spiny spiny hairy petiole 6-12 in. (15- shrub. Leaves various but often 30 em.) long. Blades rounded, 6- palmately lobed or compound and 14 in. (15-35 em.) or more in large, with stipules often forming diameter, thin, palmately 5-9-lobed, sheathlike base. Flowers small, in- lobes sharp pointed and irregularly

197 sharply toothed, heart-shaped at door or window to protect the base, with spines along veins, above house from witches, evil influences, dull green and hai:r;less, bene.ath and bad luck. light green and shghtly hairy. The numerous sharp spines are Stems, petioles, and veins densely painful and fester when imbedded covered with many sharp slender in the skin, making this shrub yellowish spines or bristly prickles dangerous and to be avoided. How 14-% in. (6-10 rom.) long. Stems ever, the plants are handsome be thick, lh-1 in. ( 1.2--2.5 em.) in cause of the bright red berries and diameter, light brown, with very beautiful mosaic of large leaves ar large white pith. Buds large, ¥2 ranged to catch the maximum in. (12 rom.) long, elliptic, blunt amount of filtered sunlight at the pointed, brownish tinged, of large, forest edge. nearly hairless, overlapping scales. Devilsclub is sometimes used as Flower clusters (umbels in a an ornamental in southeast Alaska raceme or panicle) terminal, erect, and southward. It can be planted 4-12 in. (10--30 em.) long, nearly where seen but not touched, such stalkless. Flowers many, greenish as in corners and fences. In the white, 14 in. ( 6 rom.) long, fra fall the foliage provides a prom grant, composed of calyx of 5 inent splash of yellow. teeth, 5 petals% in. (3 rom.) long, Southeast Alaska north to south 5 alternate stamens longer than central Alaska, eastern part of petals, and pistil with inferior 2- Alaska Peninusla, and Kodiak celled ovary and 2 spreading styles. Island. South Tongass, North Fruits numerous bright red berries Tongass, and Chugach National 14-% in. (6-10 rom.) long, rounded Forests Glacier Bay National but slightly flattened, with 2 styles Monum'ent, Kenai National Moose at apex, 2-seeded, not edible. Range, Kodiak National Wildlife Flowering in June, fruits persistent Refuge. South central Alaska east over winter. to Manitoba, Montana, southern Common in ravines and open Oregon, and Idaho; also local in ings, moist well-drained soil, char Isle Royale, Mich., and Ontario. acteristic of undergrowth and form A closely related species or va ing impenetrable thickets in coastal riety!~ found in .Tapan. and flood plain forests, especially under alder and on good Sitka spruce sites. Plants grow best un der partial shade and decline in vigor after clearcutting and ex DOGWOOD FAMILY posure to full sunlight. In spite of their spiny nature, ( Cornaceae) the young shoots are browsed by deer and elk in spring and early Shrubs and trees but represented summer. The Indians sometimes in Alaska by 1 species of shrubs brew tea from the very bitter bark and 2 of low herbs. Leaves in the as a tonic or may strip off the Alaska species paired, elliptic, thorns and eat the green bark as without teeth or lobes, with long a tonic. Years ago the stalks were curved side veins, without stipules. used by Indians for beating sus Flowers small but often crowded pected witches to obtain confes and bordered by showy petallike sions. Even today old people will bracts, 4- or 5-parted, with in nail the devilsclub stalk over their ferior ovary. Fruit a drupe. 198 89. RED-OSIER DOGWOOD ( Cornus stolonifera Michx.)

Other names: American dog wood; Oornus ~tolonifera f .. in: terior (Rydb.) Rickett, var. badey~ ( Coult. & Evans) Drescher; 0. instolonea A. Nels. Deciduous shrub 3-12 ft. (1-3.5 Figure 88.-Devilsclub ( Oplopanax m.) high, with several stems, re horridus), one-half natural size. Winter twig at right. ported to beco!lle 15 ft. ( 4.5 .m~) high and treehke. Leaves paired (opposite), with hairy petioles ~-%in. (6-12 mm.)_ lo.ng, without stipules. Blades elliptic to ovate,

199 1%-3% in. ( 4-9 em.) long and ?reeping woody stems, with flowers· •. %-2 in. ( 1.5-5 em.) broad, short m sho.wy heads bordered by 4 white or long-pointed at apex, short petallike bracts. They hybridize· pointed or rounded at base, edges where their ranges overlap. not toothed, 5-7 long curved, Bunchberry ( Cornus canadensis . sunken veins on each side of mid L., dwarf cornel, Jacob-berry, rib, dull green and nearly hair Canadian dwarf cornel) has erect less above, finely hairy and whitish stems 4-8 in. (10-20 em.) high green beneath. Twigs dark red, leaves 1 pair small and at summit mostly finely hairy when young, 4-6 large leaves (whorled), short with rings at nodes, whitish dots stalked, elliptic, 1%-2% in. (4- (lenticels), and large white pith. 6 em.) long and %,-1% in. (2-4 em.) Bark gray, smooth to slightly fur wide. Flowers many, minute rowed into flat thick plates. whitish or yellowish, in a head Flower clusters (cymes) termin %,-1 :!U in. (2-3 em.) across the 4 al, flat, 1JU-2JU in. (3-5.5 em.) white elliptic petallike bracts. across, the branches persistent in Fruit a cluster of 10 or fewer winter. Flowers many, crowded, orange-red round drupes %6 in. (8 short-stalked, about :!U in. ( 6 mm.) mm.) in diameter. Very common long and broad, finely hairy, com in Alaska except extreme north and posed of calyx of 4 minute sepals to Unalaska Island inAleutian Is united at base, 4 white petals % lands. Forming ground cover in in. (3 mm.) long, 4 alternate sta interior spruce forests. Alaska mens, and pistil with inferior 2- across Canada to Labrador and celled ovary and short style. Fruit Greenland, south in mountains (drupe) round, JU-% in. (6-10 to Kentucky and New Mexico; also mm.) in diameter, whitish or light in northeastern Asia. In south blue, with 1 nutlet %6 in. (5 mm.) east Alaska utilized during all sea long. Flowering June-July, sons as browse by blacktail deer. _ fruits maturing July-September. Propagated as an ornamental Native plants are often used as ground cover in interior Alaska ornamentals .and are easily propa for its showy flowers and fruits gated by stem cuttings. Young and fall coloring. ,It is reported twigs are a preferred browse of that the berries are sometimes moose during fall and winter. The used for jelly and pies. lower branches root at tip, as in Lapland cornel ( Cornus suecica dicated by the scientific name, at L., Swedish dwarf cornel) has least in some parts of the broad erect stems 2-8 in. ( 5-20 em.) high, range. bearing 2-8 paired leaves ( oppo Common in moist soil in clear site), %,-1JU in. (2-3 em.) long ings and in open understory of and %-1 in. (1.5-2.5 em.) wide, forests, especially on flood plains stalkless, lanceolate to elliptic. of major rivers. Central interior Flowers many, minute, dark pur Alaska from lower and central ple, in a head %,-1 in. (2-2.5 em.) Yukon River to southeast Alaska. across the 4 white elliptic petallike South Tongass and North Tongass bracts. Fruit a cluster of 3-10 National Forests. Alaska and· rose-red round drupes %6 in. ( 8 Yukon Territory east to Labrador mm.) in diameter. Western, south and Newfoundland, south in the central, southern, and southeast east to Virginia and Kansas and in Alaska and Aleutian Islands. the west to New Mexico, California, Alaska, also Labrador and New and northern Mexico. foundland to Greenland and in Two related species of dwarf northern Europe and northeastern dogwoods are low herbs from Asia.

200 Figure 89.-Red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), one-half natural size. Winter twigs at left; fruits at upper right.

90. CROWBERRY (Empetrum nigrum L.) CROWBERRY FAMILY Other names : mossberry, black (Empetraceae) berry, curlewberry; Empetrum hermaphroditum (Lange) Hage Evergreen small heathlike shrubs rup, E. nigrum ssp. hermaphrodi with crowded narrow leaves tum (Lange) Bocher. grooved beneath, without stipules. Low, creeping or spreading ever Flowers small, mostly 3-parted, green heatherlike shrub to 6 in. partly male and female; fruit ( 15 em.) high, forming dense mats, berrylike, containing few nutlets. with horizontal, much branched This small family has a single spe stems. Leaves crowded, 4 in a cies in Alaska. whorl or sometimes alternate,

201 Figure 90.-Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), natural size.

without .. stipules, with minute Crowberry is used as a ground petiole, linear or needlelike, Ys-:14 cover in rough low areas in interior in. (3-6 mm.) long, shiny yellow Alaska. Plants can be grown green, with groove on lower sur from cuttings. face formed by curved margins, Common and widespread in arc hairless. Twigs curving upward tic-alpine tundra, moist rocky 2-6 in. (5-15 em.) long, very slopes, and muskegs, also in spruce slender, brown, finely hairy, be forests, almost throughout Alaska coming shreddy. including Aleutian Islands. One Flowers single, inconspicuous, of the commonest species in heath stalkless at base of leaves, small, mats to 5,600 ft. (1,700 m.) alti Ys-:14 in. (3-6 mm.) long, purplish, tude on the rocky cliffs or nunataks composed of 3 bracts, 3 sepals, 3 of the Juneau Ice Field. In in spreading petals, 3 stamens much terior mostly in mountains, also longer than petals, and pistil with along southern coast. South Ton 6-9-celled ovary and flat stigma gass, North Tongass, and Chugach with 6-9 narrow lobes; also some National Forests, Mt. McKinley plants with male flowers and others National Park, Glacier Bay N a with female flowers. Fruit round, tional_.Monument, Kenai National berrylike, %6-% in. (5-10 mm.) Moose Range, Kodiak National or more in diameter, shiny dark Wildlife Refuge, Arctic National blue black or purple, very jmcy and Wikflife Range. Alaska east across sweet, containing 6-9 reddish northern Canada to northern brown nutlets. Flowering in June, Greenland, south to Labrador and fruits ripening in August and per Newfoundland, and south along sisting under the snow throughout coast and in high mountains to the winter. Maine, New York, Michigan, and The edible berries are consumed California. Also widespread across in quantities locally, usually mixed Eurasia. with other berries and reported to be excellent in pies. In winter Eskimos gather the fruits under PYROLA FAMILY the snow. The berries serve also (Pyrolaceae) as fall and winter food of grouse, ptarmigan, and bear. Some plants Low evergreen perennials, mostly bear fruits in abundance, but male herbs, but occasionally shrubs. plants have none. Leaves thick and leathery, usually

202 basal but occasionally alternate or whorled along the stem. Flowers of 4 or 5 nearly separate sepals and petals, usually pmk to white· stamens tWice. as many as the petals.' Figure 91.-Pipsissewa (Chimaphila Fruit a 5-parted dry capsule with umbellata), natural size. Flowers at many small seeds. In Alaska, the right; fruits at left. family includes the herbaceous wintergreens ( Pyrola) and one half-shrub.

203 91. PIPSISSEWA HEATH FAMILY ( Chimaphila umbellata (Ericaceae) (L.) Barton) A large family of shrubs in Other names: princes-pine, win Alaska elsewhere also trees and tergreen, waxflower; Ohimaphua herbs, ~sually growing in wet, acid soil. Leaves mostly alternate, umbellata ssp. occidentalis (Rydb.) simple leathery, evergreen or oc Hult. and var. occidentalis (Rydb.) casion~lly deciduous. Flowers Blake; 0. occidentalis Rydb. usually with funnel-shaped or urn A low evergreen half-shrub, shaped corolla with 4 or !5 lob~s, clumped or matlike, with creeping occasionally with 5 spreadmg dis branches that ascend to 4--12 in. tinct petals; sepals 4 or 5, partly · (10-30 em.). Leaves thick, shiny, united at base; stamens equal to %,-2¥2 in. (3-7 em.) long, %6-1 or twice as many as petals; and in. ( 0.5-2.5 em.) wide, broadest pistil with ovary ~sually 5:c~lled, near tip, tapering toward base into superior (except m V acmn~um) a short petiole Ys-%6 in. (3-8 and 1 style. Fruit a capsule, berry, mm.) long, sharply toothed, alter or drupe. nate or whorled on the stem. This family is well represented Twigs slender, only semiwoody, in Alaska by 13 genera and 30 yellow or green. species, all shrubs. It i~cludes the Flowers 4 to 15, nodding in a blueberries, huckleberr:Ies, cran cluster at the end of the twigs, on berries and such beautiful showy a stalk 2-4 in. (5-10 em.) long, shrubs' as Labrador-tea, rhodo saucer shaped; petals separate, dendrons, and mountain-heaths. reddish to pink, %6-%6 in. ( 5- It also has a number of less con 8 em.) long, sepals hairy, fringed spicuous forest and. ~og shrubs, at tip. Fruit a spherical dry, 5- such as rusty menziesia, leather parted, many seeded capsule 111, leaf and bog rosemary. Some ex %6 in. (6-8 mm.) in diameter. amp'les such as mountain-heaths, Pipsessewa is a rare shrub in Labraqor-teas,' and mountam-cran-. southeastern Alaska growing un berries are evergreen, but many der Sitka spruce and hemlock. are dediduous. The foliage of sev Northern part of southeastern eral • species is . repor~ed to be Alaska from Juneau north to poisonous to grazmg ammals. Haines and Skagway at the head of Lynn Canal. North Tongass National Forest. With a gap of several hundred miles between the Alaska location and southern Brit 92. COPPERBUSH ish Columbia; from British Co lumbia south in the Rocky Moun ( Cladothamnus pyrolaeflorus tains to Colorado and along the Bong.) coast to southern California. Also in Eastern Canada and United States south in mountains to Other name: copper-flower. Georgia and with a scattered dis Erect shrub 1lf2-4lf2 ft. ( 0.5-1.5 tribution in northern Europe and m.) tall, with clustered long Asia. leaves and showy copper-colored

204 shiny, stiff, 7{ 6 inch (1.5 mm.) in diameter, with minute hairs, older twigs with shredding bark. Buds asymmetrical, short-pointed, or ange, shiny, of 2 keeled scales. Flowers 1 to several at ends of twigs, about 1 in. (25 mm.) across; Figure 92.-Copperbush (Cladotham· sepals 5, narrow; 5 spreading oval nus pyrolaeflorus), natural size. Win ter twig at lower left. copper-colored petals%-% in. (10- 15 mm.) long; stamens 10, % inch (10 mm.) long, hooked near tip; style long, curved. Fruit a round capsule Vs-* in. ( 3-6 mm.) in diameter, dark reddish brown. flowers. Leaves ovate to oblan Flowering from late June through ceolate, %-llh in. (20-40 mm.) middle of August, fruits ripening long, % 6 -~ in. (5-12 mm.) August and September. wide, with rounded to abruptly Copperbush forms dense clumps pointed (mucronate) tip, pale green several yards (meters) across in and somewhat whitish (glaucous) meadows at and just above tree on underside, appearing in whorls. line and in openings and along First year twigs light brown and streambanks within the coastal

205 forests. The unusual color of the LABRADOR-TEA (Ledum) flowers makes this shrub desirable for cultivation. It is often planted Low, much branched, resinous, in southeastern Alaskan towns. evergreen shrubs. Leaves alternate, Along the coast from Prince Wil thick and leathery, densely woolly liam Sound to southern tip of beneath and with margins rolled Alaska. South Tongass, North under. Flowers white, with 5 Tongass, and Chugach National spreading petals and 5-lobed calyx, Forests, Glacier Bay National 5-10 stamens, and 5-celled ovary Monument. Coastal Alaska south with 5-lobed stigma. Fruit a 5- to northwestern Oregon. parted capsule, opening from base.

Key to the 2 Alaska Species

Leaves nearly linear, tightly rolled under, Ys 2-Yl_ 6 in. (0.8-1.5 mm.) wide; stalks of flower and fruit abruptly bent just below apex ______------93. narrow-leaf Labrador-tea (Ledum decumbens) Leaves wider, 7i 6 __1h in. ( 5-12 mm.) , edges slightly rolled under, flower stalks evenly curved ____ 94. Labrador-tea (Ledum groenlandicum)

93. NARROW-LEAF %, in. (12--20 mm.) long, sharply and abruptly bent just below apex. LABRADOR-TEA Fruit a capsule Ys--1;4 in. (3-6 mm.) (Ledum decumbens long, oval, finely hairy, maturing in July and August, opening from (Ait.) Small) base in autumn and persistent most of winter. Other names: Hudson-Bay- Narrow-leaf Labrador-tea is a tea, Ledum palustre L. ssp. de common shrub in arctic and alpine cumbens (Ait.) Hult. and var. tundra- in sedge tussocks and wet decumbens Ait. depressions. In the boreal forest Evergreen shrub 1-2 ft. (3-6 it is; common in sphagnum bogs dm.) tall, similar to the more com and wet black spruce types. Its mon Labrador-tea but smaller and large white, fragrant flower clus with narrower leaves rolled under ters are conspicuous during June at edges. Leaves linear, o/1_ 6 -% in. and early July. ( 8-15 mm.) long, ¥1 6__1/s in. ( 1.5- A palatable tea can be made by 3 mn'.) wide, leathery, rolled un boiling the aromatic leaves of der at edges, upper surface shiny, either species of Labrador-tea. dark green, lower surface with However, if used in large quanti reddish-brown woolly hairs. ties, it may have a carthartic Young twigs hairy, light brown, effect. older twigs gray. From mountains at head of Flowers numerous, in clusters at Lynn Canal northward across most tips of twigs, about~ in. (12 mm.) of Alaska except Aleutian Islands. broad; petals 5, white, spreading Chugach National Forest, Katmai 7{6-%6 in. (5-8 mm.) long; sta National Monument, Mt. McKinley mens mostly 10; flower stalks %- National Park. Kenai National

206 Figure 93.-Narrow-Ieaf Labrador-tea (Ledum decumbens), natural size,

L. ssp. groenlandioum ( Oeder) Hult., L. paoifioum Small. Evergr:een shrub 3 feet ( 1 m.) tall, With upright or prostrate branches. Leaves narrowly oblong, 1-2 in. (25-50 mm.) long, o/i 6 -~ in. ( 5-12 mm.) Wide, with fra grant odor, leathery, margins strongly rolled under, underside covered with reddish brown woolly hairs, upper surface dark green and roughened. Young twigs Moose Range, Kodiak National hairy, light brown, older twigs Wildlife Refuge, Arctic National gray. Wildlife Range. Eastward across Flowers numerous, conspicuous, the Canadian Arctic to Labrador white, fragrant, in clusters at end and Greenland, south to Hudson of twigs, % in. ( 15 mm.) across; Bay and Lake Athabaska District. petals 5, spreading o/i 6-% 6 in. (5- Also in northern Europe and Asia. 8 mm.) long; stamens mostly 8 ; flower stalks %-% in. (10-20 mm.) long, evenly curved. Fruit 94. LABRADOR-TEA a hairy, oblong capsule ~ in. (6 mm.) long, opening from base in ( Ledum groenlandicum autumn and persistent most of Oeder) winter. Labrador-tea is a common shrub Other names : Ledum palrustre of black spruce and birch forests 207 Figure 94.-Labrador-tea (Ledum groenlandicum), natural size. Fruits at lower right. and bogs. It comes in abundantly after fire in the black spruce type. It is also abundant near treeline in open white spruce stands where it blooms profusely from mid-June

208 ~:

~· to mid-July. In southeast Alaska both Alaskan species have been ~·· it grows in open bogs at low ele united as subspecies. ,. vations. As with narrow-leaf Lab F rador-tea, a tea can be made by boiling the aromatic dried leaves, though seldom used today. Southeast Alaska northward RHODODENDRON throughout most of the boreal for (Rhododendron) est but not in the extreme north ern or western parts. South Ton gass, North Tongass, and Chu Low evergreen shrubs or sub gach National Forests, Glacier shrubs in Alaska (elsewhere also Bay National Monument, Mt. Mc tall shrubs and small trees) . Kinley National Park, Kenai N a Leaves alternate, entire on margins, tional Moose Range. East across . with short petioles. Flowers with Canada to Newfoundland and showy corolla with 5 large spread Greenland, south to New Jersey, ing lobes, calyx 5-parted and small, Ohio, Minnesota, and Washington. stamens 10, and long slender per Closely related to Ledum palu8tre sistent style. Fruit an oblong L. of Europe and Asia, to which capsule mostly 5-parted.

Key to the 2 Alaska Species

Leaves oval, mostly less than lf2 in. (12 mm.) in length, with resin dots on both sides, not hairy on the margins; flowers several in terminal cluster; corolla less than %in. (20 mm.) across ------ ------95. Lapland rosebay (Rhododendron lapponicum) Leaves spatula-shaped to obovate, mostly more than lf2 in. (12 mm.) long, without resin dots, hairy on margins; flowers 1-3 at tips of twigs, corolla more than 1:14 in. (32 mm.) across ---=------ ---- 96. Kamchatka rhododendron (Rhododendron camtschaticum)

95. LAPLAND ROSEBAY leathery, crowded at ends of twigs, both surfaces with greenish to (Rhododendron lapponicum brown resin dots, new leaves light (L.) Wahlenh.) green, old leaves dark green to brown. Twigs stout, much branched, scurfy with resin dots. Flowers 1 to several in terminal Other name : alpine rhodo- clusters, fragrant, corolla SJ?read dendron. ing and slightly irregular, pmkish Matted to erect, much branched to deep purple, %-% in. (15-20 evergreen shrub, 4-16 in. (1--4 mm.) across; stalks %-¥2 in. ( 6- dm.) tall, with showy purple 12 mm.) long, scurfy, curved or flowers. Leaves oval, %6-% 6 in. straight. Fruit a dry capsule (5-15 mm.) long, Ys-:14 in.· (3-6 %6--% in. (5-6 mm.) long, open mm.) wide, blunt at apex, some ing from tip, persisting through what rolled down on margins, most of winter. 209 Lapland rosebay is an occasional to rare, early-flowering shrub of tundra and open spruce forests at treeline. Its fragrance becomes noticeable in late May to mid Figure 95.-Lapland rosebay (Rhodo June, the period of flowering. de~dron lapponicum), natural size. Individual shrubs and flowers are .showy, but the shrub is rarely abundant enough to become con spicuous. From mountains of south-cen 96. KAMCHATKA tral Alaska northward and west RHODODENDRON ward to the Arctic coast and north slope of Brooks Range but absent (Rhododendron on northern coastal plain. Mt. Mc camtschaticum Kinley National Park, Arctic N a Pall.) tional Wildlife Range. ,Eastward across the Canadian Arctic to Evergreen subshrub 2-6 in. Ellesmere Island, Baffin Island (5-15 em..) tall with large showy and Labrador, south in the moun flowers. Leaves obovate, lh-1%, tains to New York and British in. ( 12-45 mm.) long and %-% in. Columbia. Also m northern (10-20 mm.) wide, tapering to Europe and Asia. base, with conspicuous stiff hairs

210 Figure 96.-Kamehatka rhododendron (Rhododendron camtschaticum), nat· uml size.

This low, showy shrub is com mon in some areas of the Aleutian Islands on dry rocky tundra char acterized by the heath family. In forested regions it is a low shrub on margins and prominent net of the alpine zone. work of veins on underside; petiole There are 2 distinct forms in lacking. Twigs coarse, much-• Alaska. The typical subspecies branched, gray brown to reddish, (Rhododendron camtschaticum ssp. with shredding bark. camtschaticum) has the corolla Flowers 1 to several on erect hairy on outside and on margins leafy stalks %-1 ~ in. ( 2-3 em.) of lobes and the leaf margins long at ends of twigs; corolla rose mostly with nonglandular hairs. purple to deep red, spreading, 1~- The other subspecies (R. camtschat 1% in. ( 32-45 mm.) across, style icum ssp. glandulosum (Standi.) conspicuous,~-% in. (12-20 mm.) Hult.) has the corolla without long, curved. Fruit a capsule ~ hairs on outside and margins and % in. (6-10 mm.) long on a long the leaf margins with glandular stalk. hairs.

211 The typical form or subspecies long, green to reddish brown, often is found from Prince William persistent through the winter. Sound westward along the coast to Flowering from late May through western tip of Aleutians. It has July, capsules maturing July and been collected also near the north August. ern end of southeast Alaska. Sub Rusty menziesia is a common species glandulosum is on Seward shrub in undergrowth of the coastal Peninsula and lower Yukon River. spruce-hemlock forest, often under Chugach National Forest, Kodiak a dense canopy, also in openings, and Aleutian Islands National and on cutover forest land, espe Wildlife Refuges. Also in eastern cially on well drained slopes in Asia and Japan. association with blueberries. It also grows in the southern part of the boreal forest in white spruce and white spruce-paper birch stands. Because of the leaf and 97. RUSTY MENZIESIA flower size and shape, menziesia is sometimes confused with the (Menziesia ferruginea Sm.) huckleberries, but its fruit is not a berry. Coastal forests of southeast Other names : skunkbrush, fools Alaska and the Cook Inlet area huckleberry. and reaching inland along the Loose-spreading, odorous, decid Susitna River to the south_ slope uous shrub to 6-10 ft. (2-3 m.) of the Alaska Range. South Ton high, with slender, widely forking gass, North Tongass, and Chugach paired branches and small yellow National Forests, Glacier Bay ish red flowers. Leaves obovate to National Monument, Kenai N a elliptic, 1lfil,-2% in. (3-6 em.) tional Moose Range. Coastal long and %-% in. ( 1.2-2 em.) Alaska south to northern Califor wide, short-pointed usually with nia and eastward to eastern Wash abrupt (mucronate) tip, edges ington. minutely toothed with gland-tipped This genus was dedicated to hairs, upper side gray green with Archibald Menzies (1754-1842), scattered brown hairs, under side Scotch physician and naturalist whitish (glaucous) with glandular with Vancouver's voyage of 1793- ("sticky") hairs; petioles Ys in. (3 94 tp the Northwest coast. mm.) with gland-tipped hairs. Young twigs glandular, with odor when crushed, older twigs reddish I brown to gray, smooth to peeling in thin layers. Buds of 2 sizes, 98. ALPINE-AZALEA the larger with many scales de veloping into flower cluster. ( Loiseleuria procumbens Flowers several to many at ends (L.) Desv.) of twigs on glandular stalks % %in. (1-2 em.) long; corolla urn shaped, yellowish red (sometimes Matted or trailing evergreen described as coppery-pink), lfil,-% subshrub 1-2 in. (25-50 mm.) tall. in. (6-12 mm.) long, with 4 shal Leaves opposite, elliptic, small, low lobes; calyx 4-lobed, with long Ys-lfil, in. ( 3-6 mm.) long and 1ft 6 glandular hairs; stamens 8; stigma in. ( 1.5 mm.) wide, leathery, with 4-lobed .. Fruit an ovid 4-parted margins rolled under, upper side capsule %6 -o/1. 6 in. (5-8 mm.) hairless, lower side with dense short 212 Figure 97.-Rusty menzieSIR (Men:rie sia ferruginea), natural size. Winter twig with fruits at lower left. white hairs and a prominent ridge. Twigs much branched, nearly totally concealed by the persistent leaves. Flowers 1 to several at ends of twigs, erect on stalks Ys-:14 in. ( 3-6 nun.) long; corolla bell shaped, pink or sometimes white, Ys-% 6 in. (3-5 mm.) long, divided from late May through July, fruits nearly to the middle into 5 lobes; maturing in July and August. calyx deeply divided into 5 red Alpine-azalea is occasiOnal to dish-purple lanceolate lobes; sta common on well drained rocky sites mens 5. Fruit an erect, round 2-3- in arctic and alpine tundra. It parted dark red capsule Ys-% 6 in. frequently forms pure mats, usually (3-5 nun.) in diameter. Flowering 4-12 in. ( 1-3 dm.) in diameter,

213 Figure 98.-Alpine-azalea (Loiseleuria procumbens), natural size. but as wide as 1 yard ( 1 m.) with a large number of flowers for the size of the plant. In mountains and arctic tundra throughout Alaska except north ern coastal plain. To 5,000 ft. (1,524 m.) altitude on rocky cliffs or nunataks of Juneau Ice Field. South Tongass, North Tongass, and Chugach National Forests, Glacier Bay and Katmai National Monuments, Mt. McKinley N a tiona! Park, Kenai National Moose ( 3-8 mm.) wide, flat or with edges Range, Kodiak and Aleutian Is rolled under, dark green above and lands National Wildlife Refuges, whitish (glaucous) beneath; peti Arctic National Wildlife Range. oles short, 7{ 6-% 6 in. (1.5-5 mm.) Eastward across the Canadian Arc long. Twigs slightly 2-angled. tic to Baffin Island, Labrador, and Flowers several in cymes at ends Newfoundland, south to New Eng of twjgs on stalks %-fl~ in. ( 1-3 land, Hudson Bay, and Alberta. em.)~ long; corolla saucer-shaped, Also in northern Europe and Asia. %-% in. (1-2 em.) across, with 5 loMs and 10 ridges (keels), rose to purple; sepals 5, thick; stamens 10. Fruit a 5-parted capsule about %6 in. (5 mm.) long. Flowering 99. BOG KALMIA from late May to early July, fruits maturing in August. (Kalmia polifolia Wang.) Bog kalmia occurs occasionally in wet open habitats of mountains and lowlands throughout south Other names: swamp-laurel, east Alaska. bog-laurel, pale-laurel. Along the coast of southeast Evergreen spreading shrub of Alaska as far north as head of bogs and mountain meadows, 4-20 Lynn Canal. South Tongass and in. (1-5 dm.) tall, with showy rose North Tongass National Forests. to purple flowers. Leaves oppo From Alaska east to Hudson Bay site, stalkless, oblong to linear %- and Newfoundland, south to New 1% in. (2--4 em.) long, Ys-% 6 in. Jersey, Minnesota, and California.

214 Figure 99.-Bog kalmia (Kalmia poli folia), three-fourths natural size.

MOUNTAIN-HEATH (Phyllodoce) scars. Flowers in terminal clusters Low clump or mat-forming ever ( corymbs); corolla bell-shaped or green shrubs of alpine tundra. urn-shaped with 5 small lobes; Leaves crowded, small, needle sepals 5, persistent; stamens 10, like, linear, blunt-pointed. Twigs short. Fruit a 5-parted rounded with conspicuous peglike leaf- capsule.

Key to the 3 Alaska Species

Corolla bell-shaped, flowers pink to red ------ . ------100. red mountain-heath (Phyllodoee empetriformis) Corolla urn-shaped, flowers yellow or blue. · Corolla purple to blue ------101. blue mountain-heath (Phyllodoee eoerulea) Corolla yellow __ 102. Aleutian mountain-heath (Phyllodoee aleutiea)

100. RED MOUNTAIN 4-8 in. ( 1-2 dm.) tall, with pink to red flowers. Leaves needlelike, HEATH linear, 14-% in. (6-12 mm.) long (Phyllodoce empetriformis and lf1 6 in. (1.5 mm.) wide, crowd ed on the upper 2-4 inches (5-10 (Sm.) D. Don) em.) of stem, edges with minute glandular teeth, with 2 deep grooves on lower surface. Stems Other names : red mountain slender, gray, with conspicuous heather, red heather, purple peglike leaf-scars . . heather. Flowers 5-15 at tips of stems Low matted evergreen shrub on slightly nodding to upright

215 Red mountain-heath is a rare' alpine or subalpine shrub of pro.: tected snow deposition areas where it usually occurs with one or more· of the other mountain-heaths. In Alaska only in mountains at head; of Lynn Canal. Eastward to Yu- ;~ kon Territory, south in mountains ;' to California and Wyoming.

101. BLUE MOUNTAIN HEATH (Phyllodoce coerulea (L.) Bah.}

Other name: blue mountain heather. Low matted evergreen shrub 2- 6 in. ( 5-15 em.) high, with purple or blue flowers. Leaves scattered, needlelike, linear, ¥s-:JU in. (3-6 mm.) long, 'li 6-* 6 in. (1.5-5 mm.) wide, rounded at tip, . shiny dark green, hairless, grooved on under surface. Stems much branched, slender, with conspicuous peglike leaf-scars and shredded bark. Flowers 3-4 at tips of stems on erect to curved glandular stalks %-% in. (1-1.5 em.) long; corolla urn-shaped with 5 small lobes, %6 -% in. (8-10 mm.) long, pur ple to blue. Fruit an oval capsule, Figure 100.-Red mountain- heath 'li 6 -¥s in (1.5-3 mm.) long, erect (Phyllodoce empetriformis), natural on stalk elongating in frmt to 1 size. in. (2.5 em.). Flowering in July and August, fruits maturing in August and September. Blue mountain-heath is a rare glandular-haired stalks %-% in. shrub of the coastal and mountain ( 15-20 mm.) long; corolla pink to tundra of central and western red, bell-shaped, *6-:JU in. (5-6 Alaska, usually in depressions mm.) long, divided :JU into 5 lobes where the snow remains late in the which are rolled outwards; sepals spring. Western Alaska Range 5, ~ivided nearly to base, dark red, and mountains of the western coast persistent. Fruit an erect capsule, of Alaska from the Kuskokwim *6-:JU in. (5-6 mm.) long. Col River to the Seward Peninsula. lected in flower in early and late Common in the southern parts of August. · the Canadian Arctic but absent

216 Figure 101.-Blue mountain- heath (Phyllodoce coerulea), natural size.

Low much branched, yellow flowered evergreen shrub, 2-6 in. ( 5-15 em.) tall. Leaves needlelike, linear, thick, 14-% in. (6-12 mm.) long, Yl_ 6 in. (1.5 mm.) wide, with minute glandular teeth on edge, yellow green, grooved, hairy on lower surface, crowded in upper from western Alaska to Great 2--4 in. (5-10 em.) of stem. Stems Slave Lake. Eastward to Hudson much branched, slender, with con Bay, Labrador, Newfoundland, spicuous peglike leaf-scars. and Greenland, south to moun Flowers 5-15 at tips of erect or tains of New England. Also in nodding stems, glandular hairy northern Europe and Asia. stalks, %-% in. ( 12-15 mm.) long; corolla yellow-green, urn-shaped, 14 in. ( 6 mm.) long, with 5 small lobes, hairless or with glandular 102. ALEUTIAN hairs (ssp. glanduliflora), calyx MOUNTAIN-HEATH with short-pointed lobes divided nearly to base, hairless or glandu (Phyllodoce aleutica lar hairy. Fruit a capsule o/! 6-% (Spreng.) Heller) in. (8-10 mm.) long, oval, split ting into 5 parts. Aleutian mountain-heath can Other names: Aleutian moun commonly be found blooming from tain-heather, Aleutian heather, early June until late August in cream mountain-heather, yellow protected depressions and adjacent mountain-heather, yellow heather. to snow fields in the mountains of 217 Figure 102.-Aieutian mountain-heath (Phyllodoce aleutica), natural size.

as Prince William Sound. South Tongass, North Tongass, and Chu gach National Forests, Katmai National Monument, Kenai N a tional Moose Range, Kodiak and Aleutian Islands National Wild life Refuges. Eastward in Canada to Yukon Territory and south in mountains to Wyoming and Ore gon. Also in eastern Asia. southeastern and western Alaska, CASSIOPE ( Cassiope) both above and below timberline. It forms pure mats several yards (meters) in diameter, especially at The members of the genus Oas the head of snow field slopes. In siope are often called mountain the mountains near Juneau, it heathers, but to distinguish them forms extensive heath mats to ele from the mountain-heaths or vations of 5,400 ft. (1,646 m.), also mountain-heathers of the genus on fresh moraine and outwash at Phyllodoae, it is preferable to re sea level. fer to them as cassiopes. Mountains along coast of south The cassiopes are a group of eastern Alaska westward to western white-flowered, low, prostrate, Aleutians, and along the west mosslike evergreen shrubs of the coast as far north as Yukon River. alpine and arctic tundra. Leaves One collection in Alaska Range in scalelike or needlelike, closely mountains near Tonzona River. A pressed to stem (spreading in 1 subspecies (Phyllodoae aleutiaa species). Flowers with pink to ssp. glanduliflora (Hook.) Hult., white bell-shaped corolla with usu formerly also a species, P. gland ally 5 (sometimes 4) short lobes; uliflora (Hook.) Cov.) , character sepals usually 5 (sometimes 4), ized by glandular corolla and fila nearly separate, persistent; sta ments hairy at base, is found in mens usually 10, short. Fruit a 5- southeast Alaska and as far west parted round capsule. There are 218 Figure 103.-Four·angled cassiope (Cas· siopfJ tetragona), natural size.

4 species in Alaska. Four-angled cassiope is primarily of northern and central Alaska, but the other 3 are restricted to mountains of Alaska Range and southward.

Key to the 4 Alaska Species Leaves alternate, spreading; flower 1 on short stout stalk at end of stem ------105. starry cassiope ( Oassiope stelleriana) Leaves opposite, pressed to stem, flowers usually 2 or more on long stalks from sides of stem. Leaves deeply grooved on back ------ ------103. four-angled cassiope ( Oassiope tetragona) Leaves not grooved on back. Leafy stems lj8 in. (3 mm.) or more in diameter ------ ------104. Mertens cassiope ( Oassiope mertensiana) Leafy stems about 7{ 6 in. (1.5-2 mm.) in diameter ------ ______106. Alaska cassiope ( Oassiope lycopodioides)

103. FOUR-ANGLED deeply grooved, with short fine hairs along edge. Stems covered CASSIOPE by leaves except at base, 4-angled, ( Cassiope tetragona including leaves nearly o/J. 6 in. (5 mm.) in diameter. (L.) D. Don) Flowers about :14 in. ( 6 mm.) long, nodding on slender stalks ¥2- Other names: firemoss cassiope, 1 in. ( 12--25 mm.) from sides of four-angled mountain-heather, upper 1¥2 in. ( 4 em.) of stem; Lapland cassiope. corolla bell-shaped, white, with Low, creeping, evergreen, moss lobes about half as long as tube; like mat-forming shrub with stems sepals separate nearly to base, 4-8 in. ( 1-2 dm.) tall. Leaves op rounded and reddish. Fruit an posite in 4 rows, thick, lance erect round capsule Ys in. (3 mm.) shaped, Ys-o/J. 6 in. (3-5 mm.) long, long. Flowering from late May 219 through August, fruit maturing including leaves about Yt August and September. (1.5-3 mm.) in diameter, Four-angled cassiope is one of or square in cross sectiQn. the prettiest and most common of Flowers several about % in. ( 6 the cassiopes on the alpine and arc mm.) long on slender erect stalks tic tundra of central and north %-1 in. (6-25 mm.) long, from ern Alaska. It forms rather dense sides of stems; corolla bell-shaped mats in protected areas that are white to pink, with 5 lobes about snow covered during the winter half as long as tube; sepals 5 and that have snow remaining into rounded, reddish. Fruit an erect the summer. It is sometimes called round capsule ~ in. (3 mm.) in firemoss because even in the green diameter. Flowering from late condition it burns rather well and June through August, fruits ma has been used by mountain climb turing August and September. · ers and arctic travelers as a source Mertens cassiope is a common of fuel in areas where no larger mat-forming shrub in seepage woody plants are available. areas, protected slopes, mountam In mountains in the northern meadows, and slopes adjacent to end of southeastern Alaska, north snowfields in southeastern Alaska and west across central and north to 5,000 ft. (1,525 m.) altitude, ern Alaska, but lacking in south where ·it is usually associated with western part and Aleutian Islands. related species. To 5,400 ft. (1,650 m.) on rocky Mountaj_ns of southeastern cliffs or nunataks of Juneau Ice Alaska as far west as Glacier Bay. Field. Chugach National Forest, South Tongass and North Tongass Mt. McKinley National Park, Arc National Forests, Glacier Bay Na tic National Wildlife Range. East tional Monument. East to south across northern Canada to Elles ern Yukon Territory and south to mere Island, Baffin Islands, and western Montana, Nevada, and Greenland and south in mountains California. to New England, Montana, and This species honors Carl Hein Washington. Northern Europe rich Mertens ( 1'796-1830) , German and Asia. naturalist, who discovered it at Sitka in 182'7.

104. MERTENS CASSIOPE 105. STARRY CASSIOPE ( Cassiope mertensiana (Bong.) D. Don) ( Cassiope stelleriana (Pall.) DC.) Other names: Mertens moun tain-heather, white heather. Other names: moss heather, Prostrate, mosslike, evergreen, Alaska heather, Alaska moss heath; mat-forming shrub with upturned Harrimanella stelleriana (Pall.) branches 2-12 in. ( 5-30 em.) tall. Cov. Leaves opposite in 4 rows and Low spreading, mat-forming pressed to stem, scalelike, ovate evergreen shrub, the upright stems lanceolate, 7{ 6 -~ in. (1.5-3 mm.) from 2-4 in. (5-10 em.) tall. long, rounded on back and grooved Leaves alternate, spreading, linear at base, hairless or with small lanceolate, ~-% 6 in. (3-5 mm.) glandular hairs along edge. Stems long, keeled on lower surface, hair covered by leaves except at base, less or with hairs along edge.

220 Stems slender, reddish, with scat tered short stiff hairs. Flowers usually 1, about ;i in. ( 6 mm.) long, erect to nodding at end of stem on stout stalk Ys-% in. (3-10 mm.) long; corolla bell shaped, white to pink; sepals rounded, reddish, united in lower half. Fruit an erect round capsule Figure 104.-Mertens eassiope (Cass about ¥sin. (3 mm.) long. Flow iope mertensiana), slightly enlarged. ering late May through July, fruits maturing late July and August.

221 The scientific name commemo rates Georg Wilhelm Steller ( 1708- 46), German naturalist with Ber ing's expedition, who in 1741 made Figure 105.-Starry cassiope (Cassiope the first plant collections in stelleriana), natural size. Alaska.

Starry cassiope is a trailing mat 106. ALASKA CASSIOPE forming shrub of protected slopes, snow deposition areas, and moist ( Cassiope lycopodioides seepage areas in the alpine area (Pall.) D. Don) of southeastern and south central Alaska. It is common in south~ eastern Alaskan mountains, usually Other name: clubmoss moun associated with mountain-heaths, to tain-heather. 5,400 ft. (1,650 m.) on rocky cliffs Delicate low creeping mosslike of Juneau Ice Field. It is rare evergreen shrub with erect branches in the Alaska Range, growing with only 1-2 in. (2.5-5 em.) tall. four-angled cassiope. Leaves tiny, pressed to stem, scale Coastal mountains of Alaska like, ){ 6 -:Ys in. (1.5-3 mm.) long, from southeastern tip north and edges with short fine hairs. Stems westward to the Aleutians, in Alas completely obscured by leaves, ka Range on both north and south about ){ 6 in. (1.5-2 mm.) in di slopes as far west as Tonzona River. ameter, including leaves. Also one isolated collection from Flowers nodding on long slender the Seward Peninsula. South Ton stalks %-% in. ( 12--20 mm.) back gass, North Tongass, and Chugach from tip of stem, about * in. (6 National Forests, Glacier Bay and mm.) long; corolla bell-shaped, Katmai National Monuments, Mt. white, with usually 5 lobes nearly McKinley National Park, Kenai as long as tube; sepals rounded, National Moose Range, Kodiak reddish, transparent at edges. and Aleutian Islands National Fruit an erect round capsule about Wildlife Ranges. South in coastal 1;8 in. ( 3 mm.) long. Flowering mountains to Washington. Also in June and July, fruit ripening in eastern Asia. in August.

222 6 mm.) wide, thick, strongly in· rolled along edges, with small pro jection at tip, hairless; upper sur face dark green with sunken veins, lower surface whitish (glaucous) ; petioles short. 106.-Alask.a cassiope (Cassiope Flowers 1-4 at ends of twigs, b·coplmi•rJides), natural size. nodding on thin reddish-purple stalks ~ -lh in. ( 6-12 mm.) long; Alaska cassiope, the smallest of sepals 5, short, bluntly trian~lar, 4 cassiopes in Alaska, is more reddish-purple; corolla pmk, ·:.~nn~'rn than the others and does broadly urn-shaped, with 5 minute . not extensive mats. It occurs lobes· stamens 10. Fruit a spher ·.·.at edges of exposed ridges in moun ical, 5-parted capsule, lfs-~ in. (3- ··· tains of the southern coast, to 5,400 6 mm.) in diameter, becoming .··ft. (1,650 m.) altitude in Juneau erect, often persisting into winter. • Ice Field. Flowering in June and early July, . · From the mountains of northern fruits maturing July and August. ··. half of southeast Alaska west along Bog-rosemary is an early flower the coast to western end of Aleu- ing shrub, common in bogs of the , tians and north along western coast coastal and boreal forests of Alaska to Kuskokwim River. North Ton and in the wet sedge tundra of the gass and Cht~gach N a~io~al Forests, northern and western parts of the Kodiak N atwnal W1ldhfe Range. State. .;.

National Forests, Glacier Bay and Katmai National Monuments, Mt. McKinley National Park, Kenai National Moose Range, Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge, Arctic Prostrate to erect evergreen National Wildlife Range. East shrub, rooting at nodes, usually 2- across Canada to northern Labra 3 ft. (6-10 dm.) tall. Leaves alter dor and south Greenland, south to nate, oblong to elliptic, ~-1;i in. New Jersey, Minnesota, and Wash ( 12-30 mm.) long and %-~ in. ington. Northern Europe and (6-12 mm.) wide, thi,ck, leathery, Asia. and slightly rolled downward on edges, surfaces dark green with scurfy scales often appearing as white dots; petioles short. Twigs 108. LEATHERLEAF with fine short white hairs when ( Chamaedaphne calyculata young but becoming hairless with age, light to dark brown. (L.) Moench) Flowers several to many in a row on short stalks, hanging down Other names: cassandra, 0 as from lower side of stem (a leafy sandra oalyoulata (L.) D. Don. raceme) about % in. ( 6 mm.) long,

224 Alaska, flowering in early to late May, usually before leaves of most plants have developed. In fall, winter, and spring the leaves have a reddish color, giving many bogs this hue when viewed from a dis tance. Leatherleaf is an abundant shrub in bogs and open black spruce stands throughout the boreal for Figure 108.-Leatherleaf (Chamaeda est. North of the treeline, it is phne calyculata), natural size. rare and occurs primarily in wet sites along river terraces. Lowlands of central Alaska from corolla white, cylindrical and Cook inlet area to south slope of slightly constricted just below the Brooks Range, also local on north 5 short triangular lobes; sepals 5, slope including Umiat. Along thick, green ovate to lanceolate, the western coast, it occurs pri with dense hairs on margins; sta marily where the spruce forests mens 10, short. Fruit a round 5- reach the coast. Mt. McKinley parted capsule about lj8 in. (3 mm.) National Park. E~tward to south m diameter, longer than sepals ern Hudson Bay and Newfound with slender style persistent. land, south to Georgia, Minnesota, Leatherleaf is one of the earliest and northern British Columbia. flowering plants in the interior of Northern Europe and Asia. 225 WINTERGREEN tic, toothed on edges. Flowers urn- to bell-shaped pink (Gaultheria) with 5 short lobes; calyx: w1 short glandular hairy lobes. mens 10, short. Fruit a ' Low evergreen shrubs. Leaves fleshy 5-celled capsule alternate, evergreen, ovate to ellip- by the enlarged fleshy calyx:.

Key to the 2 Alaska Speci~ Leaves 2--4: in. ( 5-10 em.) long, sharply toothed; flowers many· fruit · purplish; low shrub of southeast Alaska ______------~------109. salal (Gaultheria shallon )' I.-eaves %-1% in. (15-35 mm.) long, finely wavy toothed; flowers 1-6· fruit white; prostrate shrub of Kiska Island in eastern Aleutian~ ------110. Miquel wintergreen (Gaultheria miqueliana)

109. SALAL Salal is a common undershrub of poor scrub timber sites of west (Gaultheria shallon Pursh) ern redcedar, Alaska-cedar, spruce and hemlock forests in the south Stiff, creeping to erect evergreen ern parts of southeastern Alaska shrub, 2-3 ft. (0.6-1 m.) tall. where it forms a nearly continu Leaves alternate, short-stalked, ous cover in some stands. The stiff large, thick, ovate to elliptic, 2--4: evergreen leaves and densely hairy in. (5-10 em.) long, 1-2 in. (2.5-5 flowers and twigs make this shrub em.) wide, stiff and leathery, short easily recognized. The spicy ber pointed at apex, sharply toothed ries are eaten by grouse and other on edges, with occasional long birds but seldom by humans. It reddish hairs, upper surface shiny is reported that Indians in the green with raised veins, lower sur Northwest gathered the fruits. face lighter green. Twigs with Southeast Alaska as far north as scattered long, often gland-tipped Sitka. South Tongass and North hairs, hairless with age, reddish Tongass National Forests. South brown, with shredding bark. along coast to California. Flowers 5-15 in long glandular hairy racemes, usually at tips of twigs, % in. ( 1 em.) long; corolla 110. MIQUEL urn- to bell-shaped, %6-% in. (8- 10 mm.) long, pink, with stiff WINTERGREEN reddish brown hairs, and 5 short (Gaultheria' miqueliana triangular lobes; calyx lobes red dish-brown, glandular haired, Takeda) about Ya as long as corolla; stamens 10 short. Fruit a round capsule Low, prostrate evergreen shrub enclosed by fleshy calyx, berrylike, to 16 in. ( 41 em.) high. Leaves purplish, 14-lh in. (6-12 mm.) in oval, %-1% in. (15--35 mm.) long, diameter. Collected in flower m and %-% in. (10-15 mm.) wide, May and June. wavy toothed, rounded· at tip.

226 Figure 109.-Salal (Gaultheria shallon), natural size.

227 Kiska Island. Aleutian Islands National Wildlife Refuge. East ern Asia and Japan. Named for Frederick Anton Willem Miquel (1811-71), Dutch botanist.

BEARBERRY Figure 110.-Miquel wintergreen (Gaul (Arctostaphylos) theria miqueliana), natural size. In Alaska low prostrate trailing or matted shrubs, although in Cali fornia becoming tall shrubs and an Flowers 1-6, about 1;4 in. ( 6 mm.) important element in the chaparral long, in glandular hairy racemes; vegetation. Leaves alternate, ev corolla urn-shaped, pink; calyx ergreen or deciduous, usually thick lobes triangular, glan~ular hairy and leathery. Flowers in few on back. Fruit a fleshy white flowered racemes at the tip of berrylike capsule. stems, sepals 4 or 5 nearly separate, Miquel wintergreen, · a small corolla white to pink, urn-shaped, Asiatic shrub, has been collected with 4 or 5 recurved lobes, sta only on Kiska Island in the west mens 10 (sometimes 8), ovary su ern Aleutians. It illustrates the perior, mostly 4-5-celled. Fruit close relationship between the flora a mealy or juicy "berry" (drupe) of eastern Asia and western Alaska. containing 4-5 stony nutlets.

228 Figure 111.-Bearberry (Arctostaphr· los uva-ursi), natural size.

Key to the 3 Alaska Species

Leaves evergreen, margin entire; twigs hairy; berries red and mealy ------111. bearberry (Arctostaphylos WIJa-ursi) Leaves turning red in fall, margin toothed; twigs hairless; berries red or blue-black, juicy. Leaves or partly skeletonized leaves persistent several years, leathery; berries blue-black __ 112. alpine bearberry (Arctostaphylos alpina) Leaves dropping the first winter, thinner; berries red ------ ------113. red-fruit bearberry (Arctostaphylos rubra)

229 Figure ll2.-Alpine bearberry (Arcto. staphylos alpina), natural size.

Ill. BEARBERRY According to reports, the dry leaves were occasionally used as a substi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi tute for tobacco. As the name in (L.) Spreng.) dicates, the berries are commonly eaten by bears. Common in the boreal forest re gion of Alaska and occasional on Other names : kinnikinnik, the north slope of the Brooks Range mealberry. and Aleutian and Kodiak Islands, Prostrate evergreen shrub 3--4 in southeast Alaska, in the vicinity in. (7.5-10 em.) tall, forming mats of Glacier Bay and Lynn Canal. by rooting along the stems. Leaves North Tongass and Chugach Na obovate, %-% in. (15-20 mm.) tional Forests, Glacier Bay and long, persistent, leathery, light Katmai National Monuments, Mt. green, prominently net-veined, ta McKinley National Park, Kodiak pering to petiole ¥s in. (3 mm.) and Aleutian Islands National long. Twigs slender and creeping, Wildlife Refuges, Arctic National brown, with shredding bark. Wildlife Range. Alaska to New Flowers, 1 to several in a raceme foundland,' south in mountains to at ends of twigs, nodding; corolla Georgia and California. Also m urn-shaped, Ys-* in. ( 3-6 mm.) northern Europe and Asiil:: long, white to pink; stalks short, Yl_ 6-¥s inch (1.5-3 mm.). Fruit a red berry*-% in. (6-15 mm.) in diameter, dry and seedy, persistent 112. ALPINE BEARBERRY in winter. Flowering in May and (Arctostaphylos alpina June, fruits ripening in August. Bearberry is a common shrub of (L.) Spreng.) dry sites in the boreal forest, usu ally under aspen but sometimes in Other names : ptarmiganberry, open spruce stands or on open dry al_Pine ptarmiganberry, Arotous al- rocky bluffs. It often forms pure p~nus (L.) Niedenzu. . mats several yards (meters) in Matted or trailing shrub 2%--4 diameter. The mealy and dry in. (6-10 em.) tall. Leaves obo berries are rather tasteless when vate or oblanceolate, %-1% in. (15- raw but palatable when cooked. 40 mm.) long and %-% in. (10-

230 Figure 113.-Red-fruit bearberry (Arc tostaphylos rubra), natural size.

quantities are eaten by both bears and ptarmigan. mm.) wide tapering to short Through most of central, west ~W•IJ'""~'u"' leathery, prominently net ern, and northern Alaska, but ab on both sides, upper side sent along the coast from Cook under side light green, Inlet southeastward. Katmai N a (glaucous), edges with tiona! Monument, Mt. McKinley skeletonized leaves re National Park, Kodiak and Aleu several years. Twigs tian Islands National Wildlife ~mros:tratte, brown, hairless, with Refuges, Arctic National Wildlife bark. Range. Eastward across the Ca few clustered at tips of nadian Arctic to Greenland. South nodding; corolla :14-%6 to Newfoundland, New Hampshire, mm.) long, yellowish James Bay, and northern British white, or tinged with pink. Columbia. Also in tundra and a juicy berry, %-%in. (10- mountains of Europe and Asia. 12 mm.) in diameter, black when "pe. Flowering mid-May and 113. RED-FRUIT and June before the leaves de velop, fruit ripening in August. BEARBERRY · Alpine beatberry is a common 'matted shrub of dry, wind exposed (Arctostaphylos rubra of the arctic and alpine tundra, (Rehd. & Wilson) Fern.) : and the treeless regions of Kodiak ',Island and the Aleutians. It also Other names : ptarmiganberry, ··occurs in open black spruce stands Arctostaphylos alpina ssp. mber and dry sites in bogs at lower ele (Rehd. & Wilson) Hult., Arctous '' · In the fall the leaves mbra (Rehd. & Wilson) Nakai. ; turn a deep red and add conspicu Similar to alpine bearberry in ~· ously to the color of the tundra general appearance but somewhat ~'. landscape. taller, to 6 in. (15 em.) with red l · The berries are edible but seedy fruits, and groWing more common , . and of a rather poor taste. In poor ly at lower elevations in s:pruce ;. berry years, they are often picked forests and bogs. Leaves thinner i and mixed with blueberries. Large and not as deeply wrinkled as in t 231 ~" ~.· alpine bearberry, dropping the first Low creeping or tall asc:encful winter. Fruit bright red when shrubs, mostly deciduous ripe, edible but seedy, with in times evergreen. Leaves ~~UVHJL<:tLe sipid taste. often leathery. Throughout northern Alaska and Flowers 1 to several at base in southeastern Alaska at the head leaves or at ends of twigs; of the Lynn Canal and in Glacier urn-shaped or bell-shaped Bay, not in southwestern Alaska ·4-5 lobes or of 4 petals and Aleutian Islands. Chugach b.ackward; calyx of 4-~ per National Forest, Mt. McKinley N a SIStent teeth or lobes on mferior tional Park, Glacier Bay National ovary; stamens 8-10, within corolla. Monument, Kenai National Moose Fruit a blue or red round juicy Range, Arctic National Wildlife berry. Range. Across North America to All 6 species in this genus in Baffin Island and south to St. Law Alaska are sources of edible fruit. rence Bay, James Bay, and south Only 3, bog blueberry mountain ern British Columbia. Also east cranberry, and bog cranherry, reach ern Asia. northern Alaska, the rest are pri marily species of the coastal for est. This genus is often separated BLUEBERRY (Vaccinium) ·in the blueberry family (Vaccini- aceae) ' and true cranberry is also Other names: huckleberry, moun placed in its own genus ( Owyaoa tain-cranberry, cranberry. CU8).

Key to the Alaska Species A. Leaves evergreen, thick; low trailing shrubs. B. Leaves oval; corolla bell-shaped ------ ------114. mountain-cranberry ( V acainium vitis-idaea) BB. Leaves lance-shaped; corolla of 4 petals bent backward ______------120. bog cranberry ( Vaacinium owycoacos) AA. Leaves deciduous, corolla urn-shaped; usually upright shrubs, though occasionally rooting at nodes. C. Twigs round; plants usually less than 16 in. ( 40 em.) .tall. D. Leaves entire on margins; flowers 1-4 from scaly buds on old twigs ______119. bog blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) DD. Leaves finely toothed on margins; flower 1 on new twig ___ _ ------115. dwarf blueberry ( V aacinium caespitosttm) CC. Twigs angled; plants usually more than 2 ft. ( 6 em.) tall. E. Fruit red; leaves usually less than 1 in. (2.5 em.) long; twigs green, strongly angled ------ ------116. huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium) EE. Fruit blue or black; leaves commonly more than 1 in. (2.5 em.) long; twigs reddish to brown, weakly angled. F. Flowering with or before the leaves; corolla longer than broad; stalk not enlarged below fruit; leaves without hairs on midrib beneath ------ ------117. early blueberry ( Vaccinium O'tJalifolium) FF. Flowering after the leaves; corolla as broad or broader than long; stalk enlarged just below fruit; leaves with fine hairs on midrib beneath ------ ------118. Alaska blueberry (Vaccinium alaskaense) 232 Figure 114.-Mountain-cranberry (J'ac cinium vitis-idaea), natural size.

Mountain-cranberry is common in spruce and birch woods of the boreal forest, in bogs and alpine types in most of Alaska, and in the tundra of the north and western sections. It usually forms a loose mat in moist mossy situations but also forms dense mats in dry rocky slopes in arctic and alpine areas. 114. MOUNfAIN The berries are abundant and CRANBERRY usually picked in the fall after the first frost but may remain under ( V accinium vitis-idaea L.) the snow during the winter and become available in the spring Other names : lingenberry, ling when the snow melts. They are berry, lowbush cranberry, par commonly used for jams, jellies, tridgeberry, cowberry. relishes, and beverages. Although Evergreen creeping, mat-form sour, they have a better. flavor ing subshrub 2--6 in. { 5-15 em.) than the commercial cranberry. tall, with shiny leaves and. bright The berries also provide a source red berries. Leaves oval, %-% of food for ptarmigan, grouse, in. (10-20 mm.) long and 1M-% and bears. The foliage is reported in. (6-10 mm.) wide, thick, green, to be of some value as winter and shiny above, light green be browse for reindeer and caribou. neath and spotted with short stiff North American plants are brown hairs, edges slightly rolled smaller in leaf and berry size than under. Stems slender and trail those in the Old World and have ing, rooting at nodes, light brown been named a variety ( V aooinium to yellow: vitis-idaea var. minus Lodd. or ssp. Flowers 1 to several, nodding on minu8 (Lodd.) Hult.). short stalks 7{ 6 in. (1-2 mm.) long Throughout Alaska. South at ends of twigs, corolla pink, bell Tongass, North Tongass, and Chu shaped, about %6 in. (5 mm.) long, gach National Forests, Glacier with 4 short lobes. Fruit a bright Bay and Katmai National Monu red, sour berry, :JU-% 6 in. (6-8 ments, Mt. McKinley National mm.) in diameter. Flowering in Park, Kenai National Moose mid- to late June and July, ber Range, Kodiak and Aleutian Is ries ripening in August. lands National Wildlife Refuges, 233 Figure U5.-Dwarf blueberry (Vacci. nium caespitosum), natural size. Winter twig at right.

Low spreading shrub forming mats to 16 in. (40 em.) high:. Leaves elliptic to oblanceolate, %-1 in. (10-25 mm.) long and %6-% in. (5-10 mm.) wide, rounded to short-pointed at apex, Arctic National Wildlife Range. edges with fine teeth usually gland Eastward across the Canadian Arc tipped, netted veins conspicuous tic to Baffin Island and western in some leaves but obscure on Greenland, south to Massachusetts, others; upper surface green, lower Great Lakes, and Vancouver Is surface lighter; both hairless or land. Also in northern Europe with scattered short stiff hairs. and Asia. Twigs much branched, often root ing at nodes, young twigs slender, green, with short hairs, round or 115. DWARF BLUEBERRY sometimes angled, older twigs brown to gray, bark usually ( V accinium caespitosum shredding. Buds small, red or Michx.) green with 2 even scales, which meet at the edge. Flowers single, at base of leaves, Other names : swamp blueber nodding on stalks Vs in. ( 3 mm.) ry, dwarf bilberry, dwarf huckle long, corolla white or pink, urn berry, Vaocinium oae8pitosum var. shaped ~-% 6 in. (6-8 mm.) long, priludioolum (Camp) Hult., V. with 5 small rolled Jobes. Fruit a paludioolum Camp, V. arbu8oulum blue berry ~-% 6 in. (6-8 mm.) in Gorman. diameter, with a bluish bloom,

234 Figure 116.-Red huckleberry (Vacci nium parvifolium), natural size. Winter twig at lower left.

235 sweet. Flowering from late May yellowish pink to red, lh-* in. through mid-July, fruit ripening 6 mm.) long. Fruit a bright in August. round berry,%-% in. (6-10 Dwarf blueberry is a common in diameter. Flowering in shrub of bogs, subalpine meadows, and June, berries ripening mid and open spruce-hemlock stands in late August. the coastal forest and is occasional in Red huckleberry is an white spruce and paper birch stands sional to common shrub in in the southern parts of the boreal ings along roadsides, and in forest. It also occurs above tree over forest land, in the coastal line in the coastal mountains to spruce-hemlock forests. The her-. elevations of 3,800 feet (1200 m.). ries are sour but with good · The fruits, which ripen early in an~ are used for jelly. The green·. August, are eaten raw or made into twigs are commonly browsed by jams and jellies. deer, elk, and goats in fall and From the south slopes of the winter, and the berries are eaten Alaska Range to the Kenai Penin by blue grouse and bears. ·· sula and southward throughout all Southeastern Alaska north to of southeastern Alaska. South Yakutat Bay. South Tongass and Tongass, North Tongass, and Chu North Tongass National Forests gach National Forests, Glacier Bay Glacier Bay National Monument: National Monument, Kenai N a South along coast to central Cali tional Moose Range. East to New fornia. foundland and south in moun tains to New England, New York, Minnesota, Colorado, and Cali fornia. 117. EARLY BLUEBERRY (Vaccinium ovalifolium Sm.) 116. RED HUCKLEBERRY Other names : blue huckleberry, (Vaccinium parvifolium Sm.) ovalleaf whortleberry, blue whor tleberry. Early flowering, spreading shrub Other name: red whortleberry. to 5. ft. ( 1.5 m.) tall. Leaves oval, Erect shrub 3-10 ft. (1-3 m.) rounded at tip and base, %-2 in. tall, with small leaves and red (2-5 em.) long and %-1 in. (1- berries. Leaves deciduous, often 2.5 em.) wide, thin, entire to shal persisting on twigs into early lowly toothed on edges, hairless, winter, oval to elliptic, %-1% in. green on upper surfaces, whitish (1-3 em.) long and %-% in. (6- (glaucous) beneath, leaves at tips of 10 mm.) wide, entire, green on twigs usually largest. Twigs slender, upper surface and grayish beneath; ¥1 6 in. (1.5-2 mm.) in diameter, petioles short, lfa 2 in. (1 mm.) yellowish green to reddish, shiny, long. Twigs slender, green, shiny, weakly angled, becoming gray the strongly angled or ridged, ending 2d or 3d year, ending in narrow in narrow stub. Buds light green, stub. Buds green or red, 1h in. lh-% 6 in. (3-5 mm.) long, cov ( 3 mm.) long-, with 2 even scales, ered by 2 scales, end bud lacking. end bud lackmg. Flowers single at base of leaves Flowers in spring before the on stalks %-% in. (6-10 mm.), leaves, single on sides of twig, nod nodding, corolla broadly urn ding on stalks %6-* in. (5-6 mm.) shaped with 5 small lobes, waxy, long; corolla pink, urn-shaped,

236 o/i6-% 6 (5-8 mm.) long, broadest below the middle and usually longer than broad. Fruit a round blue to bluish black berry, with a bluish bloom; stalk usually less Figure 117.-Early blueberry ( V acci than % in. (1 em.) long, curved, nium ovalifolium), natural size. not enlarged below fruit. Flower Winter twig at lower left; flowering ing in April and May, berries rip twig at left. ening in mid-July to August. 237 Early blueberry is the most com River. South Tongass, N mon blueberry of the coastal for Tongass and Chugach N est, where it may form a nearly Forests, Glacier Bay and continuous shrub layer under an National Monuments, Kenai open tree canopy and on cutover tiona! Moose Range, Kodiak forest land. This species and Aleutian Islands National Alaska blueberry ( V aooinium alas life Refuges. East to British Co kaense) provide most of the blue lumbia and south to southern Ore berries picked in coastal Alaska gon. Isolated populations at Lake where they are made into jellies Superior, Gaspe Peninsula, Lab and jams and frozen for use in rador, and Newfoundland. A winter. The shrub is also used as closely related species occurs in winter browse by deer, mountain eastern Asia. goat, and elk. Early blueberry and Alaska blueberry are very similar in ap pearance and upon detailed study 118. ALASKA BLUEBERRY might be united. The following may help to differentiate between ( V accinium alaskaense the two during various stages of Howell) development. Early blueberry ( Vaccinium ovalifolium) Spreading to erect shrub to 6 ft. (2m.) high. Leaves %-2 in. (2- Leaves hairless. 5 em.) long and %-1 in. (1-2.5 Flowering before or with the em.) wide, thin, entire or shallowly leaves. toothed on edges, upper surface Corolla usually longer than broad, green, lower surface whitish (glau pink, style included. cous), with few short glandular Berry bluish or blue-black, with hairs on midvein. Twigs thin, whitish bloom. %2 in. (1-1.5 mm.) in diameter, Fruit stalks usually less than % weakly angled, yellow green, be in. (1 em.), curved, not enlarged coming gray with age, ending in just below the fruit. narrow stub. Buds green or red, Alaska blueberry Ys in. (3-4 mm.) long, with 2 even (Vaccinium alaskaense) scales, end bud lacking. Leaves with few short glandular Flowers single at base of leaves hairs along midvein on lower after leaves are partially devel _ surface. oped, on straight stalks %-% in. Flowering after the leaves are half (6-10 mm.) long; corolla bronzy developed. pink, rounded urn-shaped, %-% 6 Corolla usually broader than long, in. (6-8 mm.) long, widest just bronzy pink, style exserted. above base, usually broader than Berry blue-black, without whitish long. Fruit a berry, bluish black bloom. to purple, variable in shape, usu Fruit stalks often more than % in. ally without a bloom, %6-% in. ( 1 em.) , straight or nearly so, (8-15 mm.) in diameter, on a somewhat enlarged just below stalk often more than % in. (1 fruit. em.) long, straight, or nearly so, Southeastern Alaska north to enlarged just below fruit. Flower south slopes of Alaska Range and ing in April and May, berries rip west to tip of Aleutians but ab ening from mid-July to mid sent between Attu and Unalaska, August. also 2 collections along Kuskokwim Alaska blueberry is common in

238 Fignre 118.-Alaska blueberry (Vaccinium alaskaense), natural size. the spruce-hemlock forests of the Used widely for jam and jelly and coast (especially in forest openings frozen for winter use. The berries and cutover land) . The berries of are eaten by bears; the twigs are this species and of early blueberry browsed by goat, elk, and deer. are usually picked together, as the For differences between Alaska shrubs occur in similar habitats. blueberry ( V accinium alaskaense)

239 and early blueberry (V. ovalifol but not used extensiVely in south, ium) , see the latter. east~rn Alaska wher~ other blue~ ~ Coastal Alaska from Prince Wil berries are more readily available.~, liam Sound south to southern tip The berries are also e~ten by bears: . of the State. South Tongass, grouse, and ptarnngan. Blue~ ··• North Tongass, and Chugach Na berries of this and related species tional Forests, Glacier Bay N a are eaten raw or cooked in pies tional Monument. From Alaska puddings, and muffins and may b~ ·. south along coast to northern Ore frozen or canned. They are a fair gon. source of vitamin C. Throughout Alaska except· ex treme northern coastal plain. South Tongass, North Tongass and Chugach National Forests' 119. BOG BLUEBERRY Glacier Bay and Katmai :National Monuments, Mt. McKinley N a (Vaccinium uliginosum L.) tional Park, Kenai National Moose Range, Kodiak and Aleutian Is lands National Wildlife Refuges, Other names : bog bilberry, Arctic National Wildlife Range. great bilberry, whortleberry. Alaska, across Canada to Labra Much branched low shrub, erect dor and Greenland, south to New or prostrate, 8-16 in. (20-40 em.) England, New York, and Minne high, often rooting along branches. sota. Also across Europe and Leaves oval ( obovate) to elliptic, Asia. The New World plants be %-% in. (1-2 em.) long, dark long to a variety ( V aocinium green on upper surface, lighter be uliginosum var. alpinum Bigel. or low, with conspicuous veins. Twigs ssp. alpinum (Bigel.) Hult.). slender, round, Ya 2 in. (1 mm.) in diameter, brown, minutely hairy, older twigs much branched, yellow brown to gray with shredding bark. 120. BOG CRANBERRY B-uds small, Ya 2 i:ri. (1 mm.) long, several scales with scattered short (Vaccinium oxycoccos L.) hairs. Flowers 1-4 from ends or side branches, nodding on stalk 7{ 6Jfs Other names: swamp cran in. ( 1.5-3 mm.) long; corolla pink, berry, wild cranberry, small cran urn-shaped, Ys-% 6 in. (3-5 mm.) berry, V aooinium oxyooooos L. var. long with 4 short lobes. Fruit a miorooarpus (Turcz.) Fedtsch. & blue to black berry with bluish Flerov. Oxyoooous miorooarpus bloom, ovoid %6 -% in. (5-10 mm.) Turcz. in diameter. Flowering in June, Evergreen shrub with very berries ripening in late July and slender stems, creeping vinelike August. through moss and rooting at nodes. Bog blueberry is a very common Leaves persistent, small, lance shrub of bog, open forest, and shaped, Ys-% in. (3-10 mm.) long, tundra of all of Alaska except for Ya2-Ys in. (1-3 mm.) wide, short the extreme northern coastal plain. pointed, leathery, edges strongly In southeastern Alaska it grows in rolled under; shiny dark green on the alpine tundra to elevations of upper surface, gray or whitish be 5,600 ft. (1,710 m). The berries neath with conspicuous midrib. are picked in large quantities in Stems yellow to reddish brown, north, central, and western Alaska, trailing, very slender, Ya 2-7{6 in.

240 Figure ll9.-Bog blueberry (Vaccini um uliginosum), natural size. Win ter twig at right.

it is so tiny, the plant is often overlooked until the berries turn red in the fall. The berries are ( 1-1.5 mm.) in diameter, hairless good tasting and can be eaten raw when young. or prepared as jelly or jam in the Flowers 1-4 at ends of stems, same manner as the closely related nodding on erect slender stalks commercial cranberries. How %-1% in. (2--4 em.) long with 2 ever, the bog cranberry seldom is tiny bractlets below middle; petals abundant enough to be gathered in 4, red to pink, bent backward, ~ large quantities. in. ( 6 mm.) long; 8 stamens Ys in. Coastal forests north to south (3 mm.) long, yellow, pointing for slopes of Brooks Range, with 2 ward. Because the petals are bent collections from Umiat area on backward, the cranberry flower re north slope, westward to Bering sembles that of a miniature shoot Strait and tip of Aleutians, though ingstar. Fruit a red, juicy, round absent from many of those islands. berry ~-% in. (6-10 mm.) in South 'fongass, North Tongass, diameter. Flowering in June, ber and Chugach National Forests, ries ripening in August. Glacier Bay and Katmai National Bog cranberry occurs in most Monuments, Mt. McKinley N a sphagnum bogs and peat hummocks tiona! Park, Kenai National Moose in the coastal and boreal forests Range, Kodiak and Aleutian Is but is seldom abundant. Because lands National Wildlife Refuges.

241 Figure 120.-Bog cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos), natural size.

Eastward to Hudson Bay and (Fr. Schm.) Hult. and var. obovata south to southern British Columbia Fr. Schm. and Alberta. Also in northern Low, creeping, cushionlike ever Europe and Asia. green shrub with stems horizontal The closely related small cran or 1-3 in. (2.5-7.5 em.) high, much berry ( V accinium palustre Salish. ; branched, with dense mat of dead Owycoccus palustris Pers., 0. quad leaves beneath. Leaves densely ripe talus Gilib.) has been reported crowded and overlapping like ro from Prince of Wales Island. It settes or alternate, without stip has thicker stems hairy when ules, narrowly oblong or spoon young, slightly larger oblong shaped, 1;8-% in .. (3-10 mm.) long, leaves, and larger flowers and 7{ 6 in. (1.5 mm.) wide, rounded at fruits. apex, edges turned under, thick and fleshy, stiff, hairless, dark green on upper surface, light green be neath. Twigs slender, hairless, DIAPENSIA FAMILY concealed by leaves. Flowers single, erect on stalks (Diapensiaceae) 1-2 in. (2.5-5 em.) high, %-%in. (15-20 mm.) across, composed of Evergreen low shrubs with 1-3 bracts, 5 persistent yellow crowded or alternate leaves with green sepals, bell-shaped corolla out stipules. Flowers with 5-lobed with 5 rounded spreading lobes corolla and 5 stamens; fruit a 3- white or rarely pink to red, 5 alter parted capsule. This small family nate stamens inserted in notches of related to the heath family has a corolla, and pistil with 3-celled single species in Alaska. ovary, long slender style, and 3- lobed stigma. Fruit an erect ellip tic or egg-shaped capsule nearly l;i in. ( 6 mm.) long, 3-celled, with 121. DIAPENSIA sev~al seeds. Flowering from late May often into July. (Diapensia lapponica L.) The many large flowers make diapensia showy and suitable for Other names: arctic diapensia, alpine rock gardens in spite of its Diapensia lapponica ssp. obovata small size. Compact mats to 2 ft.

242 Figure 121.-Diapensia (Diapensia lap ponica), natural size.

( 60 em.) in diameter are common Flowers mostly small, regular or in dry rocky and gravelly upland irregular, composed of calyx of slopes in arctic and alpine tundra. 4-5 teeth, tubular corolla with 4-5 Arctic-alpine nearly throughout lobes, 4-5 stamens inserted on tube interior Alaska except on arctic and alternate with lobes, and pistil coastal plain near Pt. Bartow, with inferior ovary of 2--5 cells south to Kodiak Island and Alaska and usually 1 ovule in each and 1 Peninsula. Also Amchitka Island style or none. Fruit mostly a in southwestern Aleutian Islands. berry or berrylike drupe. Five In southeast Alaska only in moun genera in Alaska, each with a tains above Haines and Skagway. single native species. Chugach National Forest, Mt. Mc Kinley National Park, Katmai N a tional Monument, Kenai National Moose Range, Kodiak Island and 122. PACIFIC RED ELDER Aleutian Islands National Wild life Refuges, Arctic National Wild (Sambucus callicarpa life Range. Alaska, east across Greene) northern Canada to Hudson Bay, Greenland, Labrador, and New foundland, south in mountains to Other names : scarlet elder, red New England and New York. berry elder, stinking elder, elder Also in northern Eurasia. berry; Sambucus racemosa L. var. arborescens (Torr. & Gray) Gray. Deciduous clump-forming shrub 6-12ft. (2--3.5 m.) high1 sometimes HONEYSUCKLE FAMILY large and treelike, With several stems to 2--4 in. (5-10 em.) d.b.h., ( Caprifoliaceae) rarely a small tree to 20 ft. ( 6 m.) high and 5 in. (12.5 em.) d.b.h. Deciduous or evergreen shrubs, Leaves opposite, compound, pin sometimes small trees, woody vines, nate, 5-10 in. (12.5-25 em.) long, and herbs. Leaves opposite, simple with small narrow stipules about or pinnately compound, without Ys in. (3 mm.) long soon shedding stipules (present in Sambucus). and leaving ring scar on twig, with

243 unpleasant odor. Leaflets 5 or 7, diarrhea and vomiting. paired except at end, short-stalked. can be grown as ornamentals Blades lanceolate or elliptic, 2-5 in. in the interior only in moist (5-12.5 em.) long and 1-2 in. (2.5- ations. 5 em.) wide, long-pointed at apex Common locally in moist and short-pointed and often un especially open areas and -..an.n-'-' equal at base, finely and sharply cutover land in coastal toothed on edges, thin, above green Unimak Island in and nearly hairless, beneath paler Pacific coast regions of and hairy. Twigs stout, finely ern, southern, and southeast hairy when young, !Vay, with ka. Chugach, North Tongass, raised brown dots (lentiCels), with South Tongass National Forests rings at nodes. Buds paired, large, Katmai and Glacier Bay Nationai egg-shaped, ~-% in. (6-12 mm.) Monuments, Kenai National Moose long, gray, covered by several Range, Kodiak and Aleutian Is slightly hairy overlapping scales lands National Wildlife Refuges. often persistent around twig. Bark Pacific coast region from southwest light to dark gray or brown, Alaska southeast to western Ore- . smoothish, becoming cracked or gon and mountains of central and. furrowed into small scaly or southern California. shaggy plates. Pith thick, whit This elder is added here to the' ish on youngest twigs, becoming list of native trees in Alaska, rarely deep yellow-orange or brown. reaching the minimum size. Small· Wood soft, whitish. trees were observed to 20 ft. in Flower clusters (compound height and 5 in. in trunk diameter cymes) terminal, erect, longer than at Myers Chuck on Cleveland broad, 2--4 in. (5-10 em.) long and Peninsula northwest of Ketchikan. 1%-2 in. ( 4--5 em.) wide, with Southward in the Pacific States many small whitish flowers with heights of 25-30 ft. and trunk unpleasant odor, turning brown on diameters to 1 ft. have been re drying. Flower composed of mi corded. nute 5-toothed calyx, white spread The plants of northwestern ing 5-lobed corolla % 6 -~ in. (5- North America from Alaska to 6 mm.) across, 5 stamens inserted California have been treated also at base of corolla and alternate as a variety of European red elder with lobes, and pistil with in-. ( S. Taeemo8a L.) ferior 3-celled ovary with 1 ovule in each cell, short style, and 3 stig mas. Fruit many berrylike drupes 123. ffiGH about %6 in. ( 5 mm.) in diameter with calyx persistent at apex, BUSH CRANBERRY bright red or scarlet, sometimes orange, containing 3 1-seeded (Viburnum edule (Michx.) poisonous nutlets. Flowering May Raf.) July, fruit maturing July-August. Elders are easily detected by a strong odor when leaves or stems Other names: squashberry, are crushed. The red fruits are mooseberry, Vibumum pauciflo classed as not edible, at least when rom La Pylaie. raw, but are sometimes made into Deciduous shrub 2-12 ft. (0.6- wine. They are eaten by some 3.5 m.) high with several to many birds, especially robins and thrush stems to 1% in. ( 4 em.) d.b.h., es. The "seeds" (nutlets) are re sometimes larger and treelike. ported to be poisonous, causing Leaves opposite, with petioles

244 Figure 122.-Paeifie red elder (Sambu cus callicarpa), one-half natural size. Winter twig at right.

2 dark red brown, partly united hairless scales, the side buds paired. Bark gray, smooth. Flower clusters (cymes) termi nal on short lateral twigs bearing only 2 leaves, with persistent stalks lh-1 in. ( 1.2--2.5 em.) long, small, lh-1 in. ( 1.2--2.5 em.) wide, with many or several short-stalked whitish flowers ~ in. ( 6 mm.) long and wide. Flower buds white or ~-%in. (6-20 mm.) long, slightly tinged with pink. Flowers com hairy when young, without stip posed of short 5-toothed calyx, . ules. Blades rounded, thin, mostly whitish corolla ~ in. (6 mm.) shallowly and palmately 3-lobed, across the 5 nearly equal spreading 1-4 in. (2.5-10 em.) long and wide, lobes, 5 short stamens inserted on with 3 main veins from rounded corolla and alternate with lobes, base which usually has 2 glands, and pistil with inferior 3-celled edges sharply toothed and lobes ovary, 1 ovule, and minute stigma. short-pointed, above dull green and Fruit· an elliptic red or orange hairless, beneath light green and drupe %_lh in. (10-12 mm.) long, often hairy, especially on veins. with calyx at apex, sour and edible, Twigs light gray, hairless, stout, containing 1 rounded flat stone %6 with rings at nodes and thick white in. ( 5 mm.) long. Flowering pith. Buds narrowly elliptic, % May-July, fruit maturing July-: ¥2 in. ( 3-12 mm.) long, covered by September. ·

245 Figure 123.-High bushcranherry (Vi burnum edule),,one-half natural size. Winter twig at upper right.

The fruits are edible, as the sci Bay National Monuments, Kodiak entific name indicates. They make National Wildlife Refuge. Alaska excellent jelly or juice, especially and Yukon Territory to mouth of if picked before mature. Later the Mackenzie River, Great Bear Lake, flavor may be musty. The flavor Hudson Bay, Ungava Bay, and of the jelly is improved if the juice Newfoundland, south to Pennsyl is mixed with rose hip puree. The vania, Michigan, Minnesota, Col overripe berries give a musty odor orado, and Oregon. to many areas of interior Alaska in late fall. Wildlife browse the foliage, and numerous birds eat the berries. This species has been 124. SNOWBERRY recommended for cultivation for its brilliant red autumnal foliage. (Symphoricarpos albus Scattered to common, sometimes (L.) Blake) abundant, in thickets, forest open ings, and along streams. Through most of Alaska except northern Other names: Symphorioarpos border, western Alaska Peninsula, rivularis Suksd., S. albus ssp. and Aleutian Islands. South Ton laevigatus (Fern.) Hult. and var. gass, North Tongass, and Chugach laevigatus (Fern.) Blake. National Forests, Mt. McKinley Deciduous, much branched shrub National Park, Katmai and Glacier 1-4 ft. ( 3-12 dm.) high sometimes

246 Figure 124.-Snowberry (Symphoricar pos albus), natural size. Winter twig at right.

reddish brown, hairless or mi nutely hairy, ringed at nodes, older twigs gray with shreddy bark. Buds 7{ 6 in. (1.5 rom.) long, scaly. Flowers mostly few in short clus ters (racemes) at ends of twigs or also at bases of upper leaves, about 14 in. ( 6 mm.) long, pink, com posed of 5-toothed calyx, pink tubu taller. Leaves opposite, with slen lar bell-shaped corolla 14 in. (6 der petioles about Ys in. ( 3 rom.) mm.) long and nearly as wide, 5- long, without stipules. Blades lobed, hairy within, with 5 sta elliptic to ovate, %-llh in. (1.5-4 mens inserted in tube alternate em.) long, l!z-1 in. ( 1.2-2.5 em.) with lobes, and pistil with elliptic wide, blunt at both ends, on vigor inferior 4-celled ovary with 2 ous twigs larger and often with a ovules and short hairless style. few irregular teeth or lobes, thin, Fruits 1 to few, round white berry above dark green and hairless or like drupes 14-% in. (6-15 rom.) nearly so, beneath often whitish long, with calyx at apex, containing green and hairy. Twigs slender, 2 hght brown nutlets or stones

247 Figure 125.-Twin-:flower (Linnaea bo realis), natural size.

%6 in. ( 5 mm.) long. Collected in flower in July. Local in southeast Alaska, known only from Haines and Chilkat Valley, and the vicinity of Juneau. North Tongass N a tiona! Forest. Southeast Alaska, Queen Charlotte Islands, and Brit ish Columbia, across Canada to Quebec, south to Virginia, Michi gan, Nebraska, Colorado, and Cal ifornia. Creeping evergreen dwarf shrub Cultivated elsewhere as an orna or herbaceous, forming loose mats, mental. with long slender, slightly hairy, woody horizontal stems rooting at nodes and many erect twigs to 4 in. (10 em.) high.. Leaves oppo 125. TWIN-FLOWER site, with slender petioles less than ( Linnaea borealis L.) ~ in. (3 mm.) long, with stipules. Blades elliptic or rounded,*-% in. (6-15 mm.) long and wide, thick Other names : Linnaea ameri with few wavy teeth above middle, cana Forbes, L. bo'f'ealis ssp. bo'f'e hairless or nearly so, above dull ali

248 %-% in. (10-15 rom.) long, com posed of calyx of 5 narrow green ish hairy lobes, pink to purple funnel-shaped or bell-shaped tubu lar corolla with 5 nearly equal lobes, 4 stamens in pairs inserted Figure 126.-Bearberry honeysuckle near base of tube and enclosed, and (Lonicera involucrata), one-half nat ural size. Winter twigs at right, pistil with inferior greenish 3-celled natural size. ovary, 1 ovule, and slender style. Fruit small, dry, round, 7{ 6 in. ( 1.5 rom.) in diameter, with calyx at evergreen ground cover m shady apex and enclosed by bracts, 1- places. seeded. Flowering June-August, Scattered in open forests and tun fruits maturing July-August. dra. Widespread almost through Twin-flower can be transplanted out Alaska (except Arctic coastal into cultivation as a, spreading plain) from Aleutian Islands 249 through interior to southeast calyx, yellow funnel-shaped corolla Alaska. South Tongass, North swollen on one side at base and Tongass, and Chugach National with 5 nearly equal short lobes, Forests, Mt. McKinley National 5 glandular hairy stamens inserted Park, Glacier Bay and Katmai N a within tube, and pistil with in tiona! Monuments, Kenai National ferior 3-celled ovary, many ovules, Moose Range, Kodiak National and slender style. Fruits paired Wildlife Refuge, Aleutian Islands above 4 dark red bracts, 3-celled, National Wildlife Refuge, Arctic few-seeded black berries, round,% National Wildlife Range. Alaska in. (10 mm.) in diameter. across Canada to Labrador and The bitter fruits are said to be Newfoundland, south especially in poisonous. mountains to New Jersey, West Rare and local in wet soil. Re Virginia, Indiana, South Dakota, stricted in Alaska to vicinity of New Mexico, and California. Also Portland Canal at extreme south widespread across Eurasia. ern end of southeast Alaska and at Three varieties differing slightly head of Lynn Canal, at northern in shape of leaves and flowers have end of southeast Alaska. South been distinguished in Alaska. The Tongass National Forest. Wide generic name honors Carolus Lin spread across northern North naeus ( 1707-78) , Swedish botanist. America from southeast Alaska and British Columbia to Hudson Bay, James Bay, Quebec, and New Brunswick, south to Michigan and Wisconsin, and in western moun tains to New Mexico, California, 126. BEARBERRY and Chihuahua, Mexico. HONEYSUCKLE ( Lonicera involucrata (Richards.) Banks) COMPOSITE FAMILY

Other names : honeysuckle, ( Compositae) black twinberry. Deciduous shrub 3-10 ft. (1-3 This very large family is well m.) high. Leaves opposite, with reptesented in Alaska by numerous petioles less than % in. ( 6 mm.) species of herbs and 1 genus with 2 long, without stipules. Blades ellip species woody near base. Leaves tic, 2--5 in. (5-12.5 em.) long, 1-3 in this family are various, often in. (2.5-7.5 em.) wide, long-pointed toothed or lobed, without stipules. or short-pointed at both ends, Flowers small, crowded and stalk edges hairy and not toothed, above less in heads bordered by green dull green and hairless or nearly ish scales (bracts), with tubular so, beneath pale green and hairy corolla 5-toothed or strap-shaped on veins. Twigs 4-angled when (ray flowers), calyx of hairs (pap young, hairless, ringed at nodes. pus) or minute scales or none, and Bark becoming gray and shreddy. inferior ovary. Fruit dry, 1-seeded Flowers paired above 4 leaflike (akene). green or purple bracts on stalk 1-2 Sagebrush or wormwood (Ar in. (2.5-5 em.) long at base of temisia) is the only genus of this leaves, ¥2-% in. ( 12--15 mm.) family with woody plants in long, composed of short tubular Alaska. Of about 20 Alaskan

250 Figure 127.-Fringed sagebrush (Artemisia frigida), one-half natural size.

species, only 2, fringed sagebrush base. Both ~row on the driest, and Alaska sagebrush, can be con warmest sites m central and north sidered as shrubs, though primarily ern Alaska, the steep rocky south herbaceous and woody only near facing river bluffs.

251 Key to the 2 Alaska Shrub Species

Basal leaves 2 to 3 times divided into linear segments ?11 2 in. (1 mm.) wide, lea£ blade :14-¥2 in. (6-12 mm.) long ------ . ------127. fringed sagebrush (Artemisia frigida) Basal leaves 2-3 times divided into spatula-shaped (spatulate or oblance olate) segments :X 6_t/s in. (2-3 mm.) wide, lea£ blade 1-2 in. (2.5-5 em.) long ------128. Alaska sagebrush (Artemisia alaskana)

127. FRINGED SAGEBRUSH trees. In the summer it may be confused with other herbaceous (Artemisia frigida Willd.) species of Artemisia, which have much larger, less dissected leaves. Along river bluffs of Matanuska, Other name: prairie sagewort. Copper, Kuskokwim, Tanana, and Shrubby spreading perennial, Yukon rivers of central Alaska. much branched from woody base, Collected on a bluff on the Saddle 12-18 in. (30-45 em.) high, fra rochit River and along the Col grant, and silvery in appearance. ville River, both north of the Leaves densely crowded at base Brooks Range. Mt. McKinley N a and along stem, small and divided tiona} Park, Arctic National Wild 2 or 3 times into linear segments life Range. Southeast across Can less than ?11 2 in. (1 mm.) wide, ada to Minnesota and south to total length of blade %6 -lh in. Texas and Arizona. Also in north ( 5-12 mm.) , densely silky hairy ern Asia. throughout. Stems of current year herbaceous, silvery from dense -· white hairs, dying back each winter to a few short woody stems, older 128. ALASKA SAGEBRUSH woody stems covered with dead gray leaves, silvery in some parts (Artemisia alaskana Rydb.) but becoming brown with age. Flowers in small compact heads about ¥sin. (3-4 mm.) in diameter, Other name: Artemisia tyrellii on a narrow- erect leafy branch Rydb. (raceme), yellow without ray flow Silvery spreading shrub, 18-24 ers, the underlying bracts with in. ( 45-60 em.) high, much dense silvery hairs. Fruits many branched from woody base, fra tiny hairless seeds ( akenes). Flow grant. Basal leaves 1-2 in. (2.5-5 ering in July-August, seeds matur em.) long,divided into 3-5 segments, ing August-September. each again divided into spatula Fringed sagebrush is a common shaped (spatulate), oblong, or shrub on sunny, south facing, well linear segments :X 6 in. (2 mm.) drained river bluffs in central wide; stem leaves becoming less di Alaska, too dry or unstable for vided so that upper leaves may be

252 undivided and linear-shaped; pres ent year's leaves densely silky hairy, past year's basal leaves usually per sisting, gray brown in color. Stems herbaceous, silvery from dense hairs, dying back each win ter to a few short basal woody stems; older stems brown and cov ered with old dead gray leaves. Flowers in compact heads JA o/t6 in. (6-8 mm.) in diameter, often nodding, on a branched, narrow, erect leafy twig (raceme), yellow, and lackmg ray flowers, the bracts with dense silvery hairs. Fruits many tiny hairless seeds ( akenes). Flowering in July and August, seeds maturing August and September. Alaska sagebrush grows on steep south-facing, usually rocky, dry slopes, commonly with fringed sagebrush. The two may form a nearly complete cover on many river bluffs and steep south-facing road cuts. Common along the river bluffs of central Alaska and occasionally along rivers north of the Brooks Range. One locality on the Seward Peninsula near N orne. Mt. Mc Kinley National Park, Arctic N a tional Wildlife Range. Southeast in Canada only to the headwaters Figure 128.-Alaska sagebrush (Arte of Tanana and Yukon Rivers and misia alaskana), one-half natural to Lake Kluane region. Closely size. related to Artemisia krushiana Bess., of Asia. 253 SELECTED REFERENCES

Additional information about that were especially helpful in the trees and shrubs of Alaska, preparation of this handbook also the forests and other vegeta cited in the introduction and year of publication. tion, is available in many articles hensive bibliographies on and books. A selected list of these plants have been prepared references is included here. Some Hulten (1941--:50, 1967, 1968).

Anderson, H. E. Bank, T. P. 1953. Range of western red 1951. Botanical and ethnobo cedar (Thuja plicata) in tanical studies in the Aleu Alaska. USDA Forest tian Islands. I. Aleutian Serv. Alaska Forest Res. vegetation and Aleut cul 14 p. Center Tech. Note 22, 1 p. ture. Mich. Acad. Sci. Brayshaw, T. C. and map. Arts Lett. Pap. 37: 13- 1965. The status of the black · ---- 30. cotton wood ( Popuj,w, tri 1959. Silvical characteritsics of Barney, Richard J. choaarya Torrey and - Alaska-cedar ( Ohamaeay 1967. Buildup indexes for in Gray). Can. Field-Natur. plM'is nootkatemia) . US terior Alaska 1956-65. 79: 91-95. DA Forest Serv. Alaska USDA Forest Serv. Pa Briggs, W. R, Forest Res. Center Sta. cific Northwest Forest and Pap. 11, 10 p. Range Exp. Sta. Inst. of 1953. Some plants of Mount Anderson, J. P. Northern Forest. Misc. McKinley National Park 1939. Plants used by the Eski Pub!. 49 p. McGonegall Moun~ mo in the northern Ber Area. Rhodora 55: 245- ing Sea and Arctic re 252. gions of Alaska. Amer. 1968. Fi~e danger rating spread Britton, M. E. J. Bot. 26: 714--716. index and bnildup mdex 1958. Vegetation of the arctic frequencies for interior tundra. 18th Annu. Bioi. 1943-52. Flora of Alaska and Alaska. USDA Forest Colloq. Oregon State adjacent parts of Canada. Serv. Pacific Northwest Coli. p. 26-61. Iowa State Col. J. Sci. 18: Forest and Range Exp. 137-175, 381-445; 19: Bruce, David, and Court, Arnold Sta. Inst. of Northern 1945. Trees for the Aleutians. 133-205; 20: 213-257, Forest. 8 p. 297-347; 21: 363-423; Geogr. Rev. 35: 413-423, 23: 137-187; 24: 219- Bruce, Mason, B. 271; 26: 387-453. 1960. National forests in Alas ----, 1969a. Interior Alaska wildfires, ka, J. Forest. 58: 437- 1959. Flora of Alaska and ad 1956-65. USDA Forest 442. jacent parts of Canada. Serv. Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Exp. BuckleY., John L., and Libby, 543 p. Ames, Iowa: Iowa Wilbur L. State Univ. Press. Sta. Inst. of Northern Forest. Misc. Pub!. 47 p. 1959. The distribution in Alas Anderson, James R. ka of P.lant and animal 1925. Trees and shrubs, food, life available for survival. medicinal, and poisonous Arctic Aeromedical Lab. plants of British Colum 1969b. National fire-danger rat Tech. Rep. 58-10, 43 p. bia. 165 p. Victoria, B.C. ing system fine fuel mois Argus, George W. ture content tables-an Burns, John J. 1965. The taxonomy of the Alaskan adaptation. US 1964. Pingos in the Yukon Saliw glauaa complex in DA Forest Serv. Res. Kuskokwim Delta, Alas North America. Contrib. Note PNW-109, 12 p. ka : Their plant succes Gray Herb. Harvard Baxter, Dow V., and Wadsworth, sion and use by mink. Univ. 196, 142 p. Frank H. Arctic 17: 203-210. ----. 1939. Forest and fungus suc Cahalaney, Victor H. 1969. New combinations in the cession in the lower Yu 1959. A biological survey of Saliw of Alaska and Yu kon Valley. Univ. Mich. Katmai National Monu kon. Can. J. Bot. 47: Sch. Forest. Conserv. Bull. ment. Smithsonian Misc. 795-801. 9, 52 p. Collect. 138 ( 5) , 246 p. Benninghoff, W . .S. Calder, James A., and Taylor, 1972. The systematics of the 1952. Interaction of vegetation genus Saliw in Alaska and Roy L. and soil frost phenomena. 1965. New taxa and nomencla Yukon. Nat. Mus. Can. Arctic 5: 34--44. Publ. Bot. No 2. (In press) ture changes with respect Babb,M. F. Berger, Alwin. to the flora of the Queen 1959. Ornamental trees and 1924. A taxonomic review of ) Charlotte Islands, British shrubs for Alaska. Univ. currants and gooseberries. Columbia. Can. J. Bot. Alaska Agr. Exp. Sta. N.Y. Agri. Exp. Sta. 43: 1,387-1,400. Bull. 24, 39 p. Tech. Bull. 109: 1-118. ----., , and Mulli- Ball, Carleton, R. Bliss, L. C., and Cantlon J. E. gan, Gerald A. 1940. Dr. W. A. Setchell and 1957. Succession on nver1 allu 1968. Flora of the Queen Char Alaska willows. Proc. vium in northern Alaska. I otte Islands. Can. Dep. Nat. Acad. Sci. 21: 181- Amer. Midland Natur. Agr. Res. Monogr. 4, 186. 52: 452-469. Parts 1-2.

254 Camp,W.H. Funsch, Robert W. 1942. .A: survey of the American 1968. S~me geographic varia 1964. A summary of seasonal species of V acainium, sub· tions in Picea sitchensis temperature and precipi genus Euvaccinium. Brit and their ecological inter tation data for the inte tonia: 205-247. pretation. Can. J. Bot. rior forested area of Alas ----. 46 : 787-798. ka. USDA Forest Serv. 1944. A preliminary considera Davidson John. Res. Note NOR-9, 50 p. tion of the biosystematy 1927. Conifers, junipers, and Garman, E. H. of OmycocCWJ. Bull. Torr. yew: gymnosperms of 1963. Pocket gnide to the trees Bot. Club 71: 426-437. British Columbia. 72 p. and shrubs of British Co London. lumbia. British Columbia 1945. The North American blue Dayton, William A. Forest Serv. Pub!. B. 28, berries with notes on other 1931. Important western browse 137 p. groups of Vacciniaceae. plants. U.S. Dep. Agr. Gjaervoll, 0. Brittonia 5: 203-275. Misc. Pub. 101, 214 p. 1958-67. Botanical investiga- Canada, Department of Forestry. Drew, J. V., and Shanks, R. E. tions in central Alaska, 1961. Native trees of Canada. 1965. Landscape relationships especially in the White Bull. 61, ed. 6, 291 p. of soils and vegetation m Mountains. Parts I-III. Ottawa. frost-tundra ecotone, Up K. N orske Vidensk. Selsk. Churchill, E. D. per Firth River Valley, Skr. (Trondheim) 5, 74 1955. Phytosociological and en Alaska-Canada. Ecol. p.; 4, 115 p.; 10, 63 p. vironmental characteris Monogr. 35: 285-306. Gregory, Robert A. tics of plant communities Drury, William H., Jr. 1957. Some silvicultural char in the Umiat region of 1956. Bog flats and J?hysio acteristics of western red Alaska. Ecology 36 : 606- graphic processes m the cedar in Alaska. Ecology 627. upper Kuskokwim River 38: 646-649. Cooper, W. S. regions, Alaska. Contrib. 1924. The forests of Glacier Gray Herb. Harvard 1960. Identification of spruce Bay (Alaska), present, Univ. 178, 130 p. seedlings in interior Alas past, and yet unborn. J. Dugle, Janet R. ka. USDA Forest Serv. Forest. 22( 1) : 16-23. 1966. A taxonomic study of Alaska Forest. Res. Cen --- western Canadian species ter Tech. Note 45, 4 p. 1930. The seed plants and ferns in the genus Betula. Can. of the Glacier Bay Na- J. Bot. 44: 929-1,007. tional Monument, Alaska. Eastwood, Alice. 1966. The effect of leaf litter Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 57: 1947. A collection of plants upon establishment of 327-338. from the Aleutian Islands. white spruce beneath pa Leafl. Western Bot. 5: 9- per birch. Forest. Chron. 1931. The layering habit in Sit "13. 42: 251-255. ka spruce and the two ----,and Haack, Paul M. western hemlocks. Bot. 1957. A ·list of plants from Dall 1964. Equations and tables for Gaz. 91: 441-451. and Annette Islands, Alas estimating cubic-foot vol ka. Leafl. Western Bot. Additions to the flora of ume of interior Alaska 1939. 7: 102. tree species. USDA For Glacier Bay National Eliot, Willard Ayres, and McLean, Monument, Alaska, 1935- est Serv. Res. Note, NOR- G.B. 6, 21 p. 36. Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 1938. Forest trees of the Pa 66 : 453-456. cific coast. 565 p. New York. 1965. Growth and yield of well 1942a. An isolated colony of Evans, W. H. stocked aspen and birch plants on a glacier-clad 1899. An undescribed birch stands in Alaska. USDA mountain. Bull. Torr. from Alaska. Bot. Gaz. Forest Serv. Res. Pap. Bot. Club 69 : 429-433. 27: 481-482. NOR-2, 28 p. ------and Wilson, Brayton F. 1942b. V ~getation of the Prince 1900. N ~tes on the edible berries 1967. A comparison of cambial William Sound Region, of Alaska. Plant World activity of white spruce in Alaska; with a brief ex 3: 17-19. Alaska and New England. cursion into post-Pleisto- Farr, Wilbur A. Can. J. Bot. 46: 733-734. cene climat1c history. 1967a. Board-foot tree volume Griggs, R. F. Ecol. Monogr. 12: 1-22. tables and equations for 1914. Observations on the edge Coville, F. V. white spruce in interior of the forest in the Ko 1900. The tree willows of Alas Alaska. USDA Forest diak region of Alaska. ka. Proc. Wash. Acad. Serv. Res. Note PNW- Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 41: Sci. 2: 275-286. 59, 4 p. ---- 381-385. 1901. The willows of Alaska. 1967b. Growth and yield of well Proc. Wash. Acad. Sci. 3: stocked white spruce 1915. The effect of the eruption 297-362. stands in Alaska. USDA of Katmai on land vege ----., and Funston, F. tation. Bull. Amer. Geogr. Forest Serv. Res. Pap., Soc. 4 7 : 193-203. 1895. Botany of Yakutat Bay, PNW-53, 30 p. Alaska, with a field report Fernow, B. C. by F. Funston. Contrib. 1918. The recovery of vegeta U.S. Nat. Herb. 3: 325- 1902. Forests of Alaska. Har riman Alaska Exped. Rep. tion at Kod1ak. Ohw J. 350. Sci. 19: 1-57. Daubenmire, R. F. 3: 235-256. 1953. Notes on the vegetation of Fowells, H. A., compiler. forested regions of the far 1965. Silvics of forest trees of 1919. The be~gs of reveg northern Rockies and the United States. U.S. etation m Katmai Valley. Alaska. Northwest Sci. Dep. Agr., Agr. Handb. Ohio J. Sci. 19: 318- 27 : 125-138. 271, 762 p. 342.

255 Griggs, R. F. Hulten, Eric. 1934. The edge of forest in Alas 1970. The loners of Alaska. 1936. New or notable species ka and the reasons for its Amer. Forest. 76(5): 20- from Alaska. Contribu position. Ecology 15: 22, 55-56. tions for the flora of Alas 80-96. Harshberger, J. W. ka I. Svensk Bot. Tidskr. 1928. Tundra vegetation of cen 30: 515-528. 1936. The vegetation of the Kat tral Alaska directly under mai district. Ecology 17: the Arctic Circle. Proc. 1940a. History of botanical ex. 380-417. Amer. Phil. Soc. Phila. ploration in Alaska and Guthrie, John D. 67 : 215-234. Y uko:n Territories from 1922. Alaska's interior forests. the time of their discovery J. Forest. 20: 363-373. 1929. The forests of the Pacific to 1940. Bot. Notiser 1940: Haack, Paul M. coasts of British Colum 289-346. 1963a. Aerial photo volume bia and southeastern Alas tables for interior Alaska ka. Acta Forest. Feunica 1940b. Two new species of Salix tree species. USDA For 34: 1-5. from Alaska. Svensk est Serv. Res. Note NOR- Hayes, Doris W., and Garrison, Bot. Tidskr. 34 : 373- 2, 8 p. George A. 376. ---- 1960. Important woody plants 1963b. Volume tables for trees of eastern Oregon and 1941-50. Flora of Alaska and of interior Alaska. USDA Washington. U.S. Dep. Yukon, 1-10. Lunds Forest Serv. Res. Note Agr. Handb. 148, 227 p. Univ. Arsskr., N. F., Avd. NOR-5, 11 p. Hegg, Karl M. 2, v. 37-46, 1,902 p. Hanks, Leland F., and Swanson, 1966. A photo identification Carl W. guide for the land and ---- 1967. Lumber g-rade yields from forest types of interior 1958. The Amphi-Atlantic paper brrch and balsam Alaska. USDA Forest plants and therr phytogeo- poplar logs in the Susitna Serv. Res. Pap.. NOR-3, graphical connections. River Valley. USDA 55 p. Svensk V etenska pskad. Forest Serv. Res. Pap. Heintzleman, B. F. Hand!. 7(71), 340 p. PNW-51, 30 p. 1928. Pulp-timber resources of Hanson, H. C. southeastern Alaska. U.S. 1959. Studies in the genus DryM. 1950. Vegetation and soil pro Dep. Agr. Misc. Pub!. 41, Svensk Bot. Tidskr. 53: files in some solifluction 34 p. (Reprinted and 507-542. and mound areas in Alas slightly rev. 28 p. 1937.) ka. Ecology 31: 606- 1960a. Contribution to the 630. 1949. Forests of Alaska. Trees, knowl~ge. of flora and U.S. Dep. Agr. Yearb. vegetatiOn of the south 1953. Vegetation types in north 1949, 361-372. western Alaska mainland. western Alaska and com Heller, Christine A. Svensk Bot. Tidskr. 60 : parisons with communi 1953. Wild edible and poisonous 177-189. ties in other Arctic re plants of Alaska. Univ. gions. Ecology 34: 111- Alaska Ext. Bull. F-40, 1960b. Flora of the Aleutian 140. 87 p. Islands. Ed. 2, 376 p. Hardy, Charles E., and Franks, Weinheim/Bergstr. James W. 1966. Wild flowers of Alaska. 1963. Forest fires in Alaska. 104 p. Portland, Oreg. 1962a. Flora and vegetation of USDA Forest Serv. Res. Henry, Joseph Kaye. Scammon Bay, Bering Pap. INT-5, 163 p. 1915. Flora of southern British Sea Coast, Alaska. Svensk Harris, Arland S. Columbia and Vancouver Bot. Tidskr. 56: 36-54. 1964. Sitka spruce; Alaska's Island, with many ref new State tree. Amer. erences to Alaska and Forest. 70(8): 33-35. 1962b. The circumpolar plants. northern species. 363 p. I. V ascnlar cryptograms, ---- Toronto. conifers, monocotyledons. 1965. Subalpine fir on Harris Heusser, C. J. _; Svensk Vetenskapsakad. Ridge near Hollis, Prince 1954a. Alpine fir at Taku Gla Hand!. 8(5), 275 p. of Wales Island, Alaska. cier with notes on its post Northwest Sci. 39: 123- glacial migration to the 128. . Territory. Bull. Torr. 1967. Comments on the flora Bot. Club 81: 83-86. of Alaska and Yukon. Svensk Vetenskapsakad. 1967. Natural reforestation on Hand!. Ser. 2, 7(1), 147 p. a mile-square clearcut in 1954b. Nunatak flora of the southeast Alaska. USDA Juneau Ice Field, Alaska. Forest Serv. Res. Pap. Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 81 : 1968. Flora of Alaska and neigh PNW-52, 16 p. 236-250. boring territories; a man ual of the vascular plants. 1,008 p. Stanford, Calif. : 1969a. Alaska cedar, a bibliog 1960. Late Pleistocene environ Stanford Univ. Press. raphy with abstracts. US ments of Pacific North Hutchison, 0. Keith. DA Forest Serv. Res. Pap. America. 308 p. New 1967. Alaska's forest resource. PNW-73, 47 p. York: Amer. Geogr. Soc. USDA Forest Serv. Res. Hitchcock, C. Leo, Cronquist, Ar Bull. PNW-19, 74 p. 1969b. Ripening and dispersal thur, Ownbey, Marion, and Johnson, A. W., and Viereck, of a bumper western hem Thompson, J. W. Leslie A. lock-Sitka spruce seed 1955-69. Vascular plants of the 1962. Some new records and cr()p in southeast Alaska. Pacific Northwest. 5 parts. range extensions of Arctic USDA Forest Serv. Res. Seattle and London: plants from Alaska. Univ. Note PNW-105, 11 p. Univ. Wash. Press. Alaska Bioi. Pap. 6, 32 p.

256 Johnson, A. W., Viereck, Leslie A., Lotspeich, Frederick B., Mueller, Markwardt, L. J. Johnson, E. R., and Melchior, Ernst W., and Frey, Paul J. 1931. The distribution and the H. 1970. Effects of large scale for mechanical properties of 1966. Vegetation and flora. p. est fires on water quality Alaska woods. U.S. Dep. 277-354. In Willomovsky, in interior Alaska. U.S. Agr. Tech. Bull. 226, '1'9 p. N. J., and Wolfe, J. N., Dep. Interior, Fed. Water Massie, Michael R. eds. Environment of the Pollut. Contr. Admin., 1966. Marketing hardwoods Cape Thompson region, Alaska Water Lab., Col from Alaska's Snsitna Alaska. U.S. Atomic En lege, Alaska, 115 p. Valley. Uuiv. Alaska, ergy Comm. Div. Tech. LOve, Dons, and Freedman, N. J. Inst. of Social, Economic Inform. 1,250 p. 1956. A, plant collection from and Government Res. Johnson, Phillip, and Vogel, Theo soutlrwest Yukon. Bot. SEG Rep. 9, 162 p. dore C. N otiser 109: 153-211. 1966. ' Vegetation of the Yukon Lutz, H. J. Flats region, Alaska. U.S. 1951. Damage to trees by black 196'1'. F~rest resource utilization Army COld Reg. Res. Eng. bears m Alaska. J. Forest. in Alaska. Rev. Bus. Lab., Hanover, N.H., Res. 49 : 522-523. Econ. Cond. 4(5): 1-8. Rep. 209, 53 p. Mitchell, William W. Johnson, Von J. 1952. Occurrence of clefts in 1964. The chronology and anal 1968. On the ecology of Sitka the wood of living white alder in the subalpine ysis of the Hughes Fire, spruce in Alaska. J. For 1962. USDA Forest Serv. est. 50: 99-102. zone of south-central Alas Res. Note NOR-3, 12 p. ka. p. 45-56. In Trappe, J. M., Franklin, J. F., Jones, George Neville. 1956a. Damage to paper birch 1939. A synopsis of the North Tarrant, R. F., and Han by red squirrels m Alaska. sen, G. M., editors. Biol American species of Sor J. Forest. 54: 31-33. bus. J. Arnold Arbore ogy of alder. Proc. Symp. tum 20: 1-43. Northwest Sci. Assn. 40th 1956b. Ecological effects of for Annu. Meeting, Pullman, est fires in the interior of Wash. USDA Forest 1940. A monograph of the genus Alaska. U.S. Dep. Agr. Tech. Bull. 1,133, 121 p. Serv. Pacific Northwest Symphoricarpos. J. Ar Forest and Range Exp. nold Arboretum 21: 201- 252. 1958a. Effect of red squirrels on Sta. 292 p. crown form of black Noste, Nonan V. spruce in Alaska. USDA 1969. Analysis and summary of 1946. American species of Ame- Forest Serv. Tech. Notes forest fires in coastal Alas lanchier. TIL Bioi. N0-42, 3 p. ka. USDA Forest Serv. Monogr. 20{2), 126 p. Pacific Northwest Forest J ordal, L. H. 1958b. Observations on "dia and Range Exp. Sta. Inst. 1951. Plants from the vicinity mond willow" with par North. Forest. Misc. Pnbl. of Fairbanks, Alaska. ticular reference to its 12 p. Rhodora 53: 156-159. occurrence in Alaska. Orth, Donald J. Amer. Midland Natur. 196'1'. Dictionary of Alaska 1952. Some new entities in the 60: 1'1'6-185. place names. U.S. Geol. flora of the Brooks Range Surv. Prof. Pap. 56'1', region, Alaska. Rhodora 1959. Aboriginal man and white 1,084 p. 54: 35-39. man as historical causes Ostenfeld, C. H., and Larsen, C. Kellogg, R. S. of fires in the boreal for Syrach. 1910. The forests of Alaska. est with particular ref 1930. The species of the genus USDA Forest Serv. Bull. erence to Alaska. Yale Larix and their geograph 81, 24 p. Univ. Sch. Forest. Bnll. ical distribution. 'Kgl. La Roi, George H. 65, 49 p. Dansk. Vid. Selsk. Bioi. 1967. Ecological studies in the Meddel. 9(2), 107 p. boreal spruce-fir forests of 1963a. Early forest conditions Polunin, N. the North American taiga. in the Alaska interior, an historical account with 1959. Circumpolar Arctic flora. I. Analysis of the vascu 514 p. Oxford Univ. Press. lar flora. Ecol. Monogr. original sources. USDA 37 : 229-253. Forest Serv. Northern Porsild, A. E. Laurent, T. H. Forest Exp. Sta. 74 p. 1938a. Flora of Little Diomede 1966. Dwarfmistletoe on Sitka Island in Bering Strait. spruce-a new host record. 1963b. Sitka spruce planted in Trans. Roy. Soc. Can. Plant Dis. Rep. 50 : 921. 1805 at Unalaska Island Ser. 3, Sect. 5, 32: 21-38. Lepage, Ernest. by the Russians. USDA 1951. New and noteworth:r Forest Serv. Northern Forest Exp. Sta. 25 p. 1939. C~ntributions to the flora plants in the flora of of Alaska. Rhodora 41: Alaska. Amer. Midland ----., and Caporaso, A. P. 141-183, 199-254, 262-301. Natur. 46: 5'1'4-'1'59. 1958. Indication of forest land Little, Elbert L., Jr. classes in airphoto inter 1953a. Check list of native and pretation of the Alaska 1944. V ~cular plants collected naturalized trees of the Interior. USDA Forest on Kiska and Great Sit United States (including Serv. Sta. Pap. N0-10, 31 p. kin Islands in the Aleu Alaska). U.S. Dep. Agr., tians by Lt. H. R. Mc Agr. Handb. 41, 472 p. McMinn, Howard E., and Maino, Evelyn. Carthy and Capt. N. Kel 193'1'. An illustrated manna! of las, August, September, 1953b. A natural hybrid spruce Pacific coast trees. 409 and October 1943. Can. in Alaska. J. Forest. 51: p. Berkeley, Calif. (Re Field N atur. 58: 130- '1'45-'1'4'1'. printed 1946.) 131.

257 Porsild, A. E. Sargent, Charles Spragne. Tatewaki, M. 194'1'. The genus Dryas in North 1926. Manual of the trees of 1930-31. Notes on plants of the America. Can. Field North America (exclusive western Aleutian Islands Natur. 61: 1'1'5-192. of Mexico). Ed. 2, re collected in 1929. Parts printed with corrections. 1-2. Trans. Sapporo 910 p. Boston and New N atur. Hist. Soc. 11 : 152- 1951a. Botany of southeastern New York: Houll"hton 156; 12: 200-209. Yukon adjacent to the Mifllin Co. (Repnnted Canol Road. Nat. Mus. 1933, 1961.) ----, and Kobayashi, Y. Can. Bull. 121, 400 p. 1934. A contribution to the flora Saville, D. B. 0. of the Aleutian Islands. 1969. Interrelationships of Led J. Fac. Agr. Hokkaido 1951b. Plant life in the Arctic. um SJ?

258 Viereck, Leslie A., and Foote, Wiggins, Ira L., and MacVicar, Williams, M. M. JoanM. D. G. 1952. Alaska wild flower glimps 1970. The status of Popul!us 1958. Notes on the plants in the es. 52 p. Juneau, Alaska: balsamifera and P. triclw vicinity of Chandler Lake, The Totem Press. carpa m Alaska. Can. Alaska. Contrib. Dudley Field Natur. 84: 169- Herb. Stanford Univ. 5: 173. 69-95. Zasada, John C., and Gregory, ----, and Thomas, J. H. Robert A. Wahrhftig, Clyde. 1962. A flora of the Alaskan 1969. Regeneration of · white 1965. Physiographic divisions Arctic slope. Arct. Inst. spruce (Picea glauca of Alaska. U.S. Geol. N. Amer. Spec. Publ. 4, (Moench) Voss) with ref Surv. Prof. Pap. 482, 52 p. 425 p. Wight, W. F. erence to interior Alaska: Whitford, H. N., and Craig, R. D. 1908. A new larch from Alaska. a literature review. US 1918. Forests of British Colum Smithsonian Institution DA Forest Service Res. bia. 409 p. Ottawa. Misc. Collect. 50 : 174. Pap. PNW-79, 37 p.

259 INDEX OF COMMON AND SCIENTIFIC NAMES

The preferred common names adopted in headings and the page numbers where the descriptions begin are in heavy (boldface) type. Other common names appear in ordinary (roman) type. English com. mon names are indexed under the last word. Scientific names accepted in headings are shown in heavy (boldface) italics, and the page numbers where the descriptions begin are il,l heary (boldface) type. Other scientific names, including synonyms,, are in italics. Family names, common and scientific, are shown in capitals. Scientific names of varieties and subspecies, with few exceptions, are not indexed.

Abies, 45, 60 alpine-azalea, 22, 23, 212 berry, baked-apple, 180 Ables amabilis, 8, 11, 61 Amelanchier, 8, 170 Betula, 8, 129 Abies lasiocarpa, 8, 11, 62 Amelanchier alnifolia, 11, Betula alaskana,l38 Acer douglasii, 192 171 Betula Xbeeniana, 134 Acer glabrum, 192 Amelanchier florida, 172 Betula xcommimta, 134 Acer glabrum var. doug- Andromeda polifolia, 19, Betula xeastwoodiae, 134 lasii, 192 22,223 Betula glandulosa, 16, 17, Acer macrophyllum, 193 apple, Oregon crab, 20, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 130 ACERACEAE, 192 162 Betula glandulosa var. si- Alaska-cedar, 9, 14, 64, 66 apple, western crab, 162 birica, 130 alder, 6, 8, 9, 140 apple, wild crab, 162 Betula X hornei, 134 alder, American green, 16, ARALIACEAE, 197 Betula hybrids, 132 18, 19, 20, 21, 140 arborvitae, 64 Betula kamtschatica var. alder, European speckled, arborvitae, giant, 64 kenaica, 138 9, 146 Arceuthobium campylopo- Betula kenaica, 138 alder, gteen, 140 d.um f. tsugense, 146 Betula nana, 18, 19, 21, 22, alder, mountain, 140 Arceuthobium tsugense, 7, 23, 130 alder, red, 14, 144 146 Betula neoalaskana, 138 alder, Sitka, 9, 14, 16, 18, Arctostaphylos, 228 Betula occidentalis, 134, 19, 20, 21, 142 Arctostaphylos al~na, 21, 136 alder, speckled, 146 .23, 230 Betula papyri/era, 9, 16, 17, alder, thinleaf, 9, 16, 18, Arctostaphylos alpina ssp. 18, 129, 134 . 19, 20; 146 ruber 231 . Betula papyri/era var. com alder, western, 144 Arctostaphylos rubra, 16, mutata, 11, 136 Alnus, 6, 8, 9, 140 17, 18, 19, 231 Betula papyri/era var. hu Alnus crispa, 16, 18, 19, 20, Arctostaphylos uva-arsi, 16, milis, 138 21, 140 17,230 Betula papyri/era var. ken- Alnus crispa ssp. sinuata, Arctous alpinus, 230 aica, 10, 138 142 Arctous rubra, 231 Betula resinitera, 138 Alnus fruticosa var. sinu Artemisia, 250 BETULACEAE, 128 ata, 142 Artemisia alaskana, 17, 252 bilberry, bog, 240 Alnusincana,9,146 Artemisia /rigida, 17, 252 bilberry, dwarf, 234 Alnus incana ssp. rugosa, Artemisia krushiana, 253 bilberry, great, 240 146 Artemisia tyrellii, 252 birch, 8, 129 Alnus incana ssp. tenui- aspen, 72 birch, Alaska, 138 folia, 146 aspen, American, 76 birch, Alaska paper, 138 Alnus oregona, 144 aspen, quaking, 9, 17, 76 birch, Alaska white, 138 Alnus rubra, 14, 144 aspen, trembling, 76 birch, black, 138 Alnus rugosa, 146 birch, bog, 130 Alnus sinuata, 9, 14, 16, 18, BAYBERRY FAMILY, birch, canoe, 134, 138 19, 20;21, 142 127 birch, dwarf, 130 Alnus sitchensis, 142 bearberry, 16, 17, 228, 230 birch, dwarf alpine, 130 Alnus tenuifolia, 9, 16, 18, bearberry, alpine, 21, 23, birch, dwarf arctic, 18, 19, 19, 20, 146 230 21, 22, 23, 130 Alnus viridis ssp. crispa, bearberry, red-fruit, 16, 17, birch, grandular scrub, 130 140 18, 19, 231 birch, ground, 130 260 birch, Horne, 134 Chimaphila umbellata, 11, I cypress, yellow, 66 birch, hybrid, 132 204 CYPRESS FAMILY, 64 birch, Kenai, 10, 138 cinque/oil, bush, 16, 18, 19, birch, Kenai paper, 138 21, 180 Dasiphora trutioosa, 180 birch, paper, 9, 16, 17, 18, cinquefoil, shrubby, 180 devilsclub, 14, 17, 20, 197 129, 134, 136, 138 Cladothamnus pyrolae- diapensia, 23, 242 birch, red, 138 florus, 204 diapensia, arctic, 242 birch, resin, 16, 17, 18, 19, cloudberry, 180 Diapensia lapponica, 23, 21, 22, 23, 130 COMPOSITAE, 250 242 birch, shrub, 130 COMPOSITE FAMILY, DIAPENSIA FAMILY, birch, western paper, 11, 250 242 136 copperbush, 204 DIAPENSIACEAE, 242 birch, white, 134, 138 copper-flower, 204 dogwood, 8 birch, Yukon, 132 CORNACEAE, 199 dogwood, American, 199 BIRCH FAMILY, 128 cornel, Canadian dwarf, dogwood, red-osier, 20, 199 blackberry, 201 200 DOGWOOD FAMILY, 198 blueberry, 6, 231 cornel, dwarf, 200 Douglas-fir, 60 blueberry, Alaska, 15, 20, cornel, Lapland, 200 Dryas, 182 238 cornel, Swedish dwarf, 200 dryas, yellow, 182 blueberry, bog, 16, 17, 18, Oornus, 8 Dryas alaskensis, 184 19,21, 22, 23,240 Cornus canadensis, 200 Dryas ohamissonis, 184 blueberry, dwarf, 15, 16, Oornus instolonea, 199 Dryas orenulata, 184 17,18,20,23, 234 Cornus stoloni/era, 20, 199 Dryas drummondii, 182 blueberry, early, 15, 20, Comus suecica, 200 Dryas integrifolia, 21, 23, 236 cottonwood, 72, 74 ,184 blueberry, swamp, 234 cottonwood, balsam, 74 Dryas integrifolia var. syl- bog-laurel, 214 cottonwood, black, 8, 9, 14, vatioa, 186 17, 74 Dryas kamtsohatica, 184 bog-rosemary, 19, 22, 223 cottonwood, northern black, Dryas octopetala, 21, 23, bramble, Alaska, 177 74 184 bramble, Arctic, 180 cowberry, 233 Dryas ootopetala ssp. alas- bramble, five-leaf, 180 cranberry, 11, 231 kensis, 184 buffaloberry, 16, 17, 18, 21, cranberry, bog, 18, 19, 22, Dryas punotata, 184 194 240 Dryas sylvatioa, 184 bunchberry, 200 cranberry, lowbush, 233 dwarf-mistletoe, 146 bushcranberry, high, 15, cranberry, small, 240,,242 dwarf-mistletoe, hemlock, 16, 17, 18, 21, 244 cranberry, swamp, 240 7, 146 cranberry, wild, 240 Crataegus douglasii, 11, Eohinopanaa; horridus, 197 CAPRIFOLIACEAE, 6, ELAEAGNACEAE, 194 243 172 crowberry, 16, 17, 18, 19, EZaeagnus argentea, 196 cassandra, 224 EZaeagnus canadensis, 194 Cassandra oaZyouZata, 224 21, 23,201 Elaeagnus commutata, 18, Cassiope, 6, 218 CROWBERRY FAMILY, 20,196 cassiope, 6, 218 201 ELAEAGNUS FAMILY, cassiope, Alaska, 23, 222 CUPRESSACEAE, 64 194 cassiope, firemoss, 219 curlewberry, 201 elder, European red, 9, 244 cassiope, four-angled, 21, currant, 6, 148 elder, Pacific red, 8, 9, 15, 23,219 currant, American red, 16, 17, 20, 243 cassiope, Lapland, 219 17, 156 elder, redberry, 243 cassiope, Mertens, 23, 220 currant, blue, 150 elder, scarlet, 243 cassiope, starry, 23, 220 currant, bristly black, 150 elder, stinking, 243 Cassiope lycopodioides, 23, currant, fetid, 154 elderberry, 243 222 currant, Hudson Bay, 152 EMPETRACEAE, 201 Cassiope mertensiana, 23, currant, . northern black, Empetrum hermaphrodi- 220 tum, 201 Cassiope stelleriana, 23, 17, 152 currant, northern red, 156 Empetrum nigrum, 16, 17, 220 18,19,21,23,201 Cassiope tetragona, 21, 23, currant, prickly, 150 ERICACEAE, 6, 204 219 currant, skunk, 154 false-cypress, Nootka, 66 cedar, canoe, 64 currant, stink, 14, 20, 150 Chamaecyparis nootkaten currant, swamp, 150 Fatsia horrida, 197 sis, 9, 14, 64, 66 currant, swamp black, 150 fir, 45, 60 Chamaedaphne calyculata, currant, trailing black, 7, fir, alpine, 62 19,224 14, 20, 155 fir, Pacific· silver, 8, 11, 61 Ohimaphila ocoidentalis cypress, Alaska, 66 fir, silver, 61 204 cypress, Sitka, 66 fir, subalpine, 8, 11, 62 261 fir, white, 61, 62 kalmia, bog, 19, 214 mountain-ash, European, fools-huckleberry, 212 Kalmia polifolia, 19, 214 167 kinnikinnik, 230 mountain-ash, Greene, 8, Gaultheria, 226 kneshenada, 180 17, 166 Gaultheria miqueliana, 11, mountain-ash, Pacific, 168 226 Labrador-tea, 16, 17, 18, 19, mountain-ash, Siberian, 11 Gaultheria shallon, 11, 226 206,207 169 ' GINSENG FAMILY, 197 Labrador-tea, narrow-leaf, mountain-ash, Sitka, 20 gooseberry, Canada, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 168 ' 150 206 mountain-ash, western, 166, gooseberry, swamp, 150 larch, 45 168 . GOOSEBERRY FAMILY, larch, Alaska, 48 mountain-avens, 182 6,148 larch, eastern, 48 mountain-avens, Drum GROSSULARI.A.CEAE, 6, Larim, 45 mond, 182 148 Larim aZaskensis, 48 mountain·avens, entire Larix laricina, 9, 18, 48 leaf, 21, 23, 184 hackmatack, 48 leatherleaf, 19, 224 mountain-avens, eightpetal, H arrimaneZZa steZZeriana, Ledum,206 184 220 Ledum decumbens, 16, 17, mountain·avens, white, 21, hawthorn, black, 11, 172 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 206 23, 184 heath, Alaska moss, 220 Ledum groenlandicum, 16, mountain-cranberry, 16, 17, HEATH FAMILY, 6, 204 17, 18, 19, 207 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 231 heather, Alaska, 220 Leaum pacijicum, 207 233 ' heather, Aleutian, 217 Leaum paZustre, 209 mountain-heath, 215 heather, moss, 220 Leaum paZustre ssp. aecum- mountain-heath, Aleutian, heather, purple, 215 bens,206 22, 23,217 heather, red, 215 Leaum paZustre ssp. groeii mountain-heath, blue, 11, heather, yellow, 217 Zanaicum, 207 23,216 heather, white, 220 Lepargyraea canadensis, mountain-heath, red, 11, hemlock, 45, 57 194 23,215 hemlock, alpine, 59 lingberry, 233 mountain-heather, Aleu hemlock, black, 59 lingenberry, 233 tian, 217 hemlock, mountain, 8, 14, Linnaea americana, 248 mountain-heather, blue, 59 Linnaea borealis, 248 216 hemlock, Pacific, 58 Loiseleuria procumbens, mountain-heather, club- hemlock, west coast, 58 22, 23,212 moss, 222 · hemlock, western, 8, 14, Lonicera involucrata, 11, mountain-heather, cream, 58 250 217 honeysuckle, 250 LORANTHACEAE, 146 mountain-heather, four honeysuckle, bearberry, 11, luetkea, 20, 23, 162 angled, 219 250 Luetkea pectinata, 20, 23, mountain-heather, Mertens, HONEYSUCKLE, 162 220 FAMILY, 6, 243 -· mountain-heather, red, 215 huckleberry, 231 Malus diversifolia, 20, 162 mountain-heather, yellow, huclrleberry, blue, 236 M aZus fusca, 162 217 huckleberry, dwarf, 234 Malus rivuZaris, 162 Myrica gale, 19, 20, 128 huckleberry, red, 15, 20, maple, bigleaf, 193 MYRICACEAE, 127 236 maple, Douglas, 192 Hudson-Bay-tea, 206 maple, Douglas Rocky nagoon-berry, 177, 180 Mountain, 192 ninebark, Pacific, 11, 158 Jacob-berry, 200 maple, dwarf, 192 juneberry, 172 maple, Rocky Mountain, juniper, 64, 68 192 Oplopanax horridus, 14, 17, MAPLE FAMILY, 192 20, 197 juniper, conimon, 17, 19, Omycoccus microcarpus, 68 meadow-spirea, 162 mealberry, 230 240 juniper, creeping, 11, 69 Omycoccus paZustris, 242 juniper, low, 68 menziesia, rusty, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 212 Omycoccus quaaripetaZus, juniper, mountain common, 242 68 Menziesia ferruginea, 14, Juniperus, 64, 68 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 212 Juniperus communis, 17, MISTLETOE FAMILY, pale-laurel, 214 19,68 146 partridgeberry, 233 Juniperus horizontalis, 11, mossberry, 201,244 partridge-foot, 162 69 mountain-ash, 8, 165 Phyllodoce, 215 Juniperus nana, 68 mountain-ash, elderleaf, Phyllodoce aleutica, 22, 23, Juniperus sibirica, 68 169 217

262 Phyllodoce coerulea 11 23 Pyrus sambucifolia, 169 Rubus leucodermis, 11, 177 216 ' ' ' Pyrus scopulina, 166 Rubus nutkanus, 178 Phrllodoce empetriformis, Rubus parviflorus, 14 20 11, 23,215 raspberry, 6, 8, 174, 175 178 ' ' PhylZodoce glanduliftora raspberry, American red, Rubus pedatus, 180 218 ' Rubus spectabilis, 14 20 17, 20, 175 176 ' ' Phrsocarpus capitatus 11 raspberry red, 175 158 ' ' Rubus stellatus, 180 Physocarpus opulifolius raspberry, western black, Rubus strigosus, 175 var. tomentelZus 158 11, 177 raspberry, whitebark, 177 Pic~a, 8, 45,, 50 ' sagebrush,250 Picea glar;ca, 9, 10 16 17 redcedar, Pacific, 64 18,52 ' ' ' redcedar, western, 9, 64 sagebrush, Alaska, 17, 252 sagebrush, fringed, 17, 252 Picea glauca var. albert Rhododendron,209 rhododendron,209 sagewort, prairie, 252 iana, 52 salal, 14, 226 Picea glauca var. porsildii rhododendron, alpine, 209 52 ' rhododendron, Kamchatka SALICACEAE 6 8 70 11, 22, 23, 210 ' Salix, 6, 8, 9, 77 ' ' Picea Xlutzii, 57 Salix alaxensis, 16 18 20 Picea mariana, 9, 17 18 51 Rhododendron camtschati 112 ' ' ' Picea sitchensis, 8 '10 ' 14 cum, 11, 22, 23, 210 54 ' ' ' Rhododendron camtschati Salim amplifolia, 10 106 Salim angolorum PINACEAE, 6, 8, 44 cum ssp. camtschati 9i cum,211 Salix arbusculoides, 16 18 pine, 45 20, 123 ' ' pine, lodgepole, 9, 11 45 Rhododendron camtschati 47,48 ' , cum ssp. glandulosum Salim arbutifolia 92 211 ' Salix arctica, 22 '23 91 pine, Rocky Mountain lodge- Salim arctolitor~lis '94 pole, 48 Rhododendron lapponicum, 22, 23, 209 Salix arctophila, 1i 92 pine, scrub,45,47 Salix athabascensi~, 11 97 pine, shore, 4 7 Ribes, 6, 148 Ribes bracteosum, 14 20 Salix barclayi, 14, 16,' 17, pine, tamarack, 45, 47 150 ' ' 19,20,21,22,102 PINE FAMILY 6 8 44 Ribes echinatum 150 Salix barrattiana, 22 110 Pinus, 45 ' ' ' Salix bebbiana 9 16 17 Pinus contorta, 9 '45 R~bes glandulos;,m, 154 Rzbes hudsonianum 17 18, 20, 116 ' ' ' ' Pinus contorta 'var. con 152 ' ' Salix brachrcarpa ssp. ni· torta, 47 phoclada, 20, 97 Pinus contorta var. lati~ Ribes lacustre, 150 Ribes laxiflorum, 7 14 20 Salix candida, 11, 115 folia, 11, 48 155 ' ' ' Salix chamissonis, 22 23 pipsissewa, 11, 204 Ribes oxrcanthoides 11 108 ' ' poplar, 8, 72 150 ' ' Salix commutata, 19 20 21 poplar, balsam, 9 16 18 22,106 ' ' ' 72 ' ' ' Ribes omycanthoides var. lacustre, 150 Salim cordifolia 95 poplar, Pacific, 74 Ribes prostratum 154 Salim coulteri, !22 poplar, tacamahac, 72 Ribes triste, 16, l'l, 156 Salim crassijulis 91 popple, 76 Rosa, 187 Salim cyclophylZ~, 94 Populus, 8, 72 Rosa acicularis, 16 17 18 Salim depressa ssp. rostrata Populus balsamifera 16 20,187 ' ' ' 116 ' 18,72 ' ' Rosa nutkana, 20, 189 190 Salim desertorum 95 Populus balsamifera var. Rosa woodsii, 11, 189 ' Salim emigua ssp. interior californica, 74 ROSACEAE, 6, 157 · 126 ' Populus balsamifera ssp. rose, 187 Salim farrae var. walpolei trichocarpa, 74 rose, Nootka, 20, 189 190 98 ' Populus tacamahaca, 72 rose, prickly, 16, 17, 20 Salim ftagellaris 94 Populus tremuloides, 9 17 is Salix fuscescen;, 19, 21 22 76 ' ' 187 ' ' rose, wild, 187 23;92 ' ' Populus trichocarpa, 8 9 Salix glauca, 8, 16, 18, 19, 14, 18,74 ' ' rose, Woods, 11, 189 20, 22,95 Potentilla fruticosa, 16 18 ROSE FAMILY, 6,157 Salim glauca ssp. nipho 19, 21, 180 ' ' rosebay, Lapland, 22 23 clada, 98 princes-pine, 204 209 ' ' Salix hastata, 16 20 98 Pseudotsuga menziesii, 60 Rowan-tree, 167 Salix hookerian~, S 10 11 Pseudotsuga tamifolia 60 Rubus, 6, 8, 174 106 ' ' ' ptarm~ganberry, 230, 231 Rubus acaulis, 180 Sal~x interior, 9, 20, 126 ptarmiganberry, alpine, 230 Rubus Xalaskensis, 177 Sabx lanata ssp. richard- PYROLA FAMILY, 202 Rubus arcticus, 177, 180 sonii, 16, 20, 21, 22, 110 PYROLACEAE, 202 Rubus chamaemorus 180 Salix lasiandra, 20 126 Pyrus diversifolia, 162 Rubus idaeus var.' stri- Salim longifolia, 1i6 Pyrus fusca, 162 gosus, 17, 20, 175 Salim longistylis, 112 263 Salix monticola, 16, 20, 108 Sorbus andersonii, 166 Vaccinium caespitosum, 15, Salix muriei, 97 Sorbus aucuparia, 167 16,17,18,20,23,234 Salix myrtillifolia, 18, 19, Sorbus sambucifolia, 11 V accinium ovali/olium, 15 . 99 169 . 20,236 ' Salix myrtillifolia var. Sorbus scopulina, 8, 17, V accinium oxycoccos, 18, pseudo-myrsinites, 101 166 19, 22,240 Salix niphoclada, 97 Sorbus sitchensis, 20, 168 Vaccinium oxycoccos var. Salix novae·angliae, 16, 18, Spiraea, 158 microcarpus, 240 20, 101 Spiraea beauverdiana, 16, Vaccinium paludicolum, 234 Salix ovalifolia, 22, 23, 94 19, 21, 22, 159 V accinium palustre, 11, 242 Salix padophylla, 108 Spiraea douglasii, 11, 160 V accinium parvi/olium, 15, Salix phlebophylla, 23, 89 Spiraea douglasii var. men- 20,236 .· Salix phylicifolia ssp. plan- ziesii, 160 V accinium uliginosum, 16, ifolia, 120 Spiraea menziesii, 160 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, Salix planifolia ssp. plani Spiraea stevenii, 159 240 folia, 120 spirea, 158 Vaccinium uliginosum var. Salix plani/olia ssp. pul spirea, Alaska, 159 alpinum, 240 chra, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, spirea, Beauverd, 16, 19, V accinium vitis-idaea, 16, liS 21,22,159 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, Salix polaris ssp. pseudo- spirea, Douglas, 11, 160 233 polaris, 22, 23, 88 spirea, Menzies, 160 Vaccinium vitis-idaea var. Salix pseudocordata, 101 spruce, 8, 45, 50 minus, 233 Salix pseudomonticola, 108 spruce, Alberta, 52 Viburnum edule, 15, 16, 17, Salix pseudo-myrsinites, spruce, black, 9, 17, 18, 51 18, 21,244 101 spruce, bog, 51 Viburnum pauciftorum, 244 .Salix pseudopolaris, 88 spruce, Canadian, 52 Salix pulchra, 118 spruce, coast, 54 waxflower, 204 Salix reticulata, 19, 21, 22, spruce, Lutz, 57 whortleberry, 240 23,86 spruce, Porsild, 52 whortleberry, blue, 236 Salix richardsonii, 110 whortleberry, ovalleaf, 236 Salix rostrata, 116 spruce, silver, 54 spruce, Sitka, 8, 10, 14, 54 whortleberry, red, 236 Salix rotundifolia, 22, 23, willow, 6, 8, 9, 77 90 spruce, swamp, 51 spruce, tideland, 54 willow, Alaska hog, 19, 21, Salix scouleriana, 15, 16, 22, 23,92 17, 18, 20, 120 spruce, western, 54 spruce, western white, 52 willow, Arctic, 22, 23, 91 Salix setchelliana, 10, 21, willow, Athabasca, 11, 97 87 spruce, white, 9, 10, 16, 17, 18,52 willow, Barclay, 14, 16, 17, Salix sitchensis, 15, 20, 21, 19,20, 21,22,102 122 spruce, yellow, 54 squashberry, 244 willow, Barratt, 22, 110 Salix sphenophylla, 11, 92 willow, barren-ground, 20, Salix stolonifera, 94 squaws-tongue, 76 swamp-laurel, 214 97 Salix torulosa, 91 willow, beak, 116 Salix walpolei, 98 sweetgale, 19, 20, 128 salmonberry, 14, 20, 176 Symphoricarpos albus, 11, willow, Behb, 9, 16, 17, 18, Sambucus callicarpa, 8, 9, 246 - 20, l16 15, 17, 20, 243 Symphoricarpos rivularis, willow, bigleaf, 106 Sambucus racemosa, 9, 244 246 willow, black, 120 Sambucus racemosa var. willow, Chamisso, 22, 23, arborescens, 243 tacamahac, 72 108 savin, creeping, 69 tamarack, 9, 18, 48 willow, cherry, 108 serviceberry, 8, 170 TAXACEAE, 43 willow, diamond, 116 serviceberry, northwestern, Taxus brevifolia, 8, 11, 44 willow, diamondleaf, 18, 171 thimbleberry, 178 19, 21, 22, 23, us serviceberry, Pacific, 172 thimbleberry, western, 14, willow, eastern arctic, 11, serviceberry, saskatoon, 20, 178 92 11, 171 Thuja plicata, 9, 64 willow, Farr, 98 serviceberry, western, 172 Tsuga,45, 57 willow, feltleaf, 16, 18, 20, Tsuga heterophylla, 8, 14, 112 Shepherdia canadensis, 16, willow, fire, 120 17, 18, 21, 194 58 Tsuga mertensiana, 9, 14, willow, grayleaf, 8, 16, 18, shinglewood, 64 58,59 19, 20, 22, 95 silverherry, 18, 20, 196 twinberry, black, 250 willow, halberd, 16, 20, 98 skunkbrush, 212 twin-flower, 248 willow, hoary, 115 snowherry, 11, 246 willow, Hooker, 8, 10, 11, soapberry, 194 Vaccinium, 6, 231 106 soopalallie, 194 V accinium alaskaense, 15, willow, least, 22, 23, 90 Sorbus, 8, 165 20,238 willow, littletree, 16, 18, Sorbus alaskana, 166 V accinium arbusculum, 234 20, 123

264 willow, low blueberry, 18, willow, serviceberry, 108 willow, Yakutat, 10, 106 19,99 willow, Setchell, 10, 21, 87 willow, yellow, 126 willow, mountain, 120 willow, silky, 122 WILLOW FAMILY, 6, 8, willow, netleaf, 19, 21, 22, willow, silver, 11, 115 70 23,86 willow,. Sitka, 15, 20, 21, wineberry, 180 willow,~ovalleaf, 22, 23, 94 122 wintergreen, 204, 226 willow, J>acific, 20, 126 willow, skeletonleaf, 23, 89 wintergreen, Miquel, 11, willow, p_ark, 16, 20, 108 willow, sprouting, 94 226 willow, planeleaf, 120 willow, tall blueberry, 16, wormwood, 250 willow, polar, 22, 23, 88 willow, reticulate, 86 18, 20, 101 willow, Richardson, 16, 20, willow, thickleaf, 86 yellow-cedar, 66 21, 22, no willow, undergreen, 19, 20, yellow:cedar, Alaska, 66 willow, sage, 115 21, 22, 106 yellow-rose, 180 willow, sandbar, 9, 20, 126 willow, wedgeleaf, 11, 92 Yew, Pacific, 8, 11, 44 willow, Scouler, 15, 16, 17, willow, western black, 126 yew, western, 44 , 18, 20, 120 willow, woolly, 110 YEW FAMILY, 43

-tf U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINnNG OFFICE: 1978 0-276-137

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'!(n Pt VEGETATION TYPES

~~~po~b 1. Coastal spruce-hemlock forests olrQtQpJ.> 0 u D ll~o "' ' . Tall and dense coa stal forests of Sitka spruce, western hemlock, locally with other conifers, ' <' ~¥1)(17 ' ~. and black cononwood, often interspersed with 'i'..-t-.v~ v open treelesli bogs.

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)I.C ooUG_..I.\.. 2 . Closed spruce-hardwood forests ~~,~.. D Tall 10 moderately tall closed forests of white >• ~~·A'. and black spruce, paper birch, aspen, and bal· /. -~ sam poplar; on moderate to well drained sites; ~ • yr .. with many new and old burns. ~ • 3. Open, low growing spruce forests 1--1 • Nllliihlc~~flllk D Low growing, open forests primarily of black til o 1 spruce but often interspersed with tamarack, • ~tfllr: .o~ .... ,.s- \, '\ paper birch, and willows, locally interspersed ( with treeless bog. ' ' R 4. Treeless bogs c~\\1 .. ' o· OGI L\l f E Wet treeless area of sedges and grasses usual ly with an abundance of willows, alders, and ~ , >~~ ''-~;~~~ )f st.EI- " r~ss resin birch, locally with widely spaced black ,.,. c,o."'P" ~;,:.\. spruce and tamarack. ~-:~::,°Clln'~ S. Shrub thickets

D Dense thickets of alders, willows, and resin birch. 1 6. Moist tundra D Tundra meadows dominated by sedges, espe· cially in tussocks; scanered willows and dwarf birch.

7. Wet tundra

D Wet coastal tundra and marsh, predominantly sedges and grasses.

8. Alpine tundra

D Predominantly barren; local alpine tundra dom inated by white mountain- avens, low heath shrubs, prostrate willows, and dwarf herbs...... ,.' 0 k "'in1llit~ c 9. Ice and snow

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Compiled by Leslie A. Viereck, Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, for. "Alaska Trees and Shrubs," Agriculture Handbook No. 410, 1972. 422-900 0-72 (In pocket) Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1971. Base from U.S. Geological Survey.