NATURE'S WILD FLOWER GARDEN

Paradise Valley is, at present, in the latter stages of recovery from Winter's heavy snows and under the influence of the summer sun and abundant moisture from the melting snowfields flowers of varied hue and description are dotting the meadows.

Most conspicuous of these early flowers are the Avalanche Lillies which form great patches of white on the hillsides just recently deserted by the snowfields. And the Yellow (or Glacier) Lily blooming close by is stricking in contrast with its better known relative. Here and there, where tiny, snow-fed rivulets strike level ground and spread out to form miniature marshes, one finds the White Marsh Marigold, its stout, fleshy stem and thick leaves being indicative of the fact that it is essentially a flower of the marshy spots. And in such places we will find it blooming higher on the "Mountain" as the summer advances.

The familiar Western Anemone -- that plant of the large buttercup-like flower is also very conspicuous and along the Nature Trails, where the visitor finds interesting points of natural history labeled for easy identification, tags on cedar stakes proclaim the presence of Valerian, whose fragrant flower cluster is reason for its being confused with the Heliotrope; Mertensia, a close relative of the Virginia Bluebell; Jacob's Ladder whose characteristic leaf arrangement accounts for the common name; the dainty Suksdorf's Buttercup and the Potentilla -- both bright yellow flowers which are often confused; the Crimson Columbine, well known member of the Buttercup Family; Lupine whose bright blue brings memories of home to Texans in the Park for it is quite similar to the "Bluebonnet", state flower of the Lone Star State.

High up on the rocks, their roots anchored to the soil of some inconspicuous niche, the hiker sees the bright red of the Pentstemon and the delicate blue of the Phlox. Their rare beauty is increase a hundred fold in contrast with the grey of the rugged cliffs upon whose face they cling. Indian Paintbrush of various shades of red are also found but their color is not due to the flower, which is very inconspicuous, but to the bracts which enclose them.

And yet the most colorful display is still in the future. These are but harbingers of more gorgeous floral beauty which will be the rule in a few weeks.

C. F. Brockman, Park Naturalist.

NOTES ON INDIAN BASKET GRASS
Xerophyllum tenax

This plant, often called Squaw Grass or Bear Grass, which for the past two years has bloomed in such great profusion along the top of Rampart Ridge where in the open burned over land it thrives best is producing very little bloom this year. It seems to be a habit of this plant to take occasional periods of "rest".

Charles Landes, Ranger Naturalist.

Along the road, through the Silver Forest where conditions are similar to those described by Mr. Landes on the crest of Rampart Ridge this plant is very evident and rarely fails to attract the attention of motorists or stage passengers who admire the regal beauty of the large clusters of white flowers held aloft in the sunlight upon their thick stalks.

C. Frank Brockman, Park Naturalist.

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