Coniferous Community
Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), white fir (Abies concolor), and aspen (Populus tremuloides) dominate this community, either in pure or in mixed stands, growing chiefly on north- to northeast- and northwest-facing slopes; the aspen reach as low as 1706 m (5600 ft) and the firs occur mostly above 1828 m (6000 ft). Achlorophyllous Corallorhiza spp. (coralroot orchid) are among the few plants able to flourish in the shade of dense stands of mixed conifers. Many small trees, shrubs, forbs, and grasses thrive in less dense stands or in openings between stands of trees in this community. Among them are those listed to the right.
Acer glabrum, Rocky Mountain maple
Amelanchier alnifolia, Saskatoon serviceberry
Aquilegia coerulea, Colorado columbine
Arnica spp., arnica
Castilleja spp., Indian paint brush
Ceanothus velutinus, mountain lilac
Elymus glaucus, blue wildrye
Erigeron speciosus, showy fleabane
Galium spp., bedstraw
Hordeum brachyantherum, meadow barley
Lathyrus pauciflorus, Utah sweetpea
Physocarpus malvaceus, mallow ninebark
Poa nervosa, Wheeler bluegrass
Prunus virginiana, chokeberry
Ribes viscosissimum, sticky currant
Rubus parviflora, thimbleberry
Sambucus spp., elderberry
Sorbus scopulina, American mountain ash
Symphoricarpos oreophilus, mountain snowberry
Thalictrum fendleri, Fendler meadowrue