LOWER MONTANE This zone occurs between about 6,200 and 9,500 feet above seal level. Most of the tree species are similar to those found at higher elevations. However, aspen groves are more extensive. Many types of willows and clumps of river birch with beautiful red bark and delicate leaves will be found streamside. Other plants encountered include mountain ash--with compound alternate white flowers and bright red berries in flat clusters; alder--a small shrub or tree having silvery-gray bark, double-toothed leaves, which commonly occurs near streams and other moist areas; redosier dogwood--smooth mahogany-red bark, grows in thickets near streams; western chokecherry--upright, multi-trunked shrub having smooth reddish-brown bark and fragrant white flower clusters; Rocky Mountain maple--smooth gray bark; mountain mahogany--medium-high shrub with wedge-shaped leaves and spiral-twisted, feathery, dry fruits; bitterbrush or antelope brush (sometimes called bearberry)--typically three-toothed, small cluster of bitter-tasting leaves, yellow-white aromatic flowers, red berries about the size of a pea, leaves used by Indians for tobacco; mountain lover--small evergreen shrub resembling boxwood; shrubby cinquefoil--very conspicuous low shrub, dense with yellow flowers, leaves five-parted and silky-gray; scrub oak--also know as Gambel oak; meadowrue--fringe-like, inconspicuous flowers, leaves superficially resemble columbine or maidenhair fern; dock or sorrel--conspicuous, dark rusty brown fruit, large leaves, tall; horsetails--many-branched, hollow, jointed green stems, also known as scouring rush; yellow pond lily--3-inch yellow flower, only pond lily native to Uinta Mountains; red or rose-colored bract; Indian paintbrush; wild onions; fireweed--dominates disturbed sites such as roadsides and burned-over areas, tall plant with lilac-rose-colored flowers, mature fruit and flower appear on same plant; fly amanita--a fungi (mushroom), a natural fly poison, brilliant red color cap will let you identify this poisonous mushroom; violets--flower colors are white, blue, violet, and combinations of these colors; geranium--symmetrical flowers are about one inch broad, have dark veins, and are pink, rose, purple, or white depending on species; gilia--scarlet, white-yellow or pinkish trumpet-shaped flowers depending on species; death camas--grass-like leaves, dull whitish flowers about three-eighths inch long that appear to have six petals, poisonous to both man and livestock; Jacob's ladder--strong-scented, leafy plant, much branched with clusters of bell-shaped flowers, usually white, sometimes violet; thistle--all thistles are introduced species, stems are sometimes peeled and eaten; larkspur--leaves are round in outline and greatly dissected, tuber-like roots, flowers blue-purple, pink, or white, poisonous to cattle but not to sheep; Oregon grape--evergreen ground cover, holly-like leaves, sweet-smelling yellow flowers and blue berries; butter-and-eggs--tall, pale green plant with spurred yellow flowers with orange spot, narrow leaf; gaillardia or brown-eyed susan--sunflower-looking heads 2-3 inches across, orange to purplish-red disk flowers, surrounded by yellow ray flowers, leaves lance-shaped; cone flowers--sunflower family, may or may not have rays around the disc flower.