Vegetation in Big Bend National Park has been influenced by climatic conditions as well as the various elevations above sea level. These factors, contributing to species and types of plant communities, have provided for four separate groups—desert, foothills, mountains and river valley types. Many of the desert plants are typical of the vegetation of the desert and plains throughout the southwest. Some of the more common varieties include mesquite, petaya (or strawberry cactus), sotol, yucca, lechiguilla, prickly pear and cholla cactus. In the foothills and along the mountain slopes, pinion and juniper trees as well as maguey and lesser plants, comprise the principal vegetation. Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir are the dominant types of forest trees found in the ravines and canyons of the higher mountains. Near the South Rim trees are sparse and many are dwarfed and twisted as a result of the continuous battle for survival. The trees and plants along the Rio Grande reflect the influence of moisture—cottonwoods, willows and cane reeds being common to this area. [Illustration: BIG BEND VEGETATION—Typical vegetation of the Big Bend area includes ocotillo, yucca, cactus, and mesquite.] The early history of the Big Bend country is linked with Indian legends and stories of the Spanish Conquistadors. In 1530 Cabeza de Vaca traveled through Big Bend during his expedition and exploration of the southwest. In his report on the area near the Rio Grande he mentioned the beans and melons that grew along the river valleys. [Illustration: YUCCA OR SPANISH DAGGER—The yucca grows throughout the lower elevations of Big Bend National Park. During the spring blossoming season, the yucca exhibits a rare floral display in Dagger Flats.] [Illustration: MAGUEY OR CENTURY PLANT—The golden yellow blossoms of the Century Plant make their appearance during late spring and early summer. This is one of the typical plants of the Big Bend area.] [Illustration: LOST MINE PEAK—As the road to the Basin winds up through Green Gulch, colorful peaks rise majestically on all sides. The summit of Lost Mine Peak, which is 7,000 feet in elevation, is reached by a trail from the Basin.] For many years Indians of the Apache and Comanche tribes lived and traveled through the Big Bend. They sought the seclusion and protection of the Chisos Mountains after raids in the United States and Mexico. The fighting Comanches of the Great Plains traveled through what is now a part of the National Park, enroute to Mexico where they raided and pillaged the ranches. The park entrance road now follows closely the route of the historic “Comanche Trail” through Big Bend. [Illustration: EMORY PEAK—With an elevation of 7,835 feet above sea level, Emory Peak is the highest mountain in Big Bend National Park. One of the dominating features of the Basin, Emory Peak was named for Major Emory.]