Exploring the Ekalaka countryside on MontanaPictures.net (Page five of thirteen)
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| 63007 Tiny pockets of Western Spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis) were found at Medicine Rocks State Park. | ||
| Spiderwort plants derive their name from the sticky, stringy material that they secrete when their stem is broken. | ||
| Once this sticky substance hardens, it forms a cobweb-like material. “Wort” is an old English word meaning plant. | ||
| The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) listed Western Spiderwort as threatened in 1992. | ||
| Loss of habitat is the main factor causing the decline in Western Spiderwort populations. | ||
| The conversion of native prairie into agricultural lands has greatly decreased the amount of suitable habitat for the species. | ||
| Currently, petroleum exploration is threatening to wipe out the largest Canadian population in Manitoba. | ||
| A weed called Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula) is also threatening the remaining Western Spiderwort populations. | ||
| . It is an exotic weed that spreads very quickly and forms dense stands that exclude other plants. | ||
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| 70307 Horsemint (Monarda menthaefolia) | ||
| The common name "Horsemint" relates to the relatively | ||
| large size of the flower. Horses can't stand the stuff. | ||
| Horsemint was ground into a fragrant tea which is | ||
| reputed by Native Americans to cure or | ||
| control rheumatism | ||
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| 70307 Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia) at the old Lantis homestead. Campanula, diminutive of the Latin campana, "bell", a reference to the shape of the flower. | ||
| We are running out of webpage... | ||
| We need to include three more interesting wildflowers from the Ekalaka area: | ||
| Click here to see a "Sego Lily" (Calochortus nuttallii Torr. & Grau) | ||
| This delicate yet hardy flower became the official state flower of Utah in 1911. | ||
| Native Americans and early Mormon settlers included the Sego Lily in their diets. The bulbs were dug when the first flower buds appeared, | ||
| usually in June and early July, and then set out to dry to preserve for winter use. After drying, or even fresh, they were prepared in various ways: | ||
| steamed, roasted in coals, or slow baked in pits lined with hot stones. When matured, the seeds were gathered and | ||
| parched for pinole meal -- a dish of parched flour mixed with sweets and spices. | ||
| Click here to see to see a "Upright Prairie Coneflower" (Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Woot. & Standl) | ||
| Livestock think "Upright Prairie Coneflower" is pretty tasty when the plant is still in its early-growth stage. | ||
| Native Americans brewed a tea from the leaves and flowers of this plant, used a decoction of leaves | ||
| and stems to treat poison ivy and rattlesnake bites and took an infusion of the plant tops to treat headaches and stomachaches. | ||
| Finally, the month of June wouldn't be complete without the ubiquitous "Lupine" (Lupinus perennis) | ||
| Who would have thought this pretty plant is toxic to livestock. | ||
| Sheep are primarily affected, but all animals are susceptible to poisoning. All parts of the plant are toxic, especially the pods with seeds. | ||
| Why all the flower information? | ||
| We're not trying to be a "smarty-pants." | ||
| People have known about the benefits & dangers of the Montana wildflowers (listed above) for hundreds of years - it would be a shame to forget. | ||
| Exploring the Ekalaka countryside (Page five of thirteen) |
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We'll cross over Highway 7 and travel through ranching country. |
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Let's go to Medicine Rocks State Park. It's only seven miles north of town. |
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