Native Plants as Friends and Foes

Native Plants as Friends and Foes By J. H. Paul, Professor of Natural Science at the University of Utah TWO Hundred Rocky Mountain Trees, Shrubs, Soil Makers, Weed Pests, Medicine and Food Plants, Poisons, Forage Species, Hikers' Plagues, Signs of Overgrazing, Ornamental Flowers and Shrubs, Grasses and other Forage Plants — Classified for Ready Identification into Twelve Plant Projects, for Campers, Hikers, Scoutmasters, and Girl Leaders Practically all Rocky Mountain plants are important in the lives of men; it is, moreover, a happy circumstance that most of these plants may be learned rather readily at sight. They are more easily remembered when grouped in their human aspects. Recog- nition is facilitated by the thought of their usefulness to man and by their strongly marked natural characteristics. Most, perhaps all, conspicuous western flowering plants are either decidedly harmful to man (a small minority of species, how- ever) or they have historical or legendary reputation for usefulness. With these facts added, their study acquires gripping interest for those who would learn of western development and natural resources. What Is Herein Undertaken It is reasonable to expect that the chief plants of the Rocky Mountain region will some day become easy for laymen to identify at sight. Each has strongly marked aspects that reveal its individu- ality. Each bears marks that indicate its struggle to live under the unusual conditions of western climate, altitude, ruggedness, and other physical conditions that make for sterility. The varying al- titude, moisture, shade, exposure, soil content, and the unusual sunshine quality from the high content of ultra violet rays — these and other physical conditions have combined to mark the native Rocky Mountain flora with aspects of fascination. It is herein proposed to classify the chief Rocky Mountain species into groups related to man's interests, hopes, and fears; and so to indicate and characterize them that they can be learned quickly by the attentive observer. Some of them will need first to be pointed out to the beginner; and a leaf or flower or fruit of each should be preserved; after that, with note book and specimen in hand,

944 IMPROVEMENT ERA the learner can go it alone, and will soon have a speaking acquaint- ance with a rich and varied flora that probably has, in any country, few that equal it for variety, beauty, and scientific or practical interest. An Adventure in Hiking In olden times those who would venture forth were wont to "go down to the sea in ships;" in our day and region most of us prefer to go into the canyon by autos; then, if we are scouts, hikers, artists, scientists, or nature lovers, we explore the mountains for birds, plants, insects, rocks, sunsets, landscapes and scenery. From Big Cottonwood canyon over the high mountains to the head of Mill Creek canyon and thence down to the boy scout Wig- wam at Camp Taylor, is a hike worth mentioning. Butler Fork leads off from the main Big Cottonwood road northward, about seven miles before you reach Brighton. A stream of cold, pure water comes tumbling and foaming down the narrow ravine. The ascent is steep, the trail precarious, the vegetation rich, profuse, varied, and in character sub-alpine. Among the more prominent species are Rocky Mountain juniper, Douglas, white, and alpine firs, Engelmann spruce, birch, alder, mountain ash, maples, willows, aspen, cotton wood; mountain lover, ninebark, honeysuckle, dogwood, native currants and gooseberries; river hollyhocks, Mer- tensia blue bells, fireweeds, carmine Gilias, columbines, clematis, baneberry, silver Corydalis, foxgloves, poison hemlock, and many others. Projects Revised by Experience Up this breath-taking climb, laden with their kits, blankets, and food, successively streamed various troops of scouts under the Salt Lake Council. Along the east bench boulevard for Big Cotton- wood a huge truck would roll out every Tuesday from the Wig- wam. From ten to thirty first-class scouts and scoutmasters each time, all eager for the adventure, would make the big tramp. The hiking, cooking, camping, demonstrated which scout could prove himself chief camper; but the main object was to develop the most earnest and efficient observer of nature, who, with suitable prize and honor, was then named chief naturalist. When we first made out these plant projects, they were like this: "Collect, name, and preserve any three wild flowers, also at least one plant highly useful to man, one generally harmful to man, and one poisonous plant" (with similar projects for birds and in- sects) . At that time we rather had the feeling that we had touched

NATIVE PLANTS AS FRIENDS AND FOES 945 high water-mark in the realm of nature study for scouts; but several of the fellows, each having collected about 140 species on the trip, were able to complete five projects, while others gained four or three. This was gratifying, and it pointed the way to the projects that follow. They are based upon the thought that three things are of paramount importance in learning a plant (or bird, insect, rock, reptile, or mammal) : 1. Its true name. 2. Its chief characteristics, or what it is. 3. Its relation to man, or what it does. . The Plant Projects in Detail I. Present seven specimens — the first five and two of the others — of plants that make the real soil for the cultivated crops. The Rocky-Mountain Soil-Makers Rock lichens — five kinds to be taken from high mountain cliffs, each kind dis- tinguished by its color — red, green, gray, brown, yellow, white, black, blue. Rock mosses — two kinds, distinguished by color and height. Alum roots, rock-clinging plants with kidney-shaped leaves — at least two species — distinguished by their red. white, or yellow tiny flowers on long, slender, straight stems. Rock mat. a flat, mat-like shrub with gray leaves and rose-like, whitish flowers, clinging close to rock surfaces in high mountains (Pterophyton.) Stone crop (Sedum debile). small, fleshy, bluish plants under six inches in height. with yellow flowers and growing among the rocks. How these five groups of plants turn the solid rocks into the best soil, upon which the grain and fruit crops of the valleys depend, is told at some length in the author's Western Natural Resources, and need not be re-told here. The following secondary soil-makers in some degree carry further the work begun by the five primary groups: Western Mountain-lover (Pachystima) . or mountain hedge — a low, dense, hand- some evergreen shrub with oval, fine-toothed leaves under an inch long. Mountain Spirca. a medium-sized shrub with small, thin leaves', slender branches. and a delicate plume of very small white flowers. Oregon Grape, or trailing barberry, a ground-clinging, evergreen shrub with rather large, prickly-edged leaves often spotted with rust. It bears clusters of berries that are edible and blue when ripe. Rocky Mountain Juniper, the well known red cedar of high places. Various plants take minor parts in soil production — a recent discovery, which is rated high as a lesson taught by the observation of nature. From its wide distribution, another that may contribute to soil-making is the slender-stemmed, currant-leaved, white-flowered shrub called the Ninebark. It is about three feet high, with long branches, and light-colored shreddy bark: leaves rounded, heart-shaped at base. 5-lobed. doubly saw-toothed with rounded teeth, densely covered with minute hairs, and about three inches long: the fruit — dry. hairy seeds enclosed in the calyx lobes — develops into a bell shape. ( Physocarpus. five species) .

946 IMPROVEMENT ERA II. Present specimens of any six of the following: Alpine Floral Beauties Name Parry's primula. Globe Flower, Trollius. Caltha, Marsh Marigold. Little Red Elephant. Elephantella. Pedicularis. Bistort (Polygonum). Spike-flowered Knotweed. Adonis Buttercup. Cowslip. Shooting Star. Dodecatheon. Douglas Virgin Bower. Alpine Jacob's Ladder. Polemonium Viscosum. Tall Polemoniums. Mat Sweet William. Phlox Caespitosa . Alpine Spring Beauty. Claytonia Megarrhiza. Gordon's Horkelia. 4 to 8 inches high. Grass of Parnassus. 4 to 8 inches high; in very wet places. Fragile Rock Fern. Filix fagilis. Woodsia Rock Fern. Woodsia Scopulina. Indian Root. Pseudocymopterus. (Medicinal) Leaves Large, thick, entire, smooth, basal, with a rank odor. Smooth, shining, deeply cut. Smooth, thickish, round or oblong. Fern-like, cut into narrow lobes; basal on stems, up- per sessile. Long, narrow, sheathing the stem, which is jointed. Twice parted like a bird's foot. Oblong, crowded on root crown, deep green, entire. Large, twice divided, dark green. Plant 2 to 6 inches high; a mat. Leaves with 30 to 40 leaf- lets. Tall stem9 with ladder-like leaves. Dense, low mat, with long stems. Leaves narrow, sharp- pointed. Leaves fleshy, from thick, spindle-shaped root, which goes deep. Leaflets in 10 to 20 pairs, each cut into linear lobes. Smooth, entire, from roots, a single, clasping leaf at middle of stem. Fronds 5-12 inches long, twice cut into slender lobes. Fronds 4 to 8 inches high, in dense masses on exposed rocks. Thick, fragrant roots, crowned by thin-cut nar- row, carrot-top leaves 4 to 1 2 inches long. Flowers Large, purple, on long stems. Large, white, lily-like. White or pink. Spike of little red and white. Elephant heads'. Rose color or white, in dense spike at top of stem. Shining golden. Pink, nodding, with yellow beak (stamens). Deep purple bells. Blue, with gold stamens; heavy scented. Blue or white. White or light blue, showy. Large, profuse, pinkish veins. white with flat- Yellowish, rose-like, topped clusters. Petals white, fringed below the middle; sterile stamens united into a ring. Spores — brown spots on un- dersides of fronds. In shade. White or yellow in umbels on stems that rise above the leaves.

NATIVE PLANTS AS FRIENDS AND FOES 947 A detailed description of these and other alpine plants is given by the author in the Young Woman's Journal for August. That certain trees and shrubs, and even certain grasses and herbs, can prevent floods has been shown by observation. Their propagation along streams and on hillsides might, as they grow, solve the problems of flood prevention in the Rocky Mountains. The following project is therefore of unusual interest and value. III. Present leaf specimens of any ten of the following: Rocky Mountain Flood Preventers Tree or Shrub (S) Western Mt. Lover (S). Lance-leaf Cottonwood. Fountain Birch. Western Black Willow. Sandbar Willow (S). Fragrant Sumach (S). Watson or other Willows Fendler's Wild Rose (S). Nuttall Willow. Dogwood. Kinnikinnick (S). Twinberry Honeysuckle (S). Elderberries (S). Western Mt. Ash. Mountain Myrtle (S). All Western Oaks. Mountain Sugar Maple. Dwarf Maple. Siberian Juniper (S). Alpine Fir. Where Chiefly Found Cool hillsides. Northern canyons. On canyon streams. On canyon streams. In streams or near. Near streams. Near streams. Streams, hillsides. Streams, hillsides. By streams. By streams. Hillsides, streams. Hillsides, streams. Hillsides, streams. Hillsides, streams. Hillsides, streams. High places. High places. High places. Rank in Flood Prevention First. First. First. First. First. First. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Second. Third. Third. Third. Third. Third. IV. Present leaf specimens of any ten of the following. Western Shrubs Suitable for Gardens Handsome Native Shrubs Identified by: Black, twin, bitter berries with red hoods. Clusters of white or blue berries: red stems. Walnut leaves; blue or red berries. Flat, red, acid berries; 3-lobed leaves. Brown upright clusters of dry berries. Tall, often 6 to 8 feet high. Small shining evergreen; leaves oval. Twinberry Honeysuckle Red-osier Dogwood. Elderberry, Blue or Red. Fragrant Sumach. Walnut-leaf Sumach. Fendler's Rose. Mountain Lover.

948 IMPROVEMENT ERA Handsome Native Shrubs Snowberty. Western Clematis. Creosote Bush. Indian Arrow Bush. Golden Rabbit Brush. Oregon Grape. Mountain Myrtle. Rocky Mt. Juniper. Identified by Pairs? of white berries: small, thin leaves. Climber; large purple flowers; virgin bower. Fern-like leaves, strong scent. Southern. Straight shoots. Southern leafy shrub. Long slender leaves; yellow, rayless fls. Trailing: leaves prickly; berries blue. Thick, dark green, varnished leaves. Cedar with bark in scales, not strips. Oaks. Sages, Willows, Currant, Gooseberries, and Southern Ash, Manzanita, an.l Trumpet Willow are other species that thrive in cultivation. V. Present leaf or wood specimens of any ten of the following: Western Timber and Fuel Wood Name of Tree Striking Features for Identification. Douglas Fir. Cone scales with 3-tined bracts; soft green leaves, red buds, scaly reddish bark. Lodgepole Pine. Leaves two in cluster; tall, straight. Yellow Pine. Leaves 5-11 inches long, three in a cluster. Limber Pine. Short leaves, five in a cluster; Mt. tops. Fox-tail Pine. Very short leaves, 5 in cluster — long plumes. White Fir. Leaves 2 in. long, flat, silvery; cones green. Alpine Fir. Leaves 1 in. long, flat, cones chocolate-violet. Mt. Mahogany. Leaves leathery, small; seeds long-tailed. Oaks. Leaves lobed; acorns; rough bark. Engelmann Spruce. Leaves small, sharp, soft; limbs droop. Blue Spruce. Leaves larger, stiff, sharp; limbs rise. Mt. Sugar Maple. Opposite, 5-lobed leaves; rough bark. Rocky Mt. Juniper. Bark in small scales; good form. Desert Juniper. Bark in long, rusty strips. Lance-Leaf Cot- Leaves narrow, long-pointed, tonwood. Fremont Cotton- wood. Aspen (Quaking) Peached-Leaved Willow. Leaves heart-shaped; Southern. Leaves round, trembling; bark whitish. Leaves lance-shape, shining white beneath. Used Chiefly For: Best timber. Ship masts. Best lumber. Fuel; posts. Fuel; posts. Fair timber. Mine props. Fuel. Posts, poles. Finishing lum. Finishing lum. Strong poles. Posts; fuel. Posts; fuel. Fuel. Poles. Fuel. Poles. Fuel. Fuel. Poles. Poles. Serviceberry. Chokecherry. Thimbleberry Salmonberry. Elderberry. VI. Present leaf specimens of any ten of the following: Western Food Plants Trees and Shrubs Herbs. Grasses. Fungi. Spring Waterleaf. Foliage. Blackberries. Blackcherries. Blackberries. Redberries. Blue. Red. Hops. Seeds. Wild Onions. Bulbs. Oyster Plant. Shoots, Mustards. Leaves.

NATIVE PLANTS AS FRIENDS AND FOES 94? Trees and Shrubs Herbs. Grasses Fu Buffalobcrry. Bright red. Pigweeds. Leaves. Huckleberry. Bright red. Buckwheats. Seeds. Currants Red. Black. Sunflowers. Seeds. Gooseberry. Red. Cat-tail Flag. Roots. Strawberry. Red. Sego Lily. Bulbs. Oregon Grape. Blue. Water Cress. Stems. Limber Pine. Nuts. Ephedra. Leaves. Single-leaf Pinyon. Nuts. Mt. Myrtle. Leaves. Pinyon Pine. Nuts. Bottle Stem. Stems. Raspberries. Red. Black. Mushrooms. Tops. Haws. Black. And others. VII. Present leaf specimens of any ten of the following Western Plants Used in Medicine Part Used Berries (fleshy cones). Leaves, seeds. Leaves, seeds. Leaves, seeds. Roots. Plant Junipers. Yarrow. Hoarhound. Mints. Burdock. Sour Docks. Mustards. Dogwood (Kinnikinnick) Chokecherry. Aspen. Alder. Sagebrush. Indian Root. Creosote Bush. Wintergreen. Frazer's Gentian (Elk weed). Gum Plant. Monskhood (Aconite). Catnip. Licorice Root. Sweet Cicely. Fennel. Seeds. Seeds. Bark. Bark. Bark. Bark. Leaves. Roots. Leaves. Leaves, seeds. Roots. Heads. Seeds. Seeds. Root. Seeds. Seeds. Used For Scarlet fever. Bruises, fevers. Coughs. Hot drinks. Blood purifier. Blood purifier. Plasters. Tonic; fevers. Tonic; fevers. Tonic; fevers. Tonic; fevers. Tonic; stimulant. Diphtheria; fever. Anti-septic. Perfume. Tonic. Liniment. Liniment. Nerve tea. Flavoring. Flavoring. Nerve tea. Medicinal plants used by Western Indians include many other species, not new used as household remedies. Those named above are often encountered and are some- what familiar as medicine plants. The five other groups — poisonous plants, signs of over-graz- ing, ornamental flowers, plants of mystery, grasses and other forage — are reserved for future presentation.