Plants

Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja sp.)

Posted on by UW-NPS
An Indain Paintburhs, a red flower with tubular petals, with Phelps lake far away in the distance, tucked between steep mountainous hills

Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja sp.)

With over 200 species of Castilleja, this species of Indian Paintbrush is native to the United States. Wyoming’s state flower is specifically Castilleja linariaefolia, but we will focus on the species coccinea. Coccinea refers to the red petals that resemble cup-like structures. When we think of plants, we know they photosynthesize and get their energy from the direct sunlight, but these plants are hemiparasites, meaning that they get some of their nutrients from other organisms as well. Most of the time, they will parasitize the perennial grasses that accompany them (USFS), as well as sagebrush.

Like any other flowering plant, Indian Paintbrush rely on pollinators to help them reproduce year after year. Because of their interesting petal shape, ruby-throated hummingbirds are a great pollinator of the Indian Paintbrush in general, and other members of this genus. Since hummingbirds have the long, slim bill to reach the nectar, they are a perfect pollinator for these tubular-type flowers.

Click here to learn about how the Indian Paintbrush got its name.

Written by Anna Cressman
PC: Anna Cressman

Kentucky Blugrass (Poa pratensis)

Posted on by UW-NPS
Closeup of dew dripping off of long blades of healthy green grass

Kentucky Blugrass (Poa pratensis)

Kentucky bluegrass has a huge variety of uses for humans and animals; in fact, we love this plant so much that we have changed entire ecosystems to have it. This species—not the genre of music—is considered a somewhat native species to much of North America, but it was actually brought from Europe and Asia by the Spanish settlers. Beyond Spanish settlement, human disturbance, specifically related to land development, and this grass species share a rich history. The land that is now known as Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) has had its fair share of human disturbance, such as homesteading, large construction projects like dams, and farming, which changes the native ecosystem in those areas greatly. As a result, Kentucky bluegrass has replaced sagebrush ecosystems in many areas throughout Jackson Hole and GTNP.

Like many grasses, Kentucky bluegrass provides some benefits to these ecosystems. The grass is a cool-season perennial that begins growing in the spring, does not grow much in summer heat, and then continues growth into the fall. The leaves grow up to a foot tall and are known for being soft and smooth. Seeds are eaten by birds and rodents, and the shoots are eaten by rabbits, deer, elk, and other large mammals. It is preferred grazing grass for many livestock animals like horses, cows, and sheep. When it does not get trimmed or grazed, small animals will use this grass as shelter. You may be more familiar with the human use of Kentucky bluegrass at picnic areas, baseball fields, orchards, campgrounds, lawns, and golf courses.

Written by Celia Karim
PC: Rob Ireton on Flickr https://flic.kr/p/5FJCH2

Antelope Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentate)

Posted on by UW-NPS
A branch of a dense, hardy bush with skinny light green leaves

Antelope Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentate)

The antelope bitterbrush is a native plant species appearing throughout the western United States, including Grand Teton National Park (GTNP), at elevations between 4,000 ft and 8,500 ft. Because of its low water use, this plant has high drought tolerance and it does well in sandy soils. The semi-evergreen trident-shaped leaves are greyish-green—a lighter color that reflects lots of sunlight—and they curl up when there is little water. It typically grows to be 5 ft tall and 8 ft wide but can grow up to 10 ft tall in ideal conditions. Since this plant is quite large, small birds and mammals take shelter in their shade, like the sage grouse for example.

Antelope bitterbrush are well integrated into the GTNP ecosystem. They provide a great source of protein for moose and big game animals, including livestock. Even the seeds have lots of benefits for little animals such as small rodents, who plant the seeds by caching them and forgetting about their cache. Bitterbrush is insect pollinated and must be managed from overgrazing by reserving about 50% of annual growth from being eaten. Animals will usually travel to feed on the leaves in fall before everything becomes snow-covered in winter, and then return again in early spring before summer brings high heat. The best time for us humans to enjoy antelope bitterbrush, though, is in late spring to early summer when they blossom with beautiful little white or yellow flowers. However, the plant is quite harsh to us; the Northern Paiute natives used antelope bitterbrush to clear the contents of an aching stomach by drying and then boiling the leaves into an emetic and laxative tea. Other uses for the plant are erosion control, living snow fences, xeriscaping, and reclamation in mining areas.

Written by Celia Karim
PC: Thayne Tuason on Flickr https://flic.kr/p/eEVq9M

Scarlet gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata)

Posted on by UW-NPS
A group of strikingly red flowers in the sunlight with the Tetons blurred in the background

Scarlet gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata)

First documented in the early 1800s, Lewis and Clark discovered scarlet gilia in the mountains of Idaho (USFS). Their northern range reaches throughout parts of British Columbia and they are found as far south as Texas. These trumpet shaped flowers are also found throughout Grand Teton National Park in sagebrush flats and forests.

Scarlet gilia has several other common names including “skyrocket”, “fairy trumpet”, and a less appealing “skunk flower” due to its less attractive smell. Scarlet gilia does have different color variants, but the red variant is more common in the park. These flowers can be found on the Blacktail Butte trail and are easily distinguished by their foliage. Their leaves are feathery-like and grow at the base of the stem (USDA). Like other long tube-shaped flowers, hummingbirds, moths, and long-tongued insects are popular pollinators of this plant.

Written by Anna Cressman
PC: Anna Cressman

Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria affinis)

Posted on by UW-NPS
A small, downcast brown and yellow speckled flower

Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria affinis)

The Chocolate Lily, also known as a Checker Lily, is a perennial plant that can grow up to two feet tall. These flowers can be found during the months of April through May. They have six petals that are typically mottled yellow and brown, but can also be found in different color variants such as yellow and green mottled with purple. The foliage includes several whorls, a set of leaves encircling the stem, with 5-11 lance-shaped leaves.

The bulbs of this flowering plant are edible and were used by different groups of people, including the Salish people and some Native American groups. Both groups would scavenge for these bulbs either before or after their flowering season and then cook them right away to be eaten. They were often eaten with oil but were also used in soups (USDA).

Written by Anna Cressman
PC: Anna Cressman

Calypso Orchid (Calypso bulbosa)

Posted on by UW-NPS
Closeup of small, pointed purple, slipper-shaped flowers

Calypso Orchid (Calypso bulbosa)

The Calypso Orchid, also known as the Fairy Slipper, can be considered a rare orchid in certain states. In Grand Teton National Park (GRTE), this orchid can be found on the Blacktail Butte Trail as well as Grand View Point trail. Finding a patch of Calypso Orchids is uncommon; this orchid most often grows as a single, solitary flower – although, it is not impossible to see them in groups of twos or threes – found in bogs, forests, and swampy areas.

The foliage on the Calypso Orchid is a singular leaf with a crinkled texture that lays on the ground. The flower itself has eye-catching pinkish-purple petals, but it’s the orchid’s alluring scent that draws the attention of nearby pollinators. These flowers do not produce nectar. They use “pollination by deception” to cross-breed between other Calypso Orchids. In the spring, emerging queen bumblebees are drawn by their strong, attracting scent in search of a nectar reward.

Written by Anna Cressman
PC: YNP on Flickr https://flic.kr/p/SfG1Fi

Sticky geranium (Geranium viscosissimum)

Posted on by UW-NPS
Small white flower on dark green foliage

Sticky geranium (Geranium viscosissimum)

Sticky geranium is an early spring flower found all over Grand Teton National Park (GTNP). They inhabit many areas, including montane regions, open woodlands, and canyons (USDA). Because they are widespread in several different environments, they are easily accessible to all sorts of animals that help disperse their seeds, such as birds, ground squirrels, and other small mammals. Larger mammals, including bears, elk and deer, will forage on the foliage of this plant.

Not only is Sticky geranium an important food source to larger animals, even the smallest of insects enjoy the pollen and nectar offered. Flies, bees, beetles and butterflies help pollinate this flower, and are rewarded with a food prize. Humans also benefited from the roots of the plant. For example, the roots were said to help reduce soreness in eyes, cold remedies, and dermatological aid in Native American tribes (Native American Ethnobotany Database 2010; Parish et al 1996).

Written by Anna Cressman
PC: Anna Cressman

Arrowleaf Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata)

Posted on by UW-NPS
Clumps of yellow flowers cover a field with blurred mountains in the background

Arrowleaf Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) 

Arrowleaf Balsamroot is abundant here at the UW-NPS Research Station during the months of May through July. Their leaves are distinct compared to the Mule’s ear plant (Wyethia sp.), which is commonly misidentified. Arrowleaf Balsamroot have arrow shaped leaves, hence the common name, and are also fuzzy and matte-looking, with shiny leaves. Arrowleaf Balsamroot also grows in clumps, with several flower heads blooming from the clump. 

This beautiful sunflower is a food source for not only pollinators, but also some of our larger ungulates, including elk, sheep and deer. Native Americans also used much of the plant for medicinal purposes. The roots were used to help with insect bites, headaches and coughs, and the seeds were typically eaten as well for nutrition. As you can see, Arrowleaf Balsamroot serves a large audience, from tiny sweat bees to human beings. 

Written by Anna Cressman
PC: Anna Cressman

Wild Hollyhock (Iliamna rivularis)

Posted on by UW-NPS
soft, light pink flowers

Wild Hollyhock (Iliamna rivularis)

Wild or mountain hollyhock is a perennial plant that flowers during the months of June through August these plants can grow up to 6 feet tall, with pale pink lobed shaped petals. When comparing wild hollyhock and domestic hollyhock, their genus differs as well as the flower itself. Wild hollyhock has much smaller flower petals and usually blooms at the end of the stem, whereas domestic hollyhock has flowers blooming throughout the whole length of the stem. Wild hollyhock blooms along roadsides, creeks, and trails. In the park, check out Shadow Mountain, it will give you breathtaking views of the Grand Tetons, with the chance to get amazing photos of some bison and other beautiful flowers in the park.

For wild hollyhock seeds to germinate, they must endure some sort of environmental stress, such as fire or scarring from streams. Without such disturbances, the seeds can remain viable underneath the ground for several decades!

Written by Anna Cressman
PC: Anna Cressman

False Morel (Gyromitra esculenta)

Posted on by UW-NPS
someone holding their hands together, full of wrinkley mushrooms

False Morel (Gyromitra esculenta)

The False Morel may look like a true, edible morel that many people forage for in burnsites, but it is a deadly, poisonous mushroom, unless parboiled correctly, however, preparation is still dangerous, as fumes can be inhaled, causing some side effects. But first, let’s break down its scientific name. Focusing on the species, “esculenta” means “edible” in Greek, which can be misleading to some. There are several species of False Morels so be careful!

This species of mushrooms does contain a highly toxic chemical, gyromitrin, which is where the genus is derived from. Gyromitrin can be broken down by hydroxylation to form monomethylhydrazine (MMH) which is the principal toxin in false morel species. In other species of False Morels, like Verpa bohemica, they have toxin chemical compositions very similar to jet fuels (Parker, 2015). False Morels are considered saprotrophs. Saprotrophs feed on decaying matter as a way to get their nutrients.

To learn more about the chemistry of the False Morel, check out https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/methylhydrazine

The Michigan Department of Health wrote a simple but informational guide on the False Morel versus the real Morel. This can be found at https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/Morel_mushroom_fact_sheet_353691_7.pdf.

DISCLAIMER: This post should NOT be used as an identification guide! Please do thorough research before doing some morel hunting!

Written by Anna Cressman
PC: Anna Cressman