She also single-handedly drafted a legislative initiative and attracted a sponsor that helped with the bill. On top of that, there were too many varieties to choose from.īut, eventually, the children of Wyoming chose it as the state’s symbol. He argued that the prairie fire wasn’t very common in Wyoming. Aven Nelson, a prominent botanist/scientist at that time, was against it. As was the case with other American states, the Indian paintbrush wasn’t the only candidate. The bill was signed more than 100 years ago (in 1917, to be exact). When Did It Become Wyoming’s State Flower? So, make sure to keep its population in check otherwise, the paintbrush will take over your garden! When its roots come in contact with the roots of neighboring flowers, they literally pierce through them to feed on the nutrients gathered by that other plant. This is an invasive species, by the way, with parasitic properties. While it can be toxic (we’ll talk about that in a moment), it’s highly resistant and has an extended blooming period. Widespread across the fine state of Wyoming, the Indian paintbrush is a sight for sore eyes. Mostly, Castilleja linariifolia grows up in the mountains. Other names for it include Grandmother’s Hair, Painted Lady, Painted Cup, and the Prairie Fire. Depending on the species, the flower can also be yellow, orange, white, or pink. In fact, local tribes have been using the bracts for, well, painting (the red pigment is very strong and holds up well). They look like they were just painted red (hence the name). First, it has one of the brightest bracts in nature. It takes a quick glance at this gorgeous flower to understand why it was picked as the state emblem of Wyoming. What’s So Special About the Indian Paintbrush? Image Credit: Pixabay Still, how was it picked as Wyoming’s state symbol? What made it stand out? Let’s find out! It’s also edible and can be added to your favorite dishes for that extra oomph. Widespread across the state, it’s used by Native-American tribes to treat diseases. So, with the flora so rich and diverse, what is the state flower of Wyoming? It’s the Indian paintbrush, a native perennial plant.Īdopted back in 1917, it won over the hearts and minds of the locals with the mesmerizing red-tipped bracts. That makes it a perfect place for nature to grow and prosper. Approximately half of the land (national parks, recreational areas, and forests) is owned by the government. Provo, Utah.Windy, dry, and covered in mountains and prairies, Wyoming is the 10th largest state. How Indians use Wild Plants for Food, Medicine and Crafts. Wildflowers of Southwestern Utah, Bryce Canyon Natural History Association. This species was also prized as a treatment for venereal diseases. American Indians in Utah may have used paintbrush as a blood purifier, and to treat nosebleeds. This is a semi-parasitic plant that uses its roots to penetrate and secure nutrients and water from other plants. It is the most common of the three kinds of paintbrush known in the park. It is often found among manzanita, bitterbrush and sagebrush, but not exclusively so. This species is found in most locations in the park but is especially common along roadsides and most trails. Stems range in color from gray-green to crimson to purple. Flowers are actually inside each of the loosely to densely clustered upper leaves which form scarlet red tubes around them and from which the pale green corolla protrudes. It has narrow, green linear leaves with an alternate arrangement on the stems. It favors moist areas, but it is also drought tolerant enough to be found in sagebrush flats. Range: Wyoming into the Colorado Plateau General DescriptionĪ member of the figwort family, this species is unusually tall for a paintbrush. Common Names: Narrowleaf Paintbrush, Linearleaf Paintbrushįlowering Season (Bryce Region): May - October
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