pictured is the most common. This variety is found in the dry places
above 4,000 feet and is especially abundant in Birch Creek Canyon.
The conspicuous orange flowers grow on fairly tall stalks about two feet
in height and make this plant very easy to find. The stems are quite
hairy, leafy and contain a milky juice. As the fruits develop in large
boat-shaped pods, the seeds burst forth bearing long, silky hairs that
assist the wind in scattering them over wide areas.
[Illustration: Butterfly Milkweed]
76. PINK PHLOX Phlox Family
_Phlox canescens_
Four kinds of phlox are common in Zion, and other species are found at
Cedar Breaks and Bryce Canyon. The plants are generally small, but the
flowers are fairly showy with their five bright, pink-colored petals.
They are found generally in dry, rocky soils and bloom mostly in early
summer or during May and June. Sometimes Phlox will cover extensive
areas with a bright carpet of pink or white. A special display of Phlox
may be found on the summit of Brian Head Peak near Cedar Breaks. These
plants are very helpful in holding the soil and in preventing erosion.
[Illustration: Pink Phlox]
77. SKYROCKET GILIA Phlox Family
_Gilia aggregata_
This plant is found most commonly in the Ponderosa Pine belt of these
areas where its star-shaped, scarlet flower adds a bit of brilliance to
the scene. The individual flowers, with their long, tubular corollas and
star-shaped petals, are masterpieces of beauty. Their shape and color
have given rise to such common names as Trumpet Phlox and Scarlet Gilia.
In their search for nectar, hummingbirds are noticeably attracted to the
flowers of the plant. Birds and insects in taking the nectar, help in
the pollination of many flowers.
[Illustration: Skyrocket Gilia]
78. MOUNTAIN BLUEBELLS Borage Family
_Mertensia ciliata_
A fairly tall perennial growing to be from 2 to 3 feet high and found
only in moist places at high elevations of the plateaus. It is common at
and near Cedar Breaks along the streams or in the swampy meadows. The
small clusters of drooping, delicate-blue flowers come mostly in May and
June or even later at the higher elevations of Brian Head Peak near
Cedar Breaks. Before maturing the flowers may be pinkish to white in
color.
[Illustration: Mountain Bluebells]
79. NARROWLEAF PUCCOON Borage Family
_Lithospermum incisum_
This member of the Borage Family is well adapted to the dry habitats.
The plants are commonly found in clumps, but they are generally widely
scattered rather than in dense growths as in the case of the Bluebells
or Mertensias that belong to the same Family. Its showy trumpetlike
yellow flowers attract many insects as they bloom during April and May.
The seeds are hard, white and shiny, hence the name Lithospermum,
meaning stone seed.
[Illustration: Narrowleaf Puccoon]
80. DESERT SAGE Mint Family
_Salvia carnosa_
Although looking very much like a clump of Sagebrush, this small shrub
is a member of the Mint Family and not closely related to the Common
Sagebrush. The clusters of bright purple flowers, as they come on in May
or June, certainly add brilliant adornment to this sage-green plant. It
is fairly common in the Sonoran Zones and well scattered throughout much
of the Southwest. This is the plant referred to in the storied Land of
the Purple Sage. One of the best places to look for this plant is along
the Emerald Pool Trail in Zion National Park.
[Illustration: Desert Sage]
81. MULLEIN Figwort Family
_Verbascum thapsus_
This rather unusual-appearing plant is not a native but rather an
introduced species from Europe that has spread over most of Western
America. It is fairly common along the roads and trails.
The Hopi Indians are said to dry and smoke the leaves, and this is
thought to cure people who are mentally unbalanced.
Early Greeks and Romans dipped dried mullein stalks in tallow to make
lampwicks. The English named it “Torchweed” and the Spanish called it
“Candelaria.”
[Illustration: Mullein]
82. ROYAL PENSTEMON Figwort Family
_Penstemon speciosus_
This species, also known as Purple Penstemon, is found in much the same
habitats as the Blue Penstemon. It is generally abundant along roadsides
at elevations above 4,500 feet. It is fairly common at Cedar Breaks and
at Bryce Canyon. The flowers vary in color from deep blue to dark
purple, and the stalks vary in height from 12 to 20 inches.
[Illustration: Royal Penstemon]
83. EATON PENSTEMON Figwort Family
_Penstemon eatoni_
Found mostly in the cool canyons, this plant is sometimes confused with
the Skyrocket Gilia or the Western Cardinalflower, which it resembles
somewhat. Penstemon usually has a greater number of blooms on each
flower stalk than do these flowers that appear like it. This variety is
not nearly as common as many other Penstemons in these areas. It is far
more brilliantly colored, however, which accounts for such common names
as Scarlet Bugler and Scarlet Penstemon.
[Illustration: Eaton Penstemon]
84. THICKLEAF PENSTEMON Figwort Family
_Penstemon pachyphyllus_
The penstemons are sometimes called Wild Snapdragons because of the
close resemblance to related cultivated species. They are also called
Beardstongue because one of the five stamens is covered with numerous
hairs. This blue variety, Thickleaf Penstemon, is found mostly at higher
elevations or on the plateaus where they bloom during June and July.
[Illustration: Thickleaf Penstemon]
85. PALMER PENSTEMON Figwort Family
_Penstemon palmeri_
This is one of the very beautiful and conspicuous flowers of Zion
National Park. The flowers are borne on tall spikes and are brightly
colored. This is the largest and most common Penstemon found along the
trails and roadways of Zion below 6,000 feet. It is especially common in
freshly disturbed soils as the road cuts. The leaves are grey-green, and
each pair with the exception of the lower ones is joined at the base,
creating the impression that it is one leaf with the stem growing
through the center. The fairly large flowers, which are pale lavender in
color, begin blooming in May and are found in bloom throughout most of
the summer.
[Illustration: Palmer Penstemon]
86. SACRED DATURA Potato Family
_Datura meteloides_
A conspicuous plant with very large, white, sometimes lavender-tinted
flowers that open at night and wilt in the bright morning sunlight. A
single plant may have as many as 100 blooms at one time. Datura is one
of the few plants that blooms during the hot summer in Zion Canyon. Many
different names are locally applied to it, and include the following:
Zion Lily, Moon Lily, Jimson Weed and Thornapple. The plant is poisonous
to eat, especially the seeds, and was used by several Indian tribes to
induce stupor and dreams as a part of a widespread religious cult. It
contains a deadly narcotic principle akin to atropine.
[Illustration: Sacred Datura]
87. MONKEYFLOWER Figwort Family
_Mimulus cardinalis_
One of the very beautiful flowering plants along the Zion Narrows Trail
and in cool, damp places of the shady canyons is this Crimson
Monkeyflower with its orange-red blossoms and deep-green leaves. Its
flowers are 1 to 2 inches long and the wide-toothed leaves are 3 to 5
inches long. It is the largest Monkeyflower in the park. Some plants are
found blooming throughout much of the summer season, especially along
the canyon walls where there are seeps of water most of the year.
[Illustration: Monkeyflower]
88. INDIAN PAINTBRUSH Figwort Family
_Castilleja coccinea_
From early March until May the warm hillsides below 6,000 feet are made
brilliant by clumps of deep-red flowers often found next to patches of
Mountain Mahogany. They are the Dwarf Indian Paintbrush and are by far
the most conspicuous early spring flower in Zion. Found very abundantly
along the park road from the East Entrance to the Zion Tunnel, they
present a most pleasing sight early in the season. Other species are
very plentiful at Cedar Breaks and often carpet the meadows in showy
orange or red. Several species are also found at Bryce Canyon National
Park.
[Illustration: Indian Paintbrush]
89. SNOWBERRY Honeysuckle Family
_Symphoricarpos utahensis_
This low, spreading shrub is recognized by its shreddy bark, small,
oval, opposite leaves on very short petioles, and in late summer or fall
by its white berries. The small, pinkish flowers are not at all
conspicuous and are often overlooked. The plant is browsed by deer and
other animals and is sometimes called Buckbrush. It is found mostly in
the high plateaus of Zion and is fairly common at Cedar Breaks and Bryce
Canyon. The fruit, although very showy, is not very tasty.
[Illustration: Snowberry]
90. BEARBERRY HONEYSUCKLE Honeysuckle Family
_Lonicera involucrata_
This member of the Honeysuckle Family has a number of common names such
as Twinberry Honeysuckle, Ink-berry and Pigeon-bush.
The flowers, which are yellow and always come in pairs, are very
attractive to the hummingbirds. Mature fruits are black berries about
the size of peas and are partially enclosed by reddish bracts. The
plants are unpalatable and browsed very slightly, but the fruits are
eaten by birds and chipmunks.
[Illustration: Bearberry Honeysuckle]
91. ELEPHANTHEAD PEDICULARIS Figwort Family
_Pedicularis groenlandica_
You will find this strange-looking plant in the wet meadows of the
alpine areas of Cedar Breaks and on the Plateaus of the Kolob Section
and the Horse Pasture Plateau of Zion National Park. Its blooming season
is July and August. The peculiarly modified petals of the corolla
resemble the forehead, ears and waving trunk of an elephant, hence the
common name Elephanthead.
[Illustration: Elephanthead Pedicularis]
92. AMERICAN HAREBELL Bellflower Family
_Campanula rotundifolia_
In the drier habitats of the alpine regions around Cedar Breaks and
generally along the roadsides in large clumps you may find this
beautiful blue flower. The lovely deep-blue flowers, drooping on their
hairlike stems, have such perfect shape and simple grace. The Harebell
is very wide spread, being found in Scotland, Northern Europe and Asia
as well as over much of North America.
[Illustration: American Harebell]
93. WESTERN CARDINALFLOWER Lobelia Family
_Lobelia splendens_
A pleasant surprise to many park visitors is to find this spectacular
flower, with its abundant scarlet blooms on long stalks, presenting a
colorful display during the late summer when most plants have ceased
blooming. This colorful species, known also as Scarlet Lobelia, is very
abundant along the Narrows Trail of Zion Canyon and also along water
courses of other shady canyons. The long, tubular corollas and pointed
petals arranged in irregular pattern of two and three identify this
plant from the Scarlet Penstemon which it resembles.
[Illustration: Western Cardinalflower]
94. RABBITBRUSH Sunflower Family
_Chrysothamnus sp._
Rabbitbrush is fairly common along roadways and trails in the arid
regions. Because rabbits find this plant a favorite shelter, it has been
named Rabbitbrush. Indians boil the plant for yellow dye, and white man
found certain species of Chrysothamnus to contain rubber.
Consideration was given to the production of rubber from Rabbitbrush
during the First World War and up until the discovery of synthetic
rubber.
[Illustration: Rabbitbrush]
95. CURLYCUP GUMWEED Sunflower Family
_Grindelia squarrosa_
An exotic plant probably brought into the area by vehicles, as it is
found most commonly along the roadways or in cultivated fields. Once
started it spreads very rapidly along the highways or in cultivated
areas.
The plant is suspected to be toxic to livestock, but is rarely eaten. It
is used in the treatment of asthma in humans. In addition, external use
is made of it to relieve the irritation caused by Poison Ivy.
The plants have probably migrated to this area from the central plains
states.
[Illustration: Curlycup Gumweed]
96. PURPLE ASTER Sunflower Family
_Aster sp._
The Asters and Fleabanes are sometimes confused, but they can generally
be recognized by the difference in the number of ray flowers. That is,
Asters have only about half as many ray flowers as do the Fleabanes.
Species of Purple Aster form an important part of the late summer floral
display at Cedar Breaks and Bryce Canyon. They come on after the Lupine,
Columbine, Indian Paintbrush and other early bloomers have faded.
[Illustration: Purple Aster]
97. FLEABANE Sunflower Family
_Erigeron speciosus_
There are numerous species of Fleabane in this region. Some particular
kind may be found at any time of the growing season, for certain species
bloom very early and others continue late in autumn.
Some species of Fleabane grow in dense masses and, in early spring,
carpet the meadows and roadsides. The ray flowers of the Fleabanes are
generally twice as numerous per head as are the ray flowers of the
Asters. The plants are quite similar in other respects.
[Illustration: Fleabane]
98. MOUNTAIN SUNFLOWER Sunflower Family
_Helianthella uniflora_
Sunflowers abound in these parks during the late summer. As the early
summer flowers, mostly in blues and purples, fade, the yellow and red
flowers come on. This is especially true in the alpine meadows of Cedar
Breaks in August when the predominant species are the Sunflowers.
The seeds of the Sunflowers supply abundant food for many birds and
small mammals.
[Illustration: Mountain Sunflower]
99. COMMON SUNFLOWER Sunflower Family
_Helianthus annuus_
The very large flowers of these plants sometimes present a colorful
display as they take over the roadways or abandoned fields. Members of
this group are generally considered weeds because of their habit of
crowding out the more desirable species. Certain species of Sunflowers
are now being developed for commercial purposes and produce oil for
cooking and meal for livestock feed. Indians in some areas of North
America cultivated sunflowers for food and for trade.
[Illustration: Common Sunflower]
100. GAILLARDIA Sunflower Family
_Gaillardia parryi_
This handsome and conspicuous plant is found growing in the Sonoran
Zones of Zion. It has a slender, rough stalk, about a foot tall, and
stiff, rather hairy, dull-green leaves growing mostly from the root. The
beautiful flowers, about three inches across, have golden-yellow rays
which are three pointed. The center of the flower is a shaded maroon and
yellow, very velvety, and becoming an attractive fuzzy, round, purplish
head when the rays drop off. This plant blooms mostly in May and June.
[Illustration: Gaillardia]
101. DESERT MARIGOLD Sunflower Family
_Baileya multiradiata_
These golden-yellow flowers, measuring about three inches across, are
fairly common along the trails and roadways of Zion Canyon and in other
low-elevation areas of the park. They bloom during May and June. The ray
flowers become bleached and papery as they mature, thus accounting for
the name Paper Daisy. This attractive composite is also known as Desert
Baileya. In California this plant is cultivated for the flower trade. It
has been found poisonous to sheep, although horses crop the flower
heads, apparently without harmful effects.
[Illustration: Desert Marigold]
102. WESTERN YARROW Sunflower Family
_Achillea lanulosa_
Western Yarrow is very widespread and can be found in much of Western
America. It is more common at elevations above 5,000 feet in these
areas. It grows to be 12 to 20 inches high, and the fernlike leaves,
which have a pungent odor when crushed, and the umbrella-shaped clusters
of flowers are characteristics of this plant that help to identify it.
Since ancient times the plant has been highly regarded for its healing
properties. Legend ascribed the discovery of this virtue to Achilles, in
whose honor the plant is named.
[Illustration: Western Yarrow]
103. HEARTLEAF ARNICA Sunflower Family
_Arnica cordifolia_
A common flower in the Pine and Spruce forest of Cedar Breaks and the
alpine areas of Zion and Bryce Canyon is the Heartleaf Arnica. The
yellow ray flowers are few, while the disk or central flowers of the
flower head are numerous. The flowers measure about three inches across
and are often mistaken for sunflowers. The heart-shaped leaves help
distinguish this flower from its close relatives.
Tincture of arnica is obtained from certain species of Arnica.
[Illustration: Heartleaf Arnica]
104. MEADOW SALSIFY Sunflower Family
_Tragopogon pratensis_
This interesting plant, known also as Oyster Plant, has been naturalized
from Europe and is now quite common in the West. It has a smooth, stout
hollow stem about 2 feet tall, rather dark-green, smooth leaves clasping
at the base, and handsome flowers from 2 to 4 inches across. The flowers
open early in the morning, closing at midday, to remain closed until the
next morning.
Meadow Salsify is most commonly found along the roadways or in other
places where the native soil has been disturbed.
See Figure 105 for description of the seed of this flower.
[Illustration: Meadow Salsify]
105. MEADOW SALSIFY Sunflower Family
_Tragopogon pratensis_
This habitat view of the Meadow Salsify illustrates one of the important
ways in which plants scatter their seeds about. As the flower matures
into seeds in a conspicuous and very large, dandelion-like head, each
seed is equipped with a perfect parachute of silky fibers. Winds often
sweep these flight-equipped seeds for many miles and result in wide
dissemination of this species, which was introduced into this country
from Europe not very long ago.
The seeds of many plants are scattered about in various ways—some by
wind, others by water and many by the birds and animals.
[Illustration: Meadow Salsify Fruit]
106. ARROWLEAF BALSAMROOT Sunflower Family
_Balsamorhiza sagittata_
This plant, with its large, showy yellow flowers, is often found on the
southern exposures of steep hillsides or in the Sagebrush flats. It was
first discovered by Lewis and Clark on their expedition across the
continent in 1804-1806.
The rind of the root contains a turpentiny balsam, but the heart of the
root is edible and was used by the Indians and early pioneers. The plant
is called Mormon Biscuit in Utah. The seeds of the plant were used by
the Indians to make “Pinole” or meal, and the stems and leaves were
eaten as greens.
[Illustration: Arrowleaf Balsamroot]
107. WESTERN WALLFLOWER Mustard Family
_Erysimum capitatum_
There are two kinds of Wallflowers in Zion National Park. Their
bright-yellow flowers, which grow on stalks taller than those of most
other mustards, make them among the most attractive members of this
family. They are usually found on rather dry slopes in the Upper Sonoran
and Transition Zones.
Notice how the petals are arranged as a cross which is a characteristic
of all members of the Cruciferae or Mustard Family.
[Illustration: Western Wallflower]
108. BITTERCRESS Mustard Family
_Cardamine hirsuta_
You may find this plant blooming during April and May in the Sonoran
Zones of Zion National Park. Its habitat is generally the dry sandy
hillsides rather than the deep canyons.
The wide-spreading, circular, doom-shaped clumps present an attractive
display in pure white flowers. The petals of four are arranged like a
cross.
Being a perennial, the clumps seem to expand from year to year and often
reach a spread of four to five feet across. The plants are useful in
building soil and in preventing erosion.
[Illustration: Bittercress]
109. HUMMINGBIRD TRUMPET Evening-primrose Family
_Zauschneria garrettii_
One of the late blooming plants in Zion National Park is the Hummingbird
Trumpet, also called Fire-chalice, or sometimes the Wild Fushia. It can
often be found on the Canyon Overlook Trail or on the West Rim Trail at
elevations near 6,000 feet.
It can be identified by the narrow oval leaves pointed and toothed, and
the fushialike flowers, narrowly funnel-shaped, with the pistil and
stamens extending beyond the petals.
The brilliant scarlet of this flower in fairly dense clusters makes a
very attractive display in late August and September.
[Illustration: Hummingbird Trumpet]
INDEX
Common Name Scientific Name Figure
Number
A
Alfilera Erodium circutraium 48
American Harebell Campanula rotundifolia 92
Antelope Bitterbrush Purshia tridentata 34
Arnica, Heartleaf Arnica cordifolia 103
Arrowleaf Balsamroot Balsamorhiza sagittata 106
Aster, Purple Aster sp. 96
B
Balsamroot, Arrowleaf Balsamorhiza sagittata 106
Baneberry, Western Actaea arguta 20
Bearberry Honeysuckle Lonicera involucrata 90
Beavertail Cactus Opuntia basilaris 61
Bitterbrush, Antelope Purshia tridentata 34
Bittercress Cardamine hirsuta 108
Bitterroot Lewisia rediviva 14
Blackbrush Coleogyne ramosissima 35
Blazingstar, Desert Mentzelia multiflora 57
Bluebells, Mountain Mertensia ciliata 78
Bluedicks Dichelostemma pulchellum 4
Buckhorn Cholla Cactus Opuntia acanthocarpa 62
Buckwheat, Wild Eriogonum umbellatum 8
Buffaloberry, Roundleaf Shepherdia rotundifolia 65
Bush Cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa 36
Buttercup, Sand Ranunculus juniperinus 21
Buttercup Ranunculus sp. 16
Butterfly Milkweed Asclepias tuberosa 75
C
Cactus Fruit Opuntia engelmannii 64
Calypso Orchid Calypso bulbosa 11
Cardinalflower, Western Lobelia splendens 93
Cinquefoil, Bush Potentilla fruticosa 36
Chokecherry Prunus virginiana 40
Cliffrose, Stansbury Cowania stansburiana 33
Columbine Aquilegia sp. 17
Coneflower Rudbeckia occidentalis 25
Creosotebush Larrea tridentata 50
Curlycup Gumweed Grindelia squarrosa 95
D
Deathcamas, Mountain Zigadenus elegans 7
Desertbeauty Dalea Dalea johnsoni 46
Desert Blazingstar Mentzelia multiflora 57
Desert Globemallow Sphaeralcea ambigua 53
Desert Marigold Baileya multiradiata 101
Desert Princesplume Stanleya pinnata 26
Desert Sage Salvia carnosa 80
E
Eaton Penstemon Penstemon eatoni 83
Elder, Red-berried Sambucus racemosa 31
Elephanthead Pedicularis Pedicularis groenlandica 91
Elk Thistle Cirsium foliosum 24
Engelmann Pricklypear Cactus Opuntia engelmannii 64
Ephedra, Green Ephedra viridis 9
Euphorbia, Whitemargin Euphorbia albomarginata 51
Evening-primrose, White Oenothera caespitosa 66
Evening-primrose, Yellow Oenothera strigosa 67
F
Fineleaf Yucca Yucca angustissima 6
Firechalice Zauschneria garrettii 109
Fireweed Epilobium angustifolium 54
Flax, Lewis Linum lewisii 49
Fleabane Erigeron speciosus 97
Four-O’Clock Mirabilis multiflora 12
Fourwing Saltbush Atriplex canescens 10
Fremont Geranium Geranium fremontii 47
Fremont Barberry Berberis fremonti 23
Fringed Gentian Gentiana thermalis 74
Fritillary, Purplespot Fritillaria atropurpurea 5
G
Gaillardia Gaillardia parryi 100
Gentian, Fringed Gentiana thermalis 74
Gentian, Green Frasera speciosa 70
Geranium, Fremont Geranium fremontii 47
Gilia, Skyrocket Gilia aggregata 77
Globemallow, Scarlet Sphaeralcea coccinea 52
Globemallow, Desert Sphaeralcea ambigua 53
Green Ephedra Ephedra viridis 9
Green Gentian Frasera speciosa 70
Greenleaf Manzanita Arctostaphylis patula 69
Gumweed, Curlyleaf Grindelia squarrosa 95
H
Harebell, American Campanula petiolata 92
Heartleaf Arnica Arnica cordifolia 103
Hedgehog Cactus Echinocereus coccineus 58
Honey Mesquite Prosopis juliflora 41
Honeysuckle, Bearberry Lonicera involucrata 90
Hummingbird Trumpet Zauschneria garrettii 109
I
Indianpotato Orogenia linearifolia 72
Indian Paintbrush Castilleja coccinea 88
L
Larkspur Delphinium sp. 18
Lewis Flax Linum lewisii 49
Ligusticum, Porter Ligusticum porteri 68
Littleleaf Mountainmahogany Cercocarpus intricatus 32
Loco Astragalus sp. 43
Locust, New Mexico Robinia neomexicana 45
Lupine Lupinus sp. 42
M