Part 11

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.