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Idaho Mountain Wildflowers

Heath Family: Ericaceae (Wintergreen Family) (Page 3 of 3)

Menziesia ferruginea var. glabella, Rusty menzelia (also "false azalea" and "fool's huckleberry"), grows as a moderately high deciduous shrub. It is found throughout the Northwest, along streams, in fens and in other moist surroundings, usually at higher altitudes. Its small urn-shaped flowers are similar to those seen in many other members of the heath family, including various blueberries and huckleberries although their color—from rusty to bright red—is unusual, and it helps to identify the plant. The fruit resembles a largish berry, or small pod, and is inedible, hence the common name "fool's huckleberry." Menziesias are an attractive shrub and are sometimes used as an ornamental in moist and shady landscaping situations.

The Kinnikinnick (or Bearberry), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, is a wide spread circumboreal plant found throughout the northern part of the United States, into Canada, Alaskak, and Eurasia. It tends to form large mats and is further characterized by oval leathery leaves, urn-shaped early-blooming flowers and bright red berries. The berries are not particularly palatable, but were used—probably in pemmican—as food by Native Americans. Lewis and Clark returned a specimen of the plant, apparently given them by a trader in Fort Mandan, where the expedition wintered in 1804-1805. They were told that it was used as an adulterant with Indian tobacco. It grows in our mountains in moist or shady locations: we have also seen it growing above treeline on alpine tundra.

The Grouseberry (also Whortleberry), Vaccinium scoparium, is a small, erect mountain plant that is often found growing as extensive ground cover, at high elevations in the mountains, ranging throughout the Northwest to Colorado. The little, many-branched, woody shrubs have a broom-like configuration (scoparium means just that, "broom-like"), and the plants, bound together might well be used for that purpose. In good years there are many little flowers typical of those seen in other members of the heath family. These mature into the red berries shown here. One presumes that grouse--and probably other animals as well--feed on them. The berries are sweet and taste like blueberries. Several other vacciniums (species of blueberries, huckleberries and cranberries) with similar leaves, blossoms and fruit are found in our mountains, but this is the most common sub-alpine species.

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Menziesia ferruginea var. glabella, Rusty menzelia (also "false azalea" and "fool's huckleberry"), grows as a moderately high deciduous shrub. It is found throughout the Northwest, along streams, in fens and in other moist surroundings, usually at higher altitudes. Its small urn-shaped flowers are similar to those seen in many other members of the heath family, including various blueberries and huckleberries although their color—from rusty to bright red—is unusual, and it helps to identify the plant. The fruit resembles a largish berry, or small pod, and is inedible, hence the common name "fool's huckleberry." Menziesias are an attractive shrub and are sometimes used as an ornamental in moist and shady landscaping situations.
		The Kinnikinnick (or Bearberry), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, is a wide spread circumboreal plant found throughout the northern part of the United States, into Canada, Alaskak, and Eurasia. It tends to form large mats and is further characterized by oval leathery leaves, urn-shaped early-blooming flowers and bright red berries. The berries are not particularly palatable, but were used—probably in pemmican—as food by Native Americans. Lewis and Clark returned a specimen of the plant, apparently given them by a trader in Fort Mandan, where the expedition wintered in 1804-1805. They were told that it was used as an adulterant with Indian tobacco. It grows in our mountains in moist or shady locations: we have also seen it growing above treeline on alpine tundra.
		The Grouseberry (also Whortleberry), *Vaccinium scoparium, is a small, erect mountain plant that is often found growing as extensive ground cover, at high elevations in the mountains, ranging throughout the Northwest to Colorado. The little, many-branched, woody shrubs have a broom-like configuration (scoparium* means just that, "broom-like"), and the plants, bound together might well be used for that purpose. In good years there are many little flowers typical of those seen in other members of the heath family. These mature into the red berries shown here. One presumes that grouse--and probably other animals as well--feed on them. The berries are sweet and taste like blueberries. Several other vacciniums (species of blueberries, huckleberries and cranberries) with similar leaves, blossoms and fruit are found in our mountains, but this is the most common sub-alpine species.