Bitterroot
is an extremely drought-tolerant succulant which grows throughout the
sage-steppe and surrounding pine-dotted montane ridges. Indians throughout
the Columbia basin and into the plains dug the fleshy bitterroot as a
prized food source on early season forays, when the root was largest and
least bitter. The Lewis and Clark expedition collected it in Montana's
Bitterroot Valley and the genus is named Lewisia in honor of Captain Meriweather
Lewis. Its attractive flower is the state flower of Montana.
Bitterroot flowers near Swanson Lakes, Lincoln County, WA - May
Bitterroot
is an extremely drought-tolerant succulant which grows throughout the
sage-steppe and surrounding pine-dotted montane ridges. Indians throughout
the Columbia basin and into the plains dug the fleshy bitterroot as a
prized food source on early season forays, when the root was largest and
least bitter. The Lewis and Clark expedition collected it in Montana's
Bitterroot Valley and the genus is named Lewisia in honor of Captain Meriweather
Lewis. Its attractive flower is the state flower of Montana.
