ZION Plants of Zion National Park

PLANTS OF ZION NATIONAL PARK

Families of Plants
(continued)

BROOMRAPE FAMILY (OROBANCHACEAE)

A BROOMRAPE, Orobanche, has been collected in the park, but the specimen has been lost and the species is not definitely known.

PLANTAIN FAMILY (PLANT.AGINACEAE)

In Zion, as in most of the rest of the United States, there are two weeds belonging to this family: COMMON PLANTAIN, Plantago major; and Plantago purshii, having much narrower leaves and woolly seed spikes.

MADDER FAMILY (RUBIACEAE)

BEDSTRAW is our only representative of this family. It is a prostrate, vine-like herb, usually much branched, with rough stems encircled at the joints with whorls of narrowly oblong leaves. The following kinds have been collected in the park: Galium asperrimum, G. triflorum, G. stellatum, and G. multiflorum. The first two kinds occur in moist shady places; the last two in dry rocky areas.

HONEYSUCKLE FAMILY (CAPRIFOLIACEAE)

SNOWBERRY, Symphoricarpos utahensis. A low spreading shrub recognized by its shreddy bark, small oval opposite leaves, almost stemless, and in late summer or fall its white berries. It is valuable browse for both wild and domestic animals. Found on the plateaus and down into some of the cooler canyons, as Hidden Canyon.

VALERIAN FAMILY (VALERIANACEAE)

This small and comparatively unimportant family of herbs is represented in Zion by Valeriana occidentalis, an inconspicuous plant consisting of a basal cluster of short, broadly-oval leaves on long stems, from which rises a single, almost leafless, stalk about one foot high. The inconspicuous flowers are borne on numerous terminal branchlets.

GOURD FAMILY (CUCURBITACEAE)

On the floor of Zion Canyon there are a few of the WILD GOURD, Cucurbita foetidissima, which looks much like a squash or pumpkin vine. The flowers (in June) are large and light greenish-yellow. The gourds are round and smooth.

LOBELIA FAMILY (LOBELIACEAE)

LOBELIA, Lobelia splendens. One of the latest blooming flowers in Zion (mid-August to October) and one of the moat beautiful. Its tall leafy stalks, often over three feet high, are topped with spikes of profuse bloom, — deep rich red blossoms that will not be easily confused with any other flowers, since they are the only conspicuous red flowers in late fall.

ASTER FAMILY (ASTERACEAE)

Over 15 per cent of the plant species found in Zion belong to this family, which includes many weed-like plants as well as some of the most conspicuous flowering species in the park. Many of them bloom during September and October. The family is easily distinguished by its composite flowers; that is, each so-called flower is a dense group of many small flowers. In a sunflower, for example, each "petal" is a separate flower, termed a "ray flower", and each of the tiny tubular parts of the central head is also a separate flower, termed a "disk flower". Within the family there are three different groups having different arrangements of ray and disk flowers. The largest group contains sunflowers, daisies, asters, etc., wherein each composite "flower" or head contains both disk and ray flowers; another group has heads made up of disk flowers only, examples are thistles and everlastings; a third group has ray flowers only, such as dandelion and chicory. Each flower produces a single seed, which is often equipped with feathery or scaly hairs enabling it to be carried long distances by the wind: Dandelion seeds are a familiar example. These hairs are termed the "pappus", and since the pappus varies in different species, it is often used to distinguish them, as in the following key.

A. HEADS WITH BOTH RAY AND DISK FLOWERS.

I. Ray flowers not yellow

1. Heads in dense umbrella-shaped clusters, Achillea, (p. 59)
2. Heads not in dense clusters:
   a. Rays comparatively slender, 30 or more, Erigeron, (p. 59)
   b. Rays broader, less than 30, Aster, (p. 60) and Layia, (p. 60)

II. Ray flowers yellow or orange:

1. Leaves large and thick, Wyethia, (p. 60)
2. Leaves not large; finely divided, Actinea, (p. 60)
3. Leaves neither large nor finely divided:
   a. Leaves opposite:
      Plant slender, Viguiera, (p. 60)
      Plant robust, Helianthella, (p. 60)
   b. Leaves alternate and lobed:
      Leaves smooth, green, Senecio, (p. 60)
      Leaves wooly, whitish, Baileya, (p. 60)
   c. Leaves alternate and not lobed; narrow and linear:
      Heads very small, Solidago petradoria, (p. 62); Madia, (p. 62) and Gutierrezia (p. 60)
      Heads about 1/2 inch wide, in loose clusters, Senecio spartioides (p. 60)
      Heads over 1/2 inch, not clustered, Aplopappus, (p. 62)
   d. Leaves alternate and not lobed; oval:
      Heads small, in spikes, Solidago, (p. 62)
      Heads about 1/2 inch wide, in loose clusters, Chrysopsis, (p. 62)
      Heads over 1/2 inch wide, solitary, Helianthus, (p. 60); Encelia, (p. 62); and Gaillardia, (p. 62)

B. HEADS WITH DISK FLOWERS ONLY.

I. Flower heads yellow:

1. Plant an herb, without woody stems, Laphamia, (p. 62)
2. Plant a shrub:
   a. Having long sharp spines, Tetradymia, (p. 62)
   b. Having leaves like a willow, Baccharis, (p. 62)
   c. Having very narrow, linear leaves:
      Flowers small and inconspicuous, Hymenoclea, (p. 62)
      Flowers larger, pappus downy, Chrysothamnus, (p. 62)
      Flowers larger, pappus stiff, Acamptopappus, (p. 62)

II. Flower heads not yellow:

1. Leaves prickly (thistles), Cirsium, (p. 63)
2. Leaves whitish, velvety, Antennaria, (p. 63); and Gnaphalium, (p. 63)
3. Leaves neither prickly nor velvety:
   a. Flowers inconspicuous, greenish, Artemisia, (p. 63); Arctium, (p. 63); and Ambrosia, (p. 63)
   b. Flowers more conspicuous, usually white, Chaenactis, (p. 63); Pluchea, (p. 62); and Coleosanthus, (p. 63)

C. HEADS WITH RAY FLOWERS ONLY; PLANTS WITH MILKY JUICE.

I. Stems usually leafless, from basal rosette of leaves: (dandelions, etc.)

1. Flower heads in loose clusters, Crepis, (p. 63)
2. Flower heads solitary:
   a. Stem not hollow, Agoseris, (p. 63)
   b. Stem hollow:
      Pappus downy, Leontodon, (p. 63)
      Pappus of scales, Microseris, (p. 63)

II. Stems always leafy:

1. Flowers yellow, Sonchus, (p. 64)
2. Flowers pale cream, large, Glyptopleura, (p. 64)
3. Flowers blue, red, or purple:
   a. Blue, Lactuca, (p. 64)
   b. Pale purple, large, Lygodesmia, (p. 64)
   c. Red, Ptiloria, (p. 64)
   d. Pale flesh color, Nemoseris, (p. 64)

YARROW, Achillea lanulosa. This erect annual, recognized by the characters given in the key and by its fern-like leaves having a pungent odor when crushed, is found in cool locations throughout the park; most common on the plateaus where it blooms in July and August.

DAISIES, of which there are mine kinds known from Zion, are widely distributed everywhere. The species are often difficult to distinguish, but the following key may be of some assistance.

A. Ray flowers white:

I. Heads less than 1/2 inch wide, Erigeron canadensis.
II. Heads over 1/2 inch wide, Erigeron nudiflorus.

B. Ray flowers blue or purple:

I. Leaves large and oval; plant robust, Erigeron elatior.
II. Leaves small and narrow:
   a. Plant low and somewhat spreading: Transition Zone only
      1. Heads less than 1/2 inch wide, Erigeron flagellaris.
      2. Heads over 1/2 inch wide, Erigeron eatonii.
   b. Plant erect, less than 8 inches tall, Erigeron acris debilis.
   c. Plant erect, over 8 inches tall:
      1. Leaves very narrow, long, Erigeron utahensis.
      2. Leaves very narrow, short, Erigeron asperugineus.
      3. Leaves narrowly oval, Erigeron divergens.

Six kinds of ASTERS are known in Zion, distinguished as follows:

A. Ray flowers white; dwarf plant, Aster leucelene.
B. Ray flowers blue or purple:
   1. Leaves large and oval; plant robust, Aster glaucodes.
   2. Leaves small, not lobed or toothed:
      a. Leaves very narrow, Aster xylorrhiza.
      b. Leaves narrowly oval, Aster adacendens.
   3. Leaves small, lobed or toothed:
      a. Leaves merely toothed, Aster cichoriaceus.
      b. Leaves narrowly divided, Aster tenacetifolius.

In sandy places in the Sonoran Zones, Layia glandulosa is sometimes found. It is the only member of the Aster Family in Zion having 3-lobed white ray flowers.

MULE EARS, Wyethia arizonica. A common and showy flower on the plateaus, blooming in June. It has large heavy leaves, and large orange flowers like small sunflowers; but the entire plant is seldom over 1-1/2 feet tall.

Actinea grandiflora, which blooms on the plateaus in June, heads in loose terminal clusters; grows about 18 inches tall. A very similar species, A. canescens grows in the Sonoran Zones, as at Coalpits Wash, blooming in May.

SUNFLOWERS are widely scattered throughout the park; Helianthus annuus is common, while the smaller H. petiolaris is relatively uncommon. Two other species commonly called Sunflowers, but distinguished by having opposite leaves, are Helianthella uniflora, (large flower heads), and Viguiera multiflora nevadensis, (numerous medium sized heads).

WILD MARIGOLDS are among the most beautiful of this family, their large golden yellow blooms being common in Zion Canyon and other places of low altitude during late May and June. The two kinds, Baileya multiradiata and B. pleniradiata, are very similar.

There are five kinds of SENECIO in Zion, Senecio spartioides, (Plate XV), being most abundant. It grows throughout the park, but is especially noticeable between 4000 and 5000 feet, where it produces large fields of yellow bloom during September. Four other species grow here, chiefly in the cooler parts: S. ambrosioides, S. uintahensis, S. multilobatus, and S. cymbalarioides aphenactis.

MATCH BRUSH, Gutierrezia sarothrae, is found all over the park but is most common at low altitudes in association with cacti. The Paiutes formerly used it to brush the small spines from cactus fruits before picking them. It is a very small green shrub; a dense cluster of slender upright stems with numerous narrow leaves. Another less common species, G. microcephala, with narrower leaves, occupies the same range.

PLATE XV

TARWEED, Madia racemosa, occurs in the lower end of Zion Canyon, on land formerly farmed. Another weedy plant, in low places, is Aplopappus gracilis, low and spreading, and sparsely covered with long hairs. A shrubby form, A. linearifolius interior, grows in Coalpits Wash.

GOLDENROD, Solidago trinervata. (Plate XV). Grows on the plateaus, blooming in late summer. A narrow-leaved species, S. petradoria, is distributed throughout the park, but not commonly.

GOLDEN ASTER, Chrysopsis villosa, is common throughout the park, especially at middle altitudes. Whem not in bloom the plants appear to be straggling leafy weeds, but from late June to September the small bright yellow flowers are very attractive.

Encelia frutescens is a low shrubby perennial with heads like small sunflowers and rough leaves and stems. It grows in Lower Sonoran Zone, blooming in June.

Gaillardia parryi, and G. spathulata, growing in warmer parts of Zion, can be easily identified by their large solitary flower heads (several to a plant), with ray flowers yellow, deeply 3-cleft, and disk flowers reddish. They bloom in June.

Laphamia palmeri is a low branching herb having oval toothed leaves and small yellow heads consisting of disk flowers only. Grows in rocky places below 6500 feet, blooming in late June and July.

HORSEBRUSH, Tetradymia axillaris, is a spiny, white barked shrub with minute narrow leaves. It has been noted in Coalpits Wash. WATER WILLOW, Baccharis emoryi, is another shrub confined to low altitudes, along streams. It often grows 8 or 10 feet tall and might easily be mistaken for a willow but for its yellow ray-less flowers that produce an abundant crop of downy seeds in early summer. ARROWWOOD, Pluchea sericea, somewhat resembles water willow and grows in similar habitats, but it has very straight branches and shorter gray-green leaves. BURROBRUSH is also found only at low altitudes. It is a low, much branched shrub, having extremely narrow leaves and inconspicuous flowers that mature in June, forming clusters of conspicuous papery bracts surrounding the seeds. Two very similar species of burrobrush have been collected: Hymenoclea salsola, and H. fasciculata. Still another shrubby member of this family that is confined to low altitudes is Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus, which has conspicuous yellow flowers, rayless, and small narrowly oval leaves. This plant usually appears to be half dead, due to the numerous dead twigs, long and white, that protect the green portions by projecting above them.

RABBITBRUSH, (Plate XV), is very common throughout the park. Chrysothamnus mohavensis being found in the Sonoran Zones, and C. parryi in the Transition Zone. It is a fine-leaved yellowish-green shrub, with rayless yellow flowers. It is usually associated with other chaparral species, but large areas of nothing but rabbitbrush are common.

SAGEBRUSH, Artemisia tridentata, (Plate XV), is an even more common chaparral species, found everywhere above the Lower Sonoran Zone. It is well known by its heavy pungent odor, and its small gray-green 3-tipped leaves. The flowers are the same color as the foliage, very inconspicuous. SAND SAGEBRUSH, A. filifolia, appears similar from a distance, but has fine hairlike leaves. It is confined to the Upper Sonoran Zone, not abundant. Artemisia tripartita, resembling tridentata, but with leaves divided rather than merely toothed, has been collected in The Narrows. WHITE SAGE, Artemisia cana, has also been collected in The Narrows. There are three other species in Zion, all upright leafy herbs, A. ludoviciana and A. mexicana have gray-green leaves, silvery beneath; and A. dracunculoides has very narrow green leaves. The latter is the most common of the three.

CATSPAW, Antennaria aprica, has clusters of soft, pink flower heads (hence the common name) at the tops of 6-inch stalks rising from a basal cluster of small white wooly leaves. It occurs in dry places in the Transition Zone. A dwarf form, A. dimorpha, has been collected in rock crevices on the east rim. CUDWEED or EVERLASTING, Gnaphalium wrightii, has been collected in The Narrows. It has silvery-haired leaves and papery flowers.

COLEO or BRICKELLBUSH, is a small shrub with scarcely woody stems and abundant oval toothed leaves. It is a profuse bloomer, (white rayless flower heads) in late summer and fall, especially noticeable along the Narrows Trail. There are three kinds: Coleosanthus grandiflorus, (Plate XV), with green stems and arrow-shaped leaves; C. californicus, with straw-colored stems and more broadly oval leaves; and C. longifolius, which also has light-colored stems, but has long pointed leaves, very slightly toothed.

Chaenactis nevadensis is a branching weedy perennial, with finely divided leaves, chiefly basal, and reddish stems. C. douglasii and C. xantiana also occur in the park. Two other "weeds" of the Aster Family, present here, are BURDOCK, Arctium minus, and RAGWEED, Ambrosia psilostachya. THISTLES are found everywhere, but are not abundant. The two kinds are distinguished as follows: Cirsium scariosum has heirs on the prickly bracts surrounding the flower head; C. undulatum has none.

DANDELIONS, Leontodon taraxacum, are likely to be found anywhere, but are common only near old farm sites in Zion Canyon. FALSE DANDELIONS (both Microseris linearifolia and Agoseris grandiflora) are more often seen, throughout the park. Crepis intermedia grows on the plateaus. It has basal leaves resembling a dandelion, and numerous small heads, like little dandelions, in a loose cluster.

Two common weeds, with flowers resembling small dandelions, and toothed leaves bearing weak spines, are SOWTHISTLE, Sonchus asper, and WILD LETTUCE, Lactuca pulchella. The leaves on the latter are but very slightly toothed. Other "weedy" Zion species having similar heads, (i. e., ray flowers only), are Nemoseris neo-mexicana, Ptiloria parryi, and P. exigua.

RUSH PINK, Lygodesmia grandiflora, is one of the most beautiful of the Aster Family. It has large flower heads, consisting of wide pale purple ray flowers only, borne on almost leafless branching stalks about a foot tall; the few leaves are long and thread like. It is sometimes mistaken for a lily. Blooms in late May or June, about 4000 feet; noticeable at Oak Creek or Court of the Patriarchs.

Glyptopleura setulosa also has large heads with wide rays and no disk flowers, but they are cream colored, and grow almost flat on the ground, surrounded by a rosette of finely divided leaves. Blooms from late April to early June in Coalpits Wash and other Lower Sonoran Zone localities.