Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Big sagebrush
(Artemisia tridentata)
is so common in most of the West as to be a symbol
of the dry western plains. It's a gray-green shrub from 2 to 10 feet (60 cm-3 m) tall, bearing
three-toothed leaves on many branches (see its picture on
page 252
).
A similar low bush found in the northern part of the park is
common rabbitbrush
(Chrysothamnus nauseosus).
It's a rather nondescript plant with almost needlelike leaves
covered with woolly white hairs, but in late August and September it bursts out with yellow
flowers.
Two yellow flowers that resemble garden snapdragons are the
butter-and-eggs
(Linaria
vulgaris)
and
Dalmatian toadflax
(Linaria dalmatica).
These are non-native plants intro-
duced to Mammoth from Europe. Park managers are trying to control the spread of these and
other exotics whenever possible.
Only in the high desert area between Gardiner and Mammoth will you see a cactus. It's
the
plains prickly pear
(Opuntia polycantha),
its fleshy stems covered with spines that are un-
pleasant to brush against. The roselike flowers are usually yellow but may be pink or purple
on the outside if not fully opened. Pronghorn and elk will eat prickly pear in a hard winter.
Prickly pear
B
LUE
/P
URPLE
Larkspur
(Delphinium nelsoni
and other species) often grows where sagebrush is abundant.
It's easy to recognize for the tubular spur that protrudes sideways from its deep purple blos-
som on a 1- to 2-foot (30-60 cm) stem. Larkspur is poisonous to cattle but not to sheep; elk
avoid it until late summer.
Valley Birds
