When Did The Bitterroot Become The State Flower?

An enduring part of the culture and landscape of this region, the bitterroot was voted the Montana state flower in 1894 .

When did the bitterroot become Montana’s state flower?

In 1893 , after the famous World’s Fair in Chicago, Montana was one of many states that adopted an official flower. With a strong Indian heritage and a name derived from the leader of the Lewis and Clark expedition, the Bitterroot was chosen as a state symbol.

How did Montana get its state flower?

Delegates to the 1889 Montana Women’s Christian Temperance Union, meeting in Missoula, selected a “little blue flower that grows near the snow banks ” as the WCTU’s official state flower. Two years later, sentiment arose for change and the bitterroot received the WCTU’s designation.

Why is it called bitterroot?

Traditionally, the roots were gathered, dried for storage, and used for food or trade . The root is bitter, so it was cooked and often mixed with meat or berries. Meriwether Lewis first collected the species for western science in July of 1806, in what is now called the Bitterroot Valley in Montana.

What makes bitterroot special?

Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva) is a small perennial herb in the family Montiaceae. Its specific epithet rediviva (“revived, reborn”) refers to its ability to regenerate from dry and seemingly dead roots.

Where can I find Bitterroot flowers in Montana?

Bitterroot can be found during spring and summer, growing in the sagebrush plains and the foothills of the mountains in western and south central Montana .

What is Montana’s state gem?

1-1-505. State gem stones. The sapphire and the Montana agate are the official Montana state gem stones.

What is the state flower of Montana and Bird?

Can you eat Bitterroot?

Bitterroot is quite beneficial, if a bit strong for most taste buds. It can be eaten boiled, dried or in powder form . The outer layer is the bitter part: the actual taproot is more palatable and contains many nutrients. Native tribes have been consuming bitterroot both for pleasure and medication.

Can I grow Bitterroot?

Bitteroot can be grown from seeds outdoors by sowing fresh ripe seeds on the surface when available (late autumn/ early winter). They can grow in either sunny or lightly shaded areas of the garden that have a rich, gritty and moist soil. Ideally the pH that Bitterroot grows in will be of pH 5 to 8.

What animal eats Bitterroot?

Deer mice and other rodents also consume the leaves and seeds (Howard, 1993). Distribution: Bitterroot is found in most of western and southern Montana, British Columbia to Alberta south to California, Arizona, and Colorado (Lesica 2012).

What is the state animal of Montana?

State animal. The grizzly bear , Ursus arctos horribilis, as preferred by a vote of Montana schoolchildren, is the official Montana state animal.

Is Bitterroot an annual or perennial?

Bitterroot is an herbaceous evergreen perennial with a mounded form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

Why does no one live in Montana?

Montana is quite cold for most of the year , and most of it gets little precipitation, and the ground is rocky and infertile in many areas. So, while Montana is a nice place to vacation in summer, it’s rather difficult to make a living there year-round.

Who founded Montana?

U.S. exploration and settlement

The first non-Native American explorers known to have set foot in Montana were the members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–06). Fur trappers and traders followed, setting up forts to trade with the Native Americans.

What is the Montana motto?

“Oro y Plata” is Spanish for “Gold and Silver” and hearkens back to when mining ruled Montana, and the state was nicknamed the “Treasure State.” It’s the state motto. (The rest of the seal depicts mountains, the Great Falls of the Missouri River, a miner’s pick and shovel, trees and a plow.)

Is there opal in Montana?

The stone’s value is purely in its local interest, according to Stephan Custer, a geologist at Montana State University. ... The stone is abundant there . Few opal sites match the beauty of Hyalite Peak, though. The peak sits on the edge of a bowl carved out by volcanic and glacial activity.

When was Montana founded?

After the discovery of gold in the region, Montana was designated as a United States territory (Montana Territory) on May 26, 1864 and, with rapid population growth, as the 41st state on November 8, 1889.

Can diamonds be found in Montana?

Though rare, diamonds aren’t unheard of in Montana . Prospectors have plucked the gems from stream beds and glacial valleys for years — most notably the 14-carat Lewis and Clark diamond found at the base of a steep slope near Craig in 1990.

Are Opals found in Montana?

Idaho Opals

Just a short drive from our location in Philipsburg, Montana . These beautiful opals are just another example of the fantastic gems grown in our location. ... As the silica rich water seeped into these rocks, the layers accumulated into plates creating a very stable form of opal.

What is Montana State grass?

1-1-506. State grass. The grass known as bluebunch wheatgrass , Agropyron spicatum (pursh), shall be designated and declared to be the official grass of the state of Montana.

What is Montana known for?

Rich deposits of minerals, including gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, coal and oil, earned Montana its nickname as the Treasure State .

What is Montana’s state flag?

The state flag of Montana shall be a flag having a blue field with a representation of the great seal of the state in the center and with golden fringe along the upper and lower borders of the flag ; the same being the flag borne by the 1st Montana Infantry, U.S.V., in the Spanish-American War, with the exception of the ...

What is Montana’s state fossil?

1-1-509. State fossil. The duck-billed dinosaur Maiasaura peeblesorum is the official Montana state fossil.

What is Montana state song called?

“Montana” is the regional anthem of the U.S. state of Montana. It was written by Charles Cohan and composed by Joseph E. Howard and was adopted as the state song on February 20, 1945.

When did Wyoming became a state?

As the territory and later the state became settled, the following counties were carved from the original five until there are now twenty-three counties in Wyoming. July 10, 1890 , the territory consisting of the thirteen counties was admitted into the Union as a State.

Why was Washington state flower chosen?

In 1892, before they had the right to vote, Washington women selected the coast rhododendron as the state flower. They wanted an official flower to enter in a floral exhibit at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. ... When the ballots were counted, the rhododendron had been chosen as the Washington state flower.

What is Washington’s state color?

Colors of the Flag

The main color in Washington’s state flag is dark green . In the center of the flag is the state seal of Washington, which features a color image of George Washington. The image of Washington is on a light blue background, and a gold circle trimmed in black surrounds the image.

Why is the Pacific rhododendron the state flower of Washington state?

There are reported cases of domestic livestock poisoned by rhododendron leaves. In 1892, the Pacific rhododendron was chosen as the Washington state flower—over six other contenders—by a group of Washington women who were asked to pick a flower to represent Washington at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago.

What is Wyoming’s state dinosaur?

Triceratops is the official state dinosaur of Wyoming. Wyoming is the only state that has both a state dinosaur and a state fossil (Knightia, a fish).

Why is Wyoming state flower the Indian paintbrush?

Aven Nelson of the University of Wyoming objected to the adoption of the Indian Paintbrush because it was uncommon and had too many varietals . The Indian Paintbrush prevailed nonetheless and was adopted in 1917. ... The Indian Paintbrush is a semi-parasitic flower.

What do Native Americans use bitterroot for?

American Indians relied on a bitterroot infusion to alleviate discomfort caused by heart conditions like angina as well as pleurisy , a painful inflammation in the area around the lungs. The root was applied to relieve the burning itch and inflammation caused by poison ivy.

How do you harvest bitterroot?

Native Americans would harvest bitterroot with a digging stick made from a stick hardened in the fire or a deer/elk antler . We used hand weeders to loosen the soil around the plants and pull them out of the ground without disturbing the roots too much.

What Is Bitter Root Judgement?

Bitter is defined as having a sharp smell; not sweet; or angry, hurt or resentful. Together, a bitter root judgment is anger and resentment that typically is underground nourishing a judgement against someone .