The 176
The number of shrubs, trees, bulbs, berries and perennials that Lewis and Clark first described for science is staggering. But there’s more. They collected, pressed and carted back many of these plants, and some of those still exist in the herbarium at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia.
This complete list of their flora discoveries – those not in the herbarium are marked – includes
common name, botanical name, and place and date collected. Some discoveries, dates and places are disputed.
* Not in the herbarium at The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia
** probable place, date
MISSOURI
 The panhandle of Idaho was filled with great snowpuffs of ocean-spray blooms (Holodiscus discolor) in spring 1806 as the explorers waited for warmer weather before heading back east over the Bitterroot Range. The shrub still clings to cliffsides along the Clearwater River. Lewis documented it May 29, 1806, while at Camp Chopunnish. Photo by Joan Carlin, The OregonianNEBRASKA
Broad-leaved gum plant, (Grindelia squarrosa)
Dakota County, Aug. 17, 1804 Prairie apple (Pediomelum esculentum)
Site unknown, August 1804 Silvery buffalo-berry (Shepherdia argentea)
Niobrara River, Sept. 4, 1804
SOUTH DAKOTA
Lance-leaved psoralea (Psoralidium lanceolatum)
Upper Missour River, Date unknown, 1804 Large-flowered clammy weed (Polanisia trachysperma)
Vermillion, Aug. 25, 1804 Pink cleome (Cleome serrulata)
Vermillion, Aug. 25, 1804 Cut-leaved sideranthus (Machaeranthera pinnatifida)
Chamberlain, Sept. 15, 1804 Linear-leaved wormwood (Artemisia dracunculus)
Chamberlain, Sept. 15, 1804 Missouri milk vetch (Astragalus missouriensis)
Chamberlain, Sept. 18, 1804 Broomweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae)
Big Bend, Missouri River, South of Pierre, Sept. 19, 1804 Aromatic aster (Aster oblongifolius)
Big Bend, Missouri River, Sept. 21, 1804 Bushy atriplex (Atriplex canescens)
Big Bend, Missouri River, Sept. 21, 1804 Few-flowered psoralea (Psoralea tenuiflora)
Big Bend, Missouri River, Sept. 21, 1804 Squaw bush (Rhus trilobata)
Cheyenne River, Oct. 1, 1804 Hoary sagebrush (Artemisia cana)
Cheyenne River, Oct. 1, 1804 Long-leaved mugwort (Artemisia longifolia)
Cheyenne River, Oct. 1, 1804 Fetid rayless goldenrod (Ericameria nauseosa)
Cheyenne River, Oct. 2, 1804 Indian tobacco (Nicotiana quadrivalvis)
Grand River, Oct. 12, 1804
NORTH DAKOTA
Silver-leaved psoralea, (Pediomelum argophyllum)
Cannon Ball River, Oct. 17, 1804 Woods’ rose (Rosa arkansana)
Cannon Ball River, Oct. 18, 1804 * Purple coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia)
Fort Mandan, April 7, 1805 White milkwort (Polygala alba)
McKenzie County, Aug. 10, 1806
MONTANA
* Fragile prickly pear (Opuntia fragilis)
Musselshell River, May 20, 1805 * Tansy (Tanacetum nuttallii)
Teton River, June 6, 1805 * Narrowleaf cottonwood (Populus angustifolia)
Great Falls, June 12, 1805 * White squaw currant (Ribes cereum)
Great Falls, June 18, 1805 * Dwarf thistle (Cirsium drummondii)
Three Forks, July 23, 1805 - * Western paper birch (Betula occidentalis)
Jefferson River, Aug. 3, 1805
Lewis’s monkey flower (Mimulus lewisii)
Lemhii Pass**, August 1805 * Western huckleberry (Vaccinium occidentale)
Lolo Trail, June 28, 1806 * Mountain lady’s slipper (Cypripedium montanum)
Lolo Hot Springs, June 30, 1805 Black cottonwood (Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa)
Travelers’ Rest**, July 1 or 2, 1806 Needle and thread grass (Stipa comata)
Unknown site, July 8, 1806 Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva)
Travelers’ Rest, July 1 or 2, 1806 Owl’s clover (Orthocarpus tenuifolius)
Travelers’ Rest, July 1 or 2, 1806 Narrow-petaled stonecrop (Sedum stenopetalum)
Travelers’ Rest, July 1 or 2, 1806 Small-headed clover (Trifolium microcephalum)
Travelers’ Rest, July 1 or 2, 1806 Large monkey flower (Mimulus guttatus)
Missoula, July 4, 1806 Silverberry (Elaeagnus commutata)
Powell County, July 6, 1806 Silver oxytrope (Oxytropi besseyi)
Blackfoot River**, July 6, 1806** Western blue-flag (Iris missouriensis)
Powell County, July 6, 1806 Lousewort (Pedicularis cystopteridifolia)
Powell County, July 6, 1806 Antelope bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata)
Powell County, July 6, 1806 Involucred fly-honeysuckle (Lonicera involucrata)
Lewis and Clark County, July 7, 1806 Great-flowered gaillardia (Gaillardia aristata)
Lewis and Clark County, July 7, 1806 Silvery lupine (Lupinus argenteus)
Lewis and Clark County, July 7, 1806 Glaucous zygadene (Zigadenus elegans)
Lewis and Clark County, July 7, 1806 Lewis’s wild flax (Linum lewisii)
Rocky Mountain valleys, July 9, 1806 Scapose primrose (Oenothera cespitosa)
Great Falls, July 17, 1806 Nuttall’s atriplex (Atriplex gardneri)
Marias River, July 20, 1806 Red false mallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea)
Marias River, July 20, 1806 Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)
Marias River, July 20, 1806 * White-margined spurge (Euphorbia marginata)
Yellowstone River, July 28, 1806 Plains cottonwood (Populus deltoides ssp. monilifera)
Unknown site, August 1806
 Fires are a natural part of the cycle of forest growth. Most are caused by lightning, though this one in the Bitterroot Range last July was caused by a spark. Lewis and Clark saw much evidence of fire along their trail, first on the prairie, then in the forests. Tribes managed the forest by intentionally setting some fires. Today, fire management by the forest service is complicated by people moving their homes and towns into the forests.IDAHO
* Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum)
Lemhi River, Aug. 13, 1805 * Western red baneberry (Actaea arguta)
Lemhi River, Aug. 13, 1805 Sitka mountain ash (Sorbus scopulina)
Lemhi County, Sept. 4, 1805 * Western larch (Larix occidentalis)
Lolo Trail, September 1805 * Subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa)
Lolo Trail, September 1805 * Engelmann’s spruce (Picea engelmannii)
Lolo Trail, September 1805 * Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis)
Lolo Trail, September 1805 * Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta)
Lolo Trail, September 1805 * Sitka alder (Alnus sinuata)
Lolo Trail, September 1805 * Western red cedar (Thuja plicata)
Lolo Trail,
September 1805 * Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia)
Lolo Trail,
September 1805 * Common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus laevigatus)
Lolo Trail,
Sept. 20, 1805 Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)
Canoe Camp,
Oct. 1, 1805 Sticky laurel (Ceanothus velutinus)
Clearwater River**,
Fall 1805** Lewis’s lomatium, Biscuit root (Lomatium triternatum)
Clearwater River,
May 6, 1806 Lewis’s syringa, Mock orange (Philadelphus lewisii)
Clearwater River,
May 6, 1806 Rabbit brush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus)
Clearwater River,
May 6, 1806 Showy phlox (Phlox speciosa)
Clearwater River,
May 7, 1806 Yellow bell (Fritillaria pudica)
Clearwater River,
May 8, 1806 Cut-leaf daisy (Erigeron compositus)
Clearwater River**,
Date unknown ALL FROM CAMP CHOPUNNISH
Mariposa lily (Calochortus elegans)
May 17, 1806 Cascade penstemon (Penstemon wilcoxii)
May 20, 1806 Sugar bowls (Clematis hirsutissima)
May 27, 1806 Cascara sagrada (Frangula purshiana)
May 29, 1806 Ocean-spray (Holodiscus discolor)
May 29, 1806 Tolmie’s onion (Allium tolmiei)
May 30, 1806 * Geyer’s onion (Allium geyeri)
May 30, 1806 Ragged robin (Clarkia pulchella)
June 1, 1806 Western wallflower (Erysimum capitatum)
June 1, 1806 Orange honeysuckle (Lonicera ciliosa)
June 5, 1806 Silky lupine (Lupinus sericeus)
June 5, 1806 Narrow-leaved skullcap (Scutellaria
angustifolia)
June 5, 1806 * Giant rye grass (Elymus condensatus)
June 5, 1806 Oregon sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum)
June 6, 1806 Virgate phacelia (Phacelia heterophylla)
June 9, 1806 Rayless chamomile (Matricaria matricarioides)
June 9, 1806
ALL FROM WEIPPE PRAIRIE AREA IN IDAHO
Blue bunch wheat grass (Festuca idahoensis)
June 10, 1806 Hair grass (Aira brevifolia)
June 10, 1806 Common lomatium (Lomatium dissectum var. multifidum)
June 10, 1806 * Umatilla gooseberry (Ribes cognatum)
June 10, 1806 * Cluster rose (Rosa pisocarpa)
June 10, 1806 * Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana)
June 10, 1806 Tassels (Geum triflorum)
June 12, 1806 Western snakeweed (Polygonum bistortoides)
June 12, 1806 Northern sun cup (Camissonia subacaulis)
June 14, 1806 Clustered swertia (Frasera fastigiata)
June 14, 1806 Bear grass (Xerophyllum tenax)
June 15, 1806
ALL FROM THE LOLO TRAIL
Yellow fawn lily (Erythronium grandiflorum)
June 15, 1806 Shrubby penstemon (Penstemon fruticosus)
June 15, 1806 Petioled wake-robin (Trillium petiolatum)
June 15, 1806 * Yellow-flowering pea (Lathyrus ochroleucus)
June 16, 1806 * Northwest crimson columbine (Aquilegia formosa)
June 16, 1806 Sticky currant (Ribes viscossissimum)
June 16, 1806 Camas (Camassia quamash)
Weippe Prairie
June 23, 1806 (Snow forced the explorers back down
from the Lolo Trail for 9 days, when this plant was picked from the prairie.)
Angelica sp.
June 25, 1806 California false hellebore (Veratrum californicum)
June 25, 1806 Lewis and Clark’s synthyris (Synthyris missurica)
June 26, 1806 Scarlet gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata)
June 26, 1806 Jacob’s ladder (Polemonium pulcherrimum)
June 27, 1806 *Long-tailed wild ginger (Asarum caudatum)
June 27, 1806 *Buckbrush; chaparral (Ceanothus sanguineus)
June 27, 1806 Western spring beauty (Claytonia lanceolata)
June 27, 1806 Linear-leaved montia (Lewisia triphylla)
June 27, 1806
OREGON
All from Snake River
Eaton’s aster (Aster eatonii)
Oct. 11, 1805** * Netleaf hackberry (Celtis reticulata)
Oct. 12, 1805 * Peach-leaved willow (Salix amygdaloides)
Oct. 12, 1805 * Slender willow (Salix exigua)
Oct. 12, 1805 * Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia polyacantha)
Oct. 16, 1805
Vine maple (Acer circinatum)
Hood River County, Oct. 30, 1805 Madrone (Arbutus menziesii)
Columbia River, Nov. 1, 1805 *White alder (Alnus rhombifolia)
Cowlitz River, Nov. 6, 1805 Oregon boxwood (Paxistima myrsinites)
Cape Disappointment, Nov. 16, 1805 *Oregon ash (Fraxinus latifolia)
Astoria, Nov. 30, 1805 *California rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum)
Astoria, Nov. 30, 1805 * California hazelnut (Corylus californica)
Deschutes River, Oct. 22, 1805 ALL FROM FORT CLATSOP:
Salal (Gaultheria shallon)
Jan. 20, 1806 * Western bracken (Pteridium aquilinum pubescens)
Jan. 22, 1806 * Seashore lupine (Lupinus littoralis)
Jan. 24, 1806 Evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum)
Jan. 27, 1806 * Oregon crab apple (Pyrus fusca)
Jan. 28, 1806 * Blue elderberry (Sambucus glauca)
Feb. 2, 1806 * Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis)
Feb. 4, 1806 * Mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana)
Feb. 5, 1806 * Western white pine (Pinus monticola)
Feb. 6, 1806 Grand fir (Abies grandis)
Feb. 6, 1806 * Blue huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum)
Feb. 7, 1806 Edible thistle (Cirsium edule)
March 13, 1806 * Oregon wood-sorrel (Oxalis oregana)
March 15, 1806 * Pacific blackberry (Rubus vitifolius)
March 15, 1806 * Lyall’s nettle (Urtica lyallii)
March 15, 1806 Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana)
March 26, 1806
Red alder (Alnus rubra)
Cowlitz River, March 26, 1806 Red-flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum)
Cowlitz River, March 27, 1806 Slender toothwort (Cardamine nuttallii)
Sandy River, April 1, 1806 * Nuttall’s dogwood (Cornus nuttallii)
Sandy River, April 1806 Straggly gooseberry (Ribes divaricatum)
Lower Columbia, April 8, 1806 Mission bells; rice root (Fritillaria affinis)
Bradford Island, April 10, 1806 Western wake-robin (Trillium ovatum)
Bradford Island, April 10, 1806 Big-leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum)
Bonneville Dam, April 10, 1806 Oregon grape (Berberis aquifolium)
Celilo Falls, April 11, 1806 Dull Oregon grape (Berberis nervosa)
Celilo Falls, April 11, 1806 Balsam root (Balsamorhiza sagittata)
Skamania or Klickitat counties, Washington, April 14, 1806 All from The Dalles
Golden currant (Ribes aureum)
April 1806 Menzies’ larkspur (Delphinium menziesii)
April 14, 1806 Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)
April 15, 1806 Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus)
April 15, 1806 Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)
April 15, 1806 Pestle parsnip (Lomatium nudicaule)
April 15, 1806 Dark-leaved mugwort (Artemisia ludoviciana)
April 16, 1806** Large-headed clover (Trifolium macrocephalum)
April 17, 1806 Small-flowered collinsia (Collinsia parviflora var. grandiflora)
April 17, 1806 Wild hyacinth (Triteleia grandiflora)
April 17, 1806 Narrow-leaved collomia (Collomia linearis)
April 17, 1806 Linear-leaved phacelia (Phacelia linearis)
April 17, 1806 Uropappus (Uropappus lindleyi)
April 17, 1806 Slender popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys tenellus)
April 17, 1806
* Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata)
Celilo Falls, April 20, 1806 Fennel (Osmorhiza occidentalis or O. chilensis)
Columbia River, April 25, 1806 Black hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii)
Walla Walla River, April 29, 1806 Cous (Lomatium cous)
Walla Walla River, April 29, 1806 * Spring birch (Betula fontinalis)
Walla Walla River, April 30, 1806
THE LEGACY GROWS reproduced courtesy of the Oregonian.
These stories originally ran May 24, 2001
© 2001 The Oregonian
© 2001 http://www.oregonlive.com/hg/
All Rights Reserved
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