The wildflowers of the Wasatch Mountain ranges are so famous that a festival is held each year. “The Wildflower Festival started in 1996 by a tight-knit community of friends and was funded by The Alta Lodge. This community wanted to share their beautiful environment, flowers, food, musicians, and Romantic Alta with each other and the rest of the world. Oh and, like always, it was a great party too!” (http://altaarts.org/events/wildflower)
This year the Wildflower Festival will be held July 26, 27 and 28.
Here is the link to the Wildflower Festival webpage: http://altaarts.org/event/2013WasatchWildflowerFestival
** This one is for Alta’s portion. I have been trying to get information about which day is Brighton’s to no avail.
There are hikes for everyone from children to the advanced.
I spoke with Erin at the Cottonwood Canyon Foundation. The festival kicks off in Brighton on June 26th this year. The first hike leaves at 9. The last one leaves at 11.
Monkshood
Who knew something so pretty could be so dangerous? “Monkshood is one of the most toxic plants known to man.” (http://www.vincelewis.net/monkshood.html) Although it is one of the most beautiful varieties of wildflower due to it’s intricately shaped petals, this is a flower that you must use caution around. Every part of the plant is poisonous. Contact by hand will generally cause irritation, dizziness and nausea. However, death will result if ingested. Therefore, wear gloves if at all possible when around Monkshood and be certain to thoroughly wash your hands if you do come in contact with it before touching your face. No need to avoid exploring the beautiful Wasatch Mountains now that you have this knowledge. After all, knowledge is power!
Indian Paintbrush
Nothing to fear from this common beauty. In fact the petals are edible and have been used by native Americans medicinally to treat rheumatism. They also made a hair wash out of it to make their hair shiny.
There is an Indian legend about a young boy named, Little Gopher who wanted to paint beautiful pictures of the world. The legend says that one night he had a dream in which he was led to a field that was full of paint brushes. The morning after his masterpiece is completed he finds that all of his brushes have taken root. This explains why there are 200 varieties of Indian Paintbrush.
Showy daisy
Other than that it is poisonous to pets not much to report about the Showy Daisy.
Elephant Head
The blossoms of this lovely flower resemble an elephant’s head complete with trunk and ears, thus the name.
False Hellebore
This unique looking flower is poisonous when ingested but poses no harm when touched.
Fireweed
This gorgeous pink blossom is actually a herb with many medicinal benefits. Fireweed tends to populate areas that have been logged or burned by forest fire.
Sticky Geranium
“The flowers and leaves of sticky purple geranium are edible, and can be added to salads or used as a garnish, but are reported to be astringent and unappealing.” (http://www.montana.plant-life.org/species/geran_visco.htm) The whole plant is medicinal. Being that it is astringent, herbalists use it to stop bleeding and heal sores. It was used by Blackfoot Indians to treat diarrhea and other ailments.
Columbine
Colorado’s state flower, “The Columbine flower is the most honored state flower in all of the United States.” (http://www.theflowerexpert.com/content/aboutflowers/stateflowers/colorado-state-flowers)”The common name “columbine” comes from the Latin for “dove”, due to the resemblance of the inverted flower to five doves clustered together.”(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquilegia)
While Native Americans did eat the flowers in small quantities it is not recommended as the seeds and roots are highly poisonous.
Anenome
“According to the Oxford English Dictionary, Greek anemōnē means “daughter of the wind”, from ánemos “wind” + feminine patronymic suffix -ōnē.[ The Metamorphoses of Ovid tells that the plant was created by the goddess Venus when she sprinkled nectar on the blood of her dead lover Adonis. The name “windflower” is used for the whole genus as well as the wood anemone A. nemorosa.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anemone)
While in Brighton be sure to stay at http://brightonchalets.com