Wasatch Penstemon

     This beautiful blue flower is called the Wasatch Penstemon. It only grows in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah and the area around them. These flowers have a similar shape to a Snap Dragon, but they remain open.

     These flowers are sturdy and can even be relatively tolerant of overwatering; however, it is not recommended to try! They prefer full sunlight and well-drained soil.

     The seeds for this plant are a little more tricky. When the seeds reach maturity, they are dormant. They require ten to sixteen weeks of moist chilling. Moist chilling is when you keep seeds in a bit of moist seed starter mix, sand, sphagnum peat moss, or vermiculite and put them in the refrigerator for the ascribed amount of time. Make sure to check on them and be sure the sand, moss, mix, or vermiculite stays moist!

     After they have germinated--they will begin to germinate while they are chilling--they need to be placed in elongated boxes because their roots grow downward first rather than outward. It is also important to remember that it will take a couple years before it will begin flowering.

     These flowers would obviously brighten any garden and are pretty low-maintenance! Try to look for them when you go on a hike! Since they only grow in Utah, it is important to be respectful of them, and growing them is encouraged!

Sources:
http://www.unps.org/plant%20data%20base/plant%20sheets/penstcyanan.html

http://herbarium.uvu.edu/Virtual/search.asp?s=form

https://suite.io/barbara-m-martin/4hd203

Indian Ricegrass

     Indian Ricegrass is some of the sturdiest grass. Sometimes it can grow eight to twenty-four inches tall in the wild! This plant often likes to grow in cooler temperatures and is often referred to as a "bunchgrass."

     Because Indian Ricegrass is able to reseed and grow after a fire or overgrazing occurs. This is another example of its durability.

     Many grazing animals such as bison, desert bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, pronghorns, and jack rabbits enjoy eating Indian Ricegrass. For some, it is a staple food in late winter because it begins to regrow earlier than most plants. Its seeds are enjoyed by rodents and some birds as well.


     Something interesting and fun to know about this plant is that it has not always been a staple food for animals: people used it for food as well! Native Americans would use the seeds to grind into flour for bread if their corn crops did not grow. Another fun fact is that Indian Ricegrass was dubbed as Nevada's state grass in 1977.

     Now, when you go walking, you can look for Indian Ricegrass! You will probably recognize it be the seeds at the tips of each blade of grass. Maybe you can try grinding it into flour like the Native Americans did!

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oryzopsis_hymenoides

http://pioneer.utah.gov/research/utah_symbols/grass.html

http://herbarium.uvu.edu/virtual/viewer.asp?file=11682s1.jpg&title=Achnatherum+hymenoides

http://herbarium.uvu.edu/virtual/details.asp?ID=12136