Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Idaho’s State Flower, the Syringa by Joe


INTRODUCTION

The syringa (philadelphus lewisii) has been the state flower of Idaho since 1931, and was an obvious choice for the position due to its beauty and importance to the Native American as a means of creating tools. It grows on a shrub that can reach almost ten feet in height, with flowers growing in clusters on the ends of long stems. The wooded part of the shrub provided wood that the Native Americans used to create harpoons, bows, arrows, and numerous other tools requiring a wooden shaft. It is fascinating that an aromatic and aesthetically pleasing object would also be necessary for some cultures to hunt and forage for food.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SYRINGAS

1.       The flower is named after Meriwether Lewis, as he was the first to collect and publish about it.
2.       The bark and leaves can be used to make a soap.
3.       Quail, deer, and elk are known to forage syringa.

 

QUESTION

How was syringa an integral part of the pioneering Native American tribes?

REFERENCES

Boise National Forest - Nature & Science. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.

"Syringa." State Symbols USA. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2017.

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