Kansas Cottonwood by Debra White There’s something sacred about the way she’s dying The old cottonwood in our backyard—dying in sections, one limb at a

Kansas CottonwoodKansas Cottonwoodby Debra Whiteby Debra White

There’s something sacred about the way she’s dyingThere’s something sacred about the way she’s dying

The old cottonwood in our backyard—dying in sections, one The old cottonwood in our backyard—dying in sections, one limb at a time.limb at a time.

And now nearly half of her is dried, leafless, And now nearly half of her is dried, leafless, bark peeling off leaving her naked skin bark peeling off leaving her naked skin

to be eaten by insects and pecked at by woodpeckers. to be eaten by insects and pecked at by woodpeckers.Yet it’s the death in her that keeps the rest of her Yet it’s the death in her that keeps the rest of her

living… and givingliving… and giving shade to us and refuge for squirrels and birds who want to shade to us and refuge for squirrels and birds who want to

hide.hide.But branch by branch, she’s letting go until one springBut branch by branch, she’s letting go until one spring

She’ll decide to not wake up from hibernation.She’ll decide to not wake up from hibernation.

Then, birds will weep and so will I.Then, birds will weep and so will I.

SalicaceaeSalicaceae

In the Cronquist System, the In the Cronquist System, the Salicaceae was treated in its own order Salicaceae was treated in its own order Salicales, and contained only three Salicales, and contained only three genera (genera (SalixSalix, , PopulusPopulus and and ChoseniaChosenia), ), but APG includes it in the Malpighiales. but APG includes it in the Malpighiales.

Recent genetic studies by the Recent genetic studies by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG) Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG) has greatly expanded the has greatly expanded the circumscription of the family to contain circumscription of the family to contain 58 genera and 1210 species.58 genera and 1210 species.


Major genera include:Major genera include: Salix Salix (450 spp.), (450 spp.), CaseariaCasearia (180 spp.), (180 spp.),

HomaliumHomalium (180 spp.), (180 spp.), XylosmaXylosma (85 (85 spp.), spp.), PopulusPopulus (35 spp.), and (35 spp.), and Banara Banara (31).(31).

In the continental United States and In the continental United States and Canada: Canada: Salix, Populus, Xylosma, Salix, Populus, Xylosma, FlacourtiaFlacourtia occur. occur.


Salix Salix (willow) and (willow) and PopulusPopulus (poplar, (poplar, cottonwood, aspen) provide lumber, wood cottonwood, aspen) provide lumber, wood pulp, and ornamentals. The bark of pulp, and ornamentals. The bark of SalixSalix was (is) used medicinally due to the was (is) used medicinally due to the presence of salicylic acid (a major presence of salicylic acid (a major component of aspirin), which reduces component of aspirin), which reduces swelling and fever. Certain species of swelling and fever. Certain species of FlacourtiaFlacourtia and and DovyalisDovyalis are cultivated for are cultivated for their edible, fleshy fruits. Several genera their edible, fleshy fruits. Several genera provide useful ornamentals (provide useful ornamentals (Oncoba, Oncoba, Casearia, IdesiaCasearia, Idesia, and , and SamydaSamyda.).)


In Montana, native genera include In Montana, native genera include (Dorn 1984):(Dorn 1984):

SalixSalix (30 +/- spp.), (30 +/- spp.), PopulusPopulus (5 spp.) (5 spp.)

SalixSalixFamily: SalicaceaeFamily: Salicaceae

WillowsWillows, , sallowssallows and and osiersosiers form the genus form the genus SalixSalix, around 450 species of deciduous trees and , around 450 species of deciduous trees and shrubs, found primarily on moist soils in cold and shrubs, found primarily on moist soils in cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Most species are known as willow, but some Most species are known as willow, but some narrow-leaved shrub species are called osier, and narrow-leaved shrub species are called osier, and some broader-leaved species are called sallow some broader-leaved species are called sallow (the latter name is derived from the Latin word (the latter name is derived from the Latin word salixsalix, willow). Some willows (particularly arctic , willow). Some willows (particularly arctic and alpine species), are low-growing or creeping and alpine species), are low-growing or creeping shrubs; for example the dwarf willow (shrubs; for example the dwarf willow (Salix Salix herbaceaherbacea) rarely exceeds 6 cm in height, though ) rarely exceeds 6 cm in height, though spreading widely across the ground.spreading widely across the ground.


Willows are very cross-fertile and Willows are very cross-fertile and numerous hybrids occur, both numerous hybrids occur, both naturally and in cultivation. It is often naturally and in cultivation. It is often difficult to distinguish hybrids from difficult to distinguish hybrids from species. species.

Michael Dirr in his Michael Dirr in his Manual of Woody Manual of Woody Landscape PlantsLandscape Plants 1990 says he is not 1990 says he is not convinced that anyone has a solid convinced that anyone has a solid grasp on grasp on SalixSalix nomenclature. nomenclature.


The willows all have abundant watery The willows all have abundant watery sap, bark which is heavily charged sap, bark which is heavily charged with salicylic acid, soft, usually pliant, with salicylic acid, soft, usually pliant, tough wood, slender branches and tough wood, slender branches and large, fibrous, often stoloniferous large, fibrous, often stoloniferous roots. The roots are remarkable for roots. The roots are remarkable for their toughness, size, and tenacity of their toughness, size, and tenacity of life, and roots readily grow from life, and roots readily grow from aerial parts of the plant.aerial parts of the plant.


The leaves are typically elongated but may also be The leaves are typically elongated but may also be round to oval, frequently with a serrated margin. All the round to oval, frequently with a serrated margin. All the buds are lateral; no absolutely terminal bud is ever buds are lateral; no absolutely terminal bud is ever formed. The buds are covered by a single scale, formed. The buds are covered by a single scale, enclosing at its base two minute opposite buds, enclosing at its base two minute opposite buds, alternately arranged, with two, small, scale-like, alternately arranged, with two, small, scale-like, fugacious, opposite leaves. The leaves are alternate, fugacious, opposite leaves. The leaves are alternate, except the first pair which fall when about an inch long. except the first pair which fall when about an inch long. They are simple, pinnate-veined, and typically linear-They are simple, pinnate-veined, and typically linear-lanceolate. Usually they are serrate, rounded at base, lanceolate. Usually they are serrate, rounded at base, acute or acuminate. The leaf petioles are short, the acute or acuminate. The leaf petioles are short, the stipules often very conspicuous, looking like tiny round stipules often very conspicuous, looking like tiny round leaves and sometimes remaining for half the summer. leaves and sometimes remaining for half the summer. On some species, however, they are small, On some species, however, they are small, inconspicuous, and fugacious (soon falling). In color the inconspicuous, and fugacious (soon falling). In color the leaves show a great variety of greens, ranging from leaves show a great variety of greens, ranging from yellowish to bluish.yellowish to bluish.


Willows are dioecious with male and Willows are dioecious with male and female flowers appearing as catkins female flowers appearing as catkins on different plants; the catkins are on different plants; the catkins are produced early in the spring, often produced early in the spring, often before the leaves, or as the new before the leaves, or as the new leaves open. leaves open.



The staminate (male) flowers are without The staminate (male) flowers are without either calyx or corolla; they consist simply either calyx or corolla; they consist simply of stamens, varying in number from two to of stamens, varying in number from two to ten, accompanied by a nectariferous gland ten, accompanied by a nectariferous gland and inserted on the base of a scale which and inserted on the base of a scale which is itself borne on the rachis of a drooping is itself borne on the rachis of a drooping raceme called a catkin, or ament. This raceme called a catkin, or ament. This scale is oval and entire and very hairy. The scale is oval and entire and very hairy. The anthers are rose colored in the bud but anthers are rose colored in the bud but orange or purple after the flower opens, orange or purple after the flower opens, they are two-celled and the cells open they are two-celled and the cells open longitudinally. The filaments are threadlike, longitudinally. The filaments are threadlike, usually pale yellow, and often hairy.usually pale yellow, and often hairy.


The pistillate (female) flowers are The pistillate (female) flowers are also without calyx or corolla; and also without calyx or corolla; and consist of a single ovary consist of a single ovary accompanied by a small flat nectar accompanied by a small flat nectar gland and inserted on the base of a gland and inserted on the base of a scale which is likewise borne on the scale which is likewise borne on the rachis of a catkin. The ovary is one-rachis of a catkin. The ovary is one-celled, the style two-lobed, and the celled, the style two-lobed, and the ovules numerous.ovules numerous.



The fruit is a small, one-celled, two-The fruit is a small, one-celled, two-valved, cylindrical beaked capsule valved, cylindrical beaked capsule containing numerous tiny (0.1 mm) containing numerous tiny (0.1 mm) seeds. The seeds are furnished with seeds. The seeds are furnished with long, silky, white hairs, which allow long, silky, white hairs, which allow the fruit to be widely dispersed by the fruit to be widely dispersed by the wind.the wind.


Willows are used Willows are used as food plants by as food plants by the larvae of some the larvae of some Lepidoptera Lepidoptera (butterfly) species.(butterfly) species.

Viceroy butterflies feed onwillow species.


The leaves and bark of the willow tree The leaves and bark of the willow tree have been mentioned in ancient texts have been mentioned in ancient texts as a remedy for aches and fever, and as a remedy for aches and fever, and the Ancient Greek physician the Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates wrote about its medicinal Hippocrates wrote about its medicinal properties in the 5properties in the 5thth Century BC. Native Century BC. Native Americans across the American Americans across the American continent relied on it as a staple of their continent relied on it as a staple of their medical treatments. This is because medical treatments. This is because they contain salicylic acid, the precursor they contain salicylic acid, the precursor to aspirin.to aspirin.


In 1897 Felix Hoffmann created a In 1897 Felix Hoffmann created a synthetically altered version of salicin (in synthetically altered version of salicin (in his case derived from the his case derived from the SpiraeaSpiraea plant), plant), which caused less digestive upset than which caused less digestive upset than pure salicylic acid. The new drug, pure salicylic acid. The new drug, formally acetylsalicylic acid was named formally acetylsalicylic acid was named aspirin by Hoffmann's employer Bayer aspirin by Hoffmann's employer Bayer AG. This gave rise to the hugely AG. This gave rise to the hugely important class of drugs known as non-important class of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).(NSAIDs).


Willow wood is also used in the manufacture Willow wood is also used in the manufacture of boxes, brooms, and cricket bats (grown of boxes, brooms, and cricket bats (grown from certain strains of white willow), cradle from certain strains of white willow), cradle boards, chairs and other furniture, dolls, boards, chairs and other furniture, dolls, flutes, poles, sweat lodges, toys, turnery, tool flutes, poles, sweat lodges, toys, turnery, tool handles, veneer, wands and whistles.handles, veneer, wands and whistles.

In addition tannin, fiber, paper, rope and In addition tannin, fiber, paper, rope and string, can be produced from the wood. string, can be produced from the wood. Willows are also popular for wicker (often Willows are also popular for wicker (often from osiers), which is used in basket weaving, from osiers), which is used in basket weaving, fish traps, wattle fences, and wattle and daub fish traps, wattle fences, and wattle and daub building.building.


Willow bark contains auxins (plant Willow bark contains auxins (plant growth hormones), especially those growth hormones), especially those used for rooting new cuttings. The used for rooting new cuttings. The bark can even be used to make a bark can even be used to make a simple extract that will promote simple extract that will promote cutting growth.cutting growth.

Willows produce a modest amount of Willows produce a modest amount of nectar that bees can make honey nectar that bees can make honey from, and are especially valued as a from, and are especially valued as a source of pollen for bees.source of pollen for bees.


Willow is grown for biomass or biofuel in Willow is grown for biomass or biofuel in energy forestry systems, as a energy forestry systems, as a consequence of its high energy in-consequence of its high energy in-energy out ratio, large carbon energy out ratio, large carbon mitigation potential and fast growth. mitigation potential and fast growth. Large scale projects to support willows Large scale projects to support willows development as an energy crop have development as an energy crop have been established, such as the Willow been established, such as the Willow Biomass Project in the United States of Biomass Project in the United States of America. America.


As a plant, willow is used for As a plant, willow is used for biofiltration, constructed wetlands, biofiltration, constructed wetlands, ecological wastewater treatment ecological wastewater treatment systems, hedges, land reclamation, systems, hedges, land reclamation, landscaping, phytoremediation, landscaping, phytoremediation, streambank stabilization streambank stabilization (bioengineering), slope stabilization, soil (bioengineering), slope stabilization, soil erosion control, shelterbelt & erosion control, shelterbelt & windbreaks, soil building, soil windbreaks, soil building, soil reclamation, treebog compost toilets, reclamation, treebog compost toilets, and wildlife habitat.and wildlife habitat.

Treebog ToiletsTreebog Toilets

Treebogs are basically toilets built over Treebogs are basically toilets built over compost heaps which are surrounded by a compost heaps which are surrounded by a tight double row of biomass willow tight double row of biomass willow cuttings. The willows are allowed to grow cuttings. The willows are allowed to grow and can be woven into living walls.and can be woven into living walls.

The treebog idea has grown out of the fact The treebog idea has grown out of the fact that willow can be a very greedy feeder that willow can be a very greedy feeder that will thrive on feces and urine in quite that will thrive on feces and urine in quite large quantities which the willow converts large quantities which the willow converts into leaves and wood. into leaves and wood.


A number of willow species were A number of willow species were imported into and widely planted in imported into and widely planted in Australia, notably as erosion control Australia, notably as erosion control measures along watercourses. They measures along watercourses. They are now regarded as an invasive are now regarded as an invasive weed and are being removed and weed and are being removed and replaced with native trees.replaced with native trees.


In religion, willow is one of the “Four In religion, willow is one of the “Four Species" used in a ceremony on the Species" used in a ceremony on the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. Jewish holiday of Sukkot.

Willow trees are also quite prevalent Willow trees are also quite prevalent in folklore and myths. In English in folklore and myths. In English folklore, a willow tree is believed to folklore, a willow tree is believed to be quite sinister, capable of be quite sinister, capable of uprooting itself and stalking uprooting itself and stalking travelers.travelers.


In JK Rowling’s In JK Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, , and and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, , there is an ancient tree on the school there is an ancient tree on the school grounds of Hogwarts called the "Whomping grounds of Hogwarts called the "Whomping Willow". It is provided as a hiding spot of a Willow". It is provided as a hiding spot of a secret passageway that Professor Remus secret passageway that Professor Remus Lupin roamed through every full moon when Lupin roamed through every full moon when he began his transformation into a he began his transformation into a werewolf.werewolf.

PopulusPopulusFamily: SalicaceaeFamily: Salicaceae

PopulusPopulus is a genus of between 25–35 is a genus of between 25–35 species of deciduous flowering plants in species of deciduous flowering plants in the family Salicaceae, native to most of the family Salicaceae, native to most of the Northern Hemisphere. English names the Northern Hemisphere. English names variously applied to different species variously applied to different species include include poplarpoplar, , aspenaspen, and , and cottonwoodcottonwood..

The genus has a large genetic diversity, The genus has a large genetic diversity, and can grow from anywhere between 15–and can grow from anywhere between 15–50 m tall, with trunks of up to 2.5 m 50 m tall, with trunks of up to 2.5 m diameter.diameter.


The bark on young trees is smooth, The bark on young trees is smooth, white to greenish or dark grey, often white to greenish or dark grey, often with conspicuous lenticels; on old with conspicuous lenticels; on old trees it remains smooth in some trees it remains smooth in some species, but becomes rough and species, but becomes rough and deeply fissured in others. The shoots deeply fissured in others. The shoots are stout, with (unlike in the related are stout, with (unlike in the related willows) the terminal bud present. willows) the terminal bud present.


The leaves are spirally arranged, and The leaves are spirally arranged, and vary in shape from triangular to vary in shape from triangular to circular or (rarely) lobed, and with a circular or (rarely) lobed, and with a long petiole; in some species, the long petiole; in some species, the petioles are laterally flattened, so petioles are laterally flattened, so that breezes easily cause the leaves that breezes easily cause the leaves to wobble back and forth, giving the to wobble back and forth, giving the whole tree a "twinkling" appearance whole tree a "twinkling" appearance in a breeze. in a breeze.


Leaf size is very Leaf size is very variable even on a variable even on a single tree, typically single tree, typically with small leaves on with small leaves on side shoots, and side shoots, and very large leaves on very large leaves on strong-growing lead strong-growing lead shoots. The leaves shoots. The leaves often turn bright often turn bright gold to yellow gold to yellow before they fall before they fall during autumn. during autumn.


The flowers are mostly dioecious (rarely The flowers are mostly dioecious (rarely monoecious) and appear in early spring monoecious) and appear in early spring before the leaves. They are borne in long, before the leaves. They are borne in long, drooping, sessile or pedunculate catkins drooping, sessile or pedunculate catkins produced from buds formed in the axils of produced from buds formed in the axils of the leaves of the previous year. The the leaves of the previous year. The flowers are each seated in a cup-shaped flowers are each seated in a cup-shaped disk which is borne on the base of a scale disk which is borne on the base of a scale which is itself attached to the rachis of the which is itself attached to the rachis of the catkin. The scales are obovate, lobed and catkin. The scales are obovate, lobed and fringed, membranous, hairy or smooth, fringed, membranous, hairy or smooth, usually caducous (disappearing in the usually caducous (disappearing in the normal course of development).normal course of development).


The male flowers are without calyx or The male flowers are without calyx or corolla, and comprise a group of 4–corolla, and comprise a group of 4–60 stamens inserted on a disk; 60 stamens inserted on a disk; filaments short, pale yellow; anthers filaments short, pale yellow; anthers oblong, purple or red, two-celled; oblong, purple or red, two-celled; cells opening longitudinally. cells opening longitudinally.


Male flowerson Populus



The female flower also has no calyx The female flower also has no calyx or corolla, and comprises a single-or corolla, and comprises a single-celled ovary seated in a cup-shaped celled ovary seated in a cup-shaped disk. The style is short, with 2–4 disk. The style is short, with 2–4 stigmas, variously lobed, and stigmas, variously lobed, and numerous ovules. numerous ovules.



Pollination is by wind, with the female Pollination is by wind, with the female catkins lengthening considerably catkins lengthening considerably between pollination and maturity. between pollination and maturity. The fruit is a two to four-valved The fruit is a two to four-valved capsule, green to reddish-brown, capsule, green to reddish-brown, mature in mid summer, containing mature in mid summer, containing numerous minute light brown seeds numerous minute light brown seeds surrounded by tufts of long, soft, surrounded by tufts of long, soft, white hairs which aid wind dispersal. white hairs which aid wind dispersal.


Female catkins prior to releaseof ‘cotton’



Poplars are often wetlands or riparian Poplars are often wetlands or riparian trees. The aspens are among the trees. The aspens are among the most important boreal broadleaf most important boreal broadleaf trees.trees.

Poplars and aspens are important Poplars and aspens are important food plants for the larvae of a large food plants for the larvae of a large number of Lepidoptera (butterfly) number of Lepidoptera (butterfly) species species


In many areas fast-growing hybrid poplars are In many areas fast-growing hybrid poplars are grown on plantations for pulpwood.grown on plantations for pulpwood.

Poplar is widely used for the manufacture of Poplar is widely used for the manufacture of paper. paper.

It is also sold as inexpensive hardwood timber, It is also sold as inexpensive hardwood timber, used for pallets and cheap plywood; more used for pallets and cheap plywood; more specialized uses include matches and toothpicks.specialized uses include matches and toothpicks.

Poplar wood is also widely used in the snowboard Poplar wood is also widely used in the snowboard industry for the snowboard "core", because it has industry for the snowboard "core", because it has exceptional flexibility, and is sometimes used in exceptional flexibility, and is sometimes used in the bodies of electric guitars and drums. the bodies of electric guitars and drums.

Due to its high tannic acid content, the bark has Due to its high tannic acid content, the bark has been used for tanning leather. been used for tanning leather.


Poplar wood was also picked as the Poplar wood was also picked as the material for the bones of "Buster", material for the bones of "Buster", the crash test dummy used in the TV the crash test dummy used in the TV show show MythBustersMythBusters, after some , after some experiments revealed that it experiments revealed that it fractures under approximately the fractures under approximately the same loads as human bone.same loads as human bone.


There is interest in using poplar as an There is interest in using poplar as an energy crop for biomass or biofuel, in energy crop for biomass or biofuel, in energy forestry systems, particularly energy forestry systems, particularly in light of its high energy in-energy in light of its high energy in-energy out ratio, large carbon mitigation out ratio, large carbon mitigation potential and fast growth. potential and fast growth.

BetulaceaeBetulaceae

BetulaceaeBetulaceae, or the , or the Birch FamilyBirch Family, , includes six genera of deciduous trees includes six genera of deciduous trees and shrubs, including the birches, and shrubs, including the birches, alders, hazels, hornbeams and hop-alders, hazels, hornbeams and hop-hornbeams, numbering 157 species. hornbeams, numbering 157 species. They are mostly natives of the They are mostly natives of the temperate Northern Hemisphere, with a temperate Northern Hemisphere, with a few species of few species of AlnusAlnus reaching the reaching the Southern Hemisphere in the Andes in Southern Hemisphere in the Andes in South America.South America.


In the past, the family was often In the past, the family was often divided into two families, Betulaceae divided into two families, Betulaceae [[Alnus Alnus (alder), and(alder), and Betula Betula (Birch)] (Birch)] and Corylaceae (the rest); however, and Corylaceae (the rest); however, recent treatments, including the recent treatments, including the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG), Angiosperm Phylogeny Group (APG), have renamed these two groups as have renamed these two groups as subfamilies within the Betulaceae- subfamilies within the Betulaceae- Betuloideae and Coryloideae. Betuloideae and Coryloideae.


The Betulaceae are believed to have The Betulaceae are believed to have originated at the end of the originated at the end of the Cretaceous period (c. 70 million years Cretaceous period (c. 70 million years ago) in central China. This region at ago) in central China. This region at the time would have had a the time would have had a Mediterranean climate due to the Mediterranean climate due to the proximity of the Tethys Sea, which proximity of the Tethys Sea, which covered parts of present-day Tibet and covered parts of present-day Tibet and Xinjiang into the early Tertiary period. Xinjiang into the early Tertiary period.


This point of origin is supported by the This point of origin is supported by the fact that all six genera and 52 species fact that all six genera and 52 species are native to this region, many of those are native to this region, many of those being endemic. It is believed that all six being endemic. It is believed that all six modern genera had diverged fully by modern genera had diverged fully by the Oligocene, with all genera in the the Oligocene, with all genera in the family (with the exception of family (with the exception of OstryopsisOstryopsis) having a fossil record ) having a fossil record stretching back at least 20 million years stretching back at least 20 million years from the present. from the present.


The wood is generally hard, tough and The wood is generally hard, tough and heavy, hornbeams particularly so; heavy, hornbeams particularly so; several species were of significant several species were of significant importance in the past where very hard importance in the past where very hard wood capable of withstanding heavy wood capable of withstanding heavy wear was required, such as for wear was required, such as for cartwheels, water wheels, cog wheels, cartwheels, water wheels, cog wheels, tool handles, chopping boards and tool handles, chopping boards and wooden pegs. In most of these uses wooden pegs. In most of these uses wood has now been replaces by metal or wood has now been replaces by metal or other man-made materials.other man-made materials.


The European filbert (The European filbert (Corylus Corylus avellanaavellana) and the purple giant filbert ) and the purple giant filbert ((Corylus maximaCorylus maxima) are important ) are important orchard plants, grown for their edible orchard plants, grown for their edible nuts. American filbert (nuts. American filbert (Corylus Corylus americanaamericana) is native from New ) is native from New England to Saskatchewan. England to Saskatchewan.


Corylus avellana


Species occur in early successional Species occur in early successional habitats or in wetlands, or as habitats or in wetlands, or as dominant forest trees. Nitrogen dominant forest trees. Nitrogen fixation occurs in specialized nodules fixation occurs in specialized nodules (containing symbiotic bacteria) on (containing symbiotic bacteria) on the roots of alder (the roots of alder (AlnusAlnus))


In Montana, three genera exist In Montana, three genera exist natively:natively:

AlnusAlnus (alder) (alder) BetulaBetula (birch) (birch) CorylusCorylus (hazelnut) (hazelnut)

Alnus incanaAlnus incanaFamily: BetulaceaeFamily: Betulaceae

Alnus incanaAlnus incanaFamily: BetulaceaeFamily: Betulaceae

Alnus viridisAlnus viridisFamily: BetulaceaeFamily: Betulaceae



Betula occidentalisBetula occidentalisFamily: BetulaceaeFamily: Betulaceae

Water birch

Betula glandulosaBetula glandulosaFamily: BetulaceaeFamily: Betulaceae

Betula papyriferaBetula papyriferaFamily: BetulaceaeFamily: Betulaceae

Corylus cornutaCorylus cornutaFamily: BetulaceaeFamily: Betulaceae

Hazelnut – expected to be inNw and Se Montana

??????Enchinocystis lobataEnchinocystis lobata

Family Cucurbitaceae: Wild Family Cucurbitaceae: Wild Cucumber had no reported food use Cucumber had no reported food use to native tribes, but was used in to native tribes, but was used in various ways as a drug especially for various ways as a drug especially for kidney troubles, obstructed menses, kidney troubles, obstructed menses, for pain, chills, and fevers, and as a for pain, chills, and fevers, and as a general cure all. The seeds were general cure all. The seeds were used for jewelry. used for jewelry.

Documents

Kansas Cottonwood by Debra White There’s something sacred about the way she’s dying The old cottonwood in our backyard—dying in sections, one limb at a