Wildflowers

There are many wonders at Mount Rushmore besides the four presidents carved on the mountain. Take a walk along the trails and see nature's beauty. Below are photos of some of the more common wildflowers you might see along with descriptions of traditional uses for them.

 

Close up photo of a blanket flower with red petals tipped with yellow.

Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata)

Blooms late June – August
Uses: American Indians used this flower as a poultice to treat skin disorders, to make eyewash, nose drops, foot wash, and the flower heads were rubbed on rawhide bags for waterproofing.

 

Close up photo of a false dandelion with yellow petals.

False Dandelion (Agoseris glauca)

Blooms June – August
Uses: This plant produces a sap which American Indians chewed to clean their teeth.

 

Smooth Beardtongue (Penstemon glaber)

Blooms Late May – July
Uses: Several tribes used the leaves of this plant to treat snakebites and cramps.

 

Wild Blue Flax (Linum lewisii)

Blooms: June – August
Uses: Many American Indian tribes used the seeds of this plant to flavor their food and the flower heads to make eyewash.

 

Purple Prairie Clover (Petalostemum purpureus)

Blooms: June - August
Uses: Plains Indian tribes chewed the peeled roots of this plant like gum and used the plant to make tea.

 

Purple Cone Flower (Echinacea angustifolia)

Blooms: June - July
Uses: This plant was a mainstay for American Indians. They used it to treat headaches, stomach aches, sore throats and snakebites.

 

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Blooms: June - August
Uses: American Indians used this plant to make a tea to treat colds. Bergamot is still used in tea blends today.

 

Wooly Vervain (Verbena stricta)

Blooms: July - September
Uses: Many American Indian tribes made a tea out of this plant for enjoyment and to treat stomach problems.

 

Annual Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Blooms: Late July – September
Uses: Some Plains Indian tribes cultivated sunflowers for their seeds which can be eaten raw, roasted, or boiled.

 

Prairie Cone Flower (Ratibida columnifera)

Blooms: July – September
Uses: Many American Indian tribes made a tea to treat headaches and used the yellow petals to make dye.