This low-growing plant, spreading close to the ground, with its finely divided leaves and small, starry-pink flowers, puts on a remarkable display in the open meadows of the large canyons. It is one of the earliest blooming species in Zion Canyon, and in seasons of abundant rain it often presents the appearance of a pale-purple lawn.
On ripening, the seed capsules split open and shoot out the seeds—each with a tiny hook in its nose and a tail with successive tight coils like a corkscrew. The seed is apparently screwed into the ground by alternating moisture and dryness which winds and unwinds the seed plume.
49. LEWIS FLAX Flax Family _Linum lewisii_
Here in Zion during May and June, growing along the trails on the plateaus and in cool canyons, you will find the beautiful and delicate blue flowers of the Wild Flax. The flower is nearly an inch across and has five sepals and five petals borne at the top of a slender stem having narrow leaves. At Bryce Canyon this plant is more abundant than at Zion or Cedar Breaks.
Wild Flax was named in honor of Captain Meriwether Lewis, who first discovered it, near the continental divide, during the famed Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804-1806.
50. CREOSOTEBUSH Caltrop Family _Larrea tridentata_
Probably the most characteristic shrub of the arid valleys and mesas of the Southwest is the Creosotebush, which is sometimes erroneously called Greasewood.
At times this plant fills the air with a peculiar pungent aroma that gives rise to the common name Creosotebush. Mexicans call it “Hediondilla” the (Little Bad Smeller.)
A sticky resin on the leaves is used as a poultice for bruises and sores. A resinous gum or lac deposited by scale insects on the branches is used by the Indians as a cement for fixing arrow points and mending of pottery.
51. WHITEMARGIN EUPHORBIA Spurge Family _Euphorbia albomarginata_
This low-growing plant with abundant small, round or oval leaves and tiny white flowers is commonly called Carpetweed because of the manner in which it spreads over the ground.
Found mostly in the dry sandy soils, this plant serves as an excellent soil binder and is very helpful in preventing erosion.
The milky juice of this species is considered toxic and may cause dermatitis in susceptible persons. It is also known as Rattlesnake Feed and popularly supposed to be efficacious in treating snake bite.