Identifying Valley riparian plants

A plant tour around Treasure Island July 10 included 38 species of riparian plants.

Mae Smith, University of Wyoming Extension Educator in Rawlins, led the tour with the help of Dan Rodgers, Professor of Range at UW and Jaimy Cass, with Carbon County Weed and Pest Office in Saratoga, assisted with the tour.

Smith told the group that plants can tell a lot about the soil in the area. Treasure Island, located south of Saratoga, features a wide variety of plants.

Crested Wheat Grass is used for reclamation projects, Smith said.

Rodgers explained that Arrow Grass is bad for animals because it contains cyanid and goes into the animal’s blood stream when eaten.

The Canada Thistle is on the Wyoming Weed & Pest Control Act Designated List of Noxious Weeds, one of 25 on the list. The Ox-eye Daisy is also on the state list as is the leafy spurge.

The Leafy Spurge has an extensive roof system and their seeds can shoot up to 30 feet. Pulling these weeds can make them spread. Fortunately, the Leafy Spurge has a natural enemy, the beetle. They love to eat them, Smith said.

The Rubber Rabbit Brush has bark with long thin grayish leaves.

Lupine plants are poisonous to sheep, Rodgers said. They also cause serious problems for calves in gestation.

Rodgers said Lupine affects the nervous system of sheep and eventually kills them. If a cow eats Lupine, it affects the calf between 40 and 70 days of gestation, causing a condition called Crooked Calf Syndrome.

Rodgers explained how some plants can be identified by the leaves. The Wild Rose can be identified by its twin leaves. A nearly exact replica of one leaf is on each side of the stem.

Wire Grass can be identified by the nodule on the side of the grass.

The Western Wheat Grass has been designated as Wyoming’s state grass.

Smith plans to continue the education series on plants and wildflowers next year.