WALLACE W HANSEN

Native Plants of the Northwest

Native Plant Nursery & Gardens

2158 Bower Ct S.E., Salem, Oregon 97301 E-Mail: Wallace W Hansen
PHONE (503)581-2638 FAX(503)581-9957

Updated September 14, 2003

Wallace Hansen Celebrates Lewis and Clark's Bicentennial

Botanical Discoveries of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Western Larch (Larix occidentalis)

Idaho's Bitterroot Mountains, September 16, 1805

This is a fast growing, deciduous conifer that can reach 150 ft. It has tufts of soft green needles on short shoots. Bright green in the spring, the needles turn yellow in Fall. Likes rich, light moist soil. Interesting tree for most gardens with great impact with it's tall, slender form that is narrow, rather than wide.

We will probably offer this tree in bare root form--watch our home page for announcement when the bare root sale catalog is available. Though not included in our Fall Sale, you will find many other trees and shrubs (and bulbs/rhizomes) that were collected by Lewis and Clark.

Specimen collected by J.H. Sandberg at Lake Waha, Nez Perces County, Idaho on May 20, 1892

(Click on pictures for large views)

Photos from Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

At this time in 1804:

A cloudy morning. Set out very early. The river wide, and shallow; the bottom narrow, and the river crowded with sand bars. Passed the island on which we lay, at one mile. Passed three islands-one on the L.S., and two on the S.S. Opposite the island on the L.S., I saw a village of barking squirrels [prairie dogs], 970 yards long and 800 yards wide, situated on a gentle slope of a hill. Those animals are numerous. I killed four, with a view to have their skins stuffed.

Here, the man who left us with the horses, 22 [16] days ago, George Shannon-he started 26th August, and has been ahead ever since-joined us, nearly starved to death. He had been twelve days without anything to eat but grapes and one rabbit, which he killed by shooting a piece of hard stick in place of a ball. This man, supposing the boat to be ahead, pushed on as long as he could. When he became weak and feeble, determined to lay by and wait for a trading boat, which is expected, keeping one horse for the last recourse. Thus a man had like to have starved to death in a land of plenty for the want of bullets or something to kill his meat.

We camped on the L.S., above the mouth of a run. A hard rain all the afternoon, and most of the night, with hard wind from the N.W. I walked on shore the fore part of this day, over some broken country, which continues about three miles back, and then is level and rich-all plains. I saw several foxes, and killed an elk and 2 deer, and squirrels. The men with me killed an elk, 2 deer, and a pelican. Captain Clark, 11 September 1804

Too bad Mr. Shannon had not learned the Native People's hunting methods!

This morning set out at an early hour and came to at 1/2 after 7 A.M. on the larboard shore 11/4 mile above the mouth of a small creek which we named Corvus, in consequence of having killed a beautiful bird of that genus near it. We concluded to lay by at this place the balance of this day and the next, in order to dry our baggage, which was wet by the heavy showers of rain which had fallen within the last three days, and also to lighten the boat by transferring a part of her lading to the red pirogue, which we now determined to take on with us to our winter residence, wherever that might be. While some of the men were employed in the necessary labor, others were dressing skins, washing and mending their clothes, &c.

Captain Clark and myself killed each a buck immediately on landing, near our encampment. The deer were very gentle and in great numbers in this bottom, which had more timber on it than any part of the river we had seen for many days past, consisting of cottonwood, elm, some different ash, and a considerable quantity of a small species of white oak,   which was loaded with acorns of an excellent flavor, having very little of the bitter roughness of the nuts of most species of oak.

The leaf of this oak is small, pale green, and deeply indented. It seldom rises higher than thirty feet, is much branched; the bark is rough and thick, and of a light color. The cup which contains the acorn is fringed on its edges, and embraces the nut about one-half. The acorns were now falling, and we concluded that the number of deer which we saw here had been induced thither by the acorns, of which they are remarkably fond. Almost every species of wild game is fond of the acorn-the buffalo, elk, deer, bear, turkeys, ducks, pigeons, and even the wolves feed on them. [The only oak documented by the expedition was the Oregon White Oak, Quercus garryana which grows to 90 feet, though very slowly.]

We sent three hunters out who soon added eight deer and two buffalo to our stock of provisions. The buffalo were so poor that we took only the tongues, skins, and marrow bones. The skins were particularly acceptable as we were in want of a covering for the large pirogue to secure the baggage.

Captain Lewis, 16 September 1804

Having for many days past confined myself to the boat, I determined to devote this day to amusing myself on shore with my gun, and view the interior of the country lying between the river and the Corvus Creek. Accordingly, before sunrise, I set out with six of my best hunters, two of whom I dispatched to the lower side of Corvus Creek, two with orders to hunt the bottoms and woodland on the river, while I retained two others to accompany me in the intermediate country.

One quarter of a mile in rear of our camp, which was situated in a fine open grove of cottonwood, passed a grove of plum trees, loaded with fruit and now ripe. Observed but little difference between this fruit and that of a similar kind common to the Atlantic states. The trees are smaller and more thickly set. This forest of plum trees garnish a plain about 20 feet more elevated than that on which we were encamped. [Possibly Indian Plum, Oemlaria cerasiformis. This plant apparently not documented or collected by expedition, at least no record remains.]

This plain extends back about a mile to the foot of the hills one mile distant, and to which it is gradually ascending. This plain extends with the same breadth from the creek below to the distance of nearly three miles above, parallel with the river, and it is entirely occupied by the burrows of the barking squirrel heretofore described. This animal appears here in infinite numbers. And the shortness and verdure of grass gave the plain the appearance, throughout its whole extent, of beautiful bowling green in fine order. Its aspect is S.E. A great number of wolves of the small kind, hawks and some polecats were to be seen. I presume that those animals feed on this squirrel. Found the country in every direction, for about three miles, intersected with deep ravines and steep irregular hills 100 to 200 feet high. At the tops of these hills, the country breaks off as usual into a fine level plain extending as far as the eye can reach. From this plain I had an extensive view of the river below, and the irregular hills which border the opposite sides of the river and creek.

The surrounding country had been burnt about a month before, and young grass had now sprung up to a height of 4 inches, presenting the live green of the spring; to the west a high range of hills stretch across the country from N. to S., and appeared distant about 20 miles. They are not very extensive, as I could plainly observe their rise and termination. No rock appeared on them, and the sides were covered with verdure similar to that of the plains. This scenery, already rich, pleasing, and beautiful, was still further heightened by immense herds of buffalo, deer, elk, and antelopes, which we saw in every direction, feeding on the hills and plains. I do not think I exaggerate when I estimate the number of buffalo which could be comprehended at one view to amount to 3,000. My object was, if possible, to kill a female antelope, having already procured a male. I pursued my route on this plain to the west, flanked by my two hunters, until eight in the morning, when I made the signal for them to come to me, which they did shortly after.

We rested ourselves about half an hour, and regaled ourselves on half a biscuit each, and some jerks of elk, which we had taken the precaution to put in our pouches in the morning before we set out, and drank of the water of a small pool, which had collected on the plain from the rains which had fallen some days before. We had now, after various windings in pursuit of several herds of antelope which we had seen on our way, made the distance of about eight miles from our camp.

We found the antelope extremely shy and watchful, insomuch that we had been unable to get a shot at them. When at rest they generally select the most elevated point in the neighborhood, and as they are watchful and extremely quick of sight, and their sense of smelling very acute, it is almost impossible to approach them within gunshot. In short, they will frequently discover, and flee from, you at the distance of three miles.

I had this day an opportunity of witnessing the agility and the superior fleetness of this animal which was to me really astonishing. I had pursued and twice surprised a small herd of seven. In the first instance they did not discover me distinctly, and therefore did not run at full speed, though they took care before they rested to gain an elevated point where it was impossible to approach them under cover, except in one direction, and that happened to be in the direction from which the wind blew toward them. Bad as the chance to approach them was, I made the best of my way toward them, frequently peeping over the ridge with which I took care to conceal myself from their view. The male, of which there was but one, frequently encircled the summit of the hill on which the females stood in a group, as if to look out for the approach of danger. I got within about 200 paces of them when they smelled me and fled. I gained the top of the eminence on which they stood as soon as possible, from whence I had an extensive view of the country. The antelopes, which had disappeared in a steep ravine, now appeared at the distance of about three miles on the side of a ridge which passed obliquely across me, and extended about four miles.

So soon had these antelopes gained the distance at which they had again appeared to my view, I doubted at first that they were the same that I had just surprised, but my doubts soon vanished when I beheld the rapidity of their flight along the ridge before me. It appeared rather the rapid flight of birds than the motion of quadrupeds. I think I can safely venture the assertion that the speed of this animal is equal, if not superior, to that of the finest blooded courser.

Captain Lewis, 17 September 1804

It's inspiring to read these journals and have a glimpse of the excitement that comes with discovering new things in our world!

Current events:

From the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Oregon website at http://www.lcbo.net/:

May 23 - September 15, 2003: The Lewis & Clark Explorer Train, traveling from Portland to Astoria, via the water level Columbia River rail route. Contact: Oregon Department of Transportation, download fact sheet (PDF file).

July 13 - November 15, 2003: Reflecting On Lewis & Clark: Contemporary Native American Viewpoints, Maryhill Museum of Art. Curated by Pat Courtney Gold, Wasco Nation of the Warm Springs Confederated Tribes of Oregon, this exhibit features contemporary artwork by nationally recognized Native American artists who have created paintings, sculptures, and traditional artifacts that interpret and express their thoughts on the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1803-06. Reception on July 13 will include a solo flute performance by James Greeley (Hopi/Wasco) and traditional tribal dances by Native American dancers. Contact: Maryhill Museum of Art, (509) 773-3733.

September 15, 2003: Deadline for Applications. Annual Meeting of the Ecological Society of America: “Lessons of Lewis & Clark: Ecological Exploration of Inhabited Landscapes.” Portland, Oregon. For more information, see website at www.esa.org/portland/proposal.html or contact Program Chair Dr. Thomas W. Swetnam, Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, phone (520) 621-2112.

Exhibit: End of Our Voyage Exhibit
The Lewis and Clark Expedition in Washington State Trade, Recreation, and Agricultural Center (TRAC)
Pasco , WA

August 8- September 25, 2003
For More Information:
(509) 543-2999

Field Trip: The Overland Trail and Camp Out
Tri-Cities to Lewiston, WA
Washington State Chapter, Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation

September 21-22, 2003

For More Information:
(360) 736-6106

"Down the Great Columbia"

Living history at Sacajawea State Park, Pasco, WA

October 18, 10 am - 5 pm

Programs last approximately 45 minutes.

Please bring a folding chair and a flashlight.

All programs are open to the public for a $2.00 per person fee which includes parking for the duration of the program. Program parkins is available near the interpretive area at the campground entrance. Call the Park Ranger at 509-337-6457 for additional information. Programs may be cancelled due to inclement weather.

Location: 1726 Washington Street, Oregon City, OR 97045

(503) 657-9336 (503) 557-8590

End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center Website staff@endoftheoregontrail.org

Description: The End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center was built in 1995 on the former Donation Land Claim of the first elected governor of the Oregon Country, George Abernethy. A merchant and miller by trade, Abernethy had a vested interest in the continued growth of Oregon City, so he permitted newly arrived emigrants to park their wagons, graze their oxen, and set up camp on a meadow behind his house. That meadow came to be called Abernethy Green, and for many of the early Oregon Trail emigrants, it truly was the Trail's end. 

Alternative approaches are via State Routes 213, 99-E, and 43. The Interpretive Center is just off the end of SR 213 -- turn left at the last light before the Interstate. Taking 99-E or 43 gives you the option of cutting over to Washington Street on the surface streets if you're familiar with Oregon City, but it's easier to take northbound I-205 to Exit 10 from both roads. 

Here's a handy tip for those arriving on 99-E: the entrance ramp from 99-E is a continuous lane that becomes the exit ramp for SR 213, so you are spared from having to merge with the through traffic on the Interstate.

Back Issues:

To see back issues of Wallace Hansen Celebrates Lewis and Clark, click on this link to jump to the index. 

Commemorative Painting by Heidi Hansen:

The illustrated map below was created by renowned botanical artist Heidi D. Hansen especially for this website. Done in ink and watercolors, Heidi shows many of the plants Captain Lewis documented overlaid atop a map showing a portion of the journey. (Click on image for large view). All the plants pictured are available from Wally Hansen! See our Spring Sale site and our online catalog for more information.

Good luck and happy gardening!

Wally

Click here to return to my Home Page

Questions about plants, click here:  Regular Email to Wally

To order, click here:  Secure Email to Wally

Comments or questions about our web site, click here: Webmaster