Elk Valley Wildflowers
As you wander local trails or head higher into the alpine , watch out for these local wildflowers which have been highly regarded by the Ktunaxa as a food source and as medicine for generations .
YELLOW GLACIER LILY ( avalanche lily , snow lily , dogtooth violet )
Ktunaxa : maxa Latin : Erythronium grandiflorum French : Erythrome à grandes fleurs
A showy member of the lily family with lemony yellow flowers featuring distinctive back-curved petals , and a single pair of long , smooth , waxy leaves at the base of each stem .
The yellow glacier lily is found on sunny slopes at upper montane and subalpine levels from June to July . In Fernie , large areas of yellow glacier lilies can be found on Heiko ’ s Trail . The Glacier Lily has edible roots which have been a food staple for many First Peoples throughout North America . The roots are mostly indigestible until cooked , and were traditionally prepared in underground steam pits for long periods . The roots contain inulin , a polysaccharide that takes longer to digest and can be beneficial for people with diabetic conditions .
YARROW ( milfoil , tansy or chipmunk ’ s tail )
Ktunaxa : q̓uȼaȼqatuna Latin : Achillea millefolium French : Achillée millefeuille / herbe à dindes
A deciduous shrub from 20 cm to 1.5 m in height with a pungent aromatic scent that resembles sage , although it is a member of the sunflower , not sage , family . Leaves can be smooth edged or wavy-toothed . The bell-shaped clusters of flowers are usually white ( can be pink ) and the spongy , berry-like fruits are considered poisonous .
Yarrow is common throughout the Elk Valley at low to mid elevations from June to September in most environments and particularly on sunny , well-drained floodplains . Yarrow is prized for its medicinal properties ; the leaves can be crushed and used on wounds to speed up blood clotting . It is also known as an insect repellent and can ease toothache and muscle aches . The Ktunaxa also use it as an eye medication and to treat colds .
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