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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