From time to time I like to change things up on my blog.
It’s a grab bag.
You might pull up stories about people whom the crew and I meet on our travels. Other times a show-and-tell appears about a boondock, campground, or even an RV park. Occasionally a situation is presented for readers to contemplate and, if so inclined, to discuss in the comments section.
Like I said, it’s a grab bag.
You never know what you’ll get.
There are travelogue posts and puttering-around-camp posts. One post might be about the antics of the canine crew, another about where an RVer can get the best melon ever, another giving the ins and outs of waste tank management.
Whatever strikes my fancy and fits my mood when I open up my laptop is what I write about.
In short, this blog is a mess.
Oh, well. . .
Today I feel like posting what I learned about rabbitbrush.
At this time of year the yellow blooms of rabbitbrush adorn the western United States. Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus, a member of the sunflower family, is all over the place!
I’d like to share some fun facts with you.
I’m not going to pretend to be an expert on the subject of rabbitbrush. The information and statements in quotation marks within this post are taken out of a plant guide from NRCS (National Resources Conservation Service) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“Ahem . . . If the people in the back row would stop their talking, we’ll get started. . . . Okay, thank you.”
~ ~ ~
Reggie and Roger, our adventurous canine hikers, lead us through the rabbitbrush at Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, aka Red Cliffs Desert Preserve, a few miles northwest of St. George, Utah.
From the plant guide:
“Yellow rabbitbrush is native to western North America.”
“It has been found from British Columbia, south to California and east to Nebraska, Colorado, Montana and New Mexico.”
“Yellow rabbitbrush is browsed by large game and livestock. It is considered desirable fall
forage for cattle, sheep, horses, elk and antelope, and spring forage for deer.”
“Black-tailed jackrabbits consume large quantities of yellow rabbitbrush during winter and early spring when plants are dormant.”
“Yellow rabbitbrush provides cover and nesting habitat for sage-grouse, small birds and rodents.”
“Yellow rabbitbrush has been used by a variety of Native American peoples.”
Paiute Indians used yellow rabbitbrush to treat colds and coughs, and the Hopi Indians used yellow rabbitbrush as a dermatological aid.”
“The Gosiute and Paiutes used the latex from the roots as a chewing gum.”
“Hopi and Navajo people used the flowers to create orange and yellow dye.”
That concludes our lesson on rabbitbrush, more than just a pretty plant.
Class dismissed!
rvsue
THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY BLOG!
Below are a few of the interesting products recently purchased at Amazon by my readers.
Hot Dog Birdhouse
GarlicZoom Garlic Chopper
Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Bed
Cinnabon Classic Cinnamon Roll K-Cup Coffee
Double Sided Quilted Holly Fabric By The Yard
Cuisinart Frozen Yogurt, Sorbet, and Ice Cream Maker
RVSue and her canine crew is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
