February11_2010

Botanical Glossary - Home - References Cited

Photos - Standing on the edge of Glen Canyon's Western Cliff edge looking into the canyon at the erosion marks on the rocks on the opposite side and at the house size rocks hanging in on the edge where I'm standing. As you can see in center row, frames left and right, there are areas that are becoming dangerous as the gigantic rock sections continue to separate and break off on their way to the canyon floor.

Bottom row, center frame: A massive club of poisonous berries - Rhus Radicans (Toxicodendion Rydbergii, commonly known as Poison Ivy) of a typically sprawling to erect deciduous shrub from a creeping rootstock. The leaves are usually in groups of three, pointed, equal in size, smooth to mildly toothed or sometimes shallow lobes, shining green color that turns scarlet red in fall. Flowers are small and inconspicuous, cream colored and yield a whitish fruit looking somewhat like waxberries. This is a poisonous plant that contains a volatile oil, Urushiol that can cause burning, and itching rashes if the skin rubs against it, if burning, the inhaled smoke can cause problems. Native remedies include bathing skin from boiled tops of balsam root and drinking large quantities of Labrador tea.

Click here for more photos of Glen Canyon Regional Park for this day.