Name/Title
Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva) WatercolorEntry/Object ID
2021.1.39 AScope and Content
Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva) Watercolor, framed.
A herb that grows perennially along rocky ridges and in the thin soils of basalt, Bitterroot is sometimes partially hidden in rock crevices. In April, the leaves grow from a small, carrot-like root. Soon five to ten buds develop on each plant and the leaves shrivel up. The blossoms close in the evening and reopen in the morning. Gradually the blossoms fade and dry up, and by July, all above-ground traces of the plant are gone. The roots are extremely hardy and can live for more than a year without water - thus the name "rediviva" or revive. It is Montana's state flower.Context
Originally designed by the St. Joseph Museum in the fall of 2004. Titled "Botanical Wonders of the Uncharted West. The Recorded Flora of the Lewis & Clark Expedition."Collection
Lewis and ClarkLexicon
LOC Thesaurus for Graphic Materials
Botanical drawings, Expeditions & surveysArchive Items Details
Title
Bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva) WatercolorCreator
Mary L. FletcherDate(s) of Creation
2004Subjects
Plants, Watercolor paintingsParts
Count
2Parts
Watercolor of plant and descriptive label, both framed.Condition
Overall Condition
Very GoodProvenance
Notes
"Botanical Wonders of the Uncharted West" visually depicts how well Lewis followed Jefferson's instructions. In recognition of this achievement, The S. Joseph Museums, Inc. commissioned accomplished artist Mary Fletcher to create fifty (50) selected paintings of flora documented by the Corps during their Journey. These framed watercolor originals are accompanied by similarly framed labels, generated by former Head of Research Jackie Lewin, which describe the corresponding plants with appropriate quotations from the Journals. This collection makes available for study and appreciation plants that were new to Lewis and Clark, but which Native Peoples already recognized as valuable sources of food, medicine, and tools. Some of these still remain a mystery to many, but all will enjoy their beauty, their diverse uses, and their accomplished renderings.