Name/Title
Water Birch (Betula occidentalis)Entry/Object ID
2021.1.37 BScope and Content
Water Birch (Betula occidentalis) plant description, framed.
The Water Birch is a native of the western United States where it grows along the banks of streams or in moist spots in the forests. It is fast growing and usually shrub-like. However, it can grow to a maximum of about 40 feet. The blooms which appear in mid-spring are spike-like catkins.
According to historian Gary Moulton, the Water Birch was first recorded in the journals in June 1805 near the mouth of the Marias River. Historian Reuben Thwaites wrote that the tree was further described by Lewis on August 3, 1805, at the Jefferson River in today's Madison County, Montana. Lewis wrote on that day, "the underwood consists of narrow leafed or small willow, the small honeysuckle, rosebushes, currant, serviceberry and goosbery bushes; also a small species of berch in but small quantities, the leaf of which is oval, finely indented, small and of a deep green colour. The stem is a simple ascending and branching, and seldom rises higher than 10 or 12 feet." This is the first description of Betula occidentalis which would not be named technically until 1839. However, Moulton, in his journal editions, identifies this tree described on August 3 as Betula glandulosa, a scrub birch.
Lewis and Clark saw several types of birch trees and journal editors have varied in the identifications. Moulton in his footnotes often says "perhaps the more common water birch" or "probably the water, or river, birch." It is difficult to know exactly which type of birch was noted in the journals. However, the Water Birch was one of those seen by Lewis and Clark.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
Water Birch (Betula occidentalis)Creator
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.