Spectrum: A Wildflower Collection
As spring approaches here in interior Alaska, I wanted to take a moment to focus on the beautiful wildflowers that will soon be gracing our meadows and mountainsides.
I chose one Alaskan wildflower to represent each color in the spectrum.
Red: Rumex articus (arctic dock, sour dock) is related to rhubarb and can be foraged and eaten. According to the Alutiiq museum, this plant is harvested in May/June before flowering. The leaves and stems can be eaten raw or cooked and served plain or mixed with other fruits and sugar. It can even be made into jams or jellies. In traditional medicinal practices, sour dock leaves can be placed on the head to relieve headache or on the body to treat rheumatism or draw out fever.
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Yellow: Linaria vulgaris (Toadflax, butter and eggs) is native to the steppes of southeastern Europe and southwestern Asia and was introduced to New England in the 1600s as an ornamental and medicinal plant. It is now quite pervasive across North America and is often found in cultivated fields, waste areas, railways, roadsides, and other disturbed areas. Unfortunately as many invasive species do, it rather successfully outcompetes other native vegetation and decreases forage for livestock
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Green: Equisetum aravense (field horsetail, common horsetail) is one of my favorite forest floor carpets. What I’ve painted in this piece is the sterile photosynthetic form of the plant. The reproductive phase looks a bit like a pale club. Along with sexual reproduction, it also proliferates through rhizomes deep in the soil.
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Blue: Myosotis alpestrus (forget-me-not) is the species of forget-me-not native to Alaska. It’s also our state flower! This flower has frequently been used as a Masonic emblem by Freemasons especially in rememberance of those who suffered during World War II. It is also used to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. A beautiful flower with an honored history.
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Purple: Iris setosa (wild iris) is fairly ubiquitous here in the marshes of interior Alaska. They were one of the most common wildflowers to show up in my childhood bouquets. They always seemed such a surprise to me. How could such bold, lovely flowers be *wild*? I adored them then, and I adore them now.
You can purchase prints of this piece here.