Botany Archives - Appalachian History

Queen of the Meadow cures all

The Cherokee used the stems of Joe-Pye Weeds to suck water from shallow springs, which was convenient since they are often found in wet areas.

The legendary plant shortia is most known for its role in the debate over Charles Darwin’s ‘Origin of Species.’

To the great American botanist Asa Gray, Shortia galacifolia was “perhaps the most interesting plant in North America.”

The Christmas plant named for Joel Poinsett is such a footnote to his illustrious life that it’s mentioned only ONCE in an 1888 biography.

We are blessed that in Western North Carolina, much of what William Bartram saw and admired still remains, awaiting our own inspection.

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