*Flowers found at Mount Rushmore*

*National Memorial*

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="1.71875in" height="1.5833333333333333in"}

Blanket Flower (*Gaillardia aristata)*

Blooms late June -- August

> Uses: This flower was used by many Native Americans. An adhesive
> substance (poultice) was used to treat skin disorders. The plant also
> was used to make eyewash, nose drops, foot wash, and the flower heads
> were rubbed on rawhide bags for waterproofing.
>
> ![](media/image2.png){width="1.7277777777777779in" height="1.5625in"}
>
> Common Mullein (*Verbascum thapsus)*
>
> Blooms July -- August
>
> Uses: Native American used the leaves to treat rashes under the arm
> pits. Leaves were also used to treat swollen glands; the flowers were
> rubbed on sores. The smoke produced by burning the plants was used to
> treat asthma and bronchitis.
>
> False Dandelion *(Agoseris
> glauca)*![](media/image3.jpeg){width="1.738888888888889in"
> height="1.71875in"}
>
> Blooms June -- August
>
> Uses: This plant produced a sap which the Native Americans used to
> clean their teeth.
>
> ![](media/image4.jpeg){width="1.7493055555555554in"
> height="1.5409722222222222in"}
>
> Smooth Beardtongue *(Penstemon glaber)*
>
> Blooms Late May -- July
>
> Uses: Several tribes took the leaves of this plant and made an
> adhesive substance out of them and used it to treat snakebites. A tea
> was also made from the leaves to treat cramps.
>
> ![](media/image5.jpeg){width="1.738888888888889in" height="1.5625in"}
>
> Wild Blue Flax *(Linum lewisii)*
>
> Blooms: June -- August
>
> Uses: Many Native American tribes used the seeds of this plant to add
> flavor to their food. The flower tops were also used to make eyewash.
>
> ![](media/image6.jpeg){width="1.71875in" height="1.5625in"}
>
> Purple Prairie Clover *(Petalostemum purpureum)*
>
> Blooms: June - August
>
> Uses: The Plains tribes chewed the roots of this plant like gum. They
> also used the clover to make tea.
>
> ![](media/image7.jpeg){width="1.7277777777777779in"
> height="1.5729166666666667in"}
>
> Purple Cone Flower *(Echinacea angustifolia)*
>
> Blooms: June - July
>
> Uses: This plant was a mainstay for Native Americans. It was used for
> many things from treating headaches, stomach aches, and sore throats,
> to snakebites.
>
> ![](media/image8.jpeg){width="1.71875in"
> height="1.5729166666666667in"}
>
> Wild Bergamot (*Monarda fistulosa)*
>
> Blooms: June - August
>
> Uses: The Native Americans used this plant to make a tea that was used
> to treat colds.
>
> ![](media/image9.jpeg){width="1.71875in" height="1.551388888888889in"}
>
> Wooly Vervain *(Verbena stricta)*
>
> Blooms: July - September
>
> Uses: Many Native tribes made a tea out of this plant for enjoyment
> and also to treat stomach problems.
>
> ![](media/image10.jpeg){width="1.7277777777777779in"
> height="1.5409722222222222in"}
>
> Annual Sunflower (*Helianthus annuus)*
>
> Blooms: Late July -- September
>
> Uses: The seeds of this plant provided many tribes with a food source.
> They could be eaten raw, roasted, or boiled.
>
> ![](media/image11.jpeg){width="1.71875in"
> height="1.5618055555555554in"}
>
> Prairie Cone Flower *(Rudbeckia columnifera)*
>
> Blooms: July -- September
>
> Uses: A tea was made from this plant by many Native tribes to treat
> headaches. The yellow petals were also used to make a yellow dye.
>
> ![](media/image12.jpeg){width="1.7395833333333333in"
> height="1.5409722222222222in"}
>
> Western Dock *(Rumex occidentalis)*
>
> Blooms July -- August
>
> Uses: Many Native tribes used the leaves of this plant in a sweat bath
> to treat rheumatism. They also took the plant and made an adhesive
> substance which could be used to treat cuts and wounds.