What Plants Did Lewis and Clark Discover? A List of the Most Notable Species

What Plants Did Lewis and Clark Discover?

When Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out on their expedition to explore the Louisiana Purchase in 1804, they had no idea what they would find. They were tasked with finding a route to the Pacific Ocean, but they also took the opportunity to document the plants and animals they encountered along the way.

In the course of their journey, Lewis and Clark discovered hundreds of new plants, including many that were previously unknown to science. Some of the most notable plants they discovered include the saguaro cactus, the Oregon grape, and the Lewis and Clark fir.

These plants were just a small part of the vast and diverse plant life that Lewis and Clark encountered on their journey. Their discoveries helped to expand our knowledge of the natural world and provided a valuable resource for future explorers.

In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the plants that Lewis and Clark discovered, and we will discuss their importance to the expedition and to the history of science.

Plant	Scientific Name	Description
Spotted knapweed	Centaurea maculosa	A herbaceous perennial plant with purple flowers.
Lewisia tweedyi	Lewisia tweedyi	A perennial plant with pink flowers.
Columbine	Aquilegia canadensis	A perennial plant with blue or white flowers.

Plants Discovered by Lewis and Clark

List of Plants Discovered by Lewis and Clark

The Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804-1806) was a United States exploratory expedition that led an overland journey from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. The expedition was led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, and was sponsored by President Thomas Jefferson. The expedition’s purpose was to explore and map the newly acquired Louisiana Territory, and to establish trade relations with Native American tribes.

During the course of their journey, Lewis and Clark encountered a wide variety of plants that were new to science. They collected and documented over 170 plant species, many of which were later named after them. The following is a list of some of the plants that were discovered by Lewis and Clark:

• Abies lasiocarpa (subalpine fir)
• Acer glabrum (mountain maple)
• Acer macrophyllum (bigleaf maple)
• Acer negundo (box elder)
• Acer saccharum (sugar maple)
• Aesculus glabra (buckeye)
• Aesculus octandra (Ohio buckeye)
• Amorpha canescens (leadplant)
• Andromeda polifolia (bog rosemary)
• Artemisia tridentata (sagebrush)
• Betula occidentalis (western birch)
• Bistorta bistortoides (alpine bistort)
• Brassicaceae (mustard family)
• Carex (sedge family)
• Carya ovata (shagbark hickory)
• Castilleja pallida (pale Indian paintbrush)
• Chamaedaphne calyculata (leatherleaf)
• Chrysolepis chrysophylla (golden chinkapin)
• Cladrastis lutea (yellowwood)
• Cornus sericea (red-osier dogwood)
• Cucurbita foetidissima (Missouri gourd)
• Elymus cinereus (blue wildrye)
• Equisetum arvense (field horsetail)
• Eriodictyon californicum (yerba santa)
• Fraxinus latifolia (ash)
• Gaylussacia baccata (huckleberry)
• Geranium maculatum (wild geranium)
• Glycyrrhiza lepidota (licorice)
• Hedysarum mackenzii (sweetvetch)
• Heuchera sanguinea (coral bells)
• Hibiscus moscheutos (swamp rosemallow)
• Juniperus scopulorum (Rocky Mountain juniper)
• Larix occidentalis (western larch)
• Lonicera involucrata (mountain honeysuckle)
• Mentha arvensis (field mint)
• Oplopanax horridus (devil’s club)
• Osmorhiza occidentalis (sweet cicely)
• Pinus ponderosa (ponderosa pine)
• Populus tremuloides (quaking aspen)
• Prunus virginiana (chokecherry)
• Rubus idaeus (raspberry)
• Salix exigua (willow)
• Salix planifolia (mountain willow)
• Sambucus racemosa (elderberry)
• Silene latifolia (catchfly)
• Symphoricarpos albus (snowberry)
• Taxus brevifolia (Pacific yew)
• Thalictrum occidentale (western meadowrue)
• Ulmus americana (American elm)
• Vaccinium membranaceum (thinleaf huckleberry)
• Viola adunca (hooked violet)
• Viola canadensis (Canadian violet)
• Zanthoxylum americanum (prickly ash)

Geographical Distribution of Plants Discovered by Lewis and Clark

The plants that were discovered by Lewis and Clark were found in a wide variety of habitats throughout the West. These habitats included forests, grasslands, deserts, and mountains. Some of the plants were found only in specific areas, while others were found in a wider range. The following is a list of some of the habitats where plants were discovered by Lewis and Clark:

• Forests: The forests of the West were home to a variety of trees, including fir, spruce,

Conservation of Plants Discovered by Lewis and Clark

The plants discovered by Lewis and Clark played an important role in the early history of the United States. They provided food, medicine, and shelter for the explorers, and they helped to shape the way that Americans thought about the natural world. However, many of these plants are now threatened or endangered due to habitat loss, climate change, and other factors.

Threatened and Endangered Plants Discovered by Lewis and Clark

The following is a list of some of the plants discovered by Lewis and Clark that are now threatened or endangered:

• Western white pine (Pinus monticola): This tree is found in the western United States and Canada. It is threatened by logging, wildfires, and climate change.
• American chestnut (Castanea dentata): This tree was once the most common tree in the eastern United States. It was decimated by a fungal disease in the early 20th century.
• Sassafras albidum (Sassafras albidum): This tree is found in the eastern United States. It is threatened by habitat loss and development.
• Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis): This tree is found in the eastern United States and Canada. It is threatened by air pollution, acid rain, and climate change.
• Franklin’s ground squirrel (Spermophilus franklinii): This ground squirrel is found in the western United States. It is threatened by habitat loss and climate change.
• Lewis’ woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis): This woodpecker is found in the western United States. It is threatened by habitat loss and climate change.

Efforts to Conserve Plants Discovered by Lewis and Clark

There are a number of organizations that are working to conserve the plants discovered by Lewis and Clark. These organizations include:

• The Nature Conservancy: The Nature Conservancy is a non-profit organization that works to protect the natural world. The Nature Conservancy has protected over 120 million acres of land in the United States, including habitat for many of the plants discovered by Lewis and Clark.
• The National Park Service: The National Park Service is a federal agency that manages over 400 national parks, monuments, and other protected areas in the United States. Many of these parks contain plants that were discovered by Lewis and Clark.
• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal agency that protects endangered and threatened species. The Fish and Wildlife Service has designated critical habitat for many of the plants discovered by Lewis and Clark.

These are just a few of the organizations that are working to conserve the plants discovered by Lewis and Clark. These plants are an important part of our natural heritage, and we must work to protect them for future generations.

Research on Plants Discovered by Lewis and Clark

In addition to conservation efforts, there is also a great deal of research being done on the plants discovered by Lewis and Clark. This research is helping us to understand the ecology, evolution, and medicinal properties of these plants.

Ongoing Research on Plants Discovered by Lewis and Clark

The following is a list of some of the ongoing research on plants discovered by Lewis and Clark:

• The ecology of western white pine: Scientists are studying the ecology of western white pine in order to understand how this tree is adapted to its environment. This research is helping us to develop better management practices for western white pine forests.
• The evolution of American chestnut: Scientists are studying the evolution of American chestnut in order to understand how this tree was able to thrive in the eastern United States. This research is helping us to develop strategies for restoring American chestnut forests.
• The medicinal properties of sassafras albidum: Scientists are studying the medicinal properties of sassafras albidum in order to develop new treatments for a variety of diseases. This research is helping us to understand the potential benefits of this plant.
• The effects of climate change on eastern hemlock: Scientists are studying the effects of climate change on eastern hemlock in order to understand how this tree is adapting to a changing climate. This research is helping us to develop strategies for managing eastern hemlock forests in a changing climate.
• The behavior of Lewis’ woodpecker: Scientists are studying the behavior of Lewis’ woodpecker in order to understand how this bird is adapted to its environment. This research is helping us to develop better conservation strategies for Lewis’ woodpecker.

Potential Benefits of Research on Plants Discovered by Lewis and Clark

The research being done on plants discovered by Lewis and Clark has the potential to benefit us in

What plants did Lewis and Clark discover?

• Lewis and Clark discovered over 178 plant species that were new to science. These included trees, shrubs, herbs, and grasses. Some of the most notable discoveries were the giant sequoia, the western red cedar, the ponderosa pine, and the Oregon grape.
• The plants that Lewis and Clark discovered played an important role in their expedition. They used plants for food, medicine, shelter, and trade. They also collected plants and seeds to bring back to the eastern United States.
• The plants that Lewis and Clark discovered have had a lasting impact on the world. They have been used to develop new medicines, foods, and industrial products. They have also been used to restore and protect natural ecosystems.

What were some of the challenges that Lewis and Clark faced in collecting plants?

• The expedition traveled through some of the most remote and rugged terrain in North America. This made it difficult to collect plants and seeds.
• The weather conditions were often harsh. The expedition traveled through deserts, mountains, and forests. They also experienced extreme heat, cold, and rain.
• The Native Americans that the expedition encountered were often hostile. This made it difficult to collect plants and seeds from their territory.

How did Lewis and Clark’s discoveries contribute to the field of botany?

• Lewis and Clark’s discoveries greatly expanded the knowledge of North American plant life. They brought back thousands of specimens that were new to science.
• Lewis and Clark’s observations and descriptions of plants were accurate and detailed. This helped to improve the understanding of plant taxonomy and classification.
• Lewis and Clark’s work inspired other botanists to explore and study the natural world. Their discoveries helped to lay the foundation for the field of ecology.

What are some of the ways that Lewis and Clark’s discoveries are still relevant today?

• The plants that Lewis and Clark discovered are still used by people today for food, medicine, and other purposes.
• The knowledge that Lewis and Clark gained about plant life has helped to protect and restore natural ecosystems.
• Lewis and Clark’s discoveries have inspired generations of explorers and scientists. They continue to motivate people to learn more about the natural world.

  Lewis and Clark discovered a vast array of plants during their expedition. These plants included many that were new to science, as well as some that were already known but had not been found in this part of the country before. The plants that Lewis and Clark discovered played an important role in their journey, providing them with food, shelter, and medicine. They also helped to inform the scientific understanding of the American landscape and its plant life. The plants that Lewis and Clark discovered are a testament to the incredible biodiversity of the United States and the important role that exploration has played in our understanding of the natural world.