Name that species

Leslie Calhoun, a seasonal interpreter at Van Meter State Park, holds an artificial flower while asking for suggested names for the creation during a program Aug. 21.

[Click to enlarge]

Believe it or not, all those names -- and more -- refer to the same plant, a small reed-like grass found at Van Meter State Park in northern Saline County and other locations along the route taken by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark 200 years ago.

The grass was used by American Indians as a version of sandpaper, breaking the stem open and rubbing the abrasive outer part of the stem against bows to smooth them.

During the third of three Saturday morning programs at Van Meter, seasonal interpreter Leslie Calhoun handed visitors a brown grocery bag with the common name associated with a plant clipped to the top. Without opening the bag, the visitors were asked to tell what they thought the plant would look like from the name. While the interpretations and expectations varied, all the common names actually referred to the same plant.

Calhoun said this points out one of the challenges faced by Lewis and Clark during their trek through the Louisiana Purchase in the early 1800s. One of the primary assignments given to Lewis was to collect samples and information about plants and animals not found east of the Mississippi.

In addition to being the first to record a description of the California condor, Lewis collected nearly 180 different species of plants and sketched and recorded information about more than 120 species of animals.

When taking samples, Lewis and Clark would have followed scientific protocol including recording the common names used by inhabitants to refer to a plant, where the plant was found and a description of the habitat, the person who found it and the date.

For samples of plants, Lewis would have pressed the plants and sent the dried examples back East to be evaluated by botanists. Most often the samples likely would have been shipped between back sides of furs.

To wrap up the activity, Calhoun handed each participant an artificial flower decorated with additional features and a faux animal, often made up of pipe cleaners and other art objects, and asked each person to make up a name for the flower and animal and speculate where it might be found.

The August series of Saturday morning programs is scheduled to conclude at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, with a program titled "Landmarks Ahead." The program will teach map and compass skills and start at the large shelter house -- north by northwest from the park's visitor center.

Contact Mark Lile at

marshalleditor@socket.net