G7750

In Alaska, high above (7,500 feet to 10,000) sea-level in the Rocky Mountain Floristic Region the State’s Official Flower blooms (many people suffer from altitude sickness a mile+ high). In the lower Cascadia Floristic Region, Woodland Forget-me-nots are not natives (Exotics), they were introduced from Europe but are found from Alaska west of the mountain crests to California. They are perennials, and spread from roots, often found on stream banks. When Alaska joined the Union in 1959, they chose the Alpine Forget-me-not as their Floral Emblem and State Flower. For many who have spent time in Alaska, most think it was a poor choice. Fireweed (described below) is the unofficial State Flower … in fact, it sets the mood of life in the Northwest with its blooms that trace the coming of Winter. It is even more widespread than the Forget-me-Not. Myosotis asiatica is found in all states covered by these lessons (except for Utah and New Mexico), it is just that you have to be at 7,500 feet or higher if you are searching for the Alpine species!

https://burkeherbarium.org/imagecollection/taxon.php?Taxon=Myosotis%20sylvatica
https://www.travelalaska.com/explore-alaska/articles/flowers-alaska
https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/myosotis_asiatica.shtml
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myosotis

PLC courses limit their presentations of Alaska Indigenous to the Eyak, Haida, Tlingit and Tsimshian Peoples because of the plants and animals that are part of the Cascadia (as well as the Rocky Mountain Floristic Region). Other terms for “plants and animals” are:

exotics
flora & fauna
noncontiguous U.S.

Comments, content, questions appreciated.
email bb@plc215.org