The owl-clover is a member of the snapdragon family (scrophulariaceae, Orthocarpus). This family numbers 4500 species around the world. The name Orthocarpus is from the Greek orthos, "straight," and karpos, "fruit." The owl-clover is closely associated to the Indian paintbrushes. The origin of the coarse name is obscure, though the flowers do somewhat look the head and feathers of an owl. The flower is not directly associated to other types of clover.
Owl-clover grows on low ground in dry, open sites such as meadows in most parts of Montana and also grows in Canada, Minnesota, California, Nebraska, New Mexico and northwestern Mexico.
Northwestern
The owl-clover is a winter every year six to eight inches tall. The yellow, white or purple "petals" are honestly bracts surrounding very small, nearly underground yellow flowers. The leaves alternate along the stalk and may have two narrow side lobes. The flowers are on narrow spikes and bloom a few at a time. A particular plant may have dozens of blooms while a full growing season. The owl-clover is a partial leech that relies on the root theory of other plants.
The owl-clover is mentioned in the journal of Meriweather Lewis on July 2, 1806 and was later fully described in 1818 by the English botanist Thomas Nuttall while explorations of what is now North Dakota.
The study of western wildflowers is intriguing due to their many separate uses and their adaptability to harsh climates. Among the jagged Rocky Mountains, western wildflowers add a touch of delicate beauty.
Images of western wildflowers are often the field of photography and fine art and are used to decorate western souvenirs. An image of wildflowers framed by majestic mountains is a excellent seal of the West.
Owl-Clover Wildflowers - A Western beloved
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