The Department of Biological Sciences of Boise State University hosted the first Idaho Botanical Foray in August 2008.

Dr. Jim Smith of the Department of Biological Sciences at Boise State University led the first Idaho Botanical Foray to Mt. Harrison on August 7-10, 2008.  Mt. Harrison is south of Burley, Idaho and may be known to non-botanists as the home of Pomerelle Ski Area.  However, those with more of a botanical background will recognize this as the home to Castilleja christii, Christ's paintbrush.  This species is known only from the summit of Mt. Harrison and was in full flower at the time of the foray.

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Botanical enthusiasts assisted in making over 200 collections over the weekend.  Permits allowed for the collection of 1 specimen per species in the Research Natural Area which was the first day's destination.  Over one hundred plant species were found on this trip from the summit of Mt. Harrison down to the pool at the bottom of the cirque.

During the second day participants traveled to nearby Mt. Independence which is directly south of Mt. Harrison in the Albion Mountains.  This collection was made to document the presence of similar and/or different species on the two peaks.  Large numbers of Cymopterus davisii were also found around the lowest of the Independence Lakes, a species known only from the Albion and Independence Mountains.

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We would now like to invite the public to workshops oriented toward identifying the material that was collected during the foray.  Each workshop will start with a brief introduction on terminology and characteristics of the family/ies to be identified in each workshop.  The remaining time will be spent keying the plants.   Keys, microscopes and necessary dissecting materials will be provided. These workshops will be an opportunity to learn and practice keying as well a chance for those that missed the foray to see what occurs on Mt. Harrison.  The tentative schedule is listed below.  We will be meeting in room 248, second floor of the Science & Nursing building on the BSU campus (between the Morrison Center and the tallest building on campus).  Workshops will be from 7:00-9:00 pm.

Oct. 23: grasses, sedges and rushes (Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Juncaceae)

Nov.13: sunflower family (Asteraceae/Compositae)

Dec. 11: shrubs and trees (Pinaceae, Rosaceae, Grossulariaceae, Caprifoliaceae)

Jan. 8: paintbrushes and penstemons (Orobanchaceae/Plantaginaceae)

Feb. 12: buckwheats (Polygonaceae)

Mar. 12: miscellaneous families