If you find yourself confused by what you've read to this point, don't despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.
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 related to the Indian paintbrushes. The origin of the common name is obscure, though the flowers do somewhat resemble the head and feathers of an owl. The flower is not directly related 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.
The owl-clover is a winter annual six to eight inches tall. The yellow, white or purple "petals" are actually bracts surrounding very small, nearly hidden 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 single plant may have dozens of blooms during a full growing season. The owl-clover is a partial parasite that relies on the root system 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 during explorations of what is now North Dakota.
The study of western wildflowers is fascinating due to their many different 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 subject of photography and fine art and are used to decorate western souvenirs. An image of wildflowers framed by majestic mountains is a classic symbol of the West.
Is there really any information about Owl Decor that is nonessential? We all see things from different angles, so something relatively insignificant to one may be crucial to another.