Phase 5: Post-Expedition (1806-1812) Archives - Lewis & Clark Research Database https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/expedition-phase/phase-5-post-expedition-1806-1812/ A digital archive of treaties, documents, artwork, and 360° trail panoramas from the Corps of Discovery Wed, 18 Feb 2026 18:45:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Western Serviceberry https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/western-serviceberry/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:52:40 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/western-serviceberry/ Lewis was the first to collect a specimen of the western serviceberry for science. The berries were a favorite food of the entire expedition, and Lewis recorded that the Lemhi Shoshone also prized them. The...

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]]> Lewis was the first to collect a specimen of the western serviceberry for science. The berries were a favorite food of the entire expedition, and Lewis recorded that the Lemhi Shoshone also prized them. The plant’s sweet berries were eaten fresh, dried for winter use, and mixed with pemmican by Native peoples throughout the West.

Journal Excerpt

Lewis, April 15, 1806: "Serviceberry. A small bush, the narrows of the Columbia R. April 15, 1806. This shrub grows from 4 to 12 feet high, produces a berry which is much esteemed by the natives and is in fact a very pleasant fruit."

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]]> Ragged Robin https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/ragged-robin/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:52:40 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/ragged-robin/ On June 1, 1806, Lewis "met with a singular plant today in blume" and collected it on the steep, fertile hills northeast of Kamiah, Idaho. Frederick Pursh named the entire genus Clarkia in honor of...

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]]> On June 1, 1806, Lewis “met with a singular plant today in blume” and collected it on the steep, fertile hills northeast of Kamiah, Idaho. Frederick Pursh named the entire genus Clarkia in honor of William Clark — just as the genus Lewisia honors Meriwether Lewis. The species name “pulchella” means “beautiful.” Also known as pinkfairies and deerhorn clarkia, this delicate wildflower represents one of the expedition’s most enduring botanical legacies.

Journal Excerpt

Lewis, June 1, 1806: "I met with a singular plant today in blume, of which I preserved a specimne; it grows on the steep sides of the fertile hills near this place."

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]]> Bear Grass https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/bear-grass/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:52:39 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/bear-grass/ Lewis described bear grass on June 15, 1806, on the Lolo Trail in the Bitterroot Mountains, noting "There is a great abundance of a species of bear-grass which grows on every part of these mountains."...

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]]> Lewis described bear grass on June 15, 1806, on the Lolo Trail in the Bitterroot Mountains, noting “There is a great abundance of a species of bear-grass which grows on every part of these mountains.” The plant was first called “beargrass” by members of the expedition. Its leaves were extensively used by Northwest Native peoples for weaving intricate waterproof baskets and hats.

Journal Excerpt

Lewis, June 15, 1806: "There is a great abundance of a species of bear-grass which grows on every part of these mountains. it's growth is luxouriant and continues green all winter but the horses will not eat it."

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]]> Salal https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/salal/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:52:39 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/salal/ Lewis collected the salal specimen on January 20, 1806, at Fort Clatsop, and wrote a detailed description on February 8, 1806. He had previously mistaken it for a species of laurel. The Chinook and Clatsop...

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]]> Eaten fresh or baked into cakes by Chinookian people on coast. Berries supplemented Corps diet of elk at Fort Clatsop.

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]]> Sitka Spruce https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/sitka-spruce/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:52:39 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/sitka-spruce/ Lewis and Clark encountered massive Sitka spruce trees along the Pacific coast in November-December 1805 while searching for lumber to build Fort Clatsop. Patrick Gass wrote that it "rives better than any other species" and...

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]]> Five of the six trees Lewis described as growing at Fort Clatsop were new species, including the massive Sitka spruce.

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]]> Oregon Grape https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/oregon-grape/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:52:38 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/oregon-grape/ Lewis first described the Oregon grape on February 12, 1806, at Fort Clatsop. He compared it to "the plan common to many parts of the U' States called the mountain holley." The specimen was collected...

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]]> Common in understory of Douglas Fir forests. Now widely cultivated and wild collected for herbal medicine preparations.

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]]> Lewis’s Wild Flax https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/lewiss-wild-flax/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:52:38 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/lewiss-wild-flax/ Lewis collected the first specimen of this wild flax on July 9, 1806, near the Sun River in Montana, during the expedition's return journey. Frederick Pursh named the species in Lewis's honor. The delicate blue...

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]]> Lewis collected the first specimen of this wild flax on July 9, 1806, near the Sun River in Montana, during the expedition’s return journey. Frederick Pursh named the species in Lewis’s honor. The delicate blue flowers of Lewis’s wild flax bloom across the western prairies and mountains. Native peoples used the plant’s fibers for cordage.

Journal Excerpt

Lewis, July 9, 1806: "I also met with a species of flax new to me; it has a very strong scent and a deep blue flower, and is found on the high dry prairies."

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]]> Bitterroot https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/bitterroot/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:52:38 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/bitterroot/ The bitterroot is perhaps the most celebrated botanical discovery of the expedition. Lewis collected it on July 1, 1806, at Travelers' Rest near the Bitterroot River in Missoula County, Montana. Botanist Frederick Pursh established the...

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]]> The bitterroot is perhaps the most celebrated botanical discovery of the expedition. Lewis collected it on July 1, 1806, at Travelers’ Rest near the Bitterroot River in Missoula County, Montana. Botanist Frederick Pursh established the genus Lewisia in Lewis’s honor, and the species name “rediviva” (revived) refers to the fact that Pursh was able to grow the dried specimen three years after collection. The bitterroot is now the state flower of Montana and gives its name to the Bitterroot Mountains and Bitterroot Valley.

Journal Excerpt

Lewis, August 22, 1805: "the Indians eat a root which they call quamash… there is also another root which they call spatlum which has a very bitter flavour, a native of the high prairies and drier situations."

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]]> Western Toad https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/western-toad/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:52:37 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/western-toad/ Lewis and Clark described the western toad during their expedition through the Pacific Northwest. This large toad, which can reach 5 inches in length, is found from Alaska to Baja California. Lewis noted its distinctive...

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]]> Lewis and Clark described the western toad during their expedition through the Pacific Northwest. This large toad, which can reach 5 inches in length, is found from Alaska to Baja California. Lewis noted its distinctive white dorsal stripe and warty skin, comparing it to eastern toads but noting differences in coloration.

Journal Excerpt

Lewis, April 10, 1806: "observed a species of toad common to this region… it is considerably larger than the common toad of the Atlantic states and differs in colouring being of a dark olive green with a light streak running along the center of the back."

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]]> Pacific Tree Frog https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/pacific-tree-frog/ Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:52:37 +0000 https://research.lewisandclarktrust.org/wildlife/pacific-tree-frog/ Lewis and Clark encountered the Pacific tree frog in the Pacific Northwest during their winter at Fort Clatsop in 1805-1806. This small frog, distinctive for its loud "ribbit" call, is the most commonly heard frog...

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]]> Common and widespread, Pacific treefrogs may be heard calling even in developed areas with suitable moist habitats.

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