The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush
As retold by Tomie dePaola

The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush is the story of a young Indian boy who is smaller than other boys his age and thus unable to pursue things like shooting arrows and riding horses

However, one night he has a vision that promises him a special gift for his people.

This is the story of that vision and how it led to the flower we know as the Indian Paintbrush getting its name.

Rushes have long, narrow leaves and swaying stems, so that the wind can pass through and over them, leaving them unharmed.

Rush flowers are small and humble, but the uninitiated botanist would recognize them as flowers, showing a distinct likeness to their far-off cousins, the lilies.

We often expect a rush to be a vegetable of imposing proportions. Perhaps this is because the name is often given to the stately cat-tail. But the true rushes are small affairs. The tallest are barely four feet high, and the least form a close mat upon the ground, in moist and sunny places.

Wetlands are one of the most biologically diverse systems in the world and are similar to tropical rain forests and coral reefs in terms of the diversity of species they support.

Wetlands are beneficial in many ways – they help improve water, provide food and habitats for numerous wildlife species, assist with flood control, reduce erosion and provide wonderful recreational areas.

If you're thinking about, or you're already involved in a wetlands project you should watch this slide show.

Torrey's Rush, named for botanist John Torrey (1796-1873), is an active grower when cooler temperatures prevail in spring and fall.

It has a preference for full sun and requires consistently moist to periodically wet conditions. It will grow in muddy, sandy or poorly drained soils that vary from alkaline to slightly acidic.

Broom corn is an easy to grow and very popular ornamental grass. A robust annual plant it will live on for many years after being harvested in the form of decorative wreaths, bouquets or as a broom.

It can be grown pretty much throughout the USA and will produce fair quality brushes in areas where temperatures are high enough for corn to grow well

The seed heads mature in the fall in striking shades of red, black, amber and brown.