A SMALL TOWN CELEBRATES ITS NATIVE PLANT HERITAGE The Utah town of Escalante has a unique and rather astounding history with a native species of potato, Solanum jamesii. This nutritious spud has been consumed by people in the valley for 10,900 years, including Native Americans during the first 10,750 years, followed by cavalry men, pioneers, pioneer descendants (especially during the Great Depression), and now by people enjoying the region’s fine dining establishments. In fact, Escalante Valley was first called Potato Valley in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries after this very same species, commonly called the Four Corners Potato. The people of Escalante reclaimed their heritage by celebrating the first Wild Potato Days festival over Memorial Day Weekend this May. Red Butte Garden and the Natural History Museum of Utah obtained a grant from the Garfield County Travel Council to promote use and conservation
redbuttegarden.org
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