Plant Hunters: Edith Van Allen Murphey

More plant hunters! This year I'm focusing on women collectors in the Western United States. Our first report is about the self-taught ethnobotanist, Edith Van Allen Murphy (1879-1968), who worked in the Intermountain National Forest lands within Utah, Nevada, western Wyoming, and southern Idaho; and later in California. I first learned about Ms. Murphey while reading Lester Rountree's Hardy Californians (see Plant Hunters: Lester Rountree). In the forward, Judith Larner Lowry describes Murphey as a seed-gathering woman who was contemporaneous with Rowntree, and collected in Mendocino County in California.

Edith Van Allen-Murphey (Sojourn Magazine Winter 96-97)

Edith Van Allen was born in 1879 in New York state. She attended Melvil Dewey's library school at Albany, New York (Dewey invented the Dewey Decimal system of library classification). In 1902 she was recruited to catalog rare books for the University of California at Berkeley and moved across country. In around 1903, failing eyesight prevented her from continuing the work. She moved to the redwoods near Sherwood, just north of Willits, to homestead. She married a neighboring homesteader but divorced two years later. During this time she learned how to live off the land from nearby Pomo natives.

Over the next 25 years, she married two more ranchers, Sanford Lee Redwine of Round Valley and then Will Murphey of Covelo. Both marriages were happy, but left her a widow. While living on these primitive California ranches, she fell in love with Mendocino and developed a passion for rare native flowers. Between chores, she collected specimens, and corresponded with botanist Carl Purdy (1861-1945) of Ukiah, sending them to him for identification and learning from his responses. In 1906, Mrs. Phoebe Hearst commissioned her to collect the best of Northern California Indian basketry for the University of California. In 1925 her third husband, Will Murphey, died and Murphey sold their ranch.

Sam Young (Hayfork Wintu), Edith Van Allen Murphey, and Lucy Young (Lassik)

Murphey realized she was free to follow her passion for plants. From 1925 to 1935 she worked for United States Bureau of Indian Affairs. Their primary interest was to identify and eliminate stock-poisoning plants on Indian cattle and sheep ranges. During this time she lived and worked with eleven Indian tribes gathering data, as the United States Indian Service's only range botanist. The contacts that Ms. Murphey made during her research for the BIA, enabled her to document plant use by indigenous people groups throughout the Intermountain region and the West, and to publish Indian Uses of Native Plants. 

Detail from the Mendocino County History Mural, painted by Judy Pruden
Left to right: Carl Purdy, Sam Young, Edith Murphey, and Lucy Young

In 1927, at the age of 48, she headed to the Mendocino high country in hopes of being a plant collector for John Purdy, who collected and sold California seeds and bulbs all over the world. He refused to hire a woman as a plant collector, but hired her as a cook instead. She was still able to collect plant specimens from spring through fall, and met many visiting botanists during her time with Purdy. From 1935 until her death in 1968, she spent her days in Covelo, California advocating for both native Americans and the amazing biodiversity of California's plants. Artist Judy Pruden included Carl Purdy, Sam Young, Edith Van Allen Murphey, and Lucy Young as botanists on the Mendocino County History Mural, in Ukiah, California.

Learn More

• Edith Van Allen Murphey, Sojourn Magazine Premier Issue, Winter 1996-1997. Written by Liz Helenchild, using original wording by Ms. Murphey where possible. https://creation-designs.com/gracemillennium/sojourn/premiere/html/ed_murphey.html

• Edith Van Allen Murphey Papers, University of Nevada, Reno (microfilm; the originals are in Covelo, California). https://archive.library.unr.edu/public/repositories/2/resources/139
• Indian Uses of Native Plants. Edith Van Allen Murphey (Meyerbooks, Illinois, 1990; and Mendocino County Historical Society, 1958, 1987). Ethnobotanical uses of native plants by indigenous people of the Intermountain area. https://www.amazon.com/Indian-Native-Plants-Edith-Murphey/dp/0916638154

• Hardy Californians, Lester Rowntree (University of California Press, Berkeley, 2006). The forward includes the article, "Lester Rowntree's Horticultural Legacy", by Judith Lowry. On page lxvii, Lowry writes that plant collecting contemporaries Rowntree, Edith Van Allen Murphey, and Willis Linn Jepson loved the freedom and adventure of the automobile while plant collecting. She also notes that Murphey longed to meet Rowntree. https://www.amazon.com/Hardy-Californians-Womans-Native-Plants/dp/0520250516/

• The Lily Man of Ukiah, NYBG LuEsther T. Mertz Library, Plant & Research Guides, Nursery and Seed Catalogs: Carl Purdy and the Bulbs and Wild Flowers of California. Explores the nursery catalogs and professional career of Carl Purdy, who saw and understood the flora of California with an unmatched acuity. Edith Van Allen Murphey served as apprentice and cook for Purdy. https://libguides.nybg.org/c.php?g=655017&p=4597876

Note: search this article for "Edith Murphey: A disciple of Carl Purdy". The side bar article provides more information about Ms. Murphey and her life experiences.

• Lucy Young, Round Valley, podcast: Parts 1 - 7. KZYX Mendocino County Remembered, read by Linda Pack. The saga of a 10-year old Wailaki Indian girl in 1862 who fled from soldiers and from white men who trafficked in Indian children. In 1939, when Lucy was in her 90s, she told her story to her friend and neighbor in Covelo, the ethnobotanist Edith Van Allen Murphey. Lucy Young wanted the truth to be told. https://feeds.transistor.fm/kzyx-mendocino-county-remembered (search for "Lucy Young").

• Mendocino County Historical Mural, painted by Judy Pruden. This mural runs the length of an entire city block on the north wall of the Ukiah Valley Conference Center in downtown Ukiah, California. Panel 25 is devoted to Ukiah botanist and horticulturist Carl Purdy, Covelo ethnobotanist Edith Van Allen Murphey, and Native botanical experts Lucy Young (Lassik) and her husband Sam Young (Hayfork Wintu). https://historymural.com/sections/six/remembrance/#botanists

Field Notes for March 2025

 Welcome back to Field Notes!

March 1, 2025

Earlier this week, Mari and I attempted to join the late-February Over-the-Hills Gang hike at Briones Regional Park. Briones is a wilderness treasure of rolling hills and canyons, surrounded by the towns of Contra Costa County. It is part of the ancestorial home of the Bay Miwok speaking Ohlone people.

Rolling green hills at Briones Regional Park

The Briones Regional Park website provided the GPS coordinates for the Briones Road Staging Area, where we were to meet the Over-the-Hills Gang group. We charted our route via Google Maps. The website mentioned that public Wi-Fi is not available in the park, so navigation systems might not work. After quite a bit of driving, we arrived at the Briones Road staging area, but did not find our group or any cars. We decided to back track and check the Alhambra Staging area, and still did not find our group!

Intrepid hiker

The weather was beautiful, so we decided to seize the day and hike anyway. I'm so glad we did. The rolling hills were green from winter rains and the deciduous oaks were magnificent and structural without their leaves. Several cows with calves grazed on the grass in the distance. We learned about the new Briones Pilot Project that enables Bikes and Hikers access to designated trails on odd-numbered weekend dates; and Horses and Hikers on even-numbered weekend dates. Search the East Bay Regional Park District website to learn more about upcoming Over-the-Hills Gang hikes (but bring an old-school paper map just in case)!

March 3, 2025

While picking up another Mrs. Malory mystery at the Castro Valley Library (this time, Death of a Dean), I checked in on nearby Castro Valley Creek. The creek has been restored to a natural waterway with native plants. I took this shot from the bridge over the stream. The plants around the creek are green from recent winter rains, and the water level is much higher than it was in a previous visit (see Field Notes for December, the December 15 entry, to compare). 

Castro Valley Creek restoration - almost spring

March 6, 2025

Two manzanita shrubs are thriving in our new landscape. They will provide architectural structure near the entryway to the property once they gain some height. Right now they are both only about 18 inches tall, but the pink and fragrant bell-shaped flowers are very sweet.

 

Manzanita blossoms (Arctostaphylos spp.)

March 8, 2025

My husband and I heard the call of a Red-shouldered Hawk while sitting out on the patio. The sound came from the Oak tree overhead. I feared for any spring nests and chicks that may be in danger (although gangs of small birds can often drive away a large predator quite well)!

Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)

March 10, 2025

I watched this oak titmouse collect stuffing from a torn patio cushion. No doubt the soft material will line its nest. We've also seen birds collect soft fur that was shed by Mako and Dakota the Huskies.

Oak Titmouse collecting stuffing for its nest

March 12, 2025

The currant shrubs in the side yard of our new landscape are full of tiny flowers in a luscious shade of pink!

Red flowering currant blossoms (Ribes sanguineum)

March 15, 2025

This week, Mari, Gaymond and I joined the Over-the-Hills Gang hike to the Ted and Kathy Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline Park (that is a mouthful). The park is located on Carquinez Strait, across from Benicia (recall Benicia and the Delta), and tucked in between the Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, the city of Martinez, the Martinez Marina, and Waterfront Park (which includes soccer and baseball fields and an equestrian arena). The area is part of the ancestorial home of the Muwekma Karkin-speaking Ohlone people. I love shoreline hikes, and this one was new to me!

The fishing pier at the Martinez Marina

We remembered our binoculars!

Lots of trails and bridges throughout the marsh

The Martinez Regional Shoreline Park website (link above) includes interesting information about the park, as well as historical information about the town of Martinez, John Muir's association with the area, Joe DiMaggio's start as a baseball player, the origin of Martinis, and more!

Bridge view of Alhambra Creek and Benicia across the Strait

Cookie break at the half-way point on Pickleweed Trail

Not only do these hikes provide exercise and comradery, but they are an excellent way to learn more about the San Francisco Bay Area's flora, fauna, and history. We finished our hike at nearby Slow Hand BBQ for lunch, and a walk around Martinez's charming downtown area. Search the East Bay Regional Park District website to learn more about upcoming Over-the-Hills Gang hikes.

Intrepid hikers (photo by Mari)

March 17, 2025

While at the Martinez Regional Shoreline Park this week, we spotted two Black-crowned Night Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax). An adolescent and an adult were roosting in a pine tree near the Granger's Wharf staging area (click the pictures to see an enlarged version). They were unperturbed by our large group, standing below them and snapping pictures. It is always surprising when I see herons sitting in trees, since I associate them with the shoreline! 

Black-crowned Night Heron - adolescent

Black-crowned Night Heron - adult

March 19, 2025 🌷

Tomorrow is the vernal equinox – spring is officially here!

March 22, 2025

The Great Backyard Bird Count results are in for 2025! See Great Backyard Bird Count 2025 for information about this annual Citizen Scientist event. Check the 2025 Final Results website for statistics from around the world, and the dashboard to dig deeper into world and local details. 

March 25, 2025

We're having a brief spell of warm weather! It's a great time to plant a couple of Japanese Maple trees in containers (Acer palmatum 'Orangeola'). I've never actually planted a tree in a container, so I'm a little nervous, but doing is the best way to learn! I'm mixing clay pellets with the soil to ensure good drainage, and using an acid soil mix for Azaleas and Camelias. One tree down, and one to go.

Ready to plant a Japanese Maple in a container

Freshly planted Japanese Maple
It is just starting to leaf out, so a little difficult to see!

March 27, 2025

This week, Mari, Gaymond and I joined another Over-the-Hills Gang hike, this time to the Sobrante Ridge Botanic Regional Preserve, which is located high in the hills near Richmond, Pinole, and El Sobrante. The rare Alameda manzanita (Arctostaphylos pallida) grows in the area. The park is part of the ancestorial home of the Ohlone Saklan (or Saclan) group, whose primary language is Bay Miwok. The historical tribal lands ranged from Moraga, to San Leandro Creek, to Lafayette.

View from Sobrante Ridge (photo by Mari)

Good place for a cookie break with a view

The hike was advertised as "hilly", but was still within the realm of possibility for the 55+ crowd. Most of us carried walking sticks or poles for balance, and took the steep sections of the trail at a comfortable pace. The views of San Pablo and Suisan Bays and of Mount Diablo were spectacular; the hills were still green; and we saw a good assortment of spring flowers. Group leader, Anthony Fisher, brought cookies for the half-way point break (Shortbread with Raspberry Jam and Oreos). 

Shady hillside

Mari, Gaymond, and I finished our outing at The Noodle House for lunch (delicious). Search the East Bay Regional Park District website to learn more about upcoming Over-the-Hills Gang hikes.

Intrepid hikers (photo by Gaymond)

March 29, 2025

While at the Sobrante Ridge Botanic Regional Preserve, we spotted a number of spring flowers. Here are a few snapshots, clockwise: Miniature Lupine, Indian Warrior, Checker Lily - bracts, Checker Lily - blossom surrounded by bracts, and Brodiaea. Click the photo to enlarge.

A few spring blooms at Sobrante Ridge

We also saw the rare Alameda manzanitas (Arctostaphylos pallida) that are endemic to the area, but I was so engrossed in them that I forgot to snap a picture! I did take one of this gnarly oak tree with a hollow center. Despite its challenges, the tree still supplies habitat for birds, squirrels, and other creatures, and shade for hikers.

Hollow oak (but still contributing - a lesson for us all)

March 31, 2025

In a couple of weeks, I'll be heading back to Alaska to visit my mom, dad, and brother. Currently high temperatures seem to be hovering in the 50s F, with low temperatures in the 30s. My brother saw the first robin recently, which is a sure sign that spring is on the way to Southeast Alaska. The roads and most of the ground are clear of snow, but the mountain tops are still covered. I'm looking forward to experiencing an Alaskan spring thaw, and being back together with my dear family!

Alaska Airlines on the tarmac in Juneau, Alaska

Great Backyard Bird Count 2025

In February, I participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count. The annual event is hosted jointly by The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Audubon, and Birds Canada. Over a long weekend, citizen birdwatchers from around the world count birds from wherever they are. Two free apps are available for identifying and reporting observations – Merlin ID and eBird. A training webinar is offered in the weeks leading up to the event, and posted online. The GBBC results for the world are reported on their dashboard (use filters to hone in on specific locations). I’ve participated in this fun and important event for the last couple of years (see Counting Birds and Counting Birds for the GBBC).

Use the Merlin ID app to identify birds in your selected area

Use Merlin's Sound ID feature to identify birds by their songs or sounds

This year I submitted two lists on two separate days. Both were made during 15-minute periods, while walking in the neighborhood (up by the reservoir near the oak and redwood grove). This small woodsy area provides plenty of food for birds and trees for cover, with few people in the area to disturb our avian friends.

Use the eBird app to submit bird lists to the GBBC

Use eBird to see what other species have been observed nearby 

I was surprised to see that many of the bird species that I heard and saw in the woodsy area, also frequent the Bird Buddy feeder in our yard. Examples include Oak Titmouse, Chestnut-backed Chickadee, American Robin, House Finch, Song Sparrow, California Towhee, Dark-eyed Junco, and California Scrub-jay. The numbers and varieties explain why our Bird Buddy feeder is depleted of bird seed so quickly (glad to know that the birds are not just relying on the bird feeder for sustenance)! The GBBC is a great way for citizen scientists to contribute data related to one of our favorite hobbies - watching birds in our backyards and in nature.

Spring Watch

The signs of spring are starting to emerge in the San Francisco Bay Area! The temperature is still cool (highs that are between mid-fifties and mid-sixties F, and cooler at night), and we're having a range of weather including strong breezes, morning fog burning off to full sun, rain, overcast skies, and beautiful mild days. The variety is wonderful and plants are responding to the changes in temperature and conditions.

California buckeye (Aesculus californica)

The California buckeye leaves are starting to unfurl in bright spring green. I've been observing the progress on a tree that is located near the reservoir. It is amazing to see the miniature details of the leaves as they open from their protective sheaths. California buckeye is toxic, but Indigenous people processed the seeds to produce a staple food (roasted the seeds, mashed them, and then leached them to remove the poison). They also used the seeds in streams and waterways to stupefy fish for easy capture.

California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

The California poppies are starting to appear along roadsides, in grassy areas, and in highway medians. The little cup of gold is bound to bring you cheer! This one is growing in our yard along with several others (lots of buds are poised to open). This poppy is the California state flower, grows as an annual and a perennial, and is self-seeding in the right conditions. Indigenous people used the seeds and leaves for food, the petals as a hair dressing and yellow dye, the pollen as a cosmetic; and prepared a tea from the chopped plant as a remedy for headache, toothache, and insomnia.

California lilac (Ceanothus spp.)

The California lilac blooms in shades from pale blue to dark blue to deep purple, as well as white. The flowers are fragrant and pollinators love them! This specimen is in the neighborhood and has been in bloom for several weeks now. Native Americans used the dried leaves as an herbal tea, and used Ceanothus integerrimus to ease childbirth. The Miwok people of Northern California make baskets from the branches.

I've enjoyed the days and weeks of winter, hunkering down at home or walking in the neighborhood and Oakland hills, but seeing the new life emerging makes me eager for the beauty and pleasures of spring!