elkweed, Frasera speciosa

Elkweed because elk and others herbivores eat it? Or because the flowering stems grow as tall as an elk? Or because the Apache could make an elk call from the stem? Western Indians used elkweed in numerous ways for medicine, food and ceremonies. It is a very large - up to two meters - plant withvery many of these fascinatingly complex flowers that are a little under an inch across. Elkweed grows in AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, and WY. Summit Co CO, 6/19/13. Gentian family, Gentianaceae.