aka Mountain Heliotrope. The oldest reference is to the Roman Valerius who first used a tincture of the roots in medicine. Since the plant produces a strong order at times the Alaskan Tlingit name is ‘medicine that stinks.’ The small white to pinkish flowers, however, are quite beautiful forming a hemispheric floral head 1″ – 3″ (2 – 7 cm) across. The square stems can rise 1 – 4′ and stand out in any environment. The relatively large leaves, to 10″, grow in opposite pairs on the stem. Common in meadows, alongs streams to 6,500′ elevation.