Friends and neighbors of former Governor Cecil Andrus want to preserve his legacy by naming a new species of plant after him.
“I sure hope people far and wide remember Governor Andrus this way. There will be other things honoring him in the years to come, but not many people get plants named for them. It would be great,” Kay Hummel says.
Last month we told you about a new species of plant that’s been hiding in plain sight in the Boise Foothills. Scientists at Boise State University and the College of Idaho figured out the yellow-flowered plant, often called biscuit root, is its own, distinct species. They opened up an auction, saying for a $10,000 donation, someone could put his or her name on the plant.
Hummel got word that friends and neighbors of Andrus were raising money to name the plant Lomatium Andrusianum.
Hummel first met Andrus in the 7th grade and her husband worked for him for a time. She says Andrus loved the outdoors, and before he died in August, he was often found walking his dogs in the Boise Foothills where the plant was discovered.
“People would run into Cecil Andrus and have chats with him all times of year and it’s a memorable encounter. He was just like the rest of us, he wanted to get out and enjoy the beauty,” says Hummel.
She’s hoping they can raise the $10,000 by the Friday deadline.
“This is a one-time opportunity where something permanent in the out of doors will be named, hopefully, for Cecil D. Andrus,” Hummel says.
The money raised will go toward more DNA research by the scientists into plants like this one.
Find Samantha Wright on Twitter @samwrightradio
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