Early Female Scientists Make Dangerous Journey to Map Grand Canyon Botany

• Two women botanists embarked on an expedition in 1938 to document the plant life in the Grand Canyon, then considered the most treacherous river in the world.
• Elzada Clover and Lois Jotter were the only women on the trip and were expected to cook all the meals while also conducting scientific research.
• They collected and cataloged many native plants like beavertail cactus, hedgehog cactus, Rocky Mountain juniper, and Mormon tea.
• Their contributions highlighted the overlooked accomplishments of women in science at the time and helped further knowledge of the ecology of the Southwest.
• A new book, “Brave the Wild River,” celebrates Clover and Jotter's daring achievement as botanists far ahead of their era.

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Washington Post