Cheyenne in Laramie County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)

Apache Plume

Fallugia paradoxa

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 28, 2026

1. Apache Plume Marker

Inscription.

Apache Plume, Fallugia paradoxa, is native to the American southwest. Its pale pink blossoms turn to feathery seed heads which remain into the winter. In 2002, Apache Plume was added to the Plant Select® list, a collaboration between Denver Botanic Gardens and Colorado State University to seek out the best plants for the intermountain region and high plains.

Marilyn J. Samuel was a botanist at the station from 1966 to 1988. She was remembered by coworkers as being incredibly knowledgeable. Her work at the station during the horticultural research years included breeding tomatoes for resistance to bacterial canker, developing strawberries and raspberries with increased cold hardiness, and breeding tetraploid carnations for greenhouse cut flower production.

When the focus of the station shifted to range management in 1974, Samuel became involved with the Society of Rangeland Management. She served on the editorial board of Rangelands magazine and was the first woman elected to the Board of Directors in 1987. There were very few women working in the field. She remembered, "When I first attended SRM meetings, I would

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

walk up to a couple of male scientists, whom I knew. They would often quit talking about their research as if to see what I wanted to talk to them about. As more women became involved, they would say hello and continue talking about their research. I am happy to say that as the female population increased, the men included us into the 'family'"

• Marilyn Samuel next to Apache Plume, early 1970s
• Apache Plume seedhead
• Marilyn Samuel outside the greenhouse holding a bough of fruit from Dauphin crabapple.
• Marilyn Samuel with Superintendent Dick Hart in 1988. The East Unit was acquired for grazing research.
—————————————
Attractive, fine textured western native shrub with white rose-like spring flowers followed by round, feathery silver-pink seed heads all summer. Though the foliage is semi-evergreen, it is inconspicuous throughout the winter. Planted in 1948.

Erected by Cheyenne Botanic Gardens and Cheyenne Urban Forestry Division. (Marker Number 12.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Environment • Horticulture & Forestry • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 2002.

Location. 41° 10.898′ N,

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 28, 2026

2. Apache Plume Marker

104° 53.903′ W. Marker is in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in Laramie County. It can be reached from no nearby street. Marker and shrub are in the High Plains Arboretum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 8601 Hildreth Road, Cheyenne WY 82009, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Laramie Basin. It is also in the American Mountain West,

on the Great Plains,

and specifically on the High Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dwarf Russian Almond (within shouting distance of this marker); Cheyenne Early Lilac (within shouting distance of this marker); Kentucky Coffeetree (within shouting distance of this marker); Cheyenne Privet (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to the High Plains Arboretum (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); USDA Explorers, Irrigation Ditches And Civilian Conservation Corps (about

Apache Plume and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 28, 2026

3. Apache Plume and Marker

400 feet away); If You Were A Tree (about 400 feet away); Apple Orchard (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cheyenne.

Additional keywords. Marilyn J. Samuel

Credits. This page was last revised on November 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 1, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.