Flora Sandoz, The Wild Flowers of Nebraska

Flora Rosa Sandoz, named by her older sister Marie (Mari), was born May 12, 1906 to parents Jules and Mary Sandoz. She was born on the Old River Place south of Hay Springs, NE but would spend much of her life on the Sandhill Ranch south of Gordon.

In the fall of 1929 she enrolled in the Botany program at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. In three years she finished her degree and returned to her home, unfortunately due to the Depression not many jobs were available. In 1934 she married a musician by the name of Boris Kicken. They worked very hard on the Home Place, taking care of the cattle as well as the orchards. Their marriage, however, did not end well. Flora continued to tend to her cattle, her fruit trees, and those trees left by her father.

Flora was also an intellectual who kept up to date in her field by reading all publications put out on horticulture. She experimented on varieties of fruit trees, especially apples, and kept accurate records of her harvests and of annual rainfall. Flora was also noted for taking pictures of wildflowers, which she showed to clubs in the area. Flora’s constant enemies were the noxious weeds and gophers who threatened her beautiful ranch.

An Interactive Touch-screen Station devoted to her younger sister Flora Rosa Sandoz. It features commentary by Flora on wildflowers that she collected around her home as well as her photographs of the plants being discussed. Flora’s vast botanical knowledge is highlighted and at the same time, gives an insight into the personality of this great woman.

This exhibit can be found in the Carmen and John Gottschalk Mari Sandoz Exhibition Gallery, located on the Main floor of the Sandoz Center.