FALL 2012, VOLUME 13, ISSUE 4

NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE SOCIETY

Native Plant to Know Indian pipes uniflora by Stephen Johnson and Mary Stark Monotropaceae. It's not uncommon among Over the centuries the plant we call taxonomists to be Indian pipes () has moving from one had many common names, juggled family to another. For the taxonomic affinities, misunderstood genus Monotropa the ecological relationships and changeable affiliation is superseded therapeutic uses. It also enhanced by several inspired an American poet. features. First, many Indian pipes has been variously taxonomists demote the called corpse or death plant, family Pyrolaceae to a suggesting that its appearance noted subfamily of the the place where a dead body has been . Also, wax buried. Pioneer herbalists may have flower (Pyrola aphylla) named it convulsion flower or fits is usually leafless and flower since they believed it cured has a mycotrophic spasms. The name ice plant comes relationship similar to that from the apparent melting of the of Indian pipes. Wax flower STEPHEN JOHNSON crushed stems when rubbed in one's also shows how Indian pipes hands. Whimsical names such as bird's may have evolved from nest and fairy smoke have also been photosynthetic ancestors; a ILLUSTRATION BY bestowed upon this other-worldly- rare form of Pyrola aphylla looking plant. produces green . When shaded in its natural forest There is also much habitat, the plant appears to be made confusion about out of pure white candle wax. If you Indian pipes' happen upon Indian pipes in a relationship sunfleck you will be treated to a with fungi. diaphanous, crystalline display Some suggesting one of Peter Carl Faberge's authors finest amethyst flower pieces for Tsar relate how Nicholas II. Monotropa Its is in continuous flux. derives By some it is lumped with the nutrition Ericaceae, by others in the Pyrolaceae, from and by yet others in its own family the rotting Continued on page 15 The Blazing Star is... Highlights of NANPS AGM 2012

The Blazing Star is published quarterly (April, August, November, February) by The NANPS Annual General Meeting began with a warm welcome from one of our the North American Native Plant Society creative and dynamic board members, Janice Keil. She thanked incoming president (NANPS). Contact [email protected] Paul LaPorte and outgoing president Greg Hagan for the time and energy they have for editorial deadlines and for advertising devoted to our organization. We look forward to working again this year with both rates. The views expressed herein are these capable gentlemen. those of the authors and not necessarily The board welcomes the revision of the quorum numbers required to legally pass those of NANPS. motions. The problem of quorum has been an invasive alien in our garden for years. The North American Native Plant Society Directors have always been diligent at attending meetings but illness, small board is dedicated to the study, conservation, size, weather and distance have all played havoc with achieving quorum. The new cultivation and restoration of North quorum rule ties the required America’s native flora. number of voters to the total board Fall 2012 number. Voted in unanimously, Volume 13, Issue 4 quorum now stands at 50% plus one member of the board to pass Editor: Irene Fedun motions. Thanks to John Oyston for Production: Bea Paterson seeing this through. More changes Printed by: Guild Printing, are coming, as Corporations Markham, Ontario Canada requirements change. Alice © North American Native Plant Society Kong gave a synopsis of what we Images © the photographers and can expect down the road. illustrators, text © the authors. I presented salient points of the All rights reserved. 2011 Financial Report. The good EILEEN ATKINSON news is that we are in solid North American Native Plant Society, financial shape. Our challenge is to

formerly Canadian Wildflower Society, HOTOGRAPH BY continue with our successful P is a registered charitable society, no. activities and find new ways to 130720824 RR0001. New board member Joanne Fallowfield spread the word. A lively Donations to the society are tax- creditable in Canada. discussion was held; we look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas for the future. Please contact NANPS Membership: [email protected] or leave a voicemail message at 416-631-4438. CAN$25/YEAR WITHIN CANADA, We have a wonderful new asset to our organization, Theresa Sharma, who will US$25/YEAR OUTSIDE CANADA take on the bookkeeping work of the Treasurer and other tasks for the board and Please make cheques and money committees as needed. We do not yet have a title for her, but she becomes in orders payable to North American essence our first staff. Native Plant Society. Mail to Box 84, Volunteer of the Year Awards went to Stacey Shannon and Sue Wells. These two Stn D, Etobicoke, ON M9A 4X1. ladies are always working hard behind the scenes, feeding us, driving us and our Telephone: (416) 631-4438. plants and tables to wherever they need to go along with fulfilling other tasks in a E-mail: [email protected]. no-fuss, no-muss manner. Thank you Stacey and Sue: you are the grease that keeps Web: www.nanps.org. our wheels turning! The Garden/Restoration award recipients were the Loretto Maryholme Board of Directors: Spirituality Centre and Project Pawpaw. Sister Mary Mallany and Dan Bissonnette Honorary President: James A. French shared inspiring stories of their work. President: Paul LaPorte Treasurer: Sue Stephenson Congratulations to recipients of the Paul McGaw Conservation Awards: the Secretary: Miriam Henriques Bronx River Alliance in New York City, and Sharon Keogh and David Acomba for Eileen Atkinson their long-term restoration work at Mount Ararat, the former home on Lake Rice's Heidi Eisenhauer south shore of pioneer Catharine Parr Traill. A special thanks to the awards Joanne Fallowfield committee for the fine selection of recipients for this year. Greg Hagan NANPS welcomes new Board members Heidi Eisenhauer, Joanne Fallowfield and Janice Keil Adam Mohamed as well as Harold Smith who returns after his mandatory year in Alice Kong exile. We will miss Karen Boniface and Gerda Wekerle who move on to new Gillian Leitch adventures. A heartfelt thank you! Bravo to Eileen Atkinson for an excellent job of Howard Meadd recruiting. Adam Mohamed Thank you to everyone who makes our world better through NANPS. I direct John Oyston you to www.nanps.org for details. Harold Smith Jenn South Sue Stephenson, NANPS Treasurer

2 NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2012 NANPS News

CHANGES TO NANPS NANPS DIRECTORS GET MEMBERSHIP FEES THEIR HANDS DIRTY

Please note: NANPS has introduced a student membership by John Oyston category for 2013. The one-year student fee will be $10. The regular one-year membership fee has increased slightly to It was a beautiful sunny fall morning when several Directors $25 but the multiple-year rates still break down to $20/year. of the North American Native Plant Society – along with See page 16 for membership form. other volunteers from NANPS and Evergreen – got down on One of the new benefits of NANPS membership (starting their hands and knees in the freshly prepared dirt around in 2013) will be that each member may bring a guest to a the pond at Markham Civic Centre in Markham, Ontario NANPS event and that guest will pay the same reduced and planted native shrubs. entry fee (if applicable) as the member. Markham Civic Centre feels like home to NANPS: we In addition, members will have the option in 2013 of have had our plant sale, Annual General Meeting and Board getting The Blazing Star electronically (images can be Meetings there for several years. When a place is your home, viewed in colour) or in the usual mailed hard copy which you want to make it look beautiful; for NANPS this means remains in black and white. Student members will only that the grounds have to be planted with native plants. receive the newsletter digitally. South of the Civic Centre there is a large ornamental Please renew your subscription today and help us protect pond, which separates the complex from Highway 7. We and restore our native flora. have wanted to plant native species around the pond for years. In mid-September, the first stage of the planting project became a reality as red osier dogwood (Cornus Wanted: More Seeds sericea) and black chokeberry (Photinia melanocarpa) shrubs were planted along the water's edge. Please continue to collect seeds from native plants for our A joint venture, the project was led by Karen Boniface, a annual Seed Exchange and send them, separated by species NANPS Director and the Technical Coordinator, Operations and identified with the source/parentage to NANPS, Box Department, City of Markham. Evergreen-Walmart gave an 84, Station D, Etobicoke, Ontario, M9A 4X1. If you have $8,000 grant, $15,000 came from the Markham any questions, contact [email protected]. Environmental Advisory Committee for the design by Real Eguchi, $10,000 worth of equipment and labour was provided by a Markham/Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) partnership fund, and $2,000 came from the Rouge Park. Markham paid for the trucking and disposal of fill and Evergreen helped with the planting and contributed towards the mulch. At the planting, Deputy Mayor Jack Heath and NANPS Director Harold Smith made brief speeches, and an Evergreen volunteer gave a demonstration. The bed was well prepared by the TRCA, the shrubs were in great condition with good root balls, and there was a bountiful supply of high quality mulch. It was a very pleasant morning's work as everyone helped out to get the 80 shrubs planted in the

correct position and mulched. YSTON O

The project will be completed on June OHN J 8th, 2013 with a wildflower planting which will involve many more volunteers

from a variety of groups. Save the date HOTOGRAPH BY and plan to join in! P Dogwoods and mulch sit beside the Markham pond awaiting volunteers. John Oyston is a NANPS Board Member.

NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2012 3 Seed Bombing Native Plants

by Irene Fedun is usually left to Mother Nature. In along the Humber River a couple of Heidi's experience, the recipe for seed years ago and the patch is now 30-40 Heidi Eisenhauer has been a guerilla bombs that has the highest plants strong – a happy development gardener since 1998. In an attempt to germination rate is: one part seeds, for our monarch butterflies. beautify urban spaces from San one part clay, one part coffee grounds, Sadly, not everyone appreciates the Francisco to Toronto, she has created eight parts soil and one part water. efforts of seed bombers. Asters “seed bombs” and dispersed them in Form this mixture into a palm-sized (Asteraceae) are especially under- abandoned, weedy spaces. But her ball and let dry in the shade for 24-48 appreciated. It seems that a lot of indigenous plant epiphany came only hours. Of course, there are other people think of them as weeds and three years ago. successful ways of doing it and the pull them out where Heidi and others At a Seedy Saturday at Toronto's Internet is a great place to get more have seeded them. Scadding Court, Heidi approached the information. A few useful websites: Heidi collects her seeds from her North American Native Plant Society http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a- own plants. She used to have a native booth. She was greeted by friendly, Seed-Bomb, plant garden with 30-40 species when helpful people who quickly charmed http://stuffyoucanthave.blogspot.ca/20 she lived in a house. Now that she's in her into trying native plant seeds on 10/08/seed-bomb-bangles.html or an a condo she can't grow as many plants her anarchist seeding forays. She was entertaining YouTube video on making but that hasn't stopped her. In fact, HEIDI EISENHAUER HEIDI EISENHAUER HOTOGRAPH BY HOTOGRAPH BY P P

Ready to mix Recipe makes 13 seed bombs

an instant convert. Now, whenever seed bombs she's keeping track of which natives do anyone posts an upcoming guerilla http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO well in different-sized pots on her gardening event on social media, Heidi h_o9_4eok&feature=youtu.be. deck. She even has three woody gently reminds participants to avoid The summer of 2012, as we all species, all of which are quite content: the wildflower mixes sold at garden know, was hot and dry in Toronto, the tree-like nannyberry (Viburnum centres that invariably contain non- most of southern Ontario and lentago), a gray dogwood (Cornus natives, and go for native seed mixes neighbouring parts of the continent. racemosa) and a sandcherry (Prunus or single species that are available Even some native plants struggled to pumila), “a gorgeous plant” that Heidi from organizations like NANPS. survive, never mind reproduce is babysitting until NANPS can find a What exactly is seed bombing? lavishly. But Heidi did have great permanent home for it. There were Here's a Wikipedia definition: “Seed success with the eastern columbines lots of caterpillars on the nannyberry bombing or aerial reforestation is a (Aquilegia canadensis) she planted in in mid-summer, species unknown. technique of introducing vegetation to the Junction (the seeds came from “a Also lots of butterfly visitors to the land by throwing or dropping monster plant” growing on her condo third-storey condo garden even when compressed bundles of soil containing deck). Other guerilla gardeners seeded the were not in bloom! live vegetation (seed balls).” Watering common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) At a one-year Urban Agriculture

4 NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2012 She did a brief talk about southwestern Ontario. responsible planting and Guerilla gardeners like Heidi not gave a plug for natives and only beautify formerly ugly, depleted then everyone got down and spaces but also provide food and dirty. shelter for insects, birds and other This activity is especially creatures. They give the word fun and beneficial for kids. “bombing” a whole new, and Studies have shown that wonderfully restorative, meaning. environmental education Irene Fedun is the editor of that encourages kids to The Blazing Star. plunge in and get involved with nature, whether catching frogs, building tree forts or making seed bombs, leaves them with a deep appreciation for the natural world and a

HEIDI EISENHAUER desire to protect and conserve the environment. HOTOGRAPH BY P (Read the Seed bombs packaged as gifts compelling article by David Sobel program at the San Francisco League entitled Look, Don't of Urban Gardeners, Heidi learned the Touch in the July/August basics of seed saving. She also relies on 2012 issue of Orion, the advice of fellow NANPSters, reads www.orionmagazine.org.) seed-saving books and peruses the For now, Heidi is Internet to find out the germination developing single-species requirements of native plant seeds. seed bombs like her highly Social media are a great source of successful columbine. But she'd love to create special

information and inspiration; Heidi HEIDI EISENHAUER returns the favour by promoting the packages for specific use of indigenous seeds. conditions and regions such as a woodland package for This fall, Heidi lead a hands-on HOTOGRAPH BY P workshop on building seed bombs. the Greater Toronto Area or a full sun package for Milkweeds seed-bombed four years ago Silver Memories

NANPS Honorary President James A. Dedicated to the Society on its 25th Jim Hodgins (editor of the now- French has produced a lively Anniversary, Jim shares his fond departed Wildflower) supplied a list of compendium of articles, memories….from the first issue of NANPS Numerous Firsts starting, of reminiscences, photographs, Wildflower magazine to the purchase course, with the formation in 1985 of illustrations and cartoons celebrating of Shining Tree Woods to the the Canadian Wildflower Society, “the the first quarter century in the life of Temagami Art Camp and beyond. He first national native plant gardening the Canadian Wildflower Society later also invited members of the society to and field botany society in Canada.” renamed the North American Native contribute their thoughts on their To receive your copy send $12 Plant Society. involvement with CWS/NANPS to this (includes postage and handling) to In the booklet entitled Silver publication: the resulting anecdotes Bulletins Plus, 2395 South Bay Road, Memories: A Personal History are heartwarming and funny. RR2, Lakefield, Ontario K0L 2H0.

NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2012 5 Landscape ordinances: Video illustrates the intricacies for neighbours and bureaucrats

by Joy Buslaff minutes) and Law (12 minutes) – have rented out the property since unravel the tangled subjects of green 2002). Frustrated by their ignorance Some like to argue for argument's plants and red tape. Although and impertinence, I clawed at my sake, but most of us do not enjoy the designed to enlighten governing mind for some way to shine a light on sport of debate, nor are we gifted with bodies, the contents can also be their boorish behavior and pre-empt the verbal agility of Robin Williams, entertaining, taken as an overview of the ratification of any irrational the laser wit of Oscar Wilde, the the merits of landscaping with native dictates. I also dreamed of finally strategic insight of Bobby Fischer, or plants. expressing the value of science-based the eidetic memory of a Dr. Sheldon I was prompted to compose this landscaping in an unfettered public Cooper. Even having a brilliant program after being bullied by an forum. official at a 2011 village meeting where For about a month, I was consumed I, a former editor for Wild Ones with with the task of turning my thoughts some knowledge of land-use policies, into a documentary. A lifetime in had been invited by the chair of the publishing made the flow of words Planning Commission to speak. This and images conceivable, however, commission was deliberating the formulating the counter-arguments to enforcement of a both the remembered and imagined simplistic brutish voices in my head proved mowing- emotionally wrenching. A forced height introduction to audio recording regulation technology added to the challenge. in order to After uploading the files to quiet a YouTube, I sent emails to village conflict officials and the village attorney, between telling them of my unpleasant meeting neighbours experience; my resolve to litigate, if KIM DU (strangers to necessary, to defend our landscape; me) over one and referring them to the video. In seldom-mowed what way my message has contributed, LLUSTRATION BY I lawn. I volunteered or will contribute, to the status of to contribute to the village policy, I can't say. It's been mind and prepared rhetoric doesn't authorship of a state-of-the-art about a year, and I've heard nary a guarantee one's voice and physical ordinance based on Wisconsin murmur. It may well be that the bearing can hold sway comparable to Department of Natural Resources Planning Commission just gave up that of Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch. advisories, but was abruptly even bothering with the subject, which Yet, we without credentials in botany blindsided with disparagement by was my number one recommendation or law may be pressed into service as three commissioners. One of them, a to them. community defenders of ecological retired police officer and newcomer to You are welcome to air my videos in landscapes. To support such trials, I the village, told me I had no right to public forums and embed them in give you exhibit A, the video series say anything and that “we will make websites. For off-line use, it's possible titled Landscaping: Pride, Science, and you mow.” to download YouTube videos using Law. All are accessible on Keep in mind that my native-plant various software programs, browser YouTube.com. landscape was not, nor had it ever plugins, or mobile apps. Sadly, I produced the three-part program been, a point of contention. In fact, YouTube no longer offers an for citizens and officials who are none of my newfound adversaries automatic “enable download” feature, creating or updating lawn and weed even knew what property I owned. or I would activate that convenience ordinances for public health and safety After this utterly bewildering for you. and environmental protection. The altercation, I suffered weeks of I like to believe that the accessibility first installment, of eight minutes insomnia and digestive distress the and content of this presentation will length, illustrates how the home likes of which I've never experienced have value for those writing landscape has been influenced over before, perceiving the whims of a few ordinances and those playing Clarence time and why many of us have chosen small-town tyrants as a potential Darrow in their neighbourhood's to grow naturalized landscapes. threat to the decades-old, naturalized courtroom of public opinion. Subsequent segments – Science (11 landscape of our former home (we

6 NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2012 BURDEN OF PROOF

Problematic: Preferable:

“Where there is a disagreement “If a complaint is filed

between the municipality and the by a citizen or the

property owner in regard to the municipality against

appropriateness of a plant species, a property, the burden

it shall be the property owner’s of proof lies with the

responsibility to show proof of complainant to establish

the appropriateness of the plant that a health or safety

species through a trained profes- hazard exists.”

sional in botany or a similar field.” BUSLAFF JOY HOTOGRAPH BY P

Joy Buslaff is the Joy maintains a blog, former editor of homemadewilderness.com, where Wild Ones Journal. she posts and organizes videos about Specializing in container grown Her videos can be ecological landscaping and organic Trees & Shrubs native to Ontario seen at: gardening as they are published. This Youtube.com/ article was originally published in Wild user/quarryjoy/ Ones Journal, www.wildones.org, and featured. is reprinted with permission.

Answers to Seedhead Quiz from summer 2012 Blazing Star From top left clockwise: Sky blue aster (Aster oolentangensis), pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida), grey-headed coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) and butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa).

Certify your property as a

Linking landscapes together (705) 466-6290 to grow a more ecological world [email protected] www.notsohollowfarm.ca 25% off to the first 20 NANPSters to join our Green Revolution Design & Consulting services available by a member of the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects www.greenevolutionsite.com

NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2012 7 Hawthorns

by Bill Moses careful not to give exact numbers. The assessments of taxonomic problems problem with hawthorns is that will always be made and therefore we My first objective in writing this superficially they tend to look alike can expect scientific names to change article is to help the reader identify a and when you do a detailed analysis on an ongoing basis. hawthorn tree. My second aim is to you might start to think that no two Thanks to the complexity of the describe the benefits and pleasure I am individual trees are alike. Charles hawthorn genus and the fact that little deriving from the study of hawthorns Sargent (1841-1927), a Crataegus work has been done to “make sense” of which, I believe, are transferable to expert and director of the Arnold hawthorns, we can only expect many any area of botany (and to nature in Arboretum at Harvard University, changes to come. However, the idea general). My final objective is to described over 800 hawthorns in that any particular hawthorn plant is condition the reader to be aware of, North America (as opposed to the likely a hybrid is gradually going out take note of and perhaps adopt a current more accepted number of of favour, at least among those who hawthorn tree. I'm not talking about 150). have seriously looked into the matter. bringing one home but rather about How different should two plants be Until better guidelines and more picking one out in a quiet, rural place before they can be considered separate scientific information become and visiting it on a regular basis. In species? This is a problem not only available, it is reasonable, for example, my view, this does wonders for your soul.

THE TAXONOMY Starting with the basics, hawthorns are a member of the rose family (Rosaceae). Their scientific name at the genus level is Crataegus. Hawthorns at this taxonomic level are readily identifiable primarily because of their thorns. It is at the species level that identification becomes more challenging. In relation to this problem, Henry Kock in his book Growing Trees from Seed stated that “only a few have tried to make sense of it”. He then goes on to make reference to five species (in BILL MOSES Ontario). Shrubs of Ontario by James Soper and Margaret

Heimburger lists eight HOTOGRAPH BY species and John Laird P A hawthorn gloriously in bloom! Farrar's Trees in Canada lists 12. In his handout notes at a recent hawthorn workshop hosted by pertinent to hawthorns. Botanists tend to state that there must be three the Field Botanists of Ontario, Dr. Jim to become known as “splitters” or significant differences between two Phipps (a world-renowned hawthorn “lumpers”. Splitters will say that what plants before they can be called two expert) makes reference to 31 species is currently considered to be one different species. (This still leaves the in Ontario. Amazingly, only two of species should actually be split into debate as to what constitutes a those noted are not native to North two (or more). Lumpers will say that significant difference.) America. In fact, our continent boasts some two or more species should be MY PASSION FOR HAWTHORNS about 150 of the northern lumped into one. As the knowledge of, My interest in hawthorns stems hemisphere's approximately 200 and techniques related to, plant from my volunteer role at the Inglis species. (In Canada we have about 50 biology improve and become more Falls Arboretum in Owen Sound, species.) You can see that I'm being readily available, more accurate Ontario. We are currently constructing

8 NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2012 a Tree and Shrub Walk which will eventually showcase all the woody plants native to Grey and Bruce Counties. The Owen Sound Field Naturalists' Checklist of Vascular Plants (which we are using as guide) lists 15 native species of hawthorn within the two counties. Over the past year, I have taken up the challenge of developing some skill in identifying hawthorns, locating as many as I can of the 15 listed species in Grey and Bruce, and then introducing them into the Tree and Shrub Walk. I started out on this hawthorn adventure by reading everything and anything related to hawthorns. I found BILL MOSES myself engaged in something comparable to a multi-level computer

game where one gradually absorbs HOTOGRAPH BY P enough knowledge to move to another In ancient English a hawe was an enclosure commonly fenced with thorn trees,hence level of understanding. It soon became the name hawthorn. This photograph demonstrates how impressive a hawthorn's pretty easy to see that the study of thorns can be. hawthorns could provide a lifetime of interest and satisfaction. I have found work. My approach has been to keep (10 stamens and white anthers). In that learning about hawthorns cannot records on particular plants, GPS their fact, one can observe these be rushed. I believe that one's locations, take pictures and notes, and characteristics before the flower opens subconscious works away at making collect and preserve plant material. I (known as the popcorn stage, for sense of it all, even while one sleeps. find my time is most efficiently spent obvious reasons). Even when your One has to be patient. Going back studying roadside hawthorns. I keep suspicions are confirmed by this over all the literature enhances this their locations on Google Earth and evidence, there are still many factors process. What is not making sense the program my GPS for each location to be considered such as plant size and first time will gradually become more which allows me to efficiently move habit, thorn colour, size and clear. from one plant to the next. Again, the curvature, twig colour, shape, size, And then there is the necessary field more time one spends looking at pubescence and venation, presence of hawthorns, the more glands, flowering sequence, and all their subtle sorts of flowering and fruiting differences are characteristics. absorbed. After a I would not ask that readers should while one can look at become as obsessed with hawthorns as a hawthorn in winter I appear to be, although I do hope you and say, “For now, I have a similar passion. A project not am going to say that based entirely on memorizing facts this plant is a can provide valuable exercise for your submollis (Crataegus mind, and will improve your powers submollis or Quebec of observation and your ability to take hawthorn, locally proper notes. As well, it will enhance known as downy your tolerance for not knowing all of hawthorn).” I must the answers about something and still then come back being able to feel good about yourself!

BILL MOSES when the plant is in IDENTIFYING HAWTHORNS bloom to see if the Of course, if you want to identify a number of stamens particular plant, you naturally turn to HOTOGRAPH BY

P and the colour of the anthers checks out Continued on page 10

NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2012 9 Continued from page 9

are spectacular and in the fall their fruit makes them stand out as well. Due to the strange spring weather in 2012, it was a poor year for flowers and especially for fruiting. One learns patience in this pursuit! Some hawthorns are easy to identify. The dotted hawthorn (Crataegus punctata) is one of the most common (at least in my area) and has fairly distinct features. It is sometimes yellow-fruited. Finding one will steer

BILL MOSES you in the right direction. It would be helpful to find someone who knows a bit about hawthorns to help you get HOTOGRAPH BY

P started. Either way, be assured that it is possible to have fun with this thorny Strictly speaking the fruit of the hawthorn is a pome. (An example of a berry, strangely enough, would be the tomato.) Delicious pies, tarts and jams can be made from subject (haw, haw, haw). hawthorn pomes. Bill Moses volunteers at the Inglis Falls an identification key. There are several a year. How are they the same? How Arboretum in Owen Sound. He is an complications in doing this with are they different? Picking out the image reviewer for the Evergreen Native hawthorns. One is the regular changes trees will be the first challenge. Plant Database, and a Land Steward for in scientific names. Another is the fact Learning of my interest in that gathering the required hawthorns a friend information means visiting the plant told me of a field at least twice a year and probably full of hawthorns more. And then there's the possibility near his house. I that the ID key may not include the went to have a look hawthorns from your local area. Yet and they turned out another complication is the need to to be the invasive become familiar with botanical terms buckthorn like adaxial, abaxial, proximal, distal, (Rhamnus ovate, obovate, not to mention the cathartica). At this many descriptions of pubescence: time of year (first appressed, villous, stellate and so on. week in October) Once you become familiar with these hawthorns have lost terms you can apply them to other most of their leaves plants. but buckthorn Even if you're not induced by this being a non-native

article to take a serious interest in still has lots of BILL MOSES hawthorns I hope you'll try this. Pick green leaves. (Many out two hawthorn trees close to your non-natives are HOTOGRAPH BY

home for study. Not too close together genetically wired for P because they'd likely be the same the weather of their species. Observe these two plants over origin. Native trees know when the Bruce Trail Conservancy (Stonehouse keeping their leaves becomes a lost property) and, on an informal basis, for cause and dump them. Non-natives Although its curative powers are the Nature Conservancy of Canada think they are still back home.) Old legion, hawthorn is not often sold (Cuzen property, aka Galbraith). Bill is apple trees (Malus spp.) are another commercially because it is so easy also the Website Editor for the Owen look-alike but neither apple trees nor to obtain. Readers interested in Sound Field Naturalists. buckthorns have thorns. Once pointed natural medicine should definitely out, hawthorns are easy to spot even at explore this aspect of hawthorn Haw-eaters are Ontarians born and a distance. Their bark is usually a light lore. raised on Manitoulin Island. grey. At flowering time, their flowers

10 NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2012 A Kansas Tallgrass Prairie by Stephen Johnson family (as with most plant families) is miniature hemlock tree. The strikingly in constant flux. Prairie groundsel was twisted and intertwined fruits appear Konza prairie or, more correctly, the favourite of the sadly departed to have been blasted by ionizing Konza Prairie Biological Station (but in life always punning) Kansas radiation. (KPBS) is a 3,487-hectare (8,616-acre) State University plant taxonomist Dr. Nuttall spent much of the year 1819 native prairie located in the Flint Hills Theodore Barkley. Ted preferred to be travelling along the Arkansas River. He region of eastern Kansas. Flint called a seneciologist. encountered and described for the first however is a misnomer – the rocky The bean family (Fabaceae) is time many species native to tallgrass outcrops that define the region are extremely important ecologically since prairie; 12 on Konza still bear his really a mineral called chert. The hills its members, in association with authorship. One forb, plains coreopsis are flat-topped and rolling, the results various soil nitrogen-fixing bacteria, (Coreopsis tinctoria), was used by of erosion by glacial water; the chert provide virtually all the water-soluble native peoples in a hot beverage. protruding from the hilltops is a silica- nitrogen to every other prairie plant. Another, ground plum (Astragalus rich, sedimentary and slate-like rock They range from the driest rocky crassicarpus), is strange at first sight emerging from fossil-rich, yellow- uplands with dwarf blue indigo since its fruits look alternately like a white limestone. cluster of grapes or a clutch If you drive along I-70 at 70 of bird eggs. These grape-like miles per hour (110 fruits were eaten by the kilometres) you'll pass Konza Lakota. A plant named in and only see a wide vista of Nuttall's honour and native to grass. In fact, depending on Konza is of a far more what time of year you pass it diabolical nature: Nuttall's you'll see a blackened plain, a death camass (Zigadenus rolling golf course of short nuttallii) is toxic in all of its grass or, by late summer, grass parts. Shunned by bison and obliterating the view because deer, even its is lethal it's so tall. Early September to honeybees although native shows a hint that the prairie is suffer no ill effects from more than grass when tall death camass' pollen or yellow-flowered members of nectar. the aster family become visible. The prairie is owned by the Get out of your car and look Nature Conservancy and up close and you'll find many managed by Kansas State charming native flowers University and named, like blooming from March to the state itself, for the Konsa September. While the prairie Indians that once called this appears as a monotonous vista place home. It is large enough STEPHEN JOHNSON of grass most of the diversity to get lost on; I know because comes from the wildflowers, I did. KPBS is in northeastern

what scientists refer to as forbs. Kansas and as such sits on the HOTOGRAPH BY P In addition to the grasses, two western edge of the tallgrass The pompoms of catclaw sensitive briar (Mimosa nuttalli) other plant families are well- prairie; this is where eastern represented: the Asteraceae and and western flora Fabaceae. (Baptisia australis var minor) to a intermingle. Here the great eastern Asters range from the short-statured plethora of midslope species such as deciduous forest finally peters out into curly-cup gumweed (Grindelia the robust dotted gayfeather (Liatris short-statured oak trees (Quercus spp.) squarrosa) to the giant, mid-slope punctatus) and the catclaw sensitive lining valley creeks in what is called Maximilian sunflower (Helianthus brier (Mimosa or Schrankia nuttalii), gallery forest. maximilianii) named in honour of the named for the intrepid 19th century While I was a graduate student at prince-naturalist Maximilian Scottish botanist Thomas Nuttall. Kansas State University in the early Alexander Philip von Wied-Neuwied. Along wetland margins the tall Illinois 1990's I would witness controlled Another typically diminutive aster was bundleflower (Desmanthus burns of the prairie conducted under prairie groundsel (Packera or Senecio illinoisensis) looks like a hybrid of the management practices of KPBS. In plattensis). The taxonomy of the aster white-flowered mimosa and a mid-March, weather permitting, the Continued on page 12

NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2012 11 Continued from page 11 burns would leave the earth syriaca), a magnet for butterflies, bees, excursion while searching wetlands for blackened. I saw the grass recover and spiders and even Cope's gray treefrog. any new natural history stories, I saw a the first flower appear in late March, Other wetland valleys may have the small red eye staring up at me. It was a prairie violet (Viola pedatifida). By near doppelganger of common male ornate box turtle buried up to its April and through June when the milkweed, prairie milkweed (Asclepias neck in marsh muck, retreating for a grasses are short, a profusion of short- sullivantii), which has fewer, larger and cool mud bath against summer heat. statured wildflowers erupted such as pinker flowers than its common Another seasonal phenomenon cream wild indigo (Baptisia bracteata cousin. Other wetland borderers are representing a confluence of long, var leucophaea), a favourite site for night-time bivouacking for many kinds of jumping spiders. Also present are antelope horn milkweed (Asclepias viridis) and tiny gems like bastard toadflax (Commandra umbellata) and the diminutive June grass (Koelaria cristata). Where grass cover was minimal and chert was often exposed, I found one of my favourite prairie flowers, catclaw sensitive briar with its large pompom-pink, bumble - attracting flowers. Beware that you

don't let bare flesh rub against it; STEPHEN JOHNSON you'll quickly find out why it's called catclaw. In uplands where competitive

grass growth is minimal, other HOTOGRAPH BY P attractive flowers such as the yellow, frilly-flowered fringed puccoon A typical mid-summer scene on Konza’s upland with prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) and Indian turnip (Pediomelum esculentum) (Lithospermum incisum) typically occur near the sky-blue flowered cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), freely flapping leaves and cyclonic pitcher's sage (Salvia pitcheri). Illinois bundle flower (a good source winds happens in the wetlands. The The diversity on Konza is stunning of plant fibres for woven baskets) and leaves of freshwater cordgrass are long, and divided by affinities. There are Indian hemp dogbane (Apocynum tapered and serrated along their eastern associates in the lowlands that cannibinum). Apparent by late margins. These serrations can cut flesh usually become seasonal wetlands. The summer is rosinweed (Silphium giving this species of cordgrass the dominant plant there is freshwater integrifolium), the possible source of grisly name of ripgut. The length and cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), a Konsa Indian chewing gum, and the serrations also allow the leaves to species that grows all the way to the native food, Jerusalem artichoke grapple the stems of neighbouring borders of New England salt marshes. (Helianthus tuberosus) which neither plants, most often common milkweed, With it is sporadic wild petunia hails from the Middle East nor is an wrap the milkweed stems in almost a (Ruellia humilis) one of five Ruellia artichoke. These wetlands are also a celtic basket weave and remain tied. I species in the North Carolina flora magnet for some unexpected wildlife. found this out when walking through and a plant capable of growing in Once while sweeping for insects that the wetlands and feeling numerous virtually any prairie habitat including frequented or used freshwater restraints relaxing with the sound of a the border of Spartina wetlands soon cordgrass, I encountered a “face” snapping cordgrass leaf. after a fire. Like most Spartina species, among the usual grasshoppers… Uphill from the wetlands, the soil the eventual mid- to late-summer except that grasshoppers do not have becomes mesic (neither wetland nor growth is so dense that virtually vertebrate-type faces! It spooked the too dry). Here is where the profusion nothing can grow beneath it; only the dickens out of me at first and then I of the iconic prairie grasses big annual bedstraw (Galium aparine) realized it was a Cope's gray treefrog. bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) and grows there and is usually going to Herpetologists at Kansas State were Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) seed by the time cordgrass shades it adamant that treefrogs never left the grow. In the springtime you find out. On the border of the wetland, gallery forests for prairie adventures. prairie larkspur (Delphinium often outcompeting wild petunia, My goosebumped experience revealed carolinianum var virescens) and purple grows common milkweed (Asclepias a different story. Then on another prairie clover (Dalea purpurea) as well.

12 NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2012 Tree Benefits Estimator

But when you progress high enough and I stopped to take Have you ever wondered how much energy your large you find yourself in something more a picture. Mentzelia shade-giving tree was saving you by minimizing your truly reminiscent of the American is primarily a need for air conditioning in the summer? Or perhaps west. Here among broken chert and southwestern genus you've wanted to do your part to reduce air pollution extreme dryness are tall specimens of with two other but didn't know which species of tree to plant that prairie coneflower (Ratibida species in Kansas. I would do the best job. In Ontario we now have a columnifera), a species that is common was even luckier in handy online tool that can provide this information in the mountains of northern New one of my and so much more about the environmental benefits Mexico, white prairie clover (Dalea peregrinations west offered by our urban trees. candida) and the teacup-plate-sized of Konza to find the The Ontario Residential Tree Benefits Estimator flowers of Missouri evening primrose more spectacular was developed by LEAF (Local Enhancement and (Oenothera macrocarpa) that glow star-like flowered Appreciation of Forests) in partnership with Dr. brilliant orange at sunset. Up here you sand lily (M. nuda). Andrew Millard of Ryerson University's UFRED find grasses too short to compete with Another spectacular Group. It was made possible with funding from the the prairie icons such as side-oats westerner I found on Ontario Power Authority's Conservation Fund which gramma (Bouteloua curtipendula) with western Konza is funds new and innovative electricity conservation its bright orange anthers. Diminutive white prickly poppy projects. plants such as dwarf blue indigo (Argemone As we all know, each tree plays a valuable role in (Baptisia australis var minor) grow polyanthemos) with urban ecosystems. By shading our buildings and alongside spectacular towering flowers that resemble streets, trees reduce energy costs. They sequester penstemons. At the highest, driest a fried egg sitting on carbon dioxide, filter pollutants and reduce promontories grows shell-leaved a small dinner plate. stormwater volumes. Trees also increase property penstemon (Penstemon grandiflora) In 1992 soon after values. Now you can find out just how much they with its large, hot-pink, unmottled I arrived, Konza really do for us. floral tubes. Neighbouring it in a dry boasted 523 plant To use LEAF's new tool, measure the diameter of but distinct zone just downhill is species. In my your tree (or proposed tree) at breast height (known Penstemon cobea with big, white-with- constant search for as DBH). Then visit www.yourleaf.org. You'll be asked purple, blotched floral tubes. A rare plants unknown to a few simple questions: species of tree (or if you don't find that transports an observer to the me I found a know that, deciduous or coniferous), city you live in, west is the tiny nipple cactus previously side of house and approximate distance from house (Escobaria missouriensis) which is undocumented of your tree. The program will calculate not only virtually impossible to find when not westerner, showy the environmental benefits of your tree but also the in flower. milkweed (Asclepias replacement value at its current age and at 40 years On the hilltops I witnessed some speciosa). A single of age. interesting avian displays. One sunset specimen perched Eileen Atkinson did this exercise with her red oak evening I watched hundreds of high on a dry, rocky (Quercus rubra) which has a DBH of 52 centimetres nighthawks hunting in a valley, a promontory, (20 inches) growing on the east side of her house in column of them riding and spiraling bringing the 1993 Markham. She discovered that this year alone her tree through thermal updrafts. The white KPBS plant list to a saved 82 kilowatt hours of electricity, sequestered 109 mid-wing bars looked like military total of 524 species. kilograms (240 pounds) of CO2, avoided 12 kilograms insignia on World War I aircraft. In further hilltop (26 pounds) of CO2, mitigated 10,985 litres (2,416 Permeating the scene were periodic searches I never gallons) of stormwater and removed one kilogram (2.2 electric buzzes, the bird's rather found another but pounds) of air pollution. Over the tree's 75-year life strange call. Stranger still for someone since then I have expectancy the energy savings will be 4,780 kilowatts who had just come from the Virginia seen magnificent which translates into $583. Over its lifetime the tree Barrier Islands was the sight of an specimens of showy can also be expected to sequester 6,385 kilograms oddly inland shorebird relative, the milkweed in (14,076 pounds) of CO2 and remove 82 kilograms upland stilt preferentially using the northern New (180 pounds) of air pollution. At its current age the wooden posts of Konza's bison fence Mexico. oak has a whopping replacement value of $10,169. enclosure as a lookout. I also spent much To plant a tree in Toronto and Markham through Other western plant species are time searching for LEAF's subsidized programs or to learn how to take located in the western parts of Konza. orchids. As expected, care of your existing trees so that they provide energy I was lucky enough to get stuck on the diversity of this conservation and environmental benefits for years to stickleaf (Mentzelia oligosperma) – that come, visit www.yourleaf.org. Continued on page 14 is to say, my shirt sleeve got caught

NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2012 13 Continued from page 13 group is low but I eventually found a forest should pose good habitat where sizable population of spring ladies- I might find large yellow lady's slipper tresses (Spiranthes vernalis) just uphill orchid (Cypripedium pubescens var from the cordgrass wetlands. I pubescens). I spent a lot of time discovered that S. vernalis produced a looking but never found it. rosette of leaves in March beneath the There was so much to see I clearly sparse dead litter of the previous year's couldn't have found every known grass growth. This rosette was killed plant on the Konza Prairie Biological by the annual spring fire but it regrew Station in my time in graduate school quickly to photosynthesize before the and perhaps not even in a decade or current year's growing grasses shaded more of constant exploration. The it out. Later in a limestone outcrop far dynamic prairie under considerate away from any wetland I saw Great management will always be gaining Plains ladies tresses (Spiranthes new species and losing others. magnicamporum). These were the only STEPHEN JOHNSON orchids found on Konza, but as in the Stephen Johnson received his PhD at case of Asclepias speciosa, who can say Kansas State in 1994. To this day he is what minute windborne seed might grateful that he was never struck by HOTOGRAPH BY P have been carried in to germinate for lightning during his tenure on the Konza later discovery. Ted Barkley suggested Stephen’s plant hunter moment: showy Prairie. to me that the edges of the gallery milkweed (Asclepias speciosa)

New & Noted

The Pawpaw Grower's Manual for characteristics and providing our natural heritage Ontario historical and geographic and contribute to our by Dan Bissonnette context, he plunges into the regional identity. 2012, The Naturalized Habitat many ecological attributes of Residents who can Network of Essex County and Windsor, this slender, mid-sized tree. (For grow and harvest their P.O. Box 292, Essex, Ontario N8M 2Y3, example, the zebra swallowtail own fruit “will www.naturalizedhabitat.org, laminated butterfly caterpillar relies on the experience a sense of soft cover, 48 pages, ISBN 978-1-77136- pawpaw for its sustenance.) self-sufficiency, pride 050-0. This is followed by the plant's and empowerment.” life cycle, opportunities for To whet our Readers of The Blazing Star were establishing the pawpaw in appetites, the manual treated to a treatise on the pawpaw Ontario and detailed provides tips on (Asimina triloba) in the summer issue information on planning, storing and preparing of our NANPS newsletter. You planting, maintenance, health the fruit, including a few suggestions probably found yourself hungering for management and harvesting. for culinary creations. Pawpaw rum this “custard on a tree”. Here's your Dan has great ambitions for the cake, anyone? chance to learn even more, including pawpaw. As a locally grown, organic Sources and full nutritional details how to grow and enjoy this fruit in food with high nutritional value, this provided at the end. Ontario. fruit of the many colourful names How could you possibly resist Dan Bissonnette has done an (from possumhaw to Hoosier banana planting a couple of pawpaws – named admirable job of explaining how and and many more) has serious Tree of the Year in 2000 by Better why to grow the “poor man's banana” agricultural potential. (In fact, the Homes and Gardens magazine – with in The Pawpaw Grower's Manual for pawpaw helped feed starving people this handy little manual as your guide? Ontario. Bemoaning “the lack of during the Great Depression in the Dan Bissonnette received the North awareness, neglect and indifference 1930's.) Dan points out that American Native Plant Society 2012 that have dogged the pawpaw for more establishing it as a food crop in Restoration Award for his efforts to than a century”, Dan believes it's Ontario would have many spinoff restore and raise awareness about the crucial that we preserve this species benefits: opportunities to extend pawpaw in Ontario. and help it thrive. natural habitat on farms, adopt After describing the tree's sustainable practices, reconnect with Review by Irene Fedun

14 NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2012 Continued from page 1 – Indian Pipes leaves but they do not implicate a Deer are not attracted to Indian swollen eyes. symbiotic partnership with pipes because the plants contain In the 1940's, Harvard botanist mycotrophic fungi. Others label several cardiac glycosides. But how can Merritt Lincoln Fernald, citing a Indian pipes as a saprophyte only a non-photosynthetic plant make previous attempt by a Nova Scotian to indirectly associated with fungal these carbon-rich glycoside molecules? cook the plant for food, tried it breakdown of leaf litter. In fact, While much of the carbon available to himself expecting it to taste something Monotropa is what is called an Monotropa comes from the tree by way like boiled asparagus. Instead, he had epiparasite and forms part of a of , it seems that Monotropa this reaction: “Our single experiment triumvirate of tree//Indian has another trick up its botanical was not gratifying in its result.” pipes. The plant interjects itself into sleeve. To a small degree, Monotropa is Indian pipes was one of poet Emily an existing symbiotic linkage between capable of carbon fixation; it performs Dickinson's favourite forest flowers fungus and tree and is called a phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) from childhood. A devoted plant “cheater” by some. The one necessary carboxylase activity. PEP carboxylase collector in her youth, she created an part of the relationship is that Indian is a four-carbon (C4) atmospheric interesting pressed flower collection pipes only parasitizes fungi of the carbon-capturing molecule usually which included Indian pipes. Before genus Russula or a few other members associated with tallgrass prairie she died, a friend painted a of the family . It is also dominant grasses. This presence of watercolour of Indian pipes for part of the mycorrhizal relationship, at PEP carboxylase may also help to Dickinson. She told her friend: “That least the anatomical features of the distinguish the Monotropaceae from without suspecting it you should send relationship, that sets Monotropa and the Pyrolaceae and the Ericaceae me the preferred flower of life, it its close relatives apart from both the which are both primarily three-carbon seems almost supernatural, and sweet Ericaceae and Pyrolaceae; the fungal plants. The flowers, typically hidden, glee I felt at meeting it, I could confide net around the roots of Monotropa has are equally diaphanous. In fact, the to none.” particular sets of penetrating hyphae only visible non-white tissue paper Whether you view it as a “preferred which gives the relationship of fungi features are the amber anthers. The flower of life”, an epiparasite or a to Monotropa the term Monotropoid. relatively large flowers are chiefly “cheater”, Monotropa uniflora may On glacially derived mineralized visited by bumble bees, although continue to flourish as long as trees soil, Indian pipes typically appears in hover and paper wasps also come abound in association with the critical late summer or early autumn in the by to drink their nectar. fungi, the Russulaceae. But as we saw vicinity of white or red oaks (Quercus Humans have had an interesting during the severe drought of 2012, it spp.) and in the company of several relationship with Indian pipes. In the also takes sufficient rainfall to spark Russula species. However, we have seen 19th century boiled concoctions of life into the triumvirate and bring Indian pipes growing under dense Monotropa were considered treatments forth the tiny Faberge jewel of the pine tree cover (Pinus spp.), and for epilepsy (hence the name forest. obviously very acidic soil in convulsion root) or eye problems. Also Minnesota. Apparently soil pH is not a that century, naturalists such as the Mary Stark came to an appreciation of factor in growth; the only critical indefatigable polymath Constantine plants through literature. Stephen factor is the presence of a Russula Samuel Rafinesque and many Johnson enjoys studying intricate species mycorrhizally associated with physicians prescribed Indian pipes for symbiotic plant relationships such as the one involving Indian pipes. native trees. In dry years Indian pipes eye troubles. Sap from crushed stems may not appear. was drizzled directly into painful, GrowGrow Wild!Wild! Native plant nursery, landscaping and ecological services GIVING NATIVE PLANTS www.grow-wild.com A PLACE TO GROW Home: 705.799.2619 3784 Hwy 7, (Paul Heydon) Omemee, Ontario Cell: 416.735.7490 www.lpblt.on.ca (by appointment only) [email protected]

NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY FALL 2012 15 JOIN NANPS Your donations and membership dollars help NANPS to study, conserve, cultivate and restore North America's native flora. Members receive our quarterly newsletter, The Blazing Star, and are eligible for NANPS-sponsored excursions and the Seed Exchange. NANPS is a registered charitable organization (no. 130720824 RR0001) founded in 1984. Donations to the Society are tax-creditable in Canada. Tax receipts will be issued for donations of $20 or more. _____ $10 / student membership for one year (Memberships are for a calendar year from Jan.1 to Dec. 31) _____ $25 / 1-year regular membership _____ $40 / 2-year regular membership _____ $60 / 3-year regular membership _____ $200 / 5-year Sustaining Membership includes a $100 tax receipt NAME: ______ADDRESS: ______PHONE: ______Do you wish to receive The Blazing Star electronically? EMAIL: ______Please make cheque payable to NANPS and mail to Box 84, Station D, Etobicoke, Ontario M9A 4X1. For info, call (416) 631-4438; e-mail [email protected].

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