NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS N e w s Native Plant Society of Texas, North Central Chapter P Newsletter Vol 32, Number 60 S October 2020 O ncc npsot newsletter logo newsletter ncc npsot © 2018 Troy & Martha Mullens & Martha © 2018 Troy Purple Coneflower — Echinacea sp. T

October Meeting: p. 40 October Meeting See Page 40 "Show and Tell For a program description Favorite Plants" by Members Virtual Meeting

Chapter of the Year (2016/17) Chapter Newsletter of the Year (2019/20)

Visit us at ncnpsot.org & www.txnativeplants.org Index President's Corner by Gordon Scruggs ...... p. 3f Membership Committee by Gordon Scruggs ...... p. 5 Special Announcements and Updates (Important) Chapter Leaders By Martha Mullens ...... p. 6 Flower of the Month, Beautyberry President — Gordon Scruggs by Josephine Keeney ...... p. 7f [email protected] Activities & Volunteering for October 2020 Past President — Karen Harden by Martha Mullens ...... p. 9f Vice President & Programs — Lake Mineral Wells State Park by Cindy Crump ...... p. 11f Morgan Chivers NCC Fall Plant Sale by Sandy Fountain ...... p. 13 Recording Secretary — Debbie Stilson NPSOT 40th Save the Date ...... p. 13 Treasurer — Vanessa Wojtas Indian grass, NICE! Plant of the Season (Fall) Hospitality Chair — Corinna Benson, by Dr. Becca Dickstein ...... p. 14 Traci Middleton Answer to last month’s puzzle and a new puzzle ...... p. 15 Membership Chair — Beth Barber Oct. Calendar” Page by Troy Mullens ...... p. 16 Geyata Ajilvsgi by Martha Mullens ...... p. 17f Events Chair — Chairperson needed Snailseed by Martha Mullens ...... p. 19f NICE! Coordinator — Shelly Borders Grand Prairie Virtual Presentation for September Plant Sales Coordinators - Gordon Scruggs by Troy Mullens ...... p. 21 & Sandy Fountain & Josephine Keeney October Membership Report by Beth Barber ...... p. 22 Education/Outreach Chair — Open Hospitality by Corinna Benson ...... p. 22 Webmaster — Frank Keeney Summer fall by Jimmy Mullens ...... p. 22 Field Trips — Eric Johnson Photos I like, Texas Wildflowers, Leo Meier & Jan Reid Speaker’s Bureau — Theresa Thomas Ongoing series by Troy Mullens ...... p. 23ff Donations/Grants Chair — Open Trees and Shrubs by Martha Mullens ...... p. 30ff Ascent of the Oaks by Martha Mullens ...... p. 35ff Parliamentarian — Martha Mullens Parting Shots, News & Views by the Editors ...... p. 38 Facebook Manager — Open Volunteer Position Opportunites: Must read ...... p. 38 Newsletter Editor — Troy Mullens State Fall Symposium (Virtual) ...... p. 38 [email protected] Farmers Calendar by Troy Mullens ...... p. 39 Assistant Newsletter Editor — Oct. Meeting, Virtual Plant Show & Tell ...... p. 40 Martha Mullens Palo Pinto Mtns. State Park & Dogwood Canyon By Martha Mullens ...... p. 41 Southwest Subcourthouse Garden Leaders Recommended Plants List (Complete) ...... p. 42f Gailon Hardin & Dawn Hancock Pollinator Pledge by the Xerces Society ...... p. 44 Native Plant Gardens at the Southwest Half-Earth Pledge by E.O. Wilson ...... p. 44 Regional Library Leaders — This Year's Programs by Morgan Chivers ...... p. 45 Theresa Thomas & Char McMorrow Join NPSOT, Mission Statement, next Meeting ...... p. 46 Molly Hollar Wildscape Garden Leader — Newsletter Submission Requirements ...... p. 46 Ann Knudsen Fielder House Garden Leaders — Josephine Keeney & Jane Osterhuis O.S. Gray Natural Area — Questions, Josephine Keeney White Settlement Waystation — Comments ? Merita Knapp & Sandy Fountain

Publicity Chair — Chairperson needed Use this link below ! & Martha Mullens Troy ©2017 NLCP Classes Coordinator — Open [email protected]

The President’s Corner - October 2020 - by Gordon Scruggs

First, thank you Chapter members. I hope your 2020 has been such a challenging year. Due to the families are doing well. Remember the Fall Plant pandemic we have had to stop our field trips, start Sale is on Saturday, October 24, 2020. These sales meeting remotely, and something I miss so much, are a lot of fun and if you are not growing or help- we do not have the opportunity to acquire new ing, please come to shop. The plant sales are the native plants in the raffle at the end of the regular primary source of funding for our chapter’s many meeting each month. I have gotten so many won- programs. It is a great place to get those hard to derful plants from the raffle. My toothleaf gold- grow plants or to pick up the plants you cannot eneye / Viguiera dentate will be blooming by the find at the nursery. time this article is out. It is a pollinator magnet. Got it two years ago in the raffle. The North Central Chapter needs you. We have positions open in the following committees: As an organization, we want to keep everyone in- Events, Field Trips, Donations and Grants, Ed- volved, but it has proven to be challenging with ucation / Outreach, Publicity, Native Landscape all the concerns of possible exposure to the virus. Certification Program (NLCP), and Natives Im- Since meetings and events are now being con- prove and Conserve Environments program ducted virtually and it is easy to attend events (NICE). We also need volunteers to help with the around the state, we have developed a statewide website and Facebook. No experience necessary, virtual event calendar. The calendar is available we will train you. Please contact me if you have an at https://npsot.org/wp/virtual/ . You can sign interest in working with us to keep our Chapter up for the weekly email notification of upcoming the best in Texas. If you are unsure, please con- virtual events at the same link. tact me and we can discuss how you can help our Chapter. This year has also been challenging for me per- sonally. I was diagnosed with the virus in April. The NPSOT’s planning committee has cooked Fortunately, I recovered quickly. Then four up a virtual celebration this fall to take the place months later I became very sick again with new of a fall symposium. It will be held during Texas symptoms. After a month of probing and a great Native Plant Week, October 18-24. There will be deal of my blood going to the lab, they identified a virtual annual meeting, awards presentations, that I had two health problems. Surprising to me a bioblitz, and other events. You’ll be able to at- because I missed very few days of work for illness tend without ever leaving your home no cost for during my career as an engineer. Of course I re- the event. There is an awesome line-up of guest tired several years ago, now the wheels are com- speakers and I encourage you to attend. ing off! Actually I have been very fortunate to Last week I attended the Level 1 course for the have good heath, like my 93 year old World War Native Landscape Certification Program (NLCP). II veteran father. The health issues have been mit- Awesome course, I learned a lot and it was very igated with an antibiotic and an ongoing medica- interesting. The teachers were our very own chap- tion that has no long term side effects. ter members Suzanne Tuttle and Sandy Fountain. They did a great job and I recommend anyone Dealing with the health issues is one thing, but interested to take the course. The post-course the isolation with my wife and father has also testing for certification is optional. The fall NLCP been a challenge. virtual class schedule is available at npsot.org. Continued on Page 4

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 3 The President’s Corner - October 2020 - by Gordon Scruggs Continued from Page 3

Because of my wife’s underlying health issues and With the rain in early September, my gardens my father’s age, we have remained isolated. We have many fall blooms. October is the best time were quarantined three times in three months to plant most natives by seed. I have begun pre- from April through June. I have always consid- paring several areas for seeding some native plant ered myself as being socially reserved. I enjoy my additions to my gardens. Be sure before you seed one-on-one time with myself reading and think- to mark the spots where you will be coming back ing through different issues. With the isolation I to plant new natives purchased at our fall plant miss my friends and the camaraderie of the won- sale. If you have any questions, comments or derful members of our Chapter. Now I know how would just like to talk native plants, please con- gregarious I am! tact me at [email protected]. I am going to conclude my discussion with a A few weeks ago I was talking to a friend and re- poem, Afternoon on a Hill, by the famous Amer- alized that after I was diagnosed with the virus ican poet Edna St. Vincent Millay. This poem ex- in early April my habits changed. Pre-pandemic presses my feelings about the outdoors and the I woke up, drank about half a cup of coffee and primary object of my attention outdoors, native then started to work on the project for the day. plants. Now I get up, drink two cups of coffee, look at Facebook, drink some orange juice, read the New York Times, and then realize it is time for lunch! After lunch it is early- to mid-afternoon, too late to go out and work in the garden because of the Afternoon on a Hill hot Texas sun. So at that point, the most desirable option is to just sit and read in the garden with a I will be the gladdest thing cold beer! Sometimes I do force myself to work in under the sun! the garden in the heat, but the accomplishments I will touch a hundred flow- are typically minimal. I need some discipline! ers and not pick one. I will look at cliffs and clouds So this fall I am working on changing my morn- with quiet eyes, ing habits and every day I count my blessings for Watch the wind blow down my family’s good health. I am now altering my the grass, and the grass rise. routine by planning my daily projects in advance. And when the lights begin to This approach is beginning to put me back in to a more active pre-pandemic routine. show up from the town, I will mark which must be mine, and then start down.

Edna St. Vincent Millay

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 4 Membership Committee by Gordon Scruggs

Important Notice

We need you to help our Chapter by volunteering to be a member of the Membership Committee. The committee is tasked with implementing the Chapter’s Membership ­Action Plan. The purpose of the plan is to increase and diversify membership in the North Central Chapter. This plan was prepared to address the NPSOT state organiza- tion’s Five Year Strategic Plan, 2019-2024, Goal II – Ob- jective D. The plan will focus on Tarrant County and sur- rounding areas.

Specific tasks the committee will address include devel- oping and implementing outreach programs, identifying ­minority persons to give presentations at Chapter meet- ings, identifying areas for nature walks or other outdoor activities in or near minority neighborhoods with adver- tising in these neighborhoods, and identify ways to keep members engaged with entertaining/educational activities.

If you have an interest, please contact us at [email protected] .

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 5 Special Announcements and Updates by Martha Mullens

NPSOT Fall Symposium October 18-24

There will be no in-person symposium this year, but there will still be a celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Society. This will include a week of all-virtual events during Texas Native Plant Week with presentations, virtual garden tours, annual awards, and contests. The virtual events will be held using the Zoom app and live over the You- Tube channel. It is free, but you have to register for each event you attend. Go to the state website for more information and complete details.

North Central Chapter Fall Plant Sale Saturday, October 24

The fall plant sale will be held at River Legacy Park from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. All customers will be required to register in advance on the Chapter’s website and select a 30-minute time-slot to come in and shop. They will be required to social distance and wear a mask. Shoppers will be limited to 10 per 30-minute slot, but we will try to accommodate walk-ups, otherwise shoppers will only be allowed to enter during their time slot. This way we can limit the number of people there at a time and maintain a safe environment. Only credit cards and checks will be accepted for payment. The registration page will be posted on the website soon.

Nominations of Officers for 2021

The current officers have agreed to serve in 2021. They are: President: Gordon Scruggs, Vice-President: Morgan Chivers, Secretary: Debbie Stilson, Treasurer: Vanessa Wojtas. Their names will be presented at the general meeting October 1. Voting will be during the general meeting November 5. Nominations can also be made from the floor at that time if prior con- sent is given by the suggested nominees.

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 6 Beautyberry — Flower of the Month for October Story & Photographs by Josephine Keeney American Beautyberry Callicarpa americana (Verbena Family)

American Beautyberry is a gorgeous woody shrub that can grow up to fifteen feet tall in favorable ­moisture conditions, but usually averages five to ten feet and just as wide.

This shrub likes part shade and rich moist soils and woks very well as an understory plant. It can be ­propagated by seeds or tip cuttings.

The long arching branches have large leaves in pairs spaced along the branch. It blooms in the Spring with small pink flowers clustered at the base of the leaves.

During Summer the flowers turn into large clusters of berries which remain green until Fall when the leaves turn a lovely yellow-green and the berries a beautiful rose or burgundy pink transforming the shrub into a delight for the eyes, and a feast for many birds in the neighborhood.

Closeup of the fruit More Photos on Page 8

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 7 Beautyberry — Flower of the Month for October

Continued from Page 7

Photographs by Josephine Keeney

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 8 October 2020 Activities Scheduled - by Martha Mullens

Some activityes are being allowed with restrictions. Programs listed may be cancelled, rescheduled or changed to online due to covid-19. Check with the sponsors. Restrictions: social distancing, masks required for entry, screening before entry.

BRIT https://www.brit.org/ All onsite educational programming are suspended through September. Some programs will be online. email questions to [email protected]. Oct 3-10 10AM-12:30 PM Compost & Compost Tea (Pts I & II) zoom $85 NM/$75 M Oct 6 12 -1 PM Brown Bag Lecture why are there so many daisies? Dr. Bort Edwards Oct. 6 9AM-12 PM Botanists in Training (PreK-10th grade) $10 per student

Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge https://www.fwnaturecenter.org/ Hardwicke Interpretive Center closed. Wednesday morning hikes with Michael Perez are virtual. Check website for specific online programs. Admission tickets for visits must be purchased online in advance of visit. See specific instructions on following page.

Native Prairies Association of Texas Fort Worth Chapter Most in-person hikes, events, tours and meet-ups cancelled. Virtual programs or field trips may be of- fered so check online. Regular meetings are on zoom on second Mondays. https://fortworthnpat.wordpress.com/

Cross Timbers Master Naturalist FWBG http://www.ctmn.org/ Mon., Oct. 19 7 PM on zoom TBA

Tarrant County Master Gardener Association https://tarrantmg.org/ Live meetings suspended until further notice. Oct. 1 9:30 AM Zoom Online meeting Joyce Connely, Organic Lawn Care TX A & M AgriLife Water University offers free online classes. Registration required. Check website for details. wateruniversity.tamu.edu

North Central Chapter of Native Plant Society of Texas https:/www.txnativeplants.org/ October 1 6:30 PM Virtual Plant Exchange (Submit photos) Go-to-meeting online Sat., Oct. 24 10 AM-2 PM Plant Sale River Legacy by appointment & registration Board Meeting: Oct. 27 6:30 PM Go-To-Meeting conferencing from home

Fort Worth Botanic Garden https://www.fwbg.org/ Live meetings cancelled. Any other programs check with office. October 16, 2020-June 30, 2021 Topiaries in the Garden (free to members) General admission open regular hours. Tickets sold online. Check online for instructions.

Volunteer opportunities Cont. on Next Page

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 9 October 2020 Volunteer Opportunities - by Martha Mullens

Our chapter, nor the state NPSOT, cannot sponsor, encourage or plan any in-person (large group) meetings, events or demonstra- tion garden activities indoors or outdoors at this time, according to Gordon Scruggs, Chapter President. Workdays or events may be cancelled or rescheduled due to the corona virus covid-19. Check with the leader of each group.

Small groups can work at our demonstration gardens if social distancing is practiced, volunteers wear masks and bring their own tools. Contact leaders for more information.

Leader: Josephine Kenney Fielder House Butterfly Garden 1616 W Abram St, Arlington 2nd & 4th Mon. Molly Hollar Wildscape Veterans Park, Arlington 1st Sat. Knapp Heritage Park Pollinator Garden 201 West Front Street, Arlington 1st Monday OS Gray Natural Area 2021 Abram St., Arlington 2nd Sat.

Volunteer Manager: Sherrie Ripple or contact Josephine Keeney 3rd Mon. River Legacy Park 701 NW Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington

Leader: Theresa Thomas: 2nd & 4th Thursdays Native Plant Gardens at SW Regional Library at Hulen, 4001 Library Ln, Fort Worth

Leaders Gailon Hardin, Dawn Hancock 2nd Sat. & last Wed. SW Tarrant Co. Sub Courthouse 6551 Granbury Rd, Fort Worth

Volunteer @ Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge 9601 Fossil Ridge Rd, Fort Worth 76135 fwnc.org 817-392-7410 Volunteer Coordinator: Kenneth Nailey [email protected] Volunteer Positions: Docent, Outdoor Conservationist (Natural Guard). Restoration Greenhouse, Visi- tor Center Host, Special Events, Animal Care

Volunteer at White Settlement Monarch Waystation Leaders: Sandy Fountain, Merita Knapp Workdays cancelled until further notice.

Volunteer for Native Prairies Association Fort Worth npat.wordpress.com

Volunteer at BRIT 1700 University Dr, Fort Worth 76107 GROW Volunteer Coordinator (BRIT & Fort Worth Botanic Garden) To volunteer: go to brit.org , pull down bar “Get Involved”, click on Volunteer, click on “Become a Volunteer” and fill out an application. Director of Volunteers: Montana Williams, 817-546-1846 Volunteer Coordinator: Veronica Marquez, 817-392-5543 All emails inquiries: [email protected]

* Note: Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners can get volunteer hours for work performed.

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 10 Lake Mineral Wells State Park - by Cindy Crump

September 19, 2020 This morning I arrived for a work day at Lake Mineral Wells State Park. The work day for the pollinator garden is every third Saturday and the garden is at the administration building, just before the entry gate. This is the first time I have seen it so visually appealing. The red Turk’s Caps and the Mealy Blue Sage were the prominent plants in bloom, but Autumn Sage in both red and white, yellow Texas Lantana, purple Texas Sage, white Snow on the Mountain and yellow Four Nerve Daisy were all just exploding with color. The heavy rain a couple of weeks ago must have enticed all the flowers to bloom. Bumble bees, cardinals, spiders and, new to me, a Pink Southern moth were all enjoying the garden. Some wasps were digging holes to bury their captive green grasshoppers. The park ranger stopped by to tell us how much he was enjoying seeing the hummingbirds though his window every day. A group of teen hikers viewed the gar- den on the way to find the restroom. Working in the garden today with me were Kathleen DeMaggio and Carroll Flourney, both from the Cross Timbers Chapter of the Texas Native Plant Society. Kathleen busied herself with removing the bindweed from the bushes while Carroll dug out the Bermuda grass. I pulled out all the Purple Night- shade from amongst the Frogfruit and the Winecups and trimmed the plants off the pathways. In two hours we had the garden looking tidy but natural looking. It was a pleasant way to spend the morning, gardening with friends. The garden was planted several years ago, but neglected as the park had no one to tend to it. A couple of years ago Kerry Newberry saw that it needed attention and organized a crew to edit the overgrown mass of plants and add new plants contributed by John Snowden and others. Since then, the Cross Timbers Chapter of the Texas Native Plant Society has contributed mulch and a few more plants. Members of the Native Plant Society and Master Naturalists, from the Prairie Oaks and Cross Timbers chapters, contrib- ute their time and expertise to maintain the garden.

Please come and visit the garden. To volunteer, contact Cindy Crump at [email protected].

Continued on Page12

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 11 Lake Mineral Wells State Park - by Cindy Crump Continued from Page 11

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 12 North Central Chapter Fall Plant Sale - by Sandy Fountain

PLANT SALE SOON. Just an FYI about our fall plant sale. It will be on Oct. 24th at River Legacy Park. Fall is the BEST time to plant perennials in North Central Texas. We have a plan for social distancing. Here is some info about it via words of our President, Gordon Scruggs.

The fall plant sale will be held at River Legacy Park from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. All customers will be required to register in advance on the Chapter’s website and select a 30-minute time-slot to come in and shop. They will be required to social distance and wear a mask. We will try to accommodate walk-ups, otherwise shoppers will only be allowed to enter during their time slot. This way we can limit the number of people there at a time and maintain a safe environment. Only credit cards will be accepted for payment. The registration page will be post- ed on the website soon.

NPSOT 40th Save the Date

Activities Free

See: https://npsot.org/wp/vc2020/ Activities Free

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 13 NICE! Plant of the Season (Fall) Reported by Shelly Borders

Fall 2020 Plant of the Season Native Plant Society of Texas, North Central Chapter NICE Native Plant Partners Natives Improve and Conserve Environments Indiangrass, Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash: Tall, fall-blooming grass

Description: Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash, called Indiangrass and Yellow Indiangrass, is a tall, upright, perennial, warm-season ornamental grass. It typically grows to 3-5 feet tall with long blade- like blue-green leaves, with flower spikes up to 6-8 feet tall. The foliage turns yellow-orange in the fall, fading to brown in the winter. Indiangrass is 2-3 feet wide, with a bunching habit that increases in width each year. Before European settlement, Indiangrass was a major species in the Tallgrass Prairie ecosystem that dominated the central US.

Flowers and Seeds: Indiangrass flowers in the late Photos courtesy of Cathy Lustgarten (L) and summer to early fall with bright yellow flowers in Kathy Saucier (R) 8-12 inch clusters called panicles. As fall progresses the panicles become bronze to brown, turning gray by winter. The small seeds feed birds and other wildlife, and may self-seed in ideal conditions.

Planting sites: Once established, Indiangrass thrives in poor, dry to medium soils in a range of soil pH and soil types. It prospers in full sun.

Watering Instructions: Water Indiangrass well when planting it. After it is established, it is drought tolerant except in severe dry spells. Indiangrass will withstand occasional flooding, but will not survive marshy conditions.

Comments: Indiangrass is well-suited for naturalizing, erosion control, as a vertical specimen in border gardens and as a foundation plant. It is attractive in winter and should not be cut back until early spring, which is its only recommended maintenance for landscaping. Birds and small animals love its seeds. Indiangrass attracts butterflies and is the larval host for the Pepper-and-Salt Skipper butterfly. It is deer- resistant. It can be propagated by root division or by seed collected in the fall. Seed may need a cold treatment before germination. Consider planting Indiangrass instead of non-native invasive grasses like fountain grass (Pennisetum species) or Pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana). Companion plants include those with similar bloom times like Fall Aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium), Gulf Muhly, (Muhlenbergia capillaris), Gayfeather (Liatris mucronata), Gregg's mistflower (Conoclinium greggii) and Mealy Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea).

Look for the NICE Plant of the Season signs and information sheets on your next visit to a participating North Texas nursery. Thank you for using native plants in your landscapes. The Native Plant Society of Texas, North Texas Chapter meets on the 1st Thursday Feb thru June, Aug thru Dec at 6:30 pm, at Fort Worth Botanic Gardens, Deborah Beggs Moncrief Garden Center, Redbud Room. (Unless virtual). https://media.txnativeplants.org Written by Dr. Becca Dickstein

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 14 Answer to Last Month’s Puzzle and A New Puzzle by Troy Mullens © 2020

Which Yellow stonecrop is local to North Central Texas and which is from Vancouver Is., Canada?

Answer to Last months quiz

Plants have a facinating variety of parts, shapes and arangements.

Rock Rose Seeds

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 15 Prairie verbena, rock wall, West Texas, ©2020 Troy & Martha Mullens Prairie Verbena © Martha Mullens Perky purple sprite clinging to a rock, skipping through prairies, who can confine thee to a garden plot?

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 16 Geyata Ajilvsgi by Martha Mullens

Geyata Ajilvsgi 21st Century Woman Botanist by Martha Mullens

Very few of the women botanists that I have featured so far are still alive. A lot have achieved fame in the field post- humously. It’s time to honor one who at age 87 is still very actively pursuing her interests in nature, native plants, and butterflies. It is time to acknowledge a lady who has contributed so much to the study of native Texas plants, Geyata Ajilvsgi.

Before Michael Eason published his field guide to Texas wildflowers, there was Wildflowers of Texas (1984) by Geyata Ajilvsgi. It is still the first one that I grab when I need to identify a flower, or I want to know some folklore or history about a plant. She diligently keeps it updated with new scientific names and adding more entries. Although Eason’s field guide is great, it just gives basic information on each plant so he covers 1200 species as opposed to her 462 species. Her book is therefore smaller and lighter weight and will fit in my fanny pack when I go on a hike. I keep Eason’s in the car for reference.

For more than twenty years Geyata has combined her fieldwork with freelance writing. She has published numer- ous articles and a newspaper column on nature. She is the author of other books about Texas native plants besides the field guide. Her first book was Wildflowers of the Big Thicket, East Texas, and Western Louisiana. I wrote a review on Butterfly Gardening for Texas in the November 2019 newsletter. Another of her books is Butterfly Gar- dening in the South. All of her books are available on amazon and eBay for $7 to $30 depending on condition and whether the book is hardcover or paperback or still in print. The most expensive is her newest, Butterfly Gardening for Texas, and her oldest, Wildflowers of the Big thicket, East Texas, and Western Louisiana, if you can even find it.

She was the consultant for Texas Wildflowers by Leo Meier & Jan Reid that I reviewed in the June 2020 newsletter. This is the book that Troy is putting in the newsletter each month region by region.

Geyata is a native Texan. (I could not find where she was born.) She began her work on Texas flora in 1968 by col- lecting specimens for the reference text on Texas flora that is used by all Texas botanists, Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas. Later she joined the Department of biology at Texas A & M University as Herbarium Botanist. She also acted as plant field taxonomist for an environmental consulting firm, where her work resulted in the addition of several species to the official listing of the state’s flora.

She donated some of her collections to BRIT, and I had the privilege of mounting some of her specimens in 2011- 2015. Because I haven’t volunteered at BRIT in about 5 years, I don’t know whether she is still sending her speci- mens there, but my guess is that she is.

For those of you who read my articles on women botanists, I apologize for revisiting Geyata. It is because of my bad memory. When I was looking for a female botanist to write about, I mentioned her to Troy. I thought that I had written about her, but I wasn’t sure. He didn’t remember. So I looked through my list of articles that I have written for the newsletters and couldn’t find it. (I have written articles for other publications so I thought that this was one of those.)

Geyata continued on page 18

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 17 Geyata Ajilvsgi by Martha Mullens Continued from Page 17

I went ahead and researched for this one still feeling that I had written about her before. By accident I ran across some ‘new’ information to add to my original on Georgia O’Keefe. ‘Lo and behold’ I discovered that I had com- bined Geyata with Georgia O’Keefe in the July 2019 newsletter. If you are a new member, didn’t read my original article, or (like me) have forgotten, here she is again. She still makes a worthy subject. Finding anything personal about her is very challenging. She lives in the Hill Country. She identifies herself as a butterfly and butterfly-plant specialist in Austin.

Sources: Go to the sources and search "geyata" There is an online interview with Geyata on “Central Texas Gardener” entitled Backyard Butterflies, Season 20 Episode 2, December 7, 2013. www.centraltexasgardener.org

There is a review of her book Butterfly Gardening for Texas online in https://www.mysanantonio.com/lifestyle/home-garden/article/Gardens-can-help-butterflies-thrive-4676920.php article in Dallas Morning News online September 11, 2013 https://www.dallasnews.com/

Book References: Information on jackets of books. Ajilvsgi, Geyata, Wildflowers of TX Shearer Publishing, Fredericksburg, TX, 2003 Ajilvsgi, Geyata, Butterfly Gardening for TX, TX A & M Univ. Press, College Station, 2013 Meier, Leo, Jan Reid, Texas Wildflowers, Portland House, New York, 1989

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 18 Snail Seed by Martha Mullens

Carolina Snailseed Cocculus carolinus by Martha Mullens

I mistakenly identified this vine as green bri- red-berry (red-berried) moon- ar for many years. Both kept coming up in my seed, wild sarsaparilla, mar- flowerbeds (thanks to birds), and I kept try- gil, and hierba del ojo. The ing to get rid of them. Once established they genus name, Cocculus, refers are difficult to remove because of their vig- to the curled, snail-like seed, orous spreading habit. The simple, alternate, and the species name caroli- triangular, three-lobed leaves of green briar nus is for Carolina. No one and snailseed looked similar, and they were seems to know whether that both vines with tiny whitish-greenish-yel- means North or South Caroli- low flowers. I didn’t look closely although I na or both. It is native to North did notice that the snailseed (not then iden- America from the Southeast tified) did not have thorns or tendrils. I left to the Midwest, from North- one specimen because Troy likes green briar. ern Florida to Mexico, north Well, lo and behold it produced beautiful red to North Carolina, Kentucky, berries. (Green briar has black fruit.) About southern Illinois, Missouri, and the same time Josephine suggested to me to southeast Kansas. The USDA use snailseed (which I had never heard of be- NRCS maps shows its range fore) as a table decor for the holiday party in from Florida west through Al- December that I was in charge of since I was abama, Mississippi, Louisiana, vice-president at the time. Arkansas, and Texas. Its nat- ural habitat is in rocky wood- So I did a little research and discovered that lands and stream-side thickets, I had a snailseed vine growing in my yard. particularly in calcareous ar- The first year after my discovery I planned eas. It can also be found in dis- on using the vine and berries for decorations turbed areas such as fencerows at the Christmas party. I didn’t want to har- and waste areas. It is abundant vest too early because I wanted them to look across North Central Texas and fresh. I went to cut the vine and there were no can grow in most soil types. berries! The day before there had been plen- ty. The birds had stripped the vine. It was a Carolina snailseed provides better use for them than table decor. Every good browse for goats, cattle year since I have watched the berries dis- and deer. The leaves and stems appear rapidly once they turn red. Strange- contain three kinds of alkaloids ly the berries usually appear in October or which don’t seem to affect the November, sometimes December, but this livestock, but all parts of the year they arrived in August. The field guides plant are reported to be poisonous to humans. Turkey, quail, state bloom time is June and July. Male plants small mammals and numerous songbirds consume the fruits make inconspicuous flowers, but the fruit is with no ill effect. If the seeds last until winter, the cedar wax- produced only on the female plants. I have wings love them. discovered that a lot of the vines I thought were green briar are actually male snailseed. Snailseed continued on page 20 Carolina snailseed is also called coralbead, coralberry, coral vine, Carolina moonseed,

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 19 Snail Seed by Martha Mullens Continued from Page 19

Certain indigenous American tribes used moonseed medicinally for blood ailments, probably following the primitive assumption of “Doctrine of Signatures” that plants “signify” their use to us. Since the most conspicuous field mark is the blood red fruit, then this would “signify’ that it be used to treat blood ailments. However, we must remember that the things in Na- ture are the way they are for reasons other than their utility to humans. Therefore, the “Doctrine of Signa- tures” is not always to be believed.

Book References:

Curry, Mary, North Central Texas Wildflowers, Mary Curry Pub., Decatur, TX, 2015 Diggs, George, Barney Lipscomb, Robert O’Kennon, Shinners and Mahler’s Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas, Austin College and BRIT Publishers, 1999, pages 824-825. Linex, Ricky, Range Plants of North Central Texas, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Weatherford, TX, 2014 Vines, Robert, Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines of the Southwest, (Arkansa, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas), University of TX Press, Austin, TX, 1986. Wrede, Jan, Trees, Shrubs, and Vines of the Texas Hill Country, Texas A & M University Press, College Station, TX,2005 online: aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu backyardrdnature.net (August 2013, September 2012) plants.usda.gov wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocculus_carolinus wildflower.org

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 20 Grand Prairie Eco-region - by Troy Mullens

Monthly Meeting: Virtual Presentation By Troy Mullens

The Grand Prairie Ecoregion Divides the Eastern and Western Cross Timbers Ecoregions Why is the Grand Prairie ecoregion sufficiently distinctive to not be included in the cross timbers? Weather, climate, plant populations, soil ? The Grand Prairie also contains some other ­smaller named prairies.The talk spent some time learning the definitions and terms describingecoregions ­ and discussed the areas surrounding the Grand Prairie.

Wildflower and plant examples were presented representing the various ecoregions.

Background information and references for the talk: Spatial frameworks are necessary to structure the research, assessment, monitoring, and management of environmental resources. Ecological region (or ecoregion) frameworks designed to meet these needs have been developed in the United States (Bailey 1976, 1983, 1995; Bailey et al., 1994; Omernik 1987, 1995), Canada (Wiken 1986; Ecological Stratification Working Group 1995), New Zealand (Biggs et al., 1990), Australia (Thackway and Cresswell 1995), the Netherlands (Klijn 1994), Austria, (Moog et al., 2004), Finland (Heino et al., 2002), and many other countries. We define ecoregions as areas of relative homogeneity in ecological systems and their components. They portray areas within which there is similarity in the mosaic of biotic and abiotic components of both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Factors associated with spatial differences in the quality and quantity of ecosystem components, including soils, vegetation, climate, geology, and physiography, are relatively homogeneous from place to place within an ecoregion. Various patterns in human stresses on ecosystems and in the existing and attainable quality of environmental resources are also evident among different ecological regions. Ecoregion classifications are effective for inventorying and assessing national and regional environmental resources, for setting regional resource management goals, and for developing biological criteria and water quality standards (Gallant et al., 1989; Hughes et al., 1990, 1994; Hughes 1989; Environment Canada 1989; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Science Advisory Board 1991; Warry and Hanau 1993, Stoddard 2004).

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 21 Membership and Hospitality

Membership Report, October 2020 By Beth Barber

Gee, I miss seeing y’all. It has been quite a while since we have been able to have an in-person meeting. But, if you are new to the North Central Chapter, or you have seen someone’s name and are not sure if you know them, or you’re just wanting to refresh your memory of who we are, check out the members online directory on our web- site. By going to the “about” section, then “members”, and clicking on the “online directory”, you can see member’s pictures with their names. If you have never submitted your picture, there is a place for doing that. I encourage you to take time to submit your picture so we can recognize you when we are able to get together. Email Theresa Thomas at [email protected] subject line = Photo Directory – Your Name Attach photo Hope to see you soon. We have 184 members in our chapter. Welcome back all who have recently renewed their membership. Welcome also to our new members: Jeanette Hyden of Bedford and John Lawley of Arlington.

Hospitality by Corinna Benson

Just to let you know we still have 3 hospitality slots open for February. Covid 19 pending.

Summer fall By J.S. Mullens

Summerfall

The green trees are unaware That to come is an October scare When in a flash of sudden cold Their emerald sheen turns gold And winter warns to beware Those leaves will fade and fold Into a ground brown and old!

© 2020 J. S. Mullens

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 22 Texas Wildflowers by Leo Meier & Jan Reid by Troy Mullens

Photos I like From a Book Review by Martha Mullens

The book is divided into 5 regions: Central Texas, East Texas, South Texas, North Texas, and West Tex- as. Each region contains from about 30 to 50 pages of photographs including about 10 pages of text describ- ing the region. MM

The following pages contain some of the photos that were not included in the book review by Martha ­Mullens (June 2020 issue) : https://www.txnativeplants.org/wp-content/up- loads/2020/06/Newsletter-2020-June.pdf

I am going to cover a different region each month. If you can't wait a few more months to see the great photos, go to Amazon.com and get your own copy (used very good condition). In addition to photos, it contains wonderfully rich ­information. Worth every ­penny. TM

Texas is very diverse in habitat and the native plants of each region have adapted wonderfully to these cli- mates, soils, and altitudes.

In Texas Wildflowers, the text and photographs explore the state’s natural heritage and is a celebration of the over 2500 species of wildflowers that are native to it. Although the photographer, Leo Meier, is an Aussie, we can forgive him because he spent weeks trekking across Texas to take these beautiful photos. The author, Jan Reid, is a native Texan, who has spent most of his life writing articles for magazines, such as Texas Monthly, and books on various subjects. Most of us are famil- iar with the botanical consultant, Geyate Ajilvsgi, who has authored field guides on Texas wildflowers. MM North Texas region & The Texas Panhandle photographs pp. 22-28

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 23 Texas Wildflowers by Leo Meier & Jan Reid by Troy Mullens

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 24 Texas Wildflowers by Leo Meier & Jan Reid by Troy Mullens

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 25 Texas Wildflowers by Leo Meier & Jan Reid by Troy Mullens

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 26 Texas Wildflowers by Leo Meier & Jan Reid by Troy Mullens

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 27 Texas Wildflowers by Leo Meier & Jan Reid by Troy Mullens

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 28 Texas Wildflowers by Leo Meier & Jan Reid by Troy Mullens

Next Month West Texas

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 29 Trees and Shrubs - by Martha Mullens Trees and Shrubs by Martha Mullens

Most of my articles about plants have been about wildflowers or forbes. I feel that I have overlooked the east Asia, Sri Lanka and the West Indies, it is grown as trees and bushes. They are probably more important a crop whose sap produces rubber. in a wildlife habitat than the forbes because they pro- vide food and shelter for many creatures, both large Maybe you own a fig bush in order to harvest the fruit. and small. A yard, meadow, or riparian area is not We have one, Ficus carica, that we share with the birds complete without trees and bushes. and squirrels. Some years we even collect enough fruit to make fig preserves. Therefore, I am going to explore two trees that have captured my interest for different reasons. I had not One that is cultivated as a vine to grow on the sides written about either before because I couldn’t make of buildings or on a trellis is the strangler fig, Ficus up my mind which to choose. What a pleasant sur- pupila. In rain forests it wraps around large trees and prise I got when I discovered that they are in the same sometimes topples them or cuts off the light to the top family. Thus I decided to write about the family Mora- of the tree. ceae. At first, in my mind’s eye, I thought these trees aren’t similar, but then giving the question more con- Mulberry sideration, I realized that the simple, lobed, decidu- The genus Morus in not extensive, having only about ous leaves look a lot alike. The grayish bark is similar 10 species worldwide. There are only three species (overlooking the thorns of the Bois D’Arc), with flaky of mulberry in the United States, two native and one scales, and produces milky sap. Using some imagina- naturalized. The same three are found in Texas. The tion, the fruits are different colors and sizes, but both two native species found in our area are Morus micro- are bumpy looking. I realize these external character- phylla and Morus rubra. The white flowers are seen istics are not the deciding factors when taxonomically sometimes as early as late March, but usually in April classifying plants, but I can now see some connection. or May and the fruit is produced from May to August depending on the species. Moraceae Family Possibly the one we see most often in yards is the This family contains some interesting plants: figs, cultivar of Morus alba which is fruitless. It, like the mulberries and bois d’arc. Most are not native to our so-called seedless watermelon, is not entirely fruitless region, not even to North America, such as the figs because it spreads across large areas by seeds. The sap- and many mulberries, but I am going to concentrate lings can become a nuisance. Also they, like Bradford on the two that are: mulberry and bois d’arc. pears, tend to self-destruct in high winds. We got rid of the ones in our yard when we moved here, but the Ficus or Fig neighbors’ trees keep sharing. Morus alba is a native There are no native figs in our area. They were orig- of East Asia, but it has invaded many areas forming inally from tropical regions, such as Indomalesia to thickets and flourishes in limestone areas in Dallas, Australia. Several species are grown here mostly as Denton and Tarrant Counties and scattered across ornamentals. Texas. A way to distinguish this species is that the leaves are rougher and vary in the number of lobes on Most of us have owned one kind or another. Maybe, the same plant. the ficus plant so often seen in office buildings has dec- orated your home. I used to have one. It is important to our daily lives because it is the rubber tree, Ficus trees and shrubs cont on p.31 elastica. Where it has become naturalized in South-

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 30 Trees and Shrubs - by Martha Mullens Continued from Page 30

Morus microphylla, is known most commonly by Texas mulberry, but also by mora, little leaf mulberry, wild mulberry, dwarf mulberry, and mountain mul- berry. It has small leaves (1 ½ to 2 ½ inches long) that are rough on both sides, smaller fruit, and is small- er in height (about 15-25 feet) than the red. It prefers dry, well-drained habitats, such as the thin limestone soils of West Texas (west of Colorado River), but is also common on the limestone of the White Rock Es- carpment of Dallas County (only attains a height of 6-12 feet), as opposed to the red mulberry which oc- curs in deep, rich soils and river bottoms. It can be found throughout the Hill Country on the hard lime- stone soils of the Balcones Fault Zone of the Edwards Plateau. It grows equally well on the slightly acid sands of Erath and Comanche County but also the limestone clays and redlands of Brown, Coleman, etc. It is found on igneous soils in the Chisos, Davis, and Texas Mulberry Hueco Mountains and the Capitan Reef Formation of the Guadalupe Mountains.The range maps show that range is from the eastern border with Arkansas and it has been observed in Tarrant County, but it grows Louisiana as far west as Clay County on the Red river, more to the East in Dallas County and to the West in down through the central western part of the Edwards Palo Pinto and south in Comanche Counties. Its fruit Plateau to Terrell County, and back to the southeast can be eaten and was enjoyed by Native Americans, to the Corpus Christi area. There is no record of it in especially in New Mexico and Arizona. They culti- the Rio Grande Valley. Some botanists separate out a vated it for the fruit and for its elastic orange/brown strain of red mulberry called the Lampasas Mulberry wood that was used to make bows. which is found in the Lampasas Cut Plains area. The leaves are larger and glossy above with a white fuzz The Texas mulberry is a desirable component of ripar- below. The fruit is larger than the common red mul- ian undergrowth. Deer, goats, and antelope browse the berry. leaves. The leaves only have tufts of soft hairs on the largest veins whereas the red mulberry leaves are cov- Growing to a height of 40-50 feet in rich soils, the red ered with soft hairs on the underside. Unfortunately, mulberry will grow in the shade of other trees though deer love its leaves and twigs so much they will browse it does prefer a fair amount of sunlight. It will grow in it to death. If you have this tree on your property and clay, sandy or loamy foil with a range of pH, as long as the deer visit, you may need to put a wire cage around the soil is moist and well drained. it to protect it. If you have room for a tree that will attract birds and The fruit is eaten by deer, turkey, quail, and songbirds. butterflies, then this is for you. Both male and female Birds love the fruit so much you will probably not see trees produce flowers, but only the female tree makes the ripe fruit. the fruit. If you decide to plant one, be sure not to plant it near a sidewalk because it is messy with the Morus rubra, red mulberry, is also known as common fallen fruit and bird droppings. mulberry. Lampasas mulberry, and moral. It ranges from the midAtlantic to Florida and west to Nebraska Trees and shrubs cont on p.32 and Texas. It occurs in the eastern ⅔ of the state. Its

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 31 Trees and Shrubs - by Martha Mullens Continued from Page 31

However, from my experience, there probably won’t Interesting facts about mulberries: be much fruit that makes it to the ground. The fruits resemble blackberries or raspberries. The red fruit In 1984, the city administration of Tucson, Arizona, matures to a purplest-black color which is edible banned the planting of mulberry trees citing that the and sweet. The fruits are eaten by deer, turkey, quail, amount of pollen produced by the trees was harmful squirrels, small mammals, and at least 20 species of to humans. songbirds. The plentiful fruits attract butterflies and were used by Native Americans and early settlers to The colorful (black, white or red) berries of the mul- make pemmican. (Pemmican is a mixture of fat, dried berries of the genus Morus sp. can be made into wine, meat and dried berries.) I just like to pick them off the fruit juice, tea, jam, canned foods or eaten fresh or tree and eat them, although a sprinkle of sugar makes dried as a snack. them tastier. Trees of the nursery trade, Morus alba, white muller- The light orange wood of the mulberry is very dense ry, and Morus nigra, black mulberry, are native to and has been used by settlers, farmers, and ranch- China. Morus alba is also called the Russian mulberry ers for making farming implements. The leaves (2-3 or silkworm mulberry because the leaves are fed to inches long) are good browse for deer and livestock in silkworms. Morus nigra is cultivated widely in Eu- spring and summer. rope for its large, sweet-tart fruit. Paper mulberry, ­Broussionetia papyrifera, is also found as a cultivated Besides attracting birds to the red mulberry fruit, the tree here, but was originally from Japan and China. tree has several desirable attributes. It grows fast, is easy to transplant, and is relatively free of serious dis- Bois D’Arc or Osage Orange ease. When used as an ornamental, it will develop into Maclura pomifera an attractive tree if given adequate space and mois- ture. Growing up outside Greenville (Blackland Prairie), we were blessed or cursed with these trees, depending This was the inspiration for choosing mulberry. After on your point of view. We country folks called them spending so much time at home cooking our meals in horse apples. The horses and cows ate them. I have the Spring due to the health crisis, Troy and I decid- since learned that horses have been known to choke ed to get some fast food at a local drive through. We because the fruits become lodged in the esophagus. parked under a mulberry tree so that we could sit in Squirrels and bobwhite are smarter as they take the the car to eat our chicken strips and french fires. We fruit apart and eat the seeds. I personally don’t know were entertained by the abundance of birds visiting how any animal eats the fruit because of the milky the tree for berries. The tree was actually shaking from acidic sap, but it does contain lots of seeds. so many blue jays, cardinals, and mockingbirds. Some would zip in and secure the fruit and fly off to eat it. Once seeds are dispersed by animals, saplings grow Some would gulp it down there. Some swallowed sev- in almost any soil, though originally they were found eral to take to their babies. Even the kingbird was a predominantly in the Backland Prairie clay. Now frequent visitor. I assume looking for bugs. The squir- osage orange can be found also in the Post Oak Sa- rels were not to be outdone and gobbled their share. vannah, but not in the Grand Prairie because the soils Within 15 minutes the tree was stepped bare of ripe are too shallow and droughty. fruit and it was literally covered when we first arrived. Only the unripe red berries were left. Trees and shrubs cont on p.33

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 32 Trees and Shrubs - by Martha Mullens Continued from Page 32

Sparse in Denton and Tarrant County (except in black clay), it reaches its largest size in the Red River and Trinity River valleys in northern Texas because of a preference for rich clay soils, high in limestone with 32-35 inches of rainfall. Interestingly, thickets have been found around seeps, springs, and creeks where Native Americans made their campgrounds. No one knows whether the horse apples were carried there to feed the horses or whether the Indians had some use for the seeds, or whether they transported limbs for the wood to make bows and the fruit just came along with the branches.

In my childhood when I was about 9 years old, I loved to climb trees. The taller the better, which made a huge chinaberry my favorite. I tried others. The bark on the hackberry was too rough so I developed a dislike for hackberries. Another type of tree Troy and I tried to eradicate when we moved here, but one that I have Bois d' Arc come to appreciate since because it provides seeds for The yellow to orange wood is very hard and durable. It birds in the winter and is a host plant for hackberry has been widely used as fence posts, farm tools, wagon butterflies. The sticky sap on the cypress was yucky wheel hubs, and for home construction piers because and caused me to itch so I left it alone. Lots of trees of its hardness and resistance to decay. The root bark were too short, too bushy with too many thin limbs. produces a tan dye that was once used to produce the khaki color of army uniforms. At one time, the city of But the one that was my nemesis was the Bois D’Arc. Austin had streets paved with bois d’arc paving blocks. I could not get past the thorns. My mother warned me. I tried lots of times, but my stubbornness was no Several years ago a new home was built a few blocks match for those spikes. It is no wonder that they de- away on a street that I traveled a lot. After the owner terred being browsed upon by ancient animals, such moved in, he wanted to build a wooden fence around as the giant sloth. Today, livestock and deer browse his property, but there was a clump of bois d’arc bush- the leaves and twigs. Maybe they are smart enough to es in the way. I watched him for a week or so hack and avoid the thorns, or they just don’t care. chop and try to saw and cut those down. He never succeeded and finally gave up and altered the path of I don’t advise ever planting osage orange trees on your his fence to go behind the bushes. They weren’t even property unless you have several acres and want to at- mature trees. Troy and I sympathized with him but tract wildlife because the horse apples make a mess, secretly laughed at his futile exertions. The trees are the trees spread rapidly and are very difficult to get still there just outside his fence. rid of. Besides providing food for livestock and squir- rels, the fruit is said to repel roaches. A bushel of fruit yields about 24,500 seeds or 2 pounds. Stored at 41 degrees oF, the seeds will be viable for 3 or more years if you are interested in propagation. Trees and shrubs cont on p.34

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 33 Trees and Shrubs - by Martha Mullens Continued from Page 33

I remember as a child my mother telling me that the tree with pretty shiny dark green wavy leaves 3-6 worst thing to get switched with when she was a child inches in length which turn yellow in the fall. The was bois d’arc even with the thorns removed. I was trees are separately male or female. Both have green- threatened with it, but never received that punish- ish flowers, but only females produce the fruit. ment. Most switches would break or shred, but not bois d’arc. Any switch on a bare leg is bad enough, but I made an outstanding discovery in 1983 while especially if you had to first go fetch it yourself. Fortu- ­attending a National Wildlife Conservation Summit nately, I was a pretty well-behaved child except I loved at Lake George in New York. I took a class on trees. to climb trees which my mother did not approve of. The teacher held up photos and leaf samples of var- She had my father saw the lower limbs off of my fa- ious trees and asked the group to identify them. Ei- vorite chinaberry tree up to about 6 feet to discourage ther most of the attendees were shy or weren’t famil- my climbing it, but I learned how to shimmy up the iar with the selection so I kept naming them. Then trunk to reach the lower branches. Didn’t I mention he held up the bois d’arc which I identified as such. that I was stubborn. I had to prove that I could do it. He said that wasn’t correct. Someone else said osage I received a spanking for that (as I knew I would), but orange which he said was correct. I felt like a dumb fortunately not with a bois d’arc twig. country hick when I also called it a horse apple. There were a few chuckles. Then he thought about it and re- Possibly one reason that osage oranges are as wide- membered that bois d’arc is another name for osage spread as they are is that during the Dust Bowl trees orange, but evidently used mostly just in Texas and were planted as windbreaks all across the Great Plains. Louisiana. I had never heard of osage orange at the The trees are long-lived, have few diseases and toler- time. After class, I went to the library and looked it ate most types of soil. If you plant one, you will have up. I was surprised that bois d’arc was such a local- to prune the lower branches to make it look like a tree. ized name. What did those northerners know anyway, they hadn’t heard it called a horse apple. By the way Out on the prairie, deer, goats, and livestock browse we really pronounced it bodark. It is also called hedge the lower branches and create a rather nice looking apple, naranjo chino and yellow wood.

References:

Diggs, George, Barney Lipscomb, Robert O’Kennon, Shinners and Mahler’s Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas, Austin College and BRIT Publishers, 1999, pages 827-832. Linex, Ricky, Range Plants of North Central Texas, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Weatherford, TX, 2014 Simpson, Benny, A Field Guide to Texas Trees, Gulf Publishing, Lone Star Books, Lanham Maryland, 1999 Vines, Robert, Trees, Shrubs, & Woody Vines of the Southwest, Univ. of TX Press, Austin, 1986 Wrede. Jan, Trees, Shrubs, & Vines of TX Hill Country, TX A & M Press, College Station, 2005

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 34 Ascent of the Oaks - by Martha Mullens

Ascent of The Oaks Review of article pages 42-49 from Scientific American, August 2020 Comments by Martha Mullens

Once upon a time, a long, long time ago (about 56 million years give or take a few million) in a land far, far away (probably Eurasia) there were big forests that covered the ground because it was a tropical environment. The air was warm, the sun shone, and there was plentiful rain. There were many kinds of plants, especially large trees, but over time, the temperature dropped. Some of the trees moved further south to a warmer climate. They spread out over large areas and adapted to less rainfall and, in some cases, cooler tempera- tures. Some preferred sandy soil and some clay and some limestone. Some advanced to high- er elevations and some tried canyons and some preferred slopes. Because they spread out far and wide, they developed different characteristics over time. Thus, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of species of trees worldwide today with about 435 species of oaks found on five continents. the Americas or vice versa, but they are collecting Does this sound like a fairy tale? Well, that is more and more fossil and genetic data. A fact that just about the amount of information that was has made study of oaks rather difficult is that the available to trace the history, origin, and ances- species hybridize freely within the groups of red try of oaks until recently when DNA sequencing and white oaks. and genome science advanced to the degree it is Oaks are the keystone species, foundational to at present. Three researchers have spent years in the functioning of the forests they form across the study of oak ancestry. Andrew Hipp, senior the Northern Hemisphere. They foster a diversity researcher from Lisle Arboretum, Paul Manos, of organisms from insects, to birds, to mammals. professor at Duke, and Jeannine Cavender-Bares, They help clean the air, sequester carbon dioxide, professor at the University of Minnesota, have and absorb atmospheric pollutants. They have poured countlesss hours into this project. Al- helped shape human culture, feeding us with though, they don’t have all the answers, and it is their acorns* and providing wood to build our an on-going study, they have come up with many homes, furniture, and ships. Oaks have proved so interesting insights. The oldest fossils found to valuable to people that they have been immortal- date (from 56 millions years ago) were in mud in ized in legends and myths for centuries. Austria in the form of massive amounts of pol- len. Because oaks were wide spread across North Oaks are especially prominent in the Americas. America and Eurasia, they still don’t know for sure In fact, approximately 69% of all Quercus ­species whether oaks originated in Eurasia and spread to Oaks cont on p.36

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 35 Ascent of the Oaks - by Martha Mullens Continued from Page 35 oak), Q. myrtifolia (myrtle oak), Q. margaretta live here. Oaks supply more forest tree biomass (sand post oak), Q. elliottii (formerly Q. pumila than any other woody plant genus in North -running oak). America and Mexico. They form the most im- White oaks studied were: Q. hemisphaerica (lau- portant group of trees in the continent’s forests. rel or Darlington oak), Q virginiana (southern To understand forests-their biodiversity, food live oak), Q. geminata (sand live oak), Q. chap- webs and contributions to humans-one needs to manii (Chapman oak), Q. michauxil (swamp understand how oaks came to dominate them. chestnut oak) For decades scientists could only speculate about the evolutionary history of oaks because of the To distinguish the two, look at gaps in fossil records and the limitations of bio- the leaves and when acorns are molecular techniques used to link fossil DNA to produced. Red oaks have bris- living organisms. Recent genome sequencing has tle-tipped leaves. Their pollen allowed these scientists to reconstruct a detailed takes a full year from the time it picture of the origin, diversification, and disper- lands on the female flower to fer- sal of oaks. This has important implications for tilize the seed so that acorns pol- predicting how these essential trees will fare in linated in one year ripen in the the face of climate change, and for developing next. management plans to ensure their survival. White oak leaves have no bristles The researchers present pictographs and bar and contain more soil-enriching graphs of the ‘genealogy’ of the ancestors of the nutrients when they fall than red modern Quercus genus which has split into the oaks. Their acorns ripen the same red oaks and white oaks in North America. Live year they are pollinated. Some- oaks are treated under the white oaks. The re- times they germinate before they searchers concentrated on 10 species-5 red and hit the ground. Because of this, 5 white species. These 10 represent various soil squirrels prefer to collect and store red oak types and grow in diverse regions across North acorns because they are less likely to germinate America. Several of them are native to Texas. and go bad. Red oaks studied were: Q. falcate (southern red White oaks are able to plug the water-conduct- or Spanish oak), Q. shumardii (Shumard red ing tubes with balloon-like structures to seal them off against deadly fungal diseases, such as oakwilt. Red oaks are sloppy and slower in this respect. Because of this ability of white oaks they have been the preferred wood to use in wine barrels and ships being able to hold water more effec- tively. Chewing insects recognize the difference be- tween red and white oaks and are adapted to one or the other. Mycorrhizal fungi, which ­connects Oaks cont on p.37

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 36 Ascent of the Oaks - by Martha Mullens Continued from Page 36 the roots to soil nutrients, appear to recognize the *See review of the book Braiding Sweetgrass in differences and favor one over the other. I guess the August 2020 newsletter about how important that limits which ones can “talk” to which ones acorns were to Native Americans. (discussion in the July 2019 newsletter based on the book: The Hidden Life of Trees: How They Feel, How They Communicate by Peter Wholle- ben). I could go on, but my review would be longer than the article. You need to read it for yourself, espe- cially if you want to delve more into the scientific methods they used and look at their graphs and illustrations. Other interesting articles in the same issue: Animals Apart: How lobsters, birds, and primates practice social distancing to prevent spread of disease. The Biomass bottleneck: Strategies for drawing down carbon dioxide depend on more trees, grasses. Galileo’s Lessons for Living Through a Plague

diversity

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 37 Parting Shots - Last Minute News & Views of the Editors by Troy & Martha Mullens

Must read: Volunteer Opportunities in a Leadership Role

Your chapter of NPSOT needs you. We have openings for chairpersons for Events, Field Trips, Donations and Grants, Education/Outreach, Publicity, NLCP and NICE. We also need one or two more ­volunteers to help with the website and Facebook. You do not have to have any expe- rience because­ the current chairpersons will train you. Contact your President, Gordon Scruggs, or reply to­ [email protected].

Seriously: I mean really: Consider this:

It only takes a few hours a month. Get together with a friend. Maybe the two of you would like to be Co-Chairs. Training will be provided and help is always available. Get your feet wet. It is very rewarding and will help keep our chapter one of the best in the state.

2020 Fall Symposium by Trinity Forks

Virtual - see link https://npsot.org/wp/story/2020/12155/

See: https://npsot.org/wp/vc2020/

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 38 Parting Shots Page 2 - Last Minute News & Views by the Editors by Troy & Martha Mullens

Farmer’s Calendar - October (excerpted from The Old Farmer's Almanac)

“The Pumpking” is what his parents called this enterprising guy, their son, because he arrives on their lawn at dawn and dismounts his ATV to inspect his 6,000 loyal subjects: pumpkins, arranged in tidy rows, like a royal court, a crowd of orange faces. Consider that Ben, in his mid-30s, can say that he’s been sovereign, the reigning monarch of squash in his quadrant of northeastern Vermont, for more than a quarter-century, growing his busi- ness since the ripe old age of 6. Now he lives adjacent to his parents and grows 20 pumpkinds, ranging from the diminutive fists of ‘Jack Be Little’ to the chunky orbs of ‘Howden’ to a hassock-size cucurbit called ‘Dill’s Atlantic Giant’. There must be enough raw jack-o’-lantern material here to gratify every kid in a 30-mile vicinity. I am a mere kindergartener when it comes to this business, selling just a few dozen of one variety—‘New England Pie’— from my 5-year-old roadside shanty. Yet Ben and I have at least one thing in common, which is that we refuse to outgrow our love for the round, orange vegetables of Halloween. Nor do we fear leftover inventory—it’ll just mean a preponderance of pumpkin pie for the great banquet at Thanksgiving.

Farmers Almanac 2020 Edition

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we call the full moon closest to the autumn equinox the Harvest Moon. In 2020, the Northern Hemisphere autumn equinox came on September 22. Depending on where you live worldwide, the first of two October 2020 full moons will fall on October 1 or 2, 2020. Thus, for the Northern Hemisphere, this upcoming full moon in early October – the full moon closest to our autumn equinox – is our Harvest Moon.

Harvest moon © Farmers Almanac

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 39 Parting Shots Page 3 - Last Minute News & Views by the Editors by Troy & Martha Mullens

October Meeting Virtual "Plant Show & Tell" Normally each year at the October meeting everyone brings a plant to discuss and give away to another member or guest. Since we are having remote meetings, this October everyone will have a picture of their favorite flora and will tell the group about this plant. To participate, you need to send a picture(s) to [email protected]. It can be one to two pictures. If it is more than one picture, the pictures must be placed on a single page in Word format. Then at the October meeting the photographs will be shown randomly and each individual will have the opportunity to discuss their plant in less than 90-sec- onds. The time limit will ensure everyone has the opportunity to discuss their plant. If the photograph is not yours, please provide the photographers name or the website where it was acquired. All submissions must be in by Sept 29, 2020 to be included in the slide show. Please submit a picture and join us to learn about native plants at our October 1, 2020 meeting.

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 40 Palo Pinto Mountains State Park & Dogwood Canyon by Martha Mullens

Construction on Palo Pinto Mts State Park begins in 2020

Construction on Palo Pinto Mts State Park is due to begin this year. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department hopes to open in 2023. (Some areas are now open around Tucker Lake and the picnic area.) This park is part of the North Texas Hill Country and in the western half of the Western Cross Timbers. It begins around Mineral Wells and stretches west to Possum Kingdom, running north from I-20 for about 60 miles. The closest town is Strawn. The park will offer tree-covered ridge lines which provide beautiful vistas and creeks running over limestone. Rock-rimmed, 90-acre Tucker Lake is clear and still. Pecan and cedar elm surround the lake, as well as Roosevelt weed, sumac, broomweed, and boneset. From Spring to Fall many wildflowers bloom on the slopes and in the can- yons. There will be plenty of room to roam, nearly 5,000 acres. There are 60 prehistoric sites dated from between 8,000 and 16,000 years old and 80+ historic sites to visit. Wildlife that you might see are turkey, white-tailed deer, mountain lions, wild hogs, raccoon, opossum, squirrel, cottontail, armadillo and gray fox. The park is well-known for birds, especially the rare golden-cheeked warblers and black-capped vireos. Watch out for possible copperheads and ­rattlesnakes. Boots are recommended for hikes.

Dam at Tucker Lake, P.P. Mts. St. Pk. © Martha Mullens

Dogwood Canyon Reopens

After 6 months of closure, the trails at Dogwood Canyon are reopening with some restrictions. No dogs are al- lowed. Bathrooms, buildings, and picnic areas are closed. There is no access without reservations and restricted to 10 people per hour. Social distancing and masks are required. For more information go to the website https://dogwoodcanyonaudubon.

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 41 Recommended Plant List RecommendedFor North Plant CentralList for North Texas Central Texas

The purpose and mission of NPSOT is to promote research, conservation and utilization of native plants and plant habitats of Texas through education, outreach and example. Visit us on the web at www.txnativeplants.org for more information about the NC Chapter, or www.npsot.org for a local chapter in your area.

Key: E= Evergreen P= Tolerates poor drainage S= Shade tolerant F= Very showy in flower or fruit D= Drought resistant in full sun * = Suseptible to Oak wilt B= Attracts birds or butterflies FF= very showy in fall foliage

Shrubs Grasses Common Name Key Scientific Name Common Name Key Scientific Name E D P S B F E D P S B F Agarita E D B F Mahonia trifoliolata Big Bluestem D P B F Andropogon gerardii American Beautyberry P S B F Callicarpa americana Buffalograss D Bouteloua dactyloides Apache Plum E D B F Fallugia paradoxa Bushy Bluestem P B F Andropogon glomeratus Autumn Sage D B F Salvia greggii Eastern Gammagrass P S Tripsacum dactyloides Canyon Senna D F Cassia wislizenii Gulf Muhly P B F Muhlenbergia capillaris Coralbean D B F Erythrina herbacea Indian Grass D P B F Sorghastrum nutans Coralberry S B F Symphoricarpos orbiculatus Inland Seaoats P S B F Chasmanthium latifolium Dwarf Wax Myrtle E P S B Myrica pusilla Lindheimer Muhly D P B F Muhlenbergia lindheimeri Flame Acanthus D S B F Anisacanthus quadrifidus wrightii Little Bluestem D B FF Schizachyrium scoparium Fragrant Sumac D B F Rhus aromatica Seep Muhly D P B Muhlenbergia reverchonii Indigobush P B F Amorpha fruticosa Sideoats Grama D B F Bouteloua curtipendula Mountain Sage S B F Salvia regla Splitbeard Bluestem D P F Andropogon ternarius Pale Leaf Yucca E D S B F Yucca pallida Switch Grass P B F Panicum virgatum Red Yucca E D P B F Hesperaloe parviflora Smooth Sumac D B FF Rhus glabra Groundcovers Texas Barberry E D B F Mahonia swaseyi Common Name Key Scientific Name Texas Mock Orange F Philadelphus texensis E D P S B F Texas Sage/Cenizio E D S F Leucophyllum frutescens Cedar Sage S B F Salvia roemeriana Turk's Cap D P S B F Malvaviscus arboreus drummondii Frogfruit D P S B Phyla nodiflora Virginia Sweetspire P S B F Itea virginica Golden Groundsel D S F Packera obovata Wax Myrtle E P S B Morella cerifera Horseherb S Calyptocarpus vialis White Honeysuckle Bush S B F Lonicera albiflora Lyreleaf Sage E P S F Salvia Lyrata Missouri Violet S F Viola missouriensis Small Trees Pigeon Berry P S B F Rivina humilis Common Name Key Scientific Name White avens D P S B Geum canadense E D P S B F Wood Fern S Thelypteris kunthii American Smoke Tree D B FF Cotinus obovatus Bigelow Oak D Quercus sinuata breviloba Shade Trees Carolina Buckthorn D P S B F Rhamnus caroliniana Common Name Key Scientific Name Cherry Laurel E S B Prunus caroliniana E D P S B F Desert Willow D B F Chilopsis linearis American Elm D B F Ulmus americana Eastern Red Cedar E D B F Juniperus virginiana Bald Cypress P F Taxodium distichum Eve’s Necklace D S FF Styphnolobium affine Bigtooth Maple F Acer grandidentatum Goldenball Leadtree D S B F Leucaena retusa Bur Oak D Quercus macrocarpa Lacey Oak D F Quercus glaucoides Caddo Maple F Acer barbatum Mexican Buckeye D S B FF Ungnadia speciosa Cedar Elm D P B F Ulmus crassifolia Mexican Plum D S B FF Prunus mexicana Chinquapin Oak D Quercus muehlenbergii Possumhaw P S B F Ilex decidua * Live Oak E D Quercus fusiformis Prairie Flame Sumac D B FF Rhus lanceolata Loblolly Pine E Pinus taeda Roughleaf Dogwood P S B FF Cornus drummondii Mesquite D B F Prosopis glandulosa Rusty Blackhaw S B FF Viburnum rufidulum Pecan B Carya illinoinensis Texas Persimmon D S B Diospyros texana Post Oak D Quercus stellata Texas Redbud D S B F Cercis canadensis texensis * Shumard Red Oak D F Quercus shumardii Wright acacia D B F Acacia wrightii Southern Magnolia E S F Magnolia grandiflora Yaupon Holly E P S B F Ilex vomitoria Texas Ash D P B F Fraxinus albicans * Texas Red Oak D F Quercus texana Continued on Page 33

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 42 Continued from Page 32 RecommendedRecommended Plant List for Plant North ListCentral Texas For North Central Texas Key: E= Evergreen P= Tolerates poor drainage S= Shade tolerant F= Very showy in flower or fruit D= Drought resistant in full sun * = Suseptible to Oak wilt B= Attracts birds or butterflies FF= very showy in fall foliage

Garden/Meadow Flowers Vines Common Name Key Scientific Name Common Name Key Scientific Name E D P S B F E D P S B F Baraba's Buttons B F Marshallia caespitosa Carolina Jessamine E P S B F Gelsemium sempervirens Bergamot/Beebalm P B F Monarda fistulosa Climbing Prairie Rose P B F Rosa setigera Big Red Sage B F Salvia penstemonoides Coral Honeysuckle P S B F Lonicera sempervirens Bitterweed P B F Helenium Amarum Crossvine E P S B F Bignonia capreolata Black Eyed Susan F Rudbeckia hirta Passion Flower P S B F Passiflora incarnata Blue Eyed Grass S F Sisyrinchium sp Virginia Creeper P S B F Parthenocissus quinquefolia Blue Flax D F Linum lewisii Blue Mist Flower S B F Conoclinium coelestinum Bluebonnet D F Lupinus texensis Perennials Cardinal Flower P S B F Lobelia cardinalis Common Name Key Scientific Name Cowpen Daisy D B F Verbesina encelioides E D P S B F Datura D B F Datura wrightii Blackfoot Daisy D B F Melampodium leucanthum Diamond Petal Primrose D F Oenothera rhombipetala Butterfly Weed B F Asclepias tuberosa Engelman Daisy D B F Engelmannia peristenia Calylophus D S F Calylophus spp. Engelman Sage D B F Salvia engelmannii Chile Pequin P S B Capsicum annuum Eryngo D F Eryngium leavenworthii Coreopsis D S B F Coreopsis lanceolata Fall Obedient Plant P F Physostegia virginiana Four-nerve Daisy E D B F Tetraneuris scaposa Fragrant Ageratina P S B F Ageratina havanensis Gayfeather D B F Liatris punctata mucronata Fragrant Phlox S B F Phlox pilosa Gregg's mistflower S B F Conoclinium greggii Greenthread D B F Thelesperma filifolium Mealy Blue Sage D B F Salvia farinacea Gulf Coast Penstemon P F Penstemon tenuis Purple Coneflower S B F Echinacea spp. Halberd Leaf Hibiscus P F Hibiscus laevis Rockrose D S B F Pavonia lasiopetala Horesemint D B F Monarda citriodora Texas Lantana D B F Lantana urticoides Indian Blanket D B F Gaillardia pulchella Wild red columbine D S B F Aquilegia canadensis Indian Paintbrush D F Castilleja indivisa Winecup S B F Callirhoe involucrata Maximillian Sunflower P B F Helianthus maximiliana Yellow Columbine E S B F Aquilegia spp. Mexican Hat D B F Ratibida columnifera Zexmenia D S F Wedelia acapulcensis hispida Partridge Pea D P B F Chamaecrista fasciculata Pink Evening Primrose B F Oenothera speciosa Prairie Onion B F Allium stellatum North Central Texas Top Ten Invasives Prairie Verbena D B F Glandularia bipinnatifida www.texasinvasives.org Ruellia S B F Ruellia sp Japanese honeysuckle Lonicera japonica Scarlet Sage P S B F Salvia coccinea Glossy privet Ligustrum lucidum Shrubby Skullcap D B F Scutellaria drummondii Chinese Privet Ligustrum sinense Skeleton Leaf Goldeneye D S B F Viguiera stenoloba Giant reed Arundo donax Snow-on-the-prairie D P B F Euphorbia bicolor Chinese wisteria Wisteria sinensis Spiderwort S F Tradescantia sp Vitex chastetree Vitex agnus-castus Spring Rain Lily F Cooperia pedunculata Nandina Nandina domestica Standing Cypress E D B F Ipomopsis rubra Chinaberry tree Melia azedarach Texas Bluebell B F Eustoma exaltatum russellianum Chinese tallow tree Triadica sebifera Two-leaved Senna D B F Senna roemeriana Johnson grass Sorghum halepense White Milkwort D B F Polygala alba Wild Foxglove F Penstemon cobaea

Printing sponsored by: Precision Press Printing Arlington, Texas

For information about our chapter & participating nurseries visit www.txnativeplants.org/plants or scan the QR code.

Revised 2/2020

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 43 The Pollinator Pledge - by the Xerces Society Reported by Troy Mullens

To Bring Back the Pollinators, I will: 1. Grow a variety of bee-friendly flowers that bloom from spring through fall. 2. Protect and provide bee nests and caterpillar host plants. 3. Avoid using pesticides, especially insecticides. 4. Talk to my neighbors about the importance of pollinators and their habitat.

Sign the Pollinator Protection Pledge Today! https://xerces.org/pollinatorprotectionpledge/

The Half-Earth Pledge - by E. O. Wilson Reported by Troy Mullens

As a global citizen, I pledge to do what I can to support the Half-Earth Project:

• Take action to support species conservation; start by exploring the Half-Earth Map con- servation priorities areas, as well as information about my home and other areas of interest to me. • Share information about the Half-Earth Project with my network; ask friends and family to join me by signing the Half-Earth Pledge; share my pledge with my social media followers.­ • Participate in local conservation events; attend a Bioblitz or join a nature group in my area; use the iNaturalist app and upload species observations on my travels in nature. • Support policies that protect the Earth’s lands and oceans; keep up-to-date on local pol- icies; contact your representatives and share your thoughts and opinions on policies, because each policy action plays a role in reaching the grand, achievable Half-Earth goal. https://www.half-earthproject.org/pledge/

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 44 Partial list of the 2020 Programs Reported by Ray Conrow and Morgan Chivers

2020 Date Name Title of Presentation Contact Information

February 6 Steve Chaney “Pruning” [email protected] Texas Agrilife Extension 817-458-1362 Service

March 5 David Downey Tinsley-Rock Springs David.Downey@ Fort Worth Botanic Native Garden at FWBG fortworthtexas.gov Gardens (FWBG) April 2 Carol Clark—Bring Back TBA—Monarch Theme [email protected] the Monarchs to Texas Cancelled - Covid19 (BBMT)

May 7 Cancelled - Covid19

June 4 Carol Clark Virtual meeting June 11 Monarchs

Kim Conrow Kim's Garden Virtual August 6 3 Members TBA Native Gardens of our tourMembers

Grand Prairie : September 3 Troy Mullens Intersection with the troymullensjr@gmail. com NC– NPSOT Eastern & Western Crosstimbers October 1 Show and Tell and Bring a Texas Native Members Plants:Trade! ShowNative and Plant Tell, Plant to exchange for VirtualExchange Meeting another. FUN!!!

November 5 TBD

December 3 Holiday Social Pot Luck Dinner, Program & Hospitality Awards and Introduction Chairs—decorations, of New Officers. FUN!!! games, prizes, food

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 45 4. Do not embed the photographs in the article. Re- Newsletter Requirement Suggestions member, the article will most likely be in two column 1. All submissions due by the 15th of the preceding format for easy reading. month. Exceptions are at the discretion of the Editors. 5. Please include a caption with each photograph and 2. Articles (text) should preferably be in plain text form. note any individual names of people. (No pdf’s). Any special formatting requirements should Examples: be noted. ( .doc .pages and .odt are OK) Photo names: Photo1.jpg, Photo2.jpg, Photo3.tiff etc. Photo Caption examples: 3. Photographs & charts should be sent separately as Photo1- Bluebell in my Garden large as possible. Location within the article should be Photo2 - Field trip group, names (l to r): noted. Example Bill Smith, Mary Jones, etc. Photo3 - Black Willow at FWNCR Photo4 - Flower, (Credit - Name, organization) November program:

TBD

Visit us on the Web The purpose of the Native Plant Society of Texas is to promote the conservation, research, and utilization of the at native plants and plant habitats of Texas through www.txnativeplants.org education, outreach, and example.

Join the Native Plant Society of Texas! The North Central Texas Become a member of the Native Plant Society of Texas. Membership is open to any individual, NPSOT News family, or organization. Membership is renewable annually and extends for a year from the date we receive your original payment. Note new prices effective April 1, 2019. If you wish to join, please indicate your category of membership, then clip and mail this application with the is a monthly publication of appropriate remittance to: the North Central Chapter Native Plant Society of Texas of the Native Plant Society PO Box 3017, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 of Texas.

___ Student $35 ___ Family (2 or more) $60 For changes of address or ___ Senior (65+) $35 ___ Patron $100 information about contribut- ___ Limited Income $35 ___ Benefactor $250 ing to the newsletter, please ___ Individual $45 ___ Supporting $500 contact the newsletter editor. ___ Lifetime $1200 ___ Additional Chapter(s) $6 The deadline for submitting Name: ______articles for inclusion in the Address: ______newsletter is the 15th of every City, State, Zip: ______preceding month. County: ______Phone: ______Troy Mullens, Editor Chapter Affiliation: _____North Central [email protected] E-mail: ______Go to https://npsot.org/wp/join-renew/ for an on-line sign-up form or for additional information. A printable form is also available there.

October 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 46