NEWSLETTER OF THE UPSTATE CHAPTER OF THE SC NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY

For updates and more information, go to www.scnps.org

MARCH 2012 Propagating (really) Native Plants …because Ball Seed doesn’t sell local genotypes — and neither do most mail-order sources of native plants, or even many local nurser- ies. South Carolina Botanical Garden Greenhouse and Nursery Man- ager Ryan Merck explains that many “native” plants for sale in the Southeast got their start in the far West – Washington, Oregon, PHOTO BY STEVE MARLOW California. Even the majority of “local” plants on the market were Friday-Sunday, March 2-4 propagated in North Carolina or Georgia, not South Carolina. Ryan Southern Home & Garden Show emphasizes the importance of preserving local genotypes and will Thanks to the generosity of the Home begin his March program by explaining the importance of local Builders Association of Greenville, we genotypes to native plant and animal communities. again have a booth at the Southern Home & Garden Show. Almost 20,000 The first step in growing truly local native plants is collecting people will have an opportunity to seeds, cuttings or both. To produce really native plants, it is important learn about native plants and about to collect from plants growing as close as possible to the area where SCNPS — if you will help staff our booth! new plants will grow. Ryan will describe appropriate collection meth- Volunteers receive an exhibitor's badge and a pass to the exhibitor's ods for both seeds and cuttings. parking lot, both good for the duration Once you have collected cuttings or seeds, the next step is starting of the show. Open time slots are new plants via either asexual or sexual reproduction. Asexual repro- underlined below: duction using stem cuttings is widely practiced in the nursery indus- Show hours/Volunteer shifts: try and produces a genetically exact copy of the parent plant: the March 2, Friday, 12 noon to 8 pm grower knows exactly what characteristics to expect. However, start- Shift: 12-3 / 3-6 / 6-8 March 3, Saturday, 10 am to 8 pm ing new plants from cuttings can be complicated and challenging for Shift: 10-1 / 1-3 / 3-6 / 6-8 the home gardener. March 4, Sunday, 1 pm to 6 pm Shift: 1-3 / 3-6 Sexual reproduction, or growing plants from seeds, leads to Sign up at a meeting, or email Steve, greater diversity of characteristics, potentially more vigorous plants – [email protected] and possible surprises for the gardener. This method, however, is simpler and easier for the less experienced or less well-equipped ______Tuesday, Mar 20, 7:00 pm grower Propagating (really) Native Plants... Ryan will describe and illustrate collecting, storing, and starting because Ball Seed doesn't sell local seeds. He plans to discuss where and when to collect, as well as seed genotypes characteristics such as seed dormancies, overcoming dormancies, and See story at right. ______scarifying seeds when appropriate. Ryan says seed dormancy often Friday-Saturday-Sunday, Apr 13-14-15 seems to be a complicated subject but is basically a matter of imitat- 15th Annual Native Plant Symposium ing local weather and, he adds, “You know what the weather is.” He Native Plants: Living History Lessons ... continued on page 4 Native plants are the descendants of natural ecosystems that occupied this place in pre-Columbian times, in pre- Ryan Merck Ice Age times, in pre-human times, and South Carolina Botanical Garden far beyond that. Native elk and bison disappeared from the Carolinas after European Tuesday, March 20, 7:00 pm settlement, but we still have Founders Hall in Dining Commons, Southern Wesleyan University, Central ... continued on page 4, Upcoming Events For a map and more information, visit http://www.scnps.org/activities_ups.html Pickens County Museum Field School SC. He received his Permaculture Design certificate in 2010 after studying announces schedule for and practicing it for 10 yrs. At the farm, he is able to engage his passion for forest spring-summer Plant Appreciation Classes gardening, ecological restoration and cultural transformation. The Pickens County Cultural Commis- plant appreciation classes (some free) so sion is proud to share with our commu- that you can learn more about our Feb 23 (Thursday): Meet the Natives nity the Pickens County Museum Field regional flora. with Joe Townsend at the Pickens School. This program, supporting the County Museum; 5:30-7:00 pm. In Joe Townsend has been appreciating and Hagood Mill Historic Site’s Nature this lecture you will learn about some growing wildflowers for 20 years. He is a Conservation Plan, includes a variety of of the familiar and noteworthy native charter member of the Native Plant Society conservation and primitive skills plants of the Upcountry. Come join us and the owner of WildSide Gardens, programs, classes and workshops. and celebrate the wonderful world of a native plant nursery located in the Six wildflowers, jewels of the Upcountry. As springtime approaches and Mile area of Pickens County. He resides on This lecture is free to the public. many plants emerge from their winter a 24-acre farm where he lives off grid with hiatus, flowers and greenery emerge solar power. March 10 (Saturday): Wildflower throughout the year. The Pickens propagation with Joe Townsend at Chris Sermons is the founder and manager County Museum Field School is pleased the Hagood Mill; 10:00 am-2:00 pm. of Bio-Way Farm, a Certified Organic to welcome returning instructor, Joe Tuition: $40 ($30 for Museum mem- produce farm, evolving on Permaculture Townsend, and our new instructor, bers). In this workshop you will learn Design principles located in Ware Shoals, Chris Sermons, who will offer a series of how to successfully propagate your own wildflowers from seed, cuttings and division. You will learn proper seed storage; seed stratification methods Important News and how to make a low cost mist chamber for your stem cuttings. Some Regarding SCNPS Native Plant Sale seeds will be provided. Plan to bring The SC Native Plant Society would availability. We also were sensitive your bag lunch. For 18-years & above. like to inform you of recent to the demand on our volunteer March 24 (Saturday): Introduction decisions that affect vendors, corps of doing 2 major events to Permaculture with Chris Sermons suppliers, and volunteers of our within a couple weeks of each at the Hagood Mill; Noon-3:00 pm. annual plant sales. other. With all that said, we have Tuition: $40 ($30 for Museum mem- The SCNPS Upstate Chapter is decided NOT to hold a Spring Plant bers). Permaculture is a holistic system thrilled to announce that Ryan Sale in 2012. of design, based on direct observation Merck has agreed to become the We wanted to let you know as of nature, learning from traditional new chair of the Plant Sale Com- soon as possible since many of you knowledge, and the findings of mittee. Professionally, Ryan serves profit through your affiliation with modern science. Embodying a phi- as nursery manager at the SC our plant sales. We want you to losophy of positive action and Botanical Garden, and thus brings know that we look forward to our grassroots education, Permaculture considerable experience and Fall Plant Sale and hope that you aims to restructure society by return- resources to our effort. As an will plan to participate in making ing control of resources for living: existing member of the SCNPS that a huge success. We value our food, water, shelter and the means of Plant Sale Committee, Ryan is relationships with you and our livelihood, to ordinary people in their already well connected to our customers!! communities. This class will cover the basics of Perma-culture ethics, prin- volunteer leaders, and has made As plans for the Fall Sale unfold, ciples and design theory and include a valuable suggestions for improve- Ryan will be in touch with you. design walk on the Hagood Mill site. ment throughout his tenure. We In the meantime, feel free to 18-years & above. look forward to his leadership! contact Ryan at The intention of the SCNPS [email protected] May 5 (Saturday): Nature Discovery board is to continue to hold 2 Thank you for your friendship, Day at the Hagood Mill; 9:00 am-3:00 plant sales each year to generate and we hope to see you at our pm. The public is invited to join in revenue for the chapter's outreach upcoming Symposium this day of celebrating nature with a and education. This spring, how- (www.scnps.org) featuring keynote host of experts in this field. Take a ever, we are hosting the Society's speaker naturalist/painter Philip nature walk with Patrick McMillan; Annual Spring Symposium the Juras, numerous guided field trips, learn about amphibians with DNR’s very weekend we had originally on-site workshops, a silent auction, Greg Lucas; hear about mammals with Ed Pivorun; find out tips on Heirloom planned to hold the Spring Sale; and lots of fun together! Vegetables with Kate Cummings; visit April 13-14 was the only weekend Sincerely yours, the booth of the South Carolina the Madren Conference center was Kathy Russ Native Plant Society, and the South available to us for the Symposium. Outgoing Plant Sale Committee Chair Carolina State Botanical Garden; We looked at a series of different [email protected] Robin McGee will share information dates for the Spring Plant Sale, but about herbs and how to use them; and Bill Stringer all conflicted with partner organi- Recreational Equipment Inc (REI) zations' plant sales or location Upstate SCNPS President from Greenville will showcase how important a clean environment is to recreation. Little Bistro will offer a very gently, easy pace, and discuss for medicine. Even roots can be harvested breakfast and lunch food items for sale how they are here to help give us ease! sustainably! In this part lecture/part and there will be a variety of music and experiential class, students will learn how several other experts joining in to make April 12 (Thursday): Tree Medicine — to prepare for harvesting, how to ap- this a very enjoyable day. Honoring The Tall Standing Ones, proach the plants, positive plant identifi- with Robin McGee at Hagood Mill. 12- cation, and sustainable wild-crafting May 12 (Saturday): Tree & Shrub 3:00 pm. Tuition: $50 ($40 for Museum practices. Dress for the weather. Identification with Joe Townsend at members). Pine, White Oak, Wild the Hagood Mill; 10:00 am-2:00 pm. Cherry, Tulip Poplar, Sassafras, Sweet Pre-registration is required and you may Tuition: $40 ($30 for Museum Gum, Cedar, and Black Walnut are register in person or by calling the Pickens members). Does the forest appear to some of the most common trees found County Museum at (864) 898-5963. Full you as a green blur as you walk along a in the south. Traditionally, they have Tuition must be paid before first class. nature trail? Would you like to develop been used for cough, colds, parasites, Students will be notified if a class is some familiarity with our “green poison ivy rash, and much, much cancelled or filled. If class is cancelled all neighbors”? This class is for those more. Come and learn some of the tuition will be reimbursed to registered interested in ”getting to know” dozens magic and medicine that our Tall student. No tuition reimbursements after of trees and shrubs commonly found in Standing Ones have to offer. This Tree start of class. the Upcountry. Bring bag lunch. 18- Identification class will be held outside years & above. unless we have heavy rain. For a full list of classes offered at the Pickens County Museum Field School, visit May 26 (Saturday): Learn that Fern April 26 (Thursday): Gathering Plants www.pickenscountymuseum.org or call with Joe Townsend at the Hagood Mill; for Medicine — The Wonders of the museum at (864) 898-5963 and 10:00 am-2:00 pm. Tuition: $40 ($30 Wildcrafting, Robin McGee at Hagood request this information. for Museum members). This class will Mill, 12-3:00 pm. Tuition: $50 ($40 for The Hagood Mill is located just 3 miles be offered for those interested in Museum members). The fulfillment of north of Pickens or 5 miles south of learning how to identify some of our gathering is a primal need inherent in Cherokee Foothills Scenic Hwy 11 off SC common fern species of the Upcountry. all of us, and there is a proper, respect- Hwy 178 at 138 Hagood Mill Road. Some basic botanical terminology will ful, sustainable way to harvest plants be introduced that will be helpful for the participant to successfully identify and appreciate our native ferns. Bring your bag lunch. 18-years & above. Highlands Biological Station June 2 (Saturday): Edible and Medici- announces summer schedule nal Plants with Joe Townsend at the The Highlands Biological Station, an Pechmann, WCU (June 4 - 16) Hagood Mill; 10:00 am-2:00 pm. inter-institutional research center of the Mammals of the Southern Appala- Tuition: $40 ($30 for Museum mem- University of North Carolina, is offer- bers). Participants will explore how to chian Mountains - Ed Pivorun, ing a series of summer courses and Clemson University (June 18 - 30) identify some of our wild plants that workshops that can be taken for were used by our ancestors and Native undergraduate OR graduate credit Mountain Biodiversity - *for science Americans both for food and medicine. toward your academic program. educators only* - Karen Kandl, WCU We will also look at plants that were The following field-based courses and (June 25 - 29) used for other purposes such as bas- workshops are focused on the diversity of Terrestrial Mollusks of the Southern ketry, dyes and arrow making. Bring organisms in the region with special Appalachians - Amy & Wayne Van your bag lunch. 18-years and above. emphasis on identification and collection Devender, Appalachian State University Robin McGee is a community herbalist, techniques as well as principles of (July 2 - 14) evolution, ecology and conservation. organic gardener, herbal medicine-maker, Spiders of the Southern Appalachians Scholarships, Grants-in-aid of writer and herbal educator in Anderson, - Kefyn M. Catley, WCU (July 16 - 28) SC. She has been studying, using and research for graduate students, and creating herbal medicines and products for summer internships also available. For Fleshy Fungi of the Highlands more than a decade. Along with producing more information and to apply, Plateau - Andrew S. Methven, Eastern her line of herbal products, Wild Earth visit www.wcu.edu/hbs, email Illinois University (July 30 - Aug. 11) Botanicals, Robin teaches herbal medicine [email protected], or call 828-526- Taxonomy & Natural History of classes and workshops, does private 2602. Southern Appalachian Mayflies, consultations, leads plant identification Biodiversity & Conservation of Birds - Stoneflies, & Caddisflies - John C. walks, and is a popular speaker and Rob Bierregaard, UNC-Charlotte (May 7 Morse, Clemson University & Christy storyteller. - 19) Jo Geraci, NSF & National Museum of Natural History (Aug. 6 - 18) March 29 (Thursday) Medicine At Molecular Methods Workshop for Our Feet: Common Weeds For Com- Biologists - Ron Michaelis, UNC (May Check website for course fees, credits, mon Needs. A plant identification walk 14 - 18) applications, detailed descriptions, and with Herbalist Robin McGee at Hagood prerequisite requirements: Climate Change Ecology - Robert www.wcu.edu/hbs/currentyrcourses.htm Mill. 12-3:00 pm. Tuition: FREE. Join us Warren, Yale School of Forestry & Env. for this fun, informative, and experien- Studies (May 21 - June 2) Highlands Biological Station & Founda- tial “plant crawl” (an herbalist never tion, 265 N. Sixth St, Highlands, NC Natural History Illustration Work- gets very far in a few hours) and learn 28741 shop - Nancy Lowe, Discover Life in how to use many of our local “weeds” Station 828.526.2602 America (May 28 - June 1) for medicine. We will explore the Foundation 828.526.2221 immediate area around the Mill, Biology of Plethodontid Salamanders www.wcu.edu/hbs/Home.htm stream, woods, and transition zones at - Ken Kozak, Univ. of Minnesota & Joe South Carolina Non-profit Native Plant Society Organization U.S. Postage PO Box 491 PAID Norris, SC 29667 CLEMSON, SC Upstate Chapter 29631 PERMIT NO. 7 Address Service Requested.

Upcoming Events ...continued from page 1 Propagating Indiangrass and little bluestem. The munication between (really) Native Plants mastodons were ushered out even our native plant and ...continued from page 1 earlier, but we still have remnant spruce fungal communities and fir forests. The ice sheet retreated, but that, combined with will share some books and other we still find boreal forest plants in Canada bacterial interactions, resources for learning about and in the mountains of the Carolinas. harmonize and specific plants and their germi- Our surviving native plants can teach orchestrate stabilizing nation and growth require- us about what was here before us, and phenomena. ments. give us clues about what happened in the Greenville. intervening time period. With a little For the more advanced — or luck, they will be here to speak to our Douglas Tallamy adventurous — grower, Ryan children’s children about the conditions to speak in Clemson will also describe and illustrate we encountered, and that we created. plant propagation with cuttings, The annual Native Plant Symposium Doug Tallamy, author of the award- will feature Philip Juras, a wonderful winning book Bringing Nature Home, including apical and medial writer and painter who has recently taken will be speaking in Clemson on cuttings and re-cuttings, or on the task of rendering topographic and Saturday, March 17, at 6:00 pm. If plant division. plant community views of important sites you haven't heard him, grab a friend Whether you choose to from William Bartram’s travels, working and go. If you have heard him, grab work with seeds, cuttings or from historical site descriptions and from several friends — just go! remnants of these and the few similar both, you can raise plants with Doug's book makes a compelling true local genotypes. These sites still available. case for using native plants in the On Saturday and Sunday, we will landscape; hearing him present that really native plants will provide feature field trips to explore several case in person is even more powerful. essential habitat for native such sites in the Oconee-Pickens- This is not a plant guy talking! insects, birds and other small Greenville-Anderson counties area, as creatures that interact with local well as on-site workshops (with limited Research obtained during his tenure as or no hiking involved). Chair of the Department of Entomol- flora in a natural community. For more information and to ogy and Wildlife Ecology at University — Amy Fendley register, go to www.scnp.org/ of Delaware has convinced this ento- Ryan Merck grew up in Pickens symposium.html mology professor of the vital impor- County and is a graduate of Clemson ______tance of native plants to the well-being University’s Horticulture Department. Tuesday, Apr 17, 7:00 pm of wildlife of all kinds (including us). He worked at the South Carolina SC Mushrooms: Soulmates for Life The event is free and open to the Botanical Garden as a student, Most of us notice the plants, but how public, at Self Auditorium, Strom propagating plants and doing all kinds many of us are aware that fungi are Thurmond Institute, Clemson Univer- of associated chores. In his current their important ecological partners sity. You can find driving directions manager position he is responsible for facilitating cycling of nutrients, soil and a campus map at creation, and habitat renewal? With the greenhouse, nursery facilities, and www.clemson.edu/library/ plant sales, as well as administrative over 90% of all plants associating with special_collections/directions.html fungal partners, it stands to reason that and public outreach activities. the fungi are equally diverse. Tradd For additional information, contact Lisa Cotter will discuss the complex com- Wagner (656-3679) at the South Carolina Botanical Garden. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER