The Journal of the South Carolina Native Plant Society Winter 2007 South Carolina’s Native Magnolias By Richard B. Figlar In this issue It might be surprising for many South Carolinians to learn that our state is host to seven species and two varieties of Magnolia. Worldwide, there are SC Native Magnolias ....... 1 around 220 species, with most being native to SE Asia – from Japan & Korea President’s Perspective .... 2 through eastern and south China, then southward through the Malay penin- Lowcountry News ........... 2 sula and the islands eastward to Papua Native Wisteria .............. 3 New Guinea. The rest are indigenous Carolina Bay Soils .......... 3 to eastern and SE North America, into some of the Caribbean islands, Mexico Rocky Shoals Spider Lily ... 7 and Central America, on into northern Cogongrass ................... 8 South America. In reality, these num- bers and wide range are misleading, as a vast majority of the world’s Magnolia Name That taxa are in rare and endangered status in most of those countries, including 3 Native Plant! of our own South Carolina Magnolias. This perennial vine is non-descript in Our SC magnolias can roughly be di- the growing season, but come win- vided into 3 groups: Umbrella magno- ter, it’s a show-stopper! Trailing over lias, yellow-fl owering magnolias (both M. fraseri, common in northern Oconee, roadside fences and shrubs all over SC, deciduous), and evergreen magnolias. Pickens and Greenville Co. the leaves are plain, and the tiny white Umbrella magnolias get their name Photo courtesy of William M. Ciesla, fl owers are almost invisible. But in late from the false whorls of leaves that are Forest Health Management International. fall and winter, when the leaves are produced at the branch tips in early gone, the translucent red berries grab spring, imparting an umbrella-like ap- the attention of people and hungry pearance. The umbrella magnolias in- birds alike. Neat-looking seed, too! clude fraser magnolia (Magnolia fraseri), pyramid magnolia (M. pyramidata), umbrella magnolia (M. tripetala), and big-leaf magnolia (M. macrophylla). The most common of these, Mag- nolia fraseri, is endemic to the southern Appalachians, and is common in forests along the foothills and mountains of Pickens, Oconee and Greenville coun- ties. A medium to large tree associated with Tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera), Chestnut Oak (Quercus montana) and other cove hardwoods, M. fraseri dis- tinguishes itself by its large kite-shape The “umbrella” in M. fraseri. Photo cour- leaves up to 12 inches long, with auricu- The answer is embedded in the text somewhere tesy of Chris Evans, University of Georgia. in this newsletter. Photo by Bill Stringer. (See Magnolias, page 4) South Carolina Native Plant Society • Winter 2007 1 The View From Here Lowcountry Chapter Winter is here, the leaves have Activities dropped, and the hardwood forests are We’ve had some wonderful Fall bare. Nature is taking a break from all events including diverse lecture topics that growing and reproducing, before She on invasive plants, botanical explora- has to start over again soon. But there tions on sandhill creeks, and design- are still lots of reasons to go out into the ing Lowcountry landscapes. We also woods and fields. Many of the forest floor traveled around the SC Coastal Plain ephemeral wildflowers are taking advan- during our field trips learning about tage of the leaf drop to grab some rays and restoration efforts on private lands, rice collect some energy. And look closely at field succession in the Ace Basin, and the base of perennial grasses and wildflow- grass identification in the FMNF. Our ers, and you will see these plants putting native wildflower walks with the Sewee new little green shoots out on the starting Bill Stringer Center have also had great attendance line, ready to start the race in the spring. as different members have stepped This is a good time for us as native forward to lead these monthly trips. plant protectors to use some down-time (“What’s that?”, you say? Well, there are fewer field trips and work days in the winter, right?) to plan, make preparations, Upcoming events for the Spring learn new stuff, etc. so as to be more effective in 2007. There is a ton of in- include: formation, resources and links on our website (www.scnps.org), not to mention • Native Plant Sale scheduled for advance information on 2007 fieldtrips, and our Native Plant Symposium in March 17, 2007. This will be May. The various chapters have different field trips and other events planned, an opportunity for Lowcountry and welcome visitors from other chapters, if you call ahead. residents to have a source of native It is also a good time to think about a native plant sale, if you don’t have perennials, shrubs, and trees. one scheduled already (early spring and early fall are good times). The Upstate • Lecture Series the third Tuesday and Lowcountry chapters have lot’s of experience in putting on plant sales, so of each month at 6:30pm at 101 get in touch with the plant sale organizers (see the website) to pick their brains. Duckett Hall on the Citadel Cam- The Annual Symposium will be held in Rock Hill on May 4 - 6. Mary pus. Topics include: Morrison is working with the NC Native Plant Society to put on what appears - SCDNR Ace Basin Project to be a terrific program for us. Also, the Rock Hill area is home to some very - Audubon Society conservation interesting plants and habitats, so it would be a shame to miss out on this one. and projects The registration packet will be going out soon, so reserve your place at this - Restoration efforts on Yeamans event. Hall You will soon be getting your membership renewal reminder, and we hope - Management of Heritage you are staying with us. Remember, from now on renewal notices will go out in Preserves in SC January for everyone. Also, we still get a few mailings forwarded from the PO • Field Trips are typically scheduled Box in Charleston, so if you are still using that address, please note the new ad- the 3rd Saturday of each month. dress: SCNPS, PO Box 491, Norris, SC 29667. Locations: Oh, yes, if you have comments (positive, neutral, or negative) on this news- - Charles Towne Landing letter or suggestions and article ideas for the next issue (April), send them to: - Yeamans Hall Bill Stringer, PO Box 491, Norris, SC 29667; or [email protected] . - Francis Beidler Forest - Great Swamp, Walterboro, SC Special News Report! We have just received word that Rick Huffman - Green Swamp Preserve, NC will receive South Carolina’s Environmental Awareness Award for 2006. This (overnight trip) prestigious award is sponsored by SC Dept. of Natural Resources, and is awarded To learn more about these upcom- by the Governor. The selection committee includes representatives of SC DNR, ing events please visit http://www. SC DHEC, SC Forestry Commission, and SC Sea Grant Consortium. Previous scnps.org/activities_low.html. If you’d winners include Rudy Mancke of SC Educational TV, Brad Wyche of Upstate like to become more involved with the Forever, and James Elliott of the SC Center for Birds of Prey. Well-deserved Lowcountry chapter, please contact recognition! Colette DeGarady, [email protected] or 843-937-8807 ext 15. Thanx, Bill Stringer, President 2 South Carolina Native Plant Society • Winter 2007 Native Wisteria Soils of the Matthews Dr. Jan Haldeman, Professor Emerita of Biology, Erskine College* Memorial Bay (Reprinted with permission from Carolina Gardener Magazine) By Charles Everett - College of Let’s say you’re seeking an attractive vine to embellish a fence, trellis or Charleston - Soil Scientist arbor. Are you enamored with the cascading lavender blossoms of Chinese In this article I describe soil profiles and Japanese wisteria? Before investing in either of these Asian exotics, studied at 12 locations on the Bay site. Two consider the possible consequences of their aggressive natures. Although profiles are in the in the bay depression, 6 their flowers are beautiful, both species can be invasive. In fact, they run are on the margins, and 4 are on the up- rampant throughout parts of the eastern half of the United States where land area. The upland soils are sands (4% they’ve escaped cultivation. In spring they’re conspicuous along roadsides, clay) and loamy sands, except for a sandy blanketing trees and shrubs with thick, heavy growth and flower clusters. clay loam (21% clay) in a hardwood area Fortunately, an attractive, non-invasive alternative is available in many on site. The depression area soils are finer nurseries: our native wisteria species, Wisteria frutescens. What’s more, a textured (loam and sandy loam surface, with subsoils of sandy clay loam and sandy beautiful cultivar that originated in Oconee County, S.C. (W. frutescens clay (40% clay). The margin area soils vary ‘Amethyst Falls’) has earned gold-medal awards this year from plant societ- widely with elevation. One soil on the ies in Florida, Georgia and Pennsylvania. Other attractive native cultivars south side of the Bay margin is a Spodosol. are available too, with varying blossom colors and flower stalk sizes. The water table fluctuates, causing organic Consider some of the virtues of native wisteria: matter to move downward and be deposited • Easy to grow and maintain, as it requires minimal pruning. in distinct subsoil horizons, a characteristic • Climbs quickly to cover an arbor, yet doesn’t spread out of control, of Spodosols. Drainage in all of these soils crush a fence or strangle a tree. is related to elevation, with the uplands • Usually blooms the first year, whereas Asian species may not being well drained to excessively drained, bloom for as many as 10 years.