Buckwheats and Botanists - a Reminiscence Idaho Native Plant Society 2014 Annual Meeting Report by Stephen Love, University of Idaho, Aberdeen

VOLUME 37 NO. 1

March 2015

Newsletter of the Idaho Native Plant Society Promoting an Interest in Idaho’s Native Flora

Buckwheats and Botanists - A Reminiscence Idaho Native Plant Society 2014 Annual Meeting Report By Stephen Love, University of Idaho, Aberdeen

I find it fascinating that people increase appreciation of - and was grateful for his willingness to can encounter the same event education about - the wild buck- take on this huge task. Besides, I and come away telling entirely dif- wheats. My good friend and fellow knew LaMar had the skills neces- ferent tales. Our perceptions are native plant connoisseur, LaMar sary to pull together a first-rate so dependent on point of view, Orton was simultaneously presi- conference. Dates were sched- frame of mind, past experiences, dent of the Idaho Native Plant So- uled, facilities reserved, programs and myriad other factors. The ciety. Hoping to create a special and tours organized, speakers Idaho Native Plant Society meet- learning opportunity for members invited, meals arranged, and reg- ing held last June in Twin Falls, of both societies, we initiated dis- istration materials distributed. The was a stimulating and educational cussions about the possibility of a table was set for a fantastic meet- occasion that left me with a score joint meeting. The idea of combin- ing. Details: meeting in Twin Falls, of personal memories. For those ing world class expertise on buck- events centered at College of of you lucky enough to attend the wheats with extensive knowledge Southern Idaho and LaMar’s own conference, I am sure you have of local botany and ecology made Plantasia Cactus Gardens, field some of your own, likely very dif- sense. Discussions led to board trips into the South Hills and ferent from mine. Here is my ver- approvals and in February 2013 Gooding City of Rocks, and a sion of the story. INPS issued a letter of invitation to Monday post-meeting tour to Cra- For me, the meeting started the Eriogonum Society to partici- ters of the Moon. I was excited. more than a year prior to my arri- pate in a joint meeting. One of the special features val in Twin Falls. At that time I was LaMar volunteered to tackle organized for the 2014 meeting serving as president of the the job of chairing the meeting or- was two concurrent Friday after- Eriogonum Society, a fairly new ganization committee. Having just noon workshops presented by society with the stated mission to wrapped up the 2013 meeting I members of the Eriogonum Soci- ety on topics related to Idaho In this Issue: buckwheat species. Though held Buckwheats and Botanists ...... 1 earlier than the historic norm, on Letter from the President ...... 2 the last day of the work week, at- Botany Puzzle ...... 2 tendance at CSI-based classes Announcements ...... 5 was fantastic. I had a unique view Annual Meeting Information ...... 6 of one of the workshops, from be- Tribute: Vernon “Dick” Anderson ...... 9 hind the eyes of the instructor. I Idaho Mystery Plant ...... 9 taught a class on growing buck- Report on Botany 2014 Conference ...... 10 wheats from seed. It was a hands- New Idaho Wildflower App ...... 11 on class where we talked about Diversity Within Sagebrush Species ...... 12 good garden species, cleaned Great Places to See Idaho Wildflowers ...... 14 some seed, and handed out some INPS History ...... 16 potted plants. I had a great time Chapter News ...... 18 and like to think my students did Photographers Wanted ...... 19 as well. Maybe, as a result, more (Continued on page 3)

Letter from the President IDAHO NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY PO Box 9451, Boise, ID 83707 Dear Idaho Native Plant Society Members, www.idahonativeplants.org [email protected] It looks like 2015 is shaping up to be a very good year for INPS members. There has been more moisture this winter than last and if good INPS BOARD President: LaMar Orton precipitation continues there should be a good Spring wildflower display. Vice-president: Stephen Love As the temperatures in February have been quite mild, that display could Secretary: Alan Crockett come earlier than usual. In our garden here in Twin Falls as of Feb 13th, Treasurer: Elaine Walker the fern bushes are greening up and the early blooming buckwheats such Past-president: Janet Benoit Member-at-Large: Mel Nicholls as Eriogonum caespitosum are starting to show some growth. When one Chapter Presidents sees such activity in the garden, the excitement of Spring and the desire to wander Idaho wild areas substantially increases. I’m sure many mem- CALYPSO CHAPTER bers and chapters are already planning exciting field trips. 821 W. Mustang Ave. The annual meeting looks to be very exciting with many field trips Hayden, ID 83835 President: Derek Antonelli planned offering a wide variety of botanical experiences to different types Vice President: Vacant of plant habitat. The annual meeting will be held July 10-13, 2015 and will Secretary: Karen Williams be centered in Driggs, Idaho with our base camp about 10 miles from Treasurer: Janet Benoit Driggs at the Forest Service Reunion Flats Campground in Teton Canyon Newsletter: Vacant in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. This will be a joint meeting of the LOASA CHAPTER Idaho and Wyoming Native Plant Societies. Field trips will be offered to 340 E 520 N, Shoshone, ID 83352 both the east and west slopes of the Tetons. Please check out the infor- President: Kelvin Jones mation provided about the annual meeting in this issue of Sage Notes Vice President: Valdon Hancock and on the INPS website for the latest updates. Secretary/Treasurer: Lois Rohay At our 2014 annual meeting held jointly with the Eriogonum Society PAHOVE CHAPTER we had the privilege of having Dr. James Reveal with us. Dr. Reveal not PO Box 9451, Boise, ID 83707 only provided a class on Eriogonum identification and a complete [email protected] Eriogonum key, but also provided us with a field guide to all the species President: Karie Pappani and varieties of wild buckwheats and their related genera in Idaho. During Vice President: Elaine Walker our field trips he gave us amazing historical and botanical information. Secretary: Daniel Murphy Treasurer: Caroline Morris Sadly, Dr. Reveal suddenly passed away on Jan 9, 2015. This fine man and wonderful teacher will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate SAWABI CHAPTER enough to have known him. 5901 Country Club Drive The very best to you all in your botanical and life adventures. Pocatello, ID 83204 President: Bob McCoy Vice President: Dick Anderson & LaMar N. Orton LaRue Gregersen President, Idaho Native Plant Society Secretary: Barbara Nicholls Treasurer: Grant Thomas

Botany Puzzle UPPER SNAKE CHAPTER President: Rose Lehman This Word Search puzzle tests your knowledge of fruit types. Can you Vice President: Sue Braastad Secretary: Alan Crockett find 10 botanical fruit types hidden in the puzzle? Examples of fruit types Treasurer: Dave Godfrey not in the puzzle include nut and legume. Puzzle answers are on page 7. WHITE PINE CHAPTER PO Box 8481, Moscow, ID 83843 e t s a m a r a l t o p e p l [email protected] l v i c e l c i l i s a p e t President: Susan Rounds Vice President: Judy Ferguson u l l o y r r e b t s a u p u Secretary: Vacant s r i r l o m e n t u m r o w Treasurer: Helen Stroebel

p e g n w e n i s m a v d a p WOOD RIVER CHAPTER a y e e l c i r t u e m o p a PO Box 3093, Hailey, ID 83333 c a r t y e q u e h z e i n g President: Carol Blackburn Vice President: Vacant Secretary: Vacant Treasurer: Vacant

Sage Notes Vol. 37 (1) March 2015 2

(Continued from page 1) seeds of some of LaMar’s unique Eriogonum sphaerocephalum buckwheats grow in gardens to- collection securely tucked away in (rock buckwheat) tucked into a day. my pocket. That made the evening rock crevice, just waiting to be In the next room, James Re- especially memorable. immortalized in a photograph veal, the unmitigated world expert On Saturday and Sunday Jim Reveal walking at the st nd on buckwheats, taught the second (June 21 and 22 ), two concur- head of his “class of students” workshop on the subject of identi- rent field trips were offered to as he provided interesting in- fying and keying Idaho’s large as- meeting participants, one to the sights into the local flora sortment of buckwheat species. South Hills and the other to the The din of cicadas serenading For obvious reasons, I am not in a Gooding City of Rocks. My wife our walk through the cheat- position to report on Jim’s class. (Monaquita) and I selected the grass and the Amelanchier But having attended his discus- South Hills trip for our first adven- alnifolia (serviceberry) bushes sions in the past, I’m pretty sure ture. Dennis Pettygrove, a local he imparted a portion of his im- amateur botanist, and Jim Reveal Barbara Ertter in a meadow mense botanical knowledge while led the excursion. There was along the Oakley-Rogerson throwing in a few interesting sto- Road instructing me on the ries about fellow botanists. The intricacies of morphological sharpest students may have actu- diversity in the species Poten- ally learned to identify a stipe or tilla gracilis (slender cinquefoil) recognize an involucre. As things Exploring an aspen grove in turned out, we were very lucky to search of just one more strik- learn at the feet of James Reveal. ingly beautiful Penstemon per- In January, 2015, Jim suddenly pulcher (Minidoka beard- and unexpectedly passed away, tongue) plant in full azure taking a lifetime of knowledge with bloom him. Wondering if there was any- When the workshops ad- where in the world with larger journed, we migrated to LaMar’s or more attractive populations place - Plantasia Cactus Gardens of Linum lewisii (Lewis flax) - for an opening reception. The Pleasurable sensations of lei- Ortons have created a delightful sure as I sat in the shade with place on Filer Ave W in Twin Falls; a peanut butter and jelly sand- five acres of the most diverse and wich watching the humming- interesting desert plants imagin- Jim Reveal instructing INPS and Eriogonum Society members on the birds come and go from an able, including a significant collec- intricacies of identifying Idaho’s isolated feeding station. tion of buckwheats. All in one lo- native buckwheat species. Photo by The comfort and peace of the cation were cacti of every sort, Nancy Miller agaves, yuccas, penstemons, cool, verdant grotto where paintbrushes, globemallows, a few much to see as we sampled the tumbles the waters of Ross choice shrubs, and around it all a diversity at elevations ranging Falls big fence to keep the deer at bay. from 4,000 to 7,200 feet; the lower One of the amazing things areas festooned with dry grasses Saturday evening brought a LaMar has accomplished is identi- and desert scrub, the higher spots rest from dust and bright sun; not fication and collection of hardy inhabited by pockets of conifers that native plant folks need much accessions of plants that just surrounded by tall sagebrush, respite from the great outdoors. should not grow in frigid southern snowberry, and other high desert However, in honor of tradition we Idaho, including Joshua trees, shrubs. My memories of the trip gathered at Canyon Crest Confer- chollas, and some really interest- are six months old, but I still hold ence Center for an annual busi- ing barrel cacti. The garden was on to distinct images, such as: ness meeting and keynote magnificent, the weather perfect, speech. I found the business ele- the company good. The only sig- Bill Adams on his stomach in ment of the evening to be a little nificant problem of the evening the dust intently photographing tedious. But I kept quiet knowing I was pulling people away from the a clump of the largest Pedio- was probably alone in that senti- gardens for long enough to serve cactus simpsonii (Simpson’s ment. On the other hand, it was a them a meal. In addition to every- foot cactus) I have ever seen real pleasure to sit with like- thing else, I left the garden with Admiring a bonsai-like plant of (Continued on page 4)

3 Sage Notes Vol. 37 (1) March 2015

(Continued from page 3) nist for the Sawtooth Botanical to Craters of the Moon National minded people and enjoy good Garden in Hailey. Our ultimate Monument and Fish Creek Can- food. destination, Gooding City of yon. We left Twin Falls early to After the meal, we were Rocks, is a surreal formation of ensure plenty of time amongst the treated to a fascinating Steven igneous rocks in the parched Ben- plants of this unique region. At Lubinski lecture about the geologi- nett Hills. But first, we made a de- Craters of the Moon, the staff cal implications of the Bonneville tour to a botanically diverse rocky obligingly allowed INPS members flood. I found the speech espe- flat west of the preserve. After to explore the Monument without cially stimulating because I discov- lunch on the rocks, we hiked into paying the usual fee - much ap- ered clues to many of the geologi- the prominent ravine that forms preciated. There we met Steven cal anomalies I had observed the backbone of Gooding City of Bekedam (Monument Ecologist) around the region I call home. Rocks. Again, I have some very and Steve Popovich (former BLM Things like the lack of topsoil on distinct images of this excursion, botanist in the area) who intro- the lava bedrock in the Portneuf as clear as if the field trip was held duced us to the spectacle of flora Valley, the unanticipated beach yesterday: on the cinders. After a half-day at sand layer (complete with snail the Monument, we headed north shells) just under the topsoil Watching tour participants up Fish Creek Canyon, over the spread out over the rocky top into Leadbelt Creek and ended slopes, as singles or small up in upper Antelope Creek Can- groups, physically contorted yon. Remote, rough, and steep, into every imaginable plant- the road on this last leg of the observing posture journey was a challenge to both Finding a single spot where I driver and steed. At the end of the could stand and frame five dif- tour, most participants chose a ferent species of buckwheats longer, but more sedate drive into a single photograph down Antelope Creek and out through Arco. It was an enjoyable Successfully collecting a few educational day, with a few more seeds of the intriguing, golden unforgettable moments, namely: to maroon-flowered plants of Eriogonum ovalifolium (cushion buckwheat) Listening to Jim Reveal dis- Deciding that “charming” is cuss the morphological the best word to describe the uniqueness of the small, silver- cottony, peppermint-striped leafed Eriogonum ovalifolium flower heads of Eriogonum var. focarium (Craters of the thymoides (thymeleaf buck- Moon buckwheat) that grows Annual meeting participants checking wheat) ubiquitously, but only on cin- out the wonders of LaMar and Rosalie ders at the Monument Conducting a stare-off with Orton’s Plantasia Cactus Gardens in Trying to find just the right spot Twin Falls. Photo by Nancy Miller one of the local inhabitants, a plump but spiny horny toad to shoot a photograph that would capture the freckled fa- around Aberdeen, the channel Standing in awe at the massed cade created by sparsely ar- and dune formations west of beauty and fragrance of Phila- ranged plants of Craters of the American Falls, and the melon delphus lewisii (syringa) Moon buckwheat scattered boulders mounded near King Hill. shrubs that filled each narrow, across the monotone color of After the dinner, my wife and I loi- black-walled ravine the cinder flats tered around the terraces over- Enjoying the solitude that re- Marveling one more time at the looking the Snake River canyon sulted from a stronger need to ability of syringa (also called and watched the purple shades of examine the workings of na- Lewis mockorange), Idaho’s dusk rise up from the depths. ture than to keep up with the state flower, to rise up out of Great evening. group cracks in the barren, unbroken On Sunday morning, I led a lava fields caravan north on ID-46 to the Monday was a bonus; an extra junction with Gooding City of chance to celebrate interesting Carefully memorizing the loca- Rocks Road. There we met our plants and good company. The tion of a single plant of Paeo- tour leader, Carol Blackburn, bota- event was a post-meeting field trip nia brownii (Brown’s peony) Sage Notes Vol. 37 (1) March 2015 4

observed on the way up Fish Due to the efforts of the dedi- Creek Road, so I could stop cated people who worked to pro- and take a closer look on the vide this unforgettable experience, return trip, then feeling the the meeting was a success in frustration of not being able to every way. Kudos to the organiza- find it the second time around tion committee: LaMar Orton, Sitting atop a rocky buttress in Rosalie Orton, Dennis Pettygrove, Antelope Creek Valley, observ- Carol Blackburn, Kelvin Jones, ing petite mounds of yellow- Alan Crockett, Sue Braastad, flowered buckwheats and try- Stephen Love. And a special ing to decide whether they credit goes to James Reveal, a were a better morphological friend and colleague we will never match to Eriogonum capistra- forget. tum (hidden buckwheat) or to As a result of the committee’s Craters of the Moon buckwheat scat- Eriogonum verrucosum diligence, 90 attendees left the tered across the cinder fields at Cra- Feeling a touch of remorse as meeting with a greater apprecia- ters of the Moon National Monument. one-by-one the final group of tion of Idaho’s diverse flora, Photo by Stephen Love participants said their good- stronger bonds with new and old byes and faded into the dusty friends, and revitalized hearts and cloud hovering over Antelope minds. Creek Road

Announcements

Idaho Botany Foray: Save the Date! The 8th An- Chapter booth will provide information about our nual Idaho Botanical Foray will be held in the Selway chapter, INPS in general, and information about River drainage of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National growing native plants in the area. We will give away Forest from June 18-22, 2015. We look forward to small pots of native plants (mainly donated by the exploring the early season flora of our northern Idaho University of Idaho Aberdeen Research Station) and disjunct temperate rainforest, and contributing new will provide a children's activity. With music and food collections from this amazing ecosystem. More de- and the outdoors, this fair is a fun way to celebrate tailed information about camping and logistics will be and be informed about our environment and the available soon on the INPS webpage. Please contact benefits of preserving habitat and native flora and Dr. David Tank ([email protected]) at the University fauna. of Idaho for questions. New Publication – Grasses of Idaho: The Advanced Field Botany class: Advanced Field Idaho Museum of Natural History (IMNH) has pub- Botany (BIOL 460/560) at the University of Idaho lished a revision and update of the Grasses section McCall Field Campus, June 28-July 11, 2015. Two of The Flora of Idaho, originally published by Ray J. weeks of botany on Payette Lake in McCall, Idaho. Davis in 1952. This publication is the result of several Learn the flora of Idaho during a two-week field ex- years of work by Karl E. Holte, Bruce P. Ronald, and perience in the Inland Northwest. This 3-credit James M. Glennon. The manual is entitled "A No- course is open to upper division undergraduates and menclatural Revision of Ray J. Davis' Flora of Idaho early career graduate students that want to enhance Poaceae (Gramineae) Including New Additions and their botanical knowledge and field skills. More infor- Revised Keys" and is available for $17.99 at IMNH, mation and how to apply at: with all profits going to the Ray J. Davis Herbarium at www.webpages.uidaho.edu/dtank/AFB. Idaho State University. To order a copy, the mailing address is 921 S. 8th Ave., Stop 8096, Pocatello, ID Portneuf Valley Environmental Fair: The an- 83209-8096, telephone 208-282-3168. Contact Dr. nual Portneuf Valley Environmental Fair will be held Karl Holte, 208-241-8358, [email protected]; or Jim in Caldwell Park, Pocatello, on Saturday, April 18, Glennon, 307-389-1118, [email protected], for ques- 2015, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Last year 7,000 tions about the content or format of the revised keys. people attended this yearly event that features More details about this publication will be included in booths for groups that emphasize the environment the next Sage Notes. and environmental issues. This year the Sawabi 5 Sage Notes Vol. 37 (1) March 2015

Two Sides Of The Tetons

2015 Annual Meeting of the Idaho and Wyoming Native Plant Societies

This year’s annual meeting, July 10-13, is meant tions may be modified or cancelled due to weather to draw from the expertise and resources of the Wyo- conditions. Download and make a copy of the plant ming and Idaho Native Plant Societies and provide lists that will be made available on the registration their members with a chance to mingle, socialize, website. You can register for the meeting no later botanize and explore one of the world’s most beauti- than June 15 at http://idahonativeplants.org/ ful alpine areas while doing so. There will be numer- statewide-annual-meeting/ or by mailing in the regis- ous field trips, five each day, plus an optional all-day tration form along with payment. auto tour on Monday. The trips will range from valley We have reserved the Reunion Flat Camp- riparian areas to high alpine ridges, from easy walks ground Group Camp “C” for Thursday through Sun- to arduous all-day hikes. Group sizes will be kept as day night. The camping fee covers those four nights. small as possible to maximize the interface with our You will need to make other arrangements for Mon- botany experts. day night if necessary. There are water and pit toilets The same field trips will be offered both Saturday but no hookups. The campsite will accommodate 34 and Sunday. Four of the trips will feature two destina- vehicles. An auto/trailer combo counts as one vehi- tions for the day; the fifth outing will be an all-day cle. There are additional, reservable campsites in the hike into a high alpine area. The time spent botaniz- area through the US Forest Service and dispersed ing on the all day hikes may be limited by the dis- campsites along the canyon. There are a small num- tances to be covered. The Monday all-day auto tour ber of cabins near Driggs that can be reserved at Te- will be along the Flagg Ranch road where it crosses ton Valley Cabins (208-354-8153), be sure to call (as the mountains between Ashton, ID and Flagg Ranch the website will show no cabins available) and men- (WY). The USFS has a twenty-person limit on groups tion you are with the Native Plant Society. For further entering wilderness areas, so if too many people sign information please contact one of the following: up for any one of the outings we may have to do Amy Taylor (WYNPS) some shuffling around. We will do our best to accom- [email protected] 307-699-1314 modate everyone and will finalize at the Friday eve- Grant Thomas (INPS) ning get-together. [email protected] 208-237-5317 Note that these mountains make their own Ann L. Boelter (WYNPS) weather and summer thunderstorms are common, [email protected] 307-745-5487 BE PREPARED! Field trips and other outdoor func- Janet Bala (INPS) [email protected] 208-232-2815 Gatherings

Friday, July 10: 12:00 p.m. The weekend begins Saturday, July 11: 6:30 p.m. The (optional) Satur- with an informal gathering at Reunion Flat Camp- day evening buffet starts at 6:30 p.m. for those ground (Group Site C), located in beautiful Teton choosing to participate (the chef has an excellent Canyon of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. reputation). The doors will open at 6:00 p.m. You Sign-in and information packet handout will start may bring your own alcoholic beverage but they will 12:00 p.m. Karl Holte, Professor Emeritus, Botany, not be available for purchase at the Driggs City Cen- Idaho State University, will be leading guided plant ter. The Saturday evening guest speaker will be Den- walks Friday afternoon and early evening in the nis Knight, Professor Emeritus, Vegetation Ecology, campground area. There will be a potluck starting at University of Wyoming. The subject of Dr. Knight’s 7:00 p.m.; bring your own dinner and socialize with presentation, starting at 7:30 p.m. will be "The Ecol- old and new friends. ogy of Western Wyoming and Eastern Idaho: Twenty Years of Change and New Research," based on the Directions: Reunion Flat Campground is approxi- newly released 2nd edition of the book, Mountains mately 10 miles east of Driggs. From the intersection and Plains: The Ecology of Wyoming Landscapes with Hwy 33 in Driggs take Ski Hill Rd 4.0 miles to W (Knight, et al., 2014). Alta Ski Hill Rd. Follow W Alta Ski Hill Rd 7.0 miles to Teton Canyon Rd in Alta, WY. Turn right on Teton Sunday, July 12: 6:30 p.m. An informal get- Canyon Rd. Go approximately 3.4 miles to Group together at the Reunion Flat Campground at 6:30 Site C. p.m. Nothing provided except an evening in the Te- tons with good company.

Sage Notes Vol. 37 (1) March 2015 6

Field Trips EAST SIDE

Saturday, July 11 Trip #4: You should have a lunch, water, sun protection and Teton Village Tram: half day: Start the morning with insect repellent for all field trips. Good walking/hiking an aerial tram ride at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. shoes will be necessary and hiking poles should be The tram arrives at the top of Rendezvous Mountain, considered for the more strenuous hikes. 10,450 ft. where we will enjoy the alpine flora. Meet at 9:00 a.m. at JHMR ticket office. Driggs to Teton WEST SIDE village is approximately 1 hour. Price of tram ticket is additional and is not included in registration fee. Diffi- Trip #1: culty rating: Moderate due to altitude. Grand Targhee Resort: half day: Chairlift ride to the Teton Pass: half day: There will be the option to 9,862 ft. summit of Fred’s Peak to explore the subal- spend the afternoon exploring Jackson on your own pine/alpine communities. Excellent Teton views. or the chance to see the wildflowers of Teton Pass Price of the chairlift ticket is additional and is not in- with naturalist and writer, Susan Marsh. At 12:30, cluded in the registration fee. Difficulty rating: Lei- Susan will lead a 2-3 hour hike at some of the best surely walk but moderate due to altitude. spots along Teton Pass. Come for the first part even Woods Creek Fen: half-day: Tour of Teton Regional if you don’t want to hike the entire afternoon. Diffi- Land Trust’s 60 acre parcel. Learn about the hydrol- culty rating: moderate. ogy, geology and botany of this unique wetland. Home to over 107 plant species including 6 rare Trip #5: plants. Wear shoes/sandals that can get wet. Diffi- Grand Teton National Park Driving Tour: Spend culty rating: Easy the day touring glorious Grand Teton National Park with stops at different habitats, areas of interest, and Trip #2: research sites. Botanist Frances Clark is busy plan- Darby Canyon: Explore the amazing flora of Darby ning a great day for us! We will meet at Stilson Park- Canyon. Options exist for different destinations. As a ing lot in Wilson to coordinate a carpool. Allow at group, we will focus on the lower portions of the trail least 45 minutes to drive from Driggs, ID to Wilson, and hike to Wind Cave. The cave is 2.7 miles one- WY. Park pass per vehicle required. Difficulty rating: way with 1,800 elevation gain. Participants have the Easy option to return to the trailhead early or continue on to Ice Cave and beyond to the alpine flora of Fossil Sunday, July 12 Mountain. The Wind Cave/Ice Cave area in the A repeat of Saturday’s trips but Trip #3 will be as fol- Jedediah Smith Wilderness supports incredible plant lows: diversity. Difficulty rating: Easy to moderate to strenuous; based on turn-around point. Trip #3: Horseshoe Canyon: Located in the Big Holes, this Taylor Mountain (tentative): Day-long hike to 10,068 option offers an opportunity to see the eastern side of ft. summit of Taylor Mountain; 7.4 miles round trip Teton Valley. Active beaver ponds, good bird- with 2,780 ft. elevation gain; impressive views of the watching and wildflower peeping. Depending on the area’s mountain ranges. Steady pace with limited group, we may or may not have time for this field trip botanizing. Difficulty rating: Difficult after the Darby hike. Difficulty rating: Easy. Monday, July 13 Trip #3: Ashton-Flagg Ranch Road Driving Tour: This area Table Mountain: A full day hike to 11,106 ft. Eleva- has some of the best botanizing sites to be found in tion change is approximately 4,100 ft. Distance is this part of Idaho and Wyoming. Possible stops could 12.8 miles round trip. Classic Teton hike with spec- include the fen at Loon Lake and pond lilies and tacular views of Tetons and their U-shaped valleys other interesting plants at Indian Lake. Difficulty rat- and canyons. Lots of hiking with judicious botanizing. ing: Easy Good hiking boots and poles recommended. Diffi- culty rating: Difficult

Botany puzzle answers (page 2): acorn, berry, capsule, drupe, loment, pepo, pome, samara, silicle, utricle

7 Sage Notes Vol. 37 (1) March 2015

TWO SIDES OF THE TETONS — July 10-13, 2015 Joint Annual Meeting of the Idaho and Wyoming Native Plant Societies Registration Form (due no later than June 15)

Name:

Address:

Phone#: E-Mail: ______

Please print information clearly, if we can’t read it, we can’t register you.

Registration and Fees: The registration fee is $20 per person and includes participation in any/all parts of the agenda including the Friday potluck, the three days of field trips and the Saturday evening program. The Sat- urday evening buffet dinner is a separate cost of $15 per person. If you wish to take advantage of the reserved Reunion Flat Group Camp, Site C, (tent or RV, no hookups) the fee is $15 per vehicle whether for one day or for all four days (Thursday through Sunday, vehicle rate includes auto/trailer combos).

Registration Fee $20.00 X =

Dinner $15.00 X =

Please list any dietary restrictions/preferences:

Camping Fee (if using Group Camp): $15.00

Total Fees:

You may register online at http://idahonativeplants.org/statewide-annual-meeting/ or by using this form. If you use this form, please make checks payable to “INPS Sawabi Chapter”. Mail payment and completed form to: Idaho Native Plant Society, Sawabi Chapter, 933 Bryan Rd., Pocatello, ID 83201

See the exciting field trip descriptions, and register for your choices now (below). Some group sizes are limited and we may not be able to accommodate everyone on their first choice. Gathering times and places for field trips will be in the registration packets, available Friday and Saturday evenings.

Saturday Field Trips: WEST SIDE _____ Grand Targhee (am) and Woods Creek Fen (pm) _____ Darby Canyon (am) and Horseshoe Canyon (pm) _____ Table Mountain (all day) Saturday Field Trips: EAST SIDE _____ Teton Village Tram (am) and Teton Pass (pm) _____ Grand Teton National Park driving tour (all day; PARK PASS REQUIRED)

Sunday Field Trips: WEST SIDE _____ Grand Targhee (am) and Woods Creek Fen (pm) _____ Darby Canyon (am) and Horseshoe Canyon (pm) _____ Taylor Mountain (all day) Sunday Field Trips: EAST SIDE _____ Teton Village Tram (am) and Teton Pass (pm) _____ Grand Teton National Park driving tour (all day; PARK PASS REQUIRED)

Monday Field Trip: _____ Ashton-Flagg Ranch Road Driving Tour (am and early afternoon) Sage Notes Vol. 37 (1) March 2015 8

Tribute to Vernor “Dick” Anderson (May 14, 1930 - January 30, 2015) Vernor “Dick” Anderson, a valued member of the When Dick discovered digital cameras, he wrote, Sawabi Chapter INPS, expert photographer and ex- “I was fascinated because with this new system I pert self-taught botanist, passed away on January could do the whole process, from taking the photos 30, 2015. Prostatic bone cancer had taken its toll. to making the prints myself, doing it all on my com- Dick’s early life was spent in Berkeley, Califor- puter.” Many of his excellent photos of native plants nia, where he was involved in various high school were entered in the INPS photo contest a few years activities including musical groups and photograph- ago, and were featured among winning entries. He ing for the city newspaper. After high school he was generous with his flower photos, often contribut- enlisted in the U.S. Navy and trained as a Navy pho- ing framed prints for door prizes at special meetings. tographer at its School of Photography. After his four- Dick enhanced his botanical interests by taking plant year stint in the Navy, he married his first wife, Pat, keying classes from Dr. Karl Holte at the Idaho Mu- also a Navy-trained photographer. He continued his seum of Natural History (IMNH), which fostered a photography interests by working in retail photo- strong friendship with Karl and others in the class graphic sales in California his entire career. His pro- and the IMNH staff. He became an expert botanist fessional association with photography ended with himself and for a number of years assisted Karl in the his retirement, but keying classes. They also team-taught summer he remained an ac- Elderhostel classes with Malheur Field Station per- tive photographer sonnel in southeast Oregon. for the rest of his In recent years Dick was a regular volunteer in life. the IMNH Ray J. Davis herbarium, photographing for After retire- digitization more than 55,000 sheets of plant speci- ment, he and Pat mens stored in the herbarium. On Sawabi field trips spent a few years he was extremely helpful in assisting the leaders and with family mem- participants in the identification and recognition of bers on a farm in characteristics of native plants, along the way photo- Texas where he graphing the flowers. He stated that if he couldn't be enjoyed studying found with the group, he was the one on his knees and photographing taking close-up photos of whatever flower and inter- the local wildlife and esting foliage he encountered. He always partici- plant life. Upon the death of his wife and his sister's pated in as many field trips as he could throughout husband, he and his sister moved to Pocatello to be Idaho. near family. Thus began a new chapter in his life. Dick will be missed for his expert skills, for his Because of his life-long interest in birds and many contributions to the Sawabi Chapter, and for flowers, he became active in the Sawabi Chapter of his quiet and subtle sense of humor. He was a great INPS and the Portneuf Valley Audubon Society. friend. The Sawabi Chapter will hold a memorial/ Through those connections, he met and married his celebration of life and tree-planting in Dick Ander- second wife, Joan Bergstrom, with whom he enjoyed son's honor in late May 2015. seven years before her untimely death. - Shirley Rodgers and Ardys Holte, Sawabi Chapter Idaho Mystery Plant

This photo was taken by Jessica Irwin in the Salmon River Mountains north of Stanley, Idaho. The species is a mat- ted perennial with striking magenta flowers found in rocky, high elevation habitats. What is your guess? The answer will be revealed in the next edition of Sage Notes.

The Idaho Mystery Plant in the September-December issue was Anelsonia eurycarpa (daggerpod) in the Mustard family (Brassicaceae). Named in honor of Dr. Aven Nel- son (1859—1952) a leading authority on the Rocky Moun- tain flora during his long tenure with the University of Wyo- ming and the Rocky Mountain Herbarium. Have an Idaho Mystery Plant to share? Send it in to the Sage Notes editor: ([email protected]). - M. Mancuso

9 Sage Notes Vol. 37 (1) March 2015

Report on Botany 2014 Conference

By Beth Corbin, Pahove Chapter Botany 2014: New Frontiers in a subset of some of the more from Bulgaria, Greece, Mace- Botany was a nationally and inter- memorable talks I attended: donia, Turkey, and Romania to nationally attended conference invasive populations in Idaho, held in Boise in July 2014. This One study was on modeling Oregon, and California. She conference is the annual meeting future habitat for rare plants in found there was not a lot of of the Botanical Society of Amer- the western United States un- difference in the amount of self ica, International Association for der predicted climate change, pollination versus outcrossing Plant Taxonomy, American Bry- using climate data and occur- between the two types of ological and Lichenological Soci- rence records. They found populations. ety, Society of Herbarium Cura- that about half of the species Another BSU student, Jay tors, the American Fern Society, would show an increase and Zimmers, gave a good talk on and American Society of Plant half a decrease in suitable his morphological and genetic Taxonomists. The Pahove Chap- habitat under projected climate work on varieties of Astragalus ter of Idaho Native Plant Society change, but there were not cusickii. It appears that variety sponsored my registration fee un- clear directional (like all spe- packardiae is well supported der their new Education and En- cies heading north) or eleva- as a taxon, as is var. sterilis, richment Award grant, for which I tion shifts because of individ- but keeping them and varieties am most grateful for the opportu- ual species’ requirements. If cusickii and flexilipes together nity to have attended this fine con- climate shifted habitat out of under A. cusickii is problem- ference. the species’ current range, atic because another species The conference began with a then plants may or may not be (A. whitneyi) falls between number of optional field trips over able to migrate, depending on them in the cladogram (an the weekend. I helped Don Mans- their dispersal ability and other evolutionary tree of related- field (College of Idaho botany pro- factors. ness, based on certain genetic fessor) lead a trip to Silver City in I was interested in a talk on markers). the Owyhee Mountains, which the status of the Flora of North Inmates are being used in gave visitors from as far as Singa- America project. There have Logan, Utah, to re-mount, digi- pore, Taiwan, Florida, and New been 16 out of 30 planned vol- tize, and database herbarium Jersey a view of our vegetation umes published to date, since specimens and photos for and geology across an elevation 1993, with three more to go to Utah State University herbar- transect, plus some interesting the publisher in 2014 and an- ium. It’s a win-win situation as mining history. Conference pres- other 3 or 4 in 2015. Each ge- the herbarium gets work done entations started on Monday nus is illustrated, along with and inmates get biological and morning and ran through Wednes- one of six species in large computer experience, a little day, with a dizzying selection of genera. This has been an in- money, and the pride of ac- presentations and symposia to credibly ambitious undertaking complishment. select from. For example, on Mon- to document the flora on that Studies are underway on po- day alone I counted 189 different scale, and completed volumes tential fungi controls for cheat- talks offered in the program, in have been an excellent re- grass. The “black fingers of addition to what were probably a source. death” fungus has some po- hundred (perhaps more) poster A study on fire ants and hen- tential, but only works on dor- presentations, plus business bane found a mutualistic rela- mant (not fall-germinating) meetings, alumni lunches, work- tionship between these two seeds, and some strains of shops, etc. Most talks were 15 invasive species, with the cheatgrass are more resistant minutes long, and graduate stu- seeds providing food for the to it. A newly-found pathogen dents, researchers, professors, ants, and the ants dispersing produced “bleached blonde and the occasional non-academic the seeds and creating small syndrome” which causes professional spoke on an incredi- clearings (microhabitat) fa- cheatgrass plants to flower but ble diversity of plant-related sub- vored by the henbit. not set seed; it appears to be jects. My strategy was to sample Boise State University’s Carly an un-named fungus. from a wide selection of talks, as Prior gave a good talk on the I heard various talks on ferns, well as hitting talks most relevant invasive grass Medusahead, pollen, grasses, fossils, bego- to Idaho’s botany. Following is just comparing native populations nias, cucurbits, sedges, li-

Sage Notes Vol. 37 (1) March 2015 10

chens, Penstemons, and lots new acquaintances of extremely have the botany meeting in Boise of genetics – phylogenetic knowledgeable folks, and it is this year (last year it was in New charts and cladograms one gratifying to be around others as Orleans, and next year it will be in after another. The hot topics interested in plants as yourself. It’s Edmonton, Alberta), and I think it within botany have changed fun to put a name to a face of showed off our fine state in a very quite a bit since I was in someone I’ve read about, and favorable light. It was also good school, and it was both inspir- hear them explain new research for Boiseans to get a taste of the ing and humbling to hear a themselves. It’s also heart- larger botanical world. I appreci- little bit about all the advances. warming to see young people in- ate the Pahove Chapter’s spon- terested in and passionate about sorship for me to attend the Bot- Of course, another value of plants, coming from all over the any 2014 conference. the conference is to make and re- world. It was a rare opportunity to New Idaho Wildflowers App

By David Giblin, University of Washington Herbarium, Burke Museum

The University of Washington Herbarium at the will likely use the app's identification key to get the Burke Museum has partnered with the University of correct name for a plant of interest. Idaho's Stillinger Herbarium, Idaho State University's The key's interface is broken down into 11 sim- Ray J. Davis Herbarium, wildflower photographer ple categories: growth habit (e.g., wildflower, shrub, Mark Turner, and High Country Apps to produce vine), flower color, flower shape, petal number, Idaho Wildflowers, a plant identification app for smart month of year, geographic region, habitat, leaf ar- phones and tablets. The app provides images, spe- rangement, leaf type, duration (annual, biennial, per- cies descriptions, range maps, and ennial), and origin (native or intro- bloom period information for 805 duced). Users mark choices only in common wildflowers, shrubs, and those categories for which they are vines that occur in Idaho and adja- certain (e.g., flowers blue, petals 5, cent areas of Montana, Washington, month = June) and leave the rest Utah, and Oregon. blank. The number of species to Designed for everyone from which the overall list has been re- budding wildflower enthusiast to ex- duced appears at the top of the key perienced experts, Idaho Wildflow- and changes each time that a selec- ers provides users with images, tion reduces it further. names, and the natural history of Idaho Wildflowers includes sup- the wild growing plants that they fre- porting documents with extensive quently encounter in natural areas. information on the ecoregions of Idaho is home to diverse land- Idaho. Users will also find an exten- scapes containing a wealth of wild- sive glossary of botanical terms, flowers, shrubs, and vines. Idaho along with labeled diagrams. Finally, Wildflowers is also a great educa- detailed descriptions can be found tional tool for learning more about for each family contained in Idaho plant communities, botanical terms, Wildflowers. Tapping on a family and how to identify plants in gen- name brings up a list of images and eral. names for all species in the app be- The majority of species in- longing to that family. You can also cluded are native, but introduced create a list of favorites, whether just species common to the region are for the day or ongoing, that you can also covered in order to expand the email to yourself or others or upload app's usefulness. Once to the cloud. downloaded, the app does not need Idaho Wildflowers is available at an Internet or network connection to run, so you can Amazon, Apple, and Google app stores for $7.99. use it no matter how remote your wanderings take You can also find links to these online stores through you. the High Country Apps Web site Users can browse the species list by common or (www.highcountryapps.com). A portion of revenues scientific name, or by family, to locate a plant and from the app's sales supports conservation efforts access the related information. However, most users and further botanical study in the region. 11 Sage Notes Vol. 37 (1) March 2015

Diversity within a Species: Studying Sagebrush Morphotypes

By Marcella R. Fremgen, Graduate Student, Boise State University

Driving along the highway at 65 searching for the least toxic food These morphotypes are not mph, looking out across a shrub- to consume. only structurally different, but they steppe landscape, it all looks re- As a master's-degree student also differ in their chemistry, with markably homogenous. However, at Boise State University, I am different size classes showing to an ecologist or botanist, there studying how herbivores select variation even within a single spe- are subtle differences – the sage- certain plants to consume based cies (Figs. 3 and 4). The figures brush high on the hills is generally on their chemistry. This research show the difference in profile of shorter often with sticky, greenish is affiliated with my major profes- monoterpenes (Fig. 3) which are leaves, and the sagebrush low in sor Dr. Jennifer Forbey's chemical the volatile compounds you smell the drainage is tall, with long silver ecology laboratory. John Connelly, in sagebrush after it rains, and leaves. There is actually a large recently retired from Idaho Depart- coumarins (Fig. 4), a class of ultra amount of diversity in sagebrush, ment of Fish and Game, is an- -violet fluorescent compounds. from the species level down to the other collaborator for the project. I Sage-grouse can see ultraviolet individuals within patches and the study how herbivores select cer- light (all birds can!) and we are chemicals that individuals or spe- tain plants to consume based on learning that more and more birds cific leaves produce. This has im- the plants’ chemistry. We track can even smell their food. So sage portant implications for sagebrush- sage-grouse with radio transmit- -grouse can potentially see the obligate herbivores like the ters (Fig. 1) to their foraging site light emitted by chemicals or smell Greater Sage-grouse and identify browsed plants that the volatiles released when they (Centrocercus urophasianus, we then analyze in the lab. are foraging! This diversity in hereafter, sage-grouse). By studying the sagebrush chemicals may provide important Sage-grouse rely on sagebrush plants that were selected by sage- cues for foraging animals that are for food and cover throughout their grouse as food and those that trying to avoid or minimize the in- life. During the winter months, were not, we have identified the take of plant toxins. It is important to maintain this chemical diversity across the landscape as it provides a wide range of foraging resources for herbivores, including sage-grouse, pygmy rabbits, pronghorn and wintering mule deer. This diversity also improves habitat resilience to climate change as increased car- bon dioxide and increased temperatures are likely to result in higher chemical defenses. There- fore, having a wide range of chemistry may provide some high- Figure 1. Idaho Fish and Game employee Lisa Cross tracks sage-grouse with quality forage resources for wild- radio transmitters. Plants browsed at the foraging site were then identified. life in the future as toxins increase. It is important to preserve sage-grouse rely entirely on sage- importance of diversity below the this diversity for the future. brush for food resources. Sage- species level. Plants were split brush, however, produces a suite into different size classes or mor- Editor’s Note: One of my goals while of secondary metabolites for de- photype, which reflect the species editor of Sage Notes is to include at fense, including monoterpenes, and age of the plant. These mor- least one student-generated article in each issue. I see this as a way to raise phenolics, and sesquiterpene lac- photypes include identifying mor- awareness of the diverse and interest- tones. These chemicals have phology for the species itself, as ing botanical/ecological research being negative physiological effects that well as structural (height, stem conducted by students at Idaho col- deter herbivory. Sage-grouse se- branching) characteristics that fur- leges and universities with a state-wide lect plants with lower chemical ther separate species by size audience. If you want to share your defenses when they are foraging, class (Fig. 2). research, please contact me at: [email protected] Sage Notes Vol. 37 (1) March 2015 12

Figure 2. Morphotypes of sagebrush found at a Raft River site in Cassia County, Idaho. Left: a large A. tridentata wyomingensis plant. Center: a medium A. t. wyomingensis plant in front of a medium A. arbuscula. Right: a small A. arbuscula on the bottom right and a medium A. arbuscula in the center.

Figure 3. Monoterpene profiles for each morphotype are Figure 4. Coumarin content varies by morphotype and spe- unique. Each species has a unique chemical profile cies. Coumarins are UV-fluorescent compounds that are (different peaks), but there is also variation within a spe- more abundant in more palatable plants. Large A. t. wyo- cies that is related to size (or age) of the plant. The differ- mingensis is significantly different (less palatable) from me- ent peaks (different compounds) also represent a type of dium A. arbuscula (more palatable). This graph shows that diversity - chemical diversity. By diversifying the toxic com- the coumarin content is also reflected by morphotype, pounds in the diet, animals utilize more detoxification path- which suggests that each morphotype has different palat- ways, meaning they can digest the food more quickly and ability. Bars show mean ± standard error of the mean experience fewer negative effects. Therefore, diversity is (SEM). important even at the chemical level!

13 Sage Notes Vol. 37 (1) March 2015

Great Places to See Idaho Wildflowers

By Lynn Kinter, Botanist, Idaho Natural Heritage Program, Idaho Department of Fish and Game

Idaho has many wonderful places to see wildflowers. Here are a few favorites of mine and my colleagues (Derek Antonelli, Sue Birnbaum, Alexia Cochrane, Wendy Hoffman, Juanita Lichthardt, Dave Lingle, Jennifer Miller, Chris Murphy, Marilyn Olsen, Kristen Pekas, Kyra Povirk, Beth Waterbury, and Ross Winton). These sites are at their peak during spring and early summer. Look for a late summer list in the next issue of Sage Notes. Also, Deniz Aygen, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and I are putting together a brochure or booklet of spectacular wildflower viewing sites based on input from INPS members and others. Over the past year, we received nearly 30 recommendations, but would like to have more. If you would like to suggest a site, contact Deniz at [email protected]. Site County Peak Showy species sampler Homestead/Watchman Ada early-mid- lupine, balsamroot, biscuitroot, bitterroot, phlox, Trails, Boise Foothills May woodland star, penstemon, milkvetch Jackson Cr. & Goodrich Adams mid-late camas, groundsel, penstemon, mariposa lily, mules Cr. roads, near Council May ears Bear Basin, NW of Adams/ late May- camas, shooting star, mules ears, balsamroot, McCall Valley early July bistort, onion Mary Minerva Benewah/ late May- sticky geranium, wild hyacinth, shooting star, McCroskey State Park Latah early June larkspur, sugarbowl, prairiesmoke, balsamroot Craters of the Moon Blaine May-June buckwheat, bitterroot, biscuitroot, balsamroot, dwarf National Monument monkeyflower, sticky cinquefoil Warm Springs Trail to Boise late May balsamroot, monkshood Eightmile Mountain Red Mountain Lookout Boise late May- balsamroot, lupine, penstemon, paintbrush, June geranium, scarlet gilia, cornlily Wapiti Creek Trail Boise late May balsamroot, paintbrush, yellowbells Morris Ck. & Regal Ck. Bonner mid-May- roundleaf alumroot, Indianpipe, devilsclub, drops-of- July gold, yellowdot saxifrage, rose spirea Pass Creek Road Butte/Custer late June mules ears, paintbrush, lupine, phlox, phacelia, (USFS Road 122) larkspur Camas Prairie Centen- Camas late May- camas, mules ears, groundsel nial Marsh WMA early June City of Rocks & Castle Cassia May balsamroot, bluebell, stonecrop, lupine, goldenpea, Rocks State Park steershead, sticky geranium, yellowbells Weippe Prairie Clearwater mid-May- camas, bistort, buttercup mid-June Tubbs Hill, in Coeur Kootenai April-May shooting star, checker lily, Oregon grape, clarkia, d'Alene fairy slipper, glacier lily, blue-eyed grass Blue Creek Bay, Lake Kootenai May-June oceanspray, white spirea, spreading dogbane, heart- Coeur d'Alene leaf arnica, harebell, orange honeysuckle Marie Creek Kootenai May-July monkshood, phantom orchid, showy aster, tall blue- bells, false hellebore, orange honeysuckle Q'emiln Park Kootenai April-May sagebrush buttercup, shootingstar, glacier lily, checker lily, yellowbells, blue-eyed grass Discovery Hill/Slump Lemhi May-June bitterroot, false dandelion, hawksbeard, phlox, onion, Gulch/Owl Canyon paintbrush, lava aster Wagonhammer & Big Lemhi mid-May- cushion cactus, lupine, balsamroot, penstemon Silverlead creeks early June

Sage Notes Vol. 37 (1) March 2015 14

Site County Peak Showy species sampler North Fork Lemhi May balsamroot, scarlet gilia, phacelia, penstemon Salmon River Trail down- Lemhi mid-April- syringa, thimbleberry, balsamroot, phacelia, stream from Corn Ck. May penstemon Little Sawmill Cr./lower Lemhi late May- cinquefoil, milkvetch, phlox, mock goldenweed, Hayden Cr. early July buckwheat, penstemon, bitterroot, fleabane Divide between Cow Cr. & Lemhi early June fleabane, milkvetch, paintbrush, locoweed, lark- Yearian Cr. -July spur, stonecrop, prairiesmoke, penstemon Bench btwn Mollie Gulch & Lemhi early June paintbrush, locoweed, milkvetch, penstemon Little Eightmile Cr. -July Hot Springs Ridge, SE of Lemhi May-June paintbrush, milkvetch, phlox, blazingstar, onion, Salmon fleabane, larkspur Barracks Ln trails from Lemhi May-June buttercup, milkvetch, cats-eye, cleomella, pha- Cheney public access celia, buckwheat, penstemon Agency Cr./Pattee Cr./ Lemhi mid-May- penstemon, milkvetch, groundsel, currant, buck- Warm Springs roads early July wheat, blazingstar Badger Basin near Car- Lemhi May-June prairiesmoke, mock goldenweed, milkvetch, men Creek Road penstemon, lava aster, buckwheat, paintbrush Henry Creek Trail, Lemhi May-June paintbrush, phlox, milkvetch, larkspur, lupine, particularly at basin bitterroot, buckwheat, cushion cactus Williams Cr. picnic area/ Lemhi May-June aster, milkvetch, penstemon, paintbrush, lupine, Perreau Cr./Horse Mtn. cushion cactus Craig Mountain Nez Perce May-early ballhead waterleaf, mariposa lily, penstemon, June phlox, false dandelion, buckwheat Owyhee Uplands Byway/ Owyhee late May- mules ears, camas, phlox, monkeyflower, iris, Mud Flat Road early June penstemon, milkvetch Bruneau Dunes State Park Owyhee April-May bitterbrush, buckwheat, nakedstem sunray, sand lily, white blazingstar Duck Valley Owyhee late May- camas, mules ears, groundsel early June Meadows around Clarkia Shoshone late May camas, red kittentails, trillium, buttercup Cecil Andrus WMA & Washington May biscuitroot, balsamroot, bitterbrush, hawthorn, Brownlee Summit lupine, buckwheat, penstemon, syringa

Camas at Weippe Prairie. Photo by Junaita Lichthardt Trout-lily at Lemhi Pass. Photo by Beth Waterbury

15 Sage Notes Vol. 37 (1) March 2015

Idaho Native Plant Society History

By Lynda Smithman with assistance from Carol Prentice, Pahove Chapter Pat Packard, College of Idaho other chapters. Bob Steele en- them through the Southern Idaho faculty member and botanist, after couraged us to incorporate as Mycological Society and had attending several regional confer- Idaho Native Plant Society so that known Lynda’s mother, Ruth Col- ences on rare plants, realized that there would be a statewide asso- pin, as a re-entry student at the in the 1970s, botanists may have ciation. This model for lay and pro- College of Idaho. Unfortunately been more rare in Idaho than the fessional members working to- neither Lynda, Jay nor Ruth were plants which needed further study. gether clearly had been success- able to attend. They were however During a summer field trip with ful in surrounding states and it very interested and recruited their Carol Prentice and Billie Ann Far- proved to be in Idaho as well. friends Gordon and Barbara ley, Pat asked if they would help The earliest lecture series took Pierce to attend in their place. The organize a native plant society. place in the Tucker Herbarium at Pierces reported that they had They agreed to serve two-year the College of Idaho which was been warmly welcomed, were im- terms as President and Vice- centrally located for members pressed with their knowledgeable President/Secretary. Next Pat who, for example, resided in guides and thoroughly enjoyed the asked Bob Steele, Research For- Boise, Caldwell, Nampa, New Ply- field trip. ester with the U.S. Forest Service mouth, Payette and Weiser. By Some years later after more the mid-80s the large number of investigation, Bob Steele recom- Boise-based members necessi- mended dropping Ceanothus tated the change of meeting place prostratus from the Rare Plant to Boise State University. Detailed Technical Committee’s list as it records of activities and partici- appeared to be introduced into pants in the early years were kept, Idaho. but later lost when Pahove changed its venue from Caldwell October 1977 Snake River Birds to Boise. Carol Prentice, Mary of Prey Natural Area Trail and Lynda Smithman have made their personal files of the Other individuals must have early years available for a series been as impressed as the Pierces, of Sage Notes articles to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the newsletter and for inclusion in the INPS collection at the Idaho State His- torical Society Archives.

Early Pahove Field Trips Mentzelia mollis September 1977 Council Area, Intermountain Research Station Adams County and fellow member of the Rare Plant Technical Committee, Idaho The first official field trip was Natural Areas Council, to serve led by INPS technical advisor Bob with her as technical advisors to Steele. Ceanothus prostratus the fledgling native plant society. (prostrate ceanothus) was the fo- Bob also was appointed Chairman cus, for at that time it was known of the Board. Members were re- from only one Idaho location near cruited from among the College of Council, even though it was more Eriogonum shockleyi var. packardiae Idaho alumni and the Southern common elsewhere in the Pacific Idaho Mycological Society. These Northwest as well as Nevada and for there was a much larger crowd first members then invited friends California. Participants included in attendance for the second field interested in the natural sciences several of Pat’s former students. trip The focus for this trip was the to join INPS. When Pahove Additionally, Jerry Cross, Joe Duft, recently discovered Packard’s va- (Paiute name for sagebrush) was Lynda and Jay Smithman were riety of Shockley’s buckwheat initiated in 1977 there were no invited as Pat was acquainted with (Eriogonum shockleyi var. pack- Sage Notes Vol. 37 (1) March 2015 16

ardiae) known at that time from maps. Within an hour they re- fossil flora of an earlier age. She only one site on the rim of the treated to their vehicle drenched also provided an overview of the Snake River Canyon in the Birds by a sudden rainstorm. Blue sky white and brown ash beds of Suc- of Prey Natural Area. however could be seen in Owyhee cor Creek as well as the green Pat’s collaborators Carol Pren- County on the other side of the tice and Billie Ann Farley were canyon. They decided to give up there to help. The group consisted the Eriogonum search and visit of College of Idaho alumni plus the old stage station on the Mud Lynda and Jay Smithman, Mary Flat Road out of Grandview. While Trail, her brother, Jon Trail, Ruth walking around on the ancient Colpin and her guest Myrtle Free- lakebed formations, Mary became burg. (Myrtle was interested to very excited. She had stumbled learn more about native plants as unexpectedly onto E. shockleyi she and her neighbors had gath- var. packardiae. Before the day ered and used both edible and was over the group had docu- medicinal plants during the De- mented two new sites for that pression.) Newcomers were intro- taxon and a range extension for duced to various Chenopodaceae Mentzelia torreyi var.acerosa Chaenactis douglasii such as Saltbush (Atriplex spp.) (Torrey’s mentzelia). This orange- flowered variety is only known ash in Leslie Gulch, all of which from Owyhee County east to Twin are associated with various Falls County. In winter form the Mentzelia species (blazing star) mentzelia would have would not such as M. mollis (soft blazing have been noticed except for star) and other rare plants. The Smithmans’ Cairn Terrier, Tor, common M. laevicaulis who showed up with velcro-like (smoothstem blazing star) was still leaves stuck to his fur. in bloom, along with the intro- The Idaho Stateman published duced Erodium cicutarium an interview with Pat Packard on (redstem filaree), which in folklore the “cowpie-like" plants named in Pat told us is associated with her honor and in the process cre- strychnine. Rosettes of the com- Mentzelia torreyi var.acerosa ated a new entity known as mon Chaenactis douglasii “Lynda Mary Train” which pro- (Douglas’ dustymaiden) were still as well as the Compositae espe- vided no end of amusement for visible at this late date. The trip cially sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) Lynda and Mary. In the years to concluded with picnic lunch in sce- of the high desert. A few of our come, more sites were found for nic Succor Creek Canyon. Water- new members, needed to be these “cowpie-like" plants, some cress was growing abundantly in trained not to step on our study of which seemed similar to E. the creek, but Pat cautioned all of plants, but by-and-large everyone shockleyi var. shockleyi which pro- us that the cress most likely con- enjoyed the day. Carol and Billie vided new perspectives on the tained liver fluke and should not Ann asked Lynda to be the taxonomy and distribution. be added to our sandwiches. This group’s Historian. was a little too late for one person Pat encouraged participants to November 1977 Succor Creek who shall remain nameless. adopt a rare plant and conduct Miocene Flora, Malheur County field searches for more sites. Oregon Historic photographs courtesy Jay Lynda, Jay and Mary decided to and Lynda Smithman adopt E. shockleyi var. packardiae Those of us who live and work which was also known as in Southwest Idaho consider East- “Packard’s cowpies.” The follow- ern Oregon ours to explore. So no ing weekend they returned to the one thought it unusual for Pahove Snake River Canyon armed with to botanize across the state line. notebooks and topographical Pat Packard introduced us to the

17 Sage Notes Vol. 37 (1) March 2015

INPS Chapter News CALYPSO CHAPTER Where: Meetings are held at the MK Nature Center When: Meetings are the first Wednesdays of March, Auditorium, 600 S. Walnut St, Boise. April, May and October at 7 p.m. Field trips are sched- Contact: For more information about Pahove Chapter uled during the spring, summer, and early fall months. activities visit the website or email Karie Pappani at Where: Meeting are held in the conference room of pahove.chapter.president at gmail dot com. Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2885 W. Kathleen Ave., Coeur d’Alene. March 10: Barbara Ertter will speak about an Alaska Contact: Derek Antonelli, [email protected] Transect: Kenai Peninsula to North Side of Brooks Range. March 4: Chapter meeting will include a presentation April 7: Paul Castrovillo will speak about Japanese on the Blackwell Island Native Plant and Pollinator beetles in the Treasure Valley Garden by LeAnn Abell, Botanist, BLM. April 24-25: “Go Native!” Annual Plant Sale This event April 1: Chapter meeting will include a presentation on celebrates Earth Day, is a fundraiser for our chapter, local members of the Lily and Saxifrage families by and helps to promote and perpetuate the use of Derek Antonelli, Calypso Chapter President. Idaho’s native plants in our own landscapes. This May 2: Native Plant Appreciation Hike around Tubbs year we have a theme: Monarchs and Milkweed. We Hill in Coeur d’Alene. Meet at 11th Street parking lot at are keeping the format the same as the past few 10 a.m. years with a “Members Only” sale in the evening on May 6: Chapter meeting presentation still to be deter- Friday the 24th (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.) and an “Open to the mined. Public” sale on Saturday the 25th (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.). May 23: Tour of Kinnikinnick Native Plant Society’s Pahove donates 25% of Plant Sale profit to MK Na- Sandpoint Arboretum led by Sylvia Chatburn. We can ture Center, in appreciation for our use of the facilities attend presentation on Scotchman Peaks Wilderness throughout the year. and have lunch in Sandpoint prior to the tour. Meet at the Hayden Walmart at the northeast corner of park- We are planning to hold a “Turf Alternative Tour” in ing lot at 8:45 a.m. to carpool late spring. We will be visiting various sites in the May 30: Plant hike at the Tall Pines IDFG property Boise area and discussing alternatives to conven- east of Hayden Lake. Meet at the Hayden Walmart, tional lawn. Date and time to be determined. Mem- northeast corner of parking lot at 9 a.m. to carpool. bers will be informed by email, and further information June 28: Plant hike in the area of Benard Peak. Meet will be available on the website. at the Hayden Walmart at the northeast corner of parking lot at 9 a.m. to carpool. SAWABI CHAPTER August 8: Plant hike to Harrison or Beehive Lakes. Fall/Winter Meetings: We welcome the public to our Meet at the Hayden Walmart at the northeast corner chapter's informative programs. of parking lot at 8 a.m. to carpool. When: The first Monday of each month, October through March, 7:00 p.m. LOASA CHAPTER Where: The Pond Student Union Building, Room All members and the public are welcome to attend 308, Idaho State University Campus, Pocatello. chapter events. Contact: (208) 241-5851, or [email protected]. When: Meetings are held the third Thursday of each month. March 2: Jim Smith of Boise State University will Where: Taylor Building, Room 258, College of speak on "Idaho endemics and molecular systemat- Southern Idaho, Twin Falls ics: Does morphological data match the DNA?" Contact: Kelvin Jones, (208) 886-7051 April 6: Sawabi Chapter annual dinner meeting for election of officers and planning field trips for the up- PAHOVE CHAPTER coming warm months. Location: Puerto Vallarta, 160 We hope to see you at our upcoming presentations. W. Cedar, Pocatello, 5:30-8:30 p.m. When: September- April on the second Tuesday of April 18: Portneuf Valley Environmental Fair. See each month, 7:00 p.m. The following dates and topics details elsewhere in Sage Notes. are tentative. More current information will be sent to May 4: Stephanie Zorio, Master's degree candidate members via postcard and email. Events are also in the Biological Sciences Department at Idaho State posted on the Pahove Chapter page of the INPS web- University, will discuss the results of her research site: http://idahonativeplants.org/local-chapters/ titled "65 years of Vegetation Change in the East pahove/ River Basin, Colorado." Sage Notes Vol. 37 (1) March 2015 18

May 30: Tentative date for Vernor "Dick" Anderson Where: 1912 Center, 412 East Third St., Moscow memorial/celebration of life and tree planting in Edson (between Adams and Van Buren) Fichter Park, Pocatello. For additional information, Contact: INPS, White Pine Chapter, PO Box 8481, contact Karl Holte (241-8358). Moscow, ID 83843 or [email protected]

May 30: Tentative date for Vernor "Dick" Anderson WOOD RIVER CHAPTER memorial/celebration of life and tree planting in Edson Contact: Carol Blackburn, [email protected] Fichter Park, Pocatello. For additional information, for information on activities. contact Karl Holte (241-8358). New Volunteers UPPER SNAKE CHAPTER Please come to an Upper Snake chapter meeting/ INPS would like to welcome some new volun- social and a short presentation about Project Bud- teers who will be joining our Membership and Website Burst, a great national network of citizen scientists Committees. Their assistance with this work is greatly monitoring plants as the seasons change. appreciated.

When: April 21, 2015 (this is the 3rd TUESDAY), at Derek Duval, a non-plant field service engineer 7:00 p.m. who does exquisite high desert flora and fauna pho- Where: Bonneville County Extension Office Meeting tos, is unraveling some of the email list confusion. Room, Rollandet Ave. Sarah Funk, an Idaho Power vegetation ecolo- Contact: Sue Braastad, [email protected]. gist and INPS member since 2007, will collect and distribute INPS mail and assist with membership da- WHITE PINE CHAPTER tabase management. When: Meetings are held once a month during the Jessica Irwin, a botanist who studies central spring and fall. Field trips occur most any month. Idaho flora, will manage the statewide membership Please check the chapter website for events which database. may be scheduled or finalized after Sage Notes is Diane Jones, enthusiast and grower of native printed: www.whitepineinps.org. Or email the chapter and water-wise plants, has volunteered to join the officers at [email protected]. website committee.

Photographers (and there are a lot of good ones among us!) Wanted

If you have photos of Idaho native plants or INPS activities to share, please consider uploading them to Flickr which is a photo-sharing application used by people all over the world. Flickr is also a free application, unless you choose to get the Pro version in order to upload more and larger photos. It works with Windows and Mac devices and even your smart phones and tablets have capability to upload and view. It’s very easy to set up an account using Yahoo or Facebook accounts – possibly others. For more about Flickr go to www.flickr.com/about. One Flickr group INPS uses is Idaho Native Plants and it can be found at www.flickr.com/groups/ idaho_native_plants/ (note the underscores). This group (like an album) has numerous photos of Idaho na- tives, but really could benefit from many more. So join this group of photographers and share your photos from field trips, annual meetings, walks in the woods or desert, or wherever your favorite native plants are found. The second Flickr group INPS uses is called Idaho Native Plant Society and it can be found at www.flickr.com/ groups/1492892@N21/. Only a few members have uploaded about 350 photos to this group. It is a great way to document our chapter and state activities so you can help us present a good history of the diverse activities of INPS members. The group descriptions and rules can be found on the URLs listed. Photos from each of these groups are often included in Sage Notes and could be used on the webpages as well. While you are in Flickr (www.flickr.com), check out some of the other groups. Use the photos to study birds, to research your next trip to a location documented in Flickr, and to just be stunned by the awe- some creativity of Flickr members. - Nancy Miller, White Pine Chapter Lilium columbianum. Photo by Nancy Miller

19 Sage Notes Vol. 37 (1) March 2015 IDAHO NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY PO Box 9451, Boise, ID 83707 www.idahonativeplants.org ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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