Fall 2006 Kelseya
Volume 20 No. 1
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Natural Prairie Holds Key to Sustainable Fuels
gas prices inch higher, produce concentrated energy in the make and apply. Experiments now the search is on for re- form of biofuels such as ethanol or under way in Germany and the Neth- As newable, plant-based synfuel gasoline and diesel. The erlands are noting similar effects of fuels that don't require fertilizer or greater the yield of biomass per acre diversity on yields, says Tilman, even pesticides, both of which require en- the better, and data from Cedar though they use totally different spe- ergy to produce. A solution may be at Creek show that diverse plantings fill cies. Also, because prairie plants are hand, from University of Minnesota the bill. perennial, they would not have to be ecologist David Tilman and two col- "Diverse prairie grasslands are 240 replanted year after year. Farmers leagues: Instead of growing a single percent more productive than grass- would need only mow their fields in fuel source crop, grow many species lands with a single prairie species," the fall. If burned, biomass could together because such plantations says Tilman, a Regents Professor of replace some of the coal that now will yield more total vegetation—and Ecology in the College of Biological pumps carbon dioxide and mercury do it more reliably—than any growing Sciences, which operates the Cedar into the atmosphere. just one species. Creek field station. "That means that "You can burn prairie grass using The most cited ecologist in the if a plot with one or two plant spe- the fluidized bed technology of exist- world, Tilman has long been singing cies produces 100 pounds of vegeta- ing coal-fired power plants, and can the praises of biodiversity, as the tion a year, a plot with 16 species mix it in with coal," says Tilman. coexistence of many species is [the most diverse plots planted at "The energy density of biomass is 60 called. In May, he and two colleagues (University forest resources professor Ecologist David Tilman says a diversity of plant species will likely Peter Reich and Johannes Knops of the University of Nebraska) published produce the most biomass for making sustainable fuels. a paper in the journal Nature in which they sum up 12 years of ex- Cedar Creek] will produce 340 to 70 percent that of coal. If power periments at the University's Cedar pounds. This huge advantage comes plants wanted to buy biomass and Creek Natural History Area. The long- when you plant numerous grasses and farmers wanted to grow it, it could est-running experiment of its kind, it legumes and various prairie flowers happen, but it will take much work shows unequivocally that plots of together." to get there." land with numerous species produce Findings from Cedar Creek suggest Now that the value of biodiversity much more "biomass" and suffer less that plantings of multiple species of has been shown, the next step should from fluctuations in productivity than prairie plants will produce fuels, such be an economic analysis, says Til- plots with only one or a few species. as ethanol, with greater net energy man. It remains to be seen whether This makes diverse plantings the like- gains per acre than corn, soybeans, biomass farmers, along with energy liest candidates to drive the "bio" or even switchgrass, which has been producers and the people who trans- revolution. touted as a promising source for bio- port biomass from one to the other, The paper is a call to everyone who mass. But the higher energy gains can each make money if they put the wants to extract energy from bio- aren't just from higher productivity; vision that he and his colleagues have mass to start thinking in terms of diverse plantings require little or no into practice. For optimal results, species diversity. Biomass can be ei- inputs of fertilizer or pesticides, both (Continued on page 8) ther burned for energy or refined to of which require lots of energy to Kelseya President’s Platform Susan Winslow
Ah, another change in season. The rightly received the Outstanding Ser- ranking threats to species of con- brown-cured hues of late summer are vice Award, which was eloquently cern. Lastly, the music-inspired ca- making way for the promise of au- presented by Wayne Phillips. Thanks maraderie around the bonfire was tumn color. The annual meeting held to Pat for all his years of dedication, nicely supplemented with shooting in the Madison Valley was dry and diligence, and support to the Society. stars. warm with record attendance. In ad- The Board of Directors voted last Board of Directors Meeting dition to folks of all ages, the bugs March to increase dues, so a general The next meeting is scheduled for also were present in large numbers. I announcement was made to the October 28, at 10:00 a.m. in Helena. think most of the field trips in the membership (see below). A Valley of The meeting is open to all members. high country experienced fewer Flowers Chapter member, Leslie Ed- For those not able to attend, be sure pesky insects, along with dazzling dington, has tentatively volunteered and pass along any appropriate topics floral displays. The Clark Fork Chap- to take over the task of being our to your representative for discussion ter did a superb job with the entire new Webmaster. Read more about at the meeting. Chapters with poten- meeting, especially considering that Leslie in January after she’s had a tial projects that require funding some crucial members weren’t able chance to hone her htlm program- should have requests to me no later to attend due to sudden illness. In ming skills. The Society greatly ap- than October 14. addition to being short-staffed, spo- preciates all the time, effort, and In closing, one year ago in my first radic power outages played havoc dedication dispensed by the out- platform as president, I commented with the water source, and threat- going Webmaster, Marilyn Marler— on basic homeowner recommenda- ened to leave everyone hungry on thanks and good luck in your political tions for dealing with the ongoing Saturday night and Sunday morning! endeavors. A representative of each fire season in mostly grass-dominated Talk about stress piled on stress; chapter recapped activities, accom- rangelands. This is a much different they all deserve an award for pulling plishments, and future goals—what a year, with wildfires raging on pri- it off so successfully. busy bunch. Leslie Marty has re- vately held and national forest tim- Membership Meeting assumed the presidential role for the berlands. The Montana woods, and As expected, Pat Plantenberg’s Artemisia Chapter. The Kelsey Chap- some structures, are going up in parody on the election results pro- ter is hosting next year’s meeting at smoke. More than 2,000 wildfires vided comic relief and insightful Georgetown Lake. They already have have burned greater than 630,000 analysis. Congratulations to Dave a good handle on the situation, so acres, and we have a long way to go Hanna and Pat Plantenberg, the re- make plans to attend. The Landscape yet before the onset of normal fall elected Vice President and Secretary Committee reported that efforts are moisture patterns. Luckily, there respectively, and to Wayne Phillips underway to develop a web-based have been very few injuries, but if for assuming the duties of Eastern source guide. The Threatened Plants you’re out and about at work or play, Montana Director At-large! Speaking Steering Committee is scheduling a be safe. In spite of the fire condi- of Pat Plantenberg, he deserved and fall meeting to discuss assigning and tions, have a good fall.
Susan can be reached at P.O. Box 502, Bridger, MT 59014 406-668-9112 e-mail: [email protected]
new members! Your participation and support are 2007 Annual Meeting WELCOME important to us! Please contact your Scheduled The Montana Native Plant Society chapter representative with any extends a warm welcome to the fol- ideas or suggestions you may have. Mark your calendars now! The 2007 lowing new members: MNPS annual meeting is June 29-July 1, 2007, at Georgetown Lake. The Calypso Chapter: Char Davis; Clark MNPS Dues Increase Kelsey Chapter is busy with plans to Fork Chapter: Poody McLaughlin, Effective January 2007 there will be make this event one not to be Mamie Smith, Richard Wren; Flat- a slight increase in MNPS dues. An missed. We have a camp rented right head Chapter: Geri Cochrane, Mich- individual with chapter affiliation on the lake and the event promises ele Disney, Susie Heger, Robben will be $20 and without affiliation to be loads of fun. There are lots of Leingang, John & Laurel Swetnam; will be $15. Other categories were great hiking opportunities and sev- Valley of Flowers: Lynn Burton, Tom raised proportionately. The board eral Forest Service Research Natural Forwood, Heather’s Garden Service, was reluctant to raise the cost of Areas are close by. Wildflowers Charles Repath; Eastern Montana: membership, but noted that costs should be abundant! Plan ahead and Susan Stout; Western Montana: Bob have increased and dues have been we’ll see you then. Wilson, Terry Hightower. unchanged for a number of years.
2 Kelseya Fall 2006 Release of 2006 IUCN alone—it must become the responsi- ● Most threatened birds, mammals bility of everyone with the power and and amphibians are located on the Red List reveals ongo- resources to act," he added. tropical continents—the regions that ing decline in status of The 2006 Red List includes addi- contain the tropical broadleaf forests plants and animals tional species from the Mediterra- which are believed to harbor the ma- nean region, one of the world's 34 jority of the Earth's terrestrial and
biodiversity hotspots with nearly freshwater species. Geneva, Switzerland, 2 May 2006 25,000 species of plants—of which ● Australia, Brazil, China, and Mex- (IUCN)—The total number of species 60% are found nowhere else in the ico hold particularly large numbers of declared officially extinct is 784 and world. In the Mediterranean, the threatened species. a further 65 are only found in captiv- pressures from urbanization, mass ● Estimates vary greatly, but current ity or cultivation. Of the 40,177 spe- tourism, and intensive agriculture extinction rates are at least 100- cies assessed using the IUCN Red List have pushed more and more native 1,000 times higher than natural back- criteria, 16,119 are now listed as species, like bugloss, Anchusa crispa ground rates. threatened with extinction. This in- and centuary, Femeniasia balearica ● The vast majority of extinctions cludes one in three amphibians and a (both Critically Endangered) towards since 1,500 AD have occurred on oce- quarter of the world's coniferous extinction. The bugloss is only known anic islands, but over the last 20 trees, on top of the one in eight birds from 20 small sites, and less than years, continental extinctions have and one in four mammals known to 2,200 mature centaury plants re- become as common as island extinc- be in jeopardy. main. Endemic to the Balearic Is- tions. lands, Femeniasia balearica now oc- Created in 1948, the World Conser- curs only in six sites in the north of vation Union (IUCN) brings together the island of Minorca. It is a typical 81 States, 113 government agencies, seashore species that grows in dry 850 plus NGOs, and some 10,000 sci- sunny places on sandy soils. entists and experts from 181 coun- But what can be done to halt and tries in a unique worldwide partner- reverse the decline of the Earth's ship. The Union's mission is to influ- biodiversity on which so much of our ence, encourage, and assist societies own well-being depends? The IUCN throughout the world to conserve the Red List of Threatened Species acts integrity and diversity of nature and as a wake up call to the world by to ensure that any use of natural re- focusing attention on the state of our sources is equitable and ecologically The 2006 IUCN Red List of Threat- natural environment. It has become sustainable. The World Conservation ened Species brings into sharp focus an increasingly powerful tool for con- Union is the world's largest environ- the ongoing decline of the earth's servation planning, management, mental knowledge network and has biodiversity and the impact mankind monitoring, and decision-making. It helped over 75 countries prepare and is having upon life on earth. Widely is widely cited in the scientific litera- implement national conservation and recognized as the most authoritative ture as the most suitable system for biodiversity strategies. The Union is a assessment of the global status of assessing species extinction risk. multicultural, multilingual organiza- plants and animals, it provides an The IUCN Red List of Threatened tion with 1,000 staff located in 62 accurate measure of progress, or lack Species classifies species according countries. Its headquarters are in of it, in achieving the globally agreed to their extinction risk. It is a search- Gland , Switzerland. target to significantly reduce the able online database containing the Web: www.iucn.org; pressiucn.org current rate of biodiversity loss by global status and supporting informa- Kelseya Fall 2006 3 and medicinal plant discussions are Available from MNPS Undaunted Botany: central to the article, including infor- mation about camas, cous bisquit- Available free from MNPS Publi- Lewis and Clark’s root, wild apple, licorice root, yam- cations: MNPS membership bro- pah, bitterroot, serviceberries, chures, Plant Collection Guidelines Search for Plants chokecherries, onions, and wild gin- for Teachers brochures, and Echina- ger. cea Cultivation Information. Also The plant photographs on the three available are additional copies of beautiful photo panels are not re- Plants Collected in Montana During stricted to the plants collected in the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Please Montana either, with several in- send a SASE to 1270 Lower Sweet cluded that were collected from ar- Grass Road, Big Timber, MT 59011 to eas outside the state: yellow bell, receive any of these publications. prairie smoke, bunchberry, and Available from the Flathead Chap- thimbleberry. The photography is ter: a packet of information about outstanding, especially the breath- gardening with Flathead Valley na- taking view of a large field of bitter- tive plants. The packet can be root in full bloom. I’ve never seen mailed to you for $3.50. Contact bitterroot so abundant! I was some- Tara Carolin at 334 North Many Lakes what disappointed though, to find Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901. that only three of the 17 photos illus- Available from the Kelsey Chapter: trating the article were those of a packet of information on landscap- Drake Barton. In our Society and be- ing with natives in the Helena area. yond, Drake is well known and re- The packet will be mailed to you for spected as an outstanding plant pho- $3.50. Contact Kathy at 449-6586 or tographer, and I was hoping to see e-mail: [email protected]. to this article showcase more of his order. work. However, the photos do in- Available from the Valley of Flow- Hot dog! When this title appeared clude the fine photos of other MNPS ers Chapter: a booklet of information in green on the cover of the Montana experts, like D. Linnell Blank. on landscaping with natives in the Outdoors July-August issue, of course New and newsy information is in- Bozeman, Livingston, and Big Timber I went straight to it, skipping cluded in the article. The recent dis- areas. The booklet will be mailed to “Wolves in Montana,” another of my covery of one more Lewis and Clark you for $6.50. Contact Denise Mont- favorite subjects. To my amazement, plant specimen, Sandberg’s blue- gomery at 586-0156 or e-mail: the text of the article was printed on grass, at the Royal Botanic Gardens [email protected] to copies of original herbarium sheets in Kew, England makes one wonder order. from the Lewis and Clark Herbarium how many more are filed away, un- Visit the MNPS website at at the Academy of Natural Sciences noticed, in other herbaria. The www.umt.edu/mnps to download in in Philadelphia, complete with the timely news of original Lewis and pdf format Weeds Listed as Noxious 200-year-old plant material and all of Clark specimens from Philadelphia on by Montana Counties, a list of the labels that appear on the original display at the Crazy Mountain Mu- weeds that are targeted by each sheets. What a cleaver idea! But then seum in Big Timber is highlighted to county; Guidelines for Selecting the authors of the article are no less encourage readers to attend. Horticultural Plant Material for than our very own MNPS newsletter The clever use of photos of 200- Montana, voluntary guidelines by editors, Kathy Lloyd and Drake Bar- year-old dried plants on herbarium MNPS and the Montana Nursery and ton. sheets alongside freshly blooming Landscape Association; and Lewis & I expected an article on Lewis and ones, the engaging dialogue, and new Clark Plants Collected Elsewhere Clark plants in Montana Outdoors to information combine in this article, That Occur in Montana, an inclusive be restricted to the Expedition’s “The Corps of Botanical Discovery,” list of Lewis & Clark plants found in plant collections from Montana. In- in a way that is worth your while. I deed, a listing of the 32 extant col- recommend reading it before you lections from Montana, and six of the turn to “Working it out with Wolves.” lost specimens, do line the margin of Me? I'm off to Lost Trail Pass to the three photo panels. However, search for Dawson's angelica where the narrative is much broader in Lewis collected it. I've only seen it once before. Want to go? scope, embracing the botanical ob- e k H. Wayne Phillips a jectives of the entire expedition, but r in a very readable, conversational Editors’ note: Luke Duran, art director, D way that never gets bogged down in and Tom Dickson, editor, are to be cred- detail. Everyone’s favorite edible ited for the creative and attractive lay- out. Hymenoxys grandiflora in the Gravellys. 4 Kelseya Fall 2006 Montana Conservation Trail National Wildlife Refuge. Unfortunately, Montana popula- Typical Montana habitat for this tions continue to be vulnerable to Assessment for plant is rough fescue grasslands on invasive weeds; habitat loss, and Spalding’s Catchfly rolling kettle/drumlin topography, fragmentation, particularly in the Available from the Natural swales, minor draws, and north Tobacco Plains; and to impacts asso- slopes where moisture remains avail- ciated with grazing, fire exclusion, Heritage Program able a little longer into the growing and small, isolated populations. season compared to adjacent drier Based on current information, suc- Spalding's catchfly (Silene slopes. These sites often occur near cessful conservation will depend on spaldingii) is one of only three Mon- the lower treeline or with scattered protecting existing populations, im- tana plant species listed as ponderosa pine. proving habitat conditions, rebuilding "threatened" under the U.S. Endan- A range-wide status assessment of populations, mitigating impacts of gered Species Act (USFWS 2001). It is Spalding's catchfly, written in 2004, invasive weeds and grazing, and re- restricted to the inland Pacific North- contained relatively outdated infor- newed monitoring and survey efforts. west, ranging from eastern Washing- mation for Montana. Thanks to sur- For now, the MTNHP rank for this ton and northeast Oregon to north- vey work in 2004 and 2005 by MTNHP species remains S1 due to its com- central Idaho, northwest Montana, botanist Scott Mincemoyer (funded bined rarity and the level of threats and just into adjacent British Colum- by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service), to populations. However, opportuni- bia. we now have an up-to-date Montana ties for beneficial management in While Montana supports just 15% of Conservation Assessment (available Montana should be high since the this species' total range-wide popula- at www.mtnhp.org). Scott used pre- majority of populations are on lands tions, we do host the largest popula- dicted habitat modeling to help him administered by state or federal tion at The Nature Conservancy's locate two new populations, bringing agencies, the Confederated Salish Dancing Prairie Preserve. Estimated the number of extant occurrences in and Kootenai Tribes or The Nature at 10,000 plants minimum, this popu- Montana to eleven. Survey work is Conservancy. Contact Scott at 406- lation alone comprises a significant challenging because Spalding's catch- 444-2817 for more information. percentage of the total plants known fly can stay below ground, especially range-wide. Other sizeable popula- Reprinted from Spring 2006 during dry years, resulting in popula- Optimolocus tions in Montana occur on the Flat- tions being overlooked or under- head Indian Reservation and the Lost counted. Outstanding Service Award Edible Wild Plants Anyone who has been close to the hub of power in any organization Booklet Available knows that it takes many folks work- ing behind the scenes to keep things The Montana Federation of Garden humming along on both cylinders. Pat Clubs has republished Patrick Plan- Plantenberg, the 2006 recipient of tenberg’s Edible Wild Plants Used in the MNPS Outstanding Service Award, Montana Yesterday and Today. The is just such a person. Pat has been publication contains recipes gathered the state Secretary for many years, by Patrick from edible wild plant documenting the board meetings and class participants over the last 30 keeping the bylaws up to date. He years. The booklet also contains nu- compiled a notebook that brings im- tritional information on some edible portant Society information together wild plants. The Montana Coopera- in one place, and keeps it updated. tive Extension Service first published Pat also collects and tallies the votes the publication in 1976. The 50-page for the election of all state officers, booklet is available on CD or hard and firmly denies that any lobbying copy and costs $5.00. Proceeds from monies went into his recent house the sale of the booklet are being do- remodel. Besides working behind the Patrick Plantenberg receives the 2006 nated to the Montana Federation of scenes, Pat also has entertained us Outstanding Service Award. Garden Clubs. For information and to for many years at the annual meet- order your copy, please contact Pat- ing, presenting the results of the ries and a wild edible plant class. In rick at 406-266-5265 or write to Pat- election and encouraging, or sham- addition to a certificate, Pat re- rick at 133 N. Maple, Townsend, MT ing, us into getting out to vote. He ceived a beautiful image of Indian 59644. With the holidays approaching was also honored for his work with breadroot (Psorolea esculenta, Pedi- at a scary pace, this booklet would the Kelsey Chapter putting together omelum esculentum) as portrayed by make a nice gift for your edible plant both a landscaping with natives se- Missoula artist Nancy Seiler. enthusiast friends! Kelseya Fall 2006 5 Edible Wild Plant Class Celebrating Wildflowers on Celebrating Wildflowers Concludes with Potluck Mount Helena Web Site The Kelsey Chapter and the Mon- On May 23, 2006, the Kelsey Chap- The new Forest Service web site tana Federation of Garden Clubs ter of the Montana Native Plant Soci- Botany: Celebrating Wildflowers is sponsored a five-part Edible Wild ety, along with the Helena National ready for the public. This new web Plant Class in Helena from April Forest and the Montana Discovery site is the gateway to an enormous through August 2006. The class con- Foundation, invited approximately amount of botanical information pro- cluded with an edible wild plant pot- 200 Helena area students to take vided by a variety of groups. The For- th luck on August 18th. Course instruc- part in the 9 annual Celebrating est Service web portal is available at: tors, Patrick Plantenberg and Kathy Wildflowers event on Mount Helena. http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/ Lloyd, showed class participants vari- Each year these partners come to- Every Region, Forest, Grassland ous edible, useful, and medicinal gether to promote the importance of and Prairie contributed to the con- plants over the duration of the class. conservation and management of tent of this new site. Detailers from The menu at the potluck included native plants and plant habitats. Six- across the nation assisted in the de- many delicious and interesting teen volunteers participated in the velopment of emphasis area content dishes: huckleberry and nut bread; popular event this year. such as Pollinators, Beauty of it All, wilted wild greens with a hot bacon Students spent the day on Mount Native Gardening, Just for Kids, dressing; buffaloberry sweet and sour Helena identifying many spring flow- Teacher Resources, Wildflower Eth- chicken; golden currant sweet and ers, and also made their way through ics, and Invasive Plants, to name a sour pork on rice; pickled cattail three learning stations focusing on few. A number of other modules such leaves; milkweed pod, cabbage, and flower anatomy, pollination, and as rare plants, native plant materi- leek soup made with cattail broth; noxious weeds. als, ethnobotany, lichens, ferns, and purslane pickles; wild greens salad In conjunction with the event, a other botany subject areas are cur- made with green orach leaves, young wildflower poster contest was held in rently under development and will be purslane stems and leaves, pigweed which the winner’s drawing was posted to the web site as they be- leaves, lambsquarters leaves, chick- placed on a billboard in Helena. come finalized. The Forest Service is weed stems and leaves, kochia Celebrating Wildflowers is a popu- extremely proud of the work of the leaves, wild onion leaves, sheep sor- lar event with students and teachers botanists, plant ecologists, and other rel leaves, Loesel’s mustard flowers, and increases public awareness of resource specialists, and the many tumbling mustard seed pods, Rocky the importance of native species and partners who contributed to the cur- Mountain bee plant flowers and seed habitats. It is hoped that by teaching rent content of this site. pods; chokecherry salad dressing; children to appreciate native land- Check the site to find out what melon salad topped with a wild onion scapes in Montana, they will carry wildflower activities are scheduled and fanweed seed dressing; wild that awareness into adulthood. for Montana. salmon pot pie with purslane greens Kathy Martin Emily B. Roberson, Ph.D. topped with cattail pollen biscuits; Native Plant Conservation Campaign international stir fry made with Ital- ian olive oil, young American showy milkweed pods, Mexican mild chili peppers, and topped with Chinese soy and Szechwan sauces; nettle and chanterelle mushroom lasagna; young Russian thistle greens in nutmeg cream sauce with sunflower seeds; cattails on the cob; chokecherry pud- ding; wild mint sun tea; gooseberry pie; huckleberry whole wheat muf- fins; golden currant, oatmeal, and yampa squares; and golden currant muffins. Hungry yet? The class participants will be writ- ing up their recipes and experiences over the summer and the Kelsey Chapter will publish a booklet with Celebrating Wildflowers is a popular event in Helena. Student artwork is fea- the information. tured on a prominent billboard in town, drawing attention to Montana native Patrick Plantenberg plants. This recent billboard features lady’s slipper by fourth grade artist Ash- ley Pecora. 6 Kelseya Fall 2006 Frasera combines a predator avoid- Fabulous, Fantastic, Frasera Facts ance system which yields widely dis- persed colonies in space and in time The star plant of the Montana Na- be about 35-40 years, though at high with a pollination system which suc- tive Plant Society annual meeting altitudes the plants may wait until cessfully exploits the maximum di- this year—the belle of the floral ban- they are 75-80 years old to bloom. versity of floral visitors (15%) and quet—was Miss Gravelly herself, Fra- Inouye’s research shows that the maintains excellent seed-set (not less sera speciosa! If you get the chance, “number of leaves in the swirl of than 52%) whenever and wherever look very closely at this beautiful, basal leaves roughly corresponds to the colonies appear. The systems are detailed, interesting plant, and then the age of the plant, but individual clearly complementary in preventing look again. plants may produce fewer, the same the build-up of predator populations Frasera speciosa belongs to the number, or more leaves in one sea- while maintaining an attractive for- class Magnoliopsida, the order Gen- son than in the previous season.” age source for potential pollen vec- tianales, the family Gentianaceae, He believes that when the plants tors.” the genus Frasera, and the species get to a certain age, anywhere be- As for germination and survival in speciosa. Its common names are tween 20 and 80 years, they are the wild, the seeds of Frasera speci- green gentian, monument plant, elk- ready for an environmental cue that osa fall to the ground beneath the weed, and deer tongue. signals them to bloom. After inten- mother plant, which soon keels over David Douglas first collected Fra- sively watering a plot of about 100 on top of them. In a year with typical sera speciosa in the Spokane area in wild green gentians for two consecu- rainfall, Wied and Galen's green gen- the early 1830s. The genus Frasera is tive summers, he observed that the tian seeds germinated regardless of named for John Fraser, an 18th cen- plants pre-form leaves and flowers whether the researchers planted tury Scots nurseryman who botanized two years in advance. The third year them on bare ground or on places in the southern Appalachians from he left the plot alone and the gen- scattered with parts of an adult 1786-1807 and collected for Kew Gar- tians in the plot flowered signifi- plant. But, green gentian seedlings dens and the Linnaean Society. He cantly more than in other areas were almost twice as likely to survive also sold plants privately, including across the mountains. Inouye hy- if they grew among the fallen leaves to the Empress of Russia, becoming pothesizes that the plants received and stems of an adult plant as they Russia’s main plant collector of that an environmental cue two years prior were if they grew in the open. The time. The species name, speciosa, to blooming, prompting their floral soil under the collapsed mother plant means showy, describing the leaves display. Inouye believes the cue is was moister than that in open spots, and the massive flower display. summer precipitation, rather than where the sun and wind drove faster Frasera speciosa is found in moun- drought, though he’s not sure if it’s evaporation. The dead mother plant tain meadows throughout western the amount of rain throughout the was thus providing postmortem North America. The reproductive summer, or density of rain during a drought insurance, the researchers plant is a rosette with a tall, cylindri- certain month, or another formula claimed. They called this one of the cal inflorescence. The flower is four- altogether. first demonstrations of a plant nurs- petaled and hermaphroditic, with A.J. Beattie, D.E. Breedlove, and ing its own seedlings. both male and female organs. Purple P.R. Ehrich state, “The local syn- To grow Frasera speciosa, the Per- spots on the petals, known as nectar chrony revealed by the occurrence of maculture Information Web says to guides, attract pollinators. The nec- discrete colonies and the overall syn- sow seed in spring in a greenhouse. tar is under two fringes of hairs that chrony revealed in the almost total When they are large enough to han- may serve to keep it cool and pre- absence of floral colonies in some dle, prick the seedlings out into indi- vent it from crystallizing. years and the abundance in others is vidual pots and grow them in the Until recently this plant was viewed as a strategy for predator greenhouse for at least their first thought to be a biennial, a plant that avoidance. The flowering regime of winter. Plant them out into their normally requires two years for its permanent positions in late spring or life cycle. Biennials store food in the early summer, after the last ex- first season of their growth, flower, pected frost. Divide in late winter. bear fruit, and die. Studies by Dr. There is little or no seed dormancy, David Inouye, who has researched and germination occurs the following the plant for decades, indicate that spring. Sources from the Seed Germi- Frasera speciosa is actually a mono- nation Database say to sow seeds at carpic plant, flowering only once in a 4º C (40º F) for 6 weeks, and move to lifetime of 20-80 years, then dying. 20º C (68º F) for germination. Frasera Inouye’s research also shows that speciosa prefers moist, sandy or large numbers of Frasera speciosa loamy soils and good drainage. It can flower every 2-4 years, with sporadic grow in semi-shade to full sun, and yet synchronous flowering. The aver- Frasera speciosa, the belle of the banquet. prefers a neutral to acid soil. age age of a flowering plant seems to Photo: Drake Barton Kelly Chadwick 7 Kelseya Fall 2006 CALENDAR Please remember to leave pets and a dish to share. Please, no alco- Seed Collection, Cleaning, Viability at home during MNPS field trips. holic beverages! Don’t forget to bring and Site Selection.” Are you inter- a few of your favorite slides or digital ested in collecting and growing na- Artemisia chapter pictures from the summer. tive plants for your garden or resto- For a schedule of Artemisia Chapter ration project? This presentation will events or to get your questions an- Eastern Montana discuss how to collect, clean, store, swered, please call Leslie at 445- For more information about Eastern and treat native seed, and how to 9178. Montana events call Wayne Phillips at select a site for planting. 453-0648. Tuesday, November 14, 7:00 p.m. Calypso chapter Tom Forwood, Naturalist at Lewis Call Sheila Thompson at 846-1855 or Flathead chapter and Clark Caverns State Park, will Debbie Mueller at 782-6651 for de- New place and day! We’ll be meeting present “Flowers Outside the Cav- tails. downstairs at the Flathead County erns.” This presentation is a seasonal Thursday, October 5, 7:00 p.m. Library (247 1st Ave. East) on the first slideshow of flowers as the year pro- Grant Mitman, Ph.D. will present a Wednesday of the month. gresses at Lewis and Clark Caverns program on "Biological Illustration." Wednesday, October 4, 5:30 p.m. State Park. Photographs and discus- Professor Mitman will share his art- Come visit with other plant enthusi- sion will highlight the diversity of the work and information about the asts, share a potluck dinner, and flora at the Park. course in biological illustration help plan the upcoming chapter taught through Cornell University on events. Western Montana Appledore Island, Maine. There will Wednesday, November 1, 5:30 For information about activities in be a short instructional session on General meeting. 7:00 program TBA. western Montana, call Erich Pfalzer pen and ink. Those wishing to partici- Wednesday, December 6, 5:30 p.m. at 406-827-4078. pate should come prepared with a Christmas Party. Bring a potluck dish Micron .005 or .01 technical pen and a recycled or under $10 gift. Al- ...Prairie Fuels (Continued from page 1) (available at Montana Tech bookstore ways a great time. Location TBA. each region of the country and the or art supply stores for around world would have to be studied to $2.50). The free program is at the Kelsey chapter determine what mix of plant species Montana Tech Biology/Chemistry For more information about Kelsey would work best in that particular Building, Room 105. Chapter programs and events, call soil and climate. Kathy at 449-6586. "In Minnesota there are over a mil- Clark Fork Chapter Saturday, December, 9, 6:00 p.m. lion acres of abandoned farmland in Thursday, October 12, 7:30 p.m. Join us for our annual “Holiday Pot- the Conservation Reserve Program," Have you wondered about that moun- luck and Show-and-tell” hosted by Jo says Tilman. "That land is mainly tainside of brown trees at Homestake Lace and Brian Shovers at 210 S. Cali- planted with just a few grass species" Pass or all those old, dead whitebark fornia St. in Helena. Bring a dish to and so may hold potential as a future pines in the Pintlars? Now you can share, your own plate and utensils, site of biomass plantations. find out. Come and listen to Diana and something native plant-related Planting more species should allow Six, University of Montana professor to show off! not only bigger yields of vegetation, of forest pathology, talk about her but more predictable yields. As the research on “Bark Beetle-Fungus- Maka flora chapter Cedar Creek experiments show, Conifer Interactions in Forests of For information about the Maka Flora yields of vegetation fluctuate less North America.” Rm L09 Gallagher Chapter or events call Rebecca Kal- from season to season if the vegeta- Business Bldg., UM Campus. levig at 488-5455. tion contains many species. This kind Thursday, November 9, 7:30 p.m. of reliability is important because no It’s easy to contaminate a water- Valley of flowers one wants to see boom and bust shed, but making things right is an- During the fall and winter, the Valley years in the energy supply. other matter. Plant ecologist Rich of the Flowers Chapter meets on the "This paper suggests there might be Prodgers has been restoring and re- second Tuesday of each month in an unsuspected benefit to restoring claiming mined lands in Montana for Room 108 of the AgbioScience Build- land to a more native condition," three decades. Hear him talk about ing at MSU. The building is on South Tilman says. "Restoring land so it can his biggest challenge, “Bringing Back 11th, and parking is free in the eve- produce biofuels is a new idea, but the Dead: Revegetation of Silver Bow ning in the lot north of the building. there are many reasons to do it. We Creek.” Rm L09 Gallagher Business Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. For more need a stable and productive source Bldg., UM Campus. information contact Monica Pokorny of bioenergy. Biodiversity can give us Thursday, December 14, 6:30 p.m. at 763-4109. this on abandoned agricultural land Our annual Christmas potluck will be Tuesday, October 10, 7:00 p.m. around the world, and it doesn't have held at the Open Way Center, 702 Harold Armstrong, Manager of Mon- to be just grasses. As we get away Brooks just north of the Rose Garden tana State University Seed Labora- from fossil fuels, we're going to have on the southeast corner of Brooks tory, will present “Native Species to have a diversity of approaches." and Franklin. Bring plates, utensils, 8 Kelseya Fall 2006 green gentian (Frasera speciosa). Annual Meeting Field Trip Reports There were lots of legumes, including thistle milkvetch (Astragalus kentro- phyta), yellow sweetvetch ...In the Gravelly Mountains (Hedysarum sulphurescens), loco- weed (Oxytropis sericea), and lupine (Lupinus argenteus), as well as a Black Butte Bighorn Mountain couple of parasites: fern-leaf louse- wort (Pedicularis cystopteridifolia) Our trek to the top of Black Butte, A dozen years ago when the Native and a yellow paintbrush (Castilleja the highest point in the Gravellys, Plant Society went to the top of the pallescens). We ate lunch at about started with the long drive from the Gravellys it was raining with visibility 10,000 feet on the ridge above Alpine Wall Creek camp. It was a slow drive, of just a few hundred yards. This Creek about two-thirds of the way to since at least one car in the group time it couldn’t have been more dif- the peak. We examined cushion was very distracted by the spectacu- ferent. We drove up Standard Creek, plants like Smelowskia calycina and lar scenery and some in the group and nobody got lost, and by the time Arenaria obtusiloba and a herd of thought we would never make it to we got to hiking it was already a lit- 100 elk (someone actually counted our starting point. And, once there, tle bit hot without a cloud in the sky. them), with dozens of calves on a the profuse displays of wildflowers We began at 9,200 feet with Bighorn ridge at the head of the creek. After near the cars were so overwhelming Mountain our destination. We never lunch the climb continued up the that a number of our group claimed made it; all the wildflowers kept get- ridge and then down a drainage filled they didn’t want to go to the top, ting in the way. At the start, many of with thick-leaved butterweed but would rather just hang out in the the showy species, like sky pilot (Senecio crassulus), hosting myriad meadows near the road. There were (Polemonium viscosum) and old man butterflies who were having their great displays of alpine wildflowers, of the mountain (Hymenoxys grandi- lunch. We made it back to camp in including old man of the mountain flora) were already done, but they time to go swimming or do the plant (Hymenoxys grandiflora), fern-leaved started appearing as we climbed contest. lousewort (Pedicularis cystopteridi- higher. And of course we saw some Peter Lesica folia), and our meeting mascot, green gentian (Frasera speciosa). As Field trips in the Gravelly we wandered up we found even more Mountains featured spec- species, including Lewisia pygmaea, tacular views, abundant and pygmy bitterroot. Ultimately, the gorgeous wildflowers, per- prominent volcanic plug of Black fect weather, and good fel- Butte was so compelling that eventu- lowship. ally everyone made it to the summit, Thanks to all the hike leaders where we were rewarded with pano- for helping make the meeting ramic views of the mountain ranges a success. of southwest Montana. Photo: Drake Barton Dave Hanna MNPS 2006 west of the divide voters have never won. Small Grant Proposals Election Results The Maka Flora Chapter continued its election prowess and won the Get your small grant proposals Maka Flora Dominates $100 prize for having the largest per- ready for the MNPS twelfth annual Voting...again centage of voters for the fourth year Small Grants Program. Grants up to in a row. Only 31% of its members $1,000 will be awarded in 2007 to New officers were installed at the voted. The Kelsey Chapter could fund projects that stimulate re- 2006 Montana Native Plant Society have beat Maka Flora if only six more search, conservation, or educational (MNPS) Annual Meeting sponsored by members had voted. The Calypso activities that foster an appreciation the Clark Fork Chapter at the Wall Chapter could have won if only three for Montana's native plants and plant Creek Wildlife Management Area more members had voted. communities. The deadline is Janu- near Cameron on July 15 (see page 2 The MNPS Electoral College would ary 31, 2007. Watch for the winter for officer information). The 126 to- like to thank MNPS members for their issue of Kelseya and check the MNPS tal votes were less than the 2005 to- election support. Keep up the good website (www.umt.edu/mnps) for tal of 131. Only 16% of 806 MNPS work MNPS members. complete proposal and grant applica- members voted. Only 18% of the bal- Patrick Plantenberg tion process details. For more infor- lots were electronic. Voters from mation contact committee chair east of the divide decisively beat the Cathie Jean at 406-599-9614. western voters again 20% to 12%. The Cathie Jean Kelseya Fall 2006 9 bled there arises a certain grandeur." Stylin’ and Goodyer’n in the After lunch we stopped and studied the plants in an old Little Belt Mountains growth spruce forest, then moved on to the fen where we saw Eriophorum polystachion and E. chamissonis, and Approximately 30 people from three Montana Native Corallorhiza maculata and C. wisteriana. Plant Society chapters joined Wayne Phillips in the suc- On our way to search for the endemics Aquilegia bre- cessful quest for endemics and specialists of the Little vistyla and Goodyera repens we passed the Trask Ranch Belt Mountains near White Sulfur Springs in a weekend of and sod roof cabin where Charlie Russell lived and cow- botanizing and fun. boyed. Within the first ten minutes in a shady draw, we Part of the group started the trip off Friday night with found the columbine and after crawling around among a soak in the pool at the Spa Motel. We were up early the moss and twinflower (Linnaea borealis), we found the next day and headed to Kings Hill in search of Aquilegia tiny orchid in bud. This discovery was very exciting for jonesii. We were not disappointed finding Jones’s colum- the whole group. We smugly left the site and headed to bine, a few of which were still in bloom on the north side the historic Judith Guard Station. We had perfect of the hill where the snow had stayed longer. In addition, weather, no insects, and a starry night around the camp- we saw the endemic Cirsium longistylum and 37 other fire with Wayne reciting the poems of Gerard Manley plants in bloom. We talked about fairy rings and discov- Hopkins. ered the mother tree in a colonial ring of a subalpine Sunday morning we were invited to join the Forest Ser- sanctuary. vice historian as she explained the history of the station, After thoroughly investigating King’s Hill, we headed to and later led us to caves with pictographs. On the way Ant Park for lunch among the green gentian and joined we found more Aquilegia brevistyla and Goodyera re- Wayne in a ceremony during which he burned the leaves pens. In total, we saw over 80 plants in bloom. It was of Artemisia ludoviciana in a musselshell honoring the another full, fun, and satisfying trip with Wayne. land around us. He quoted Aristotle, from Metaphysics Kelly Chadwick, assisted by Betsy Griffing, Beth Judy, II.1 993b1, "The search for truth is in one way hard and in Tarn Ream, and Mary Poss another way easy, for it is evident that no one can mas- ter it fully nor miss it wholly, but each adds a little to our knowledge of nature, and from all the facts assem- Artemisia Chapter on the the nodes, entangled like green spaghetti on a plate. Nearby, growing in a mat of soppy wet moss, was an annual plant of the alpine tundra, the tiny buckwheat Beartooth Plateau Koenigia islandica, the plant that does it all in one short, The bunches of Arctic gentian with green and purple alpine summer, from seed to seed: a root, a short stem, flowers and the hare bells on their long slender stems two leaves, and a flower, in all no taller than two centi- warned us, “You are much too late for the magnificent meters. Before us were thousands of these plants. They floral display you expected in mid-July on the Beartooth have survived in this ecological niche for untold hundreds Plateau.” The alpine meadows, baked by this summer’s of years. Does the plant have an insurance program? Will heat and drought, nevertheless shone with subtle color. some of this year’s seed germinate year after next? Is The modest wind blew the fine purple inflorescences of koenigia dependent upon the moss? Does the moss serve the hairgrass, Deschampsia cespitosa, while the fescue to anchor this weak-rooted plant and hold it upright? Is kept its blue-green leaves close to the ground. the moss critical to protect this tiny plant from winds Jennifer Lyman led us to a stream tumbling down a and the inevitable drops in temperature of the alpine rock-strewn slope where snow still lingered in the tundra? All questions that will draw us back to the Bear- shadow of the boulders. She showed us a myriad of tooth Plateau next summer to seek out other popula- sedges—some tall, some diminutive. Some with inflores- tions, observe, and ponder our questions. cences tawny-brown, some black and topped with Stopping in Red Lodge for huckleberry ice cream, we creamy-white, and one smoky-purple. We promised our- thanked Jennifer for a day full of wonder. One more de- selves that next summer we will learn those sedges. lightful and informative field trip. Our buttercup-infatuated members spotted the minute Post script: Checking various web sites on Koenigia islandica pygmy buttercup tucked between gneiss cobbles. The reveals that it can grow up to five centimeters and, in addition plant could rest on a fifty-cent piece. Where the stream to the terminal flower, may have a few flowers branching from broke over a cliff edge, partially hidden among the red axils. It has been noted to have adventitious roots. In the Arctic it does grow in acidic gravel, with two other small plants but stems and gray-green leaves of willow, was the beauti- without moss, in shallow pools protected from the wind. Søren- ful, white fringed Parnassus, Parnassia fimbriata. A pika sen in 1941 reported that all the koenigia seeds he collected chided us for interrupting his gathering of hay. did germinate the next spring. Now that is incredible. Maybe in Off to a swampy spring at 10,000 feet where Basque less than favorable conditions some seed carry over. A good sheepherders, until recently, camped each summer. A research project for someone. buttercup of the far north, Ranunculus hyperboreus, col- Clayton McCracken ored the pools a golden-flecked green. Stems, rooting at 10 Kelseya Fall 2006 MNPS Chapters & the Areas They Serve: ARTEMISIA CHAPTER - Yellowstone and Carbon Counties; southeastern/south-central Montana CALYPSO CHAPTER - Beaverhead, Madison, Deer Lodge, and Silver Bow Counties; southwestern Montana CLARK FORK CHAPTER - Lake, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, and Ravalli Counties FLATHEAD CHAPTER - Flathead and Lake Counties plus Glacier National Park KELSEY CHAPTER - Lewis & Clark, Jefferson, and Broadwater Counties MAKA FLORA CHAPTER - Richland, Roosevelt, McCone, Sheridan, and Daniels Counties VALLEY OF FLOWERS CHAPTER - Gallatin, Park, and Sweet Grass Counties plus Yellowstone National Park All MNPS chapters welcome members from areas other than those indicated. We’ve listed counties just to give you some idea of what part of the state is served by each chapter. Watch for meeting announcements in your local news- paper. Ten paid members are required for a chapter to be eligible for acceptance in MNPS. Your mailing label tells you the following: CHAPTER AFFILIATION: ART= Artemisia; CAL=Calypso; CF=Clark Fork; F=Flathead; K=Kelsey; MF= Maka Flora; VOF=Valley of Flowers DATE YOUR MEMBERSHIP EXPIRES: If your label reads “2/06” your membership expired February 28, 2006. Use this form to renew your membership TODAY! Please drop us a note if any information on your label is incorrect. Please notify us promptly of address changes. Membership in Montana Native Plant Society is on a calendar-year basis, March 1 through the end of February of the following year. New-member applications processed before the end of October each year will expire the following February; those processed after November 1 will expire in February of the year after. Membership renewal notices are mailed to each member in January. Please renew your membership before the summer issue of Kelseya so your name is not dropped from our mailing list. Your continued support is crucial to the conservation of native plants in Montana. THANK YOU! MONTANA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP Name (please print)______E-mail______ Address______City/State/Zip______ Phone______New Membership (√)______Renewal (√)______ If you wish to be affiliated with a chapter (see above), list it here______ Membership Dues Price Price with chapter affiliation no chapter affiliation Individual $18 $12 Family $22 $18 Business/Organization $35 $30 Living Lightly $12 $12 Lifetime (one-time payment) $300 MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Canadian subscribers please add $4.00 to Montana Native Plant Society cover mailing costs. Additional donations P.O. Box 8783 may be specified for a particular project Missoula, MT 59807-8783 or the general fund. Kelseya Fall 2006 11 Montana Native Plant Society The Montana Native Plant Society (MNPS) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit BOARD OF DIRECTORS corporation chartered for the purpose of preserving, conserving, and studying the native plants and plant communities of Montana, and edu- cating the public about the value of our native flora. Contributions to MNPS are tax deductible, and may be designated for a specific project President—Susan Winslow Bridger 668-9112 or chapter, for the Small Grants fund, or the general operating fund. Past-president—Betty Kuropat Col. Falls 892-0129 Your yearly membership fee includes a subscription to Kelseya, the Vice President—Dave Hanna Choteau 466-3661 quarterly newsletter of MNPS. We welcome your articles, field trip re- Secretary—Patrick Plantenberg Townsend 266-5265 ports, book reviews, or anything that relates to native plants or the Treasurer—Madeline Mazurski Missoula 542-0262 Society. Please include a line or two of “bio” information with each Newsletter Editors—Kathy Lloyd & Clancy 449-6586 article. Drawings should be in black ink or a good quality photocopy. All Drake Barton items should be typed, saved in Microsoft Word or rich text format (rtf) for a PC, and sent electronically to: [email protected] or mailed to Directors At-large Kelseya Editors, 314 Travis Creek Rd., Clancy, MT 59634. Eastern Montana—Wayne Phillips Great Falls 453-0648 Changes of address, inquires about membership, and general corre- Western Montana—Erich Pfalzer Trout Creek 827-4078 spondence should be sent to MNPS Membership, P.0. Box 8783, Missoula, MT 59807-8783. Chapter Representatives Advertising space is available in each issue at $5/column inch. Ads Artemisia Chapter—Leslie Marty Bridger 445-9178 must be camera-ready and must meet the guidelines set by the Board of Calypso Chapter—Sheila Thompson Deer Lodge 846-1855 Directors for suitable subject matter; that is, be related in some way to Clark Fork Chapter—Mike Young Missoula 721-7615 native plants or the interests of MNPS members. Flathead Chapter—Linh Hoang Kalispell 270-7533 The deadline for each issue is: Fall— September 10; Kelsey Chapter—Kathy Lloyd Clancy 449-6586 Winter— December 10; Spring— March 10; Summer— June 10. Maka Flora Chapter—Rebecca Kallevig Sidney 488-5455 Please send web items to our webmaster concurrent with these Valley of Flowers Chapter—Monica Pokorny Gallatin dates. Gateway 763-4109 If you want extra copies of Kelseya for friends or family, call the Newsletter Editors, write to the above address, or e-mail: Standing Committees [email protected] Conservation—Peter Lesica Missoula 728-8740 No part of this publication may be reprinted without the consent of Landscaping/Revegetation—Linda Iverson Big Timber 932-5840 MNPS. Reprint requests should be directed to the Newsletter Editors. Ennis 599-9614 Small Grants—Cathie Jean Missoula 327-7856 Visit our website at: www.umt.edu/mnps/ or contact Membership—Marijka Wessner our webmaster Marilyn Marler at: [email protected] If you move, please notify MNPS Membership, P.O. Box 8783, Missoula, MT 59807-8783 Montana Native Plant Society Kelseya Editors 314 Travis Creek Road Clancy, MT 59634 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED © Copyright 2006 Printed on Montana Native Recycled Plant Society Paper