Minnesota Plant Press The Minnesota Native Plant Society Newsletter

Volume 24 Number 3 Spring 2005 Monthly meetings Explore natural areas Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 3815 American Blvd. East Bloomington, MN 55425-1600 during five field trips 952-854-5900 MNPS members will lead five field trips to natural areas this spring 6:30 p.m. — Building east door opens and summer. They are to the Falls Creek Scientific and Natural Area, 6:30 p.m. — Refreshments, Beaver Creek Wildlife Management Area, Hayden Prairie (Iowa) State information, Room A 7 – 9 p.m — Program, society business Preserve, Grey Cloud Dunes SNA, Boot Lake SNA, Helen Allison 7:30 p.m. — Building door is locked Savanna SNA and Cedar Creek Bog. 9:00 p.m. — Building closes Participation may be limited, so early registration is encouraged. Site directions and other information will be provided to registrants. Programs Details and updates for upcoming field trips are available on the The MNPS meets the first Thursday in Society’s Web site, www.mnnps.org October, November, December, February, March, April, May, and June. Check the Sunday, May 15 — Falls Creek SNA Spring Wildflowers Web site for more program information. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Arrive by 9:45 a.m. Northern Washington County, Minnesota May 5: Native Grass Identification Led by Barb Delaney, professional botanist Workshop, by Anita Cholewa, Ph.D, Contact: Doug Mensing, [email protected] or 612-202-2252 curator of temperate plants, J.F. Bell Museum of Natural History. Plant-of-the This trip was planned as a follow-up to a wonderful winter foray. Month: Bottle Grass (Elymus hystrix), Please join us in exploring a truly unique plant community — virgin presented by Erin Hynes, President of the white pine forest on the ravines of the St. Croix River. We will see Ornamental Grass Society of Minnesota abundant spring wildflowers, such as trilliums, rue anemone, bellwort, and author of Cold Climate Ornamental and some rare species, such as kittentails. Grasses. Saturday, May 21 — Spring Flora at Beaver Creek WMA and June 2: “Forests, Logging and Plants: Hayden Prairie State Preserve How forest management and natural 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (12:30 p.m. lunch at Hayden Prairie) history interact to affect northern forest Fillmore County, southeast Minnesota and Howard County, Iowa. understory plant communities,” by Daniel Led by Mark Leoschke, Iowa R. Dejoode, senior natural resources DNR state botanist, and Paul specialist for Peterson Environmental Bockenstedt, Bonestroo natural In this issue Consulting, Inc. Annual Plant Sale, open resources plant ecologist MNPS plant sale...... 2 to the public. Contact: Paul Bockenstedt, 651-604-4812, or Evelyn Moyle honored...... 2 New MNPS Web site [email protected] Board changes...... 3 www.mnnps.org Bioblitz...... 3 e-mail: [email protected] Join members of the Minnesota Native Plant Society, Iowa Reed canary grass studies.....5 MNPS Listserve Native Plant Society and Iowa Review of Steiner book...... 6 Send a message that includes the word Prairie Network for a day afield Volunteer opportunities...... 6 “subscribe” or “unsubscribe” and your on the Iowan Surface as we Toothwort (Plant Lore)...... 7 name in the body of the message to: [email protected] Continued on page 4 Think Native Grants...... 7 Plant sale to be Evelyn Moyle MNPS Board of after June 2 meeting named honorary Directors The annual MNPS native plant sale member of MNPS President: Jason Husveth, will be June 2, following the meeting. Critical Connections Ecological by Esther McLaughlin Services Inc., 14758 Ostlund Trail Plants will again be arranged on the Last year Evelyn W. Moyle was N., Marine on St. Croix, MN; 651- low walls in front of the Visitor given a well-deserved honorary 247-0474; [email protected] Center. Members are asked to start membership in the Minnesota Native bringing native plants they have Plant Society as one of the state’s Vice-President: Scott Milburn, raised from seed or grown in their longest standing experts on and 744 James Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102; gardens at 6 p.m. Plants must be protectors of our native plants. 651-261-4381; individually potted and labeled. [email protected] She and her late husband, John B. Secretary: Karen Schik, 13860 No out-of-state plants can be Moyle, co-authored the well-known accepted unless they have been 236th St. N., Scandia, MN 55073; guide, Northland Wild Flowers: A 651-433-5254 (h), 651-222-2193 certified by the Department of Guide for the Minnesota Region. It (w); [email protected] Agriculture of the state in which they was first published in 1977 and has were grown. Minnesota has been reprinted, most recently in Treasurer: David Johnson, 6437 reciprocity with all other state 1984. Baker Ave. N.E., Fridley, MN 55432; departments of agriculture, so they 763-571-6278; John was a biologist and research [email protected] will let in plants from other states if supervisor at the Minnesota they were certified there. Ken Arndt, 2577 Co. Rd. F, White Department of Natural Resources. Bear Twp., MN 55110; 651-426- A few volunteers are needed to help Evelyn, a wildflower enthusiast, 8174; [email protected] accept and arrange the plants. When photographer and gardener, took the sale begins, these volunteers may most of the photographs in the first Ron Huber, 2521 Jones Place W., select their plants first; members edition of the book. Bloomington, MN 55431-2837; 952- who brought plants may choose next. 886-0783; [email protected] The Moyles were charter members Other members and visitors will Daniel Jones, 208 Linden St. S., of our Society and were present at follow. Northfield, MN 55057-1723; its founding. Evelyn has long been 507-664-9663; Dave Crawford and Gerry Drewry devoted to the principles on which [email protected] are chairs of the sale. To volunteer, the MNPS was founded and is contact Gerry Drewry at 651-463- greatly deserving of honorary Shirley Mah Kooyman, 4520 8006, or [email protected] membership. Terraceview Lane N., Plymouth, MN 55446; 952-443-1419 (w), 763-559- 3114 (h); Minnesota Native Plant Society’s purpose [email protected] (Abbreviated from the bylaws) Douglas Mensing, 5814 Grand This organization is exclusively organized and operated for educational Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55419; and scientific purposes, including the following: 612-926-8637 (H); [email protected] 1. Conservation of all native plants. 2. Continuing education of all members in the plant sciences. Program Chair: Linda Huhn, 3. Education of the public regarding environmental protection of plant 2553 Dupont Ave. S., Minneapolis, life. MN 55405; 612-374-1435 4. Encouragement of research and publications on plants native to Listserv Coordinator: Charles Minnesota. Umbanhowar, [email protected] 5. Study of legislation on Minnesota flora, vegetation and ecosystems. Minnesota Plant Press editor: 6. Preservation of special plants, plant communities and scientific and Gerry Drewry, 24090 Northfield natural areas. Blvd., Hampton, MN 55031; phone, 7. Cooperation in programs concerned with the ecology of natural 651-463-8006; fax, 651-463-7086; resources and scenic features. [email protected] 8. Fellowship with all persons interested in native plants through Technical or membership meetings, lectures, workshops and field trips. inquiries: [email protected] 2 enthusiasm, readiness, and Changing competence serving on the board. Volunteers are Faces on Dianne Plunkett Latham served needed June 10, nearly two years on the board, MNPS board stepping down recently to pursue her 11 for BioBlitz by Karen Schik many other interests, including Minnesota’s second annual While many of our members may travel. But Dianne made up for her BioBlitz will be from 5 p.m. to 5 p.m. not be aware of the “inner workings” shortened term by her engagement in Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11, the board and her many of the Society, a lot goes on behind at the Minnesota Valley National contributions, which included the scenes. There are nine board coordination of the Think Native Wildlife Refuge. MNPS members members, who spend a considerable Program, chairing the Conservation are invited to assist. The BioBlitz is amount of time on the organization Committee, staffing the booth and a festival, a contest, an educational and functions of the Society, plus giving presentations at numerous event for the public, and a scientific quite a few members who also events. Perhaps her more core endeavor. While scientists from volunteer tremendous amounts of contributions to the society, however, around the state are conducting an time and talent. I want to recognize were the ways that she helped to steer intense biological survey, walks and our departing board members and say some of the board policies and a huge “Thank You” to each of them demonstrations will be held at the operations. She repeatedly brought MVNWR Visitor Center. for their many contributions. her expertise as an attorney and her David Johnson served on the board experience serving on other boards The scientific goal of a BioBlitz is to help guide our board. Her as treasurer and membership to count as many species of plants knowledge, thoughtfulness, and database manager this past year, but and animals as possible during a 24- enthusiasm will be greatly missed. his contributions far exceed one year. hour biological survey of a natural He has been providing his services On the flip side of these good-byes, area. More than 750 species were as treasurer and data manager for the board is very pleased to welcome recorded during the first Minnesota three new members: Daniel Jones, almost seven years. We hardly BioBlitz, which was held in 2004 at noticed what he did because he ecologist at Barr Engineering (who has already stepped in to fill Dianne’s Tamarack Nature Center in Ramsey quietly went about doing it so well term), Mary Brown, a long-time County. that it just seemed to happen on its member and native plant enthusiast, Volunteers are needed to assist in own. In fact, he updated both the and Sandy McCartney, St. Louis Park surveys and to help lead walks for financial and membership databases tree inspector (who will both start to more useful programs, and has their terms in June 2005). Each the general public. Survey subjects monitored all that information all brings talents and experiences that include reptiles, amphibians, birds, these years. David produced the will help the Society to keep growing mammals, fish, butterflies, moths, membership directories and all the strong. beetles, ants, flies, bugs, spiders, monthly mailing labels, including the mites, centipedes, worms, snails, little “membership expired” grasses, sedges, trees, flowers, and reminders. David will be sorely Treasurer’s Report mushrooms. To volunteer or for missed by David Johnson more information, contact John Doug Mensing served on the board In 2004 we had $13,548.35 of Moriarty at 651-748-2500, or Dr. for the last three years. Doug was income and $9,074.54 of expenses. Susan Weller at 612-625-6253. the one you could count on to help We increased our assets by out with everything, whether to speak $4,473.81, mostly because of the Additional information on the at a conference or to help clean up 2004 symposium. BioBlitz is available at after it. A busy dad of two young Our assets, as of Dec. 31, 2004, www.bellmuseum.org children and a professional ecologist, were: CD, $1,063.40; Checking, For information on the Saturday $11,279.51; Cash, $52.00. Doug somehow made the time to morning, June 11, “Rally for the contribute countless hours for MNPS maintains dedicated funds countless events, organizing field in the checking account for the Refuge” run, which is sponsored by trips, and working on the following projects: Refuge Avian the Friends of the Minnesota Valley, symposium. There wasn’t much that Feeder Project, $776.68; Think see www.friendsofmnvalley.org/ Doug didn’t do. We will miss his Native, $641.07. rally.htm 3 Enthusiastic Field trips Continued from page 1 group enjoys explore the prairie, wet meadow, and low oak savannas of Beaver Creek WMA in Fillmore County, and then drive six miles to Iowa to spend an winter field trip afternoon on the internationally renowned Hayden Prairie. See Beaver Creek by Ken Arndt WMA and Hayden Prairie in full spring regalia. On Saturday, March 12, MNPS Tuesday, June 7 — Grey Cloud Dunes SNA Prairie Hike Board Members Ken Arndt and Scott 6 to 8 p.m., Cottage Grove, southern Washington County, Minnesota Milburn led over 25 enthusiastic Led by Karen Schik, Friends of the Mississippi River restoration winter botanists to Falls Creek ecologist and MNPS board member Scientific and Natural Area to learn Contact: Doug Mensing, [email protected] or 612-202-2252 winter woody plant identification. Join members of the Minnesota Native Plant Society for a hike through What started as a slightly chilly one of the metro area’s natural gems — the dry prairies of Grey Cloud morning turned into a beautiful Dunes SNA. Participants will explore this beautiful remnant native prairie winter day in northern Washington and learn about restoration efforts underway. This SNA was “adopted” by County. the MNPS in 2004, and the Society has intermittent events at the site. The group started out in the Saturday, July 9 — Bogs and Fens Field Trip northern part of the SNA, where we 9 a.m. to 2 p.m, East Bethel, Anoka County, Minnesota learned about the forest restoration Boot Lake SNA and other nearby bogs and fens that is taking place. From there we Led by Jason Husveth, MNPS president, botanist Contact: Jason Husveth at [email protected] or 651-433-4410. hiked down the first of two forested ravines, identifying trees and shrubs Boot Lake SNA contains a continuum of plant community types including along the way. At a lower terrace oak forest, aspen-shrub thickets, and prominent old white pine stands; the along this first hike, we came across wetland contains wooded bog, wet meadows, floating mats, emergent aquatic an area where we observed several plants, duckweed, and algal communities. Rare plant species (water willow, large white pines that were over 26 sea-beach needle grass, and long-bearded hawkweed) are present, along inches in trunk diameter. Having with occasional sandhill cranes and Blanding’s turtles. Red-shouldered hawks, pine warblers, Louisiana waterthrush and other bird species nest on obtained a special permit from the the site. Woodland wildflowers make a late spring visit memorable. A long- director of the SNA program, we term research project is studying the effects of deer in forest succession. were allowed to take increment borings of a few of these trees to Sunday, Sept. 18 — Helen Allison Savanna SNA, Cedar Creek Bog determine their ages. 2 to 5 p.m., Bethel, Anoka County, Minnesota Led by Hannah Texler, Minnesota DNR regional plant ecologist The second part of the morning, we Contact: Doug Mensing, [email protected] or 612-202-2252. hiked, slipped and slid down the Helen Allison Savanna SNA is a prairie and oak savanna. It was named steep ravine in the southern part of for Helen Allison Irvine, “Minnesota’s grass lady,” who wrote a text on the the SNA. A high diversity of plants 180 grasses of Minnesota. This SNA lies within the Anoka sand plain, occurs where one of the creeks flows providing an excellent example of sand dune plant succession, with blowouts past. Trees such as butternut, and dunes in various stages of stabilization by pioneer species. Community bitternut hickory, yellow and paper types found on the site include oak sand savanna, dry prairie with bur oak birch, blue beech, sugar and red and pin oak, thickets of willow and aspen, and sedge marshes in scattered maple, pagoda dogwood, red and bur depressions. Trees and shrubs include pin oak, bur oak, American hazelnut, oak, black cherry, and red and white chokecherry, willow, and quaking aspen. Other savanna species include pine were encountered along the way lead plant, smooth sumac, slender willow, steeplebush, aster, and goldenrod. to the east property line. It was here Look on the dunes for pioneer sand plants such as sea-beach, needle grass where we came across several and hairy panic grass. Sedge meadows contain tussocks of Hayden’s sedge, populations of downy rattlesnake along with marsh fern and blue-joint grass. Other rare species include long- plantain orchid (Goodyera bearded hawkweed, rhombic-petaled evening primrose, and tall nut-rush. pubescens). By the time we made it A side trip will take participants on a short boardwalk through the nearby back up the ravine to the parking Cedar Creek Bog, which is located at the University of Minnesota Cedar area, many of us had shed the Creek Research Center. This is one of the most interesting bogs in the multiple layers of clothing we started Anoka sand plain. Common plant species include leatherleaf, cottongrass, out the day with. three-way sedge, and bog cranberry. 4 Reed canary grass treatments studied by Craig A. Annen, ecologist, grass often recolonizes treated areas Can we enhance herbicide Michler & Brown, LLC. This is a from its seed bank and rhizomes effectiveness? summary of his Dec. 17, 2004, when treatments are discontinued. I am currently investigating presentation to the Army Corps of As a consequence, maintaining whether short-circuiting apical Engineers. suppression of growth and seed dominance will enhance the Can reed canary grass be production requires multiple-year effectiveness of herbicide treatments. selectively controlled? herbicide applications. Tillage and plant growth regulator (PGR) applications are known to Reed canary grass abatement and Why are multiple-year herbicide subsequent native species restoration reduce the effects of apical applications necessary to control dominance and promote lateral are challenging tasks, for many reed canary grass? reasons. One reason is a lack of growth in perennial grass rhizomes. My next objective was to look at Tillage overcomes apical dominance treatments that selectively target reed reasons why reed canary grass is able canary grass with minimal collateral by decapitating rhizomes and to quickly recolonize treated areas. damage to non-target species. This breaking them into isolated One reason may have to do with is usually not a problem during the fragments. PGRs mimic plant early stages of restoration when reed rhizome apical dominance. Apical hormones, and “trick” the plant’s canary grass is dominant, but can dominance is the promotion of apical molecular signal system into become a problem as the restoration growth with corresponding inhibition promoting lateral growth. Once progresses and native species begin of lateral growth, and is caused by dormant lateral buds become active, to return from the seed bank or active interactions among limiting factors they are able to receive planting. and plant hormones. Apical carbohydrates (and herbicides) from dominance results in both actively the rhizome assimilate stream. I have been exploring selective growing and dormant rhizome buds I want to find out if either tillage control options for use in transitional in perennial grass stands. areas where reed canary grass is or PGR pretreatments followed by present, but not the dominant species. When herbicides are applied to herbicide application will suppress I began by conducting a feasibility reed canary grass top growth, they reed canary grass to a greater extent study to determine if Vantage™ move throughout the plant along with than herbicide application alone. In (sethoxydim), a grass-specific carbohydrates. Studies with the first field season, PGR herbicide, would reduce seed radioactively labeled herbicides pretreatments failed to improve reed production and above-ground show that both glyphosate and canary grass suppression, while biomass of reed canary grass without sethoxydim translocate to and coupling tillage (June 2) to sethoxydim application (June 23) harming native species. accumulate within the apical portions reduced reed canary grass stem of rhizomes because the apex has Early summer (May 29) density 35 percent greater than sethoxydim application reduced seed greater sink strength for carbohydrate herbicide application alone, and head production 98 percent and total when apical dominance is in place. improved native species richness and seasonal above-ground biomass As a result, lateral rhizome buds are abundance. production 56 percent. A late not affected by herbicide Craig A. Annen is a practicing summer follow-up application (Aug. applications, and reed canarygrass is restorationist and researcher. 2) failed to improve biomass able to resprout (resurge) from these Contact him at 608-424-6997 or suppression, possibly because the lateral buds. [email protected], or write to 228 litter that resulted from the initial Rhizome apical dominance is well South Park Street, Belleville, WI application intercepted spray during documented in the scientific 53508. the subsequent application. literature, and rhizome bud Thicket! - A Voice for Sethoxydim application had no dormancy has been reported in reed Integrated Weed Management effect on native species abundance, canary grass stands. The end result This newsletter is produced twice indicating that it may possess a useful of resurgence is that multiple-year a year by the Integrated Weed level of species selectivity. herbicide applications are necessary Management Group, which includes Herbicidal effects on reed canary to sustain the suppressive effects of the MDA. For current and past grass did not carry over into the chemical treatments and deplete the issues, see: www.mda.state.mn.us/ second growing season. Reed canary dormant bud bank. ipm/thicket/default.htm 5 Book tells how to landscape Get involved by Karen Schik with Minnesota native plants Have you noticed new activities at by Karen Schik Overall, I found her plant lists for the Society? Things are happening Lynn Steiner has filled a void with different conditions to be fairly — more field trips, a new Web site, a comprehensive and beautifully accurate, though some designations new opportunities as land stewards written book, Landscaping With seemed incomplete. Little bluestem, at Grey Cloud, more Society- Native Plants of Minnesota. While for instance, is listed as a savanna associated events, like the BioBlitz many books exist on native plant species, and not listed for mesic and the State Fair. Are you landscaping, most are general and prairie and dry prairie, when clearly wondering how you can be a part of apply to very large regions of the it is a significant species of dry all this fun? Scan the list below and United States. A person interested prairies. The lists provide a good let us know what you are interested in landscaping with Minnesota native basis, but a gardener should consult in. Contact Karen Schik plants has had to hunt for information other reputable lists as well. Given ([email protected] or 651-433-5254) for more information or to sign up. from multiple resources. the strong ecological nature of the Steiner’s book has a strong book, a reference to the presettlement Occasional activities — Sign up; we ecological basis, providing vegetation map created by will contact you as the need arises. background information about Marschner would also have been • MNPS Booth. Bring the display Minnesota biomes, and emphasizing helpful. board to one or more events. • State Fair. MNPS may again the importance of referring to natural Steiner has produced a beautiful participate at another organization’s areas for gardening inspiration and book that clearly demonstrates her fair booth. Visit with fairgoers. insight. Steiner defines native plants knowledge and passion for • Presentations. Organizations based on The Vascular Plants of Minnesota native plants. I was, occasionally request presentations on Minnesota, the accepted reference by however, disappointed by the plant-related topics. Let us know if Ownbey and Morley. She describes author’s ready acceptance of non- you have a presentation you can give. the types of habitats where they grow, native cultivars. While I have no their ecological benefits and issue, per se, with the use of cultivars, Regular Needs — May be only misconceptions about them. She also the title of the book implies once. warns the reader about plant dedication to natives. Novices who • Field trips. Lead a field trip to your conservation issues, such as illegally don’t understand the difference may favorite place, solicit others to lead harvested plants and endangered have little incentive to choose natives trips, or help organize trips. species. She strongly encourages over cultivars. Given the facts that • Submit an article to the Plant Press. understanding and acceptance of the less than one percent of native prairie Long-term tasks — Firm uniqueness of native plants, and (for example) is left in the state, and commitment needed. discourages the use of insecticides that cultivars generally provide less • Database manager. Receive and and other non-ecological practices. nectar and other wildlife benefits, I enter new or renewing members, The layout of the book is easy to would have expected cultivars would generate mailing labels, etc. The follow. The first half leads the reader be mentioned only as an aside. computer (laptop) and program are from an overview of native plant Furthermore, she did not explain provided, as well as training. communities, to evaluating a garden the importance of local genotype, nor • Annual symposium. Help plan and site, to selecting plants and designing the fact that nursery location does not organize the 2006 symposium. and installing a garden. Sidebars connote seed source location. This Planning will start this summer. provide tips, including lists of deer- book far exceeds most I have seen in • Coordinate the Think Native resistant plants, and plants for regards to plant community ecology, program, a winter activity. Solicit butterflies, hummingbirds, and but in my opinion, it fell short of participants, go through a selection specific conditions. An abundance of educating readers about these issues process, and follow up on results. high quality color photographs and the uniqueness of Minnesota’s • MNPS historian. Compile the beautifully illustrate the text. The natural heritage. The book is not the history of the society to post on the second half of the book is devoted to “one reference” that I had hoped it Web site before the Society’s 25th comprehensive descriptions and would be, but it is nonetheless an anniversary in 2007. photographs for 350 species of native excellent resource and I would not • Postcard mailer: Produce and mail flowering plants, grasses, trees, hesitate to recommend it as a meeting announcements and annual shrubs, evergreens, ferns, and vines. supplemental resource. “We want you back” postcards. 6 Plant Lore 2005 Think Native Grants by Thor Kommedahl by Dianne Plunkett Latham woodland, wetland and rain garden What is toothwort? Five 2005 Think Native Grant seeds remaining from the seed Toothwort is a common name for recipients have been approved by the exchange. They plan to create a Dentaria laciniata and D. diphylla MNPS Board of Directors. If you are campus woodland garden at the edge in the mustard family. Some near any of the winners, see how of a jack pine savannah on the top of botanists include Dentaria in the the grants are making a difference. a hill above the Mississippi River. genus Cardamine. Both species are Minneapolis This interpretive garden will native to Minnesota. Anna Dvorak, on behalf of the highlight native grasses, wildflowers, What do these names mean? McKinley Community Garden, in shrubs and trees. Wasniewski’s Dentaria refers to the toothed partnership with the Fellowship students will create pamphlets and rhizomes of some species, whereas Missionary Baptist Church and the place them in at the entrance to the Cardamine comes from Dioscordes’ Camden Garden Club, accepted the Think Native Woodland Garden. Greek name for cress. In fact, $200 grant to create a rain garden at Plymouth toothwort is also called spring cress Cityview School, 3350 Fourth St. N., Linda Miller, on behalf of the because it has been eaten as an Minneapolis. Students will help plant Gleason Lake Elementary School alternate to watercress (Nasturtium and maintain the garden, which is on Outdoor Learning Center (OLC), officinale). the border of Perkins Hill Park. accepted the grant of prairie plants remaining from the 2005 MNPS Marshall What does toothwort look like? plant sale. The school is located at Toothwort (Cardamine diphylla / Diane Gunvalson, on behalf of the 310 Co. Rd. 101 N., Plymouth. Since Dentaria diphylla) is a perennial with Community Action Partnership in 2002, they have been removing a creeping rootstock (rhizome). Marshall, accepted the grant of invasives and restoring prairie, Leaves are divided into three-toothed prairie seeds remaining from last wetland and woodland habitats. leaflets, and the flowers have four fall’s MNPS seed exchange. The Students help maintain the area; petals, usually white or pale pink. seeds will be used for the wildflower Fortin Consulting provides Cut-leaved toothwort (Dentaria hill in Independence Park in oversight, burning and herbicide. laciniata) also has three leaflets per Marshall. They also received a small The PTA hired a naturalist, who takes leaf, but the leaflets are narrower and grant to purchase native plants from each classroom out into the OLC for more sharply toothed; this is called Prairie Restoration, which they put instruction six times a year. Cardamine concatenata by Gleason along a path. They hope to create Centerville and Gronquist. Moreover, the petals informational markers. They also Lisa Gilliland, on behalf of the are pale lavender, and the rhizomes partnered with the Biology Club and Wargo Nature Center in Centerville, are segmented. Dr. Desy at Southwest Minnesota accepted the grant of woodland and Where do toothworts grow? State University to collect seeds wetland plants remaining from the Most are found in moist woods or from the native prairie at the 2005 plant sale. By implementing river bottoms and bloom about the university. They planted the seeds sustainable native landscapes as a time that hepatica, bloodroot, and in the university greenhouse for community resource, Wargo is Dutchman’s breeches bloom, that is, planting on the hillside. The MNPS involved in a community-based in early spring before shade blankets seed will be germinated in the science project with the Science the forest floor. university greenhouse as well. Museum of Minnesota. Wargo seeks Brainerd to demonstrate the wide variety of Are toothworts medicinal or Theri Wasniewski, on behalf of plants that could be used as edible? Central Lakes College, Brainerd, alternatives to bluegrass lawns. Toothwort rhizomes have been Minnesota accepted the grant of Visitors will see the plants in a semi- used as a folk remedy for toothaches, native habitat and receive printed and the American Indians chewed also was good medicine for the information about them. Wargo will rhizomes for colds. A poltice was stomach. Rootstocks are peppery, have interpretative signs for a bird made to treat headaches. Menominee and when mixed with vinegar and feeder watch area, a tallgrass prairie, Indians piled masses of rhizomes salt are substituted for horseradish, woodland, and a butterfly garden. under a blanket for three to four days or chopped up are used in salads. The 2005 Think Native Grant to induce fermentation to make them Does it have economic value? Committee consisted of Dianne sweet, then cooked them with corn. Not really. It is sometimes Plunkett Latham, chair, Dave They said this was good to eat and cultivated in wild or rock gardens. Crawford and Linda Huhn. 7 Minnesota Native Plant Society University of Minnesota 250 Biological Sciences Center 1445 Gortner Ave. St. Paul, MN 55108

Spring 2005