Frond Forum Native Plant Society Cuplet Fern Chapter :: Seminole County

Volume 4, Number 1 :: January – March 2014

2013–14 Board Air Potato Beetles to the Rescue President: Beth Jackson Anyone who has participated in an air potato raid knows how invasive these plants Interim Vice President: can be. The vines may reach 70 feet into the canopy and can grow 8 inches in a day. Up Sherry Williams to now, efforts to control the air potato have involved hand pulling and collection of Secretary: the air potatoes (bulbils) that fall to the ground. Herbicides are also used. Vacant The air potato vine (Dioscoria bulbifera) was imported from Asia as an ornamental Treasurer: in the early 20th century. Its vigorous growth and heart shaped leaves appealed to Susan Blount-Angermeier gardeners. It’s the vigorous growth part that got us into trouble; the dense growth Chapter Representative: of the air potato requires sunlight, water and nutrients which are consumed at the Neta Villalobos-Bell expense of native plants nearby. The Air Potato is classified a Category I invasive* as Board Member: well as a noxious weed. Barbara Whittier *The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) assigns Category I to invasive exotics 2013–14 Committees Webmaster: that are altering plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives. Charles Miller Facebook: Continued on next page Shari King Newsletter: Kathleen Poole Meetup: Deborah Green Cuplet Fern Chapter Florida Native Plant Society PO Box 150021 Altamonte Springs, FL 32715

Meeting Location: 200 Fairmont Drive Sanford, FL 32773

Air potato beetles on air potato leaves. Photograph by Elizabeth D. Mattison, USDA/ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory, Fort Lauderdale, FL. Frond Forum Florida Native Plant Society :: Cuplet Fern Chapter :: Seminole County Volume 4, Number 1 :: January – March 2014

Continued from previous page Untold resources have been devoted to eliminating the air potato. Now, after years of study, a new biological weapon has been wielded in an effort to reduce the air potato’s grip on our natural areas. The air potato leaf beetle (Liliocersis chenfi) has been introduced to Florida from Asia. It feeds exclusively on air potato, mainly eating the leaves. Both the beetle and its larvae feed on the plant. The beetle is expected to feast on air potato at release sites, and when the food source is exhausted it will fly to other areas in search of sustenance. If no air potato is found, the insect will die without reproducing. In 2013, widespread releases were made on public lands with positive results. Homeowners with air potato on their property should have access to the beetles within a year.

There is some concern about whether the insects will survive a cold winter, but in a best case scenario, the insects will emerge in the spring in time to eat newly sprouted air potato. The beetle is not expected to totally eradicate the air potato, but should slow the spread of the vine. This will make the vine less likely to out-compete native vegetation for the resources needed for survival.

Upcoming Meetings

Grasshopper Sparrow Florida Prairie Specialist Sunny and Dry Landscapes February 10, 2014, 7PM 407-302-7616 April 14, 2014, 7PM 407-302-7616 Cuplet Fern Chapter, FNPS welcomes Paul Miller, If you have a sunny and dry yard, you have many native Kissimmee Prairie Preserve biologist who will speak plant options. Cuplet Fern Chapter, FNPS will host about the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow, a federally speakers for this informative talk: Catherine Bowman, endangered bird found nowhere else in the world. biologist and past President of Tarflower Chapter plus Restricted to the south-central prairie region of the state, Marc Godts, Native Plant Grower and landscaper. Free. point count surveys in 2012 detected only 75 singing Public Welcome. males, down from 233 counted just four years earlier. Mr Miller will share how biologists survey these fragile birds Secret Life of Dragonflies and what plans they have for recovery. Free. Open to the May 12, 2014, 7PM 407-302-7616 public. Dragonflies were flying 300 million years ago, pre-dating dinosaurs by 100 million years. They from and important Crystal Lake Preserve: Past, Present, Future part of life and they also play a significant role March 10, 2014, 7PM 407-302-7616 in general ecology. These insects are fierce predators Cuplet Fern Chapter, FNPS and Seminole Audubon devouring mosquitoes, gnats and other pests by the Society (SAS) are partners with the local nature preserve thousands. Presenter Martha Steuert, a native Floridian in Lake Mary, Crystal Lake Preserve (CLP). Faith Jones, and member of the Conradina Chapter, FNPS will share SAS President, and its members have been instrumental her vast knowledge about these most valuable creatures. in helping establish it. She will cover some history and Free. Public welcome. show old photos, including the history since Darrell & Continued on next page Bettye Leidigh originally purchased the property. She will highlight some of the flora & fauna documented on the property. The CLP Board of Directors have been working on plans for future enhancements. Free. Public welcome.

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Continued from previous page

Helping Native Bees in Our Yard June 9, 2014, 7PM 407-302-7616 Ed Williams is back by popular demand. This time he will share his knowledge about our Florida native bees. Although Florida can boast 300 species of native bees, they are often unknown and unseen as they go about pollinating our flowers. Ed Williams is a local beekeeper hobbyist and member of the University of Florida – Florida Master Beekeeping Program. Please join Cuplet Fern Chapter, FNPS. Free. Public welcome.

Upcoming Field Trips Field trip to Disney Wilderness Preserve. Kissimmee Prairie Trip Colt Creek Field Trip February 15, 2014, 10AM 407-302-7616 May 17, 2014, 9AM 407-302-7616 33204 NW 192nd Avenue, Okeechobee. Join Cuplet Fern 16000 State Rd 471, Lakeland. Colt Creek State Park Chapter, FNPS on a day trip to the Kissimmee Prairie is a 5,067 acre park nestled within the Green Preserve. This 54,000 acre preserve protects one of the Wilderness Area and named after one of the tributaries largest remaining stretches of Florida dry prairie, home that flows through the property. For over 60 years to endangered plants and animals. While driving the this property was managed as a cattle ranch by the five-mile-long road into the preserve, there are sweeping Overstreets. Comprised mainly of pine flatwoods, vistas of grasslands reminiscent of the Great Plains of the cypress domes and open pasture land, this piece of Midwest. The preserve is home to the endangered Florida natural Florida wilderness is home to many animal Grasshopper Sparrow, as well as the Crested Caracara species including the American , Sherman’s fox and Burrowing Owl. Bring a lunch with you. Registration squirrel, , white-tailed deer, required. and . Join Cuplet Fern Chapter, FNPS members and Park Staff who will lead the day trip. Entrance fee $4 Basic Botany Workshop per vehicle. Public welcome. Reservations required. March 15, 2014, 9AM 407 302-7616 3485 County Road 426, Geneva. Cuplet Fern Chapter, Pine Lily Preserve FNPS will provide a class on a basic understanding of June 14, 2014, 9AM 321-689-7466 plant biology and increase appreciation for Florida native 1401 County Road 13 S., Orlando, FL 32820. Beth Jackson plants. Some topics include terminology, taxonomy, will lead us on a hike at Pine Lily Preserve located in east identification, pollination, and more. Optional hike Orange County off Colonial Drive. This property was afterwards on Geneva Wilderness Area trails. $20 fee to purchased in 1999 by Orange County through its Green cover costs. Public welcome. Registration required. PLACE Program and is adjacent to the Hal Scott Preserve. The parcel is 421 acres in size and the types of habitats Earth Day at ESC located on the parcel are Pine Flatwoods, Freshwater Date and time TBD , Please join Cuplet Fern Chapter, FNPS. Public Environmental Studies Center, Spring , 2985 welcome. Reservations required. Osprey Trail, Longwood.

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