Kate Furbish - by Martha Mullens

NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS N e w s Native Plant Society of Texas, North Central Chapter P Newsletter Vol 32, Number 56 S June 2020 O ncc npsot newsletter logo newsletter ncc npsot © 2018 Troy & Martha Mullens & Martha © 2018 Troy Purple Coneflower — Echinacea sp. T June 11 Meeting Monarchs by Carol Clark Virtual meeting Many, if not all, Normal Meeting Times: 6:00 Social, 6:30 Business Activities and 7:00 Program Volunteer Opportunities Redbud Room are still cancelled. Deborah Beggs Moncrief Garden Center Check with the Fort Worth Botanic Garden co-ordinators.

O Enjoy the articles O AND PHOTOGRAPHS Chapter of the Year (2016/17) Chapter Newsletter of the Year (2019/20)

Visit us at ncnpsot.org & www.txnativeplants.org Index President's Corner by Gordon Scruggs ...... p. 3ff Flower of the Month, Heartleaf Skullcap Chapter Leaders by Josephine Keeney ...... p. 7f Activities & Volunteering for June 2020 President — Gordon Scruggs by Martha Mullens ...... p. 9ff [email protected] Woman Botanist: Catherine (Kate) Furbish of Maine by Martha Mullens ...... p. 12f Past President — Karen Harden Button Bush, NICE! Plant of the Season (Summer) Vice President & Programs — by Dr. Becca Dickstein ...... p. 14 Morgan Chivers Answer to last month’s puzzle and a new puzzle ...... p. 15 Recording Secretary — Debbie Stilson “June Calendar” Page by Troy Mullens ...... p. 16 Treasurer — Vanessa Wojtas Water for Life...Phytoremediation Hospitality Chair — Corinna Benson, by Erika Choffel ...... p. 17ff Best Native Plants for Novices by Bob Kamper ...... p. 21f Traci Middleton Yellow Stonecrop by Martha Mullens ...... p. 23 Membership Chair — Beth Barber Plant a Tree by Troy Mullens ...... p. 24f Events Chair — Chairperson needed June Membership Report by Beth Barber ...... p. 26 NICE! Coordinator — Shelly Borders Hospitality by Corinna Benson ...... p. 26 Plant Sales Coordinators - Gordon Scruggs New information on Bumblebees & Sandy Fountain & Josephine Keeney by Martha Mullens ...... p. 26 Education/Outreach Chair — Open Texas Wildflowers by Leo Meier & Jan Reid Webmaster — Frank Keeney by Martha Mullens ...... p. 27ff Field Trips — Eric Johnson NCC Demonstration Gardens Josephine Keeney & Theresa Thomas ...... p. 33ff Speaker’s Bureau — Theresa Thomas Make Your Own Potting Soil by Josephine Kinney ... p. 38 Donations/Grants Chair — Open Parting Shots, News & Views by the Editors ...... p. 39 Parliamentarian — Martha Mullens Volunteer Position Opportunites ...... p. 39 Facebook Manager — Open State Fall Symposium ...... p. 39 Newsletter Editor — Troy Mullens Farmers Calendar by Troy Mullens ...... p. 40 [email protected] Planting Guide by Troy Mullens ...... p. 41 Post Oak Grasshoppers by Sharen Arnold ...... p. 42 Assistant Newsletter Editor — Recommended Plants List (Complete) ...... p. 43f Martha Mullens Pollinator Pledge by the Xerces Society ...... p. 45 Southwest Subcourthouse Garden Leaders Half-Earth Pledge by E.O. Wilson ...... p. 45 Gailon Hardin & Dawn Hancock This Year's Programs by Morgan Chivers ...... p. 46 Native Plant Gardens at the Southwest June 11 Meeting, Carol Clark, Monarchs ...... p. 47 Regional Library Leaders — Victory Gardens by Martha Mullens ...... p. 48 Theresa Thomas & Char McMorrow Join NPSOT, Mission Statement, May Meeting ...... p. 49 Newsletter Submission Requirements ...... p. 49 Molly Hollar Wildscape Garden Leader — Ann Knudsen Fielder House Garden Leaders — Josephine Keeney & Jane Osterhuis News Flash O.S. Gray Natural Area — ******************** Josephine Keeney Are you wearing White Settlement Waystation — Merita Knapp & Sandy Fountain your mask

The coronavirus continues to impact our community. the toxic milky substance. The caterpillars raised on Your safety and well-being is of the upmost impor- these three species better insure the survivability of tance, so all in-person programs for our organization the Monarch because of the resulting limited preda- continue to be suspended. We encourage each of you tion due to their milkweed taste. In my article last to stay informed and practice safe measures to protect month I describe my “accidental gardening” tech- yourself, your loved ones, and others. We are work- nique that led me to growing milkweed. In summary, ing on having virtual meetings and hopefully that will each milkweed is flagged for location for about the happen soon. first two or three years until it is well established. I continuously limit the growth of plants around each In this article I thought I would discuss how my pur- milkweed to ensure full sun and minimize leaf litter. pose for gardening has evolved since I joined the Na- Otherwise, the milkweed plants are left to nature. tive Plant Society of Texas. Before joining, my over- all objective was to keep the gardens aesthetically My second goal of cultivating a variety of native pleasing. Of course this objective was met by using plants is important for several reasons. Trees and the old English standards of a perfectly edged and bushes are needed for mammals, birds, reptiles, and mowed St. Augustine lawn with gardens full of eye insects to have as homes and for shelter. Many are also catching flowers purchased from the local box store host plants for butterflies. A variety of wildflowers are and neatly trimmed trees with contoured shrubbery. needed to insure plants are blooming year round to Since becoming a member, the purpose has evolved provide seeds and nectar for birds and insects. Differ- to having a native micro-ecosystem in my yard; that ent butterflies have different host plants, so a variety is an urbanized environment where native plants and of plants enables many different species of butterflies animals interact and flourish. to reproduce in the yard. Another reason variety is important to me is that I can introduce the joy of na- To meet my new gardening objective, I have adopted tive wildflowers to my grandchildren when they come three goals. The goals are (1) cultivate milkweed, (2) to visit without having to take time to go to the park. maintain a variety of native plants, and (3) enhance They not only get to see the variety of wildflowers, the natural aesthetics. They are listed by importance butterflies, other pollinators, and predators, but also and level of effort. My gardening consists of no pes- many caterpillars. ticides and only irrigate to breakup extended dry periods. Outside of the tasks for my goals and weeding, For variety I have different types of gardens based on every plant competes with the other plants to survive the physical conditions. I have four gardens that have so it can pass its genes to the next generation. Next I partial sun, one that has only dappled sun, and three will explain each goal and how to implement it. gardens that have full sun. My largest garden is my backyard and it is about 600 square feet with full sun. Cultivating milkweed became a major goal when I I have segmented it in to three areas by placing tall first learned of its importance as the host plant for plants (greater than about 42-inches) along the fence the Monarch butterfly. Without milkweed, the mon- line. The rest of it is split into two areas, the north side archs will disappear. It worked its way to the top of with short plants (less than about 18-inches) and the the list of goals simply because it has been so difficult south side with medium plants (about 18- to 42-inch- for me to achieve. Yes, I have been successful at cul- es). The first year I planted the entire area with all siz- tivating Butterfly milkweed / Asclepias tuberosa, but es of plants mixed. The tall plants dominated most of this species does not have the milky substance that the area and forced the small plants to be limited only Monarch caterpillars ingest to make the caterpillar to the periphery. and butterfly less palatable to birds and reptiles. The three milkweeds I have focused on growing, Antelope horns milkweed / A. asperula, Common milkweed / Continued on Page 4 A. syriaca, and Green milkweed / A. viridis, all have

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 3 The President’s Corner - June 2020 - by Gordon Scruggs Continued from Page 3

Correcting this problem has required removal of wildflowers. The backyard has been converted to na- some of the taller plants from the area for short plants tive wildflower gardens. Most of the plants I trim back and seeding / planting each of the areas with plants of after they have died back and gone to seed. Texas this- the desired height. With the short and medium plant tle grows along the back fence and if you have been areas, I am now expanding the variety of plants in the around it you know how it turns pale and looks sickly yard to include many more short plants like Mead- when it starts to get hot in June. I collect seeds early, ow pinks / Sabatic campestris, Texas yellow star / so when the thistle stops blooming, it can be removed Lindheimeri texana, Tahoka daisy / Machaeranthera immediately and I can plant the collected seeds in tanacetifolia, and Four-nerve daisy / Tetraneuris lin- early fall. Where the thistle is removed, I immediately earifolia. toss out seed for short annuals like Yellow prairie flax and Greenthread daisy that will begin to grow after a Trees in the yard include an Osage-orange / Maclu- one good rain and bloom until late fall. I collect seeds ra pomifera, three Cedar elms / Ulmus crassifolia, from other plants like the Browneyed susans so I can and a Yaupon / Ilex vomitoria. Plants in the shady remove them quickly because they droop and fall gardens include False nettle / Boehmeria cylindrica, over. Removing plants as they begin to look poorly Turk’s cap / Malvaviscus aboreus var. drummondii, adds tasks that are only feasible when you live in an Scarlet sage / Salvia coccinea, Frostweed / Verbesi- urban setting with small gardens like mine. However, na virginica, Bee balm (Wild bergamot) / Monarda it is a necessary task to keep the neighbors happy and fistulosa, Horse herb / Calyptocarpus vialis, Golden the City’s code enforcement at bay! columbine / Aquilegia chrysantha, and Gregg’s mistflower / Conoclinium greggi. Plants in the full sun I hope this information has been useful. If you have gardens include milkweeds, American basketflower / any comments, questions or would like to discuss any Centaurea americana, Autumn sage / Salvia greggii, native plant topics, please contact me at president@ Common sunflower / Helianthus annuus, Coral hon- txnativeplants.org. I think I’ll now go enjoy a glass of eysuckle / Lonicera sempervirens, Browneyed susan wine in the comfort of my native micro-ecosystem! / Rudbeckia hirta, Engelmann daisy (cutleaf) / En- gelmannia peristenia, Greenthread daisy / Thelesper- ma filifolium, Firewheel / Gaillardia pulchella, Texas paintbrush / Castilleja indivisa, Lemon horsemint / Monarda citridora, Maximillion sunflower /Helian - thus maximilliani, Mealy blue sage / Salvia farinacea, Plains coreopsis / Coreopsis tinctoria, Frogfruit / Lippia nodiflora, Prairie verbena / Glandularia bipinnatifida, Partridge pea / Chamaecrista fasciculata, Standing cypress / Ipomopsis rubra, Texas thistle / Cirsium texanum, Tickseed coreopsis / Coreopsis basilis, Texas dandelion / Pyrrhopappus pauciflorus, Winecup / Callirhoe pedata, and Yellow prairie flax / Linum berlandieri. Selected photographs follow this article.

Aesthetics have always played an important role since Firewheels blooming we live in an urbanized subdivision. So in the front yard I have stuck with the neatly groomed St. Augus- Selected photograps continued on Pages 5, 6 tine grass with surrounding gardens of colorful native

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 4 The President’s Corner - June 2020 - by Gordon Scruggs

Gordon's backyard May 2019 Gordon's backyard May 2020

Gordon's backyard May 2020

Texas thistle at back fence May 2020

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 5 The President’s Corner - June 2020 - by Gordon Scruggs

Winecups blooming Engelmann daisy and firewheel blooming

The south garden at Gordon's with Butterfly milkweed, Winecups, Lanceleaf coreopsis, and Engelmann daisy

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 6 Heartleaf skullcap — Flower of the Month for June Story & Photographs by Josephine Keeney Heartleaf Skullcap, Scutellaria ovata Lamiaceae ( Mint Family ) Heartleaf Skullcap is an unusual little known plant that should be promoted and used more often. It reaches a height of about two feet with thick soft velvety heart shaped leaves that give rise to the many flowering spikes arising from the center of the main stem. It blooms from late spring to early summer. The flowers which last for about two months are streaked with beautiful shades of blue and have the typical skullcap shape. It spreads by fleshy roots and can fill a space in a short time, making it a good plant for hard to fill areas. One unusual feature about this plant is that it shuts down in the heat of summer and even if given water it goes dormant and comes back in late fall remaining green through the winter.

More Photos on Page 8

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 7 Heartleaf skullcap — Flower of the Month for June

Continued from Page 7

Close-up-bloom Single-bloom

Close-up flower bud

Rosette

Photographs by Josephine Keeney

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 8 June 2020 Activities Scheduled - by Martha Mullens

TX Governor Abbott is now allowing some meetings with restrictions. Therefore, programs listed may be cancelled, rescheduled or changed to online due to the corona virus covid-19. Check with the sponsors.

BRIT All onsite educational programming and volunteer opportunities are suspended until further notice. If the situation allows, programs will be rescheduled for a later date. email questions to [email protected]. Some classes are now offered online.

BRIT: Grow Guided Field Study Trips (check with BRIT if still planned)

Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge Reopening June 16. See website.

Native Prairies Association of Texas Fort Worth Chapter Hikes, events, tours and meet-ups cancelled. Will Reschedule when it is safe to do so.

Cross Timbers Master Naturalist FWBG Members watch for email notifications.

Tarrant County Master Gardener Association Meetings suspended until further notice.

North Central Chapter of Native Plant Society of Texas

June, Go-To-Meeting Look for email from President, Gordon Scruggs. June 11, Virtual meeting. Watch for announcement. Carol Clark, Monarchs. Board Meeting: July 28, 6:30 PM Go-To-Meeting conferencing from home

Fort Worth Botanic Garden Starting June 1: Open with restrictions. Programs: check with office.

Opportunities Cont. on Page 10

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 9 June 2020 Volunteer Opportunities - by Martha Mullens

Neither our chapter of NPSOT nor the state NPSOT cannot sponsor, encourage or plan any in-person meetings, events or demonstration garden activities indoors or outdoors at this time. according to Gordon Scruggs, President of our chapter.

Workdays are cancelled indefinitely at our demonstration gardens.

Fielder House Butterfly Garden 1616 W Abram St, Arlington Molly Hollar Wildscape Veterans Park, Arlington Knapp Heritage Park Pollinator Garden 201 West Front Street, Arlington River Legacy Park 701 NW Green Oaks Blvd., Arlington Volunteer Manager: Sherrie Ripple OS Gray Natural Area Native Plant Gardens at SW Regional Library at Hulen SW Tarrant Co. Sub Courthouse 6551 Granbury Rd, Fort Worth

Workdays or events may be cancelled or rescheduled due to the corona virus covid-19. Check with the leader of each group.

Volunteer @ Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge 9601 Fossil Ridge Rd, Fort Worth 76135 Volunteer Coordinator: Laura Veloz fwnc.org 817-392-7410 Volunteer Needs: Docent, Outdoor Conservationist (Natural Guard). Restoration Greenhouse, Visitor Center Host, Special Events, Animal Care

Volunteer at White Settlement Monarch Waystation Leaders: Sandy Fountain, Merita Knapp Workdays cancelled until further notice.

Volunteer for Native Prairies Association Fort Worth npat.wordpress.com

Volunteer at BRIT 1700 University Dr, Fort Worth 76107 Manager of Volunteers: Montana Williams To volunteer: go to brit.org , pull down bar “Get Involved”, click on Volunteer, click on “Become a Vol- unteer” and fill out an application.

* Note: Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners can get volunteer hours for work performed.

Volunteer Opportunities Cont. on Page 11

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 10 2020 Volunteer* Opportunities - by Martha Mullens Continued from Page 10

REMEMBER

When we get back to normal, volunteers will be needed.

Stay safe and watch for the return of volunteering at your favorite places.

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 11 Woman Botanist - Kate Furbish - by Martha Mullens

I came across this article online “what happened on this day?” about an interesting woman botanist that I was not familiar with. Usually I would do the research, but this article has all the perti- nent things in it and in a concise form. I couldn’t do any better so I am sending it as is (with a few notations). Martha Mullens

Article: reprint:

On 19 May 1834, botanist CATHERINE "Kate" FURBISH (1834-1931) was born in Exeter, New Hampshire. Her family relocated to Brunswick, Maine, shortly after her birth, and as a child, her father would take her and her five younger broth- ers for walks in the local woods. Although she never received a formalized higher education, FURBISH showed a knack for botany and art and even spent a year in Paris studying painting. FURBISH went on to devote more than 60 years of her life to collecting, classifying and illustrat- ing the native flora of Maine, traveling thousands of miles throughout the state and producing very lish a 14-volume work entitled "Flora of Maine." accurate drawings and watercolor paintings of the FURBISH died at the age of 97 and, as per her plants she found. Both an artist and a scientist, wishes, her works were distributed to various in- FURBISH was also very independent and defied stitutions; her original "Flora of Maine" was do- many of the societal rules of the day, traveling nated to Bowdoin College, hundreds of pressed alone and feeling no need to get married (her fa- ferns went to the Portland Society of Natural ther left her a guaranteed life time income). Nick- History, and her dried plants to the New England named "Posey Woman" by locals, FURBISH often Botanical Club, which is now the University of explored untouched wilderness, and during her Harvard's Gray Herbarium. Always well-known self-appointed life task made tens of thousands and widely-praised for her work in the botanist of paintings and over 4000 sheets of dried plants and naturalist communities, FURBISH is recent- (plus 182 sheets of ferns). (OMG Reread that last ly achieving a more widespread recognition for sentence!) Two plants she discovered now hold her work; in June 2018 the Town of Brunswick, her name; the Aster cordifolius L. var. furbishiae, ME announced that a new elementary school in and the extremely rare Pedicularis furbishiae or the town will be named in her honor and the Kate Furbish's lousewort, which has only been found Furbish Elementary School, which will will serve along a 130-mile stretch of the Saint John Riv- students from pre-kindergarten through second er. In 1894, FURBISH helped found the Josselyn grade, is set to open this coming fall. Botanical Society of Maine and served as its president from 1911 to 1912, and she went on to pub- Continued onPage13

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 12 Woman Botanist - Kate Furbish - by Martha Mullens Continued from Page 12

My comments (Martha Mullens) are below. about women botanists you can obtain a paperback book from eBay for about $7 used, amazon I did go to my book Women in the Field and dis- for about $20, and Half Price Books for about $6. covered a few more items that I thought were important that were left out so I will add them here. In 1908 she presented her Illustrated Flora to Bowdoin College which contained 16 large folio volumes of watercolor drawings of Maine’s plants. After her death she was mostly forgotten until in 1976 a dam was to be built in the wild Saint John River. The plant, Pediculais furbishiae, Furbish’s lousewort, that was named for her was discovered on the south bank of the river. It was on the en- dangered species list and would be lost to flooding if the dam were built. This discovery forestalled the construction of the dam and made headlines around the world. Botanists quickly searched for other locations, all were downstream. 182 plants were found. Botanists thought they could be relocated. Engineers and politicians breathed a sigh of relief that the dam construction could proceed. Congress however did not agree and the dam was Pedicularis furbishiae never built. Pressed. With Furbish's notes. The name of Kate Furbish had been revived. Bow- doin pulled out her collections and drawings and proudly displayed them. Her name was added to bibliographical sources as one of the few women botanists in American natural history. While alive she derived satisfaction in collecting and draw- ing plants, especially rare ones, but in the end one of those brought her posthumous fame that she would have never thought possible. Another example of someone becoming more famous after death. Although she has no direct connection to Texas plants, I thought her story was interesting, and I wanted to share it with you. You can read more about her in the book Women in the Field by Mar- cia Myers Bonta, pages 78-84. If you like reading

Very rare Pedicularis furbishiae June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 13 NICE! Plant of the Season (Summer) Reported by Shelly Borders

Summer 2020 Plant of the Season Native Plant Society of Texas, North Central Chapter NICE Native Plant Partners Natives Improve and Conserve Environments Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis L.: Perennial shrub for moist areas

Description: In nature, Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis L., is found near streams and ponds, in swamps and in other wet areas including shallow flooded soils. It has multiple stems and typically grows 6-12 feet tall and 6-12 feet wide and occasionally bigger. Buttonbush’s medium green leaves emerge in spring and grow to 4 inches long and 2 inches wide, turning yellow in the autumn. The leaves are poisonous when eaten. Photos courtesy of Kathy Saucier and Valerie Dalton Flowers and Seeds: Buttonbush’s round, 1-1.5 inch, white to light-pink fragrant flower clusters resemble the coronavirus or a pincushion. The showy flowers appear in mid-summer. They mature to hard one-inch reddish ball-like fruits in the fall that turn brown and persist in the winter.

Planting sites: Buttonbush thrives in moist soil in full sun to part shade. It is suitable for areas with poor drainage. Organic soil amendments may improve flowering.

Watering Instructions: Buttonbush will do well in gardens if it is watered regularly. It is not appropriate for soils that will completely dry out, although it can survive brief dry spells.

Comments: Buttonbush is a high value shrub as a nectar source for hummingbirds, bees and butterflies, including Monarchs. It is also a larval host for several butterfly species and a seed source for birds, including ducks and other waterfowl. Buttonbush can become aggressive and the unimproved varieties are recommended for larger, naturalized areas. For the home garden, dwarf cultivars are available that only grow to 3-4 feet tall and wide. Buttonbush may be pruned into a tree shape and/or pruned back in early spring before new growth appears. It is not deer-tolerant. Because it is such a butterfly magnet, consider planting native Buttonbush instead of invasive non-native Butterfly Bush (Buddleia spp.). Companion plants include Crimson-eyed Rose-mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos L.), False Indigo Bush (Amorpha frutiscosa), Horsetail (Equisetum laevigatum), Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) and Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana L.). Other Texas native plants that will tolerate moist and wet soil are suitable as companions as well.

Look for the NICE Plant of the Season signs and information sheets on your next visit to a participating North Texas nursery. Thank you for using native plants in your landscapes.

The Native Plant Society of Texas, North Texas Chapter meets on the 1st Thursday Feb thru June, August thru Dec at 6:30 pm at Fort Worth Botanic Gardens, Deborah Beggs Moncrief Garden Center, Redbud Room. Meetings are on hiatus in the pandemic and will resume when it is safe to do so.

https://txnativeplants.org Written by Dr. Becca Dickstein

New Puzzle Center of what flower?

Count the petals.

Answer to Last Months Puzzle

Ceanothus americanus New Jersey Tea, Redroot Rhamnaceae (Buckthorn Family)

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 15 June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 16 Water for Life - Phytoremediation - by Eri8ka Choffel

With the Spring rain (& hail), and Summertime water restrictions starting up again, most of us are focusing on plants that are more drought tolerant. Highlighted here are some plants that thrive in wetlands, specifically, the John Bunker Sands (JBS) Wetland Center in Seagoville1, which supports the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD). There is so much information on this topic of water purification, that I was almost drowning (pun intended) in the amount of resources, but what follows is a very compact review.

The JBS Wetland hosts 260 bird species, including a pair of bald eagles (that return each year), as well as reptiles, mink, river otters and others. One of the Dallas County Master Gardening projects, Athletes for Change, enjoyed a field trip to JBS Wetland earlier this year and reported that it was visitor friendly, and very educational. Hopefully, we can all visit such public places soon…hopefully before the summer heat escalates.

The path of, and benefit from, this water involves ten counties in North Texas. “Completed in 2009, this (East Fork Wetland Project) consists of diverting water from the East Fork of the Trinity River and polishing the water in one of the largest constructed wetlands in the country (1,840 acres). After passage through the wetland, the water is pumped through an 84” pipeline, 43 miles north of the wetland site to Lake Lavon for storage, blending and water supply use.” 3 The amount of water supplied to Lake Lavon is the same amount normally supplied by the lake, 102,000 acre-feet per year. This equates to supplying 1.7 million people with naturally filtered treated drinking water at the cost of 1/3 penny per gallon.

Phytoremediation (some sources use Photoremediation, with same definition) uses plants to clean up environments that contain contaminants including metals, pesticides, explosives, and oil. 4 JBS Wetlands uses native plants to remove, transfer and degrade contaminants from the water. The plants absorb contaminants in the roots, stems or leaves, and convert them to less harmful chemicals, thereby releasing them as vapors or storing in their roots, where microbes further break down those chemicals.

The constructed wetland has 20 plants listed for use at the Seagoville location. I’ve chosen to highlight only 4 natives. (The remaining 16 plants are at bottom*)

Water Primrose (Ludwigia peploides), is a small, cheery little creeping water plant. The berries are slightly poisonous, but plants can absorb toxic substances, such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants from the water, air, and soil. It can accumulate high concentrations of nitrogen and can decrease level of ammonia and nitrates in soil.5

Both photos © Joseph Marcus, Phutoremediation Wildflower Center digital library. continued on Page 18

Water primrose

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 17 Water for Life - Phytoremediation - by Eri8ka Choffel Continued from Page 17

This perennial herb grows 6-12 feet, or more and grows wild in at least 30 of the states and prefers full sun. In Texas, it is found in mud and shallow water of ponds and streams, primarily in the southern and eastern parts of the state. Water primrose blooms April through October with bright yellow flowers 6 which are 1 to 2” wide on alternating leaves. Seeds (about 1 mm) are eaten by waterfowl and the decomposed plant offers food for wildlife. USDA and Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center lists this little gem as a native/introduced, but other sites, lists it as an adapted plant from Central and South America. Propagation is by seed and roots, and it proliferates freely. According to Wikipedia, France is battling the plant’s spreading and out competing desired plants. This can be beneficial or harmful, depending on its location and purpose. Manual eradication is rarely successful; chemical eradication can be toxic to the very wildlife that enjoy it.

Pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), in the water hyacinth family, is a native in Eastern Canada, and primarily all states east of the Mississippi, as well as Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas.7 It is a perennial herb, growing 1 to 3 feet, with white, blue or purple blooms in June through September. It prefers sun or part shade, and produces one, multi-flowered spike about 6” tall, with heart shaped leaves, though with great variability in size and shape. Pickerelweed provides nectar for bees and butterflies, attracts dragonflies, and produces seeds that are eaten by waterfowl. It is very effective at reducing the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous in water and soil.8 This showy plant does double duty for us, as most of it is edible by humans, too.

“Pickerelweed has often been used for food. Each fruit contains a nutritious, starchy seed that can be eaten straight from the plant or dried and added to granola and other cereals. The dried seeds can also be boiled, roasted to improve flavour or ground into flour. The young leaves have sometimes been eaten raw in salads or boiled and served with butter.”9 Propagation is by rhizomes and seeds.

Pickerelweed © Harry Cliffe, via Wildflower.org © Alan Cressler, Wildflower Digital Library.

Phutoremediation continued on Page 19

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 18 Water for Life - Phytoremediation - by Eri8ka Choffel Continued from Page 18

Delta Arrowhead (Sagittaria platyphylla), a member of the water plantain family, is native to the Southeastern United States. It is a perennial herb, grows 1 to 3 feet tall, and prefers part shade, in mud or still or slowly moving water. The small white flowers bloom in June.

Each flowering stem grows from a clump of long-petioled leaves. In some areas of the country, S. platphylla is not native, and can displace native plants by its rapid reproduction from stolons. It forms dense colonies and can lead to flooding.10

© W.D.& Dolphia Bransford, via Wildflower.org © Kimberly Kline, via Wildflower.org Soft Rush (Juncus effesus) is a rhizomatous, perennial grass-like herb with brownish clumps of flowers, blooming in July through September, and provides food and shelter for muskrats, songbirds, and reptiles. J. effesus grows to be about 4 feet tall, with inflorescence on one side of the stem, about 8” from the top. In the Wetlands Journal 11 it was found that Juncus effesus may help reduce nitrogen and phosphorous, especially in cattle and swine farm waste. Soft Rush, “in addition to bacteria and oil, also removes heavy metals such as zinc, copper, and cobalt from water.”12

Historically, Native Americans/First Nation Peoples used these plants to make mats, baskets, and sometimes the shoots were eaten raw. Mats are still made from the plant, in some areas of the world. Soft Rush is beneficial in erosion control, nutrient transformation, and supports beneficial bacteria, which is an important part of wastewa- ter treatment.13 Texas’ A&M Agrilife Extension has a good 3-page explanation of some of the issues surrounding excess nitrogen in the soil. Phutoremediation continued on Page 20

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 19 Water for Life - Phytoremediation - by Eri8ka Choffel Continued from Page 19

*The remaining 18 plants on the list are: Spikerush (Eleocharis spp.), Flatsedges (Cyperus spp.), Crowfoot Sedge (Carex crus-corvi), American Three Square Bulrush (Schoenopletctus pungens), Grassy Arrowhead (Sagittaria graminea), Squarestem Spikerush (Eleocharis quadrangulata), Swamp Smartweed (Polygonum hudropiperoides), Olney’s Bulrush (Schoendoplectus americanus), Duck Potato Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia), Hardstem Bulrush (Schoenoplectus acutus), Giant Bulrush (Schoeloplectus californicus), Softstem Bulrush (Shoenoplectus tabernaemontani), Coontail (Ceratophyllum demersum) American Pondweed (Potamogeton nodusus), American Wild Celery (Vallisneria americana), Southern Cattail (Typha domingensis),

1 https://www.wetlandcenter.com/about.html 2 https://www.ntmwd.com/east-fork-water-reuse-project/ this site has a link to a great 2 page overview. 3 https://www.wetlandcenter.com/eastfork.html 4 https://clu-in.org/download/Citizens/a_citizens_guide_to_phytoremediation.pdf 5 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwigia_peploides 6 https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LUPE5 7 https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=poco14 8 https://journals.ashs.org/hortsci/view/journals/hortsci/42/7/article-p1674.xml 9 https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=POCO14 10 https://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=30613 11 https://www.wildflower.org/literature/show.php?id=724, J. T. Kao, J. E. Titus and W. X. Zhu. "Differential nitrogen and phosphorus retention by five wetland plant species." Wetlands 23.4 (2003): 979-987 12 https://www.kellogggarden.com/blog/gardening/plants-that-clean-water/ 13 https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_juef.pdf

Additional sources: For a good, 3-page description of excess nitrogen in soil & water table, https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/library/gardening/what-happens-to-nitrogen-in-soils/

Scholarly articles: 1. https://www.mdpi.com/search?q=phytoremediation&authors=&journal=&article_type=&search=Search&sec- tion=&special_issue=&volume=&issue=&number=&page= 2. Japan studies : https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/mosses/plants/bonfire_moss.html 3. https://www.opensciencepublications.com/wp-content/uploads/JPSR-2349-2805-2-135.pdf 4. Good experiment for grades 4-7 at : https://www3.epa.gov/safewater/kids/pdfs/activity_grades_4-8_plantsinwaterfiltration.pdf 5. https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/WQ/WQ-10.html

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 20 Best Native Plants for Novices - NPSOT Reprint (Martha Mullens) What are the best native plants for novices? By Bob Kamper

Last year I conducted a small survey of the membership of the Williamson County Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas. Among the questions was “What are the best native plants for novices?” The responses that were most popular among those responding are included here. All of the plants listed here are perennials; they may die back to the roots or a small rosette during the winter, but should survive and return the next spring. All are readily available in nurseries and will work in most areas of the state. No one can guarantee success, but with a reason- able amount of care and luck, these should result in a happy first season of planting Texas native plants:

All photos by Bob Kamper. Find this post and more content like this at the Native Plant Society of Texas Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii) and salvias in general

Turks Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii) Continued on Page 22

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 21 Best Native Plants for Novices - NPSOT Reprint (Martha Mullens) Continued from Page 21

Big Muhly (Muhlenbergia lindheimeri) Four-nerve daisy (Tetraneuris scaposa) large ornamental grass

Gregg’s Mistflower (Conoclinium greggii) Texas Lantana (Lantana urticoides)

All photos © Bob Kamper

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 22 Yellow Stonecrop by Martha Mullens

Yellow Stonecrop by Martha Mullens

Some of you may not be familiar with this lovely little plant, and, in fact, it is not mentioned in most of my books on Texas wildflowers. But it would make a nice addition to a rocky slope or barren landscape on your property because it will literally grow on stones. In the wild, if rains occur at the right time, there may be hundreds or thousands that create a mass of yellow on exposed bedrock, or any shallow soils in granite, limestone, or sandstone. The plant never gets over 3-4 inches tall with branching stems and leaves about 1/2 inch long. The flowers are only about 1/4 inch wide, but a group can be quite colorful and impressive. It propagates itself when leaves or stems touch the soil. Because the roots are shallow, if you get tired of the plants, they can be easily pulled up.

Needless to say it is very drought resistant. Some gardeners call it a succulent. Botanists call it a sedum. There at least three species in the family Crassulacae in Texas. The yellow stonecrop, Sedum nuttallianum, is found in our area. Texas stonecrop or rock moss, Sedum pulchellum, is found in counties further north along the Red River and on the Edwards Plateau, and (another) Texas stonecrop, Lenophyllum texanum, is found in South Texas. The genus name of sedum means sedentary or “to sit” in Latin due to its low growth pattern and its habit of spreading over rocks. The species name nuttallianum refers to the prolific botanist Sir Thomas Nuttall (1786-1859) who collected and named many plant species in Texas.

When Troy used to work at the Fort Worth Nature Center as a weekend naturalist, he would always be excited to see the emergence of green leaves and yellow blooms of stonecrop where there had only been gravel beside the road. Then he would come tell me and we would go take pictures.

A great photo taken by Troy is on this month’s calendar.

Reference Books:

Ajilvsgi, Geyata, Wildflowers of Texas, Shearer Pub., Fredericksburg, TX, 2003 Curry, Mary, North Central Texas Wildflowers, Mary Curry Pub., Decatur, TX, 2015 Diggs, George, Barney Lipscomb, Robert O’Kennon, Shinner’s and Mahler’s Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas, Austin College and BRIT Publishers, 1999, pages 572-4 Eason, Michael, Wildflowers of Texas, Timber Press, Portland, OR, 2018 Enquist, Marshall, Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country, Lone Star Botanical, Austin, Texas, 1987 Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest, Voyageur Press, Stilllwater, MN, 1991

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 23 Plant a Tree - by Troy Mullens

1) Select the right tree for your location. Use a tree that will grow well in your part of the state and make sure it has plenty of room— vertically and hori- zontally—for the canopy and roots to grow.

2) Dig the hole at least twice as wide as the root ball. Dig a square hole no deeper than the root ball. This keeps the roots from settling too deep while still allowing them to penetrate the surrounding soil.

3) Fill the empty hole with water and check the drainage. If it takes longer than 24 hours to drain, select another site. A tree will die if its roots are underwater for long periods of time.

4) Prune the tree sparingly and only if necessary. Remove only dead, broken and diseased branches and roots that are crushed and girdling, or growing around the main stem. Removing even a small portion of healthy canopy actually slows root growth and delays establishment. A thoughtfully selected tree shouldn’t need to be pruned.

5) Set the tree in the hole with the root collar (area just above the roots) flush or slightly above natural grade. Planting too deep is a leading cause of mortality in newly planted trees. Don’t pick up the tree by the trunk. Al- ways handle by the container or root ball.

6) Remove all foreign materials from the root ball. This includes wires, twine, cords, containers and non-biodegradable bags. If planting a tree with roots wrapped in burlap, remove as much of the burlap as possible. This allows water to seep in and the roots to grow out.

7) Gently fill the hole with the same soil that came out of the hole. Do not add soil amendments. Settle the soil with water. Packing the soil damages and breaks fine roots. 8) Stake the tree only if necessary. Consult a professional if staking is required. Stakes should not be left in place more than one year. 9) Mulch around the tree at least out to the drip line, two to three inches deep and up to but not touching the trunk. Wood chips, pine bark, leaf litter and hay are great mulches. Mulching keeps soil temperature fairly steady, boosts soil moisture retention and keeps weeds at bay. Organic mulches add nutrients to the soil as they decom- pose. 10) Water the tree for at least the first two years, but don’t over water. A newly planted tree requires six to eight gallons of water for every diameter inch of trunk—per week. A thor- ough soaking is much better than light, frequent watering. 11) Protect the tree from animals and humans. Staking to the ground a wire-mesh cage at least three feet in diameter and four feet tall can keep deer and livestock from eating your tree. It also can safeguard your tree from motorized weed-eaters, which can easily kill your tree. 12) Do not fertilize the tree during the first growing season. Too much nitrogen will burn tender roots, slowing growth and delaying establishment.

Continued on Page 25

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 24 Plant a Tree - by Troy Mullens

Continued from Page 24

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 25 Membership and Hospitality

Membership Report June 2020 By Beth Barber

This Spring is a great time for getting outside and tending to our plants, both those planted by us and those volunteered by nature. It is also a time when many of our neighbors are taking advantage of the nice weather to get outside for some exercise. One of our members recently mentioned that this combination makes for a good opportunity to share our love for and information about native plants. When you do find yourself visiting with others about those wonderful plants, be sure to also share about the North Central Chapter of NPSOT and invite them to join.

Welcome back all of you who have recently renewed your membership. Welcome also to our new members: Avon Burton, Lisa Kearns, Catherine Ansiaux-Osburn, and Helen Hiestand.

Our present number of members is 190.

Hospitality by Corinna Benson

Just to let you know we still have hospitality slots open for October snacks(whatever), and also 3 spaces left in February .

Bumble bees can influence time of flowering of plants by Martha Mullens

Review of an online article from LiveScience by Martha Mullens

Scientists have discovered that bumble bees can cause a plant to flower up to 2 weeks early by biting the leaves. They cut out half-moon shapes with their mandibles or drill holes in the leaves with their probos- cis. This behavior results when there is not enough pollen for the bee larvae or the workers. Researchers have not been able to duplicate the process perhaps because there is something in the saliva of the bees. If humans could accomplish this, then farmers could speed up crop production.

To read the complete article see the link below. https://www.livescience.com/bumblebee-bites-make-flowers-bloom-early.html

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 26 Texas Wildflowers by Leo Meier & Jan Reid by Martha Mullens

Texas Wildflowers by Leo Meier & Jan Reid Book Review by Martha Mullens

This book is not a field guide. It is a large hardback volume (9.75 inches wide and 12.5 inches long, not thick only 1 inch) containing outstandingly beautiful photos of Texas wildflowers. It would make a wonderful coffee table book that you can pick up at leisure and just browse through the pictures, absorbing the beauty of the native flowers. The experience made me smile. I would hope that you have the same reaction. The book is divided into 5 regions: Central Texas, East Texas, South Texas, North Texas, and West Tex- as. Each region contains from about 30 to 50 pages of photographs including about 10 pages of text describ- ing the region. Texas is very diverse in habitat and the native plants of each region have adapted wonderfully to these climates, soils, and altitudes. Despite extensive grazing and agriculture, the prairies of Central Texas display some of the most splendid- ly colored wildflowers on Earth. In the timberlands of East Texas the wildflowers have made concessions to the forests and still produce beautiful wildflowers. The coast, prairies, and chaparral of South Texas produce varied colorful wildflowers depending on the soil and rainfall. Although Spring comes later to the short-grass prairies of North Texas the wildflowers are abundant. In West Texas the desert booms with surprising color and variety, while the mountains become an amazingly robust prairie of wildflowers. In Texas Wildflowers, the text and photographs ex- plore the state’s natural heritage and is a celebration I highly recommend this book. It gives me pleasure to of the over 2500 species of wildflowers that are na- look at all the gorgeous wildflowers. Who needs exotics? tive to it. Although the photographer, Leo Meier, is Our native plants are so beautiful. I would hope that an Aussie, we can forgive him because he spent weeks you enjoy it as much as I have. You can purchase it in trekking across Texas to take these beautiful photos. hardback for about $10 or $6 paperback at Amazon. At The author, Jan Reid, is a native Texan, who has spent eBay it is about $15 hardback new and about $7 pre- most of his life writing articles for magazines, such owned. I did not find it at Half Price Books at this time. as Texas Monthly, and books on various subjects. I would recommend the hardback version if you want Most of us are familiar with the botanical consultant, to get the full impact of the glorious photos. You might Geyate Ajilvsgi, who has authored field guides on even learn a few new things also. What an entertaining Texas wildflowers. way to expand your knowledge. Book photographs pp. 28-32

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 27 Texas Wildflowers by Leo Meier & Jan Reid by Martha Mullens

Central Texas

Sharp-pod Morning glory - Ipomoea sp. June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 28 Texas Wildflowers by Leo Meier & Jan Reid by Martha Mullens

Annual Sundew - Drosera sp.

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 29 Texas Wildflowers by Leo Meier & Jan Reid by Martha Mullens

Pitaya - Echinocereus enneacanthus

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 30 Texas Wildflowers by Leo Meier & Jan Reid by Martha Mullens

North Texas

Square-bud primrose Calylophus drummondianus

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 31 Texas Wildflowers by Leo Meier & Jan Reid by Martha Mullens

Soaptree yucca - Yucca elata

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 32 NCC NPSOT Wildflower Demonstration Gardens by Josephine Keeney

Fielder House Butterfly Garden

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 33 NCC NPSOT Wildflower Demonstration Gardens by Josephine Keeney

Knapp Heritage Park Pollinator Garden

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 34 NCC NPSOT Wildflower Demonstration Gardens by Josephine Keeney

Molly Hollar Wildscape

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 35 NCC NPSOT Wildflower Demonstration Gardens by Josephine Keeney

OS Gray Natural Area

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 36 NCC NPSOT Wildflower Demonstration Garden by Theresa Thomas

SW Regional Library at Hulen

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 37 Make your own Potting Soil - by Josephine Kinney

Make your own Potting Soil

Hello Everyone, it is time to talk about the Spring Plant Sale, May 2, 2020. The Sale will be at the Elm Grove Pavilion at River Legacy Park in Arlington.

Remember that you need to get your plants potted at least 6 weeks before the sale so that they can be well rooted when people buy them from us. This means that your plants should be potted by March 28th.

For the purpose of expediency at the sale and to save confusion we have decided to have three common pot sizes: 4 inch for $2.50, Quart for $ 4.00 and Gallon for $7.00. Larger pots and special plants will be priced as marked. If your pot is not one of the standard sizes the price will round down to the next smaller pot size. Please try to pot your plants as close to standard sizes as possible. Plants need to be potted at least 6 weeks before the sale, to allow them to develop good roots. Of course you can start potting up plants right now so they can grow big and beautiful by sale time.

I know that soil can be expensive so I use Hapi•gro Landscaper’s mix at $3.48 per bag and Black Velvet top soil at $2.77 from Lowes. This makes a large amount of mix for $6.25. If I mix it all at once I use one bag of each, or if I am mixing small amounts I use three scoops of landscapers mix to one scoop of top soil because the landscapers mix much lighter and bulkier than the soil.

For fertilizer I use cotton seed meal, which is a high nitrogen natural product that you can ﬁnd at feed stores like Marshall Grain. A 50 pound bag costs about $15.00 and lasts a long time. I use it very lightly by sprinkling it on top of the soil in the pot when the plant looks like it needs a nitrogen boost. Of course you can use compost or alfalfa meal or some other natural fertilizer.

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 38 Parting Shots - Last Minute News & Views of the Editors by Troy & Martha Mullens

Volunteer Opportunities in a Leadership Role

Your chapter of NPSOT needs you. We have openings for chairpersons for Events, Field Trips, Dona- tions and Grants, Education/Outreach, and Publicity. We also need one or two more volunteers to help with the website and Facebook. You do not have to have any experience because the current chairpersons will train you. Contact your President, Gordon Scruggs, or reply to [email protected].

2020 Fall Symposium by Trinity Forks

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 39 Parting Shots Page 2 - Last Minute News & Views by the Editors by Troy & Martha Mullens

Farmer’s Calendar - June (excerpted from The Old Farmer's Almanac)

How pleasing to see the grass thicken and rise until we realize that—yikes!—it’s got to be cut, a task that asks for either loud machines or diligent livestock. I’m partial to a third option: the scythe. This Old World tool looks like a musical notation that leapt out of the score, expanded in size, and, when not in service, abides in our shed beside the retired weed-whacker. I loathed that contraption with its dervish-ing string driven by the sniveling engine. Not to mention the backache that it created, along with its habit of spattering grass across my jeans. Another mowing plan involves allowing the cows and sheep out to feed on our lawn. But as they meander and munch, their work is predictably uneven. Plus they leave behind untouched patches, along with excretions. That’s when I reach for my sharpened scythe to dispatch the tall grass. In the morning when everything’s still wet with dew, I wield my scythe like a kooky broom, swinging its curved blade from side to side, as if sweeping. The undercut stems become instant fringe. So quiet: I can hear anything sing. For as long as the growing season lasts—wherever grass rises, I’ll scythe it.

Farmers Almanac 2020 Edition

A Summers Day Who made the world? Who made the swan, and the black bear? Who made the grasshopper? This grasshopper, I mean- the one who has flung herself out of the grass, the one who is eating sugar out of my hand, who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down- who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes. Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face. Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away. I don’t know exactly what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day. Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? —Mary Oliver

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 40 Parting Shots Page 3 - Last Minute News & Views by the Editors by Troy & Martha Mullens

For the Gardener or "Farmer" Planting Guide

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 41 Parting Shots Page 4 - Last Minute News & Views by the Editors by Troy & Martha Mullens

Post Oak Grasshoppers by Sharen Arnold Trinity Forks Chapter (Denton), NPSOT

The Post Oak Grasshopper is a pestilence of Biblical proportions. We live in what (sadly) remains of a native Post Oak forest in rural central Denton County, TX. Every April-June of about the past 15 years, these disgusting, vo- racious creatures from Hell swarm, defoliating young oaks and damaging mature ones. Unless you live in a Post Oak forest, you cannot comprehend their multitudes and the resultant damage and disgusting fecal filth they cover buildings in. These are not the normal grasshoppers that graze on grass and small plants during the heat of the summer; and most people are not aware of them, since they only infest Post Oak forests. Last year, they completely defoliated 3 20' Red Oak trees in our yard, in addition to their usual extensive damage to the Post Oaks in the woods around our house. They began spreading south into the DFW area about 15 years ago. Texas A&M Univ is studying their patterns and behavior. Here's an informative article that asks the public to report data for their study: https://behmerlab.tamu.edu/post-oak-hoppers/ I have attached photos of the damage they are currently wreaking on our trees and house. It does no good to wash this fecal filth off our house and porch, because each day it will be covered again. We just sweep them off each day, and wash the house after they die out in mid June.

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 42 Recommended Plant List RecommendedFor North Plant CentralList for North Texas Central Texas

The purpose and mission of NPSOT is to promote research, conservation and utilization of native plants and plant habitats of Texas through education, outreach and example. Visit us on the web at www.txnativeplants.org for more information about the NC Chapter, or www.npsot.org for a local chapter in your area.

Key: E= Evergreen P= Tolerates poor drainage S= Shade tolerant F= Very showy in flower or fruit D= Drought resistant in full sun * = Suseptible to Oak wilt B= Attracts birds or butterflies FF= very showy in fall foliage

Shrubs Grasses Common Name Key Scientific Name Common Name Key Scientific Name E D P S B F E D P S B F Agarita E D B F Mahonia trifoliolata Big Bluestem D P B F Andropogon gerardii American Beautyberry P S B F Callicarpa americana Buffalograss D Bouteloua dactyloides Apache Plum E D B F Fallugia paradoxa Bushy Bluestem P B F Andropogon glomeratus Autumn Sage D B F Salvia greggii Eastern Gammagrass P S Tripsacum dactyloides Canyon Senna D F Cassia wislizenii Gulf Muhly P B F Muhlenbergia capillaris Coralbean D B F Erythrina herbacea Indian Grass D P B F Sorghastrum nutans Coralberry S B F Symphoricarpos orbiculatus Inland Seaoats P S B F Chasmanthium latifolium Dwarf Wax Myrtle E P S B Myrica pusilla Lindheimer Muhly D P B F Muhlenbergia lindheimeri Flame Acanthus D S B F Anisacanthus quadrifidus wrightii Little Bluestem D B FF Schizachyrium scoparium Fragrant Sumac D B F Rhus aromatica Seep Muhly D P B Muhlenbergia reverchonii Indigobush P B F Amorpha fruticosa Sideoats Grama D B F Bouteloua curtipendula Mountain Sage S B F Salvia regla Splitbeard Bluestem D P F Andropogon ternarius Pale Leaf Yucca E D S B F Yucca pallida Switch Grass P B F Panicum virgatum Red Yucca E D P B F Hesperaloe parviflora Smooth Sumac D B FF Rhus glabra Groundcovers Texas Barberry E D B F Mahonia swaseyi Common Name Key Scientific Name Texas Mock Orange F Philadelphus texensis E D P S B F Texas Sage/Cenizio E D S F Leucophyllum frutescens Cedar Sage S B F Salvia roemeriana Turk's Cap D P S B F Malvaviscus arboreus drummondii Frogfruit D P S B Phyla nodiflora Virginia Sweetspire P S B F Itea virginica Golden Groundsel D S F Packera obovata Wax Myrtle E P S B Morella cerifera Horseherb S Calyptocarpus vialis White Honeysuckle Bush S B F Lonicera albiflora Lyreleaf Sage E P S F Salvia Lyrata Missouri Violet S F Viola missouriensis Small Trees Pigeon Berry P S B F Rivina humilis Common Name Key Scientific Name White avens D P S B Geum canadense E D P S B F Wood Fern S Thelypteris kunthii American Smoke Tree D B FF Cotinus obovatus Bigelow Oak D Quercus sinuata breviloba Shade Trees Carolina Buckthorn D P S B F Rhamnus caroliniana Common Name Key Scientific Name Cherry Laurel E S B Prunus caroliniana E D P S B F Desert Willow D B F Chilopsis linearis American Elm D B F Ulmus americana Eastern Red Cedar E D B F Juniperus virginiana Bald Cypress P F Taxodium distichum Eve’s Necklace D S FF Styphnolobium affine Bigtooth Maple F Acer grandidentatum Goldenball Leadtree D S B F Leucaena retusa Bur Oak D Quercus macrocarpa Lacey Oak D F Quercus glaucoides Caddo Maple F Acer barbatum Mexican Buckeye D S B FF Ungnadia speciosa Cedar Elm D P B F Ulmus crassifolia Mexican Plum D S B FF Prunus mexicana Chinquapin Oak D Quercus muehlenbergii Possumhaw P S B F Ilex decidua * Live Oak E D Quercus fusiformis Prairie Flame Sumac D B FF Rhus lanceolata Loblolly Pine E Pinus taeda Roughleaf Dogwood P S B FF Cornus drummondii Mesquite D B F Prosopis glandulosa Rusty Blackhaw S B FF Viburnum rufidulum Pecan B Carya illinoinensis Texas Persimmon D S B Diospyros texana Post Oak D Quercus stellata Texas Redbud D S B F Cercis canadensis texensis * Shumard Red Oak D F Quercus shumardii Wright acacia D B F Acacia wrightii Southern Magnolia E S F Magnolia grandiflora Yaupon Holly E P S B F Ilex vomitoria Texas Ash D P B F Fraxinus albicans * Texas Red Oak D F Quercus texana Continued on Page 33

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 43 Continued from Page 32 RecommendedRecommended Plant List for Plant North ListCentral Texas For North Central Texas Key: E= Evergreen P= Tolerates poor drainage S= Shade tolerant F= Very showy in flower or fruit D= Drought resistant in full sun * = Suseptible to Oak wilt B= Attracts birds or butterflies FF= very showy in fall foliage

Garden/Meadow Flowers Vines Common Name Key Scientific Name Common Name Key Scientific Name E D P S B F E D P S B F Baraba's Buttons B F Marshallia caespitosa Carolina Jessamine E P S B F Gelsemium sempervirens Bergamot/Beebalm P B F Monarda fistulosa Climbing Prairie Rose P B F Rosa setigera Big Red Sage B F Salvia penstemonoides Coral Honeysuckle P S B F Lonicera sempervirens Bitterweed P B F Helenium Amarum Crossvine E P S B F Bignonia capreolata Black Eyed Susan F Rudbeckia hirta Passion Flower P S B F Passiflora incarnata Blue Eyed Grass S F Sisyrinchium sp Virginia Creeper P S B F Parthenocissus quinquefolia Blue Flax D F Linum lewisii Blue Mist Flower S B F Conoclinium coelestinum Bluebonnet D F Lupinus texensis Perennials Cardinal Flower P S B F Lobelia cardinalis Common Name Key Scientific Name Cowpen Daisy D B F Verbesina encelioides E D P S B F Datura D B F Datura wrightii Blackfoot Daisy D B F Melampodium leucanthum Diamond Petal Primrose D F Oenothera rhombipetala Butterfly Weed B F Asclepias tuberosa Engelman Daisy D B F Engelmannia peristenia Calylophus D S F Calylophus spp. Engelman Sage D B F Salvia engelmannii Chile Pequin P S B Capsicum annuum Eryngo D F Eryngium leavenworthii Coreopsis D S B F Coreopsis lanceolata Fall Obedient Plant P F Physostegia virginiana Four-nerve Daisy E D B F Tetraneuris scaposa Fragrant Ageratina P S B F Ageratina havanensis Gayfeather D B F Liatris punctata mucronata Fragrant Phlox S B F Phlox pilosa Gregg's mistflower S B F Conoclinium greggii Greenthread D B F Thelesperma filifolium Mealy Blue Sage D B F Salvia farinacea Gulf Coast Penstemon P F Penstemon tenuis Purple Coneflower S B F Echinacea spp. Halberd Leaf Hibiscus P F Hibiscus laevis Rockrose D S B F Pavonia lasiopetala Horesemint D B F Monarda citriodora Texas Lantana D B F Lantana urticoides Indian Blanket D B F Gaillardia pulchella Wild red columbine D S B F Aquilegia canadensis Indian Paintbrush D F Castilleja indivisa Winecup S B F Callirhoe involucrata Maximillian Sunflower P B F Helianthus maximiliana Yellow Columbine E S B F Aquilegia spp. Mexican Hat D B F Ratibida columnifera Zexmenia D S F Wedelia acapulcensis hispida Partridge Pea D P B F Chamaecrista fasciculata Pink Evening Primrose B F Oenothera speciosa Prairie Onion B F Allium stellatum North Central Texas Top Ten Invasives Prairie Verbena D B F Glandularia bipinnatifida www.texasinvasives.org Ruellia S B F Ruellia sp Japanese honeysuckle Lonicera japonica Scarlet Sage P S B F Salvia coccinea Glossy privet Ligustrum lucidum Shrubby Skullcap D B F Scutellaria drummondii Chinese Privet Ligustrum sinense Skeleton Leaf Goldeneye D S B F Viguiera stenoloba Giant reed Arundo donax Snow-on-the-prairie D P B F Euphorbia bicolor Chinese wisteria Wisteria sinensis Spiderwort S F Tradescantia sp Vitex chastetree Vitex agnus-castus Spring Rain Lily F Cooperia pedunculata Nandina Nandina domestica Standing Cypress E D B F Ipomopsis rubra Chinaberry tree Melia azedarach Texas Bluebell B F Eustoma exaltatum russellianum Chinese tallow tree Triadica sebifera Two-leaved Senna D B F Senna roemeriana Johnson grass Sorghum halepense White Milkwort D B F Polygala alba Wild Foxglove F Penstemon cobaea

Printing sponsored by: Precision Press Printing Arlington, Texas

For information about our chapter & participating nurseries visit www.txnativeplants.org/plants or scan the QR code.

Revised 2/2020

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 44 The Pollinator Pledge - by the Xerces Society Reported by Troy Mullens

To Bring Back the Pollinators, I will: 1. Grow a variety of bee-friendly flowers that bloom from spring through fall. 2. Protect and provide bee nests and caterpillar host plants. 3. Avoid using pesticides, especially insecticides. 4. Talk to my neighbors about the importance of pollinators and their habitat.

Sign the Pollinator Protection Pledge Today! https://xerces.org/pollinatorprotectionpledge/

The Half-Earth Pledge - by E. O. Wilson Reported by Troy Mullens

As a global citizen, I pledge to do what I can to support the Half-Earth Project:

• Take action to support species conservation; start by exploring the Half-Earth Map conservation priorities areas, as well as information about my home and other areas of interest to me. • Share information about the Half-Earth Project with my network; ask friends and family to join me by signing the Half-Earth Pledge; share my pledge with my social media followers. • Participate in local conservation events; attend a Bioblitz or join a nature group in my area; use the iNaturalist app and upload species observations on my travels in nature. • Support policies that protect the Earth’s lands and oceans; keep up-to-date on local policies; contact your representatives and share your thoughts and opinions on policies, because each policy action plays a role in reaching the grand, achievable Half-Earth goal. https://www.half-earthproject.org/pledge/

June 11. Happy Birthday E. O.

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 45 Partial list of the 2020 Programs Reported by Ray Conrow and Morgan Chivers

2020 Date Name Title of Presentation Contact Information

February 6 Steve Chaney “Pruning” [email protected] Texas Agrilife Extension 817-458-1362 Service

March 5 David Downey Tinsley-Rock Springs David.Downey@ Fort Worth Botanic Native Garden at FWBG fortworthtexas.gov Gardens (FWBG) April 2 Carol Clark—Bring Back TBA—Monarch Theme [email protected] the Monarchs to Texas Cancelled - Covid19 (BBMT)

May 7 Cancelled - Covid19

June 4 Carol Clark Virtual meeting June 11 Monarchs

August 6 3 Members TBA Native Gardens of our Members

Grand Prairie : September 3 Troy Mullens Intersection with the troymullensjr@gmail. com NC– NPSOT Eastern & Western Crosstimbers October 1 Show and Tell and Bring a Texas Native Members Trade! Native Plant Plant to exchange for Exchange another. FUN!!!

November 5

December 3 Holiday Social Pot Luck Dinner, Program & Hospitality Awards and Introduction Chairs—decorations, of New Ofﬁcers. FUN!!! games, prizes, food

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 46 June 11 2020 Meeting, Carol Clark Reported by Morgan Chivers

Bio: Carol Clark is a Texas Master Naturalist, long-time member of the Native Plant Society of Texas, Chair of the Bring Back the Monarchs to Texas committee of NPSOT, and a Monarch Watch Conservation Specialist. She is also a co-administrator of the Texas Native Bee Co-op Facebook page. When she’s not busy teaching others about pollinators or native plants, she enjoys looking after her own colossal Monarch Waystation and private wildlife refuge in Cooke County. She is a frequent guest speaker about conservation topics in North Texas.

Planting for Monarchs and Other Pollinators

Learn why Texas is pivotal to the Monarch Butterflies’ success, and which native plants offer the most benefits when you are planting to support Monarchs and other pollinators. Your garden or acreage can become a critical oasis for embattled pollinators, and the opportunity to observe them up close can add another dimension of enjoyment to your garden. We’ll also touch on best timing for maintenance practices like mowing and pruning.

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 47 Parting Shots Page 5 - Last Minute News & Views by the Editors Victory Gardens by Martha Mullens

Review of an article in Good Housekeeping online May16, 2020 by Martha Mullens [email protected]

‘Victory gardens’ are making a comeback amid coro- The need for ‘victory gardens’ returned during navirus food shortage fears. Similar to the periods World War II. The emphasis was a bit different. A during World Wars I & II, many people are planting radio ad from 1943 stated “ You can help win the their own gardens so they don’t have to rely on their battle of food production. You can help our fighting local groceries. men get the food they need. You can help save the vital metals in commercial canning.” Food rationing Interest in gardening has seen a surge in the last starting in 1942 added another reason to grow food. few months in part because of food supply anxiety Eleanor Roosevelt even planted a victory garden on during the covid-19 pandemic. In March, interest the White House lawn as a sign of solidarity. About in growing a garden hit an all-time high according 20 million victory gardens popped up during World to Google Trends which was up 4,650 % from past War II, producing more than 40% of the country’s years. Nurseries, home improvement stores, and gar- fruits and vegetables. dening centers in all parts of the country report that seeds, plants, and gardening tools have been literally Victory gardens boost morale, ease burdens placed ‘flying’ off the shelves. Burpee Seeds reported it sold on farmers, and combat food shortages. Tending more seeds in March than any time in its 144-year to a garden relieves stress and anxiety. When we history. interact with green, outdoor environments we tend to breathe deeper which oxygenates the blood and Most of America is resuming some level of returning releases endorphins which are natural mood en- to normal, but this experience has placed an empha- hancers. sis on the value of growing your own food in times of crisis. This concept isn’t new. During World War I, It is not too late to plant some veggies and native Americans were encouraged to grow their own food plants. Check The Old Farmer’s Almanac and your in ‘war gardens’. ‘Victory Gardens”’appeared in parks, landscaping books. If you want to read the complete schoolyards, fire escapes, backyards, and vacant lots, article go to the web address at the beginning of my totaling more than 5 million new gardens in 1918. article. The gardens generated about 1.45 million quarts of canned fruits and vegetables. Some people main- tained their gardens during the Great Depression.

Bonus Easter egg

Prairie Notes #162 June 1, 2020

https://www.tandyhills.org/notes/its-delightful-its-delovely-its-dalea

It's Delightful, It's Delovely, It's Dalea

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 48 4. Do not embed the photographs in the article. Re- Newsletter Requirement Suggestions member, the article will most likely be in two column 1. All submissions due by the 15th of the preceding format for easy reading. month. Exceptions are at the discretion of the Editors. 5. Please include a caption with each photograph and 2. Articles (text) should preferably be in plain text form. note any individual names of people. (No pdf’s). Any special formatting requirements should Examples: be noted. ( .doc .pages and .odt are OK) Photo names: Photo1.jpg, Photo2.jpg, Photo3.tiff etc. Photo Caption examples: 3. Photographs & charts should be sent separately as Photo1- Bluebell in my Garden large as possible. Location within the article should be Photo2 - Field trip group, names (l to r): noted. Example Bill Smith, Mary Jones, etc. Photo3 - Black Willow at FWNCR Photo4 - Flower, (Credit - Name, organization)

No Program in July

Visit us on the Web The purpose of the Native Plant Society of Texas is to promote the conservation, research, and utilization of the at native plants and plant habitats of Texas through www.txnativeplants.org education, outreach, and example.

Join the Native Plant Society of Texas! The North Central Texas Become a member of the Native Plant Society of Texas. Membership is open to any individual, NPSOT News family, or organization. Membership is renewable annually and extends for a year from the date we receive your original payment. Note new prices effective April 1, 2019. If you wish to join, please indicate your category of membership, then clip and mail this application with the is a monthly publication of appropriate remittance to: the North Central Chapter Native Plant Society of Texas of the Native Plant Society PO Box 3017, Fredericksburg, TX 78624 of Texas.

___ Student $35 ___ Family (2 or more) $60 For changes of address or ___ Senior (65+) $35 ___ Patron $100 information about contribut- ___ Limited Income $35 ___ Benefactor $250 ing to the newsletter, please ___ Individual $45 ___ Supporting $500 contact the newsletter editor. ___ Lifetime $1200 ___ Additional Chapter(s) $6 The deadline for submitting Name: ______articles for inclusion in the Address: ______newsletter is the 15th of every City, State, Zip: ______preceding month. County: ______Phone: ______Troy Mullens, Editor Chapter Affiliation: _____North Central [email protected] E-mail: ______Go to https://npsot.org/wp/join-renew/ for an on-line sign-up form or for additional information. A printable form is also available there.

June 2020 NPSOT News North Central Chapter Page 49