SUMMER 2010, VOLUME 11, ISSUE 3

NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE SOCIETY

Native Plant to Know Evening Primrose biennis by Lorraine Brown appearing in the same succession I had watched unfold in the original prairie. When I first seeded my Ontario Instead, that spring, one species tallgrass prairie in 2000, I used a overtook the new prairie area. mix that included Evening Primrose At first I didn't recognize the (Oenothera biennis). Most from rosettes, so unprepared was I for the mix came up – first Black-eyed this turn of events. Only by going Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), then Wild through the list of plants in the Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), mix, and eliminating them one by Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus one, did it finally dawn on me that divaricatus), Virginia Mountain-mint the rosettes were Evening Primrose. (Pycnanthemum virginianum), and The red splotches on the stems finally, native grasses. But the Evening enabled me to confirm the species. Primrose did not appear. All summer (2009) I watched as Over the past few years I have been the Evening Primrose grew and then increasing the size of the prairie. In bloomed in a sea of yellow. I cut off 2007, in an effort to have all the the flowers over a third of the area and original species in the new areas, I mowed down the rest, hoping to bring grew Evening Primrose with seed from things into balance. Early this spring I the North American Native Plant saw new primrose rosettes forming, Society Seed Exchange. The plant grew but I also saw lots of the hairy of easily, forming large, ground-hugging Black-eyed Susan, and the deeply rosettes at first, then tall stalks with indented leaves of Grey-headed their distinctive yellow flowers. All of Coneflower (Ratibida this growth took place in the first year, pinnata) here and there. not in two years, as I would have As summer arrived, all expected from a biennial plant. In fall those plants, especially 2008 I collected seed from the dried Rudbeckia, promised a great new pods of about 20 plants, and was prairie. As of this writing (July 5, 2010), amazed at their productivity. The there is no Evening Primrose in sight, RANTON are extremely fine, and each plant but I'll be watching for their tall flower G produces thousands of them. heads later in the growing season. RIGITTE I added the seeds to the mix for the In its natural habitat Evening B new prairie I would be planting in Primrose grows in poor, rocky soil spring 2009, blissfully imagining all the such as roadsides and ditches. It is species putting down roots and found throughout North America east ILLUSTRATION BY Continued on page 12 The Blazing Star is... In January, the NANPS Annual Plant Sale seemed a long way The Blazing Star is published quarterly away. But planning was already (April, August, November, February) by underway and I was sending out the North American Native Plant Society ads to various magazines. Based (NANPS). Contact [email protected] on our previous year's for editorial deadlines and for advertising experience, I wrote that we A sprinkling of this year’s NANPS Plant Sale rates. The views expressed herein are would have "over 400 species of volunteers: Janice Keil, Deb Dale, Monica those of the authors and not necessarily wildflowers, shrubs, trees, vines, Dennis, Miriam Henriques, Janet Harrison, Alice those of NANPS. ferns, grasses and sedges". In the Kong and in front, Alexandrina Canto-Thaler The North American Native Plant Society end, over 430 different species Directors in April, May & June in is dedicated to the study, conservation, were available at the NANPS plant sale, Shining Tree Woods, removing garlic cultivation and restoration of North locally sourced within 200 kilometres mustard, enjoying the woods and the America’s native flora. or 120 miles (where else can you find huge diversity of native flora & fauna, this variety in one place?). Over 5,000 Summer 2010 visiting a local native plant nursery. plants found homes in GTA gardens. Volume 11, Issue 3 Our volunteers have helped renew The plant sale is NANPS major the viability of NANPS, increasing our Editor: Irene Fedun fundraiser and supports all our other visibility and relevance, especially at Production: Bea Paterson endeavours. The largest cast of events such as Canada Blooms. Thanks Printed by: Guild Printing, volunteers is to be found here. This is to all our volunteers, the North Newmarket, Ontario the place to talk with like-minded American Native Plant Society remains people about native plants… and there © North American Native Plant Society a vibrant organization. is always someone who knows Images © the photographers and In NANPS 25th Anniversary Year, something you don't! This year there illustrators, text © the authors. we encourage all our members to take were 70 volunteers who came to set up All rights reserved. up the 25 for 25 Challenge, and donate at the Markham Civic Centre, or to at least 25 hours of your time towards North American Native Plant Society, staff a table on sale day, and some NANPS Mission: the study, formerly Canadian Wildflower Society, came both days. Many contributed in conservation, cultivation and is a registered charitable society, no. other ways in the weeks and months restoration of North America's native 130720824 RR0001. preceding the event, and afterwards. flora. If you can contribute towards Donations to the society are tax- Each task is important – from our invasive plant pulls, the fall AGM creditable in Canada. designing promotional materials to or Seed Exchange, it would be much distributing flyers to deciding how NANPS Membership: CAN$20/YEAR appreciated (contact many plants we need to driving and WITHIN CANADA, US$20/YEAR [email protected]). Or submit an unloading the delivery trucks to OUTSIDE CANADA article, photos or artwork to our advising customers…. Other tasks are newsletter (e-mail [email protected]) Please make cheques and money too numerous to name. or website, or organize conservation orders payable to North American Our volunteers' other contributions events in your neighbourhood. Native Plant Society and mail to P.O. include some pretty darn amazing Whatever you do to support the Box 84, Station D, Etobicoke, Ontario things such as organizing the Seed preservation of native plants and M9A 4X1. Exchange, the Speakers' Series, ecosystems contributes to a healthier Telephone: (416) 631-4438. excursions and plant rescues, writing environment. Many, many thanks to all E-mail: [email protected]. for The Blazing Star and The Local of you for your dedication. Web: www.nanps.org. Scoop, updating our website or maintaining our conservation Alice Kong, Plant Sale Coordinator & Board of Directors: properties. Volunteers joined NANPS Gerry Stephenson, Volunteer Coordinator Honorary President: James A. French President: Greg Hagan Vice-President: Ruth Zaugg NANPS Annual General Meeting & Plant Sale Secretary: Karen Boniface SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2ND, NOON TO 4PM Treasurer: Deborah Dale MARKHAM CIVIC CENTRE Zoe Dalton 101 TOWN CENTRE BLVD (HWY 7 AT WARDEN AVENUE) Miriam Henriques MARKHAM, ONTARIO Janice Keil Howard Meadd Keynote speaker Dr. Bridget Stutchbury, author of The Bird Detective. Harold Smith Presentation of Paul McGaw Memorial Conservation, NANPS Garden and Sue Stephenson Volunteer Awards. Please pot up surplus native plants from your garden for sale at the AGM. Visit www.nanps.org

2NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY SUMMER 2010 NANPS EVENTS

PRAIRIE TOUR SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH information by e-mailing [email protected] or NANPS fall excursion will be a full-day carpool tour of three calling 416-972-1292. Or leave a voicemail message at significant prairie sites in Northumberland County. This will 416-631-4438. Please buy your tickets asap so that we be a splendid opportunity to enjoy the beauty of these rare can arrange carpooling. Thank you! and delicate ecosystems and to learn about the challenges of preserving and extending prairies from local experts. SEED COLLECTION WORKSHOP SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23RD, 9AM TO NOON ROUGE VALLEY CONSERVATION CENTRE SCARBOROUGH Join us for a three-hour workshop led by Gavin Trevelyan covering collection ethics, techniques, timing, safety, seed storage and life cycles, and a seed collection walk. Participants will have the option of completing a mail-in test to obtain a certificate. Rain or shine – dress appropriately. $20/members, $30/non-members.

JOHN OYSTON www.nanps.org

SHINING TREE WOODS EXCURSION HOTOGRAPH BY P NANPS will be returning to Shining Tree Woods in late Red Cloud Cemetery October/November to root out garlic mustard rosettes and conduct a tree survey. Watch for details on the website. We are looking for volunteer drivers to lead carpools. Red Cloud Cemetery is a small prairie remnant in a historical burying ground, protected by local volunteers. Alderville Black Oak Savanna (www.aldervillesavanna.ca) is a large prairie remnant on First Nations land. The First Nations people recognised the importance of the site and have protected it from development (such as a gravel pit). It is maintained using controlled burns and it is being extended using plants grown from seeds collected on the site. Oak Hills Farm Prairie and Arboretum (www.oakhillsfarm.ca) is a new 1.2-hectare (three-acre)

prairie, planted in May 2008 to re-create some of the long IMADA STAN lost prairie habitat. Tickets are $15 for members and $25 for non-members. HOTOGRAPH BY

We will be carpooling so if you can offer a ride or need a P ride please let us know. Contact John Oyston for more The advance order desk at NANPS 2010 Plant Sale

WANTED: Seed Donors

NANPS Annual Seed Exchange awaits your contributions! Experienced seed collectors and novices, we urge you to collect seeds from native species for exchange with other keen gardeners. You will be contributing to the restoration of our native flora and the ecosystems on which our native insects, birds and

mammals thrive. IMADA STAN Send your seeds, separated by species and identified with the source/parentage, to NANPS, Box 84, Stn D, HOTOGRAPH BY Etobicoke, ON M9A 4X1, or bring them at the P NANPS AGM. A child looking at the butterfly poster beside the bog Do you have questions about the proper way to display at NANPS plant sale. collect seeds? Contact [email protected].

NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY SUMMER 2010 3 Pella, Iowa's Indian Trail

by Stephen Johnson However, unlike other forests nearby, Hygrophorus subsalmonius and the this woodland also has a prominent Common Laccaria (Laccaria laccata). In the belief that it was once used by Basswood (Tilia americana) These mushroom species help both Native Americans, I call this trail – component. oak species take up critical nutrients and the forest fragment that envelops The fairly uncrowded mid-canopy such as nitrogen and phosphorus and it – the Indian Trail. I like this small layer of oak and basswood saplings even water during drought. In return forest because of its dynamic spring and bird-imported cherries (Prunus the trees provide glucose from and summer-long succession of native spp.) is complemented by subcanopy photosynthesis to the mushrooms. As flowering plants and its plethora of trees such as Slippery Elm (Ulmus autumn progresses, many of these autumn-appearing mycorrhizal rubra) and American Hazelnut mushrooms take on a swiss-cheese mushrooms. Their presence indicates (Corylus americana), a shrub layer of countenance as slugs perforate their that certain fundamental ecological Wild Gooseberry (Ribes missouriense), caps. The slugs in turn become food processes still function here. What's and some scattered Buckbrush for the most charming little slug- more, all of this is close to home (Symphricarpus orbiculatus). eating snake in the Midwest, the within a state that is perhaps the most One indication of this forest's health Midland Brown Snake. ecologically altered in the United is the presence of several Northern Though some of these mushrooms States. Red and White Oak-associated can be colourful, wildflowers provide This trail, located four miles (six mycorhizzal kilometers) outside of Pella, Iowa, is mushroom one of the attractions of that part of species. In a the Volksweg or People's Path (a fall 2008 walking and bicycle trail system) that survey I connects Pella to the Lake Red Rock located Bitter Reservoir in the central part of the Bolete state. Officially known as the North (Tylopilus Overlook Nature Trail, it's a loop felleus) and covering 1.1 miles (1.8 kilometres). Red-mouth The forest is bordered to the east by Bolete (Boletus privately owned, but as yet subvelutipes). undeveloped, forested hills with open There were understorey, and to the north, west many species and south by forested campgrounds of russula such and other recreational sites. as Blackening I first became acquainted with the Brittlegill Indian Trail 10 years ago on an (Russula excursion with my friend and frequent nigricans) and co-author Mary Stark, a professor of other species English. This forest is distinct from lacking other local natural areas in that it common represents one of the very few names such as remaining intact open-understorey the red-capped deciduous forests in the vicinity of Russula Pella. Sadly, it is beginning to change pulchra, the as invasive trees, shrubs and fissured, potentially herbs move in from the green-capped south with the paved road and R. virescens recreational development. Despite and the this, the forest still has distinct native purple-capped plant diversity. R. sericeonitens. STEPHEN JOHNSON A typical oak and hickory forest, it The most is dominated by White and Northern widespread

Red Oaks (Quercus alba and rubra), mycorhizzal HOTOGRAPH BY and Shagbark and Bitternut Hickories associates were P (Carya ovata and C. cordiformis). the waxy cap Anemonella thalictroides (Rue Anemone)

4NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY SUMMER 2010 the more noticeable flecks of (Polemonium reptans) and, in colour in this forest. A mustard- my opinion one of the most yellow stippling of the attractive of the mid-spring understorey is supplied by Yellow flowers, Wild Phlox (Phlox Violet (Viola pubescens). divaricata), are both Variations on white come from a uncommon. The most variety of species. The more flamboyant pink comes from interesting white flowers clumps of Wild Geranium indicative of an eastern woodland (Geranium maculatum) seen understorey are Toothwort from the Volksweg. (Dentaria laciniata), Bloodroot At this time of year one of (Sanguinaria canadensis), and the invasive trees, White Spring Beauty (Claytonia Mulberry (Morus alba), virginica). These species have produces its fruits in seeds bearing a small fat body abundance. We saw our first known as an eliasome designed to vivid yellow female Scarlet attract ants. Healthy populations Tanager perched among of these plants indicate that Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron healthy forest ecological processes radicans) while eating involving native ant species are at mulberries. In the late work. summer I have watched with Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra combined joy and dread as cucullaria) and Woodland Trout flocks of Yellow-rumped Lily (Erythronium albidum) are Warblers gathered to eat the both infrequent but are especially fruits of Poison Ivy, a fun to find when you consider common and problematic STEPHEN JOHNSON that Pella was settled primarily by member of the native flora. the Dutch. Together the flowers In late spring three of the HOTOGRAPH BY compose most of a traditional four common invasive shrubs P Dutch outfit. Dicentra obviously White Bellflower become more noticeable. provides the pantaloons and the Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus trout lily supplies the maiden's The most distinct member of the umbellata) has a firm hold on hat. spring flora in this forest is also one of the sun-exposed hillside in the south The rarest plant in the forest is the the earliest. When the ground is clear end of the trail forest and is slowly pearlescent mycotroph Indian Pipes of competition and the trees have no moving north. Amur Honeysuckle (Monotropa uniflora), a childhood leaves, the forest floor is studded with (Lonicera maacki) is more common in favourite of Emily Dickinson, pale to deep pink stipple which on shadier locations and is spreading according to Mary. Far more common close examination is Rue Anemone rather quickly. Once we witnessed a are the coarse and waxy-flowered (Anemonella thalictroides). I haven't Red-bellied Woodpecker dining on Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) and found this lovely plant in any other honeysuckle fruit. Japanese Barberry the grappling Common Bedstraw local forest fragment. In some years it (Berberis thunbergii) is also showing (Gallium aparine). The three most is quite common at the north end of up at scattered locations in the forest. common and weedy members of the the Indian Trail forest and in others This leaves the northern part of the carrot family are found here in hard to find. It is restricted to the forest the least affected and the most abundance. Honewort (Cryptotaenia more open understorey areas. representative of an eastern forest. canadensis) has an edible root. Sweet As spring progresses, Chorus Frogs On every walk through the forest I Cicely (Osmorhiza claytoni) is also of call from two ephemeral ponds, Wood have hand-pulled seedling- to sapling- culinary and medicinal interest, but Thrushes sing from various areas of sized Autumn Olives, and have Sanicle (Sanicula canadensis) and the forest, and the last native spring stripped foliage from larger specimens Black Snakeroot (S. marilandica) are ephemerals offer flowers in the purple in replication of herbivory. Amur what botanist and author Charles B. to pink end of the floral spectrum. Honeysuckle proves easier to pull and Heiser calls some of the most Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum I've excised fairly large specimens. In annoying of weeds since the fruits are virginianum) is common and fairly 2006, I located a cluster of 12 large so hard to remove from clothing. widespread while Jacob's Ladder Continued on page 6

NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY SUMMER 2010 5 Continued from page 5

shrubs of Japanese Barberry in the circaezens). Low to the ground and in The other orchid is the State-level north end of the forest and removed the shade are other localized and Threatened species, Northern Oval them by cutting their roots with a architecturally interesting green- Ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes ovalis). It is knife, hand-pulling the trunk and flowered plants such as Clearweed sadly diminishing since Autumn Olive dropping the exposed plants, roots up, (Pilea pumila), the statuesque Jack-in- is overtaking its primary location at on a fallen log to air-dry. Two years the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) and the south end of the forest. The later, I was happy to see Dutchman's the easily overlooked Rattlesnake Fern remaining site for this orchid is a small Breeches in the space cleared, and of (Botrychium virginianum). hill in the east where it occurs course, Poison Ivy. Late summer into autumn is when alongside a fairly large cluster of By midsummer there is little colour the orchids begin to flower. There are Autumn Coralroot. Sadly, this location other than green, but a persistent two species here that help make this is rapidly being overrun by Amur search brings out a few treasures. In forest a gem. The most common is Honeysuckle. the western forest the clear-blue Autumn Coralroot (Corallorhiza As if these invasive shrubs aren't flowers of a small population of odontorhiza var. odontorhiza). This enough insult to the forest plant American Bellflower (Campanula cleistogamous (non-opening) flower community, a despicable herbaceous americana) were a welcome sight. variety of C. odontorhiza is by far the plant is on its way. In a nearby city Mary and I found two here with white most common; it often occurs side by woodland park, Garlic Mustard flowers, a phenomenon I haven't seen side with a more-limited-in- (Alliaria petiolata) first appeared in elsewhere. A grass I remember from distribution variety, the showier, open- 2008. Two years later, the mustard was the forests of Central Virginia, flowered (chasmogamous) spotted- found throughout the park. Mary and Bottlebrush Grass (Hystrix patula), is lipped Pringle's Autumn Coralroot (C. I will be on constant lookout for its found only on sunny slopes in the odontorhiza var. pringeli). Even before inevitable arrival at the Indian Trail. eastern part of the forest. In the shady the flowers open you can tell these two understorey of the forest's interior is varieties apart. Pringle's has a much Stephen Johnson is a freelance ecologist the rare Wild Licorice (Galium more deeply coloured red floral scape. and botanist living in Pella, Iowa.

Calendar of Events

September 25, 2010 Ornithologist Dr. Bridget Stutchbury, details, see the Event Calendar at NANPS PRAIRIE EXCURSION author of the book The Bird Detective, www.dixon.org. Alderville, Ontario will be the keynote speaker at the Excursion to Alderville Black Oak Markham Civic Centre event. October 27, 2010 Savanna and Tallgrass Prairie, Red Presentation of Paul McGaw Memorial TBG SPEAKERS' SERIES Cloud Cemetery, and a private prairie Conservation Award and NANPS Toronto, Ontario restoration, John Oyston's Oak Hills Garden Awards. Sale of native plants. Douglas Tallamy, author of Bringing Farm. Watch the website, Visit www.nanps.org. Nature Home, will be speaking at the www.nanps.org, or contact Toronto Botanical Gardens. Stay tuned [email protected] for details. October 8-10, 2010 to www.nanps.org for details as they MID-SOUTH NATIVE PLANT become available. NANPS members September 25, 2010 CONFERENCE: NATIVES AND receive $10 off admission price. SECOND ANNUAL NATIVE KNOWLEDGE BEYOND: SUSTAINABLE PLANTS, CONFERENCE AND ECO-EXHIBIT GARDENS AND Great Barrington, Massachusetts COMMUNITIES This day-long conference at Memphis, Monument Mountain High School Tennessee GrowGrow Wild!Wild! will include topics such as The History Time Magazine's Native plant nursery, of Native Plants and Underused “Hero for the Natives. Visit www.projectnative.org Planet”, Dr. landscaping and or call 413-274-3433. Peter Raven, will ecological services be the keynote www.grow-wild.com October 2, 2010 speaker. For Home: 705.793.3136 NANPS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & registration, call 4735 Durham/York 30 (Paul Heydon) PLANT SALE (901)761-5250; Claremont, Ontario Cell: 416.735.7490 Markham, Ontario for additional (by appointment only) [email protected]

6NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY SUMMER 2010 Heart's Content by Natalie Helferty strobus) and invaded White Spruce trunks are broad and impressive – (Picea glauca) on either side, a remains of a pioneer past. Our The wind is blowing across the fields. sheltered area that keeps the sun and ancestors knew what they were doing: The birds are singing. It is early sleet at bay in harsher weather. Here leave the best and take the rest. We morning in June and we are walking the birds also benefit: the Common walk slowly through the forest edge to in large strides through the grasses Yellowthroat, the Red-eyed Vireo and see the typical understorey of wet with dew. Ella Haley talks to us, the Red-winged Blackbird all enjoy Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum), my brother Lloyd and me, about the alfalfa and mixed hay she and her husband Richard Turnstall have planted on Heart's Content, their organic farm. This is to feed their two draft horses. The horses plough the 23 hectares (57 acres) used to grow Community Shared Agriculture vegetables sold to local families and the farmers' market. I am there on behalf of the Ontario Farmland Trust to do a bird survey for the conservation easement they wish to place on the farm. My brother will demonstrate the making of biochar, a carbon-rich fertilizer made from wood and dried crop waste. We wind our way down the row between this farm and the neighbour's, who has planted a cover crop of oats this year. There are no fences dividing the land, just a HELFERTY NATALIE demarcation of different plants that makes the two properties distinct. At HOTOGRAPH BY the bottom of the hill, a small creek P traverses the boundaries. This is Old-growth Sugar Maples on the woodland edge at Heart’s Content spring run-off from the headwaters of a Grand River tributary. It is now clear the woodland/wetland edge, feeding Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) and cold, but will warm and dry up off the understorey of Black and Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema this summer into a wetland area on Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis), Reed triphyllum), with Pennsylvania Sedge the neighbour's property. It hasn't Canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea) (Carex pensylvanica) carpeting the been ditched or drained; a vestige of and Goldenrods (Solidago spp.) forest floor. The trees are varied and the original wetlands of southwestern As we continue up the other side old, including White Ash (Fraxinus Ontario. So few wetlands remain in of the gentle valley slope, we begin americana), Trembling Aspen (Populus the province that it is a joy to see even to hear the strains of Wood Thrush, tremuloides), American Basswood a bed of rushes and sedges “oh-le-oh-lay”. They sing later than (Tilia americana), American Beech surrounded by mature trees. their cousins, the American Robins, (Fagus grandifolia), Ironwood (Ostrya Ella's side of the stream is now who have broken the morning dew virginiana), Red Maple (Acer rubrum) surrounded by planted Black Walnut with their song. One bird here, and Red Oak (Quercus rubra), typical (Juglans nigra) that buffer the apiary another bird there; not competing, of deciduous forests. But something is set up by a neighbouring farmer. No but singing a chorus, almost learning different. A few species are made for rent, just an exchange of bee habitat their song from each other in here, Carolinian: Running Strawberry for honey. This friendly gesture of reverence of the new day. Vine (Euonymus obovatus), Blue-beech faith representing the farming values We reach the forest, some trees over (Carpinus caroliniana), and White of old is all that is required. We circle 100 years old. The Sugar Maples (Acer Oak (Quercus alba). We continue the bees carefully; they are active this saccharum) and stalwart White Pines onward and see Swamp White Oak morning in their alcove embraced by are astounding in girth. Open-grown the walnut trees, White Pines (Pinus on the edge of this County forest, the Continued on page 8

NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY SUMMER 2010 7 Continued from page 7

(Q. bicolor), Black Oak (Q. velutina) Ella's parents, now living on a nearby for those in the air and on the ground. and Yellow Birch (Betula farm, is proudly shown, surrounded We leave reluctantly, followed over allegheniensis), indicators of moist by a blanket of Jewelweed (Impatiens the field by the adult hawks as they soil. capensis) and Sensitive Fern (Onoclea keep up their constant encouragement At the back of the property we reach sensibilis). These are watched over by – we believe it's for the youngsters, but a pond, just the “right size” to be Sugar Maple and White Pine over 80 perhaps they are also calling to keep called a vernal or spring ephemeral years old. The property is well worth us moving away from the nest. Over pool, but just deep enough not to dry protecting as it is, but Ella and the grassy fields we head back to the up through the hot summer months. Richard plan to embark on even more barnyard. The songs of Bobolinks, The green frogs are silent this improvements, adding more trees to Eastern Kingbirds, Savannah morning, basking in the water. Something hops off a log in the middle and we find another log with a wet puddle behind. Perhaps they were turtles; they moved too fast to tell. Jefferson Salamanders are known to inhabit the area, so I take a closer look. Eggs! But it's now late June – the eggs probably belong to the frogs. They are small with dark brown embryos; they're scattered in clusters in the shallowest area along the wetland margin, freshly laid. We hope next year to catch the salamanders' march in early spring, but for now it's satisfying to see the wetland is producing young of other amphibian species. Another bend takes us around the

edge of the field and into a recently HELFERTY NATALIE planted buffer against the highway of pine, maple and oak – or what is left HOTOGRAPH BY of them. The deer were feeding this P winter and the leafy trees became Heart’s Content farm more a buffet than a buffer. Alas, choosing trees that are not a favourite food is the best way to keep the deer the already planted Butternut (Juglans Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Vesper away...or planting thickly so a few cinerea), Redbud (Cercis canadensis) Sparrows and a lone Grasshopper “edibles” survive. No hunting is and Tulip-tree (Liriodendron Sparrow are caught on the wind. It is allowed here. This land backed onto a tulipifera). the sound of an open former Boy Scout camp before the We climb back out of the shaded farmland...familiar and relaxing. We highway was built and the old trail woods into the field, this time absorb it all. road remains on this side now, part of accompanied by a repeating plaintive In addition to the loads of regular Heart's Content. The words carved on cry, “wheep, wheep, wheep!” A baby chores on a farm, there are the native a trio of old beech trees remain as a Red-tailed Hawk is calling (or maybe trees to be planted, their pots sitting testament to the romantic boys (“I there are two!). His parents call back by the back door. The saplings stand love Mary Harding”) and the locals with their harsh downward “keee-err”. as a testament to Ella and Richard's (“Bud Dowling 9/1911”). If not for The white-feathered youngster is love of the land, the animals, the trees, the traffic noise, we could transport fluttering through the tree-tops, as if the community – that's where their ourselves back in time through on first flight. One adult spirals above hearts find contentment. imagination alone. him over the field, encouraging him to When we decide to turn back, we've “Fly, fly!” while the other calls from Natalie Helferty is an ecological walked over a mile down the trail behind him in the forest, “Keep consultant with her firm Natural Heritage road. Another pond dug deeper by going!” It is an exciting moment both Consulting.

8NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY SUMMER 2010 Bergamot New & Noted

by Jeanette Lynes Cultivating Our Roots - Growing seed grower, I clearly remember Authentic Prairie Wildflowers and nurturing for months some seeds I Grasses had grown in a pot believing them to Ten tipsy By Nora Stewart be Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga Available from the online store at the racemosa). Eventually, in a moment of well-bred women Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan insight, I realized that I had been website, www.npss.sk.ca for $32 plus tending Ragweed (Ambrosia in mauve satin shipping. 155 pages artemisiifolia). Since the species she features are gowns snapping mauve In my next life, I would like to do common and widespread on prairies, exactly what Nora Stewart has done – the author believes that much of her bath towels at each build a seed company specializing in advice would be applicable in native prairie species. This valuable Manitoba, Alberta and the northern other guide tells readers how to go about U.S. Examining her forb species, I doing just that. The setting is would guess that almost half are also in a tree house, Saskatchewan, where Nora started her native to Ontario, particularly in business in 1993, planting two tallgrass prairies. Beyond these, there long green bottles hectares (five acres) of pasture with are species related to ones we know over 60 species of wildflowers and 22 well here – in Saskatchewan one finds below, species of native grasses. Meadow and Dotted Blazing Star Finally (!) we have a book (Liatris ligulistylis and punctata) empty. originating from a Canadian province whereas in Ontario we have Marsh about the prairie species inhabiting and Dwarf Blazing Stars (L. spicata short grass prairies. Most of the books and cylindracea). available in Ontario about native The breadth of information about prairie species originate from the U.S., native prairie grasses is particularly and the only book in my library about welcome, including the primer on Saskatchewan forbs is an old (1966) grass anatomy. A description of the booklet entitled Woodland Wildflowers grass and what type of habitat it likes of Eastern Saskatchewan. is provided. Some of these are known Cultivating Our Roots is divided into to me: Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium two parts. In the first, Ms. Stewart scoparium), June Grass (Koeleria provides us with a recipe for growing macrantha or K. cristata), Side-oats natives. She writes about acquiring Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula). seed and seed germination, the pros Others that are also native in Ontario and cons of indoor vs. outdoor were totally new to me: Western growing, harvesting, and the cleaning Wheat Grass (Pascopyrum smithii), & storage of seeds. The author Spear Grass also known as Needle and provides tips on how to overcome thread (Hesperostipa comata ssp. some of the obstacles she encountered, comata). Still others, such as Prairie such as weeds and predation. She Muhly (Muhlenbergia cuspidata) and JOHN MORI discusses garden design, choice of site, Early Blue Grass (Poa cusickii), I can and site preparation. only wish were native here. In the second part of the book, the This book would be very useful to LLUSTRATION BY I author outlines species of forbs and anyone designing a sunny native grasses she has grown. There are garden for their home, school, or photos of each species in flower and in business. I found myself repeatedly Jeanette Lynes is the author seed, the seed or seed head for returning to its pages for inspiration of five collections of poetry, each as well as the young seedling with about species selection as I most recently The New Blue its first true leaves. The latter helps in contemplated my new garden. Distance (Wolsak and Wynn, identifying whether what is coming up 2009). "Bergamot" is from agrees with what the grower Review by Darcie McKelvey the collection Left Fields anticipates or happens to be some (Wolsak and Wynn, 2003). free-loading stow-away. As a young

NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY SUMMER 2010 9 families of plants, so it's easiest when Oxford Counties. It offers a foundation Edible and Medicinal Plants of Canada searching for a specific plant to check for gardeners who want to recreate By Andrew McKinnon et al the index…but it's more fun just to natural landscapes that attract birds, Edmonton: Lone Pine Publishing, 2009 browse the book. Common and Latin bees, butterflies and other insects. It ISBN 13: 978-1-55105-572-5 names, detailed plant descriptions, explains why larger-scale restoration Softcover: $29.95, 448 pages habitat and geographic range are should be undertaken by those who offered, and alien species are identified. have substantial plots of land, but Did you know that the wood of But the greatest treasures are the cautions against planting non-native hawthorn shrubs (Crataegus spp.) is descriptions of how the native plants species that can become invasive. It hard and makes excellent walking were once used. Much of this outlines the extent of habitat loss on sticks? Or that spruce beer (made from information comes from the north shores of Lake Erie and Picea spp.), drunk by early northern “ethnobotanical accounts written in emphasizes the ecological significance travellers, tastes like root beer? Or that collaboration with First Nations of the wild areas that remain. Finally, it an exudation from Rattlesnake- healers” as well as “pioneer and explains why it's crucial that we each plantain (Goodyera oblongifolia) can be modern herbal and scientific do our part, ecologically restoring our used as chewing gum? This is just a literature”. property not only to enhance local snippet of the fascinating information Although it is not a comprehensive biodiversity but also to educate others. to be found in Edible and Medicinal guide to plants in Canada, this book Gardening with Native Plants was Plants of Canada. packs in a vast array of plants and published in celebration of Earth Week Richly illustrated with colour makes a great field guide, helping us and the International Year of photographs and drawings, this identify unknown plants if we can just Biodiversity. Copies were donated to exquisite field guide shows the many figure out to which family they belong. local schools for their libraries and to ways in which plants, in the All in all, a book for every plant use as prizes for environmental geographical area now defined as enthusiast's library. activities, enhancing the conservation Canada, have been used for food, efforts of young people in Norfolk shelter, clothing and medicines by First County. Nations and European colonists. But, The Long Point Basin Land Trust is as the authors take great pains to point Gardening with Native Plants: A to be commended for its work out, it is not a how-to guide for eating Biodiversity Handbook preserving and restoring natural wild plants. Rather, it is a book that Long Point Basin Land Trust, 2010 habitats in the Carolinian Region, for engenders respect and awe for the Available from LPBLT,PO Box 468, Port its stewardship of the Jackson-Gunn natural world, precisely what the Rowan, Ontario, N0E 1M0 for $5. Old Growth Forest and the Arthur authors intended. In the introduction, Langford Nature Reserve, for its they not only make it clear that plants Gardening with Native Plants differs outreach, research and species-at-risk should be collected only after hugely from the previous book in size programs, and now, for this delightful considering how rare or abundant they and geographic scope, but it's written biodiversity handbook. are, they also provide guidelines for with the same reverence for our native gathering plants (for example, never plants and ecosystems. Tailored to Reviews by Irene Fedun take more than five percent of the southern Ontario's Carolinian Region, population, and never collect from this nifty, full-colour, 24-page guide protected or heavily used areas such as provides advice parks and nature preserves). They also on naturalizing recommend that, following a First for wildlife Nations tradition, harvesters of plants (including water leave a gift of tobacco or a prayer in features and nest thanks for the gift of healing. boxes), tips on Edible and Medicinal Plants of how to design a Canada is divided into sections for native plant trees, shrubs, vines, herbs, grasses, ferns garden, and a and poisonous plants (although listing of 150 warnings are given throughout the plant species for GIVING NATIVE PLANTS book where the plants mentioned may Norfolk, Elgin, A PLACE TO GROW be harmful to people or livestock). Haldimand, These sections are in turn divided into Brant and www.lpblt.on.ca

10 NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY SUMMER 2010 EARNING CD In Remembrance L APESTRY OF Dagmar Baur, who accepted the 2007 places where children and adults alike T NES

NANPS Community Garden Award happily interact with Nature. In O ILD

for her work in developing the Bain Dagmar's memory, a website has been W Co-op gardens in Toronto, passed created where anyone can post away this spring. Born in Poland photographs or reminiscences of this during WWII, Dagmar knew privation beloved member of the naturalist

during her early life but never failed to community, dagi.muchloved.com. will be wrapped like a mummy in HOTOGRAPH COURTESY P recognize the great gifts she'd been white fabric. (3) No cremation. It takes given: her loving family and her two to three hours of 1,400 degrees F. connection with Nature. Lorrie Otto, conservationist and heat (760 Celsius) to convert a human In Canada, Dagmar joined environmental activist, died peacefully body to ashes! (4) All landscaping must naturalist groups and never stopped in May at 90 years of age. Lorrie was a be done with native plants.” From the asking questions. She learned about charismatic crusader against the list that matched their climate and soil fungi (mushroom picking had been a spraying of DDT in the 1950's and type given to her by the Greenacres childhood joy in European forests) 1960's when it was still widely believed Memorial Park funeral director, Lorrie and their intimate relationship with to be a benign chemical. She chose a White Oak (Quercus alba), a their surrounding environment, trees, campaigned on behalf of land wild rose (Rosa spp.) and Nodding substrate and physiography. She conservation and roadside plantings of Onions (Allium cernuum). “It is such a learned about indigenous plants, and native flowers, and opposed the wonderful feeling to know that my the aliens, which ones were edible and concept of the manicured and sprayed death will result in more nutrition and which not, and how to use them to lawn. A field editor for Wildflower protection of the soil and its dependent prepare tasty meals. She learned that magazine, Lorrie wrote about her many life,” she wrote. planting native trees, shrubs, and environmental causes and her beloved Visit www.for-wild.org to make a herbaceous plants – in environments prairie garden in Bayside, Wisconsin, donation in Lorrie's name to the Seeds appropriate to their needs – was far which she had to fight to protect from for Education Grant Program or offer more rewarding than planting misguided city a tribute in her memory. officials. Wild Ones, a national U.S. organization founded in 1977, was based upon the ecological ERIC BELDOWSKI principles espoused by Lorrie. HOTOGRAPH BY P

A A guardian of the Earth to the cultivated perennials or annuals. end, Lorrie sent a With all the knowledge she holiday greeting acquired, Dagmar became a last December to community gardener, educator and Wild Ones writer, growing heritage vegetables members, and recreating the South Oaks describing how she courtyard at Bain as an oasis of native would be buried in vegetation. She offered workshops on a “green and edible weeds and wild plants. A couple natural cemetery”. of years ago, Dagmar wrote an article As she explained: for The Blazing Star about one of her “(1) No favourites, Virginia Waterleaf embalming fluids (Hydrophyllum virginianum), whose will be used. Such young leaves she described as powerful poisons “succulent and delicious”. will never be here Thanks to Dagmar's vision, her to leach into the dedication and her doggedness, the water table. (2) No Bain Co-op lands are being steadily casket. The corpse transformed into beautiful, tranquil

NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY SUMMER 2010 11 Continued from page 1

of the Rockies, and is naturalized in to act as a nursery many other areas in the world's for the native temperate and subtropical regions. species... Oenothera biennis blooms from June I started through September. The four-petalled another, final, flowers hold their nectar in a very prairie planting long calyx, accessible to the last drop this spring, only by moths with their long leaving Oenothera proboscis. For , this plant out of the mix depends upon night-flying moths, this time. The plot which are attracted by the lemony is struggling. Even scent of the flowers and their bright with lots of rain, nectar guides, invisible to us, but only a few visible in the ultraviolet part of the seedlings seem to spectrum seen by moths and bees. be dotting the Once the plant is satisfied that it has bare soil. Perhaps set enough seed, its flowers will stay if the mix had open throughout the day. (Remember included Evening this nifty bit of botanical trivia when Primrose, my new you see Evening Primrose blooming in prairie plants the mid-afternoon.) would be thriving Oenothera biennis sports edible roots, under the shoots, flowers, leaves and seedpods protective shade but its real claim to fame is the oil of their rosettes. made from its pressed seeds. Evening Lorraine Brown is a Primrose Oil is rich in gamma linoleic biologist and acid (GLA), one of the essential fatty naturalist who acids that our bodies cannot make. grows prairie on GLA is reported to be useful in treating her farm north of hardening of the arteries, eczema, Owen Sound, ON. cirrhosis, arthritis, PMS, multiple sclerosis and high blood pressure. The JOIN NANPS oil is probably best known as a Your donations and membership dollars help NANPS to study, conserve, cultivate treatment for menstrual pain. and restore North America's native flora. Members receive our quarterly newsletter, Given its wide range of medicinal the Blazing Star, and are eligible for NANPS-sponsored excursions and the Seed attributes, we might be well advised to Exchange. NANPS is a registered charitable organization (no. 130720824 RR0001) eat this plant! An older common founded in 1984. Donations to the Society are tax-creditable in Canada. Tax receipts name, King's Cure-all, hints at its will be issued for donations of $20 or more. healing properties. In the past, it was used topically to treat bruises, reduce ___ $20 / 1 calendar year (Jan.–Dec.) or Family membership ___ $25 reddening of the skin, and speed ___ $40 / 2 years healing of wounds. Internally it was ___ $60 / 3 years ( ___ send me a free issue of Wildflower or ___ Growing Canada's used to treat coughs and gastro- Floral Emblems as a bonus for my 3-year membership) intestinal disorders, and as a painkiller. ___ $200 Sustaining Membership (includes a Canadian tax credit for $100 My favourite prairie plant book, Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers by Doug and a 5-year membership) Ladd, describes Evening Primrose as NAME: ______“one of the few native weeds of our ADDRESS: ______tallgrass prairies”. Maybe it is a weed, ______but from my experience, it's also a PHONE: ______great primary colonizer for prairie FAX: ______plantings. Perhaps the primrose did us EMAIL: ______a favour in 2009. The rosettes may have made it difficult for the non- Please make cheque payable to NANPS and mail to Box 84, Station D, Etobicoke, natives to get a foothold, but seemed Ontario M9A 4X1. For info, call (416) 631-4438; e-mail [email protected].

12 NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY SUMMER 2010