Bulletin of the Native Plant Society of Oregon Dedicated to the Enjoyment, Conservation and Study of Oregon’S Native Plants and Habitat Volume 41, No

Bulletin of the Native Plant Society of Oregon Dedicated to the enjoyment, conservation and study of Oregon’s native plants and habitat Volume 41, No. 3 March 2008

Spiranthes stellata, Starry Ladies’-tresses, The Newest Orchid Species in Western North America by Paul Martin Brown with Lucy A. Dueck & Kenneth M. Cameron or some years, a distinctive Spiran- Five currently recognized species of relatively common and that appeared Fthes in the Sierra Nevada range of Spiranthes are found west of the Rocky intermediate between S. romanzoffiana eastern California has attracted the at- Mountains in North America. Two and S. porrifolia. At the time, these tention of botanists. These orchids are of them, S. infernalis Sheviak and S. plants were generally considered to unlike either S. romanzoffiana Chamis- delitescens Sheviak, are locally endemic be a local race of S. romanzoffiana, so, which is widespread in the region, to southwest Nevada and southeast although when compared with typi- or S. porrifolia Lindley, which is local Arizona, respectively. A third species, S. cal S. romanzoffiana growing within to rare in the mountains. The distinc- diluvialis Sheviak, is known primarily the park several notable differences tive plants are common in the moderate from Colorado but with small popu- were observed. Coleman mentioned elevation fen meadows found through- lations in Utah, Idaho, Washington, that perhaps they represented a hybrid out Yosemite National Park (YNP) Wyoming, and western Nebraska. The between the more common S. roman- and have been observed as far north as two remaining species are S. porrifolia zoffiana and the locally much rarer S. southern Oregon and as far south as from California, Oregon, southern porrifolia—or even a new species. With Tulare County, California. Washington, western Nevada, and scattered individual plants this hybrid western Idaho, and the circumboreal theory may be sound, but the mystery and widespread S. romanzoffiana. Only Spiranthes grows in great abundance the latter two species have been re- in YNP. Interestingly, only in Yosemite In This Issue corded from northern California and does one of the proposed parents (S. southern Oregon, but the presence of romanzoffiana) grow with or near any NPSO Secretary Needed! ....24 another Spiranthes unlike the others of the plants in question, and then Join Project Budburst...... 24 has been noted in this area as well by only at one site. A closer inspection of previous researchers (Coleman, 1995; the distinctive aspects of these plants Chapter Calendar...... 25 Sheviak, 1990). Coleman (1995) revealed that both morphological and photo-documented and made note of molecular data support their recogni- Other Events...... 28 a Spiranthes, particularly in Yosemite tion as a new species, described below. One Good Deed Leads National Park, California, that was continued on page 30 to Another Orchid...... 29 Highlights of Quarterly State Board Meeting...... 32 !! IF YOU HAVEN’T RENEWED YET OPB = Oregon’s Public FOR 2008, YOUR MEMBERSHIP Botanists?...... 32 WILL LAPSE SOON !! NPSO Contacts...... 33 Look at the address label on this Bulletin and if “2007” appears along the top Willamette Valley Chapter edge, this is the LAST Bulletin you’ll receive. If you don’t want to miss any of Offers Scholarships...... 34 this year’s Bulletins, or Kalmiopsis, please send your dues payment right away!

March 2008 23 New NPSO Secretary Needed! OCIE T S TY N O A F L PSO will soon need a new State Secretary. This is a great opportunity to learn P O R E what the different chapters and committees of NPSO are doing. This is also a E N V G I great experience for someone interested in how a small non-profit organization op-

O T

A N erates. Responsibilities include attending and participating in State Board meetings N as a voting member, organizing and distributing Board meeting reports and min- utes, and assisting the NPSO President in developing Board meeting agendas. A F large time commitment is usually not required. If you are interested in the position, ou 61 nded 19 please contact the current secretary, Harold Zald, at [email protected] or the NPSO President David Lebo at [email protected]. Native Plant Society of Oregon Join Project Budburst ou can help collect important cli- observations of the phenological events World Wide Web Y mate change data on the timing such as the first bud burst, first leafing, http://www.NPSOregon.org of leafing and flowering in your area first flower, and seed or fruit dispersal through Project BudBurst. This na- of a diversity of tree and flower species, E-mail Discussion List tional field campaign targets native tree including natives, weeds and ornamen- and flower species across the country. tals. The citizen science observations To join send a message to With your help, valuable environmen- and records were entered into the Bud- [email protected], with the tal and climate change information will Burst data base. As a result of the pilot following in the body of the message: be gathered and compiled from around field campaign, useful data was collect- subscribe npso the United States. ed in a consistent way across the coun- Project Budburst was initiated in try so that scientists can use it to learn General Business Address 2007 by the Plant Conservation Alli- about the responses of individual plant P.O. Box 902 ance, an 11 federal agency partnership species to climatic variation locally, Eugene, OR 97440 including the USDA Forest Service, regionally, and nationally, and to detect or correspond directly with Officers and many other partners including longer-term impacts of climate change and Committee Chairs listed on the universities, botanic gardens and the by comparing with historical data. inside of the back page. National Science Foundation. For more information about the Last year’s event drew thousands program and how you can participate, Membership Inquiries Only of people of all ages taking careful visit www.budburst.org. Clayton Gautier 3927 Shasta View St. Eugene, OR 97405-4442 Bulletin of the Native Plant Society of Oregon Editor: Tanya Harvey ISSN 0884-599. Published 11 times per year. Subscription price $18/year. Date and issue number on page 1. The submission date is the 10th of each month for the following month’s issue except for the Aug./Sept. issue which is July 24. Send submissions by e-mail to [email protected]. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors of the harve y

articles. They do not represent the a an y opinions of the Native Plant Society T of Oregon, unless so stated. Amorous beetles inadvertantly cover themselves in pollen while visiting a beautiful Trillium ovatum. With any luck they’ll deposit the pollen on another trillium during their spring activities.

24 NPSO Bulletin NPSO Ca l e n d a r

totrophic and heterotrophic plants and State animals; how insects and mushrooms Corvallis To join the Corvallis email list to receive July 11–13, Friday–Sunday help recycle the biomass; and why cer- tain plants have problems where others notification of upcoming events, please Annual Meeting: The Emerald thrive. His motivation for the study email [email protected] Chapter will host the meeting at the was a large fruiting of phantom orchids March 10, Monday, 6 pm Mount Pisgah Arboretum in Eugene. that can only exist because of their my- Watch for more information and regis- coheterotropic adaptation. Come and Dinner with Our Speaker. Join us for tration materials on our web site and in enjoy a virtual tour of a year in the life dinner at Nearly Normals, 109 NW upcoming issues of the Bulletin. of King’s Mountain. Carnegie Room, 15th Street, Corvallis. All welcome. McMinnville Library, 225 NW Adams RSVP Matt at [email protected] so we Blue Mountain Street. can save table space. For information on the Blue Mountain March 10, Monday, 7:30 pm Chapter call Jerry Baker at 541-566- Meeting: Incorporating Native 2244. Plants into Agricultural Systems and the Garden. Mike Russell, graduate student in the Department of Horti- Cheahmill culture, will discuss the use of native IMPORTANT NOTE TO plants in agricultural systems and their March 27, Thursday, 7 pm FIELD TRIP PARTICIPANTS importance for beneficial insects. Mike Program: Conserving Native Ecosys- Field trips take place rain or shine, will also make suggestions on how you tems. Andrea Thorpe, Director of the so proper dress and footwear are can incorporate these elements into Conservation Research Program with essential. BRING WATER AND your home garden to increase wildlife the Institute for Applied Ecology will LUNCH. Trips may be strenuous habitat. Meetings held at Avery House, lead us on a trip through Oregon as she and/or hazardous. Participation is Avery Park, Corvallis. For directions describes some of IAE’s work studying at your own risk. Be prepared to or information contact Matt Blakeley- and reintroducing rare and endangered sign a release form indicating this. Smith at 541-231-9861 or mattbs@ species, including Willamette daisy For a sample copy check out the peak.org and Kincaid’s lupine in the Willamette NPSO website. Please contact the Valley, Errter’s senecio in Leslie Gulch, trip leader or chapter representative March 15, Saturday, 9 am Cook’s lomatium in the Illinois Valley about difficulty, distance, and terrain Field Trip: Silver Falls State Park. and pink sandverbena on the coast. to be expected on field trips. Dogs Rob Weiss will lead a 3–4 mile hike IAE, a non-profit organization located are not allowed. All NPSO field trips around North and Winter Falls to ob- in Corvallis, has been conducting natu- are open to the public at no charge serve bryophytes, lichens and some of ral resource conservation, research, and (other than contribution to carpool the early flowering plants in the area. education since 2000. Carnegie Room, driver) and newcomers and visitors Bring raingear, lunch and hand lens. McMinnville Library, 225 NW Adams are always welcome. National For- Meet at the Wilkinson Hall parking lot Street. ests require a Northwest Forest Pass SW of The Beanery, 26th and Monroe, for some field trip locations. Permits Corvallis. For more info contact Rob April 24, Thursday, 7 pm can be acquired at forest headquar- at 541-752-1362. Other chapters are Program: The Flora of King’s ters and ranger districts. welcome to meet us at the North Falls Mountain. Jake Hurlbert has been Parking area at 10:30 am, but please documenting an ecological study of NOTICE TO FIELD TRIP notify us so we know to look for you! a temperate rainforest about 50 miles CHAIRS AND LEADERS NW of McMinnville near Elk Creek The Forest Service and other agen- Campground for the past year. The cies have set policies limiting group Emerald study takes place between 600' and size in many wilderness areas to 12. 3200' over a 2.5 mile climb on the March 17, Monday, 7:30 pm The reason is to limit human im- slopes of King’s Mountain. It is an area pacts on these fragile areas. Groups Meeting: Inside Trees—A Look at that receives between 100 and 200 using wilderness areas should be no Rare and Beautiful Woods from inches of rainfall per year. This study larger than 12. Around the World. Alan Curtis, a explains the relationships between au- retired forester/botanist for BLM, has

March 2008 25 been collecting wood for over 50 years, Institute outreach Coordinator, Cece successfully, including how to germi- and has sent over 1000 specimens to Bowerman for a presentation that will nate their seeds and root their cuttings. universities for their studies. He also highlight the intriguing characteristics The Board Room, Building 1, Colum- supplies specimens to collectors around of this region. After a short film Cece bia Gorge Community College, The the world. He has gathered most of will share slides of unique flora and Dalles. Please Note New Location these woods through travels here in the fauna. EWEB Training Room at 500 and Time. USA and abroad. He will bring some East 4th Avenue, Eugene. Call 541- of his most beautiful specimens for 746-9478. April 20, Sunday, 10 am–4 pm viewing. EWEB Training Room, 500 Event: Wildflower Show. The Mid- East 4th Avenue, Eugene. For more Columbia Chapter presents the An- information call 541-746-9478. High Desert nual Wildflower Show at the American For information on the High Desert Legion Hall in Mosier. April 19, Saturday, 9 am Chapter, call Berta Youtie at Field Trip: New City Park Area. The 541-447-8166. City of Eugene has acquired new par- North Coast cels of land in the south hills to create For information on the North Coast a corridor of natural areas extending Klamath Basin Chapter call Vivian Starbuck at west to Willow Creek. We will visit one For information on the Klamath Basin 503-377-4141. of the new properties to study native Chapter, contact Sarah Malaby, 541- plant communities. Wear hiking shoes. 884-5703, [email protected]. Bring water and snacks. Meet at 9 am Portland at South Eugene High School. Call The semi-official e-mail newsletter of the 541-345-5531. Mid-Columbia Portland Chapter is The Calochortus. April 21, Monday, 7:30 pm March 13, Thursday, 7 pm If you are not receiving it and would like to, send an e-mail to Don Jacobson at: Meeting: Exploring the Klamath- Meeting: Western Penstemons. [email protected] Siskiyou Bioregion. The area is known Ginny Maffit will show us penstemons for convoluted geology and astounding from across the West and explain March 13, Thursday, 7 pm biodiversity. Please join Siskiyou Field how to identify them and grow them Meeting: Anza Borrego State Park. Paul Slichter will present a program on Anza Borrego State Park in southern California, the largest state park in NPSO Items for Sale California and a fabulous place to see NPSO Membership Directory lists names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail the desert in bloom. Paul is an excellent address of NPSO members (April 2007). Available from Jan Dobak, 2584 NW Savier photographer. Check out his Pacific St., Portland OR 97210. $3 postpaid. Northwest Flower Menu at http://ghs. gresham.k12.or.us/science/ps/nature/ Vascular Plants of Lane County, Oregon: An Annotated Checklist. Emerald Chap- pnwmenu.htm. Mt. Tabor Presbyterian ter, NPSO. More than 1,740 species and varieties representing 39% of the 4,460 Church on SE Belmont Street at SE plants currently recognized by the Oregon Flora Project are listed with information 54th Avenue. Enter the church parking on habitat, ecoregion, occurrence frequency, and native or non-native origin for lot from SE 54th Avenue. every species. To order, send $15 payable to Emerald Chapter, NPSO to Lane County Checklist, Emerald Chapter, NPSO, PO Box 902, Eugene, OR 97440-0902. March 15, Saturday, 8:30 am Louis F. Henderson (1853-1942): The Grand Old Man of Northwest Botany by Field Trip: Catherine Creek. The pre- Rhoda M. Love. NPSO’s second Occasional Paper is the only existing publication with miere early flower spot in the Gorge, detailed coverage of the long and fascinating life of this John Muir-like western with Olsynium douglasii in profusion, character. Included: 56 pictures, 133 notes, chronology, list of plants named for Fritillaria pudica, Lithophragma glabra, Henderson. Fourth printing, February, 2004. Nearly sold out, now reduced to several Lomatiums, and many others. $8.00 per copy. To order, send check for the appropriate amount (made payable Leave at 8:30 am, Gateway/NE 99th to NPSO) to: Occasional Papers, NPSO, PO Box 902, Eugene, OR 97440-0902. Ave Park and Ride, southeast corner of parking lot. Or meet at Catherine “Land of Umpqua” T-Shirt featured at the 2005 Annual Meeting is still available. It Creek at 10 am. 120 miles round-trip depicts the delightful Calochortus umpquaensis illustrated by Dorothy Schattenkerk drive; easy walking 3 to 4 miles, with and in cream, purple, yellow, and green. The shirts are $16 plus $5 shipping and 500 ft. elevation gain. Call Jan and come in light gray, beige, pink or light blue in sizes M, L, and XL. To order call Dave Dobak at 503-248-9242 for Ron Hatt at 541-863-7024. more information.

26 NPSO Bulletin March 29, Saturday, 8:30 am Umpqua Valley at the Straub Environmental Learn- Field Trip: Eastern Columbia River ing Center, 1320 A St. NE, next to Gorge. The early season bloom should March 1, Saturday, 8:30 pm Olinger Pool, near North Salem High. The March 29 field trip to the Santiam be well underway in the eastern Gorge. Field Trip: Beatty Creek RNA. The Come search for early bloomers be- State Forest area is limited to 20 per- flowers were just starting to bloom sons; details will be announced during tween Hood River and US 97. We at this time last year. Beatty Creek, should see yellow bells, daggerpods, the first class. The program costs $5 tucked away on the north slope of Cow and is open to the public. It is co-spon- shooting stars, milk-vetch, a wealth of Creek, is a wonderful place to view desert parsleys and perhaps even some sored by the Friends of Straub Envi- many different saxifrages. We will try ronmental Learning Center and the early balsamroots and lupines! 200 to see them all this year. Meet in the highway miles round-trip. Car stops Willamette Valley Chapter. To register, NE corner of the parking lot behind please call 503-391-4145. with short walks. Contact Paul Slichter the Douglas County Courthouse, west at [email protected] or 503-661- of Fowler Rd, between Hwy. 138 and 3292. Douglas Ave in Roseburg. Or, you can meet us at the Tri City McDonalds, William Cusick Exit 103 at 9 am to carpool or caravan. March 20, Thursday, 7 pm Siskiyou For information call Sam Friedman at Meeting: Speaker to be determined. 541-673-0589. SOU Herbarium Public Hours LaGrande Public Library. The SOU Herbarium will be open April 24, Thursday, 7 pm from 7–7:30 pm immediately preced- Willamette Valley ing the NPSO meetings on the third Meeting: Speaker to be determined. Thursday of each month. The Her- March 6, Thursday, 7–8:30 pm Baker County Library, 2400 Resort barium is located in the SOU Science March 8, Saturday, TBA Street, Baker City. Building, Room 206. Call Connie at Class: Backyard Insects. Learn about 541-488-0368 for in-formation or to the insects inhabiting your backyard in schedule another time. this two-part class. Dr. Andrew Mold- enke, Professor Emeritus at Oregon March 20, Thursday, 7:30 pm State University, will provide a basic in- Meeting: The Exquisite Orchids troduction to entomology—the study of Oregon. Charlene Simpson will of insects. Class members will learn touch on the economic importance of about the biology and classification of orchids world-wide and discuss their insects and learn to identify some of diverse morphology, habitat prefer- the more common backyard insects. ences, and reproductive strategies. She More information on the March 8 will explore the high cost of pollinator program will be announced during specialization and obligate mycorrhizal the first class, which will be held at associations. Charlene will illustrate her the Straub Environmental Learn- program with stunning images of Or- ing Center, 1320 A St. NE, next to egon orchids, drawn from her 30-year Olinger Pool, near North Salem High. archive of native plant photographs. The class costs $5 and is open to the Her photographs are displayed at the public. The program, part of the Ama- Mt. Pisgah Arboretum Spring Festival teur Naturalist Series, is sponsored by and have been reproduced in several the Friends of Straub Environmental rare plant guides. Charlene is a fellow Learning Center. To register, please call of the NPSO and a founding member 503-391-4145. of the Emerald Chapter. Her specialty is Lane County’s native plants, and she March 27, Thursday, 7–8:30 pm is the coordinator of the Lane County March 29, Saturday, 9 am–12 pm Vascular Plant Checklist Project. She Program: Mushroom Identifica- harve y volunteers for the Oregon Flora Project tion. Jon Mayer, Oregon Department a an y as an Oregon Atlas Project Leader and of Forestry, will provide a general T Regional Coordinator. Room 171 of overview of common mushrooms Hot rock penstemon (Penstemon deustus) is a the SOU Science Building, Ashland. and explain how to identify and find handsome cream-colored species found in hot, For more information, contact Alex edible mushrooms in this two-part dry sites. To learn more about penstemons, go Maksymowicz, 541-482-1964. class. The March 27 class will be held to Mid-Columbia chapter’s March meeting.

March 2008 27 Ot h e r Ev e n t s

Plant ID Class Eugene Natural Wildflower Class History Society Identification of Plants in the Field Wildflower Field Class for Begin- April 2–May 21, Weds., 4-7 pm All lectures are held at 7:30 pm in room ners and Advanced Beginners Lane Community College, Eugene 100, Willamette Hall on the University April 13, Sunday, 8am–4pm This class, taught by Marcia Cutler of Oregon campus. They are free and NPSO member Don Jacobson will of Emerald Chapter, focuses on plant the general public is warmly invited to teach this class that will focus on learn- ID and keying. We spend all our time attend. For more information, please ing how to identify flowers but also in the field, meeting at various parks call David Wagner at 541-344-3327. on identifying individual flowers with and natural areas within 20 miles of both common and scientific names. A Eugene-Springfield. Subjects we’ll cover Following in the Footsteps of brief overview of the history and signif- include plant families, terminology, Darwin: Walking Through icance of scientific names will be given. keying to a specific plant (using Gilkey Patagonia Today Plant keys, ecology and conservation and Dennis’s Handbook of Northwestern March 21, Friday, 7:30 pm concepts will also be touched upon. A Plants), habitat, ecology, etc. Frank Lang, Professor Emeritus, Biol- list of references will be provided. The first class meets on the LCC ogy, Southern Oregon University The classroom will be the flower- main campus, probably in Building covered Memaloose Hills, near Hood 16, Room 206. (Check LCC catalog Natural History and Generic Ende- River. There will be moderate hiking, 4 or website for exact details.) For more mism of Hawaiian Flowering Plants to 6 miles with about 700' of elevation information on the class or to register, April 18, Friday, 7:30 pm gain. The pace will be slow with nu- see the LCC Spring 2008 Catalog or Gerald D. Carr, Affiliate Emeritus merous stops for identification. Spon- the LCC Website (www.lanecc.edu), Professor, Department of Botany and sored by the Audubon Society of Port- or contact Marcia Cutler at 541-687- Plant Pathology, O.S.U. land. Enrollment limited to 12. Cost is 2559 or [email protected]. $25 for non-members. Pre-registration required. For more information visit www.audubonportland.org or contact Steve Engel at sengel@audubonport- Explore Nature land.org or 971-222-6119. Nearby Nature Event with Kids Spring New Volunteer Orientation o you have a strong sense that March 12, Wednesday, 6:30–8 pm D kids need to spend more time out Love nature? Enjoy kids? Learn all in nature? Mount Pisgah Arboretum Mount Pisgah about leading school nature walks in nature guides take 1800 elementary Arboretum Events Alton Baker Park in Eugene this spring school students out into the woods as well as other Nearby Nature vol- every spring, sharing with them the 34901 Frank Parrish Rd. (I-5, exit 189 unteer opportunities. No experience wonders of nature and encouraging to Seavey Loop Rd.), southeast of Eu- needed—free training provided in early them to be good stewards of the earth. gene. For more information or to register April. Meet at the Tykeson Room at If you have a few hours a week to spare, call 541-747-1504 or visit www.efn. the Eugene Public Library. join the Arboretum’s team of volunteer org/~mtpisgah. Nearby Nature guides take small nature guides! Training begins Thurs- groups of K–5th graders on interactive day, April 3, at Morse Ranch Park, and Plant Dyes Workshop nature walks, sharing with them the includes everything you need to know March 30, Sunday, 1–4 pm wonders of everything from beavers to for leading a small group of K-5 grade Fiber artist Barbara Setsu Pickett shares butterflies, rocks to recycling. Using students on a nature hike: Local Natu- her approach to natural dyeing, using hands-on activities, nature games, and ral History, Outdoor Teaching Skills, low-impact methods mindful of water storytelling, guides help kids learn to Storytelling and Effective Group Man- and chemical use. Learn to dye fabric appreciate as well care for local natu- agement. No experience required. Na- and fibers using invasive plants and ral areas. Walks are held on weekday ture Guides are needed one morning debris from your garden. Barbara will mornings from late April through mid- per week, April 21–June 10. For more demonstrate dye techniques and lead a June. Questions? Call Nearby Nature information or an application, call the walk to identify natural dye sources in at 541-687-9699, e-mail info@nearby- Arboretum at 541-747-1504. fran- the landscape. Fee: $30. Call 541-747- nature.org, or see www.nearbynature. [email protected]. www.efn.org/~mtpisgah 1504 to sign up. org. 28 NPSO Bulletin One Good Deed Leads to Another Orchid by Lucy A. Dueck story I wrote for the August/ British friend Mike Parsons, and an- Ken and I began to realize that A September 2006 issue of the other from Veva’s friend Don Heller, we’d uncovered a new species through NPSO Bulletin (“Stalking the Ancient both collected in Curry County, OR. our molecular phylogeny project, but Asparagus, a.k.a. Spiranthes porrifolia”) The third sample, from Hope we hadn’t ‘met it in person’ ourselves. documented help received from local Stubbs who had read the NPSO article In the summer of 2007 though, anoth- plant enthusiasts Veva Stansell and Kay and attended the 2006 Native Orchid er orchidologist, Paul Martin Brown, Butler in my search for fresh samples Conference in Ashland, was different did meet the new species personally of this terrestrial orchid. I was after again, though. It did not match either in Yosemite National Park. Paul and I the fresh sample because an herbarium S. porrifolia, S. infernalis, or S. roman- were well acquainted from his sampling specimen of it collected in 1949 from zoffiana. In fact, the picture she sent participation in our project, and we ex- Curry County by William H. (not didn’t look like any of them either. But citedly shared the news of our findings T.) Baker yielded perplexing results it did look like a photograph in Ron (and mutual name choice). So we de- in my DNA study of the Spiranthes Coleman’s book, The Wild Orchids of cided to team up and combine a mor- ‘family tree’, at least at that time. The California (1995), in which he sug- phological and molecular description only two samples I could get of this gested it might be a hybrid between of this new orchid species, Spiranthes species then were old ones from Or- S. porrifolia and S. romanzoffiana. My stellata (starry ladies’-tresses). An ac- egon and southern California, so they collaborator, Dr. Ken Cameron of the count of the morphological description didn’t work for all gene regions tested. New York Botanical Garden (now at appears in this issue, and the entire But what did work was not S. por- the University of Wisconsin), and I article is easily accessed at: http://wiki. rifolia (creamy ladies’-tresses), or so it were again perplexed because it’s hard terrorchid.org/tow:journals in North seemed. The Oregon sample partially to make a case for anything based on American Native Orchid Journal 14(1): matched what I had already genotyped one sample—after all, it could just be 3-21. as S. infernalis (Ash Meadows ladies’- a fluke. As for the identity of the original tresses) from Nevada, and the San However, the article about Veva specimen collected by Baker in 1949 Diego specimen matched yet another and questionable identity of local Spi- from the Agness area, it groups with species, S. romanzoffiana (hooded ranthes sparked the curiosity of your Spiranthes porrifolia, re-identified by ladies’-tresses). Bulletin editor Tanya Harvey. She soon Dr. Charles Sheviak from Spiranthes Then fresh samples of what volun- sent me pictures of some of the same romanzoffiana on the herbarium sheet. teer collectors thought was Spiranthes unusual Spiranthes that Hope had pho- But that leaves another mystery— porrifolia slowly started trickling in. tographed, as well as more easily iden- why did it first group with the rareS. After Veva offered her recent USFS tifiableS. romanzoffiana and S. por- infernalis from Nevada? As seen from herbarium specimen from the Agness rifolia, so we arranged for her to collect the phylogenetic trees in Part II of the area, I continued south into California some samples, also from the Cascade article mentioned above, S. infernalis and did my own collecting. About the mountains of Oregon. Tanya’s samples is so closely related to S. porrifolia that same time, others heard of my plight turned out nearly identical to Hope’s in some gene regions we sequenced, it and began sending me samples. Two one sample. Several months later we re- could not be distinguished. were indeed S. porrifolia when com- ceived yet another sample of almost the The role of volunteer collectors has pared genetically with my new samples same genotype from the Sierra Nevada been crucial to our molecular phylog- and the entire genus—one from my mountains of California. eny project since its inception in 2002. Most of these collectors have been either regional book authors or avid Rock Garden Society Presentation enthusiasts of native orchids. We never would have been able to sample all the Climbing the ‘Grand Staircase’: Plants of Utah’s Grand Escalante Wilderness Spiranthes species across North America March 4, Tuesday, 7 pm, Eugene Garden Club, 1645 High St., Eugene ourselves. In this instance, the generous Join us for a look at the flora of Utah’s newest national monument. Truls Jensen volunteerism begun by Veva and con- and his wife Emma recently relocated from Utah to Beavercreek Oregon. Their tinued by Hope and Tanya provided us nursery, Wild Ginger Farms, specializes in alpine and trough plants, including such the opportunity to contribute molecu- hard-to-find rarities asCampanula rainieri, and they’ll bring a selection of their lar evidence, an important emerging treasures for sale at our meeting. Sponsored by the Emerald Chapter of the North feature type, to the description of this American Rock Garden Society. The meeting is free and open to the public. A new species. As collecting partners in trough planting demonstration, door prizes and refreshments follow. Call 541-484- our project, they too have helped solve 1284 with questions. these mysteries and advance science.

March 2008 29 Key to the Spiranthes of Northwestern North America (Calif., Ore., Wash., Alaska, B.C.)

1a lip distinctly panduriform; petals and sepals appressed and united to form a hood; lip abruptly descending; flowers white to pale cream ��S. romanzoffiana 1b lip not (strongly) panduriform; petals and sepals free at the tips and partially spreading �� 2

2a flowers tubular for most of their length with the apices of the petals and sepals spreading; cream to pale yellow ��S. porrifolia 2b flowers tubular not more than half of their length; white to pale cream �� 3

3a sepals and petals spreading and creating a star-like appearance, lip conduplicate �� S. stellata 3b sepals markedly incurved, lip not conduplicate �� S. diluvialis (c. Washington)

Traits Specific to Spiranthes stellata Single-ranked, loose to moderately spaced flowers—both S. porrifolia and S. a H arve y romanzoffiana (usually) are multiple-ranked and densely-flowered an y T Folded lip—both S. porrifolia and S. romanzoffiana have a moderately channeled Spiranthes stellata at Fish Creek Valley, lip, but neither are folded (conduplicate) Cascades of Douglas County Descending tuberous roots—both S. porrifolia and S. romanzoffiana have multiple Spiranthes stellata thickened tuberous roots that are generally horizontal in orientation continued from page 23 Non-stoloniferous—both S. porrifolia and S. romanzoffiana produce stolons and eventually new growth at the tips Spiranthes stellata P.M. Brown, L.A. Dueck & K.M. Cameron Flowers white, the nearly condu- 5–12 mm; the perianth resembling a the most notable feature is seen at first plicate oval lip tapered to the apex with star; lip oval but nearly conduplicate observation when the spikes of white, pale green or cream in the trough; the and appearing long and slender, the star-shaped flowers dot the meadows. apices of the petals and sepals slender, trough often suffused with light green The slender, pointed, wide-spreading acuminate and spreading. or pale yellow, 4.5–10.0 × 1.7–6.0 mm, sepals and lip on the loosely spaced in- Plants 15–45 cm tall; roots few, de- the base only slightly expanded, apex florescences give the flowers a star-like scending, tuberous, short and stout to tapering to a point, nearly glabrous or appearance. It is interesting to mention 3.0 x 1.5 cm; rachis sparingly glandular; with a few scattered glands; ovary green, that unbeknownst to each other, both leaves 4–6 persisting through anthesis, 5 mm, pedicle pale or often white. Brown and Dueck made this observa- basal or nearly so, ascending, petiolate, Seeds monoembryonic, chromosome tion and immediately selected stellata as lanceolate to oblanceolate, to 16 × 2 number n = 22 (preliminary). a species epithet should the new species cm; 3–4 slender sheathing stem bracts, California: Butte, Calaveras, El eventually be published. floral bracts acuminate ± equaling pe- Dorado, Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, Plants of Spiranthes stellata have rianth in length; spikes single ranked, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Tulare, and thick tuberous roots that descend rather usually loosely flowered, 5 flowers per Tuolumne counties. than spread horizontally and the bud cycle of spiral with flowers occupying Oregon: Douglas, Klamath, and for the next season is immediately ad- ca. (1 3 ) ¼ of the upper portion of the Lane counties. jacent to the current season’s growth. stem; rachis glabrous with very few ses- Alison Colwell (pers. comm.) noted sile glands. Flowers ascending, white to Although Spiranthes stellata may that, after most plants in the meadows pale ivory, tubular for ½– 2 3 the length; possess some of the characters of S. had senesced for the season (early Oc- sepals and petals sparsely glandular, romanzoffiana and S. porrifolia, such as tober) and there was no evidence of lateral petals and dorsal sepal connivent similar color and general flower form, other orchids, plants of S. stellata were above a gently descending lip (ca. 45°); it has many morphological features that easily seen by their sturdy brown fruit- sepals and petals linear to oblanceo- are unique and which clearly separate it ing stalks and the tiny green bud for the late, acute and spreading at the apex; well from either of those taxa. Perhaps next year’s growth. It is also important

30 NPSO Bulletin to note that in most Spiranthes species, in 2007. Spiranthes stellata has been References which are typically single-ranked and vouchered for 11 counties in California Coleman, R.A. 1995. The Wild Orchids loosely-flowered, inflorescences do occur and 3 counties in Oregon. The most of California. Comstock Publish- with crowded flowers that appear to be interesting specimen annotation is from ing Associates (Cornell University multiple-ranked. This characteristic, as Crater Lake National Park in 1929: Press), Ithaca, N.Y. & London. well as direction of the spiral, is variable “Spiranthes sp. nov.? lip ligulate, not from year to year on individual plants. constricted as wide at tip as elsewhere; Colwell, A., C.J. Sheviak, and P.E. nipples none; spike apparently one-sid- Moore. 2007. A new Platanthera Relationships of Spiranthes stellata ed, and 1-spiral. 12 August 1929 F. Lyle (Orchidaceae) from Yosemite Na- Coleman (1995) suggested that the Wynd 1651”. Most specimens identi- tional Park, California. Madrono then-unknown plants described here fied asS. stellata were originally labeled 54(1): 86-93. as Spiranthes stellata could be hybrids, as S. romanzoffiana or possible hybrids Sheviak, C.J. 1984. Spiranthes diluvialis as they had characters of both other but rarely as S. porrifolia. This is not (Orchidaceae) a new species from Spiranthes species in the region. When surprising as S. romanzoffiana is highly the western United States. Brittonia Spiranthes hybrids are found, they usu- variable morphologically throughout 36: 8-14. ally, as do most hybrids, occur with its range across North America and both parents nearby in a mixed popula- distinctive local populations have often ––– . 1989. A new species of Spiranthes tion. The distribution of S. romanzof- been noted, as well as plants with three (Orchidaceae) from Ash Meadows, fiana extends well away in all directions different ploidy levels – 2n = 44, 66, Nevada. Rhodora 91: 225-34. from the Sierra Nevada-Cascade rang- 88 (Sheviak & Brown, 2002). But in ––– . 1990. A new Spiranthes (Or- es, whereas S. porrifolia is more limited, all cases of these ‘races’, the plants are chidaceae) from the Cienegas of being found primarily in California easily identifiable toS. romanzoffiana by southernmost Arizona. Rhodora 92: with a few sites in Oregon, southern their prominently hooded flowers and 213-31. Washington and northwestern Nevada, pandurate lips and none have the dis- but their ranges do overlap. However, tinctive morphology of S. stellata. Sheviak, C.J. and P.M. Brown. 2002. except in one site in Yosemite National In at least five instances, herbarium Orchidaceae, Vol. 26, Spiranthes, Park, neither of the other two species specimens originally identified by oth- in Flora of North America north of is present with S. stellata at the sites ers as hybrids between S. romanzoffiana Mexico. Published on the Internet studied. Plants of S. stellata appear to and S. porrifolia have proven to be S. at: http://www.efloras.org/flora- prefer a typical bog or fen setting, such stellata. Hybridization and gene flow taxon.aspx?flora_ id=1&taxon_ as that of a wet Sphagnum meadow among these species may still represent id=131021. or fen abundant in forbs and several a real aspect of the biology of S. stellata, other orchid species, including in some but future biosystematic studies will be This article is an extraction from sites the recently described and locally necessary to reveal any possible com- Brown, P.M., L.A. Dueck and K.M. endemic Platanthera yosemitensis (Col- plexities in its breeding system. Such Cameron. 2008. Spiranthes stellata well et al., 2007). Although it would studies are already underway. S. Servick (Orchidaceae), a new species of ladies’- not be unreasonable for the other two of the University of Florida is currently tresses from the western United States. species to co-occur in the same habitat, working to determine the karyotype North American Native Orchid Journal S. porrifolia is much more frequent in of S. stellata. His preliminary findings 14(1): 3-21 which contains an extensive a seep/streamside environment in the (pers. comm.) indicate that the species section on the molecular evidence for interior and wet bluffs along the West is a diploid with a base chromosome the new species written by Dueck and Coast, while S. romanzoffiana, on the number of 22, not unlike its closest Cameron. The complete article is at other hand, grows in a wide variety of relatives. This does not eliminate the http://wiki.terrorchid.org/tow:journals damp to wet areas from open gravels possibility of hybridization or allopo- to mossy turfs and roadside ditches. lyploidy among the three sympatric Paul Martin Brown is the author of Spiranthes stellata is far more wide- species, with formation determined by numerous books on Orchids including spread and common in the meadows factors such as number of plants in a Wild Orchids of the Pacific Northwest of the Sierra Nevada than any other colony, proximity of alleged parents, and Canadian Rockies published by orchid in that region and often forms geographic location, pollinators, and University Press of Florida in 2006. dense, almost turf-like colonies. phenology. A sheet consisting of three You can contact him at: Several interesting facts were noted plants collected in 1882 by L.F. Hen- Florida Museum of Natural History in examining herbarium specimens derson near Falcon Prairie, Oregon (no University of Florida Herbarium from seventeen herbaria. The earliest county given) was annotated by C.J. Gainesville, FL 32611 collection was in 1890 (Chestnut and Sheviak as S. romanzoffiana, S. porrifo- 10896 SW 90th Terrace Drew) in Plumas Co. Calif. near Lake lia, and the third as a possible hybrid. Ocala, FL 34481 Tahoe. R. Lauri photographed plants The ‘hybrid’ bears no resemblance to e-mail: [email protected] of Spiranthes stellata in a similar area Spiranthes stellata.

March 2008 31 Highlights of the January 26 Quarterly NPSO State Board Meeting by Harold Zald, NPSO Secretary he Corvallis Chapter hosted the 2008. Look for information on Field statement should be available on the T January Board meeting at Oregon Research Grant requests for proposals NPSO website in the near future. State University. The board heard re- in future issues of the Bulletin or on the There should be a committee coming ports on activities from chapters and NPSO website. Rhoda Love provided together in the near future to craft a committees, in addition to focusing a detailed update on the status of Oc- long-term invasive and exotic vegeta- on numerous subjects: publication up- casional Paper # 3: Vile Weeds: Urban- tion management policy. dates, current membership numbers, izing Flora of Portland, Oregon 1875- Linda Hardison gave a brief update the NPSO draft budget, Field Research 2005, by John Christy, Angie Kimpo, on recent work of the Oregon Flora Grants, the Oregon Flora Project, and Vernon Marttala, Nancy Christy. The Project (OFP). The OFP Photo Gallery Invasive and Exotic Vegetation Man- board heard from the Budget Commit- should be released to public in March, agement. tee about the draft budget for 2008. while the plant checklist is very close New and renewal memberships Bruce Newhouse briefed the Board to being submitted for review. The are off to a slow start this year. The about the lack of an NPSO state-level OFP continues to search for additional combined Dec/Jan issue of the Bulletin policy regarding invasive and exotic funding sources to bolster its important could be a possible cause. For all of vegetation management. This discus- work. you that have not renewed your NPSO sion was brought about when the Lane The position of State Secretary and memberships, please use the renewal County roadside vegetation manage- two Director-at-Large positions will form in this issue of the Bulletin! The ment director asked the Emerald be open for election in June. Please see Emerald Chapter is making good Chapter to comment on a vegetation the information regarding the Secretary progress as hosts for this year’s annual management proposal. Realizing the position on p. 24 in this issue of the NPSO meeting in Eugene. The board need to act quickly while not com- Bulletin. The next Board meeting will decided to extend the deadline for two mitting to anything without adequate be held on April 5th at a yet-to-be- Field Research Grant awardees, Harold review, the Board voted to adopt an determined location. Zald and Tom Brokaw, till the end of interim policy statement. This policy

OPB = Oregon’s Public Botanists? by Linda Hardison, Oregon Flora Project Coordinator s a regular public radio listener, I follow Oregon Public Broadcasting’s fundraising A campaigns with interest. I find a number of similarities between public radio and the Oregon Flora Project: 1) a large portion of their budget depends upon donations from indivi duals; 2) many users mistakenly assume that state or federal dollars are automatically appor- tioned to their program; 3) the information they present often requires expertise to gather, assess, and produce; 4) their products are available to the general public free of charge. One great dif- ference I see between our organizations is public radio’s thrice-yearly, intensive fundraising cam- www.oregonflora.org paigns. Users are reminded hourly of the valuable service public radio provides, and of the good faith effort listeners are asked to show in supporting a service that is freely provided. The Oregon Flora Project does not conduct multiple inundating appeals, nor do we offer lavish incentive gifts. Virtually every cent we receive is used to pay salaries and disseminate our work to the public, at no cost to users. Without your donations, our staff will be reduced, and services curtailed—we simply will not have the resources to continue to operate. We are working hard to launch both the Photo Gallery and the Checklist for the public this year, while also developing our infrastructure and gathering data for writing the Flora. The progress we make on these efforts is limited by the staffing we are able to support. Now is an ideal time to do the right thing and financially support the Oregon Flora Project—a project that provides both personal satisfaction and contributes to society’s knowledge about our environment. Checks can be made out to NPSO (with “OFP” on the memo line) and mailed to: Friends of the Oregon Flora Project, P.O. Box 402, Corvallis, OR 97339-0402. Corporate and agency sponsors are urgently requested (we’ll display your logo to demonstrate your support), and volunteers are needed. Please contact me at 541-737-4338 or [email protected] for details.

32 NPSO Bulletin Na t i v e Pl a n t Soc i e t y o f Or e g on Me m b e r s h i p Fo r m

Name______DUES include monthly Bulletin and Kalmiopsis when published. Membership is for the calendar year. New memberships enrolled after Address______July 1 include the following year.

City— ———————————— State———— Zip+4——————— New Renewal Student – $12 Regular – $18 Family – $24 Phone — —————————— E-Mail — ———————————— Sustaining – $50 Patron – $100 Life Membership – $500 Chapter (if known)______Subscription Only (Bulletin and Kalmiopsis) – $18 Only for those who wish to subscribe, but do not want to have full membership status. Is this a change of address? If so, please write your old address here: CONTRIBUTIONS to NPSO are tax deductible. Address______Jean Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund $ ______City— ———————————— State———— Zip+4 Leighton Ho Memorial Field Botany Award Fund $ ______Rare and Endangered Plant Fund $ ______Please make checks for dues and contributions payable to: n a t i v e p l a n t s o c i e t y o f o r e g o n Friends of the Oregon Flora Project $ ______Send completed form and full remittance to: Membership in the Native Plant Society of Oregon is open to all. Clayton Gautier, NPSO Membership Chair Membership applications, renewals and changes of address (include old 3927 Shasta View St. address) should be sent to the Membership Chair. Changes of address Eugene, OR 97405-4442 may also be e-mailed to [email protected].

Of f i c e r s & Comm i t t e e Ch a i r s State officers Di r e c t o r s (to 6/2008)...... Les Gottlieb, Ron Hatt, Frances Stilwell (to 6/2009)...... Lori Kayes, Esther McEvoy, Dave Predeek Pr e s i d e n t ...... David Lebo ...... [email protected]; 503-622-3191 ext. 639 Im m e d i a t e Pa s t Pr e s i d e n t ...... Kelli Van Norman ...... [email protected]; 503-236-8787 Vi c e Pr e s i d e n t ...... Dan Luoma ...... 3740 NW Harrison, Corvallis, OR 97330; [email protected]; 541-752-8860 Se c r e t a r y ...... Harold Zald ...... Forest Science Dept., 321 Richardson Hall. OSU, Corvallis, OR 97331; [email protected] Tr e a s u r e r ...... Cyndi Dion ...... 897 Hillview Dr., Ashland, OR 97520-3517; [email protected]; 541-482-8603 Chapter Presidents Bl u e Mo u n t a i n (Pendleton) .... Jerry Baker ...... P.O. Box 662, Athena, OR 97813; [email protected]; 541-566-2244 Ch e a h m i l l ...... Marna Porath ...... PO Box 726, Amity, OR 97101; [email protected]; 503-835-1042 Co rva l l i s ...... Matt Blakeley-Smith ...... 812 SW 10th St., Corvallis, OR 97333; [email protected]; 541-231-9861 Em e r a l d (Eugene)...... David McClurg ...... 724 Crest Lane, Springfield, OR 97477-3601; [email protected]; 541-746-9478 Hi g h De s e r t (Bend)...... Berta Youtie ...... PO Box 606, Prineville, OR 97754; [email protected]; 541-447-8166 Kl a m a t h Ba s i n ...... Sarah Malaby...... [email protected]; 541-884-5703 Mid-Co l u m b i a ...... Hanna Metzger (secretary) ...... 204 Prospect Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; [email protected]; 541-386-3268 No r t h Co a s t ...... Janet Stahl...... 9780 Whiskey Creek Rd., Tillamook, OR 97141; [email protected]; 503-842-8708 Po r t l a n d ...... Dee White...... 3836 SE 49th, Portland OR 97206-3016; ; [email protected], 503-775-2909 Siskiyou...... Armand Rebischke ...... [email protected]; 541-482-2141 Um p q u a Va l l e y (Roseburg)...... Sam Friedman ...... 1330 Cedar Ridge Ct., Roseburg, OR 97470; [email protected]; 541-673-0589 Wi l l a m e t t e Va l l e y (Salem)...... John Savage ...... 1645 Church St SE, Salem, OR 97302-2908; [email protected]; 503-399-8615 Wm Cu s i c k (La Grande)...... Sandy Roth (contact)...... 1805 U Ave., La Grande, OR 97850; [email protected]; 541-983-7870 State Committee Chairs Bu d g e t s a n d Gr a n t s ...... Dan Luoma...... 3740 NW Harrison, Corvallis, OR 97330; 541-752-8860 Co n s e r v a t i o n , Ea s t Si d e ...... Position vacant Co n s e r v a t i o n , We s t Si d e ...... Al Johnson...... 2827 NE 14th Avenue, Portland 97212; [email protected]; 503-282-4597 Fr i e n d s o f OR Fl o r a Pr o j e c t . Linda Hardison...... 2082 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-2902; [email protected]; 541-737-4338 Legislative...... Les Helgeson ...... [email protected]; 503-398-5965 Me m b e r s h i p ...... Clayton Gautier...... 3927 Shasta View St, Eugene, OR 97405-4442; [email protected] Ra r e & En d a n g e r e d Pl a n t s .... Les Gottlieb...... 1085 Timberline Ter., Ashland, OR 97520-3436; [email protected] Publications Bu l l e t i n Ed i t o r ...... Tanya Harvey...... [email protected]; 541-937-1401 Kalmiopsis Ed i t o r ...... Cindy Roché...... P.O. Box 808, Talent, OR 97540; [email protected] We b m a s t e r ...... Norm Jensen...... [email protected]

March 2008 33 Send change of address notices and membership requests to: NonProfit ORG Native Plant Society of Oregon US Postage Clayton Gautier, Membership Chair Paid 3927 Shasta View St. Eugene, OR Eugene, OR 97405-4442 Permit No. 204

TIME DATED MAIL

Willamette Valley Chapter Offers 2008 NPSO Two Academic Scholarships Annual Meeting tudents, take note: The Willa only one award will be given to any S mette Valley Chapter will once one candidate. That means there will again be offering scholarship awards for be two recipients for the 2008–2009 Mark Your Calendars! 3rd year students who will be enrolling school year. Applications will be in plant systematics or plant ecology at accepted by mail until May 1, 2008. July 11–13 a State of Oregon college or university Applicants are required to submit for the 2008–2009 school year. The a statement of academic and career Jean Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund intent, two letters of reference from Hosted by will award $1,000 to the selected stu- persons able to judge the student’s abil- Emerald Chapter dent. In addition, a second scholarship ity to successfully complete study in award is available! Due to the gener- the area of plant systematics or plant Mt. Pisgah Arboretum ous bequest from the estate of Augusta ecology, and a full academic record Rockafellar, an additional student will (transcript). Eugene be awarded $1,000 from the Augusta Rockafellar Memorial Scholarship For more details please contact More Information in Fund. Thomas Jenkins The rules for both scholarships Scholarship Committee Chairman Next Bulletin! are identical, and therefore, only one 14380 Salt Creek Rd. application is necessary to be eligible Dallas, OR 97338 for either scholarship award. However, e-mail: [email protected]

34 NPSO Bulletin