Winter 2007 Kelseya

Volume 20 No. 2

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n Kelseya

n Newsletter of the Montana Native Plant Society

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s www.umt.edu/mnps/

l I MNPS CELEBRATES 20 YEARS!

To celebrate 20 years of MNPS and tributed elsewhere, but Kelseya is ter in Maine and Massachusetts be- this publication, we are reprinting found mainly in Montana. fore moving to Montana in 1885. the following two articles from early The genus Kelseya was named in Kelsey served as a minister in He- issues of the Kelseya. You will find honor of Francis Duncan Kelsey, who lena from 1885 to 1893. From 1887 to early newsletter mastheads sprin- first discovered the plant along the 1890, he was also a lecturer at the kled throughout this publication. Missouri River northeast of Helena in College of Montana in Deer Lodge. 1888. He was one of Montana’s first During that time, Kelsey studied the resident botanists. flora and collected nearly 500 fungi Kathy Ahlenslager Vol. 1 No. 2 Winter and 650 vascular plant specimens. elseya uniflora 1988 Twenty-three of the fungal speci- (Watson) Rydberg is an mens and 18 of the vascular plant intricatelyK branched, mat forming, specimens were nomenclatural types. partially evergreen shrub in the Rose He discovered at least five plant spe- family (Rosaceae). It has small red- cies that were new to science. These dish-purple flowers that are pro- include Kelsey’s milkvetch duced very early in the spring. Kel- (Astragalus atropubescens), small seya is most often found growing shooting star (Dodecatheon con- from cracks in limestone cliffs where jugens), kelseya (Kelseya uniflora), it forms mats that cover the cliff white-margined phlox (Phlox albo- faces like patches of thick, green marginata), and Kelsey’s phlox tapestry. (Phlox kelseyi). Most of these plants Kelseya is locally common in the he discovered within a few miles of mountains east of the Continental Helena. The majority of his collec- Divide, from the Little Belt Moun- tions were made in Lewis and Clark, tains near Great Falls and the Front Jefferson, and Powell Counties, but Range west of Augusta, south to the he also collected in Cascade, Deer Centennial Mountains and the Bear- Lodge, Gallatin, Granite, Madison, tooth Mountains on the southern bor- Park, Sweet Grass, and Yellowstone der of Montana. It is currently known Counties. Kelsey’s collecting and from Beaverhead, Big Horn, Broad- teaching of the local flora did much water, Carbon, Gallatin, Lewis and Our first newsletter, Fall 1987. to arouse interest in botany through- Clark, Meagher, and Teton Counties out the state. He directed the assem- in Montana. It also occurs in four bly of a collection of Montana plant counties in northwestern Wyoming specimens for display at the 1893 and two counties is south-central rancis Duncan Kelsey was World’s Fair. This collection is now Idaho. born in Indiana in 1849 housed at the herbarium at Montana Fand spent most of his early years in State University in Bozeman. The Kelseya is a monotypic genus, which means that this one species is Ohio. He received a Bachelor’s de- remainder of his collection so unique that it must be placed by gree from Marietta College in Ohio (eventually totaling over 6,000 speci- itself in a separate group. Almost all and attended Andover Theological mens) is at the herbarium of Miami species of plants in our state are in Seminary in Massachusetts, then University in Ohio. genera which are more widely dis- served as a Congregationalist minis- (Continued on page 9) Kelseya President’s Platform Susan Winslow

Happy New Year and Happy Anni- activities as detailed in the Kelseya There is a move afoot to change versary MNPS! May we all continue to winter 2006 issue. leadership of this committee. An support conservation toward healthy Membership: Membership was re- electronic update of the Source and sustainable environments. ported at 611, up from 537 in 2005. Guide for Native Plants of Montana The Montana Native Plant Society Multiple-member families actually will proceed as time allows. was organized and incorporated in bump the total up to over 800. My Elections: A small committee was set the fall of 1987. Over the past 20 how that 1987 register of 250 has up to secure nominations for the years, the Society has blossomed and grown! Note that it’s time to pay spring election of President, Treas- borne the fruits of dedication and dues, so when you get the renewal urer, and Western Director At-large. hard work. In looking back at old notice in the mail, please send in See page 3. newsletters, the underlying message your payment. Thanks! Awards: An important aspect of the is one of determination. The seeds of Newsletter: Should we go electronic summer meeting is the presentation diligence were sown and over time and e-distribute the newsletter? of a special award to a deserving sprouted into the spirited organiza- Some states do so to reduce mailing member, and once again, nomination we see today: self-governed, expenses. There are many issues as- tions are being accepted. If you fully functional, and highly moti- sociated with making a transition of have someone in mind, details can be vated. The core group faced signifi- that magnitude. If you have found on page 3. cant challenges that many of us cur- thoughts, I’m sure the editors would The Board of Directors meetings rently take for granted, such as a set like to hear them. are open to the general membership. of functional bylaws, a viable bank Webmaster: The webmaster position The next meeting is scheduled in He- account and annual operating is still in somewhat of a state of lena on March 3. There is a concern budget, productive committees and limbo. The board approved a small about a lack of chapter participation special projects, active chapters and annual stipend for maintaining the at the board meetings. Most re- field trips, and record-setting atten- website, so if anyone with html- cently, response to the request for dance at the annual meeting. We programming skills is interested, agenda items/activity reports was owe that pioneering bunch of enthu- please contact myself or Marilyn Mar- minimal, and overall attendance was siastic individuals a huge debt of ler. Thanks again to Marilyn for con- pretty low. On behalf of the entire gratitude, which can be expressed tinuing to update our site. board, I’m asking that each chapter with continued personal support and Small Grant Committee: Included in discuss the need for consistent repre- involvement at the Society’s local this issue is a call for the 2007 Small sentation at these meetings held only and state levels. In that regard, the Grant Program. Since 1996, Small three times a year. Remember the Board of Directors addressed at the Grants have played an integral role in abovementioned gambit about being fall meeting several areas of major stimulating research, appreciation, self-governed? Actions by a few do interest to the membership. and conservation of Montana’s native not constitute agreement by many. There is always a need to raise flora. Read more about this opportu- Thanks for your attention and have a money and we’re still looking for nity on page 4. Merry Winter! someone to spearhead fund-raising Landscape/Revegetation Committee:

Susan can be reached at P.O. Box 502, Bridger, MT 59014 406-668-9112 e-mail: [email protected] 2007 Annual Meeting

Scheduled WELCOME new members! MNPS Dues Increase

The Montana Native Plant Society Effective January 2007 there will be Mark your calendars now! The 2007 extends a warm welcome to the fol- a slight increase in MNPS dues. An MNPS annual meeting is June 29-July lowing new members: individual with chapter affiliation 1, 2007, at Georgetown Lake. The will be $20 and without affiliation Kelsey Chapter is busy with plans to Clark Fork Chapter: Mary Lawrence; will be $15. Other categories were make this event one not to be Flathead Chapter: Annie Lavoie, raised proportionately. The board missed. We have a camp rented right Frances Towl; Kelsey Chapter: Rich- was reluctant to raise the cost of on the lake and the event promises ard Davis; Maka Flora: Laura Senior. membership, but noted that costs to be loads of fun. There are lots of great hiking opportunities and sev- Your participation and support are have increased and dues have been eral Forest Service Research Natural important to us! Please contact your unchanged for a number of years. chapter representative with any Areas are close by. Wildflowers ideas or suggestions you may have. should be abundant! Plan ahead and we’ll see you then.

2 Kelseya Winter 2007 20 Years of Native Plant Conservation

MNPS is in a nearly unique position Winter 1988 to do conservation work. True or not, environmental organizations have been accused of stirring up contro- Wildflowers Photo Award Nominations versy in order to feather their own and Art Contest a Due by April 1st nests with contributions. MNPS is a completely volunteer organization, Huge Success!! The Montana Native Plant Society and partly because of this, is consid-

The Flathead Chapter hosted its presents two awards. The Out- ered an unbiased source of informa- first Photo and Art Contest this last standing Service Award is given no tion and ideas on conservation issues summer. The contest was promoted more than once a year to a member by natural resource agencies. Over as part of the national Celebrating of MNPS for service to the Society. the past 20 years MNPS (Flathead Wildflowers program and celebrated The award consists of a certificate Chapter) successfully petitioned for the beauty and diversity of native accompanied by an individualized the listing of two threatened plants plants in Montana. It encouraged kids gift. The Special Achievement under the Federal Endangered Spe- and adults of all skill levels to par- Award may be awarded to anyone, cies Act, water howellia and Spal- ticipate with the goal of enhancing member or not, whose work has con- ding’s catchfly. We developed plant the knowledge and appreciation of tributed to the mission and goals of collecting guidelines and distributed native plants through art. All 117 MNPS. The award consists of a cer- them to many schools throughout the entries were displayed at the Kalis- tificate and possibly a small gift. The state. We worked with the Montana pell Center Mall from August 27 awards will be presented at the an- Nursery and Landscape Association to through September 10, overlapping nual meeting of the Society. Any develop voluntary Guidelines for Se- with the Dahlia Show over Labor Day member may make a nomination and lecting Horticultural Plant Material weekend. We had entries from now is the time. The awards commit- for Montana; these guidelines are youngsters and adult professionals, tee must receive nominations no posted on the MNLA and MNPS web- from kindergarten classrooms and art later than April 1. Send your nomina- sites. We helped craft the state weed studio workshops, and from summer tions to Drake Barton at 314 Travis management plan, our weed subcom- hikers just capturing the floristic Creek Road, Clancy, MT 59634 mittee took the lead in producing the beauty that surrounded them. Associ- ([email protected]) or call 2002 Montana Noxious Weed Calen- ated pollinators were even captured Patrick Plantenberg at 431-4615. All dar that focused on native plants and in some of them! A few incredible nominations should include a written habitats, and we continue to serve photos of noxious weeds were also statement about the nominee’s con- on the noxious weed advisory com- submitted but were disqualified. tribution to MNPS and relate why the mittee. MNPS, along with Montana However, these were included in the nominee should receive an award. Audubon, lobbied for legislative display for educational purposes. A There are many people dedicated to changes to protect native grasslands. panel of judges had a fun but diffi- native plants in Montana who deserve This past year MNPS hosted the cult time voting on winners from the recognition. fourth Montana Plant Conservation many amazing entries. We did man- Conference in Helena and is working age to determine the top entries, with land management agencies to develop a list of threatened species. and prizes/ribbons were awarded to Call for MNPS Board of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places for six divi- In addition, we regularly comment on sions in both the photo and art cate- Directors Nominations public land management issues, such gories at an awards ceremony at the as old growth, research natural ar- Kalispell Center Mall. All prizes were The following positions are up for eas, energy development, weeds, donated by local merchants/artists. election: President, Treasurer, and and travel management. Local chap- Winners and selected entries (weed Western Director At-large. If you ters organize weed pulls and work to photos) were displayed at the Kalis- would like to nominate someone for educate the public on conservation pell County Library during October any of these positions, please con- issues pertaining to native plants. and November. We hope to continue tact Susan Winslow at: We’ve done a lot in the past 20 the success of our first year by doing [email protected] or Betty Kuropat years, and it looks like there will be it again this summer. Look for 2007 at: [email protected] or 406-892- plenty more to do in the future. contest and entry information in the 0129. The deadline for nominations is Peter Lesica spring issue of the Kelseya, or call February 15 and the ballot will be Linh Hoang at 758-5331 for details. included in the spring Kelseya. Linh Hoang

Kelseya Winter 2007 3 Available from MNPS

Available free from MNPS Publi- cations: MNPS membership brochures, Plant Collection Guidelines for Teachers brochures, and Echina- cea Cultivation Information. Also available are additional copies of Plants Collected in Montana During the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Please send a SASE to 1270 Lower Sweet Small Grant Program Specialist, was such a hit that a sec- Grass Road, Big Timber, MT 59011 to ond edition was published and dis- receive any of these publications. The Small Grant Program had its tributed to schools, counties, and Available from the Flathead Chap- genesis at the 1996 annual meeting other education outlets. The poster ter: a packet of information about when the Society discussed the value depicts desirable native grasses and gardening with Flathead Valley na- of awarding small grants to promote wildflowers found in Montana's open tive plants. The packet can be conservation and education of Mon- spaces; A hands-on native plant gar- mailed to you for $3.50. Contact tana’s native flora and decided to dening project, inspired by The Flag- Tara Carolin at 334 North Many Lakes form a committee chaired by Angie ship Program, Lisa Beczkiewicz, and Drive, Kalispell, MT 59901. Evenden of Missoula. The purpose of others, helped educate hundreds of Available from the Kelsey Chapter: the committee is to solicit and re- young kids in the K- 12 Conservation a packet of information on landscap- view small grant proposals and make Education Curriculum in Missoula; An ing with natives in the Helena area. a funding recommendation to the educational trunk, created by Carla The packet will be mailed to you for board. Once the project is underway Wambach of Helena, used a curricu- $3.50. Contact Kathy at 449-6586 or the committee chair tracks progress lum of Montana native plants inter- e-mail: [email protected]. to and reports accomplishments to the woven with the Lewis and Clark story order. Society at the annual meeting. Since to pique an interest and pleasure in Available from the Valley of Flow- starting the program, the Society has the subject of native plants. The ers Chapter: a booklet of information helped its members accomplish many trunk was distributed to schools, on landscaping with natives in the interesting conservation-minded pro- teachers, community groups, and Bozeman, Livingston, and Big Timber jects, some of which are described clubs across Montana; The society co- areas. The booklet will be mailed to below. sponsored an educational field work- you for $6.50. Contact Denise Mont- A native plant landscaping project shop on noxious weeds with Jami gomery at 586-0156 or e-mail: at Longfellow School completed by Belt and the Glacier Institute in [email protected] to th Linda Babcock and her 5 grade class northwest Montana. The workshop order. won a Bozeman Beautification award took place at Lone Pine State Park, Visit the MNPS website at in 2002; A research project con- which proved to be a good place to www.umt.edu/mnps to download in ducted by Tarn Ream at the Univer- learn about identifying and mapping pdf format Weeds Listed as Noxious sity of Montana investigated the im- weeds in the field and the positive by Montana Counties, a list of pacts of harvesting Trillium ovatum. benefits of preserving native plants weeds that are targeted by each Her findings will help inform guide- as a way to prevent noxious weed county; Guidelines for Selecting lines for conservation planning and invasion; An educational project with Horticultural Plant Material for sustainable use of the species; An Jan Metzmaker and the seventh and Montana, voluntary guidelines by educational garden was created by eight grade science classes at White- MNPS and the Montana Nursery and Janie Burns, Rene Kittle, and Dawn fish Central School observed Arbor Landscape Association; and Lewis & Thomas, Salish & Kootenai College’s Day by planting native shrubs and Clark Plants Collected Elsewhere Native Plant Nursery interns. The ground cover at the school. That Occur in Montana, an inclusive native plant garden was used to in- Funding for the Small Grant Pro- list of Lewis & Clark plants found in form visitors and environmental sci- gram comes from membership dues ence students about native plants; A and generous contributions made Missing Two Camp Chairs? restoration and demonstration native directly to the Society specifically for plant landscaping project led by this program. Members and Montana Did you leave two camp chairs at the Vicky Lawrence, volunteer with Libby residents are welcome to apply. For Native Plant Society annual meeting Revitalization, Inc., helped fix a more information, read the flyer in at Wall Creek in the Gravellys last problem area. The project was a suc- this newsletter or check http:// July? They are blue, and if you want cessful community partnership; An www.umt.edu/mnps/. Not quite 20 to retrieve them, give Beth Judy a educational poster titled The 10 Most years of accomplishments yet, but call in Missoula at 406-728-4711. Desired Native Plants prepared by we are well on our way! Marijka Wessner, Weed Education Cathie Jean

4 Kelseya Winter 2007 Prairie in John Toole Park in Missoula. Although we never had an official landscape column in the newsletter, many articles relating to native plant landscaping and revegetation have sprung up over the years. Not officially a landscape committee project, in 1997 we produced Publica- tions About Native Plants which included several references on landscaping with natives. In spring of 2001, I took the helm The Landscape and of the committee. I was thrilled to meeting in Glacier Park was Native help individual chapters produce de- Revegetation Committee Plant Landscaping and Restoration. tailed guides for using native plants … a growing legacy Keynote speaker Art Kruckeberg gave in landscaping. The Kelsey Chapter an enlightening talk entitled and Kathy Lloyd is to be commended As the present chair and long time ‘Gardening with Natives: from Rock for paving the way by writing the committee member, I decided to go Gardens to Habitat Restoration.’ first version for the Helena area. back in time to see just when and Panel discussions revolved around Subsequently, the Flathead and why we started a landscape/reveg Ethics in Native Plant Restoration, Bozeman areas produced versions for committee, what the committee ac- Backcountry Restoration, and Gar- their regions. These informative complished, and who was involved. dening with Natives. Jerry DeSanto booklets have detailed plant, refer- Because I am such a packrat, I actu- gave a very entertaining slide show ence, nursery, public garden, and ally have three notebooks of old Kel- on his own experiences with rock website lists specific to each region. seya newsletters. This greatly aided gardening. There were tours of the Montana is a big state, so we need my half-century-old memory. Glacier Park Native Plant Nursery. localized information. All of the Starting with the very first annual Appropriately, at that meeting, we booklets are available on our website meeting in 1988, a standing commit- hatched out the Native Plant Source (www.umt.edu/mnps). tee informally led by Shelly Engler of Guide and a Gardens and Gardeners Individual chapters have embraced Bozeman was formed. The role of list. We were starting to accomplish native plant landscaping at many lev- this committee was to address issues goals set at the formation of the els by conducting plant sales, volun- and concerns involving the use of committee. The first edition of the teering in native gardens, participat- plant species indigenous to Montana Source Guide for Native Plants of ing in revegetation efforts, and orga- in environments disturbed and cre- Montana was available in spring nizing workshops and native garden ated by man. Goals of the committee 1992. We went on to publish two tours. Clark Fork Chapter member were to educate both suppliers and more updated editions, in 1998 and Sheila Morrison authored a book on consumers of native plants about 2003. The Native Gardens and Gar- growing 150 natives from seed, which species are indigenous to our deners list came out in 1994. Special called The Magic of Montana Native region and to specific microclimates, thanks goes to Harvey Bjornlie for his Plants. Statewide, the MNPS Small what environmental and cultural re- dedication and countless hours of Grant Program has funded several quirements must be satisfied to grow computer time in producing all these native gardens in chapter regions. them successfully; and to develop a publications. To satisfy yet another goal of the source list of reputable growers of The work on guidelines to collect/ original founding flowers, a special native species. An ambitious begin- propagate native plants was dele- committee led by conservation chair- ning! gated to the Education Committee. man Peter Lesica teamed up with the At the second annual meeting more In 1993 official guidelines were in- Montana Nursery and Landscape As- goals were identified, such as the cluded in the spring Kelseya and sub- sociation to draft a series of volun- need for a landscape column in the sequent source guides. tary guidelines to help MNLA mem- newsletter, the need to monitor Mon- In the winter of 1995, Wayne Phil- bers choose plant materials safe for tana nurseries for propagation and lips took over chairmanship of the horticultural introduction. These sale of noxious weeds and potentially committee. Wayne was an integral guidelines were adopted by MNLA in weedy species, the ethics of propa- participant in native landscaping for 2003 and are posted on our website. gation/collection of native species, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Cen- We also worked with DNRC to update and a directory of existing native ter in Great Falls. We all know the their brochure Firewise Landscaping plant gardens in the state. Lisa Lar- enthusiasm that Wayne has brought for Woodland Homes with suitable sen was the temporary chair, fol- into our Society. In the spring of native plant species. lowed by Greg Hallsten as official 1996, John Pierce took a turn at it. I have probably left out something, chair. John is renowned for his native plant but in looking back, I realize that we The theme for the 1991 annual restoration at the Clark Fork Native (Continued on page 9)

Kelseya Winter 2007 5 classification of Rosaceae. In that classification, which will be published in a forthcoming issue of Plant Systematics and Evolution, we recognize three subfamilies, Rosoideae, Dryadoideae, and Spiraeoideae, and within the latter we recognize seven tribes, one of which is Spiraeeae as circumscribed in Table 1, although no material of the Korean genus Pen- tactina has been available for inclu- sion in any molecular phylogenetic Phylogenetic position A primary focus of research in my studies to date. of Kelseya based on lab at UC Davis over the last decade In 2002, we initiated a phyloge- has been the examination of phylogenetic study of Spiraeeae. We ob- molecular data netic relationships in Rosaceae, in- tained material of the genera listed Dan Potter and Shannon Still, De- cluding family-level studies and in- in Table 1, except Pentactina, from a depth analyses of particular genera variety of sources, including our own partment of Plant Sciences, Mail and groups of genera. The roughly Stop 2, University of California, field collections or those of col- 100 genera and 3,000 species in the leagues, accessions for botanical gar- One Shields Avenue, Davis, Cali- family have been classified in four dens and arboreta, and, in a few fornia, 95616, USA (as in Schulze-Menz’s 1964 widely cases, herbarium specimens. In Sep- used treatment) to 12 (in Takhtajan’s tember 2002, I traveled for several The genus Kelseya Rydb., name- 1997 treatment) subfamilies, many of days to southern Montana and north- sake of this newsletter, contains a which have been further subdivided ern Wyoming intending to collect single species, K. uniflora (Wats.) into tribes, or alternatively, in 17 material of Kelseya and Petrophyton. Rydb. Members of this species are tribes which are not grouped in sub- Although I was able to collect mate- cushion-forming shrublets with soli- families (as in Hutchinson’s 1964 rial from several populations of P. tary pink flowers; they are found on treatment). All of these classifica- caespitosum in the Bighorn Moun- limestone in restricted areas of the tions have recognized Tribe Spi- tains, Kelseya uniflora eluded me. mountains of Montana, Wyoming, and raeeae, with some variation in the Fortunately, shortly thereafter, Matt Idaho. Kelseya is a member of the number of genera included. Lavin put me in touch with Drake rose family, Rosaceae, and recent Beginning with a study of relation- Barton and Kathy Lloyd, who gener- taxonomic treatments of the family ships across Rosaceae based on se- ously provided some material from have included Kelseya within tribe quences of the chloroplast gene rbcL one of Drake’s collections from Trout Spiraeeae, along with the largest and by David Morgan and colleagues in Creek Canyon in Lewis and Clark type genus for the tribe, Spiraea L., 1994, molecular phylogenetic analy- County; that collection has repre- and several other small genera ses in several labs, including ours, sented the genus in the analyses de- (Table 1). Kelseya is one of three have suggested that none of the pre- scribed here. It was also at this time genera in the tribe found in moun- vious classifications of the family that I learned that the plant was the tainous areas of western North Amer- accurately reflects our understanding namesake for this newsletter. I ica that are characterized by re- of evolutionary relationships among therefore felt both excitement and duced growth habits; the other two the genera. For example, of Schulze- apprehension about adding this spe- are Luetkea and Petrophyton. In Menz’s four subfamilies, which were cies to our analyses; what if it turned 1890, Sereno Watson classified these defined primarily on the basis of fruit out that our results would suggest taxa in three sections, Eriogynia, types, only one, Maloideae, has been that K. uniflora should be transferred Kelseya, and Petrophytum of the ge- supported as monophyletic, and it is to Spiraea? nus Eriogynia Hook. The type species consistently nested within a large I am happy to report that is not of that genus, E. pectinata (Pursh) group consisting of lineages formerly what we found. Our phylogenetic Hook., however, was determined by classified in Spiraeoideae, Amygda- analyses of this group using chloro- Kuntze in 1891 to be synonymous loideae, and a few Rosoideae. plast trnL-trnF and nuclear rDNA ITS with the earlier-named Luetkea sib- Over the past several years, we produced phylogenetic trees, in baldioides Bongard; thus, the correct have collaborated with several other which the tribe is divided into two name for the taxon is Luetkea pecti- research groups in the U.S. and well supported clades, one including nata Kuntze. In 1900, P. A. Rydberg Europe to conduct analyses of phy- Aruncus, Luetkea, Holodiscus, and elevated Watson’s other two sections logenetic relationships across the Xerospiraea, the second including of Eriogynia to generic level (but families based on thorough taxo- Sibiraea, Kelseya, Petrophyton, and with a change in spelling in one nomic sampling and multiple genes, Spiraea. The results, which will be case), thereby recognizing the three with the goal of producing a new published in the same issue of Plant currently accepted genera. phylogenetically based infrafamilial (Continued on page 7)

6 Kelseya Winter 2007 ...Kelseya (Continued from page 6) in Spiraea, but relationships among ceeded in different directions, are Systematics and Evolution in which Kelseya, Petrophyton, Sibiraea, and suggested. Within Spiraea, none of the new classification of Rosaceae Spiraea are not well supported and Rehder’s sections, which he recog- will appear, support recognition of additional studies may reveal a sister nized based on inflorescence mor- all eight of these as distinct genera: relationship between Kelseya and phology, is supported as mono- Spiraea, from which we sampled 24 Petrophyton, as was found in the phyletic. species representing all three sec- multigene analysis of Rosaceae We intend to continue phylogenetic tions recognized by Rehder and the (which, however, was based on more analyses of this group, focusing on full geographic range of the genus, limited sampling within Spiraeeae). increasing our taxon sampling espe- was strongly supported as mono- Our results suggest that the com- cially within Spiraea, from which we phyletic, and none of the other gen- mon ancestor of Spiraeeae occurred sampled only 24 out of an estimated era were nested within it. in western North America, with inde- 50-80 species, and sampling other Our analyses support the separa- pendent migrations to the Old World genes in an effort to improve the tion of the three genera with re- occurring in Aruncus, Sibiraea, and weak support for resolution of rela- duced growth habits, Kelseya, Luet- Spiraea. The ancestral area for Spi- tionships among major clades of spe- kea, and Petrophyton, and suggest raea could not be reconstructed un- cies in our analyses. Based on the that evolution of a reduced growth equivocally based on our results, but results of phylogenetic analyses of habit has occurred at least twice a complex biogeographic history of such expanded data sets, a new in- within Spiraeeae, with one event the genus, involving multiple disper- frageneric classification for Spiraea producing trailing subshrubs in Luet- sal and/or vicariant events between should eventually be proposed. We kea, and at least one resulting in the the Old and New Worlds, and several also hope to obtain material of Pen- rosette-forming shrublets found in independent migrations between tactina to include in future studies. Petrophyton and Kelseya. Our analy- Europe, western/central Asia, and Finally, I hope, in the not too distant ses also suggest that the reduced eastern Asia, with the possibility that future, to be able to return to Mon- habit may have been secondarily lost the different events may have pro- tana and observe Kelseya in its natural habitat. Table 1. Characteristics of genera of Spiraeeae.

7 Kelseya Winter 2007 CALENDAR Please remember to leave pets Let's learn a little about Montana's orchids stairs. Everyone is welcome to the busi- at home during MNPS field trips. with Forest Service botanist James Riser. ness and working meetings. In addition to Rm. 303, Botany Bldg., UM Campus. organizing a Plant Identification Work- Artemisia chapter Thursday, February 8, 7:30 p.m. shop for our April meeting, we will again For a schedule of Artemisia Chapter Jetlag Joe Elliott has been spending a lot be organizing a plant photo and art con- events or to get your questions answered, of time overseas lately, practicing his test for the community that will be held please call Leslie at 445-9178. trade of plant ecology in exotic places. Be during the summer. Call Jen Asebrook at Thursday, January 11, 7:00 p.m. sure to be there when he tells us about one 863-9630 for information. Jolene Rieck, landscape architect with of them, “Agriculture in Ghana: From Wednesday, January 3 Peaks to Plains Design, will give a pres- Tropical Forest to Fields and Back A working meeting to plan our work- entation on landscape design at ZooMon- Again.” Rm. L09 Gallagher Business shop on Plant Family Identification that tana, Billings. Bldg., UM Campus. we are hosting in April. Learn about Thursday, February 8, 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 27, 7:30 p.m. these plant families as we put together Dr. Jennifer Lyman, professor of environ- Herbarium night. What do black currant, information. No official program. mental studies at Rocky Mountain Col- marijuana and the rare Spalding’s catchfly Wednesday, February 7 lege, will give a slide presentation on her have in common? Join botanist Peter Le- Join Janis Taylor for an interesting pro- recent trip to Costa Rica focusing on the sica to find out “Everything You Need to gram on “Land Cover Trends in Mon- botany and ornithology of that region at Know about Plant Glands.” This prom- tana.” ZooMontana, Billings. ises to be one of the most arcane presenta- Wednesday, March 7 Thursday, March 22, 7:00 p.m. tions we’ve ever had. Rm. 303, Botany “Native Plant Gardening Forum.” Bill Dr. Cathy Cripps, mycology professor at Bldg., UM Campus. McClaren, Joyce Lapp, and Terry Di- Montana State University, will give a Thursday, March 8, 7:30 p.m. voky will offer tips on how you can have presentation on edible mushroom identifi- Restoration is a growth industry in Mon- your very own native plant garden. cation at ZooMontana, Billings. tana’s national forests these days, and Wednesday, April 4 Thursday, April 12, 7:00 p.m. Cathy Stewart, fire ecologist for Region “Plant Family Identification Work- Sandy King, President of SMK Plants, One, has been in on the ground floor. She shop.” Join us for an interactive work- will give a tour of her micro-propagation plans to tell us about “Restoring Fire to shop to learn the differences between (tissue culture) lab and explain the proce- the Bitterroot Landscape.” Rm. L09 Gal- several common plant families. Lots of dures she uses to produce plantlets. The lagher Business Bldg., UM Campus. handouts, slides, and looking at plant program will be at 5477 Gene Sarazen Tuesday, March 27, 7:30 p.m. specimens. Drive, Billings. Herbarium work night. Members of Wednesday, May 2 Friends of the Herbarium and the Mon- Look for details on our first field trip of Calypso chapter tana Native Plant Society will dust and 2007. This will likely be an evening hike For further information, please e-mail decorate cabinets, label folders, and or- to see some spring wildflowers. Debbie Mueller at [email protected] ganize the teaching collections. Bring or call Catherine Cain at 406-832-3404. pictures of wildflowers from old calen- Kelsey chapter Thursday, January 18, 6:00 p.m. dars or what-have-you. Call Dave Dyer For more information about Kelsey Chap- Harold Johns will present "Flowers from (243-4743) if you plan to attend. Rm. ter programs and events, call Kathy at 449 the Lewis and Clark Era." Science Dept. 303, Botany Bldg., UM Campus. -6586. of Montana Tech. Thursday, April 12, 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 7, 6:00 p.m. Can you remember the names of those Join Wayne Phillips for an evening of Dr. Grant Mitman will present a program wildflowers? You haven’t seen them for “Grasses, Sedges, & Rushes.” The hands- on "Mushroom Cultivation." Science nearly a year. Get an early-season re- on event will focus on grass morphology Dept. of Montana Tech. fresher when Clark Fork Chapter photog- and ID. Helena Community Credit Union, raphers show slides of “Western Mon- 915 Kessler. Clark Fork Chapter tana’s Grassland Wildflowers.” Rm. L09 February and March Thursday, January 11, 7:30 p.m. Gallagher Business Bldg., UM Campus. Two hands-on study nights, one on Anten- These days there is a lot of controversy naria and one on Juncus, are in the plan- about the future of Carlton Ridge on Lolo Eastern Montana ning stages. Call Kathy for details. Peak, but did you know that botany is at For more information about Eastern Mon- the heart of it? Retired Forest Service tana events call Wayne Phillips at 453- Maka flora chapter ecologists Clint Carlson and Steve Arno 0648. For information about the Maka Flora have been doing research up there for Chapter or events call Rebecca Kallevig decades. Come and hear what they have Flathead chapter at 488-5455. to say about the “Botanical and Ecologi- Please note our new location and meeting cal Features of the Carlton Ridge Re- date. The Flathead Chapter meetings and Valley of flowers search Natural Area.” Rm. L09 Galla- programs meet on the first Wednesday of During the fall and winter, the Valley of gher Business Bldg., UM Campus. each month. Meetings begin at 5:30 p.m. Flowers Chapter meets on the second Tuesday, January 30, 7:30 p.m. and all programs begin at 7:00 p.m. We Tuesday of each month in Room 108 of Herbarium Night. “Chatterboxes and meet at the Flathead County Library in fairy slippers and twayblades...Oh my!” Kalispell in the Meeting Room down- (Continued on page 9)

8 Kelseya Winter 2007 ...Calendar (Continued from page 8) Society, and runs Plants Etc., a landscap- ...Landscaping (Continued from page 5) the AgbioScience Building at MSU. The ing business in Townsend that he started have really accomplished much good building is on South 11th, and parking is in Bozeman in 1981. Patrick started for native plant landscaping in 20 free in the evening in the lot north of the teaching edible wild plant classes while years. What’s next on the horizon? building. Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. For he was a student at MSU in the early We want to put the list of native more information contact Monica 1970's. He stresses the use of plants that plant nurseries and seed dealers on Pokorny at 763-4109. are easy to collect and use in today's soci- the website with detailed informa- Tuesday, January 9, 7:00 p.m. ety, focusing on introduced plants rather tion on the plants they carry, and Cathy Cripps, MSU Assistant Professor than natives. Most people don't realize update it regularly. Supporting and Department of Plant Sciences and Plant how many plants are out there that can be encouraging the propagation of na- Pathology, will present “Alpine Mush- used starting as early as April. Start en- tive plants has always been impor- rooms of the Beartooth Plateau and joying fresh vegetables early this year! tant to me as a landscape designer. Rocky Mountain Tundra.” The cold wind- We are currently running a series of swept alpine hardly seems like a place to Western Montana Kelseya articles on native plant grow- collect mushrooms, but a variety of cold- For information about activities in west- ers. The website is a great place to adapted fungi do indeed live above ern Montana, call Erich Pfalzer at 406- display photos of native plant gar- treeline. With only a 4-week fruiting sea- 827-4078. dens and nurseries throughout the son, the mushrooms are easy to miss. But state; the committee is looking for their roles as decomposers and nutrient images to include on a webpage. The gatherers for plants make them an impor- website can also provide links to tant part of the ecosystem. MSU mycolo- FireWorks more information specific to western gist Cathy Cripps is completing the first reclamation and revegetation. If you survey of alpine fungi in the Rocky FireWorks: a trunk of educational have ideas and energy for this com- Mountains (funded by the National Sci- materials and a curriculum for hands- mittee, please lend a hand. ence Foundation). She will present her on learning about wildland fire. A Linda Iverson findings in a colorful slide show of alpine FireWorks Master Class, 2.5 days in mushrooms in their natural habitats on the length, will be held in Missoula, Beartooth Plateau, and in Colorado on ...Kelsey (Continued from page 1) Wednesday-Friday, February 21-23. Francis Kelsey left Montana in 1893 Loveland and Independence Pass, and the To sign up or for more information, Jan Juan Mountains. to accept the first professorship of contact Autumn Yanzick at 406-829- botany at Oberlin College in Ohio. Tuesday, February 13, 7:00 p.m. 6894 ([email protected]). FireWorks Lynn Burton, Ecologist, U.S. Forest Ser- During that time he organized his master classes offer in-depth study herbarium and published a dozen vice will present “Wildflowers in Wild- of fire behavior and ecology, cover places.” The presentation will be a photo- professional papers, many of them most of the 36 activities in the cur- dealing with his Montana experi- graphic walk through high elevation wild- riculum, and prepare you to teach flowers and wildplaces of the northern ences. In 1897, he accepted a pastor- FireWorks in the classroom and in ate in Toledo, Ohio, and was a lec- Yellowstone Ecosystem, the Sawtooth workshops for teachers. Montana National Recreation Area, and the north- turer in botany at the Smead School O.P.I. credit and University credit for Girls until his death in 1905. east Oregon Hells Canyon National Rec- are available. reation and Eagle Cap Wilderness areas. Peter Lesica Vol. 1 No. 4 Summer Come join us for a walk on the wild side. 1988 Tuesday, March 13, 7:00 p.m. Cathie Jean, Program Manager, Greater ...Kelsey Chapter (Continued from page 10) Yellowstone Inventory & Monitoring Calypso Chapter Reflects web. Thanks to Janet Ellis and Mon- Network, will present “Recent vascular tana Audubon, the chapter worked plant inventories in Yellowstone NP and The Calypso Chapter continues to with Growing Friends of Helena to Bighorn Canyon NRA.” Over the last few offer enjoyable native plant educa- develop a planting policy that ex- years the NPS Inventory & Monitoring tional opportunities for anyone who cludes the use of Russian olive, Euro- program has conducted inventories to wants to participate. This includes pean buckthorn, and tamarisk, and document the presence of vascular plants field trips throughout southwestern mandates planting native species in the national park system. This presenta- Montana, interesting classroom pres- along waterways and in natural ar- tion will share discoveries and relate how entations, and fun potluck socials. eas. this information is used to understand Also, we have generated and partici- The chapter has held free public biological diversity. pated in regional reclamation and programs, events, classes, weed- Tuesday, April 10, 7:00 p.m. experimental native plant projects pulls, and hikes each year, expanded Patrick Plantenberg will present “Edible that contribute to the community its membership base, and generated Wild Plants Used in Montana Yesterday and region at large. We wish all interest in Montana’s native plants. and Today.” Patrick is a Reclamation members of MNPS joy and peace this Good work Kelsey Chapter; I’m sure Specialist with the Montana Department holiday season! the next 20 years will be even of Environmental Quality in Helena, is Catherine Cain better! Secretary of the Montana Native Plant Kathy Lloyd

Kelseya Winter 2007 9 and thick cushions of moss cover the rocks. We found out quickly that the moss isn’t anchored and slides easily on the wet rock when you step on it. It takes you down hard. We saw lots of death camas, larkspur, shooting stars, and many diminutive flowers including species of draba, tarweed, sandwort, and saxifrage. Later in June, Maria Mantas led a tour of Dancing Prairie Preserve north of Eureka. It was a nice, warm day and Maria had to push us along to Kelsey Chapter Looks Flathead Chapter get to the small stand of trees for a Backward & Forward Remembers Summer shady lunch spot. We saw lots of native prairie grasses and wildflowers, After 20 years, it is encouraging to As you enjoy the cold days and long as well as several weeds that The look through old records and realize nights of winter, I want to reminisce Nature Conservancy is trying to con- how much we have done, how much about our summer activities. The trol. But the highlight of the day was fun we have had, and how much Flathead Chapter hosted eight field finding Spalding’s catchfly (Silene richer our lives are because of our trips, and had several other events spaldingii) in bloom; we saw a least a love for Montana’s native flora. between May and September. Every hundred of them. This species is spe- It looks like folks in Helena were field trip had a good turn out with cial to the Flathead Chapter because active right from the beginning, with five to 20 people, many of them not we worked with the Conservation Steve Shelly presenting a program yet MNPS members. Committee to get it listed as called Rare Plants of Montana on Oc- The season started with a couple of “threatened” under the Endangered tober 29, 1987. The Kelsey Chapter events that have become annual tra- Species Act. was officially formed in February ditions. The chapter, along with Flat- In July, Linh Hoang organized a 1989, named after F.D. Kelsey who head National Forest botany employ- weed pull to help protect a site in first collected the Society’s mascot ees, presented lessons on native the Swan valley where the rare gum- plant. The Kelsey Chapter hosted the plants to more than 400 kids during nd weed, Grindelia howellia grows. This 2 annual meeting of the Society in Flathead Forestry Expo the second area had illegal (mud bogging) use by th May 1989, and again in 1999. And week of May. Each day classes of 5 off-road vehicles for several years don’t forget the annual meeting we graders moved through a series of before the Forest Service got it are hosting this year at Georgetown about eight outdoor learning stations fenced. Montana Conservation Corp Lake! The Kelsey Chapter has been that explored natural resource man- and volunteers pulled knapweed, ox- involved in many projects over the agement from fish and wildlife to eye daisy, and other pesky weeds. years. In 1989 a native garden was “leave no trace” recreation. The Then we visited the nearby nature planted on the capitol complex east Expo is sponsored by many agencies, trail that sports a beautiful interpre- of the Justice Building. Unfortu- businesses, and non-profits. Then, tive sign about water howellia nately, as I walk by the area, I see every Tuesday morning during May (Howellia aquatilis) that the MNPS few forbs, but there are still native and June, Anne Morley and Robin “howellia fund” helped pay for. shrubs in evidence. Ever since 1994, Magaddino of Audubon co-led walks Our finale, on August 5, was a hike, the chapter has educated and enter- along the Swan River in Bigfork— not a stroll, to Lake Mountain in the tained the public with a series of flowers and birds. Whitefish Range. The alpine flora newspaper articles about native Instead of our regular monthly was out in all its glory and the subal- plants; and since 1997 has partici- meeting in May, the Jens (Asebrook pine larch was just beginning to turn pated annually in a Celebrating Wild- and Hintz) led a short walk up the yellow. Rebecca Durham, the trip flowers event for school kids on Columbia Mountain trail. It was a leader, listed more 80 species. For Mount Helena. The chapter com- nice spring evening and about half some, the highlight was seeing the pleted a survey and collection of the crowd was out-of-state visitors. tiny Botrychium lunaria growing on nearly 300 vascular plants found on In true MNPS style, it took at least the edge of the rocky trail at the Mount Helena, mounted and labeled two hours to cover about a mile. very top of the mountain. The big- the specimens, and donated the col- On a rainy Saturday in June, 10 gest one was about an inch tall! lection, along with a custom cabinet, hardy hikers explored Johnson Ter- Remember and cherish those sum- to the Lewis and Clark Library. The race, an intriguing moss-covered mer field days: the smells, the views, collection is accessible on the li- rocky slope. The micro-sites there the plants, the friends. If you missed brary’s website, the first collection harbor strikingly different plants them last year, plan to join us next in Montana to be available via the within just a few feet of each other. summer. (Continued on page 9) Much of the area has little or no soil Betty Kuropat

10 Kelseya Winter 2007 MNPS Chapters & the Areas They Serve:

ARTEMISIA CHAPTER - Yellowstone and Carbon Counties; southeastern/south-central Montana CALYPSO CHAPTER - Beaverhead, Madison, Deer Lodge, and Silver Bow Counties; southwestern Montana CLARK FORK CHAPTER - Lake, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, and Ravalli Counties FLATHEAD CHAPTER - Flathead and Lake Counties plus Glacier National Park KELSEY CHAPTER - Lewis & Clark, Jefferson, and Broadwater Counties MAKA FLORA CHAPTER - Richland, Roosevelt, McCone, Sheridan, and Daniels Counties VALLEY OF FLOWERS CHAPTER - Gallatin, Park, and Sweet Grass Counties plus Yellowstone National Park

All MNPS chapters welcome members from areas other than those indicated. We’ve listed counties just to give you some idea of what part of the state is served by each chapter. Watch for meeting announcements in your local newspaper. Ten paid members are required for a chapter to be eligible for acceptance in MNPS.

Your mailing label tells you the following:

CHAPTER AFFILIATION: ART= Artemisia; CAL=Calypso; CF=Clark Fork; F=Flathead; K=Kelsey; MF= Maka Flora; VOF=Valley of Flowers DATE YOUR MEMBERSHIP EXPIRES: If your label reads “2/06” your membership expired February 28, 2006. Use this form to renew your membership TODAY! Please drop us a note if any information on your label is incorrect. Please notify us promptly of address changes.

Membership in Montana Native Plant Society is on a calendar-year basis, March 1 through the end of February of the following year. New-member applications processed before the end of October each year will expire the following February; those processed after November 1 will expire in February of the year after. Membership renewal notices are mailed to each member in January. Please renew your membership before the summer issue of Kelseya so your name is not dropped from our mailing list. Your continued support is crucial to the conservation of native plants in Montana. THANK YOU!

MONTANA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP

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MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Canadian subscribers please add $4.00 to Montana Native Plant Society cover mailing costs. Additional donations P.O. Box 8783 may be specified for a particular project Missoula, MT 59807-8783 or the general fund.

Kelseya Winter 2007 11

Montana Native Plant Society

The Montana Native Plant Society (MNPS) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit BOARD OF DIRECTORS corporation chartered for the purpose of preserving, conserving, and studying the native plants and plant communities of Montana, and edu- cating the public about the value of our native flora. Contributions to MNPS are tax deductible, and may be designated for a specific project President—Susan Winslow Bridger 668-9112 or chapter, for the Small Grants fund, or the general operating fund. Past-president—Betty Kuropat Col. Falls 892-0129 Your yearly membership fee includes a subscription to Kelseya, the Vice President—Dave Hanna Choteau 466-3661 quarterly newsletter of MNPS. We welcome your articles, field trip re- Secretary—Patrick Plantenberg Townsend 266-5265 ports, book reviews, or anything that relates to native plants or the Treasurer—Madeline Mazurski Missoula 542-0262 Society. Please include a line or two of “bio” information with each Newsletter Editors—Kathy Lloyd & Clancy 449-6586 article. Drawings should be in black ink or a good quality photocopy. All Drake Barton items should be typed, saved in Microsoft Word or rich text format (rtf) for a PC, and sent electronically to: [email protected] or mailed to Directors At-large Kelseya Editors, 314 Travis Creek Rd., Clancy, MT 59634. Eastern Montana—Wayne Phillips Great Falls 453-0648 Changes of address, inquires about membership, and general corre- Western Montana—Erich Pfalzer Trout Creek 827-4078 spondence should be sent to MNPS Membership, P.0. Box 8783, Missoula, MT 59807-8783. Chapter Representatives Advertising space is available in each issue at $5/column inch. Ads Artemisia Chapter—Leslie Marty Bridger 445-9178 must be camera-ready and must meet the guidelines set by the Board of Calypso Chapter—Sheila Thompson Deer Lodge 846-1855 Directors for suitable subject matter; that is, be related in some way to Clark Fork Chapter—Mike Young Missoula 721-7615 native plants or the interests of MNPS members. Flathead Chapter—Linh Hoang Kalispell 270-7533 The deadline for each issue is: Fall— September 10; Kelsey Chapter—Kathy Lloyd Clancy 449-6586 Winter— December 10; Spring— March 10; Summer— June 10. Maka Flora Chapter—Rebecca Kallevig Sidney 488-5455 Please send web items to our webmaster concurrent with these Valley of Flowers Chapter—Monica Pokorny Gallatin dates. Gateway 763-4109 If you want extra copies of Kelseya for friends or family, call the Newsletter Editors, write to the above address, or e-mail: Standing Committees [email protected] Conservation—Peter Lesica Missoula 728-8740 No part of this publication may be reprinted without the consent of Landscaping/Revegetation—Linda Iverson Big Timber 932-5840 MNPS. Reprint requests should be directed to the Newsletter Editors. Ennis 599-9614 Small Grants—Cathie Jean Missoula 327-7856 Visit our website at: www.umt.edu/mnps/ or contact Membership—Marijka Wessner our webmaster Marilyn Marler at: [email protected]

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Montana Native Plant Society Kelseya Editors 314 Travis Creek Road Clancy, MT 59634

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