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News Summer97

News Summer97

UNIVERSITY of OTANICAL B ARDEN G NEWSLETTER Volume 22, Number 3 Published by the UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BOTANICAL GARDEN at Berkeley Summer 1997

Notable New Zealanders (rimu), a graceful with drooping branches. (Photos by the author.) isitors to the Garden have noticed recent changes in the plantings in the former Australasian Area. At V one time, this area was dominated by Australian , but these suffered badly from the deep freezes of 1974 and 1990, as well as from the heavy soils and cool summers that many Australian plants do not tolerate. As a result, some of the gaps fortuitously created are being filled by native plants. These plants seem more tolerant of Garden conditions, and so far most of these are doing well, having survived the deep freeze of last January. Since visitors often complain about the lack of common names on our labels, newly installed New Zealand plant labels bear both English and Maori common names. New Zealand is separated from Australia by about 2400 Phyllocladus trichomanoides (tanekaha), a podocarp with miles of the Tasman Sea, an oceanic gap that is an important flattened photosynthetic biogeographic barrier. Geologically, biologically, and branches instead of . historically these two island complexes have less in common than one might suppose. While the New Zealand flora has strong ties with the Australian flora, it also shows a strong affinity to the flora of temperate . The Australasian Area is across the main loop road from the South American Area. Thus, it is possible to see New World fuchsias growing within a few feet of the peculiar treelike kotukutuku, F. excorticata, one of three of the genus Senecio compactus, an native to New Zealand. Its curious green to purple flowers evergreen with white- are borne on woody stems, presumably to facilitate pollina- edged leaves. tion by heavy-bodied honeyeaters, whereas New World fuchsias are pollinated by hummingbirds and bear their flowers held away from the stems and leaves. Likewise, New Zealand members of the southern beech genus Nothofagus have been planted within sight of Chilean species of this ancient Gondwanan genus. New Zealand is rich in , many of which are among the oldest specimens in this planting. The graceful rimu, Dacrydium cupressinum, with its slender pendulous Macropiper excelsum branches, was accessioned in 1956. Kahikatea, Dacrycarpus (kawakawa), a shrub or small (=Podocarpus) dacrydioides, likewise with drooping branches, whose dense foliage gives was acquired in 1961. Our oldest specimen of kauri, Agathis a tropical effect. australis, is a member of the araucaria family that was acquired in 1973. It is still fairly small, but has already produced cones. In nature this species may grow to over 150 feet tall with trunks up to 20 feet in diameter. The araucaria family currently is restricted to the southern hemisphere, suggesting it is a Gondwanan family, but it is known from Page 2 University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley extensive fossil remains in the northern hemisphere as well. reddish magenta. It is a parent of many garden hybrids with Kawaka, plumosa, of the cypress family is closely colored flowers. related to chilensis, planted in the South Ameri- Many New Zealand plants are grown for their foliage can Area, and our own incense cedar, decurrens, alone. These include New Zealand flax or harakeke, present in the California Area. All these species were at one Phormium tenax, a favorite of unadventuresome landscape time placed in Libocedrus, the name that was in use for incense designers, and cabbage tree or ti kauka, Cordyline australis, cedar when I first began learning plant names. Tanekaha, which at maturity resembles the Joshua of California Phyllocladus trichomanoides is a very curious tree. Unlike most deserts. More interesting, however, are lancewood or podocarps, it does not produce leaves but instead has divided horoeka, Pseudopanax crassifolium, which bears long pendant leaflike photosynthetic structures called phylloclades that lance-shaped leaves on an unbranched trunk when young, represent flattened branches. The English name for this tree, and shorter leaves on branched stems of older plants. Many celery pine, is a descriptive one alluding to these green other New Zealand have strikingly different juvenile flattened branches. and adult leaves; some biologists interpret this as an New Zealand plants are not noted for their colorful antiherbivore mechanism, with the unpalatable juvenile flowers, probably because the pollinator fauna of the islands leaves borne on younger, shorter plants, and adult palatable does not include many creatures with color vision. Thus, leaves borne above the reach of browsing moas. This hypoth- many New Zealand plants are grown for their foliage rather esis cannot be tested easily, since moas are extinct. than their flowers. Virtually all New Zealand shrubs and trees New Zealand’s Southern Alps are, next to the southern are evergreen, so they are ornamental throughout the year. Andes, the highest mountains in the temperate southern Some New Zealand sedges and grasses are well known in hemisphere. They support a varied array of alpine plants, cultivation, grown for their distinctively colored foliage. The many of which have been established in a small planting in shrub Senecio compactus has handsome evergreen leaves with the Australasian Area along with lower-elevation plants white wavy edges. Kawakawa, Macropiper excelsum, a dense suitable for a rock garden. Here one can find some striking shrub or small tree in the mostly tropical pepper family, has diminutive Hebes, such as H. decumbens, with its shiny, striking strongly nerved leaves that convey a tropical effect. purplish-black bark, the mat-like H. epacridea, and the bluish- However, a few New Zealand plants bear showy flowers. flowered H. pimelioides. Here also are young plants of the The beautiful pohutukawa belongs to one of five New curious golden spaniard, Aciphylla aurea, a member of the Zealand genera of the myrtle family, , which is parsley family with yellowish, sharp-pointed golden-bronze richly represented in Australia. It is , also leaves, and the fleshy-fruited Pimelea prostrata. A particular called Christmas tree in New Zealand because it produces its favorite of mine is scabweed, Scleranthus biflorus, which looks showy crimson flowers in December. Our young plants were very much like an mossy blob of green bread dough oozing singed by last January’s freeze, but the tree grows well as a over the ground. Before you reject this plant, take a look at it street tree in milder San Francisco, where it flowers in and see if you don’t agree that it has considerable merit. It’s summer. Particularly striking is the lily callistemon, biogeographically interesting, too, since this species also which produces a nearly horizontal inflorescence with occurs in Australia and southern South America. striking crimson flowers. This species is known from only a The New Zealand component of our Garden plantings is few tiny islands off the North Island of New Zealand. We also still under development and there are many species we have vigorous individuals of napuka, Hebe speciosa, a intend to acquire to make this collection truly representative rounded shrub with very showy flowers that are a rich of this distinctive and attractive island flora. —Robert Ornduff

Pseudopanax crassifolium (horoeka), showing Scleranthus biflorus (scabweed), a moss-like View of New Zealand plantings with a the long narrow toothed leaves of a juvenile plant. cushion plant suitable for the rockery. bronze-leaved sedge in the foreground. Summer 1997 Page 3

FROM THE DIRECTORS

s the Garden approaches the end of its first year of reporting to the Office of the Vice Chancellor A for Research, we continue to benefit from the strong support of the University. New positions have been created to restore a permanent Associate Director and create an Administrative Specialist position. A search is underway for a new Horticulture Manager to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Daniel Campbell. In a move to improve maintenance of our scientific collection of wild-collected plants, a new horticulturist will be hired later this Summer. Several horticulturist assistants have been hired as well. And a new horticulture intern program has begun. These vigorous steps are helping to ensure that the Botanical Garden’s unique collection receives the attention it deserves. Because the integrity and safety of our plant collection are paramount, we have begun working on replacing the Desert-Rainforest greenhouse. The deferred maintenance program on campus is working Fritillaria with us to finance and build a new structure based on our design. This is indeed welcome news. We recently learned that the chemical-storage facility across Centennial Drive from the main Garden entrance will be turned over to the Garden in September 1998. We Since January over $40,000 has been raised through have wonderful support from campus to help our use. entrance fees! These funds have directly gone into a The Garden recently was included in the campus’ fire number of educational and interpretive programs fuel reduction effort. including a series of new self-guided tours of the With the hiring of a assistant and new graduate Garden. Look for a revised Serpentine display brochure interns in the Garden’s Curatorial Office systematic and a new tour of the Herb Garden, as well as one vouchering of our priceless collection of plants will on Uses of Plants by California Native Americans. finally get under way. Under Holly Forbes’ leadership Docents have received computer training and are now the Museum Infomatics Project on campus has devel- producing prototype materials on our new computer oped specialized software that will allow the Garden to systems. They are producing myriad materials fully computerize our collection data and make it including interpretive signs and brochures as well as available on-line. We hope you have all visited our outstanding activities and materials for new “Today Web Page at http://www.mip.berkeley.edu/garden/. on the Terrace” workshops for families. At every turn Through this new avenue we can better serve efforts of the Garden’s fabulous volunteers can be seen. researchers and educators alike. Since January, over 8,000 volunteer hours have been Stop by the Garden of Economic Plants and visit the logged! And we know many more are spent outside of new exhibit on “Centers of Plant Domestication.” The the Garden. The Garden thrives because of this effort prototype exhibit will continue to be tested with our and helps us demonstrate to the University the value public during June to ensure the effectiveness of the placed on the Garden by the community. information. If you would like to participate in the The Garden truly is in a new era. Combined with testing of interpretive material in the Garden, please let the devotion, talents and commitment of our hundreds Jenny know. We always welcome help in soliciting of volunteers and our staff, the Garden is going places! visitors’ opinions. It is great fun as well as enlightening. Thank you all for helping make our collective dreams We have found out that a significant number of become our reality. visitors are in the Garden on Thursdays and holidays. —Ian Carmichael, Acting Director We have begun giving free docent-led tours on these —Jennifer White, Associate Director for Education days to better interpret the Garden for them. Page 4 University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley

THE DOCTOR SAYS

In a research program to determine flavor and Did you know there are approximately 1 million acceptability of pumpkin and similar pies, tests were identified species of insects but only about 5% are made using pumpkin, sweet potato, Cushaw winter classed as pests causing plant problems? Recent studies squash and various combinations including pumpkin have shown that approximately 10% of a plant’s leaves and squash, squash and sweet potato, and pumpkin can be chewed, discolored before it is recognized as and sweet potato with the mixes done in various having a pest problem. proportions of each. Ninety testers rated their flavor, texture and overall acceptability. Best was squash-sweet From England, there are new fruit trees called potato when the ratio was 50% of each. Next best was Minarettes. These are slender, single stem, upright trees the mixture of 25% squash-75% sweet potato. that have fruit spurs from top to base. They are grown on the most dwarfing of root stocks to keep them small, Did you ever hear of Rattail? It’s an heirloom radish and in fact, can be grown 2 feet apart. When mature, Raphanus sativus var. caudatus which grows 4 to 5 feet they are 6-8 feet tall. Presently available are 7 cultivars tall and produces many foot-long pods in about of apples, 2 of pears, 2 of plums and 1 cherry. 50 days. The pods can be added to stir fries and when sliced and salted can be substituted for beer nuts. Although various approaches to extending the vase life of flowers are continuing to be suggested, recently ‘Patriot’ is a new hybrid elm released by the USDA. one that combines several of the previously suggested Though its parents are European and Asian, the tree materials has been published. It consists of 1 cup of resembles the American elm, especially in its vase- regular 7-UpTM, 1 cup of water and 1/2 tsp. household shaped crown. It is resistant to the Dutch elm fungus bleach. (The question might be raised as to whether and to elm yellows, a virus disease of elms. other non-diet, non-caffeine soft drinks might work.) This should be changed every several days and more The city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, has adopted frequently if bouquets are mixed. an ordinance that bans the sale of commercially grown cypresses (), mulberries (Morus), elms (Ulmus), The FDA has approved the first ever food-specific (Juniperus, except female clones) and all pop- health claim. Whole grain oat cereals and oat-based lars except Populus fremontii var. wislizenii, P. tremuloides foods can advertise on the containers of qualifying and P. acuminata. Sycamores (Platanus) and ashes products the FDA endorsement that such foods help (Fraxinus spp.) have to be labelled, warning combat heart disease. of their possible allergenic properties. Some cities in ban sale of olives (Olea ‘Red Princess’ is reported as europea) and white mulberry the first red delphinium. It has (Morus alba). additional advantages in that it has high resistance to mildew and In the southeast, ‘Silver Queen’ the flowers have a two-week vase sweet corn has been the ruling life. It made its premier at the “monarch.” In a recent variety test International Flower Trade Show which included appearance, sweetness in Aalsmeer, Netherlands. and flavor, the top ranking variety was —Dr. Robert Raabe ‘Snow White’ (35), followed by ‘SnowBelle’ (25) and then by ‘Silver Queen’ (23). Summer 1997 Page 5

Champion Conifers

An article in a recent American Conifer Society (ACS) points). The champ Pygmy Cypress is also in California; Bulletin discusses champion conifers. A National Register that specimen is 142 feet tall. If that individual grows in the of Big Trees includes some conifers that, according to the Pygmy Forest it should be easy to spot. Six other champion article “will knock your socks off.” Number one champion cypress species grow in California, but the champ of these of course, is our own California Big Tree, otherwise champs is a Sargent Cypress (C. sargentii) that is only three known as Giant ( giganteum), which feet taller than the champ Pygmy Cypress. So much for the article claims is “believed to be the biggest tree in the common names. The champion Bigcone Spruce world.” That is, the biggest Big Tree is the biggest tree in (Pseudotsuga macrocarpa) and the champion California the world. Nutmeg (Torreya californica) are in California, not surpris- The Big Tree register is operated by American Forests ing since these two conifers grow naturally only here. in Washington, D.C. Individual specimens listed in the Two champion junipers grow in our state: California register must be “nominated” by someone. Specimens (Juniperus californica, at 137 points) and Western submitted for consideration are rated on a point system, Juniper (J. occidentalis, at 581 points). Brewer Spruce (Picea must be correctly identified, and relevant measurements breweriana), a strikingly beautiful endemic of northwestern 1 submitted. The last include circumference of the trunk 4 /2 California and southwestern Oregon, has its champion in feet above the ground (if the trunk is forked, additional California, a 176-foot tall tree with 391 points. If pulchri- regulations fall into place), the height of the tree (hints are tude counted, this species would rate more highly, but it given on how one can determine the height of very tall or doesn’t count. The champion Western Bristlecone Pine (Pinus distant trees), and average diameter of the crown. The longaeva), Foxtail Pine (P. balfouriana), Knobcone Pine (P. vital statistics are then subjected to a series of calculations attentuata), Bolander Pine (P. contorta ssp. bolanderi), Lodge- that result in a specific number of points awarded to that pole Pine (P. contorta ssp. murrayana), Singleleaf Pinyon Pine specimen. If more than one specimen of a species is (P. monophylla), Western White Pine (P. monticola), Bishop nominated, the one with the greatest number of points Pine (P. muricata), Jeffrey Pine (P. jeffreyi), Sugar Pine (P. makes the champion list, although close calls are consid- lambertiana), Parry Pinyon Pine (P. quadrifolia), Monterey Pine ered ties. Champion specimens of tree species that are (P. radiata), Gray or Foothill Pine (P. sabiniana), Torrey Pine (P. normally small will obviously have fewer points than torreyana), and Washoe Pine (P. washoensis) are all in Califor- those that are large. In the 1996/1997 champion listing, nia. There are two champion yellow pines (P. ponderosa), one champion has only 22 points. It is roughleaf one in Oregon (531 points) and one in California (527 velvetseed, otherwise known as Guettarda scabra in the points). Granted, several of the pines named above are madder family; this 8-foot behemoth resides on Totten endemic to California or nearly so; thus the champs should Key, Florida. At the other extreme is the champion Giant grow here. Some species, such as Western White Pine, Sequoia, with 1,300 points. Jeffrey Pine, and Lodgepole Pine occur widely outside the Not surprisingly, many of the champions grow in state, yet the champs of these are in California. This is also California. Although Giant Sequoia is not the tallest true of Incense Cedar (Calocedrus decurrens). conifer, it received its high score because of its combined If you wonder why the champion Bristlecone Fir (Abies height (275 ft.), trunk circumference (26+ ft.), and spread bracteata), endemic to the Santa Lucia Mountains, is not in (101 ft.) thus achieving 1300 points. Next is the champion California, the explanation is simple. There is no champion Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), which is taller (313 Bristlecone Fir—anywhere. There also is no champion ft) than the champion Giant Sequoia, but since it has a Santa Cruz Cypress (Cupressus abramsiana), a species smaller trunk circumference (22+ ft.) and spread (60 ft.); known only from the Santa Cruz Mountains, no champion it received only 1183 points. Gowen Cypress (C. goveniana ssp. goveniana), known only Some other California specimen conifers make the list. from the Monterey Peninsula, and no champion Coulter Pacific Silver Fir (Abies amabilis), is listed in the 1993 Jepson Pine (Pinus coulteri), which ranges from central California Manual as known from only two populations in California into . There are no champions of these (both in Siskiyou County), although it is a common forest species because no specimens of any of them were nomi- tree northward to British Columbia. It is a surprise, then, nated for the current register. If you want to do a good that the 180-foot-tall champ of this species grows in deed for one of these California conifers, and add another California (512 points) at the very southern end of its Californian to the List of Champions, write to the National range. But then, the tallest Coast Redwood grows at the Register of Big Trees, American Forests, P.O. Box 2000, northern end of the range of that species. Washington, D.C. 20013 or contact the California Depart- There are two champion Piute cypresses (Cupressus ment of Forestry and Fire Protection for information on the arizonica ssp. nevadensis), a tree also said by The Jepson nomination procedure. If no one else nominates a Coulter Manual to be rare in California. The two champs received Pine, any old tree you choose to measure on Mount Diablo scores of 166 and 168 points—not quite a tie, but too close should be the 1998/1999 champion. for the judges to call. Cuyamaca Cypress (C. arizonica ssp. —Robert Ornduff arizonica), also rare in California, has its champ here (144 Page 6 University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley

Research and the Botanical Garden

An important mission of the Botanical Garden is Baldwin, Lincoln Constance, Carla D’Antonio, Robert to foster biological research. Garden policy requires Ornduff), research staff (Donald Dod, Barbara Ertter), that wherever possible, plant acquisitions must be and graduate students (Terry O’Brien) at our campus. accompanied by field data on the origin of the plants. However, most of the research use of Garden plants As a result, our living collection has considerable involves filling requests sent in by researchers in scientific as well as horticultural merit. It represents many corners of the world. about 5 percent of the world’s known species of In recent years, the Garden has received requests vascular plants. The current holdings of the Garden for research material from researchers in over half the comprise more than 21,000 accessions representing states in this country (CA, OK, MO, VA, UT, TX, HI, 324 plant families. These living accessions represent OR, IL, AZ, MA, NM, CO, WA, MD, GA, DC, IN, FL, approximately 13,200 different species and subspecies GA, NC, NV, UT, OR. WI, LA, and FL). Requests also (2,885 genera), making it one of the largest and most have come from Canada and Mexico and from several diverse collections in the United States. countries overseas, including California native plants (ca. 4,000 Germany, Denmark, Italy, United accessions) occupy approximately Kingdom, Slovenia, Spain, France, one-third of the area and mostly are Australia, People’s Republic of China, grouped by plant communities. These it would be Philippines, Switzerland, Japan, include nearly one-half of the state’s “ Greece, Hungary, India, Russia, native species (accord- practically and Austria. ing to The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California) and 174 taxa on the impossible...to

California Native Plant Society’s list A Wide-Ranging Request List of rare and endangered species. Other duplicate these Requests include those for , outstanding collections in the native cuttings, rooted specimens, dried plant area include manzanitas materials for “ specimens, liquid preserved material, (Arctostaphylos spp.) with 81 taxa samples, leaves, and . (252 accessions), California-lilacs modern genetic We ask researchers to provide a brief (Ceanothus spp.) with 55 taxa description of their research projects (164 accessions), and an almost studies so we can gain an idea of the range of complete collection of California uses to which our plants are put. We bulbous monocots in the Lily and also ask that the contribution of the Amaryllis families (Fritillaria, Calochortus, Lilium, Garden to the research project be acknowledged in Erythronium, Allium, Brodiaea) with 118 taxa any publications and that copies of these publications (234 accessions). (mostly research papers) be sent to us for our files. The Garden is truly a botanical garden rather The diversity of uses to which our plants have than a horticultural display garden, even though been put is remarkably broad. One of the very active most of our visitors come to enjoy the plants for their contemporary areas of plant systematics is molecular esthetic values and not because of their scientific systematics, in which the molecular structures of merit. Garden collections are available to researchers genes are determined and then used to work out on campus and elsewhere in the world. Some relationships among plants. Most recent requests for research projects have been carried on within the plant materials fall into this area of research. But Garden, and the Garden also houses research other projects utilizing Garden plants include studies collections of several faculty (Herbert Baker, Bruce of the evolution of fatty acids in seeds, chromosome Summer 1997 Page 7

structure, plant embryology, ultrastructure, plant one of the two natural populations, from Garden- breeding, horticultural trials, potential for insect grown plants, and from another cultivated popula- repellents, flowering physiology, antibiotic proper- tion for detection of genetic contamination (from ties, seedling behavior, water stress, archaeology, crossing with another species) and levels of genetic paleobotany, pollination biology, metabolic variation among the plants in each sample. The pathways, conservation biology, architecture, results of his analysis will tell us if the cultivated protein analysis, natural products chemistry, seed populations are suitable for any proposed reintroduc- proteins, plant pathology, host-parasite relationships, tions of the species to appropriate natural habitats. and biogeography. Other active research projects include those of In April of this year, the Garden provided graduate students Sandra Floyd at the University of branches of two conifer species to Colorado, Boulder and Susanna the Institute of Economic Botany of Magallon at the University of the New York Botanical Garden, Chicago and the Field Museum in where they will be studied for their Chicago. Ms. Floyd’s project in- potential role in the treatment of volves the study of early endosperm cancer. On a more immediate level, and embryo formation. Ms. the Garden provided leaves, Magallon is performing a compara- branches, and flowers of medicinal tive study plants for the UC San Francisco of floral morphology of living and Mount Zion Medical Center for use fossil primitive plants. in workshops with cancer patients. They make impressions of the plants by pressing them into the An Irreplaceable Resource surface of clay tablets. These tablets Several years ago, Curator Jim will decorate a hallway leading to a Affolter estimated that filling the patient courtyard. request of a single typical researcher Washington State University at saved that individual many thou- Pullman graduate student Jason sands of dollars in travel expenses Koontz is studying phylogenetic and a few weeks of time if he had relationships within a section of the been forced to make the collections genus Delphinium (larkspur). The himself in the field. It took us Garden was able to provide him perhaps an hour or two of staff time with leaves from the Garden and to provide the desired material from wild population sites for other Delphinium luteum. our living collections. collections (with all the necessary A worker at the Smithsonian permits, of course!) for his research Institution investigating the evolu- program. Because of his interest in tionary history of the genus Lewisia this genus, we were able to persuade him to take on a wrote us that “it would be practically impossible...to Garden project that is part of our affiliation with the duplicate these materials for modern genetic Center for Plant Conservation. In collaboration with studies...it is crucial that such a resource be preserved the Department of Fish & Game and the California for research purposes...and I hope the Garden contin- Native Plant Society, we provided leaves of the ues to maintain its critical role in facilitating botanical endangered yellow larkspur (Delphinium luteum) from research.” —Robert Ornduff and Holly Forbes Page 8 University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley

BOOK REVIEWS

❧ A Book of Salvias, Salvias for Every Occasion. In her book Betsy provides information on well Betsy Clebsch; Drawings by Carol D. Barner; Timber over 103 salvias, more than gardeners can find in one Press, Portland, OR, 1997. 87 color photos, 9 color place elsewhere. Except in a few cases, which she paintings, 40 line drawings; useful lists; 264 pp, mentions, Betsy has grown every one of the plants she Hardcover. $29.95 describes. Her entries are arranged alphabetically by botanical name for easy reference. She gives common Betsy Clebsch’s many names when they are known. She describes leaves, friends in the San Fran- stems, flowers, colors, plant appearance, and cultivars, cisco Bay area, elsewhere and includes hardiness ratings and cultivation require- in California, and in the far ments. Her intimate knowledge and use of plants are so corners of the world have extensive that she easily is able to suggest companion been quietly waiting for plants which will look well with, and be culturally her book on salvias. Here compatible with, the salvias she tells us about. it is, and it’s a joyful In recent months, garden writers here and abroad occasion for everyone. have written about Betsy’s garden with admiration and It’s widely known that affection. This is the fifth garden she has made. The site Betsy has been growing is a grassy knoll protected from deer by two four foot salvias for more than fences five feet apart. It drops off steeply on one side twenty-five years, and that and is bordered on another by an oak grove. The garden when she first began is arranged simply, with winding paths. It contains a growing them she found rich diversity of plants at first seemingly familiar but on that many were misnamed closer inspection unusual in cultivation. Nearly all the or had incomplete or no information about their care and plants have been grown by Betsy from the seeds or cultivation. So Betsy began searching for information cuttings she has collected. Her book is much like her about the salvias she grew and other species she came in garden: a relaxed, quiet, gentle guide to the plants she contact with. When she traveled, she went to see salvias in loves and knows so well. their natural settings, and brought seeds home. She visited Betsy Clebsch will be giving a slide lecture at the botanical gardens and exchanged seeds and plants with Garden on June 29, 1997 from 2-4 pm in the Conference gardening friends. Her knowledge about salvias grew, Center. The title of her talk is “Salvia and Friends.” Her and pretty soon people were coming to her with questions new book will be available for purchase at that time, about them. Eventually, instead of answering these and she will be happy to sign it. questions one by one, she began to write her book.

Salvia carduacea Salvia discolor Salvia mexicana Summer 1997 Page 9

❧ Where On Earth, A Guide The best time to visit the California section of the to Specialty Nurseries and UC Botanical Garden is early spring, following the Other Resources for Califor- winter rains. Everything is fresh and lovely. The first nia Gardeners. Barbara early flowers of the California currant attract resident Stevens and Nancy Connor; hummingbirds. Gradually the section comes into 3rd edition, completely bloom. This small replica of the California flora is an updated and expanded; example of California as it has been for hundreds of Heyday Books, Berkeley, CA, years. This is a flora on which our California Indians 1997. Maps; nursery and mail depended for their existence. order nursery listings; schools, Heyday Books has reissued a 1980 study of the colleges, societies and clubs plants used by the Kashaya Pomo, who originally and other resources; plant lived along the Sonoma County coast in an area of, index; index; 389 pp. roughly, 300 square miles. Most of the plants they Paper. $12.95 used for tools, food and medicine are familiar to us in the San Francisco Bay area. Originally published by Not many of the first and the American Indian Studies Center at UCLA, the second editions of Where On book describes 168 plants that are arranged alphabeti- Earth, undertaken on behalf of the San Francisco Land- cally by their English common names. Botanical names scape Garden Show—as is this edition—are around to and Kashaya names are given too, as well as Kashaya compare to this. They have been thumbed, creased, bent uses of the plants. Members of the UC Botanical back, dropped, carried around and generally dog-eared Garden community will be interested to learn that the to pieces. This 3rd edition has come out when we need information about the Kashaya language is based on it most, and is reasonably-enough priced to let us feel the linguistic field work done by Dr. Robert Oswalt. we can afford to thumb, crease and dog-ear it all over During the course of his field work, Dr. Oswalt again. Organized by regions, nearly 300 specialty collected plant specimens for identification by univer- nurseries have been chosen, along with their addresses, sity botanists, and twice brought two Kashaya Pomo telephone numbers, business hours, plant specialties, to the Garden to identify plants in the California and directions on how to find them. E-mail and section. Dr. Oswalt is the husband of our Garden websites are given when they are known. A handy docent, Esther Oswalt. pocketbook, backpack or car glove compartment size. Those of us living in California have many This book is a reference no California gardener can do opportunities to view fine museum collections of without. Profits from the sale of this book benefit historic California Indian baskets. However, not many Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. of us are aware that there is a small, energetic group of California Indian basketweavers determined to keep their basketweaving traditions alive today. Linda Yamane is one, and she has spent many years learning ❧ Kashaya Pomo Plants. about the basketry of her Ohlone ancestors. In Weaving Jennie Goodrich, Claudia a California Tradition she writes about Carley Tex, an 11 Lawson and Vana Parrish year old Western Mono girl, who is learning to weave Lawson; Heyday Books, baskets in the way her ancestors did, using the same Berkeley, CA, 1980. Lin- plants they used. In her book, intended for young guistic diagrams; maps; readers, Linda describes Carly’s every day life at drawings; appendices; school and her family life at home observing tradi- index; 171 pp. Paper. tional Western Mono customs. $12.95 The Garden Gift Shop has other Lerner publica- tions for young readers in their series about Native ❧ Weaving a California American life today. Some of the titles are: Ininatig’s Tradition, A Native Gift of Sugar, by Laura W. Waterman; Four Seasons of American Basketmaker. Corn, A Winnebago Tradition, by Sally M. Hunter; and Linda Yamane. Photo- Sacred Harvest, by Gordon Regguinti. graphs by Dugan Aguilar; illustrations by Linda —Elly Bade Yamane; Lerner Publications Co., Minneapolis, MI, 1997. Word list; bibliography; 48 pp. Hardcover. $6.95 Page 10 University of California Botanical Garden at Berkeley

GARDEN NOTES

We said farewell to two long-time staff members in American Association of Botanical Gardens and March: Garden Manager Daniel Campbell took early Arboreta held in New York May 27th-31st. Curator retirement to pursue another career. Mr. Campbell was Robert Ornduff also attended, representing The Stanley manager for 17 years, during which time he facilitated Smith Horticultural Trust. many new developments in the Garden (see the Fall 1996 Newsletter for his staff profile). Administrative Assistant Toni Kafton also took early retirement. Special Item of Interest Mrs. Kafton was employed at the Garden for more than 15 years and worked elsewhere on campus prior After construction of the new serpentine plant to that. Best wishes to them both! display in the California Native Area of the Garden in 1992, the informational brochure developed for that The Entrance Kiosk was also fully staffed in March. display (now being revised) stated that “it promises to Please welcome Margaret Richardson, Marilyn be one of the world’s largest and finest garden displays Setterfield, and Candice Schott during your next visit of serpentine-adapted plants.” That language hedged to the Garden. They will each be working part-time a bit, since at the time we were not sure there were handling admissions and performing various clerical serpentine plantings in botanical gardens elsewhere. duties. Now we know there are at least two of them. In corresponding with University of Washington botanist Curator Robert Ornduff has been elected to a Arthur Kruckeberg (whose classic work on serpentine second term as Honorary Trustee of the Missouri endemism earned him a doctorate in Botany at Cal Botanical Garden. in the 1950s), Curator Robert Ornduff learned that Kruckeberg visited one of these gardens in the 1980s. The Garden received a grant of $12,800 from The He wrote, “It is the Makino Botanic Garden in the city Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust in support of of Kochi on the southern island of Shikoku. At the time interpretation of our Garden of Economic Plants. it had a nice little display of serpentine plants with These funds will be used to develop a prototype some magnificent ultramafic rocks (‘jamongon’ in educational kiosk to support changing information Japanese). The garden memorializes the Asa Gray of around the theme “centers of domestication”. Japanese botany, Tomitaro Makino. Other than UCBG, the Makino Garden is the only other one I know about The Propagation House was remodeled in March that features serpentine flora and rocks.” to create a “clean” room for computerization of the The second garden with a serpentine planting was horticultural records. brought to our attention by Integrative Biology gradu- ate student Mateo Rutherford, who has conducted field Acting Director Ian Carmichael spent a month work in Cuba. It is the Jardin Botánico Nacional de (February-March) in Mexico studying volcanoes, a Cuba in Havana, a 1500-acre botanical project he has been carrying out for twenty years. garden founded in 1968. Cuba has exten- sive serpentine outcrops and this Cuban The Spring Plant Sale April 25-26 was a wonderful garden has established a collection of success. Many unusual plants were available and were serpentine plants, with serpentine rock quickly snapped up by visitors to the sale. and soil brought in from elsewhere on the island. Horticulturist Martin Grantham taught a fern workshop for UC Santa Cruz Extension in April and for the Redding Arboretum in May. Martin also lectured for the Solano County Cooperative Extension’s Master Gardener’s program in April; and in June for the California Horticultural Society he spoke on the topic Distribution of serpentine of southern Chilean flora. in California

Associate Director Jennifer White, Assistant Curator Holly Forbes, and Acting Garden Manager Judith Finn attended the annual meeting of the Summer 1997 Page 11

New Members The Friends of the Botanical Garden welcome the following UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA new members. OTANICAL John Huddleston B Ingrid Barker and Ken Fullmer Laurie Sverdlove Goldman ARDEN Phyllis Calechman G Dolores Bishop Catherine Gallagher The Newsletter is published by the University of California Marvin Baron Botanical Garden with support from donations and memberships. Robert G. Fowler Articles may be reprinted with credit to the authors and the U.C. Botanical Garden. Deborah Kemp Deborah Braunecker Garden Staff Doug Cole Dr. Ian Carmichael, Acting Director Elise Brewster and Paul Smith, Jr. Dr. Jenny White, Associate Director for Education Nancy Swearengen, Education Coordinator Aurjoon K. Ghosh Elaine Meckenstock, Business Manager Paul Winnicki Margaret Richardson, Admissions Assistant Peri Danton and Ellen Felker Candace Schott, Admissions Assistant Elizabeth Keithley Marilyn Setterfield, Admissions Assistant Deborah Haynes-Stone Gerald Ford, Lead Building Maintenance Itaj Tavares Dr. Robert Ornduff, Curator Nancy and Edward Markell Holly Forbes, Assistant Curator Karin LeGault Penelope Bradshaw Judith Finn, Assistant Manager Carol Baker Dr. Robert Raabe, Garden Pathologist John Domzalski, Propagator Martin Grantham, Horticulturist Peter Klement, Horticulturist Lawrence Lee, Horticulturist Jerry Parsons, Horticulturist Roger Raiche, Horticulturist Eric Schulz, Horticulturist Elaine Sedlack, Horticulturist

Newsletter Robert Ornduff, Editor Holly Forbes, Assistant Editor Academic Arts, Production Printed by TechniPrint (510) 642-3343 The Garden Shop 643-2755 Entrance Kiosk 642-0849 Administration 643-8999 Director’s Office 642-3352 Education 643-8040 Plant Collections Fax: (510) 642-5045 E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.mip.berkeley.edu/garden/

Join Friends of the Botanical Garden or Give a Gift Membership Yes, I would like to support the U.C. Botanical Garden at Berkeley as a member: MEMBERSHIP The Friends of the Botanical Garden offers Student* ...... $10 Sponsor ...... $250 public education programs and provides Basic ...... $35 Patron ...... $500 independent funding to support the many Family/Dual ...... $50 Benefactor ...... $1000 needs of the Garden. You can enjoy and Supporting ...... $100 support the Botanical Garden year-round by New Renewal becoming a member of the Friends of the Name ______Botanical Garden. Address ______Membership benefits include: City/State/Zip ______• Newsletter • Workshops, lectures, and tours Telephone ______• Discount on Visitor Center purchases • Discount on educational classes This is a gift from ______. • Early admission to Spring Plant Sale My employer has a matching gifts program. I have enclosed the appropriate forms. • Discount on subscription to Contributions are tax deductible. Please make checks payable to UC Regents and Pacific Horticulture mail to: • Reciprocal admission to more than UC Botanical Garden, 200 Centennial Drive, Berkeley, CA 94720-5045 120 gardens nationwide *Full-time only. Calendar of Events

JUNE Two August Family Nights: Discovering Leaves/Discovering Borneo Trip Preview with Jerry Parsons Thurs, JUN 5 Flowers A natural history, wonderful slides and a good dose of wanderlust are featured in Jerry Parson’s preview of his upcoming Borneo trip. 7:15- Thurs, AUG 7: Leaves 8:30pm. FREE. Thurs, AUG 14: Flowers Come enjoy the Garden “after hours.” Bring a picnic supper, then explore Creating and Cultivating an Herb Garden Sat, JUN 7 the fascinating variety of leaves and flowers in activities led by botantist, With Diane Kothe and Jerry Parsons. A wonderful opportunity to start teacher and author Glenn Keator. Appropriate for all ages. Garden opens your own herb garden! Participants will propagate six different herbs to for supper at 6:00 pm, program begins at 7:00 pm. For each program: take home in this hands-on workshop. More herbs available for purchase. Members $15 per adult/child pair, $5 per additional child; Non-members 10am-Noon. Mirov Room. $15 members, $20 non-members, $20 per adult/child pair, $5 per additional child. pre-registration recommended.

Intensive Art with Karen LeGault Sat, JUN 7 & Sun, JUN 8 A weekend-long exploration of garden delights, in a variety of media, TRAVEL EVENTS under the guidance of local artist Karen LeGault. 10am-4pm, each day. Ornduff Room. $65 members, $80 non-members. For more information call A Natural History Tour to Borneo (510) 642-3352. Featuring flora and fauna of Sabah and Sarawak. Growing Tropicals and Citrus Sat, JUN 21 Leaders Jerry Parsons, UCBG horticulturist, and With Horticulturist Lee Anderson. Practical advice for those living well north of the equator. Plants available for sale. 10am-Noon. Mirov Room. Bian Tan, collections manager at Strybing $10 members, $15 non-members. For information, call (510) 642-3352. Arboretum. Sept 5-21, 1997. Co-Sponsored with Strybing Arboretum Society. GREEN STUFF SUMMER CAMP BEGINS Sat, JUN 21 A wonderful experience for junior botanists and kids who just want to have fun. Weekly sessions throughout the summer. $125 per session. For more information, call (510) 642-3352. Nature Tour Booksigning: A Book of Salvias: Sages for Every Garden Join UCBG horticulturist Martin Grantham and South Sun, JUN 29 African botanist Anne Bean in an exploration of the With author Betsy Clebsch. Learn about these beautiful, aromatic herbs, a booksigning and talk on campanion planting by author Betsy Clebsch. spectacular Cape floral region, the Drakensberg, and Tours. Wine and Cheese. Plants for sale. 2:00-4:00pm. Mirov Room. Natal, including a walk on what may be the original $8 members, $10 non-members. For more information call (510) 642-3352. surace of Gondwanaland. March 2-23, 1998. AUGUST Co-Sponsored with UC’s Jepson Herbarium. Wildflowers of the High Yosemite Region AUG 1-AUG 4 A wonderful variety of flowers should be showing in the areas near Saddlebag and Virginia Lakes. Glenn Keator, Ph.D. will lead us on a For information and itineraries call Geostar memorable four-day trip. Limited to 15. Reservations required. Members 800-624-6633. $125, non-members $140. For more information call 642-3352.

Growing Ornamental Oreganos and Using Them for Crafts For further information on classes and events, call 510-642-3352. To Sat, AUG 2 register for classes, send checks made out to UC Regents to UC With Diane Kothe. Create wonderful displays with these beautiful and Botanical Garden. Two weeks advance notice is necessary to aromatic herbs, a hands-on workshop. 10am-Noon. Mirov Room. $10 accommodate individuals with special needs. No refunds the week members, $15 non-members. For more information, call (510) 642-3352. before the class date unless class is cancelled. Preregistration is suggested, as classes fill early. The Garden is open every day of the year except Christmas from 9:00am to 4:45pm. Free public tours led by docents are given on Saturdays and Sundays at 1:30pm. Admission to the Garden is $3 for adults, $2 for seniors, and $1 for children.

University of California Botanical Garden Nonprofit Org. 200 Centennial Drive, #5045 U.S. Postage Paid Berkeley, California 94720-5045 Berkeley, CA Address Correction Requested Permit No. 1061

Plants are for sale at The Garden Shop all year ❧ 510-642-3343

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