Vol No 3 Kelsqa uniflora ll Spring l99E &lseyn

NE\TSLETTER of the MONTANA NATIVE PLANT SOCIEfi RenaenaBERrNG MoNra.NA's BoreNrcAL Hlstonv Landscaping at Lewis and Clark Centennial of Center nears completion Rydberg's and

by Wayne Phillips Ecologist Wayne Philips. This plan used Bessey's native plants as a design element to imple- In May 1998 the Lewis and Clark Na- ment the mitigation objective above, be- Exploration tional Historic Trail Interpretive Center cause native plants were believed to be, l) opens along the Missouri River near Giant of more value for historical interpretation, by Judy McCarthy Springs in Great Falls, Montana. Native 2) adapted to the site, reducing long-term plant landscaping of the Center grounds is maintenance costs, and 3) more attractive, In August of 1997, while sorting planned for completion a few weeks be- blending better with the adjacent site. through some recently collected plants fore this opening. Most of the plants used Seed collection began in earnest in the from the Spanish Basin, Gallatin County, in this landscaping were grown from seed fall of 1995. Forest Service employees Montana, I had occasion to reference collected at the construction site. Many of and local volunteers from the Montana Orytropis besseyi in the Montana State the plants used in this landscaping are the Native Plant Society collected local native University herbarium (MONT). The same species collected and described by seed from ten shrubs, 18 wildflowers and mounted specimen I examined was one Meriwether Lewis during the 1804-06 five grass species at and near the proposed of the newly-named stemless locoweeds expedition. construction site. This seed was sent to the collected by Rydberg and Bessey in the These actions culminate ten years of Forest Service nursery at Coeur d'Alene, Spanish Basin, and was named on the planning and fund raising for this Center, Idaho to be germinated and grown in con- spot, perhaps, for Bessey by Rydberg.t which began when Congress authorized tainers for transplanting at the Interpretive This sheet reads, "Collected in the the construction of Center in the spring Spanish Basin, Gallatin County, Montana the 27,000-square- of 1998. - part of the collections of the foot building and The Coeur "Exploration of the Yellowstone and associated site de- d'Alene Nursery Montana, 1897." This aroused my curios- velopments. The was successful in ity. What was Per Axel Rydberg, an environmental as- germinating most of Easterner (actually, a Swede) doing in sessment for the the native seed col- Montana in 1897? Center included the lected from the con- Apparently, in 1897, Mr. Wm. E. statement, "The loss struction site. Over Dodge of New York City, financed this of some native veg- 3000 containers of Exploration to Yellowstone and Montana etation species plants of 28 native as the first of the New York Botanical (from development) species were grown Garden's field pursuits. Per Axel Rydberg can be partially mit- from the locally col- was selected to lead, and he chose Ernst igated by collecting lected native seed. Bessey of the University of Nebraska to native seed from the In some species, the accompany him. Expenses for the frip project area for use plants produced were $672.14, and supported the men in in site landscap- from the seed were the field from June until September, ing...". unsuccessful, or 1897. They based in Bozeman and col- In the fall of were below the lected plant specimens as they traveled 1995 funding for number called for in first to the Bridger Mountains, Spanish the Center was se- the revised land- Basin, the Madison River Valley, Yel- cured. A landscape scape plan. To sup- lowstone Park, and then returned by way plan was developed plement the land- of the Yellowstone River Valley to Trai! by Lewis and Clark scape plan needs, Creek Pass back to Bozeman. National Forest 990 plants of six Rydberg and Bessey collected 800 landscape architect species of native different species and 20,000 specimens Ron Yates and continued on p. I0 continued on page l0 FROM THE PRESIDENT WAYNE PHILUPS

Wildcrafting of Native Herbs Echinacea, poses a serious threat to our native flora. In my view, herbs Notive Plsnt Source Guide "When Paul Buck knelt down to for the herb market should be grown examine fresh diggings last summer commercially, which is easy to do in The new edition of "Source Guide in a native tallgrass prairie (in the case of Echinacea. Unfortunately, for Native Plants of Montana" is still Oklahoma) he couldn't believe the some herbalists have perpetuated the available, but going like hotcakes, damage done. Just a few days before, belief that wildcrafted herbs according to Linda Iverson. To order the field had been carpeted with one are"better." your copy just send $6 (MNPS of the prairie's most beautiful Personally, I have decided to members) or $8 (non-members) to wildflowers, the ...purple coneflower. boycott wildcrafted herbs and to urge Linda at HC 88 Box 3733,8ig But now the flowers' subtle pinks and commercial herbalists to obtain their Timber, MT 5901l. pale lavenders were missing, with plants strictly from commercial Clayton Berg of Helena recently deep gashes and mounds of raw earth growers. What is your opinion on sent a note to the editors of the"Source marking where the plants once stood. this? Should the Montana Native Guide" expressing his concern about (Medicinal plant)gatherers had taken Plant Society develop a policy in this the origin of native species plant every plant out of a field of at least regard? material listed in the guide. His point 40acres. There wasn't a single one is that plants of a "native species" that Ieft...". (from Gary Lantz forNational Spring! originated in a climate far different Wildlife Magazine). from where you intend to plant them Coneflower (Echinacea) is the top On March 14, I traveled from may be no more adapted locally than selling herbal product in the U.S. with Raynolds Pass to Great Falls on a "exotic species." In addition, planting sales of about $80 million annually. beautiful sunny day. I couldn't resist of native species from a non-local Purple coneflower (E. purpurea) is the urge to stop from time to time to seed source runs the additional risk of grown commercially, but most other search high energy slopes for my first "polluting" the local gene pool, thus Echinacea species are dug from wild wildflower of the year. I found reducing the fitness of local populations, or "wildcrafted". The skunkbush sumac buds swollen and populations of that species. For herb industry is paying as much as ready to burst, but no flowers. Then, example, Montana's state grass, $21 a pound for wildcrafted noticing the catkins of alder along bluebunch wheatgrass, occurs from Echinacea roots (from Gary Lantz). Little Prickly Pear Creek, I stopped at Montana south to west Texas. The genus Echinacea is unique to Canyon Creek to investigate. When I Bluebunch wheatgrass seed collected North America, with nine species thumped a male catkin there was a in west Texas is probably genetically represented. Two rare species of spray of yellow pollen. Yes, it is different from Montana plants, and Echinacea in the southeast U.S. are spring! not well adapted to conditions in listed as "endangered" by the U. S. I have been keeping a record of the western Montana. Fish and Wildlife Service. date of the first wildflowers along the For small native plant gardens In Montana, nalrow-leaved purple Rivers Edge Trail here in Great Falls. around your house, this is much less coneflower (E.angustifolia) occurs in I'll bet manyof you have a similar of a problem than it is with large the western, south-central and eastern habit. When did you see your first rehabilitation projects. If you have a parts of the state according to Robert wildflower this spring? What was it? concern about the origin of the seed of Dorn, but is probably most abundant If you will send me your earliest 1998 the nativespecies you are buying, ask in the southeastern corner. There flower observations (species and date) the grower/seller where the original have been several reports of herb I will summarize the results for the seed came from. If you wish to grow companies advertising to purchase summer meeting and in the next native species from localsources, wildcrafted Echinacea roots in Kelseya. Happy hunting! See you at please follow the MNPS guidelines Montana. Seeley Lake on July 10. for growing them from seed, rather I believe that the commercial than transplanting them from the wild. wildcrafting of native species, like

Wayne can be reachijd at 2601Third Ave. North, Great Falls, MT 59401 e-mail: [email protected]

Page2 Kelseya Spring 1998 by Peter Lesica plant is stunted with as real flowers perform company of the other than by numerous short leaves for plants; they affect mating. themselves. Roy found Buffercups are usually the instead of a normal, tall But since the fungus can't that buttercups produce a large first flowers on the grassy hills flower stem. Near the tip of produce flowers of its own, it pollen reward for visiting around Missoula. They rarely the stunted stem the leaves are resorts to forcing its host to insects but have little nectar. occur on the stony ridgetops, clustered and yellow with the do the job for it. But that's On the other hand, the fungal but prefer the deeper soil of reproductive strucfures only part of the story. pseudoflowers produce no the slopes and flats. Often at of the fungus. A Barbara Roy pollen, but have copious this time of year my eye will sugary nectar studied nectar. Apparently the pollen fall on a yellow spot of color and even a buffercups and nectar rewards together among the green foliage, and mild scent and the are more attractive than either I'll bend over to see what it is, is produced buttercup- alone. The more visiting only to find that it's not a by the like insects, the more likely is flower at all. It's the right size fungus at pseudoflo successful mating for both for a buttercup, but it looks the same wers of buttercups and fungus. In this like a cluster of light yellow time. rockcress unlikely way the buttercup and leaves covered with small These where fungus help each other crystalline pustules. yellow they occur produce more offspring. This plant is our common clusters of together in Nature sometimes makes rockcress (Arabis holboellii) n leaves that Colorado. strange bedfellows. The the Mustard Family. Rockcress produce nectar She found that fungus can infect the hapless usually produces long stems are called more insects rockcress and fool the insects, with numerous white flowers pseudoflowers. Flies visited the true but it won't fool me again... at later in the spring. But this and sometimes even bees are buttercups when they were least not until next year. plant is infected with a rust attracted to these with rockcress pseudofl owers fungus in the genus Puccinis. pseudoflowers, and these than when they were with Additional reading: Roy, B. Infection of Rockcress occurs insects are required for sexual other buttercups. And more A. 1994. The effects of in the fall, and the fungus reproduction between insects visited the fungally- pathogen-induced grows in the host plant during different strains of the rust produced pseudoflowers pseudofl owers and buttercups the fall and winter, altering the fungus occurring in the same when they were with on each other's insect buds that produce next year's area. Pseudoflowers serve the buffercups. Each receives visitation. Ecology 7 5:352- growth. In the spring, the same function for the fungus more insect visits when in the 358.

Ptalf Coruervatimrl Ce**t prcs?r{res A;nrrrrilr'/s rars ptortts Want more informa- tion on the Center The Center for Plant Con- will enable us to build upon maintained through the gener- for servation (CPC) received an the plant conservation suc- ous support of individuals, Plant Conservotion? award of $20,000 from the For- cesses that we have achieved foundations, corporations and rest C. Lattner Foundation to thus far in priority this conser- other organizations who spon- They can be contacted provide $5,000 sponsorships vation region," said Dr. Brien sor individual plant species. by writing to: for four endangered plants A. Meilleur, CPC President Sponsorships occur through re- housed at two Florida botanical and Executive Director. stricted donations to CPC that Missouri Botanical Garden gardens. This gift will be used CPC also received an speciff the plant that the donor P.O. Box 299 to challenge the Bok Tower award of $8,000 from The Bay wishes to 'adopt.' A portion of St. Louis, MO Gardens in Lake Wales and Foundation for the creation of the income derived from this 63t66-0299 Fairchild Tropical Garden in an educational guide to the plant sponsorship fund is trans- Miami to raise S5,000 per plant rare plants of the United ferred each year to the CPC Phone: 3141577 -9450 in matching funds to sponsor States. This booklet will high- gardens to support seed collec- Fal<: 3141577 -9465 four plants in CPC's National light stories from within CPC's tion, seed storgae, and horticul- Homepage: http:// www.mobot.org.CPC Collection of Endangered National Collection of Endan- tural research to help ensure Plants, a living collection of gered Plants, with one plant the long term survival of the over 500 of the nation's rarest profiled from each state. The sponsored plant. plants. educational guide will empha- The Center for Plant Con- T4+TNK "I am truly grateful that the size our reliance on native servation is the only national Forrest C. Lattner Foundation plants, their place in our nafu- organization in the United has given CPC the opportunity ral heritage, and what can be States dedicated exclusively to to significantly improve the done to protect them. the conservation of U.S. native conservation security of four of The CPC National Collec- plants. It is located in St. Florida's rarest plants. This tion of Endangered Plants is Louis, Missouri.

Kelseya Spring 1998 Page 3 by A.A. Rezniceh Curator, The true Carex rostrata Universiry o/n& hi gan I! r b ar ium in the Anerican Rockies

It's very disappointing to many leaves of C. utriculata is smooth botanists when they find out that except for a scattering of small what they know as Carex rostrata, prickle hairs. ln C. rostratathe upper one of the commonest species of surface of the leaves is densely wetland Carex in many areas of covered with small papillae. This is a North America, is actually not that difference that can readily be seen species, but rather is C. utriculata. with a good dissecting microscope. Even more annoying still is that this Other small differences are that is not just a simple name change. the culms (stems) of C. rostrata are There really is a C. rostrata, a rare essentially round, or at most bluntly circumboreal plant. Now they have triangular, and smooth. The culms of to separate the two! C. utriculata are clearly triangular On the other hand, the genuine C. and scabrous-angled. rostrata is a rarity of fens, and so it Very rarely, specimens appear affords excellent opportunities for intermediate. These are sterile and botanizing in a rare and very are presumably rare hybrids. Such interesting habitat. And its hybrids are well known from Europe. distribution in the American West is The habitats of these two species still poorly known, so there is also a are also rather different; or at least & good opportunity to contribute to our the habitats of Carex rostrata are knowledge base of this plant. only a small subset of those of C. In fact, Carex rostrata and C. utriculata, which is common in a utriculata are relatively easily wide range of wetland types: bogs, distinguished in the field and in the fens, sedge meadows, including ones herbarium, but the differences are associated with river and lake shores, mostly found in the leaves. This fact spring heads and seeps, and even probably partly accounts for the lack roadside ditches. The habitats are of recognition of C. rostrata in North often firmly grounded, and rarely America until recently - after all, under water. Carex rostrata, on the species of Carex are supposed to other hand, is more or less restricted differ in their perigynia. Not so with to quaking or floating fen mats, and this pair. In fact, descriptions of the it often occurs in shallow water. two are very similar, except that C. Sedge associates of C. rostrata inthe rostrata tends to be a smaller and west are species like C. lasiocarpa, more slender plant. C. limosa, and much more rarely, C. What are the differences? Most livida and C. chordoruhizq. Atypical obvious in the field is that the leaves non-sedge associate is Menyanthes Caru of the common C. utriculata are tr ifu I iat a, the bogbean. uniadaa yellow-green to dark olive-green; but One other point is that C. C. rostrata has quite striking, rostrata, at least partly due to its Beaked glaucous (blue-green) leaves due to a restricted habitat, is a much rarer sedge heavy wax layer on the epidermis. plant than C. utriculata. It's probably Then the leaf shape in cross safe to bet that there are a couple of section is quite different. In C. hundred stations of C. utriculata for utriculata the leaves are folded, with every C. rostrata in most parts of its a prominent midvein formed into a North American range. keel. In C. rostrata the leaves are The ranges of the two are rather U-shaped, without a prominent different. The western U.S. is on the midvein, and they lack a keel. very outlying fringe of the range for Carex utriculata has the typical C. rostrata. arrangement of stomata for most broad-leaved sedges - in lines on the (MNPS member Bonnie Heidel, of underside (abaxial surface) of the the Montana Natural Heritage leaf. In C. rostrata the stomata are on Program, reports that Carex rostratq the upper (adaxial) surface (very is now known from two collections rarely some are also on the in Montana, at fen sites in Missoula underside). and Flathead counties.) Finally, the upper surface of the

Page 4 Kelseya Spring 1998 Hab itx Protection for Houeflia aouatilis by Shannon Kimball used by cattle. We don't have The Forest Service team, led by information that proves cattle have Flathead National Forest botanist Members of the Flathead Chapter detrimentally altered these ponds, Maria Mantas, and Jerry Hess, joined forces with several groups this however, after studying several Water provided much needed expertise and summer to protect Water Howellia Howellia ponds in northern equipment to the project. The Flathead (Howellia aquotillis) habitat in the California, Dr. Niall McCarten from Chapter provided crucial man (and Swan Valley. Water Howellia, listed UC Berkeley has suggested woman) power, while Mary Gray and in Montana as "threatened" by the prolonged cattle use may alter water several friends, including U of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, occurs chemistry and productivity in ponds, Montana students, helped in shallow ponds of the Swan Valley. subsequently harming Water tremendously on our workdays. Mary Manv of also these gener- ponds lie After three workdays we were able to complete our ously on Forest protection project supplied Service on one pond. Building a jock-leg lunch for land, and is mach hsrder then all the are fence it looks! work protected crews. through a federal conservation Howellia populations. This spring we plan to continue strategy. However, ponds located on The Flathead National Forest has our habitat protection activities, privately owned land do not receive recently initiated a project to protect finishing at least one more pond. An federal protection, and several are in Water Howellia from caffle intrusion. ongoing part of this project has been poor ecological condition. With the "Jack-leg" fences have been contacting landowners with Water help of Forest Service know-how and constructed around ponds where these Howellia populations, visiting their monetary support of Mary Gray's plants occur, thereby excluding cattle. ponds, and assessing whether any Water Howellia Chocolate fund, we In cases where a pond is surrounded action is needed. If more ponds with hope to give privately owned ponds by relatively dense vegetation, brush cattle disturbance are discovered, we the protection they need. has been positioned in places where will organize workdays to ensure the As most of you know, Mury Gray, cattle have broken through in the habitat is not further compromised. a Clark Fork Chapter member, has past, blocking their entry. Many thanks to those who donated substantially contributed to a special The Flathead Chapter decided last their valuable time to this project. fund for Water Howellia. Monies spring to carry Forest Service from the sale of her Water Howellia conservation efforts one step further Order your Water Chocolates have been graciously by initiating a similar project on donated to the Montana Native Plant privately owned ponds containing Howellia Chocolates Society to aid the species recovery. Water Howellia. Two ponds were The primary threat to Water identified, both with significant cattle today! Howellia survival is habitat use. They straddle the border between And help conserye Montana's first modification. Because of this species' National Forest and lands held by listed Threatened plant! specialized habitat requirements (see Plum Creek Timber Company. This Steve Shelly's article in Winter 1995 situation presented an opportunity for Made from the finest Belgium Chocolate Kelseya, Vol. 8 No. 2), subtle changes the Flathead Chapter to work together (Callebaut), to satisff the most in hydrology and floristic composition with Forest Service personnel discriminating taste. can severely impact Water Howellia building the fence and "brushing in" populations. Cattle use of the ponds the forested borders of these ponds. Brought to you from Nature 's Web Division, Missoula may also pose a threat to this species After three workdays we were by altering its environment. Although able to complete our protection To Order Call grazingpressure is minimal in the project on one pond. Building a jack- (406)s4e-0832 Swan Valley, a number of Water leg fence is much harder then it Howellia ponds are being regularly looks! courtesy of Aunty Shrew

Kels€ya Sprine 1998 pree 5 O CLARK FORK Chapter have spent 165 hours CHAPTER mounting 704 specimens We'd like to hear from You! needed for completion of the Montana Native Plant Society now has nine chapters The last day of January seems herbarium research. Many The The man- our great state. From Westby to Whitefish, Billings to like an unlikely day for a na- thanks to all of you! across your activities in each issue of tive plant field trip, but not if ual is funded by the National Butte, we'd like to hear about Life. Send your wriffen reports io you're after lichens and Park Foundation, the National Kelseya right here in Chapter Native Plant SocietY, mosses. Following earlier Fish and Wildlife Foundation, MOntana Dennis Nicholls, KelseYa Editor, herbarium sessions, Andrea Glacier National Park Associ- P.O. Box 1632. Pip and Joe Elliott led about ates andyozr Montana native MT 59853. ten hikers, including two all Plant Society. Noxon, into submitted by Robyn Klein the way from Helena, lfg r DU steto. Lofs sb.rc oof .aucDlorcs. Hellgate Canyon east of Mis- soula. The steep canyon O KELSEY CHAPTER slopes were free from snow in many places, and it was here Just as with trees and other NOW AVAILABTE!! on the argillite cliffs that components of the nafural and From the Landscape & Revegetation Committee we found what we were look- world, each year the Kelsey adds a pattern of Second Edition of the ing for. We identified 16 chapter development to the Guide Notive Plants of Montana" species of lichens, including growth and "source for that makes us who two species each of pelt composite Contains detailed list of where to get bareroot and containerized growth in ferns, lichens (Peltigera), rosette we are. Our ring plants and seeds for 583 species of trees, shrubs, forbs, 1997 was strong and well de- grasses, sedges and rushes. lichens (P hy sc ia), rockbrights contin- (Rhizoplaca) and the beautiful fined. Our membership Order from Linda Iverson ' (406)932-5840 orange lichens $anthoria). ues to increase at a steadY under- $6 for MNPS members / $8 for non-members We did nearly as well on pace, and the chapter HC 88 Box took a major project with de- Send check * mosses, finding about ten ""#;:H[i^'Hf:;,'{f,ttinoftrverson' the Mt. Helena species. Perhaps most exciting velopment of a-Y were the electric shock moss reference set for the Lewis and -r). - D Clark Library. Alliances with /)> /'crp'\< (Rhyt idiadel phus tr i quetrus) a-l ( oo under the trees and Encalyptra other groups that share our #"-r'-rtlz ffa interests have broadened our tip;''\J-l?;\; rhaptocarpa with luscious bourcet /'-\ 1 green sporophytes in cracks in ouffeach efforts and will con- tinue this year with many out- uuloe 'W I {. I the large rock slabs. \ I l.r\ Now there's something to ings and events. Chapter pro- For \ -,\ \ ',8 grams have been well attended lt^ "r l>'t do in winter too! Nativc Plants submitted bv Pete Lesica and the hikes and field trips \Ji^ during spring, summer and fall of Montana l- T FLATHEAD CHAPTER introduced many new faces to I the goals of the Montana Na- ^3p^, The Inde- -c23-T.*+s{fi] Work is rolling along on tive Plant Society. pendent Record Wildflower the illustrated manual of vas- Motrtatrar Nirtivc 1997, cular plants for Glacier na- Series was a success in year to Plarrt SocictY Park. Debbie McNeil is and will continue this t \nt tional I'O Box B78l educate the reading public working on illustrations and N'l issotrla. lV1 I' 59807 them to the Pete Lesica is currentlY con- while introducing of native ducting herbarium research broader concepts WJH plant appreciation and conser- rJt-n and writing the text. The com- r -<\- / u\) we will measure '/J pleted manuscript will be sent vation. How E,4i:r $€< Pfi'fw\ at the to the University of Utah Press our accomplishments i Ai of 1998 is, to a in June 1999, and the finished completion ""w"*i, :_uffi)h""'tri?*t large degree, up to each ofus. t R'r)t'tA *M$ a book should be available in the ' N\((t{1,4 submitted by KathY LloYd r/:) ffi#ie'/ft"au'lYrr-t-Vu ;$*D-,Pu summer, 2000. Nineteen vol- ZNV,,Vfl(r(M, Kelsey ChoPter News \\\ n unteers from the Flathead .fro* the ' \-,, 'r,/l (

Kelseya Spring 1998 Page 6 T CLARK FORK This summer many events are Swan Valley. You'll see a conducted as part of a frade for CHAPTER being planned to celebrate the variety of orchids and other use of Camp Thunderbird for natural, social and economic wetland and riparian plants on the 1999 annual meeting. Call - Thursday, March 12,7:30 landscape of the Flathead this walk on private land. Kathy for details, 449-6586. pm. Rm l3l, Science Valley. The Flathead Chapter Meet at Swan Valley Complex, UM Campus. Joe is sponsoring several family- Community Center in - Saturday, May 23, Michael Ellioff, raconteur, bon vivant oriented walks to learn about Condon. Kaye Owen, 752- Lee will lead a trip to Crown and botanist will entertain and plants that grow in our 8089. Butte jointly sponsored by the instruct with a presentation on various communities. Montana Wilderness Assoc. "African Alpine Plant Everyone is welcome to join - Wednesday, June 24,7 pm and the Kelsey Chapter. John Ecology: Weird Plants of us. Call the leader for Subalpine habitat of Jewel Koerth will be present to Mt Kenya and Mt. additional information. Basin, near Bigfork. Meet at answer questions on grasses. Kilimanjaro." Jewel Basin trailhead off Call Michael at 443-1126 to - Wednesday, May 27 ,7 pm Echo Lake road. Paffie register. - Tuesday, March 3 l, Low elevation forest habitat Brown,837-5018. Herbarium Night. 7:30 pm. near Whitefish. Meet at Tally - Friday, May 29,7 pm Rm 303, Botany Bldg, UM Lake Ranger Station. Mary - Saturday, June 27,l0 arcr "Celebrate Mount Helena" at Campus. What's so great Sloan, 862-3360. Old growth forest habitat of Lewis and Clark Library. about Astragalus? It's the Middle Fork, Skiumah Presented by the Kelsey Montana's second - Tuesday, June 2,7 pm Creek Trail. Approx.2 miles Chapter, Last Chance largest plant genus, that's what. Lawrence Park, Kalispell. round trip. Meet at trailhead Audubon, Falcon Press and Come learn about our Meet at the end of the road just east of Nyack Flats. Mary City of Helena Parks locoweeds and milkvetches parking area. Kathy Ake, Sloan, 862-3360. Department. From geology to with Peter Lesica. Bring your 755-7693. plants to birds to ticks and hand lens and copy of Dorn if Look for other summer hikes deer, join us for an evening you have them. - Wednesday, June 3, 7 pm with the Flathead Chapter in celebration. Columbia Mountain, the Field Trips Flyer coming - Thursdal. April 9, 7:30 pm. Columbia Falls. Meet at out soon. - Saturday, May 30, Rm 13 l, Science Complex, trailhead near the west end of " Celebrate Mount Helena" UM Campus. John Pierce, the Bad Rock Canyon. Leader . KELSEY CHAPTER field trips. Call Kathy for Jaques Cousteau of the North, Rachel Potter. details, 449-6586. will present a program, - Monday, April 13,7 pm "Beneath Kootenai Waters: - Saturday, June 6, l0:00am, Lury Evans of the Western - Sunday, June 7, 8:30 am Aquatic Plants of Kootenai Sprunger-Whitney Nature Montana Mycological Assoc. Jean Smith from Last Cjance National Forest." Trail, Swan Valley. A 2-mile will present a slide show and Audubon will lead a hike into hike on an interpretive trail on discussion entitled "Monlona Skelly Gulch. This BLM - Thursda)', May 14, 6:30 pm. Montana School Trust lands. Mushrooms Monio." At the property is being considered It's our annual Spring Potluck! Meet at trailhead at Point Lewis and Clark Library. for protection and a nature trail Bring some food to share, a Pleasant campground, 9 miles might be developed. Meet in plate and utensils to the home south of Swan Lake. Anne - Sunday, April26, we will the NW corner of the Lundy of Chinwon and Howard Morley, 886-2242. team up with Keith Center parking lot to carpool Reinhardt at 6330 Woods Leatherman of the Helena to the site. Call Kathy. Road, just after the Recreation - Wednesday, June 10,7 pm, Ranger District to continue Area turn. We'll get a tour of Swan River Road, Bigfork, 2 our revegetation work at - Saturday, June 20, Jack their wonderful garden. For miles round trip through 3 White's Gulch. Call Keith at Taylor, Professor Emeritus more information call distinct habitats. Walk will 443-1920 or Kathy at 449- from MSU will help us Chinwon (543-4029). focus on how plants are used. 6586 for the details. identiff grasses and grassland Meet at gate at end of Grand communities. Call Jack at 442- - Thursday, June 18, Clark Ave (200 yards from - Saturday & Sunday, May 9667 to register. Fork Prairie Weed Pull. Come downtown Bigfork). Mike 16-17, we will begin work at help John Pierce beautiff his Gaul, 837-1057. the Girl Scout Camp on the - June 28-July 4, we'll go out prairie restoration. Meet in the Rocky Mountain Front l8 to the Girl Scout Carnp again parking lot at the east end of - Wednesday, June 17,7 pm miles west of Augusta. We sometime during this week to Fourth Street at 6:30 or Moist forest habitat of West are doing a preliminary plant continue the preliminary Plant thereafter. For information call Glacier. Meet at the West survey on about l0 acres that survey. John (542-2640). Glacier Post Office. Terry will be set aside as a nature Divoky, 387-5527. preserve. We'll also teach CALENDAR EVENTS ARE O FLATHEAD CHAPTER plant ID skills to a select CONTINUED ON THE Saturday, June 20, l0 am group of older girl scouts. NEXT PAGE. "Living - in the Landscope" Wetland and forest habitat of This project is being A Flatheod Celebration

Kelseya Spring 1998 PageT CALENDAR EVENTS con't. Cottonwood Road and drive 7 miles to Coffonwood Canyon t VALLEY OF THE Road; turn south and go to the Conservation Bullets FLOWERS CHAPTER end. Call Doug for details, from Peter Lesica 587-8252 days or 763-4394 - Safurday, June 13, 9 am evenings. Co-sponsored with The 1996 Federal Farm Bill continued the Conservation Join Joe Gutkoski for a day of MWA and Concerned Reserve Program (CRP). In Montana ca.2,383,000 acres of walking this spectacular deep Citizens for South marginal cropland, an area more than twice as large as Glacier river canyon and helping us Cottonwood, Inc. National Park, was enrolled in the program. The Natural attack a serious infestation of Resources and Conservation Service stated that this round of knapweed. The trail is a . WESTERN MONTANA CRP had more scenic route along The AT LARGE MEMBERS benefits to wildlife and ca. 50%o fewer crested Madison River, which is wheatgrass monocultures (see Kelseya Vol.9 No.3). dotted with boulders, pools, - Sunday, April 19, l:30 pm Nonetheless, only about l0% of the plantings were with cataracts and riffles. We will join us at the Mt. Silcox native species, the rest were exotics. Emergency haying was discuss noxious weeds and Wildlife Management Area allowed on much of the land in 1997, a practice that limits the explain how to pull the plants about 2 miles east of benefits to wildlife. at their bud stage. \[/ear Thompson Falls on Hwy 200. Although farmers cannot enroll land in CRP unless it has sturdy footgear and bring We'll search for early spring been farmed in two of the past five years, this is not likely to work gloves, lunch and rain wildflowers in this Ponderosa significantly curtail the loss of native prairie associated with jacket. Rattlesnakes are found pine and grassland habitat. CRP in Montana (see Kelsey in the canyon; the leader will Call Dennis for details. 847- Vol.8 No.3). give an orientation on their 2040. Undoubtedly some landowners will see their native prairie behavior and how to as a future source of federal payments if they break and farm it minimize encounters with - Saturday, May 16, 9 am now. them. Meet at Osco Shopping Take an adventurous hike to Center in Bozernan to carpool the summit of 20 Peak. near to the trailhead. Call Joe at Trout Creek, for a spectacular g... 587-3242 for details. Co- view of the Cabinets and the N attvg PYatYt sponsored with Montana lower Clark Fork valley. An Wilderness Assoc., BLM and all day hike, moderately Madison County Weed difficult, 8 miles round ffip. Control District. Bring lunch, rain gear and water. Brushfields to - Monday, June 15,4:30 pm subalpine - we'll see it all. With picnic dinners in day Call Dennis for details and packs, we'll take a gentle where to meet, 847-2040. evening walk into the last un- logged canyon on the Gallitin - Saturday, June 27,9 am Face. Bring a rake or shovel We'll hike into Devil's Club and work gloves so some Creek on the edge of the light trail maintenance and Cabinet Mountains weed pulling can be Wilderness to discover how accomplished. Leader Doug the forest is recovering from Rand has first-hand the extensive fires of 1994. knowledge of the successful Meet at the Historic Bull citizen campaign to protect Ranger Station 2 miles off this place from road building Hwy 56 north of Noxon. Co- and logging. Meet at South sponsored with the Bull River Cottonwood trailhead. Take Outdoor Education US l9l 1.5 miles south of Committee. Call Debby Boots Bozeman, furn south on for details.847-2602. a fterttaqe we shovLLd CherLsh.

Northwest Beautiful ly reproduced, ruqMlNDEft TO RENEW full color photographs Penstemons of 80 species and most Don't let your membership in the Montana By Dee Strickler of their varieties, i92 pages, with illustrations, Native Plant Society lapse. Send in your a key to Penstemons in renewal today! See the membership form on WA, OR, lD, and MT. The Flower Press page I I . Every one of you are important to 192 Larch Lane In print August 1997. the conservation of native plants in Montana. Columbia Falls, MT 59912 Price $29.95

Page 8 Kelseya Spring 1998 MNPS EXPENSES AND INCOME: 3/97 TO 2/98

CATEGORY ACTUAL ACTUAL DIFFERENCE EXPENSES INCOME General Operating Expenses Membership - 321.00 3597.00 + 3276.00 Newsletter - 3331 .00 40.00 - 329r.00 Operating Budget - 693.00 1354.00 + 661.00 Interest Income ( 0.00) (es3.00) Board Expenses (-s33.00) 0.00) Donations ( 0.00) 401.00) Awards (-10s.00) 0.00) Committees (- ss.00) 0.00) Total General Operating Budget: - 4345.00 +4991.00 + 646.00 Special Projects Fundraisers: - 0.00 1028.00 + 1028.00 Annual Meeting ( 0.00) ( 8s7.00) Notecards ( 0.00) ( 171.00) Speciai Projects: - 2603.00 0.00 - 2603.00 Source Guide & Publications (- s47.00) ( 0.00) Small Grants Fund (-1000.00) ( 0.00) Friends of the Herb. (- 4s0.00) ( 0.00) Kelsey Library Project (- s80.00) ( 0.00) Flathead Teacher Trnk. (- 26.00) ( 0.00) Total Special Projects: - 2603.00 + 1028.00 -1575.00 TOTALS - $6948.00 + $6019.00 - $929.00* * Diffference to be covered by MNPS savings. \\'ater Horiellia Endowment - 5243.28 +$1463.00 +$r2r9.72

MNPS PROPOSED 1998 BUDGET

CATEGORY PROPOSED PROPOSED DIFFERENCE EXPENSES INCOME GE \' E RlL OPE RATI NG EXPE NSES Membership - 300.00 4500.00 Neu slerter - 3s00.00 0.00 Operaune Budget - 725.00 6s0.00 Interest Income ( 0.oo; 4s0.00) Board Expenses (- 550.00) 0.00) Donations ( 0.00) 200.00) Awards (- 100.00) 0.00) Committees (- 75.00) 0.00) TOTALS -$ 452s.00 + $5150.00 + $ 625.00

SPECIAL PROJECTS Projects: - 1620.00 300.00 Source Guide & Publications (- 70.00) 300.00) Small Grants Fund (- s00.00) 0.00) Friends of the Herbarium (2 yrs.) (- s0.00) 0.00) Flathead Glacier Park Flora (- 1000.00) 0.00) Fundraisers: Annual Meeting 97 - 0.00 + 500.00 Notecardsx 0.00 + 100.00 TOTALS - $ 1620.00 + $ 900.00 - $ 720.00

SUMMARY TOTALS -$ 704s.00 +87550.00 -$ 9s.00

Kelseya Spring 1998 Prepared by madeline Mazurski, MNPS Treasurer, March 1998 Page 9 Old Mants Garden by Annora Brown Lewis & Clark Rydberg and Bessey J.M. Dent & Sons (Canada) Limited fro^ page one fro. page one fust printing February 1954 If you are interested in plant lore, you will love this book. An- shrub were ordered from the and these are published in Ry- nora Brown has woven Native American legends, the writings Bitterroot Native Growers in dberg's 1900 Catalog of the There were of Alexander Mackenzie and other early North American ex- Corvallis, Montana. Flora of Montana. p€il, 1,976 species in Rydberg's plorers together with botanical poetry into a book that brings Prickly which Meri- wether catalogue and of these, 163 life to the study of plants. Though out of print, this book is Lewis called, "...one of the beauties, as were new to science; 776 worth looking for. The following are excerpts from a story that well as the greatest pest, appears in the book about the pasque-flower, or prairie crocus. of the Plains..." species in Rydberg's catalogue The artwork below was done by Frances Elliott, about whom was vegetatively propagated had not been mentioned in his an article appeared in the Winter 1998 edition of Kelseya. instead of being grown from reference book, John Coulter's seed. Local landscaper Jasmine 1885 Manual Krotkov contracted with the of the Botany of the Rocky tered it with his robe of fur. How the Prairie Forest Service to collect 50 Mountain Region. Some of Again, it spoke. Anemone Prickly pear pads along the the other Spanish Basin plants Got its "You have a kind heart, Missouri fuver breaks and root collected this past summer are Fur Coot Wapee. It will lead you to them for planting at the Center. the same species represented great things." To provide ground cover for in the 1897 collection and de- Wapee shivered Next night, the flower and drew erosion control on all the dis- posited at MONT. These in- his robe tighter spoke again. "Wisdom and a about him. It turbed soil, 150 pounds of grass clude Antennaria microplrylla, was cold there hillside, gentle heart will make of you on the seed was sown in the fall of Arnica cordifulia, Phacelia but a great leader." the shiver was more of 1997. The seed selected were linearis, Phacelia hetero- Before he rose to go to his fear and loneliness than of cultivars of native grasses: phylla, Linum lewisii, people, Wapee thought once cold. Always before he had Rosana western wheatgrass, Prunella more of the flower. "Little slept in the tipi of his parents, Critana thickspike wheatgrass vulgaris, Castillej a miniata, brother," he said, "three where his father could protect and Sodar streambank wheat- Phlox multiflora, and Rosa nights you have comforted him. But at last his father had grass. woodsii, along with the afore- me... tell me now three of said, "Wapee is no longer a In April 1998 over 4000 mentioned Orytropis besseyi. your wishes..." child. It is time he went to the containers of native shrubs, It's rather a comfort in these hills to dream and become a wildflowers and grasses from times of rapid change to imag- man.tt ll/ant to lrnow what they were? In the answer lies the secret as to the Coeur d'Alene and Bitter- ine the Orytropis besseyi there Three more nights like the how the prairie anemone got its root nurseries will be trans- in Spanish Basin, continually one just past and he must re- fur coat. Hope youfind a copy of planted to complete the land- blooming, perhaps, a hundred turn to his father and his the book! -Editor scaping. summers, with some wefier, friends and tell them that he some cooler than others, re- was not a man but only a peatedly stretching its papil- coward, whom the Great ionacious banner, wings and Spirit had found unworthy beaked keel of purple to the even of a dream. sky, open to a pollinator. The day grew warm and the feeling of failure lifted. * (Although at that time it had Besides, Wapee was no longer already been named, as seen alone. He had found a friend. on the 1886 specimen col- Beside him sat a beautiful lected by Peter Koch, as flower, as white as the snow... Orytr opis B I ankins hrpir,' this "Little brother," he said, Rydberg and Bessey mounted "it is cold for such fragile specimen was even later anno- loveliness on a night like this. tated by Blankinship himself I lie you will close and shelter saying "identical with O. with my warm robe..." B I qnkins hrpii of Nelson ! "). So while one part of his mind slept, the other part kept SUGGESTED READINGS watch over the flower. Tiehm,A. and Stafleu,F, 1990. When the dark of night Per Axel Rydberg: A Biog- was just preparing to meet the raphy, Bibliography and light of day, the flower spoke. List of His Taxa. Memoirs of "Yesterday, Wapee, you were the New York Botanical Gar- sad because you had been den Volume 58. afraid. He who never knows Rydberg, P.A., Flora Mon- fear is a fool..." of and the Yellowstone All day Wapee pondered tana National Park. 1900. Mem- on the saying of the flower, oirs of the New York Botani- and next night, he again shel- cal Garden, Volumes land 2.

Page l0 Kelseya Spring 1998 MONTANA NATM PLANT SOCIETY *** Membership Application/Renewal

DATE

NAME (please print)

ADDRESS CITY/STATEIZIP

PHONE L_-) NEW RENEWAL

STATEWIDE MEMBERSHIP WITH MEMBER-AT.LARGE CHAPTER AFFILIATION* (No chapter affiliation) PLEASE NOTE: Canadian subscribers must add $4.00 to each category to cover additional mailing costs.

$18 I. Individual t2 I. Individual 22 IL Family l8 II. Family

35 III. Business/Organization 30 III. BusinesVOrganization

300 IV. Lifetime Members (one-time payment) 300 IV. Lifetime member (one-time payment)

Additional Donation (may be specified toward a particular project or the general operating fund)

MAKE CTIECKS PAYABLE TO: MONTANA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY MAIL TO: MNPS Membership P.O. Box 87E3 Missoula MT 59807-8783

*AREAS COVERED BY CHAPTERS: ARTEMISIA CHAPTER - Yellowstone and Carbon Counties; southeastem/south-cental Montana BEARTOOTH MOUNTAIN CHAPTER - South-cenhal Montan4 the Beartooth plateau country CALYPSO CHAPTER - Beaverhead, Madison, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow Counti€s; southwestem Montana CLARK FORK CHAPTER - Lake, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Ravalli Counties FLATHEAD CHAPTER - Flathead and Lake Counties plus clacier National park KELSEY CHAPTER - Lewis & Clark and Jefferson Counties MAKA FLORA CHAPTER - Richland, Roosevelt, McCone, Sheridan and Daniels Counties VALLEY OF THE FLOWERS CHAPTER - Gallatin, Park, Sweet Grass Counties plus Yellowstone National Park MNPS All chapters welcom€ membeB from &!.s other than lhose indicated. we've listed countiesjust to give you som€ ider ofwhd part ofthe statc is scwcd by each chapler. Additional chapte.s arc in the planning stages for othea .lces. walch for announcemints ofirectings in your local ncwspaFr. Tcn prid mcmbcls .r€ required for a chapter to be €ligible for acceptance in MNPS.

YOUR MAILING LABEL TELLS YOUR CLASS OF MEMBERSHIP (See I, Il, III, lV above) CHAPTER AFFILIATION: (ART=Arlemisia: cAl{alypso; CF{lark Fo*; F=Flath€ad; K=Kels€y; MF=Maka Flon; VOF=Vallcy of lhe Ftowc6) DATE YOUR MEMBERSHIP EXPIRES. trf your label reads"2/97" your membership expired February 28, 1997. Use this form to renew your membership immedietely. Please drop us a note if any information on your label is incorrect. Pl€ase notiry us promptly of any address changes. M€mb€rship in the Montana Netive Plant Socicty is on a calendrr-year basis, Mrrch I through the end of F€bruary oflhe foltowing yesr. New-membcr applications proccessed bcfor€ the end of Ociober each yea. rrill expire the following Fcbruary; lhosc procrss€d after Novembcr I will €xpi.e h February ofthc year afier' M€mbership rcnewal notices aI€ included in the Winte. issuc of KEISEY,I. Anyon€ who hrs not ren€w€d by the timc th. Summ.J KEISEY,I k t dy to mail will be dropp€d from th€ mailing lis/MNPS memb€.ship roslrr.

YOU Tulli, for the Representative, has energy and enthusiasm volunteered to take on the that you shared with us! duty of Newsletter Editor. Tulli Kerstetter of past year. She recently We wish the best for you Thanks, Dennis, for Bozeman has served the moved from Montana, and your husband. taking on this key role in Society as Vice President and is sorely missed by Dennis Nicholls of the Society. since 1995, and the Board and the Noxon, longstanding Newsletter Editor for the .membership. THANK Western Montana Board - Wayne Philips

Kelseya Spring 1998 Page ii MONTANA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Montana Native Plant Society (MNPS) is a 501-C-3 (not-for-profit) corporation chartered for the purpose of leaming more about plants native to our PRESIDENT - Wayle Phillips Great Falls 453-0648 state and their habitats, and of sharing that knowledge. Contributions to MNPS PAST PRESIDENT - Linda lverson Big Timber 932-5840 are tax deductible, and may be designated for a specific project or chapter, for the VICE-PRESIDENT - Tulli Kerstetter Bozeman 586-3057 Small Grants fund, or may be made to the general operating fund. SECRETARY - Patrick Plantenberg Townsend 266-5265 Your yearly membership fee includes a subscription to KELSEYA, the TREASURER - Madeline Mazunki Missoula 542-0262 newsletter of MNPS, published quarterly. We welcome your articles, clippings, NEWSLETTER EDITOR - Dennis Nicholls Noxon 847-2040 field trip reports, meeting notices, book reviews - almost anything, in fact, that relates to our native plants or the society. Please include a line or two of "bio" DIRECTONS AT L/IRGE information with each article. Drawings should be in black ink or good-quality Eestern Montane - Terr', Wamsley Harlem 353-2709 photocopy. Ifyou send clippings, please note the source, volume/issue, and date. Western Montrnr - Dennis Nicholls Noxon 847-2040 All meeting and field trip notices, field trip reports or announcements should be maifed to KELSEYA CALENDA& P.O. BOX 1632, NOXON, MT 59853. All CHAPTER RE PRESENTATIVES items should be typed and on 3.5" diskette in Microsoft Word for Windows or in Artcmisir Chrpter - Clayton McCracken Billings 252-2807 a generic ASCI file . Beertooth Mountein - Jean Redonski Red Lodge 446-3907 CT{ANGES OF ADDRESS AND INQUIRIES ABOUT MEMBERSHIP IN Celypso Chepter - Paul Sawyer Butte 4964227 MNPS SHOULD BE SENT TO: MNPS MEMBERSHIP, P.O. BOX 8783, Clark Fork Chepter - Will Butler Missoula 543-6744 MISSOULA MT 59807-8783. GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE SHOULD Flrthced Cheptcr - Mary Sloan Whitefish 962-3360 ALSO BE DIRECTED TO Tt{E MISSOULA ADDRESS. Do NOT send to the Kclsey Chaptcr - Kathy Lloyd Clancy 449-6586 KELSEYA editor. Mrkr Flore Chrpter - Al Joyes Westby 385-2579 Advertising space is available in each issue at $S/column inch. Ads must be Velley of Flowers Chrptcr - Judy McCarthy Bozeman 587-3446 camera-ready and must meet the guidelines set by the Board of Directors for STANDING COMMITTEES suitable subject matter; that is, be related in some way to plants or the interests of Conservetion - Peter Lesica Missoula 728-8740 MNPS members. Education - vacant Deadline for the SUMMER issue is JLJNE 10. Please include meeting/field trip Lrndsceping/Revegetation - John Pierce Missoula 542-2640 notices through September, if possible. The SUMMER issue of KELSEYA will Newsletter/Publicrtions - Linda Iverson Big Timber 932-5840 be mailed by July L Smell Grents - Angela Evenden Missoula 549-0040 IF YOU MOVE, PLEASE NOTIFY US AT MNPS MEMBERSHIP P.O. BOX 8783 'Tis sweet, in the green spring Mrssoul,A MT 59807-8783 To gaze upon the awakening fields eround, Birds in the thicket sing, FIELD TBIPS FLYER Winds whisper, waters prattle from the ground; A thousand odours rise, If you have a lineup of field trips planned for this summer, Breathed up blossoms of o thousand dyes. send your schedule in so we can put it altogether on from the Annual Field Trips flyer. Deadline is May lst. Please send information to the address below. William Cullen Bryant

MONTANA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY U.S. Postage KELSEYA Editor PAID P.O. Box 1632 #3 Noxon, MT 59853 Permit Plains, MT 59859

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

1c; copyngnr ,-" _Of} pnntedon IUonrena Native |\-- ,O Rec-"-cled Planr Socien Y1f f"o.t

t. cF.2199 PETER LESICA 929 LOCUST MISSOULA MT 59802