V OL 44 / N O 2 APril–June 2014 CALIFORNIA N ATIVE PLANT SOC IETY BULLETIN New Invasive Aster in Mammoth Lakes COULD HYBRIDIZE WITH LOCAL NATIVE Lakes region, and much of the Eastern Sierra SPECIES TO CREAte a “super weed” support varieties of the native plant Dieteria BY ANN HOWALD AND SHERRY TAYLOR canescens, or hoary aster. The concern was that a closely related non-native species n late summer 2012 Bristlecone of Dieteria could hybridize with the local Chapter members noticed that a non- native varieties of Dieteria canescens. Hybrids Inative “aster” was taking over a recently between natives and non-natives have the restored native landscape at the Cerro Coso potential to become “super weeds” capable College campus on the outskirts of the town of outcompeting native species, not to of Mammoth Lakes. Taking immediate mention confounding future taxonomists. action to limit the plant’s spread at the Those of us who loved the simple and college and into adjacent native vegetation, easy-to-pronounce name “aster” have had volunteers, led by Sherry Taylor—a long- to become aware that the most recent term resident of Mammoth Lakes and classification systems in The Jepson Manual, coordinator of the Bristlecone Chapter’s Second Edition, and the Flora of North Mammoth area plant sale—hand-pulled a America, do not include any members of dumpster-sized quantity of the invader. the genus Aster as native to California. Sherry Taylor Surveying other parts of Mammoth Aster has been relegated to the status of The non-native aster Dieteria canescens var. canescens invading disturbed area Lakes, Sherry noticed that the same plant a common name for species now included along Meridian Boulevard in the town of had invaded roadsides and pockets of na- in genera such as Dieteria, Symphyotrichum, Mammoth Lakes. tive sagebrush scrub. These areas included Oreostemma, and the like. (continued on page 6) a ridge adjacent to the University of Cali- fornia’s Valentine Camp in Old Mammoth. Native Here Nursery Champions Use of Locally Fearing that the invasive plant could spread to Valentine Camp, a University of Cali- Native Plants fornia (UC) Natural Reserve established to BY CHARLI DANIELSEN protect its natural habitats and native spe- cies, Sherry contacted Daniel Dawson, the [Editor’s Note: Major staff changes at this well-known native plant nursery, situated in the city reserve’s resident director. Since all of UC’s where CNPS first began, prompted this article.] Natural Reserves have a mandate to protect native biodiversity, Dan alerted Valentine ative Here” comes from the signs in botanic gardens when a plant is found native Camp’s volunteer botanist and Bristlecone “Nto the site rather than transported from another locale. In the mid 1980s, scientists Chapter member Ann Howald. within CNPS began noticing hybridization taking place in the wild between wild and Ann recognized the invasive aster garden plants. The organization developed policies about using only locally native plants as a likely member of the genus Dieteria in revegetation and restoration. (formerly Machaeranthera). Species in this Charli Danielsen, being a person who likes simple solutions, felt that the simplest way genus are known commonly as tansy aster, to avoid unwanted hybridization would be to grow plants from local sources in sufficient hoary aster, Dieter’s aster, and by other quantities to meet revegetation and restoration needs, and to encourage gardeners to avoid names. This was further cause for alarm, using plants from other locales that could hybridize with the local native populations. So since Valentine Camp, the entire Mammoth (continued on page 6) CNPS Bulletin V44#2 v3.indd 1 3/22/14 1:42 PM California n ative Plant SoC iety • vol 44 / n o 2 aPril–June 2014 From the Executive Director Not to be missed: the 2015 CNPS Conservation Conference t must be said: I am It’s inspiring to see all the dedication which assumptions are tested, new ideas Ireally looking forward and creativity: conference volunteers are are born, friends are made and partnerships to the big 2015 CNPS Conservation bringing fresh ideas such as “lightning started, projects proposed and initiatives Conference! It’s going to be an amazing talks;” sponsors are already getting in advanced. We will talk about plans and event, with hundreds of your friends touch with offers of support; chapters are dreams and aspirations, and then head back presenting the latest research, thousands exploring ways to bring even more student home to change the world for the better. of attendees exchanging ideas and smiles, attendees. Dozens of the smartest people You have probably heard it already, and an abandoned disco club that we get I know are working hard to make it an and you’ll hear it again: this conference to use for our 50th birthday party. absolutely unforgettable conference, and will kick off a year-long celebration of one I have had the good fortune to attend it looks like they’re going to succeed! of California’s most effective conservation previous editions of the Conservation Of course, the conference is much more organizations. It begins the 50th birthday Conference (I still get a nice “endorphin than the overload of 200-plus stimulating party of CNPS, the Society that with your memory” when I recall the beautiful photos talks. It’s a once-every-three-years chance help saves the beautiful places you love. that graced the 2009 Baja sessions), but for us all to join together and exchange The conference is on my mind, on the it is also quite an experience watching perspectives. It is a special gathering that mind of a hundred busy volunteers, and organizers bring the conference together. unites our Society, a cross pollination in hopefully now on your mind as well. I look forward to seeing you there! T Dan Gluesenkamp The Rewards of Volunteering Executive Director I’m inspired and humbled by the incredible volunteers we have in CNPS, and I’m honored to be one of the many. From plant sale stalwarts, to rare plant treasure hunters, CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY to chapter officers, to our state board and committees, we spend our free time working 2707 K Street, Suite 1 collaboratively to educate others about native plants and to protect them. We testify, we Sacramento, CA 95816-5113 Phone: 916-447-2677 T Fax: 916-447-2727 Email: [email protected] Website: www.cnps.org CNPS Bulletin Email: [email protected] Dan Gluesenkamp, Executive Director 2014 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Laura Camp, President David Bigham, Vice President Carolyn Longstreth, Secretary Nancy Morin, Treasurer At Large: Kristie Haydu, Bill Hunt, Gordon Leppig, Michael Laura Camp Laura Vasey, Dave Varner, Steve Windhager; The new CNPS Board of Directors, plus CNPS Executive Director Dan Gluesenkamp Chapter Council Reps: (third from right). Orchid Black, Glen Holstein organize, we write, we represent, we donate, we plant, and we do so much more. Together CHAPTER COUNCIL we speak with a powerful voice and an important message. David Magney, Chair I encourage you to reflect for a moment about your volunteer time with CNPS. Do Larry Levine, Vice-Chair Marty Foltyn, Secretary you want to become more active? Do you have a new challenge or idea in mind? Are you ready to inspire the next generation of volunteers and leaders? Check in with your local CNPS BULLETIN Bob Hass, Editor chapter and find your passion. Whether you give one hour or many weeks of your time, Lisa Roth, Designer CNPS will give back to you and will enrich your life with fellowship, beauty, growth, and David Chapman, Diana Hickson, Marcia Pratt, Proofreaders accomplishment. T Laura Camp, President MAILING LABEL CHANGES CNPS Board of Directors Send to: [email protected] P A G E 2 CNPS Bulletin V44#2 v3.indd 2 3/22/14 1:43 PM California n ative Plant SoC iety • vol 44 / n o 2 aPril–June 2014 CNPS 2015 Conservation Conference Call for abstracts and workshops now open he CNPS 2015 Conservation directions for submissions may be found on Conference will be held January the conference website under Call for Ab- cepting proposals until May 1. Proposals for T13–17, 2015, at the San Jose Dou- stracts at www.cnps.org/2015/abstracts. All workshops should be sent electronically by bleTree by Hilton, San Jose, California. abstracts must be submitted electronically May 1, 2014 to [email protected]. For The first two days of the conference will through the CNPS website, as directed. proposal guidelines, please go to www.cnps. be filled with workshops and field trips, Descriptions of sessions, including a new org/2015/workshops. Half-day, one-day, followed by three days of scientific con- lightning talk format, may be found at www. or two-day workshops may be scheduled. ference sessions. We expect over 1,000 cnps.org/2015/sessions. Workshops should teach job skills and/or attendees including academic and field All presenters, including contributing cover one of the following topics: environ- professionals from the various disciplines and invited speakers and poster present- mental laws and regulations, botanical field related to plant conservation, as well as ers, must submit an abstract. Students methods, plant taxonomy, vegetation ecol- experienced volunteers. Go to www.cnps. are also encouraged to submit abstracts ogy, restoration, horticulture, ethnobotany, org/2015 for up-to-date information. for one of the topic sessions, the special drawing from nature, gardening with native The Call for Abstracts for oral and student session titled “Current Research,” plants, or plant/animal relationships. T poster presentations for the conference is or the poster session. Josie Crawford, CNPS open until July 10, 2014. Guidelines and The Call for Workshops is open and ac- Education Program Director extensive knowledge of both the history Roxanne Bittman Honored and workings of the collaboration put the challengers at ease.