Summer 2001 Kelseya Volume 14 No

Summer 2001 Kelseya Volume 14 No. 4

n Kelseya

r t

s Newsletter of the Montana Native Plant Society

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are listed among the world's worst MONTANA PLANTS TRAVEL ABROAD agricultural weeds (Holm et al. …...without a passport! 1997). Horseweed (Conyza canaden- By Peter Lesica sis) is a weed of crops from wheat to bananas throughout temperate and tana natives are serious weeds of tropical regions of the world. Both ost of us are adversely natural areas on other continents small spikerush (Eleocharis acicu- M affected by the intro- (Daehler 1998), including tall cone- laris) and seaside bulrush (Scirpus duction of weedy exotic plants; even flower (Rudbeckia laciniata), maritimus) are serious weeds of if it's just the hawkweed (Hieracium Canada goldenrod (Solidago rice in much of Asia. They aurantiacum) in our lawns or the canadensis), Washington lupine have become pervasive pests Norway maple (Acer platanoides) (Lupinus polyphyllus) and in countries such as Japan seedlings in our flower beds. Weeds plains cottonwood (Populus where broad- leaved plants are a lot more than just a nuisance deltoides). Lodgepole pine are now controlled with to farmers fighting whitetop (Pinus contorta) has escaped herbicides. Seaside bulrush

is reported to infest 80% of

(Cardaria spp) or ranchers struggling cultivation and is spreading n h

with leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula). rapidly in many Southern o rice fields in South Korea,

y sometimes causing complete loss

It's gotten to the point that some of Hemisphere countries. Thirty b

g of crop yield. Floating-leaved

our plant communities look more like -nine species of native Mon- n i

Europe than North America. What tana plants are common agri- w pondweed (Potamogeton natans)

a r

few of us realize is that weedy plant cultural weeds introduced on D and Canada waterweed (Elodea introduction is a two-way street; other continents, and many canadensis) are both aquatic many of our native plants have been are considered serious plants that block canals and introduced into Europe or Asia and threats to agriculture in at ditches in western Europe. Can- are causing havoc over there! least one country (Table 1). ada waterweed is a significant prob- More than 150 species of plants More than one- fourth of these are lem in Australia, where it infests endemic to North America have be- in the Aster Family, and Rudbeckia laciniata 5,000 miles of ditches. Ca- come naturalized in Europe, more nearly half are aquatic or nals must be cleaned by than from any other continent wetland plants. hand up to six times each (Weber 1997). Eight species of Mon- Five species of Montana natives (Continued on page 5)

elk and the challenges of building an outfitting business Annual Meeting from scratch in the heart of one of America’s wildest Special Guests places, The Bob. They will bring with them copies of By Dennis Nicholls their most recent book, Chocolate Legs, as well as their earlier works, for purchase. BULL RIVER - At our camp on Bull River this summer It would be terrific to hear about some of the more there will be a community campfire, and we’ll gather extraordinary hikes you have been on, so come prepared round it each night for friendly chat and storytelling. to tell your own tales by firelight. We’ll all share in the We’ll be privileged to have Roland and Jane Cheek of laughs and frights of pursuing native plants and animals Columbia Falls as our special guests Friday night, the across Montana’s spectacular landscape. 13th. For more than 20 years Roland and Jane outfitted in It will be a real treat to have our guest of honor on the Bob Marshall Wilderness. They retired and sold the Saturday night, Jack Nisbet of Spokane, Washington. He business several years ago, but their experiences have has visited our area several times to give presentations led to the publication of several books about bears and on David Thompson, and he is an excellent speaker. (Continued on page 5) Kelseya President’s Platform Wayne Phillips

OUR OWN WEBSITE sess this role of the Society. lic and commercial plant industry, On the web at www.umt.edu/mnps/ could help take the pressure off of is the Montana Native Plant Society's COMMERCIAL WILDCRAFTING collecting our wild native populations own website. Check it out! Our OF NATIVE SPECIES (see "Growing Echinacea" on our web- website is beautiful and very infor- More of our Montana native species site). The guidelines for collecting mative. Truly something to be proud are showing up as commercial prod- native plants on page 2-3 of our of. A big THANKS! to Marilyn Marler ucts. The latest one to come to our "Source Guide for Native Plants of ([email protected]) for getting attention is pressed plants as framed Montana" provide excellent advice us into the cyberworld! Marilyn is art. Beargrass leaves are in demand for plant collecting for any purpose. asking for photos from around the worldwide in the florist industry, and Because of the potential volume of state to further show off Montana's are heavily collected in Washington, plant material collected in commer- floral beauty on the website. Send Oregon and Idaho. After Echinacea, cial harvest, I wonder if these guide- your photos to her at 1750 S 8th St which of our Montana native plant lines go far enough. It is my personal W., Missoula, MT 59801. species will be targeted for mass col- opinion that the only "ethical" com- lecting by the multi-million dollar mercial harvest of our native plant CONSERVATON ISSUES international herb industry?..Oregon species is from cultivation. For that Our Society has become more active grape (Berberis/Mahonia species)?, reason, I will not purchase in conservation issues in the last few fern-leaved desert-parsley "wildcrafted" herbs of our native spe- years, supporting the control of com- (Lomatium dissectum)?, arrow-leaved cies. mercial wildcrafting of Echinacea and balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata)? THANKS certain other native medicinal herbs, Our Society is dedicated to preserv- Serving the last four years as your urging restraint in the breaking of ing and conserving native plants and President has been an honor and native prairie for cropping, etc. plant communities. What can we do privilege. Recent knee and back sur- Given the diversity of opinion of our as a Society to insure viable popula- gery will keep me from attending the membership, how active of a role in tions of our native species and plant annual meeting in Bull River, which I conservation issues do you think is communities in the face of mass greatly regret. Vice President Betty appropriate? Do we need guidelines commercial collecting (see Betty’s Kuropat will preside over the meet- or procedures to ensure that the comments on page 3)? Our vigilance ing in my absence. The Board of Di- opinions expressed in writing by the and active concern in these matters, rectors of the Montana Native Plant Board, Board members, or the Con- I believe, will be important chal- Society is the most dedicated and servation Committee, truly reflect lenges, with the long-term future of competent group of volunteers that I the majority opinion of the Society our native species and native habi- have ever been privileged to associ- membership? The Board would like tats hanging in the balance. Many of ate with. Although I will miss seeing to hear from the membership about us have found that growing native you all at this meeting, I look for- their comfort zone in conservation plant species from seed is quite prac- ward to the next opportunity to activism. Please express your opin- tical and a lot of fun. Accumulating study Montana's native flora with you ion to your Board representative and information on successful germina- and all of my friends from MNPS. discuss it openly in chapter meetings tion and cultivation methods for our These comments are my last words and Board meetings in the next few natives, and making this information to you as President. Thanks for the months as the Board attempts to as- readily available to the general pub- opportunity to serve you.

Wayne can be reached at 2601 Third Ave. North, Great Falls, MT 59401 (406) 453-0648 e-mail: [email protected]

MEMBERS… Jerry Long time MNPS member and author of Bitter- root, Jerry DeSanto is recovering from a long illness. His Wayne Our President, Wayne Phillips, is recovering companion, Karen Feather, reports that Jerry is now in from spinal surgery at his home in Great Falls. We all the Montana Veteran’s Home in Columbia Falls. He know Wayne as a tireless and active ambassador for Mon- would welcome your visits and letters. He can be tana’s flora and can only imagine how hard it must be for reached at P.O. Box 250, Columbia Falls, MT 59912 or by him to slow down. A program of physical therapy has calling 892-3256. For more information contact Karen at been initiated and Wayne’s spirits are good. Wayne 387-4266. would welcome your calls and visits at the above ad- Welcome to all new and renewing members dress. of MNPS!

2 Kelseya Summer 2001 Conservation

Wildcrafting in Montana like to join this group or would like to-date through the foundation’s SB 197 was passed by the Montana to volunteer other times during the newsletter, Nutcracker Notes, dis- legislature this year and was effec- summer, please contact Linda Wal- tributed several times a year. WPEF tive immediately when the Governor lace at 994-0422 or by e-mail to also sponsors annual meetings that signed it into law on April 20. This [email protected] include field trips to whitebark pine bill requires wildcrafters (anyone forests. More information about the who collects plants or plant parts for Montana’s Whitebark Pine Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Founda- commercial purposes) to have writ- Needs Help! tion can be obtained by consulting its ten permission from the landowner Whitebark pine, Pinus albicaulis, website: www.whitebarkfound.org where the plants are collected. The o c c u r s throughout Mon- or by writing WPEF at PO Box 16775, intent of the bill is to help provide tana’s Rocky Missoula, MT 59808. In addition, e- protection for our native plant com- Mountains. We mail inquires may be made to Bob munities by requiring wildcrafters see it nearly Keane: [email protected] and buyers to be accountable for all the time at Dr. Jim Habeck wildcrafted plants and to encourage elevations above stewardship of our wild plant com- 6000 feet to Voting Records Available munities without eliminating oppor- upper t i m b e r l i n e . tunities for wildcrafting. Members of T h i s pine is the keystone food How did your legislators vote on MNPS can help educate wildcrafters, base for Clark’s nutcrackers, red key conservation issues during the consumers, and landowners about squirrels, and bears. The whitebark 2001 Montana Legislature? If you are this law. We can also help enforce it pine populations and the forest eco- interested in finding out, you can by asking wholesalers and retailers to systems they form, are in danger of receive the 2001 Voting Record com- insure they buy only from wild- being lost due to two major influ- piled by Montana Audubon for the crafters who have proper bills of sale ences: (1) whitebark pine, as with session. The voting record contains and that they also document their all other five-needled pines, are be- votes on numerous conservation purchases from wildcrafters. If we ing killed by an introduced blister measures, including SB 197 which know of wildcrafters who are rust that has spread into all parts of requires permits for commercial col- "poaching" plants without permission, whitebark pine’s range in Montana. lectors of native plants. we can notify the landowner and/or (2) whitebark pine is being threat- Send your request for a voting any law enforcement agency. The ened by other competing conifers as record by e-mail to: jel- full text of the law is on the web at: a result of many decades of fire sup- [email protected] or drop a postcard http://laws.leg.state.mt.us:8000/ pression. Historically, periodic wild- to Janet Ellis, Montana Audubon, laws01/plsql/law0203w$.startup. fires kept spruce and subalpine fir P.O. Box 595, Helena, MT 59624. Type in "SB", "197", and click "find". from replacing whitebark pine. This bill was written by the Task Help is on the way. A newly Force on Wild Medicinal Plants that formed, Montana-based organization, Rare Montana Plants Need was established during the last ses- The Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foun- sion when the state placed a morato- dation (WPEF) has as its goal the pro- Sponsors rium on collecting certain medicinal motion of whitebark pine’s welfare; The Center for Plant Conservation plants, including Echinacea. The to do what’s necessary to restore this maintains a collection of over 570 of Task Force is chaired by MNPS mem- species’ ecosystem. The WPEF cur- America’s imperiled native plants in ber Robyn Klein. rently represents a diversity of re- one of the largest living collections Betty Kuropat source managers, scientists and bota- of rare plants in the world. Live ma- nists who have been working to terial from the collection is provided Volunteer Opportunity in gather information on whitebark pine to land managers to assist their ef- ecosystems and the problems they forts to recover imperiled plants in Yellowstone wild settings. The National Collec- Volunteers are needed to help face, and to seek solutions to restore tion is maintained through the sup- with detection and eradication of this pine to a healthy status. WPEF port of people and groups that spon- non-native plants in the Park. Weed is designing and implementing educa- sor individual plant species. The pulls in several locations around tional outreach programs targeting Center reports that two plants from Mammoth Hot Springs, including the Montanans and others interested in Montana, Arabis fecunda and Astra- Osprey Falls trail, are scheduled participating in the restoration of galus barrii are in need of sponsor- throughout the summer. Free en- whitebark pine ecosystems. Montana ship. For information call 314-577- trance to the park and camping at Native Plant Society members are 9450 or e-mail: [email protected] or Mammoth are provided, as well as ideal individuals to help WPEF. Mem- visit: www.mobot.org/CPC tools for the projects. If you would bers of this foundation are kept up- KL

Summer 2001 Kelseya 3 Conservation

the State Land Board, which consists tana Legislative Audit Committee Weed Program May Be of the Governor, Superintendent of report its findings and conclusions Audited Public Instruction, Auditor, Secretary regarding the weed control program of State, and Attorney General. The on school trust lands to the 2003 Montana Audubon is spearheading lands are managed with the following Montana Legislature. efforts to request that the state’s guidance (77-1-202 MCA): “...the Janet Ellis Legislative Audit Committee conduct guiding principle is that these lands a performance audit on and funds are held in the weed control program trust for the support Native Success Stories on school trust land. The of education and for state has approximately the attainment of The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is dedicated to educating 5.2 million acres of school other worthy objects people about the environmental ne- trust land. The 2001 Mon- helpful to the well- cessity, economic value and natural tana Weed Management being of the people of beauty of native plants. One of the Plan, adopted by the this state as provided most popular exhibits is a book of Weed Management Task in the Enabling Act. The Board shall admin- pictures that depicts native land- Force, estimates that 9% scape success stories from across n ister this trust to se- of these lands are infested h

o North America. The Center needs J

cure the largest meas-

with noxious weeds, cov- y native landscape slides and photos. b

ure of legitimate and

ering approximately g They want to know: How has land- n 459,000 acres. The state i reasonable advantage

w scaping with native plants added to a has no systematic, com- r to the state.”

D the beauty and cut cost and mainte- The audit would: prehensive program to nance in the area you maintain? • Assess what infor- measure the effectiveness Send your images to: 4801 La Crosse or compliance of weed mation the Montana Ave., Austin, TX 78722 or e-mail: control being carried out Department of Natural [email protected] for informa- on these lands. Resources and Conser- tion. Please include your address so In support of the audit, vation keeps track of the Center can communicate with for individual parcels, Audubon collected 105 out Centaurea diffusa you. KL of 150 Montana Legisla- and what DNRC knows about the weed control plans for tors’ signatures on a petition circu- Columbine Help Request lated at the Montana Legislature. individual parcels of land. Additionally, the Montana Weed Con- • Examine the administration of Justen Whittall is researching the trol Association and Montana Native the weed control program on all evolution of pollination syndromes in Plant Society submitted letters in types of school trust lands, in- North American columbines. He support of the review. The Legisla- cluding forest land, rangeland, needs wild collected seeds from mul- tive Audit Committee will make its and crop land. Currently DNRC tiple populations of every species of columbine (24) from throughout decision on whether to do the audit has two components to its weed North America (mostly west of the at its June 25 – 26 meeting. control program: a $35,000 to Rockies). Native Plant Society mem- It is important for the state of $40,000 appropriation from the bers can help by: 1. Collecting and Montana to have an effective weed state of Montana for weed man- sending wild seed from 5-10 individu- control program on school trust agement projects, and a require- ment that lessees manage weeds als of any Aquilegia species in your lands. When Montana became a area along with location and contact state, the federal government on leased or licensed property. • Conduct an actual on-the-ground information. 2. Forwarding known granted it “school trust land.” To- columbine localities (and flowering audit of tracks of school trust day, the Department of Natural Re- dates) to: Justen Whittall (805) 893- land to determine the effective- sources and Conservation (DNRC) di- 7814; [email protected] rectly manages approximately 5.2 ness of DNRC’s on-the-ground million acres of school trust land, weed control program.

scattered across the state, with ap- • Assess how the weed control pro- e

gram on school trust lands meas- n

proximately 660,000 acres managed n

a e

ures up to other weed control J

as forest land, 450,000 acres man- y

programs and how it could be b

aged for cropland, and 4.1 million g

made more effective. n

acres managed as rangeland. Over- i w

We are requesting that the Mon- a

sight of these lands is controlled by r Aquilegia coerulea D

4 Summer 2001 Kelseya ...Weeds (Continued from page 1) Table 1. Common (C), principal (P) and serious (S) weeds of agriculture native to Montana and introduced year in the Netherlands. onto other continents; taken from Holm et al. (1979). Examination of Table 1 suggests that it is Montana's widespread and weedy natives that become problems elsewhere. Montana has several species of penstemons Ambrosia artemisiifolia C,P Guatemala, Japan, Australia that prefer disturbed habitats and occur only in our re- Ambrosia psilostachya P Australia gion. None of these narrowly distributed species have Androsace filiformis C Soviet Union become naturalized in Europe, although several have Anemone patens C Australia been introduced for horticultural purposes. Boxelder Bacopa rotundifolia C Japan (Acer negundo) is North America's most widespread ma- Bidens frondosa C Iran, Japan, Portugal Bidens tripartita C Europe, Japan ple and the only one to become naturalized in Europe. Chenopodium rubrum C Europe Northern bedstraw (Galium boreale) is introduced in Conyza canadensis C Europe, Asia, Hawaii Finland, and small cleavers (G. trifidum) is common in Eleocharis acicularis S,P Asia, Australia Japan; however, common cleavers (G. aparine), our most Erigeron annuus C,P Asia common species, is a serious problem throughout much Erigeron philadelphicus C Japan of Europe and Asia. Our native goldenrods provide an- Erysimum cheiranthoides C Europe other example. Tall goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) is Erysimum repandrum C Argentina common in many habitats throughout Montana, while Galium aparine P,S Asia grass-leaved goldenrod (S. graminifolia) is found only Galium boreale C Finland Galium trifidum C Japan along our major rivers in the eastern part of the state. Geranium carolinianum C Japan Both were introduced to Europe 150 years ago for horti- Heliotropum curassavicum C India, Iran cultural purposes, but only tall goldenrod has spread rap- Heracleum spondylium C Europe idly (Weber 1998). Hippuris vulgaris C Iran So there you have it- some of our good natives have Lappula echinata C Africa, Soviet Union run amok in foreign lands. It's sad but true. Weed inva- Matricaria matricrioides C Europe sions are a world-wide phenomenon. Few regional floras Panicum capillare S India don't contribute weeds, and even fewer are impervious Phalaris arundinacea P,S Africa, Asia, New Zealand to invasion. So next time you travel abroad look for Potamogeton natans C,P Europe Africa Potamogeton nodosus C Africa these ugly Americans; they're everywhere. Potamogeton pectinatus S.P Africa Literature Cited: Purshia tridentata P Ghana Daehler, C.C. 1998. The taxonomic distribution of Ranunculus flammula C Germany invasive angiosperm plants: ecological insights and com- Rubus parviflorus C Australia parison to agricultural weeds. Biological Conservation Scirpus maritimus P,S Africa, Asia, Europe Sitanion hystrix C Australia 84: 167-180. Solanum rostratum C Australia, Africa Holm et al. 1979. A geographical atlas of world Solidago gigantea C Japan weeds. John Wiley & Sons, New York. Veronica americana C Japan Holm et al. 1997. World weeds: natural histories and Veronica peregrina C Europe, Japan distribution. John Wiley & Sons, New York. Xanthium strumarium C,P Europe, Asia, Africa Weber, E.F. 1997. The alien flora of Europe: a taxo- Zannichellia palustris C Portugal nomic and biogeographic review. Journal of Vegetation Science 8: 565-572. Weber, E.F. 1998. The dynamics of plant invasions: a case study of three exotic goldenrod species (Solidago L.) ...Guests (Continued from page 1) in Europe. Journal of Biogeography 25: 147-154. Thompson is generally believed to have been the first white man in the lower Clark Fork Valley. Lewis and 2002 native plant-weed Clark never saw the Cabinets, but Thompson and his men calendar update explored this country extensively. Jack has authored a Thanks to the hard work of many MNPS members, the book entitled Sources of the River: Tracking David 2002 native plant-weed calendar is on schedule. We are Thompson Across Western North America. There will be working with the Noxious Weed Education and Aware- opportunity to purchase his book as well as others at the ness Campaign and Carla Hoopes reports that we are on book table in camp. track and looking good. All the images have been If you can, come early on Friday so you’re present for scanned and text and page lay-out is underway. The Roland and Jane Cheek by the campfire. We’ll begin first proofs will be distributed to those MNPS members registering people around 6:00 p.m. Registration will who expressed interest and the calendar will be sent to continue Saturday morning prior to striking out on our the printer by the first of August. If you want to help, field trips. The evening program with Jack Nisbet will contact Kathy at 449-6586; [email protected] begin at 8:00 p.m.

Kelseya Summer 2001 5 cellence, and dedication represent farewell an uncommon combination of talents A sad to a friend of MNPS that will be greatly missed. Best wishes to you, Bonnie! We at MNPS were saddened to For many years I have had the Steve Shelly learn that Bonnie Heidel, long time pleasure of working with Bonnie on What a loss to the Heritage Pro- member, advocate for Montana’s numerous projects involving rare gram in Montana! She has always native species and botanist for the plant conservation and natural areas been the person I called when I Montana Natural Heritage Program, protection on the nine National For- needed information on rare, sensi- has accepted a job with the Natural ests in Montana. We also worked tive, or threatened plants in Mon- Heritage Program in Wyoming and is together on projects for the National tana. I don’t know what we would leaving us. Following are best Grasslands in North Dakota, where have done without her when we wishes and fond remembrances from she was previously the botanist for started working on weed manage- us to you, Bonnie! that state's Natural Heritage Inven- ment areas and needed information tory. Many innovative rare plant on native species. Her expertise, I remember Bonnie as a dedicated monitoring and habitat restoration great work ethic, and knowledge will botanist with infinite energy; a tire- studies (for Howellia aquatilis and certainly be missed in Montana. I less worker who put in a lot of extra Penstemon lemhiensis, to name just wish her the best and appreciate hours to do a quality job. On the two examples), inventories for nu- everything she has done for Montana. sensitive plant monitoring studies on merous Forest Service sensitive plant Celestine Duncan the Lewis and Clark National Forest, species, development of plant con- One of the more interesting parts Bonnie was innovative in re-designing servation databases and field guides, of our newsletter to me has been the studies to yield more specific and publication of educational mate- “Big Sky Sketches,” which is some- information on changes in individual rials (such as the Montana rare plant thing Bonnie came up with while I plants over time. No one that I know poster) are just was newsletter editor. The first is more conscientious and committed a few of the en- sketch she sent for that feature

to performing reputable work that deavors that was on a small fleabane. I used

would stand up to peer review. I Bonnie was in- i just a bit too much literary li-

b b

also remember Bonnie as a friend strumental in o cense with that piece in the

with a subtle sense of humor that moving forward y name of humor and kind of

keeps you guessing and smiling. Bon- during her ten- s butchered it. And I guess it was-

g n

nie is a fine botanical artist. Her self ure at the Mon- i n’t that funny to anyone else.

w a

styled Christmas cards are so unique! tana Natural r But Bonnie was gracious – though

A few years ago Bonnie was working Heritage Pro- D understandably a little miffed – with me on the sensitive plant spe- gram. The when that article came out in cies, northern rattlesnake plantain highly successful the newsletter with my extras (Goodyera repens), which occurs in Montana Plant added in. She didn’t stop send- Montana only in the Little Belt Moun- Conservation ing “sketches” of Big Sky plants, tains and one site in Glacier N.P. Conferences also however, and it grew into one of Bonnie's Christmas card that year was depended the more enjoyable features in a fine line drawing of this small for- greatly on Bon- Mimulus ringens the newsletter. Bonnie has al- est plant, with the greeting "Merry nie's energy and Bonnie discovered this plant ways impressed me with her Christmas and have a Goodyera!" I extensive net- along the Missouri River last knowledge and the precision of will miss Bonnie and hope she comes work of botani- summer; a state record for her explanations about plants. I to see us often. Have a Goodyera, cal colleagues in Montana. will miss her contributions to Bonnie! the state. Of Kelseya. All the best to you Wayne Phillips course, I will always fondly remem- Bonnie, and wherever you lay your I remember Bonnie as a sweet ber many days of crawling through head at night, don’t let the bed bugs person who takes time to find the the sagebrush in Beaverhead County bite,... nor the fleas! right words to express herself, who with Bonnie and our southwest Mon- Dennis Nicholls found time in her busy schedule to tana colleagues, searching for illusive Bonnie has been a tremendous send me a blessing card after my Penstemon lemhiensis seedlings, as information resource, champion of twins were born, who helped me we sought to understand the inter- little-known plants (e.g., mosses) draft a letter encouraging Montana esting population dynamics of this and good friend. Before I met Bon- coal mines to plant Echinacea on rec- species. On behalf of the Forest Ser- nie, when she was in North Dakota, lamation, who brought me Thai vice botany team in Montana, I would she provided me with information on herbal teas for tasting, and who like to thank Bonnie for her critical, fens in North Dakota that allowed me seemed always glad to see me and lasting contributions towards plant to collect mosses there and establish whom I was always glad to see. I will conservation in the state -- her en- several new state records. Not only miss you, Bonnie! ergy, sense of humor, technical ex- Lih-An Yang (Continued on page 10)

6 Kelseya Summer 2001 plicata) is found along the Ross Creek Trail near where many of you will be attending the Native Plant Society’s annual meeting (July 13-15, 2001). If ketches you choose to go with Erich Pfalzer By Helen Smith on the Ross Creek Cedars hike, you will likely get the opportunity to see

this huge red cedar, in addition to many other magnificent specimens. This co-champion is listed as 362 hampion Tree Program inches in circumference (that’s C nearly 10 feet across) and 178 feet Montana’s BIG Ones!

Americans tend to be in awe of ones to nominate it. I can tell you big things. While some people place that these giants are truly awe- high value on things like big cars, inspiring; to stand at the base of houses, and boats, there are those of such a large, living thing is very hum- us who get more of a thrill from bling. It makes me realize that hu- things found in the natural world. I, mans are no more than a mere speck for instance, revel in the sight of of dust in this universe, yet our ac-

large birds, mountains, glaciers, or tions can have such lasting impacts

lakes. American Forests celebrates on our world. I guess you could say e

n n

large trees. American Forests claims that it helps me keep my perspec- a

e J

to be the oldest national, nonprofit tive. I find myself contemplating the

citizen conservation organization in events that occurred during this s

g n

the United States. It was founded in tree’s estimated 1000-year lifespan. i w

1875 and the quest to identify and Oh, the stories it could tell! a r preserve our nation’s largest trees As the coordinator for the state of D began in 1940. The outcome of those Montana, I am responsible for proc- efforts is the National Register of Big essing nominations, updating the Trees, which is updated annually. state list annually, and notifying Thuja plicata More information on American For- American Forests of potential na- ests can be found at: http:// tional champions. I have been given tall!! It is described as being about www.americanforests.org several suggestions on how our pro- ¼ mile past the South Fork junction Trees are nominated based on gram could be changed. Some feel on the main Ross Creek Trail (south species, height, circumference, and that we should have 2 lists. One list side of trail). A note to those of you crown spread. There are specific would be for trees found in city going on this hike: I don’t have a rules for measurement methods and parks, along boulevards, etc. that picture of this tree for my records each tree is given points accordingly. probably benefit from fertilizer and and would really appreciate one if For some people, the search for large additional watering. The second list you find the champion! Another trees is a passion – they spend their would be made up of trees found in website that may be of interest to vacations in pursuit of national places such as National Forests or some of you is: http:// champions. For others, it’s pure luck State Parks that are subjected to the www.libby.org/RossCreek/ to stumble upon a giant tree. whims of nature. Another change I’d If you’d like a list of the Speaking of pure luck, my former like to make is to have trained verifi- current Montana co-worker Micha Krebs and I hold the ers throughout the state who can champions or honor of ‘finding’ Montana’s largest help me verify species and measure- need a nomi- western larch (Larix occidentalis), ments. I envision collaborating with nation which also happens to be a national people from organizations such as form, or if co-champion. “Our” tree is located the Montana Tree Farm Program you have near Seeley Lake and is close to a (which sponsors the Champion Tree any other ques- well-used road. I’m certain that Program) and the Montana Native tions on the Montana Cham- many people over the years have Plant Society. pion Tree Program, please con- marveled at its immense size – it just One of the Montana state co- tact Helen Smith at 406-329-4707 or happens that Micha and I were the champion western red cedars (Thuja e-mail: [email protected]

Summer 2001 Kelseya 7 CALENDAR

Artemisia chapter more information or plant lists con- strenuous, 9-mile round-trip hike tact Kathy Sweet at Philipsburg with group size limited to 10 people. Thursday, August 16, 7 a.m. Ranger District at 859-3211 or e-mail: Reserve by calling trip leader Sam Meteetse Spires botanical hike led by [email protected] Culotta by July 1, at 837-4298. BLM employees. Meet at the BLM office at 5001 Southgate Drive near Clark Fork Chapter Tuesday, July 10, 7:00 p.m. Billings Boulevard exit at 7 a.m. for Trail of the Cedars evening stroll. Spend 1-2 hours on this easy 1-mile directions. Moderate to steep hiking, Saturday, August 4, 9:30 a.m. walk through a beautiful old-growth so bring day packs, lunch, water and Mary’s Frog Pond and Beyond with cedar/hemlock forest in Glacier camera. Call Hal Vosen at 232-2608 Steve Shelly (542-0620) and Darlene Park. Meet at 7:00 p.m. in front of or David Jaynes (BLM) at 896-5241. Lavelle (721-9361). See the rare the old ranger residence near the floating fen, sundew and swamp lau- entrance to Avalanche Campground. Beartooth mountain rel. Meet at the SW end of Wal-Mart Call Jen Asebrook at 863-9630 (h) or Jean Radonski 855-4500 parking lot in Missoula. Bring a lunch 888-7818 (w) for more information. and shoes to get wet.

Calypso chapter Saturday, July 21, 9:00 a.m. Saturday, August 25, 10:00 a.m. Lucifer Lake. Perched in a subalpine Mid-July to August Return of our annual canoe trip: the basin at the southern end of the Mis- Self guided trip to the Gravelly Moun- lower Flathead River with Peter Le- sion Mountains, Lucifer Lake sparkles tains. This area is south of Ennis. sica. We’ll be looking at riparian above spectacular waterfalls of the Several loops can be made to access areas and little gravel bar treasures. Mission Creek drainage. A tribal rec- the subalpine meadows. Fields of Meet at the Moises grocery store for reation permit is needed for this trip Polygonum bistortoides, Hymenoxys a 6-hour float. Bring lunch and wa- within the Mission Mountains Tribal grandiflora and Wyethia are abun- ter. If you don’t have a canoe or Wilderness. This is a strenuous 6- dant. Rare pink Agoseris lack- need information call Kelly at 258- mile round-trip hike, with group size schewitzii and Thalictrum alpinum 5439. limited. Jointly sponsored with Mon- can be found. To obtain a map, tana Wilderness Association (MWA). plant lists and more information con- Saturday, September 22, 9 a.m. Reserve your place by calling trip tact Kevin Suzuki, Madison Ranger Paleobotany near Lincoln with leader Sam Culotta by July 16, at 837 District Office at 682-4253 or e-mail: Charles Miller (543-8710). Come see -4298. [email protected] maple mountain mahogany and coni-

fer remains. Meet at the NW corner Saturday, July 28 Late July to August of Eastgate Center parking lot oppo- Terrace Lake. This strenuous, 9-mile Self guided trips to Goat Flat and site Ace Hardware in Missoula. It’s a round-trip hike is within the Mission Windy Ridge RNA areas in the Ana- 1.5 hour drive. Bring a small shovel, Mountains Tribal Wilderness. We’ll conda-Pintlar Mountains. Both areas rock hammer or pick and lunch. climb a steep ridge then descent can be accessed by the Storm Lake 1000 feet to the north fork of South Road west of Anaconda. Goat Flat is Thursday, October 11, 7:30 p.m. Crow Creek. The last mile ascends home to many rare plants including Join forest ecologist Steve Arno to gently past Terrace Falls into a steep Saussurea weberi. From Storm Lake learn about “Aboriginal Use of Pines -walled cirque surrounding Terrace one takes a 2 mile walk up hill in Montana and Lapland.” Rm L13 in Lake. A tribal recreation permit is through coniferous forests and by the Gallagher Business Building on needed for this trip. This hike is lim- limestone cliffs where rare sword the UM Campus. ited to 10 people and is jointly spon- ferns can be found. Goat Flat is a sored with MWA. Reserve by calling proposed Research Natural Area. Flathead chapter Sam Culotta by July 22 at 837-4298. Windy Ridge Research Natural Area is a rough fescue grassland. Tiny Saturday, July 7, 9:00 a.m. moonworts: Botrychium crenulatum, Mollman Lakes. Wildflowers, water B. lunaria, B. minganense and B. and wilderness everywhere! This Great falls area paradoxum can be found in the shade Mission Mountains Wilderness hike is of tall grasses. Lichens including a steady climb along Mollman Creek June 20- August 16 spectacular Thamnolia subuliformis to Mollman Pass at 6900 ft. eleva- The traveling exhibit “Plants of the grow on the rocky ridgeline. Windy tion. The hike is co-sponsored by the Lewis and Clark Expedition” will be Ridge is a ten minute hike up a steep Montana Wilderness Assn. and reser- on display at the Great Falls Lewis jeep trail from the parking area. For vations are required. This is a and Clark Interpretive Center. A re- ception for the creators, Fay E. Ben-

8 Summer 2001 Kelseya seeds and sold 13 million dollars ton and Steve Schaller, will be thor of Edible Wild Plants of the worth of seed in 2000. The $13m held on the evening of June 21 Prairie and Medicinal Wild Plants of represents the commercial value of at the Interpretive Center. the Prairie, both ethnobotanical all certified seed sold that origi- guides. Wilbur is a native Blackfeet nated from the cultivars produced Kelsey chapter instructor in Blackfeet herbology at BPMC. All BPMC foundation seed Kathy Lloyd 449-6586 and early Indian health practices at is distributed free to the Montana & the Blackfeet Community College Wyoming Seed Growers Associations Maka flora chapter and is director of the horticulture at MSU & UWY and then allocated, greenhouse project there. Contact for a pre-set amount per lb, to Sunday, July 22, 1:00 p.m. the Glacier Institute, (406) 755- qualified seed growers. The pro- Lambert Woody Draws. Meet in 1211, or [email protected] for ceeds go directly into the University Sidney at the McDonald’s park- more information. coffers to fund graduate and doc- ing lot at 1:00 p.m. A moderate toral research and development pro- hike of the area near the Bible FIELD TRIP REPORTS jects on seed production-related Camp. For information call issues.

Doug at 765-3411. If you have changed your e-mail, Plant Materials Center Trip phone or address contact Hal at Sunday, August 12 [email protected] or 406-232-2688. Grasslands evaluation to be co- Only a few showed up for the Hal Vosen ordinated with Mike Radenberg tour of the Bridger Plant Materials Center, but the weather was coop- Kelsey Chapter Reports of Medicine Lake Refuge in support of a North American Water- erative. BPMC manager Mark Maje- The Kelsey and Clark Fork Chap- fowl Production grant project. rus and Agronomist Susan Winslow ters teamed up with Montana Wil- Time and location to be an- led the tour. At the greenhouse we derness Association for a hike to nounced or contact Mike at Ref- saw sweetgrass, thornless woods Lewis & Clark Pass. Along with in- uge Headquarters. rose, silverberry, Douglas-fir and teresting history and excerpts from Rocky Mountain juniper in pots. We the Journals, we saw many flower- saw the Rocky Mountain juniper and ing plants, including Parry’s town- Valley of flowers ponderosa pine plantations grown sendia, slimpod shooting star, gla- for seed production, plots of Saturday, July 28, 7:00 a.m. cier lily, cous, fern-leaved desert grasses, forbs and shrubs grown for Beartooth Butte botanical walk parsley, paintbrushes, green gentian seed increase of selected cultivars. led by Jerry Moore. Meet at (Kelly’s favorite), and Klaus’ blad- The BPMC is helping Yellowstone MSU-B lot at 7:00 a.m. for direc- derpod in full glorious bloom. The and Glacier Parks collect native tions. Regroup at Red Lodge hike is fairly short and the view is plants for revegetation projects. Ranger Station at 8:30 a.m. with magnificent. The plants were many They have also worked with the Beartooth folks. Easy walking and the company was great—the Deer Lodge Valley Conservation Dis- trail, but bring lunch, water, stuff good field trips are made of. trict developing acid/heavy metal- camera and sunscreen. Call Kelsey Chapter sponsored a driv- tolerant cultivars since 1995. They Jerry Moore at 628-7867 or Hal ing tour to Hogback this spring and have a saline seep demonstration Vosen at 232-2608. found a spectacular display of bit- area where they are testing various terroots blooming in a field right plants in conjunction with other Saturday, August 11, 9:00 a.m. along the road. It was a beautiful areas in Montana and Wyoming. Wetlands trip to the Madison. sight and a reminder of why this They have been testing plants for We will check out willows, small plant rates its status as Mon- ability to grow in arid rangeland and sedges and the rest with Peter tana’s floral emblem. mining reclamation areas since Husby. Meet at 9:00 a.m. in the Drake Barton 1980. We saw the 8-year old plant- AgBioscience parking lot in ing of bur oak which is Montana's Bozeman to carpool. Call Peter only native oak tree , found in the at 587-0490 for information.

vicinity of Alzada, Montana and ad- e n

jacent Crook County, Wyoming. We a Frasera speciosa

e J

Western Montana also saw the new plantings of 113

y b

different legumes from Mongolia, Also called

g n

Friday, Saturday, July 6-7 collected by the tour guides in 1998. i green gentian, w

Kelly Kindscher and Wilbert Fish a giant frasera or Like all of us, the BPMC has a con- r

D monument plant. will teach “Native Plants and stant battle with weeds and the the Blackfeet People”. Kelly deer like to sample everything they has a Ph.D in plant ecology at The roots are grow. sometimes used the University of Kansas, is a The BPMC is a great asset in de- as a bitter tonic consultant for Prarieland Eco- veloping improved native plants and by herbalists. logical Services and is the au-

Kelseya Summer 2001 9 ...Bonnie (Continued from page 6) Book reviews is Bonnie a dedicated botanist she is handling. NORTHERN ROCKY a tough athlete and competitor. MOUNTAIN FIELD GUIDE TO One day several winters ago (its get- WILDFLOWERS MONTANA’S WETLAND ting to be quite a few years now!), by H. Wayne Phillips VASCULAR PLANTS Steve Cooper, Bonnie and I went Published by Globe Pequot Press, by Peter Lesica and Peter Husby cross-country skiing at Stemple Pass. this guide features more than 300 Have you ever come across an Steve and I both had the marvels of flowering plant species to help you interesting looking plant while stroll- technology, waxless skis, and Bonnie identify and appreciate the varied ing through your favorite wetland? had wood skis that needed a wax flora of the Northern Rockies region, You don’t recognize it and you want that changed every few minutes be- including seven national parks in the to key it out. Maybe it is too early cause of weird snow conditions. United States and Canada. This field for fruits, maybe it’s not even flow- Steve and I glided around the track guide covers a lot of ground—from ering yet. You know from past ex- as fast as we could but Bonnie kept northwestern Montana, northern perience that keying out a plant in up even though her skis each must Idaho, and northeastern Washington vegetative form when you don’t have weighed about 10 pounds. up to southeastern British Columbia know the family, let alone the genus, Bonnie’s toughness is a trait that she and southwestern Alberta. Whether can be a grim prospect at best. does not openly exhibit. Montana’s your forays take you into dense for- Well, help has arrived. Peter and loss is Wyoming’s gain. That rather ests, rugged canyons, or alpine tun- Peter’s Field Guide to Montana’s backward state can use all the help dra, you’ll find the most common Wetland Vascular Plants uses non- it can get, but then again Montana is native flowers of the region pre- technical language and the great il- not in any better condition. The sented here with color photos and lustrations of Jeanne Janish and John brain drain from the Martzian, retro, detailed descriptions. Arranged by Rumely to guide you through the politically bankrupt Montana has flower color and fully indexed, maze of plants that occur in Mon- taken on personal relevance with Northern Rocky Mountain Wildflow- tana’s wetlands. The keys are sim- Bonnie’s leaving. ers makes identification and cross- ple, relying mainly on vegetative Joe Elliott referencing easier. Each description characteristics. Plants are divided I have Bonnie to thank, or blame, includes common and scientific into groups such as aquatic, woody, for tricking me into being president names, a general description, bloom- ferns, monocots, dicots, etc. The of the Kelsey Chapter for way too ing season, habitat/range, and com- book is designed to take you to genus long now. She caught me in a mo- ments. The plant comments are and then you use a regional flora to ment of weakness and painted such packed with information on the edi- arrive at species and verify your de- a glowing picture of MNPS that I said ble, medicinal and Native American termination. It does have a key to yes. I will miss having someone to uses. Lewis and Clark buffs will ap- the Carex and Juncus wetland spe- bounce ideas off of, someone to get preciate the reference to the Jour- cies, including some not found in the chapter involved in big projects nals for plants that they other floras. like the Flora of Mount Helena col- “discovered” during the Expedition This book should prove an ex- lection, and someone to make sure I of 1804–1806. Author Wayne Phillips tremely useful tool for those not es- don’t say something too dumb and introduces the guide with a discus- pecially familiar with wetland plants embarrass myself or the Chapter. sion of habitats and ecology for the or the use of more technical keys, Stay in touch Bonnie! You are still a region and a primer on plant charac- and will be a good resource for the teristics complete with black and more experienced or professional life member of MNPS. white illustrations. Designed to with- botanist who occasionally gets Kathy Lloyd stand the rigors of the field, the stumped. Several years ago, Bonnie con- guide has an extra-durable, water- Published by the Montana Wet- ceived the Flora of Mount Helena resistant cover, laminated pages, and lands Trust, and free of charge, the project. I was involved from the an almost indestructible binding. A book is available from Montana De- beginning and it soon became appar- ruler printed on the back cover partment of Environmental Quality, ent that it was a bigger project than makes the book a handy tool as well Attn. Wetlands Program, 1520 E. 6th we first anticipated. Through that as a sturdy reference. Wayne’s book Ave., Helena, MT 59602; 406-444- process I took what was a passionate will be ready for purchase at the an- 66652; [email protected]. It can also interest in native plants and turned nual meeting at Bull River, and part be downloaded from: http:// it into a study of plant taxonomy. of the proceeds will be donated to nris.state.mt.us/wis/MWICedit.html I’ve been learning ever since. MNPS. If you want to order instead, The Field Guide will also be avail- Thanks for that Bonnie, for the good send a check for $24.95 to Wayne able in limited quantities at the an- times we shared and for all you’ve Phillips (address on page 2). The nual meeting in Bull River. Be sure done for Montana’s native flora. book will be mailed to you with no to pick up your copy. additional charge for shipping/ Editors Drake Barton

10 Summer 2001 Kelseya MNPS Chapters & the Areas They Serve:

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

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

Your mailing label tells you the following:

CLASS OF MEMBERSHIP: See I, II, III, IV below CHAPTER AFFILIATION: ART= Artemisia; CAL=Calypso; CF=Clark Fork; F=Flathead; K=Kelsey; MF= Maka Flora; VOF=Valley of Flowers DATE YOUR MEMBERSHIP EXPIRES: If your label reads “2/99” your membership expired February 28, 1999. Use this form to renew your membership TODAY! Please drop us a note if any information on your label is incorrect. Please notify us promptly of address changes. Membership in Montana Native Plant Society is on a calendar-year basis, March 1 through the end of February of the following year. New-member applications processed before the end of October each year will expire the following February; those processed after November 1 will expire in February of the year after. Membership renewal notices are included in the winter issue of Kelseya. Please renew your membership before the summer issue of Kelseya so your name is not dropped from our mailing list. Your continued support is crucial to the conservation of native plants in Montana. THANK YOU!

MONTANA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP

DATE______

NAME (please print)______E-MAIL______

ADDRESS______CITY/STATE/ZIP______

PHONE______NEW MEMBERSHIP______RENEWAL______

STATEWIDE MEMBERSHIP WITH MEMBER-AT-LARGE (no chapter affiliation) CHAPTER AFFILIATION or LIVING LIGHTLY (with chapter affiliation)

___ $18 I. Individual ___ $12 I. Individual

___ $22 II. Family ___ $18 II. Family

___ $35 III. Business/Organization ___ $30 III. Business/Organization

___ $300 IV. Lifetime Membership (one- time payment) ___ $300 IV. Lifetime Membership

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

Summer 2001 Kelseya 11

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 preserving, conserving and studying the native plants and plant communities of Montana, and educating the public about the value of our native flora. Contributions to President—Wayne Phillips Great Falls 453-0648 MNPS are tax deductible, and may be designated for a specific project Past President—Linda Iverson Big Timber 932-5840 or chapter, for the Small Grants fund, or may be made to the general Vice-President—Betty Kuropat Col. Falls 892-0129 operating fund. Secretary—Patrick Plantenberg Townsend 266-5265 Your yearly membership fee includes a subscription to Kelseya, the Treasurer—Madeline Mazurski Missoula 542-0262 newsletter of MNPS, published quarterly. We welcome your articles, Newsletter Editors—Kathy Lloyd & Clancy 449-6586 clippings, field trip reports, meeting notices, book reviews or anything Drake Barton that relates to native plants or the Society. Please include a line or two of “bio” information with each article. Drawings should be in black ink Directors At Large or a good quality photocopy. If you send clippings, please note the Eastern Montana—Fay Benton Vaughn 771-9256 source, volume/issue, and date. All meeting and field trip notices, field Western Montana—Sam Culotta Bigfork 837-4298 trip reports, articles or announcements should be mailed to Kelseya

Editors, 314 Travis Creek Rd., Clancy, MT 59634. All items should be typed and if possible put on a 3.5” disk and saved in Microsoft Word or Chapter Representatives rich text format (rtf.) for a PC. Please include a hard copy with your Artemisia Chapter—Hal Vosen Miles City 232-2608 disk. They can also be sent electronically in the same format as above. Beartooth Mountain—Jean Radonski Red Lodge 855-4500 Changes of address, inquires about membership in MNPS and general Calypso Chapter—Annie Greene Dillon 683-6594 correspondence should be sent to MNPS Membership, P.0. Box 8783, Clark Fork Chapter—Gertrud Lackschewitz Missoula 543-5009 Missoula, MT 59807-8783. Flathead Chapter—Maria Mantas Whitefish 862-3044 Advertising space is available in each issue at $5/column inch. Ads Kelsey Chapter—Kathy Lloyd Clancy 449-6586 must be camera-ready and must meet the guidelines set by the Board of Maka Flora Chapter—Al Joyes Westby 385-2579 Directors for suitable subject matter; that is, be related in some way to Valley of Flowers Chapter—Joanne Jennings Bozeman 586-9585 native plants or the interests of MNPS members. The deadline for each issue is: Autumn— September 10; Standing Committees Winter— December 10; Spring— March 10; Summer— June 10. Conservation—Peter Lesica Missoula 728-8740 Education—Peter Husby, Kim Goodwin Bozeman 587-0490 If you want extra copies of Kelseya for friends or family, call the Landscaping/Revegetation—Linda Iverson Big Timber 932-5840 Newsletter Editors, write to the above address or e-mail: Small Grants—Rachel Feigley Townsend 266-3094 [email protected] Membership—Scott Mincemoyer Missoula 251-7099

If you move, please notify MNPS Membership, P.O. Box 8783, Missoula, MT 59807-8783

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

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

MNPS Annual Meeting July 13-15, 2001

by Dennis Nicholls

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BULL RIVER – Rain, blessed rain! We’ve had a lot in the Cabinet Moun-

y b tains in the first half of June, and thank goodness. The winter and

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early spring drought did not bode well for wildflowers, the forests and n Wild Ginger

i w

stream flows, but the situation – though not great – is better than it a r was around Memorial Day. D Hopefully, this is good news for the upcoming Montana Native Plant Society’s Annual Meeting in the Bull River Valley near Noxon. Scheduled for July 13-15, these typical June showers should give way to sunshine and warmer days by then. Many of you have already pre-registered for this great event, and we look forward to hearing from more of you. If you’re still waffling about com- ing because of distance, we hope you’ll reconsider. It is a long ways from there (wherever you are) to here, but we’re confident you’ll be glad you made the trip.

The chart at the right shows approximate distances from some major cities to Kalispell 130 the Bull River camp. Missoula 150

Because of our abundant moisture, this part of western Montana boasts some of Bozeman 350 the most luxuriant plant life and densest forests in the Rockies. That’s what we Helena 250 want to show off for you July 13-15. From mosses and lichens to giant cedar and Great Falls 315 hemlock, you’ll be introduced to a stunning array of native plants. A terrific array of field trips is lined up for Saturday. Here’s a brief description of each:

1 and 2 Ross Creek Cedars – Distance to the trailhead from camp is 14 miles of easy driving. The hike itself is more of a stroll through one of the most impressive ancient cedar groves anywhere. Massive trunks 30 feet in circumference tower high into the sky, shading ferns and devil’s club, calypso orchids and wild ginger on the forest floor. The trail is handicapped accessible. Erich Pfalzer, the hike leader, has worked on the Kootenai for years and has come to know the local native flora extremely well. 3 and 4 Snake Creek Gorge – Participants in this half day hike will drive only a mile or two from camp to a parking spot for a walk into this stunning gorge. It’ll be relatively easy walking, though there is no trail. The main goal of this hike will be to see a rare endemic moss, a species of Grimmia. Other interesting plants occur in the deep, rocky canyon of Snake Creek Gorge as well. Erich Pfalzer will also lead this half day jaunt. (At the time this issue of Kelseya went to press we don’t have an alternate leader for these two field trips. Erich will take a group into Snake Creek Gorge in the morning and then a group to Ross Creek in the afternoon. If we get another leader, we’ll offer these same two hikes in reverse order to help meet the demand). 5 Berray Mountain Lookout – Sadly, Wayne Phillips will be unable to lead this hike or even to join us at Bull River because of recent back surgery, so the leaders for this excursion will be Dennis Nicholls possibly accompanied by Forest Fire Lookouts historian Gary Weber of Priest River, Idaho. The trailhead is about 10 miles from camp, but the dirt road access gains quite a bit of elevation so that the 2-1/2 miles to the lookout is only of moderate difficulty (with a few steep pitches thrown in for good measure). Once at the lookout, the ridge top offers some interesting botanizing and unparalleled views of both the East and West Cabinets. 5 South Fork Wetlands – John Pierce is ready to paddle into the maze of willow-lined channels that make up the South Fork Wetlands complex. This field trip will include both walking and canoeing in a set- ting that offers great views of the highest peaks in the Cabinets. Distance from camp is less than 10 miles.

6 Berray Mountain South Face – Because we don’t have a leader for this field trip, it may be scratched. 7 Cliff Lake and 9 St. Paul Peak – These field trips have one drawback: the travel time and distance to the trailhead. The Chicago Peak Road offers the easiest access into the Cabinet Mountains’ high country anywhere, but from our camp it is 35 miles to the trailhead. The final five miles of the road is rutted and strewn with boulders. Sturdy, high clearance 4WD vehicles will be needed to get there; it is possible that a local outfitter will provide transportation for a small charge. Regardless of how we get there, once on the trail, it’s an easy walk to Cliff Lake among some of the most beautiful subalpine terrain in western Mon- tana. Peter Stickney will lead the way and examine the vibrant native wildflowers that should be near full bloom. The climb to the top of St. Paul Peak will be more arduous, but Dan Leavell, Kootenai N.F. botanist/ecologist, will make this hike one to remember with his expertise on native plants. Rare Botrychiums can be found on St. Paul’s alpine flanks. These two hikes are limited to eight people each. 10 Dad Peak – Jon Reny is an MNPS member from Libby who has studied the plants and forests of the Kootenai for more than 20 years. He’ll lead a party to the site of the old lookout on Dad Peak, examining forest habitats along the way. From on top, the views of the central Cabinets will amaze you. Distance to the trailhead is about five miles. 11 St. Paul Lake – For over four miles, this trail winds through dark old growth forest before reaching this superb lake tucked into the rocks and trees at the base of St. Paul Peak. The real goal of the hike will be the wet rocky ledges above the lake and the awesome variety of wildflowers that call this subalpine basin home. Maria Mantas once worked in these mountains and wanted to get back into the Cabinet Wilder- ness, so she’ll lead this hearty bunch into the backcountry. Distance to the trailhead is about three miles. 12 North Fork of the East Fork Bull River – This hike has its beginning in Devils Club Creek, and the narrow trail traverses a steep hillside heavily timbered with giant trees. But the real show will be at ground level as you encounter a staggering array of plant life in a wide variety of habitats. From stream- side rainforest to a 1994-era wildfire, from lush avalanche chutes to beargrass-carpeted meadows, this hike will explore it all, and Pete Lesica will be on hand to help with identification of native plants. Distance to the trailhead is about four miles.

Though the spring rains (or snows) typical of western Montana are usually done by mid-July, it will be wise to have rain gear with you for the weekend. Also be prepared for mosquitoes. Keep in mind, as well, that our camp and all of the hikes are in grizzly country, so special precautions need to be taken with food and garbage. Please remember that pets are not allowed on Montana Native Plant Society field trips. Our camp at the historic ranger station will be rustic, but those who prefer more modern accommoda- tions can find them within 15 miles. Reservations should be made early, as the limited rooms and spaces fill up fast in the summer.

Two field trip options for Sunday are being offered. For those who’ll travel home on Highway 2, Jon Reny and Pete Lesica will lead an excursion to Kootenai Falls around 11:00 in the morning. This is where the movie River Wild was filmed several years ago. The falls are about 35 miles from camp. Another side trip will be available for those traveling Highway 200. Dennis Nicholls and a forester from the Cabinet Ranger District at Trout Creek will lead anyone interested in truly big trees up Whitepine Creek to measure one of the few remaining giants in western Montana (see Big Sky Sketches in this issue of Kelseya). Instruc- tion will be offered on how to measure potential state champion trees. We’ll locate a rare monarch in the creek bottom and discover if it qualifies for the state list of champion trees.