Aqui egza•

Newsletter of the Colorado Native Society " ... dedicated to the appreciation and conservation of the Colorado native flora"

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Is The Endangered Species Act In Danger?

Nina Williams under the Act are those fortunate enough to Furthermore, unlike wildlife and fish, only Legislative Affairs Committee reside on federal land, those endangered by plant species or sub-species, not populations, a project receiving federal funds, or those are eligible for protection under the Act. The battle over our nation's strongest plant species afforded protection by state This means that unless a plant is imperiled environmental law , the Endangered Species law. This last provision offers no help in throughout its entire range, it can not be Act of 1973 (ESA, the Act), is heating up in Colorado where the only plant protected by protected under the Act. In contrast, a Congress. The ESA is now 20 years old and state law is the ubiquitous state flower, the threatened or endangered population of ~ up for re-authorization in the next session of Colorado columbine (Aqui/egia caerulea). animals can be protected under the Act even the United States Congress. It is no surprise Colorado state law provides absolutely NO if viable populations of the same species that the Act is facing strong opposition from protection for any other plant species on exist elsewhere. conservative private property rights private land, including the 88 species advocates such as the Wise Use Movement. identified by the Colorado Natural Heritage Inequitable treatment ofplants has been the High profile struggles such as old growth Program as rare. Threatened , which norm since the ESA became law in 1973. and northern spotted-owl conservation in receive less protection under the Act than Year after year, plants in need of immediate the Pacific Northwest have not only fostered Endangered plants, are receiving even less attention remain on the "wait list" while the false notion that jobs and endangered protection than intended by Congress animals get listed (protected through species preservation are incompatible, but because the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designation as Threatened or Endangered). have also triggered attempts to generate has failed to promulgate protective Plants consistently receive fewer recovery legislation that would protect endangered regulations authorized by Congress in 1988. dollars than their warm and fuzzy animal species only when the cost of protection does not outweigh the species' "economic benefits. " - continued on page 5

The strength of the ESA lies in its unequivocal mandate to protect "the ecosystems upon which endangered species Contents and threatened species depend." Decisions determining which species warrant Editor's Note 2 How To Collect Eleocharis 11 protection under the Act are to be made Announcements 3 Field Trip Report 12 "solely on the basis ofthe best scientific and John W.Marr Fund 4 Colorado Botanical History- commercial data available," not on the economic consequences of such actions. Listed! 6-7 An Eightieth Anniversary 13

~ Winter Workshops 8 Passing of Eilif Dahl 14 Despite its laudable mission, the ESA fails Chapter Activities 8-9 Book Review 15 in many ways to provide adequate protection Elk & Willows in RMNP 10 Calendar 16 for imperiled plant species. The only endangered plants that receive protection Page 2 Aquilegia Volume 17

EDITOR'S NOTE

Many of you have been wondering why you become involved with a committee, call the haven't received any recent issues of Chairperson listed below and volunteer! Aquilegia. Well, it's been a busy year for All of the C910rado Native Plant Society's the editorial committee; we also oganized work is accomplished by volunteers. Get the annual meeting! The lesson for us was involved, it's fun~!I clear. I •• don't sign up for both jobs in the same year! Our intention was to publish " (I' four quarterly issues in 1993. We missed the ,/ \ third issue, so we increased the size of the fourth issue and hope to resume a bimonthly ":::.:.::':.. ::.'::'.:.::."::.:.":: •• ::'.: •.•:'.:::.:.::: •• ::.:: .. :..••.••• : ..• : •.. : ..• :.: .•. '::: ..•::.< :.••.. :.: ....: •.•... : ...•• :...:.: .• ::::: •. :.:: ...... •.•: .••. :...•.•. :.... ::: :..•...... :: :..• ::.::•....•... ::.: ..• ::: ...::: .. :..•.. : ••....•... :..•.•. ::: ...... : .•.•.•.:. ':.:.. ':: schedule in 1994 (six issues). We apologize to all ofyou members who have been waiting patiently now for many months.

,,"I_~~l_r~~i ...... ,.', .' ... ", '." ,"", ," ,", ," ",,' ,". . "," You will note below that we have new Board members and officers. Feel free to i~~~~~~~~~~ call a Board member who lives near you ····.· •• ~9ll~ ••• ·{e~~£ltt~ •. ·.p~p~r. with any questions. If you would like to

Schedule of Membership Fees Officers

Life ...... :...... $250 President ...... Tom Ranker ...... 492-5074 Vice-President ...... Janet Hughes ...... 933-2425 ...t/ $ Supporting ...... 50 Secretary ...... Mark Gershman ...... 443-9365 Organization ...... $ 30 Treasurer ...... Myrna Steinkamp ... 226-3371 i Family or Dual ...... $ 15 Individual ...... $ 12 Board of Directors .... ,.. ". .... ~. Student or Senior ...... $ 8 '-~: Ann Armstrong (95) ...... Boulder ...... 494-0545 ~ Membership RenewaIlInformation David Buckner (95) ...... Boulder ...... 494-3231 Aquilegia is published four to six times per year Please direct all membership applications, Janet Coles (95) ...... Boulder ...... 440-0595 Mark Gershman (94) ..... Boulder ...... 443-9365 by the Colorado Native Plant Society. This renewals and address changes to the Andrew Kratz (95) ...... Lakewood ...... 238-6317 newsletter is available to members ofthe Society Membership Chairperson, Colorado Native Tamara Naumann (95) .. Boulder ...... 440-8933 and to others with an interest in native plants. Plant Society, P.O. Box 200, Fort Collins, CO Chris Pague (94) ...... Lyons ...... 492-4719 Contact the Society for subscription information. 80522. Please direct all other inquiries regarding Tom Ranker (94) ...... Boulder ...... 492-5074 the Society to the Secretary at the same address. Velma Richards (94) ..... Englewood ...... 794-5432 Articles from Aquilegia may be used by other Nina Williams (94) ...... Boulder ...... 499-9858 native plant societies or non-profit groups if Newsletter Contributions fully cited to author and attributed to Aquilegia. Please direct all contributions to the newsletter Chapter Presidents to: Boulder ...... Lynn Reidel ...... 666-6687 The Colorado Native Plant Society is a non­ Tamara Naumann Denver-Metro ...... Jeff Dawson ...... 722-6758 profit organization dedicated to the appreciation 940 Quinn Street Fort Collins ...... Mike Scott ...... 490-1788 and conservation of the Colorado native flora. Boulder, CO 80303 Yamparika ...... Reed Kelley ...... 878-4666 Membership is open to all with an interest in our San Juan ...... Gretchen Van Reyper native plants, and is composed of plant Short items such as unusual information about ...... 835-3268 enthusiasts both professional and non­ a plant, a little known botanical term, etc. are professional. especially welcome. Camera-ready line art or Committees other illustrations are also solicited. Please join us in helping to encourage interest in Conservation ...... Sally White ...... 697-5439 enjoyingand protecting Colorado's native plants. Please include author's name and address, Editorial ...... Tamara Naumann ... 440-8933 although items will be printed anonymously if Education ...... Andrew Kratz ...... 238-6317 The Society sponsors field trips, workshops and Field Trips ...... Rick Brune ...... 238-5078 other activities through local chapters and requested. Articles submitted on disks (IBM or Field Stuqies ...... Mary Edwards ...... 233-8133 statewide. Contact the Society, a chapter Mac) are appreciated. Please indicate word Hort/Restoration .... Dorothy Udall ...... 482-9826 representative, or committee chair for more processing software and version. Flat ASCII Legislative Affairs. Nina Williams ...... 499-9858 information. files are fme, too. Membership ...... Myrna Steinkamp ... 226-3371 Publicity ...... VACANT Worksho s ...... Susan Eubank ...... 277-9458 Number 3 Aqui/egia Page 3

TIME TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP!

Once again, it's reminder time-have you paid your CONPS dues? Dues notices were sent An important reminder... out recently. Please remember that dues cover a calendar year, except that new members who join in the second half of the year are credited for the following year's dues, as well. The post office will soon require us to use 9- Your mailing label on this newsletter shows the year THROUGH which you are paid­ digit ZIP codes. Please help us by providing i.e., PAID THRU 93 means you should remit your dues for 1994!! If you have sent your your complete, 9-digit ZIP code on your payment within the past few weeks, the label could be incorrect due to the lead time renewal form. If you do not know your 4- required for the newsletter. digit ZIP suffix, check some of your junk mail, contact your local post office, or ask The Membership Committee Chair, Myrna Steinkamp, also notes that the post office will your mail delivery person. Thanks! not forward bulk mail, so if you move and want to continue to receive CONPS mailings, it is essential that you notify the Society (P.O. Box 200, Fort Collins, CO 80522-0200). ~

AlTENTION: • NATIVE PLANT GROWERS AND SELLERS

An effort is being made to assemble a directory of people and/or businesses in the state or Packera werneriifolia region who grow or market native plant materials. The directory could serve several ~(Artist: Janet Wingate purposes: 1) it could serve as a marketing tool, potentially connecting growers with potential customers, 2) it could facilitate communication and cooperation among people in the native plant business, fostering the exchange of ideas, techniques, etc., 3) it could evolve into a sort ofinformation clearinghouse for native plant propagation and marketing information.

If you are involved in the native plant industry and are interested in participating in compiling (or contributing to) a directory, send information on your business or interest to: Gretchen Van Reyper LEADERS NEEDED FOR 2126 L75 Road WILDFLOWER WALKS Austin CO 81410. If you like to share you knowledge ofnative Include your name, the name of your business, plants, consider leading a wildflower hike address, telephone, special interests or expertise next summer. Myrna King is seeking (e.g., seed collection, liner production, retail sales, volunteers to lead two one-day wildflower etc.), a business card, and a catalogue or price list for Erigeron simplex identification hikes, one in early spring and your products. Any ideas for this compilation Artist: Janet Wingate one in early summer. Distance should would also be appreciated! It would be about four miles round trip, but be great to get it out in time could be changed, if appropriate. for Spring of 1994. NATIVE PLANT SEED The location is the leader's choice. EXCHANGE If you are interested in receiving a If this appeals to you, contact: list of native plant seeds, or if you are interested in donating seeds for Myrna King exchange, contact: 816 East 4th Avenue Craig Alseike Denver CO 80218 3256 Salem Street 777-1273. Aurora, Colorado 80011 Potentilla nivea (303) 366-0587. Sp'tiIuJ is just around the comer. .. Artist: Janet Wingate Page 4 Aquilegia Volume 17

THE JOHN W. MARR FUND An Endowment for the Support of Small Grants Research On Colorado's Native Flora

As you complete your 1994 membership accumulated interest earned by the MARR plains of Colorado. Articles in past issues renewal notice (mailed recentl y to you under FUND, together with any additional funds of Aquilegia have reported on results of separate cover), you will find a space to appropriated from the Society's Treasury such research projects. Upcoming issues mark if you wish to make a donation to the specifically for a given award." Generally, will feature research results on Asclepias John Marr Fund, in addition to your normal awards will be less than $500, and "(t)he uncialis by Jim Locklear and on Spiranthes dues payment. You may wonder, "What is Society'S funding may represent the sole diluvialis by Anna Arft. CONPS is one of this all aboutT' support of a project, may be part of joint a very few organizations which sponsor funding agreed upon with other granting small grants research on native plants. In March, 1990, the John W.MarrFundwas groups or organizations, or may be used to established by the Colorado Native Plant supplement other funding obtained by the The Society made an initial contribution to Society to provide a means of funding small investigator(s)." An award from the John establish the Marr Fund, and directed that grants for research on Colorado native Marr Fund is made solely at the discretion the fund be supplemented by gifts and plants. The fund honors the late Dr. Marr, of the Board of Directors of the Colorado donations solicited from the members. the Society's first President and a former Native Plant Society. Thus, as you complete your dues renewal professor at the University of Colorado. form, we ask that you consider making a Thus far, several grants have been made donation for this worthwhile purpose. The aim ofthe fund is to encourage, through under the auspices of the John Marr Fund. Many small contributions add up, allowing small grants, research on the biology and For example, Tim Hogan of the University us to achieve as a group what we cannot do natural history of Colorado native plants. of Colorado received funds to help support as individuals. All donations specified for Guidelines specifically state that field or a botanical survey ofthe Flattops mountains the Marr Fund are maintained in a special. laboratory studies are eligible for in western Colorado. Another award went interest-bearing account, separate from th~/ consideration; no restrictions are placed on to Dr. James Locklear, Curator of the Dyck Society's general funds. "- the subject matter, type, or place of study. Arboretum of the Plains at Hesston, Kansas, for a survey of historic and Contact a Board member if you would like Guidelines for the Marr Fund state that potential locations of Asclepias uncialis, a more information on the John $'? research awards are "not to exceed the rare plant known only from the eastern Marr Fund. ' r. - / \ )

Used Book Donations and Sales Will Benefit the John W. Marr Fund

Beginning in 1994, the Colorado Native will accept and offer to CONPS members print book you are searching for, send us a Plant Society will begin collecting and any books on the subjects listed above or 3x5 card with the author's name in the upper selling used books to increase the endowment related topics. Donated books with no left comer, title(s), amount you are willing ofthe John W. Marr Fund. Consider making relation to CONPS activities may be sold or to pay, and your name, address, and phone a tax deductible donation of your unwanted traded to obtain books more relevant to number. Use a .separate card for each books pertaining to botany, ecology, and CONPS members' interests. author. Send the card to: natural history of the western U.S., biographies of Western botanists and Bring your donations to local chapter Rick Brune explorers, etc. Your generosity will benefit meetings, Board meetings, or to the annual 2060 Garland Colorado's native flora. Many important meeting. If you have a large number of Lakewood CO 80215-1630. western botany books are out-of-print: books, call Rick Brune at238-5078 to make Harrington's Manual of the Plants of arrangements for pick-up. Needless to say, we make no guarantee as t~ Colorado, Hermann's CaricesoftheRocky results or efficiency of process! ~ ~~ Mountains and Colorado Basin, etc. Used As a service to CONPS members, we will books are the only source for these, and try to match available used books with many other, important publications. We members' "want lists." Ifthere is anout-of- ~ Number 3 Aqui/egia Page 5

ESA, continued from front page

~companions. Although only 49% (402 of to prevail in Washington, the outlook for 3. substantially increasing funding to 812) listed organisms in the United States endangered species, especially plants, will implement the ESA, are plants, 90% of the species scientifically worsen. It is incumbent upon all of us to 4. setting deadlines for completion of determined to warrant listing are plants that demand a strengthened Endangered Species recovery plans and giving priority to remain unlisted. 900 of the 2,300 plant Act as it faces reauthorization early in 1994. plans that provide protection for species proposed for listing have been on multiple species and species most likely the wait list since 1976. In our western Currently there are two main ESA to benefit from recovery actions, region, only 19 of Utah's 100 proposed reauthorization bills introduced in the House 5. authorizing development of habitat species are listed, and no species are listed df Representatives, a good one and a bad conservation plans for candidate in Wyoming and Montana. Colorado has 13 one. Congressman Gerry Studds, (D-MA) species, and listed species; 60 await listing or further has introduced H.R. 2043, a bill that not 6. directing Federal agencies to conduct study. Funding for rare plant protection only strengthens the Endangered Species inventories of listed and candidate constituted only 3 % of the total dollars Act, but recognizes the need to evaluate the species on federal land. spent on endangered species recovery in COLORADO'S ENDANGERED FLORA Mr. Studds, Chairman 1991. of the House Merchant ENDANGERED THREATENED CATEGORY 1* Marine and Fisheries These statistics are Committee, which has dis h ear ten i n g , Astragalus osterhout;; Eriogonum brandegei jurisdiction over the especially to botanists Osterhout milkvetch alpine mustard Brandegee wild buckwheat Act, needs additional who have realized the co-sponsors. Only two value of plants for Echinocereus triglochidiatus Lesquerella congesta Gaura neomexicana ssp. Colorado Representa­ var. inermis Dudley Bluffs bladderpod coloradnesis centuries. . Protecting tives, Pat Shroeder and spineless hedgehog cactus Colorado butterflyweed wildlife requires David Skaggs have co­

I. conservationofhabitat, Eriogonum pelinophilum Physaria obcordata Penstemon albifluvis sponsored this bill. The ~~ncluding plants and clay-loving buckwheat Piceance twinpod White River penstemon remaining four, Hefley plant communities. (Colorado Springs/ Testimony in a recent Pediocactus knowltonii Sclerocactus glaucus Penstemon grahamii Canon City area), Allard hearing before the Knowlton's cactus Uinta Basin hookless cactus Graham penstemon (NE Colorado including House Merchant Fort Collins/Greeley), Marine and Fisheries Penstemon penlandii Sclerocactus mesae-verdae Penstemon retrorsus McInnis (Western slope Mesa Verde cactus adobe beardtongue Committee emphasized Penland beardtongue and Pueblo) and the medicinal value of Phacelia formosula Spiranthes diluvialis Phacelia submutica Schaefer (south Denver our flora. Of U.S. North Park phaceUa Ute ladies' -tresses orchid Debeque phacelia suburbs) are currently medical prescriptions, co-sponsoring H.R. 33%, including Astragalus humillimus Note: This list does not include 54 Category 2 species (those taxa 1490, the "bad" bill codeine, morphine, and Mancos milkvetch for which status survey work is needed to detennine whether introduced by Con­ quinine, are based on listing is warranted). gressman Billy Tauzin plant extracts; a mere (R-LA). Mr. Tauzin is • Category 1 species have been detennined suitable for listing as threatened or endangered by the 5% of the global flora V.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. They await the listing process. known for his anti- has been analyzed for environmental stance medicinally valuable Source: V.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 5/93 on a variety of issues, compounds. Dr. Eisner, most recently for his Director ofthe Cornell Institute for Research effectiveness ofthe Act in plant preselVation. efforts to require the federal government to and Chemical Ecology, testified that The Studds Bill improves the Endangered reimburse private landowners when the "Chemicals such as taxol and FK 506 Species Act by: presence of endangered species on their (immunosuppressant) could not have been 1. calling for a report on whether land limits their development options. designed by human ingenuity-both provisions ofthe ESA relating to plants Although it claims to "improve and protect compounds were totally unforeseen in are sufficient' for their conservation. the integrity" of the ESA, environmental chemical structure and therapeutic action." (While this falls short ofrequiring equal experts agree that H.R. 1490 would protection for plants and animals, it is significantly undermine the integrity of the ~Despite the bleak picture for plant an important first step.), Endangered Species Act. conservation, the Endangered Species Act 2. providing fmancial incentives and provides desperately needed protection for technical assistance to private Corresponding bills have been introduced our nation's threatened and endangered landowners to protect listed and in the Senate. S.B. 921, introduced by species. If conservative forces are allowed ' candidate species, - continued on page 6 I

Page 6 AquiJegia Volume 17

ESA, continuedfrom page 5 Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) correlates It's Official! Eutrema penlandii Is Listed with the Studds bill and is currently unsponsored by our Colorado Senators Hank Brown and Ben Nighthorse-Campbell. Sally White On the bright side, they have neglected to Conservation Committee join Senators Packwood (R-OR) and Hatch (R-UT) in supporting S.B.1521, the Senate In late July, more than two and a half years are extremely limited and inadequate to version of the Tauzin bill, which would after the proposed rule was published, protect remaining populations. The USFWS require taxpayers to foot 50% of ESA-' Eutrema penlandii, alpine fen mustard, was seems to be especially concerned about the related mitigation costs incurred by officially listed as threatened under the fact that mining clairn~ in the area have developers. Endangered Species Act. We appreciate the remained active and exploration or mining efforts of Colorado and regional staff of the could resume if economic conditions favor Your representatives need to hear that you U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in increased extraction. Mining-related expect them to protect our nation 's imperiled procuring this listing, and the persistence of activities could destroy populations flora and fauna. Please write to your many CONPS members in supporting the indirectly by changing water flow patterns congresspeople (hand-written letters are proposal with comments, technical to them, even if they avoid the areas where better than phone calls) and ask them to co­ information, and field observations. A final plants are known to occur. Because the sponsor the Studds Bill (H.R. 2043), if they sticking point for the regional office was plant could be vulnerable to vandalism, haven't already. Encourage them to remove documenting threats to the known critical habitat was not designated. Future themselves from the Tauzin Bill (H.R. pOpulations. Last year, when mining claims activities by federal agencies, including the 1490); this legislation represents a serious were filed over one site and the proposed issuing of mining permits, will require backslide in our progress toward ecosystem Hoosier Ridge Natural Area was withdrawn USFWS consultation to evaluate effects on conservation. in response to protests by the mining Eutremapopulations. To date, USFWS staff industry, the threats to Eutrema became have had no response from the mining Write to Senators Brown and Campbell. clearer. That situation and Eutrema 'sunique industry on the listing ofEutrema penland;;. Request that they co-sponsor the Baucus environmental requirements were described Bill (S.B. 921). Remind them that the in an article by Nina Williams (Aquilegia Part ofthe listing controversy was the appeal Western Governor's Association recently Vol. 16 No.5). ofthe Hoosier Ridge Research Natural Are~ -/ ---' endorsed S.B. 921. With Congressional (RN A) designation based on the mineral - Representatives back in their districts for In the final rule, published in the Federal potential ofthe area. In 1992, mining claims the holiday season, now is the time to make Register for July 28, 1993 (40539), the Fish were filed on an area within the proposed an appointment with them to discuss and Wildlife Service recognizes Eutrema RNA occupied by one large population of Endangered Species Act reauthorization. If penlandii as a distinct species, but adds that Eutrema. According to Clint Kyhl of the you would like additional information on the listing will remain valid even if the USFSSouthParkRangerDistrict,St.Mary's the Endangered Species Act reathorization, taxon is later considered a subspecies of Minerals conducted exploratory drilling in call Nina Williams at 303-499-9858. To Eutrema edwardsii, its nearest relative. E. the area during the summer of 1993, but receive monthly updates on the Endangered penlandii is the only representative of its access roads and most holes were placed on Species Act, write to Minette Johnson, in the lower 48 states and, with E. private property. One hole was drilled on Endangered Species Coalition, 666 edwardsii, is extremely disjunct from other Forest Service land within the boundary of Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Washington, DC representatives of the genus which occur in the proposed RNA, but it was placed in a 20003. Asia. existing roadway to minimize adverse impacts. To our knowledge, any effects of LETTER-WRITING TIPS: The ruling notes that although population the drilling.program on Eutrema have yet to * Identify the Bill #s. size estimates range from 10,000 to 16,000 be evaluated by botanists in the field--a * Be concise and to the point, and write legibly. individuals, the species occupies only about project for next year! * Personalize your letter with issues you are 500 acres, is found only in the Mosquito especially concerned with or issues that Range, and is far from secure. Its habitat USFWS botanist Lucy Jordan plans to affect you directly. specificity and the small extent of contact interested parties to discuss recovery * Ask for a response. subpopulations make E. Penlandii requirements for E. penlandii. Additional * Address letters appropriately: vulnerable to recreation and mining field work, including intensive mapping For House Bills: activities that disrupt surface drainage and counts, should be conducted next The Honorable Your Representative patterns. About half the populations are on summer. This will be an important U.S. House of Representatives patented mining claims (private lands that opportunity for CO~S volunteers to hel~ Washington DC 20515 were once public) and have roads or off­ increase our understanding of one 01--" For Senate Bills: road vehicle trails to them. The listing Colorado's rarest plants while The Honorable Your Senator confers little or no protection to Eutrema working in a spectacular U.S. Senate populations on private land, according to alpine setting. Washington DC 20510 the ruling. Existing conservation measures Number 3 Aquilegia f'age 7

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J. Eutrema penlandii Rollins. A. Whole plant in flower. A2. Basal leaf attachment. A3. Basal leaf. A4. Cauline leaf. B. Whole plant in fruit. C. Flower. D. Petal. E. Stamen. F. Gynoecium, front view. F2. Gynoecium, side vie~. G. Sepal. H. Flower, details. 1. Fru~t. I2. Cross section of fruit. J. Longitudinal section of fruit. K. Seed. Page 8 Aquilegia Volume 17

The Col~rado Native Plant Society workshop series was established in 1985 to provide Boulder Chapter members with winter-time activities when field trips are impossible. Workshops bring native plant lovers together with a well-informed instructor who may have photograp~s, January 11: Ferns of Hawaii herbarium specimens, live plants, or other materials for hands-on study. The opportun~ty Join Tom Ranker, CONPS President and to receive one-on-one instruction and informative lectures has made the workshop senes Curator of the University of Colorado one of the most popular Colorado Native Plant Society programs. Attendees need no Herbarium, for an exotic tour of Hawaiian special skills or background; a love of plants and the desire to learn are t~e only ferns and a look at his interesting research. requirements. The goal is to demystify plant identification and to enhance our enjoyment You may find out that Colorado and Hawaii . and understanding of Colorado's native flora. share some ferns in common! Foothills Nature Center. After planning and coordinating 100 workshops over the years, Bill Jenni~gs has "retired" from his post as THE workshop committee. Susan Eubank, Barbara SIems, and Carol February 8: Research Natural Areas Dawson now share responsibility for continuing this important program. In early Oct0t:er (RNAs), the U.S. Forest Service, members received a flyer in the mail announcing the fall workshops: GENTIANS WIth and Biodiversity Carolyn Crawford and special guest Dr. William Weber on November 6 ~nd 7, KEYING Tom Andrews is a Research Natural Area TO GENUS IN (mustard family) with Dr. Robert Price on November Ecologist employed througl) a cooperative 20 and 21, and KEYING TO TRIBE IN POACEAE (grass family) with Dr. David agreement between the U.S. Forest Service Buckner on December 11 and 12. Upcoming workshop topics include SHOWY and The Nature Conservancy. Tom will MONO(:OTS (Alliaceae) with Bill Jennings on J~uary 29, BIOLOGY O~ DWARF describe his work on RNA designation and MISTLETOES with Brian Geils on March 12, FIELD SKETCHING WIth Carolyn discuss implications for biodiversity Crawford on April 23, and FORENSIC BOTANY with Vickey Trammell on May7. protection on Forest Service land. National Watch for details on 1994 workshops in the next issue of Aquilegia, or call Susan Eubank Institute of Standards and Technology (303-277-9458) for current information. ' (NIST), 325 Broadway, Room ,1103. ./J~ The fee for each full-day workshop is $ 10 for CONPS members and $ 22 for non-members March 8: Natural History of the (see membership information on page 2). Paym~nt is made on the day of the workshop. Southern Rockies Checks should be made payable to CONPS. Help your workshop committee by fillin~ out Audrey Benedict, of C 10udRidge Naturalists and mailing the registration form below, or call Susan Eubank (303-277 -9458) to regIster fame and author ofA Sierra ClubNaturalist's . for a workshop. $1_ Guide to the Southern Rockies, will present ,/ , a talk on the natural history of the the , J Southern Rocky Mountains. . National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 325 Broadway, Room 1103.

r----~------~-' I WORKSHOP REGISTRATION FORM Monthly meetings are held from September I through April on the 2nd Tuesday of the : NAME: ______-- ____ month at 7:30 p.m. at the Foothills Nature Center, 4201 North Broadway, unless I ADDRESS: ______otherwise noted. For more information call Lynn Riedel (666-6687) or Elaine Hill (494- 7873). Bring a friend! HOME PHONE: ______WORK PHONE:

Please register me for the following workshop(s):

Workshop: _____------Preferred day: _____

Workshop: ______Preferred day: _____

Workshop: ______~ ______Preferred day: ------Number 3 Aqui/egia Page 9

Denver-Metro Chapter

January 26: To Be Announced

The Denver Chapter held elections recently; Jeff Dawson was elected president. Chris Hartung and Virginia Knowlton were elected vice president and secretary/treasurer, respectivel y. Watch for upcoming acti vities in the next issue of Aquilegia.

Monthly meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Morrison Center at the Denver Botanic Garden (DBG), 909 York Street, unless otherwise noted. For more infonnation call Jeff Dawson (722-6758). Populus deltoides Artist: Kris Meiring

San Juan Chapter

/. r. Gretchen Van Reyper, the new president of Here are some of the projects that our educational tool this could be! Let me know ~I the San Juan Chapter, can be reached at: chapter is or can be involved in. If you get if you could help. I recently became aware 2126 L75 Road inspired" contact me for details. ofaxeriscape/native garden at· the main Austin CO 81410 (303-835-3268). library in Grand Junction. One of our Gretchen recently sent this report: The BLM would like our input in their Mesa memb~rs, Betty Hall, just pompleted a Creek Coordinated Resource Management 'guidebook for the garden. Add this one to _ We had some good, educational field trips Plan (CRMP). They are interested in help your list of places to visit next time you are this past season in a variety of habitats , and with biodiversity issues and desired future in Grand Junction during the growing season. many of the trips attracted non-members. condition (species composition) for specific Many thanks to all those who participated, areas. The Mesa Creek Resource Area is Does your community have some type of especially the trip leaders. I look forward to located on the Uncompahgre Plateau near home and garden show?' These are good seeing more of you in the season ahead. Nucla. The BLM has been sending me opportunities t~ publicize CONPS and to This year, I would like to get an earlier start updates on meetings, so I can tell you when increase interest and awareness in native on organizing western slope events; I'd like and where. plant issues ... introduction ofexotic species, to encourage everyone out there to think of conservation' of endangered habitats, etc. a good location in their area where we could The Durango Office of the U.S. Forest Look into this in your town and check with have a plant hike. Let's do Gunnison, Service would like some dialog with us me or a CONPS Board member for , Ridgeway, Grand Junction, Cortez, and all concerning threatened and endangered infonnation or publications we have for j, points between! We have an amazing species in the San Juan National Forest. distribution. Help spread the word! - diversity of terrain to explore; 1 welcome Presently, I am waiting for infonnation on the opportunity to discover more. this program and what kind ofinput we may These are a few of the things going on contribute. Anyone who lives in or near the around here. Please consider how you Is anyone interested in winter herbarium San Juans would be a valuable resource for might contribute'some ofyour own skill and sessions in Montro~e? The BLM office this project. time to increasing awareness and there has made space available to us. I may appreciation for native plants. Lets combine set a few dates when I will be there. Anyone I am in the process of writing up a proposal our efforts to make a real differe. interested could drop by for some botanizing for a native plant landscape garden in the and socializing. ~t would be a great new Confluence Park in Delta. Initial contact / ) opportunity to learn more about plant family with local officials indicates they are ) identification and to figure out what some receptive to the idea. Donations of time, of those mystery plants are. Contact me if material, and labor will be needed to see the you are interested. project to completion. 'What a great 17 Page 10 Aquilegia Volume

Elk and Willows in Rocky Mountain National Park

Sue Kamal· sought for these questions. nitrogen (crude protein) levels in year-old shoots. Exclosed plants were clipped 100 The relationship between deer and elk Work with willows this pa~t summer also per cent or 50 per cent, to simulate browsing, populations and their habitat has been studied included biomass estimates, soil or left unclipped for comparison. Later in for many years, (Stevens 1980). BIologists characteristics, plant water potential, and the season, to investigate for defense have investigated condition , compounds, shoots were and trends ofungulate habitat removed from the same in Rocky Mountain National willows, packed in dry ice, Park (RMNP) since 1931. The and sent to Brigham Young role of histoPical ungulate University for testing. populations versus present­ day populations is not well The high density and quality understood. Many biologists of food available in wet believe that present-day meadows and lower elevation populations are artificially slopes explains the use of high .and may not be such sites for winter range. sustainable in present or future Elk consume shrubs in winter RMNP ecosystems. for protein, however, the digestibility of shrubs is low Quantitative studies on winter compared to grasses (Hobbes range began in the early et al. 1979). 1960s; browsed and unbrowsed vegetation was Significant herbivory by J...», studied by comparing 0.1 acre other creatures also occurs. to 3.0 acre fenced areas Total biomass of ground dominated by aspen, squirrels (or grasshoppers!) sagebrush, 'or willow with can exceed elk biomass comparable areas that several times over during the remained accessible to deer summer months. What effect and elk. Transects were do these herbivores have on established inside and outside vegetation? the exclosures; plants were measured annually for Frank Singer and others at presence and canopy cover. RMNP are attempting to Percent of browsed leader come up with some answers Salix monticola to the, "problem" of elk and twigs on plants outside the Artist: Kris Meiring ex closures was recorded. their habitat. ~ Repeated measurements on tagged plants in the transects were made over time. ~ Common willows in the study Sue Kamal was a seasonal area included Salix monticola * researcher in RMNP last and S. petiolaris. summer. Browsing suppresses cover and height of willows; browsed plants appear as if they have been LITERATURE CITED hedged. Do browsed willows contain fewer Hobbes, N. T., D. L. Baker, J. E. Ellis, & D. M. Swift. 1979. pp. 47-53, in Boyce, M. S., J-I/' defense compounds-tannins and phenols­ & L. D. Hayden-Wings, eds. North American Elk: ecology, behavior, and than unbrowsed willows? Is seed production management. Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie. reduced in suppressed willows? Do browsed willows contain more protein than Stevens,D. R.1980.ElkandMuleDeerojRockyMountainNationaIPark, a lO-yearstudy. unbrowsed willows? Answers are being Rocky Mountain National Park Report. 163 pp. Number 3 Aqui/egia Page 1 1 u How To Collect Eleocharis

William A. Weber I, for one, have often avoided collecting Black Squirrel Creek between Eastonville Curator Emeritus Eleocharis because mature fruits seem to be and Black Forest. University of Colorado Herbarium so hard to come by, but it is a very interesting genus, containing several species thought Ron Wittmann and I found two kinds of Of all the sedges, the genus Eleocharis or to be rare in our region. I recently went Eleocharis on Black Squirrel Creek. One ! ; spike-rush, is the easiest genus to recognize, down to the Black Forest to see if I could was the common E. palustris, and the other but the hardest to identify to the species. locate Eleocharis wolfii, which had been was a smaller, flat-stemmed plant that we 1.<. Eleocharis is unique in having a single thought might be what we were looking for. spike offlowers, green photosynthetic stems, The plants were in full flower, and the fruits and lacking leaf blades. , had not yet developed. Ron had a great idea mudholes, and everywhere support that I had not thought of. He took a shovelful stands of this really ubiquitous genus, yet of plants, put them in a plastic sack, took very few people collect them, and when them home and planted them in a pot watered they do, the collections are usually taken from below, and within a week he had when the plants are in flower .and have not perfectly mature fruits. This simple yet matured fruits. technique guarantees perfect herbarium specimens that can be precisely identified. Eleocharis is easily classified when Unfortunately, our plant turns out to be mature fruits are at hand. There are ~other uncommon species, E. parvula. either two or three styles, and the akenes are correspondingl y flattened or three­ Was Eleocharis wolfii actually ever edged. The base of the style, collected in Colorado? To find out, we ~ I. characteristicall y, is swollen and of a have to see the actual specimen cited .~ bony texture usually differing from by Svenson. Cornell University tells the body of the akene, and in all but a us that they do not have any plants few species this stylopodium sits on collected by Christ. Could it be at the akene like a crown, constricted at Colorado College, where there are the base. In a few species, like E. some Christ specimens? Negative. quinqueflora and E. parvula, the Where is Christ's personal herbarium stylopodium is not constricted and it (he was with the Soil Conservation is hard to see where the akene leaves Service)? The International Index to off and the style base begins. In other Collectors does not list his name. Ifwe species the stylopodium looks like a can't locate and verify the specimen's little turban. The akenes fall into two identity we will have to remove the classes: the first, characterized by E. record from the Colorado Flora. But as wolfii and E. acicularis, has vertical scientists it behooves us to pursue the ribs and horizontal lines, the second matter as far as possible. being merely smooth or variously pitted. Getting a handle on Eleocharis should be an interesting, even exciting and Aside from the fruit, all ofthe important rewarding challenge. We need to know a characteristics of Eleocharis species can lot more about these plants and their be seen by examining the plants in the distribution and role in wetlands in Colorado. field. Are the stems flat or terete? Simply Eleocharis pa/ustris /.io _ rolling the culm between the thumb and Artist: Kris Meiring / , forefmger will detennine this, as long as it . I reported in 1939 by the monographer, H. $ is green and not dried out, because flattened , culms tend to roll up when dried. How tall K. Svenson, on the basis ofa single specimen ~ is the plant? Is it annual, with the stems from there, date unknown, by J. H. Christ, bunched, or perennial with scattered stems the specimen allegedly housed at Cornell and rhizomes? Are the rhizomes thin or University. It is an eastern species, and the P .S. The specimen was recently discovered thick? logical place to look for this would be the at CSU. It is E. acicularis!! Page 12 Aqui/egia Volume 17

The first weekend in June saw 20 tents. The site also had an eager CONPS members follow Pawnee National Grassland abundant bird fauna with several two leaders in 11 vehicles through Led by Rick Brune and Jim Borland eastern species present, this wonderful grassland area of Report by Paul Kilburn including the Baltimore oriole long vistas, gravel roads, and very and Eastern blue jay, in the large quiet and peaceful terrain some cottonwood trees along the dry two hours north of Denver. We all were Stop 3. Clay Barrens. We next visited an stream bed. reminded again that this is an area to visit at extensive clay barren area subject to severe least annually; and if you have never been erosion that limits plant colonization in Stop 6. Marsilea mucronata, the hairy there, put it on your "must visit" list for a certain areas. These occur infrequently in pepperwort or 4-leaf clover fern. Not late spring trip when the flowers and birds the Pawnee where headward stream erosion rare, but easily overlooked, healthy plants are at their peaks. The trip consisted of cuts into poorly cemented "clays", often with sporocarps Were seen along the edges many stops at a wide variety of ecological resulting in vegetated cushion-plant of pools in nearby Sand Creek. and geological sites throughout both the pedestals. The major colonizer was Arenaria western and eastern sections of this (=Eremogone) hookeri, sometimes Stop 7. Dave's Draw and Limber Pine. essentially treeless (except for some draws resembling billiard balls, and on this trip a After a stop in this piedmont portion of the and streambeds) plain. spectacular cluster of white blossoms. Pawnee to see a raised rock ridge, which Geological expert Lynn Yehle indicated to was a "fossil" stream bed housing many Stop 1. Grassland Introduction. Our us that "silt barrens" is a more accurate familiar plant species and one fern, we leaders illustrated the grassland with maps term, since the soils here were formed from headed to the badlands and rimrock eroded and explained how these lands were loess and volcanic ash. by North Pawnee Creek, which has carved subjected to extensive wind erosion during out the famous Pawnee Buttes and where the dust bowl years ofthe 1930s and that the We then walked a short mile to a rocky limber pine, Pinus flexilis and western red~ formerly private land reverted to the U. S. outcrop harboring a couple of rarities: cedar, Juniperus (=Sabina) scopulorum, Forest Service. Now the land is grazed but Astragalus gilviflorus (=Orophaca occur. We also saw the spectacular yellow cannot be plowed again. At this stop we triphylla) and Parthenium (=Bolophyta) Oenothera (=Calylophus) lavandulifolius, observed as area south of the road still alpinum. Wemissed them in bloom, perhaps Delphinium geyeri, Cryptantha dominated by crested wheat (Agropyron three weeks earlier, but found a lot of (=Oreocarya) cana, and Haplopappus spicatum) to which it was planted over 50 Astragalus spatulatus, a small, easily (=Stenotus) acaulis. years ago. On the other side of the road, the identified species with a single leaflet. land saw recent dust storms and was planted Stop 8. Lunch and the Buttes. After a to native grasses in 1988. Stop 4. Willow Creek. A few more miles lunch at the beautiful overlook, about half downstream the creek actually flows at this the group left for home, while the rest (the Stop 2. Mountain Plover. In a section of time of year through a series ofsmall ponds. more rugged plant lovers?) hiked to the first open grassland, this candidate for These are ideal habitats for the rare plains butte and were rewarded with a Prairie endangered species status nests in open topminnow, restricted to these disjunct clear Falcon on its nest high up on the rim, as well grassland in both California and Colorado, , ponds in the Great Plains. Several of the as more new plants: bush moriring-glory where it is confined to the Pawnee. While ponds had no minnows; in others they were (Ipomoea' leptophylla), Artemisia some of the birders managed an excellent abundant and up to four inches long, with (=Oligosporus) filifolia, and an abundance view ofthe bird, most people went wild over the colorful tail and fins clearly evident. At of the rare Psoralea (=Psoralidium) the wide variety of flowering plants seldom this stop we finally had lunch and saw esculenta. And, of course, a couple of new seen in the foothills around Denver: Senecio Astragalus kentrophyta, sand verbena Astragalus, getting us over 20 for the trip. (=Packera) tridenticulatus, Lesquerella (Tripterocalyx micranthus), as well as a few By now most of us had given up trying to ludoviciana, Astragalus missouriensis, A. plants of blue-eyed-grass (Sisyrinchium key these out and decided that next time, we gracilis, Linum (=Mesynium) rigidum, demissum)~ a first for the Pawnee? will take Loraine along with her key. Penstemon albidus, P. angustifolius, Lupinus pusillus, Sophora (= Vexibia) nuttalliana, Stop 5. Crow Valley Campground. Dinner The word SUPER summarizes this trip in as well as many others also found in the and bedtime were welcome after this long the minds of all. A great thanks to Rick and \ foothills. We quickly added to the four page day. This pleasant campground just north of Jim for their time and leadership. The history, ~ list of Pawnee plants. (Call Loraine Yeatts, Briggsdale on Colo. 14 had water, pittoilets, geology, ecology, and flora were $ keeper of CONPS plant lists if you would and plenty of open land for tents, campers, splendid, but the usual fine " . ~ like a copy of the revised version [303-279- and even trailers. Since the night was clear, people of the Native Plant / , - 3427]). some hardy souls did not even,pitch their Society were the best of all. ' \ Number 3 Aqui/egia Page 13

An Eightieth -Anniversary

William A. Weber Pacific Coniferous Forest around Mount Bettie having made all the arrangements for Curator Emeritus Rainier; Crater Lake; Mt. Tamalpais near transportation, stops and local guides. Our University of Colorado Herbarium San Francisco (where they were led by itinerary was extremely similar to the 1913 Alice Eastwood, one of our original excursion; it was a huge project. We traveled Field trips are fun, and they have been Colorado botanists), Monterey and Point by bus. The 1913 trip traveled from place to popular for a long time. Here is an account Lobos; Yosemite National Park; the Salton place by train, but what kinds of vehicles of a very important field trip. A feature of Sink; the Sonoran desert around Tucson, the were available for the side trips? Did they the 1908 International Geographical carry Granola bars? Congress in Geneva was a field trip to the Swiss Alps, led by the famous For Coloradans, the big significance plant geographer, Dr. C. Schroter. It ofthe event was that for the first time was a small affair, but it encouraged a group of European and American another plant ecologist, A. G. Tansley, taxonomists, ecologists, and plant of Cambridge, to stage a longer four geographers were able to get a first week excursion in England, during hand look at the Colorado Rocky the annual meeting of the British Mountains, which they had known Association for the Advancement pf previously only from the 1861 Science. Discussions that followed collections of C. C. Parry, E. Hall, this excursion determined that future and J. C. Harbour, distributed in sets ones should be invitational and hosted to several European herbaria. It was by people in the countries where the also the first chance for an trips were to be held. international group to meet in the field here and discuss mutual ~I The first of these International questions about the flora. And it was Phytogeographic Excursions took on Pikes Peak that Ove Paulsen, the place in the United States in 1913, Danish plant geographer, collec.ted a just before the outbreak of World litre bottle full ofKoenigia islandica, War I, at the invitation of Dr. H. C. which he never reported. These sat in Cowles of the University of Chicago the herbarium at Copenhagen for and Dr. F. E. Clements, then of the fifty years before I discovered the University of Minnesota. About 25 plant again on . people participated, including several of the most important European and The International Phytogeographic American plant ecologists and one Excursions have continued to the taxonomist, Dr. AdolfEngler himself. present day, and I have been fortunate The Americans included Clements, to participate in its trips to Finland Cowles, George Fuller, Univ. of Hymenoxys grandiflorum and North Norway, The French and Artist: Janet Wingate Chicago, and G. E. Nichols of Yale, Italian Alps, Greece and Crete, and and some of the best known Japan. They provide very rich Europeans were Ove Paulsen, experiences for a great variety of Copenhagen, Carl Schroter and scholars. The programs and reports Eduard Rubel of ZUrich. have been published in volumes of the Berichte des Geobotanischen The field trip 'stages were Institutesdereidg. Techn. Hochschule extraordinary for the time: the Great Lakes Santa Catalinas; and the Grand Canyon. On Stiftung Riibel, in ZUrich. The account of area near Chicago to study oak and beech the return trip they encountered floods in the first excursion of 1913 was published by .forests and dune succession around Lake Texas, where their railroad line was Rubel in Botanischer Jahrbiicher53(3-5): 1- Michigan; the Prairie Province near Lincoln, damaged, and visited a cypress swamp near 36.6 plates. 1915. ~ Nebraska; the Great Plains, near Akron, New Orleans! Colorado; Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak, where Clements had his high altitude Bettie Willard and I staged a cross-country, ~ transplant gardens; the Great Basin around 21-day excursion from Denver to Seattle for Salt Lake City; the Yakima Valley and the the International Botanical Congress in 1969, P'

Page 14 Aquilegia Volume 17

The Passing of Eilif Dahl

William A. Weber interests beyond plants. He was the author, the rare saxifrage. Spatularia foliolosa, on Curator Emeritus with Hildur Krog, ofa fme little field guide: the hummocks of the inlet. Now we had University of Colorado Herbarium Macrolichens of Denmark, Finland, Eilif and several notables from Fort Collins, Norway, and Sweden, that covers the alpine one a soil man to examine the permafrost News has come in a pamphlet from Norsk lichens of Colorado quite well. level. On the drive up the mountain, Eilif BotaniskF6reningen that EilifDahl passed jokingly asked me, "Well Bill, and what away some time early this year. His name During World War II, Eilif was very active shall we fmd today?" I reached down into may not be familiar to the younger in the Norwegian underground. He had to my mental list of the most unlikely Arctic generation, but for some of us he was flee to England for a while and there was plants and said, "How about Koenigia extremely important to our understanding trained and took part in a successful raid in islandica?" We all had a good laugh out of of the Colorado Flora. Eilif Dahl was the Norway on the power station of Rjukan; In that, because it had to be an impossibility- preeminent Norwegian plant ecologist and order to disguise himselfwhen going around a species restricted to the shores of the plant geographer who wrote a classic in Oslo and other areas where people knew Arctic Ocean. We got out of the car at the monograph on a Norwegian alpine region, him, he simply dyed his hair a shocking red, lake, and almost immediately Eilifwas on Rondane, and was especially interested in and he was amazed that practically nobody his hands and knees, not a hundred yards the phenomenon of timberline. I fIrst met recognized him in spite of his hunchback, from the road, saying "What was that about him at the Mountain Research Station (then even when he passed right by old friends Koenigia islandica? For here it is!" In called Science Lodge) when he was a visiting (this story from Doris LOve). retrospect, I recalled that Neville and I had professor atC.S.U. I was just startingoutto passed over what looked like little red learn something about lichens and, in one My favorite story involving Eilifhas to do seedlings the previous week. There shouldn't day in the field on Niwot Ridge, Eiliftaught with a trip to Summit Lake on July 30,1953. have been any seedlings there, but alertness me how to recognize most of the most The rare arctic grass, Phippsia algida, had comes after awareness, which is why we conspicuous lichens of the . In 1957, been rediscovered a few years before, and treasured our foreign visitors who had first­ Eilif welcomed me to Norway and gave me the foreign visitors were already beating a hand knowledge ofthe Alpine-Arctic floras. ~ and my family an extraordinary analysis of path to the place. Just the week before, I had Perhaps my suggestion wasn't out of thin the famous Vigeland statuary park in Oslo. taken George Neville Jones (Floraoflllinois) air, after all. He was a botanist of great talent and wide up to show and tell, and we had discovered The story has an anticlimax. Some years later, Erling Porsild, the great Canadian Arctic botanist, came to Boulder, and we visited the site. He said, "Do you know, Bill, Diana Mullineaux sent this exerpt from an Another friend sent us a photo of this sign that in Copenhagen there is a collection of Arizona State Park publication: from Swaziland: Koenigia from Colorado that was collected years ago by Ove Paulsen, at a place called DO NOT PICK, twist off, sever, USUTUNATUREPRESERVE "Severn Lake"? Severn Lake turned out to cut, clip, snip, snapoff, pluck, be Seven Lakes, on Pikes Peak, and the pinchoff, pull, bend, crush, pare, PLEASE DO NOT PICK occasion was the first International Phytogeographic Excursion of 1913 (see An cleave, divide, break, touch or take, twist off, sever, cut, clip, snip, snap borrow, steal,. bite, eat, remove or Eightieth Anniversary, this issue). When I off, pluck, pinch off, pull, bend, visited Copenhagen some years later, I asked otherwise harm, mutilate or endanger crush, divide, break, touch ortake, to see the specimen, and found a note written THE PROTECTED borrow, steal, remove, crumple, on the label - See Alcoholic Collection. NATIVE PLANTS. shatter, shiver, batter, upset or They brought me a liter bottle completely otherwise harm, mutilate or stuffed with the little Koenigia plants, endanger collected by Paulsen. He never realized that It appears that collecting ethics and this had never been found in the United protection ofnative flora and fauna is of States before, and never published the record! concern to many people around the THE FLOWERS world. You can help us here in Colorado ferns, trees, shrubs, grasses, by sending in your CONPS memberhip , lichens, birds, bugs, renewal today! While you're at it, write beetles, buck or staff ~ to your senators and representatives and ~ ask for their strong support of the ESA! DO NOT LITTER THE PRESERVE Number 3 Aquilegia Page 15

Rick Brune and propagated by seed and division. Yellow though they almost never survive garden star grass ranges from Maine to Florida and conditions because of their specific habitat The Gardener's Guide to Plant Texas. It is presumed extirpated from requirements. Trade in species native to the Conservation. 1993. Nina T. Marshall. Colorado and Maine, imperiled in Delaware, U.S. is concentrated in the lady's slipper World Wildlife Fund and The Garden Club and protected in New Hampshire. orchids (Cypripedium spp.). Most plants of America. 187 pages. paper. $12.95. are wild in origin except for certain New England aster (Aster novae-angliae), specimens of the yellow lady's slipper on the other hand, is essentially all (Cypripedium calceolus). Asian species such Winter daffodil (Sternbergia candida) was propagated. It is considered critically as Bletilla and Pleione are also often wild­ described as a new species in 1979. As a imperiled in Oklahoma despite its wide collected. result of collecting for the garden trade, the range throughout North America. species may be extinct in the wild today. In addition to the lists in the book, The The Bulbs chapter includes true bulbs and Gardener's Guide to Plant Conservation Minnesota trout lily (Erythronium plants with tuberous roots, corms, or provides a good set of guidelines for propullans) was given protection under the rhizomes. Trilliums (Trillium sp.) have long determining if a plant is wild collected: Endangered Species Act in 1986. The been a favorite garden plant and are offered 1. Check labels. Are they in accordance reason? Over collection. widely in catalogs. Collectors and logging with agreements now statutory under have nearly extirpated them from Colorado. Dutch law? Are they labeled at all? Before long, we will be getting the new crop Nurseries propagate trilliums on 2. Look for disclaimers and information of garden catalogs with their enticing plant a small scale but wild-collected about plant origins in catalogs. selections. A visit to the garden center is not plants far exceed propagated 3. Critically evaluate information about far off. Most of us would not ones in the trade. North plant origins. Watch for ambiguous ~,il willingly purchase a plant if we American plants sold in Europe phrases like "nursery grown". Question knew that our purchase would and Japan are mostly wild propagation methods. endanger the survival of that collected in the U. S. Beware 4. Use price as an indicator. Propagated species. How do we know, however, any plant, trillium or otherwise, plants take more time and care and, that those irresistible bulbs were labeled as "nursery grown"; they therefore, cost more. They are also not collected and/or exported are usually wild-collected and usually healthier. illegally, or that those trilliums were transplanted into pots. 5. Question the vender about sources. If not dug illegally from the wild? they do not know, buy elsewhere. Wild-collected bulbs are usually 6. Consider growing plants from seed. The Gardener's Guide to Plant collected when the plant is in full 7. Express your concerns to people selling Conservation lists sources for " bloom to ensure correct wild-collected plants or plants of approximately 500 species in the garden unknown origin. ~t identification. Because this is the trade today: propagated, wild collected, J low point in the plant's energy cycle, or both. A quick look through the lists ~ nursery stock often lacks vigor and The Gardener's Guide to Plant Conservation shows about 50 species native to is susceptible to disease. If they is an excellent resource for the concerned Colorado. In addition to the plant lists, survive, they may take years to gardener who wants to avoid depleting wild this book provides a fascinating look bloom. plant populations. There are undoubtedly into the history of the wild plant trade wild-collected plants in the trade that are and the trade as it exists today. . Spiranthes romanzoffiana not in the book, but it covers most of them. Artist: Carolyn Crawford Conspicuously absent are trees and shrubs. The list of plants is divided into ~' four sections; North American Profitable insectivorous plant sales This book is also a good gift for a garden­ Wildflowers; Bulbs; Insectivorous encourage wild-collecting. Wild-collected minded friend. Give a copy to your favorite Plants; and Terrestrial Orchids. In addition Venus fly traps (Dionaea muscipula) retail garden center or nursery. to the source for each species, a short for as much as $5.00 with collection costing " paragraph describes its geographical range, as little as 7 cents. In 1990, 1.1 million were The Gardener's Guide to Plant Conservation ~ method of propagation if propagated, and exported overseas including an estimated will be available early in 1994 from Velma status (rare, common, endangered, etc.). 300,000 wild specimens. This species is Richards (794-5432) at the discounted rate of $10.00 + tax + $2.00 shipping. Copies can also protected in North and South Carolina. bepurchased directly from World Wildlife Fund, For example, the source for yellow star P.O. Box 4866, Hampden Post Office, Baltimore grass (Hypoxis hirsuta) is both wild collected Terrestrial orchids are tempting buys even MD 21211, (410) 516-6951.

• 1993-94 Workshops Chapter Meetings

Jan 29 Showy Monocots (Alliaceae) Boulder Chapter with Bill Jennings Jan 11 Ferns of Hawaii Mar 12 Biology of Dwarf Mistletoes with Brian Gei Is FebS Research Natural Areas (RNAs), the U.S. Forest Service, and Apr 23 Field Sketching Biodiversity with Carolyn Crawford MarS Natural History of the Southern May 7 Forensic Botany Rockies with Vicky Trammell

Denver-Metro Chapter

Jan 26 To Be Announced

Colorado Native Plant Society Non-profit P.O. Box 200 Organization Fort Collins, Colorado 80522 U.S. Postage PAID Pennit #1475 Denver, Colorado