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MAY 2014 NEWSLETTER OF THE UPSTATE CHAPTER OF THE SC NATIVE SOCIETY

Upcoming Events Saturday, Apr 19, 10:00 am Field Trip to Hagood Mill near Pickens Take a Hike! Fee(s): None Leader: Joe Townsend. Trekking for Native Wildflowers This is one of our “Hidden Gems” field trips. Hagood Mill is an historic site with Bob Howell three miles north of Pickens, noted Spring is prime time for wildflower viewing in for its National Historic Register grist mill and regular music and storytelling the Upstate and on Tuesday, May 20th, Bob festivals. The hidden gem on the 50-acre Howell will share some of his favorite hik- property is a nature trail through the ing trails and nature photography tips at the woods along a creek. In April this trail is May meeting. Growing up in Western North flush with spring ephemerals. We should Carolina, Bob discovered a love of hiking at an see Catesby’s Trillium (Trillium cates- baei), Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canaden- early age, savoring the peace and relaxation that sis), Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum), comes with time spent outdoors. After a success- Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) and ful career in banking, he began teaching hik- Peters Photo by Greg many others. Joe Townsend will guide ing classes ten years ago at the Osher Lifelong Bob Howell us along the trail. Learning Institute (OLLI) at Furman University in This will be a family-friendly outing. The trail tour will take about an Greenville. OLLI offers 85 classes per term on a wide variety of hour. Since we will be at Hagood on a subjects for senior adults. third Saturday, the mill will be in opera- This term, Bob is co-teaching an introductory class with tion grinding grain and there will be demonstrations of crafts such as caning, Steve Davis called “High Country Hikers” which features five- to blacksmithing, weaving, knitting, and eight-mile hikes every Monday, as well as “Nature and Landscape hearth cooking. The mill activities con- Photography” with Alan Weinberg on Thursdays. For his nature tinue until 4:00 pm so you can stay and photography class, Bob leads shorter hikes of two to four miles at enjoy the historic buildings and crafts- a slower pace that is conducive to careful observation and creative people for a long as you wish. Wear outdoor clothing and walking experimentation. The class frequents local wildflower hotspots like shoes. Bring water and a lunch/snack. Devil’s Fork, Station Cove Falls, and Jones Gap, where they have There are picnic tables and restrooms at the opportunity to view common wildflowers like bloodroot and the mill. trillium and some rarer specimens like Oconee bells. Directions: From Main St. (Hwy 183/178) go N on 178 for 3.0 miles, then One of Bob’s tips for successful outings is to pay attention to turn left on Hagood Mill Rd. Mill is on right. the weather in early spring; warm temperatures can mean early From SC 11 (Cherokee Foothills Scenic flowering, while lingering cold will lead to a late start. He also Hwy), turn south on 178, go 5.6 miles. Make a sharp right onto Hagood Mill Rd. finds it helpful to network with other native plant enthusiasts and Parking is in front of mill or across the road wildflower photographers, as they will often be able to pass along in a field. information about what’s in bloom along certain trails. And of Mill address is 138 Hagood Mill Rd, course, hit the trails on a regular basis so you don’t miss out on Pickens, SC 29671. Phone 864-898-2936. seeing short-lived spring ephemerals. Email Judy Seeley at judy_seeley@ hotmail.com to reserve your space As an educator, Bob is focused on communicating the ben- and mention if there will be younger efits of both hiking and nature photography. Hiking is not only children. rewarding physically, but also mentally and emotionally, while ______Saturday, Apr 26, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm ... continued on page 2 Annual Spring Tuesday, May 20, 7:00 pm Native Sale! Founders Hall in Dining Commons, Parking lot of University Center, South Southern Wesleyan University, Central Pleasantburg Drive @ Antrim Drive, Greenville. Come and bring a friend! For a map and more information, visit http://www.scnps.org (Sanguinaria canadensis), penny- wort (Obolaria virginica), halberd- leaf violet (Viola hastata), and sharp-leaved hepatica (Anemome acutiloba). Some of us noticed on one and then several of the he- paticas a mysterious, aberrant leaf structure... © JKMarlow

Station Cove Falls: © JKMarlow Is this a mutation, adaptation or No.1 Upstate SC Wildflower Viewing Spot perhaps a colony of wood nymphs

nd in disguise? The field trip to Station Cove Falls on March 22 was renewing for Kiosks with information and mind, body and spirit. The group of 18 plus might have been unwieldy beautiful photos — many by co- had it not been for coordinator Judy Seeley’s suggestion that half the leader Bill Sharpton and other group pass our mentor on the trail so that all could see and hear. We SCNPS members — grace the trail, were blessed with many of our best botanizers as well as folks with first- and at various places Bill pointed hand historical perspective. out trail improvements, steps, The hike began with Joe Townsend pointing out the evergreen indi- fences, and re-routing done by cators of acid soil: holly, pines, hemlock, Christmas fern, rhododendron, hard-working SCNPS volunteers mountain laurel, and hearts-a-bursting. Deciduous bloomers included not so many years ago! red maple and yellowroot. The trail moves through a mature oak-hick- For a more complete list of Sta- ory forest, by an old beaver pond, over small creeks, through beech for- tion Cove wildflowers go to www. est/streamside flat, down into a rich cove forest and the Falls. The acid namethatplant.net and search by soil and then circumneutral actinolite soil host the rich abundance and destination. diversity of wildflowers. — Connon Stars of the day include purple and yellow flowered sweet Betsy(Tril - lium cuneatum), windflower(Thalictrum thalictroides), green-and-gold (Chrysogonum virgianum), Robin’s plantain (Erigeron pulchellus), bloodroot BULLETIN BOARD

... continued from page 1 Trekking for Native Wild- flowers with Bob Howell nature photography can serve as a record of your experiences as well as a useful tool for identify- ing unfamiliar plants. In his presentation, Bob will WORKSHOPS © JKMarlow discuss photographic techniques Hey, what’s this! “Trillium with four leaves, Shrubs of the Southern Appalachians as well as display some of his and the associated flower parts in 4’s, are not July 21-25 Dr. Larry Mellichamp, UNC-Charlotte own work. He’ll also offer his that unusual. They turn up fairly regularly among many, if not all in the genus,” Biology & I.D. of Butterflies & Moths own inside information about says Rich Reeves of the Georgia Botanical Dr. David Alsop, Queens College Society. July 21-25 local trails to visit and what you (828) 526-2602 might see blooming this time of For more information:www.highlandsbiological.org year. — Meredith Mizell Pinkis this plant and can attest to the Red fact that the roots are not pink. In the late 1800’s this plant was heav- ears ago, at one of our chap- ily collected by herbalists and sold ter meetings on wildflowers, as a vermifuge, a remedy for those the speaker was showing a slide unfortunate to be infected with Yof Indian Pink (Spigelia marilandi- intestinal worms. The value of In- ca). A woman in the audience, in dian Pink roots was right up there utter frustration and bewilderment with Ginseng and was in high asked, “why on earth is the wild- demand. Later, the roots of Indian © JKMarlow flower called Indian Pink when Pink were discovered to be toxic Dan Whitten Accepts the flower is clearly red. Could our and its use as medicine fell out ancestors not tell the difference of favor, which is a good thing, Presidency of the Upstate between the colors pink and Red?” because this plant was threatened Chapter SCNPS. No one present seemed to know with extinction by over collection. the answer to the mystery. Actu- In fact, the species name “mari- ******* landica” means Dan Whitten is an avid naturalist ally, the word living in Spartanburg County since “Pink” used in “of .” 1980. He graduated from Auburn this context has Unfortunately University with a BS degree in nothing to do Indian pink Wildlife Management. He retired with the color has been extir- from Michelin NA after 30 years of the flower pated from the and began renewing his study of and everything state of Mary- nature. Dan is a graduate of the 2008 Upstate Master Naturalist to do with its land and is no Class and the 2010 Catawba Master form or “mor- longer found Naturalist Class. phology.” The there in the He serves on the boards of zig-zag shape wild. the Upstate Master Naturalists, of the flower is © JKMarlow In the Nine Foothills Trail Conference, Friends reminiscent of Times area of Jocassee, First Baptist Deacons of Pickens County there are two and the Tyger River Foundation. something that has been “Pinked,” We welcome Dan in his new like cloth that has been cut with Mountains; one is “Pink Moun- role with the Upstate Chapter as pinking shears. tain” and the other is “Little Pink he receives the presidential baton, The other vernacular name for Mountain.” Neither mountain is effective May 1st, from Dr. Bill Indian Pink is “Pink Root,” which actually pink, of course. They are Stringer. THANK YOU, Bill, for harkens back to the time the roots referred to as “Pink Mountain” your faithful and unrelenting serv- of this plant were used medicinally because the locals collected pink ice to SCNPS! by Native Americans, and later by root from these Mountains. Both ******* European settlers. I have grown of these mountains and the native plants that grow there are now BULLETIN BOARD BULLETIN BOARD protected by the Nature Conser- vancy and Naturaland Trust. In case you are wondering, Three Faces! “Fire Pink” (Silene virginica) our other pinked flower, is red in color In a deliberate attempt to increase the as well. So the same descriptive Society’s presence across the Upstate, reasoning applies here too. we will be planning more events and The genus name Spigelia hon- activities NEWin the Spartanburg area. We ors the Flemish anatomist and are seeking three new faces to work botanist Adriaan van den Spiegel together on the coming year’s pres- (1578-1625), the first to publish entation schedule, which would be instructions on how to prepare WORKSHOPS rotated between Central, Greenville herbarium specimens. Native plant names, both sci- Shrubs of the Southern Appalachians and Spartanburg. entific and common, can be quite July 21-25 Dr. Larry Mellichamp, UNC-Charlotte If you are interested in learning more and perhaps attending an organi- interesting when you dig a little Biology & I.D. of Butterflies & Moths zational meeting of the new Programs deeper. And so it is with Indian Dr. David Alsop, Queens College July 21-25 Committee, please contact Diane Pink. As Paul Harvey would say, “and now you know the rest of the (828) 526-2602 Creaton, [email protected]. www.highlandsbiological.org story”. — Joe Townsend To create a landscape that supports native birds, butterflies and Non-profit — perhaps even more importantly — native pollinators, shop our Organization Spring Native Plant Sale! U.S. Postage PAID CLEMSON, SC Plant something Native Plant Society 29631 for us this year! PO Box 491 PERMIT NO. 7 Norris, SC 29667 Upstate Chapter

NATIVE PLANT Address Service Requested.

plantSaturday, sale! April 26 9:00am-1:00pm

Upcoming Events ... continued from page 1 Thursday, May 8, 3:00 to 6:00 pm SCNPS Work Day: SC Botanical Garden, Clemson Do We will be “weeding” in a portion of the piedmont prairie in the Natural Heritage Garden. Wear appropriate work clothes; bring water. DIRECTIONS: Enter the Main Garden Entrance off Perimeter Rd and keep It Now straight going past the Caboose parking area. As you round the curve to the Dues for everyone were due right (headed towards the Campbell Geology Museum), look for the parking area on the left adjacent to the Meadow Pond. Please register with Jan Jackson in January. To pay your 2014 at [email protected] or call (864) 859-6120 so we know who is coming! dues, go to ______Saturday, May 10, 9:45 am to 3 pm http://scnps.org/scnps-mem- Field Trip: Sassafras Mountain to Chimneytop Gap on the Foothills Trail bership/renew-membership/ Diane Creaton will lead us to see Pink Lady’s Slippers (Cypripedium acaule), Fairy Wand (Chamaelirium luteum), Vasey’s Trillium (Trillium vaseyi), Speckled Wood Lily ( umbellulata) and a wide variety of other native plants. This is a moderate hike of 2.7miles, mostly downhill. We will begin at the rebuilt over- If you missed last month’s presentation on Fig Buttercup look for a great view from the highest point in SC, at 3,554 feet. (Ficaria verna) often confused with The hike may take up to four hours, so pack a lunch and water. Wear field or called Marsh Marigold, it is an footwear and clothing. Meet at 9:45am at the Holly Springs Store, Hwys 178 and early-blooming garden plant that 11, in the unpaved parking area. We will carpool from there. This hike is limited has suddenly decided that the gar- to 20 people. den is too small. To register, email [email protected]. Include the number in your It has been a problem in the party and a cell phone number for last minute changes. Northeast for some time, but it is ______now naturalizing in the Southeast Tuesday, May 20, 7:00 pm — and because it blooms (then Program: Trekking for Native Wildflowers with Bob Howell, (See Page 1.) vanishes) so early, because it often ______begins its travels in the ignored Saturday, May 24, 9:30 am “natural areas” around small urban Field trip to Ashmore and Eva Russell Chandler Heritage Preserves in creeks, and because it is new to Greenville County — Leader: Dan Whitten southeastern flora, people have Join Dan Whitten to hike the loop trail at Ashmore Heritage Preserve, followed not been aware of it. But it is here, by a walk in the Eva Russell Chandler HP to Upper Slickum Falls. There will and it is important that we docu- be an optional short but steep hike to more waterfalls. We will be looking for ment exactly where. It’s blooming Pink lady Slippers, Mountain Sweet Pitcher plant, Paw Paws and a host of other now; after mid-April it will be much native plants at Ashmore. Chandler HP offers the possibility of seeing early harder to spot. Rose Pogonia Orchids and Cut-leaf Ragwort. You can learn more here: http:// Wear field footwear and clothing and bring a lunch/snack and water. There scnps.org/invasive-alert-fig-butter- is somewhat limited parking at the trail head on Persimmon Ridge Road which cup-documented-in-sc runs between Hwy 11/276 and 276 (N to Caesar’s Head). Optional carpool meet- up: 9am at Wildcat Wayside Park on Hwy 11/276, 0.5miles East of where Hwy. If you find it, please email a 11 and 276 diverge. (276 turns N to Caesars Head). Parking area on N side of photograph and detailed directions Hwy 11/276. to [email protected] Email [email protected] to sign-up for hike. Include number in your party, cell phone number, and if you wish to carpool. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER