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Home , Agrilus cuprescens, Pulsatilla, Pulsatilla nuttalliana

No. 82 May 2019

IrisThe Native Council Newsletter

Every Plant Tells a Story: In This Issue Documenting Native in Every Plant Tells a Story – 32nd ANPC Workshop...... 1 Alberta at the 32nd ANPC Workshop Power of Native Planting in Coleen Mahoney a Municipal Park...... 2 The 2019 ANPC workshop and AGM change in Alberta, and the development Impact of Stem Girdler took place in Lethbridge on March 16. of the Kainai Traditional Plant database on Prairie Rose Communities...... 3 This year’s theme was Every Plant Tells that is used to document Western and Figworts? What Figworts?...... 6 a Story: Documenting Native Plants in Traditional plant knowledge. Alberta. Illustrated Keys to Alberta In the afternoon, we received an Vascular Plants – Update...... 9 In the morning, our speakers provided update on the Second Edition of News and Events...... 12 us with information on monitoring in the Rare Vascular Plants of Alberta the Milk River Natural Area and the Book Project, an update on rare plant Kennedy Coulee Ecological Reserve, surveys and ACIMS, and information a ten-year update on the management on a new element occurrence of rough of glauca at the Pinhorn Grazing blazing star (Liatris aspera) in Alberta. Reserve, and using rangeland To close out the afternoon, we heard management in xeriscape designs. We about monitoring and assessing of also had an overview from the Alberta SARA in southern Alberta, the Biodiversity Monitoring Institute on fight against invasive aquatic species monitoring and reporting from their in Alberta, and assigning wetland 1656 permanent sites, a discussion of indicator status to wetland and upland the importance of data gathering in plant species. Look for more information relation to development and climate on the ANPC’s website. See Workshop, page 8 www.anpc.ab.ca

Workshop participants toured the display of soil monoliths at Lethbridge College. The collection was donated by Agriculture and Agri- Cover photo: Marsha Hayward Food Canada and provides Prairie ( nuttalliana) growing in open a valuable resource for jack pine (Pinus banksiana) forest near Cold Lake, AB.

instructors and students. Monica Bartha ♦ The Alberta Native Plant Council Newsletter ♦ No. 82 May 2019 Power of Native Planting in a Municipal Park Kristen Andersen

A project to establish native plants in a small park in Devon, AB, was completed in June 2018. The project was inspired by a group of local residents that had taken initiative to remove weeds and debris from the site over the past several years. There was a growing concern that the common landscape management practices around the Kristen Andersen small wetland area were contributing Kristen Andersen to habitat degradation, as amphibians, bats and garter snakes once present were no longer around.

ANPC member Kristen Andersen joined a few motivated community members, and together they created a plan for ecological restoration of the degraded area while creating an opportunity for local stewardship and education. Restoration is assisting Kristen Andersen Kristen Andersen recovery of ecosystems that are damaged or degraded. In addition to environmental benefits, there are also spiritual benefits of community projects where restoration reconnects humans to nature and to each other.

The work took place in a small wetland that is part of the stormwater drainage network in Highwood Park, located within a residential area, which includes a paved multi-use trail, a Kristen Andersen Kristen Andersen playground and green space that are Top Row: Left – Site along park trail before work. Right – Volunteer crew working on June 26, widely used by residents. The small 2018. wetland is about 200 m2. Devon’s parks, Middle Row: Left – Preparing erosion control filter sock. Right – Beneficial use of erosion ravines and river valley are home to control filter sock along top of slope. wetlands and watercourses that have Bottom Row: Left – Transplanting young native sunflowers. Right – After clearing and native planting work (June 27, 2018). surface and groundwater connections to the North River and provide important ecosystem services. chamomile (Tripleurospermum inodorum) generally placed them in the following and quackgrass (Elymus repens). categories: 1) provisioning services The majority of the site is covered by (food, fuel and medicine), 2) regulating rock and landscape fabric installed for Establishing native species was a great services (purifying water or mitigating erosion protection. These conditions opportunity to increase aesthetic value floods, 3) habitat and supporting limit the ability for desirable plants and provide important ecosystem services (habitat and food for migratory to grow. Much of the vegetation is services such as habitat for birds birds, pollination and nutrient cycling), growing between openings in the and pollinator species, water quality and 4) cultural services (aesthetic, geotextile and on sediment that improvement and erosion protection. spiritual and intellectual needs) (MEA accumulated on top of the geotextile. An international coalition of scientists 2005). Ecosystem services are on the rise Weeds comprised the majority of produced the Millennium Ecosystem at the Highwood Park wetland through vegetation including perennial sow- Assessment Report (MEA) that defined the power of establishing native plants. thistle (Sonchus arvensis), creeping ecosystem services as “the benefits thistle (Cirsium arvense), scentless people obtain from ecosystems” and See Municipal Park Planting, page 8 2 www.anpc.ab.ca Iris ♦ The Alberta Native Plant Council Newsletter ♦ No. 82 May 2019 The Impact of the Rose Stem Girdler ( cuprescens Ménétriés) (Coleoptera: ) on Prairie Rose Communities: A Call to Action David J. Larson

(Note: First printed in Entomological the area of a tunnel but most often the or if the slice is so deep that it cuts into Society of Saskatchewan Newsletter, 2013, only indication that a stem is infested is the sapwood below the tunnel, at least Vol. 32 (2): 1–3.) when it dies. Girdling may cause stem the tunnel ends are visible as series of death only distal to the point of attack, parallel dark spots on either side of the A massive die-off but in the two prairie rose species the cut. One larva will kill a stem, but in the of prairie most usual situation is for the entire current infestation stems with multiple ( stem to die back to ground level. Adult larvae are frequently observed. Figures and R. woodsii) are present on roses in June 1 to 4 show the adult , a larva and has continued and early July, which is presumably its tunnels, prematurely red infested unabated across the period of egg laying. However, rose, and larval tunnels exposed by southwestern whittling a strip of bark off the stem. Saskatchewan and southern Alberta It is also possible to determine if a dead since 2000 (Larson stem was killed by RSG. If the bark 2003, 2009). The is still on the stem, gently stripping it causative agent off will reveal the tunnel. Even if the

David Larson David of this die-off bark has flaked off, tunnels are usually Figure 1. Adult rose is a buprestid lightly engraved into the sapwood so stem girdler. beetle, the rose remain recognizable. Dead rose stems stem girdler break down quickly, but generally (RSG) (Agrilus cuprescens Ménétriés) evidence of stem mortality caused by (Coleoptera: Buprestidae, also the RSG is evident as long as the stem commonly called Jewel Beetles). is intact. The RSG is an invasive species, first introduced into in in 1923 (Bright 1987). Since that time the species has expanded its North American range to now occur from at least to southern and , and west to and . The first record of RSG from the Canadian Prairies was 2001 based on Larson David adult and larval collections in the Maple Figure 2. Rose stem with bark peeled away to show spiral larval tunnel and larva at end of Creek, SK, area, although damage to

tunnel. Larson David roses was first noted in 2000 (Larson 2003). the effect of the larvae is usually Figure 3. Rose plants showing the premature only noticed in mid- to late August reddening of characteristic of stems The RSG is generally regarded as a and September when the leaves of killed by the rose stem girdler. minor pest of roses and to a lesser infested, dying stems turn prematurely extent raspberry (Rubus) and currant coppery or red. Infected roses are There are many internet references (Ribes). Damage is done by the larvae, easily identified before the healthy to the RSG, generally in the area of which tunnel in the cambium layer of roses develop their fall colours as well horticulture and its effect on cultivated the stems. The adult lays an egg into as during winter for the prematurely roses and other canes. There is little a hole in the bark and on hatching killed leaves become brown and are written on its effect on native plants, the larva tunnels beneath the bark, held on the stem over winter. The and in fact over much of its range, both moving up the stem in a tight spiral. presence of a RSG larva in a stem can native as well as historically invaded This tunnelling girdles the stem and be easily confirmed by stripping a areas, the beetle may have little effect. severs the phloem, killing the stem narrow slice of bark from the length of However, in at least southwestern beyond the point of attack. The stem the stem. A tunnel is dark in colour and Saskatchewan and adjacent Alberta, may become enlarged and gall-like in contrasts with the pale exposed wood See Rose Stem Girdler, page 4 www.anpc.ab.ca 3 Iris ♦ The Alberta Native Plant Council Newsletter ♦ No. 82 May 2019 Rose Stem Girdler, from page 3 the presence of the RSG has been a catastrophe to the two principal rose species (the stems of the third native species of the area, R. arkansana, are probably too small to support larvae). The impact has not been quantified nor is there baseline data on rose abundance and growth forms to allow a quantitative assessment of the impact. Larson (2003, 2009) presented some anecdotal observations and speculation on the impact of the RSG to regional roses. Recent illustrations of infested and prematurely coloured roses (Glen 2013, Massiah 2013) show landscapes in which almost all the roses are dying (Figure 5).

This process of massive die-off has Larson David been going on year after year for over a decade. What has been the Figure 4. A rose stem from which a strip of bark has been removed. The ends of a tunnel of a effect? Roses are still present on the rose stem girdler larvae are exposed as dark spots just under the bark (at end of arrows). Prairies. Stem death does not kill a rose plant. They have persistent roots that for various plants. With RSG attack the well as along drainage systems of the continue to send up new shoots. The stands become lower, more open and southwest are in steep decline and will RSG larva seems to require a stem of more succulent so that cattle, which probably soon disappear as a significant a certain minimum diameter in which exert a very heavy grazing pressure component of the ecosystem. As long to develop, and new shoots of the year on almost all-natural prairie, can graze as the RSG remains a common species are probably too small and appear these patches. Cattle also consume in the region, it will have to be taken too late in the season to be attacked. It tender, new rose stems so they in turn into account in management plans is two-year and older shoots that are contribute to the further demise of the for natural and conservation areas killed. Thus, the older stems are killed roses. The combined attack, first by the especially if these also serve as grazing off leaving younger and smaller stems beetle, then grazing pressure against lands. in patches in which stem density is also regeneration, produce a situation reduced. The net result is roses are now where patches and banks of roses are This paper was prepared in order to: found in stands that are lower and more converted to grassland with attendant open, and the young stems are less change in plant community structure A. Advise as wide an audience as strongly armed with spines. and composition. This is a double possible of the existence of the RSG whammy that is further homogenizing in the dry prairie region and to point Roses are essentially absent from the prairie and reducing its diversity out the ecological impact of the cultivated land, but in waste areas or and biota. species, especially in concert with areas with natural vegetation, they current livestock management; and form an integral part of the plant It is a commonly held maxim that community and are a principal species grazing is a natural part of the prairie B. Develop a plan to at least monitor (usually in association with snowberry ecosystem and that grazing of livestock the distribution of the RSG, along (Symphoricarpos occidentalis)) providing is compatible with prairie conservation. with its abundance and impact a perennial height dimension in the This is probably true up to certain on roses and the associated vegetation. In this respect they provide grazing intensity under natural prairie communities. The prairie shelter to , trap snow and conditions. However, when grazing distribution of the RSG is not probably help retain soil moisture pressure is maximal (as is generally known. I have seen infestations from through shading effect. The dense the case) and a foreign element such Moose Jaw, SK, west to Lethbridge, stands and prickly stems prevent or as the RSG is added to the mix, rapid AB, and north to the Bow and South at least slow ingress of larger animals and severe change to the prairie Saskatchewan Rivers. Does it occur into stands so that these stands can act environment can occur. Within the outside this area, and if so, is it as refuges to small prey species, safe Great Sand Hills, the impenetrable at densities that have the impacts nesting and breeding sites for various banks of roses of a decade ago are described above? birds as well as refuges from grazing gone. The roses in the draws and coulees of the Cypress Hills uplands as See Rose Stem Girdler, page 5 4 www.anpc.ab.ca Iris ♦ The Alberta Native Plant Council Newsletter ♦ No. 82 May 2019 Rose Stem Girdler, from page 4

The concerns expressed above species has been recognized as a pest of Alberta Native Plant Council regarding the impact of the RSG on berry crops and domestic roses in the Garneau P.O. 52099 prairie environments need to be tested Pacific Northwest states of , Edmonton, AB T6G 2T5 against the observations of others, and and Idaho (state agriculture ideally quantified either by setting up extension websites). It is almost certain website: www.anpc.ab.ca monitoring stations for rose density that the species occurs from coast to email: [email protected] or finding sites in which vegetation coast in southern Canada and in the President had been previously studied and northern tier of US states. Eri Hiraga against which current observations [email protected] could be compared. Dr. Chet Neufeld, The original note called for a survey of Vice-President director Invasive Species program, the geographical distribution of the RSG Laurie Hamilton has suggested that the website be in the Canadian Prairies. An organized [email protected] used for compilation of observations survey has not been carried out, but Secretary on distribution and density as a step Jennifer Muir towards assessing the extent of the [email protected] problem. Treasurer Julie Figures References [email protected] Bright, D.E. 1987. The and arachnids of Directors Canada. Part 15. The metallic wood-boring Marsha Hayward (Northern) beetles of Canada and (Coleoptera: [email protected] Buprestidae). Research Branch, Agriculture Kristen Andersen (Central) Canada, Publication 1810. [email protected] Christina Metke (Southern) Glen, B. 2013. Beetle threatens iconic Larson David [email protected] Figure 5. A Cypress Hills landscape showing Kim MacKenzie (Nature Alberta) symbol: decline continues. Rose stem [email protected] girdler is killing wild roses in Alberta and extent of rose die-off. This site shows the Trish Hiley (Communications) Saskatchewan. Western Producer. May 2, effects of intensive grazing in which roses [email protected] 2013, pp. 19-20. are the main woody shrub, and almost all of these are dying. Membership Secretary Kelly Ostermann Larson, D.J. 2003. The rose stem girdler (Agrilus [email protected] aurichalceus Redtenbacher) (Insecta: I have observations that indicate the Coleoptera: Buprestidae), a new threat to Conservation Action prairie roses. Blue Jay 61 (3): 176-178. species occurs throughout at least the Laurie Hamilton grassland and parkland ecoregions [email protected] of Alberta and Saskatchewan. In the Larson, D.J. 2009. Notes and observations on Information and Education/Outreach the rose stem girdler (Agrilus cuprescens west, the species has been observed Kristen Andersen Ménétriés) (Insecta: Coleoptera: in Waterton Park and Kananaskis [email protected] Buprestidae) in southern Alberta and Valley (J.D. Shorthouse, pers. comm.), Saskatchewan. Blue Jay 67 (2): 82-85. Rare Plants and Longview and Canmore. I have Vacant seen larvae in the stems of cultivated Massiah, M. 2013. Beetle killing wild roses on shrub roses in northwest Calgary, so Reclamation and Restoration prairies. Maple Creek News. Oct. 3, 2013, Vacant p. 12. the regional host range can also be extended. To the north, infested roses Webmaster have been seen along the Red Deer Carole Dodd Postscript, March 2019 [email protected] River in Alberta, and in Saskatchewan A monograph on the Jewel Beetles of they have been seen north to Melfort Social Media and Choiceland. The probably Cam Johnson Northeastern North America indicates [email protected] the North American range of the rose occupies the entire area south of the stem girdler as being eastern Canada North Saskatchewan River. No records Newsletter Committee from have been seen, but the Dana Bush from to Ontario and the Patsy Cotterill northeastern United States (Paiero species occurs in the Qu’Appelle Valley Alfred Falk et al. 2012). A recent checklist of the and south of Regina. It is almost certain Eri Hiraga to be in at least southwestern Manitoba. Coleen Mahoney Beetles of Canada (Bousquet et al. 2013) Patricia McIsaac follows Larson (2003) in including What have been the environmental Jen Muir Saskatchewan within the range but did effects? Again these have not been Kelly Ostermann measured. As described above, Mélanie Violette not give records for the other western And many volunteer writers . . . provinces, namely Manitoba, Alberta thick patches of roses have largely and . Recently, the See Rose Stem Girdler, page 8 www.anpc.ab.ca 5 Iris ♦ The Alberta Native Plant Council Newsletter ♦ No. 82 May 2019 Figworts? What Figworts? Lorna Allen and Linda Kershaw

Look at any but the very newest of floras and you will likely find a moderately large plant family, the Figworts (Scrophulariaceae), made up of numerous genera and species. In Alberta, we have (whoops, had) 19 genera (Table 1) and 74 species, including some of the cutest (think monkeyflower), oddest (elephant’s-head) and prettiest. A field of paintbrush is stunning!

Plant classification has been developed to reflect evolutionary relationships, with the goal that “all of the species assigned to a given group share a more recent common ancestor with each other than with any species outside the group” (Olmstead Lorna Allen Lorna 2002). DNA research has lead to the conclusion that many of the members of the classic Figwort Family Field of paintbrush (Castilleja sp.) are, in reality, only distantly related. So, sadly, this intriguing family has now been, well, dismembered.

Table 1: Genera traditionally included in the Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae) in Alberta Bacopa (water-hyssop) Linaria (toadflax) Penstemon (beardtongue) Castilleja (paintbrush) Melampyrum (cow-wheat) Rhinanthus (yellowrattle) Chaenorhinum (dwarf- Mimulus (monkeyflower) Scrophularia (figwort) snapdragon) Collinsia (blue-eyed-Mary) Nuttallanthus (field-toadflax) Verbascum (mullein) Euphrasia (eyebright) Odontites (bartsia) Veronica (speedwell) Gratiola (hedge-hyssop) Orthocarpus (owlclover) Limosella (mudwort) Pedicularis (lousewort) Lorna Allen Lorna

Square-stem monkeyflower Elephant’s-head (Mimulus ringens) (Pedicularis groenlandica) Of the Alberta genera once included in the Figwort Family, only mudwort (Limosella), mullein (Verbascum) and figwort (Scrophularia) remain. The rest have been reassigned to other families. To add to this indignity, no record has been found of any figworts Scrophularia( spp.) actually occurring here, so it has been dropped from the list of Alberta species. From 19 genera, 74 species, the Figwort Family in Alberta now includes only two genera and a total of four species; the rest Lorna Allen Lorna have been reassigned to other families.

Clustered The Orobanchaceae or Broomrape Family is one that has had ex-figworts added broomrape to it. In the Flora of Alberta (Moss 1983), there are two genera and four species in (Aphyllon the Broomrape Family, all lacking chlorophyll and all parasitic — using haustoria fasciculatum, (parasitic connections to the roots of other plants) they have no need to produce Orobanche their own food through photosynthesis. A number of the genera of the old Figwort fasciculata) Family are hemiparasites — capable of both photosynthesis and of developing haustoria to become partially parasitic. The genera that have the ability to develop haustoria (parasites or hemiparasites) are now all included in the Broomrape Family (Table 2). See Figworts, page 7 Lorna Allen Lorna 6 www.anpc.ab.ca Iris ♦ The Alberta Native Plant Council Newsletter ♦ No. 82 May 2019

Figworts, from page 6 If you’ve been paying attention, you Table 2: Genera in Alberta now included in the Broomrape Family (Orobanchaceae) will know that this leaves only those cute little monkeyflowers (Mimulus) Genera traditionally in the Broomrape Boschniakia (groundcone) unaccounted for. They have been added Family to a small family, the Phrymaceae or Orobanche (now Aphyllon) (broomrape) Lopseed Family. In the Flora of Alberta Genera added from the Figwort Family Castilleja (paintbrush) (Moss 1983) there is a single of monkeyflowers,Mimulus , and three Euphrasia (eyebright) species. Several more species have Melampyrum (cow-wheat) been found in Alberta since the flora Odontites (bartsia) was written, but with all the taxonomic Orthocarpus (owlclover) changes, the only remaining Mimulus in Alberta is now Mimulus ringens. Pedicularis (lousewort) Erythranthe is the accepted genus for Rhinanthus (yellowrattle) the others (and there are eight of them), including the three monkeyflowers in Another family that wins big in the Figwort Family dismemberment is the Plantain the 1983 flora. Family (Plantaginaceae). Blame this one on DNA, because the reasons these plants have been grouped together are less obvious. From a single genus, Plantago, With the mixing of genera between the Plantain Family in Alberta now includes 11 genera (Table 3), eight from the families, and with the addition of new figworts, plus two from small families that are no longer recognized. species (let alone new families), the development of illustrated keys for this Table 3: Genera in Alberta now included in the Plantain Family (Plantaginaceae) set proved to be a challenge. A new version for the illustrated key to this Genera traditionally in the Plantain Family Plantago (plantain) group, the Figworts and Allies (Allen Genera added from the Figwort Family Bacopa (water-hyssop) and Kershaw 2019), will be posted soon Chaenorhinum (dwarf-snapdragon) on the ANPC website, to help with sorting through all of these changes. At Collinsia (blue-eyed-Mary) a session of the Central Alberta Plant Gratiola (hedge-hyssop) Study Group (Edmonton), participants Linaria (toadflax) worked through the rough draft key Nuttallanthus (field-toadflax) and had many helpful suggestions. Thanks to V. Crisfield and D. Fabijan Penstemon (beardtongue) for organizing the session and to the Veronica (speedwell) group for their assistance. Genera added from the Water-starwort Callitriche (water-starwort) Family (Callitrichaceae) References Cited Allen and Kershaw. 2019. Key to the Alberta Genera added from the Mare’s-tail Family Hippuris (mare’s-tail) Figworts and Allies (Orobanchaceae, (Hippuridaceae) Phrymaceae, Plantaginaceae, Scrophulariaceae). Compiled and written by Lorna Allen and Linda Kershaw, https:// anpc.ab.ca/ Hoary plaintain Moss, E.H. 1983. The Flora of Alberta. Second (Plantago media) Edition, Revised by John G. Packer. University of Toronto Press, Toronto, Ontario. Olmstead, Richard G. 2002. Whatever happened to the Scrophulariaceae? Fremontia 13, Volume 30:2, April 2002. ♦ Lorna Allen Lorna

Pink monkeyflower (Erythranthe lewisii) Lorna Allen Lorna www.anpc.ab.ca 7 Iris ♦ The Alberta Native Plant Council Newsletter ♦ No. 82 May 2019 Rose Stem Girdler, from page 5 However, in these cases perennial be eliminated. One rancher said he had disappeared from the dry grasslands grasses overtook the sites, assisted by noticed that the roses were blooming and sandhills areas of Saskatchewan grazing pressure that inhibited rose and closer to the ground than previously, and Alberta. Roses in open, sun- other forb regrowth. Roses are almost either indicating he was seeing R. exposed sites were the first to go always associated with snowberry, arkansana (a low-growing dry followed by roses in more shaded sites which remains after the roses have prairie species not attacked by the (e.g., within bluffs and riparian zones) died off. However with the roses gone, rose stem girdler) or that only newer, and cooler areas (e.g., Cypress Hills cattle push into the snowberry, and small stems of other roses were left to uplands, east slope foothills of Rocky even if they do not browse the plants . The other three ranchers said Mountains). It is not known if this is down, they break the stems resulting they really hadn’t noticed what they a microhabitat effect or due to some in increasingly thinned stands and had in the way of roses. This pretty host preference because it follows the hastening reversion of these areas to much summarizes our current state pattern of distribution of R. woodsii grassland. of knowledge of what is happening to (open, drier sites) whereas R. acicularis prairie roses — we haven’t noticed. is in riverine and forest habitats. There is still no quantitative assessment Within the last five years, the extremely of the effect of rose stem girdlers Bousquet, Y., P. Bouchard, A.E. Davies and D.S. Sikes. 2013. Checklist of beetles dense stands of roses in and adjacent on rose populations in any part of the Prairie provinces. I recently (Coleoptera) of Canada and Alaska, second to the riverine woodlands along the edition. Pensoft, Sofia-Moscow. 402 pp. South Saskatchewan River in western asked six ranchers in southwestern Saskatchewan have largely died off. Saskatchewan about the status of Paiero, S.M., M.D. Jackson, A. Jewiss-Gaines, roses on their land (2018/19). Two T. Kimoto, B.D. Gill and S.M. Marshall. Initial rose die-off has been observed said roses were increasing in numbers, 2012. Field guide to the Jewel Beetles to be followed by a burst of growth but both of these had recently broken (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) of Northeastern of some opportunistic plant species prairie to plant exotic grasses, and North America. Canadian Food Inspection (e.g., nettles along Lyons Creek, roses sprouting from root stock were Agency Publication P0764-11E. 411 pp. near Claydon, SK; downy brome in a prominent weed. However, once Contact David J. Larson at Box 56, Maple Little Sand Hills, west of Piapot, SK). regular mowing begins the roses will Creek, SK S0N 1N0 [email protected] ♦

Workshop, from page 1 Municipal Park Planting, from page 2 At the end of the workshop, it was Thank you to the workshop committee announced that Carole Dodd was this for arranging these two days of Since the trail borders the wetland, year’s recipient of the Emerald Award. fabulous events! The committee this the project presents a tremendous Congratulations Carole and big thanks year included Trish Hiley, Monica educational opportunity for the for your dedication and hard work! Bartha, Carole Dodd, Jacqueline community. It is hard to miss native Redburn, Robyn Gamer, Charlotte wildflowers in bloom along the trail Following the AGM, banquet attendees Thomasson and Eri Hiraga. (labelled with common names). had the pleasure of listening to Caitlin The town is also able to enjoy lower Willier speak about monitoring A big thank you to David Walker, maintenance by operations staff. in Waterton Lakes National Park Charley Bird and Eileen Ford for Stewards have an incredible sense of following the Kenow Fire. Many thanks donating books to sell. The book sale pride as they get to enjoy the view each to all our presenters for providing raised $400 for Alberta PlantWatch. time they pass through the park. such interesting and informative Thanks also to all workshop attendees presentations! who purchased books. Your support is The work included pulling weeds, greatly appreciated. ♦ adding compost, removing sections On Sunday, a of landscape fabric and installing a Monoliths Tour of variety of native shrubs, wildflowers the new display and graminoids. Signs were put up of soil pedons notifying maintenance crews that at Lethbridge the site is a restoration area and is a College was no‑spray zone for herbicides. offered. Of the 10 soil orders found Planting included wetland species in Canada, eight and upland species in the buffer zone are on display immediately adjacent to the wetland. in the collection Poor vegetation cover was a cause of

of 110 soil Monica Bartha monoliths. Members and presenters met at the University of Lethbridge for See Municipal Park Planting, page 12 ANPC’s 2019 workshop. 8 www.anpc.ab.ca Iris ♦ The Alberta Native Plant Council Newsletter ♦ No. 82 May 2019 Update on the Illustrated Keys to Alberta Vascular Plants

Linda Kershaw and Lorna Allen The keys on the ANPC website (anpc. Keys to the Major Groups of Vascular Plants & Their Families ab.ca) are ‘works in progress’. We Traditional phylogenetic keys focus mainly on flower characteristics, but in this key we are using a hybrid hope that people will use them and 1a approach, starting with easily determined vegetative Over the winter, we have continued features, and then moving on to flower structure or other more technical considerations as necessary. let us know if there are any errors or working on the illustrated keys to Key to Major Groups 01a Plants herbaceous, reproducing by spores ...... Ferns and Fern Allies omissions. Suggestions for ways to ...... Division Pteridophyta Alberta’s vascular plants, updating ...... Group 1 (p. 4) 01b Plants herbaceous or woody (shrubs, trees), 2a producing cones or flowers, reproducing by improve the keys are always welcome. species status to agree with the ACIMS ...... Plants ...... Division Spermatophyta ….02 02a Plant stems woody to well above ground level, Please send feedback to Linda at linda. listing from last March (ACIMS 2018) not dying back to the base each year - trees, shrubs or woody vines ...... Conifers and Woody Flowering Plants [email protected] or Lorna at Subdivision Gymnospermae+Angiospermae (in part) and updating to agree with ...... Group 2 (p. 7) 02b Plant stems herbaceous or woody at the base 3a only ...... Herbaceous Flowering Plants [email protected]. the VasCan database in October 2018 ....Subdivision Angiospermae, in part….03 03a Plants aquatic, floating or submersed in water at maturity ...... Aquatic Herbs (Brouillet et al. 2018). We have also been ...... Group 3 (p. 15) 03b Plants not aquatic, emergent (rooted, with lower parts in the water but upper stems, The copyright to these keys is held working on new keys for many families 4a leaves and flowers held above the water) or upland species with self-supporting stems . 04 04a Plants white, yellow, pink or reddish brown by Linda J. Kershaw and Lorna Allen and family groups. Once this bout of when fresh, often drying blackish, not photosynthetic; leaves reduced to scales ...... Non-photosynthetic Herbs (2019). If you are citing the keys, please ...... Group 4 (p. 19) work is complete, the new keys will be 04b Plants green, photosynthetic; leaves usually well-developed .Photosynthetic Herbs….05 note the ANPC website as your source. available on the ANPC website. Look 05a Leaves unlobed and undivided (rarely with 2 basal lobes), usually parallel-veined, 5a often grass-like; flower parts usually in 3s or 6s (never in 5s); seeds with 1 seed Many thanks go out to our patient and for them in the near future. (cotyledon); stems (when present) without a central pith ...... Monocots ...... Class Monocotyledoneae organized webmaster, Carole Dodd, ...... Group 5 (p. 20) 05b Leaves undivided, divided or lobed, usually net-veined; flower parts usually in 4s or 5s; seeds with 2 seed leaves; stems (if present) who has used her skills to make the site So far, illustrated keys for 122 families with a central pith ...... Dicots ...... Class Dicotyledoneae have been completed. On the website, 5b ...... Group 6 (p. 24) so attractive and easy to use. the keys are organized in four major 3 References groups, starting with the Dicots (seed Alberta Conservation Information plants with two cotyledons), then versus emergent or terrestrial) where Management System (ACIMS). 2018. List the Monocots (seed plants with one possible, in an effort to narrow the of all Taxa Confirmed for cotyledon), Gymnosperms (coniferous number of choices the reader needs to Alberta as recorded in the ACIMS database trees and shrubs) and Pteridophytes consider in each group. The illustrations - March 2018. in A. Parks, editor. ACIMS, (ferns and fern allies). Large families should also help users to navigate their Government of Alberta, Edmonton, AB. have their own keys. In 2018 there way through these complex keys. There Brouillet, L., F. Coursol, S.J. Meades, M. A. M. Favreau, P. Bélisle, and P. Desmet. 2018. were 18 single-family keys, and with are quite a few vascular plant families VASCAN, the Database of Vascular Plants the addition of Lamiaceae in 2019, this that have just one species in Alberta. becomes 19. Small families (i.e., those of Canada. Accessed October 2018. http:// If there is only one species to consider, data.canadensys.net/vascan/. with 2 to 10 or so species) and a few it’s impossible to create a key for that families in recently revised groups have family. These families (28 altogether) See Illustrated Keys, page 10 been grouped together in common are now included in the illustrated files to simplify the website and/or to keys within the Keys to Family series. facilitate naming and identification. Table 1 provides a list of the families in These groups include Figworts and the new and revised keys, and the file Allies (4 families), Lilies and Allies where each can be found on the ANPC (5 families), Miscellaneous Dicots website. (15 families in 2018 + 26 families added in 2019 = 41 families), Miscellaneous There are still four large families Monocots (6 families), Gymnosperms remaining to complete — Apiaceae, (3 families) and Pteridophytes Boraginaceae, Fabaceae and (16 families). Onagraceae. We had hoped to see the final versions of the Flora of North A major addition over the past winter America treatments before we tackled has been the creation of a series of Keys these. Unfortunately, none of them to Family. These are large, complex appear to be close to publication, so keys that often rely on technical floral we may have to go ahead without characteristics to distinguish groups. that resource. We plan to produce first We have tried to include readily drafts of these keys next winter, in observable, vegetative features (e.g., order to complete all of the keys by the Now available through Amazon.ca. woody versus herbaceous; aquatic spring of 2020. www.anpc.ab.ca 9 Iris ♦ The Alberta Native Plant Council Newsletter ♦ No. 82 May 2019

Illustrated Keys, from page 9 Table 1. List of vascular plant families with illustrated keys on the ANPC website

Family File Name Group Family File Name Group Acoraceae Key to Families Monocots Dryopteridaceae Pteridophytes Pteridophytes Adoxaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Elaeagnaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Alismataceae Misc Monocots Monocots Elatinaceae Key to Families Dicots Amaranthaceae Amaranthaceae Dicots Equisetaceae Pteridophytes Pteridophytes Amaryllidaceae Liliaceae and Allies Monocots Ericaceae Ericaceae Dicots Anacardiaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Euphorbiaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Apocynaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Fagaceae Key to Families Dicots Araceae Misc Monocots Monocots Gentianaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Araliaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Geraniaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Aristolochiaceae Key to Families Dicots Grossulariaceae Grossulariaceae Dicots Asparagaceae Liliaceae and Allies Monocots Haloragaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Aspleniaceae Pteridophytes Pteridophytes Hydrangeaceae Key to Families Dicots Aspleniaceae Key to Families Pteridophytes Hydrocharitaceae Misc Monocots Monocots Asteraceae Asteraceae Dicots Hypericaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Athyriaceae Pteridophytes Pteridophytes Iridaceae Misc Monocots Monocots Balsaminaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Isoetaceae Pteridophytes Pteridophytes Berberidaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Juncaceae Juncaceae Monocots Betulaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Juncaginaceae Misc Monocots Monocots Brassicaceae Brassicaceae Dicots Lamiaceae Lamiaceae Dicots Butomaceae Key to Families Monocots Lentibulariaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Cabombaceae Key to Families Dicots Liliaceae Liliaceae and Allies Monocots Cactaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Linaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Campanulaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Loasaceae Key to Families Dicots Cannabaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Loranthaceae Key to Families Dicots Caprifoliaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Lycopodiaceae Pteridophytes Pteridophytes Caryophyllaceae Caryophyllaceae Dicots Lythraceae Key to Families Dicots Celastraceae Misc Dicots Dicots Malvaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Ceratophyllaceae Key to Families Dicots Marsileaceae Key to Families Pteridophytes Cistaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Marsileaceae Pteridophytes Pteridophytes Cleomaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Melanthiaceae Liliaceae and Allies Monocots Commelinaceae Key to Families Monocots Menyanthaceae Key to Families Dicots Convolvulaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Molluginaceae Key to Families Dicots Cornaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Montiaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Crassulaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Myricaceae Key to Families Dicots Cucurbitaceae Key to Families Dicots Nyctaginaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Cupressaceae Gymnosperms Gymnosperms Nymphaeaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Cyperaceae Cyperaceae Monocots Oleaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Cystopteridaceae Pteridophytes Pteridophytes Onocleaceae Key to Families Pteridophytes Dennstaedtiaceae Key to Families Pteridophytes Onocleaceae Pteridophytes Pteridophytes Dennstaedtiaceae Pteridophytes Pteridophytes Ophioglossaceae Pteridophytes Pteridophytes Droseraceae Misc Dicots Dicots See Illustrated Keys, page 11 10 www.anpc.ab.ca Iris ♦ The Alberta Native Plant Council Newsletter ♦ No. 82 May 2019 Illustrated Keys, from page 10

Family File Name Group Orchidaceae Orchidaceae Monocots Linda Kershaw Orobanchaceae Figworts and Allies Dicots Oxalidaceae Key to Families Dicots Papaveraceae Misc Dicots Dicots Phrymaceae Figworts and Allies Dicots

Pinaceae Gymnosperms Gymnosperms Linda Kershaw Fern – Gymnocarpium dryopteris Plantaginaceae Figworts and Allies Dicots Poaceae Poaceae Monocots Polemoniaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Conifer – Abies balsamea Polygalaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Polygonaceae Polygonaceae Dicots Polypodiaceae Pteridophytes Pteridophytes Monocot, Portulacaceae Key to Families Dicots graminoid – Potamogetonaceae Potamogetonaceae Monocots Leymus innovatus Primulaceae Primulaceae Dicots Pteridaceae Pteridophytes Pteridophytes Ranunculaceae Dicots Marsha Hayward Rhamnaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Rosaceae Rosaceae Dicots Dicot with petal-like – Rubiaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Ruppiaceae Key to Families Monocots Salicaceae Salicaceae Dicots Santalaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Sapindaceae Misc Dicots Dicots

Sarraceniaceae Key to Families Dicots Linda Kershaw Saxifragaceae Saxifragaceae Dicots Scheuchzeriaceae Key to Families Monocots Scrophulariaceae Figworts and Allies Dicots Dicot with a one-species Family – Selaginellaceae Pteridophytes Pteridophytes Menyanthes trifoliata Solanaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Tamaricaceae Key to Families Dicots Taxaceae Gymnosperms Gymnosperms Thelypteridaceae Key to Families Pteridophytes Thelypteridaceae Pteridophytes Pteridophytes Linda Kershaw Tofieldiaceae Liliaceae and Allies Monocots Typhaceae Misc Monocots Monocots Ulmaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Urticaceae Misc Dicots Dicots Verbenaceae Key to Families Dicots

Violaceae Violaceae Dicots Linda Kershaw Woodsiaceae Pteridophytes Pteridophytes Dicot with asymmetric flowers – delphiniifolium Linda Kershaw Dicot with head-like cluster of tiny flowers – Grindelia squarrosa ♦ www.anpc.ab.ca 11 Iris ♦ The Alberta Native Plant Council Newsletter ♦ No. 82 May 2019

News and Events Creekfest Institute for Wildlife Conservation, Alberta All are welcome to participate and Saturday, July 20, 2019 • 11 am – 4 pm Native Plant Council, Green Calgary, provide their plant lists, but we REALLY Bow Valley Ranch, Fish Creek Provincial Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation and need behind-the-scenes volunteers to Park (South end of Bow Bottom Tr. SE, many more! continue this event. Please contact Kim Calgary) Stay tuned to www.friendsoffishcreek.org/ MacKenzie at [email protected] to event/creekfest for more information. volunteer! The Friends of Fish Creek invite you to experience the 9th annual Creekfest, May Species Count at Clyde Fen which began in 2011 as a fun way to May Plant Count Candidate Natural Area engage community members around May 25-31, 2019 Sunday, May 26, 2019 Fish Creek Provincial Park and to increase The May Plant Count is an annual Join stewards Derek Johnson and Joelyn awareness about this park, Alberta’s event where volunteers survey their Kozar to count plant species in flower in beautiful provincial parks, and water favourite natural area to provide valuable an aspen stand, a shrubby fen and a pine conservation issues. information on the distribution and stand. Bring rubber boots, pack a lunch, phenology of flowering plants in Alberta. and be prepared to spend a better part of Learn about environmental stewardship, This Nature Alberta citizen science the day there. conservation and biodiversity through initiative is supported by ANPC, and it’s educational games and activities a great opportunity to shake the winter’s Meet at 9 am at the Percy Page Centre in hosted by local non-profit groups and rust off our plant identification skills and Edmonton. Carpooling is an option. Please community-focused businesses, including conduct a fun “trek and check” through RVSP to [email protected] (last-minute Rocky Mountain Adaptive, Alberta our favourite natural space. deciders are welcome).

Municipal Park Planting, from page 8 much erosion especially along the trail (Potentilla pensylvanica). Shrubs included to this year’s activities. There are shoulder. red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), plans to continue pulling weeds and silverberry (Elaeagnus commutata), adding more native plants that attract An erosion control filter sock was snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) and butterflies, bees and wildlife. Other installed along the trail edge to protect prickly rose (Rosa acicularis). Planted ideas being shared include habitat the steep trail shoulder that receives graminoids included Crawford’s sedge features such as bird houses, native stormwater runoff from the trail and is (Carex crawfordii), tufted hair grass bee and bat boxes. It would seem this subject to soil erosion until vegetation (Deschampsia caespitosa), slough grass project has only just begun. ♦ is established. The erosion control filter (Beckmannia syzigachne) and green sock was a great example of beneficial needle grass (Stipa viridula). Iris is published three times a year by ANPC. reuse. One of the neighbours and The Council aims to increase knowledge of project volunteers spins yarn in her Initial planting was completed Alberta’s wild flora and to preserve this diverse free time. The wool is sometimes of low by the end of June. This included resource for the enjoyment of present and quality and cannot be used and was approximately 40 native shrubs, about future generations. donated to the cause. The socks were 60 potted grasses and forbs, and If you have an announcement, article or other made with burlap rolled up with wool seeding with Rocky Mountain fescue. item, you are invited to submit it to the editor inside and sewn shut with cotton string. We also completed sign installation, for publication. Items concerning native plants The socks were staked into the ground added a few yards of compost, and will be given highest priority. and are now ready to be removed as the hand pulled many weeds. It’s now a The editors reserve the right to edit steep trail shoulder is well vegetated spray‑free zone, and the increased use submissions, but will review changes with the with native shrubs and wildflowers by amphibian and avian species was authors whenever possible. Disputes will be installed as potted plants and with noticeable last summer. resolved in favour of the audience. Rocky Mountain fescue (Festuca Copyright remains with the authors except saximontana) that was established by The project was completed with major where noted. Permission to reprint is generally seeding. contributions from the Alberta Native granted, but please contact the editors for Plant Council, Edmonton Native Plant details. Some of the native forbs installed in Society, Devon Nature Club, and the Submission deadline for the next issue: and around the wetland included Town of Devon. Several plants were September 15, 2019 giant hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), grown and donated by Patsy Cotterill smooth aster (Symphyotrichum laeve), and Manna Parseyan. A subscription to Iris is included with membership in the ANPC. To join, contact the smooth fleabane Erigeron( glabellus), secretary, or check our website, www.anpc. rhombic-leaved sunflower Helianthus( The volunteers had a lot of fun, did an ab.ca. subrhomboideus) and prairie cinquefoil amazing job, and are looking forward 12 www.anpc.ab.ca