The Rhexia Paynes Prairie Chapter Florida Native Plant Society April 2011 Monthly Chapter VP’s Message Meeting and Field Trip Alachua County Forever; or Alachua County Forsaken? Information Joni Ellis “One of the penalties of an ecological education is and Mill Creek Preserve., two of the most that one lives alone in a world of wounds. Much of the significant wild lands in the county. Spring Native Plant Sale damage inflicted on land is quite invisible to laymen. An April 8, members only, ecologist must either harden his shell and make believe that the consequences of science are none of his busi- Mill Creek Preserve contains one of the south- 4:30 - 6:30 ness, or he must be the doctor who sees the marks of ernmost populations of American beech trees April 9, public , 8:30-12:30 death in a community that believes itself well and does in the U.S. Its outstanding biotic features include Morningside Nature not want to be told otherwise.” — Aldo Leopold magnificent examples of beech and magnolia Center slope forest, the largest area of pond pine flat- Some interesting things are brewing in the 3540 E University Ave woods remaining in Alachua County, as well as minds of those who can live without wild Gainesville, FL 32641 the largest population of the state-listed pond things. Some are actually calling for the sale of spice in the county. conservation land to balance their budgets. Alachua County voters overwhelmingly Barr Hammock is a 2300 acre “land bridge” Chapter Meeting, April agreed to tax themselves to purchase impor- that connects two of the largest wetlands in the 19, 2011: Erick Smith, tant conservation lands through the Alachua county - Ledwith Prairie and Levy Prairie. This “Favorite Trees of County Forever program. We, like Leopold, unique upland helps create a wildlife corridor North Florida” recognized that we cannot live without wild that connects the Ocala National Forest to See page 4. things. In 2008, voters approved another Goethe State Forest. Several federally listed spe- layer of protection. The creation of a “Registry cies frequent Barr Hammock, including Sandhill of Protected Public Places” was approved Crane and Southern Bald Eagle. This property is by 74% of the voters. It’s a simple idea that the crown jewel of Alachua County’s “Emerald Rhexia Article Submissions once a publicly owned parcel is placed on the Necklace”. Please! Submit Registry by a vote of the County Commis- unformatted word docu- sioners, that land cannot be sold, swapped, It is imperative we let our Commissioners know ments only. Submit pictures or converted to another use without the we want the entire list of properties on the as separate jpg, tiff, or pdf consent of the voters. This added layer of registry. Please attend the County Commission files. Send all article protection is not a complete prohibition on meeting on April 12th at 5 p.m. to show your submissions to: disposing of or changing the use of park or support. You may also email them at: bocc@ [email protected] conservation land, but it does make sure any alachuacounty.us Submission deadline proposal must be convincing enough for the date for the May 2011 voters to agree. “Examine each question in terms of what is ethically and newsletter is aesthetically right, as well as what is economically expedi- ent. A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, April 27, 2011 On April 12th, Alachua County Commission- ers decide the fate of our conservation lands. stability, and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.” — Aldo Leopold Two of these parcels include Barr Hammock 1 A Bitter Herb: Willow Joni Ellis Willow is a fantastic example of a bitter herb. It is cooling Willow Bark (Salix spp.) and eliminating, often used to treat hot, damp condi- tions such as Its chief active ingredients are the glycosides arthritis, or salicin and salicortin. These are converted to intermittent salicylic acid in stages in the intestine and liver. diarrhea. It It is ironic that in attempting to improve on this often gets pi- plant, pharmacologists eliminated one of its geonholed as chief virtues—that it produces salicylic acid in the headache the body safely past the digestive tract, where plant, but I the acid itself can cause ulceration. Willow bark think you’ll is slower acting than aspirin, sometimes taking see its uses several days before the conversion to salicylic are far more acid is sufficient to relieve pain. The salicylic varied than acid is excreted in the urine, making this an this. herb of choice for urinary tract inflammations. Botanical Herbalist Paul Bergner Name: Salix spp., Salix alba, and Salix nigra are often used. (There are six species of Salix in Florida according to The All photos: Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants. http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu Salix alba seems not to be one of them.) Plant Family: Salicaceae Plant Energetics: Cool, dry and bitter Parts Used: Mainly bark, although some also use leaves, and roots Plant Medicinal Properties: febrifuge, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, digestive, diuretic, astringent, vermifuge. Modern and Historical Applications Willow can be used in similar ways to aspirin, although it tends to be more specific and less of a broad spectrum analgesic. Willow is cool and dry and as a febrifuge or antipyretic it can be used as a relaxing diaphoretic when someone has a high fever and feels hot. 2 All the Cool Things We Do Paynes Prairie Chapter at Work Here are some of the wonderful contributions our local FNPS vation methods in use on these public lands. chapter makes to promote the preservation and use of native plants in our local landscape. * Maintain Carl’s Garden (created by our group in memoriam of a Paynes Prairie member) established in a public county park. Also * Spring and Fall Native Plant Sales at Morningside Nature Center, sponsored a UF student from the Environmental Horticulture in partnership with Friends of Nature Parks program as an intern for a semester to help in the garden and learn about the native plants. * Main Sponsor of The Great Air-potato Roundup invasive plant removal in January, organized by the City of Gainesville Parks and * Sponsorship of the FNPS annual conference Recreation Nature Parks Division with 1000+ participants from the community. * Donated $1000 for the Kathy Cantwell memorial, which is buying the last tract of land to secure a wildlife corridor between * Education booths at both Native Plant Sales, Kanapaha Botani- Alachua and Putnam counties. cal Gardens Spring Festival, Putnam County Environmental Council’s Rally for the Rivers, and Lubee Bat Conservancy Annual * Sponsored the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council Bat Festival in October. * Sponsored Carter Lord, of People for Protecting the Peace River, * Panel Discussion at our chapter meeting, open to the public, to inform us of phosphate mine owner’s plans to expand opera- of the pros and cons of the state-wide Amendment 4 proposi- tions and the harm done to the water supply and environment. tion, which would have required a referendum vote prior to the amendment of local government comprehensive land use plans. * Monthly chapter meetings featuring speakers discussing native plants in our local environment and the issues and activities that * Field trips to properties acquired by the Alachua Conservation affect them. Trust, among others, to learn about native plants and the conser- Top 10 Reasons To Consider Going Native in Florida Reprinted with permission from Full Moon Natives (http://www.fullmoonnatives.com) If you are thinking of bringing any friends to the April 9th 4 - Bee Smart … Plant Natives - A 2006 study showed that pollina- native plant sale, and they are wondering what is so special tors (such as our local honey bees) are declining in drastic numbers about native plants, here is a great list. and unfortunately scientists are still unsure of the reason why. A number of factors probably contrinute to the rapid decline in the 1 - Native Plants Are One Tough Customer - Native plants have pollinators’ numbers . However we know that providing a toxin- evolved in harmony with their ecosystems and as a result, once free native plant garden of nectar and pollen rich plant material established, they typically require less care and water, and have a can only help our buzzing friends. Pollinators fertilize more than higher survival rate than non-native plants. After establishment, 187,000 flowering plants throughout the world. take a load off and just watch your garden flourish. 5 - Eliminates the Need for Pesticides - Because native plants have 2 - Promoting Biodiversity - Many organisms in Florida depend on developed resistance or natural defenses against predators, you native plants for their survival. Natives provide a refuge for wildlife, won’t need to buy or use nasty chemicals to keep your garden attracting and providing food for a variety of birds, small mam- beautiful. Remember the unofficial Florida mantra … what you spill mals, amphibians and pollinators throughout the year. As a result, today - you drink tomorrow. native plants ensure that our local ecosystems are more stable and productive. 6 - Diversity Is Good For The Eye - Ever drive through a neighbor- hood and see the same boring landscape in every yard (one tree, a 3 - Natives, A Natural Education Resource - Particularly attractive few shrubs and a lot of grass) usually devoid of abundant wildlife? for home schooling, a native garden will provide a high quality edu- Native plants are unique and usually rare in typical garden habitats. cational experience in your own yard and add hours of exploration Your neighbors will be asking you all about your new garden plants for little ones and their neighborhood friends.