VOLUME 45, NO. 2 Summer 2021 Journal of the Douglasia WASHINGTON NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY th To promote the appreciation and 45 conservation of Washington’s native plants Anniversary and their habitats through study, education, Year and advocacy. Summer 2021 • DOUGLASIA Douglasia VOLUME 45, NO. 2 SUMMER 2021 journal of the washington native plant society About this Issue WNPS Arthur R. Kruckeberg Fellows* Clay Antieau Joy Mastrogiuseppe by Alaina Kowitz Joe Arnett Wendy McClure How fitting it is that I’m writing this editor’s note for the sum- William Barker** Lou Messmer** Bill Brookreson Joe Miller** mer issue of Douglasia on the first day of summer. It’s a lovely time Nelsa Buckingham** Margaret Miller** of year here in northeast Washington, with the mock oranges in Pamela Camp Mae Morey** full, fragrant bloom and the grass—still green, for now—waving in Tom Corrigan** Brian O. Mulligan** Melinda Denton** Richard Olmstead the breeze. It’s a feeling of promise and new beginnings, which I’m Lee Ellis Ruth Peck Ownbey** sure we’re all ready for after a long, difficult year. Betty Jo Fitzgerald** Sarah Reichard** Mary Fries** Jim Riley** It’s certainly a new beginning for me David Giblin Gary Smith as I join the Douglasia team as manag- Amy Jean Gilmartin** Ron Taylor** ing editor. Already I’ve learned much Al Hanners** Richard Tinsley Lynn Hendrix** Ann Weinmann about Washington’s fascinating plants Karen Hinman** Fred Weinmann as well as the equally fascinating people Marie Hitchman * The WNPS Arthur R. Kruckeberg Fellow Catherine Hovanic who care about them. Eight of these is the highest honor given to a member folks have been nominated as this year’s Art Kermoade** by our society. This title is given to Don Knoke** those who have made outstanding Arthur R. Kruckeberg Honorary Fel- Terri Knoke** contributions to the understanding and/ lows due to their lasting dedication to Arthur R. Kruckeberg** or preservation of Washington’s flora, or native flora, enthusiastic engagement Ellen Kuhlmann to the success of WNPS. Dixie Llewellin ** Deceased with WNPS, and other native plant Mike Marsh efforts throughout the state. We owe them our deepest gratitude for their work. We also announce the WNPS Outstanding Part- Douglasia Staff WNPS Staff ner Award and the WNPS Mentzelia Award winners, who have Managing Editor Business Manager similarly made significant contributions to native plant conserva- Alaina Kowitz Denise Mahnke tion, education, and advocacy. [email protected] 206-527-3319 [email protected] We also have a fascinating read about carnivorous plants Layout Editor Mark Turner Office Coordinator at Summer Lake, as well as an investigation of a highly un- [email protected] Elizabeth Gage [email protected] usual bog on the Olympic Peninsula. Speaking of the Penin- Technical Editor sula, Kathy Darrow graces us with a photo essay about Point David Giblin Volunteer Coordinator [email protected] Lorraine Sawicki Wilson’s native coastal strand. Mark Egger and Walter Fertig [email protected] discuss the status of Scouler’s monkeyflower and Bradshaw’s Editorial Committee Chair Walter Fertig Send address and similar changes to: lomatium, respectively, and we get an inside look at David [email protected] Washington Native Plant Society Douglas’ journal as he pilfers Indigenous-cultivated Nicotiana 6310 NE 74th St., Suite 215E crops in 1825. David Giblin suggests some summer hiking Seattle, WA 98115 206-527-3210 routes, and Becky Chaney thanks a committee member for 30 [email protected] years of service. We also welcome a new WNPS staffer, Lor- raine Sawicki, who joins as Volunteer Coordinator. (Please note that Part 2 of Ron Bockelman’s report on Pediocactus nigrispi- nus will appear in the upcoming Fall issue.) I can’t end without thanking Walter Fertig and Denise Mahnke for their support and for trusting me with Douglasia, On the cover: Spotted saxifrage (Saxifraga austromontana) and pale agoseris (Agoseris glauca) among drying grasses near the as well as the entire production team and those who helped summit of Slate Peak on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National with proofreading and technical edits. I would also like to Forest in late July. PHOTO: MARK TURNER thank my father, Todd, for my inherited love of plants and for showing me that a good life is one surrounded by vegetation, preferably native and/or variegated. I hope you have a wonderful summer exploring our beauti- Douglasia (ISSN 1064-4032) is published triannually by the Washington Native ful state’s native flora, both on and off these pages. Plant Society. Douglasia logo designed by Louise Smith of Seattle. Printed on paper that contains 10% post-consumer waste. © 2021 Washington Native Plant v Society. Authors and photographers retain the copyright of articles and photos. DOUGLASIA • Summer 2021 President’s Message: When I first moved into my home in Ellensburg, my backyard was entirely grass with a few lilac shrubs and an The View from Here apricot tree along the fence. That first year I removed half of the lawn by solarizing the grass with black plastic. Since then by Keyna Bugner I have slowly been adding flowers and native bunchgrasses, as Dear WNPS Members, well as several raised beds for vegetables. Without realizing it I We successfully completed another great Native Plant Ap- was following several of the steps Doug lays out for restoring preciation Month in April. This year WNPS supported the ex- biodiversity and native flora to our yards (see below for all ten pansion to National Native Plant Appreciation Month that was of his tips). celebrated throughout the coun- Most of my plants are drought try. Native plants are popular, tolerant, requiring less water than and it shows in the support that a grass lawn, and no chemicals we had for our online programs are needed for their maintenance. and in-person field trips. Our Biodiversity is key, and I have mission—to promote the appre- plants that flower at different ciation of native plants and their times of the year to ensure food habitats—was evident in each of for all insects when they need these events. We had presenta- it. While most of the plants are tions about gardening with native native, I do have a few nonnative plants and the special interaction flowering plants that are great for between pollinators and plants. pollinators. The human benefits For those that couldn’t get out on also can’t be overlooked. This area a hike, we even had some virtual has been a wonderful escape this field trips. Some presenters gave past year when I need a break us a glimpse into their own from working in my home office. backyards to show what they do to promote native plants and pollinators. One new thing I learned from Doug’s talk was to not clean I got to thinking about my own backyard as I was listening up the old stalks in the fall, but to leave them over the win- to Doug Tallamy’s talk titled “A Guide to Restoring the Little ter until the following spring. I think we all have a tendency Things that Run the World.” Doug Tallamy is a professor in to want to clean the yard before winter, but leaving the large the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the stalks and leaves for insects protects their larvae from the winter University of Delaware, where he has authored 104 research elements. publications and has taught insect related courses for 41 years. I love the opportunity to show this area to my neighbors His research focus is to better understand the many ways in- and friends. As my plants have expanded within their area I can sects interact with plants and how these interactions determine share plant starts with others to get them interested in incorpo- the diversity of animal communities. rating more native plants into their own spaces. The role of WNPS members—to share our knowledge and resources about native plants—fits nicely with this idea. When- ever I help with a WNPS informational booth, the number one Information for Contributors question I get is, “What native plants can I plant in my yard?” Members and others are invited to submit material for People see the benefit of incorporating native plants in their publication in Douglasia. We now accept scientific manu- lives and are looking for guidance on where to start. WNPS can script submissions that will be peer-reviewed. Other articles, help with that. book reviews, poetry, photography, or illustrations are Another great resource for folks looking to expand native welcome. All materials submitted should relate to the study plantings is the WNPS native plant sale. The plant sales were of Washington’s native plants. Acceptance will be based on online this year and reached even more people than previous, space and appropriateness, and materials are subject to copy- in-person events. Working with conservation districts, land editing (substantive editing with author’s permission). Con- tributors are reminded that the Douglasia audience ranges trusts and other conservation organizations is also a great way from the professional botanist to the interested enthusiast. to spread the goodness of native plants to the public. For more information about how to contribute, see: www. I want to especially thank all the presenters who shared their wnps.org/publications/douglasia/douglasia_contributors.html. time and knowledge for these events. Many of the presentations Email submissions to [email protected]. were recorded and are still available on the WNPS website. I look forward to a great summer exploring native plants with you. Summer 2021 • DOUGLASIA 1 Doug Tallamy’s 10 Steps to Make 5. PLANT FOR SPECIALIST POLLINATORS HOMEGROWN NATIONAL PARK Because so many of our native bee species specialize on a Successful Reality particular plant groups when gathering pollen for their lar- vae, it is essential that we meet their needs in our pollinator (excerpts from Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conserva- gardens.