. . dedicated to the appreciation and conservation of the Colorado native flora” Volume 20 Number 1 January-March 1996 Botanical Notes from the Arkansas Valley II: the Ecology of Oxybaphus rotundifolius Tass Kelso, Kirsten Heckmann, John Lawton, and George Maentz Dept, of Biology, Colorado College Increasing concern about development in v he Arkansas River Valley and its potential ^impacts on local biota has brought much needed attention to the botany of this region. Thanks to funding provided by the Colorado Natural Areas Program and the Colorado Native Plant Society, this summer we were able to examine closely some of the endemic calciphiles of the Middle Arkansas with the intent of providing a profile of their habitat requirements. Oxybaphus rotundifolius (um- brella-wort), a striking member of the Nyctaginaceae previously known from only a few locations widely scattered be- tween Canon City and Pueblo, received particular attention in our study. Technical assistance from members of the Geology and Chemistry Departments at Colorado College enabled us to conduct detailed geo- chemical assessments of Oxybaphus habitat; we hoped that this information, coupled with the extensive geological information avail- able for the area, would elucidate the distribution of this species and help us pre- dict the occurrence of new populations. We also studied known Oxybaphus populations "o identify and document biological compo- W-nepts of its ecology: pollinator types and dependency, predation, and seed set. Our profile is summarized here. Reproduction In general, Oxybaphus rotundifolius popu- lations had an excellent year, probably due in part to an unusually wet spring. Plants bloomed abundantly from early June through late July, with peak bloom in late June. Umbrella-wort flowers open at dawn and close in response to temperature: on cool cloudy days they can remain open into the late afternoon, but on hot sunny days they close by 9:30 or 10:00 a.m. Typical of the Nyctaginaceae, each inflorescence contains 3-4 flowers subtended by a papery involu- cre. Since each flower has but a single ovule, seed set per involucre is only 3-4 at best. However, most flowers set seed, en- abling some of the larger plants (almost 2 feet tall this year!) with many involucres to produce potentially more than 300 seeds. We discovered that this species is highly self-fertilizing, with seed set under insect exclosures equaling seed set in open polli- nated plants. However, seed predation by insects may be responsible for relatively low actual reproductive success: we found ant thieves making off with seeds on a frequent basis! We also documented extensive her- bivory of leaves and inflorescences by homworms. Reared horn worm specimens pupated and emerged as white-lined Sphinx moths, Hyles lineata.. Positive insect inter- actions were also noted: we captured pollinators of several types ranging from bumblebees to Syrphid flies, all carrying Oxybaphus pollen. Though self-fertile, this species is clearly also a facultative outcrosser. Habitat We consistently found Oxybaphus rotundifolius in sparsely vegetated shale and chalk barrens that correspond to the middle and upper units of the Smoky Hills member of the Niobrara Formation. A single popula- tion deviated from this pattern and was found on the Fort Carson exposure of Ft. Hayes - continued on page 6 Contents From the Board 2 Field Trips 9-12 Announcements 3-4 Field Trip Lists 13 Comments on P. versicolor 5 Horticultural Notes 14 Spring Workshops 7 Chapter News 15 Field Trip Policy 8 Calendar 16 Page 2 Aquilegia Volume 20 From the Board of Directors Statewide Representation on the Board of Directors Do you think that the Society 5 s board should have a broader representation? The roster (pg. 2) shows that the majority of the Society’s Board of Directors live along the Front Range, mostly in the Fort Collins and the Denver Metropolitan area. In response to comments, the Board has discussed ways of increasing representationfrom other parts of Colorado. Several ideas have emerged: 1. Create two or more regions across the state, each with board representatives. 2. Change the process for electing board members so that all members, not just those who attend the annual meeting, can vote. This could be done with a mail-in ballot. 3. Hold board meetings throughout the state. 4. Hold the annual meeting somewhere other than the Front Range. 5. Gather ideas and comments from the membership. If you have com- ments, concerns or other ideas about how the Board can best represent statewide con- cerns, please write to Mark Gershman at the Society’s mailing address. You can also send your comments via E-mail to: (gershmanm@ci.boulder.co .us). Nomination for Board Members Although the annual meeting is still several months off, the Nominations Committee is starting to gather nominations for the Board. Nominees should be members of the Society willing to serve as an officer, Committee - continued on following page Colorado Native Plant Society The Colorado Native Plant Society is a non- profit organization dedicated to the appreciation and conservation of the Colorado native flora. Membership is open to all with an interest in our native plants, and is composed of plant enthusiasts both professional and non- professional. Please join us in helping to encourage interest in enjoying and protecting Colorado's native plants. The Society sponsors field trips, workshops and other activities through local chapters and statewide. Contact the Society, a chapter representative, or committee chair for more information. * Schedule of Membership Fees Life $250 Supporting •■$ 50 Organization $ 30 Family or Dual $ 15 Individual $ 12 Student or Senior $ 8 Membership Renewal/Information Please direct all membership applications, renewals and address changes to the Membership Chairperson, Colorado Native Plant Society, P.O. Box 200, Fort Collins, CO 80522. Please direct all other inquiries regarding the Society to the Secretary at the same address. Aquilegia Aquilegiais published four to six times per year by the Colorado Native Plant Society. This newsletter is available to members of the Society and to others with an interest in native plants. Contact the Society for subscription information. Articles from Aquilegia may be used by other native plant societies or non-profit groups if fully cited to author and attributed to Aquilegia. Newsletter Contributions Please direct all contributions to the newsletter to: Nina Williams 976 Cherry vale Road Boulder, CO 80303 E-Mail: NCybele@aol.com Short items such as unusual information about a plant, a little known botanical term, etc. are especially welcome. Camera-ready line art or other illustrations are also solicited. Please include author's name and address, although items will be printed anonymously if requested. Articles submitted on, disks (IBM or Mac) are appreciated. Please indicate word processing software and version. Officers President Tom Ranker ......... V ice- President V ACANT Secretary Mark Gershman ... Treasurer Carol Scheid Board of Directors Ann Armstrong (97) Boulder .... David Buckner (97) Boulder .... Kathy Carsey (96) Boulder .... Janet Coles (97) Lafayette Mark Gershman (96) Boulder Andrew Kratz (97) Lakewood Paula Lehr (97) Gunnison. Chris Pague (96) Lyons Tom Ranker (96) Boulder ... Carol Spurrier (96) Lakewood 492-5074 443-9365 493-1367 494-0545 494-3231 449-3041 604-1378 443-9365 238-6317 .641-3236 492-4719 492-5074 274-6905 Chapter Presidents Boulder Lynn Riedel . 666-6687 Metro-Denver . Jeff Dawson . 722-6758 Fort Collins . Mike Scott .490-1788 Yamparika . Reed Kelley . 878-4666 San Juan Gretchen Van Reyper ., . 835-3268 Southwest ..Sandy Friedley . 884-9245 Committees Conservation . Janet Coles . 440-0595 and . Kathy Carsey . 449-3041 Editorial . Nina Williams . 499-9858 and . Tamara Naumann .. . 374-2504 and .William A. Weber . 492-6171 Education . Andrew Kratz .238-6317 Field Trips ,.,Rick Brune . 238-5078 and . Jeff Dawson . 722-6758 Field Studies . Lorraine Y eatts ..279-3427 Hort/Restoration . . . . Tina Jones . 794-2647 and . Ann Armstrong . 494-0545 Legislative Affairs . VACANT Membership . Myma Steinkamp .. . 226-3371 and .. Sue Martin .226-3371 Publicity . VACANT Workshops .. Bill Jennings ..666-8348 Number 1 Acjuilegia Page 3 Board, continued from page 2 Chair or take some other active role in the business of the Society. Every year there are five available positions on the Society’s Board of Directors. The ten directors serve two year terms. Directors are asked to attend approximately five or six meetings from September through May— usually on Satur- day afternoons. If you are interested or want more information, please contact a member of the Nominations Committee (TomRanker, Carol Spurrier or Mark Gershman) by June 1. Society members who have indicated their interest on the membership renewal form will be contacted to confirm their avail- ability. NOTE: BOARD MEETING RESCHEDULED The March 2nd Board Meeting has been rescheduled to March 9th at 1 :00 p.m. at the City of Boulder Open Space Office, 66 S. ChenyvaleRd., Boulder. Allarewel- NEXT AQU1LEGIA DEADLINE APPROACHES Please submit all newsletter contributions for Volume 20 No. 2 to Nina (see page 2 for address) by April 10. Any artwork repre- senting San Luis Valley flora or ecology would be particularly useful. is printed on 100% recycled paper LOST AND FOUND AHamiltonBell dissecting kit was left at the Foothills Nature Center during Miriam Denham's Trichomes Workshop. To re- trieve, call Bill Jennings at 666-8348. ANNOUNCEMENTS 1996 ANNUAL MEETING TOPIC SET As natural habitat becomes increasingly scarce, the need to restore and rehabilitate disturbed ecosystems becomes more and more critical. Restoration and reclamation will be the theme for the 1996 Annual Meeting. Society members can look forward to an exciting meeting focused on using native plants in plant community restoration. This broad topic ranges from restoring poor condition plant communities to reclaiming completely denuded sites. Issues to be considered include: site evaluation and preparation, native plant selection, seed collection and propagation, transplanting, weed control, erosion control, genetic consider- ations, to fertilize or not to fertilize, and much more. Dr. David Buckner has graciously agreed to chair a committee to organize the annual meeting. The first organizational meeting will be at 12:00 p.m. on March 9th at the City of Boulder Open Space Office, 66> S. Cherryvale Road. The Society Board meeting will follow at 1 :00 p.m. If you are interested in helping on the Annual fleeting Committee, or have ideas/input and cannot attend this meeting, please call David at (303) 447-2999. REVISED FLORAS COMING! William A. Weber has been busy adding new species, distributions, and the latest taxonomic considerations to the Colorado Flora: Eastern Slope and Colorado Flora: Western Slope. Look for the revised second editions in April and keep up with the latest ! , XERISCAPE COLORADO PLANT TESTING PROGRAM To encourage development of a network of gardeners interested in advancing horticul- ture that is better adapted to local growing conditions, Xeriscape Colorado is starting a WaterWise Plant Testing Program. For an enrollment fee of $15.00 participants will receive: (1) a one-year membership in Xeriscape Colorado (including 6 issues of WaterWise), (2) a rain gauge, and (3) a collection of six plants to be tested in the garden. Participants will grow the plants in their gardens and will be provided with plant forms on which to record data on soil, alti- tude of garden, irrigation, natural precipitation, and daily temperature ranges. Results of the program will be reported annually in WaterWise. One of the plant collections — "Only-in-Boulder" — will be plants native to Boulder County. For more information call Jim Knopf at (303) 494- 8766 or Dianne Andrews at Sunflower Gardens (303) 823-6779. "! 50 Years with DouUer County Plants" Dr. William A. Weber will present the same lecture on two different occasions: • Wednesday April 24, 7:00 p.m. at the University of Colorado at Boul- der Museum, Dinosaur Room. • Monday, April 15, Colorado State University Colloquium of Life Sci- ences. Please call CSU Fort Collins Biology Dept, for time and location. HEALING HERBS EXHIBIT “Healing Herbs”, a year long exhibit on medicinal plants, will open at the University of Colorado Museum on July 1 8, 1996. The exhibit will be in the Henderson Building at 1 5th and Broadway Just north of the Univer- sity Memorial Center. The museum is open Friday 9-5, Saturday 9-4, and Sunday 10-4 (closed on holidays). For more information call (303) 492-6892. The Boulder Chapter of the Society has proposed planting a native medicinal herb garden in conjunction with the exhibit. The proposal is under review by the university. To help with this effort call Anna Hopkins (303)786-9622 or E-mail her at: anna.hopkins@colorado.edu. Page 4 Aquilegia Volume 20 ANNOUNCEMENTS Sfsiae ffreea Anne Green Maley, anactive member of the Colorado Native Plant Society, died at her home in Boulder on January 6, 1996. Anne was an enthusiastic botanist with a deep appreciation for Colorado ’ s natural landscapes . She educated herself about Colorado's plant communi- ties and used this knowledge to help preserve them. The Colorado Native Plant Society ’s workshops provided Anne an opportunity to study difficult plant groups in greater detail while sharing in the camaraderie of fellow Colorado botanists. Anne received a bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College in Ohio and a master’s degree, in biology from the University of Colorado in Boulder. Schooled more as a zoologist, her interests later turned to botany. When her daughters were young, Anne and her family spent many weekends at Camp LaForet in the Black Forest of Colorado. She began a collection of plants in the Bladk Forest and over the years became well-acquainted with the area’s flora. For a number of summers she taught plant identification classes for the Elder Hostel at Camp LaF oret. Anne’ s collections, along with others of the area, taught her about the rare, unusual, and disjunct species unique to the Black Forest. In 1 994 the University of Colorado Museum published her study, A Floristic Survey of the Black Forest of the Colorado Front Range , in its Natural History Inventory of Colorado Series. She hoped that this study would spread knowledge about the value of the area and help protect it from further development and loss of valuable plant species. Anne’s volunteer contributions also included a study of Viola pedatifida (birdfoot violet) for The Nature Conservancy and numerous plant inventories, collections, and guided hikes for the, City of Boulder Open Space and Boulder County Parks and Open Space Depart- ments. It was always an honor and a pleasure to work with Anne and learn fro in her astute taxonomic skills. Anne is survived by her husband, Sam, and two daughters, Karen and Laura. She will be missed by the many botanical friends she made in Colorado. Contributions in Anne's memory may be made to the Society’s John Marr Fund or the Colorado Nature Conservancy. JoAnn W. Flock University of Colorado Herbarium Artist: Gary Bentrup UPDATED HORTICULTURAL HAZARD LIST AVAILABLE! The Horticulture/Rehabihtation Commit- tee has revised the Plaint Species Not to Use in Gardening, Reclamation and Restoration List originally prepared by the Boulder Chapter of the Society. This list includes invasive forbs, grasses, shrubs and trees which threaten or poten- tially threaten natural areas, agricultural lands and gardens. Many of these species are available commercially and promoted for garden and reclamation use. To re- ceive a copy, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Arm Armstrong, Chair, Horticulture/Rehabilitation Com- mittee, 5653 Baseline Rd. Boulder, CO 80303. Eleagnus anguetifoiia Artist: Janet Wingate Number 1 Aquilegia Page 5 Comments on “The Resurrection of Penstemon versicolor” w, W^rank R. Stermitz Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University Tass Kelso and John Lawton ( Aquilegia , October-December 1995) suggest that the P. secundiflorus populations at 1400-1700 m. on calcareous shales of the Arkansas Valley , withbasal leaves obovate, should be givenPennell ’ s name P. versicolorio distinguish them from other popula- tions withbasal leaves lanceolate. They quote other differences, but this is perhaps the most obvious one to an amateur such as myself. The article was of interest since we recently com- pleted and published chemical analysis of a population, apparently typical of the obovate basal leaf taxon, from south of Pueblo near Burnt Mill, in which we compared this with a high altitude collection of P. secundiflorus with basal leaves lanceolate. (In the key to species presented by Kelso and Lawton, the range of P. secundiflorus is iesignated as “1 500-2700 m E slope foot- hills of the Front Range." Yet in his Colorado Flora Western Slope , Weber states that it occurs on the western slope on Cochetopa Pass. Further, among the 63 P. secundiflorus specimens in the Colorado State University Herbarium, there are sev- eral collected from 9300-10,200 ft , or 2700-3000 m.) Our chemical analysis was of the iridoid glycoside content, a type of chemical some- times used for taxonomic purposes. There are now perhaps 600 different iridoid glyco- sides known and they are particularly common in the Scrophulariaceae. All 600 iridoids have a common molecular structure in which two parts are joined together in an L shape. As a consequence, two hydrogen atoms at the bottom left of the L are next to , each other on the same side. In the ovate- leaved P. secundiflorus from Burnt Mill we found an iridoid glycoside (the first out of 600 known) that has the hydrogen atoms on opposite sides, with the two halves of the L flattened out to almost 180° rather than 90° ^to each other. This remarkable compound has been found in no other of the several thousand iridoid-containing plant species that have been studied but it is also present in the lanceolate P. secundiflorus from high altitude in central Colorado. There are other secondarily rather unique iridoid glycosides inbothP. secundiflorus collections; the two t a x a or populations therefore cannot be distinguished chemically by iridoid glycoside content. So far we have only found one other taxon that has these secondaiy unique iridoids: P. nitidus from North Dakota. Thus, chemically (but of course not necessar- ily botanically) the two P. secundiflorus types appear to be the same, with their closest chemical relative being P. nitidus. Kelso and Lawton state Penstemon vereicoior Artist: Carolyn L. Crawford max iheir treatment was based only on speci- mens from the Colorado College and University of Colorado herbaria, but there are many interesting specimens (63 total) of ■P. secundiflorus in the Colorado State Uni- versity herbarium. Three of the most interesting (among many which should be consulted) are (1) a collection by,C. S. Crandall in 1890 of what he called P. acuminatus; annotated as P. secundiflorus by P. A. Rydberg (undated), by D. D. Keck (1949), by F. S. Crosswhite (1969), and by Craig Freeman (1981), (2) a collection from Burnt Mill south of Pueblo by J. H. Christ in 1935 labeled P. secundiflorus and verified as such by C. W. Penland (undated), D.D. Keck (1949) and F. S. Crosswhite (1969) and (3) a collection from the same area by H. D. Harrington (1954), with an added note dated 1955: “sure looks different than P. secundiflorus around Fort Collins." None of the 63 specimens contain the name P. versicolor, either as used by the collector or annotator (many highly knowledgeable of Penstemon). Kelso and Lawton comment in regard to Harrington’ s Colorado flora that “he subsumed P. versicolor under P. secundiflorus , without discussion." It seems to me it would only be necessaty to discuss such a matter if P. versicolor had been widely accepted as a species name by more experts than just the author of the name, even if it was Pennell. Kelso and Lawton attribute Harrington’ s non-use of P. versicolor to the disparaginginfluenceof W. Penland. It would be interesting to know how Penland (if he “did not spend much time [in the Arkansas Valley]” and had “notes [which] appear to be based on seeing relatively little herbarium material”) could have in- fluenced such experts inPenstemon as Keck and Crosswhite (in addi- tion to his supposed influence on Harrington). If he indeed saw little herbarium material, at least he saw the Christ speci- men in the Colorado State “ ^ Herbarium from the impor- ^ tant Burnt Mill site as shown by his annotation [(3) above]. Luckily, there is now the pos- sibility that more light than heat can be placed onquestions such as these (through comparative DNA analy- sis), but we still need to convince someone to undertake the necessary study. Analysis of plant secondaiy metabolites (such as iridoid glycosides), although no longer a very im- portant player in taxonomy, is still an interesting way of determining how genetic diversity may (or may not) influ- ence chemical diversity and can • help define problems in need of solution. Page 6 Oxybaphus, continued from page 1 limestone that lies immediately below the . Smoky Hills layers. All sjtes have the same general character: low angle slopes, a sur- face layer of small rock fragments, and underlying deep fines. Associated species vary ; no single one can be used as a predic- tor. Although more abundant than O. rotundifolius , Penstemon versicolor (see Aquilegia Volume 19 No.4 ), is one of the most reliable sympatric species. Some of our most in- triguing results came from the geochemi- cal analysis of test sites. With X-ray dif- fraction of soil samples, we looked for presence of gyp- sum in soils, 4 factor suggested as critical to the unique flora of the Arkansas Valley in some botanical lit- erature. We found, however, that gypsum is only sporadically present in these soils, a result consistent with the known geo- logical information. Consequently, we suggest that the shale endemics of the Ar- kansas Valley should not be considered ob- ligate gypsophiles, although they are al- most certainly strongly orobligately calciphilic. Additional analysis with an inductively coupled plasma spec- trometer examined the cation composition of soils. Preliminary data show that Oxybaphus sites are unusually low in iron and manganese, and rather high in the heavy metals cadmium and vanadium. Does this mean that unusual geochemistry explains the distribution of this species? Perhaps, but not necessarily! Mycorrhizal associations may enable Oxybaphus to exist in low nutri- ent sites without competition from other more aggressive species. But, soil chemistry may be abyproduct of the stratigraphy, with physical aspects of habitat more critical de- terminants of flora. Does insect predation Aquilegia prevent Oxybaphus from being more abun- dant than it is? We don’t yet know the answers to any of these questions, but they suggest new avenues of exploration to help us to understand Arkansas Valley endemism. Distribution and New Populations Combining information from the geological literature, geological maps, and topographic maps helped us predict and find the occur- rence of several new populations. We feel Oxybaphus rotundifolius Artist: Carolyn Crawford very encouraged about the status of Oxybaphus rotundifolius : while not abun- dant, it is much more common than previously believed. In addition we have identified vast areas with the requisite sub- strate and topographic qualities as yet unsurveyed. Thanks to Dave Anderson from the Directorate of Environmental Compli- ance atFort Carson, several new populations, both small and large, were found in previ- ously unsurveyed land at Fort Carson. Even more exciting was his discovery of a dis- junct population in the Purgatory drainage at the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, far be- yond the previously known range in the Volume 20 Middle Arkansas Valley. Dave’s work sug- gests that we should expand our search considerably to the south, perhaps as far as New Mexico! This southern population had some intriguing aspects: it was found on Greenhorn Limestone, not Smoky Hills, and it had some hybrid genes showing the influ- ence of another common species, Oxybaphus hirsutus. Nyctaginaceae expert Richard Spellenberg has indicated that O. hirsutus has a complex taxonomic situation due to its tendency towards hybridization and inbreeding, and its influence is widely felt in the genus. Conclusions While our studies this summer reas- sure us to some extent about the va- lidity of the adage “the more you look, the more you find," we still find reasons to be concerned about the loss of bio- logical diversity in the Arkansas Val- ley. Development and human impact is expanding rap- idly . We come away with the sense of how much there is yet to learn about this part of Colo- rado, from taxonomy to eco- logical interactions. Initiating a process to protect biologi- cally representative sites here should have a priority rating for state conservation groups. We see a great need for an outreachprogram to inform private landowners and agency representatives about the unique aspects of the local landscape. We urge those doing biological exploration in the Arkansas Val- ley not only to continue their efforts, for we need all the information we can get, but also to be sensitive to local land issues. Tactful ambassadorship may prove to be one of our j best investments for the preserva- r ' tion of the rich biota of this region. Number 1 Aquilegia Page 7 SPRING WORKSHOPS N NOTE: Duet o unforeeen circumstances. Dr. Gregory Brown's workshop on Haploppapue is cancelled. 1996 THE BELLFLOWER FAMILY: CAMPANULACEAE Leader: Robin Bingham Location: University of Colorado - Boulder First session: Saturday, March 16, 1996 Second session: Sunday, March 17, 1996 Due to a scheduling conflict with a trip to Brazil, Dr. Gregoiy K. Brown has had to cancel his workshop onthe genus Haplopappus. On short notice, Robin Bingham has agreed to do a workshop on the Campanulaceae. In this workshop, she will cover the mem- bers of the Campanulaceae known to occur in Colorado, as well as some taxa occurring nearby in neighboring states. In addition, she will discuss the unusual method of pollen presentation in the Campanulaceae and will present some interesting aspects of bellflowerpollinationecology. Robin is currently completing her v doctoral dissertation, "Pollination Ecology, Reproduction, and ^Patterns of Gene Flow in Populations of Campanula rotundifolia at Elevational Extremes," at the University of Colorado at Boul- der. SAXIFRAGES Leader: Dr. Douglas E. Soltis Location: University of Colorado - Boulder Date: Saturday, April 6, 1996 Our second out-of-state workshop leader is Dr. Douglas E. Soltis of Washington State University, who will lead a workshop on the Saxifrages. Dr. Soltis did his doctoral research on genus Sullivantia, which has one representative on the western slope in Colorado (S. hapemanii ). A tight schedule prevents Dr. Soltis from presenting two sessions, so attendance at the one session will be limited to only 22 persons! Dr. Soltis will also present a lecture on the saxifrages on Friday evening, April 5, at Morrison Center, Denver Botanic Gardens, where he will discuss the latest research on the Saxifrages. Seating is limited, so be sure to register for the lecture, too. To register, or for more information The Colorado Native Plant Society work- shop series was established in 1985 to provide members with wintertime activities when field trips are impractical. Workshops bring native plant lovers together with a well- informed instructor who may have herbarium specimens, live plants, photographs, identi- fication keys, and other materials available for hands-on study. The opportunity to receive one-on-one instruction and informa- tive lectures has made the workshop series one of the most popularNative Plant Society programs. Attendees need no special skills or background; a love of plants and a desire to learn are the only prerequisites. There are no exams, grades, or homework, and work- ing together is encouraged. The goal is to demystify plant identification and to en- hance in all of us our enjoyment and understanding of Colorado’s native flora. Bill Jennings has reassumed his position as workshop coordinator. A dedicated tele- phone line has been installed at Bill’s home to take workshop registrations. Please call 665-6903 (a local call in metro Denver- Boulder; area code 303 for long distance) and leave a message on the answering ma- chine. You may also register by mail, P.O. Box 952, Louisville, CO 80027. Be sure to provide your name, address, telephone num- ber (including area code!), and which workshops you wish to attend. If multiple sessions are scheduled, be sure to indicate preference. Receipt of your registration re- quest will be acknowledged within a few days. About 10 days prior to the workshop, regis- trants will receive notice by mail regarding location, time, lunch, references, and sup- plies, with a list of other registrants to en- courage carpooling. The fee for each workshop is $10 for CoNPS members and $22 for non-members ($10 workshop; $12 to join the society). Payment is made on the day of the workshop. Workshops have been veiy popular in the past, with multiple sessions frequently sched- uled to meet demand, or with long waiting lists for the Seats available. However, no- shows have been a problem. There are only so many seats available in the classrooms and labs where these workshops are held, and we are holding a seat for you. If you find that you CANNOT attend a workshop for which you are registered, please call and cancel your registration as soon as possible! Page 8 Aquilegia Volume 20 CONPS Field Trip Policy The Society wishes to remind field trip participants of the guidelines for participation in Society trips. By joining a CONPS field trip you indicate acceptance of these policies. 1. Plant collecting is forbidden on CONPS field trips, with two exceptions: (1) Collecting is permissible for scientific study (with the appropriate collecting permit, if one is required for the area in question). “Scientific study” means, for the purposes of this policy , study by a trained botanical scientist with an expectation that the study results will lead to published information; collected specimens will be deposited in a recognized, publicly-accessible herbarium. (2) A trip leader or other person whose responsibility is to instruct trip participants may collect plants for immediate demonstration, explanation, or keying for full identification. Such collecting should be done inconspicuously (so that persons not with the trip group are not offended or motivated to do likewise) , and with reasoned regard for any possible effect on the plant population. However, collecting of rare, threatened, endangered or sensitive species should never be done for instructional purposes. 2. Rides and Cost-Sharing Policy: Car-pooling and ride- sharing are encouraged on CONPS trips. All drivers who provide rides to others will graciously accept payment from passengers according to the following scale: • 1 passenger (in addition to driver) 5 cents per mile ''Vopulu$ trtnmlofdfy Artist: Barbara Bash • 2 passengers 4 cents per mile ' • 3 passengers 3 cents per mile • 4 passengers 2 cents per mile Passengers should pay the driver at the conclusion of the trip, without being asked. 3. Pets are NOT permitted on CONPS field trips. Pets trample plants, disturb wildlife, and annoy other trip participants. If pets must be brought along (although this is strongly discouraged), they must remain in or restrained to the owner’s vehicle (i.e. walking about on a leash is NOT acceptable). 4. Field trips are designed primarily for adults, unless the trip description specifically states otherwise. Parents should consider the appropriateness of a given trip to a child. If a child is brought, the parent assumes full responsibilty for keeping the child under strict control to prevent his/her damaging or disturbing the flora or fauna, or becoming a burden to the group. No child unaccompanied by a parent is permitted. 5. CONPS’ expressed purpose is to promote appreciation and preservation of our flora. Please tread lightly. v Take care not to damage the very features you have come to see and j enjoy. Take photographs, sketches, or other means of recording the^^ plants you see, and do not pick plants or plant parts. i ' 6. Field trip participants MUST sign a waiver of liability. Number 1 Aquilegia Page 9 FIELD TRIPS —1996 ‘ PLANTS AND PETROGLYPHS • IN NORTHWESTERN COLORADO Leader: Tamara Naumann Meeting Location: Dinosaur National Monument Head- quarters, Dinosaur, Colorado Saturday & Sunday, May 11 & 12, 1996, 8:30 a.m. This trip will focus on unusual native flora and Fremont rock art characteristic of the Uinta Basin. The spectacular sceneiy of the Yampa and Green River canyon country will add to the experience. We will visit Raven Ridge Natural Area for a glimpse of Penstemon grahamii , Bolophyta ligulata , Chamaechaenactis scaposa , and other barrens plants. WeTl travel to Harper’s Comer to vieW the confluence of the Yampa and Green rivers and the famous Mitten Park fault; along the way, we’ll see rock art, Boechera fetnaldiana (Draba juniperina ), Fritillaria pudica, and other high desert and pinon-juniper associates. If conditions permit, we will descend to the confluence at Echo Park where we will enjoy more rock art, Arabis vivariensis and possibly peregrine falcons. Meet in the parking lot at Dinosaur National Monument Headquar- ters (U.S. Highway 40, 2 miles east of the town of Dinosaur, Colorado) at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 11. For those interested, Tamara and Peter will host a pot-luck dinner on Friday evening at their home near the park headquarters (ask for directions when you call to register). The trip will conclude mid-day on Sunday, but Tamara will be available to guide people to additional rock art sites on Sunday afternoon. Camping is available in the Maybell City Park for $6 (plus $ 1 for showers); there is now a nice restaurant across the street from the park. Maybell is approximately 60 miles east of Dinosaur on U.S. Hwy. 40. Blue Mountain RV park in Dinosaur provides camping and showers for $14.50. Camping is available in the Rangely City Park for $10 with electrical hook-up, or $5 without, kangely is approximately 20 miles from Dinosaur on Hwy. 64. The Echo Park campground in the the Monument is about 35 miles from the headquarters on rough roads; the cost is $5 per night. Motel accommodations are available in Craig, Rangely, and Dinosaur. Bringfood, water, sunscreen, rain gear, sturdy shoes, andbothwarm and cold weather clothing (the weather can be extremely variable this time of year). A checklist of the flora of the Monument and copies of Uinta Basin I 7 l ora will be available from the trip leader. Hiking conditions range from easy to moderate. Roads are paved, except for the road to Echo Park, which usually requires 4-wheel- drive and may not be passable if wet. Dogs are not allowed in the back countiy of Dinosaur National Monument. T6 register, pall or e-mail Tamara Naumann (970) 374-2504 (h), (970) 374-2501 (w), or Tamara_Naumann@NPS.gov. Trip limit is 20 persons. GREEN MOUNTAIN MOONY - BOTANY FOR LUNIES Leaders: Loraine and Dick Yeatts, Jan Wingate Meeting Location: Green Mountain Trailhead Saturday, June 1, 1996, 3 p.m. Learn to identity wildflowers usingyourfavorite key and later enjoy the rise of the full moon over Denver. This trip is planned for beginning botanists and new members who want to learn more about the local flora. (It’s OK to come just to have a good time too!). Green Mountain should be resplendent with wildflowers at this time of year. Among the over one hundred different plants present are Castilleja integra (Indian paintbrush), Linum lewisii (blue flax), Penstemon virens (foothills penstemon); P. secundiflorus (side- bells penstemon), Lupinus argenteus (silvery lupine) p Physaria vitulifera (double bladderpod), Townsendia spp. (Easter daisies), and Stipa comata (needle-and-thread grass). Trip leaders will help you identify many of these wildflowers on Green Mountain. They will also show you simple and effective strategies for identifying wildflowers and other plants of the Front Range area. Meet at the Green Mountain Trailhead/carpark on Rooney Road on the west side of Green Mountain at 3:00 p.m. We will climb to the top of Green Mountain, a gain of about 800 feet, and walk a total distance of about 3 miles. Bring food for a mountain-top dinner and perhaps a flashlight if you stay until dark. To register, contact Loraine Yeatts at 303-279-3427. The trip is limited to 15 people. ORCHIDS OF ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK Leader: Phyllis Francis Saturday, June 15, 1996 They can hide but they can’t run! On this field trip, we’ll seek out elusive native orchids such as the faiiy slipper {Calypso bulbosa), brownie lady’s slipper ( Cypripedium fasiculatum ), and more. We will do mostly roadside botanizing and short, easy walks. Bring your camera and close-up equipment. There should be good opportunities to photograph these very special plants. WeTl visit Bear Lake and possibly Wild Basin. Please plan to car pool as this is a tourist-busy time for the park. To register, contact Phyllis Francis at 303-986-1346. There is a limit of 20 people. Page 10 Aquilegia Volume 20 FIELP TRIPS -1996 ' : ' ' ' : ^ Leader: Jody Nelson Meeting Location: See directions below Saturday and Sunday, July 27 & 28, 1996, 8 a.m. GUANELLA PASS Leaders: David Buckner and Pat Murphy Saturday, August 3, 1996 During 1995, David Buckner and ESCO Associates surveyed the Guanella Pass road between Georgetown and Grant to identify any rare plants that would be affected by widening the road. They found a number of species of special concern and will share their finds on this field trip to this very interesting area. During their survey, they found the moonwort Botrychium lunaria , a dwarf fern only an inch or two tall. They also saw several other moonworts which were too immature to identify. With enough eyes searching for moonworts on this trip, there is an excellent opportu- nity to document important new moonwort sites in Colorado. (And if you’ve never seen a moonwort, now is your chance ! ) Jody Nelson will lead two one-day field trips in the Neota Wilder- ness near Cameron Pass. Participants are welcome for one or both days. On Saturday we will spend the day in the subalpine, first hiking in the morning to a subalpine lake that contains the only known population of Subularia aquatica L. in Colorado. After lunch we will drive to another entry point and hike to some of the wetlands common in the Neota Wilderness, where we may see some Eriophorum , gentians, primroses, and other plants. Sunday we will hike up through the spruce-fir forests and explore fellfields and tundra meadows and enjoy the nice views. Another rare species they found is the monkeyflower Mimulus gemmiparus which propagates vegetatively by gemmules. With luck, we may document an expanded population. Aquilegia saximontana also grows here along with several uncom- mon |pecies of fleabane: Erigeron elatior , E. melanocephalus , and E. pinnatisectus . A subalpine meadow on the south side of the pass supports the rare willowSa//x Candida and Ptilagrostis porteri. To reachthe Neota Wilderness area, take Hwy. 14westofFt. Collins approximately 60 miles. We will meet at the Blue Lake trailhead at 8 a.m. on Saturday. It is approximately 2 miles west of the Chambers Lake campground on Hwy. 14. From there we will drive another 7 miles on Long Draw Rd. to our first entry point. On Sunday we will meet at 8 a.m. at the Zimmerman Lake Trailhead (approximately 5 miles west of the Chambers Lake campground). Campsites are available along Long Draw Rd. , at Chambers Lake, and other nearby areas in the National Forest. Because the Neota Wilderness has no trails, participants must be able and prepared to hike cross-countiy through often dense forest and wetlands. Stream crossings without bridges will be necessary . On Saturday we will hike approximately 5 or 6 miles with 1000 feet of elevation gain. Sunday will be more strenuous, involving 6-8 miles of hiking and 2000 feet of elevation gain. Sturdy hiking boots (perhaps waterproof), rain gear, extra dry socks, insect repellent, and sun protection are recommended. Bring a lunch and plenty of water for each day. Nighttime temperatures are often in the 30s and daytime temperatures sometimes can reach the 70s and 80s. Limit 15 people. To register, call Jody Nelson at (303) 465-3034. Evenings are best or leave a message during the day. You may also register by e-mail at: Jody.Nelson@sdoct.com. Other unusual species are Listera borealis , Cylactis (Rubus) arctica ssp. acaulis , and the sedges Carex oreocharis and C. scirpoidea. Although several of this year’s field trips are more rigorous than in the past, everything on this trip is within a few hundred feet of the road and requires no long hikes. To register, contact David Buckner at (303) 447-2999. Valerian edu!is> Artist: Janet Wingate Number 1 Aquilegia Page 11 FIELD TRIPS — 1996 SNOW MESA Leader: Janet Coles Meeting Location: Spring Creek Pass Saturday, August 3, 1996, 6:30 a.m. Snow Mesa is an alpine plateau in the shadow of the Continental Divide in the eastern San Juan Mountains. Like much of the region. Snow Mesa is composed of 20 30 million year old layers of lava and volcanic ash. What makes this ar£a interesting is that (1) it has not been botanized, (2) it was never, covered by glaciers and thus could harbor disjunct plant species stranded by the end of the latest Ice Age, and (3) it includes the largest alpine wetland complex in Colorado. Meet at 6:30 a.m. at Spring Creek Pass, on Highway 49 between Creede and Lake City. A large number of Forest Service camp- grounds are available in the area— arrival the evening before is recommended. A list of roadside rare plant localities"between Denver and Creede will be available for those who have time on Friday or Sunday to do some extra botanizing. This will be a physically challenging trip. We will shuttle from the top of the pass to the bottom of the mesa, then climb cross-country 2000 feet to the top. The top of the mesa is over 12,000 feet in elevation. At this elevation and time of year, thunderstorms are a real possibility, and may include lightning, rain, sleet, or snow. Come prepared for changing weather and a long, rewarding day. Plant collection will be allowed, using CONPS guidelines. Useful reference materials: Baldy Cinco and Slumguilion Pass 7.5* USGS topographic maps, Rio Grande National Forest map. This is also a good opportunity to try out Sue Komarek’s new book. Flora of the San Juans : A Field Guide to the Mountain Plants of South- western Colorado. san luis Valley Leaders: Carol Scheid and Dr. Hobart Dixon Saturday & Sunday August 17 and 18, 1996 Explore the treasures of Colorado’s San Luis Valley. This high altitude desert spans an area the size of Rhode Island. It is bordered on the east by the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains and by the volcanic San Juan Mountains on the west. After a Friday evening under the stars at San Luis Lakes State Park (tent and RV campground with showers!), we will depart for an exciting day of botanizing in San Luis Valley wetlands. We’ll be in search of Cleome multicaulis , the rare little beeplant or slender spiderflowerinthe Capparaceae (Caper family), and other fascinat- ing botanical residents. T o register, call Janet Coles 303-866-3203 ext. 330. Note: this trip could be canceled on short notice if the weather is inclement; call Janet for updated information as the trip date approaches. On an optional Sunday field trip, we will savor the sand, sun, and dune plants at the nearby Great Sand Dunes National Monument. Some of the same plants occur here that are found in the sandhills of northeast Colorado, including Muhlenbergia pungens (ring grass) and Oryzopsis hymenoides (Indian ricegrass). Other nearby attrac- tions include the unique town of Crestone; the Monte Vista and Alamosa National Wildlife Refuges (seasonal home to migrating sandhill and whooping cranes) and, yes, the San Luis Valley alligator farm (that’s right!). To register and for directions, contact Carol Scheid at (970) 493- 1367. This trip is limited to 15 people. IMPORTANT: If you are planning on camping at the Great Sand Dunes, you should plan to arrive by noon onFriday to get a campsite. It fills up quickly. There is usually not a problem with space at San Luis Lakes. Page 12 Aquilegia Volume 20 FIELD TfsIPS — 1996 UNCOMPAHGRE/AMERICAN BASIN WILDFLOWER HIKE Leader: Gay Austin Meeting Location: See below Saturday & Sunday, August 11 & 12, 1996 The Lake City area of Colorado has a short but colorful season for high altitude wildflowers. Saturday will be spent hiking above timberline in the Uncompahgre Wilderness. We will walk a mod- erately strenuous 4 mile (2 up and 2 down) trail which starts at 11,440' in elevation. We will turn around at the first steep ridge leading up to the top of UncompahgTe Mountain, depending on group consensus. Sunday we will hike a leisurely to moderately strenuous 2.2 miles through American Basin to Sloan Lake south- west of Lake San Cristobal (11,300' up to 12,000'). Both of these hikes contain a wide variety of alpine vegetation and spectacular views of Uncompahgre Peak (14,309) and other peaks over 13,000'. On the Uncompahgre Trail, the vegetation changes from a spruce- fir forest with lush meadows of com lily, blue bells, and Thurber fescue to above-timberline alpine plant communities, and finally, alpine tundra with snow willow, arctic gentians, alpine forget-me- nots, sky pilots, primrose, and many others. The American Basin Trail also begins in spruce-fir vegetation , passes through grassy moist meadows, and then heads up to the alpine with magnificent views of Handies Peak and the surrounding wildflo wer-filled basin. To getto the Uncompahgre Trailhead, drive about an hour (58 miles) southwest of Gunnison to Lake City then approximately 5.5 miles west of Lake City on Engineer Pass Road/Henson Creek Road to Nellie Creek Road (4 wheel drive forest Road 877). The trailhead is located 5 miles north on Nellie Creek Road (4-wheel drive Forest Road 877) . A 4-wheel drive shuttle up Nellie Creek will be provided if needed (please let leader know as soon as possible). The trip will begin Saturday morning at 8:00 at the intersection of Nellie Creek Road and Engineer Pass Road. Friday and Saturday nights we will camp at the Williams Creek Campground 9.2 miles southwest of Lake City. Drive 2.5 miles south of Lake City on Hwy. 149, turn west towards Lake San Cristobal, and travel 6.7 miles to the Williams Creek Campground and Trailhead. Hotel information inLake City is also available from the group leader. Plan to cany a lunch, water, and rain gear Saturday and Sunday. Sturdy hiking boots and sun protection are highly recommended. Nights may cool down to the 30s while daytime temperatures should be in the 70s - 80s (with the exception of a stormy day — knock on wood!) For more information/trip maps, please call Gay Austin at (303) 641-6264 after 6:00 p.m. or 303) 641-0471 Monday through Friday during the day. FIELD TRIP PLANT LISTS NOW AVAILABLE! Plant lists for 50 CoNPS field trips, dating back to 1977, are on file with the Field Studies Committee and are ready for distribution. It should be emphasized that the lists are based primarily on field observations and are not generally documented by specimen collec- tion. Nomenclature is according to Weber and Wittman, Catalog of the Colorado Flora , with commonly used synonyms and common names included. Any information in the database (such as author references, common names, etc.) can be included or excluded, by special arrangement. Also, lists from repeat trips to the same region can be combined. To place an order Use a copy of the following list as an order form. For each field- trip list desired indicate: 1. trip name and date 2. format preferred (list alphabetical by family or by genus or one of each) 3. total number of pages for all lists requested. Calculate charges based on the rate of $ .25 per page with a minimum of $.60 if ordering fewer than three pages. Enclose a check made payable to Loraine Yeatts for the total amount of your written order and mail to her at 1395 Nile Street, Golden, CO 80401 . Number 1 Aquilegia Page Field Trip Plant Lists (to order, see previous page) W Trip Name Date Leader(s) # Pages Family Genus Aiken Canyon 06/06/1992 5 4 Billy Pardee Ranch 06/06/1990 Rick Rhoades SCS 1 1 Butler Ranch 06/06/1990 Rick Rhoades SCS 3 2 Cap Rock Preserve 05/21/1994 Terri Schulz 3 2 Cedar Mesa & vicinity ' 05/15/1991 Rick Brune, Loraine Yeatts 5 4 Coal Creek 05/24/1995 ' Mike Scott, Jonathan Friedman 2 i Conejos River Basin 06/20/1992 Patsy Douglas 5 4 Devil’s Head 08/05/1989 Judy Von Ahlefeldt 1 1 Dinosaur National Monument 05/01/1993 Lynn Riedel 4 3 East Carrizo Creek 05/21/1989 Rick Brune, Meg Van Ness 1 1 East Cottonwood Creek 05/21/1989 Rick Brune, Meg Van Ness 1 1 Enchanted Mesa 04/24/1977 Boulder Chapter 2 1 Florrisant Fossil Beds ■ 06/27/1987 Mary Edwards 4 3 Fort Carson: the Hogback 05/20/1989 Rick Brune, Meg Van Ness 2 1 Green Mt. 06/03/1995 Gayle Weinstein 2 2 High Creek Fen 07/11/1992 Alan Carpenter "2 2 Hoosier Ridge 07/17/1994 Robin Bingham 3 2 Horseshoe Cirque 07/12/1992 Barbara Siems 4 3 1-25 rest area near Pueblo 05/19/1989 Rick Brune, Meg Van Ness 2 1 Kim Area 05/21/1989 Rick Bmne, Meg Van Ness 1 1 Long Lake / Niwot Ridge '07/01/1980 , Miriam Denham, Jane Foley 3 2 Los Lagos Ranch, Rollinsville 07/23/1994 Betsy Baldwin 4 3 ^ Mesa de Maya 08/22/1987 Ivo Lindauer 5 4 Middle Park 06/18/1989 John Anderson 2 1 Moffat County 05/23/1987 Steve O’Kane 3 3 Mt.Bross 07/14/1985 Dr. William A. Weber 3 2 Mt. Evans 08/29/1993 Betty Willard 3 2 Mt. Zirkel Wilderness Area 07/16/1977 Fort Collins Chapter 4 3 North Table Mt. 05/14/1994 Sally White, Loraine Yeatts 5 4 Pawnee National Grassland 06/02/1979 M. Shoop, J. Dodd, R. Engle, G. Turner 2 1 Pawnee National Grassland 05/29/1987 Rick Bmne 4 3 Pawnee National Grassland 06/05/1993 . Jim Borland, Rick B rune 6 4 Perly Canyon 05/20/1989 Rick Bmne, Meg Van Ness 2 2 Phantom Canyon 06/10/1989 Alan Carpenter 4 3 Phantom Canyon Preserve 07/15/1995 Nature Conservancy 3 3 Pinon Canyon 05/25/1983 Tom Eamons 1 1 Plains Conservation Center 05/01/1980 A. Armstrong, S. Emrich, D. Buckner, M. Denham 3 2 Poudre Canyon 06/30/1990 4 3 Pueblo Lake 05/06/1995 Jim Locklear 3 2 Pueblo West 07/08/1988 Jim Borland 3 2 Purgatoire Canyon - Dinosaur Trackway - 09/02/1995 Dexter Hess 3 2 Rampart Range 06/28/1987 Dave Powell, Neal Osbourne 3 2 , Rampart Range 06/25/1988 Frank Hawksworth 3 2 Rattlesnake Canyon x 05/28/1994 Dr. Walter A, Kelley 3 3 Roxborough State Park 05/30/1980 Susan Kraner, Vicky Trammel 3 2 Sewemup Mesa 05/29/1994 Dr. Walter A. Kelley 2 2 Taylor Arroyo 05/20/1989 Rick Bmne, Meg Van Ness 2 2 \WUnaweep Canyon 08/10/1991 Scott Ellis 2 2 Western Slope 05/27/1979 Jim Ratzloff, Scott Ellis 4 3 Wray 06/04/1994 Bruce Bosley, Don Hazlett 6 5 Page 1 4 Aquilegia Volume 20 HORTICULTURAL NOTES Mahonia repens * Jim Borland Horticultural Consultant Although Mahon ia repens (creeping Oregon grape) is found from British Columbia to Southern California and east to Arizona, Colo- rado, New Mexico and Texas, it is only known' and widely used horticultuially in the Central Rocky Mountain States (zones 3 to 4). Named after the late American horticulturist Bernard McMahon, species of the genus Mahonia all have one common feature: pin- nately compound evergreen leaves with toothed edges. However, unlike other Mahonia which have bristle-toothed edges, M. repens has softer toothed edges. This feature makes it a truly versatile ground cover capable of withstanding the cold, dry weather that is a constant in the West's high altitudes. Native to the sandy, chalky or granitic soils of Western coniferous forests, M. repens spreads through underground stolons to form a large, continuous ground cover. This 5 to 10-inch-tall plant grows well in both sunny and shady locations, needs no pruning, and exhibits no major pest problems. A healthy stand requires only slightly more than 15 inches of annual precipitation. Dull, dark green, compound leaflets measuring 1.5 to 4 inches long cover the entire plant. When exposed to winter sun, these leaflets turn shades of red, maroon, yellow or purple. Winterbum, a malady common to many evergreens in this region, rarely affects this plant. M. repens may bloom as early as March in favorable climates or as late as June in colder areas. Its dense, abundant, bright yellow inflorescences have a strong sweet fragrance and are followed by grapelike clusters of green berries. These edible berries turn blue- purple and usually remain until spring. Although quite tart, they can be used to make jellies and jams. The native soils of M. repens are usually weakly acidic or basic. However, most well-drained soils, including those that are shallow, rocky, loamy, orlow in salinity, are suitable. Strongly acidic nurseiy container soils and landscape soils with a pH as high as 7.6 produce excellent plants. M. repens can be propagated by seed or root cuttings. The seeds are double dormant but can be broken using either of two methods. The first method requires stratifying the seeds at 45°F for 30 days, at 68°F for 60 days and then at 45°F for 196 days. The second method involves washing the seeds under running water for 24 hours followed by stratification at 34°F to 41°F. Propagation by root cuttings is a tedious method that holds little advantage over seed propagation. Plants grown in flats can be dug and sold bare-root. Chrysothamnus nauseosus Jim Borland Horticultural Consultant The end of the growing season is seldom heralded by many bloom- ing shrubs. Unusual in this respect, however, is Chrysothamnus (rabbitbrush), which festoons the western landscape from Canada to Mexico with golden-colored plumes of flowers. Rabbitbmsh grows native from the Great Plains to above timberline (up to about 10,000 feet), a vast area that includes hardiness zones 2,3 and 4. Used sparingly in today's landscapes, C. nauseosus , along with several other rabbitbmsh species, is becoming important in water- scarce environments. Nearly all rabbitbmsh species exhibit the same growth pattern — multistemmed and upright but rounded. They differ mainly in height and winter stem color, which varies from green to blue to white. C. nauseosus graveo lens is a midsized race measuring 2 to 3 feet tall with gray -green stems and leaves. C. nauseosus nauseosus, on the other hand, is referred to in the trade as dwarf blue because of itss^ shorter height and noticeable bluish stems and leaves. Both display 1 to 2 -inch-long linear leaves arranged alternately on densely hairy stems, and both bloom in late summer or fall. Rabbitbmsh can tolerate drought. Deep taproots, branching exten- sively at depths of 6 ft. or more, help it thrive on less than 15 inches of annual precipitation. In addition, rabbitbrush accommodates almost all soil types, including sandy and gravelly soils and clay loams, as well as saline conditions. When planting rabbitbmsh, consider only sunny, dry locations to avoid weak, drooping habits and root disease. Once established in an area without excess water, it seldom experiences problems more significant than an occasional aphid or stem gall infestation, neither of which is seriously debilitat- ing. U sed singly or in masses, most rabbitbrushes can be sheared or cut almost to the ground each winter. HoweVer, neither practice is needed or recommended for a natural effect. > Since it has proved so difficult to propagate rabbitbmsh from cuttings, most people propagate it from seed, which germinates best at 60 to 70°F with light. Approximately 50% of the tiny pappus- bound seeds germinate 2 to 4 days after sowing. Without special storage conditions, the seed remains commercially viable for only one year, , When nursery grown in almost any soil, rabbitbmsh produces 1-gal. plants after one season, and 5-gal. plants after two seasons. Number 1 Aquilegia Page 15 CHAPTER NEWS S* ' ' Boulder Chapter Southwest Chapter • Metro-Denver Chapter Boulder Chapter programs meet from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. on the 2nd Thursday of each month (note change from previous years ! ) at the Foothills Nature Center, 420 1 N. Broad- way, Boulder. Call LynnRiedel (666-6687) or Elaine Hill (494-7873) for details and check the Daily Camera . Call Sandy Friedley (970) 884-9425 for details and directions to field trips. I March 20 — Vicki Rae and David Temple Landscaping in the Four Corners 7:00 p.m. in Rm. 125 of Noble Hall, Ft. Lewis College, Durango. Mar. 7 Dr. William A. Weber — Floras Dr. Weber will discuss quality control in the construction of floras, including the pros and cons of different types of keys and the use of common names. ■W Apr. 11 Mark Gershman — Wetlands of City of Boulder Open Space. Mark Gershman will discuss wetland inven- tory, mapping, and management in the Boulder Valley. April 24 — Dr. Page Lindsey Mushrooms in the Southwest 7:00 p.m. in Rm. 125 of Noble Hall, Ft. Lewis College, Durango. May 11 — Sandy Friedley Field trip to see Pediocactus knowltonii , Astragalus proximus, and other early flowers in the pinon-juniper vegetation type. June 8— Goodman Point July 13 — Dick Mosely and Charlie King White Fir Research Natural Area May 9 Spring Hike — Wildflowers and Reclama- tion on the Mount Sanitas Trail Meet at the Mt. Sanitas Trailhead west of Mapleton Hospital at the mouth of Sunshine Canyon at 6:00 p.m. Bring a picnic dinner. THE BOULDER CHAPTER NEEDS HELP! Please consider taking part in Boul- der Chapter community service planning. Involvement by more members will pro- mote Society conservation efforts and will . revitalize chapter activity. Suggestions are: 1) ideas and planning for community ser- vice/demonstration projects (e.g., native plant landscaping, restoration, weed con- trol), 2) ideas and planning! for chapter-sponsored workshops and field trips (e.g., grasses identification workshop, na- tive plant nurseiy tour), 3) coordination of document review and letter writing cam- paigns for native plant conservation issues, and 4) participation in chapter program planning and production (e.g., publicity, re- freshments). Members interested in becoming more involved (including chapter leadership/co-leadership) can contact Lynn or Elaine. August 10 — Dr. Dave Jameison and A1 Spence Field trip to Subalpine flowers in the Sharkstooth area of the La Plata Mountains. September 14 Mushrooms in the Durangg area 'Trickfy Vtar - Opuntia sp. Artist: Barbara Bash Monthly meetings are held at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Room assignments vary, so please check the location for each indi- vidual meeting. The dates of regularly scheduled meetings have been changed to the fourth Tuesday of each month to avoid conflicts with the Bonfils-Stanton lecture series at the Denver Botanic Tuesday, March 26, 1996 Morrison Center Carl Mount — Recent Developments in Mine Reclamation in Colorado Carl Mount will discuss recent regulatory changes to State laws covering non-coal mine reclamation. He will also describe the workings of the Division of Minerals and Geology (DMB), and what is looked for in a typical inspection. Carl Mount is a Senior v Reclamation Specialist with the DMB Min- erals Program which currently administers about 2000 reclamation permits in Colo- rado. Carl has worked in or studied mined land reclamation for the past 17 years. Tuesday, April 23, 1996 Classroom B Dina Clark — Flora of the Mesa de Maya The Mesa de Maya region of southeast Colo- rado is of great interest botanically because ithas species found nowhere else in the state, and is remote and largely undisturbed. Dina Clark studied the flora of this area for her masters degree at CU-fioulder, and will , present the results of her study. Saturday, May 18, 1996 Morrison Museum Hike and Botanizing in Red Rocks Park/ Pot Luck at Morrison Natural History Museum . We will meet at 2:00 PM for a hike in Red Rocks and nearby parks, including the Morrison slide, an excellent area for spring flowers. At around 5:00, we will return to the Museum for a pot luck dinner at 5:30 or 6:00. The Museum has a complete kitchen, for rewarming or completing pot luck dishes. Page 16 Aquilegia Volume 20 CALENDAR OVERVIEW Mar 9 CON PS Board of Directors Mtg (see p. 3) April 10 DEADLINE FOR AQUILEGIA Vol. 20 #2 April 15 & 24 50 Years with Boulder County Plants Dr. William A. Weber (see p. 2) 1996 WORKSHOPS Mar 16 The Bellflower Family— Campanulaceae (1st Session) Mar 17 The Bellflower Family— Campanulaceae (2nd Session) April 5 Saxifrages (lecture) April 6 Saxifrages (workshop) 1996 FIELDTRIPS May 11/12 Plants and Petroglyphs in Northwestern Colorado June 1 Green Mountain Moony— Botany for Lunies June 15 Orchids of Rocky Mountain National Park July 27/28 Neota Wilderness Aug 3 Guanella Pass Aug 3 Snow Mesa Aug 11/12 Uncompahgre/American Basin Aug 17/18 San Luis Valley CHAPTER MEETINGS Metro-Denver Mar 26 Recent Developments in Mine Reclamation in Colorado April 23 Flora of Mesa de Maya May 18 Potluck and hike in Red Rocks Park Boulder Mar 7 April 11 May 9 March 20 April 24 May 11 June 8 July 13 Aug 10 Sept 14 Floras Wetlands of City of Boulder Open Space Potluck and spring hike at Mount Sanitas Southwest Landscaping in the Four Corners Mushrooms in the Southwest Early Flowers in the P-J Vegetation Type W' Goodman Point White Fir Research Natural Area Sharkstooth area of the La Plata Mountains Mushrooms in the Durango area Colorado Native Plant Society P.O. Box 200 Fort Collins, Colorado 80522 , Non-profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit #1475 Denver, Colorado