Newsletter of the Colorado Native Plant Society

. . dedicated to the appreciation and conservation of the Colorado native flora”

Volume 25 Number 7

November - December 2001

RARE PLANT SURVEY CONDUCTED AT CHEYENNE MOUNTAIN STATE PARK

Robert Fenwick, Ecologist

Cheyenne Mountain State Park consists of 1680 acres of high
quality grassland, shrubland, and forest in the foothills transition
zone just south of Colorado Springs. Elevations range from 6000-
8000 feet, and the park contains a wide variety of native plant
communities. The eastern side of the park consists of an extensive
mixed-grass prairie that gradually transitions into oak-dominated
shrubland and foothill prairie. In the center of the park, the oak
, aixes with Ponderosa pine and mountain mahogany to form a
^^arge area of woodlands. As elevation increases toward the west-
ern boundary, Douglas-fir and white fir mix with Ponderosa pine
and Rocky Mountain juniper to form mixed montane forest. Deep
ravines and canyons are dominated by dense stands of Douglas-
fir, with a few white fir and Ponderosa pine in admixture.

Prior to its purchase by the state, the parcel was privately held and
used as a cattle ranch and homestead. For the last 20-25 years, cat-
tle were grazed on the property at a very low density (approxi-
mately eight to ten head) and vegetation within the park remained
in excellent condition (Chris Lieber, City of Colorado Springs,
pers. comm.), with few weed infestations. Given the minimal
amount of disturbance to this property, the high quahty of resident
plant communities, and the relative absence of noxious weHs, the
park was thought to have the capacity to support rare plant popu-
lations. Furthermore, a gbod diversity of plants had been record-
ed from the area and potential habitat for a number of rare species
was thought to exist within the park. As such, a survey was con-
ducted on 14 July 2001.

METHODS

Rare species and records for the area were researched using data
from the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP). Rare plant
records from a 10-square-mile area around the park were exam-
ined, and those with elevations and habitat types similar to the
wk were considered likely possibihties. Species lists from The
N-<i'Jature Conservancy’s Aiken Canyon Preserve and nearby City of
Colorado Springs Open Space were also examined for rare
species of potential occurrence within tlie park. Tass Kelso, local

botanist and Professor at Colorado College, was also consult^
regarding the site’s rare plant potential.

Once a list of possible species was generated, a fuU description of
each plant, it’s flowering period, habitat preferences, and diag-
nostic information were compiled. This information was gathered
using: Rare Plants of Colorado, Colorado Flora: Eastern Slope,
and Colorado Rare Plant Field Guide:

Next, a field map of the site was generated using Arc View GIS to
show the park boundary superimposed on a topographic map of
the area. A scale bar and compass bearing were also included for
use in the field. Participants were encouraged to denote the areas
that they surveyed, as well as the locations of any rare plants and
noxious weeds that they encountered.

A data sheet for use in the field was also created. This sheet
prompted observers to include as much information as possible
regarding; certainty of identification, location, habitat features,
population size, evidence of reproduction, overall condition, and
defensibihty of the population. Each participant was given a field
map, potential species list with descriptions, and field data sheets.

Volunteers were recruited with the assistance of the Colorado
Native Plant Society (CoNPS). Leo P. Bruederle (Editor) was an
invaluable help in editing and printing an announcement in
Aquilegia-, while Dan Fosha, President of the Society’s new
Southeast Chapter, announced the event at their Chapter meeting
held just prior to the survey.

“Rare Plant Survey” continues on page two

Contents

About the Society

. . ... . . . .7

Announcements

. . . .3, 4, 5-6

Articles

. . .1-2, 3, 5-6

Calendar ........

...... . ; . .8

Membership in the Society . . .

. . . .7

Page 2

Aquilegia

Vol. 25 No. 7

“Rare Plant Survey” continued from page one
A total of 11 people volunteered their efforts on the day of the sur-
vey. Most were CoNPS members and highly skilled in plant iden-
tification. Three teams of three and one team of two were created
in order to adequately cover the park in die time allotted and pro-
vide for safety concerns. Survey areas specifically included sites
of probable park facilities development, poorly known portions of
the park, and known locations of possible rare plant habitat. The
survey began shordy after 9:00 AM and ended in the rain at
approximately 3:00 pm. Due to heavy rains, data sheets, field
maps, and comments were submitted by mail.

RESULTS

Two rare species of native plants were documented during the sur-
vey. Carrionflower, Smilax lasipneuron, had been observed at the
site previously, but surveyors were able to document several pre-
viously unknown populations throughout the park. A small popu-
lation of Scribner’s needlegrass, scrihneri, was documented
at the park for the first time during the survey.

A number of other, somewhat unusual and noteworthy, species
were also encountered during the survey. With thanks to George
Cameron for his input, these species are;

Ipomoea leptophylla (bush morning-glory). Not known from
similar, nearby Open Space lands or Aiken Canyon.
Unexpected in the foothills.

Penstemon brandegei (Brandegee’s Penstemon). Not known
from similar, nearby Open Space lands or Aiken Canyon.

Penstemon barbatus (red Penstemon). Frequendy encountered
in upper portions of drainages.

Swida (=Cornns) sericea (red-osier dogwood). Upper limekiln
drainage.

\Htis riparia (wild grape). Dominant in some portions of Limekiln.

Monarda Jistulosa (pink bergamot). Very abundant in large drifts.

Onosmodium molle (false gromwell). Abimdant along drainages.

Ceanothus herbaceus (New Jersey tea).

Asclepias tuberosa (orange milkweed). Fairly abundant in oak
and ponderosa.

Hypopitys monotropa and Pterospora andromedea (pine sap,
pine drops). Interesting and unusual saprophytic plants.

Cheilanthes feei, Cheilanthes fendleri, and Draba streptocarpa.
Sandstone outcrop in Upper Limekiln.

Smilax

MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

Species diversity. Though somewhat lacking in terms of “rare”
species, the park has a very good diversity of native plants, espe-
cially when compared to nearby sites. Survey volunteers made
reference to this in their notes. With increased use, maintaining

species diversity will be a difficult, but not impossible, task.
Perhaps the greatest challenge will come from wildflower collec-
tors who find themselves unable to resist the park’s bounty. ParU
stall should be aware of this potential impact — placing signs in^w^
strategic locations may be warranted. Parks should also delineate
specific low, or no-use, areas as a means to protect and preserve
higlily diverse locations.

Noxious weeds. Perhaps the greatest threat to
native plant species in the park, rare or other-
wise, is the invasion of noxious weeds. Tlie
park currently has only a few species of nox-
ious weeds, and most of diese are not yet well
established. Control methods for species
within the park should be implemented as
soon as possible. Adjacent lands ar e also like-
ly to have populations of noxious weeds that
may spread into tlie park. Tliese populations
may require cooperative agreements witli adjacent landowners.
Park visitors are also likely to introduce weeds into the park acci-
dentally, and should be educated about the process of weed intro-
ductions and lire damage that weeds cause to native communities.

Cirsium arvense

Adjacent properties. In recent years, foothill areas have become
highly prized for residential housing. Cheyenne Mountain pre-
serves one of tlie few large and unfragmented tracts of foothill
habitat remaining along die Front Range. Fortunately, die park is
bordered on several sides by contiguous natural lands that wiU
help maintain the quality of plant and animal communities within
the park. However, development is still possible, and even likel}-^
on private property at the northeast corner of the park (JL Ranch)"*-^
and on private parcels near the w estern boundary. Development of
these parcels will increase the possibility of both erosion and nox-
ious weed infestations that could have a direct impact on plant
communities within the park.

Fire suppression. Fire suppression is a major issue for the park.
In the absence of fire, fire-intolerant Douglas-fir and Gambel oak
appear to be expanding into areas of die park where they aren’t
necessarily expected. Fire is needed to maintain the integrity of
many foothill communities, with many plants depending on fire
for reproduction and vigor. Forests and shrublands become over^
crowded in the absence of fire, and disease and insect predation
become more prevalent as forest liealdi declines. A number of rare
orcliid species are known from the area, but none was encoun-
tered. Because diey have specific fight and substrate requirements,
such species may be among the first affected by conditions relat-
ed to fire suppression.

Surface water. Anotlier important consideration, witli regard to
vegetation in the park is the relative lack of surface water. Limekiln
Creek is dry most of the yeai; but has every indication of once hav-
ing been a perennial stream. During the construction of NORAD in
the 1950’s, nearly all of the surface water flowing into the park off
Cheyenne Mountain was “captured” for use at the NORAD facility
(Chris Lieber, City of Colorado Springs, pers. comm.). Now
Limekiln and its tributaries hold water only during heavy rain c
runoff events. Certainly the NORAD diversions have had an impact-^
on vegetation in the park, although the exact effects are unknown.
Again, rare plants may have been among the first affected.

Vol. 25 No. 7

Aquilegia

Page 3

PRO BONO COUNSEL ANNOUNCED

The Society is proud to announce that the law firm of Schmehl,
\_yowell & Mackler, PC. has agreed to be pro bono counsel, repre-
senting and advising the Society’s Board of Directors in its legal
matters. Schmelil, Yowell & Mackler, P.C. is a full service law
firm located at 219 West Magnolia, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521
and may be reached by phone at (970) 484-0225, fax at (970) 484-
8903, or e-mail at jwslaw@innocent.com. The Society is grateful
for their representation — special thanks goes to James. W.
Schmehl for his cooperation in this effort.

A QUILEGIA SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

Regular publication of Aquilegia has been made possible by the
efforts of numerous volunteers over the years However, to ensme
timely production into the future, the Newsletter Committee
would like to solicit volunteers to help;

• prepaie a directory to back issues

• scan and compile botanical images

• solicit, word process, and compile copy

• oversee mailing (2-4 hours every other month)

To volunteer, please contact Leo P. Bruederle via e-mail at Ibrued-
erle@earthlink.net or by phone at (303) 861-4119.

FOURTH ANNUAL WEED SURVEY

Pat Butler

Once again, four representatives of the Society and the Colorado
fountain Club backpacked into the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area
along Middle St. Vrain Creek on 25 August 2001 to survey and pull
five infestations of Canada Thistle {Brea arvensis) being tracked
over the previous three years. We hiked five miles and set up camp
west of the junction with the Red Deer I^e trail. Disregarding the
direat of rain and thunder, we succeeded in hiking to Gibraltar Lake,
beneath the receding St. Vrain glaciers, where the clouds parted to
reveal a sparkling, warm sununer afternoon. Probably because of
the fairly wet summer, the meadow below the lake was still bloom-
ing with some beautiful rose crown {Clemetiisia rhodantha),
Senecio triangularis, and very pink paintbrush Castilleja rhexifolia.
We also saw more typical late season flowers; both bottle and star
gentians {PneurnonantJie parryi and Swertia perennis), pearly ever-
lasting {Anaphalis margaritacea), and yarrow {Achillea lanulosa).

As we returned to camp, our bucolic afternoon was jolted by the
discovery of another large stand of thistle higher up (over 10,000
feet elevation), which we had not seen in previous years, as well
as a small population of yellow toadflax {Linaria vulgaris), lire
naturalist at tlie U.S. Forest Service office who oversees this pro-
ject indicated that tliis might be the highest elevation population
of toadflax in our area and hopes we can eradicate it over time.

Sunday morning we hiked out, pulling thistle near our campsite and
at other locations down the trail ; on the way, we met up with anoth-
er CoNPS member, CMC member, and two USFS employees. A
couple of the infestations seem to be reduced by our efforts over the
years, but others appeal' as vigorous as ever, providing ‘job’ securi-
ty for all volunteers who are willing to keep after them for the indef-
inite future. Consequently, we will be doing this trip again in
August 2002 and would love to have more CoNPS members along!

EXPLORING THE NATURAL WORLD
IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Joe Honton, Crescent Bloom

When Joseph Hooker joined Asa Gray in 1877 to explore the Sangre
de Cristo range, they did so witli a notebook and specimen press
sheets. With these simple tools, some camping equipment, and a vast
personal store of botanical knowledge, they proceeded to create a
comparative survey of the Southwestern Colorado flora. Their
progress in identifying new species depended upon their ability to
recognize key features of the plants they examined. In this ability,
Asa Gray was unmatched. Today’s task is less the work of plant
idenfification and more the work of conservation and preservation.
Today, our goals include mapping species distribution, developing
plant community profiles, and finding fragile ecosystems in need of
protection. And a hike in the mountains is just as likely to include a
computer and a camera, as it was long ago to include a notebook and
specimen sheets. Both our goals and our tools have changed.

But a common problem existed both then and now — organizing
data and disseminating results. Fortunately, the power and ubiqui-
ty of the digital world makes today’s task much easier to accom-
plish. Consider, for example, that an electronic notebook in the
field allows us to identify plants by their key attributes and to
record data such as altitude and location, all witliout the need to
transcribe data when we get back home. Consider, too, that the
task of distributing this information has become the simple and
immediate act of placing our words and pictures on a Web server.

And what about that wonderf ul medium of photogiaphy? Being an
accomplished illustrator is no longer a prerequisite to being a natu-
rahst. Capturing a pictorial record is straightforwaid. Organizing
digitized photographs means no longer having to shuffle through
envelopes of snapshots. Software for storing and retrieving pho-
tographs can put all of our data at our fingertips. No, specimen
sheets have not gone the way of carbon paper. Pictures and words
are an inadequate replacement for herbaiia filled witli accessions.
But the admonition to leave it the way we found it and tlie proltibi-
tion against taking samples back to our personal gardens is sound
pohcy. Yet, with a small investinent in some of today’s technologi-
cal wizardry we can bring back and share a view of nature, inspir-
ing otliers and ourselves to action. The Compleat Botanica soft-
ware for gardeners, nurseries, landscapei-s, botanists, herbalists, and
reseai'chers, provides tlie essential tools for organizing specimens.

The Compleat Botanica softw^e uses custom categories to orga-
nize specimens into groups that make sense to you. Each category,
whether it’s fife cycle, stature, or best uses can be defined to accept
your groupings. And each of tliese categories allows for exceptions
when specimens just don’t fit. Automatic family name lookup
makes it easy for you to learn more about youi' specimen. With
26,334 genus names assigned to 1652 families, the botanical name
checklist is impressive. Filtering your database to zoom in on the
specimen of interest is a one-step process — everything is in one
inmitive window. Easily share data with your favorite applications.
Use the clipboard to copy to your favorite word processor, spread-
sheet, or charting tool. Navigate and manipulate yom* collections
easily. For more information about The Compleat Botanica soft-
ware, contact Joe Honton at JoeHonton@CrescenTBlpom.com.

Page 4

Acjuilegm

Vol. 25 No. 7

NATURAL AREA STEWARDS STILL NEEDED

Ron West, Colorado Natural Areas Program

The Volunteer Steward Program for Colorado Natural Areas has been very successful to date. We now enjoy the efforts of 41 volun-
teer stewards, many of whom have come from the ranks of CoNPS! We are still, however, looking for a few ihbre folks, paiticulai-ly
for out-of-the-way sites, such as the rare plant areas of Rio Blanco County. All drat we request is one visit per year, over at least
three years, and completion of a simple field fonn. If you’d like to help, please contact Ron West at 1313 Sherman St., Rrrr. 618,
Denver, CO 80203; (303) 866-3203 X326; or ron.west@state.co.us. For more information, visit www.parks.state.co.us/cnap/.

Site Name

County

Manager

Acres

Hiking

Species

Bonny Prairie

Yuma

PARKS

80

easy

Botrychium campestre

Comanche I_css. Pr. Chick.

Baca

USFS

9000

easy

prairie cliicken leks

Cojieland Willow' Carr

Boulder

NPS

100

easy

breeding neotropical birds

Deer Gulch

RioBlanco

BLM

1809

moderate

Festuca dasyclada

Dudley Bluffs

RioBlanco

BLM

1620

moderate

Physaria obcordata and Lesquerella congesia

East Sand Dunes

Jackson

SLB

620

easy

geology site

Elephant Rocks

RioGrande

BLM

575

easy

Neoparrya lithophila

Lookout Mountain

Moffat

BLM

6500

moderate (4X4) Astragalus detritalis, Cryptantha caespitosa,

Sphaeromeria capitata, and Townsendia strigosa

Lower Greasewood Creek

RioBlanco

BLM

200

moderate

Gilia stenothyrsa

Narraguinnep RNA

Dolores

USFS

1928

strenuous

old growth ponderosa pine

North Park

Jackson

BLM

310

easy

Phacelia formosula. Allium schoenoprasum
var. sibiricum, and possibly Lewisia rediviva

N. Poudre Reservoir

Larimer

SLB

279

easy

Physaria bellii ,

Paradise Park RNA

Grand

NPS

5760

strenuous

Mimulus gemmiparus, possibly

Sand Creek

Larimer

SLB

640

moderate

Penstemon larcijblius ssp. exiUfolius, possibly

Treasurevault Mountain

Park

SLB

320

mod. (4X4)

Eutrema penkmdii and Draba borealis, possibly

Yanks/Up. Grease. Creek

RioBlanco

BLM

2687

mod. (4X4)

Physaria obcordata and Astragalus lutosus

Zapata Falls

Alamosa

SLB

619

easy

black swift

SPRING COURSE OFFERINGS AT UCD

The University of Colorado at Denver is offering two courses that
may be of interest to CoNPS members with a rudimentary acade-
mic backgroimd in biology.

Field Studies: Desert Biology (BIOL 491Q6910)

Desert fiiology provides an introduction to tile species and com-
munities comprising the Sonoran Desert Ecosystem — the most
diverse of the North American hot deserts. Topics include the phys-
ical enviromnent, biotic and abiotic interactions, life history, eco-
logical adaptations, and biogeography. In addition to some
Saturday lectures, we will van-pool to Tucson, Arizona from 23 to
30 March to study the natural liistory and ecology of tliis desert.
You will need to provide sonie camping equipment, a desire to
learn, and a sense of humour... but that’s it. For more information
about this tliree credit course, please contact the Office of Extended
Studies at (303) 556-2735 or Leo P. Bruederle at (303) 556-3419.

Systematic Botany (BIOL 4315/5315)

The objective of this course is to provide professionals with an
introduction to the foinciples of plant systematics, a knowledge of
the flora of North America emphasizing Colorado, the technical
skills to identify vascular plants, an appreciation for plant diversity,
and an insight into the economic importance of plants. This upper-
division course will also provide students with an appreciation for
botanical diversity, as well as the real and often neglected impor-
tance of plants to society. For more information about this four
credit course, please contact Leo P. Bruederle at (303) 556-3419.

25*h ANNIVERSARY POSTER
CONTEST A SUCCESS!

Pat Ploegsma, CoNPS Director

Nothing less than rave reviews were heard, with regard to the 25^^^
.Anniversary Poster. And these were backed up by the number of
posters sold at the 2001 Amiual Meeting of the Colorado Native
Plant Society. Tlie poster is comprised of not one, but three winning
drawings. Bonnie K. Anthony’s winning submission was a sand
cherry {Primus besseyi), Jan Baucmn submitted a white evening
primrose {Oenothera caespitosa), while Connie Sayas rendered
Wright’s verbena {Verbena Wrightii). Togetlier tlie drawings nicely
represent the flora of the eastern plains. The artists are all students
of Susan T. Fisher’s Botanical Illustration class at the Denver
Botanic Gardens. It just so happened that the class was participat-
ing in the Colorado Flora Project, with class members expected to
submit drawings of native plants. CoNPS members Pat Ploegsma,
Gwen Kittell, and Denise Larson acted as judges and, with diffi-
culty, chose three illustrations for tlie poster. Many thanks go to
Kathy Hadsall of Jins digital for her enthusiastic support of this
project and volunteer help on poster design.

Posters are being distributed to CoNPS chapters for sales. They
will also be available thiough the Sales Committee at a cost of
$15.00 plus tax, wliich will vary witli destination; shipping and
handling will be an additional $6.00. For more information, pleasv ,^,
contact Pat Ploegsma at (303) 229-3007 or 1620 Donoven Street,
Strasburg, CO 80136.

Vot. 25 No. 7 Aquilegia Page 5

CHAPTER NEWS

^ ^ — ^

Boulder Chapter

The Boulder Chapter invites you to join us
for a guest speaker, refreshments, book
sales, and socializing, on the second
Thursday of the mondi through April at
7:00 PM. We now meet at tlie City of
Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks
offices, 66 South Cherry vale Road. From
South Boulder Road, go south on
Cherryvale one-tentli of a niile and turn
west onto a lane tliat leads back to the
offices. WeTl meet in die north building
conference room. For more iriformation,
please contact Chapter President Kathy
Damas at (303) 543-1492.

December 13, 2001 Thursday at 7:00 pm
Nebraska Sandhills, Sea of Grass

The Sandhills cover 25% of Nebraska and
is the largest remaining expanse of mixed-
grass and tallgrass prairie in North
America. Stephen Jones — Boulder
teacher, naturalist, enviromnental consul-
tant and writer — will talk about why dus
^v^argely privately owned area is becoming
more natural as time goes by. Mixing in
images and sounds recorded over the
years, Steve will focus on unique plant
communities, wildlife, and land use issues.

January 10, 2002 Thursday at 7:00 pm
Vegetation of Mongolia: Similarities to
the Colorado Flora

Wliile liiking near Bomier Peak, Gwen
Kittel was struck by the similarities
between the Colorado and Mongolian flo-
ras. Gwen, a terrestrial ecologist with The
Nature Conservancy, will be showing slides
of her travels that will compare the Asiatic
climate, landscape, and flora to our own.

February 14, 2002 Thursday at 7:00 pm
Rocky Flats Environmental Technology
Site: Flora, ecology, and management

Rocky Flats is a US. Dept, of Energy facil-
ity diat formerly produced nuclear weapons
components during the Cold War. Now in
the process of being decommissioned and
tom down, most people ai"e nnaware of die
incredible biodiversity that has been pro-
dded at the Site over the past half century,
"^^ody Nelson (Botanist/Plant Ecologist for
Exponent, Rocky Flats Environmental
Teclmology Site) will discuss the flora.

ecology, and challenges of resource man-
agement at Rocky Flats.

March 14, 2002 Thursday at 7:00 pm
Growing Natives in the Landscape
Mikl Brawner has been growing native
shmbs and perennials for 15 years in his
own Boulder landscape and specializes in
natives at his nursery Harlequin’s Gaidens.
Mikl’s talk will focus on the plants them-
selves, with a few' tips for successfully
growing them in die home landscape.

April 11, 2002 Thursday at 7:00 pm
Gardening and More to invite Wildlife
into your Backyard

Join us for a slideshow by die National
Wildlife Federation on techniques for
inviting wildlife into your backyard. Ali
Steimke (NWF Field Education Coor-
dinator) will focus on the Federation’s
Backyard Wildlife Habitat program and
how you can create wildlife friendly back-
yards. Ali will discuss ways to successful-
ly incorporate the four basic wildlife needs
— food, water, cover and a place to raise
yoimg — into your landscape.

May 9, 2002 Thursday at 5:30 pm
Annual Picnic and Hike

Ivocation and destination to be announced -
watch Aquilegia for details.

Fort Gollins Chapter

Meetings ai'e held at 7:00 pm in tlie Main
Conference Room of die National Seed
Storage laboratory (NSSL) at CSU. The
NSSL is located just west of die railroad
tracks, about one block north of Pitkin
Street (enter on west side of building).
Members are invited to join die speaker for
dinner at Coopersmidis in Old Town, Fort
Collins at 5:30 pm prior to die meeting. For
more infomiation, please contact Chapter
President Annette Miller at (970) 495-3240.

December 4, 2001 Tuesday at 7:00 pm
Purple Loosestrife in Colorado
David Weber (Noxious Weed
Coordinator, Colorado Division of
Wildlife) will deliver a presentation dis-
cussing purple loosestrife in Colorado,
with some specific inl'omiation about dus
weed ill Laiimer County.

February 5, 2002 Tuesday at 7:00 pm
A Photographic Journey of Big Bend
through Time and Space

Join local botamsts/photographers Bill
Jennings and Carolyn Crawford on a
photographic tour of Big Bend National
Park, Texas. Over the last 20 years, Bill
and Carolyn have visited the park around
the seasons, from the Rio Grande to the top
of the Cliisos Mountains at 7500 feet. This
promises to be a floristic feast for the eyes!

March 5, 2002 Tuesday at 7:00 pm
The Gardens at Spring Creek
Jim Clark will present information about
the Gardens -at Spring Creek, previously
the Community Horticulture Center. A
brief history of the project, a description of
the mission and intended programming,
visual graphics of the master plan and
building design, and some information on
the schedule and financing will be
explained. Visit www.fcgov.com/horticul-
ture for more infomiation.

April 5, 2002 Tuesday at 7:00 PM

Restoration Efforts at Rocky Mountain
National Park

Jeff Connors (Resource Specialist,
RMNP) will discuss restoration efforts that
have been undertaken at Rocky Mountain
National Park using both native and local
genotypes. Jeff will also talk about natural
versus manipulative restoration.

Blizzard Botany (Icy Isoetes)

Annette Miller, Chapter President

Nine intrepid CoNPS “field trippers” gath-
ered Saturday, 13 October 2001 at tlie
snowy Bierstadt Lake trailhead in Rocky
Mountain National Paik. Oin goal was to
investigate jxipulations of Isoetes (quill-
wort). Tliis aquatic plant washes ashore at
the east end of the lake at this time of year,
making wading unnecessary. Two species
have been reported from Bierstadt Lake.
Isoetes locust? is L.. and 1. setacea Lam.
subsp. muricata Holub. High winds

and blowing snow were encountered during
tlie steep, short hike to the lake. Fortunately,
quillworts were found immediately imder
tlie ice along the shore! The undaunted
group cltipped tluougli tlie ice to retrieve
samples for examination, using a dissecting

Page 6

scope tliat was brought along to examine
megaspore ornamentation. However, there
was some difficulty keeping the dry megas-
pores from blowing away into the snow.
Janet Wingate (Botanist, Denver Botanic
Gardens) had a collecting pemiit and was
able to obtain specimens. RMNP employees
Terry Terrell and Judy Disty also accompa-
nied the group, which tentatively identified
the sample as 1. setacea Lam. subsp. tn^uri -
cata (Dar.) Holub. A more tliorough exami-
nation of the materials is in progress.

Metro-Denver Chapter

Monthly meetings are held at 7:00 pm from
September through December in the
Morrison Center at the Denver Botanic
Garden. For more information, please con-
tact Chapter President Denise Larson at
(303) 733-4338 or Leo P. Bruederle at
lbruederle@eardilink.net. Beginning in
January, we will be meeting in die main
room of the Waring house at the Denver
Botanic Garden, which is located on die
northwest comer of 9^^ Ave. and York.

December 4, 2001 Tu^day at 7:00 PM
Hybridization? Are You Loco?

Dr. Shanna Carney (Biology, Colorado
State University) will recount die early
stages of her research on the Colorado
locoweeds, Oxytropis sericea and O. lam -
bertii. Shanna will focus on reproductive
isolation, the conditions that favor
hybridization, and how aspects of pollina-
tion ecology influence the likelihood and
direction of hybridization. Expect some
great photographs of locoweed, as well as
a few pollinators 1

January 29, 2002 Tuesday at 7:00 pm
Flora of the Sonoran Desert

The Sonoran Desert is one of our most
diverse ecosystems. Of the four major North
American desert systems, the Sonoran rarely
experiences freezing temperatures. As such,
many plants of more southern latitudes
make tlieir noilliennnost appearance in fliis
desert. James Riser (Biology, University of
Colorado at Denver) will present a
slideshow depicting several of the six subdi-
visions of the Sonoran Desert, and will dis-
cuss adaptations to aridity and periodic rain-
fall. Comparisons with other North
American deserts will also be made. This
talk should provide a colorful respite from
winter, and may even tempt you to visit
warmer chmes in the spring.

Aquilegia

February 26, 2002 Tuesday at 7:00 pm
A Photographic Journey of Big Bend
through Time and Space

Join local botanists/photographers Bill
Jennings and Carolyn Crawford on a
photogiaphic tour of Big Bend National
Park, Texas. Over die last 20 years, Bill
and Carolyn have visited the park around
the seasons, from the Rio Grande to the top
of the Chisos Mountains at 7500 feet. This
promises to be a floristic feast for tlie eyes!

March 26, 2002 Tuesday at 7:00 pm
Penland Alpine Fen Mustard: To be or
not to be

Penland alpine fen mustard (Eutrema pen -
landii) is a globally rare species restricted
to Colorado’s Mosquito Range. Its closest
relative is the circumboreal E. edwardsii. In
1987, W. A. Weber subsumed E. penlandii
into its North American congener, pubhsh-
ing the name E. edwardsii ssp. penlandii.
Since then, there has been considerable
interest and debate among taxonomists and
conservation biologists regarding the sys-
tematic relationship between die two taxa.
Marr Fund recipient Kim Fayette Regier
(Biology, University of Colorado at
Denver) will present the results of her
research — - including some surprises —
that reveal the two to be distinct.

April 30, 2002 Tuesday at 7:00 pm
Floristic Survey of the Upper Arkansas
Valley and Lower Gore Range

Intense floristic inventories have been the
focal point of the Rocky Momitain
Herbarium (RMH) at the University of
Wyoming since the 1970’s. Marr Fund
recipient Emily Holt (Botany, University
of Wyoming) will discuss her Master’s
research, which comprised a floristic sur-
vey of the Sawatch Range (including the
Collegiate Peaks and the highest Peak in
Colorado, Mount Elbert), the eastern
Mosquito Range, the southern Gore Range,
and a portion of the Eagle Valley between

V0I.25N0.7

Vail and Dotsero. The total area covers
approximately 3,000 square miles and
includes seventeen of Colorado’s 54 peak*^
over 14,000 feet. Her research uncovereow^^
new and previously documented popula-
tions of over 30 of Colorado’s raie plants!

Plateau Chapter

Chapter activities are scheduled through-
out the year. For more information, contact
Chapter President Jeanne Wenger at (970)
256-9227 and Bluecrow2u@aol.com or
Program Chair Lori Brummer at (970)
641-3561 and lbrummer@gunnison.com.

Southeast Ctiapter

For more information about the newly
formed Southeast Qiapter, as well as news
and activities, please contact Chapter
President Dan Fosha at (719) 572-6972 or
danf osha@ aol . com .

Southwest Chapter

For more information about the Southwest
Chapter, as well as news and activities,
please contact Chapter President Sandy
Friedley at (970) 884-9245 or by e-mail a
friedley@frontier.net.

PROGREEN EXPO
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

The Colorado Native Rant Society needs
volunteers to staff our booth at the Rogreen
Expo in Denver from 29 January - 1
February 2002. Hease contact Jill Handweik
at (970) 221-3460 or Ahce Guthrie at (303)
651-3127 for more information.

DEADLINE APPROACHES
Submit Aquilegia
Contributions on or before
December 15, 2001

Submit contributions for Vol. 26 No. 1 of
Aquilegia on or before December 15,
2001. Articles not exceeding 1000 words
are especially welcome. Previously pub-
lished articles submitted for reprinting
require permission. Include author’s
name, address, and affiliation; anonymity
may be requested. Follow the format
from previous issues closely. Spell check
Submit via e-mail or on disks — MAC,
preferably — as an MS Word or rtf (rich
text format) document.

Vol. 25 No. 7

Aquilegia

Page 7

Colorado Native
Plant Society

The Colorado Native Plant Society is a non-
profit organization dedicated to the apprecia-
tion and conservation of the Colorado native
flora. Membership is open to all with an inter-
est in our native plants, and is composed of
plant enthusiasts both professional and nbn-
professional.

Please join us in helping to encourage iiiterest
in enjoying and protecting Colorado's native
plants. The Society sponsors field trips, Work-
shops, and other activities through local chap-
ters and statewide. Contact the Society, a chap-
ter representative, or committee chair for more
information.

Schedule of Membership Fees

Life ...$250

Supporting $50

Organization or Corporate . $30

^^■amily or Dual $20

^'^ndividual . .... .$15

Student or Senior .$8

Membership Renewal/Information

Please direct all membership applications,
renewals, and address changes to the Eric Lane
(Chair of Membership), Colorado Native Plant
Society, flO. Box 200, Fort Collins, CO 80522.
Please direct all other inquiries regarding the
Society to the Secretary at the same address.

Aquilegia is published four or more 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. Articles for Aquilegia may be used by
other native plant societies or non-profit
groups, if fully cited to author and attributed to
Aquilegia.

Articles not exceeding 2000 words in length
and shorter items fewer than 500 words in
length, such as unusual information about a
plant, are especially welcome. Previously pub-
lished articles submitted for reprinting require
permission. Camera-ready line art or other
illustrations are also solicited. Please include
author’s name and address, although anonymi-
ty may be requested. Articles submitted via e-
mail or on disks (MAC preferably, or IBM) are
appreciated. Please indicate word processing
software and version; iLpossible, submit as an
RTF (rich text format) file.

-Please direct all contributions to the newsletter to:

Leo P. Bruederle
Biology, Campus Box 171
University of Colorado at Denver
P.O, Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364
E-Mail: lbruederle@earthlink.net

Officers

President . Jill Handwerk . . 970-491-5857

.Vice-President . . . David Andereon . 970-484-0774

Secretaiy Alice Guthrie . . . 303-651-3127

Treasurer Georgia Doyle . . 970-491-6477

Board
Jill Handwerk (03) . .
Sue Kama! (03) ....
Andy IGatz (03) ....
Denise Culver (03) . .
Pat Ploegsma (01). . .
David Anderson (02)
Gay Austin (02) ....
Gvi'en Kittel (02). . . .
Laurel Potts (02). . . .
Neil Snow (02) .....

of Directors

Fort Collins. . 970-491-5857

Greeley 970-353-9240

Lakewood . . . 303-914-8291
Fort Collins. . 970-491-2998
Strasburg. . . . 303-622-9439
Fort Collins. . 970-484-0774
Gunnison. . . . 970-641-6264
Boulder. . ... 303-258-0908
Fort Collins . . 970-484-4076/
Greeley 970-330-4823

Chapter Presidents

Boulder Kathy Damas. . . . 303-543-1492

Fort Collins .... Annette Miller . . . 970-495-3240
Metro- Denver. . . Denise Larson . . . 3(B-733-4338

Hateau Jeanne Wenger. . . 970-256-9227

Southeast Dan Fosha .... v 719-572-6972

Southwest Sandy Friedley. . . 970-884-9245

Standing

Conservation . . .
Education and . .

Outreach

Field Studies . . .

Field Trips

Finance .

Horticulture and.

Restoration . . .
Membership. . . .

Newsletter

Sales , . .

Rare Plant ....

Monograph . .
Research Grants

Website

Workshop; East
West

Committees and Chairs

Joe Rocchio ..... 720-494-0876

Jill Handwerk. . . . 970-491-5857
and Alice Guthrie . 303-651-3 127
Neil Snow .... . .'970-330-4823

Gwen Kittel ..... 303-258-0908

Denise Culver . . . 970-225-1930
and Georgia Doyle 970-491-6477
Kathy Damas . . ._. 303-543- 1492
and Lisa Tasker . . 970-544-3633
Eric Lane ....... 303-239-4182

Leo P. Bruederle. . 303-556-3419

Rick Bmne 303-238-5078

and Velma Richards303-794-5432
Eleanor

Von Bargen .... 303-756-1400

Neil Snow 970-330-4823

Bob Clarke. .... .970-242-6067
Bill Jennings .... 303-666-8348
Gay Austin 970-641-6264

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION AND RENEWAL FORM

Name(s)

Address

(Address)

City

Phone

State

Zip

S L

E-mail

Chapter; Boulder

Fort Collins

Metro Denver .

Plateau

Southeast

MEMBERSHIP CLASS:
Dues cover one calendar year.
__ Individual, $15.00

Fainily/dual, $20.00

Senior, $8.00

, Student, $8.00

Corporate, $30.00

Supporting, $50.00

Lifetime, $250.00

Southwest

In addition to my membership, I have included $ as a contribution to the John Marr

JFund (endowment in support of small grants-in-aid of research), $ as a contribution to

^;|||^he Myma P. Steinkamp Memorial Fund (endowment in support of small grants-in-aid of
I research), or $ as a general contribution to the Society.

CoNPS IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION - DUES. AND CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE

CALENDAR

SOCIETY EVENTS

Board Meeting

December 8 Public Librai^, Longmont, CO

CHAPTER EVENTS

Boulder Chapter

December 13

Nebraska Sandhills, Sea of Grass

January 10

Vegetation of Mongolia

February 14

Rocky Flats Environmental Technology
Site: Flora, ecology, and management

March 14

Growing Natives in the Landscape

Fort Collins Chapter

December 4

Purple Loosestrife in Colorado

February 5

A Photographic Journey of Big Bend
through Time and Space

March 5

The Gardens at Spring Creek

Metro Denver Chapter

December 4

Hybridization? Are You Loco?

January 29

Flora of the Sonoran Desert

February 26

A Photographic Journey of Big Bend
through Time and Space

March 26

Penland Alpine Fen Mustard: To be or
not to be

January 12 Longmcmt, CO

February 23 Longmont, CO

WORKSHOPS

December 8, 9 Problem Weeds of the Front Range
Urban Corridor
First session: Saturday
Second session: Sunday

January 12, 13 Grasses: TribeFestucae
First session: Saturday
Second session: Sunday

February 9, 10 Ecology and Identification of Willows
First session: Saturday
Second session: Sunday

February 23, 24 Senecio, Focus of the plains
First session: Saturday
Second session: Sunday

Colorado Native Plant Society

P.O Box200

Fort Collins, Colorado 80522
http://www.conps.org

Place

Stamp

Here

TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL