
RESEARCH ARTICLE: Coyotes and Columbines at RMBL in Gothic 


Volume 37 Number 5 Fall 2013 


Aquilegia: Newsletter of the Colorado Native Plant Society 

Dedicated to furthering the knowledge, appreciation, and conservation of native plants and habitats of Colorado 

through education, stewardship, and advocacy 

Volume 37 Number 5 Fall 201 3 (Workshops Issue) ISSN 2161-7317 (Online) - ISSN 2162-0865 (Print) 

Inside this issue 

Articles 

Marr Fund Research: Coyotes and Columbines....3 

Next Generation Flora of Colorado 6 

Meet the Natives Through Walter Pesman 21 

From Our Archive 5 

Conservation Corner: Oil, Gas, Native Plants, 

&US 14 

Workshops 15 

Chapter Programs 18 

Books & Media 21 


News & Announcements 24 

About the Society 25 

Membership Application 26 

Book & Merchandise Order Form 28 

Calendar 30 

Plant Profiles 31 

2013 CoNPS Annual Meeting 

September 27-29, Boulder, Colorado 


2013 Photo Contest Winner 


Plant Category: Benjamin B\onder - Castilleja rhexifolia (below) 
See Back Cover for Landscape Category Winner 


Cover photo: Aquilegia coerulea at Crested Butte, Colorado Photo by Charlie & Jan Turner 


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Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 201 3 


Marr Fund Research: Coyotes and Columbines: 

Do Predators Deter Deer from Eating Colorado Native Wildflowers? 

by Mary Price, Nick Waser, Dan Blumstein, David Inouye, Principal Investigators 
and Betsabe Castro-Escobar and Richard Furman, Student Interns 


Introduction 

It was rare to see mule deer at the Rocky Mountain Biological 
Laboratory (RMBL) in Gothic, Colorado in the 1 970s. When the 
first doe fawned in 1 986, the blessed event made the "Gothic 
News." Nowadays there are deer aplenty at RMBL; they nibble 
unconcernedly in the middle of town and instruct their fawns to 
hide right next to cabins. 


Another former REU student found that individuals of blue 
columbine {Aquilegia coerulea, the Colorado State Flower) 
exposed to deer browsing produced only 30% as many fruits 
as protected plants because deer eat the flowers (Arozqueta 


2005). Our surveys in a subsequent 
summer demonstrate that this 
loss leads to reduced emergence 
of columbine seedlings near 
parent plants, again suggesting 
a population consequence. Ms. 

Arozqueta also showed that 
browsing of herbs is more intense in montane meadow than in 
aspen forest habitat, and that it varies across plant species. 

Why have deer populations increased so dramatically in Gothic? 
One possibility is that the increase simply reflects a region-wide 
increase in deer densities. Deer are certainly more common 
overall than they were several decades ago, but Gothic residents 
have the impression that deer have increased disproportionately 
in Gothic itself. Perhaps does have learned that predators such 
as coyotes avoid Gothic during the busy summer season and the 
does prefer to drop their fawns near human activity. Elk have 
been shown to avoid areas frequented by wolves in Yellowstone 
and Banff National Parks (Beschta & Ripple 2009, Hebblewhite 
et al. 2005), and both deer and antelope moved into areas of 
Colorado and Utah where coyotes were being killed for livestock 
protection (Harrington & Conover 2007). 

In 201 0 we embarked on a collaborative experimental study of 
coyotes, deer, and plants. We started with four questions: 

1 ) Are deer more common in the Gothic townsite than outside it? 
How many inhabit Gothic during the summer? 

2) Are coyotes less active in the townsite than outside it? 

3) Do mule deer avoid areas with high apparent coyote activity? 

4) Do spatial gradients in deer activity produce gradients in 
herbivory on native herbs? 

The Study System and Methods 

The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory is an independent, 
non-profit high-altitude field station founded in 1 928. It hosts 
field research by independent investigators (each of the principal 
investigators on this project has worked there for several 
decades) and field-oriented university-level classes. For over 20 
years, RMBL has administered a National Science Foundation 
Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program in 
which RMBL scientists mentor undergraduate researchers. We 
involved two REU students in this collaborative project in 2010. 
We therefore could augment the grant funds from CoNPS with 
a small allocation from the REU grant, with which we purchased 
necessary supplies for marking deer and establishing coyote 
urine stations and plant transects. The REU program also paid for 
student housing and fees, and for a paintball gun. 


These concerns are warranted. 
More than half of the 


Needless to say, researchers have not been pleased to see 
their study plants disappear into the mouths of hungry deer! 
There is growing concern 
that burgeoning deer 
populations are affecting 
plant communities in the 
Gothic area by decreasing the 
relative abundance of palatable 
species, as they have in forests 
of the Great Lakes region 
(Rooney and Waller 2003). 


elongating flowering stalks 
of scarlet gilia, Ipomopsis 
aggregata, for example, are 
browsed by deer in Gothic 
(Sharaf& Price 2004). Although 
browsed plants compensate by sending out lateral shoots, Ms. 
Sharaf, our student intern at the time (funded by the National 
Science Foundation's Research Experience for Undergraduates 
or REU program), documented that these "bushy" plants 
produce 85% fewer seeds than do undamaged plants. A long- 
term experiment later showed that reduced seed output leads 
to reduced seedling recruitment into populations (Price et al. 
2008). 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 2013 


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To answer question 1 we established eight sites, one north of 
the Gothic townsite, one south of it, and three paired sites within 
the townsite. We recorded deer activity in each site for 9 weeks, 
using visual scan-sampling methods. To estimate the number of 
distinct individuals seen, we marked deer with oil-based paint 
delivered via paintball guns. 

To answer question 2, we walked transects along trails and 
unpaved roads and recorded the GPS location of each coyote 
defecation site. We completed one sample early in the summer 
to clear the trails of overwinter scat accumulation. Before 
we could complete a follow-up sample to characterize the 
distribution of coyote summer activity, however, cattle trampled 
the trails, obscuring any fresh coyote scat. Hence we could not 
determine whether coyotes avoided the townsite during the 
summer season; they clearly used the townsite during the winter. 

To answer question 3, we set up 3 paired stations in meadows 
within the RMBL townsite. In one station of each pair, chosen 
at random, we added coyote scent (urine), and in the other 
we added water as a control. The REU students recorded deer 
activity, behavior, and feeding rate as a function of distance from 
the scent or control stations, using both focal-individual and 
scan-sampling techniques. 

To answer question 4, we characterized the fraction of plant 
shoots browsed along transects located in each of the 8 study 
sites. Browsing rates were scored both early and late in the 
summer. 

Results 

We marked 29 deer with paintballs. However, because 
individuals lost their marks when they molted and could have 
been remarked, this is an overestimate of the number of marked 
individuals. 22 distinct individuals were marked in the first two 
weeks of the study, before any marks were lost through molting. 
Since the RMBL townsite contains 0.66 km2 of meadow habitat, 
this corresponds to about 33 deer per km2 of meadow habitat 
(Pickens 201 0). Because we did not succeed in marking all deer, 
actual deer density is higher than this figure. 

Does were observed far more frequently than were bucks. In all, 

1 56 (83%) of a total of 1 87 sightings during scan samples were of 
does. Fawns began to appear on 30 June. 

Deer activity was higher within the townsite than outside of 
it. On average, 0.1 2 deer (0.001 8 per ha) were seen in each 
visual scan of meadows outside of the townsite, whereas 0.54 
deer (0.095 per ha) were seen in each scan of within-townsite 
meadows. This difference in deer activity density was highly 
significant statistically (Castro-Escobar 201 0; FI ,30 = 40.6, P < 
0.0001 ). Deer activity was also higher in the central part of the 
townsite, which had the greatest human activity. 

Deer did not avoid the coyote-scent stations and were not more 
vigilant near scent stations than near control stations. They did, 
however, stay close to the cover of willows - there was more 
activity at stations that were near to willow cover, and more 
activity near willows at the most open site. Bucks were more 
vigilant than does (Pickens 201 0). 

Deer browsed some plant species much more than others 

4 


(Castro-Escobar 201 0). Highly preferred species included 
Aquilegia coerulea (21 % of shoots browsed), Helianthella 
quinquenervis (20% of shoots browsed), Valeriana edulis (1 2%), 
and V. occidentalis (9%). Avoided species included Dugaldia 
hoopsii (2%), Thalictrum fendleri (1 %), and Erigeron speciosus 
(0.4%). These rankings are consistent with Arozqueta's 
observations from 2005. Although browsing rates were positively 
related to deer activity density across sites, the relationship was 
not statistically significant. 

Conclusions 

We established that deer, particularly does, are more abundant 
near areas of high human activity. We also discovered that does 
prefer to stay close to willows. We cannot yet say, however, why 
does prefer to drop their fawns in the Gothic townsite. They did 
not respond to coyote urine, but this does not necessarily mean 
that their choice of fawning sites is unaffected by the distribution 
of predators: they may use multiple cues to assess predator 
abundance and may have learned quickly that coyote urine does 
not mean that coyotes are nearby. It also is possible that they 
perceive coyotes as less dangerous than other predators such as 
mountain lions, which also seem to avoid the townsite. Another 
possibility is that the Gothic townsite has particularly favorable 
willow or meadow habitat, and human or predator activity has 
little to do with choice of fawning sites. We intend to explore 
these possibilities with additional student interns in the future. 

Our plant samples indicate that plants differ in their palatability 
to deer, and that deer can significantly affect the reproduction 
of preferred plant species. There is a suggestion that browsing 
intensity is correlated with deer density, but we will need larger 
sample sizes to be confident of this result. We also will continue 
this aspect of the study. 


Apfelbach, R., CD. Blanchard, R.J. Blanchard, R.A. Hayes, and I.S. 

McGregor. 2005. The effects of predator odors in mammalian prey 
species: A review of field and laboratory studies. Neuroscience and 
Biobehavioral Reviews 29:1 1 23-1 1 44. 

Arozqueta, R. 2005. Impacts of mule deer herbivory on herbaceous 
vegetation in the Gothic area, with focus on Aquilegia caerulea. 
RMBL-REU Project Report. 

Beschta, R.L., and W.J. Ripple. 2009. Large predators and trophic cascades 
in terrestrial ecosystems of the western United States. Biological 
Conservation 742:2401-2414. 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 201 3 


Castro Escobar, B.D. 2010. The effect of an introduced predator scent 
on mule deer [Odocoileus hemionus) browsing activities in meadow 
habitats in Gothic, Colorado. REU report. 

Gill, R.B. 2001 . Declining mule deer populations in Colorado: Reasons 
and responses. Colorado Division of Wildlife Special Report 77. 

Harrington, J. L. and M. R. Conover. 2007. Does removing coyotes for 
livestock protection benefit free-ranging ungulates? Journa/ of 
Wildlife Management 71 -A 555-1 560. 

Hebblewhite, M., C.A. White, C.G. Nietvelt, and J.A. McKenzie. 2005. 
Human activity mediates a trophic cascade caused by wolves. 
Eco/ogy 86:2 135-2144. 

Lingle, S. 2002. Coyote predation and habitat segregation of white-tailed 
deer and mule deer. Ecology 83:2037-2048. 

Patterson, B.R., and F. Messier. 2003. Age and condition of deer killed by 
coyotes in Nova Scotia. Canadian Journal of Zoology 81:1894-1898. 


Pickens, R. 2010. The landscape of fear and trophic cascades: Does 
human presence at RMBL affect deer behavior? REU report. 

Pojar,T.M., and D.C. Bowden. 2004. Neonatal mule deer fawn survival in 
west-central Colorado. 7ouma/ of Wildlife Management 68:550-560. 

Price, M.V., D.R. Campbell, N.M. Waser, and A.K. Brody. 2008. Bridging 
the generation gap in plants: From parental fecundity to offspring 
demography. Ecology 89:1 596-1 604. 

Rooney, T.P., and D.M.Waller. 2003. Direct and indirect effects of white- 
tailed deer in forest ecosystems. Forest Ecology and Management 
181:165-176. 

Sharaf, K.E., and M.V. Price. 2004. Does pollination limit tolerance to 
browsing in Ipomopsis aggregatal Oecologia 138: 396-404. 

Photos in this article by Mary Price 


ILLUSIVE AND 1JNUSUAL COLORADO RESIDENTS 
by Dr. Charles Feddetna 


SMECIO PORTERI, This ragwort, which could be christened Porter’s 
senecio, has been included In the Fish and Wildlife Services proposed 
llet of endangered pLanta, It belongs to the family of conposites or 
Aateraceae, and has a cluster of STaall yellow flowers resembling a 
small dandelion. 

It la a perennial, having underground etema or rhlsaine? from which 
upright flowering shoots arise forming dust era The plant is completely 
bailies g with one or two broad, purpllsb, basal leaves wicli very shallow 
teeth and rather long stalks or petioles^ The upright stem^ about 
2 to 4 inches tall* has a few smaller, more rounded leaves and ends in 
a single bell-shaped head of yellow-orange flowers. 

This seneclo has been observed a few times in areas near OoChlc in 
northern Gunnleon County and perhaps once In southern Pickln County, 

Sojfia botanists also believe that a single plant once collected In 
northeastern Oregon should be considered the aame species. 

Much more needs to be known about this plants and perhaps a search 
will Indicate that it is not as rare as thought to be. 

Article from Colorado Native Plant Society Newsletter, Volume 1, Number 1, Jan.-Feb. 1977 
http://rudr.coalliance.Org/fedora/repository/codr:2384 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 2013 


5 


The Next Generation Flora of Colorado 

by Jennifer Ackerfield 


It is in our innate human 
nature to want to classify 
and identify the natural 
world around us. And 
who among us doesn't 
delight in keying out a 
plant, relishing in the 
victory when you have 
finally figured out what 
you are holding? The 
sense of accomplishment 
and pride achieved at 
cy knowing that you, yes you, just keyed 

out a plant! It is with this approach in 
mind that I embarked upon a task many years ago, writing The 
Flora of Colorado. Frustrated by incomplete and challenging keys, 
and discovering countless misidentifications based on these keys, 
I decided to write my own keys to the flora of Colorado. It is my 
goal that just about anyone can pick up the book, and using the 
keys and photographs included, properly key out a plant with 
confidence. 

Colorado has a rich diversity of ecosystems and ranges from 
3,500 ft. to over 14,000 ft. in elevation, supporting approximately 
3,600 taxa. Presently, identifying a plant in Colorado can be quite 
challenging for students as well as amateur and professional 
botanists. The material available is either outdated (Harrington, 

1 954), incomplete for the state (Cronquist et al., 1 977, 1 984, 1 994, 
1 997; Dorn, 2001 ; Welsh, 2003), or does not follow the current 
classification based on the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group III 
(Weber & Wittmann, 201 2). In writing The Flora of Colorado, I 
have striven to use the most easily recognizable morphological 
characteristics to separate taxonomic groups, making a more 
user-friendly key. 

In addition to the user-friendly keys, I have also included a 
short species description, the general distribution, elevation 
range, habit, and flowering time for each species. There will 
also be county distribution maps present next to each species 
description so that one can easily visualize where each species 
occurs in Colorado. I also plan to include color photographs 
of key morphological characteristics and color photographs of 
several species present across the state to aid in identification. 
Including photographs of the key morphological characteristics 
to compare against will greatly aid in plant identification. When 
one can compare specimens to a photograph of a verified, known 
identification, it makes it much easier to properly identify plants. 
These photographs also easily illustrate complex morphological 
characters that can be difficult to describe, but easy to see and 
compare. Imagine keying out a Carex, or sedge, and having 
photographs of the perigynia (the key diagnostic character 
separating these species) of Carex species in Colorado to cross- 
reference. Or, keying out a member of the Poaceae or grass 
family and having photographs of grass florets to compare your 
specimen against. This would make keying out a plant much 
faster, efficient, and confirmed with confidence. I have taken 
hundreds of photographs of key morphological characteristics 


with the aid of a camera mounted onto a microscope. These 
photographs were done on verified herbarium specimens. 

Including color photographs of plant species will enable 
someone to quickly identify the most common plants in the 
state. I have personally taken hundreds of photographs of the 
flora of Colorado, and with each plant photographed I have also 
taken a voucher specimen for preservation at the Colorado State 
University Herbarium. This ensures that each photograph is 
indeed identified correctly. The inclusion of color photographs 
will appeal to professional and amateur botanists alike, and 
make the book visually appealing as well. In addition, the color 
photographs will bridge the gap between a purely scientific, 
dichotomous key and a purely photograph-based book. 

I have been sending drafts of The Flora of Colorado to botanists 
around the state of Colorado for many years, and have received 
very positive feedback. People generally have a much easier 
and faster experience keying out a plant using the keys I have 
written, even without the inclusion of the photographs! For 
example, when keying out an Astragalus (a large genus of over 
1 20 species in the Fabaceae, or pea, family), one is presented with 
a challenging situation. I wrote the key to the genus Astragalus 
so that someone can key out a species whether it is in flower or 
in fruit. It makes for a longer key overall, but the success rate 
is much higher and identification time is much quicker. The 
Brassicaceae (mustard family) can also be a challenge to key 
out. Instead of relying solely on the fruiting characteristics in 
Brassicaceae, I use hair characteristics first to reach the major 
subgroups, and then use flowering and fruiting characters to 
reach the proper identification. Botanists have also aided in 
reviewing the dichotomous keys over a number of years, making 
the keys the most reliable and robust possible. The taxonomy 
of the flora generally follows the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group 
III (201 3) guidelines, also providing a much needed update to 
family taxonomy for the Colorado flora and reflecting a modern 
systematic approach to the phylogenetic relationships at the 
family level. 

Studying the flora of Colorado has been a passion of mine 
for more than 1 5 years, and during this time I have gained an 
extensive knowledge of the flora. I received a Master's degree 
in Botany in 2001 from Colorado State University, and I have 
been working as the assistant curator at the Colorado State 
University Herbarium for 1 4 years. During this time, I have 
traveled extensively across the state of Colorado documenting its 
rich floristic diversity, making field observations on species, and 
collecting and photographing the flora. I have used my extensive 
field observations in writing the keys to the flora. In preparing 
The Flora of Colorado, I have personally verified nearly every 
specimen at the CSU Herbarium. This has enabled me to directly 
test the dichotomous keys, and to see what characteristics work 
better than others. Sometimes, what appears to be a great 
taxonomic character for use in distinguishing species may be 
great on paper but nearly impossible to actually see. I have also 
written several taxonomic articles on various aspects of the flora 
of Colorado. Lastly, I teach a class at Colorado State University 


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Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 201 3 


entitled Plant Identification. The main focus of the class is teaching students how to make a plant collection, properly key out a plant, 
and learn the recognition characteristics for the major plant families in Colorado. I make my Flora of Colorado available for students to 
use during this class, and have received very positive feedback (as well as free editing!) from them as well. 

I currently have completed the dichotomous keys for the entire Flora of Colorado, and have included a short introduction as well as a 
reference section, glossary, and index at the back of the book. I envision the Flora published in a 6 ’/z x 9 Vi inch format, with a spiral 
binding. This would make it feasible to carry into the field, and the spiral binding would keep the pages intact in spite of heavy use. 

At the end of this article, I have included a key to the Loasaceae, or stickleaf family in order to give an example of the flora. The 
Loasaceae is a particularly challenging family, and relies heavily on the morphological characteristics of the seeds. Therefore, I have 
also included a sample image of the seeds of several species of the Loasaceae family. I plan to have the Flora completed and published 
within the next year, so that everyone in Colorado can key out a plant and hopefully have a little fun doing it too! 

References: 

Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, and J.L. Reveal. (1972). Intermountain Flora.Wol. 1. New York. :Hafner Publishing. 

Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal, and P .K. Holmgren. (1 977). Intermountain Flora. Vol. 6. New York; Columbia 
University Press. 

Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal, and P .K. Holmgren. (1 984). Intermountain Flora. Vol. 4. Bronx, NY: New York 
Botanical Garden. 

Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal, and P .K. Holmgren. (1 994). Intermountain Flora. Vol. 5. Bronx, NY: New York 
Botanical Garden. 

Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, and P.K. Holmgren. (1997). Intermountain Flora. \/o\. 3A. Bronx, NY: New York Botanical 
Garden. 

Dorn, R.D. (2001). l/ascu/arp/anfs of l/l/yom/ng. 3rd edition. Cheyenne, WY: Mountain West Publishing. 

Harrington, H.D. (1954). Manual of the plants of Colorado. Denver, CO: Sage Books. 

Hill, R.J. (1976). Mentzelia sinuata (Rydb.) R.J. Hill comb. nov. and M. speciosa Osterh. (Loasaceae), a species pair from the Rocky 
Mountain Front Range. Bull. Torr. Bot. Club 1 03: 212-217. 

Holmgren, N.H., P.K. Holmgren, and A. Cronquist. (2005). Intermountain Flora. Vol. 2, part B. Bronx, NY: New York Botanical Garden. 

Holmgren, N.H. and P.K. Holmgren. (2002). New Menfze//as (Loasaceae) from the Intermountain Region of Western United States. 
Systematic Botany 27: 747-762. 

Reveal, J.L. (2002). Mentzelia rhizomata (Loasaceae: Mentzelioideae), a new species from Western Colorado. Systematic Botany 27: 763- 
767. 

Stevens, P. F. (2001 onwards). Angiosperm Phylogeny Website. Version 1 2, July 201 2 [and more or less continuously updated since; last 
updated 6/21/13]. http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/APweb/. 

Weber, W.A. and R.C. Wittmann. (201 2). Colorado Flora: Eastern Slope. 4th Edition. Boulder, CO: University Press of Colorado. 

Weber, W.A. and R.C.Wittmann. (2012). Colorado Flora: Western Slope. 4th Edition. Boulder, CO: University Press of Colorado. 

Welsh, S.L., N.D. Atwood, S. Goodrich, and L.C. Higgins. (2003). A Utah Flora. 3rd Edition. Provo, UT: Brigham Young University, . 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 2013 


7 


LOASACEAE Spreng. - STICKLEAF FAMILY 

Herbs or sometimes shrubs, often covered with large, multicellular hairs; leaves alternate or opposite, simple, entire to sinuate, lobed, or 
dissected, exstipu late; flowers perfect, actinomorphic; sepals (4)-5, distinct, persistent in fruit; petals (4)-5 or 10 when petaloid staminodes 
are present, distinct, usually yellow, sometimes white, rarely orange or red; stamens 5 or 10-many, staminodes often present and sometimes 
petaloid; pistil 1 ; ovary inferior, unicarpellate or 2-5-carpellate; fruit a capsule. 


MENTZELIA L - BLAZINGSTAR 

Annual, biennial, or perennial herbs, often with a woody base, glabrous or covered with large, multicellular hairs, outer bark white and 
exfoliating; leaves alternate; sepals 5; petals 5 or 1 0 (if counting petaloid stamens as petals); stamens 1 0-many, often petaloid staminodes 
present, some cuspidate apically. (Hill, 1 976; Holmgren & Holmgren, 2002; Reveal, 2002) 

The genus Mentzelia poses great difficulties in writing a key. There are several species which can only be properly determined based on seed 
characteristics. However, mature fruit is often not collected and thus proper determination to species can sometimes be almost impossible. It is 
important to note the exact color of the petals on the label as they soon fade to brown. 

1 a. Seeds with narrow, linear, curved grooves, pendulous in the capsule, wingless; capsules curved at the base, small and narrow, mostly 0.7-1 .1 cm 
long and about 2 mm wide; leaves triangular-ovate, coarsely toothed or sometimes the basal leaves somewhat lobed; petals 5, 0.7-1 cm long; 
flowers orange or yellow-orange.../W. oligosperma 

1 b. Seeds variously papillose, horizontal in the capsule and winged (this sometimes very thin) or pendulous in the capsule and unwinged; capsules 
erect, not curved at the base; leaves various but not triangular-ovate, entire or shallowly to deeply pinnately lobed; petals 5 or 1 0 (5 petals 
alternating with 5 petaloid stamens), 0.25-3 cm long; flowers yellow, cream, or white...2 


2a. Petals 5, 0.25-0.7 cm long, glabrous; plants annual or winter annual; seeds angular, pendulous, not winged; capsule narrowly cylindric, 1 -4 mm 
wide...3 

2b. Petals 5 or 1 0, 0.9-8 cm long (if 0.7 cm long, than pubescent on the back); plants biennial or perennial, rarely annual; seeds flattened and winged, 
horizontal in 1 or 2 rows; capsule usually thick-cylindric, bowl-shaped, or urceolate...5 


3a. Leaves deeply pinnately lobed into slender segments, sometimes a few upper ones entire or nearly so; with a dense basal rosette at anthesis; 
flowers subtended by linear or narrowly lanceolate to narrowly ovate bracts; capsule 2-3 mm wide.../M. albicaulis 

3b. Leaves entire or shallowly toothed; usually without a dense basal rosette at anthesis; flowers subtended by oblanceolate or ovate to broadly 
ovate bracts; capsule 1 -4 mm wide...4 


4a. Capsules 1 -1 .6 (2) mm wide; seeds appearing smooth at 1 0X with less pronounced papillae, in 1 row, triangular-prismatic, sharply angled with a 
groove along each angle; stamens numerous...M. dispersa 

4b. Capsules 2-3.5 (4) mm wide; seeds appearing rough at 1 OX with pronounced papillae, in more than 1 row, irregularly angled; stamens few.../M. 
thompsonii 


5a. Plants of the eastern slope...6 
5b. Plants of the western slope...1 4 


6a. Petals large, 4-8 cm long; calyx lobes 1 5-40 mm long; capsules 30-50 mm long...7 
6b. Petals smaller, 0.7-3 cm long; calyx lobes 5-1 5 mm long; capsules 5-30 mm long...8 


7a. Bracts adnate with the capsule; seed with a narrow wing, mostly 0.2-0.3 mm wide; capsule 3.4-4.5 cm long, 1 3-1 8 mm wide; petals 4-8 cm long 
and 1 2-26 mm wide; leaves 5-20 cm long and 1 -3.5 cm wide; calyx lobes 2-3.5 cm long; plants 4-1 0 dm tall...yM. decapetala 

7b. Bracts free from the capsule; seed with a wide wing, 0.6-0.9 mm wide; capsule 2-3 cm long, 8-10 mm wide; petals 2-5 cm long and 3-1 0 mm wide; 
leaves 4-1 0 cm long and 1 -2 cm wide; calyx lobes 1 -2.5 cm long; plants to 1 0 dm tall...A7. nuda 


8a. Bracts subtending the flowers pinnately lobed; flowers white, cream, or pale yellow; plants tall, 5-1 2 dm in height...9 

8b. Bracts subtending the flowers entire or nearly so; flowers white, cream, or pale to golden-yellow; plants usually 5 dm or less in height, sometimes 
to 10 dm...l0 


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Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 201 3 


9a. Flowers white to cream or rarely pale yellow; petals 2-5 cm long; seeds smoother in appearance at 1 0X with less pronounced papillae...yw. nuda 
9b. Flowers pale yellow; petals 1. 5-2.5 cm long; seeds rough in appearance at 10X with numerous pronounced papillae.../M. rusbyi 


1 0a. Plants branched from the base, the entire plant forming a rounded tuft; stem and branches white with the lower part of the stem strongly 
exfoliating, slender and flexuous; leaves narrowly linear-lanceolate, deeply pinnately lobed with rather widely spaced, short segments (mostly 
1-3 mm long), and a narrow midrib (on most leaves 1-2 mm wide); capsule 13-15 mm long; petals 0.8-1. 5 cm long, golden-yellow,..M. densa 

1 0b. Plants with solitary stems that are branched above or occasionally with a few branches at the base, not forming a rounded tuft; stem and 

branches white to yellowish and strongly exfoliating below or not, usually stouter; leaves with the midrib generally wider and the lobes usually 
longer; capsule 1 1 -30 mm long; petals 1 ,2-3 cm long, pale to golden-yellow or white...l 1 


1 1 a. Seeds with a narrow wing (0.1 5-0.3 mm), the surface with numerous papillae, giving the seed a rough appearance at 1 OX; plants decumbent 
at the base with numerous old leaf bases; stem mostly unbranched with numerous, closely massed flowers; upper leaves shallowly dentate or 
sometimes almost entire.../M. chrysantha 

1 1 b. Seeds with a wide wing (0.5-1 mm), the surface smooth or rough at 1 0X; plants erect or occasionally somewhat decumbent at the base, without 
numerous old leaf bases; leaves and stem various, the flowers closely massed or widely spaced...! 2 


1 2a. Seeds rough in appearance at 1 0X with numerous pronounced papillae; flowers pale yellow, cream-colored, or occasionally white.../W. multiflora 
1 2b. Seeds smooth in appearance at 1 OX with less pronounced papillae; flowers bright yellow or rarely pale yellow,.,! 3 


1 3a. Outer fertile stamens with a narrow filament; leaves (at least the upper) usually with a broad and more or less clasping base; plants generally tall, 
to 10 dm in height...yM. reverchonii 

1 3b. Outer fertile stamens with broad filaments, grading to inner stamens with narrow filaments; leaves usually without a 
broad and clasping base; plants generally shorter, 3-5 dm in height...M. speciosa 


14a. Petals 5, rarely more, large (4-8 cm long), white or pale yellow outside and yellow inside except often lighter at the base of the petal; capsules 30- 
50 mm long...yM. laevicaulis 

1 4b. Petals 1 0 (5 petals alternating with 5 petaloid stamens) or sometimes 5, smaller (0.9-2 cm long), white, cream, or yellow, sometimes lighter at the 
base of the petal; capsules 5-28 mm long...l 5 


1 5a. Petals pubescent on the back, at least below the middle; seeds narrowly winged (mostly 0.2-0.25 mm wide), densely papillose and appearing 
rough, the papillae arranged in more or less distinct lines...M. marginata 

1 5b. Petals glabrous on the back or sometimes with a tuft of hairs just at the apex; seeds with a narrow or broad wing to 1 .2 mm wide, smooth or 
densely papillose and rough, the papillae appearing scattered or rarely more or less in lines...l 6 


16a. Leaves mostly entire, linear or lanceolate to narrowly elliptic, sometimes just a few leaves shallowly undulate-dentate with 2-4 lobes on each side 
or pinnately lobed; perennial from rhizomes or a branched caudex; stems freely branched and widely spreading...! 7 

1 6b. Leaves mostly pinnately lobed, or sinuate-dentate to merely toothed, sometimes just a few of the uppermost leaves entire; biennial from taproot 
or perennial from woody caudex; stems various...! 8 


1 7a. Plant from rhizomes; capsules (5) 6-9 mm wide.../M. rhizomata 

1 7b. Plant from a taproot and woody branching caudex; capsules 3.3-5 mm wide.../W. multicaulis 


1 8a. True perennial from a woody branching caudex, freely branched with numerous stems; at least some leaves deeply pinnatifid into linear 
segments about 2 mm wide with the midrib 4 mm wide or less, the tips of the segments rounded, the terminal segment usually elongate; 
capsule 5-9 mm long; seeds usually essentially wingless.../W. multicaulis 

1 8b. Biennials or short-lived perennials from a taproot, stems solitary or sometimes 2-3 from the crown; leaves usually with a wider midrib, not deeply 
pinnatifid into linear segments or if so then the terminal leaf segment tip acute and the capsule 15-20 mm long; capsules 7-30 mm long; seeds 
with a narrow to broad wing...l9 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 2013 


9 


19a. Bracts subtending the flowers lobed or pinnatifid; plants tall, 5-12 dm in height; flowers pale yellow; capsules (15) 20-30 mm long...M. rt/s6y/ 

1 9b. Bracts subtending the flowers entire (look for linear bracts just below the flower); plants generally shorter, mostly 1 -4 dm tall; flowers pale yellow 
to golden yellow; capsules 1 0-25 mm long...20 


20a. Leaves broadly oblanceolate to ovate, often rounded at the apex, very shallowly toothed; seeds 3.5-4.7 mm long, appearing smooth with less 
pronounced papillae at 1 0X, with a broad wing (0.7-1 .3 mm wide); capsules bowl-shaped or rarely short-cylindric, 7-1 0 mm wide and 1 0-1 3 mm 

long.../M. pterosperma 

20b. Leaves linear to narrowly oblanceolate, usually regularly and sometimes even deeply pinnately lobed, seldom shallowly pinnatilobed; capsules 
cylindrical or sometimes bowl-shaped, 4-8 mm wide and 7-25 mm long; seeds 2.3-3.5 mm long, winged but the wing often narrower, 0.1 5-1 mm 
wide;...21 


21 a. Seeds with a narrow wing (0.1 5-0.35 mm wide), rough or smooth in appearance at 1 0X; capsules cylindric...22 

21 b. Seeds with a broad wing (0.5-1 mm wide), rough in appearance at 1 0X with numerous pronounced papillae; capsules cylindric or bowl- 
shaped...23 


22a. Seeds rough in appearance at 1 0X with numerous pronounced papillae; leaves usually deeply pinnately lobed nearly to the midrib with narrow 

lobes...M. laciniata 

22b. Seeds smooth or somewhat roughened in appearance at 1 0X with less pronounced papillae; leaves not deeply lobed nearly to the midrib, 
usually shallowly toothed to pinnately lobed or sometimes nearly ent\re...M. pumila 


23a. Capsules cylindric, (8) 1 1-25 mm long and 5-7 mm thick; petals 10-25 mm long; leaves quite variable, ranging from deeply pinnately lobed to 
shallowly toothed...M. multiflora 

23b. Capsules bowl-shaped, 7-1 0 mm long and 4-6 mm thick; petals 7-1 5 mm long; leaves deeply pinnately lobed nearly to the midrib...M. 
'paradoxica' 


Mentzelia albicaulis {Doug\. ex Hook.) Dougl. exTorr. & Gray, WHITE-STEM BLAZINGSTAR. [Acrolasia albicaulis (Dougl. ex Hook.) Rydb.; M. montana 
(Davidson) Davidson]. Annual; stems 8-40 cm tall, white; leaves sessile, oblanceolate, lanceolate, or linear, 3-1 5 cm long, nearly entire to lobed or 
sinuate-pinnatifid; petals 5, 2-4 mm long, yellow; seeds irregularly angled, wingless. Common in a variety of soil types, often in dry or disturbed 
areas, scattered across the state, 4500-7500 ft. May-July. E/W. 


Mentzelia chrysantha Engelm. ex Brandeg., GOLDEN BLAZINGSTAR. [Nuttalliia chrysantha (Engelm. ex Brandeg.) Greene]. Biennial; stems 30-60 cm 
tall; leaves 5-1 5 cm long, lanceolate, nearly entire to shallowly dentate; petals 1 0, 1 5-20 mm long, yellow; seeds with a narrow wing 0.1 5-0.3 mm 
wide, the surface with numerous papillae, giving the seed a rough appearance at 1 0X. Uncommon on limestone outcroppings between Canon 
City and Pueblo (Fremont and Pueblo Cos.), 5100-5700 ft. July-Sept. E. Endemic. 


Mentzelia decapetala {Pursh ex Sims) Urb. & Gilg ex Gilg, TEN-PETAL BLAZINGSTAR. [Nuttallia decapetala (Pursh ex Sims) Greene]. Biennial or 
perennial; stems 40-100 cm tall; leaves lanceolate, sinuate-pinnatifid, 5-20 cm x 1-3.5 cm; petals 10, 4-8 cm long, white; seeds 3 mm long, with a 
thin wing 0.2-0.3 mm wide. Common on dry slopes and along roadsides, scattered across the eastern plains to the base of the foothills, 3500- 
7000 ft. July-Sept. E. 


Mentzelia densa Greene, ROYAL GORGE BLAZINGSTAR. [Nuttallia densa (Greene) Greene]. Perennial, much-branched from the base forming a 
hemispherical tuft; stems 20-50 cm tall; leaves narrowly linear-lanceolate, sinuate-pinnatifid into linear segments; petals 1 0, 1 0-20 mm long, 
golden-yellow; seeds 2.5-3.5 mm long, with a wing ca 0.5 mm wide. Uncommon in dry, rocky soil, known from the Arkansas River Canyon from 
Canon City to Salida (Chaffee and Fremont Cos.), 5800-7200 ft. July-Sept. E. Endemic. 


Mentzelia dispersa S.WIatson, NEVADA BLAZINGSTAR. [Acrolasia dispersa (S. Watson) Davidson], Annual; stems 10-40 cm tall, white, simple or 
branched, usually finely hispid; leaves oblanceolate to linear, 2-8 cm long, usually entire or sometimes lobed; petals 5, 1 -3 (5) mm long, yellow; 
seeds prismatic, with grooved angles. Rather uncommon, found on dry slopes, sometimes in disturbed areas, scattered across the state except 
absent from the eastern plains, 4600-8300 ft. May-July. E/W. 


10 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 201 3 


Mentzelia laciniata (Rydb.) J. Dari., CUTLEAF BLAZINGSTAR. [Nuttallia laciniata (Rydb.) Woot. & Standi.]. Biennial or perennial; stems 30-50 cm tall, 
branched above; leaves lanceolate, deeply pinnatifid into narrow segments; petals 1 0, 1 5-20 mm long, yellow; seeds rough in appearance at 1 0X 
with numerous pronounced papillae, with a narrow wing 0.1 5-0.35 mm wide. Uncommon in dry, open places, known from the southwest part of 
the state (Archuleta, Montezuma Cos.), 6500-7500 ft. June-Aug. W. 


Mentzelia laevicaulis (Hook.) Torr. & Gray, SMOOTH-STEM BLAZINGSTAR. Perennial; stems 30-1 00 cm tall, simple or branched above; leaves 2-20 
cm long, lanceolate to oblanceolate, sinuate-pinnatifid with shallow lobes; petals 5, 4-8 cm long, light yellow; seeds 4-4.5 mm long, with a broad 
wing. Reported for Colorado from near Slater in Moffat Co., but no specimens from Colorado have been seen; found in dry, open places, 7500- 
7800 ft. May-Sept. W. 


Mentzelia marginata (Osterh.) H.J.Thomps. & Prigge, COLORADO BLAZINGSTAR. [Nuttallia marginata Osterh.j. Perennial; stems 10-40 cm tall, 
erect, simple or branched; leaves lanceolate to oblanceolate, shallow to deeply lobed or dentate; petals 5, alternating with 5 petaloid stamens, 

1 2-1 5 mm long, yellow, the outer ones hairy below; seeds 2.5-3 mm long, with a narrow wing 0.1 5-0.3 mm wide. Found on clay, shale, and sandy 
slopes in the western counties, 4500-6800 ft. May-Sept. W. 

There are two varieties of M. marginata in Colorado: 

1 a. Petals 5, alternating with 5 petaloid stamens bearing anthers; leaves generally wider, to 25 mm wide, not deeply lobed and merely crenate- 
margined...var. marginata, COLORADO BLAZINGSTAR. Uncommon on clay and shale slopes in the western counties (Delta, Garfield, Mesa, and 
Montrose Cos.), 4600-6500 ft. May-Aug. W. 

1 b. Petals 5, alternating with 5 petaloid stamens not bearing anthers; leaves generally narrower, to 1 5 mm wide, deeply pinnately lobed with lobes 
2-10 mm long, or sometimes just the basal leaves merely crenate-margined...var. cronquistii (H.J. Thomps. & Prigge) N.H. Holmgren & P.K. 
Holmgren, CRONQUIST'S BLAZINGSTAR. [Nuttallia cronquistii (H.J.Thomps. & Prigge) N.H. Holmgren & P.K. Holmgren]. Found on shale, clay, and 
sandy slopes in the southwestern counties (Dolores, Mesa, Montezuma, Montrose, San Miguel), 4500-6800 ft. May-Sept. W. 


Mentzelia multicaulis (Osterhout) A. Nels. ex J. Dari., MANYSTEM BLAZINGSTAR. [Nuttallia multicaulis Osterh.]. Perennial from a woody branching 
caudex; stems 20-40 cm tall, diffusely branched, white; leaves lanceolate, entire to deeply pinnately lobed into narrow segments; petals 5, yellow, 
7-20 mm long; seeds 1 .5-3.5 mm long, essentially wingless. Found on dry or shale slopes, 5000-8700 ft. June-Aug. W. 

There are two varieties of M, multicaulis in Colorado: 

1 a. Petaloid stamens oblanceolate or narrowly spatulate, gradually tapering to the base; leaves mostly entire...var. multicaulis. Found on shale 
slopes and sandy roadsides, known from Eagle, Garfield, Grand, and Summit Cos., 5000-8700 ft. June-Aug. W. 

1 b. Petaloid stamens obovate to rhomboidal, abruptly tapering at the base; leaves mostly pinnatifid...var. uintahensis N. Holmgren & P. Holmgren, 
UINTAH BLAZINGSTAR. Found on shale and limestone slopes, known from Mesa, Moffat, and Rio Blanco Cos., 5900-7200 ft. June-July (Aug.). W. 


Mentzelia multiflora (Nutt.) Gray, ADONIS BLAZINGSTAR. [Nuttallia multiflora (Nutt.) Greene]. Perennial; stems 40-80 cm tall; leaves 2-12 cm long, 
lanceolate to oblanceolate, pinnatifid; petals 1 0, 9-1 5 (20) mm long, pale yellow, cream-colored, or occasionally white; seeds 3-3.5 mm long, with 
a broad wing 0.7-1 mm wide, rough in appearance at 1 0X with numerous pronounced papillae. Common in the middle counties from the high 
plains to mountains, scattered in the westernmost counties, usually in sandy soil, 5000-9600 ft. May-Sept. E/W. 


Mentzelia nuda (Pursh) Torr. & Gray, WHITE-FLOWERED BLAZINGSTAR. [Nuttallia nuda (Pursh) Greene]. Biennial or perennial; stems 1 5-50 cm tall, 
branched or simple; leaves 3-5 cm long, lanceolate to narrowly elliptic, shallowly pinnatifid; petals 10, 20-50 mm long, white to cream, subtended 
by pinnatifid bracts; seeds 3-4.2 mm long, with a broad wing 0.8-1 mm wide, smoother in appearance at 10X with less pronounced papillae. 
Common on the eastern plains, 3500-6500 ft. July-Sept. E. 


Mentzelia oligosperma Nutt, ex Sims, CHICKEN-THIEF. Perennial; stems 20-70 cm tall, much-branched, white; leaves 1 -6 cm long, triangular-ovate, 
coarsely toothed or sometimes the basal leaves somewhat lobed; petals 5, 8-1 5 mm long, orange to yellow-orange; seeds pendulous in the 
capsule, wingless, narrow, linear, with curved grooves. Found on rocky outcroppings at the base of the Front Range in Larimer Co., and on rocky 
slopes and canyons in the southeastern counties (Baca, Fremont, Las Animas, Otero, and Pueblo), 4000-5700 ft. June-Aug. E. 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 2013 


11 


Mentzelia'paradoxica', PARADOX VALLEY BLAZINGSTAR (undescribed species). Biennial or perennial; stems 40-80 cm tall; leaves 2-12 cm long, 
lanceolate to oblanceolate, deeply pinnatifid nearly to the midrib into linear lobes; petals 1 0, 9-1 5 (20) mm long, pale yellow or cream-colored; 
seeds 3-3.5 mm long, with a broad wing 0.7-1 mm wide, rough in appearance at 1 0X with numerous pronounced papillae. Uncommon on 
gypsum or shale soil, known from Montrose Co., 5500-6000 ft, W. 

There are quite possibly two species represented here. Mentzelia 'parocloxica' from Paradox Valley on gypsum soil with deeply lobed leaves with 
long lobes (4-9 mm), and an elongate terminal lobe (8-1 2 mm) that is 2-3 times as long as the other lobes. The other species is M. 'undescribed' 
from just south of the Delta/Montrose county line off of Peach Valley Rd. on mancos clay shale. It has regularly and evenly pinnatilobed leaves 
with shorter lobes (1 .5-3 mm) and a short terminal lobe (2-3 mm) that is not more elongated than the other lobes. The fruit from the specimen 
from Peach Valley Rd. was not mature, but the wing appeared about 0.5 mm wide and the surface was probably rough. In addition, although the 
specimens are both in Montrose Co. they are separated by the Uncompahgre Plateau and occur on different substrates. 


Mentzelia pterosperma Eastw., WINGSEED BLAZINGSTAR. [Nuttallia pterosperma (Eastw.) Greene]. Biennial or perennial; stems 10-20 cm tall, 

divaricately branched from the base; leaves 3-7 cm long, broadly oblanceolate to ovate, shallowly pinnatifid to dentate; petals 1 0, 1 0-1 5 (20) mm 
long, golden-yellow; seeds 3.5-4,7 mm long, with a broad wing 0.7-1 .3 mm wide, appearing smooth at 1 0X. Uncommon on dry or shale slopes, 
known from Delta, Garfield, Hinsdale, Mesa, Montrose, and San Miguel Cos., 4600-6500 ft. May-Aug. W. 


/Wentzc/fa pumf'/a Nutt. exTorr.& Gray, WYOMING STICKLEAF. Biennial or short-lived perennial; stems 20-60 cm tall, mostly branched above; leaves 
lanceolate to oblong, 9-15 (20) cm long, shallowly pinnatifid to sinuate-dentate; petals 10, 9-15 mm long, yellow; seeds 2.5-3.5 mm long, with a 
narrow wing 0.1 5-0.35 mm wide, smooth or somewhat roughened in appearance at 1 0X with less pronounced papillae. Uncommon in dry, open 
places in sandy soil, barely entering Colorado in northwestern Moffat Co., 5500-7900 ft. May-Aug. W. 


Mentzelia reverchonii {\Jrb.8iGi\g) H.J.Thomp. &Zavort., REVERCHON'S BLAZINGSTAR. [Nuttallia reverchonii (Urb. & Gilg) W.A. Weber]. Perennial; 
stems to 1 00 cm tall, white, branched above; leaves lanceolate to oblong, shallowly pinnatifid to dentate; petals 1 0 or more, 1 0-30 mm long, 
golden-yellow; seeds 3.5-5 mm long, with a broad wing ca 1 mm wide. Uncommon on the shortgrass prairie in the southeastern counties (Bent, 
Las Animas, Prowers), 3800-5500 ft. May-Aug. E. 


Mentzelia rhizomata Reveal, ROAN CLIFFS BLAZINGSTAR. [Colorado specimens were previously misassigned to M. argillosa J. Dari.]. Perennial 
from rhizomes; stems 1 0-25 cm tall, widely spreading, freely branched, white; leaves 1 .5-4.5 cm long, lanceolate to obovate, entire or shallowly 
sinuate-dentate; petals 5, alternating with 5 petaloid stamens, 9-15 mm long, yellow; seeds 2-3 mm long, with a narrow wing 0.2-0.3 mm wide, 
minutely papillate. Found on talus and shale slopes of the Green River Formation on the Roan Plateau (Garfield Co.), 5500-9100 ft. June-Aug. W. 
Endemic. 


Mentzelia rusbyiVJoot., RUSBY'S BLAZINGSTAR. [Nuttallia rusbyi (Woot.) Rydb.]. Biennial or short-lived perennial; stems 20-50 cm tail, white, 
branched above; leaves 5-25 cm long, oblanceolate to oblong, entire to shallowly sinuate-dentate; petals 5, 1 5-30 mm long, creamy yellow; 
seeds ca4 mm long, with a broad wing 1-1.5 mm wide. Found in dry, open places, along roadsides, scattered in the intermontane basins across 
the state, absent from the eastern plains, 6000-9500 ft. June-Sept. E/W. 


Mentzelia speciosa Osterh., JEWELED BLAZINGSTAR. [Nuttallia speciosa (Osterh.) Greene]. Biennial or perennial; stems 30-50 dm, branched above; 
leaves 8-1 5 cm long, linear to oblong-lanceolate, shallowly sinuate-dentate to dentate-pinnatifid; petals 1 0, 1 5-20 mm long, yellow; seeds 3-3.5 
mm long, with a broad wing 0.7-1 mm wide, smooth in appearance at 1 0X. Common along the Front Range and high plains on rocky slopes or 
in sandy soil, 5000-9000 ft. June-Aug. E. 

Mentzelia speciosa and M. sinuata have traditionally been separated as distinct species based on the work of Hill (1976). However, these two species 
are extremely difficult to separate based on the characteristics provided by Hill (see key below). Specimens have been seen with a mixture of 
characteristics from each species, and it seems that assignments to either species are rather arbitrary based on which leaves on the plant one is 
examining. In addition, the ranges of the two species completely overlap and there are no discernable differences in seed characteristics. Leaf 
morphology in the genus Mentzelia is quite variable, and thus I am including M. sinuata as a variety of M speciosa: 

1 a. Upper leaves linear to linear-lanceolate, much smaller than the lower leaves, the teeth usually acute...var. speciosa, JEWELED BLAZINGSTAR. 
Common along the Front Range and high plains on rocky slopes or in sandy soil, 5000-9000 ft. June-Aug. E. 

1 b. Upper leaves wider, about the same size as the leaves below, the teeth usually obtuse or rounded. ..var. sinuata (Rydb.) Ackerfield, comb, nov., 
LEECHLEAF BLAZINGSTAR. [=M. sinuata (Rydb.) R.J. Hill; Nuttallia sinuata (Rydb.) Daniels]. Found in the northern Front Range and adjacent high 
plains (Boulder and Larimer Cos.), 5200-6900 ft. June-Aug. E. 


Mentzelia thompsonii Glad, THOMPSON'S STICKLEAF. [Acrolasia humilis Osterhout]. Annual; stems 10-20 cm tall, simple or branched above; leaves 
lanceolate to ovate, to 7 cm long, entire or with a few shallow lobes; petals 5, 1-4 mm long, yellow; seeds irregularly angled, 1.5-2 mm long. 
Rather uncommon, found on dry, clay and shale slopes, 4900-8600 ft. May-June. W. 


12 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 201 3 


Sample figure for Flora of Colorado 

Mentzelia seeds: 


Mentzelia chrysamho seed 


Mentzelia densa seed 


Mentzelia dispersa seeds 


Menizelia ladniata ^eed Mf^n tielia iaei^kauSh seed Mentzelia multiflofa seed 

(rough irt appearance) 


o//gospt'mj{ii Mentzelia pteio^ipernKt MenUetia pumfla seed 

seeds in capsule seed 


Mentzelia re\/efC.honfi Mentzelia ruibyi seed Men tzelia speeioia seed 

seed (s riioul h i ii a ppea ra rice) 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 2013 


13 


Conservation Corner: Oil, Gas, Native Plants and US 

by Mo Ewing 


"On March 201 3, "Citing 

what he calls "overwhelming 

support", U.S. Sen. Michael 

Bennet introduced a bill 

seeking to limit oil and gas 

development in the 221, 000- 

acre Thompson Divide 

area south of Glenwood 

Springs."’ And then on June 

25, 201 3 in a different part of 

Colorado, "The La Plata County 

Commissioners voted 2-1 to 

send a letter to BLM's Helen 

Hankins, asking the agency 

to hold off on leasing the 12 

parcels until it's completed 

, , a master leasing plan, 

PhotobyGifrordEwingwww.ewingphoto.com ... , , 

which would cover 

where and how oil and gas development occurs in the area."’ 
These are but two of many examples of the increasing number of 
conflicts occurring in Colorado around energy development. 

In the case of La Plata County, in February 201 3, Helen Hankins, 
the Colorado Director of the BLM, offered to lease 12,100 acres 
of BLM land to energy companies for oil and gas development. 
Some of the parcels were within eight miles as the crow flies 
from the entrance of Mesa Verde National Park. Because Mesa 
Verde National Park has over 4,000 archeological sites, the Forest 
Service and others in the area expressed concerns about oil and 
gas development so close to the park.^ 

The BLM withdrew the leases from the February sale according 
to BLM spokeswoman Vanessa Lacayo, and after addressing the 
concerns, resubmitted them for sale in November, saying that the 
parcels may have more conditions for development attached to 
them than they did in February. The resubmission of the parcels 
lead to the County Commissioners letter cited above. 

The parcel sale was posted from August 16-30 during the "protest 
period"for public input. 

The position taken by the La Plata County Commissioners makes 
very good sense. BLM lands are owned by all of us, and in that 
respect we all should have a right to help decide which of the 
lands that the BLM owns are appropriate for energy development 
(whether oil and gas or renewable energy like solar and wind) 
and which should be set aside to preserve other valuable 
biologic, geologic or archeological resources. 

In the case of the Thompson Divide the situation was somewhat 
different. In 2003 the BLM sold 25 oil and gas leases to SG 
Interests and Ursa Resource Group for oil and gas development. 
Many of these leases were not considered to be very valuable 
as they were purchased for the minimal allowable bid of $2.00 
per acre. In the intervening years none of these leases were 
developed. Under normal circumstances oil and gas leases 
expire after ten years if they are not developed. However, both 


companies wished to maintain their hold on the leases in case 
they wanted to develop them in the future so they asked the BLM 
to"suspend"the leases allowing them to hold them beyond their 
termination date. In May, the local BLM field office granted the 
suspension, allowing the companies to keep their leases for an 
additional year. 

Wilderness Workshop, Pitkin County, the town of Carbondale and 
the city of Glenwood Springs filed appeals to the BLM to overturn 
the BLM field office's decision.^ This, and other actions by the 
local communities, led to Bennet's filing a bill in the US Senate to 
protect Thompson Divide from further oil and gas development. 
Thompson Divide, located just southwest of Carbondale, is an 
area that the local communities rely on for tourism. In addition, 
it contains excellent mid-level wildlife habitat, grazing lands 
for several ranches and roadless back-country territory. The 
Thompson Divide Coalition, a citizen's group opposed to oil and 
gas development, has even offered to buy the leases from the 
companies. 


Photo by Gifford Ewing www.ewingphoto.com 


Like the areas around Mesa Verde, areas such as the Thompson 
Divide should be part of a larger planning process that 
determines which areas of our state are appropriate for energy 
development and which areas should be preserved for other 
uses. In addition it is very important that the BLM steer a 
balanced approach in its decisions on land use and not overturn 
its own policies to favor energy development. In addition to the 
questionable lease suspensions, 82 of the leases originally sold 
on Thompson Divide did not take into consideration National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental analyses that 
were conducted in 1993 before the drafting of the 2003 leases.'^ 
This may have been a violation of the law. 

In her confirmation hearings this spring, Sally Jewell, the new 
Secretary of the Interior, said "that we would listen to people 
on the ground about what they want for the lands around their 
areas, what are the special places that they feel strongly should 
be conserved, what are the areas that have high potential for 
development."^ Let us hope that she follows up her words with 
action. 

In the middle of this maelstrom of titanic forces, tourism, 
ranching, hunting, outdoor recreation, counties, cities and towns 
vs. oil and gas development sit our little native plants and plant 
Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 201 3 


14 


communities. The Colorado Native Plant Society is one of their main advocates but we are a pretty small voice in all of this. If we 
were to be more of a force we would need a lot more resources than we have. 

For now, if we wish to comment on any oil and gas leases (the BLM offers scores of leases quarterly) we are told to be very specific 
and discuss particular plants and particular locations. To do that would require full-time staff with GIS capability. It would also 
require access to the Colorado Natural Heritage Program's GIS database of rare plant and plant community locations. But we only 
have volunteers and we only have free access to the Heritage Program's list of rare plants and plant communities by map quad. 
Detailed information will only be provided if we pay a $250 base fee plus $ 1 00 per spec 

So we know that Penstemon breviculus lives within eight miles of the entrance to Mesa 
Verde National Park as do Populus angustifolia/Alnus incana woodlands. We know that 
Platanthera sparsiflora var. ensifolia (Platanthera tescamnis ) lives somewhere up in the 
Thompson Divide as do Abies lasiocarpa/Rubus parviflorus (Rubacer parvifJorum) forests, 
but we don't know exactly where they live. And even if we did, the Heritage program 
is unlikely to know all of the locations where these occurrences are found. It is no 
accident that so many rare plant and plant community locations are documented near 
roads and trails. There are lots of places in Colorado where we haven't even looked yet. 

That is why we need to protect large areas of contiguous ecosystems from any kind of 
development; and that's why we should step back and do some thoughtful planning 
about which areas should be left untouched for future generations to enjoy. Penstemon breviculus 

Photo © Al Schneider www.swcoloradowildflowers.com 

Footnotes: 

1 Dennis Webb. "Bennet offers Thompson Divide bill". The Doily Sentinel. 22 March 201 3. Web. 6 July 201 3. <http://www.gjsentinel.com/breaking/ 

articles/bennet-offers-thompson-divide-bill/>. 

2 Cathy Proctor. "Feds to re-offer oil and gas leases near Mesa Verde National Park". Denver Business Journal; Energy Inc Newsletter, 28 June 

201 3. Web. 6 July 201 3. <http://www.bizjournals.com/ denver/blog/earth_to_power/201 3/06/feds-to-re-offer-land-near-colorados. 
html?page=all> 

3 Scott Conden. "Appeals filed over Thompson Divide Plan". /AspenT/mes. 7 May 2003. Web. 8 July 201 3. <http://www.aspentimes.com/ 

news/641 7834-1 1 3/leases-gas-divide-thompson>. 

4 Tim Mutrie. "BLM: Problems exist with some Divide gas leases". Aspen Daily News Online. 10 June 201 3. Web 8 July 2013. <http://www. 

aspendailynews.com/section/home/158243>. 

5 Lee Davidson. "Visiting Utah, Interior Secretary urges balanced federal land use." Salt Lake Tribune. 28 June 2013. Web. 8 July 2013. <http:// 

www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/56528756-90/areas-balance-balanced-federal.html.csp> 


201 3-201 4 WORKSHOPS 


The Colorado Native Plant Society workshops are exceptional 
learning experiences for professional and amateur botanists 
alike. Our speakers are experts on Colorado flora and are very 
generous in sharing their knowledge and time. They come with 
plant samples and hands-on exercises designed to expand your 
plant identification skills and ecological understanding. 

Workshops are held at various locations, usually along the Front 
Range. The cost is $25 for members. To register, visit www. 
conps.org. Click on the Activities/Workshops page. You can 

pay with Paypal or credit card, or send a check made payable 
to CoNPS to: CoNPS, c/o Linda Smith at 4057 Cottonwood Dr, 
Loveland, CO 80538. 

Workshops begin at 9 a.m. and end between 2 and 3 p.m. We 
suggest participants bring a lunch and any other materials, as 
noted below, for each workshop. Each workshop has a limited 
number of seats - usually between 1 2 and 20, depending on 
location. We encourage you to register early. 

Workshops are organized by CoNPS Workshop Coordinator 
Linda Hellow with input from Workshop Committee Members: 
Steve Olson of Pueblo West; and Denise Wilson of Golden. If 
you have suggestions for future workshops or if you would 
like to join the committee, please contact Linda Hellow at 

Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 2013 


conpsworkshops@gmail.com. For any questions regarding 
registration, please contact Linda Smith at conpsoffice@aol. 
com. For questions about workshop content or locations, 
please contact Linda Hellow at conpsworkshops@gmail.com. 

Please check the website periodically for updates and 
additional workshops. 

Restoration Case Study 

Saturday, October 5, 201 3 
9 am to 3 pm 

Jefferson County Extension Office, Golden 
Presenter: Andy Herb 

Ecologist Andy Herb takes us on a tour of the 1 00-acre 
Harriman Reservoir site where he led Denver Water's effort to 
re-establish five acres of wetlands and three acres of riparian 
habitat after raising the water level in the lake three feet. The 
work involved the removal of invasive Russian olive; treatment 
of numerous other noxious weeds, extensive earthwork, the 
salvage and planting of almost 1 0,000 trees and shrubs, the 
planting of more than 6,500 wetland plants and 3,500 other 
shrubs, and seeding riparian and upland areas. On-going 

Continued on page 16 


15 


201 3-2014 CoNPS Workshop Schedule 

(cont from page 15) 


Photo by Andy Herb 


Restoration Case Study 

(cont from page 15) 

work involves noxious weed mapping and management, and 
vegetation monitoring to measure plant diversity and cover 
using both line-intercept and modified Daubenmire methods. 

In 201 2, Andy identified 1 38 plant species at the site! We'll 
discuss the circumstances that created such diversity, and the 
construction and monitoring of this unique site. We will start the 
workshop in the classroom where Andy will provide an overview 
of the project. Then, we'll go to the nearby site to investigate the 
developing plant communities and discuss the successes and 
failures experienced so far. 

Andy Herb has over 14 years of experience working as an ecologist 
in the Rocky Mountain Region and internationally. As the owner 
ofAlpineEco, an ecological consulting firm, his work focuses on 
wetland, wildlife, and vegetation studies. He is the owner of the new 
AlpineEco Nursery, which provides wetland and riparian plants and 
installation services for restoration projects. He is the president of the 
Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists. 

Sagebrush of Colorado 

Saturday, November 2 or Sunday, November 3, 201 3 
Colorado Natural Heritage Program Office, Colorado State 
University, Ft. Collins 

Presenters: Bernadette Kuhn and Pam Smith 

The sagebrush of Colorado plays a significant role in the ecology 
of our landscape. Its management can be very important and 
the subspecies are crucial to diagnose because they deal with 
disturbance, fire and different management practices very 
differently. Spectacular wildflowers, including rare plants, and 
animals are found in sagebrush. Join us as we take you through 
some of the fascinating aspects of this group of plants and offer 
you some fun and easy tricks to identify, down to subspecies, 
some of the most common woody species of sagebrush in 
our state. You will receive a workbook and a variety of keys to 
take with you and we will provide you with the most current 
information on this aromatic group of plants. Bring your hand 
lens, lunch and prepare to fall in love with the sagebrush of 
Colorado! 


Photo by Sally L White 


Bernadette Kuhn and Pam Smith are botanists with the Colorado 
Natural Heritage Program where they monitor more than 500 
globally and/or state imperiled plants. 


Lichen Biology - Exploring a Remarkable 
Symbiosis 

Saturday, December 7 or Sunday, December 8 
9 am to 3 pm at CU Boulder Campus, Boulder 
Presenter: Erin Tripp, PhD 

Unlike other forms of life, lichens have capacity to colonize nearly 
all terrestrial habitats on Earth. They are prominent constituents 
of tropical to arctic, and alpine to desert environments, and of 
regions where plant and vertebrate life are lacking altogether. 
Lichens and the microcosms they support contribute crucially to 
ecosystem function. Their roles in biogeochemical cycling and 
environmental health monitoring (as bioindicators) have been 
particularly well studied. In this workshop, we will learn basic 
lichen biology, taxonomy, and ecology. Bring lunch, a hand lens, 
and the field guide Common Rocky Mountain Lichens (by Larry 
St. Clair) if you have it (CoNPS sells it and it will be available at 
the workshop), or any other lichen books you have on hand. 
Come prepared to explore this fascinating microcosm through a 
microscope. 

Erin Tripp is the Curator of Botany (COLO Herbarium) of the CU 
Museum of Natural History as well as Assistant Professor of Ecology 
& Evolutionary Biology (EBIO). Her research focuses on the diversity 
and evolution of flowering plants (particularly Acanthaceaej. 
Additionally, she is keenly interested in the North American lichen 
biota. 


Continued on next page 
Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 201 3 


16 


Introduction to Asteraceae Identification 

January or February 201 4 
Denver Metro Location 
Presenter: Lindsey Brandt 

One of the largest of plant families, the Asteraceae can be 
confusing to the beginning botanist due to family-specific 
terminology (what is a pappus, anyway?) and the presence of 
compound flower heads. This workshop will help to familiarize 
participants with the terms frequently found in aster keys and 
provide some hands-on samples for examination. While many 
species are easily recognizable as members of the Aster family, we 
will also review some species that might not, at first look, seem 
like they belong to the Asteraceae. 

Lindsey Brandt is an environmental consultant who specializes in 
vegetation. She has been practicing her botany skills in Colorado for 
more than 7 0 years. If she ever forms a band, she would like to call it 
"Grasses and Asters." 

Introduction to the Buckwheat Family 

January 2014 

CSU Extension, NRCS Building in Longmont 
Presenter: Rich Scully 

This workshop will present an overview of the Polygonaceae 
plant family in Colorado. The family includes the buckwheats, 
docks, knotweeds, smartweeds, and more. We will study the 
terminology and morphological characteristics used to describe 
and separate the genera and species, using representative plants, 
mainly from the Front Range. 

Rich Scully enjoys the study of Front Range species and sharing his 
work with others. This will be his seventh workshop for CoNPS. 

The Wonderful World of Cyperaceae 

February 2014 

CSU Boulder Extension Office, Longmont 
Presenters: Denise Culver and Pam Smith 

Does the word perigynia scare you? What is a stylopodium? 

If these and other terms make you want to run, we promise 
this workshop will give you what you need to navigate the 
Cyperaceae key with confidence. We'll enter into the amazing 
world of sedges, spikerushes, cottongrasses, and bulrushes. Bring 
your Colorado Flora, Field Guide to Colorado's Wetland Plants, hand 
lens and be ready to have fun and laugh with our "achene" sense 
of humor. (Both books will be available for sale at the workshop.) 

Denise Culver has been a botanist/ecologist for more than 20 years 
and is an ecologist for the Colorado Natural Fleritage Program. 

She has recently published the Field Guide to Colorado's Wetland 
Plants: Identification, Ecology and Conservation. Pam Smith is 
a botanist for the Colorado Natural Fleritage Program where she 
monitors more than 500 globally and/or state imperiled plants and 
studies biodiversity. 


Loraine Yeatts of DBG collecting plants Photo by Charlie & Jan Turner 


How to Collect Native Plants 

March or April 2014 

Ft. Collins and Denver Metro Area 

Presenters: Steve Popovich, Melissa Islam and Pam Regensberg 

Collecting our native flora is necessary for scientific study. But 
how can it be done without harming our sometimes fragile 
populations? When and where is it legal to collect? This workshop 
will cover how to acquire the proper permits, determine land 
ownership, and avoid collecting sensitive species. We'll also 
walk you through the process of collecting scientific specimens, 
including how to take field notes. This workshop is perfect for 
those conducting workshops, field trips or field studies. 

Steve Popovich is the Acting Regional Botanist for the Rocky 
Mountain Region, and Forest Botanist/Rare Plant & Invasive Species 
Program Manager forArapaho & Roosevelt National Forests and 
Pawnee National Grassland. Fie has 25 years in natural resource 
management of public lands, primarily focusing on the conservation 
and management of rare plants and plant communities in the West. 
Melissa Islam, PhD, is the Associate Director of Research & Fiead 
Curator at the Kathryn Kalmbach Fierbarium at Denver Botanic 
Gardens. Fier research explores questions about the diversity and 
ancestry of plants in the Southern Rocky Mountain region and 
similar regions around the world. Pam Regensberg, MS, is the 
Curatorial Assistant at the Kathryn Kalmbach Fierbarium at Denver 
Botanic Gardens. Fier research focuses on understanding and 
conserving biodiversity. 

Beardtongues of Colorado: A Primer on Penstemon 

March or April 2014 
Location to be determined 
Presenter: Craig Freeman 

Penstemon (Plantaginaceae) is the third largest genus of flowering 
plants in North America north of Mexico; only Carex and 
Astragalus contain more species. Admired for their showy flowers 
and often dazzling displays, many species are distinguished by 

Continued on page 18 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 2013 


17 


Penstemon griffinii Photo by Dave Elin 


subtle characters that challenge even veteran botanists. Colorado 
boasts nearly one-quarter of the 238 North American species. 
Following an introduction to the morphology and taxonomy of 
the genus, we will explore the major sections and many of the 
species represented in Colorado. Samples of many species will 
be available for close examination by hand lens and dissecting 
scope. A basic knowledge of plant morphology and descriptive 
terminology is essential. 

Craig Freeman is Curator in the R.L McGregor Herbarium 
and Senior Scientist in the Kansas Biological Survey, both at 
the University of Kansas. He is the author of the treatment for 
Penstemon, which will be published in Volume 17 of the Flora of 
North America. 

Meet Linda Hellow 
CoNPS Workshop Coordinator 

Many of you have met 
Linda Hellow because, as 
the workshop coordina- 
tor, she attends all of the 
CoNPS workshops. Linda 
has dazzled people with 
her organizational skills 
and the variety of work- 
shops she has made avail- 
able to CoNPS members. 

She was asked to tell a bit by Eric Schwarzweller 

about herself: 

I've been a member of CoNPS for several years - after I took the 
Native Plant Master courses. I almost went into horticulture in 
college but decided I was better suited in the arts rather than 
sciences. I do love plants and gardening though. I've met some 
lovely people in CoNPS and enjoying sponging off of everyone's 
knowledge. 

Prior to motherhood, I worked as an editor for a magazine pub- 
lisher and for a non-profit. For the last 1 5 plus years I've been a 
freelance writer. It has been a great way to still work while the 
kids are growing up. Most of my clients are non-profits and small 
businesses who need website copy or brochures and things. 


Chapter Programs 

METRO-DENVER CHAPTER 

Left-Field Secret-Ninja Planting Techniques for Colorado 
Natives 

Tuesday, September 24, 2013, 7 pm 

Location: Englewood Public Library, Altenbach Room 
Speaker: Kenton J. Seth 

This may be the single most important horticultural lesson or 
technique that the instructor has ever learned. It essentially has 
revolutionized and made possible his current agenda. 

We are all aware that native plants are promoted in gardens for 
being ideally suited to the local climate, but new native plants 
often fail for gardeners more often than traditional nursery 
plants. Why? Those botanical features that make a plant rugged 
in its natural setting may make it difficult to grow or plant in an 
urban setting. This lecture and demonstration seek to provide 
an alternative method specifically developed in our climate that 
improve survival and speed of establishment of new plants to a 
truly shocking degree. 

Drawing from the conservation sector and from results (success 
and total failure) from the planting of hundreds of natives in dry 
landscape settings, this suite of planting techniques will include 
but not be limited to the bare root or near-bare root planting, 
infrequent establishment-waterings, use of sun shades, timing, 
pruning, and more. 

Kenton J. Seth is a gardener and landscaper in Grand Junction, 

CO, who almost exclusively plants natives there and in Denver. He 
specializes in unwatered landscapes and rock- gardens. He has 
worked for Timberline Gardens in Arvada, Chelsea Native Plant 
Nursery in Clifton (Grand Junction), and the Western Colorado 
Botanical Gardens leading up to this current experimental endeavor. 
Its trials, hopes, and errors are documented at kentonjseth.blogspot. 
com 

Tuesday, October 22, 201 3, 7 pm - Details to follow 

Alpine Plant Ecology of New Zealand - Similarities and 
Differences with Colorado 
December 3rd, 201 3, 7 pm 

Location: Englewood Public Library, Altenbach Room 
Speaker: Catherine Kleier, PhD. 

New Zealand and Colorado both have mountain chains with 
alpine regions. However, despite the similarities in biomes, the 
flora is very different. From January to June, Catherine had the 
opportunity to teach and work in New Zealand on the South 
Island at the University of Otago. Her main focus was three plants 
of the New Zealand endemic genus Raoulia [Asteraceae]. These 
plants are commonly known as "vegetable sheep" both for the 
softness of the leaves, due to heavy pubescence, and because 
from a distance, these plants might look like sheep grazing on the 


18 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 201 3 


mountainside. Catherine will make some general comparisons 
between Colorado and New Zealand plant communities in 
general, then in the flora specifically, and finally, she will discuss 
her research with the vegetable sheep. 

Catherine Kleier has been a CoNPS member since first moving 
back to Coiorado after compieting her Ph.D. at UCLA, in 200 7, under 
Dr. Phii Rundei. She compieted her undergraduate degree at the 
University of Coiorado -Bouider and herM.S. degree at Oregon State 
University. Catherine has been on the f acuity at Regis University 
since 2006, where she teaches Ecoiogy and a variety of other courses. 
The work she wiii discuss resuited from a Fuibright that she was 
awarded in 2013 for travei to New Zeaiand as part of her sabbaticai. 
Catherine's Coiorado research focuses on environmentai monitoring 
in Breckenridge and coiiaborative monitoring ofaipine restoration 
projects with the Coiorado Fourteeners initiative. 

Tuesday, January 28, 2014, 7p.m. - Details to follow 

Tuesday, February 25, 201 4, 7p.m. - Details to follow 

Tuesday, March 25, 201 4, 7p.m. - Details to follow 

Tuesday, April 29, 2014, 7p.m. - Details to follow 


NORTHERN CHAPTER 


Zimmerman Lake Fieid Trip Photo by Connie Gray 


The Northern Chapter is exploring new ground, so to speak: 
beginning with our initial fall meeting on Thursday, October 3, 
we will be alternating the meeting location between the Gardens 
on Spring Creek in Fort Collins (where we have been meeting for 
some time) and High Plains Environmental Center in Loveland 
(located in the Centerra development near 1-25). So please make 
sure you check our monthly e-newsletter and/or the website 
before you come to make sure you are heading to the right 
location! We will continue to meet on the first Thursday of each 
month (with some exceptions depending on holidays and such). 
Please be sure to check the monthly chapter e-newsletter or 
the CoNPS website (http://www.conps.org/Chapters/northern. 
shtml) for updates and more detailed information before the 
event. If you would like to be added to the chapter's e-newsletter 


distribution list, contact Connie Gray at cpowersgray(S)gmail.com 

NoCo Natural Festival, Fossil Creek Open Space 
Date: Saturday, September 21, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m . 

CoNPS will have a booth at the NoCo Nature Festival (the new 
expanded version of the NoCo Birding Fair). We have been asked 
to provide an activity, so we will have an assortment of flowers, 
fruits, and other plant parts and various types of magnifiers so we 
can get people looking at plants up close and personal! I really 
need some assistance! I would like commitments of 2-3 hours, but 
any time you can give would be a great help. Please contact me 
(cpowersgray@gmail.com; 678-230-3672) 

For more information about the Festival: http://www.larimer.org/ 
naturalresources/nature_festival.htm 

Fall Meeting Season Kick-off! 

Thursday, October 3, 201 3, 5:30 p.m. for social and snacks; 

7 p.m. for beginning of meeting 

Location: High Plains Environmental Center, 1854 Piney River Dr., 
Loveland, CO 80538 

Speaker: Connie will facilitate, but you are all invited to be 
presenters! 

We continue the tradition of starting off the meeting season with 
a casual and participatory gathering. Bring your summer photos 
and/or stories to share with the rest of us. Please load photos or 
other media on a USB drive. 

Watershed Restoration after High Park Fire: Dozens of 
Lessons Learned After One Growing Season, Miraculous 
Natives, and More 
Thursday, November 7, 2013, 7 p.m. 

Location: The Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave. 

Fort Collins, CO 80526 
Speaker: John Giordanengo 

The title speaks for itself! This will be a great opportunity to 
learn about the trials and tribulations involved in Emergency 
Watershed Restoration efforts after a natural disaster that was 
way too close for comfort for most of us. Besides the nuts and 
bolts of standard post-fire restoration efforts, the botanical/ 
ecological trade-offs between natural post-fire succession and 
active restoration will be explored. Hot-off-the press post-fire 
restoration research findings will also be shared. 

Set upon a iife-iong path in conservation, John Giordanengo 
became wayiaid by a piant systematics ciass in San Diego, a 
cupid of sorts, making him faii in iove with Earth's photosynthetic 
wiidiife. And then it struck iike iightning, when, as a voiunteer on 
the Green River in Washington State, John discovered how to make 
a soiid move on his iove affair with piants, and keep a foot in the 
conservation game to boot. Ecoiogicai Restoration! Back to schooi 
in 2000, John compieted an MS in Ecoiogicai Restoration at CSU, 
feii to his knees before the flora of Colorado (literally, clipping blue 
grama and buffalo grass on the plains), and was fortunate enough 
to assume restoration roles with the City of Boulder, Colorado 
Fourteeners Initiative (more hands and knees on the ground), and 
finally Wildlands Restoration Volunteers where he serves as Northern 
Regional Director (www.wlrv.org). Throughout this decades- 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 2013 


19 


long affair with plants, John has been a member of the Colorado 
Native Plant Society, serving as a Board Member for three years, 
and currently serves on the High Altitude Revegetation Workshop 
committee. Yes, plants are a passion. And working to preserve their 
rightful place in the world? A treat. And once in a great while, John 
still finds time to grab a lens and, for the pure joy of it, gazes at the 
intricate beauty of the flower of a monument plant. 

Landscape Design and Successful Cultivation of Rocky 

Mountain Native Plants 

Thursday, December 5, 2013, 7 p.m. 

Location: High Plains Environmental Center, 

1 854 Piney River Dr., Loveland, CO 80538 
Speaker: Jim Tolstrup 

Many of our chapter members have expressed interest in 
programs about landscaping/gardening with native plants. In this 
workshop, CoNPS member Jim Tolstrup will draw on his extensive 
experience designing with native plants in Larimer County since 
1998. 

Successful garden design requires knowledge of plants, soils, and 
water requirements, as well as the timing, color, height and other 
considerations in order to pair plants effectively. Gardeners, even 
those focusing primarily on native plants, can benefit greatly 
from traditional landscape design practices considering the 
overall form and structure of the garden, as well as detailed plant 
associations. 

In this presentation, we will explore site design step by step 
and identify zones in your landscape based on hydrology, soil 
type, existing plants and other conditions in order to develop a 
garden plan. We will investigate seed preparation, seeding and 
transplanting various types of native plants, after-care during the 
establishment period, and long-term garden maintenance, as 
well as some of the environmental benefits derived from utilizing 
native plants. 

For those who would like to plant wildflowers at home, Jim 
also will share native plant seeds that HPEC has collected for 
propagation. 

Jim Tolstrup is Executive Director of the High Plains Environmental 
Center, a unique model for preserving native biodiversity in the 
midst of development, in Loveland, CO. As the State Outreach Chair 
for the Colorado Native Plant Society, Jim works to promote the 
conservation, restoration, and landscape use of native plants. 

Scoping on the Trail - Plant Close-ups on the Hike and Back 
Home 

Thursday, January 9, 2014 (NOTE THAT THIS IS 2ND 
THURSDAY IN JANUARY!) 

Location: The Gardens on Spring Creek 
Speaker: Cindy Henk 

A great new technology seems to have been made for hiking 
botanists! The Proscope Mobile is a digital wireless handheld 
microscope that can transmit magnified live images instantly 
to up to 254 iPods, iPhones, or iPads on the trail - no wifi, G3, or 
G4 necessary! Well-lighted and focused images of microscopic 


features - grass flowers, anthers, leaf hairs - can be observed and 
saved on your "devices" for on-site examination and discussion, 
and later documentation or publication. Cindy will provide 
a scope demonstration and hands-on opportunities. Bring a 
sample to scope! (Got an iDevice? Bring that, too!) 

Cindy Henk has had a 40-year career as a biologist/microscopist at 
the University of Georgia and Louisiana State University and is now 
gleefully discovering Colorado's many tiny treasures. At LSU she 
oversaw science education outreach programs for K-i2 students and 
teachers, undergrads, graduate students, and faculty using various 
types of microscopy from her research service lab. In 1992 she 
began helping to develop a handheld microscope for educational 
applications, and since then has never been without a handy scope 
or two. And you can borrow them! You can contact Cindy at cindy. 
henk@gmail.com for more information. 

PLATEAU CHAPTER 

Asteraceae Lab 
Saturday, October 19, 2013 

Location: Colorado Mesa University Herbarium 
Speaker: Stephen Stern 

As the field season draws to a close we will have a classroom- 
based study of the Asteraceae (Sunflower or Daisy family). This 
large, daunting group is an important component of our fall 
flora and species are actually quite fun to identify! We will meet 
at Colorado Mesa University for a brief discussion of this family 
followed by time to work on identifying species of Asteraceae 
using your flora, dissecting microscopes, and the herbarium. We 
will also meet to discuss field trips for 2014. If interested, contact 
Stephen Stern at stern.r.stephen@gmail.com. 


USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database/ Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An 
illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British 
Possessions. 3 vols. Charles Scribner's Sons, New York. Vol. 3: 512. 


20 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 201 3 


BOOKS & MEDIA 


Meet the Natives Through Walter Pesman 

by April Miller 


Meet the Natives by M. Walter Pesman is a unique 
reference manual that is not only a handy field guide 
to Rocky Mountain plants, but a source of information 
on incorporating these native plants into our gardens 
and landscapes. Highlights of the current iteration 
(revised and expanded by Denver Botanic Gardens 
Curator of Native Plants Dan Johnson) include beautiful 
photographs of each plant described, organization 
of herbaceous flowering plants by color to speed 
identification, information on common and useful native 
grasses, and discussion of imported and rare plants. 

Have you ever reflected, however, on the origins of this 
publication (now in its 11th printing) and why pioneering 
botanist and landscape architect M. Walter Pesman 
decided to create such a reference? 

Who was M. Walter Pesman? 


From left to right: Kathryn Kalmbach (in hat), Ruth Nelson, Unidentified person sitting in 
the back, Aven Nelson, Walter Pesman 

Photo courtesy of the Helen Fowler Library and Archives 


A native Dutchman, M. Walter Pesman was born Michiel 
Pesman in Groningen, the Netherlands, on May 28, 

1 887. After finishing high school, he suffered a bout of 
tuberculosis and followed the recommendation of his 
physician to relocate to a drier climate, which brought 
him to the United States and Colorado. Here he adopted 
the middle name of Walter (to forestall mispronunciation 

of his given name by his new American community) and was officially naturalized as M. Walter Pesman. He attended Colorado 
Agricultural College, now known as Colorado State University, and majored in botany. Graduating in 1 91 0, he remained at the school 
for a time to teach botany and horticulture to others. 

Pursuing aspirations to use his education toward more creative endeavors, Pesman decided to take work with the Chamberlain 
Landscaping Company in Denver, beginning his career as a landscape architect-and becoming known early on as an advocate 
for native plants and working with natural landscapes. In 1917, he Joined like-minded (and fellow Netherlander) S.R. DeBoer for a 
time, collaborating on park planning and private projects. When they parted ways in 1924, Pesman directed his focus on landscape 
planning for the public schools of Denver, becoming their first "landscaper". 

The Great Depression eventually shut down landscape work for the schools, but Pesman transferred his efforts to revegetating eroding 
highway slopes and creating highway parks for the state and federal governments, always continuing his endeavors to promote 
conservation. According to close colleague George Kelly, "At first he had difficulties in getting plans approved in Washington that have 
native plants in them, for they were unknown back there. Later when the survival lists were checked, nothing but natives would be 
approved." 

Pesman tirelessly worked to advocate the importance of conserving natural environments and of utilizing indigenous beauty. In 
1943 he became president of the Colorado Forestry Association and was instrumental in the consolidation of forestry, horticulture, 
gardening, and landscaping interests to form the Colorado Forestry and Horticulture Association-and was then influential in the 
merging of this organization with the Denver Botanic Gardens. He also educated through published articles and papers, and by 
presenting talks internationally about Rocky Mountain natives. He was an early proponent of introducing Rocky Mountain plants to 
compatible zones in Europe (related work to conserve alpine and steppe plants throughout the world is continued by Denver Botanic 
Gardens staff today in South Africa, Patagonia, and Mongolia). One particular paper he presented at the Fifteenth International 
Horticultural Congress in Nice, France, in 1958 was titled "Little Known Ornamentals from the Land of the Rockies." 

Throughout his years in Colorado, Pesman endlessly studied and documented the native plants of his adopted home near the Rocky 
Mountains. According to Wes Woodward (in a 1 972 Green Thumb article titled "M. Walter Pesman"): 


...Mrs. Pesman drove the car, stopped when Walter sighted a plant he hadn't recorded, waited while he examined it, and then 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 2013 


21 


made notes while he described it Back in Denver Orland 
Maxxson drew a picture from Walter's description and 
the dried remains of the plant 

The compilation of these notes and drawings was the genesis 
of Meet the Natives. Self-published in 1942 (Pesman sold copies 
directly from his home office at 372 South Humboldt Street) and 
consisting of plant descriptions organized by zones, color coding, 
and illustrated by drawings, it was instantly an essential reference 
for local plant enthusiasts and amateur botanists alike. With the 
aim of educating a wide audience on our region's native plants 
and how to use them in the horticultural landscape, the book was 
not intended as a complicated key or academic treatise. In fact, 
Pesman began the introduction of his book with the following, 
"Just between you and me - don't buy this book if you know too 
much. It is not a book for botanists. . ." 

The list of M. Walter Pesman's contributions to horticulture, 
native plant conservation, and to the Rocky Mountain region are 
too numerous to recount in this article. With Meet the Natives, 
however, we can hold in our hands evidence of what he was 
trying to teach us and can see that his work continues with 
every new edition. Each of our landscapes planted with Rocky 
Mountain penstemon, Colorado blue spruce, and little bluestem 
grass is a tribute to his life's work. Perhaps this article is best 
closed with the words cast on the bronze plaque that stands at 
the head of the Mt. Goliath trail dedicated to M. Walter Pesman by 
the U.S. Forest Service and Denver Botanic Gardens shortly before 
he passed away in 1 962: 

M. WALTER PESMAN ALPINE TRAIL 
DEDICATED AUGUST 1962 
HE MADE NATIVE PLANTS OUR FRIENDS 

Aprii Mi Her has been Head Librarian and Archivist at the Heien 
Fowier Library, Denver Botanic Gardens for four years. Working as 
a iibrarian for more than ten years now, Aprii began her career in 
Charieston, SC, where she obtained a B.A. in Bioiogyand an M.L.i.S. 
(Masters in Library and information Science) from the University of 
South Caroiina 

Meet the Natives: 

A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain 
Wildflowers, Trees and Shrubs 

by M. Walter Pesman; 

Revised and expanded by Dan Johnson 
Meet the Natives is a guide to the 
identification of 500 plants (primarily native) 
that grow in Colorado. Native plants are 
defined as those that were in this area prior 
to settlement by Europeans. The 11th edition 
of Walter Pesman's classic book has been 
updated and expanded by Dan Johnson, 

Curator of Native Plants at the Denver 
Botanic Gardens. It is a significant departure 
from the previous editions because the line 
illustrations have been replaced by color 
photographs, the plants are arranged by 
color rather than life zone, and 1 00 plants 

22 


have been added. The names used in the current edition are from 
the U.S.D.A. (www.plants.usda.gov). 

Comparing the 11th edition with my old, tattered 8th edition 
(1988), I found that the new edition of the book is 1/2 inch 
shorter and narrower and has 91 more pages. The 8th edition 
was updated by a committee representing the Kathryn Kalmbach 
Herbarium, and the line drawings are by Janet L. Wingate, Ph.D., 
based on Mrs. Emma A. Ervin's original paintings of the plant. 
Many of M. Walter Pesman's drawings were also included. 

The 1 1 th edition has more than 200 pages of color photos with 
3 plants (3 entries) per page. The photographs are primarily 
those of well-known photographer/botanist/author, Loraine 
Yeatts, and by Dan Johnson, although some photos are by other 
photographers. Each entry includes one photo of a plant with the 
common and scientific name of the species, a brief description 
based on Pesman's original work, bloom time, life zone, and a 
place to write the date and where the plant was seen. Some 
entries provide tidbits about garden use. 

Included in this book are a description of life zones in the 
Colorado Rockies, derived and modified from earlier editions, and 
descriptions of plant family characteristics of the more common 
families found in the area. The plants are grouped into categories: 
Ferns, horsetails, and spikemosses; grasses and grass-like plants; 
and trees and shrubs. These groups have green bars along the 
side of the page. Herbaceous flowering plants, vines, and cacti are 
combined in another section, which is arranged by flower color 
with the corresponding color bars on the side of the page. Within 
each color section, the plants are arranged alphabetically by 
family (common name) and species (scientific name). 

A plant reference chart in the back of the book is also arranged 
alphabetically by family (common name) and species (scientific 
name) and indicates the location of the species (East and/or West 
Slope), if the plant is uncommon, preference for sun or shade, and 
whether it is found in riparian areas, moist meadows, or wetlands. 
Flower color and ease of cultivation are also noted. 

Other features include an alphabetical list of some Latin or Greek 
terms used in plant names and their meanings (for example, 
cereum means waxy.) The book also contains a list of elevations 
of Colorado towns, peaks, passes and parks. The list of references 
and list of websites are useful for further research, and there is an 
illustrated glossary and index. 

This book provides a good introduction to the native plants of 
Colorado. It contains photos and descriptions of plants that are 
likely to be encountered. If the plants in this book whet your 
appetite for growing native plants, a number of good books 
on native plant gardening are available: Busco and Morin's 
Native Piants for High -Eievation Western Gardens ('2nd ed., 201 0) 
published locally by Fulcrum, Robert Nold's High and Dry: 
Gardening with Coid-Hardy Dryiand Piants, and Dorn & Dorn's 
Growing Native Piants of the Rocky Mountain Area. Meet the Natives 
and these gardening books may be purchased from the CoNPS 
Bookstore and will be for sale at the CoNPS Annual Meeting. For a 
complete list of books available from CoNPS, see the Book Order 
form (pp. 28-29). If you plan to purchase books at the Annual 
Meeting, please bring cash or a check. Charge cards are not 
accepted. 

Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 201 3 


About the Author and Photographer: 

Dan Johnson has been gardening for 
as long as he can remember, and has 
worked in the horticulture industry for 
more than 30 years. His broad experience 
and formal training now include sixteen 
years with Denver Botanic Gardens 
Horticulture Department, where he 
designs and maintains numerous native 
and xeric gardens, currently as Curator of 
Native Plant Collections and Associate Photo © Vickie Danielson 
Director of Horticulture. 


Dan's latest venture has been the revision and expansion of the 
wildflower guide Meet the Natives. Long a regional favorite first 
published in 1 942 by M. Walter Pesman, this eleventh edition 
features full color photos for the first time, with a new color- 
searchable format. This expanded edition also includes over one 
hundred additional wildflowers, grasses and cactus. Rare plants as 
well as invasive plants are included. Gardening tips are included 
for native plants that thrive in the garden. 

Loraine Yeatts combines botanical expertise with a life-long 
interest in nature and macro photography. Years of volunteer 
work in the Kathryn Kalmbach Herbarium at Denver Botanic 
Gardens and floristic surveys of Rocky Mountain National Park 
and other Colorado wildlands have nurtured a love affair with the 
Colorado flora and a deep concern for disappearing habitat. Most 
recently she, with others, recognized and described a new plant 
species, Packera mancosana, discovered in Dolores, Colorado. 

With Janet Wingate she coauthored Alpine Flower Finder, a 
compact but relatively comprehensive field key to alpine plants 
of the Rocky Mountain region. The latest edition of Meet the 
Natives includes many of her photographs. It is her hope that 
these plant portraits will inspire you to study, appreciate and help 
preserve Colorado's native plants. Not surprisingly, Loraine is a 
long time member of CoNPS and the recipient, with her husband, 
Dick, of an Honorary Life Membership in 2000. 

Review by Jan L Turner 


Photo © Bob Skowron 


New Books by CoNPS Members 

CoNPS members seem to produce a large number of books. 
Loving plants and loving books often seem to go together. In the 
past several months, two books by CoNPS members have been 
published, Denver Mountain Parks and Wildflowers ofBandelier. 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 2013 


Denver Mountain Parks: 100 Years of 
the Magnificent Dream 

by Wendy Rex-Atzet, Sally L. White, 

Walker, with photography by John 

Published in 201 3, this book is a "must 
read" for anyone with an interest in the 
history of open spaces and mountain 
parks in Colorado. Readers will feel even 
more strongly about protecting the 
Denver Mountain Parks after learning 
the fascinating history presented in 
Denver Mountain Parks: 100 Years of the 
Magnificent Dream. I had known bits and 
pieces of the story, but this book brought 
the information together as a coherent whole, making a stronger 
impact. The architects/architecture and landscape architect/ 
architectural history filled in some gaps for me. M. Walter 
Pesman's friend and associate, Saco DeBoer, played a role in the 
planning of the parks. 

Creating and maintaining this system of mountain parks is 
something that Denver can be proud of. Talk about innovative 
and forward looking! The book is well written and researched. 
Fielder's photography and the striking and beautiful format 
will bring it to the attention of readers. It is a great book! It is 
available from the CoNPS Bookstore and will be sold at the CoNPS 
Annual Meeting. 


and Erika D. 
Fielder 


Author Sally L. White is a contributor and proofreader for Aquilegia 
and is also a former editor of the newsletter. Sally has an M.S. in 
botany from Arizona State University and is employed by the Denver 
Mountain Parks. She is a writer with a passion for natural history and 
cultural history. Review byJ.L. Turner 


Wildflowers of Bandolier 

by Jan Loechell Turner and Charles A.Turner 
The 4th in a series of wildflower guides focusing on specific parks 
and monuments, Wildflowers of Bandelierls a photographic guide 
to the more common plants found WILDFLOWERS OF 

along the trails of Bandolier National BANDELIER 

Monument, located northwest of Santa 
Fe, New Mexico, and south of Los 
Alamos, NM. Plants are arranged by 
flower color with plants that might be 
confused located next to each other. 

Multiple photos of each plant are 
included to show the entire plant and 
diagnostic features such as flowers, lee 
shape or arrangement, and fruit. 

"Clues" point out distinguishing traits. 

Published in September 201 3, this 
book will be available at the CONPS 
Annual Meeting and through the Bookstore. 


Jon and Charlie Turner are post presidents of CoNPS and are on the 
CoNPS Board of Directors. Jan is the editor of Aquilegia and Charlie 
is on the Aquilegia team, providing outstanding tech support. Their 
books include W\\dif\o\Ners of Canyon de Chelly, Wildflowers of 
Mesa Verde, one/ Wildflowers of Red Rocks Park (Colorado). 


23 


News & Announcements 


Temporary Boulder President 

While Danielle Cassidy Levine is on maternity leave, from 
September through December 201 3, Chris Prah will serve 
as Boulder Chapter President. Chris can be contacted at 
boulderconps(S)gmail.com. 

201 3 Photo Contest Winners 

Congratulations to Benjamin Blonder and Marlene Borneman, 
winners of the 201 3 CoNPS Photo Contest. Benjamin won the 
Plant Category with his photo of Castilleja rhexifolia (see inside of 
front cover) and Marlene won the Landscape Category with her 
Monkey Flower Landscape (on the back cover). 

Native Plant Master Program 
Impacts 

The Native Plant Master program was developed by Barbara 
Fahey as a program of the CSU Extension in Jefferson County 
and has expanded to all counties in Colorado. The program has 


had a considerable educational effect on the citizens of Colorado 
and provides people with the opportunity to learn about native 
plants in the field as well as to recognize weeds and their effect 
on the environment. Information about the program can be 
found at http://www.extension.colostate.edu/Jefferson/npm/ 
npm.shtml 

Impacts of the Native Plant Master Program in 2012: 

1 . 444,842 acres of sustainable landscaping or alien invasive 
weed control 

2. $ 1 57,398 statewide economic benefit due to reduced 
landscaping inputs and increased land productivity 

3. 15,810 educational contacts 

4. 814 program participants 

5. 594 volunteers contributed 4,086 hours 

6. 91 % of participants increased awareness of 1 ) the use of 
natives for sustainable landscaping and 2) the impact of alien 
weeds 

7. 88% educated others using information from the program 

8. Cost/benefit in Jefferson County: $1 budget investment = 

$1 1.42 in economic benefit reported by participants 


Botanicum absurdum by Rob Pudim 


LEAVES LANCEOLATE 
Oft OBLANCEOLATE- 
OBLONS, ftOUNO APEX 
CUNEATE ATTENTU- 
ATEO BALSALLV... 
TITHVttALUS ESULA? 


XT'S SOME ’ 
FOftEISN 
LANSUA6E, 
AVBE BOTANESE 


Aquilfi«0 


24 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 201 3 


Rare Plant Monitoring 


Michelle DePrenger-Levin instructs students Photo by Jan & C.A. Turner 


On June 8, 2013, Brian Kurzel (Colorado Natural Areas Program) 
and Michelle DePrenger-Levin (Denver Botanic Gardens 
Research Department) taught a new group of Rare Plant 
Monitoring Stewards. The class began with a classroom session 
at the Denver Botanic Gardens followed by an afternoon 
field session led by Michelle, where students received hands 
on experience collecting data on a rare plant by monitoring 
transects. 

Alpine Flower Finder 

The Alpine Flower Finder by Janet Wingate and Loraine Yeatts is 
now available spiral-bound from the CoNPS Bookstore. 

Impacts of Energy Development 
on Rare Physaria 

The Colorado Natural Areas Program, BLM, and US Fish and 
Wildlife Service helped fund research performed by Utah 
State University, Logan, UT, which resulted in a masters thesis 
by Sarah L. Clark," Reproductive Biology and Impacts of 
Energy Development on Physaria congesta and P. obcordata 
(Brassicaceae),Two Rare and Threatened Plants in the Piceance 
Basin, Colorado" (201 2). Clark concluded that "Through the 
research, no detectable effects on plant reproduction or 
pollinator community around developed sites were identified. 
This lack of detection may be attributed to a small number 
of pollinators collected through this study. We may not have 
gathered a large enough sample to detect impacts that are 
occurring. This research also found that there are only a few bee 
species that pollinate these rare plants efficiently, so these species 
must be conserved in order to maintain rare plant reproduction." 
(p. vii of thesis). 


Help Restore High Park Fire Area 

As you may know. Wildlands Restoration Volunteers has been 
working closely with a broad range of partners to restore areas 
burned severely by the 2012 High Park Fire. The photo below 
shows a restored site that volunteers treated just last fall. 
Obviously, the green area is the area that volunteers treated with 
native grass seeds and mulch. 

The treatments are working wonderfully, but there is Just one 
problem. Scale. We have seven more projects scheduled over the 
coming two months, and hundreds more hands are needed help 
with this work. As the federal Emergency Watershed Protection 
program funds have become available for helicopter mulching 
of burned areas (beginning in early September), we need to get 
hundreds of volunteers out very quickly, spreading seed and 
installing erosion control structures before the helicopters arrive. 


We can use your help and the help of your colleagues and peers 
to inspire the public to get their hands dirty this fall and achieve 


Photo by John Giordanengo 


the impacts witnessed in the photo. If you would like more 
information about this program or would like to volunteer, please 
contact John Giordanengo, Colorado Northern Regional Director, 
Wildlands Restoration Volunteers, Fort Collins, CO, John(a)wlrv. 
org, 970-493-2075. Please spread the word to others who may be 
interested in volunteering. 

Biographies by Dr. Bill Weber 

Did you realize that Dr. William A. Weber writes biographies as 
well as floras? One of these. The American Cockerell: A Naturalists 
Life, 1866-1948 is available through the CoNPS Bookstore. 

Correction 

The drawing of the mushroom on page 14 of the 
Summer 201 3 issue of Aquilegia is an Amanita, 
not Agaricus. 

Wildflower App 

The Colorado Rocky Mountain Wildflowers app. reviewed in the 
Summer 201 3 issue of Aquilegia (p. 9) is available for tablets and 
Kindles in addition to Smart Phones, iPhones, and iPads. 


Courtesy FCIT 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 2013 


25 


Colorado Native Plant Society 


The Colorado Native Plant Society is dedicated to furthering the knowledge, appreciation and 
conservation of native plants and habitats of Colorado through education, stewardship and 
advocacy. 

Membership is open to all with an interest in our native plants and is composed of plant enthusiasts, 
both professional and non-professional. 


OFFICERS 

President 

Crystal Strouse 

csnativeplants@gmail.com 

Vice President 

Bernadette Kuhn 

bernadettekuhnCoNPS@gmail.com 

Treasurer 

Mo Ewing 

moewing@q.com 

Secretary 

Denise Wilson 

denise@denisecwilson.com 

Admin. Asst. 

Linda Smith 

CoNPSoffice@aol.com 

CHAPTER PRESIDENTS 

Boulder 

Danielle Levine 

boulderconps@gmail.com 

Gore Range 

Nanette Kuich 

kix@vail.net 

Northern 

Connie Gray 

cpowe rsg ray@g m a i 1 .co m 

Metro-Denver 

Jannette Wesley 
Jeanne Willson 

metrodenverCoNPS@gmail.com 

riversong@centurylink.net 

Plateau 

Stephen Stern 

stern.r.stephen@gmail.com 

Southeast 

Ed Roland 

edwardrroland@gmail.com 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 


Brian Kurzel ('13) 

brian.kurzel@gmail.com 


Jenny Neale ('13) 

nealejr@gmail.com 


Robert Powell ('1 1) 

robertlpowell@durango.net 


Jan L. Turner ('12) 

JLTurner@regis.edu 


CharlieTurner ('1 1) 

conpscturner@gmail.com 


Steve Yarbrough ('ll) steve.yarbrough@tetratech.com 

STANDING COMMITTEES 

Conservation 

Mo Ewing 

moewing@q.com 

Education & 
Outreach 

JimTolstrup 

jim@suburbitat.org 

Field Studies 

Steve Popovich 

stevepopovich@hotmail.com 

Horticulture & 
Restoration 

Megan Bowes 

bowesm@bouldercolorado.gov 

Media 

Jan L. Turner 

JLTurner@regis.edu 

Membership 

Linda Smith 

conpsoffice@aol.com 

Research Grants 

Jan L.Turner 

JLTurner@regis.edu 

Sales 

Linda Smith 

conpsoffice@aol.com 

Workshops 

Linda Mellow 

conpsworkshops@gmail.com 

Editor, Aqu/leg/d 

Jan L.Turner 

JLTurner@regis.edu 

Webmasters 

Yongli Zhou 

Aaron Davenport 

shallopcq@yahoo.com 

davenport.aaron@gmail.com 

Website Editor 

Linda Smith 

conpsoffice@aol.com 


AQUILEGIA 

Newsletter of the Colorado Native Plant Society 


Aquilegia is the newsletter of the Colorado Native Plant 
Society and is available to members of the Society and 
to others with an interest in native plants. Four regular 
issues are published each year plus a special issue for 
the Society Annual Meeting held in the Fall. 

Announcements, news, articles, book reviews, poems, 
botanical illustrations, photographs and other 
contributions should be sent to Jan Loechell Turner at 
JLTurner@regis.edu. 

All contributions are subject to editing for brevity, 
grammar, and consistency, with final approval of 
substantive changes by the author. 

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

Deadlines: Submissions to Aquilegia are accepted 
throughout the year, although the usual deadlines for 
publication are: 

February 15 (Soring issue, sent out mid to late March) 

April 15 (Summer issue, sent out mid to late May) 

June 15 (Annual Meeting issue, sent out mid to late July) 

July 15 (Fall issue, sent out mid to late August ) 

November 15 (Winter issue, sent out mid December) 

Editor: Jan Loechell Turner JLTurner@regis.edu 

Aquilegia Staff & Contributors: Charlie Turner, Sally L 
White, Linda Smith, Mo Ewing 


26 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 201 3 


Join the Colorado Native Plant Society 


Membership in CoNPS entitles you to: 

• Subscription to CoNPS newsletter, Aquilegia 

• Field Trips to see wildflowers 

• Educational Workshops by expert botanists 

• Annual Conference 

• Conservation and Restoration Activities 

• Camaraderie of Plant Lovers from Colorado 

• Local Chapter Educational Programs & Email Updates 


MEMBER APPLICATION FORM 


Name(s) 


MEMBERSHIP CLASS 

Dues cover a 1 2-month period. 


Address 


Individual ($20) 

Family /dual ($30) 

Senior (65 -f) ($12) 

City 


State 

Zip 

Student ($12) 

Organization ($30) 

Supporting ($50) 

Phone 

- 

E-mail 


Lifetime ($300) 


CHAPTERS 

You are free to affiliate with any chapter you choose and to attend the meetings of any chapter. Chapters do 
not have drawn map boundaries. 


Boulder Gore Range Metro-Denver Northern Plateau Southeast Unaffiliated 


Send information about volunteer opportunities 

OPTIONAL PRINT DELIVERY OF AQUILEGIA NEWSLETTER 

Most members prefer to receive the newsletter electronically via e-mail (pdf file), and this saves the Society 
considerable printing and postage expense. If you would like to receive a print copy of the newsletter 
instead, check this box. Please note that print copies usually arrive about a week later than the electronic 
version. Please deliver a printed copy of Aquilegia by mail. 

DONATION 

$ General Fund 

Endowments in support of small grants-in-aid of research: 

$ John Marr Fund: research on the biology and natural history of Colorado native plants 

$ Myrna P. Steinkamp Memorial Fund: research and other activities to benefit the rare 

plants of Colorado 

$ TOTAL 


Mail to: CoNPS Office, P.O. Box 200, Fort Collins, CO 80522. 

Please make checks payable to "Colorado Native Plant Society." Dues and contributions are tax-deductible. 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 2013 


27 


COLORADO NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY MAIL ORDER FORM 

September 3, 2013 


Please email or phone to check on availability before placing an order: 
conosoff ice® aol.com 970-663-4085 

Author 

Sales Price 

Ship/Handling 


Agaves, Yuccas, and Related Plants 

Irish & Irish 

$27.00 

$3.25 

Alpine Flower Finder 

Wingate & Yeatts 

$6.00 

$2.25 

Alpine Flower Finder (spiral-bound) 

Wingate & Yeatts 

$9.50 

$2.25 

Alpine Plants of North America: An Encyclopedia of Mountain Flowers 

Nicholls, G. 

$38.00 

$3.25 

American Cockerell, The 

Weber, W.A. 

$20.00 

$3.25 

Aspen Dreams 

Gelhorn, J. 

$14.75 

$3.00 

Attracting Native Pollinators; Protecting North America's Bees and Butterflies 

Xerces Society Guide 

$23.00 

$3.50 

Botanical Latin 

Steam, W.T. 

$23.00 

$3.25 

Botany in a Day 

Elpel, T.J. 

$24.50 

$2.75 

Bringing Nature Home; How You Can Sustain Wildlife with Native Plants 

Tallamy, D 

$14.50 

$2.75 

Bryophytes of Colorado 

Weber & Wittmann 

$25.00 

$2.75 

Cacti: The Illustrated Dictionary 

Preston-Mafham 

$22.00 

$2.75 

Calochortus: Mariposa Lilies and their Relatives 

Gerritson, M & Parsons, R 

$23.00 

$2.75 

Colorado Flora, Eastern Slope, 4th Edition 

Weber & Wittmann 

$23.00 

$3.00 

Colorado Flora, Western Slope, 4th Edition 

Weber & Wittmann 

$23.00 

$3.00 

Colorado's Best Wildflower Hikes - '\/olume 1 - Front Range 

Inwin, P.D. 

$16.00 

$2.75 

Colorado's Best Wildflower Hikes - Volume 3 - San Juans 

Inwin, P.D. 

$16.00 

$2.75 

Colorado's Newest and Best Wildflower Hikes 

Irwin, P.D. 

$16.00 

$2.75 

Columbines: Aquilegia, Paraquilegia, and Semiaquilegia 

Nold, R. 

$22.00 

$2.75 

Common Rocky Mountain Lichens, A Color Guidebook to 

St. Clair, L. 

$18.50 

$3.50 

Common Southwestern Native Plants, an Identification Guide 

Carter, Carter & Stevens 

$15.50 

$2.75 

Curious World of Carnivorous Plants 

Barthlott et al. 

$30.00 

$3.25 

Denver Mountain Parks 

Fielder & White 

$31.00 

$3.50 

Dictionary of Word Roots 

Borror, D.J. 

$23.75 

$1.25 

Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains 

Harrington, H.D. 

$28.50 

$3.00 

Edible Wild Plants of the Prairie 

Kindscher, K. 

$12.50 

$3.00 

Field Guide to Colorado's Wetland Plants: Identification, Ecology and Conservation 

Culver & Lemly 

$35.00 

$4.00 

Field Guide to the North American Prairie (Peterson) 

Jones & Cushman 

$17.50 

$2.75 

Flora ID CO - Interactive Plant Key with color photos (cd) 

Barnes, Bruce 

$75.00 

$1.25 

Flora of the San Juans 

Komarek, S. 

$15.50 

$2.25 

Garden Smart Colorado: A Guide to Non-Invasive Plants for your Garden 

CO Weed Mgmt Assn, etc. 

$1.25 

$0.75 

Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses 

Kimmerer, R.W. 

$15.00 

$2.25 

Grasses of Colorado (paperback) 

Shaw, R. 

$27.50 

$3.25 

Grow Native: Landscaping with Native and Apt Plants of the RM 

Huddleston & Hussey 

$13.50 

$2.25 

Growing Native Plants of Rocky Mountain Area (CD) 

Dorn, R. 

$10.00 

$1.25 

Guide to Plant Poisoning of Animals in North America 

Knight, A 

$65.00 

$3.50 

Handbook of Edible/Poisonous Plants of Western North America 

Elliott, Brian 

$20.00 

$2.75 

High and Dry, Gardening with Cold-Hardy Dryland Plants 

Nold, R. 

$27.00 

$3.50 

How to ID Grasses & Grasslike Plants 

Harrington, H.D. 

$10.00 

$2.25 

How to Identify Plants 

Harrington et al. 

$10.00 

$2.25 

How to Know the Mosses and Liverworts; Pictured Key Nature Series 

Conrad & Redfearn 

$58.00 

$2.75 

Illustrated Keys to Early Spring Wildflowers: Front Range 

Wingate, J.L. 

$1.25 

$1.25 

Illustrated Keys to the Grasses of Colorado 

Wingate, J.L. 

$7.00 

$1.25 

Intermountain Flora - Volume 2A - Subclasses Magnolidae-Caryophyllidae 

Holmgren, Holmgren, Reveal, et al 

$130.00 

$6.00 

Intermountain Flora - Volume 2B - Subclass Dilleniidae 

Cronquist et al. 

$91.50 

$4.25 

Intermountain Flora - Volume 3A - Subclass Rosidae (except Fabales) 

Cronquist et al. 

$69.00 

$3.75 

Intermountain Flora - Volume 3B - Fabales 

Barneby, R. C. 

$54.00 

$4.25 

Intermountain Flora - Volume 4 - Subclass Asteridae (except Asteraceae) 

Cronquist et al. 

$69.00 

$4.25 

Intermountain Flora - Volume 5 - Asterales 

Cronquist, A. 

$69.00 

$4.25 

Intermountain Flora - Volume 6 - Monocots 

Cronquist et al. 

$60.00 

$4.75 

Island of Grass 

Wohl, E. 

$20.00 

$3.00 

Kingdom Fungi, The; Biology of Mushrooms, Molds and Lichens 

Stephenson, S. 

$27.00 

$3.50 

Land above the Trees 

Zwinger, A. 

$13.00 

$2.75 

Last Prairie, The: A Sandhills Journal 

Jones, S. 

$18.00 

$2.75 

Manual of the Plants of Colorado (CD version) 

Harrington, H.D. 

$15.00 

$2.75 

Medicinal Plants of the Desert & Canyon West 

Moore, M 

$14.00 

$2.75 

Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West 

Moore, M 

$20.75 

$3.00 

Medicinal Wild Plants of the Prairie 

Kinscher, K. 

$12.50 

$3.00 

Meet the Natives, A Field Guide to Rocky Mountain WF, Trees/Shrubs (Updated 2012) 

Pesman/Johnson 

$19.00 

$3.50 

Mountain Blooms, Wildflowers of the Rockies 

Miller, M. 

$6.00 

$1.00 

Mountain Wildflowers of the Southern Rockies 

Dodson & Dunmire 

$14.50 

$2.25 

Native Plants for High Elevation Gardens 

Busco, J. 

$23.00 

$3.50 

Natural History of the New World, A; Ecology & Evolution of Plants in the Americas 

Graham, Alan 

$34.00 

$3.00 

Northern Colorado Plants 

Gadd, Alix 

$16.00 

$2.25 

Plant Identification Terminology 

Harris, J. et al. 

$17.00 

$2.75 


28 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 201 3 


COLORADO NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY MAIL ORDER FORM 

September 3, 2013 


Please email or phone to check on availability before placing an order: 
conDSoffice(d)aol.com 970-663-4085 

Author 

Sales Price 

Ship/Handling 

Prairie Garden 

Brune, R. 

$6.00 

$1.25 

Prairie Thunder 

Showalter, Dave 

$16.00 

$2.25 

Rocky Mountain Flower Finder 

Wingate, J.L. 

$5.75 

$1.25 

Rocky Mountain Mushrooms, Edible and Poisonous 

Miller, M. & Nelson, C. 

$6.00 

$1.25 

Rocky Mountain Tree Finder 

Watts., T. 

$3.50 

$1.25 

Rocky Mountain Wildflowers; Colorado Mountain Club Pack Guide 

Ells, J. & Borneman, M. 

$10.50 

$2.50 

Rocky Mountain Wildflowers; Photos, Descriptions & Early Explorer Insights 

Pavia, Jerry 

$14.95 

$3.00 

Simplifled Guide to Common Colorado Grasses, A 

Wingate, J.L. 

$3.25 

$1.25 

Song of the Alpine: Rocky Mtn Tundra through the Seasons 

Gellhorn, J. 

$15.00 

$2.75 

Soil Science Simplifled 

Kohnke & Franzmeier 

$12.00 

$2.25 

Song of the Alpine: Rocky Mtn Tundra through the Seasons 

Gellhorn, J. 

$15.00 

$2.75 

Southern Rocky Mountain Wildflowers 

Freeman & Schofield 

$14.00 

$2.25 

Those Elusive Native Orchids of Colorado 

Smith, Scott 

$35.00 

$3.00 

Tour of the Flowering Plants, A (with CD) 

Spears, P. 

$43.00 

$3.25 

Trees and Shrubs of Colorado (revised and expanded-2006) 

Carter, J. 

$23.00 

$2.75 

Trees and Shrubs of New Mexico, revised and expanded - 2012 

Carter, J. 

$24.00 

$4.00 

Utah Flora, A 3rd edition 2003 

Welsh, Atwood, et al 

$77.75 

$6.00 

Vascular Plants of Wyoming 

Dorn, R. 

$17.50 

$3.00 

Weeds of the West 

Western Society of Weed Science 

$29.50 

$3.50 

Wild about Wildflowers 

Darrow, K. 

$22.00 

$2.75 

Wild at Fleart: A Guide to Plants, Birds & Mammals of CO Mountain Towns 

Fluggins, J.L. 

$27.50 

$3.25 

Wild Plants and Native Peoples of the Four Corners 

Dunmire & Tierney 

$18.00 

$2.25 

Wildflowers of Bandolier 

Turner & Turner 

$10.00 

$1.25 

Wildflowers of Canyon de Chelly 

Turner & Turner 

$10.00 

$1.25 

Wildflowers of Mesa Verde 

Turner & Turner 

$10.00 

$1.25 

Wildflowers of the Mountain West 

Anderson, Gunnell & Goodspeed 

$20.00 

$3.50 

Wildflowers of Red Rocks Park 

Turners Turner 

$12.50 

$1.25 


Merchandise 


Rare, Imperiled Plants of Colorado Note Cards - 9 different cards in each set 

Rocky Mtn Soc.of Botanical Artists 


Central Arkansas Valley Note Card Set 


$15.00 

$2.00 

Central Mountains Note Card Set 


$15.00 

$2.00 

Central Front Range Note Card Set 


$15.00 

$2.00 

Four CornersAA/estern Slope Note Card Set 


$15.00 

$2.00 

North and Middle Parks Note Card Set 


$15.00 

$2.00 

Complete Set of 5 boxes (45 different cards) 


$70.00 

$3.50 

Loupes 18mm illuminated 20x 


$8.00 

$2.00 

CONPS Flats (one size) 


$8.00 

$1.50 

CONPS Stickers 


$3.00 

$0.75 

CONPS Short Sleeve T-shirts - please indicate size 

Sm, Med, L, XL, or XXL 

$13.00 

$2.25 

CONPS Long Sleeve T-shirts - please indicate size 

Sm, Med, L, XL, or XXL 

$16.00 

$2.25 

CONPS Tote Bags 


$11.50 

$2.75 


Inventory Closeout ItemsSelling Price Reduced 


uoioraao hiora; west biope, zuu'i (csra) boiiion 

vveoer & vvittmann 

$'lt).UU 


Gardening with Altitude; Cultivating a New Western Style 

Shrewsbury & Golanty, DBG 

$20.00 

$2.75 

Landscaping on me New hrontier 

ivieyer,Kjeigren, Morrison, varga 

$zu.uu 


Rocky Mountain Lichen Primer 

Corbridge & Weber 

$15.00 

52W 


If the purchasing entity is tax exempt, piease provide the tax id number. 


Book Totai: 


Piease add the foiiowing taxes where appiicabie: 


Saies Tax: 


City of Boulder 8.31% 

Note: shipping is not taxed 

Shipping Totai: 


All other Boulder County 4.9% 


ORDER TOTAL: 


City and County of Denver 7.72% 


City of Colorado Springs 7.4% 

Make checks payabie to: Coiorado Native Piant Society. 

All other El Paso County 4.9% 

Maii order and check ONLY after emaiiing or phoning 

City of Fort Collins 7.35% 

to make certain the items are avaiiabie. 

City of Loveland 6.7% 

Linda Smith 

Email: conpsoffice@aol.com 

All other Larimer County 3.5% 

4057 Cottonwood Drive 

Phone: 970-663-4085 

All other Colorado 2.9% 

Loveland, CO 80538 


States other than Colorado-no tax 


Please provide the foiiowing information: 


Name: 


Street: 


City, State, Zip: 


Phone number: 


Emaii address: 


Tax id number if tax exempt: 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 2013 29 


CONPS 2013-2014 CALENDAR 


SEPTEMBER 201 3 

Sept 19 Eriogonum Society Annual Meeting, Farmington, NM 

Sept 24 Left-Field Secret-Ninja Planting Techniques for 

Colorado Natives Program, 7 p.m. (MD) 

Sept 27 Rare Plant Symposium 

Sept 28-29..CoNPS Annual Meeting (Boulder) 

Sept 28 CoNPS Board Meeting 

Sept 21 NoCo Natural Festival, Fossil Creek Open Space Field 

Trip (N) 

OCTOBER 2013 

Oct 3 Fall Meeting Season Kick-off! 5:30 p.m. Social, 

Program 7 p.m. (N) 

Oct 5 Restoration Case Study Workshop, Golden 

Oct 6 Castlewood Canyon State Park (DM) 

Oct 19 Asteraceae Identification Lab (P) 

Oct 22 Chapter Program, 7 p.m. (MD) 

NOVEMBER 201 3 

Nov 2 Sagebrush of Colorado Workshop, Ft. Collins 

Nov 3 Sagebrush of Colorado Workshop, Ft. Collins 

Nov. 7 Watershed Restoration after High Park Fire, 7 p.m. (N) 

DECEMBER 201 3 

Dec. 3 Alpine Plant Ecology of New Zealand Program, 

7 p.m. (MD) 

Dec 5 Landscape Design and Cultivation of Rocky Mountain 

Native Plants, 7 p.m. (N) 

Dec 7 Lichen Biology Workshop, Boulder 

Dec 8 Lichen Biology Workshop, Boulder 

JANUARY 201 4 

Jan 9 Scoping on the Trail Program, (N) 

Jan 28 Metro-Denver Chapter Program TBA, 7 p.m. (MD) 

TBA Intro to Asteraceae Identification, Denver 

TBA Intro to the Buckwheat Family Workshop, Longmont 

FEBRUARY 2014 

Feb 25.... Metro-Denver Chapter Program TBA, 7 p.m. (MD) 

TBA Intro to Asteraceae Identification, Denver 

TBA Wonderful World of Cyperaceae, Longmont 


KEY 

B Boulder Chapter 

GR Gore Range Chapter 

MD Metro-Denver Chapter 

N Northern Chapter 

P Plateau Chapter 

SE Southeast Chapter 

SJ San Juan/Four Corners Native Plant Society 


MARCH 2014 

Mar 25... .Metro-Denver Chapter Program TBA, 7 p.m. (MD) 

TBA How to Collect Native Plants Workshop, Ft. Collins/ 

Denver 

TBA Beardtongues of Colorado Workshop 

APRIL 2014 

April 29... Metro-Denver Chapter Program TBA, 7 p.m. (MD) 

TBA How to Collect Native Plants Workshop, Ft. Collins/ 

Denver 

TBA Beardtongues of Colorado Workshop 


Sign up for the 
201 3 CoNPS Annual Meeting! 
September 27-29 

Boulder, Colorado 

Vital Signs of the Planet: 
Colorado's Flora in a Shifting Climate 
http://www.conps.org/ 


Friday, Sept. 27 

Colorado Rare Plant Symposium 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. 
Reception for CoNPS Members 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. 

Saturday, Sept. 28 
Annual Meeting 8:30 a.m. - 3: 45 p.m. 

Board Meeting 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. 

Sunday, Sept. 29 
Field Trips 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. 


Wildflower Art Contest 

The Crested Butte Wildflower Festival is requesting submissions 
for the 2014 Poster Contest. The winning entry receives $500. 
Artists may submit up to four pieces, and artwork should 
incorporate recognizable native wildflowers found in the Crested 
Butte area. The deadline for submissions is Monday, October 7th. 
Submissions may be mailed to PO Box 21 6, Crested Butte, CO 
81 224; emailed to info(a)cbwildflower.com; or delivered to the 
Festival Office at 409 Second Street. Call 970-349-2571 for info. 


30 


Aquilegia Volume 37, No. 5 Fall 201 3 


Plant Profiles 

Photos &Text by Christina MacLeod 


Nipple Cactus 
Coryphantha vivipara 
Family: Cactus (Cactaceae) 


Striking magenta flowers, often 4 cm. across and 
lasting for only one day, bloom between May and 
July. Within the deep corolla are numerous dark 
yellow stamens and a central style divided into six 
upper filaments. 


Greek koryphe and anthos refer to the location of the flower buds at the crown of the plant. Vivipara 
comes from Latin and means self-propagating by the production of plantlets. Coryphantha vivipara commonly ranges in the dry 
prairie montane grasslands and high deserts of the Great Plains from Canada to south of the Mexican border into the Chihuahuan 
Desert, up to elevations of 8,000 ft or more. This cold-hardy cactus can be successfully grown in a garden desertscape or trough and 
is available at nurseries. It is considered by some to be threatened. 

V y 


central areole. 


More often than not, this stout, 
fleshy inconspicuous plant will be 
totally overlooked by the casual 
observer. Its ball-shaped mound is 
covered with knobby projections 
called tubercles; each sport 12-16 
spines 12 mm. in length (some bi- 
colored) emanating radially from a 


SAND-VERBENA (Smallflower Sandverbena) 

THpterocalyx micranthus 

Family: Four O'clock (Nyctaginaceae) 


Found at ground level along dirt roads and sandy benches, with low, 
branching and trailing stems, is the native annual Sand-verbena, 
Tripterocaiyx micranthus. 


Tiny white tubular flowers extend from a central node in umbel-like 
attachments along the stem. More eye-catching than its flowers are the 
clusters of winged, salmon-colored fruiting bodies. Each three-winged, 
paper-thin seed pod holds one seed inside. The pod structure turns a 
transparent brown as it matures. 


Ovate leaves with entire, loosely wavy margins are oppositely positioned 
along the stem. The upper surface is glabrous while the underside 
appears roughly patterned. This forb ranges throughout the plains states of the Rockies from 
northern to southern borders, along sandy mesas and dry streambed montane landscapes, 
and blooms in mid-summer with little seasonal moisture. 


^ Christina MacLeod (L.Ac., M.A., MPH, NPM) is a passionate teacher, speaker, and writer, promoting Earth ecology and conserva- 
tion awareness, and has been an interpretive trail guide for over 20 years. She is a botanical consultant for the San Isabel Land Trust, 
and a former trainer for the CSU Native Plant Program. She teaches annually at the week-long Crested Butte Wildflower Festival. 
Christina is a practicing acupuncturist and medical herbalist in Westcliffe, CO. She is the author of the Rocky Mountain Nativescapes 


V^blog, http://rockymountainnativescapes.com, and can be contacted at skyedarter@gmail.com. 


yv. 


Colorado Native Plant Society 

P.O. Box 200 

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


2013 Photo Contest Winner 

Landscape Category: Marlene Borneman - Monkey Flower Landscape