The Newsletter
of the Wyoming
Native Plant Society

May 1996
Volume 15, No. 2

In this issue:

WNPS News 2

Jackson Ski Area Expansion Threatens

Native Plants . 3

Exotics: Good Guys or Bad Guys? 4

Botany Briefs. New USFWS Candidate

Plant List 5

Horticultural Notes: Chrysothamnus

nauseosus 6

Artemisia Rusts in Wyoming 6

Dried Flowers 7

The Botany 130 Songbook 8

ArizOflO blue b0 II [Mertensio arizonica) is one
of two species of toll bluebell in Wyoming. It differs
from the more widespread M, ciliata in having
longer, more sharp-tipped calyx lobes. M.
arizonica is relatively uncommon in Wyoming,
where it is known primarily from moist areas in the
Bighorn and Uinta Mountains. In all, Wyoming is
home to nine species of Mertensio. all of which
can be recognized by their tubular, sky-blue
corollas and 4-parted nutlet fruits (typical of most
members of the Borage Family). Identification of
bluebell species in the field can be made difficult
by hybridization. Ell. by W. Fertig.

WNPS NEWS

Scholarship Award : The Board received 4 outstanding
applications for the 1996 WNPS scholarship. In the closest
vote in recent years, it was decided to split the award
equally between Kathy Doyle and Laura Welp, both graduate
students in the Department of Botany at the University of
Wyoming. Kathy is completing a PhD project on fire ecology
in the Teton Range and Laura is completing a floristic study
of the Red Desert region of central Wyoming. Both students
received $200.00. This year’s awards were made possible due
to generous donations to the scholarship fund by our
members.

Annual Meeting : The 1996 WNPS annual meeting and
field trip are scheduled for the weekend of August 3-4 1996
in the Snowy Range of the Medicine Bow Mountains. The
Saturday field trip (August 3) will focus on alpine wildflowers
in the vicinity of Medicine Bow and Brown's peak. Members
and guests are asked to meet at the Libby Flats parking area
off State Highway 130 at 9:00 AM for a (hopefully) short
business meeting We will then proceed to the base of
Brown’s Peak, exploring the plants and plant communities of
the timberline zone. Time and weather permitting, we will
also explore subalpine forest habitats in the vicinity.
Depending on interest, a half-day field trip will be held on
Sunday (August 4) in the Laramie Range. Those attending
this trip should plan to meet at the Lincoln rest area off
Interstate 80 east of Laramie at 9:00 AM. Participants in all
of the field trips should bring their own lunch, plenty' of
water, good hiking shoes, floras and field guides, and should
be prepared for cool or rainy weather.

A 1-day general plant identification workshop is also
scheduled for Monday, August 5 in the Vedauwoo area of
the Laramie Range. This workshop is aimed at improving
keying skills in the field and will emphasize grassland and
riparian species. Participants should bring a hand lens, a
copy of Dorn’s “ Vascular Plants of Wyoming", lunch, water,
and appropriate hiking clothing and gear. Please meet at the
Lincoln rest area off Interstate 80 at 8:30 AM (the workshop
will run from 8:30-4:00 PM).

Tensleep Field Trip : A second summer field trip has been
scheduled for the weekend of July 12-14 at The Nature
Conservancy's Tensleep Preserve on the west flanks of the
Bighorn Range. Members are invited to explore the mesas,
canyons, woods, and sage meadows of the Preserve and assist
in the compilation of a more up-to-date plant species list for
the area. We will also be able to see several rare species
restricted to the Bighorn Range, including Cary beardtongue
(Penstemon caryi) and Hapeman’s sullivantia {Sullivantia

hapemanii). Tent camping and kitchen facilities will be
provided, but visitors are asked to bring their owti food,
bedding, and toiletries. Tent sites will be available on Friday,
July 12 after 3:00 PM through Sunday morning. Guests are
asked not to bring pets. To reach the Preserve, take Highway
16 between Worland and Buffalo. Turn south on State
Highw ay 436 approximately 2.5 miles east of the towTt of Ten
Sleep (which incidentally has a great soda fountain).

Continue on Highway 436 for 1 1 miles (this road is paved for
the first several miles before turning into a good quality'
gravel road). At mile 1 1 turn left off Highway 436 at a tall
w ooden gate w ith a pair of green metal gates underneath it.
Follow the signs for 1.9 miles to the tent camp. For those
arriving Saturday, please plan to meet by 9:00 AM.

Membership Renewal/Elections : Enclosed on the ballot
in this issue is the annual renewal form. All members with
94. 95, or 96 on their mailing label need to renew' their
membership to remain in good standing and participate in the
election of Board members. The following members have
agreed or been cajoled into running for the Board: Jennifer
Whipple (President). Charmaine Refsdal (Vice-President),
Walter Fertig (Secretary -Treasurer), and Katy Duffy' (Board).
Jean Daly is the carry -over Board Member. Please also
indicate what area(s) of the state you w'ould like to visit for
next year’s annual meeting/fleld trip.

New Members : Please welcome the following new
members of WNPS: Junior Gordon (Primm Springs, TN),
Amy Roderick (Laramie) and Emmett Sullivan (Kemmerer).

Attention Readers : We are ahvays looking for articles and
illustrations from members for the newsletter. Items for the
October issue are needed by 15 September, 1996.

Treasurer’s Report : Balance as of 15 May 1996: General
Fund $ 432.87; 1996-97 Scholarship Fund $ 76,00; Total
Funds: $ 508.87 WF

Wyoming Native Plant Society

1604 Grand Ave., Laramie, WY 82070

President: Barbara Amidon (Rock Springs)

Vice President: Jennifer Whipple (Old Faithful)
Secretary/Treasurer: Walt Fertig (Laramie)

Board Members: Jean Daly (Big Horn),

Diana Osuna (Kelly)

Newsletter Editor: Walt Fertig (307) 745-5026 (wk)
Contributors to this issue: John Baxter, Jim Borland, Walter
Fertig (WF), Mary Neighbours, and Bill Schneider.

2

Editorial

Jackson Ski Area Expansion Threatens
Native Plants

By Katy Duffy,

Teton Chapter, WNPS

Editors Note: The Jackson Hole Ski Area is seeking
approval from Bridger-Teton National Forest to expand its
operation on the slopes of Rendezvous Mountain, just west of
Jackson, WY. The area in the vicinity of the existing tram is
known to have a number of Forest Sen-ice Sensitive and state
rare plant species.

The Wyoming Native Plant Society is an organization
dedicated to consenation of the native flora and native plant
communities of Wyoming. The Teton County Chapter has
reviewed the draft EIS for the Jackson Hole Ski Area Master
Development Plan Revision [on Rendezvous Mountain] and
would like to offer the following comments:

We strongly recommend that the project area be surveyed
rigorously for sensitive plants and unique plant communities
before construction, preferably throughout the 1996 field
season to detect plants with different appearance and
flowering times. Locations of sensitive species and unique
plant communities should be mapped precisely so that these
locations will receive complete protection during
construction.

Increased visitor use of the area at the top of the
tram has already resulted in widespread trampling of fragile
alpine vegetation. Even without further development, there
needs to be a controlled trail system leading from the top
of the tram to protect alpine vegetation whose existence is
already tenuous due to the severity of life above treeline.

A known population of Payson’s bladderpod (. Lesquerella
paysonii ), [a Forest Service Sensitive species], occurs near
the top of the tram. In Rare Plants of Grand Teton National
Park (1993), Hollis Marriott observed that this population of
bladderpod had already been disturbed. A population of
aromatic pussvtoes (Antennaha aromatica) near the top of
the tram was eradicated due to summer visitors trampling it.
We fear that expansion of the ski area and concomitant
increase in summer use will jeopardize the continued
existence of sensitive and other alpine plants. Although
Appendix B of the draft EIS (page B-9) states that "further
mitigation will be necessary to avoid ground disturbance to
the rare plant population [L. paysonii) and its associated
habitat", there is no provision for including the nature of
the mitigation for this and other rare plants in the final
EIS after surveys for sensitive species have been completed.

All ground disturbance should be at the lowest level.

Level III disturbance is obviously devastating to native plant
communities and must be avoided or at least reduced. Level
III ground disturbance should never occur above 8,500 feet.
Summer grooming involves Level III disturbance and must be
reduced or eliminated. We are concerned that decisions to
increase the level of disturbance will be made on site after the
project has been approved, so we would like to see a provision
in the final EIS that prevents this from happening.

Because of the proximity to Grand Teton National Park,
expansion of the ski area is likely to have adverse impacts on
adjacent alpine and subalpine areas of the park. We are
concerned about the possibility of mountain biking in the ski
area, which will result in increased erosion and damage to
native vegetation. Although mountain biking is not allowed
in the backcountrv of Grand Teton National Park, if bikers
have access to the ski area, illegal bicycling is almost certain
to become a problem.

We urge the Forest Sendee to make the Vegetation
Managament Plan part of the final Record of Decision to
assure sufficient protection of native plant communities. The
plan must also contain measures to prevent and control
noxious w'eeds (eg., hay that has been certified weed-free).

We are concerned that there be adequate mitigation to ensure
domination by native plant species throughout the project
area. Revegetation after ground disturbance must be done
with native plants, not commercially available mixes that
contain persistent exotic plants such as yellow sweet clover
(which is actually a noxious weed).

The Teton County Chapter of the Wyoming Native Plant
Society w r ould like to receive a copy of the Vegetation
Management Plan for this project when it is completed. We
would also like to receive scoping statements concerning
other projects that affect native plant communities.

(Adapted from a letter to Sandra Key, Forest Supervisor,
Bridger-Teton National Forest, PO Box 1 888, Jackson, WY,
83001, prepared by the Teton Chapter of WNPS. Editorials
in Castif/eja reflect the opinion of the author. Contrasting
viewpoints are welcome).

3

Exotics: Good Guys or Bad Guys?

By Bill Schneider

There are scores of non-native plant species commonly
cultivated and naturalized throughout the Rocky Mountain
region. A very small percentage of these species could be
considered a threat to the native flora and fauna. But these
relatively few species are profoundly changing the landscape.
Given that not all introduced species have the same potential
to naturalize and become a problem, how do we distinguish
the good guys from the bad guys? This issue was previously
discussed in two articles that appeared in Casti/leja
concerning Russian olive ( Elaeagmts angustifoiia).

Respectfully, I would like to take issue with Dr.

Dorn's editorial in the March 1996 Casti/leja and continue
the debate. The issue here has implications far beyond this
single plant species. Increasingly, ecologists, taxonomists,
and others acknowledge that the introduction and spread of
exotic plants and animals is perhaps a threat to the
environment and native biodiversity unequaled by
development, pollution, and even clearing of rain forest.

What is native?

Before sorting out which introduced species are a
problem, we must determine what "native" means.
Distinguishing natives from non-natives is not always easily
done and the process is subject to a great deal of debate.

Species naturally move and migrate; their natural
ranges expand and contract over time. Humans are known to
have moved plants and animals around the world for
thousands of years, w hether by intent or accident. So how'
long must a species be naturalized before it is considered
native? There are several ways to distinguish native species
from non-natives: temporally (by successional niche or time
of introduction in archaeologic, geologic, or human history),
spatially (by range or site), and/or taxonomically. Pre-
European settlement is often used in North America as a
temporal frame of reference. Although pre-European
settlement is somewhat arbitrary, the great number and types
of species introduced since settlement and the breadth of these
introductions are unprecedented in history'.

What constitutes an invasive exotic plant?

"Direct competition", which implies invasiveness, does
not tell the whole story. Competitiveness can be the result
of one or more adaptive (and sometimes incidental)
characteristics. Therefore the term "problematic" is
perhaps better than "invasive" when describing exotics that
degrade the environment. Commonly, it is assumed that the
absence of insects and pathogens normally associated with a
particular species in its native habitat may confer

competitive advantage in its new’ habitat. This may or may
not be true. Some exotic plant species have allelopathic
properties that suppress the native species growing near
them. Other exotics out-perform their native associates by
leafing out earlier in the season and holding their leaves
longer in the fall. Even horticultural selection of some
species has imparted greater competitiveness by breeding in
broader environmental adaptability, and more consistent and
prolific flowering and fruiting.

Exotics can have degrading impacts on the environment
in many other w ays; it is not merely an issue of the
displacement of one or more native species by an exotic,
but the cascading implications this can cause to the balance
of nature. Tamarisk ( Tamarix ramosissima) for example, is
well known to disrupt natural ecosystems by dramatically
impacting regional hydrology in addition to direct
displacement of native species. Establishment of some
exotic species can suppress fire in fire-dependent
landscapes and therefore dramatically alter reproduction and
natural successional trends. In addition, introduced plant
species may sen e as alternate hosts for pathogens to which a
native species is susceptible. Such is the case with Cedar
apple rust, Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginiartiae. This
rust requires both the Jimiperus spp. and the apple, Malus
pumila, introduced from Europe, as hosts (this is not to
suggest that we should exterminate the beloved apple).

The myriad of adaptive advantages some exotics exert over
native flora defies generalization and is difficult to predict
before the species is well established. Problematic exotics
have the net effect of disrupting ecological processes and
thus, decreasing overall natural biodiversity.

It is important to recognize that exotics can have
deleterious effects in highly disturbed habitats as w'ell as
"intact systems". A broad view' should be taken since few
intact ecosystems still exist within the United States;
altered ecosystems now’ account for the majority of habitat
for native fauna and flora. In addition, the future of the
"undisturbed" ecosystems will depend on the wise
management of the disturbed ecosystems that surround them.

It is often argued that just because a species is
problematic in one area it may not be a problem in another,
a point Dr. Dorn made in his editorial. He asserts "it is
very risky to assume that problems in one area are the same
in other areas." What is the risk of making such an
assumption? The risk is perhaps being wrong and not
planting the exotic species. On the other side, the risk of
ignoring the potential problem and planting the suspect
species anyway, is a risk to the environment as well as the
economy of a region. There are many examples of species
being introduced and only later becoming an ecological
problem as well as an agricultural (and economic) pest.

The introduction of spotted knapw eed ( Centaurea maculosa )
to the Bitterroot Valley in Montana for honey bee forage is

but one costly example. Dispersal by wind, water, animals,
and machinery increases the risk of spreading a species from
a site where it isn't a problem to another where it will be.
Perhaps the most compelling reason not to plant a suspect
species such as Russian olive is we just don't know . Why
take the risk?

The "epidemiology" of establishment of problematic
species is not well understood. The vast majority of these
species have been on the continent since before the turn of
the century. Why is it then, that in many cases these
species "behaved" themselves for decades before they became
a problem? Perhaps several generations of selection are
needed before super-adaptive individuals appear in
significant numbers. Dr. A. Reznicek at the University of
Michigan suggests another idea and uses this analogy. One
lily pad is placed in a pond and doubles its cover over the
surface each day. On day 30 the pond is completely covered.
On what day is the pond half covered?... on day 29. The
exponential reproduction is likely to be responsible for
these problems seemingly coming out of nowhere. In general,
infestations of problem plants follow development.

Therefore, Wyoming may not be ecologically immune to
Russian olive, Siberian elm, (U/nnts pimiila ) and other
species known to be a problem in other places in the Rocky
Mountain region.

Reasons for using exotics

The common refrain associated with the promotion of
exotic plant materials is that they are hardy, disease free,
have few insect pests, reproduce or propagate easily, and
provide food or cover for wildlife. These characteristics
are precisely what makes some exotic species such serious
competitors when released into a new- ecosystem or habitat.

It is perhaps human nature to try to enhance nature's
bounty, but when we plant a handful of exotic plants to
enhance wildlife, only a handful of wildlife species benefit
(some of which were introduced themselves). Reliance on
natural processes and the native vegetation they support is
the best long-term strategy for the survival of the greatest
number of native species.

To suggest that we should attempt to eradicate all
problematic species would be foolish. It would also be
foolish to continue to encourage the introduction and spread
of these species. It is time to challenge the mentality
that new and better species for wildlife habitat, erosion
control, agriculture, or ornamental horticulture are a
panacea. The Wyoming Native Plant Society has an
important role to play in not only preserving the native
landscape, but promoting the use of native plants in
landscaping, agriculture set-aside and conservation programs,
and wildlife enhancement.

US Congress Office of Technology Assessment. 1 993 .
Harmful Non-indigenous Species in the United States. OTA-
F-565.

McKnight. B. N.. ed. 1993. Biological Pollution - the
Control and Impact of Invasive Exotic Species. Indiana
Academy of Science, Indianapolis, IN.

Botany Briefs

Botanical News from Wyoming and the Rocky
Mountain Region

New USFWS Candidate Plant List: On

February 28. the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
published its most recent list of Candidate species for
potential listing as Threatened or Endangered under the
Endangered Species Act. Previously, only two Wyoming
plants were recognized as candidates : Arobis pusilla (Small
rockcress) and Gaura neomexiccma ssp. coloradensis
(Colorado butterfly plant). The 1996 list includes one
additional species, Yermo xanihocephalus (desert
yellowhead). Y. xanihocephalus is the only known
species in its genus and is restricted to a single small
occurrence in south-central Fremont County, Wyoming. As
reported in the October 1995 issue of Castilleja, USFWS has
dropped the C2 and 3C designations and is no longer
officially recognizing approximately 50 former Wyoming C2
species as candidates for legal protection. WF

Below; Colorado butterfly plant. III. By W. Fertig.

Flowers

white

(turning

pink or

reddish

with age),

5-14 mm

long, 4

petals,

ovary

inferior

Inflorescence flat-topped in bud, multiple
brances elongate as flowers and fruits
mature

Fruit hard,
nut-iike, 4-
angled,
sessile

Leaves lance-
shaped. 5-15 cm
long, margins
smooth or wavy-
toothed

Additional Reading:

111, by W. Fertig

Horticultural Notes

Chrysothanmnus nauseosvrs

By Jim Borland
Horticultural Consultant

(Reprinted from the January-March 1996 issue of Aquilegia,
the newsletter of the Colorado Native Plant Society).

The end of the growing season is seldom heralded by
many blooming shrubs. Unusual in this respect, however, is
Chrysothamnus (rabbitbrush), which festoons the western
landscape from Canada to Mexico with golden-colored
plumes of flowers.

Rabbitbrush grows native from the Great Plains to above
timberline (up to about 10.000 ft), a vast area that
includes hardiness zones 2, 3, and 4.

Used sparingly in today's landscapes. C. nauseosus ,
along with several other rabbitbrush species, is becoming
important in water-scarce environments. Nearly all
rabbitbrush species exhibit the same growth pattern -
multistemmed and upright but rounded. They differ mainly
in height and winter stem color, which varies from green to
blue to white.

C. nauseosus var. gra\ f eoSens is a midsized race
measuring 2 to 3 feet tall with gray-green stems and leaves.
C. nauseosus var. nauseosus , on the other hand, is referred
to in the trade as dwarf blue because of its shorter height
and noticeable bluish stems and leaves. Both display 1 to
2 inch long linear leaves arranged alternately on densely
hairy' stems, and both bloom in late summer or fall.

Rabbi tbrnsh can tolerate drought. Deep taproots,
branching extensively at depths of 6 feet or more, help it
thrive on less than 15 inches of annual precipitation. In
addition, rabbitbrush accommodates almost all soil types,
including sandy and gravelly soils and clay loams, as well
as saline conditions. When planting rabbitbrush, consider
only sunny, dry locations to avoid weak, drooping habits and
root disease. Once established in an area without excess
w'ater. it seldom experiences problems more significant than
an occasional aphid or stem gall infestation, neither of
which is seriously debilitating.

Used singly or in masses, most rabbitbrushes can be
sheared or cut almost to the ground each winter. However,
neither practice is needed or recommended for a natural
effect.

Since it has proved so difficult to propagate
rabbitbrush from cuttings, most people propagate it from
seed, which germinates best at 60 to 70 degrees F with light.

Approximately 50% of the tiny pappus-bound seeds
germinate 2 to 4 days after sowing. Without special storage
conditions, the seed remains commercially viable for only
one year.

When nursery grown in almost any soil, rabbitbrush
produces 1-gal. plants after one season, and 5-gal. plants
after two seasons.

Artemisia Riursts in Wyommg
By John Baxter

Six species of rust fungi parasitize Artemisia species in
North America. Five of these rusts occur in Wyoming, and
the type specimens of two species, Puccinia similis and
Uromvces oblongisponis , were collected in Wyoming.

Puccinia similis has been reported on 34 species of
Artemisia (Arthur and Cummins 1962). In addition to these
records, Artemisia porteri and A. scopulorum are susceptible,
as demonstrated by recent controlled innoculation. In
Wyoming, this rust is usually most abundant on Artemisia
tridentata. A. can a and A. tripartita. It has also been
collected on Sphaeromeria capitata and S. diversi folia
(commonly called false sagebrushes). The Laramie false
sagebrush. S. simplex (a Wyoming endemic) is probably
susceptible.

Field observations in 1994 suggested that Puccinia
similis shows the kind of life cycle variability that
occasionally occurs in sunflower rust (Carleton 1904, Bailey
1923). Infection by overwintered teliospores usually
results in the formation of spermagonia followed by aecia,
but occasionally results in the production of spermagonia
followed by uredinia. This variability has been
demonstrated by recent controlled innoculations.

Puccinia cnici-oleracei, a short -cycle rust (producing
only teliospores and basidiospores) has a worldwide
distribution on many genera of Compositae. In Wyoming it
occurs most commonly on Artemisia frigida and A.
ludoviciana. In areas where these hosts are heavily
infected it can usually be found on Achillea millefolium.

Two other Puccinia species parasitize Artemisia in
Wyoming. These are/ 3 , ludovicianae on A. ludoviciana and
P. tanaceti var. dracimculina on A . dracunculus (tarragon).
The type specimen of the latter rust was collected by
Bartholemew' and Bethel near Boulder, Colorado.

Uromvces oblongisporus is known only from the type
specimen collected by Aven Nelson near South Butte,
Sweetwater County, in 1897 on Artemisia tridentata. The fact
that this rust has been collected only once is probably, in
the words of that old popular song, "just one of those
things". Considering the abundance and wide distribution of

6

A. tridentata, we can be reasonably sure that U.
oblongisporus is out there somewhere, waiting to be
collected.

References:

Arthur, J.C. and G.B. Cummins. 1962. Manual of the
Rusts in United States and Canada. Purdue Research
Foundation, Lafayette, IN.

Bailey, D.L. 1923. Sunflower rust, Minn. Agr. Exp.

Sta. Tech. Bull. 16:1-31.

Carleton, M.A. 1904. Investigations of rusts. US
Dept. Agr. Bur. PI. Ind. Bui. 63: 1-29.

Cummins, G.B. 1978. Rust fungi on legumes and
composites in North America. Univ. Arizona Press. Tucson,
AZ,

Dried Flowers

By Mary Neighbours

Dried flowers are quite the fad today, and anyone who
endures the long winters in Wyoming knows what pleasure it
is to encounter something green in February, even if it is
dried out. To combat the winter blues, I have started drying
flowers and 1 have some insights that I thought I might share.

I started out by drying some of my garden flowers (exotics
to be sure), which worked so well that 1 have now graduated
to native plants. Of course, one must be judicious when
picking native plants and not decimate the population.
However, last year the hills were blue with Delphinium and
the ridges were yellow with Bolsamorhiza: hopefully this will
be a good year as well.

Choose plants with some discretion. Many of the colors
will fade slightly when they are dried, but the color will
usually remain for some time. 1 usually dry new ones every
summer and replace those from the previous year, which are
dust-covered and faded from light exposure in the house.
Some plants are not good choices for drying since the flowers
normally fall off. I think Lupirms would be in this category,
although I have not actually tried to dry any yet. I did not
have any luck drying poppies from my garden. Delphinium
does dry well for a deep blue to almost purple color.

Shrubs like sagebrush can be dried for filler, and grasses
like ricegrass ( Oiyzopsis ) can be picked after the seeds are
gone for straw-colored background. I dried some needle-and-
thread (Stipa comata ) w'hen it was in bloom and early flow er
one year and it was quite pretty, although it curled up around
itself and didn’t look much like Stipa when it was done.

Most Compositae (sunflower family) seem to dry well,
although the ray flowers are often rather fragile and may

break off easily. I tried Ehgeron once, to get the blue ray
flowers. It was only mildly successful since the rays shattered
whenever anyone barely touched them. Balsamorhiza dries
well but is also delicate, but Gaillardia (Indian blanket)
works well. The trick seems to be to pick flowers in the early
to full bloom stage when the colors are at their peak.

Now that you have picked them, what do you do? There
are several techniques, the simplest of which is to tie them
into a bundle and hang them upside down to dry, preferably
in a dark or low -light spot which is well -aerated. Since the
humidity is so low in Wyoming, they will dry fairly quickly,
even flowers and leaves of garden stonecrop ( Sedum ). This is
a good way to do composites and Delphinium. Other
suggestions: buckwheat ( Eriogonum ) and wild begonia
( Rumex hymenosepnius). Experiment!

Another technique is to stand the flower upright in a
drying medium which will preserve its form so that it does
not curl up as it drys. I have not actually done this, but a
friend used a mixture of cornmeal and borax to dry' some
Aquilegia last year and they still look great. Clean, fine white
sand should also work: the red sand so common in Wyoming
might work, but might also leave some color on the flowers.
The technique is to fix the stem in the bottom of a container,
then carefully “sift” the sand or cornmeal around the flower a
little at a time so as not to crush the flow'er, but pack it
carefully to preserv e the shape. You must also get some
inside the flower so the inner portion does not collapse.

Finally, a technique that 1 read about in a magazine is to
use the microwave. I have not tried it but here’s a
description: Pack the flow'er carefully, as above, in fine cat
litter to absorb water. Then put it in the microwave for only
about one minute. This takes some experimentation in order
to get the microwave timing and power setting correct. This
is a quick way, although it seems like you may w f ant to wait a
short while before removing the flower to ensure that the
water is completely absorbed. The article suggested drying
marigolds this way.

The easiest way to use dried flowers is to arrange them in
a bouquet before you dry them. This doesn’t ahvays work,
because the effect you want may include flow ers that do not
bloom at the same time. If this is the case it is a good idea to
dry' more than you think you may need because there will
ahvays be some that fall apart when you untie your bundles.
For those of you w ho live at a low enough altitude in
Wyoming to grow roses in your garden, try drying the young
blossoms and giving them to friends over the winter - you’ll
be greatly appreciated.

7

The Rotanny 1130 Soimgbook

The Wyoming Native Plant Society, established in 1981. is a
non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging the
appreciation and conservation of the native flora and plant
communities of Wyoming. The Society promotes education
and research on native plants of the state through its
newsletter, field trips, and annual student scholarship
award. Membership is open to individuals, families, or
organizations with an interest in Wyoming's flora. Members
receive Castilleja, the Society's quarterly publication, and
may take part in all of the Society's programs and projects,
including the annual meeting/ficld trip held each summer.
Dues are $5.00 annually.

To join the Wyoming Native Plant Society , return the
membership form below to:

Wyoming Native Plant Society

1604 Grand Ave.

Laramie, WY 82070

Name

Address:

$5.00 Regular membership

$15.00 Scholarship Supporting Member
($10,00 goes to the annual scholarship fund)

Has Anybody Seen My Mold?
(Tunc: 5 -foot-2, eyes of blue)

By John “Barney “ Baxter
Poet lariat of Wyoming

I wrote this song in 1970. after encountering a huge slime
mold. 5 feet long and nearly 2 feet wide, at the field
station of the University of Wisconsin-Milw aukee. It was a
very wet year.

Five-fool-two

Grayish-blue.

Great big blob of slimy goo,

Has anybody seen my mold?

All around, leaves are brown.

And the snow is sifting down.

My slime mold's out there in the cold.

So if you run into five-foot-two.

Feed him for me.

Raw oatmeal will make him feel
Full of Christmas cheer and glee

Go man, go. through the snow.

Find my five-fool Fttligo
Has anybody seen my mold?

WYOMING NATIVE
PLANT SOCIETY

1604 Grand Avenue
Laramie, WY 82070

8