The Newsletter
of the Wyoming
Native Plant Society

May 1999
Volume 18, No. 2

Special Weed Issue

In this issue:

WNPS News 2

Botany Briefs 2

Mosses of Wyoming

A Potpourri of Weeds 3

Wyoming’s Non-Native Flora 7

Summer Field Trips 11

Hedge bindweed (Calystegia septum war.
angulata) is a weedy vine in the morning glory family
(Convolvulaceae) that can be recognized by its large,
funnel-like white to pink flowers, large ovate bracts, and
arrowhead-shaped leaves. This species is considered an
introduced weed in eastern North America, but is
probably native in the western United States. It is
closely related to field bindweed {Convolvulus arvensis\
a non-native agricultural pest with smaller flowers and
linear bracts. Calystegia septum occurs in disturbed
areas of northern and eastern Wyoming. Illustration
from Gustav Hegi’s Illustrterte Flora von Mttteleuropa.

WNPS NEWS

Wyoming Native Plant Society
1604 Grand Ave., Laramie, WY 82070

Renewal Time/Elections : A renewal notice and ballot is
enclosed with this issue. Members with a 98 or 99 on their
mailing label need to renew now to remain in good standing,
while those with a 00 are paid through the year. (Not to worry
- WNPS is Y2K compatible!)

Beginning this month, the cost of membership in the
Society is regrettably increasing from S5 to S7.50 to reflect
recent increases in the cost of postage and copying.
Membership in WNPS is still, however, the least expensive of
any Native Plant Society in the West!

The following individuals have kindly agreed to run for the
WNPS board: President - Jim Ozenberger (Jackson), Vice
President - Amy Roderick (Laramie), Secretary-Treasurer -
Laura Welp (Laramie), 2-year board member - Steve Laster
(Pinedale). As always, write-in votes are welcome. Please also
list 1-3 potential locations for the 2000 annual meeting and
field trip.

Scholarship Award : The Board is pleased to announce that
2 students have been awarded the Society’s annual scholarship
for 1999. Michele Slaton, a graduate student at the University
of Wyoming, was awarded $400 for her study on the effects of
elevated concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide on leaf
form and function of 50 alpine grass, forb, and woody shrub
species in the Medicine Bow Range. Michael Tercek of
Tulane University was also awarded $400 for his project
examining the habitat requirements and evolutionary history of
Ross’ bentgrass {Agrostis rossiae\ an endemic of thermally-
influenced areas in Yellowstone National Park. The Board
would like to thank all of the students who submitted worthy
proposals in 1999. Thanks also to Society members who
contributed to the scholarship fund during the past year.

New Members ! Please welcome the following new
members of WNPS: Bemie Bomong (Sheridan), Greg Brown
(Laramie), Eva Crane (Lander), Jody Horvath (Wapiti),

William Jennings (Louisville, CO), Rose Lehman (Idaho Falls,
ID), Lorie Talbott (Green River), Niki Tippets (Moose), and
Joe Vollmer (Laramie).

We’re looking for new members : Do you know
someone who would be interested in Joining WNPS? Send
their name or encourage them to contact the Society for a
complimentary newsletter.

Attention Readers : We are always looking for articles and
illustrations for the newsletter. Items for the October issue are
needed by 1 5 September 1 999.

President: Charmaine Delmatier (Green River)

Vice President: Jim Ozenberger (Jackson)
Secretary-Treasurer: Walter Fertig (Laramie)

Board Members: Nina Haas (Cheyenne)

Jennifer Whipple (Mammoth)

Newsletter Editor: Walter Fertig (307) 745-5026 (wk)/e-mail:
clyde@uwyo.edu .

Teton Chapter: PO Box 82, Wilson, WY 83014 (Joan Lucas,
Treasurer).

Contributors to this issue: Charmaine Delmatier (CD), Walter
Fertig (WF), Ellen Hand Galligan, Gustav Hegi.

Botany Briefs

Mosses of Wyoming; The scientific study of mosses
(bryology) does not receive as much recognition as other
aspects of botany, but has a long history in Wyoming. Aven
Nelson published the first paper on Wyoming mosses in 1900,
in which he provided a checklist of 1 19 species based largely
on his collections from the Laramie and Medicine Bow ranges
and Yellowstone National Park and other specimens at the
Rocky Mountain Herbarium. In the 1930s, Cedric Lambert
(C.L.) Poner published a revised checklist of 215 mosses of
Wyoming as part of his doctoral dissertation from the
University of Washington. Most recently. Dr. Patricia Eckel of
the Buffalo Museum of Science (Buffalo, NY) has combed the
bryophyte literature and herbarium collections across the
United States (including the Rocky Mountain Herbarium and
Yellowstone National Park Herbarium) to compile a checklist
of 3 15 species and varieties of mosses for Wyoming. The
complete checklist entitled “Synopsis of the mosses of
Wyoming” was published in The Great Basin Naturalist in
1996.

Compared to many other areas of North America, the moss
flora of Wyoming is relatively depauperate. For example,

Eckel notes that New York state has 503 moss taxa and the
island of Newfoundland has 445 moss species. Other western
states also have low moss richness, with 292 species reported
for Colorado, 257 in Idaho, and 358 in Montana. WF

Ref; Eckcl, P.M. 1996. Synopsis of the mosses of Wyoming. Great Basin
Naturalist 56(3): 197-204.

Treasurer’s Report : Balance as of 1 May 1999: General
Fund $454.84; 1999-2000 Student Scholarship Fund $305.00;
Total funds: 759.84 WF

2

A Potpourri of Weeds

By Walter Fertig

Non-native plant species, also known as aliens, exotics,
introduced, non-indigenous, or just plain "weeds", are
increasingly recognized as a serious threat to native
biological diversity and agroeconomic systems throughout
the world. Nearly 4,000 species of plants have been
Introduced to North America from other lands in the past
three centuries, of which only a small percentage are
truly noxious. This small group, however, has already
Invaded over 100 million acres of land nationwide, and
continues to expand over an area twice the size of
Delaware each year (Brumback 1998). A recent study by
The Nature Conservancy Indicates that alien plant and
animal species are contributing to the decline of 42% of
all Threatened and Endangered species in the United
States due to competition for resources and habitat
degradation (Stein and Flack 1996). Economic losses
stemming from reduced farm yields, loss of animal
forage, and clogged irrigation ditches over the past
century number In the billions of dollars.

Not all non-native species are bad (obviously society
would suffer greatly if Introduced food crops were
eliminated), and many enhance the aesthetic pleasure of
our gardens and city parks. Nonetheless, exotics are
inappropriate in areas managed for their natural
character or in habitats critical for native wildlife and
plants. To better manage our wildlands and wildlife,
better information is needed on the identity and potential
problems caused by weeds. Weed education is the
purpose of this special section of CastiHeja.

What is a weed?

In describing Wyoming's weed problem In 1896,

University of Wyoming professor Aven Nelson wrote "It
has often been said that a weed is only a plant out of
place ... that Insists on growing where it is not wanted"
(Nelson 1896). Under this definition, a weed may be
either "native" (originally present in the state prior to
European settlement) or "non-native" (Introduced
following European settlement). A more useful term from
a management perspective is "invasive" - non-native
species that readily escape from cultivation to become
established in natural habitats and which alter their
environment to the detriment of pre-existing plants and
natural communities.

The "nativeness" of a species is determined primarily
from the study of old herbarium collections and the
written reports of early naturalists. Species are
considered foreign If they are well-documented by
herbarium specimens in their native land, but absent
from early collections or records kept by pioneer botanists
in their new range. This system is not without its flaws,
as herbarium collections may be incomplete for some
taxa and some species may be migrating into new

Above: Conringia orientalis, an introduced mustard from
Eurasia. III. from Hegl's IHustrierte Flora von Mittdeuropa.

entirely on their own. The debate over the North
American or Eurasian origin of such widely dispersed
"weeds" as Kentucky bluegrass {Poa pratensis) and
Water-cress {Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum) may never
be satisfactorily resolved.

Weed characteristics

Invasive plants have a number of life history attributes
that are similar to those of early successional species
(plants adapted to colonize disturbed sites). Introduced
weeds are capable of exploiting both "natural"
disturbances, such as volcanic eruptions, fires, and
flooding, or human-induced disturbances, such as tilling
of soil, road and building construction, or mining.
Increasing evidence suggests that weeds can also
become established in relatively undisturbed natural
areas, especially in mesic habitats with rich soils
(Stohlgren etal. 1999).

Weeds often have many of the following life history
characteristics (from Baker 1974):

* Non-specific germination requirements

* Seed longevity

* Rapid growth and quick flowering

* Continuous seed production during the growing season

* Self-compatibility

* If cross-pollinated, pollination by wind or unspecialized
visitors

* High seed production

* Ability to disperse seeds over both the local area and
long distances

3

* If perennial, ability to spread vegetatively and resprout
from broken fragments

* Aggressive competitors with few predators

Daehler (1998) in a survey of invasive plant species in
natural areas around the world found that the types of
plants most prone to "invasiveness" are grasses,
nitrogen-fixers, climbers, trees with clonal growth, and
aquatic to semi-aquatic herbs. Current quarantine
programs designed to screen out agricultural weeds may
be inadequate if they do not address this broader group
of potential natural area invaders.

Where did our introduced weeds come from?

Most Wyoming exotics originated from areas with
temperate climates in northern Europe or central Asia.
These species have become successful because they are
preadapted to Wyoming's climate and have escaped the
disease and predatory organisms that kept them in check
In their native range. Only a small percentage of
Wyoming weeds have Mediterranean or subtropical
affinities.

How did our non-native plants arrive?

Exotic plant species have reached North America by a
variety of means, including contaminated hay and seed,
ship ballast, and intentional introductions of crop, forage,
and ornamental species. Richard Mack (1990) has
proposed that mail-order seed catalogs may have been
an important vector for the spread of weeds after the US
Civil War. Once established, many weeds have been able
to spread by hitching a ride on wild and domestic
animals, human clothing, dirty vehicles, trains, and the
wind.

Native "weeds"

A number of native species have "weedy" tendencies and
are preadapted to exploit naturally or human-disturbed
environments. Skeletonleaf bursage {Artemisia
tomentosa or Franseria discoior) is one such native which
can be an agricultural or garden pest and Is listed as a
"Noxious Weed" by the Wyoming Department of
Agriculture. This species Is related to larger, non-native
Ambrosia species which can be a source of late-summer
pollen that brings misery to hay fever-sufferers. Other
apparently "native" weeds include Reed canary-grass
{Phaiaris arundinacea) and Hedge bindweed {Caiystegia
sepiumyav. anguiata).

At least 23 "native" North American species are
thought to be naturalized in Wyoming following white
settlement. These species include a number of Great
Plains forbs and grasses (such as Coreopsis ianceoiata, C.
tinctoria, Ratibida tagetes, Cucurbita foetidissima, and
Chioris verticiiiata) that have moved westward along
roadsides, as well as a small group of California and
Pacific Northwest species that have spread eastward.
Other "natives" to become established are ornamental

species that appear as roadside waifs {Eschscholzia
caiifornica ai\6 Nemophiia menziesii).

A few North American natives have become exotic
pests in other lands. Tall coneflower {Rudbeckia
iaciniata) and Bigleaf lupine {Lupinus poiyphyiius) are
western species that have been widely cultivated in
Europe and which have escaped along roadsides and in
wetland areas. A number of North American pine species
have also escaped from cultivation to become aggressive
pests in Scandinavia, South Africa, and New Zealand.

Weeds in the Wyoming flora

The vascular plant flora of Wyoming consists of 2761
species and varieties, of which 348 taxa are considered
non-native (12.6%). Compared to other states and
geographic areas, Wyoming's exotic flora Is relatively low.
The number of alien species per log area (a useful
calculation to adjust for differences in size between
states) in Wyoming is 64.4, a figure which is also low
when compared to other floras (see table below).

Percentage of Alien Species
In Selected Floras

State/ Region

# Alien

®/o Alien

# Alien/log area

New York

1082

35.8

210.5

California

1025

17.5

182.6

Hawaii

861

47.4

203.8

Illinois

782

27.5

151.1

Colorado

492

16.0

90.6

Texas

492

9.8

84.2

Louisiana

405

13.6

79.5

Wyoming

348

12.6

64.4

Alberta

280

16.0

48.1

New Mexico

229

ca7.9

41.6

North Dakota

171

15.0

32.5

From Rejmanek and Randall (1994), Stuckey
and Barkley (1993) and Fertig (unpublished data)

Exotics in the Wyoming Flora

P-Grass Shrub

10% 4%

4

Nearly two-thirds of the exotic species in the flora of
Wyoming are annual or perennial forbs, while graminoids
(grass-like plants) account for about 20% and trees and
shrubs only 7% (there are no alien ferns or fern-allies in
Wyoming). Although there are relatively few taxa of
annual graminoids In the flora, exotics account for nearly
55% of the state's total. Alien species also comprise
30% of all species of annual forbs in Wyoming and 25%
of all state species of trees. By comparison, less than 9%
of all perennial forb, perennial graminoid, and shrub taxa
in Wyoming are non-native. The grass family (Poaceae)
has the highest number of non-native species In the state
with 66, while the Asteraceae has 53, the Brassicaceae
37, and the Fabaceae 25.

Biological control of weeds

Chemical herbicides were once the control measure of
choice for weed species, until high application costs and
concerns over public health and environmental
contamination forced weed scientists to consider
alternative tactics. Biological control, utilizing insect
herbivores, fungi, or disease organisms, is becoming
increasingly important for the control of selected non-
native plants. The principle behind biocontrol is simple:
identify, collect, and release herbivorous or disease
organisms from a weed's native range Into new areas
where the weed has become a problem. Over the long
term, biocontrol tends to be cheaper and more effective
than traditional spraying programs. Success stories
include the eradication of non-native cacti In Australia by
cactus moths and the containment of exotic St. John's-
wort In California with leaf beetles. Similar programs to
contain Canada thistle and leafy spurge by using gall flies
and flea-beetles, are currently being developed by
scientists at the University of Wyoming. Some care still
needs to be taken In releasing new organisms, as they
may attack related, non-target species. For example,
weevils released to control exotic thistles in the west
have also been found to feed on rare, native thistles.

Some Wyoming weeds:

Purple loosestrife {Lythrum salicaria) is a tall,
handsome, purple-flowered perennial herb that has
become widely established throughout wetland areas of
North America since first being Introduced from Europe as
an ornamental In the early 1800s. Left unchecked, purple
loosestrife can quickly crowd out native wetland plants to
form monocultures that provide little food or shelter for
waterfowl and other wildlife. In Wyoming, this species
has been reported from Cheyenne, Lovell, Lusk, and
Sheridan. A small population on FE Warren Air Force Base
near Cheyenne may jeopardize populations of the
Threatened Preble's meadow jumping mouse and
Colorado butterfly plant {Gaura neomexicana ss'f).
cobradensis).

Above: Purple loosestrife flower by Ellen Hand Galligan.

Kentucky bluegrass {Poa pratensis) is a

rhizomatous, perennial grass that is ubiquitous in lawns,
meadows, and streambanks across North America,
Eurasia, and North Africa. American Indians referred to
Kentucky bluegrass as "white man's foot grass" In the
belief that the species grew wherever the white man
trod. The rapid spread of Kentucky bluegrass has lead
some scientists to speculate that certain strains of the
species may have been native. While there may be some
merit to this (the name Poa agassizensis Is available for
such forms), the degree of intergradation between these
forms today is so complete as to make the question
moot. Although its foreign origin may make it
undesirable to some, Kentucky bluegrass is highly
valuable as a forage species for livestock and wildlife and
for erosion control through its sod-forming roots.

Halogeton {Halogeton glomeratus) is a red-
stemmed, annual herb with fleshy, essentially tube-
shaped leaves adapted to disturbed or overgrazed
alkaline desert habitats. A native of central Asia,
halogeton first appeared In the Great Basin in the 1930s
and rapidly spread through much of the Intermountain
West. The plant is rich In oxalates and can be toxic to
grazing animals, especially domestic sheep.

Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) is one of our most
successful Invasive weeds due to its prodigious
production of easily-dispersed seed (over 1500 per plant),
ability to spread vegetatively by rhizomes and sprouts,
and release of allelopathic chemicals into the soil.

Despite its name, Canada thistle is native to southeastern
Europe, but has become widely established In Canada
and the northern United States (including most of

5

Wyoming). This species can be extremely difficult to
control, but encouraging success is being achieved with a
variety of biocontrol insects, including gall flies, stem-
mining weevils, and flea beetles.

Hybrid salsify { Tragopogon miscellus) is a polyploid
hybrid, derived from natural crosses between Tragopogon
clubiusax\6 T pratensis 'm the vicinity of Pullman,
Washington. It has since spread to parts of Idaho,
Montana, and northern Wyoming. This species raises a
disturbing philosophical question: does a "new" species
derived in North America from hybridization of two
exotics outside their homeland qualify as a native?

What can I do?

Containing the spread of exotic plants will require the
cooperation of ail citizens. Gardeners need to take a
keener interest in the origin and Invasibllity of plants that
they choose for their homes and parks. Species that are
known to be invaders should be avoided. Retail seed
providers and botanical gardens need to take great care
In determining the possible negative consequences of
new garden or crop species before they are offered to
the public. Nature enthusiasts need to take more
responsibility in learning the identity of non-native plants
and in reporting new infestations to the appropriate land
management agency, county weed and pest office, or
extension service. Weed control organizations need to
continue developing new, integrated techniques to
combat invading plants while not compromising the
health of humans and the environment. Cooperation of
all of these groups, and continued vigilance will help stem
the tide of exotic invasion in Wyoming.

References

Baker, H.G. 1974. The evolution of weeds. Annual Review of
Ecology and Systematics 5:1-24.

Brumback, W. 1998. New England's green invasion. New
England Wildflower 2(3): 4-6.

Daehler, C.C. 1998. The taxonomic distribution of invasive
angiosperm plants: ecological insights and comparison to
agricultural weeds. Biological Conservation 84: 167-180.

Dorn, R.D. 1992. Vascular Plants of Wyoming, second
edition. Mountain West Publ., Cheyenne, WY.

Hitchcock, C.L. and A. Cronquist. 1973. Flora of the Pacific
Northwest, an Illustrated Manual. Univ. Washington Press,
Seattle, WA.

Mack, R.N. 1990. Catalog of woes. Natural History. March
1990: 44-53.

Nelson, A. 1896. The worst weeds of Wyoming. Bulletin # 31
UW Agriculture College WY Experiment Station.

Rejmanek, M. & J.M. Randall. 1994. Invasive alien plants in
California: 1993 summary and comparison with other areas in
North America. Madrono 41:161-177.

Randall, J.M. & J. Marinelli, eds. 1996. Invasive Plants: Weeds
of the Global Garden. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, NY.
Stein, B.A. & S.R. Flack, eds. 1996. America's Least Wanted:
Alien Species Invasions of US Ecosystems. The Nature
Conservancy, Arlington, VA.

Stohlgren, T.J., D. Binkley, G.W. Chong, M.A. Kalkhan, L.D.

Schell, K.A. Bull, Y. Otsuki, G. Newman, M. Bashkin, & Y.

Son. 1999. Exotic plant species invade hot spots of native
plant diversity. Ecological Monographs 69:25-46.

Stuckey, R.L. & T.M. Barkley. 1993. Id: Flora of North America
Editorial Committee. Flora of North America Vol. 1.
Introduction. Oxford Univ. Press.

Weber, E.F. 1997. The alien flora of Europe: a taxonomic and
biogeographIc review. Journal of Vegetation Science 8:565-
572.

Welsh, S.L., N.D. Atwood, S. Goodrich, and L.C. Higgins. 1993.
A Utah Flora, second edition, revised. Brigham Young Univ. ,
Provo, UT.

Whitson, T., ed. 1991. Weeds of the West. Western Society of
Weed Science and Univ. of Wyoming.

Below: Mullein ( Verbascum thapsus) from Hegi's IHustrierte
Flora von Mitteleuropa.

6

Non-Native Plants of Wyoming

By Walter Fertig

This list has been developed from the collections of
the Rocky Mountain Herbarium and a review of recent
taxonomic literature. Species are arranged alphabetically
by family. The growth form of each plant is indicated in
parentheses after the scientific name: T = tree, S =
shrub, PF = perennial forb, AF = annual forb, PG =
perennial graminoid, AG = annual graminold. Pertinent
synonyms are listed in parentheses after the common
name. A before the name Indicates that a species Is
naturalized in Wyoming after being Introduced from
native populations elsewhere in North America. Species
with a "$" are listed as Noxious Weeds under the
Wyoming Weed and Pest Control Act. Nomenclature
follows Dorn (1992) for scientific names and Hitchcock
and Cronquist (1973) and Welsh eta/. (1993) for
common names.

Aceraceae

Acer negundo van violaceum (T) Box-elder
Amaranthaceae

♦ Amaranthus californicus (AF) California pigweed
Amaranthus retroflexus (AF) Rough pigweed

Aoiaceae

Anthriscus caucalis (AF) Bur-chervil
Carum carvi (PF) Caraway
Conium maculatum (PF) Poison-hemlock
Daucus carota (PF) Queen Anne's lace
Falcaria vulgaris (PF) Sickleweed
Levisticum ofTicinale (PF) Lovage
Pastinaca sativa (PF) Common parsnip

Asteraceae

Anthemis arvensis (AF) Field chamomile
Anthemis cotula (AF) Stinking mayweed
Anthemis tinctoria (PF) Yellow chamomile
Arctium iappa (PF) Great burdock
$ Arctium minus (PF) Common burdock
Artemisia abrotanum (S) Garden sagebrush
Artemisia absinthinum (PF) Absinthinum
Artemisia annua (AF) Annual wormwood
$ Carduus acanthoides (PF) Plumeless thistle
$ Carduus nutans (PF) Musk thistle
Centaurea cyanus (AF) Bachelor's button
$ Centaurea diffusa (PF) Bushy knapweed
Centaurea iberica (PF) Iberian star-thistle
$ Centaurea macuiosa (PF) Spotted knapweed
$ Centaurea repens (PF) Russian knapweed
Centaurea scabiosa (PF) Hard-heads
Centaurea soistitiaiis (PF) Yellow star-thistle
Chrysanthemum baisamita (PF) Costmary
$ Chrysanthemum ieucanthemum (PF) Ox-eye daisy
Chrysanthemum parthenium (PF) Feverfew
Cichorium intybus (PF) Wild chicory
$ Cirsium arvense (PF) Canada thistle
Cirsium vuigare (PF) Bull thistle

* Coreopsis ianceoiata (PF) Longstalk tickseed

* Coreopsis tinctoria (AF) Plains tickseed
Cosmos bipinnatus (AF) Cosmos
Crepis tectorum (AF) Annual hawksbeard
Fiiago arvensis (AF) Field filago

Gaiinsoga quadriradiata (AF) Fringed quickweed
Hieracium aurantiacum (PF) Orange hawkweed
Hieracium caespitosum (PF) Yellow king-devil
Hieracium fiageiiare (PF) Whiplash hawkweed
Hieracium fioribundum (PF) Glaucous hawkweed
Lactuca serrioia (AF) Prickly-lettuce
Matricaria maritima (PF) Scentless chamomile
Matricaria recutita (AF) Chamomile

* Onopordum acanthium (PF) Scotch thistle

* Ratibida tagetes (PF) Shortray prairie coneflower
Rudbeckia iaciniata van hortensis (PF) Coneflower
Scorzonera iaciniata (PF) False salsify

Senecio vuigaris (AF) Common groundsel
% Sonchus arvensis (PF) Field sow-thistle
Sonchus asper (AF) Prickly sow-thistle
Sonchus oieraceus (AF) Common sow-thistle
Sonchus uiiginosus (PF) Marsh sow-thistle
Tagetes patuia (AF) French marigold
Tanacetum vuigare (PF) Tansy
Taraxacum iaevigatum (PF) Red-seeded dandelion
Taraxacum offtcinaie (PF) Common dandelion
Tragopogon dubius (PF) Yellow salsify

* Tragopogon misceiius (PF) Hybrid salsify
Tragopogon porrifoiius (PF) Salsify
Tragopogon pratensis (PF) Meadow salsify

Berberidaceae

Berberis thunbergii (S) Japanese barberry
Boraqinaceae

* Amsinckia iycopsoides (AF) Tarweed fiddleneck

* Amsinckia menziesii (AF) Menzies' fiddleneck
Anchusa arvensis (AF) Alkanet

Asperugo procumbens (AF) Madwort
$ Cynogiossum officinale (PF) Common hound's-tongue
Echium vuigare (PF) Common viper's bugloss
Lappuia squarrosa (AF) European stickseed
Lithospermum arvense (AF) Corn gromwell
Myosotis arvensis (PF) Field forget-me-not
Myosotis micrantha (AF) Smallflower forget-me-not
Myosotis scorpioides (PF) Common forget-me-not
Myosotis syivatica (PF) Wood forget-me-not

Brassicaceae

Aiyssum aiyssoides (AF) Pale alyssum

Aiyssum desertorum (AF) Desert alyssum

Aiyssum parvifiorum van micranthum (AF) Small alyssum

Armoracia rusticiana (PF) Horse radish

Barbarea vuigaris (PF) Bitter watercress

Berteroa incana (AF) Berteroa

Brassica juncea (AF) Indian mustard

Brassica kaber (AF) Charlock

Brassica rapa (AF) Field mustard

Cameiina microcarpa (AF) Littlepod falseflax

Cameiina sativa (AF) Falseflax

Capseiia bursa-pastoris (Shepherd's purse)

Cardaria chaiepensis (PF) Chalapa hoarycress
$ Cardaria draba (PF) Heart-podded hoarycress
$ Cardaria pubescens (PF) Globepodded hoarycress

7

Chohspora tenella (AF) Blue mustard

Conringia orientalis (AF) Hare's-ear mustard

Descurainia Sophia (AF) Flixweed

Draba nemorosa (AF) Woods draba

Draba verna (AF) Spring whitlow-grass

Erucastrum gallicum (AF) Dog mustard

Erysimum repandum (AF) Spreading wallflower

Eudidium syriacum (AF) Euclidium

Hesperis matronaiis (PF) Dame's rocker

$ Isatis tinctoria (PF) Dyer's woad

Lepidium campestre (AF) Field pepperwort

$ Lepidium iati folium (PF) Pepperwort

Lepidium perfoHatum (AF) Clasping peppergrass

Lepidium sativum (AF) Gardencress

* Lepidium virginicum van medium (AF) Tall peppergrass

Lobuiaria maritima (AF) Sweet alyssum

Maicoimia africana (AF) Malcolmia

Raphanus sativus (AF) Jointed charlock

Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (PF) Water-cress

Sisymbrium aitissimum (AF) Tumblemustard

Sisymbrium ioeseiii (AF) Loesel tumblemustard

Thiaspi arvense (AF) Field pennycress

Campanulaceae

Campanula rapuncuioides (PF) Creeping bellflower
Cannabaceae

Cannabis sativa (PF) Marijuana
Caprifoliaceae

Lonicera morrowi (S) Morrow's honeysuckle
Lonicera tatarica (S) Tatarian honeysuckle
Viburnum iantana (S) Wayfaring tree

Caryophvllaceae

Agrostemma githago (AF) Common corncockle

Arenaria serpyHifoUa (AF) Thyme-leaf sandwort

Cerastium fontanum (PF) Common mouse-ear chickweed

Dianthus armeria (AF) Deptford pink

Dianthus barbatus (PF) Sweet William

Dianthus deitoides (PF) Maiden pink

Gypsophiia panicuiata (PF) Baby's-breath

Gypsophiia scorzonerifoiia (PF) Pink baby's-breath

Hoiosteum umbeiiatum (AF) Holosteum

Saponaria offidnaiis (PF) Bouncing-bet

SHene cserei (PF) Balkan catchfly

Siiene dichotoma (AF) Forked catchfly

SHene iati folia (PF) White campion

Siiene noctifJora (AF) Night-flowering catchfly

Siiene vulgaris (PF) Bladder campion

Sperguia arvensis (AF) Stickwort

Sperguiaria echinosperma (AF) Spiny-seed sandspurrey

Sperguiaria marina (AF) Common sandspurrey

Sperguiaria media (AF) Stout sandspurrey

Sperguiaria rubra (AF) Red sandspurrey

Steiiaria media (AF) Chickweed

Vaccaria hispanica (AF) Cow-herb

Chenopodiaceae

Atripiex heterosperma (AF) Two-seed orache
Atripiex hortensis (AF) Garden orache
Atripiex rosea (AF) Red orache
Bassia hyssopifolia (AF) Bassia

Chenopodium album (AF) Lambsquarter
Chenopodium botrys (AF) Jerusalem-oak
Chenopodium giaucum van giaucum (AF) Oak-leaved
goosefoot

Halogeton glomeratus (AF) Halogeton
Kochia scoparia (AF) Summer cypress
Saisoia australis (AF) Russian thistle
Saisoia coHina (AF) Tumbleweed

Convolvulaceae

$ Convolvulus arvensis (PF) Field bindweed
Cuscuta approximata (PF) Clustered dodder
Cuscuta epithymum (PF) Thyme dodder

Cucurbitaceae

* Cucurbita foetidissima (PF) buffalo-gourd
Dipsacaceae

Dipsacus fuHonum (PF) Fuller's teasel
Knautia arvensis (PF) Field scabious

Elaeaqnaceae

Eiaeagnus angustifoUa (T) Russian olive
Euphorbiaceae

Euphorbia agraria (PF) Shining spurge

* Euphorbia chamaesyce (AF) Prostrate spurge
Euphorbia cyparissias (PF) Cypress spurge

$ Euphorbia esuia van esuia (PF) Leafy spurge
$ Euphorbia esuia van uraiensis (PF) Leafy spurge
Euphorbia heiioscopia (AF) Summer spurge

* Euphorbia macuiata (AF) Spotted spurge
Euphorbia nutans (AF) Eyebane

Fabaceae

Astragalus deer (PF) Chick-pea milkvetch

Astragalus tibetanus (PF) Tibetan milkvetch

Caragana arborescens (S) Pea-tree

CoroniHa varia (PF) Crown vetch

Gleditsia triacanthos (T) Honey-locust

Lathyrus iatifoiius (PF) Everlasting sweetpea

Lathyrus sylvestris (PF) Narrowleaved everlasting sweetpea

Lotus cornicuiatus (PF) Birdsfoot trefoil

Medicago faicata (PF) Yellow alfalfa

Medicago iupuHna (AF) Black medic

Medicago poiymorpha (AF) Bur-clover

Medicago sativa (PF) Alfalfa

Melilotus aibus (PF) White sweetclover

Melilotus officinalis (PF) Yellow sweetclover

Onobrychis viciifoiia (PF) Saintfoin

Oxytropis riparia (PF) Oxusoxytrope

Robinia pseudoacacia (T) Black locust

Sphaerophysa saisuia (PF) Sphaerophysa

TrifoHum fragiferum (PF) Strawberry clover

TrifoHum hybridum (PF) Alsike clover

TrifoHum pratense {??) Red clover

TrifoHum repens (PF) White clover

* TrifoHum wormskjoldii (PF) Springbank clover
Vida cracca (F) Bird vetch

Vida vHlosa (AF) Hairy vetch

Fumariaceae

Fumaria officinalis (AF) Common fumitory

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Gentianaceae

Centaurium pulchellum (PF) Branching centaury
Geraniaceae

Erodium cicutarium (AF) Alfilaria

Geranium pusiHum (AF) Small-flowered geranium

Grossulariaceae

Ribes sativum (S) Red currant

Flydranaeaceae

* Phiiadeiphus pubescens (S) Ozark mock-orange
Hvdrophvllaceae

* Nemophiia menziesii (AF) Baby blue-eyes
Hvpericaceae

Hypericum perforatum (PF) Klamath weed
Juncaceae

* Juncus articuiatus (PG) Jointed rush
Juncus compressus (PG) Compressed rush

Lamiaceae

Dracocephaium thymiflorum (AF) Thyme-leaved dragonhead

Gaieopsis iadanum (AF) Hemp-nettle

Giecoma hederacea (PF) Gill-over-the-ground

Laiiemantia peitata (AF) Lallemantia

Lamium ampiexicaule (AF) Common dead-nettle

Leonurus cardiaca (PF) Motherwort

Marrubium vuigare (PF) Horehound

Mentha spicata (PF) Spearmint

Nepeta cataria (PF) Common catnip

Nepeta grandiflora (PF) Large-flowered catnip

Nepeta racemosa (PF) Racemose catnip

Saivia nemorosa (PF) Wood salvia

Saivia pratensis (PF) Meadow salvia

Liliaceae

Asparagus officinalis (PF) Asparagus
HemerocaHis fuiva (AF) Day-lily

Linaceae

Linum grandiflorum var. rubrum (AF) Flowering flax
Linum usitatissimum (AF) Common flax

Lvthraceae

$ Lythrum saiicaria (PF) Purple loosestrife
Malvaceae

Abutiion theophrasti (AF) Velvetleaf
Aicea rosea (PF) Hollyhock
Lavatera thuringiaca (PF) Tree mallow
Maiva moschata (PF) Musk mallow
Maiva negiecta (AF) Common mallow
Maiva parvifiora (AF) Cheeseweed
Maiva rotundifoiia (AF) Dwarf mallow
Maiva syivestris (PF) High mallow
Maiva verticiiiata (AF) Whorled mallow

Martvniaceae

* Proboscoidea iouisianica (AF) Devil's claw
Molluqinaceae

Moiiugo verticiiiata (AF) Carpetweed
Moraceae

Morusaiba (T) White mulberry
Oxalidaceae

* Oxaiis vioiacea (PF) Violet wood-sorrel
Papaveraceae

* Eschschoizia caiifornica (AF) California poppy
Papaver somniferum (AF) Opium poppy

Pinaceae

* Larix occidentaiis (T) Western larch
Plantaainaceae

Piantago ianceoiata (PF) English plantain
Piantago major (PF) Common plantain

Poaceae

Aegiiops cyiindrica (AG) Goatgrass
Agropyron cristatum var. cristatum (PG) Crested
wheatgrass

Agropyron cristatum var. desertorum (PG) Desert
crested wheatgrass

Agropyron cristatum var. fragile (PG) Siberian crested
wheatgrass

Agropyron triticeum (AG) False wheatgrass
Agro^is capHiaris (PG) Colonial bentgrass
Agrostis stoionifera (PG) Redtop
Aira caryophyiiea (AG) Early hairgrass
Aiopecurus arundinaceus (PG) Creeping foxtail
Aiopecurus pratensis (PG) Meadow foxtail
Apera interrupta (AG) Apera
Arrhenatherum eiatius (PG) False oatgrass
Avena fatua (AG) Wild oats
Avenasativa (AG) Common oats
Bromus briziformis (AG) Rattlesnake brome
Bromus commutatus (AG) Hairy brome
Bromus inermis var. inermis (PG) Smooth brome
Bromus japonicus (AG) Japanese brome
Bromus secaHnus (AG) Chess brome
Bromus squarrosus (AG) Square brome
Bromus tectorum (AG) Cheatgrass

* Chioris verticiiiata (PG) Showy windmill grass
Crypsis aiopecuroides (AG) Pricklegrass
Dactyiis giomerata (PG) Orchard grass
Digitaria ischaemum (AG) Smooth crabgrass
Digitaria sanguinaiis (AG) Hairy crabgrass
Echinochioa crus-gaHH (AG) Common barnyard grass
Eiymus eiongatus var. ponticus (PG) Tall wheatgrass
Eiymus hispidus var. hispidus (PG) Intermediate wheatgrass
Eiymus hispidus var. ruthenicus (PG) Intermediate

wheatgrass

Eiymus Junceus (PG) Russian wildrye
Eiymus muiticauHs (PG) Branched wildrye
Eiymus racemosus (PG) Siberian wildrye
$ Eiymus repens (PG) Common quackgrass {Agropyron
repend)

9

Eragrostis cHianensis (AG) Stinkgrass
Eragrostis minor (AG) Little lovegrass
Eragrostis pilosa (AG) India lovegrass

* Eragrostis spectabiHs (PG) Purple lovegrass
Festuca arundinacea (PG) Tall fescue
Festuca pratensis {?Q) Meadow fescue
Hordeum distichon (AG) Two-rowed barley
Hordeum leporinum (AG) Rabbit barley

Hordeum vulgare var. trifurcatum (AG) Cultivated barley
Hordeum vulgare var. vulgare (AG) Cultivated barley

* Leersia virginica (PG) Virginia cutgrass
LoHum multiflorum (PG) Italian ryegrass
LoHum perenne (PG) Perennial ryegrass
LoHum persicum (AG) Persian ryegrass
Panicum miliaceum (AG) Broom-corn millet
Phalaris canadensis (AG) Canarygrass
Phleum pratense (PG) Timothy

Poa annua (AG) Annual bluegrass
Poa bulbosa (PG) Bulbous bluegrass
Poa compressa (PG) Canada bluegrass
Poa pratensis (PG) Kentucky bluegrass
Poa trivialis (PG) Roughstalk bluegrass
Polypogon monspeliensis (AG) Rabbitfoot-grass
Puccinellia distans (PG) Weeping alkali-grass
Secale cereale (AG) Cultivated rye
Setaria glauca (PG) Yellow foxtail
Setaria italica (AG) Foxtail millet
Setaria vertidHata (AG) Bristly foxtail
Setaria viridis (AG) Green foxtail
Sorghum halepense (PG) Johnson-grass
Tribcum aestivum (AG) Culbvated wheat
Zea mays (AG) Maize

Polyqonaceae

Polygonum aviculare (AF) Prostrate knotweed
Polygonum convolvulus (AF) Knot bindweed
Polygonum lapathifolium (AF) Curltop ladysthumb
Polygonum persicana (AF) Spotted ladysthumb
Rumex acetosa (PF) Garden sorrel
Rumex acetosella (PF) Sheep sorrel
Rumex crispus (PF) Curly dock
Rumex patientia (PF) Patience dock
Rumex stenophyllus (PF) Slenderleaf dock

Portulacaceae

* Oaytonia umbellate (PF) Umbellate spring-beauty
Portulaca oleracea (AF) Common purslane

Potamooetonaceae

Potamogeton crispus (PF) Curled pondweed
Ranunculaceae

Ranunculus acris var. acris (PF) Tall buttercup
Ranunculus repens var. pleniforme (PF) Creeping buttercup
Ranunculus repens var. repens (PF) Creeping buttercup
Ranunculus testiculatus (AF) Hornseed buttercup

Resedaceae

Reseda lutea (PF) Yellow mignonette
Rhamnaceae

Rhamnus cathartica (S) Common buckthorn
Rhamnus frangula (S) European alder-buckthorn

Rosaceae

PotentiHa argentea (PF) Silvery cinquefoil
PotenbUa norvegica (AF) Norwegian cinquefoil
PotentiHa recta (PF) Sulphur cinquefoil
Pyrusmalus (T) Apple
Rubus laciniatus (PF) Evergreen blackberry
Sanguisorba minor (PF) Garden burnet

Rubiaceae

Galium moHugo (PF) White bedstraw
Galium verum (PF) Yellow bedstraw

Salicaceae

Populus alba (T) White poplar

Salix fragilis (T) Crack willow

Salix pentandra (S) Laurel-leaved willow

ScroDhulariaceae

$ Linaria dalmatica (PF) Dalmaban toadflax
$ Linana vulgaris (PF) Butter-and-eggs
Verbascum thapsus (PF) Common mullein
Veronica anagallis-aquatica (PF) Water speedwell
Veronica arvensis (AF) Common speedwell
Veronica bibba (AF) Bilobed speedwell
Veronica persica (AF) Persian speedwell

Solanaceae

Hyoscyamus niger {kE) Black henbane
Lycium barbarum (S) Matrimony vine
Solanum dulcamara (PF) Bittersweet
Solanum physalifolium var. nitidibaccatum (AF) Viscid
nightshade

Tamaricaceae

%Tamarix chinensis (S) Tamarisk (includes T. ramosissima, T.
parviflora)

Ulmaceae

Ulmuspumila (T) Siberian elm
Violaceae

Viola tricolor (AF) Pansy
Zvqophvllaceae

Tribubs terrestris (AF) Puncture-vine

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Summer Field Trips

June 5: From 9 AM to noon Todd Embree of the Teton
Chapter will lead a field trip and discussion on the uses of
native berry plants. The field trip will leave from the Blacktail
Butte parking area on the main highway in Grand Teton
National Park. For information, call Todd at 739-2314.

June 10: Joan Lucas of the Teton Chapter will lead a 1-hour
tour of her native landscaped backyard in Wilson, starting at 7
PM. For more information, call Joan at 733-5600 (days) or
733-2523 (evenings).

June 19-20: 1999 Annual Meeting/Field Trip : The 1999
annual field trip is scheduled for Saturday, June 19 and Sunday
June 20. We plan to meet Saturday 8:00 AM at the flag pole,
adjacent to the parking lot of Western Wyoming Community
College (WWCC), Green River Campus. As you head south
out of Green River, turn left off of Uinta Dr. (Hwy 530) onto
Upland Wy. WWCC will be about Imile on the right. It’s the
only building on the south side of Upland Wy. We’ll begin the
southwest Wyoming excursion by visiting Green River
greenthread {Thelesperma caespitosum) approx, five miles east
of Green River. The rest of the field trip will follow a
geological loop around Flaming Gorge National Recreation
Area, where we will encounter several other globally and state
rare plant species, as well as what is expected to be an unusual
display of desert endemics. Saturday will be spent on the west
side of the Gorge and Sunday will be on the east side. We plan
to visit the spectacular Red Canyon Overlook and continue on
to relax Saturday night at Firefighter’s Memorial Campground,
about midway around the loop. A number of campsites have
been reserved in Loop C. Campground fees are $12.00 for
each site and two vehicles are allowed per site. You can
reimburse Char when you get there. There is a lodge southwest
of the campground (Flaming Gorge Lodge, 435-889-3773) for
those who desire immediate facilities. The lodge fills up fast,
so make your reservations early. Please RSVP with Char
(delmatierc@juno.com) or Walt (clyde@uwyo.edu) if you
plan to camp so we can add additional campsites if needed.

Our annual field trip is to a place like no other in
Wyoming. Although, most everywhere I go in Wyoming I feel
that way. However, overlooking the combination of bug
repellent and sunscreen lotion, strong winds, extreme diurnal
temperatures, an annual precipitation of usually less than 8
inches, where evaporation exceeds precipitation, and where the
geology diversity is an interwoven anomaly, a distinct arid
desert landscape unfolds: the semi-barren sagebrush steppe.
The physiognomy is distinct and easily recognized with a suite
of endemic plant species dominating the large open spaces.

The growing season is less than 3 months, giving us a small
window of opportunity to witness this spectacular display of
perennial endemics including a unique diminutive cushion
p\ant,.Chamaechaenactis scaposa. Unlike the display of
annual ephemerals of the hot southwest deserts, a unique
combination of low-growing herbaceous plants constitute an
array of “ephemeral perennials’’ in this high cold desert
plateau. It is due to above combined characteristics that
Southwest Wyoming is home to a larger percentage of rare
plants. For those early bird enthusiasts coming a day early, a
Friday visit to Fossil Butte National Monument will
undoubtedly prove to be both a geological and botanical
exploration. It is here, that our only extant state population of
Entire- leaved pepperplant {Lepidium integrifolium) is located
(as well as 5-6 other regional endemics). For additional
information, contact Charmaine at (307) 875-6437 or Walt at
(307)745-5026. CR.

June 26: In conjunction with the fledgling Laramie chapter of
the Audubon Society, Walter Fertig will be leading a half-day
hike to observe early summer wildflowers in the southern
Laramie Range. The trip will convene at the Lincoln rest area
off Interstate 80 (Happy Jack Road exit, ca 8 miles southeast of
Laramie) at 9 AM.

July 31- August 1: Beartooth Range/Swamp Lake . This trip
will convene at 9:30 AM at the Sunlight Bridge parking area in
the Sunlight Basin, ca 38 miles northwest of Cody on the Chief
Joseph Highway (allow about 1 hour to reach the site from
Cody). From the bridge, we will proceed to Swamp Lake (ca 2
miles east of the Crandall Ranger Station) to spend the morning
admiring boreal disjunct wetland species (expect to get your
footwear wet!). From Swamp Lake, we will then travel on the
Beartooth Highway (US 212) to the Clay Butte lookout and
observe rare and endemic mustards, including the wily
Wyoming whitlow-grass (Draba pectinpila), endemic to the
Butte. Our last stop will be on the summit of the Beartooth
Highway, where a large number of arctic disjuncts occur,
including Pedicularis oederi and Koenigia islandica. Our
camp for Saturday night will be near Lily Lake at the base of
the Beartooths (off Highway 212). On Sunday morning, we
will explore floating mats and bogs near Lily Lake.

Those arriving early on Friday afternoon may find camping
and botanizing opportunities on the Bald Ridge Road, located
off the north side of the Chief Joseph Highway, ca 0.5 miles
after the turnoff to the Northwest College camp (if you reach
the Dead Indian Hill summit overlook and parking area, you
have gone too far). I will lead a late aftemoon/evening walk in
search of Festuca hallii, Castilleja nivea, Pyrrocoma
carthamoides, Shoshonea pulvinata, and other endemic
oddities. Please RSVP with Walt if you plan to attend. WF

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 newsletter, and may take part in all of the
Society’s programs and projects, including the annual
meeting/field trip held each summer. Dues are $7.50 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:

$7.50 Regular Membership

$15.00 Scholarship Supporting Member

($7.50 goes to the annual scholarship fund)

Rhamnus cathartica (Common buckthorn), an introduced
European shrub. III. from Hegi’s Illustrierte Flora von
Mitteleuropa.

Wyoming Native Plant Society
1604 Grand Ave.

Laramie, WY 82070

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