SEPTEMBER 2015 The D Newsletter of the Mount Lassen Chapter CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY BUTTEBVLY WMJLJBTC T BOTANICAL AREA Presented by WOODY ELLIOTT Chapter Conservation Chair and your M@mlb(2ip JPUmfkBS B utterfly Valley near Quincy is a US Forest Service Botanical Area. The Forest Service has ringed the fen with new trails and is proposing to reduce the fuel loading in and around the Valley to protect the forest and neighboring residences from catastrophic fire. An overview of accomplished and proposed projects will be summarized to learn how the Forest Service intends to protect this treasured place A very important part of this program will be your photos ... whatever lovely plant-related or natural landscape images you’d like to share (they need not be “California natives”, but at least something relevant to native plants and their habitats ... maybe not ‘selfies’ from your visit to a Simon & Garfunkel concert, or pic- tures of your dog in the canine fashion show. Please select about 1 2 photos (5 or 8 minutes worth) and let Jim Bishop know (email: cjbishop1991@sbcglobal. net) that you have some slides to show - ahead of the meeting is very helpful - and whether they are conven- tional slides or digital images. If they are digital images, please note what kind of files you have (PowerPoint, JPEG, etc.) so that we can make sure the computer will actually show your pictures. Please have a few extra im- ages in reserve in case we don’t get many contributors, and please be ready to trim down if we get a lot — this rather spontaneous program requires a little flexibility on the part of the presenters. JOIN US, for our 2015 season-opening program, one that is bound to be worth seeing ... and better yet, bring part of the show. This is a chance to both show and enjoy some great photos and stories from our members. WE HAVE A TWO-PART PROGRAM AS WE BEGIN OUR NEW PROGRAM SEASON General Meeting SEPTEMBER 2, 2015 Wednesday 7:30 pm Butte County Library, Chico DEVIL’S KITCHEN LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK September 6 Sunday Meet at Chico Park & Ride west lot (Hwys 32/99) in time to leave by 8:30 am. Bring a light jacket, lunch, water, insect/sun protection, park pass, if you have one, and money for ride sharing. We’ll drive about 66 miles east on Hwys 32 and 36 to Chester in Plumas County, and about 16 miles to the trail head near Drakesbad Resort in Lassen Volcanic National Park. At elevation 5640 ft, the 4.2 mile round-trip by trail be- gins at the Warner Valley Campground. The level of difficulty is moderate with a 400 ft gain in elevation. The trail wanders through lush meadows along Hot Springs Creek and into a stand of giant old conifers. Devils Kitchen features belching fumaroles, mud pots, and steam vents amid rock outcrops in a dazzling array of fiery colors. Call for alternate meeting place. Leaders: 530-893-5123, 530-342-2293 YAH I TRAIL UPPER BIDWELL PARK September 12 Saturday Meet at 9:30 am in Upper Bidwell Park at Parking Lot L by driving the Upper Park gravel road about 1 .7 miles beyond Horseshoe Lake’s Parking Lot E. Bring lunch, water, sun/in- sect protection and sturdy shoes. We’ll hike about 2.2 miles to the end of the trail, or as far as time permits. We’ll return by walking back via the Upper Park road. The Yahi Trail is one of the premier trails in Northern California. The trail follows Big Chico Creek with spectacular views of a canyon with sheer basalt cliffs. Canyon walls stair-step sharply upward to tower- ing rims above. We’ll take time to identify plants, shrubs, trees and other natural features along the trail. Leaders: 530-893- 5123, 530-342-2293 Field Tripe WES DEMPSEY and GERRY INGCO, Co-chairs HAT LAKE TO PARADISE MEADOW LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK September 26 Saturday Meet at Chico Park & Ride west lot (Hwys 32/99) in time to leave by 8:30 am. Wear sturdy shoes, bring a light jacket, lunch, water, insect/sun protection, park pass, if you have one, and money for ride sharing. We’ll travel Hwys 32 and 89 for 86 miles to the trail head in Lassen Park. Paradise Meadows is one of the best areas in the park for wildflowers. The meadow at 7200 ft elevation has a glaciated head-wall for a scenic backdrop. From the Hat Lake trail head, the trail climbs 600 vertical feet over a distance of 1 .4 miles to the meadow. Call for alternate meeting place. Leaders: 530- 893-5123, 530-342-2293 BUTTE CREEK BLM TRAIL BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT October 4 Sunday Meet at Chico Park & Ride west lot (Hwys 32/99) in time to leave by 9 am. Bring a light jacket, lunch, water, insect/sun protection, and money for ride sharing. We’ll drive east on Hwy 32 to Garland Road, then south to the trail head in Butte Creek Canyon. This is an easy 3 mile round trip walk along a secluded section of scenic Upper Butte Creek. The trail stays close to the stream, has several wooden bridges and a struc- tured steel stairway. The trail winds through a narrow band of riparian vegetation containing a variety of flowering plants and a mixed coniferous forest extends up the rugged canyon walls. There is evidence of historic gold activity all along the creek. Call for alternate meeting place. Leaders: 530-893- 5123, 530-342-2293 2 . The Pipevine September 2015 Dear Friends of Mount Lassen Chapter California Native Plant Society, Y our membership in CNPS supports vital conservation and education efforts throughout California, and is essential, but our local chapter must support itself. We do that in part by hosting events such as the Wildflower Show and plant sales. But a very important part comes from the donations that you make directly to the chapter via the Annie B’s Community Drive. The Annie B’s donations have significantly increased our chapter funds, and are a major part of our budget. That has allowed us to do good works not before possible, and to look toward expanding even further to serve and influence our local four-county area. We sponsored students to the 2015 CNPS Conservation Confer- ence-a good investment in future interest and work on behalf of California’s native plants, and the education of the public. We plan to continue this support to deserving students and relevant research. Our chapter website and email capacities continue to expand and improve. We have done important “citizen science” via the Rare Plant Treasure Hunt. In the fall of 2014 we held a very successful Horticultural Symposium. It was a valuable offering that gave our members and the public guidance from noted experts on gardening with native plants - all to the benefit of water-conserving, habitat-creating local gardens. MLC volunteers continue removing invasive plants from Chico’s open spaces. Much of this work was done along Little Chico Creek, a waterway heavily impacted by urban development. Chapter members have do- nated hundreds of hours to this effort. Please consider donating to our local efforts via the Annie B’s Community Drive. It is sponsored by the North Valley Community Foundation (NVCF), which augments the donations you make, thereby giving us more than 100% of what is pledged. NVCF is a nonprofit, philanthropic organization that builds financial resources to meet local community needs in Butte, Colusa, Glenn and Tehama counties. As an Annie B’s donor, you also join an important community-wide effort to support non-profit causes. Please make your donation between August 1st and September 30th Make checks to: Annie B’s / CNPS Mount Lassen Chapter Send your check to: North Valley Community Foundation 240 Main Street, Suite 260 Chico, CA 95926 You may also make your donation online the North Valley Community Foundation website: www.nvcf.org OR Mount Lassen Chapter website: mountlassen.cnps.org If you have any questions, contact Catie Bishop, MLC Board President at cjbishop1991@sbcglobal.net OR Alexa Valavanis, NVCF President & CEO, at 530 891-1150, ext.30. Sincerely, Catie Bishop, President Mount Lassen Chapter, California Native Plant Society The Pipevine September 2015 3. The AMERICAN PENSTEMON SOCIETY VISITS CHICO by Linnea Hanson, Marjorie McNairn and Robert Fischer A nnual meetings of the American Penstemon Society (APS) have ranged from Montana to Mexico, and as of July this year, Chico. Local field trips play a major role in their programs, and connecting with botanically knowledge- able locals is a tactic that ensures penstemon-rich and plant-rich outings. Chapter President Catie Bishop was the original contact. She delegated to Linnea Hanson, and later to Marjorie McNairn, who recruited Robert Fischer, Cindy Weiner and Rob Schlising. Linnea and Shannon Datwyler, plant taxonomy professor at California State University, Sacramento and a specialist on penstemons, led a great Saturday tour of the Plumas National Forest with the main showpiece being differences between Penstemon laetus and P. neotericus and the rare P personatus. On Monday Marjorie, Robert and the others led field trips in Lassen Volcanic National Park, where a major showpiece was P. heterodoxus var. shastensis. Andi Wolfe with P. neotericus and P. laetus Saturday July 11 OROVILLE QUINCY HIGHWAY Shannon Datwyler and Linnea Hanson set up the itinerary for the Saturday field trip after they checked out the proposed Plumas National Forest route the previous week. On Saturday, 50 people at the Dorothy Johnson Center in Chico divided into two groups, with Shannon leading one and Linnea the other. Traveling up the Oroville Quincy Highway both groups stopped above Rogers Cow Camp for P laetus. Shannon explained that all of the species in the poly- ploid complex containing P laetus are pollinated in part by pollen wasps ( Pseu - domasaris vespoides). Linnea explained that the west side mixed conifer forest is very moist in this region. It is called the “Oroville anomaly” since many lichens and mosses found in this area are also found on the north coast of California. People on this trip were from throughout the United States and were inter- ested in historical sites. The next stop was at Four Trees to see the historical trail marker for the Beckwourth Trail that extends from Hallelujah Junctions to Marysville. Cabins used by loggers for the Swayne Hill Lumber Company were also seen at this site. These buildings were transported by narrow gauge railway from site to site. At Frog Rock, there is a large amount of Bear Grass ( Xerophyllum tenax). The Feather River Ranger District has worked with the local Maidu basket weavers to maintain an area with this important material. Controlled burns on a regular basis allow for the harvest of the young Bear Grass leaves, which must be harvested in the first two years of growth to maintain pliability for basket weaving. P. newberryi var. berryi\Nas found in an area near Bucks Lake. P neotericus was growing with it. Andi Wolfe, a penstemon specialist at Ohio State Uni- versity, explained that P. neotericus is an octoploid and is a combination of P. laetus, a diploid, and P. azureus, a hexaploid. P. neotericus has glaucous leaves and is larger in size than P. laetus. In the meadow on the shores of Bucks Lake, P rydbergii was found, and along the road plants of P. deustus were in full flower. Photos by Linnea Hanson and Robert Fischer The Pipevine September 2015 4. P. personatus American Penstemon Society P. newberryi by Robert Fischer P davidsonii by Robert Fischer The group traveled south of Bucks Lake to the Coldwater Creek area and saw P personatus, a closed-lipped penstemon. Linnea explained that the bees need to be the right weight to open the flower to get the nectar. The botanists on the Feather River Ranger District collected the bees that pollinate this spe- cies and sent them to Vincent Tepedino at Utah State University who informed them that this penstemon species is pollinated by generalist bees. Both groups visited Butterfly Valley just north of Quincy, and enjoyed seeing the variety of plants, especially the Sierra Bog Orchid ( Platanthera dilatata var. leucostachys), along the road, and insectivorous California Pitcher Plants (Darlingtonia californica) and Roundleaf Sundew ( Drosera rotundifolia) in the main meadow. To see the rare plants found in the Feather River Canyon, Linnea’s group trav- eled up Caribou Road for several very quick stops before returning to Chico for dinner and a slide show at the Dorothy Johnson Center. Monday July 13 LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK The field trip started with 20 people at the trail to Paradise Meadows near the north side of Lassen Volcanic National Park. The forest floor was scattered with a large population of P. gracilentus and it did not take long for Andi Wolfe to locate the rare P heterodoxus var. shastensis. Most of the group walked as far as the cascades, and enjoyed numerous blooming plants along Hat Creek; blue and white monkshood growing together, Mimulus guttatus, Saxifraga odontoloma, and white Viola macloskeyi. Marjorie McNairn and Lassen Park Ranger Steve Zachary were co-leaders for this trail. The group then traveled to the Kings Creek Picnic Area for lunch where P rydbergii was abundant. Cindy Weiner and Rob Schlising led a portion of the group on a hike to Cold Boiling Lake. The majority of the penstemon people drove with Robert Fischer to the Bumpass Hell Trail. Along this trail, and of special interest to the APS group, grow P newberryi and P davidsonii. When in proximity to each other these penstemons can hybridize. It is most easily seen in the shift of their corolla colors. This fun group represented a nice cross section of botanical interest. There were researchers, educators, professional botanists, master gardeners, and plant hobbyists. If anything was missing it was youth, never enough involved young people. Some of the APS members tended to focus on only penste- mons, but, like good botanists everywhere, most took great delight in both their pet genus and the other floral wonders that crossed their paths. The members of the American Penstemon Society expressed much gratitude for the field trips organized and led by what they called the “experts” of Mount Lassen Chapter. The Pipevine September 2015 5. HOSPITALITY Executive Board Meeting September 16 - 7 pm - TBA Legislative Notes by DAVID ANDERSON BERRYESSA SNOW MOUNTAIN NATIONAL MONUMENT CREATED! P lease sign-up to bring refreshments to the General Meetings. The sign-up sheet will be at the Hospitality Table. We need cookies and baked goods October through December 2015. Your help is greatly appreciated. Contact KarroLynn Yells at 530 534-3551 or karrolynnY@att.net THANK YOU! These businesses support the goals of the CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY MEMBERS GET 10% DISCOUNT O n July 10, 2015 President Obama proclaimed the creation of the Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument. He acted under his Antiquities Act of 1906 authority because bills in Congress to establish the monument were stalled in committee. The 330,789 acre Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument is comprised of BLM and Forest Service lands which are unique in their biological diversity, geology and cultural history. The Forest Service press release states that “In the highest elevation Snow Mountain area, the biological diversity is among the richest in California.” The BLM and Forest Service will jointly prepare a management plan for the new monument. Public input will be essential for a successful plan. Those interested in participating should contact the Mendocino National Forest at 825 North Humboldt Avenue, Willows, CA 95988 (530-934-3316). WATER-WISE and HABITAT-FRIENDLY GARDEN TOUR September 27, 2015 10-2 T his tour of Chico gardens that demonstrate effective techniques for conserving water and restoring habitat will give you inspi- ration just in time for fall planting. Hosts will interpret the gardens and informational resources will be available at Chico Creek Nature Center and the Gateway Science Center Garden during the tour. The gardens demonstrate examples of Water-Wise landscaping: Califor- nia native plants, drought tolerant landscaping, drip irrigation, rain- water catchment, berms and swales; and Habitat - Friendly features: ponds and birdbaths, bird and pollinator favorite plants, brush piles, native grasses, bee habitat. Register online at mountlassen.cnps.org orAltacal.org; or in person on Sunday - Sept. 27 at Chico Creek Nature Center or the Gateway Science Center Garden. Sponsored by Altacal Audubon’s Neighbor- hood Habitat Certification Program, the Mount Lassen Chapter of the CNPS, and Butte Environmental Council. Rcrcnrish, Kerbs NiiliVr Trtr- -Shrub,* Nancy Scliieiger Certi-fitc Piim.K'u'TiiPf Desigaer By appointment 11a; i v c s pri Dganif! iwyt&gina i I .corn 53d,77-(«fia ISTi Cummings I .row LJurituffl, CA 949.1S tuiliveap rings nun cry. com FLORAL NATIVE NURSERY 2511 Floral Avenue Chico, California 95973-2511 Telephone/Fax: {530) 892-25] ] E-mail: canahvcsi shocking. mm SfTi'jniii OiMmumd Adults with DimhiUtiK Comer nf Hlh & Wa\\ )Un*pl ■ G)Kt> 1 Unique PeTcntmls, Annuals, Garden Art & More! discount applies only to plants 1 367 Eoit Ave, Chico | 530 894. 541 0 | www.MagnoliaGardening.com 6 . The Pipevine September 2015 FRIENDS of the HERBARIUM 2015 WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS & REGISTRATION FORMS Chico State Herbarium, csuchico.edu/biol/Herb/Events.html September 12, 2015 INTRO TO KEYING SUNFLOWERS (ASTERACEAE) JOHN DITTES will provide fresh specimens usually comprising 40-60 species from approximately 30 genera. Please register in advance. September 19, 2015 TREE IDENTIFICATION on CSU, Chico campus LINNEA HANSON, EMILY MEIGS DOE, ERIN GOTTSCHALK FISHER and ADRIENNE EDWARDS will show characteristics of leaves, bark, and reproductive structures and tree biology, pruning and urban forest management. International Society of Arborists continuing ed credit Please register in advance. MEMBERSHIP MLC If you have changed your . . . address, phone number or e-mail or leave temporarily please notify Mount Lassen Chapter CNPS Membership Chair, KarroLynn Yells at 530 534-3551 or karrolynny@att.net This will help eliminate returned Pipevines from the Post Office. Thank You , KarroLynn Keep up with MLC Activities on our website and Facebook California Native Plant Society, Mount Lassen Chapter and LIKE US mountlassen.cnps.org facebook. Officers & Chairs ELECTED OFFICERS ( 530 ) President Past President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Members-at-Large CAT IE BISHOP cjbishop1991@sbcglobal.net SUELLEN ROWLISON 897-0226 suellen@garlic.com JANNA LATHROP 228 0010 jlathrop4mlc@comcast.net ANN ELLIOTT 521-4402 secretary@mountlassen.cnps.org JOHN MEEHAN 894-5339 johnmeehan64@gmail.com NANCY PRAIZLER praizlermom@gmail.com PAUL MOORE pmoore@csuchico.edu KARROLYNN YELLS KarroLynnY@att.net RON COLEY rcoley64@comcast.net 899-1333 343-4287 534-3551 533-1238 CHAIRS Conservation / Web Administrator WOODY ELLIOTT 588-2555 woodyelliott@gmail.com Education OPEN Invasive Plants SUSAN MASON smason908@gmail.com Field Trips WES DEMPSEY Co-chairs wdempsey@csuchico.edu 892-1666 342-2293 GERRY INGCO genaroingco@aol.com Membership / Hospitality KARROLYNN YELLS karrolynny@att.net OPEN Horticulture Newsletter Editor 893-5123 534-3551 345-8444 Mailing Programs Co-chairs Rare Plants Publicity DENISE DEVINE dsrdevine@hotmail.com MARJORIE MCNAIRN 343-2397 mlmcnairn@aol.com JIM BISHOP cjbishop1991@sbcglobal.net WOODY ELLIOTT 588-2555 woodyelliott@gmail.com OPEN CINDY WEINER 342-7645 wildflowermaven@comcast.net Sales JOHN MEEHAN 894-5339 Co-chairs johnmeehan64@gmail.com ELLEN COPELAND copelande12@yahoo.com Vol. Recognition / Chapter Council Delegate CAT IE BISHOP cj bishop 1 991 @sbcg lobal.net Events JANNA LATHROP 228 0010 jlathrop4mlc@comcast.net Yahi Trail STEPHEN OVERLOCK 892-0635 stephenoverlock@sbcglobal.net CCNC Gardens CLAIRE MEEHAN meehanclairel @g mail, com The Pipevine September 2015 7. MOUNT LASSEN CHAPTER CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY P O. BOX 3212 CHICO, CA 95927-3212 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Chico, CA Permit No. 553 Time Value SEPTEMBER 2015 issue SEPTEMBER 2 r Phyllis would say Join Today ! MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY I wish to affiliate with the Mount Lassen Chapter new renew Name Address City State Email Zip Phone L Send Membership Application to: CNPS 2707 K STREET, SUITE 1 SACRAMENTO, CA 95816-5113 mountlassen.cnps.org Student / Limited Income $25 Individual $45 Family / Library $75 Plant Lover $100 Patron $300 Benefactor $600 J Calendar : - _ August 19 - Executive Board Meeting 29 - Willow Lake September 2 - General Meeting 6 - Devil’s Kitchen LVNP 12 -Yahi Trail, Bidwell Park 16 - Executive Board Meeting 26 - Hat Lake Lassen VNP 27 - Water-Wise Garden Tour 30 - Annie B Community Drive Ends October 4 - Butte Creek BLM 7 - General Meeting 21 - Executive Board Meeting November 4 - General Meeting 18 - Executive Board Meeting