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SHORTIA

NEWSLETTER OF THE

WESTERN CAROLINA BOTANICAL CLUB

SPRING 1995

LIBRARY

MAR 1 1 1997

NEW YORK
BOTANICAL GARDEN

ELTON and ALINE HANSENS
Editors

WESTERN CAROLINA BOTANICAL CLUB

President:

Vice President
Secretary:

Don Herrman
Dean Crawford
Laveme Pearson

Treasurer

Recorder:

Historian

Elaine Montgomery
Erika Parmi
Louise Foresman

FROM THE PRESIDENT

DON HERRMAN

We learned at the 1995 Annual Meeting that the state of the

Western Carolina Botanical Club is good. A lot of credit for
this is due to the efforts of our past president, Dorothy
Rathmann and to all of you members who have contributed so much
to our club. With all of us working together this will be

another outstanding year.

You are now reading the Spring issue of Shortia but winter is
still with us. We are very fortunate to have a variety of

interesting indoor programs. Soon after our "Hearty Souls" hike
we will be out on the trails again with the opening buds and the
beauties of spring flowers.

Although there are snow flurries as I write this, no snow is

accumulating on the meadow at our gate. As the year progresses
we will discover together which flowers bloom and where they
flourish and even why.

At our annual meeting we introduced the matter of safety on the
trails. Please, every member consider this matter and if you have
ideas pass them along to your club officers and leaders. By

looking out for one another we will all be safer and have more
fun .

In March the Program Committee will meet to plan the July 1995 to
January 1996 schedule. If you would like to serve on the

committee or have suggestions for trips or programs please
contact your club officers.

As this spring Shortia is distributed the dues DEADLINE is

approaching. Yearly dues are $8.00 per member or family. If you
have not already paid, please send your check to Elaine

Montgomery, 1636 O'Hara Circle, Hendersonville, NC 28739.

The recent deaths of Jane Blackstone and Lois Hoogstra were noted
with a moment of silence in their remembrance.

In 1995 Erika Parmi will continue as Recorder, Louise Foresman as
Historian, and Elton and Aline Hansens as Co-Editors of SHORTIA.

1994 WCBC TREASURER'S REPORT Elaine Montgomery

Cash on hand Jan. 1, 1994 was $594.17. During 1994 we had receipts of $987.71
from dues, donations, and bank interest and paid out $1,099'.. 03" (for postage
$302.08; schedules, SHORTIA, and other printing $398.56; for a gift to UNCA
Botanical Gardens $150.00; plus miscellaneous WCBC expenses of $398.39). Ihis
left a balance of $482.85 on Jan. 1, 1995.

2 .

GETTING TO KNOW YOU ALINE HANSENS

BOEKE, DANIEL and ELIZABETH: PO Box 155, Cedar Mtn.

NC 28718, (704) 885-8339.

DAVIS, CHARLTON and PATRICIA: 106 E. College St.,

PO Box 1449, Valdosta, GA, 31603-1449.

GUNN, CHARLES R. (Bob) and Betty: 120 White Squirrel
Lane, Brevard, NC 28712, (704) 883-9719. Attracted
by the climate and smaller town, they moved from
Annapolis, MD in August 1994. They learned of the
WCBC through members Dick and Jeanne Smith. Bob
has a PhD in Systematic Plant Taxonomy and was
Director and Curator of the US National Seed Herbarium for the
USDA Agricultural Research Service. He also has written two
floras .

HOLMES, SARAH (Sally): 214 Aldersgate Circle, Asheville, NC
28803, (704) 274-9255. Drawn to this area by the mountains, 4
seasons and the people, Sally moved here from NJ. She has a
long standing interest in nature and looks forward to Club
trips. She learned of the WCBC through Mary Ellen Lindley and
Rachel Conway.

KURINSKY, ALLAN and NAOMI: 13,6 S. Che rrywood Lane, Pisgah

Forest, NC 28768. (704) 966-9675. Retired here from NJ about

2\ years ago. They have great interest in rock gardening and
wild flowers and are active members of the Southern
Appalachian Chapter of the Rock Garden Society. Erika Parmi
was the source of their knowledge of the WCBC.

SCHMIDT, CHRISTINE: Inman Branch, Rt #3, Box 433, Waynesville,

NC 28786, (704) 648-2000. Christine and husband retired here

1 % years ago from Cincinnati where she was a volunteer teacher
at the large Cincinnati Nature Center, handling groups ranging
in age from one year through high school. She learned of the
club through friend Peggy Ellis.

UHLE, WILLIAM and DOTTY. P0 Box 354, Cedar Mtn. NC, 28718.
NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT

The Committee of Elton Hansens, Anne Ulinski and Millie Pearson submitted the
following slate: President, Don Herman; Vice Pres. Dean Crawford; Secretary,
Laverne Pearson; Treasurer, Elaine Montgomery. The slate were elected by
unanimous ballot.

From " THE NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM, December 1994"

"Harry Logan bequeathed to the Arboretum his entire remaining collection of
over 1000 horticulural , botanical, and garden books, as well as a $25,000
endowment for purchase of additional books in future years.
Additionally, our plant collections now contain several of Harry's most
highly prized and valuable landscape specimens from his home, also specified
in his will."

3,

RECORDER'S REPORT - THE YEAR 1994

ERIKA S. PARMI

A total of 40 day field trips and two overnights were scheduled
for the year 1994. The South Carolina overnight on April 14/16
was cancelled as well as field trips to Jones Gap on April 15,
Heintooga on June 10, Whiteside Mt. on Oct. 14 and McCall

Cemetery loop on Oct. 28. The first three were cancelled because
of rain and the McCall Cemetery trip was cancelled due to lack of
access (FSR 475 was closed because of flood damage sustained in
Aug us t ) .

This was a more normal flowering year than last year. The trees
were especially spectacular - silverbell, dogwood, black locust

and princess tree. These were notable on the trips to the

Smokies the Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail, the

Cosby/Greenbrier overnight and the Fines Creek trip.

As to species identified, half the trips provided us with more

than 30 species each. On 10 trips 50 or more species were

identified, most of these in bloom. The uncontested champion for
this year was the Smokies National Park combination of the

Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail and the Cove Hardwood Nature

Trail at the Chimneys picnic area with a total of 75 species

recorded. The closest competitors were the Coleman Boundary trip
with 67 species and the Issaqueena trip with 65 species. Only 10
people enjoyed the Roaring Fork trip, the entire drive was

spectacular many trees in bloom along I 40 and then a great

variety of species along the Motor Trail. The Issaqueena trip
always is interesting because we see so many unfamiliar

plants plants that are at home in the piedmont rather than the

mountains .

The two Fines Creek trips - the first on April 27 as part of the
Smokies overnight and the second on May 2 revealed an amazing
change in the brief span of 5 days. On April 27 we were treated

to a dazzling display of trout lily and wake robin but on May 2

these were mostly gone to be replaced by large-flowered trillium

and dwarf larkspur. The Grassy Ridge Overlook trip took us

farther south on the Parkway than we usually go. The extra miles
were definitely worth it since we saw 59 species in bloom. The

Tanbark Tunnel trip also produced 59 species. On a cold, sunny

day on May 20 at an altitude of 5560 ft. we observed 55 species
of spring flowers. The phlox meadow at Bee Tree Gap on June 3
was its usual spectacular self with 52 species.

This year total attendance on trips was 689 with an average of 18
hikers per trip. Five trips--Craggy Gardens June 17, the picnic
at Herrmans June 24, Shut-in trail June 29, Sky Valley road Aug.
12 and Kanuga Nov. 4 attracted more than 30 members each. A
total of 17 trips were attended by 20 or more members and
guests. Only 3 trips (Station Cove, UNCA Botanical Gardens and
Frying Pen Gap attracted less than 10 and were on days with rain
in the forecast. The two trips with highest attendance were the
Sky Valley trip with 38 and at Kanuga with 33. Here we enjoyed
Bill Verduin ' s "last hurrah" as a leader. We had cake and cider
with Bill and Evelyn and Bill was given a gavel inscribed with
his initials to commemorate his many years of service to the WCBC
as President, leader and recorder.

4.

Will the warm winter bring us an early spring? Or will winter
arrive late and deal us a killing frost resulting in a meager or
late blooming season? Whatever happens we know that the spring
schedule will please us.

NOTES FROM WHITE SQUIRREL CHARLES R. GUNN

Notes and random thoughts follow about the flora of the Brevard
NC area and about our wooded hill-top acre in Deerlake Village.

When we moved on August 1, 1994 and settled in the house, I
started to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials with the idea of
having at least 100 families growing on our acre of the 399
seed-bearing plant families that exist. Thus far I have about 50
families and with the addition of a front-yard waterfall, I
should reach my goal in 1995. Because of my interest in
families, I transplanted a buckhorn plantain (Plantago
lanceolata) from the roadside to the summer wildflower bed. I
keep records of my plantings on my computer using a WORDPERFECT
file called PCF-5 to store my data. Thus I can sort on any field
and keep my want list on the computer. I will be databanking seed
and fruit data at the family level using the taxonomic program
called DELTA which is designed to write keys, descriptions and
make identifications. I have extensive files about seeds and
fruits of families.

And this leads me to introduce you to my interest in seeds and
fruits which drift in tropical ocean currents. I am working with
the world's largest collection of tropical drift seeds and
fruits, using both PCF-5 and DELTA. Along with Cathie Katz of
Florida, we will issue a twice yearly Newsletter named "The
Drifting Seeds." We expect Vol. 1, No. 1 to be dated May 1,
2005.

But enough about indoor efforts - I want to finish these notes on
the outside with some of my interesting plant friends such as the
red witchhazel, heather, and Cardamine which are in bloom in
January. Also last fall I discovered Melampyrum lineare ,
Spiran thes gracilis , and Campanula divarica ta and more
importantly the realization that Shor tia galacif olia is a native
of Transylvania County. This brought back 40-year-old memories of
Percy Albert Davies.

DID YOU KNOW ???

When a new issue of SHORTIA arrives many of our members look
first at Dick Smith's LOOK AGAIN! to see what challenge he has
given this time. How long has he been challenging us with
these articles? The answer is that the current issue contains
article number 55. Each quarter the editor is blessed when
Dick provides the next LOOK AGAIN! and also sends the cover
ready for printing. Tell him you appreciate his contributions
next time you see him!

5.

Dear Editors:

I know you want us members to contribute articles
for SHORTIA, but hope you don't mend receiving a letter
instead. (A friend let me write this on his new word
processor, and one good feature is that it automatically
corrects any errors in spelling, so you won't have to
edit it.)

It seems to me that our new members might like to
read about some of the things the Club did and saw in the
past: Like hiking through a Fraser fur forest from

Clingman's Dome to Andrews Balled with its masses of
wine-leaved sinkfoil. I also remember the creeping
flocks and phonef lower in the Joyce Kilmer woods, but
we must not forget the common roadside plants like
golden ragwurst, self-heel, yellow impatience and
blue-toed flax.

On many trips along the Blue Ridge Parkway in summer
we got to see bee bomb, ladies ' -dresses , southern
hairbell, and the colorful fruits of Hearts-a-bus tin '

( Anonymus ) .

Then there were the unusual ones: quaking aspirin,
wild time and basal, and skunk current. But for these
we needed some of our more expert field trip liters to
show us the way--like Miles Peel, and Barber Hallowell
(who has since moved to Pencilvania) . Perhaps the most
noteworthy discoveery of all was of sweet picture-plants
in the vicinity of Seizure's Head by Ivan Custard.

(name withheld)

6.

ALINE HANSENS

FEREST TREES

A tree rather commonly found in the low
altitudes of the southern Appalachian
Mountains of NC and TN is black gum, Nyssa
sylvatica , a member of the tupelo-gum
family Nyssaceae. A Greek water nymph
inspired the name Nyssa for this
moisture-loving tree while sylvatica refers
to woodland. Considered a medium sized
tree, it is known to attain a height of 60
to 100 feet. Its conical topped crown,
dense foliage and many up-reaching small
branches carried on an erect trunk gave
rise to the mountain name "wild pear tree".
Other local names include sourgum,
pepperidge (an old English corruption of
barberry) and black tupelo, an Indian name.

The peak time of flowering is usually early
May when the small inconspicuous
greenish-white flowers appear among the
unfurling new leaves. These flowers may be
perfect or male and female flowers may be
borne on separate trees.

The leathery textured, glossy leaves, 2 to
5 inches long, are alternate, simple,
narrowly obovate and densely clustered. By
autumn the leaves turn blood red and small,
dark blue fleshy drupes appear. Seed
dispersal is promoted by bears, squirrels
and many birds attracted to the oily, sour
pulp of these "gum berries".

The bark of mature trees is grayish-black,
thick, rough and deeply furrowed into
oblong blocks rather like an alligator's
hide. A moist location and thick bark
protect this tree from fire but a shallow
root system gives little resistance to high
winds .

Commercially wood of the black gum is tough
and hard to split and of little value. It
is used largely for rough lumber or small
specialized products where tough wood is
needed. However, this shapely tree with
its gorgeous scarlet autumn foliage is a
desirable ornamental suited especially to
moist areas.

BLACKGUM

7.

PURPLE FRINGELESS ORCHID, PLATANTHERA PERAMOENA

IVAN KUSTER

The species name, peramoena , is a Latin adjective meaning "very
lovely", and it really is. The purple fringeless orchid has a
geographic range from western NY, PA to parts of NC and SC, to
AL, TN, and MO, MD, VA and WV - a southern midland species.

Its habitat is moist woods, stream banks and wet meadows.
Blooms may be seen from mid-June to late Sept. It is typically
a meadow plant and like some other orchids may be more abundant
in some years than others.

Purple fringeless orchid is a beautiful plant with rose-purple
or phlox-purple flowers growing from 2 to 3\ feet tall. The
petals are usually 3/4 inch in diameter. The lip is deeply
divided into 3 lobes which have small teeth on the edges. The
center lobe, which is wider, has a notch. The spur with an
enlarged tip curves downward about an inch from the base of the
lip. The leaves are lanceolate, tuberous and tapering from a
thickened base.

I first found this orchid in the swamp meadow at FENCE eleven
years ago. There were only five plants then. Now they number
about 30. They range from 1 to over 3 feet tall. The area has
increased considerably since they were first seen. Many grow in
grassy weedy areas full of brambles, willows, elderberries and
tag alders. This orchid blooms at FENCE around July 10-20.

Donovan Correll in his excellent book "Native Orchids of North
America" states that he had found a small meadow at Linville
Falls so abundant with the purple fringeless orchid that the
flowers gave the whole area a rich red-purple color. He also
found many plants in undisturbed meadows and swamps in the
vicinity of Caesar's Head. The unique color of the flowers and
their comparative rarity makes them more attractive than many of
our other native species.

WILDFLOWER EVENTS, SPRING 1995.

Asheville Day in the Gardens and 23rd Annual Spring Wildf lower and Bird
Pilgrimage sponsored by UNCA and University Botanical Gardens. May 5-7,
1995. For information write Dr. Jim Perry, Dept, of Biology, UNCA, 1
University Heights, Asheville, NC 28804-3289.

45th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage. April 27, 28, 29, 1995. Write
Great Smoky National Park, Gatlinburg, TN 37738 or call (615) 436-1262.

SC Spring Wildflower Walks in April and May on various dates in 8 parks.
Write: Wildflower Walks, SC State Parks, 1205 Pendleton St. Colimbia, SC

29201

Similar Events are often offered in Georgia, Virginia, West Virginia and
Tennessee. We do not have details on these for 1995.

8.

The Toothworts ( Dentaria spp.) are
attractive spring wildflowers with clusters of
white, or sometimes pale pink, four-petaled
blossoms. Only three kinds are common in our
area, but keying these out some-
times becomes bothersome when
they are combined with the so-
called Bitter Cresses in the genus
Cardamine. ( In Dentaria the
leaves are palmately or ternately
dissected, while in Cardamine they
are pinnate.)

D. diphylla , which is
also known as Crinkleroot because
of its crisp, pungent rhizome, has
a subopposite pair of leaves about
midway up the stem each with three
broad, coarsely toothed leaflets.

Cut-leaved Toothwort, D_. laciniata
(Cardamine concatenata ) . has a whorl
of three cauline leaves and they are
deeply divided into three narrow,
toothed segments.

D. LACINIATA

DIPHYLLA

In both of these species the
basal leaves are similar to those on the
stem, although they usually are absent at
time of flowering. On the other hand,
Slender Toothwort, or D_^ heterophvlla
( C . anqustata ) , has leaves of two differ-
ent forms: The basal ones resemble those
of _D^ diphylla. while those on the stem
(usually a pair) have three narrow segments
as in D. laciniata but are much smaller.

D. heterophylla

9.

Vol . XVII, No. JL.

Spring 1995

A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE WESTERN CAROLINA BOTANICAL CLUB.

Editors : Elton J and Aline Hansens Distribution ; Ruth Hoerich

Please submit contributions (articles, Letters to the Editors,
notes, etc.) for the next issue by May 10, 1995 to Elton J.
Hansens, 125 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville, NC 28803. (Telephone:
(704) 277-7486.

REMINDER: 1995 CLUB DUES OF $8.00 are to be paid to the
treasurer, Elaine Montgomery, 1636 O'Hara Circle, Hendersonville,
29739

SHORTIA

c/o Ruth Hoerich
215 Newport Road
Hendersonville, NC 28739

FIRST CLASS

SHORTIA

NEWSLETTER OF THE

WESTERN CAROLINA BOTANICAL CLUB

SUMMER 1995

ELTON and ALINE HANSENS
Editors

WESTERN CAROLINA BOTANICAL CLUB

President:

Vice President:
Secretary:

Don Herrman
Dean Crawford
La verne Pearson

Treasurer:
Recorder :
Historian:

Elaine Montgomery
Erika Parmi
Louise Foresman

FROM THE PRESIDENT DON HERRMAN

With this copy of SHORTIA you are receiving the WCBC program
through January 1996. As I write this, the program is beginning
to shape up and we are calling members to serve as leaders,
assistant leaders, and recorders, and others to present winter
programs. Your happy, positive response will be appreciated.
Already several members have volunteered to present programs for
the winter months.

On recent outings it has been good to see the increased use of
walking sticks. Not only are they good safety items but also
they are very useful in pointing out plants to other members.

Never underestimate the power of the walking stick nor the

power of an eighteen wheeler.

As we are driving as a caravan on the highways let us drive with
our lights on and let us remember that there are other vehicles
on the road. Please keep adequate space between cars, allowing
for easy passing, Also maintain adequate speed (observing the
speed limit) so that our last driver does not have to fear being
rear-ended. This is not a criticism of our drivers but a
reminder that being in an uncomfortable situation on the road is
no fun.

Now let me give thanks for the weeds that bloom into wildflowers
in my meadow and so-called yard. I hear the cry "Do not mow the
violets" as I cran'k up the mower. This means I do not have much
to mow So let us enjoy the beautiful spring and endless summer.

Addi t ions to 1995 Membership List .

Butenhof, Ed & Barbara 201 Red Oak Dr., 28739 697-4773.

Ellis, Peggy 281 Laurel Dr., Fletcher 28732 684-3918.

Kent, Ann 3236 Heritage Circle 28739 697-6052

Leech, Bruce & Frances, 265 White Ashe Circle 28739 667-1110.

Sagar, Mimi P.0. Box 816 Sagar Rd . , Rosman 28772.

Scott, Walter & Emly 188 Cardinal Rd . , Brevard 28712 885-2889.

Summer Address:

Davis, Charlton & Patricia 240 Laurel Heights, Highlands 28741.
(704)526-0252.

2.

RECORDER'S REPORT - FEBRUARY TO MAY 1995

ERIKA S. PARMI

Spring season was exciting with no cancellations of field trips. On March 10
Millie Pearson's woods was substituted for the Paris Mt., SC trip due to the
lack of flowers.

Four new trails visited this spring were all winners! — South Pacolet River on
April 3, Givens Estates on April 17, Sutton Ridge on May 1 and Chandler
Preserve on May 12. At South Pacolet River there were several trees of note
and two species of plants were abundant — the unusual round-leaf ragwort
(Senecio obovatus) and little sweet Betsy (Trillium cuneatum).

Givens Estates produced a surprising 39 species, among them large- flowered
trillium (Trillium grandif lorum) , wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) , dwarf
crested iris ( Iris cris tata j~~and yellow mandarin ( Disporum lanuginosum) . A
few of the rare nodding mandarin (Disporum macula turn) also were found.

Sutton Ridge Trail at Cosby campground 9 people saw 49 species in bloom.
Everyone was impressed with 50+ showy orchis (Galearis spectabilis) along the
1.5 mile trail. Several species of trillium also were abundant. Unfortunately
the spectacular bloom at the end of the trail had already gone by. We were
pleased to see a dozen one-flowered cancerroot (Orobanche uniflora) blooming.

Eva Russell Chandler Preserve near Caesar's Head presented us with unusual
plants which I had never seen. On or beside the open rock face over which
Slickum Creek tumbles for approximately 100 feet, we saw the rare
divided -leaved groundsel (Senecio millefolium) , rare mountain sweet pitcher
plant (Sarracenia jonesii), sandwort (Arenaria uniflora) , anglepod (Matelea
caroliniensis ) --a beautiful vine with large opposite oval leaves and clusters
of maroon flowers — and Phlox amoena ♦ Three shrubs were of special interest:
Virginia willow (I tea virginica) , sparkleberry (Vaccinium arbor eum) and
beauty-berry (Callicarpa americana). Wooly lip fern and resurrection fern were
among 8species of ferns identified. Needle grass (Stipa avenacea) attracted
attention.

The overnight trip April 19-21 to Snowbird Mountain Lodge near the Joyce
Kilmer Memorial Forest was enjoyed by 19 members. On the first day we lunched
at the Kilmer picnic area and spent the afternoon along the Kilmer Trail. This
trail is never a disappointment. It was a patchwork quilt of color — lavender
phlox, the maroon of little sweet Betsy and the white of Canada violet. The
gigantic tulip, hemlock and beech trees never fail to impress me. Some of the
fallen giants had become nurse logs to gardens of wild flowers and seedling
shrubs and trees. Some plants had unusual color variations — a white Phlox ,
pale yellow and cream Trillium erectum, which is usually red or white, and a
white form of Geranium macula turn.

The next morning we botanized along Maple Spring road. After a delicious
lunch each of us did his/her own thing. Some of us birded, others took a nap,
chatted, enjoyed the mountain view from the deck, or went off to explore a
trail. The grand show continued both evenings — the first one Elton Hansens

entertained with slides of flowers of the Smokies the second night Millie

Blaha showed slides of our backyard birds and butterflies.

On the way home some of us stopped at Stecoah Gap and walked up the switch-
backs on the Appalachian Trail through a sea of Trillium grandif lorum and T.
luteum. The forest floor was covered with rue anemone (Thalictrum
thalictroides.

Great botanizing in the spring of 1995.

3.

LETTER TO MY BOTANICAL FRIENDS, APRIL 30, 1995

BILL VERDUIN

A few thoughts to some of my more botanical friends, (not that I
think any of you are sitting around vegetating.) Neither am I,
but the vegetation around here is sadly devoid of wild flowers.
Have seen a few violets, chickweeds and one Jack. Not that I
haven't been looking! I went to Zoar State Forest near Richmond

and found an ideal place an alluvial area along a pretty river

where there should have been a great display there was nothing.

Saw less than a dozen violets and one small clump of wild azalea.
Nice place to prowl, though, lots of big beech trees, very, very
big hollies but, strangely, very few ferns. Great river to canoe
on and I intend to do just that sometime soon.

I have made one great find and am excited about the prospects.
The Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is about ten miles from our
condo. It was started about 5 or 6 years ago and I have been
watching the development every year when we visited Terry. It is
now beginning to really look great. The plants, of course, are
from all over the world. Sometimes I recognize the genus name.

Flowers in the city have been beautiful; lots of dogwood and
azaleas in almost every yard. One city park has a spectacular
azalea garden, thousands and thousands of plants. I have been
impressed with the trees in the city, both in the yards and in
public places.

I'm very gingerly beginning to look at the oaks and have found a
whole book on nothing but Oaks! That may only confuse the matter
further. If they just wouldn't hybridize. I think I'll look into
chestnut oak and basket oak which are very similar.

I just found The Natural History of Wild Shrubs and Vines by
Donald W. Stokes. It is fascinating- -a real find. He tells a
world of interesting things about the plant itself, tidbits about
architecture of the flower, seed dispersal, why the name, etc.
Galls and gall insects are included. The book published in 1981
may be out of print, but should be in H'ville Library. If WCBC
can find a copy I suggest they buy it and present it to the
library .

We are going for 3 days on the Parkway, staying at Peaks of
Otter. Really looking forward to seeing hones t- to-goodness
wi ldf lower s .

Best wishes to all of you, BILL

Watch SHORTIA for Changes
in the WCBC Program Schedule.

4.

NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST

Of

HENDERSON COUNTY

"Place makes people; in the end it
makes everything." — John Haines

Henderson County's Biological
Diversity

Henderson County stretches from
Hickory Nut George in the east to
Etowah in the west; from Mills River
valley in the north to the Green River
Gorge in the south. The recently
completed natural heritage inventory of
the county reported 21 different plant
communities within this area. These
communities range from rich cove
forests and high elevation rocky
summits to swamp forests and southern
Appalachian bogs. Henderson County's
wetlands alone exhibit more plant
community diversity than those of any
other region in western North Carolina.

This diversity is the natural and
cultural heritage of our county.

This is what the first inhabitants and
early settlers found when they came to
farm in the Mills River valley. This is
what has attracted businesses, tourists
and retirees to the county. The plant
communities contribute to our clean air
and water, especially the
wetlands which
filter out
pollutants,
recharge
underground
water tables,
and prevent
flooding.

Are We Losing Our Natural Heritage?

As we look around the county today, we
know the answer is "yes." Orchards and
farmlands are being sold for development;
trees are being cleared for new housing
units; floodplains and wetlands are being
filled; scenic views and open space are
disappearing.

Concerned with this loss and in an effort
to balance our economic growth with
conservation of the natural areas in our
county, a group of concerned citizens has
formed the NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST
OF HENDERSON COUNTY, a land trust.

What is a Land Trust?

A land trust is a private, nonprofit, tax-
exempt charitable corporation that uses a
variety of mechanisms to protect land
resources. For the landowner, there are
flexible methods of land protection with
the added incentive of tax benefits.

The most common types of land targeted
for protection by land trusts are wildlife
habitat and natural areas, open space,
and recreational land. The preservation of
farmland is likewise a strong emphasis of
many land trusts.

5.

NOTES FROM WHITE SQUIRREL

CHARLES R. GUNN

Notes and random thoughts about the flora of the Brevard NC area
and our wooded hill-top acre in Deerlake Village.

James Meyers and his father came by with some shrubs and trees,
and told us that he still has no commitment from our electrician
to wire the waterfall pump. So here sits Gunn's Folly: A James
Meyers designed waterfall with its beautiful stream-worn stones
just aching for water. At least we have a genuine Charleston
Bench waiting for the platform at the base of the last splash
pool.

The articles by Aline Hansens and Dick Smith in the Spring 1995
issue of Shortia set me thinking.

Aline, following common usage, placed Nyssa sylvatica Marshall in
the Family Nyssaceae. The concept of the Nyssaceae has been
seriously questioned since 1988. Scientific data supports
merging the Nyssaceae into the Cornaceae. The Cornaceae then has
15 genera, 3 of them coming from the Nyssaceae. In addition to
the scientific data, there is a scientific concept for being a
lumper (lumping the Nyssaceae into the Cornaceae) rather than
being a splitter (keeping the two families separate). This will
be discussed further in a future issue of Shortia, because I see
this as a good time to discuss Den taria and Cardamine .

At the outset let us recognize that a genus is an assemblage of
one or more species without regard to the number of species.
Cardamine and Den taria have been considered separate genera for
over 200 years. Though it does not please Dick Smith and myself,
Den tar ia has been merged into Cardamine . This merger has been
adopted by most (if not all) recent pupblicat ions . Cardamine now
has between 130 and 150 species and is found on all continents
except Antarctica.

BOTANICAL NOMENCLATURE involves the naming of taxanomic groups of
plants according to the International Code of Botanical
Nomenclature, the published Code developed and adopted by the
International Botanical Congress. Because the Congresses meet
every 6 years, we have a newly published Code every 6 years.
Based on their similarities and differences for a broad range of
characteristics, plants are grouped at various levels (ranks)
into a taxonomic hierarchy. The most important groupings are
individual plants into species, species into genera, genera into
families, families into orders, and orders into classes. A
taxonomic group at any of these ranks (referred to as a taxon,
plural taxa) receives a name in accordance with the Code. The
Code covers the correct way to name a taxon. It does not tell
how to practice the science and art of deciding how large a taxon
should be.

One of my winter joys was using the newly published book by Mark
Griffiths, 1994, Index of Garden Plants, Timber Press, Inc.,
Portland, OR 97225. $59.95 plus postage. ISBN 0-88192-246-3.
Over 60,000 species of ornamental and economic plants, 30,000
cultivars, and 12,000 common names are covered.

6 .

WE DO HOPE THE WILD FLOWERS
APPRECIATE HOW ARDENTLY WE LOVE THEM

Copyright 1923. New York Tribune Inc.

WHO FEEDS WCBC PLANT LISTS TO HORSES ON SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN ?

ASK ALINE HANSENS ! !

7.

Millie Buwa

How the Search for One Plant led to a NEW Discovery

or, an Adventure in Seeing

It was a misting afternoon on November 17, 1993. Our destination was the
oak woods area of Jackson Park. Anne U1 inski and I went there to look for
dittany (Cunila origanoides) , a plant which we had seen in this area a number of
years earlier. Not only did we find the original plant that we were looking for,
but there were at least a half a dozen more plants scattered in the area.

Down the slope, in the woods, was a plant with lemon-yellow leaves. It was
a plant which I had never seen before. The stem was square and very hairy. The
plant had a fragrance. There were no flowers on it but there were seeds.

At home, my search for identification of this plant began with the Mint
Family. Not all square-stemmed plants are Mints but this plant had an odor. In
the VASCULAR FLORA of the CAROLINAS (the botanist’s bible), no plant description
nor any plant in the key in the Mint Family (LAMIACEAE) , matched this plant.

Since Grimm’s ILLUSTRATED BOOK OF WILDFLOWERS AND SHRUBS depicts plants by
fami 1 ies and has excellent line drawings, I thought that it might be easy to find
this plant there, by looking at the drawings. This plant was not in Grimm!

My next resource was Gleason’s NEW BRITTON AND BROWN ILLUSTRATED FLORA
which also has excellent line drawings. If I did not have any success in keying
out this plant, at least I could look at the drawings and try to find a plant
that looked like this mystery plant. There, on page 176 of volume 3, was the
plant - WILD MARJORAM (Origanum vulgare)! The description indicated that this
plant is a native of Europe, introduced in fields and roadsides, especially on
calcareous soil, from Massachusetts to Ontario and in North Carolina. However,
the plant we found was growing in the woods of North Carolina. So back to the
index in Radford. The plant name was there (on page 896). It was in the last
sentence at the end of the characteristics for the LAMIACEAE FAMILY which stated:
’’Hyssopus officinalis and Origanum vulgare have been attributed to North Carolina
but no specimens have been seen". Because Radford was published in 1968, I
telephoned the Natural Heritage Program in Raleigh to see if there was any record
of the plant having been seen since then. I learned that the Natural Heritage
group keeps a list only of those plants which are native to North Carolina. It
had no recofd of Origanum.

Since I now knew what the plant was, I went to Newcomb’s WILDFLOWER GUIDE
to key out the plant. It was not in the key, but it was in the index which led
me to pages 80-81. Newcomb did not give the plant’s range (one of the
shortcomings of Newcomb). It indicated that the Origanum grew in fields and
roadsides. But this plant was growing in the woods !

It does not seem possible that this plant species was purposefully planted
in Jackson Park because there were several other groups of this plant, six or
more feet apart, growing under trees.

Discovering a plant which I have never seen before always is exciting.
Botany is a wonderful hobby because a lifetime is not long enough to see all the
plants one would like to see! And so, there always are discoveries to be made.

Perhaps, some day, this discovery will be recorded in a revised edition of
Radf ord !

8.

LOOK AGAIN !

The number of wildf lowers having whorled leaves is small enough
for us to be able to identify many of them, at least as to genus,
even in the absence of flowers. Some examples are the Trilliums,
Bedstraws and Lilies.

A few, however, are hard to different-
iate, and are worth examing. One is Indian
Cucumber Root ( Medeola virciniana ) , which
has a whorl of 5 to 9 oblanceolate leaves.

In mature, flowering plants this is over-
topped by a small whorl which bears 3 leaves
and a few-flowered umbel, but this will be
absent in many individuals.

Since Medeola is a monotypic genus we
will find no look-alikes among its relatives,
but Isctria , in the Orchid Family, fills
this gap very nicely. In fact, Whorled

Pogonia (_I_. verticillata ) , which always has 5 leaves, bears an
uncanny resemblance to Medeola when neither is in bloom; however,
it helps to know that the stem is hollow in Isotria, solid in
Medeola .

The comparative scarcity of the Whorled Pogonias makes it
worthwhile to key out such plants carefully, and especially to
distinguish the extremely rare I_j. niedeoloides if you should be

fortunate enough to find it.
This is the smaller of the two
species in every respect, but
most noticeably in the sepals,
which are under 1" but at
least twice as long in I .
verticillata . Also, the plant
is pale green and the leaves
tend to droop.

1. VERTICILLATA

9.

Vol . XVII, No. 2

SUMMER 1995

S H 0 R T I A

A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE WESTERN CAROLINA BOTANICAL CLUB.

Editors : Elton J and Aline Hansens Distribution; Ruth Hoerich

Please submit contributions (articles, Letters to the Editors,
notes, etc.) for the next issue by August 10 to Elton J Hansens,
125 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville, NC 28803. (704) 277-7486.

SHORTIA

c/o Ruth Hoerich

4? JUN 16
< P M ol

V 1235 7

215 Newport Road

Hendersonville, NC 28739

s.x J

FIRST CLASS

non & Alme Hansens
25 Far Horizons Lane
A she v, lie, NC 28803

SHORTIA

NEWSLETTER OF THE

WESTERN CAROLINA BOTANICAL CLUB

AUTUMN 1995

LIBRARY

MAR 1 1 1997

NEW YORK
BOTANICAL GARDEN

ELTON and ALINE HANSENS
Editors

WESTERN CAROLINA BOTANICAL CLUB

President :

Vice President
Secretary :

Don Herrman
Dean Crawford
Laverne Pearson

Treasurer :
Recorder :
His torian:

Elaine Montgomery
Erika Parmi
Louise Foresman

FROM THE PRESIDENT DON HERRMAN

I That do you want to see? Tell your
passing. It will soon be time for
Program Committee. Your ideas

the

IThere do you want to go?

Club officers. Time is
another planning session of
will be appreciated.

Speaking of passing . How about passing the word down the
Having been the sweep on some of our outings it is
interesting to hear what is going on. I know the view i
up front, but lets tell the people down the line. They d
i t .

The weather has been messy for a few of our trips but it he
very well for the picnic. We want to thank our enthus
members for their discoveries and interest in the wild or
The green adders mouth still has it's little fence around
the green wood orchid is in full bloom. Our members also 1
with some glassware and a place setting of "silver”.

line .
always
s bes t
eserve

Id out
ias tic
chids .
i t and
eft us

The saga of our meadow goes on, the moss is encroaching, but the
meadow beauty reigns supreme; can the ladies tresses be far
behind. I may never have to mow again.

Have fun and for the f orgetf ul--dues are still due.

Dorothy M.

1994, when
in Pardee
President, Dorc
Shortia Editor
issues between
committees and
December .

DOROTHY M. RATHMANN -- A TRIBUTE

Rathmann, President of WCBC from Jan. 1993 to
she resigned for reasons of health, died July 4
Hospital, Hendersonville. In addition

Sept .
1995

and then Dorothy edited Shortia
1986 and 1991. She also served
particularly arranged for the G

Dorothy was much interested in wild flowers and i
the wildflower garden at Carolina Village. She c
and took a number of trips to see special bird li.
Village she was a leader among the residents
community with distinction.

Her doctorate was from the University of Roche;
years she was associated with CPC International
Director of Nutrition and Toxicology in 1979.

All

lea<

her

of us in the WCBC who knew her well,

to

her term

as

He If

en Turner

as

her

self for

17

on

a number

of

iokif

e Fes t e

ach

or years tended

Iso

loved bi

rds

:e .

At Carol

ina

and

served

the

; ter

and for

31

and

retired

as

re;

spected

her

riend. We m

iss

2.

RECORDER'S REPORT - JUNE THRU AUGUST 1995

ERIKA S. PARMI

This summer should eliminate any doubts about "the greenhouse
effect" and the warming of the earth! Despite the constant heat
and humidity of July and August there were turn-outs of 15 or
more members for most of the field trips. Those who stayed home
missed out on the natural air-conditioning of the higher
elevations where most of the field trips were held. They also
missed spectacular displays of flowering raspberry (-Rubus
odoratus ) and forking catch-fly (Silene dicho toma ) on the Grassy
Ridge Mine trip and masses of Indian pipe (Monotropa uniflora)
and fly-poison ( Amian thium muscae toxicum) at Haywood Gap. The
flower displays at the meadow and along the roadside at the Bee
Tree Gap were especially good this year. It was there that we
saw green wood orchis (Habenar ia clavellata ) . The Pinnacle
Mountain trip with many seldom seen species was highlighted by
fern-leaved false foxglove (Aureolar ia pedicularia) , spiked
blazing star (Liatris spicata ) and yellow-fringed orchis
(Habenar ia ciliaris ) ♦

As usual the picnic at the Herrmans ' Ramblewood was well
attended with 35 members present. Before lunch we rambled (as
befits Ramblewood) around several of the trails. On one trail
Millie Blaha had marked adder's mouth orchid (Malaxis unifolia) .
One was in full bloom and we were all able to enjoy its beauty.

Trips to Mt . Pisgah on July 28 and the Shut-In trip on Aug. 4
were cancelled because of threatening rain.

I missed some trips because, at a friend's urging, I joined her
for a birding trip in July to Trinidad and Tobago - my second
trip to the tropics. In spite of the promised trade winds, it
was humid there, even more so than here. However, my enthusiasm
for the spectacular and unusual beauty of both birds and plants
was not lost. The tropical vegetation is overwhelming and even
though one can only identify a few species, it is a treat to the
eye. I urge all of you, as botanists, to make at least one trip
to the tropics.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU ALINE HANSENS

Hatheway, Curt & Virginia: 2000 Plum Tree Lane

(Sugar Hollow Farm) H'ville, NC 28739 (704) 692-

4404. Botanically interested--Virginia is in the Land

0'Sky Garden Club and Curt is a horticulturist.

O' Grady, Dana: (winter address) 7149 Augusta Dr.,

Green Cove Springs, FL 32043.

ADDITIONS TO MEMBERSHIP LIST:

Perry, Pat & Lois: 32 Dvdisdi Ct., Brevard, NC 28712

Arrington, Daisy: 2490 F. Windsor Woods Lane,

Norcrcss GA 30071-2336.

NEW ADDRESS:

Prentice, Donald & Alta Mae; 217 Tulip Trail,

H'ville, NC 28792 (704) 687-3528.

3.

NOTES FROM WHITE SQUIRREL

CHARLES R. GUNN

In my quest to find out more about P.A. Davies and Shortia, I have received
most (if not all) papers dealing with Shortia galacifolia from the National
Agriculture Library, visited with Charles F. Moore who collected Shortia with
Davies in the 1950s, and received an answer to my letter from Davies's
daughter and from the P.A. Davies Herbarium at the University of Louisville.

I have 90 families in my woods and gardens and still hope to be over 100 by
the end of 1995. My most unusual plant is one that came with some deciduous
azaleas — Irish-moss (Soleirolia soleirolii (Reg.) Dandy) is both my smallest
flowering plant and a new family (the Urticaceae). If you want to see
Irish-moss in all of its miniature, flowering glory and its ideal habitat,
walk the brick sidewalk in front of 1 Biltmore Plaza to Boston Way and down
along the New Morning Gallery in Biltmore Village. (Carry a hand lens).

In Brevard our most unusual flowering plant in May was Dr. Miles Peelle's
Amorphallus which was photographed in full bloom for an article in the May 15
Transylvania Times. Miles told me that this species has been in his family
for many years and he is carrying on the family tradition by growing it every
year at his home in College Walk.

In Deer Lake our three June floral beauties were rosebud orchid, (Cleistes
divaricata) in Sue's woods; fly-poison (Amiantheimim muscaetoxicum) along a
roadside; and cow wheat (Melampvrum lineare ) In the woods near Deer Lake.
While in Polk County in June, we found a blooming plant of a
climbing-milkweed, Matelea carolinensis ) .

The Summer 1995 issue of SHORTIA brought Millie Blaha's article on her
discovery and identification of Origanum vulgare L., and her desire to add it
to a revision of the Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas by Radford,
Ahles, and Bell. Millie or someone else MUST make at least one correctly
named, properly labelled herbarium specimen and deposit it in a herbarium. A
documentation of this procedure may be found in Castanea (The Journal of the
Southern Appalachian Botanical Society) Vol. 60. no. 1, pp. 84-85. This is a
report of a new record of Holcus mollis L. from Macon County, NC. While no
one is required to publish a new record, it is advisable. Millie made the
identification and could make a label documenting its exact location, its
associated plants, its habitat and its collector and collecting date.
Pressing a complete plant in flower or fruit would not be difficult. The last
task is to deposit the specimen in a herbarium. The nearest recognized
herbaria to the Hendersonville-Brevard area are the University of Tennessee.
Knoxville (TENN); Clemson University, Clemson (CLEMS); University of South
Carolina, Columbia (USCH); University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC);
and Western Carolina University, Cullowhee (WCUH). The computerization of the
southeastern U.S. herbarium sheets will permit those who revise the MANUAL to
find sheets like these and add them to the revision.

4.

ALINE HANSENS

A TRIP TO "THE BRUCE"

Always seeking new and interesting botanical areas to explore and
photograph, we were drawn to the Bruce peninsula in Ontario. We
have returned four different years in mid-June, never tiring
its beautiful display of wildflowers including
orchids. Better known as the "Bruce", this finger
between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, next door
Often called a "naturalists paradise" it is
geologically and bo tanically .

of

several rare
of land lies
to Michigan,
truly unique

Once buried under ancient tropical seas and scoured by melting
glaciers, the area is composed mainly of limestone with a cap
rock of dolostone. The most prominent feature is the Niagara
Escarpment, a world biosphere reserve which originated
essentially as a barrier reef and winds its way like the Great
Wall of China across southern Ontario. It follows the length of
the peninsula to its tip where it continues underwater to form
several small islands. Storms and erosion have created
precipitous limestone cliffs and sea caves, and a rugged eastern
shoreline of rocks and boulders along Georgian Bay, providing not
only scenic views but a habitat for interesting and rare ferns.
In contrast the western shore is a giant belt of rock pavement
sloping gently into Lake Huron and stretching most of the length
of the peninsula broken only by bays, marshes, beaches and dunes.

Moving slightly inland this bare rock plain becomes an unusual
habitat known as alvar with islands of low lying vegetation
growing out of crevices and fissures. Here we found harebells,
bluets, silverweed and the dainty maidenhair spleenwort. Close
to shore, near small pools of water, a number of insectivorous
plants flourished including but terwor t , pitcher plants, and two
species of sundew.

The best example of alvar was at the Dorcas Bay Nature Reserve,
one of our favorite spots. It covers 330 acres and includes a
large fen (an alkaline, nutrient rich wetland) with an abundance
of pitcher plants, an extensive coniferous woodland with many
yellow lady's slippers, gay wings, and, most important, the
beautiful but small ram's head orchid. In fact we found an
amazing variety of plants in these diverse habitats!

Petrel Point Reserve, a rich wetland habitat of 51 acres includes
fen, cedar swamp and woodland areas. Especially noteworthy were
clumps of the very beautiful showy lady's slipper.

Before leaving the Bruce, a short trip to Flower Pot Island is a
"must"! This island is on the escarpment and is so named because
of it's strange rock formations. Protected by the National Park,
it is habitat for many plant species, including several rare
orchids and a variety of interesting ferns.

protected
National
area of
limestone

A Botany Club trip to "the Bruce" anyone?

5.

A large part of this unique land has been preserved and
by FON (Federation of Ontario Naturalists) and by 2
Parks established by Canada which include a marine
islands and lake bottom and a mainland counterpart of
cliffs, mixed woodlands, beaches and abundant wetlands.

MATTHIAS KIN AND CYMOPHYLLUS FRASER I

BILL VERDUIN

Near the end of the 18th century a German naturalist, Matthias Kin, came to
this country to search for plants and seeds to send back to Europe. While on
his exploring expeditions he dressed and lived as an Indian, and is said to
have been of gigantic size, making an imposing appearance.

One of the most interesting plant specimens brought back to Philadelphia had
odd, showy, white flowers with deep green glossy leaves. Though the location
from which this plant came is not entirely clear, it most likely was the
Tygart Valley in what is now West Virginia. At about the same time the Scotch
botanist, John Fraser, was exploring in the Carolinas, hoping to find plants
new to science that would be valuable additions to European gardens. In 1808,
on his last trip to America, he discovered the same plant Kin had found in
West Virginia. His find was on the banks of the Catawba River north of what
is now Morganton in Burke County, NC In 1811 Henry Andrew, a British
botanist, named the plant in Fraser's honor, calling it Carex fraseri. We
know it as Cymophvllus fraseri.

Despite its attractiveness, the plant was not reported again in WV for nearly
a century, and even now is known in only 8 counties there. Radford et al list
it as "rare", occuring in only 5 counties in NC. It has been reported in only
a very few counties in VA and TN.

Botany Club folks have seen Fraser’s sedge in just a couple of places over on
the north side of the Smokies. Because this is the only sedge with an
attractive bloom and because it is rare even in its very limited range, we
have special pleasure when we do find a specimen. Enjoy!

ROCKY SHOALS SPIDER LILIES ELTON HANSENS

We took a notion to look at several SC State Parks in late May
and consulted the SC "Parkview" publication of the SC State Park
System. This is an excellent publicity piece listing many
activities throughout the park system. In the Spring/Summer
1995 issue we found a feature article titled "Rocky Shoals
Spider Lilies", Landsford Canal State Park. This looked like a
place to visit and we did on May 25.

The so-called spider lilies actually belong to the Amaryllis
family and the species is Hymenocallis coronar ia which is native
to the river shoals of SC, GA and AL. Within SC populations of
plants are found at 3 locations on the Catawba River, 2 on the
Broad, 2 on the Savannah and 1 on the Congaree. Flowers are at
their peak from mid-May to mid-June.

When we visited Landsford Canal State Park we hiked the trail
along the old canal to the view-point. The spider lilies were in
full bloom and formed an immense display on the east bank of the
Catawba. Near us on the west side of the river small islands of
the plants gave a closer look at the "six spidery petals
surrounding a brilliant white, cup-like membrane as large as an
adult hand’’. The habitat is limited to rocky river shoals. The
species is threatened and a candidate for endangered status. We
took pictures and wished for a closer look at the details of the
flowers.

6.

We saw other interesting plants along the trail which followed
the tow path and historic remnants of the canal built in 1820 to
provide safe passage for commercial river traffic around the
rocky shoals. Thus, we also experienced a bit of fascinating
history .

Landsford Canal State Park is 6 miles west of Lancaster, SC off
US 21. "Canoeing the Catawba" is a trip being offered Sept. 15
and Oct. 20, 1995. Fee $15.00. (803) 789-5800.

MOSES ASHLEY CURTIS BILL VERDUIN

Curtis' goldenrod. Curtis' aster, (Solidago curtisii, Aster curtisii). Who
is this fellow, Curtis, for whom these southern mountain species were named to
honor?

Moses Ashley Curtis, 1808-1872, was bom in MA, son of an Episcopal clergyman.
He was educated at Williams College and subsequently prepared for ordination
in the Episcopal Church. Sent to NC as a missionary, he lived at various
times in Wilmington, Raleigh, and Lincolnton.

No one seems to know what sparked his interest in plants or where he got the
training necessary for him to make such major contributions in his early plant
explorations. Soon after coming to NC he did a survey of the coastal plain
area within two miles of Wilmington, identifying almost as many flowering
plants as were then known in the entire state of MA. Making good use of his
missionary trips throughout the state, he was able in 1860 to publish a
Catalogue of the Plants of NC. Ibis was followed in 1867 by another Catalogue
which was "probably the most complete and scholarly state flora that had been
published up to that date".

Unusual for his time, Curtis became deeply interested in lichens and fungi.
As early as 1845 he began to collect and classify lichens, accumulating a
lichen herbarium which was later sold to Harvard. Curtis corresponded with
Berkeley, the outstanding mycologist of that time, and contributed much to
Berkeley's book, "North American Fungi." "His matchless collections, as well
as his acumen in discovery of new species and his full notes, were
indispensable to the first hand authenticity of the publications." There are
at least two fungi and at least one lichen named curtisii in his honor.

Would that we could spend a few days travelling through these wild mountains
with Moses Ashley Curtis !

7.

LETTER TO THE EDITORS:

J. DAN PITTILO, Professor, Western
Carolina University.

Your SHORTIA newsletter has certainly been a favorite of mine and
many of you know that Dick Smith's excellent layman tips in his
"Look Again" column are being reprinted in the Chinquapin , the
newsletter of the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society.
Earlier the Western Carolina Botanical Club was featured in
Chinquapin ' s "Organizational Spotlight" column. This speaks of
the quality and excellence of this fine newsletter.

Two of your Summer 1995 articles caught my attention
to make the following observtions.

and I wish

Erika S. Parmi's "Recorder's Report- February to May 1995"
mentions the presence of Disporum macula turn on the Givens
Estates. In my experience this basifile and several others are
frequently associated in our region with hornblende, gneiss or
amphibolites. The even more common Trillium grandi f lorum or
Lindera benzoin sometimes provides a clue that basifiles are
present. In our region, the more common rock types are acidic
and we usually find basifiles to be rare. For this reason, the
NC Natural Heritage Program (NHP) is interested in the diverse
communities found over these basic rocks and I encourage you to
notify the landowners and NHP when you find such rich basifile
sites.

Millie Blaha did something in her search that more of us might
emulate: there are ways to sort through various leads when one
makes anunusual observation. Careful attention to details often
results in something worth noting. Millie's and Anne Ulinski's
observation of what is apparently Origanum vulgare may set an
old, unverified record straight. It should become a part of the
"Guide" for the Carolinas and Virginia that Alan Weakley now has
underway. Anyone who discovers something new to the Radford,
Ahles and Bell "manual" might drop a note to Alan at The Nature
Conservancy, 101 Conner Drive, Suite 302, Chapel Hill, NC 27514.

Those of you giving your volunteer time to newsletters do not go
unnoticed !

See use of

this term in "Look Again" on next page.

TEPAL: A segment of perianth that is not

clearly differentiated (except by point of

insertion) into calyx and corolla.

from: Guide to the Vascular Plants of the

Blue Ridge, by B. E. Wofford 1989 Univ. Ga .
Press .

8.

LOOK AGAIN !

Among our most imposing summer wildf lowers are the true Lilies.
All have large flowers ranging from yellow to orange-red with dark
spots within, nodding except in one species.

The tallest (8 feet or more)
is the majestic Turk's-cap Lily
( Lilium superbum) . This may have
whorls of up to 20 narrow lance-
olate leaves and bear a score of
flowers. The tepals are strongly
recurved, exposing the long pistil
and stamens; green stripes form a
iistinctive star in the throat.

Superficially similar is the
larolina Lily (L^. michauxii ) . but
ahis does not exceed 4 feet and
seldom has more than 2 flowers,
tfhich lack the green markings,
rhe leaves are fewer, shorter, and
widest beyond the middle.

L_ SUPER3UM

L. MICHAUXII

Canada Lily (L_. canadense ) , uncommon here, has bell-shaped
■lowers with segments that are much less recurved and only slightly
surpassed by the pistil. In L_. grayi , Gray's or Roan Lily, the
flowers are smaller and the tepals spread still less at their tips.

Lre

Wood

erect

Lily (_L_. philadelphicum )
and its tepals narrowed

is unique in that its flowers
at the base to a slender claw.

9.

S H 0 R T I A

Vol . XVII, No. 3 AUTUMN 1995

A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE WESTERN CAROLINA BOTANICAL CLUB.
Editors: Elton J and Aline Hansens Distribution: Ruth Hoerich

Please submit contributions (articles, Letters to the Editors,
notes, etc.) for the next issue by Nov. 10 to Elton J Hansens,
125 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville, NC 28803. (704) 277-7486.

SHORTIA

c/o Ruth Hoerich
215 Newport Road
Hendersonville, NC 28739

FIRST CLASS

SHORTIA

NEWSLETTER OF THE

WESTERN CAROLINA BOTANICAL CLUB

WINTER 1995 -96

LIBRARY

MAR 1 I "i997

NEW YORK
BOTANICAL GARDEN

ELTON and ALINE HANSENS
Editors

WESTERN CAROLINA BOTANICAL CLUB

President :

Vice President:
Secretary:

Don Herrman
Dean Crawford
Laverne Pearson

Treasurer:

Recorder:

Historian:

Elaine Montgomery
Erika Parmi
Louise Foresman

FROM THE PRESIDENT DON HERRMAN

Hello Opal - your visit made us cancel the fall picnic--but not
before Millie Blaha and Anne Ulinski scouted our trails. They
have provided us with an excellent plant list. We will hold
onto this list and look forward to your (not Opal's) next visit.

The weather did not cooperate the next week. The Whiteside

Mountain trip had to be cancelled 2 in a row. I know it is

discouraging to our leaders and recorders who scout ahead, draw
up plant lists, and do the work to make these outings
successful. The Club does appreciate your efforts. Although we
cannot control the weather and we will get our fair share,
whatever that may be.

The Program Committee has again come up with a promising
schedule for the next six months (so we are optimistic about the
weather .

No, this is not a closed secret group. If you (any member in

good standing) would like to participate in this activity,
please let me know. We will be meeting again this coming

spring .

Another item we are all going to have to cooperate on is our
membership list. The Post Office is changing the zip codes. We
will need to double check our zips--addresses , as well as phone
numbers. This is especially true for members who list dual
residency. Such local numbers are important too.

Time for a compliment can you believe it? There was a really

good group on the Blue Ridge Parkway south. Not only was the
botanizing good, but everyone also paid attention to the

traffic--and there was plen ty--cars , motorcycles, and even

bicycles so, a big bouquet for everyone ! !

On Oct. 1 the ladies tresses made their appearance in our

meadows. This just about completes the cycle. Soon there will
be a killing frost or even snow. The meadow has been fun to
watch this year with the weeds and wildflowers competing with
the mosses. I wonder which will win out next year.

Looking forward to seeing you at the Cookie Fest on Dec. 1 and
especially at our Annual Meeting January 19, 1996. Watch for
the WCBC Program Schedule for Feb. thru June 1996.

HENDERSONVILLE WCBC MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE:

If your zipcode is different than that in the 1995 WCBC
Membership List please give the new one to Ruth Hoerich (696-8063)
or 215 Newport Rd . , Hendersonville, NC 28739. THANKS.

2.

FALLEN AUTUMN LEAVES SPEAK
by Carolyn Ward

Tread lightly and thoughtfully upon us

For you tread on Spring's delicate beauty,

On the shimmer and sparkle of new life stirring.

You tread upon the darkening growth of Summer,
Holding bird songs and birds' nest,

Sheltering budding flowers and ripening fruit.

You tread upon the source of cool, subdued shadows
On long hot Summer days, upon the store-house
Which held the glowing sun, the refreshing rain.

Tread lightly upon the course of a year- s growth--
Winter's womb-like rest, Spring's bursting life,

Summer's ample fulfillment and Fall's relinquishmen
Tread thoughtfully for you tread upon the cycle of li
The stirring hope of Spring,

The satisfaction of Summer,

The exhilaration and glory of Fall
The quietness and resignation of Winter.

And in our death and return to the earth
We are still part of the Tree of Life.

3.

RECORDER'S REPORT - SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 1995 ERIKA S. PARMI

Since I have missed most of this quarter's field trips, I will
take this opportunity to thank all of the field recorders for a
job well done. Most of you have recorded at least twice during
each six month period and some have recorded more often
graciously accepting extra assignments or pitching in as
substitutes for recorders who could not come on their scheduled
trips .

Recording is a great way to become more familiar with the
botanical names of plants. It has helped me immensely and now
those scientific names just roll off my tongue - at least most
of the time! If any of you out there -who have not been asked to
record would like to, please let me know. For most of the trips
plant lists already exist which you can use as a basis for the
trip that you are recording. In addition to the plant list you
will need to write a brief narrative (a paragraph or so) of the
trip noting the date, place, leaders, number of people and
anything of special interest, e . g . an unusual plant or an
outstanding display. Instruction sheets are available for new
recorders - just ask for one.

In conclusion, if any of the computer owners have a yen to take
over the Recorder's position, I think it would be great. A
computer, I believe, would help to make the job a better,
quicker and easier one.

VOLUNTEER TO RECORD - IT'S A GREAT WAY TO PARTICIPATE AND LEARN!

Letter to the Editor September 24, 1995

In one of the interesting articles in the autumn Shortia, a recommendation was made
that a specimen of a record plant (in essence a new sighting) be collected and sent to
a herbarium. A few cautionary remarks are in order.

First to consider is the legality of collecting a plant whether on private or public land.
The U.S. Forest Service requires a collecting permit. The National Park Service
requires written permission. Threatened or endangered plants should not be
collected. On private land, seek permission from the landowner. Having met these
conditions, consideration should be given to the possibility of depleting what may be a
very small population at the site. Many herbariums require a whole plant specimen
which means removing the roots.

Two of us who have been working on intensive plant inventories at certain sites for the
last ten years have worked out an alternative to herbarium collecting. We have
established a working relationship with two of the recognized biologists in the area.
They have confirmed identifications for us and can do further reporting if necessary. In
addition we send written plant and site descriptions with photographs to Alan Weakley
who is revising the “Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas" by Radford, Ahles
and Bell - the new book will be entitled “Flora of the Carolinas and Virginia" .

It is exciting to find a record plant and important to report such a finding but actual
collection is not always necessary. A reminder: The Botanical Club “does not
condone removing plant material from the wild (other than gathering edible fruits)" --
see the front page of each field trip schedule. - Anne Ulinski

4.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU

ALINE HANSENS

Martin, Ethel: 100 Wesley Drive, Unit 612, Asbury
Hall, Givens Estates, Asheville, NC 29903 (701)
277-8751. Became interested in nature when an
elementary school teacher in Cincinatti, OH.
Retired to this area 22 years ago. Has a long
standing interest in plants and isnow coordinator of
the Creekside Wildf lower Garden at Givens Estates.

Miller, Bettye & Earl: Rt. 1, Box 654, Sylva, NC 28779 (704)

456-3631. Winter address: PO Box 78, LaBelle, FL 33935

Mueller, Werner: 1514A Blanton St. -Ext., Columbus, NC 28722.
(704) 894-5512. Has considerable knowledge of botany in which
he has long been interested.

Stenger, Gloria: Rt 1, Box 645-A. Sylva, NC 28779. (704) 456-
7392 (May thru Oct.). Winter address:.' 4550 J. Stenger Rd.,
Bartow, FL 33830. (813) 537-1728.

Originally from Atlanta but now winters in Florida. Love of
mountains brought her to this area since 1972. Has long-
standing interest in wild flowers.

Warren, Ina W. : Rt. 1, Box 246A, E. Fork Rd., Brevard, NC.
28712. (704) 862-4079.

A native of this area with an avid interest in the outdoors
and wild flowers. Gives workshops and slide shows on the
historical use of medicinal plants.

Williams, Joseph K. : 115 Spartan Hts., Lot 27, H’ville, NC
28792. (704) 696-3287

Free lance naturalist and outdoor education specialist with wide
experience. Bill is eager to explore new botanical areas and to
increase his botanical knowledge. t Introduced to WCBC by Ivan
Kuster.

BRUCE ALFRED LEECH — A TRIBUTE

Bruce Leech died at age 87 on Sept. 21, 1995 in St. Joseph’s

Hospital, Asheville. Bruce joined the Western Carolina Botanical
Club in 1973 soon after it was organized. He was elected
President in 1979 and 1980. He was honored by our club with the
Second Wind Hall of Fame Award. Through the years he was a very
active club member and led many field trips. Several of the
trails Bruce first introduced are favorites to this day. He was
also active in the Carolina Mountain Club and, with other
enthusiasts, volunteered much time and effort in trail building
and maintenance.

't

We remember Bruce for his ready smile and friendly manner and for
his interest and work in the WCBC through some 20 years.

5.

NOTES FROM WHITE SQUIRREL

CHARLES R. GUNN

Now I have over 100 sperma tophy te families growing around the

house it's time to talk about families . One of my pro j ec ts

here in Brevard is to describe the seeds and fruits of the 399
families listed in FAMILIES AND GENERA OF THE SPERMATOPHYTES
RECOGNIZED BY THE AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE, USAD/ARS
Technical Bulle tin 1796 . I plan to feature in this column one or
more families each issue along with brief notes about the
interesting local plants .

Lowe ' s in Hendersonville was selling butterfly vine (Mascagnia
macroptera with its pure yellow flowers and remarkably intriguing
fruits which resemble clusters of butterflies . The plant belongs
to the Barbados -cherry family (Malpighiaceae) which has 65 genera
and 1100 species . This family is native to the tropical and
subtropical New and Old World , especially South America. Plants
primarily are trees , shrubs , and lianes . The leaves are usually
opposite, simple, and bear 2 large fleshy glands on the petiole
or below the blade . More than half the species occur in 8
genera . Two of the more noteworthy species are the
Barbados-cherry (Malpighia glabra) , famous for its edible drupes
with high concentrations of vitamin C, and Banis teriopsis caapi
which produces hallucinogenic alkaloids .

At 5 120 White Squirrel , meadow beauty (Rhexia mariana ) and rose
pink (Sabatia angularis ) became families 100 and 101 in my
garden . The next 100 families will take a lot more than a year
to add to my garden.

The most unusual plant I saw in July came from Hendersonville and
was marsh pennywort , (Hydrocotyle umbellata ) in the Apiaceae
family .

On the weedy side , The Manual of the Vascular Plants of the
Carolinas , page 979 describes but tonweed , Diodia teres as having
"white flowers", but I found pink-flowered plants in Brevard . B .
Eugene Wofford in his Guide to the Vascular Plants of the Blue
Ridge , page 287 , got me back on track with his flower color note
"Flowers pink , rarely white" . I have the highes t regard for both
books . Wofford’s book has the advantage of being about twenty
years newer . Now I have both species of but tonweeds in my summer
wildflower garden.

Along White Squirrel I found an ancient buffalo-nut (Pyrularia
pubera . The shrub has poisonous fruits which resemble miniature
pears . I planted them at the bases of oak trees . Buffalo-nut is
parasitic on oak tree roots . I doubt that the shrubs will leaf
and fruit next year but hope I have helped the species survive
along White Squirrel Lane .

The surprise: Butterfly-pea , ( Cli toria virginiana ) and
pencilf lower , (S tylosanthes biflora) , both in the Fabaceae , are
atop the s tone drive at 120 Whi te Squirrel Lane .

6.

NATURE ON A RAMPAGE

MILLIE PEARSON

Fork Creek (in front of my house) and Colt Creek at Pearson Falls
(just up the road from us) are gently flowing streams, gurgling
over stones and sparkling in the sunshine as they hurry along to
the Atlantic Ocean. These two creeks, along with three others
and about a dozen smaller streams all empty into the Pacolet
River which runs through the valley at Melrose between Saluda and
Tryon and winds its way into South Carolina. This river, which
the Cherokee called "Laughing Water" is normally a gently flowing
stream, small, as rivers go. This changed drastically on the
night of August 19, 1995. A band of violent thunderstorms,
covering an area over Greenville and Spartanburg SC and all the
area between, which includes Fork Greek, Colt Creek and the
Pacolet River, stalled over this immediate area and dumped 12
inches of rain in a matter of a few hours. The rain began about
8 pm and lasted until after midnight. A frontal system moving in
from the east and an upper level front passing at the same time
(called a back-door front) created a stalled effect which caused
one of the worst floods the Pacolet Valley has had in years.

Unlike the flood of 1977 which did extensive damage in most of
western NC and upper SC., this storm was only in "our" area in
and around the Pacolet Valley. Several Valley residents had to
leave their homes near Hwy 176 between Saluda and Tryon.

The Pacolet gobbled up river banks, washed out bridges and
uprooted trees. Boulders and huge chunks of concrete from
private bridges were swept down the river as if they were
matchsticks. There were numerous mud slides, boulders and trees
on Hwy 176 between Saluda and Tryon. The roadway had to be
rebuilt in many places where banks caved away. Highway crews are
still at work trying to get all the damage repaired.

The railroad was also damaged heavily--rails and crossties were
washed away or were covered where trees and boulders crashed down
the mountain sides. Trains were not able to run for two weeks.
In November crews are still at work in the Melrose area.

No strong winds were part of this storm; the ground simply became
so saturated that tons of soil, trees, rocks and boulders just
slid down the mountain sides.

I had no damage to my house nor to my yard, except to part of the
drive and the area between the drive and the creek. The bridge
became clogged with tree roots, logs and debris. Most of the
water flowed on my side of the creek, washing out holes and
leaving much litter. Believe me, hearing the rocks rumbling and
tumbling down the creek in front of my house was not fun.
Covering my head with the bedcovers didn't help much either.

One patch of Short ia I had planted beside the creek is now
covered with trees, logs and sticks. Another patch was mostly
washed away.

See next page.

7.

Most of you who have visited my place may remember the island in
the creek in front of my house. It is no more. Piles of
boulders and smaller rocks remain and the creek is much wider.

About a third of the swamp trail was covered with sand and
debris. The area where the spring beauty grows was little
disturbed. Hopefully the wild flowers will appear this spring,
especially the large areas of mayapples. We will see what
emerges through the sand and debris.

Pearson Falls also had extensive damage. The Lightner Ledge,
where the golden saxifrage grows had raging water over the lower
half. Spring beauty may be gone. Hopefully enough will be left
to survive. Numerous trees were lost near the falls. The falls
itself is now wider but still beautiful. Other vegetation on
either side of the falls was washed away.

The Tryon Garden Club has employed crews to clear fallen trees
and repair walks and hand rails. The Falls is now open to the
public. In the spring we may know the fate of the wild flowers.

For most of my life the valley and Fork Creek have changed
little. Change came with the flood of 1977. Change came again
in 1995. The area will recover. The plants will grow again.

A visit to Pearson Falls is a must in 1996 to see the devastation
and to enjoy what is left and what may be new.

SNOWBIRD MOUNTAIN LODGE/KILMER FOREST TRIP

April 23 to 25, 1996--a repeat of this popular trip. Plan now
to go and reserve your space by calling Snowbird Mountain Lodge
275 Santeetlah Road, Robinsville, NC 28771. (704)479-3433 More
details in the 1996 Spring Schedule which you will receive
soon. If you have questions call Elton Hansens (704) 277-7486.

LEAVES PICTURED ON PAGE 3.

Acer rubrum Sassafras albidum Liquidambar styracif lua

Hamamelis virginiana Liriodendron tulipif era Fagus grandif olia
Tilia americana Magnolia f raseri Nyssa sylvatica

Quercus alba

8.

LOOK AGAIN !

The flowers of our native Maples provide us with an interesting
subject for study in the spring.

Later in the season we will have
no difficulty distinguishing between
Red Maple ( Acer rubrum ) and Silver
Maple (A^ saccharinum ) on the basis of
their foliage, but the blossoms emerge
■very early so this is of no help. They

grow in small clusters, each made up of acetr rubrum a. saccharinum
either staminate or pistillate flowers.

The two species are superficially sim-
ilar but have one difference which is

diagnostic: Each individual flower of Red Maple has five petals,

while those of Silver Maple have none.

A. PCN SYLVAN (CUM

In two others --Striped Maple ( A . pensylvan-
icum) and Mountain Maple (A^ spicatum) --the situa-
tion is reversed. The flowers open later, but
although the leaves are then in evidence they are
confusingly similar, differing mainly in that the
margins are finely toothed in the first species
and coarsely serrate in the second. The flowers,
however, present no problem. Both are greenish
yellow, but those of Striped Maple are long,
bell-like, in pendulous racemes,
while those of Mountain Maple
are half as long with very narrow
petals, and are much more numer-
ous, in slender erect panicles.

Sugar Maple ( A . saccharum)
has leaves that resemble Red and
Silver Maple but have only a few
large teeth. Its flowers have
pale yellow sepals but no petals,
and hang from long, threadlike
petioles .

A. 5ACCHARUM

A. SPICATUM

9.

S H 0 R T I A

Vol . XVII, No. 4 WINTER 1995

A QUARTERLY PUBLICTION OF THE WESTERN CAROLINA BOTANICAL CLUB
Editors: Elton J and Aline Hansens Distribution: Ruth Hoerich

Please submit contributions (articles, Letters to the Editors,
notes, etc. for the next issue by Jan. 15, 1996 to Elton Hansens,
125 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville, NC 2880 3. (704) 277-7486.

REMINDER: 1996 CLUB DUES OF $8.00 are to be paid to the

treasurer, Elaine Montgomery, 1636' -O’Hara Circle, H'ville,
29739.

SHORTIA

c/o Ruth Hoerich
215 Newport Road
Hendersonville, NC 28739

FIRST CLASS