TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Vol . 2, No. 1 January 15, 1979 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Since December, 1977, we have grown from an idea to an organization of about 650 members. We have met together in the natural meeting places of botanists to enjoy the region's diverse reservoir of flora and to think, plan and give hard direction to our goal of maintaining this diversity. This direction is now taking form in an active field program, in the beginnings of general conservation efforts, and in the strength of regular communication among folks of similar interests. As with most new efforts, our work has mixed uncertain starts with clear successes. The year has been one of emerging ideas, interest and energy, and I have enjoyed it. Under Ed Cox's leadership, the monthly field trips are now an institution. Some have been quiet Saturday morning gatherings of a few people to visit, for example, the remnants of a tall grass prarie or an endangered streamside golden-aster. Others have been large occasions requiring divisions into walking groups with leaders and guides. But all involved new names, faces and places, and the many strands of conversation which will gradually build the web of our becoming a con- stituency for plants. We look forward to January's indoor discussion of endangered species in Tennessee, and to Ed Clebsch's February tramp to the state's scattered groves of eastern white cedar. George Ramseur's good organization of the Savage Gulf occasion has already prompted mention of return to that area. Some efforts have been striking in their clarity of purpose and execution. In early autumn Joan Vaughn decided that a note paper series on Tennessee's rare and endangered flora was needed. At her prompting the essential team of taxonomist (Leo Collins), artists (Andrea Higdon and Babs McBride) and printer was assembled. They went to work and the first of the series is now available. Our conservation programs are emerging from diverse plans: the U. S. Forest Service in North Carolina has been receptive to our offer of help in designing vegetation management plans for some sensitive high-country areas on the Tennessee-N. Carolina border; we hope to be working with the Forest Service's landscape architect soon. A bill is being drafted which, if successfully moved through the General Assembly, will provide legislative foundation to the State's ginseng conservation program. Another bill aimed at generally giving some State protection to endangered and threatened species is also in the drafting stage. We will be shepherding these pieces of legislation over the course of the next few years. Mary Palmer Kelley reports that the first TNPS "plant dig" will probably take place in late February or March. And Rex Boner has been fitting people with tasks in response to our recent membership interest survey. (continued on p. 2) Page 2 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE cont. For assisting and supporting this work in many ways we thank the University of Tennessee's Botany Department and its Arboretian, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Tennessee Botanical Garden, the Tennessee Department of Conservation, and the Tennessee Valley Authority. We have also appreciated the companionship and hospitality of our neighbor organizations, the Alabama Wildflower Preservation Society and the North Carolina Wildflower Preservation Society. Perhaps our most important function at this early stage of TNPS evolution is devel- oping a sense of community. The newsletter, about which we receive much favorable comment, will for present be a focal point in this development. We hope you will not only read it, but contribute to it. From the newsletter, our monthly field gatherings and the projects requiring group effort, we believe there is emerging the community of active interest which will underpin our effective constituency for Tennessee's native flora. At this stage, the organization especially needs the continuing support of those who this year expressed their commitment to Tennessee's flora by becoming charter members. Please renew this commitment by promptly returning the membership renewal form in this newsletter. Robert E. Farmer, Jr. President TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT NOTES The Tennessee Native Plants Society has for sale Native Plant Notes, featuring original line drawings of Gray's lily (Lilium grayi), mountain avens (Geum radiatum ), twinflower (Linnaea borealis) and hart's-tongue fern (Phyl litis Scolopendrium) . A set of twelve (three of each plant) with envelopes can be pur- chased for $2.00 (plus $.50 mailing costs) from Ms. Joan J. Vaughn, Rt. 2, Box 175, New Market, TN 37820. SAVAGE GULF MEETING About 70 TNPS members spent a Saturday in late October exploring the Savage Gulf Natural Area under the leadership of George Ramseur and a squad of guides including Sherry Spain, Tom Patrick, Mike Sherman, Bob Richards and Mack Prichard. We headquartered at the Beersheba Springs Hotel which is now operated by the Metho- dist Church and provides food and lodging to groups such as ours. After a Friday night introduction to the area by Sherry Spain, we split up into at least four groups for what turned out to be all -day trips to the Stone Door-Big Creek area, Savage Gulf itself, and the Werner Big Timber area. Groups with Tom, Mack and Mike experienced the rocky descent into the dry bed of Savage Creek, and some rock hopping to points within the gorge. Large trees on northern exposures - yellow poplar, northern red oak, sycamore, hemlock, buckeye, and yellow birch - were the day's main feature, but there were enough fall flowering forbs to keep our taxonomists busy. The fall color was still brilliant and the day clear. In the evening Tom Patrick, Evyonne Mescal! and Mike Sherman showed slides of some of the vegetation more easily observed in the Gulf in other seasons. We took the first TNPS group pictures on Sunday morning and agreed to have other TNPS gatherings there. Page 3 CONSERVATION COMMITTEE UPDATE - Rex Boner The Conservation Committee is finally getting organized and involved in several native plant conservation projects. As has been reported in past issues of the newsletter, TNPS was instrumental in helping the Department of Conservation (DOC) formulate a statewide management plan for American Ginseng, a plant which is cur- rently being commercially exploited in Tennessee. TNPS presented a statement paper at the Ginseng public meeting attended by several TNPS members. The manage- ment plan as developed has been successfully implemented by DOC with over 600 diggers and 60 in-state and out-of-state dealers registered and DOC is beginning to receive annual reports from these people. However, much more work remains to be done in- cluding the introduction of legislation which is being prepared. Additional input is desired. Contact me if interested. Another project being organized by this committee is a plant dig or plant salvage effort. Mary Palmer Kelley, staff botanist at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens, is in charge of this important activity and would appreciate any assistance that could be offered. This project is designed to activate TNPS members to carry out.plant transplantation efforts ahead of the various habitat destruction forces in action today. She needs to know of people, equipment, expertise, transportation and other support items to successfully carry out such an operation so that plants that are scheduled to be destroyed can be properly moved prior to destruction to similar habitat elsewhere or to any person interested in transplanting them. Any inter- ested TNPS people please contact Mary at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens, Cheek Road, Nashville, TN 37205 (615-356-3306). TNPS is beginning to monitor rare plants in the state in cooperation with the Tennessee Heritage Program, Tennessee Department of Conservation, and the TVA Regional Heritage Program. Paul Somers, Botanist with the Tennessee Heritage Program, is coordinating thi s commi ctee activity and is looking for field -oriented TNPS members to help with field reconnaissance to map the distributions of the rare native plants of Tennessee. Those interested please contact Paul at RR. 8, Holly Tree Gap Road, Brentwood, TN 37027 (615-373-4374 - home; ”741-3852 - office). Management is a key work for the conservation of the native flora as many lands are already in public ownership such as state natural areas, state wildlife management areas, state parks, national parks, national wildlife refuges, etc. Oftentimes these areas support populations of rare plants that if managed properly would be offered protection. Consequently another activity of the conservation committee is to coordinate with state and federal land-managing agencies to assure that these significant populations are being managed accordingly. We need contacts across the state that would be interested in assisting in this coordination. Please notify me immediately if you would care to help with this project. Another proposed activity of TNPS was to begin a "big tree" program. However, the Division of Forestry has already i nitia'feHsucri a survey. Therefore I would like to encourage all TNPS members to participate in searching for large trees and nomi- nating all finds to your districtToreslry office or send them to Ernest Haskins, Division of Forestry, Tennessee Department of Conservation, 2611 West End Ave., Nashville, TN 37203 (615-741-3326). Rudimentary efforts are also underway to es- tablish a native plant seed bank. Potential storage sites and some workers have been identified but we desperately need to identify seed sources. Forward any suggestions to me or to Mrs. Tom Siler (see related article elsewhere in this issue). Page 4 TNPS FEBRUARY MEETING On Saturday, February 3, 1979, at 1:00 PM, the TNPS will meet in the University of Tennessee Botany Department in Room 316 of the Hessler Biology Building. Dr. Eugene Wofford will have a slide presentation on "The Rare Native Plants of Tennessee". He will discuss not only the rare plants but also the critical habitat where many of them occur. Also included in the program will be a tour of the Herbarium. SEED BANK TO BE ESTABLISHED We are interested in distributing to you (and receiving from you) seeds of native Tennessee plants: flowers, trees and shrubs. Seeds mailed to the address below will be stored at the University of Tennessee Department of Botany in Knoxville and mailed out to members on request. When we know what you're looking for and what's available from members and other sources, we'll detail the mechanics of ordering. Meanwhile, we need the following information: 1) what seeds do you want? and 2) what seeds can you contribute? If you'd like to participate in the seed bank, send a card to Mrs. Tom Siler, 4201 Alta Vista Way, Knoxville, TN 37919, and let her know your interests. TNPS FEBRUARY FIELD TRIP WHITE On Saturday, February 24, Dr. Ed Clebsch will lead a trip to see several stands of eastern white cedar, Thuja occidentalis, perhaps in Pickett Countv along the Wolf River ! The three^stanfein Pickett County are ai I oTTTFie Moodyville 7V USGS quad- rangle maHT Two of them are on the south side of the river between the mouths of Wright Branch/Widow Creek and the ford downstream. The third stand is on the east (north) bank of the river about \ mile upstream from the mouth of Lick Creek. The trip will involve three or four miles of hiking at the maximum and will not require wading in streams. Members should bring a lunch and something to drink. There are some potable springs in the area, but we may not be near one at lunch. You should allow three hours of travel time from Knoxville. Those who wish to travel together from there can call Dr. Clebsch at work (615-974-3065) or at home (615-584-2345). If you wish to meet in Pickett County, be at the courthouse in Byrdstown at 9:30 AM C.S.T. We should be able to see the three areas and still leave the area by around 3:30. TNPS MARCH FIELD TRIP On Saturday, March 17, TNPS will meet at Rock Island State Park, between McMinnville and Sparta, Tennessee, for a non-flowering plant pilgrimage. Allen Coggins, State Natural Areas Administrator, has coordinated the day's activities which include hikes to identify and photograph mushrooms and other fungi, mosses, ferns, liverworts and lichens. Of course, there are also bound to be some early blooming wildflowers! Registration is from 7:30 to 8:45 AM C.S.T. at the Park Office. There will be both morning and afternoon field trips (lunch on your own). If you'd like to stay over- night, camping is available in the park or you may make reservations in McMinnville at the Americona Motel (615-473-2159 or 473-8481) or at the Hill Crest Motel (473-2181 or 473-3833). Check your March Newsletter for last minute details! TNPS BULLETIN The Publications Committee would like to solicit manuscripts and illustrations for the first issue of the TNPS Bulletin. Present plans are for a theme issue on rare and endangered plants in Tennessee. Manuscripts will be needed on various groups of plants and on different areas of the state with concentrations of rare species. We also plan to include articles on management and what members can do to protect sensitive species. If you are interested in contributing a manuscript, illustra- tions, photographs or editting assistance, contact Dr. Susan Bratton, Upland Field Research Laboratory, Gatl inburg, TN 37738 (615-436-7120). TNPS BOOTH AT FALL FLOWER SHOW The Plantation Manor Garden Club's flower show in Kingsport saluted Tennessee Industry in October. Featured display booths of outstanding floral arrangements characterizing industrial products were enjoyed by local citizens. Among the several organizations invited to present special educational booths was the Tennessee Native Plant Society. Mrs. H. L. Browing, winner of the Award of Distinction was also the winner of a free charter membership in TNPS by identi- fying Diospyros virginiana (Persimmon) from its leaf and fruit in a special arrangement in the TNPS booth. Membership applications were distributed to those in attendance and the programs of TNPS introduced and described to many visitors. CHANGE OF ADDRESS Newsletter editor Ebeth McMullen has changed her mailing address to Box 646, Norris TN 37828. Please send all Newsletter articles and information to her there from now on. T TENNESSEE NATIVE RANT SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Vol . 2, No. 1 March 9, 1979 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Cumeezland Rosemary In the spring and early summer of this year the Tennessee Native Plant Society will begin helping the National Park- Service and the Tennessee De- partment of Conservation map locations of the Cumberland rosemary ( Conrad ina verticil! a ta Jennison). This species is a narrow-leaved, shrubby member of the mint family which is believed to be found only on banks of the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River, the Obed River and their tributaries. It is listed as 'endangered 1 in the proposed rule making published in the Federal Register of June 16, 1976, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. In the several areas from which the Cumberland rosemary has been reported, it occurs on rockv. sandv sites at the upper edge of the annual floodplain. It~ is a low, creeping shrub with a straggly habit when growing in the partial shade of other streamside vegetation, but may grow into dense clumps in full sunlight on good sites. These clumps develop as a result of the lower procumbant branches layering, i_.e_. , rooting. When crushed, its leaves have an aroma very similar to that of the European rosemary ( Rose- mar inus officinalis ) used as a seasoning. Cumberland rosemary flowers in late May and early June and has a lavender to purple corolla with many dark spots within - ! Plants growing in full sunlight flower abundantly giving a lavender aspect to the whole plant. Bees are very attracted to the shrub. Fertilized flowers developed into fruits with four nutlets which ripen in July. Some preliminary studies suggest that the fertilization rate may be low, and the nature of seed dormancy, if it exists, is still unknown. In any event, germination has been poor in the few tests conducted to date. However, the plant can be easily propagated via cuttings. Though the Cumberland rosemary is easy to propagate, its continued existence in the natural state is uncertain. First of all, the extent of its distri- bution and abundance in its range are unknown. The establishment of the Big South Fork National Recreation Area and the Obed River as a National Wild and Scenic River will place much of the population on Federal lands, thus re- quiring the National Park Service to develop management procedures which will ensure its continued existence. The first step in developing such a manage- ment plan will be to inventory and map the species. . 0 . (continued on p. 2) Page 2 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE con't When more is known about occurrence, we can determine whether the population is increasing or decreasing. Then management steps can be taken, such as maintaining a suitable habitat for the species or routing recreational ac- tivity away from its location. One might even establish the species in places where it is likely to grow well. The TNPS has ohtained permission from Dovle Kline of the National Park Service to begin the mapping job t his year. An organizational meeting for the project will be held on the afternoon of Saturday, March 31, at 1:00 PM, at the University of Tennessee Arboretum headquarters in Oak Ridge. At this time, maps will be reviewed, geographical areas assigned to mapping teams, and general plans for the field work will be made. Slides and live specimens of Cumberland rosemary will be on hand so that volunteers can become ac- quainted with it. In late Mav and early June, when the species is flowering, we will begin week- end floating, wading, and walking assigned" stretches of streams from paddy's Creek north to the Kentucky line. We encourage a large number of folks to participate. Particularly needed are people who are familiar with streams in the area and/or can read maps. And here is a big opportunity for all you members who expressed (in our membership survey) an interest in rare plant mapping and working with federal and state agencies. The operation should not only be immediately useful and saving of our tax dollars (without our help the National Park Service would have to pay for the mapping) but also alot of fun. TNPS MAY TRIP : CARTER MOUNTAIN TNPS in cooperation with the Carter Mountain Committee will sponsor a two- day outing on Carter Mountain, near Winchester, Tennessee. Carter Mountain is a 50,000 acre tract on the Cumberland Plateau in Franklin County. This tract, along with an adjacent 20,000 acres in Jackson County, Alabama, has been acquired over the last 35 years by the late Harry Lee Carter of San Antonio, Texas, and is being considered as the core of a proposed 335,000 acre Cumberland Plateau National Forest. A hike is planned for Saturday along the Turkey Creek drainage into the spectacularly scenic Walls of Jericho - a nearly vertically-walled gorge of striking geological interest. After an overnight on the mountain, or in Winchester, an expedition will be led through the contiguous Cave Cove. - Farmers Cove - Wolf Cove - Sinking Cove system . Information supplied by the Tennessee Heritage Program indicates that these areas support mixed hardwood forests and an unusually rich understory flora includin g severaJ species listed bv the Ad Hoc Committee for Tennessee Rare Plants as en- dangered, threatened, or of special concern in Tennessee. If you plan to attend or need additional information on this outing, please contact Larry Smith at the Tennessee Heritage Program Office 507, at 1720 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203. (Phone: 615 - 741-3852) Page 3 TNPS APRIL FIELD TRIP: CEDARS OF LEBANON STATE PARK The Tennessee Division of State Parks and TNPS will co-sponsor a wildflower pilgrimage in Cedars of Lebanon State Park in Lebanon, TN, on April 20 & 21. The cedar glades will be at the peak of the spring flowering season and we should see many of the 19 endemic species found in this scenic area. In addition to walks, there will be geology field trips, birding, stargazing, slide presentations and wildflower photography workshops. Programs will start Friday evening at 7:00 in the State Park Recreation Building with a slide presentation on cedar glades flora. Saturday morning birding field trips will start around 6:30 AM with a second shift for strag- glers around 8:00. Wildflower hikes will start around 9:30 AM. Information on definite times will be posted in the Park Office that weekend. Program leaders will include Dr. Elsie Quarterman, Dr. Tom Hemmerly, Pat Quarterman, Jim Robertson, Mack Prichard and many other illustrious folks. So come and learn as much as you can from them! Campsites (for 1-4 persons) are available in the park for $4. 00/night or motel accommodations may be found in Lebanon (about 8 miles from the Park). For more information contact Mr. Bob Fulcher, Division of State Parks, 2611 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203. NATIVE PLANT PROTECTION BRIEF by Rex Boner According to the TNPS Constitution, one of our objectives is to 'promote the protection and enhancement of Tennessee's wild plant communities'. Although this can be accomplished several ways, the traditional approach has been for sympathetic conservation organizations or agencies to acquire in fee simple the habitat of such plant communities and to manage them appropriately. Such is the case at May Prairie in Coffee County and Savage Gulf in Grundy County' and other areas across the state that have been included in the State Natural Areas Program and that have been acquired with state and federal funds. Another significant area, Taylor Hollow in Sumner County , has been purchased with private funds by The Nature Conservancy to protect the old- growth forest and rich mesic flora that the site supports. Taylor Hollow, to be managed by The Nature Conservancy primarily as a research natural area, contains several significant plants including two plants not known to occur elsewhere in the state: Blue-eyed Mary ( Collinsia verna ) and Trillium ( Trillium pusillum var. pusillum ) and several other rare species. TNPS supports this effort of The Nature Conservancy and has agreed to dis- tribute the enclosed announcement of the Taylor Hollow fundraising drive and the opportunity to win the artist's proof of 'Endangered' by Fleur Cowles. Contributions should be sent to: The Nature Conservancy, 1720 West End Avenue, Suite 600, Nashville, TN 37203. r Page 4 TNPS PARTICIPATION IN DOGWOOD ARTS FESTIVAL follows Trail on a wonderful role to play in the 1979 Knoxville Dogwood Arts Festival. 1 wildf lower walks in four places of interest in . Walks will take place Trom i:U0 - that for which the taxpayers pay) as a biologist. The seed of these aggressive (and yet attrac- tive) pioneer species will be used in experiments which we hope will result in diverse effective revegetation systems for all sorts of disturbed country. Solidago, Aster, Eupatorium, Helianthus, Coreopsis, Rudbeckia, Bidens and Vernonia are a few of the major contributors to our seed bank. This fall, in the midst of our goldenrod and aster season and my thoughts of seed collection, several folks pulled me aside to suggest that the Tennessee Native Plant Society should promote use of native plants on roadsides, instead of the dull expanses of fescue and lespedeza broken by a few shrubs. . I agreed, and at our September board meeting we decided to take steps in that direction. There is considerable precedent for public promotion of roadside wildf lowe r plantings. In t he southwes t, state highway departments have seeded native species and adopted mowing schedules wnich encourage their regeneration. Con- ditions - and therefore techniques - will be different in Tennessee, but there is certainly no shortage of native species adapted to the roadside environment. Plant establishment systems now being developed for surface mines and other dis- turbed areas should be directly applicable to newly constructed roadways. Est- ablished communities can be supplemented with attractive species and managed to encourage invasion. In some instances a considerable public saving may be realized by reducing mowing. There are several things we must do. First, we must decide whic h species are most appropriate for roadside use in the several section s of Tennessee and we must learn how to establish and manage them. We should use plants native to Tennessee, not species from other regions. This will require some research and development which the Tennessee Native Plant Society should encourage. Second, once species and techniques are selected, sufficient seed must be ob- tained for pilot scale use by appropriate public organizations . Ihese pilot tests will be necessary to evaluate techniques under operational conditions. At this stage cooperative efforts by volunteer groups and highway departments should be useful. But the total effort should not be limited to ’a volunteer program 1 with its inherently limited capabilities. (continued on p. 2) Page 2 PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE con't. Finally, a workable program of native plant use based on these trials must be officially adopted by highway maintenance organizations. During the next few months the Tennessee Native Plant Society will be encouraging appropriate state and federal agencies to sponsor and/or su pport the e fforts nerp^a£Y_J^J]ig. r ? effectivel y use native plants on roadside rights-of-way. As members , you can contribute by organizing local efforts to test plantings on newly constructed roads or to convert mowed areas to more diverse plant com- munities. Some private seed collections and propagation experiments may also lead to useful techniques. But perhaps most useful will be efforts by alot of individuals to convince responsible agencies and officials that native plants on roadsides do have an important role in making Tennessee a more pleasant place in which to live. ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT - rob farmer At this writing HR 2218, a bill (with amendments) to reauthorize the federal Endangered Species Act is expected to reach the House floor very soon. It is now rumored that President Carter's signing of the bill exempting Tellico Dam from the Act was accompanied by some assurances that the Act would not be weak- ened by amendments to this reauthorization bill. In fact, in early October the White House stated that retention of a stronq Endangered Species Act is an im- portant goal. We should thank the White House for this stand, whatever our feelings about Tellico. Call or write Kathy Fletcher, Asst. Director, Domestic Pol icy" Staff (phone 202/456-2564) and let her know of your interest and support. We are uncertain of the exact nature of currently proposed amendments to the reauthorization bill, but we do know that an extension of time to complete list- ing of proposed plants, provisions for emergency listing of plants, and ade- quate financial support for the endangered species program for plants are needed. We should write to our Tennessee congressional delegation to generally let them know we support the Endangered Species Act, which has already been responsible for efforts leading to proceed on of one or our Tennessee endemics., Echinacea tennesseensis. I hey should know that use of the Act in preserving ^ ’the stage's flora wiTPnot entail bringing all progressive development to a halt. Rather, it will foster a broader, more sensitive approach to dovetailing sen- sible development with natural systems. We should also express our concerns and appreciation for work to date of the Office of Endangered Species by writing Mr. Lynn Greenwalt, Director, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. 20240. (Ed. Note: Just before press time we learned that the bill was passed. However, as yet we are uncertain of the amendments attached to it.) NEW PUBLICITY CHAIRPERSON Shirlev Nicholson (6808 Have rhill Drive. Knoxville, TN 37919, ph one 615/588-6976) is now responsible statewide for TNPS publicity. If you have ideas on publicity or are willing to assist in your area, please contact her. DEADLINE FOR JANUARY NEWSLETTER - JANUARY 1 , 1980 ! ! Page 3 TENNESSEE PURPLE CONEFLC^ER ( Echinacea tennesseensis ) Under the leadership of the Tennessee Department of Conservation's Heritage Program, a recovery plan is being prepared for Tennessee's only plant species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. On October 17, an initial meeting of conef1ower_exj2g£ls , interested botanists, land managers, and repre- sentatives of the u'.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and TVA was chaired by Paul, Somers, Heritage Program botanist . The recovery plan, which will be prepared over the next nine months, will include provisions for protecting existing popu- lations of Echinacea tennesseensis and development of biological information on the species which is needed to manage and possibly expand these populations. TNPS members Larry Smith. Elsie Quarterman, Tom Hemmerly, Ruth McMillan, Sam Pearsall and Rob Farmer participated in the meeting. NATIVE PLANT SEED EXCHANGE - nancy siler We have had good interest in our first seed exchange. Seeds still available are Columbine ( Aquilegia canadensis ), Evening Primrose ( Oenothera biennis ) and RuthJ > s M Go i Td^ ( Heterotheca ruthii - fresh 1979 cropT! New additions in- clude Stewartia ovata from J. H. Scudder in Hayesville, N. C., and Twin Leaf ( Jeffersonia diphylTa ) and Ginseng ( Panax quinquefol ium ) from my yard. To rece i ve seeds send your request with a self-addressed, stamped (300 envelope^ to" Mrs T 16m Siler, Alta vista vJay, Knoxville, IN 3 '/ y l y . FALL CREEK FALLS STATE PARK FIELD TRIP - DEC. 1 On Saturday, December 1, there will be a field trip at Fall Creek Falls State Park. Meet at the Nature Center at 9:00 (CST) for the morning hike, a short leisurely walk that will focus on winter plant identification. Ihere will be a membershiD meeting during lunch (bring your own). The afternoon hike will leave the Nature Center at 1:30 and will probably cover more distance than the morning hike. According to Herb Roberts, trip leader and Ranger Naturalist at the park, the trails are of various lengths and degrees of difficulty. So make sure to bring the appropriate footwear for the "kind of walking you want to do. The Inn at the park will be serving breakfast on Saturday morning. TENNESSEE STATE NATURAL AREAS BROCHURE NOW AVAILABLE Allen Coggins, Program Administrator for the Tennessee State Natural Areas Program, informs us that the new natural areas brochure is hot off the press. It includes a map showing the locations of natural areas ; discusses the values, development, administration and rules governing the use of the areas; and a chart giving the name, address, phone number, location, acreage, classification, accessibility, activities, facilities, theme and description for each area. You may obtain a brochure bv writing or calling: Allen R. Coggins , State Na- tural Areas Administrator, Tennessee Department of Conservation, 2611 West End Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37203 (phone 615/741-3852). Page 4 NATIVE PLANT NOTES At this writing TNPS has invested around $1400 in the Native Plant Notes series and we have sold about $1200 worth of note paper. We have on hand an abundant supply of both the Rare and Endangered notes and the Appalachian Medicinal notes. Thus very soon we will begin showing a pront if sales can be increased. In fact this sale is completely necessary if we are to avoid increasing membership dues in 1980. Joan Vaughn, originator of the notepaper idea and the manager of the project in 1979, has relinquished this job due to the pressures of other responsibili- ties. Richard Evans, our publications chairman, has assumed temporary responsi- bility for the project. As the holiday season approaches our opportunity to publicize and raise funds for TNPS through the sale of our notecards becomes enormous. Many of our members, especially outside the East Tennessee area, have not even seen the notecards. It is time that this project attracted statewide attention within the Society. The cards are both attractive and infor mative and are suitab le for sale in craft shops, book stores, museums, and througn other group meetings. We are looking for volunteers to take sets of the notecards to sell themselves and others to find commercial outlets in their area. This task should not require much time once the initial contacts have been made. Your help will make the difference in the success of this effort. Requests for the cards and., information should be addressed to Richard E vans at 901 Ker r Hollow Road, Oak Ri'Hge, TN 37830. We are also looking for a volunteer in the Knoxvi I le/Oak Ridge area to manage the total notecard operation. This job represents an op- portunity to gain some free marketing experience and to quickly assure the > financial stability of TNPS. Contact Richard if you are interested. And don t forget to order packs of cards for your Christmas gifts. Prices per packet are listed below: Notes Price Mailing Rare and Endangered $2.00 .50 Appalachian Medicinal $2.00 . 50 Pipsissewa $1.00 .25 JANUARY PROGRAM: CEDARS OF LEBANON STATE PARK The Janu ary pro gram will focus on the Tennessee Coneflower , Echinacea tennesse - ensis , which was recently added to the Federal list of endangered species. Meet at 10:80 CST at the Nature Center . Cedars of Lebanon State Park, for a plant identification hike. At noon we will break for lunch (be sure to bring your own. 1 ). At 1:00, at the Nature Center, Dr. Tom Hemmerly will discuss the life history and habitat requirements of the species. PaTTSommers , chairman of the recovery team, will then discuss the recovery plan. NEW PROGRAM OMTTEE CHAIRPERSON APPOINTED Ed Cox has been forced to resign as TNPS Program Chairman. We wish to thank Ed for all the energy he put into organizing the past field trips. As all of you who attended them know, they were very diverse and interesting. Jackie McKi trick. Box 212, Norris yJTjJTZSgjL , has been appointed the new Program Committee Chairperson. $ne is ousy organizing the field trips for next year and plans to publish the 1980 field trip calendar in the January newsletter. If you have any suggestions for programs, write Jackie before Christmas. Page 5 TOPS REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVES ELECTION The TNPS Board of Directors is composed of our elected Officers and Regional Representatives (two each from the Eastern, Middle and Western Regions) as well as appointed Committee Chairpeople, all of whom serve for two-year terms. To ensure continuity in our work, the By-Laws stipulate that the terms of office for the Regional Representatives will be staggered. The term of office for Susan Bratton (Eastern Region), Mary Palmer Kelley (Mid- dle Region), and David Alexander (Western Region) has expired and it is now time to elect three new Board members to assist Judy Murray, Bob Krai and Mari- lyn Williamson (Eastern, Middle and Western Regions, respectively) whose terms expire next year. The following ballot lists the candidates for the 1980-81 term. Pleast vote for one candidate from each reoion. Mail your ballot to Mrs. James E. Mvers, Rte. 7. Box 401, Harriman, TN 37748. Ballots must be received by December 15 to be countea. Eastern Region: BALLOT Tom Patrick, Department of Botany, Univ. of Tenn., Knoxville. Tom is a graduate student in botany at UT. He has worked long and hard for TNPS with continuing enthusiasm. He is particularly knowledgeable about trilliums and is intimately acquainted with wild landscapes in Tennessee, especially Savage Gulf and parts of the Cherokee National Forest. Sue Williams, Knoxville. Sue has been involved with garden clubs in the state for many years. She believes that TNPS is an organization which will speak effectively for all persons in the state who are interested in the welfare of both native and ornamental plants. Sue has recently opened a unique business which aids people in establishing gardens. Her first principle is "the right plant for the right place" - including wild plants in wild places. Middle Region: Anita Heilman , Clarksville. Nita teaches seventh grade life science and heads the department at Greenbrier Junior High School. She has made many TNPS field trips and would like to serve the organization by being on the Board. Ann Harris, Nashville. Ann is a botanist with the Tenn. Dept, of Transportation. She is particularly interested in plant rescue work and believes she can work most effectively for TNPS in that sphere. Western Region: Frances Spence, Memphis. Frances is just completing two years as president of the Memphis Wildf lower Society, where she has worked very hard to establish a public wi ldf lower garden. She has been active in Girl Scouts all her life and is no newcomer to the out of doors. Arlo Smith , Memphis. Arlo is a retired professor of biology at Southwestern College. He is enthusiastic about TNPS and its educational activities, par- ticularly those concerning plant propagation. He is interested in seeing the organization grow in west Tennessee and in seeing more TNPS activities there. He is author of the soon-to-be-published book "Wildflowers of the mid-South. Page 6 . SAHC OFFERING PICTORIAL BOOKS ON NORTH CAROLINA AND TENNESSEE Two new books have just come off the press which beautifully portray the natural wonder of our western North Carolina and east Tennessee mountains. While each book covers a whole state, the emphasis is clearly on the mountain areas. Southern Appalachain Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) has made arrangements with the publisher to sell both NORTH CAROLINA and TENNESSEE at retail prices, $29.50 and $27.50, respectively, plus $2.00/book for postage and handling. The whole- sale discount will be placed in the SAHC fund to preserve the Highlands of Roan. These books are available at most book stores; however, by purchasing them through SAHC, you will help save some of the lands so well depicted in them. TENNESSEE was photographed bv Edward Schell , photonaturalist and member of TNPS and "of UAHU's Board of Directors. Ed traveled 7,000 miles during the six months he worked actively on the book. His sensitiviey has captured the many moods of Tennessee's natural beauty. The full -page colored pictures provide generous coverage of the Highlands of Roan. The text is by Wilma Dykemann, noted author and member of SAHC's Board last year. NORTH CAROLINA'S photographer is James Valentine, and its text is the work of writer Marguerite Schumann, both North Carolinians. This book also is of the save quality as the other pictorial books published by Graphic Arts Center Pub- lishing Company. Order the books from SAHC at Box 3356, Kingsport, TN 37664. They will make beautiful Christmas presents! TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANTS SOCIETY Vo Department o( Botany The University of Icnncssec Knoxville, T N 379 1 Non-Profit Org. U S Postage PAID Univ ol Tenn Knoxville *