A.quilegia Newsletter of the Colorado Native Plant Society “■ ■ ■ dedicated to the appreciation and conservation volume 14, Number 5 September/October 1990 The Search for Rare Plants Bill Jennings There have been some recent develop- ments in the search for rare plants in Colorado: Physaria bellii Mulligan (Brassicaceae) ^ I examined an interesting specimen of Physaria bellii in the herbarium of the Missouri Botanical Garden during a recent visit there. The label reads: "Shaly slides, Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs, June 22, 1912, J.R. Churchill, s.n. [in fruit; identified by col- lector as P. didymocarpa; annotated by Rollins as P. bellii; MO accession num- ber 1051945]" The location description as "shaly slides" precludes the specimen from being taken on the upper reaches of Cheyenne Mountain, which is granite, and suggests it was taken on the out- crops of sedimentary rocks at the base of the mountain. I suggest that if the her- barium label is correct, the locality may be along what is now Colo. Hwy. 115 where there is an outcrop of the Niobrara Formation, as shown on the Colorado State Geologic Map. The outcrop was checked May 16th, but no species of Physaria was found there. This site is about 2 miles south of the big beetle statue that advertises the May Museum. Dr. William A. Weber ex- amined the Physaria specimens at Colorado College, but did not find any P. bellii specimens from El Paso Coun- ty. Thus, this old collection is the only known specimen of this species from El Paso County. Nevertheless, any limy shales in the area should be checked for the existence of the twinpod, otherwise limited to Jefferson, Boulder, and Larimer Counties. Aletes humilis Coulter & Rose (Apiaceae) A new site was verified May 6th, ad- jacent to the Larry Smeins property on private and National Forest land. 389 plants were counted on a flat rock promontory and on west/north- west/north-facing slopes of an unnamed hill. Permission from landowner Smeins, who provided photographs of the plants last year, was granted to visit the site. There are now 7 known popula- tions of this rare parsley, limited to Larimer and Boulder Counties. — continued on page 7 President Message Inside . . 2 Rare Plants, cont. 7 New Books 3,4 Prairie Garden 8 Workshop Info 4 Ambrosia linearis 10 1990-91 Workshops 5,6 Page 2 Aquilegia Volume 14 President’s Message When CONPS was incorporated in 1976, its primary mission was to "en- courage the appreciation and conserva- tion of native plants and vegetation of Colorado . . The Society has ac- complished a great deal toward this ob- jective, but it is an ongoing process. The general public still lacks an under- standing of how plants are an integral part of our everyday lives. Because the public’s vision is myopic, individual species and entire plant communities are still being disrupted and/or eliminated without reckoning. As an educational organization, the Colorado Native Plant Society, and its individual members, must work con- tinually toward increasing public aware- ness and concern for the natural environment, and heighten the level of responsibility for native plants and plant communities. Many people, even those sensitive to other environmental con- cerns, are ignorant of the threats to our state and regional floras. By working together, and by aligning ourselves with appropriate organizations, we can help ensure broader interest in the preserva- tion of Colorado’s remaining native vegetation. The Society has a great deal to con- tribute to this effort. As your new presi- dent, I look forward to continuing the many tasks CONPS has already under- taken, and to working toward a greater role to accomplish these primary goals. I appreciate the opportunity to work with all of you in the year ahead. - Gayle Weinstein, President Aquilegia is printed on 100% Recycled Paper Schedule of Membership Fees Aquilegia is published six times per year by the Colorado Native Plant Society. This newsletter is available to members of the Society, and others with an inter- est in native plants. Contact the Society for subscription information. Articles tom Aquilegia may be used by other native plant societies if fully cited to author and attributed to Aquilegia. The Colorado Native Plant Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the appreciation and conservation of the Colorado native flora. Membership is open to all with an interest in our na- tive plants, and is comprised of plant en- thusiasts, both professional and non- professional. Please join us in helping to encourage interest in enjoying and protecting the variety of native plants in Colorado. The Society sponsors field trips, workshops and other activities through local chap- ters and statewide. Contact the Society or a chapter representative or commit- tee chair for more information. Life Family or Dual Supporting Individual Organization Student or Senior $250.00 $ 12.00 $ 50.00 $ 8.00 $25.00 $4.00 Membership Renewals/Information Please direct all membership applica- tions, renewals and address changes to the Membership chairperson, in care of the Society’s mailing address. Please direct all other inquiries regard- ing the Society to the Secretary in care of the Society’s mailing address. Newsletter Contributions Please direct all contributions to the newsletter to: Peter Root 4915 West 31st Avenue Denver, CO 80212 Deadlines for newsletter materials are February 15, April 15, June 15, August 15, October 15 and December 15. Officers President Gayle Weinstein Vice-President Jim Borland Secretary Rob Udall Treasurer Myma P. Steinkamp Board of Directors Betsy Neely (92) Boulder Jan Wingate (92) Denver Beth Painter (91) Ft Collins Peter Hensen (92) Denver Tina Jones (91) Denver Tamara Naumann (91) Boulder Sally White (92) Morrison Velma Richards (92) Englewood Robert Udall (91) Ft Collins Gayle Weinstein (91) Denver Chapter Presidents Boulder Margie Wortzman Denver Metro Carol Dawson Ft. Collins Jennifer Crane Yamparika Reed Kelley San Juan Peggy Lyon Conservation Editorial Education Field Trips Florissant Horticulture/ Rehabilitation Membership Publicity Workshops Committees Sue Martin Sally White Miriam Denham Jeff Dawson Mary Edwards Dorothy Udall Myma Steinkamp Elizabeth Otto Bill Jennings 333-3024 329-9198 482-9826 226-3371 443-8094 989-2137 482-2283 671-8858 759-9701 440-8933 697-5439 794-5432 482-9826 333-3024 494-1640 722-6758 493-2142 878-4666 626-5526 226-3371 697-5439 442-1020 722-6758 233-8133 482-9826 226-3371 567-2384 666-8348 Number 5 Aquilegia Pages Welcome to New Board Members ^ and Officers At the Society's Annual Meeting Sep- tember 8th, the following Board mem- bers were elected (or re-elected) for terms ending in 1992: Peter Hensen, Denver Betsy Neely, Boulder Velma Richards, Englewood Sally White, Morrison Jan Wingate, Denver ^ Officers chosen for the Society in 1991 are: Gayle Weinstein, President Jim Borland, Vice-president Rob Udall, Secretary Myrna P. Steinkamp, Treasurer The next board meeting will be held Oc- tober 27th at 1:30 PM at Gayle Beyond Earth Day A conference sponsored by the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) will be held October 26th and 27th. Earth Day to Earth Decade: from Dreams to Action includes speakers, ex- hibits, and break-out sessions consider- ing issues of environment and economics, educational partnerships be- tween business and government, com- puters and the media in environmental education (EE), urban EE and minority involvement, curriculum ideas and ac- tion plans. Conference registration fee of $85 in- cludes CAEE membership and three meals. Registration for CAEE members is $70. The conference will be held at the Sheraton Denver Tech Center at 1-25 and Belleview. Special rates for lodging at the Sheraton are available. Contact Don Hollums at 866-6787 for registra- tion or additional information. jf. New Wilderness Book Colorado — Our Wilderness Future presents proposed additions to our wilderness system in full color photographs, and text explaining why these areas should become part of the National Wilderness Preservation Sys- tem. This soft-cover book is printed on recycled paper and includes a map of 20 proposed wilderness areas and 28 exist- ing wilderness areas in Colorado. By special arrangement, sales of this book will benefit the Colorado Environ- mental Coalition. Thus your purchase will make you better informed, while helping protect Colorado’s natural en- vironment. Copies of the wilderness book may be ordered directly from CEC for $12.95 each plus tax and mailing. Contact CEC at (303)837-8701, or stop by their office at 777 Grant St. Suite 606 (Mon-Fri, 9AM to 5PM) to pick up a copy. « Volume 14 Aquilegia New Wetland Plant Book Pedicularis groenlandica Elephantella Illustration by Kris Meiring The Environmental Protection Agency has recently published a wetland plant identification guide that will be helpful for plant enthusiasts and others inter- ested in our watery habitats. With descriptive text by Dr. David Cooper, and B/W illustrations by Kris Meiring, A Handbook of Wetland Plants in the Rocky Mountain Region portrays taxa commonly found in Colorado wetlands. Distinguishing characteristics of large genera such as Carex and Salix are rep- resented using a species or two; many other identifications reach the level of individual species. For each plant presented, synonomy, identification, ecology, geographic dis- tribution, and wetland ranking (e.g. obligate, facultative, upland) are dis- cussed opposite the full-page illustra- tion. Similar and related species are mentioned to help avoid confusion. The Handbook is available without charge from the EPA Region VIII office in Denver. Contact Charlynn Boddie (303/294-1118) to obtain copies. Those actively involved in wetlands protection may also want to ask for copies of another booklet by Dr. Cooper: A Citizen’s Guide to Wetland Protection, which reviews the Section 404 permit process, and other wetlands preservation issues. This publication also provides a brief overview of wetland types found in the Rocky Mountain region, and the ecological and hydrological functions wetlands per- form. 4 , CON PS Workshops for 1990 - 1991 Registration for Workshops Bill Jennings The Colorado Native Plant Society workshop series was established with the objective of having something to do during the winter when field trips are impossible. Since the first workshop in January 1985, 38 have been held. Our concept of a workshop means bringing together plant lovers and a well-informed instructor who has photographs, herbarium specimens and live plants for the attendees to study hands-on, with opportunities for one- on-one interaction with the instructor as well as lectures to the group as a whole. No special skills or requirements, other than a love of plants and a desire to learn, are necessary for attending a workshop. Even though the descrip- tions may make these workshops sound highly technical, the case is exactly the opposite. The objective is to demystify plant identification and to allow the con- fused but sincere plant lover to better enjoy and understand our native plants. Enrollment in workshops is always limited, usually due to room constraints, so you must register in advance. Con- tact CONPS workshop coordinator for registration and workshop information: Bill Jennings, PO Box 952, Louisville, CO 80027; phone 303-666-8348. Be sure to include your mailing address and phone number if you mail in your registration. Registrants will be notified by mail about two weeks prior to the workshop regarding final location, time, lunch, suggested references, etc. Please register promptly, as workshops tend to fill up fast. However, cancella- tions sometimes create openings, so you might want to check with Bill up to the night before the workshop if you want to try to register at the last minute. Unless otherwise noted, the fee for each full-day workshop is $8 for members and $16 for non-members. If you plan to attend more than one workshop per year as a non-member, it is cheaper to join CONPS as an individual member ($8 per year) and come to workshops as a member. Please hold payments until the day of the workshop. It takes considerable time and effort for the instructors to plan and develop workshops and field trips. Please let us know how you like the workshops and field trips offered by CONPS. We need your suggestions for other workshops and trips, as well as your feedback on whether you found them informative and exciting or dull and uninteresting. We need to know whether we are serv- ing you, our members, the way you wish. Number 5 Aquilegia Pages CONPS Workshops for 1990 - 1991 Ericads: the Heath and Related Families Saturday, November 3, 1990 Leader: Bill Jennings The Phlox family workshop originally scheduled for this date has been can- celled as Dr. Dieter Wilken is unable to return from California. In its place, Bill Jennings will present a workshop on the Heath, Pyrola, and Monotropa families in Colorado. There are 19 Colorado species in these three families. The most problematic genera are Vaccinium, Arctostaphylos, dind Pyrola. Photos, specimens, and keys will be available for participants to view and study. If you registered for Phlox, you are now registered for this workshop. To be held at Denver Botanic Gardens. Willows: Genus Salix Saturday, December 8, 1990 Leader: Dr. David Cooper Dr. Cooper has been studying the wet- land plants of Colorado or many years and has discovered numerous sig- nificant new populations in a variety of plant families. This workshop, the third in Dr. Cooper’s series focusing on wet- land plants, will cover the willows (prior workshops were on Carex and/wncw^). Willows can be difficult to identify be- cause flowering catkins, fruiting catkins, and leaves appear at different times, and all are often needed for final identifica- tion. To be held at Colorado School of Mines. Grasses of the Eastern Colorado Plains Saturday, January 12, 1991 Leader: Dr. Alan Carpenter Grasses are avoided by wildflower lovers because the flowers are not photogenic and the terminology used for floral parts is unique. However, con- sidering both their economic and ecological significance, all Colorado botanists should have a working knowledge of the grasses. Dr. Carpenter will help us understand the species in this important family that are found on the eastern plains. This workshop complements our prior workshops on common grasses and high-altitude grasses. To be held at the Foothills Nature Center, Boulder. Page 6 Aquilegia Volume 14 . . . and More Workshops Hawaiian Ferns and Fern Ailies Saturday, February 9, 1991 Leader: Dr. Tom Ranker If you ever wanted to go to Hawaii, now is your chance (sort of). Dr. Tom Ranker, curator of botany at the Univer- sity of Colorado and successor to Dr. William Weber, is fresh from Hawaii and will introduce us to the Hawaiian flora, with an emphasis on the ferns and fern allies. He will discuss the colonization, specia- tion, and evolution of Hawaiian pteridophytes; fern genetics and mating systems; and how the study of these plants relates to conservation biology of Hawaii’s endangered flora. Specimens and keys for the ferns will be provided. To be held at the Foothills Nature Center, Boulder. Identification of the Seeds of Weedy Piant Species Saturday, March 2, 1991 Leader: Dr. Arnold Larsen As a follow-up to the topic of our annual meeting (Barbarians at the Gate: Exotic and Weedy Plants of Colorado), Dr. Ar- nold Larsen, president of Front Range Seed Analysts, will present this unique workshop on identification of the seeds of weedy plant species. He will explain the process of collecting, identifying, cleaning, and storing seeds. Viability testing and pre-germination and ger- mination processes will be discussed. He will help each participant prepare a seed reference collection for future use. A study guide to the seeds of Colorado will be available for purchase. To be held in Fort Collins at a location to be determined. carpet atvi 5*4^ ajc.>ua\ Mentzelias: the Blazing Stars Saturday, March 23, 1991 Leader: Dr. Barry Prigge The Native Plant Society is proud to be able to bring Dr. Prigge to Colorado for this workshop. He is affiliated with the University of California at Los Angeles, where his primary research has been the annual species of Mentzelia from the American southwest. He will bring us up-to-date on research in the genus in general, and will also cover the Mentzelias of Colorado. Specimens to examine or dissect, keys, photos, and references will be provided. To be held at Denver Botanic Gardens. Echinocereus reichenbachii (Terscheck) Haage f. (Cactaceae) This cactus is rarely collected in Colorado; there are less than ten sites ^hown in Benson’s Cacti of the United States and Canada. On May 16th, Dex- ter Hess and I visited the Graves ranch southwest of Timpas, Otero County, and found the cactus in three locations. We saw almost 200 plants in bud, some close to bloom. Dexter Hess knows of some more sites in the La Junta area. Because of their difficulty in collection and preparation, specimens of cacti are often underrepresented in herbaria. flowered. Another 50 or so were seen in leaf. Plants were about 3 inches tall. Spiranthes