Diamond Mts Lassen/Plumas Co line Some PJ A The FEBRUARY 2018 Pipevine Newsletter of the Mount Lassen Chapter CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY General Meeting FEBRUARY 7, 2018 Wednesday 7:00 pm Butte County Library, Chico Presented by LAWRENCE JANEWAY Scutellaria nana (dwarf skullcap), W Lassen Co around northern California: going where few botanists have gone before. L awrence Janeway spends most of his vacation time exploring different and unusual places in northern California. Join in this tour through the four places he explored last year; one of them on the Modoc Plateau of eastern Lassen County, one along the extreme northern edge of the northern Sierra Nevada, and two in the very diverse Klamath Ranges. He will explain some of his motives for visiting these places, besides having fun and seeing new places and plants, which include collecting herbarium specimens and working on a second edition of Vern Oswald’s Selected Plants of Northern California and Adjacent Nevada. He will also give a brief introduction to the Consortium of California Herbaria and how the herbarium specimen data stored there often informs his choices of places to visit. Lawrence is Curator of the Herbarium at Chico State and is the District Botanist of the Feather River Ranger District, Plumas National Forest. LOWER YAHI TRAIL UPPER BIDWELL PARK February 4 Sunday Meet at 10 am at the Horseshoe Lake Parking lot in Bidwell Park. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, and wear cool weather gear. We will walk the Yahi Trail to Day Camp, and return by the lower trail. Observations of blooming plants will include pipevine, California bay, manzanita, milkmaids and perhaps a checkered fritillary. End at noon. Rain cancels. Leader: Marjorie McNairn 530 343-2397. SACRAMENTO RIVER BEND AREA - BLM YANA TRAIL: JELLYS FERRY TO MASSACRE FLAT February 24 Saturday Meet at Chico Park & Ride west lot (Hwy 99/32) to depart at 9 am or at Jellys Ferry Parking Lot north of Red Bluff by 10 am. Bring food/snacks, water and sturdy shoes for 6-mile round trip hike along the cliff bound Sacramento River. Green hillsides covered in blue oak savannah and leafing riparian corridors frame steep landscapes carved by the river. Sweeping wildland views with snow covered peaks abound. Early wildflowers will be emerging. Rain or soggy trail will detour the trip to Sacramento River Dis¬ covery Center’s Native Plan Garden in Red Bluff. Leader: Woody Elliott, woodyelliott@gmail.com, (530) 588-2555. GARDEN TOUR takes a Detour in 2018 by ANN ELLIOTT, CCNC Gardens Chair T he WATER-WISE and HABITAT FRIENDLY GARDEN TOURS have been great for outreach about native plant horticulture and were in high demand during the drought crisis. However, Altacal Audubon’s Neighborhood Habitat Program and Mount Lassen Chapter want to give a break in 2018 to our homeowners who have generously shared their yards for the past three years. This year we are exploring some other possibilities for native plant horticulture outreach: • Cindy Weiner (wearing CNPS and Butte County Master Gardener hats) will continue to teach her two Osher Life Long Learning (OLLI) classes: Gardening with California Native Plants and Touring Native Plant Gardens. Join her classes, which start Feb. 6 • I will be asking local organizations with established com¬ munity garden tours (Chico Horticulture Society, St John’s Episcopal, Paradise Garden Club) to consider including a California native plant garden in their tours. • We should also explore collaborating with Butte Environ¬ mental Council and Butte County Master Gardeners doing lawn conversion projects (including sheet mulching, rain gardens, etc.) or demonstrations of composting and plant propagation. We could cooperate more with California Water Company who sponsor workshops on water conservation. • State CNPS has new staff who are encouraging chapters to use more social media. Ideas from them include filming virtual garden tours for posting on YouTube or Facebook and taking garden pictures for posting on Pinterest and Instagram. They encourage us to include hashtags (ie. #nativegardentour and #canativeplants) on all our posts which reaches out to younger folks who predominately use social media. • A valuable project would be the compilation and sharing of a few simple garden designs and plant palettes that would make lawn conversion or landscape design easier for hom¬ eowners and commercial property owners. Please contact me if you want to share your garden in photo or video, if you want to help with one of the other projects, or if you have other ideas for sharing a love of native plant gardening. Ann Elliott annonfire@gmail.com 530-521-4402 2 . The Pipevine February 2018 NEW 2018 CHAPTER EXECUTIVE BOARD ELECTED Executive Board Meeting President PAUL MOORE Vice President CINDY WEINER FEBRUARY 21, 2018 Secretary CHRISTIAN SMIT Treasurer NANCY PRAIZLER Members-at-Large TBA MERYL BOND DODY DOMISH PAULA SHAPIRO TOM RESK ALL CNPS MEMBERS WELCOME! CATIE& JIM BISHOP ALICE HECKER NATIVE PLANT GARDEN CHICO CREEK NATURE CENTER BIDWELL PARK February 22, Thursday 9-11 am Rain cancels. Contact ANN ELLIOTT 530-521-4402 HOSPITALITY by KARROLYNN YELLS, Hospitality Chair CNPS VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION AWARD by WOODY ELLIOTT A t the December 2017 CNPS Chapter Council Meeting in Rancho Cordova, Catie and Jim Bishop were awarded CNPS’s Volunteer Recognition Award with a framed photo featuring Butte Co. golden clover, Trifolium jokerstii. Their citation read by Charlie Blair, CNPS Volunteer Recognition Chair stated: Catie & Jim have been a tireless team actively engaged for more than twenty years with Mount Lassen Chapter and State CNPS as officers and committee chairs. Their extensive institutional knowledge of such history and procedures garnered by authentic dedication to promoting the mission of CNPS has been invaluable to all CNPSers privileged to work with them. Notably Catie has faithfully been the Chapter’s Chapter Council Representative, producing written summaries of the Council’s work to the Chapter. Moreover, Jim has tirelessly promoted monthly public presentations at Chapter general meetings and good governance by various evolving entities of State CNPS. S usie Garrett is scheduled to bring treats for the General Meeting in February and if anyone else would like to bring something please let me know. We also need people to bring snacks for the General Meetings in March, April and May for 35 people may be attending. And if two are willing at a time that would be great. Let me know, your help is appreciated - THANK YOU. The Pipevine February 2018 3. CONSERVATION REPORTS by WOODY ELLIOTT, Conservation Chair BUTTE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT SERVICES IS CRAFTING AN OAK WOODLAND MITIGATION ORDINANCE A proposed Oak Woodland Mitigation Ordinance is in the initial stages of its drafting. Much more work by County Staff, interested stakeholders and the Planning Commission needs to be done to craft an ordinance and an accompany¬ ing implementation manual that protects the extensive oak woodlands in the foothills of Butte County. Currently, the draft language would primarily foster payment of in lieu fees for taking of oak woodlands by developers. These fees would primarily pay third parties for conservation easements to protect oak woodlands not necessarily in Butte County. Also, conversion of oak woodlands to grassland for livestock grazing by clearcutting oaks for firewood would not be discouraged by this Draft ordinance. Mount Lassen Chapter looks forward to working with those interested in fostering preservation of oak woodlands in accordance with the Oak Woodlands Management Plan (Butte County Oak Woodland Resource Assessment Report - July 2006), adopted by resolution of the Butte Co. Board of Supervisors in April 2007 and habitat conservations policies of the Butte County General Plan - 2030 adopted in year 2010. BIDWELL PARK’S PEREGRINE POINT DISC GOLF COURSE IN PERIL O ver the last three years at several meetings of the Bidwell Park & Playground Commission (BPPC) and separately with City of Chico staff, representatives of Friends of Bidwell Park (FOBP) & Mount Lassen Chapter (CNPS) have expressed concern that mitigation and monitoring measurers at Peregrine Point Disc Golf Course have not been suc¬ cessfully implemented. These measures were prescribed by the legally binding Calif. Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) document adopted by the City for development of this course. Measures designed to promote the survival and health of species (blue oak, Butte Co. checkerbloom, Bidwells knotweed and wildflower fields) adversely impacted by disc golf are: • tree protection devices (disc deflectors), • relocation of baskets (holes) away from impacted oaks, • replenishment of wood chips around pads (tees) and baskets, • concentration of foot traffic on fairways with barriers, • interpretive signs throughout the course. Monitoring the efficacy of these mitigation measures has not been done quantitatively in the last two years. The BPPC has not received a comprehensive report on the status of the City’s management of the Disc Golf Course since August 2016. The BPPC with City Staff need to adequately manage this conflict of natural and recreational resources. 4. The Pipevine February 2018 O n a cold and sunny January morning 24 people gathered to explore the ferns in Middle Bidwell Park. These are the lessons they learned. Ferns are considered primitive plants, and along with Selagi- nella and horsetails, were the first vascular plants to develop. The bluegreen algae ware the first to utilize photosynthesis and produce oxygen for our atmosphere. Mosses, liverworts and horn- worts, some of which we observed along the cliff face, are small nonvascular plants reproducing by spores, and remain small. The ferns and fern allies soon (about a billion years later) developed a more complex structure by creating an internal vascular system for transporting nutrients and water within the plant. The ferns and fern allies still produce spores, although they can grow larger with more nutrients and water available. There are 13 species of ferns listed in Upper Bidwell Park. Five species of ferns are found along the fern cliff. There are two maidenhair ferns, Venus-hair fern ( Adiantum capillus veneris) and the more common California maidenhair (Adiantum jordanii), and one species each of the three others. Fragile fern, sometimes called brittle fern ( Cystopteris fragilis), was represented by only a few plants and gold-backed fern ( Pentagramma triangularis) sported both this year’s new growth and the darker, older fronds from last year. The very showy prevalent fern along the cliff was Polypody ( Polypodium calirhiza). Polypody refers to the many “feet” or underground stems called rhizomes, which allow this fern to spread vigorously down the cliff and over rocks. A giant chain fern ( Woodwardia fimbriata) at one time grew at the base of the cliff but has been missing for many years. To identify ferns one must first make several observations, such as the location, season, and whether it is in a moist or dry environ¬ ment. The ferns at this location had, or were recently putting out new fronds for their season. Some of these (Polypody, fragile fern and California maidenhair are only active during the wet season and the fronds will die as the plant goes dormant.in dry conditions. Only the gold-backed fern and Venus-hair maidenhair fern still have sad-looking fronds holding on from last year. Ferns may look quite different from one species to another due to the shape of the fronds. The ferns along the cliff were examined and identified as pinnate, or 1-pinnate, as in Polypody and the two supplied examples sword fern and chain fern. Gold-backed fern is 1-pinnate, but may be deeply lobed to look like 2-pinnate. Bipinnate (2-pinnate) included maidenhair, fragile fern and the supplied example of bracken fern. Sometimes maidenhair ferns can be 2-3 pinnate, and fragile fern and bracken may be 2-4 pin¬ nate. The most we observed was 3-pinnate. Another way to identify ferns is by their sori and indusium, if present. Since ferns are primitive they reproduce by spores, not seeds. The sori on the underside of the frond, holds a collection of sporangia, which release the spores. In the polypody the sori are round, in the chain fern they are elongated and placed end to end, creating the image of a chain. Some ferns may have a “hat” or indusium covering the sori. We did not look at those. Spores are not seeds, and when they drop to the ground they form small green structures called gametophytes, which have both male and female parts. When the female is fertilized, a tiny new fern develops and grows into a fern we can recognize. The Pipevine February 2018 5. These businesses support the goals of the CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY MEMBERS GET 10% DISCOUNT ME VERNAL POOL LANDSCAPES: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE APRIL 11, 12, and 13, 2018 Vernal Pool Landscapes: Past, Present, and Future, a conference that will be held in Chico, California on Wednesday and Thursday, April 11 and 12h, 2018 at the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Chico. Eminent scholars, agency representatives, and other professionals will present research and case studies regarding plant and animal species dependent on vernal pool landscapes, conservation efforts, legal cases, and management techniques that have been used to enhance the economic and biological viability of certain lands. Field trips will take place on April 13,2018. The number of participants is limited. Registration will be available starting in mid-December and will be placed on the AquAlliance web site along with program updates at: www.aqualliance.net. Perennials, Herbs NaliVff ■Shrub', ■Nancy Sell leiger Gsrrifiti Firmaeulhire Desigaui By appointment nativcsjwTOg^mspeiyfeigimiUptni 5^1,7744361 I Ifrs Cuwmngs tone Durfmm. VIA. mis tint lYetpritig.'i nun t ity. c’tim FLORAL NATIVF NURSFKY 2511 Floral Avenue Chico, California 95973-2511 Telephone/Fax; (530) 892-2511 E-mail: canativaSshocking.com discount applies only to plants 5*mra$ Gdldmt and Adults with Disabilities Comer of rtlh & Will Street' Chico * &91-9T0C Unique PerentdAli, Annuals, Garden Art & Morel LittleRedHen*org discount applies only to plants 1367 Eost Ave, Chico | 530.894.5410 | www.MagnoliaGardening.com 6 . The Pipevine February 2018 February 24, 2018 SOILS, LANDFORMS, AND VEGETATION OF BIDWELL PARK Bidwell Park provides a great outdoor classroom to explore rela¬ tionships between landforms, soils, and the vegetation occurring on those soils. ANDREW CONLIN, a soil scientist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, will lead a field tour in Bidwell Park. This workshop will meet from 10am to 3pm in Chico’s Upper Bidwell Park at the parking lot on the north side of the Five-Mile bridge. Please register in advance. For information about upcoming workshops please contact: www. friendsofthechicostateherbarium.com/eventsviewcalendar/ For more information about registration please contact the Biology office at (530)898-5356 or ssholten@csuchico.edu February 1-3,2018 Los Angeles, CA MEMBERSHIP MLC If you have changed your. . . address, phone number or e-mail or leave temporarily please notify Mount Lassen Chapter CNPS Membership Chair, MERYL BOND at 530 487-7312 or merylbond@sbcglobal.net This will help eliminate returned Pipevines from the Post Office. Thank You Keep up with MLC Activities on our website and Facebook California Native Plant Society, Mount Lassen Chapter and LIKE US facebook mountlassen.cnps.org Officers & Chairs ELECTED OFFICERS President Past-President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Members-at-Large ( 530 ) 343-4287 PAUL MOORE pmoore@csuchico.edu WOODY ELLIOTT 588-2555 woodyelliott@gmail.com CINDY WEINER 588-1906 wildflowermaven@comcast.net CHRISTIAN SMIT 815-5892 christian.pt.smit@gmail.com NANCY PRAIZLER 899-1333 praizlermom@gmail.com MERYL BOND 487-7312 merylbond@sbcglobal.net DODY DOMISH dodyod36@gmail.com PAULA SHAPIRO paulashapiro49@gmail.com TOM RESK thomask@sbcglobal.net CHAIRS Conservation / Web Administrator WOODY ELLIOTT Education Events 588-2555 woodyelliott@gmail.com JUSTINE DEVOE 917-7891 justinedevoeca@gmail.com JANNA LATHROP 228 0010 jlathrop4mlc@comcast.net Field Trips Horticulture Hospitality Invasive Plants Membership/Mailing MERYL BOND MARJORIE MCNAIRN mlmcnairn@aol.com OPEN KARROLYNN YELLS karrolynny@att.net OPEN 343-2397 534-3551 487-7312 merylbond@sbcglobal.net DENISE DEVINE 345-8444 dsrdevine@hotmail.com JIM BISHOP cjbishopl 991 @sbcg lobal.net WOODY ELLIOTT 588-2555 woodyelliott@gmail.com CINDY WEINER 588-1906 wildflowermaven@comcast.net OPEN NANCY PRAIZLER 899-1333 praizlermom@gmail.com Vol. Recognition / Chapter Council Delegate CATIE BISHOP cjbishopl 991 @sb eg lobal.net CHRISTIAN SMIT 815-5892 christian.pt.smit@gmail.com ANN ELLIOTT 521-4402 annonfire@gmail.com Newsletter Editor Programs Co-chairs Publicity Rare Plants Sales Yahi Trail CCNC Gardens The Pipevine February 2018 7. MOUNT LASSEN CHAPTER CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY P. O. BOX 4067 CHICO, CA 95927-4067 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Chico, CA Permit No. 553 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Time Value FEBRUARY 2018 issue Pipevine Phyllis would say Join Today ! MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY I wish to affiliate with the Mount Lassen Chapter renew Name _ Address _ City _ State _ Zip _ Phone _ Email _ Send Membership Application to: CNPS 2707 K STREET, SUITE 1 SACRAMENTO, CA 95816-5113 mountlassen.cnps.org Student / Limited Income. $25 Individual. $45 Family / Library. $75 Plant Lover. $100 Patron. $300 Benefactor. $600 Calendar January 27 - 29 - Snow Goose Festival February 1 - 3 - CNPS Conservation Con 4 - Upper Bidwell Park 7 - General Meeting 21 - Ex Board Meeting 22 - CCNC Garden Workday 24 - Sac River Bend Area March 7 - General Meeting 21 - Ex Board Meeting MARCH 2018 P . The . ipevme Newsletter of the Mount Lassen Chapter CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY General Meeting MARCH 7, 2018 Wednesday 7:00 pm Butte County Library, Chico Presented by TIM HANSON IATIVE PLANT a Day a Snapshot of Northern California’s Plant Diversity W ith over 6,500 native plants, California has a pretty incredible botanical diversity. In 2017 local botanist Tim Hanson embarked on a simple personal challenge to explore just a small portion of the state’s native plants, post a picture online (on Instagram and Facebook) of a different California native plant every day for a year. His goal was to foster an appreciation for California’s amazing flora and learn a few new plants along the way. Tim will present a fast-paced slideshow showing over 100 photos from his year of California native plants. The photos will focus on plants occurring in the wide-ranging habitats of northern California, from the north coast, to the central valley, and into the foothills and mountains of the CNPS Mount Lassen Chapter. Get ready to learn some new plants for the 2018 wildflower season! Tim is currently a consulting botanist at Stantec in Chico and has previously worked as a seasonal botanist for Plumas National Forest and as a vegetation mapper for California State University, Chico. He is currently a board member for the Friends of the Chico State Herbarium. Field Tripe UPPER YAHI TRAIL UPPER BIDWELL PARK March 10, Saturday Meet at 9 am in Upper Bidwell Park at Rifle Range parking lot. We’ll carpool up the rocky park road 1.7 miles to Park¬ ing Lot 7 at the Diversion Dam. Bring lunch, water, insect/ sun protection. Wear sturdy shoes. Hike the scenic Yahi Trail in a majestic canyon with spectacular vistas. We’ll fol¬ low Big Chico Creek where it flows through a diverse selec¬ tion of scenic natural features. The trail transects grassy flats, open oak savanna, slopes and canyon walls covered with trees and shrubs. The trail crosses through shady and moist riparian woodlands in side drainages. We’ll walk about 2 1/2 miles one way and return along the park road to Lot L. Leader: Marjorie McNairn 530 343-2397 NORTH TABLE MOUNTAIN ECOLOGICAL RESERVE March 18, Sunday Meet at Chico Park & Ride (Hwy 99 & 32) leave by 9 am Or meet at Reserve Parking Lot on Cherokee Rd at 9:45 am. Hopefully, wildflowers and waterfalls will be showing this year of sparse rainfall. Otherwise, we can see the spec¬ tacular view across the Sacramento Valley and the effects of last year’s Cherokee Fire on oak woodlands in the can¬ yons. For info see Conservation Page at http://mountlas- sen.cnps.org/. Bring sturdy shoes and lunch for 2 mile RT walk to Phantom Falls. Leader: Woody Elliott 530 588-2555, woodyelliott@gmail.com. SPOTTED FAWN LILY & MCNAB CYPRESS LASSEN NATIONAL FOREST March 24, Saturday Meet at 9 am at Chico Park & Ride west lot (Hwy 32/99). Bring lunch, water, sun/insect protection, and money for ride sharing. Wear sturdy shoes. We will hike about 1-1/2 miles down a serpentine slope to a head dam on the West Branch of the Feather River for lunch. Under the cypress¬ es are masses of yellow and white spotted fawn lilies and along the trail penstemon and fritillaria. Call for alternate meeting place. Leader: Marjorie McNairn 530 343-2397 President’s Message by PAUL MOORE, President I am very pleased to be able to serve as the Presi¬ dent of the Mount Lassen Chapter. This is a very productive and involved organization of local citizens dedicated to preserving and increasing knowledge about our local plants. While we have made lots of progress in a number of ways and locations, the chal¬ lenges remain. With that in mind, I would like to en¬ courage existing and potential members to step up to the challenges and opportunities we and our commu¬ nity have. All of the good work we do occurs because “we” step forward to meet the challenges and serve our communities. I look forward to working with you. Welcome back Paul! Executive Board Meeting MARCH 21, 2018 TBA ALL CNPS MEMBERS WELCOME! ALICE HECKER NATIVE PLANT GARDEN CHICO CREEK NATURE CENTER BIDWELL PARK MARCH 22 Thursday 8-10 am Rain cancels Contact ANN ELLIOTT Annonfire@gmail.com 530-521-4402 2 . The Pipevine March 2018 ALONG the YAHI TRAIL by MARJORIE MCNAIRN, Field Trip Chair I t was a lovely warm February day when fifteen eager par¬ ticipants searched for the early bloomers along the lower Yahi Trail from the Florseshoe Lake parking area to the old Day Camp and back along the lower trail. Prominent spe¬ cies in bloom were (left) California pipevine ( Aristolochia californica), (right) California bay ( Umbellularia californica) and (bottom) milkmaids (Cardamine californica). Note that all three of these species share the same descriptor of “californica.” This pipevine is found only in California (endemic) and the others above are native to Cali¬ fornia but the bay laurel (as it is called there) is also found in southwest Oregon, and the milkmaids are found in Oregon and also Washington. Although the bay and the pipevine are two very different types of plants they have a couple of things in common. Each is the only representative of its family in Bidwell Park, and they both developed very early in the evolutionary pathway of flowering plants. In contrast, milkmaids is included in a group of flowering plants that evolved later, and it has about 24 members of its family (Brassicaceae) both native and non-native living in Bidwell Park. We looked for but did not find any fungus gnats, the only known pollinators of pipevine. They are attracted into the odd-shaped flower by the unpleasant odor, and in their search for a way out rub against the pollen-containing anthers. Prior to the field trip I turned one of the flowers so the opening was up and watched pollen-coated gnats emerging from the flower. The larva of the pipevine swallowtail survives only on the leaves of the pipevine, and the pipevine is found only in the eastern foothills of the northern central valley and in the Bay Area. If the pipevine is lost through development or other ways, the pipevine swallowtail is also lost. The adult but¬ terfly seeks nectar from many kinds of flowers. Predators learn to avoid the caterpillars because of the toxins that accumulate as they feed on the pipevine leaves. California Bay is a member of the Lauraceae or laurel family, which includes avocado, and the fruit looks similar. When the fruit is just ripe it is edible, with a large pit inside similar to an avocado. With age, it can turn very potent, similar to the leaves of the tree. Native Americans used the fruit and the roasted pit for food, and tea made from the leaves for medicinal purposes. Although its leaves may be used for flavoring, it is stronger and more pungent than the bay leaves used for culinary purposes. Milkmaids bloom from December to April (depending on the year) with a delightful white/pale pink early spring flower. This plant is characterized by four petals arranged in a cross. The previous family name of this plant was Cruciferae, an apt description. The dainty petals close up for the night, and when it rains the flower nods to protect the pollen from becoming wet. I won’t tell you it’s edible because I do not want anyone to pick it for that purpose. Better to pick some miner’s lettuce, also a native plant and usu¬ ally more abundant. Other flowering species observed along this route included the manzanita (Arctostaphylos manzanita), an important winter food source for Anna’s hummingbird, which does not migrate, a couple of early blooming blue dicks, and some yellow-blooming field mustard ( Brassica camp- estris) a non-native cousin of the milkmaids. In a still-moist drainage was meadow ne- mophila ( Nemophila peduncu- lata) a white flower resembling meadow foam but belonging to a different family. The Pipevine March 2018 3. OBSERVATIONS IN THE COMPANY OF FLOWERS MANZANITAS by JOHN WHITTLESEY pproaching the large manzanita, (Arctostaphylos manzanita) I realized my timing was perfect. It was in full bloom, flowers scattered evenly throughout the shrub - not all on top, out of reach of my camera as many often are. Even from twenty feet away the sporadic activity of flying insects could be seen, along with the pleasing (to me) sound of buzzing - a strong indicator of a plant at peak bloom with warm enough temperatures to attract a variety of flower visitors. Not all bees buzz, in fact I would guess that most don’t. On this particular day there was something - a bee or a fly that was flying rapidly above the manzanita. It was loud, persistent and very difficult to discern who or what it was. I’d seen and heard them around other manzanitas in past years and had been unable to see one visit a flower or land anywhere. Today was my lucky day to make the acquaintance of a Habropoda - one of the digger bees. It is a large hairy bee, greyish-tan, the size of a small bumble bee. It is an extremely fast flyer and the buzzing is much louder and higher pitched than honey or bumble bees. Plus it has the ability to hover, which most other bees do not. The face is broad and flat with the male having a discernable ivory color to the face which could be occasionally glimpsed as they zipped around and through the plant in search of females. To be in the company of flowers is to be at a gathering point for insects looking to mate. Manzanitas hedge their bets regarding how their flowers are pollinated. A whole host of potential pollinators visit the flowers - bees, wasps, flies, hummingbirds, butterflies - not all with the same purpose, some are there for nectar, some for pollen, some for both and how they manage this varies. The individual flowers are urn shaped, with the constricted opening facing downward. The flowers are approx V4 inch long and not quite as wide. If one is sliced in half top to bottom the cutaway will show the burgundy colored stamens held close to the base (on the pedicel end) circling the narrow, elongated stigma which points towards the opening in the flower. Manzanitas, like many flowering plants, offer up nectar and pollen as rewards to encourage flower visitors. Nectar is produced at the base of the flower. Pollen is not easy to access in manzanitas. For one thing they have poricidal anthers. These are tube-like anthers with a small opening at the tip requiring vi¬ bration to shake loose the pollen. This is called sonication or buzz pollination - a technique that only some bees are capable of performing. 8% of all plants require sonication - examples being the shooting stars, and many plants in the solanum family such as tomatoes. This is not a physical shaking of the flower but a sonic vibration. Tuning forks are even used in some scientific studies to release the pol¬ len. The higher the pitch the more pollen is released, (shown in some studies on shooting stars.) continued on page 5. 4. The Pipevine March 2018 In my observing manzanitas I’ve noted 5 bees that collect pollen in this manner. The bumble bees are the most obvious. They are tireless, methodical workers moving from one flower to the next. You can hear their low buzzing, then be quiet for a few seconds and then the buzz starts up again as they search for the next flower to collect pollen. The bumble bees clasp onto the flower upside down vibrat¬ ing their flight muscles for a few seconds. I can’t pick up any sound, but the shim¬ mering of their body and wings is noticeable. The worker Yellow-Faced Bumble Bees (Bombus vosnesenskii) are small this time of year. Later in the season when there are more resources they are noticeably larger. The Habropoda was more erratic in its flight pattern than the bumble bee, often briefly hovering then abruptly changing directions. When it came to a flower it locked in on the flower like two opposite poles of a magnet - rarely staying as long as two seconds with no no¬ ticeable vibration of sound. These pollen collecting females tended to stay on the inside of the shrub, which I surmise was a way to avoid the aggressive males. The smaller gold colored Andrena was easy to spot and could be heard making a dis¬ tinctive tchtchtchtch buzzing sound when sonicating. The other two I’ve observed briefly are species of Osmia and Eucera. Honey bees while always around manzanitas, are not capable of sonication, so they are not actively collecting pollen, but mostly visiting for the nectar. Honey bees have relatively short tongues, and in the insect world, when it comes to gath¬ ering nectar, tongue length can matter depending on the flower. On manzanita flowers the bee’s tongue may or may not be long enough to nectar satisfactorily, so they resort to another strategy by becoming what is disparagingly called a sec¬ ondary nectar thief! Other words used in the literature to describe this behavior are exploiters, cheaters, thieves, robbers - primary nectar robbers, secondary nectar robbers and florivores. A primary nectar robber makes a hole at the base of the flower near the nectaries. Nectar can then be taken without interacting with the stamens and stigma, thus not contributing to a chance at pollination. Once a hole in the corolla is made by a bee or wasp, then other insects have easy access to the nectar. Even many of the insects that engage in ‘legitimate’ pollination will use this method to nectar. While the terms used to describe nectar robbing are clearly negative, and suggest they are depriving the flower and the plant, there must have been a balance achieved long ago between the plant and its diverse flower visitors. The manzanitas in our foothills are abundant, thriving and full of life. The Pipevine March 2018 5. Sf HIS by JANNA LATHROP, Events Chair SNOW GOOSE FESTIVAL Thank you to the following members that staffed our table at this year’s Snow Goose Festival: Marjorie McNairn, Cindy Weiner, Dody Domish, Roxane Canfield, Nancy Hawley, Ann Elliott, Kathy La Shure, KarroLynn Yells and Nancy Groshong. Your enthusiastic help with outreach is greatly appreciated. CHICO SCIENCE FAIR We will be participating as judges at this year’s Chico Science Fair (February 27-March 2). Hesh Kaplan will again serve as one of our judges and would like one or two others to join him to help evaluate student experiments for plant science merit. You can contact either Hesh or Janna if you can help with the judging on Tuesday, February 27 from 1 to 4 pm. NEXT EVENTS CHAIR On a personal note, as of May 2018 I will step down as Events Chair. I look forward to someone (or two?) to be our chapter’s next Events Chair. SAVE THE DATES VERNAL POOL LANDSCAPES PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE APRIL 11, 12, and 13, 2018 Vernal Pool Landscapes: Past, Present, and Future, a conference that will be held in Chico, California on Wednesday and Thursday, April 11 and 12, 2018 at the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Chico. Eminent scholars, agency representatives, and other professionals will present research and case studies regarding plant and animal species dependent on vernal pool landscapes, conservation efforts, legal cases, and management techniques that have been used to enhance the economic and biological viability of certain lands. Field trips will take place on April 13,2018. The number of participants is limited. Registration will be available starting in mid-December and will be placed on the AquAlliance web site along with program updates at: www.aqualliance.net. These businesses support the goals of the CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY MEMBERS GET 10% DISCOUNT jWTt-vfc JiJuMthy Perennial?, Niilivr Tree 1 .inti ilhrvbs Nancy Sclueiger Gar ill in: Pill njeuhiiK Dcsigaur By appointment i ianvpi?riBgw«Reo' 1 2 !®® a il' co,ri 5'*<.1,774 43fi2 1 $ 7 £ Cummings t«ii Durimru, nut ivexpringi nurs ary, co m FLORAL N ATI VE NURSERY 2511 Floral Avenue Chico, California 95973-2511 Telephone/Fax: (530) 892-2511 E-mail: canative at 9 am ' a mosaic of wildtlowers.” Let's hope the odd weather this Brin9 lunch ' water ' hiki " 9 shoes ' and mone V for ride year will not diminish the show. This BLM area is home to sharin 9' We '" drive ,0 ,he °' Brien exit from '‘ 5 north of a number of unofficial little routes and trails. Larry will show Reddin 9' ,hen 9 et on '‘ 5 south and ,ake ,he Packer ' s Ba V us some of his favorite sites and sights. Leaders: Larry Bert! exit The trail descends 2 8 miles ,hrou 9 h Wa,ers Gulch and Marjorie McNairn 530 343-2397 ,0 the shore of Shas,a Lake ' ,hen dimbs over a saddle to descend to Packers Bay. It is then 0.5 miles to com¬ plete the loop. We’ll traverse through mixed conifer for- SUTTER BUTTES est, chaparral, with a mixture of spring wildflowers and STATE PARK flowering shrubs. Home to the rare Shasta maidenhair April 21, Saturday fern ( Adiantum shastense) and the very rare Shasta snow-wreath ( Neviusia cliftonii), which we hope to see in Simultaneous walks are scheduled within the Park . . . . .. . . .. . cor . 0 , 0 bloom. Leader: Marjorie McNairn 530-343-2397 for guided groups only. Woody Elliott will lead a wild- flower search along the easy trails in Peace Valley. Jim Dempsey will interpret a more strenuous route (4.8-5 .6 VINA PLAINS PRESERVE mi) climb/drop over 800 ft, depending on the group, over May q Sunday the surrounding ridges to see plant communities and panoramas. Bring lunch, water, hat, hiking shoes, long Meet at DeGarmo Park in Chico (off Esplanade, south of pants, money for ride sharing. $10/person to cover of Shasta School) at 9:30 am, or at the preserve gate (Hwy 99, State Park Special Use Permit and escort. Meet at Chico ^ m '' es north of Chico) at 9:45 am. Bring hat, water, wind- Park & Ride west lot (Hwy 99/32) to leave at 8 am or Live beaker or raingear as needed. Wear shoes for muddy, lumpy Oak Memorial Park public pool on Pennington Rd (3rd so '' ^ or a ^out 1 mile round trip. We may see depauperate block on right west of ARCO Station) to depart at 8:45 am milk-vetch, Howell’s dodder, seedlings of Orcutt grasses, to organize carpooling. Leave Peace Valley at 3:30 pm, which are a few of the rare P lants found - s P ace is limited - return to Chico by 5 pm. Limit 30. Leader: Woody Elliott, Reserve at MLMcNaim@aol.com or 530 343-2397. Leaders: woodyelliott@gmail.com or 530 588-2555 R° d Schlising and Marjorie McNairn 530 343-2397 2 . The Pipevine April 2018 THE YANA TRAIL Some Natives and Non-natives by MARJORIE MCNAIRN, Field Trip Chair S aturday February 24, 2018 was overcast with a brisk, icy breeze. In spite of the weather 11 strong hikers covered the nearly four miles to the cliff overlooking the Sacra¬ mento River. The Bureau of Land Management is “rewilding” the area and about the first third of our walk along the YANA TRAIL was through obviously disturbed or graded soil, a lush, green, rolling landscape thick with non-native grasses, some native grasses and winter vetch ( Vida villosa). This species of vetch is native to southern Europe and western Asia and is now found in all US states and all continents. It is considered invasive in some US states, Japan, and several European countries; California is not one of them. As a legume, it fixes nitrogen in the soil and has been used in organic gardening, and grown as a forage crop and cover crop. Its benefits to agriculture have usually been accepted as more important than the displacement of native plants. The large old valley oaks ( Quercus lobata) between the trail and the Sacramento River slowly gave way to blue oaks ( Quercus douglasiana) on higher ground. Most of the native plants were found along the edge of the river’s floodplain, such as our old friend the pipevine ( Aristolochia californica) with blooms black¬ ened by frost, and along the trail leading to the ridgetop. Some winter-flowering native shrubs were blooming on the higher trail, such as the common manzanita {Arctostaphylos manzanita) which was reaching the end of its bloom season with one bush already with red manzanita berries. Buck brush ( Ceanothus cuneatus) was still sporting clusters of white, scented blossoms. The most common blooming wildflowerwas California saxifrage ( Micran- thes [formerly Saxifraga] californica) which we saw along the trail to the ridgetop. This saxifrage is native to California, extending from Baja into Oregon, with the exception of desert areas, and from lowlands into the foothills. Its pretty white flowers are easily recognized as they are held high above the basal leaves by a long reddish stalk. Where California saxifrage is scattered over the hillsides, native Sierra fawn lilies ( Erythronium multiscapideum) had emerged in one local area. Only one bud was observed on that day, but in a week or so there will be many. This particular species is found primarily in the east-side northern California foothills. Just south of the Ink Creek crossing there in an open area with scattered blue oaks were a few depauperate blooms of native johnny tuck ( Triphysaria erianthus) and much of the non-native long-beaked storksbill ( Erodium botrys) and whitestem filaree (Erodium moschatum). The Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States provides data for both of these species, and observation documents much Erodium in the foothills as a result of over-graz¬ ing. On the other hand, ranchers depend heavily on filaree for their livestock, as it is one of the first plants to appear in the spring and continues throughout the grazing season. Humans can also “graze” filaree leaves to use in salads. Many birds were observed from the hawk and vultures above, to the bush tits active in the interior live oak tree ( Ques- cus wislizenissp wislizeni) and the spotted towhees foraging on the ground. The full gra¬ nary trees were evidence that acorn woodpeckers abound in the area, and we looked down from the high ridgetop to view a flock of merganser ducks diving in the river current. One American egret followed another flying downstream low along the river. In the afternoon clouds cleared and the winds decreased providing us with a pleasantly warm walk back. The Pipevine April 2018 3. OBSERVATIONS IN THE COMPANY OF FLOWERS MANZANITAS, BUMBLE BEES and the WEATHER by JOHN WHITTLESEY W eather can be erratic and while daily fluctuations can be challenging for animals (including people) and plants, the larger weather patterns can have larger consequence and perhaps influence responses of plants and animals. We experienced a long dry, sunny period in December with temperatures in the 60’s and the sun shining - day after day. (Where is the tule fog that once was a fixture of our winter season?) Hiking with my kids above the house at Christmas time, it was eerie to see some of the blue oaks leafing out with lush green leaves more appropriate for mid March. That was unusual. And it was shocking to see a redbud in full flower along Pentz Rd in December! Many of the manzanitas in Dry Creek Canyon had finished flowering well before the new year began. Not unusual for some, but for the majority to have accelerated their flower¬ ing, was out of the ordinary. In my last column I wrote of spending time observing flower visitors on manzanitas which included two plants of the cultivar ‘Howard McMinn’ that were planted out 10 years ago on my property. I pass them every morning when I take my dog for a walk and stop to study them, to see what I can see. Mostly bumble bees - Bombus melanopygus - the black faced bumble bee, were present. What I began to notice was how early in the morning they would be working the flowers. Cold weather is a deterrent to bees. Honey bees generally don’t fly until temperatures warm to 55°. Bumble bees can tolerate more cold - but how much more surprised me. While I’m not always the scientific sort, I did move a thermometer and attached it to the fence next to the manazanitas. One morning it was 45° and I thought that was pretty chilly for the bees. But then the temperatures began to plummet. The next morning it was 37° - eight degrees colder and there they were, going from flower to flower seemingly oblivious to the cold. The next morning the low temperature by the house was 23°. As I approached the plants on my walk I scanned that plants and listened - amazingly I heard a faint buzzing. It is just below freezing, 31°, and here were two bumble bees visiting the flowers! It was on one of those cold mornings that I also observed a half dozen bees cling¬ ing to the flowers - not moving. My first thought was ‘are they still alive?’ I put one in my hand, put my hand in the pocket of my jacket and within a few minutes I could feel the bee moving. So they weren’t dead - they had survived a night that had dropped down to 23°! The fact that they survived the cold was surprising, but just as surprising, why were male bumble bees out and about this early in the season? 4. The Pipevine April 2018 Male bumble bees do not sleep in the nest with the queen and the female worker bees, - they have to ‘camp’ out. In my garden in July, I have seen close to 50 male bumble bees scattered among the branches of a shrubby salvia in the evening and the following mornings. The male bees I observed on the manzanita did not make it through the second 23° night. There had been a late afternoon rain the day before, the temperatures dropped quickly and I found two of the bees on the flowers in the morning covered in frost - they sadly did not respond to the warmth of my hand that morning. According to Robbin Thorp, Professor Emeritus UC Davis and co author of North American Bumble Bees, the males of this species (which he said is an early emerging species) don’t usually appear until mid April, long after the establishment of a population of female worker bees. Why were they so early? Was it the warm December and January that confused the normal cycle of this bumble bee species? Or just a random anomaly. Bumble bees are not warm blooded but they have developed a system for regulat¬ ing their body temperature which has been studied and written about by the zoolo¬ gist Bernd Heinrich and others. Besides being hairy, bumble bees have the ability to warm themselves by ‘shivering’ their flight muscles. They come from a warm nest and as long as they keep moving they are able to maintain flight even at low temperatures. The queen uses this method to keep the brood cells warm in the late winter early spring from which the first female worker bees emerge. Robbin Thorp surmised, after I relayed what I had witnessed, was that the nest must be close by - that they would lose too much heat if they had to travel a distance when the temperatures were in the 30°s The cold spell had other casualties. The bountiful display of pipevine, Aristolochia californica, flowers was just beginning in along my road. Clambering and weaving through a thicket of willow, oak and toyon there were hundreds and hundreds of this most unusual flower - some in bud, some fully open. I was anticipating having plenty of opportunities to photograph the tiny fungus gnats that pollinate them. However two days after the chilling cold, all the flowers and most the leaves turned mushy not unlike a tender salvia or geranium, that I might forget to cover when freezing temps are forecast. We don’t think of our native plants reacting this way to the weather, but on occasion it happens. The large valley oak that shades the east side of my house and frames the view from my study was impacted by the cold as well. Many of the newly emerging leaves and flowers are crisp and brown. I’m not worried about it producing more leaves, but the flowers were formed months ago and won’t be replaced this year. The Pipevine April 2018 5. President’s Message by PAUL MOORE, President W e are entering the normal exciting time of spring. We can see the interesting blooms which we have followed for years and begin to recognize unusual or remote plants in our many environments. It is also an exciting time for our organization and the opportunities it provides plant lovers like our members. As you know, this organization is run by very committed and talented volunteers. There are a number of leader¬ ship roles available now and we would encourage and welcome your interest and willingness to help. Please think about it and let any of us on the board know of your interest. THANK YOU AND WELCOME. Executive Board Meeting APRIL 18, 2018 TBA ALL CNPS MEMBERS WELCOME! 39TH ENDANGERED SPECIES FAIRE L ooking for volunteers to help staff our table on Saturday May 5 from 11-4. Please contact me to sign up for a two hour time slot. I could also use help with set up from 8-10. ESF will be held in Bidwell Park at Cedar Grove. Janna Lathrop 530 228 0010 MOUNT LASSEN CHAPTER Supports CHICO SCIENCE FAIR O nce again the CNPS Mount Lassen Chapter participated in the Chico Science Fair held on the first weekend of March at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds. Ann Elliott and Hesh Kaplan represented the Chapter in judging the student projects. Each exhibit was evaluated for scientific merit and relevance to the environment and the CNPS mission. Winners received a certificate and a backpack containing a supply of materials needed to prepare a Plant Journal. Grade 2: AVERY HANKINS, Forest Ranch Charter School “How quickly can the soil absorb water?” Grade 3: CHLOE ALLEN and JAKE CRIKELLAS-DETMER Parkview School, “Plant Music” Grade 6: EMMA LUND, CORE, Butte County Charter School “Journeys in Germination” Grade 8: HAYLEY MEYER, Notre Dame School “Almonds ... Your Grass Will Go Nuts Over Them!” NATIVE PLANT GARDEN CHICO CREEK NATURE CENTER APRIL 19 Thursday 8-10 am Contact ANN ELLIOTT Annonfire@gmail.com 530-521-4402 These businesses support the goals of the CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY MEMBERS GET 10% DISCOUNT .A^Avt Fersnnisls, Herbs Nillivf Tree'. ..nit $r.r.ihs ■Nancy Schieiger C-rtifiL-i: Piiin ioT-ure Designer By appointment na;i vespt TOg^nurseryrijsinai Lcom IS” - Cummings! cme natrYespringsmtn ery, com FLORAL NATIVE NURSERY 2511 Floral Avenue Chico, California 95973-2511 Telephone/]'ax: (530) B92-2511 E-mail: canaHve^'shocking.com LITTLE RED' HEN NURSERY Stfwtg (MtiffEtuotii Adults with ('ompr of $|h & Wall Stiff! ■ T7.hali:f A'niB'iO Clive,i'A MVfiK FAX-144 v-u.4 Bm.i illiHvk-1^1.. uliiC.il.Mi' discount applies only to plants 1367 Edit Ave, Chico | 530.894.5410 | www.MagnoliaGardening.com 6 . The Pipevine April 2018 VERNAL POOL LANDSCAPES PAST, PRESENT, and FUTURE APRIL 11, 12, and 13, 2018 Vernal Pool Landscapes: Past, Present, and Future, a confer¬ ence that will be held in Chico, California on, April 11 and 12, 2018 at the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company in Chico. Eminent scholars, agency representatives, other professionals will present research studies regarding plant and animal species dependent on vernal pool landscapes, conservation efforts, and management techniques that have been used to enhance the economic and biological viability of certain lands. Field trips on April 13,2018. Registration on theAquAlliance web site along with program updates at: www.aqualliance.net. HOSPITALITY Desert / goodies NEEDED for General Meetings, April 4 and May 2. Contact KarroLynn at 530 534-3551 or karrolynny@att.net. THANK YOU to Meryl Bond and Janna Lathrop. MEMBERSHIP MLC If you have changed your. . . address, phone number or e-mail or leave temporarily please notify Mount Lassen Chapter CNPS Membership Chair, MERYL BOND at 530 487-7312 or merylbond@sbcglobal.net This will help eliminate returned Pipevines from the Post Office. Keep up with MLC Activities on our website and Facebook California Native Plant Society, Mount Lassen Chapter and LIKE US mountlassen.cnps.org Officers & Chairs ELECTED OFFICERS (530) President PAUL MOORE 343-4287 Past-President pmoore@csuchico.edu WOODY ELLIOTT 588-2555 Vice-President woodyelliott@gmail.com CINDY WEINER 588-1906 wildflowermaven@comcast.net Secretary CHRISTIAN SMIT 815-5892 Treasurer Members-at-Large christian.pt.smit@gmail.com NANCY PRAIZLER 899-1333 praizlermom@gmail.com MERYL BOND 487-7312 merylbond@sbcglobal.net DODY DOMISH dodyod36@gmail.com PAULA SHAPIRO paulashapiro49@gmail.com TOM RESK thomask@sbcglobal.net CHAIRS Conservation / Web Administrator WOODY ELLIOTT Education Events 588-2555 woodyelliott@gmail.com JUSTINE DEVOE 917-7891 justinedevoeca@gmail.com JANNA LATHROP 228 0010 jlathrop4mlc@comcast.net Field Trips Horticulture Hospitality Invasive Plants Membership/Mailing MERYL BOND MARJORIE MCNAIRN mlmcnairn@aol.com OPEN KARROLYNN YELLS karrolynny@att.net OPEN 343-2397 534-3551 487-7312 merylbond@sbcglobal.net DENISE DEVINE 345-8444 dsrdevine@hotmail.com JIM BISHOP cjbishopl 991 @sb eg lobal.net WOODY ELLIOTT 588-2555 woodyelliott@gmail.com CINDY WEINER 588-1906 wildflowermaven@comcast.net OPEN NANCY PRAIZLER 899-1333 praizlermom@gmail.com Vol. Recognition / Chapter Council Delegate CATIE BISHOP cjbishopl 991 @sb eg lobal.net CHRISTIAN SMIT 815-5892 christian.pt.smit@gmail.com ANN ELLIOTT 521-4402 annonfire@gmail.com Newsletter Editor Programs Co-chairs Publicity Rare Plants Sales Yahi Trail CCNC Gardens The Pipevine April 2018 7. MOUNT LASSEN CHAPTER CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY P. O. BOX 4067 CHICO, CA 95927-4067 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Chico, CA Permit No. 553 Time Value APRIL 2018 issue Pipevine Phyllis would say Join Today ! MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY I wish to affiliate with the Mount Lassen Chapter Name Address City _ State new renew Zip Phone Email Send Membership Application to: CNPS 2707 K STREET, SUITE 1 SACRAMENTO, CA 95816-5113 mountlassen.cnps.org Student / Limited Income. $25 Individual. $45 Family / Library. $75 Plant Lover. $100 Patron. $300 Benefactor. $600 Calendar March 31 - Vina Plains April 4 - General Meeting 8 - Hog Lake Plateau 11 -13 - Vernal Pool Conference 15 - 23 - CA Native Plant Week 18 - Ex Board Meeting 19- CCNC Garden Workday 21 - Sutter Buttes 22 - Vina Plains 28 - Waters Gulch Trail May 2 - General Meeting 6 - Vina Plains 16- Ex Board Meeting MAY 2018 P m "*"he • ipevine Newsletter of the Mount Lassen Chapter CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY General Meeting Hoplitis bee (Megachilidae) in Collinsia tinctoria (Plantaginaceae) by John Whittlesey MAY 2, 2018 Wednesday 7:00 pm Butte County Library, Chico Having Diverse NATIVE BEES in Your Garden Presented by ROB SCHLISING R ob Schlising received graduate degrees in botany and entomology at the Universities of Wisconsin and California, and later settled at Chico State University. He taught classes in ecology and botany, mentored a good number of graduate students in botany and biology, and published field research. After retirement native bees became attractive, and he gambled on drasti¬ cally modifying conditions on his small property in Chico to attract as many kinds of native bees as possible. This involved total removal of lawns, and building beds for the kinds of plants that provide plenty of nectar and pol¬ len in their flowers. He planted a grand mixture of native and horticultural plants. It worked! Rob’s spot has been surveyed for several years now for information used by the University of California’s urban bee project, and over 40 different kinds of native bees have been observed here. In this talk, Rob will first mention why this focus on native bees is important. He will illustrate how his new garden came about and also which native bees one sees here. He will describe pleasures and benefits of “hosting” a diversity of these beautiful and interesting little animals, and will also point out unexpected (but actually, good) consequences of having this “native bee garden.” Finally, he will list flowers that are known to be “bee magnets” in urban Chico. Field Trip® VINA PLAINS PRESERVE May 6 Sunday Meet at DeGarmo Park in Chico (off the Esplanade, south of Shasta School) at 9:30 am or at the preserve gate at 9:45. Bring hat, water and windbreaker as needed for the day, and wear strong shoes for walking on lumpy soil for about 1 mile round trip in The Nature Conservancy’s Vina Plains Preserve north of Chico. Depending on the weather we may see de¬ pauperate milk-vetch, Howell’s dodder and possibly seed¬ lings of one of the Orcutt grasses, which are a few of the rare plans found at Via Plains Preserve. Space is limited. Please reserve contact MLMcNairn@aol.com or 530 343-2397. Leaders: Rob Schlising and Marjorie McNaim 530 343-2397 MAGALIA SERPENTINE May 12 Saturday Meet at Chico Park & Ride west lot (Hwy 32 & 99) at 9 am or at parking area at the intersection of Skyway and Coutolenc Road at 9:45. Bring sturdy shoes, sun/insect protection, lunch and water. This trip is a special request by a member who wanted to see certain plants in bloom such as larkspur, possibly bush poppy and especially Lewis Rose’s ragwort. We will walk down the hill to the head dam on the West Branch of the Feather River for lunch, and climb the hill back to the trailhead. Three miles round trip. Leader: Marjorie Mc- Nairn 530 343-2397 BIG BALD ROCK PLUMAS NATIONAL FOREST May 27 Sunday Meet at Chico Park & Ride west lot (Hwy 32 & 99) at 9 am with lunch, water, sturdy shoes and money for ride sharing. Well drive east of Oroville to Big Bald Rock, a large granite outcropping, and enjoy expensive views of the valley and Coast Ranges while exploring for flowering plants. Leader: Marjorie McNairn 530-343-2397 DAVID ANDERSON t is with deep sadness that we announce the death of one of our long-term members, David Anderson, 95, at home on February 24, 2018. His wife, Carolyn died at home 16 days later. David joined Mount Lassen Chapter CNPS in June of 1988. As an Executive Board member starting in 1991, he was Treasurer, Secretary, Conservation Chair and Legislative Chair. He also led field trips to trails in the Ma- galia area where he lived. While in his chair positions he wrote monthly “Conservation Re¬ ports” and “Legislative Notes” for the Pipevine newsletter. He was the first and last member to occupy the Legislative Chair, from November 1995 to 2016, and after his retirement from that position he continued to write a monthly “Legis¬ lative Note” for the Pipevine. His last note was December 2017. There are some CNPS mem¬ bers who will remember his more active years, and his conscientious and consistent support of our chapter. His legal background as a re¬ tired attorney gave us invaluable guidance on the critical issues of those years. We remember him with gratitude and honor. 2 . The Pipevine May 2018 Special SERF Species at the MAGALIA OUTCROP by MARJORIE MCNAIRN, Field Trip Chair S eldom is there as much enthusiasm and awe gener¬ ated on a field trip as the one to the Magalia fawn lilies March 24, 2018. It was announced at the beginning that we would need to maneuver down the steep and rocky trail to experience the impressive show, but if desired, a person could meet us further downslope by following the open road. Everyone took the rugged trail. Almost immediately there were “oohs” and “aahs” befitting the massive display of Sierra fawn lilies crowding the slopes all the way down the ridge to where the trail met the road. This species is so named for the multiple scapes arising from the basal leaves, and each with only one flower. The blos¬ soms we saw were heavy and nodding after recent rains rather than facing outward. This species, Erythronium multiscapideum, is tolerant of serpentine soils and is found primarily in northern California east of the Sacramento Valley in the Sierra foothills. As if the masses of fawn lilies were not enough we soon came upon one of the several rare species growing in this serpentine outcrop. Fritillaria eastwoodiae, otherwise known as Butte County fritillary is sometimes found on serpentine. It has a Rare Plant Listing of 3.2, which means more information is needed and it is fairly endangered. Although there were only a few plants in bloom, they presented an appealing photo-op for the photographers. It took Robert, our knowl¬ edgeable botanist, to iden¬ tify a rare plant still in its vegetative state as Packera eurycephalus var. lewis- rosei. It is a California endemic with a CNPS Rare Plant Rank of 1B.2, which means it is very rare, and is threatened or endangered in California and elsewhere. It is also a strict endemic to serpentine soil, meaning it will only grow on serpentine. It attracted our attention first by its interesting highly-divided, ruffled leaf structure. Flower buds were not yet evident, which prompted a request (demand?) right then and there that we must return in one month, or maybe later since it blooms from March through June. MacNab cypress is not a rare plant, and is scattered in many small groves throughout the inner northern California Coast Range and the foothills of the northern Sierra Nevada. It is happy growing in the harsh, dry, low-nutrient soils of serpentine and ultra- mafic formations. It is a shrub or small tree with leaves in dense, short flat sprays. Most Cali¬ fornia cypresses do not have flat sprays. We inspected the leaves, and the small white glands that produce the sticky resin with a strong spicy scent. Along the road in the serpentine chaparral we found Quercus durata var. durata , a scrub oak, which grows only in California and is a strict serpentine endemic. The acorn cups were hanging on, and occasionally an acorn could be found. The leaves of this small shrubby oak were leathery, hence the name leather oak, with stellate hairs growing on the underside, giving it a paler ap¬ pearance than the top of the leaf. The last special species is a fern, Aspidotis densa, or Indian’s dream. This little fern is quite similar to the Aspidotis californica or California lace fern we saw in Bidwell Park along the up¬ per Yahi Trail, but this fern has a strong affinity to serpentine soil, and A. californica does not. To tell them apart one must turn the leaf over and look at the false indusium, which consists of the edge of the leaf rolled under to cover the sori. Or if you know you are on serpentine, you will know the little fern is Aspidotis densa. Above - Fritillaria eastwoodiae, Rare Plant Listing of 3.2 The Pipevine May 2018 3. OBSERVATIONS bumble bee in redbud female carpenter bee showing pollen HSn female carpenter bee around nest IN THE COMPANY OF FLOWERS REDBUD AND CARPENTER BEES by JOHN WHITTLESEY L ate March / early April is redbud time. Drive up any of the ridges leading from the valley into the foothills and you can’t help but notice vase-shaped shrubs - or small trees, exploding with magenta pink flowers. There is nothing subtle about them when in bloom. Likewise driving through the streets of Chico the redbuds can’t be missed - blooming after the magnolias, and before the dogwoods they are the standout tree for several weeks. Many of these planted in gardens and as small street trees are not the California native (Cercis occidenta- lis) but the eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis). Though I’ve not spent time in the company of the eastern redbud, I would imagine the variety of flower visitors is not all that different than those attracted to our native species. This year the flowering of the redbud that grows alongside my deck coincided with the emergence of the carpenter bees. From my vantage point it was a mutually happy experience for the redbud and the bees. For a week, until the recent storm, the activity was intense. Female and male carpenter bees vying for nectar, the females also busy gathering pollen and the hyperactive males chasing after the females. There is a lot going on in the company of flowers! Carpenter bees get a bad rap. The people who don’t really care about flowers malign carpenter bees for boring into wood - fences, sheds, telephone poles etc consider them pests. For those interested in flowers and pollinators the carpenter bees are labeled as thieves or robbers of nectar - not doing their fair share when it comes to pollination. And there is probably some fear because of their size - they are California’s largest native bee. I am a strong defender of carpenter bees and have lived with them harmoniously for thirty plus years on my homestead. The packing shed, from where we shipped plants around the country, has been home to a healthy population of the mountain carpenter bee, Xylocopa californica. Soon after I built the shed using 1x12” cedar siding in 1987, they moved in. During the spring months myself, and employees, wrapped and packed plants while listening to the humming buzz of the bees. It was the vibration of the females constructing the nesting tunnels that we could hear, along with the more intense buzzing of the males flying and hovering nearby to protect the nests and keeping an eye on the females. One of my employees called them ‘flying chainsaws’ - they were that noisy. The shed is still standing, de¬ spite some of the siding being riddled with see-through holes - mostly due to acorn woodpeckers who expose the tunnels looking for the bee’s larvae . 4. The Pipevine Mayl 2018 While some studies show they are not always the most efficient pollinators they are steady workers, demonstrating a high degree of flower constancy (working the same species of flower - which is beneficial to that species) and visit flowers non¬ stop through the heat of the summer. They are very early risers in the summer and have become familiar early morning companions. When I take my cup of coffee out onto the deck just as the day is breaking I am greeted by their rhythmic buzz¬ ing - well before the robin’s daybreak song and early enough that there is not even adequate light to discern the flower color of the salvias they are tending to. Yes, they can take nectar by biting a hole in the corolla, but this is frequently on non-native plants such as the salvias with tubular flowers. On the redbud they take the straight on approach, landing on the keel of the flower and probing into the corolla for the nectar - their face pressed up against the base of the flower, sometimes with just their big grey eyes showing. The stamens are located in the keel of the flower. When ripe and the bee lands on the flower the stamens become exposed, depositing pollen on the underside of the bee - of any sex. The females will then comb the pollen onto the hairs of her back legs to bring back to the nest to provision for their young. For a few days in early April the carpenter bee activity was intense with maybe two dozen bees - a mix of males and females. But clearly it was the male energy that dominated the scene. Watching them fly in and out of the redbud branches brings to mind scenes in adventure movies of fighter jets or helicopters flying between buildings in a big city under siege, or in deep canyons with abrupt turns and drops in elevation. The aerial maneuvers of the males are impressive. While they fre¬ quently paused for a nectar break, there was a dizzying amount of activity. The fe¬ males went about their business, seemingly unawares of the antics of the males. Occasionally a male (they are noticeably smaller than the females) would attempt to mate with the female while she was at a flower and at times, the weight of him would cause them to go into free fall before he was dislodged or she readjusted to the added weight and flew to the next flower continuing on with her business. Usually there is more of a mix of flower visitors to redbuds than what I observed this season. I think that the high energy of the carpenter bees this year inhibited other potential pollinators. Osmias including the Blue Orchard Bee are reliably seen and can be identified by their glossy, blue-green black bodies with the abdo¬ men underside covered with pollen (in females). Redbuds are blooming when the pipevine swallowtails are emerging, so they are often seen nectaring along with bumble bees, honey bees and the occasional syrphid fly stopping for nectar or pollen. Redbuds are excellent plants to attract an array of flower visitors. male carpenter bee male carpenter bee syrphid fly eating pollen on redbud The Pipevine May 2018 5. Conservation Updates by WOODY ELLIOTT, Conservation Chair These businesses support the goals of the STONEGATE DEVELOPMENT and the BUTTE California native plant society RESOURCE CONSERVATION PLAN RISE AGAIN members GET 10% DISCOUNT T he expansive Stonegate development proposal in southeast Chico straddles Bruce Rd between E 20th St and the Skyway. It will impact our area’s diminishing and sensitive vernal pools and wetland sloughs that harbor federal and state protected Butte County meadowfoam (BCM) and a colorful spring blooming landscape. Its DRAFT Environmental Impact Report is available for review at: http://www.chico.ca.us/plan- ning_services/DraftEIRStonegateProject.asp. Written comments on its merits are due by May 24, 2018. Your views can also be expressed at the Stonegate Project Public Meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 3, 2018 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at Chico City Council Chambers. The project’s extent, in the heart of the range of BCM, has been removed from the next iteration of the Butte Regional Conservation Plan (BRCP) sched¬ uled to commence in a few months by the Butte County Association of Governments. Mount Lassen Chapter will attend stakeholder meetings advocating for a functional plan that conserves the many sensitive plant and animal resources in western Butte Co, especially BCM, the principal rational for developing the BRCP. PEREGRINE POINT DISC GOLF COURSE T he City of Chico is diminishing ORAI’s (Chico Outsiders) role in maintaining the mitigation and monitoring measures required by the Calif. Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to protect natural resources at Peregrine Point Disc Golf Course and absorbing this increased cost despite the City’s budget deficiencies. ORAI’s role, prescribed in their Operating Agreement with the City that was signed in 2010 and renewed in 2016 states “Operator (ORAI) shall, at its sole cost and expense, maintain the premises and all disc golf improvements .. in good repair..”. This contract implements policy adopted by the City Council in 2009 as recommended by the Bidwell Park & Playground Commission (BPPC) in 2008. The City has not cooperated with ORAI to fulfill this policy for the last several years presumably because ORAI has been unable. The City’s rational for substituting its scarce resources for ORAI’s is an unsubstantiated, significant increased use of the course by hikers and mountain bikers. Regardless, the City (BPPC and Council) is solely legally responsible for maintaining legally required mitigation measures and monitoring their effectiveness at the course. Mount Lassen Chapter will continue to encourage the City to meet its obligations to preserve the natural resources of the course. FLORAL NATIVE NURSRRY 2511 Floral Avenue Chico, California 95973-2511 Tdephone/Fax; {530) 892-2511 E-mail: canalivaSishoddng.com ASdiMc NtMtkfy Peienniflls, Herbs Nalivc frers jmiE Shrubs Nancy Schleiger Ctfrtifiei Pirmacu'ture Desigaci By appointmirnL ijallvcsnriij^oyj-jcEj-yj.gjrnail.com 5?i;i.?74 -W i cujitmiags r.wii Durham, i’A93«H : w ttativeyprfijgjfcurs try. com m RED HEN NURSERY Seraflg Children and Adults with Disunities <'timer or flth ^ Wall Street ■ ■Chico ■ Unique Perennials, Annuals, Garden Art & More! LittleRedHen.org discount applies only to plants 1367 East Ave, Chtco | 530 894.5410 | www.MagnoliaGardening.com 6 . The Pipevine May 2018 Officers & Chairs Executive Board Meeting MAY 16, 2018 TBA ALL CNPS MEMBERS WELCOME! NATIVE PLANT GARDEN CHICO CREEK NATURE CENTER MAY 17 Thursday 8-10 am Contact ANN ELLIOTT Annonfire@gmail.com 530-521-4402 MEMBERSHIP MLC If you have changed your. . . address, phone number or e-mail or leave temporarily please notify Mount Lassen Chapter CNPS Membership Chair, MERYL BOND at 530 487-7312 or merylbond@sbcglobal.net This will help eliminate returned Pipevines from the Post Office. Thank You Keep up with MLC Activities on our website and Facebook California Native Plant Society, Mount Lassen Chapter and LIKE US facebook ELECTED OFFICERS President Past-President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Members-at-Large ( 530 ) 343-4287 PAUL MOORE pmoore@csuchico.edu WOODY ELLIOTT 588-2555 woodyelliott@gmail.com CINDY WEINER 588-1906 wildflowermaven@comcast.net CHRISTIAN SMIT 815-5892 christian.pt.smit@gmail.com NANCY PRAIZLER 899-1333 praizlermom@gmail.com MERYL BOND 487-7312 merylbond@sbcglobal.net DODY DOMISH dodyod36@gmail.com PAULA SHAPIRO paulashapiro49@gmail.com TOM RESK thomask@sbcglobal.net CHAIRS Conservation / Web Administrator WOODY ELLIOTT Education Events 588-2555 woodyelliott@gmail.com JUSTINE DEVOE 917-7891 justinedevoeca@gmail.com JANNA LATHROP 228 0010 jlathrop4mlc@comcast.net Field Trips Horticulture Hospitality Invasive Plants Membership/Mailing MERYL BOND MARJORIE MCNAIRN mlmcnairn@aol.com OPEN KARROLYNN YELLS karrolynny@att.net OPEN 343-2397 534-3551 487-7312 merylbond@sbcglobal.net DENISE DEVINE 345-8444 dsrdevine@hotmail.com JIM BISHOP cj bishop 1991 @sbcg lobal.net WOODY ELLIOTT 588-2555 woodyelliott@gmail.com CINDY WEINER 588-1906 wildflowermaven@comcast.net OPEN NANCY PRAIZLER 899-1333 praizlermom@gmail.com Vol. Recognition / Chapter Council Delegate CATIE BISHOP cj bishop 1991 @sb eg I obal.net CHRISTIAN SMIT 815-5892 christian.pt.smit@gmail.com ANN ELLIOTT 521-4402 annonfire@gmail.com Newsletter Editor Programs Co-chairs Publicity Rare Plants Sales Yahi Trail CCNC Gardens mountlassen.cnps.org The Pipevine May 2018 7. MOUNT LASSEN CHAPTER CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY P. O. BOX 4067 CHICO, CA 95927-4067 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Chico, CA Permit No. 553 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Time Value MAY 2018 issue Phyllis would say Join Today ! MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY I wish to affiliate with the Mount Lassen Chapter new renew Calendar 2W8 April 28 - Waters Gulch Trail Name _ Address _ City _ State _ Zip _ Phone Email _ Send Membership Application to: CNPS 2707 K STREET, SUITE 1 SACRAMENTO, CA 95816-5113 mountlassen.cnps.org Student / Limited Income. $25 Individual. $45 Family / Library. $75 Plant Lover. $100 Patron. $300 Benefactor. $600 May 2 - General Meeting 5 - Endangered Species Faire 6 - Vina Plains 12- Magalia Hike 16- Ex Board Meeting 17- CCNC Garden Workday 27 - Big Bald Rock JUNE 2018 P . Th e . ipevme Newsletter of the Mount Lassen Chapter CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY General Meeting SUMMER BREAK until September 5, 2018 JUNE 3, 2018 Sunday 2-4 pm OUR SUMMER SOCIAL returns to the shaded yard along Comanche Creek. JOIN other Mount Lassen Chapter members for a potluck, barbeque, and relaxed afternoon on Sunday, June 3 from 2 - 4 at 501 Paseo Companeros St (south of lower Fair St) along Comanche Creek. COME to visit about growing native plants, plan summer native plant excursions, discuss local and state conservation issues, or just to shoot the breeze. BRING your favorite potluck item and something to barbecue, your drink of choice, and folding chair convenient for eating. The Chapter will provide plates, cups, and cutlery. Refrigeration is available. The yard has some tables and seating. Please contact Woody Elliott woodyelliott@gmail.com, 530-588-2555 if you have a portable table you could bring. See you there ! BIG CHICO CREEK DAY USE AREA BIDWELL SACRAMENTO RIVER STATE PARK June 17, Sunday Explore the riparian and floodplain habitats near the mouth of Big Chico Creek adjacent to River Rd west of Chico. We’ll walk along a little used loop trail through a former almond orchard. State Parks acquired these 40 acres, 20 years ago which has become an integral part of the Sacramento River Conservation Area. To beat the heat, meet at Chico Park & Ride (Hwy 32/99) at 8 am to return by 11 am unless lunching at Scotty’s for burg¬ ers and brew. Leader: Woody Elliott, State Park natural resource manager who restored the site 530-588-2555, woodyelliott@gmail.com BUTTE CREEK HOUSE ECOLOGICAL RESERVE LASSEN NATIONAL FOREST PHYTOBLITZ with FOH July 7, Saturday Meet at Chico Park & Ride (Hwy 32/99) at 9 am with lunch water, sun and insect protection, money for ridesharing. Mount Lassen Chapter CNPS and Friends of the Herbar¬ ium CSUC will join in a field event, PHYTOBLITZ - find¬ ing as many kinds of plants during several hours at the meadow. We need sharp eyes and a good voice to ask, “What’s this?” and you can enjoy exploring this beautiful 320 acre preserve. We’ll car-pool for a 75-minute drive, some of it will be on dusty roads as we progress past Jonesville. The large meadow is at about 6000 ft elev, and is surrounded by subalpine forest of lodgepole pine. The meadow has dry regions (where the pine is invad¬ ing), and moist to wet regions with the upper reaches of Butte Creek winding through them. Not recommended for children, dogs not permitted on the Reserve. To reserve contact: Robert Schlising, Robert Fischer, and Marjorie McNairn 530-343-2397 ormlmcnairn@aol.com 1 trips; for a W1L0FLOWER WEEKEND! CASTLE LAKE TO HEART LAKE SHASTA-TRINITY NATIONAL FOREST July 14, Saturday Meet at Chico Park & Ride (Hwy 32/99) to leave by 8:30 am. Take a lunch, water, sturdy shoes, sun/insect protec¬ tion, money for ridesharing. Drive 1-5 past Shasta Lake and rugged Castle Crags to the Mt Shasta exit, 95 miles, then southwest on paved county and forest roads to the Castle Lake trailhead. The moderate 2-mile round trip, trail skirts the eastern shore of Castle Lake, at 5436 ft. The trail climbs 600 feet in elevation through several wild- flower habitats and subalpine hanging meadows. Heart Lake is perched in granite cliffs at 6000 ft. Spectacular view of Mt Shasta across the valley. Call for alternate meeting. Leader: Marjorie McNairn 530-343-2397. Lodg¬ ing at Weed or camping at Kangaroo Lake http://www. californiasbestcamping.com/modoc/kangaroo.html THE FEN TRAIL AT KANGAROO LAKE KLAMATH NATIONAL FOREST July 15, Sunday Meet at the Fen Trail at 9 am. Wear Sturdy hiking shoes, bring lunch, water, sun/mosquito protection. This special place is a botanically unique areas of the Klamath Na¬ tional Forest. The Fen Trail is within a designated Bo¬ tanical Special Interest Area with many unusual botanical and geologic features, uncommon species and features such as fens with rare California pitcher plants, and ser¬ pentine rock outcrops with numerous US Forest Service listed Sensitive and Klamath Watch List plant species. It is a beautiful hike with expansive views from the top of the Scott and Trinity River Divide. The trail is an easy 1 mile one way climb with a 600 ft elev gain ending at 6000 ft. If there is time and energy we may continue up the ridge to Cory Peak. Reservations contact Leader: Marjo¬ rie McNairn 503 343-2397 or mlmcnairn@aol.com Lodging /camping info see above, Castle to Heart Lake MORE fSBLD TRIPS tm [p a g e 1§* 2 . The Pipevine June 2018 Goodbye Janna Volunteer Extraordinaire Thank You! John Copeland and Janna at Jonesville Meadow July 4, 2004 by CATIEAND JIM BISHOP J ANNA LATHROP, our Events Chair and a real Chapter mainstay, will be leaving the area this month, and the Mount Lassen Chapter wants to say THANK YOU. Anyone who has come to a General Meeting has seen Janna. She is the one who sets up the information table, helps set out chairs, greets and signs in attendees, and makes announcements about upcoming events. Our Chapter could not thrive without the conscientious volunteerism that Janna embodies. Over the years Janna has been our President and held several other positions on the Board. For many years she made sure our Chapter was represented at community events even before her current title of Events Chair was codified .Until recently she even stored the tables, chairs, brochures, and presentation boards in her small apartment between events. She has given up countless weekend days staffing a table to educate the public and promote native plants. She has led field trips, and has coordinated and helped judge the Chico school science fair. Janna’s pleasant personality and happy demeanor have made her a joy to work with. She is organized, capable and trustworthy, and we have been so lucky to know her and have her in our Chapter. Now she is leaving the state to start a new chapter in her life. We wish her all the best. We want her to know how much she will be missed, and how much we appreciate all she has done for CNPS and our Chapter. Jim Bishop, Janna Lathrop and Catie Bishop at Mount Lassen Chapter CNPS May 2, 2018 General Meeting. Thank You photo and flower presention to Janna. The Pipevine June 2018 3. A VINA PLAINS PRESERVE tricolored monkeyflower (Mimulus tricolor) O n the occasion of the 35th Anniversary of the dedication of Vina Plains Preserve by the Nature Conservancy this spring, we enjoyed three field trips to this special spot. Planned to take in early, mid- season, and later blooms, all of them were on the Main Unit, which was dedicated in 1983. Since that time additional units have been added. The preserve contains excellent examples of wildflower grasslands and vernal pools. Cows still graze on the unit with the purpose of keeping the annual grasses eaten down except for Medusa head (which from a cow’s point of view is inedible) in order to enhance the flower display. The Medusa head is a non-native invasive grass which overpowers and replaces native plants. It is hopefully controlled by burning one unit a year on a rotating basis. Because of the “spring-in-winter” and “winter-in-spring” weather pattern this year, some of the early flowers were blooming at the same time as those that normally bloom later. For example some Johnny tuck was blooming at the same time as the vernal pool rings were forming. A few plants of bicolored lupine were still blooming when the California brodiaea was putting on a grand show. Because of lack of rain in January and February the sheets of color from annuals were less evident, although there was a good display of tidy tips midseason, and the rings of color around the pools were best developed by the time of the last field trip. In both of the last two field trips we were delighted to find the tricolored monkeyflower. A handout was given on the landscape, and some important organisms that are found on the preserve, such as the endangered fairy shrimp in the vernal pools. Another hand¬ out was a list of plants most likely to be seen on that particular date. These checklist handouts stimulated a goal of looking to see how many clovers could be found, or an answer to the question of what kind of brodiaea is TFIAT one? The key was brought out and with much discussion, the ques¬ tion was answered. We recorded four brodiaeas on the last trip, and four clovers on the previous one. The three field trips were a fitting celebration for the 35th Year anniversary of Vina Plains Preserve. 4. The Pipevine June 2018 A Delightful Walk Along WATERS GULCH TRAIL by MARJORIE MCNAIRN, Field Trip Chair T he exploration of a trail to find two rare plants yielded way more than expected. As was explained to me, what makes this a botanically unique trail is the diversity of species, including those out of range, such as species usually found at higher elevation, or species normally seen in the coast range. The Shasta snow wreath (Neviusia cliftonii), a very rare shrub of the rose family was blooming. It was first discovered in 1992, and an article was written about its discovery in a recent Fremontia. Shasta maidenhair fern ( Adiantum shastense) grows beneath the Shasta snow wreath on moist shady north slopes. It has an interesting history as it was collected in 1895 and mislabeled as the common maidenhair fern. Nearly 100 years later in 1993 it was collected and again mislabeled. It was not until 2015, when it was identified as a unique and rare species and a description was written by L. Huiet. It differs from the common maidenhair fern by having diamond-shaped pinnae instead of rounded ones, and the fronds are evergreen, while A. jordanii dies back in the dry summer. There was much more than rare plants to see in the varied habitats along the trail. We saw blooming pussy ears and firecracker flower all over the place, and mule’s ears and Chinese caps, Ceanothus lemmonii and snowdrop bush, fernleaf lomatium and red larkspur. We saw yellow California puccoon, yellow helianthella, and yellow and red columbine. We saw blue Danny’s skullcap and blue Parish’s bush nightshade, white bastard toadflax and a whole hillside of white starflower. And we saw a monardella not in bloom. I learned a new plant, the yellow false lupine ( Thermopsis macropylla var. venosa) and was overjoyed in discovering the familiar umbrella plant growing along the creek bank. Orobanche was blooming and we found about eight ferns. As the weatherman predicted, it was moist and misty with one good shower, and perhaps that helped contribute to a delightful and unforgettable day. Marjorie with Shasta maidenhair fern (Adiantum shastense) Shasta snow wreath (Neviusia cliftonii) The Pipevine June 2018 5. OBSERVATIONS IN THE COMPANY OF FLOWERS IN THE GARDEN by JOHN WHITTLESEY F lowers attract bees. The more diverse the flowers, the more diverse the bees. And if a high proportion of the flowering plants are California native plants, the diversity of pollinators increases even more. This we learned from Rob Schlising’s great talk at the May General Meeting. We also learned that there is a direct relationship between the effort one puts into a garden creating diverse habitats and food sources and the numbers and kinds of bees that visit. Effort pays off, as Rob’s intensely planted garden demonstrates. Not every gardener can devote the time and work that goes into creating as complex a mix of flowering plants as Rob is doing. Somewhere there is a happy medium where we can enjoy a variety of wildlife in our gardens without spending too many resources. After all gardens are for people to enjoy too. My garden is a good example. Working creating gardens for other people takes much of my physical resources. Like the shoemaker’s shoeless children my front garden has to survive without much attention for months on end. Some years, the salvias get pruned at the proper time - and some years not. With no irrigation system (like are installed in client’s gardens), the garden gets watered haphazardly by moving a sprinkler around every few weeks. The plants can get stressed. The great satisfaction I receive from my garden far exceeds the minimum effort I put in. While I enjoy the combination of plants as they change through the season, the greatest pleasure for me comes from the wildlife attracted to the garden. It is the life that energizes the garden in the form of birds, frogs, bees, flies, butterflies, moths - along with the predators - the spiders, the ambush bugs, the assassin bugs, praying mantids and even the occasional robber fly. It is a garden full of life - a piece of the complex web of life that I can observe, be amazed by, curious about and learn from - in my garden. On a recent Saturday in April I was captured by the garden. There was an endless to-do list in my head - my ten acre homestead keeps me busy, but the pipevine swallowtails beckoned me to sit and immerse myself in the garden. And so I did. Like dancers on a stage, the butterflies leapt and flitted gracefully above and around several species of salvia. Always in constant sing-song motion - even when nectar- ing, their wings are nearly always in motion. At least a dozen were in the garden that peaceful, early afternoon. 6 . The Pipevine June 2018 One particular salvia that is a favorite of the pipevine swallowtail and other insects - Salvia heldreichiana - a non native salvia from the Mediterranean has countless spikes of lavender-blue flowers April through May. Through the years it has been a reliable favorite of the swallowtail, but also favored by many bees - large and small. The smaller bees, ceratina, lasioglossums and osmia disappear from sight when delving for nectar in the deep corolla. Bees such as a shiny black osmia may even enter upside down so they’re able to gather pollen from the stamens that are held in the topside of the flower and pack it onto their hairs on their abdomen. It is easy to lose a half hour kneeling by this salvia observing the activity and attempt¬ ing to sort out the different bees, flies and wasps. And as is the case with plants that have a constant motion of flying insects there are always predators to be found. It can take time and a lot of scanning to find the spiders hidden alongside the flowers - just waiting for their prey. But they are there and much easier to spot once they’ve caught their prey. The dangling body tells my brain that something doesn’t fit the picture. On that Saturday the prey was some type of bug or beetle. Alongside the path is the ever expanding hummingbird sage -Salvia spathacea. This California native has flowering stalks that are strongly upright with the tubular maroon flowers nestled in dusky calyces packed tightly in dense whorls along the stalk. Like many New World salvias it has adapted to accomplish pollination with the help of hummingbirds. I hunkered down to wait and watch - no hum¬ mingbirds -but I caught a glimpse of a tiny bee with a red abdomen - a species of lasioglossum. Not interested in nectar, this female came for the pollen. Like most of the California native salvias S. spathacea has exerted stamens that extend well beyond the corolla. Collecting pollen from them is reserved for small bees, like the lasioglossum, that can hang on to the slender stamen and use its back legs to brush the pollen - like the osmia, onto the hairs of its hind leg and on the underside of its abdomen. It is quite an acrobatic effort to observe. As Rob said in his talk - the antics of bees can be entertaining . Sitting back in the chair under the shade of an umbrella just taking in the garden scene in its entirety, a lone monarch butterfly appears, nonchalantly surveying the scene. A cause for celebration - the first one I’ve seen in the garden this year! It became clear that it was a female looking to lay eggs on the milkweed, Asclepias speciosa - one of my favorite plants in the garden. This monarch mama surveyed all the stems, seeming to calculate which ones would be the best bet for the egg and for the caterpillars to survive. She stayed away from the tall robust stems with just the barest beginnings of flower buds forming and oviposited her egg on much smaller stems, usually on the underside of the leaf. The eggs are minuscule, and hard to spot, but through the macro lens of my camera trigger a sense of awe at their luminescent beauty. So much to be seen in a garden. Lasioglossum eating Salvia clevelandii pollen Monarch butterfly Monarch egg on milkweed, Asclepias speciosa The Pipevine June 2018 7. BLUNTS by JANNA LATHROP, Events Chair SPRING EVENTS and THANK YOUS O ur chapter was well represented at several spring outreach events in April and May. First, was CSUC’s “March for Science” in mid-April. Woody Elliott, Paul Moore, KarroLynn Yells and Nancy Groshong were our able ambassadors from the chapter. April 21 and 22 found MLC at the Spring Home and Garden Show. We were given ample space in the Flower Building by the Chico Horticultural Society to utilize all our displays. We looked impressive! We also benefited from a beauti¬ ful floral display from Catie Bishop’s garden and the loan of native plants from Floral Native Nursery. This was a very busy two day event for our volunteers Hesh Kaplan, Dody Domish, Elizabeth Tice, Karen Johnson, Nancy Groshong and KarroLynn Yells. Meanwhile, Justine Devoe, our education chair, did outreach at the Chico Mall for Earth Day on April 22. Good Job, Justine! Finally, we participated at the 39th Endangered Species Faire on May 5. I had help from Paul Moore with set up. Our table and magnifying activity were staffed by Jim Bishop, Catie Bishop, Meryl Bond and Ann Elliott. Thank you one and all for your participation. By being able to participate at these community outreach events helps put a person to person connection to the CNPS mission of conservation, education and horticulture. One last note, I am pleased to announce NANCY GRO¬ SHONG will be the new Events Chair. We all THANK YOU, Nancy. I know you will do a grand job for Mount Lassen Chapter. I greatly appreciate all of you who helped me with all our outreach events and will be helping Nancy in the Future. 39th Endangered Species Faire on May 5, 2018 Info table, Magnificent Magnifying and Ann Elliott. , phial SoCU'l The Pipevine June 2018 Virtual Marvey’s “Artist’s Garden” Carpinteria at Jim and Catie’s “Foothill Wonderland” NATIVE PLANT Garden Tours by ANN ELLIOTT, Garden Tour Chair P reviously, I announced a hiatus for the Water Wise and Habitat Friendly Garden Tour. However, the word out about the benefits and joys of native plant gardening is still happening: This spring, Cindy Weiner taught her two Osher Life Long Learning (OLLI) classes: Garden¬ ing with California Native Plants and Touring Native Plant Gardens. Her classes continue to be an inspiration for us to improve our environment, save water, and have fun exploring native plant horticulture. Cindy also recruited fellow Butte County Master Gardener and CNPS member, Nancy Gro- shong, to manage the native plant gardens recently established by Master Gardeners that are located at the Patrick Ranch on the Midway towards Durham. Nancy will expand her love of native plants by sharing the mission of CNPS: To.... increase understanding, appreciation, and horticultural use of native plants. In early May, I had the privilege to visit and video some spectacular native plant gardens in our area. These virtual tours featured homeowners highlighting their favorite features, successes, and challenges. Excerpts are available on YouTube with web links at website: MountLassen.CNPS.org, our Facebook page, or by searching the web for “Virtual Native Plant Garden Tour.” Each garden has its own flavor: • Ken’s “Low Maintenance Lawn Conversion” has simple beauty achieved with little effort after installation. • Marvey’s “Artist’s Garden” highlights varied scenes and habitats for pollinators, birds, and humans. • Jim and Catie’s “Foothill Wonderland” gives visitors a sense of what this creek-side oasis might have looked like before European settlement. • Cindy’s “Collector’s Dream” has an expansive yard of water wise natives including fun and unusual specimens that she collected from many sources. The first few minutes of each video presents the flavor of the garden. All of the gardens are inspiration for bringing a little California nature to our yards. Share them with your friends. A REAL GARDEN EXPERIENCE M ount Lassen Chapter maintains a native plant garden installed at the Chico Creek Nature Center in Bidwell Park during the 1980’s. Work parties occur usually the third Thursday of the month. This summer for two hours, beginning at 8 am, work includes re¬ moving persistent weeds, deadheading, spreading wood chips, and upgrading the irriga¬ tion system. JOIN US and learn about native plants by friendly doing. Planned work dates are Wednesday June 20 (note difference), Thursday July 19, and Thursday August 16. Contact Ann Elliott for more information and possible schedule changes. 530-521-4402 annonfire@gmail.com The Pipevine June 2018 9. - 1 CARTER MEADOW TO PACIFIC CREST TRAIL LASSEN NATIONAL FOREST July 22 Sunday Meet at Chico Park & Ride (Hwy 99/32) at 8:30 am with lunch, water, hiking gear, sun/insect protection and money for ride sharing. We’ll head up Hwy 32 to Elam Campground and turn off on the gravel forest road to Carter Meadow and the trailhead to the PCT. It is only 1 1/2 easy miles to a spec¬ tacular view of the old caldera of Mt Yana with present day Butt Mt (Carter Mt) to our north, Lake Almanor to the east and Humboldt Peak to the south. On the return, we follow Carter Creek through several smaller meadows until we come to the very large Carter Meadow (6100 ft elev). Call for alternate meeting place. Leader: Woody Elliott 530 342-6053 EMERALD AND RIM LAKES CARIBOU WILDERNESS AREA LASSEN NATIONAL FOREST August 12 Sunday Meet at west lot Chico Park & Ride (Hwy 99/32) at 8 am with lunch, water, sun/insect protection, and money for ride¬ sharing. It has been stated that this trip features the best scenery in the Caribou Wilderness, and that Emerald Lake is one of it’s crown jewels. The hike to Emerald Lake (pos¬ sibly Rim Lake) is a round trip distance of about 4 or 6 miles, with an elev gain of about 900 ft to a high point of 7,150 ft. It also provides expansive vistas of the surrounding terrain, unlike other trails in this area. Allow all day. Call for alternate meeting place. Leader: Marjorie McNairn 530 343-2397. Executive Board Meeting Until August 15, 2018 These businesses support the goals of the CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY MEMBERS GET 10% DISCOUNT Perennials, Herbs N.'ilivp Tree 1 , amf Stmibs "Nancy .Sdhieiger Cerrific: r^iiii.icni'tuK Designer By appoinUncnl 5?