SHORTIA NEWSLETTER OF THE WESTERN CAROLINA BOTANICAL CLUB SPRING 1986 HELEN TURNER, Editor . OFFICERS Margaret Kuhn Anne Ulinski President: Elton J. Hansens Treasurer: Vice President: Millie Blaha Historian: Secretary: Ruth Mack If you were at the Annual Meeting you know. . . . Tom Hallowell was awarded the Second Wind Hall of Fame. We all know how well you. deserve it and congratulate you, Tom. Harry Logan, who has been active in the WCBC since its start, was made an Honorary Member. We are happy for him and he writes: Dear friends and members of the Western Carolina Botanical Club: All of my life plants and gardens have been my chief interest my occupation, my principal pastime. My happiest days have been when botanizing, sometimes alone, but often with companions, members of horticultural or botanical clubs. I take great pride in our Botanical Club and deeply appreciat the honor you have bestowed in granting me Life Membership. With- out the Botanical Club my years in Hendersonville would have been lonely, far less interesting and worthwhile. So long as my health will permit, I expect to take part in our activities, but always I shall be interested. Sincerely and gratefully, Harry Logan Dick Smith has been appointed Chairman of the Education Committee of University Botanic Gardens at Asheville and continues to serve on the Board. of Directors. WELCOME — NEW MEMBERS Hendersonville unless otherwise stated Beerbower, Bruce & Rebekah, 1059 Fifth Ave. N. W. Hickory, NC 28601 Billingsley, Pat, 535 Willow St 692-4881 Deckard, Paul & Viola, 3850 Haywood Rd 891-8054 Gilkey, Wallace 8s Thelma, 442 Deerhaven Lane 891-9701 Gray, George & Virginia, PO Box 1140, Tryon, NC 28782 .... 859-6041 Ligon, Betty T. , PO Box 151 1 (29793) 693-6607 Moor, John W. &; Marian, 218 S. Hillandale Dr. East Flat Rock, NC 28726 697-7118 Schmalstick, Arren & Doris, 515 Timberlane Etowah, NC 28729 891-3642 LOOK AGAIN ! Whoever devised the name "Bellwort" for the Uvularias can hardly be accused of having overworked his imagination. There are at least a dozen other genera in the Liliaceae which also have flowers that suggest the shape of a bell, to say nothing of scores in other plant families. The specific names also are descriptive--as they should be--but in a genus which consists of only five species one has the feeling that labels could have been chosen which would serve to more narrowly distinguish one from another. Uvularia perfoliata , for example, is only one of two species in which the stem ap- pears to pierce the leaves (actually, the basal leaf lobes surround the stem and coalesce). Its flowers are light yellow with ' conspicuous orange papillose glands on the inner surface of the perianth segments, or tepals. The other "perfoliate" species, U. grand i flora , lacks these glands and, as the name implies, produces slightly larger flowers. Much more obvious, though, are the deep butter-yellow color and the fact that the tepals are curiously twisted, which gives the flowers a limp, wilted aspect even when fresh. In the South, the Large- flow- ered Bellwort is confined entirely to the mountains. The other three species have leaves that are merely stalkless, but only one of these — U. pudica , or Mountain Bellwort — is common in our area. It is a slender plant with bright green, lustrous foliage, and bears pale yellow flowers. U. sessilifolia , also known as Wild Oats, is similar but is almost exclusively limited to the piedmont province. Its leaves are dull, and light beneath, and the flowers are a pale straw color. Finally, Uj_ floridana occurs only on the coastal plain from South Carolina southward. A leafy bract just behind each flower- stalk is its field mark. U. PUDICA Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2017 with funding from IMLS LG-70-15-0138-15 https://archive.org/details/shortianewslette8141 west ■ANNUAL MEETING REPORT The annual meeting of our club is always a gala occasion and the 1985 meeting (held January 24, 1986) was no exception. About 75 members and guests enjoyed the usual delicious and bountiful covered- dish luncheon and enjoyed fellowship and the reports at the annual business meeting. Officers elected were Elton Hansens, President; Millie Blaha, Vice President; Ruth Mack, Secretary; Margaret Kuhn, Treasurer; and Anne Ulinski, Historian. Margaret Canfield as Secretary and Louise Foresman as Historian were applauded for their several years of service. We ended the year with a balance of $325.26 in the treasury. The annual dues were continued at $8.00. Our membership is now 114. The Historian reported a total of 42 hikes (average attendance 21) and 17 indoor meetings (average attendance 50). Lists of flora identified on hikes have been entered in the permanent record book. The President reported for the Executive Board, highlighting the work of the Program Committee who produced two detailed schedules. Various members of the Committee also lead more than half of the indoor presenta- tions and three-quarters of the hikes. Helen Turner was thanked for her editorial work in producing four fine issues of SHORTIA. We need volunteers to write news items and feature stories. The Community Action Committee, chaired by Larry Kenyon, recommended our continued support of the Western Carolina Botanical Garden at Asheville, the North Carolina Nature Conservancy, the Southern Appalachian Conservancy (Roan Mountain), and Friends of the Horsepasture . The Committee also gave consideration to several other requests for assistance or funds; they encouraged litter pick-up from trails as we hike and increased liaison with schools and other groups. Two major service projects were instituted in 1985. Millie Blaha impressed us with the immense amount of data she and her committee accumulated on weekly visits to Holmes State Forest detailing the flora in bloom on selected habitat areas. The project will be continued in 1986 and perhaps expanded. Dick Smith detailed the progress on the nature trail on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Pisgah Inn. The trail is now designated the Buck Spring Lodge Nature Trail. Our goal is to have the trail laid out and a preliminary brochure ready for public use in the spring of 1987. Our President completed his presentation with words of appreciation to all of the committees for their work and to the membership in general for their fine support. Bess Sinish, chairman of the Honors Committee, surprised Tom Hallowell by reading a citation naming him to the Second Wind Hall of Fame. The Committee also completed a second assignment — to develop criteria for Honorary Life Membership. Harry Logan was named our third Life Member (the first under these criteria). r 1 - Frances Gadd and Estelle Donnell volunteered to collate, staple and distribute the schedules and SHORTIA, relieving the Treasurer of this responsibility. The arrangements Committee (Aline Hansens, Chairman) was thanked for a smooth running annual meeting. The meeting was closed with announcements relative to future activities. RAMBLINGS — PEOPLE, PLANTS AND PLACES Hark back to the time before Christmas -- already it seems so remote, but yet we did have some hikes way back then. The JONES GAP trail is a very pleasant one along the creek -- a lovely warm day and the mosses seemed to be at their peak -- identified for us by Millie Blaha and Anne Ulinski. TREES AND SHRUBS IN WINTER hike had to be cancelled because of heavy rains. We had all looked forward to Lowell Orbison's expertise in identifying trees and shrubs by the bark and twigs- and shape of the tree He did, however, present an indoor program a week later on THE FLOWERS OF TREES -- beautiful slides and most interesting commentary — 70 persons were present. A departure from the usual indoor programs was BOTANICAL FOLK SONGS AND OTHER BALLADS presented by Cindy Carpenter. Everyone enjoyed the varied range of unusual folk songs and we all sang a Christmas song with her. Afterwards, holiday punch was served along with cookies brought by the members — such a variety of goodies. There was talk of making this an annual affair -- 54 persons present. We started out the New Year with SNOWBIRD REVISITED — 55 persons enjoyed this beautiful slide program presented by Elton and Aline Hansens. The lovely bird songs in the background had been recorded near the Lodge by Aline. This took us back to our Club trip there in April '85 and surely made all of us want to, return this Spring of '86. Dr. Creech presented a program on FOOD PLANTS OF THE WORLD -- how, by fostering genetic diversity and taking into account preferential differences, the entire world could be- better fed -- interesting and informative -- 70 persons present. NEW VARIETIES AND HOW WE GET THEM pertained to azaleas and rhododendrons around the world, a slide program presented by August Kehr — 35 persons attended. Seventy three persons took part in the ANNUAL MEETING at St. John In- The-Wilderness church. The long tables and Speaker’s table were festive looking -- special kudos to Millie Blaha and Sidney Holmes for gathering the greens, making the decorations and decorating the tables. Details of the meeting appear elsewhere in this issue of SHORTIA. A double screen slide presentation on a SOUTH PACIFIC ADVENTURE revealed lovely and interesting slides of Tahiti, Fiji, New Zealand, and New Guinea taken on a 1972 trip by the Hansens. We all felt we’d had a trip to that part of the world — 48 persons attended. In the absence of Harry Logan who has been ill, John Kuhn presented a program on BOG PLANTS and at the end included slides of Disneyland in Florida which all seemed to enjoy ■ — 28 persons present. Louise Foresman THE WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA ARBORETUM So we now have a regional arboretum in western North Carolina. This is a development that has been a long time in coming and it should be particularly exciting to the Western' C Botanical Club. This region is steeped in botanical history and if one wants to learn more about it, read ""a Species of Eternity'"' by Joseph Kastner. The new arboretum can be a tribute to the enthusiastic contributions to the eternal stream of naturalists who were attracted to this area and the members of the WCBC' can be the contemporary counterparts of those early plantsmen. The one significant difference being that our natural heritage will be gathered here instead of being shipped off to foreign gardens. An arboretum is a living repository of plants in which native and exotic species are cultivated either in their natural variability or through en-noblement by man. The arrangement of the collections, purposes of the arboretum, and administration are as varied as the number of such institutions. But it seems to me that the WNCA should reflect its mountain environment with the collections so incorporated into the ecological niche (some 300 acres) that the visitor has the opportunity to both gain new plant knowledge and yet does not lose awareness of the natural richness. There is a place in this arboretum for cultivation of both our native species, their Oriental counter parts, and those plants which have been improved and are useful in this region for the nurseryman and homeowner. This is a pretty big order and while a successful arboretum depends on the quality of the professional and gardening staff, it most certainly requires the active support of local organizations and individuals motivated by the same dedication to the plant world around us. The Benk Creek site like any location has its advantages and drawbacks but the latter are so few in comparison to sites of many of our leading abroretums that we can move ahead rapidly with its development. I was surprised when I was at the site last Sunday (.Feb. 3) to find a considerable number of families taking advantage of the natural beauty. We are indebted to the US Forest Service for the contribution of the Bent Creek site and the remarkable ease with which it was transferred. You know, of course, that this great forest reserve was given by Vanderbilt and that the famous Landscape Architect Olmsted had envisioned an Arboretum to be associated with the estate. It took almost a hundred years but the arboretum has finally arrived. ( PS: The book by Kastner is out of print but is in our area Libraries. Dr. John L. Creech Horticultural Consultant f DISTRIBUTION OF TREES OF NORTH AMERICA Western North Carolina — we love it here! So do trees. More than a hundred species grow in just the limited area of the Great Smokies Park — and that is more than anywhere else in America a t. d more than in all of Europe. How much this great variety adds to the pleasure of our hikes. OF 7 /?£7T S ?£C}3$ 3 CO Ml* John MacArthur, a nephew of Helen Turner, recently did an interesting study of tree distribution which he shared with Helen and she with us. Using a grid of 110 squares, each 300 miles on a side, he plotted the distribution of all the trees shown in the GOLDEN BOOK OF TREES OF NORTH' AMERICA. The resulting map shows very graphically just where the center of tree population is. Fascinating! John writes: "I have asked several experts what they think it signifies, and the usual answer is that it is probably the combined result. of several factors: rainfall, topography, soil, history, temperature and probably others." He also suggests the WCBC might enjoy making a composite list of all the trees we identify on our hikes during one year, just to see how high the number really is. Anybody interested? Willard Verduin BUCK. SPRING LODGE NATURE TRAIL PROJECT You will recall that late in 1984 the Club proposed that the one- mile northernmost segment of the Buck Spring Trail be developed into a self-guiding nature trail, and that the National Park Service responded to this suggestion very enthusiastically. The commencement of work on this project was delayed by the closing of that part of the Blue Ridge Parkway for tunnel repairs, but after a late start we were able to achieve what we consider to be very satisfactory progress during the remainder of the year. Teams of volunteers from our Club made 23 separate surveys of the trail. In addition, we toured the entire route with the Assistant Superintendent of the Parkway together with several members of his staff, and as a result of this and other consultations with them the following decisions were arrived at: 1. The trail will be formally designated the "Buck Spring Lodge Nature Trail". 2. Several minor modifications in the trail configuration were agreed upon. 3. Approximately 30 stations will be established along the trail, each indicated by a numbered post. These numbers will corre- spond to descriptions in a pamphlet of selected flora at each location . A final decision has not yet been made by the Park Service as to whether additional identification labels will be provided for other plants, or whether a comprehensive list of species will be made available for those who desire it. We have inventoried substantially all of the species of flowering plants along the trailsides, and have noted 145 kinds of trees, shrubs and forbs. This figure does not include ferns, mosses, club- mosses and lichens, of which there are many. As a result of this field work, we have tentatively ' selected 27 plant species to be represented by numbered stations and described in the brochure, and the first draft has been submitted to the Park Service for review. Although a total of 243 hours were logged on this project, this represents the efforts of only a few individuals, the reason being that the nature Of work — surveying and recording — was such that it could not very well be spread over a large group. This year, however, we will be recruiting a number of you who have offered to help. Among the things we will need to do are: 1. Check each of the 27 species at flowering or fruiting time, and pinpoint the best location along the trail for each one. 2. Secure help of knowledgeable members in confirming or correcting identification where there is uncertainty. 3. Monitor the installation of the numbered posts and other signs by the Park Service crew. 4. Revise the text of the booklet and check the illustrations. As you can imagine, this work will be spread out over the coming spring, summer and fall. The goal is to have the brochure printed and ready for testing when the trail is opened to the public in the spring of 1987. On the basis of that year's experience, the Park Service will then arrange for the printing of a more attractive, and perhaps an expanded, pamphlet for permanent use. Richard M. Smith ' ■ The North Carolina Wild Flower Preservation Society will be holding its- Spring meeting in Asheville, May 2-4, 1986, in conjunction with the UNC-Asheville Botanical Garden’s annual Spring Wildf lower and Bird Pilgrimage. On Saturday evening May 3 the Wild Flower Preser- vation Society will honor Tom Shinn as part of the 8:00 PM program to be held at the Botany Center of the UNC-Asheville Botanical Gardens. Several of our members are being invited to participate in paying tribute to Tom Shinn. Please mark the dates of May 2-4 on your calendar and plan to attend this event. * * * * * An invitation from Frank D. Bell of Green Cove Woods: 1. I believe the Club is coming to see us on April 21. I request a favor. We have a surplus of hamburgers — some of it still on the hoof! We hope all guests ( non- vegetarians ) will bring a cooperative appetite. We’ll provide burgers, buns, fixings -- you bring supplements, as last year. 2. We still have a surplus of trees — white pines, hemlocks, a few silver bells and magnolias. They will thrive with proper luck and attention. Also, some red hot pokers. They cost the digging. Call 692-3241 if interested. They are forest, not nursery, grown and pruned. * Looking for a summer week doing something different, comfortable, challenging, for all ages, worthwhile, fun, and related to nature and conservation? A National Wildlife Federation Summit is just the thing, with classes, field trips, programs, walks, discussions, good food, and great people. The 1986 NWF Summits are in Maine, Colorado, and — we’re so lucky — at nearby Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, NC! Sorry — the Maine one is filled with 550 people signed up. The Blue Ridge Summit is June 21-27; Colorado June 29- July 5. For information, write: Conservation Summits, NWF, 1412 16th St. NW, Washington DC 20036, or call Barbara Hallowell (692-4316). A number of Botanical Club members have taken advantage of these, some repeatedly, and have glowing reports. . « • v?r, ? - S H 0 R T I A Vol . VIII No. 1 A quarterly publication of the Western Carolina Botanical Club Editor: Helen Turner Carolina Village Box 126, Hendersonville, NC 28739 Production Committee: Dorothy Rathmann, Margaret Kuhn, Frances Gadd Please submit contributions for next issue by May 15, 1986 s SHORTIA NEWS LETTE R OF THE WESTERN CAROLINA BOTANICAL CLUB SUMMER 1986 HELEN TURNER, Editor OFFICERS President: Elton Hansens Treasurer: Margaret Kuhn Vice President: Millie Blaha Historian: Ann Ulinski Secretary: Ruth Mack NEWS NOTES Those of you who have enjoyed WCBC visits at Tom and Barbara Hallowell’ cabin — and other Club members, too — will be delighted to know that Barbara’s book about their cabin project, CABIN: A MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE, is scheduled for release ’’sometime in June.” ’’Seeing’ s believing!” says Barbara. The book is being published by Appalachian Consortium of Boone, NC, an organization dedicated to the presentation of Appalachian Mountain culture. The publisher hopes the book will help ’’imports” and mountain people understand each other more fully. We all look forward to the book’s arrival! This Spring another member of WCBC, Millie Blaha, was invited by Blue Ridge Tech to conduct a series of wildf lower classes. Her four one-day sessions originated from the Transylvania Center in Brevard. Each class began with a slide presentation. The remainder of the day was spent outdoors. Sudden death took two WCBC members recently: Ralph Applegate and Ken Foresman. Ralph had been in failing health and, so, not active in Club affairs. Ken, however, was well-known and, in fact, was walking with his wife and several Club members on a trail in Nantahala Forest near Snowbird Lodge, doing what he enjoyed right until the last moment. We extend our deepest sympathy to Esther Applegate and Louise Foresman and their families. WELCOME — NEW MEMBERS Hendersonville unless otherwise stated Feil, Elizabeth, 10 Springside Park Asheville, NC 28803 684-8719 Fredericksen, Martha, PO Box 111 Davidson, NC 28036 892-7331 Skinner, Anna, 829 Toxaway Drive 697-2496 Steinman, Carl 8s Stella, 208 Fernwood Drive CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Kuhn, John 8s Margaret, Carolina Village Box 281 692-0720 * * * * * Dear WCBC Members, This will be my last issue as Editor of SHORTIA and I want to thank you all for your cooperation and contributions. I am deligh-ted to know that Dorothy Rathmann has accepted the editorship. ^ Helen Turner LOOK AGAIN ! Every so often we find the job of "keying out" a plant species suddenly made easier by the fact that the specimen at hand possesses a character which it shares with very few — or sometimes none — of the other members of its genus. It may be a yellow Rhexia , for example, or a large- flowered Geranium, a Corallorhiza "blooming in the spring, or a Maple with compound leaves. Similarly accommodating are those few shrubby species of Hypericum which have four petals rather than five as do the ones we commonly call St. John’ s-worts, and which because of this distinc- tion are sometimes placed in the genus Ascyrum . Hypericum hypericoides , an erect shrub with pale yellow flowers, has been aptly named St. Andrew's Cross because its petals are arranged in a flattened "X". They are narrow, revealing a pair of large, ovate outer sepals; the inner two are minute or absent. More prevalent in the southern mountains is II stragalum , a decumbent plant forming low mats. Otherwise it is very similar to the above, with which it shares the . name has a growth habit similar to that of H. hypericoides , but there are many other differences. Its flowers are larger, with obliquely ovate petals set at right angles to oth«r'- A.gpi n the outer sepals are large, but the inner pair, while shorter and narrowly lanceolate, are clearly visible. There are three or four styles instead of two, and the leaves are semi-cordate and somewhat clasping, rather than tapered, at the base. 2 ^ ~ St. Andrew's Cross. HYPERICUM STANS HYPERICUM STRAGALUM St, Peter' s-wort, H. stans, MAGNOLIAS, OUR ANCIENT FLOWERING TREES Magnolias, considered the oldest of flowering trees, probably evolved about 100 million years ago, soon after tree ferns, cycads, and conifers. Unlike their predecessors which relied on wind to disperse their pollen, magnolias were probably the first flowering trees to utilize primordial insects to spread their pollen. These primordial insects, small beetles of the family Nitidulidae , anteceded bees, butterflies and similar pollinating insects. They most commonly pollinate the receptive stigmas before the flower opens. Although bees and wasps can be seen collecting pollen after the flowers open, the beetles have already accomplished pollination. Magnolias in modern times have a narrow distribution worldwide. This was not always true. The great ice sheets destroyed most of the family. Fossil remains are found within the Arctic Circle, Greenland, Europe and the central plains of the United States. However, none grow in these places today. By far the greatest number of surviving species remain in the tropics, especially from China southward to Java. Other species survive in the West Indies, Central America, Brazil, and the southeastern United States where glaciation was less destructive. Thus our Southeast is an important area for magnolias, especially temperate species . There are six species native to the Southeast: M. acuminata L. , M. f raseri Walter, M. grandif lora L. , M. macrophylla Michaux, M. tripetala L. , and M. virginiana L. Some botanists have promoted three subspecies to the species level: M. ashei (M. macrophylla subsp. ashei), M. cordata (M. acuminata subsp. cordata) , and M. pvridimata (M. fraseri subsp. pyridimata) . In the Carolina mountains the most common species is M. fraseri which has creamy white flowers in early May. Although readily found in this area, M. fraseri is a rare species in cultivation and is seldom seen even in most arboreta. M. acuminata which has small greenish yellow flowers is less commonly found in the woods here and when found are usually huge trees. Seldom does one find young seedlings. There is some concern that this species is threatened because the unripened seed pods are the favorite food of grackles. One magnolia expert has continually warned that the species could become endangered in the wild. One other species sometimes seen in the North Carolina mountains is M. tripetala , commonly called the umbrella magnolia because of the umbrella-like growth of the leaves. I have never seen M. macrophylla growing in the wild. It is noted for fragrant white flowers that are up to 14 inches in diameter. Neither have I seen the highly fragrant, white flowered M. virginiana growing in the wild in this area, though it is common nearer the coast, as is M. grandif lora , the southern magnolia. It is probable that this latter species i-s the best known and best appreciated of all the American species. It is seen all over the world wherever it can be grown. Hardy selections of this species grow as far north as New Jersey, and there are efforts to develop ever-hardier clones by selection. . Subspecies M. cordata , which has bright yellow flowers, was first found in about 1790 by Andre Michaux near Augusta, Georgia. It was sent to France in 1803. It was not found again until 1910, 120 years later. Subspecies M. ashei is ideal for the home garden, flowering often when one foot high with 12 inch white flowers. It is in effect a dwarf form of M. macrophylla . M. pyrimidata is a southern variant of M. f raseri and occurs in Florida and Texas. It likewise appears to be a miniature M. f raseri . How many of our six native species do you know? Why not get to know all of them? Augie Kehr HOLMES STATE FOREST PLANT STUDY The Botany Club is conducting a second plant study at Holmes State Forest. Each week, plants in bloom along the first half of the long, steep Forest Demonstration Trail are being recorded by a committee composed of Millie Blaha, chairman, Charlotte Carman, Louise Foresman, Grace Rice and Ann Ulinski . Elton and Aline Hansens assist as time permits. The only plants in bloom on March 5» 1986 when the new study began were the red maple and American hazelnut. As the spring season progressed, 7^ different species of plants came into bloom during the first two months of the study. This trail primarily encompasses a north-facing slope, the cool side of the mountain. Because of the cool, moist conditions, it is anticipated that there will be an abundance of plants with great variety during the growing season. The woods in this study have nice stands of flame azalea, pinxter flower, Fraser magnolia, dogwood, black birch and tuliptrees, with cucumber magnolias scattered throughout. There are several very large northern red oaks along the trail. Buffalo nut shrubs, some unusually tall, are abundant and are not fussy about the trees with which they are associated. In addition to plants, birds also attract attention. Ch one day the songs and calls of 17 different species were identified. Along the trail are large chips of wood, the tell- tale evidences that the pileated woodpecker is at home in these woods. The trail starts near an outdoor amphitheater then, for a short distance, follows a logging road used to transport timber from the slopes selectively cut in 1969* The trail winds up the mountainside, rising several hundred feet. It is the same trail used by the CGG boys in 1939 to go back and forth to work. The committee members look forward to their work day at Holmes State Forest each week for not only are they performing a community service in behalf of the Botany Club but they also are learning about plants and their habitats. Millie Blaha SERVICE PROJECTS The trails and road at Homes State Forest, the trail at Millie Pearson's woods, and the trails at 'Charley Moore’s preserved received attention from WCBC work teams. At Holmes 8 persons showed v dp on a dreary rainy day and worked for 2 \ hours each; at Millie Pearson’s 9 individuals worked a total of 18 hours; and at Charley Moo^re’s 2 people spent 10 hours. Hearty appreciation was expressed at all three locations for our help in making trails more usable and beautiful. COMMUNITY RELATIONS Larry Kenyon, Chr. Millie Blaha Charles Gadd Grace Rice Ken Sinish Bill Verduin NOMINATIONS Jeanne Smith, Chr. Margaret Canfield Franklin Mack ANNUAL MEETING ARRANGEMENTS Lois Si Bob Winter, Co-Chr. Aline Hansens Louise Foresman Beth Si Fred Woodlock i y S H 0 R T I A Vol . VIII No. 2 A quarterly publication of the Western Carolina Botanical Club Editor: Helen Turner Carolina Village Box 126, Hendersonville, NC 28739 Production Committee: Dorothy Rathmann, Frances Gadd Please submit contributions for the next issue by August 15, 1986 to Dorothy Rathmann, Carolina Village Box 23, Hendersonville, NC 28739 •err %G ^ Western Carolina Botanical Club c/o 218 Pheasant Run Hendersonville, NC 28739 SHORTIA NEWSLETTER OF THE WESTERN CAROLINA BOTANICAL CLUB AUTUMN 1986 DOROTHY RATHMANN, Editor 2 OFFICERS President: Elton Hansens Treasurer: Margaret Kuhn Vice President: Millie Blaha Historian: Anne Ulinski Secretary: Ruth Mack FROM PRESIDENT ELTON HANSENS: Now is the time to think about the program for next Spring and Summer. The Program Comm, will meet in October or November to lay out the February- July schedule. Please give your ideas, preferably in writing, to the President or any member of the Committee by late September — especially where, when and what kind of overnight trips you would like. The Summer issue of SHORTIA was distributed by Frances Gadd and the August- January Schedule was distributed by Estelle Donnell. We thank both ladies for their help and Margaret Kuhn for continuing to monitor the operation. Satisfaction and Frustration Our WCBC has a very diverse membership with wide differences in our attraction to plants. We range from those who want to know the scientific name and family of every plant we see to those who merely want to enjoy the beauty of flowering plants. Most of us lie in between and find satisfaction in knowing more and more flowers and find frustration in not being able to identify those that attract us. Herein lies the importance of our Club — kindred souls joining in suitable places to observe and share plant experiences. Nearly 5 years ago we (Aline and I) joined the Club and immediately I found great satisfaction and more than a little frustration. The flora was much different- and much richer than I had known before. Strange common names were attached to plants I vaguely knew and many scientific names were of little help. With persistence in joining hikes and study on my own, frustration is decreasing and I have great satisfaction in knowing more and more plants by common and scientific names . Those members wishing to learn more about plants would be pleased if more knowledgeable members would give both common and technical names when discussing specimens along the trail. Botanically we would all become more satisfied and less frustrated when meeting our floral friends. c?o WELCOME — NEW MEMBERS Hendersonville unless otherwise stated Blackstone, Jane, 1912 Country Club Rd 692-7570 Howard, F. Kennedy & Martha C. , 220 Echo Drive 692-4748 Johnstone, Margaret, 1507L Greenville Hwy 692-8587 King, Willis & Frances H. , Rt. #4, Box 315 692-3513 Lohiser, Robert & Virginia, Rt. #2, Box 30, Berna Knoll... 685-7564 Robison, Morris, 107 Brightwater Heights Drive 891-8851 ' A TRIBUTE TO FORMER EDITOR HELEN TURNER by Barbara Hallowell Do you think you will be editing a quarterly for a club of nearly 200 members when you are pushing 89 years of age? Our beloved Club member, Helen Turner, has been doing just that! After a full career of helping several generations of students under- stand the wonders and complexities of the natural environment, Helen came to Hendersonville, found the WCBC and became an active member. When no longer able to share her knowledge and witty personality on the trail, she continued to serve the Club as editor of SHORTIA for four years. Her conscientious efforts to provide us with a periodical packed with Club news and botanical information proceeded quietly but effectively. As is so often the case when things are run well, openly expressed gratitude often may have seemed in short supply. So. Helen, we thank you! For your time, patience, skill and spirit, we take your hand to show our heartfelt appreciation — and, as we do so, enjoy your broad smile and see a mischievous twinkle in your eyes! MEET OUR EDITOR, DOROTHY RATHMANN by Elton Hansens With this issue of SHORTIA, we welcome Dorothy Rathmann as Editor. You should know a bit about her so I asked for a biographical sketch. In her own words: After growing up in Chicago and getting a degree in chemistry from Grinnell College, I combined interests in chemistry and biology in a PhD degree in biochemistry from the University of Rochester. Almost my entire career was with CPC International Inc. at its research centers in Pittsburgh, Pa.; Argo, 111.; Waltham, Mass.; and Union, N.J. In my later years with CPC I had the title of Director of Nutrition and Toxicology for the corporation's Best Foods Division.’ This position involved keeping track of develop- ments in clinical nutrition, biochemistry and food law as these might relate to the company's food products and included close working relationships with personnel in research and product development, advertising, consumer relations and legal departments. This was a desk job — writing and editing — rather than laboratory work. On retirement I was asked to write a resource book on the history of CPC — four volumes of which the first was an update of a history of Corn Products Refining Co. which I had written in the early 1950’ s. Although chemistry won out over biology in college, I kept my hand in biology over the years, mostly by bird watching and, after coming to Hendersonville, by botanizing with WCBC. I have a small wildf lower garder which was started at Carolina Village by Helen Turner and other residents. Dorothy, as Editor, would appreciate your suggestions for new features in SHORTIA and other changes in subject matter or format. '* 4 LOUISE FORESMAN’S SNOWBALL PUNCH -- BOTANICAL VERSION In submitting the following text and recipe, August E. Kehr wrote that it was ’’prepared with apologies to Botanists (and non-Botanists ) at the request of President Hansens.” This version of the famous Foresman Snowball Punch was prompted by the delightful reception given by WCBC to two visiting Japanese botanists at the Airport Ramada Inn earlier this year. These visitors were much interested in the punch but did not understand the common English names used in the description of the contents. With an impromptu trans- lation into Latin, they grasped somewhat better the list of ingredients. This is the botanical version of the recipe for 20 (59 ml) servings. I . 473 ml liquid dihydrogen oxide II. 118 ml (100 g) granulated dehydrated juice of Saccharum of f icinarum (L . ) III. 12 whole dried flower buds of Eugenia caryophyllus (Spreng.) Bull, et Harr. IV. 2 5 cm-sticks of bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Garc. ex Blume V. 3 473 ml-bottles of chilled juice cocktail from fruits of Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait. VI. 1 can (177 ml) frozen concentrate (for ade) of juice from fruits of Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. VII. 1 can (177 ml) frozen concentrated juice from fruits of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck VIII. 473 ml chilled carbonated liquid dihydrogen oxide flavored with extract of root of Zingiber officinale Roscoe Combine I, II, III, IV and bring to a temperature of 100°C, stirring until II is completely dissolved; reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Cool. Remove remains of III and IV. Refrigerate this spiced syrup until ready to use. When ready to serve, pour V, VI, VII and spiced syrup over cubes of frozen dihydrogen oxide in a punch bowl. Stir to blend. Add VIII. Make punch bowl festive with slices of fruit of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck and rings of frozen dihydrogen oxide. The rings are -prepared by placing liquid dihydrogen oxide along with marinated and colored fruits of Prunus cerasus (L.) in small ring molds and congealing at 0°C. Unmold and float on punch. o|o CABIN — A MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE (Boone, NC; Appalachian Consortium Press; 1986). A New Book by Barbara Hallowell; Illustrated by Aline Hansens- ' Reviewed for WCBC by Larry Kenyon Take a story which involves a love of people, a lot of human under- standing, an interest in history, a love of nature plus a lot of scientific knowledge, and what do you have? CABIN -- A MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE, of course. It's lively. It’s friendly. It’s upbeat like Barbara. There is a lot of good philosophy. "When I sit here like this with all that beauty and peace out there, I wish the whole world could share the experience. What if everyone everywhere could concentrate on integrity and generosity and love and beauty." It offers a view of nature typically Hallowell. "An artist has been at work in the lane, fashioning a scene of white, gray, and black with accents of tan, subdued but delicately beautiful. Crystal by crystal the painter has applied the outline of snow white to every twig and blade, creating one of nature’s annual masterpieces that never ceases to thrill." When you need cheering up, when you want to renew your faith in people, when you want to sharpen your appreciation of nature, when you feel like delving into some local history, when you want to read about a family working, growing and achieving together, pick up CABIN. It’s a book to read and reread. The illustrations provided by Aline Hansens add an extra plus. They contribute to the atmosphere and friendliness of the book. o^o FAME FLOWER and BILL VERDUIN by Elton Hansens Bill Verduin, on one of his botanical quests, found the fame flower, Talinum teretif olium , on three rocky outcrops on Pinnacle Mountain near Holmes State Forest. The plant has succulent leaves and attractive pink flowers which open for a few hours in the afternoon. At least eight persons have visited this area since Bill’s discovery and have found a number of other interesting species. Bill is an acute observer and has unbounded enthusiasm for the mountains — the flora, the fauna and the rivers (especially waterfalls). RAIN by Gwen Frostic in WINGBORNE Only with the rain do the colors oi the rainbow span the sky the buds of the maples are brighter old rocks in the fields glisten the spider's web becomes a fragile jewel. All life takes on more beauty when there is rain. o|o 6 Report on Botanical Club Field Trips by Anne U1 inski Repeat trips Last year we made three visits to Buck Spring Trail — in June, in mid-July and in September. By going at different times we were able to see the wide variety of plants that bloom along this trail as each season progressed. This year we are doing the same wi th the University Botanical Gardens in Asheville. We made a trip in April , in mid- June, and we go again in October. We are indebted to Lowell Or bison for guiding us through the gardens on these visits. On each trip we saw over 100 plants species in bloom. Of special note wa the uncommon white crested iris we saw in April and the cup plant we saw in June . Long Trips A group traveled to the Green Swamp and the Carol ina Bays area for several days of botanizing. Elton Hansens gave us the following report: "The Nature Conservancy provided outstanding guides who discussed the area in detail and showed the group the flora, including rare and unusual plants. All areas were abnormally dry, annoying insects were few and the weather was HOT, HOT, HOT. Dick Smith listed 120 plants which were seen in those two days." A long day trip was led by Ivan Kuster who took us down to the Smokies to explore Albright Grove in the Cosby area. It was a hot da and a long uphill walk to the Grove so we were glad to cool off with lunch by a brook at the edge of the virgin forest. Walking into the forest we saw many fine old trees, especially those of the silver- bell. Along the uphill trail we saw Fraser's sedge in abundance, the pink wood sorrel, dwarf ginseng and showy orchis. We had trips to Highlands and to Roan Mountain. At Roan we were disappointed not to be able to climb to Grassy Ridge. The property which leads to the Ridge is owned by the Peake family and this year because of a dispute about this area, it was suggested to us that we not cross this property. An attempt to circumvent the Peake property and bivouac off a portion of the Appalachian Trail was unsuccessful . Heading back toward our cars we were caught in a deluge , not an unusual occurence at Roan. As thoroughly wet as we got on the bald, we dried out quickly and went on to see the uncommon Appalachian avert < Ge.um r ad i a turn ) in an area above the parking lot. And, of course, we saw Gray's lily, white potentilla <£. tridentata ) , trautvetter i a and moun tain sandwor t. Dick Smith pointed out to us a wild chervil, Anthriscus syl vestr is . a Tennessee species. Shor ter trips Bess Sinish took us to R i ch 1 and-Bal sam ; Charlotte Carmen to Moore Cove; Pete and Ruth Sawyer to the East Fork of the Pigeon River. A group of 26 went to the Shut-In trail to see the Turk's cap lilies and some were fortunate enough to see a good specimen of bunch flower. Miles Peele took us along the Parkway to Heintooga and Paul's Gap; John Kuhn on the Parkway East toward Craggy Gardens and beyond. And finally, two trips to Buck Spring Trail, one which included a stop at the Pink Beds Overlook. ^ U) i 1 d 1 i f e We've seen two junco nests along the trails this y&ar , a friendly and trusting deer at Buck Spring, a pair of bobwhites at Holmes, and a ruffed grouse on the Shut-In trail. A pair of kingfishers was sighted at Daniel Creek. It has been a good season for hiking and despite the lack of rain we've seen some uncommon plants, and many many familiar ones. 7 LOOK AGAIN ! As a guide to avoiding contact with Poison Ivy, the maxim "Leaflets three, leave it be" is excellent — for children. Adults who do not wish to be kept away from other interesting (and harmless) plants can easily learn the features that distinguish it, and after applying this knowledge by practicing identification in the field a few times recognition becomes automatic. Poison Ivy ( .Rhus radicans ) is essen- tially a vine, and may be found trailing along the ground or climbing high into trees by means of thick stems which adhere to the trunks with hairy aerial roots. Its leaves are tern- ately compound with long petioles, and the terminal leaflet is conspicuously stalked. The margins of the three leaflets may be en- tire or have irregular shallow teeth. New growth is shiny, but this does not necessar- ily hold for mature foliage; autumn colors are often attractive shades of orange or red. In the spring, it bears axillary panicles of small rhus radicans yellowish or greenish flowers, and these are succeeded by nearly round, pale gray fruitSo To argue the question of whether Poison Oak (which is more common in the piedmont) is a variety of R^ radicans or a separate species (R_c_ toxicodendron ) would serve no purpose here; it exists and is equally noxious. The principal differences are that the plants are erect, the leaves are thicker and pubescent, and the leaflets tend to be lobed. The Sumacs are close relatives but only one — Fragrant Sumac (R^ aromatica) — is simil- ar, and it is non-poisonouso (Poison Sumac and the other spec- ies of Sumac have pinnately com- pound leaves, and will be treated as a group another time). Fra- grant Sumac is a shrub with tern- ate leaves, but the margins have coarse, rounded teeth, and the terminal leaflet is sessile. Its flowers are in short, catkin-like clusters preceding the leaves, and the fruits are bright red. R. TOXICODENDRON 25T . . S H 0 R T I A Vol . VIII, No. 3 Autumn 1986 A quarterly publication of the Western Carolina Botanical Club Editor: Dorothy Rathmann Distribution: Frances Gadd Please submit contributions for the next issue by November 15, 1986 to: Dorothy Rathmann, Editor Carolina Village Box 23 Hendersonville, NC 28739 SHORTIA c/o Frances Gadd 218 Pheasant Run Hendersonville, NC 28739 SHORTIA NEWSLETTER OF THE WESTERN CAROLINA BOTANICAL CLUB WINTER 1986-87 DOROTHY RATHMANN, Editor ( 2 OFFICERS President: Elton Hansens Treasurer: Margaret Kuhn Vice President: Millie Blaha Historian: Anne Ulinski Secretary: Ruth Mack DON’T FORGET Elton Hansens Workshop — Plant Fruits: Dec. 5; 1:30-4:00 PM; Blue Ridge Tech., Industrial Skills Bldg, (behind Life Sciences Bldg.), Room 129. Parking is available adjacent to the building. Call Elton Hansens (692-7245) if you plan to attend. Bring hand lens. Places, Plants and People plus a Ho liday Party : Dec. 12 ; 2:00 PM; Carolina Room, Carolina Village. A slide show will feature our 1986 trips to Calloway Gardens, Bat Cave, Green Swamp and Carolina Bays. Bring cookies or other goodies to share; beverage furnished by Club. Annual Meeting and Covered Dish Luncheon : J an . 23 , 1 987 ; Parish House of Saint John in the Wilderness Church. Business meeting and election of officers begins at 11:00 AM. We especially urge new members to attend and get better acquainted. The ’’covered dish” is always superb with generous dishes and great variety. Bring your own table service and a covered dish to share; beverage will be furnished. The 1987 Membership List will be available and you can pay 1987 dues. WCBC Patches: Several new Club members have inquired about the availability of embroidered WCBC patches for packs or jackets. They can be obtained from Margaret Kuhn, Treasurer, for $1.00 each. Our supply is down to about 20. RECOGNITION BY THE UNIVERSITY BOTANICAL GARDENS Elton Hansens A Certificate of Appreciation was presented to our Club at the annual dinner of the . University Botanical Gardens at Asheville on October 18. We appreciate this recognition of our assistance on scheduled work days and in other activities. Many of our members have joined the Gardens and two, Lowell Orbison and Dick Smith, have served on the Board . Did you know that Dr. Orbison received special recognition? He was named a Life Member for his extraordinary contribution as a leader and worker. Most of the labels on trees and shrubs were the result of Lowell’s work and, in addition, he has contributed in many other ways. Congratulations ! WELCOME — NEW MEMBERS Hendersonville unless otherwise stated Crawford, Dean A. & Joann C. , 3229 Debbie Drive 697-6761 Montgomery, Robert S. & Elaine Z., 1636 O'Hara Circle .... ^ Stephens, Wesley & Annette, 335 Rivermont Rd. , Athens, GA 30606 .... . 3 W. Barbara Hallowell Back in the olden days — that is, in the -fall of 1 972 — Dr . Ritchie Bell, an enthusiastic professor of botany at UNC and director of the NC Botanical Garden in Chapel Hill, came to Brevard to teach classes on fall wild flowers. His five weekly sessions delighted a group of 28 participants from Hendersonville, Brevard, and between and beyond. Circumstances found Harry Logan of Hendersonville traveling back and forth to classes with Barbara Hail owe 1 1 . En route home one day, Harry stated, "Barbara, Ccan't you hear him! 3 I've had an idea. I think it would be nice for some of us who've gotten to know each other in these classes to get together regularly and go out to various interesting places to look at flowers and other plants." Hearty agreement! A great idea! "At the end of the course, " Harry recalls, "we were given evaluation sheets. On mine I proposed forming a club. Dr. Bell sent me a list of fall course members." By late winter the imminence of spring wildf lowers pressed Harry, already a man very busy with hiking, gardening, and planting jots, to act. He arranged a meeting at the library, March 12, 1973, for discussing ideas about the club. He notified members of the wild- flower class and others who might be interested. As accurately as can be remembered by those who were there, attendees were Harry Logan, Joe Schatz, Harvey K reuse , Lincoln High ton , Harriet Corwin, Pat Tcoley, Gordon Tcoley, Peg Camenzind, Nan Morrow, and possibly a few others. Harry Logan presided at this meeting, which scheduled an organi- zational meeting for March 27, with publicity to be via newspaper and word of mouth. A nominating committee was appointed: Gordon Too ley and Harvey Krause . Harry suggested strong considerat ion of Lincoln Highton, a friend and highly qualified botanist from Torrey Botanical C 1 ub days in New York, for president. Eager to get going cn trips even before the organ i zational meeting, Harry began sched u 1 i n g . Friday, March 16, 1973, goes down in cl Lib hist cry as the first field trip of the unnamed, unorganized group. The weatherman challenged us by predicting rain — all day ! Barbara Ha 1 1 owe 1 1 has a record of the event from a letter she wrote her family: "A botany group, formed just a few days ago, had its first trip today — to Bat Cave, where there are magnificent stands of wildf lowers. Despite steady rain, three people turned out: Line Highton, Harry Logan, and I. By the end of the 20 minute ride, the rains had stopped. For several hours three excited people reveled in this superbly rich woods. New foliage was lush green in the wetness, the humus rich black, and blossoms everywhere! We not only had fun, we learned mors botany from each other and agreed we'd needle those fclks who had stayed behind because of a weather report. NO RAIN fell — that is, not until we got back to the car, when it deluged! What a day!" Cn Monday, March 19, a small group met at the A 2< P north (now WESTERN CAROLINA BOTANICAL CLUB — IT'S BEG INN I 4 up par earners zinc House) ro No record delightful venture to w . . =r ^ w w* f- 3 2 CL w! ; L . — — ^ — u . - j-' t of participants exists, but all the Augerhols in SC to see Short 0Pi J i a. Glowing reports from the Bat Cave trio and disappointment among those who missed that trip prompted a second visit there on Friday, March 23. About ten people attended on a magnificent spring day. Barbara wrote: "We sat on mossy logs for lunch amid masses of deep red trilliums- — 1000s of them — and hepatica, spring beauty, and blood root. " Tuesday, March 27, a small but enthusiastic group met to organize the botany club officially. Attendees: Harry Logan, Harvey K reuse , Joe Schatz, Lincoln Highton, Gordon Tool ey (representing the Brevard group), Harriet Corwin, Barbara Hallcwell, and possibly others. 1. 4. 5 . The transactions at that meeting are on record. Voting that the name of the organization will be Carolina Botanical Club. Deciding that the discussed purposes of the club cut mostly by means of field trips. Among them are: Western Mo-r=bh will fce carried Voting for officers: President- — Lincoln Highton Vice President — Gordon Tcoley Secretary— T reasurei Barbara Hal 1 ewe 1 1 Agreeing that one formal meeting per year will be enough. In it will be election of new officers. Setting up two commmi t tees : Field trips — Harry Lagan Publicity — -Joe Schatz Except for notices in the newspaper, no record exists of ensuin field trips until the first printed schedule, dated Sept. 1?7 3 to Fe 1974. (It is interesting to note that while in recent years we think of Bat Cave only in terms of spring, on this fall-winter schedule it is listed for Oct. 22 and Feb. 13!) A June 13, 1973, meeting seemed necessary tc iron out the in field trip mechanics. At that time Harriet Corwin and Peggy Camenz ind were appointed to Harry Logan's field trip committee. The f i rst memb e r sh ip 1 i : its 1973 lit" _ T late 1936 list has nearly 200!) Of that original list, nearly hal-? are still members: Peggy Camenz ind , Harriet Corwii Barber* U; . owe 1 1 , Harvey Krause , Bruce Leech, Harry Logan, Nan Morrow, Gladys Mu Ivey, Richard Tish, Gordon Toolsy, and Pat Toolev. • , As of 1936, the club has had ^ presidents: Line Highton — 1973, 1974, 1973, early 1976 Harvey Krause — 1976, 1977, 1973 Bruce Leech' — —1979, 19SU Augie Kehr — 1931, 19S2 Dick Smith — 1933, 1934 Elton Hansens — 1935, 1936. 3 rn n - v - And what about SHORT I A ? cuf’ ■HUartari y bulletin? UJhsn did it start? At the annual meeting on January 30, 197?, club members decided to have a publication to be edited by Harvey Krousa, with Verna Krause as secretary and "literary critic." The -first issue was March 1979. Helen Turner became editor in the spring o-f 19S2 and Dorothy Rathmann in autumn 19S6. Harry's idea has come a long way! — and it's going strong! PREVIEW HIGHLIGHTS OF FEBRUARY - JULY 1987 SCHEDULE Learn and Share Barbara Hallowell Two previous Learn and Share sessions were so thoroughly enjoyed by participants that we’ve scheduled another for Friday, February 13 . Choose some nature-oriented subject you’d like to learn about, dig out the facts on it, and plan to talk for 1-10 minutes, with or with- out props. These aren’t to be polished presentations! And, of course, you’re welcome to come even if you don’t have a topic to present. We estimate a couple hours learning and sharing in the morning, then lunch (you bring it, as usual), and some carryover into the after- noon. Those who wish to attend should call Barbara Hallowell (692-4316) to sign up. Call SOON! Four Overnight Trips Elton Hansens April 16-17 : Baxter Creek and Cosby areas of Great Smokies National Park. Attend the first day at Baxter Creek or, better still, plan for overnight and a second day in the Cosby area. Led by Bill Verduin. April 22-24 : By popular request, another 3-day outing with two full days at Snowbird Lodge. Something for everyone, even non-hikers. Contact Elton Hansens for reservations. May 14-15 : Overnight at Cullowhee with leadership by Dr. J. Dan Pittillo, Botany Professor, WCU. Evening illustrated lecture; field trips to Wasulik Trail and Kinsey Creek. Contact Anne Ulinski. June 25-26 : Overnight at Franklin, NC. Visit Perry’s Water Garden and hike Wayah Bald and other trails. Contact Elton Hansens. ORGANIZATIONS OF INTEREST Larry Kenyon The Community Relations Committee has recommended WCBC donations to the following organizations and, in addition, urges that Club members consider individual donations or memberships in these groups: University Botanical Gardens : membership $10; family $15. News- letter including Dick Smith's contributions. Raymond L. Joiner, Treasurer, 24 Hampton Road, Asheville, NC 28805. North Carolina Nature Conservancy : membership $10; renewal member- ships are shared with national Nature Conservancy. Among current projects are Bat Cave, Green Swamp and Carolina Bays — all sites visited by WCBC this year. State and national publications sent to members. PO Box 805, Chapel Hill, NC 27514. Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy : subscribing- member $10-24. News bulletin; annual meeting. Especially concerned wfjth preserving Roan Mountain and adjoining Southern Highlands. PO Box 3356, Kingsport, TN 37664. S * 6 WERE YOU THERE? DO YOU REMEMBER? Anne U1 inski. Historian V Each year we see the common -familiar plants — old -friends like ox-eye daisy, cinque-foil, bluets, trout lily, heal-all, dogwood, mountain laurel and rhododendron . On almost every hike we may see an uncommon or even a rare plant, or a display of a common plant, a display that stands out in our memory. I've gone back through this year's records to find some of those special plants or displays and I've listed them in column one below. In column two are the locations of the plants, "scrambled" to test your memory. I hope this matching test will recall some of the del ights o-f this past year. If you missed these plants this year, check. next year's schedules. Some of the trips are sure to be repeated . Look for answers on another page of this issue of SHORTIA. (NOTE: Not all plants were seen at blooming time). 1 American Climbing Fern a . Albright Grove, Cosby Area, Smokies 2 Anise Tree b. Bat Cave 3 Appal ach i an Ay ens c . Calloway Gardens 4 Creamy Violet d. Charlie Moore's Preserve 5 Cup Plant, S i 1 ph i um e . Craggy Gardens 6 Dwarf Ginseng f . Daniel Creek 7 Dwarf Pawpaw 9 • Dupont 8 Fr ag i 1 e Fern h . FENCE ? Fraser's Sedge i . Frying Pan Gao 10 Golden Saxifrage, Water Mat j . Green Cove Woods 1 1 Nodding Onion k . Green Swamp/Carol i ne Bays 12 Pers i stent Trillium l . Holmes State Forest 13 Pr i ncess Tree m . Ike Slickrock Trail (Entrance) 14 Purple Fringed Orchid n . Joyce Kilmer Trail 15 Pyxie Moss o . Lake Jocassee 16 Red Buckeye P • Log Hollow, Wolf Mt. Overlook 17 Rose Pink, Sabatia q • Millie Pearson's Woods 18 Round-leaued Hepatica r . Ogl e Meadow 1? Round-leaved Sundew s . Par i s Mt . State Park 20 Shortia, Oconee Bells t . Parkway East, near Craggy Gardens 21 Small Green Wood Orchid u . Pearson Falls 22 Stiff Gent i an V . Roan Mountain 23 S toneroot , D i t tany w . Shut-i n Trai 1 24 Turk's Cap Lily X . Trestle Gap 25 Upland Prairie Willow y . University Botanical' Gardens (April) 26 Venus Fly Trap 2 . University Botanical Gardens (June) 27 Whorled Pogon i a aa . University Botanical Gardens’ v (Oct . ) 7 LOOK AGAIN ! In nut-gathering season a squirrel roaming the southern forests can count its blessings in dozens of forms, but we humans-- if we bother to partake of this bounty at all — are likely to confine our attention to the Walnuts. In addition to the Black Walnut ( Juglans nigra ) , which is renowned equally for its superb wood and pungent nut-meats, we are favored with the Butternut ( J. cinerea ) , sometimes called White Walnut, a tree especially suited to acid soils. Both are easily recognized by their pinnately- compound leaves with up to 23 toothed leaflets of nearly uniform size. In contrast, our Hickories ( Carya spp. ) seldom have more than nine leaflets, and often the basal ones are smaller and the terminal one the largest. In the absence of leaves, the branchlets furn- ish diagnostic clues. The chambered pith (in Carya it is solid) is light brown in J. nigra and a dark chocolate color in J. cinerea . More- over, the latter sports a "mustache" — a woolly ridge across the top of each three- lobed leaf scar. The foliage of an unrelated tree, American Mountain Ash •( Sorbus americana ) might appear to be similar, but its leaflets are smaller, the pith solid, and the leaf scars narrow. J. cinerea Still other differences occur in the fruits of the two Walnuts. Both the husk of J, nigra and the corrugated nut it encloses are almost spherical, while J. cinerea has a slightly pear-shaped husk and a nut which is more cylindrical and bears four distinct vertical ribs. •zzr C Hs S H 0 R T I A Yol. VIII, No. 4 Winter 1986-87 A quarterly publication of the Western Carolina Botanical Club Editor: Dorothy Rathmann Distribution: Frances Gadd Please submit contributions for next issue by February 15, 1987 to: Dorothy Rathmann, Editor Carolina Village Box 23 Hendersonville, NC 28739 Answers to plant quiz: lg, 2aa, 3u , 4q , 5z , 6n , 7s, Sb , 9a, IQu, lit, 12c, 13m, 143, 15d, 16/, 17+. 1 8J , 19p, 20-0, 21 x 28k , 27-1 . ■4- I 9 23h , 24w , 25 i SHORTIA c/o Frances Gadd 218 Pheasant Run Hendersonville, NC 28739