TENNESSEE NATIVE! > PLANT SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Vol. 7, No. 1 February 1 5, 1984 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT The previous message was written just before the conference on Rare Plants, but the newsletter came out after. It was an interesting and informative conference, which makes an update timely. The conference was a success. Lots of planning and lots of good participation went into it. The efforts of Paul Somers and Co. were great. He even tried manfully to keep us all on schedule, but the schedule was so full that only cancellation of a few papers and shorter breaks kept proceedings pretty much in line. Perspectives on what is going on elsewhere (North Carolina, Ohio, Federal Fish and Wildlife Service, World Wildlife Fund) helped focus on what is being done in Tennessee and where to go from here. Many of the papers will be published in the March - April issue of the The Tennessee Conservationist . I recommend that for some good information on the issues. At the conclusion of the conference, an elegant Resolution was proposed, passed, and signed by 45 of the approximately 80 participants, several of whom were no longer in attendance at that time. That Resolution was subsequently sent out to all participants together with a slightly modified version that was specifically written just for the Conference participants to sign, collect signatures, etc. and send to appropriate state officials and legislators, as indicated in the Resolution. This letter Resolution is included separately in this Newsletter. Members are encouraged to sign and collect signatures and then send copies to listed state officials and legislators. Send copies to your legislators, especially if you live in rural areas. We need to come to the attention of as many as possible. If you don't know your legislators' addresses, they can be obtained from County Courthouses. Their Nashville offices are either in the War Memorial Building or the Legislative Plaza, Nashville, 37219; others are T he Governor and his Safe Growth learn at The State Capitol, Nashville, 37219; Speaker of the Senate John S. Wilder, and Speaker of the House Ned Ray McWerter, both Legislative Plaza, Nashville, 37219. - 2 - An additional action of the Rare Plant Conference was to select a legislative committee to produce a draft Rare Plant protection bill to be introduced in this legislative session. Linda Pearsall spearheaded formation of the committee and getting our first meeting organized. Other members included Tony Campbell, Ed Clebsch, Murray Evans, Milo Guthrie, Dennis Horn, Loid Lord, Dee Montie, Rugh Neff, Tom Patrick, Elsie Quarterman, Arthur Smith, John Williams, and Neil Woodeil. Most are members of TNPS, but other important groups were represented; the Tennessee Conservation League, Tennessee Environmental Council, The Nature Conservancy, Tennessee Audubon Society, Environmental Action Fund, and the Tennessee Nurseryman's Association. Several members made a profitable day meeting at the home of Elsie Quarterman laying out a framework for the bill and planning action, particularly with Penny Harrington, lobbyist for the Environmental Action Fund, which has selected this as one of their primary concerns for this legislative session. The draft outline of our goals for the bill follow this letter. These goals are to be incorporated into a bill through Penny’s efforts with Senate and House staff members. Since that meeting at the end of December, sponsors for the bill have been found, who include James Lewis of South Pittsburg and Carl Moore of Bristol in the Senate and Steve Cobb of Nashville, and William Owen of Knoxville in the House. Hopefully, this project is well on its way. Any political weight thrown its way will help. The committee is eagerly awaiting a chance to look over a draft bill, which we hope to have time to see before it is submitted. In the crush, while the legislature is in session, time will undoubtedly be short, but it is on its way. Just a couple of other items. Dennis Horn has worked out a trip schedule for this year, and it should make it into this Newsletter; and the Nomination Committee, also organized by Dennis, is at work. See you on the trails. A final note - DUES ARE DUE - as of January 1. Murray Evans Director END OF THE FIELD TRIP - bq V. UJmemillor prom Thu. Ba-q Leap , Ncui-ilchfcr cp thj_ dtuj ChJLpk r op hhu. (LoJiporma. NaZux: Send Materials to: Lorene L. Sigal, Environmental Sciences Division, □ak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box X, Oak Ridge, TN 37831. Phone: (615)574-7266 A draft outline of goals for a rare plant protection bill, prepared by the ad hoc Legislative Committee formed at the Conference on Rare Plant Protection in T ennessee. ® TENNESSEE RARE PLANT PROTECTION AND CONSERVATION ACT OF 1984 Acknowledging human needs and enjoyment, the interests of science, and the economy of the state, and recognizing the importance of Tennessee's biological diversity; the goals of this act are to ensure that rare plants are protected and conserved, that their numbers are maintained and enhanced, and that their habitats are protected. PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVES OF LEGISLATION 1) to provide for the investigation and publication of a rare plant listing by the Natural Heritage Division, which will be reviewed at least every two years, and for the promulgation of rules and regulations providing for public participation in the listing process. 2) to protect listed plant species and their habitat form damage and to limit taking by any person of plants designated as rare from state and federal lands and from registered state natural areas, by prohibiting such damage or taking, and to provide for penalties ($1000 fine and injunctive relief by Davidson County Chancery court) for such acts. 3) 4) 5) to provide for the issuance of permits by the Natural Heritage Division which will regulate the collection of listed species on stule and fea'eraiiy owned ianas and state registered natural areas for purposes of scientific research, ea'ucationai uses, and propagation measures which will enchance the survival of the species; and which will regulate the interstate sale of listed species. to provide for inspection and regulation by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture of nurseries and other growers and dealers of plants in order to ensure that rare plants are propagated or collected under permit (see 3 above); and to provide for education of nursery inspectors by Natural Heritage Division in regard to Tennessee's rare plants. to provide for the Heritage Division's entering into co-operative agreements with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under Section 6 of Endangered Species Act, and for receipt of grants, donations, gifts and other monies to further purposes of the act. 6) to provide for The Natural Heritage Division to develop recovery plans and to do management activities which will protect or enhance the survival of rare plant species. RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the attached undersigned recognize that there is a need for comprehensive legislation designed to protect rare, endangered, and certain other plants and their habitats in Tennessee, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT we encourage the personnel of the Department of Conservation to continue the development of good legislation, and to include in that development work the further involvement of members of the scientific community, concerned conservation organizations, and the appropriate members of the interested public in the process. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the draft legislation should be transmitted -for review and comment to appropriate state and federal agencies and conservation organizations represented among the participants in the recently concluded Conference on Rare Plant Protection in Tennessee. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution should be transmitted to the Commissioner of Conservation and appropriate assistant commissioners with an expression of thanks for sponsoring the conference and with an expression of appreciation to the organizers. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that this resolution should also be simultaneously and expeditiously transmitted to the Office of the Governor of Tennessee, the Governor's Safe Growth Team, the Speakers of the House and Senate of the Tennessee General Assembly, and other officials deemed appropriate by the transmitters. Signed, Name Address - 5 - 1984 FIELD TRIP SCHEDULE TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY Saturday, March 31, 1984 Roaring River Early Spring Flora, Jackson and Overton Counties Richard Simmers 615-326-8517 Saturday, April 14, 1984 Lady Finger Bluff, Perry County Judith Powers 6 15-494-9800 Saturday, April 21 Long Hunter State Park, Wildflower Pilgrimage Bertha Chrietzberg 615-896-1146 Thursday thru Saturday, April 26-28 Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Wildflower Pilgrimage Ed Clebsch 615-974-6209 Saturday, May 5 Big Hill Pond State Environmental Area - Hardeman County Larry Wilson 901-454-5607 Saturday, May 19 Duck River Cedar Glades, Maury County Leo Collins 615-494-9800 Saturday thru Sunday, June 2-3 WEST TENNESSEE EXCURSION, Anderson Tully, Lauderdale County Moss Island, Dyer County Tom Heineke 901-521-3857 Saturday thru Sunday, June 16-17 ANNUAL MEETING, Beersheba Springs, Grundy County Dennis Horn 615-435-5742 Sunday, July 8 Bald River Falls Area, Cherokee National Forest, Monroe County Tom Patrick 615-577-5652 Saturday thru Sunday, August 18-19 EAST TENNESSEE OUTING, Snake Mountain, Cross Mountain, Doe Mountain, etc. - Johnson and Carter Counties Ed Schell 615-282-6125 Saturday thru Sunday, August 23-26 CUMBERLAND PLATEAU WEEKEND, South Cumberland "Sinkholes" Scott Gulf Spider Lily Foray Randy Hedgepath 615-924-2980 Margret Rhinehart 615-946-2113 Saturday, September 1 5 Northwest Alabama "Jamesianthus alabamensis" site: also alade Diants David Webb 205-386-2276 Saturday, September 29 Turkey Creek Hike, Franklin County Dennis Horn 615-455-5742 Saturday, October 20 Big South Fork National River and Recreational Area Larry Pounds 615-483-5953 Saturday, November 3 Stones River Canoe Trip, Rutherford County Bertha Chrietzberg 615-896-1146 - 6 - OTHER EVENTS IN THE AREA April 14 Memphis Wildflower Society Guting, Lichterman Nature Center Larry Wilson 901-454-5607 April 13-15 Cedars of Lebanon Wildflower Pilgrimage Sharon Patterson 615-444-9404 April 20-21 and April 27-28 Frozen Head National Area Wildflower Pilgrimage Ranger Naturalist 615-346-3318 April 28 Meeman-Shelby State Park, ’’Spring in the Forest" Charles Norvell 901-876-5201 April 27-28 Savage Gulf Natural Area Wildflower Weekend Randy Hedgepath 615-924-2980 May 5-6 South Cumberland Recreation Area Wildflower Festival Randy Hedgepath 615-924-2980 May 4-6 Roan Mountain Annual Wildflower Festival Roan Mtn. State Park 615-772-3303 May 5 Meeman-Shelby State Park Annual "Spring Stroll" Charles Norvell 901-876-5201 June 10 Memphis Wildflower Society Trip, McPherson Place Larry Wilson 901-454-5607 June 22-24 Roan Mountain Annual Rhododendron Festival Roan Mtn. State Park 615-772-3303 September 8 Memphis Wildflower Society Trip, Walldoxey State Park, Mississippi Larry Wilson 901-454-5607 September 7-9 Roan Mountain Naturalist Rally Ed Schell 615-282-6125 - 7 - MARCH FIELD TRIP ROARING RIVER EARLY SPRING AREA, JACKSON AND OVERTON COONTIES DATE: Saturday, March 31, 1 984 TIME: 9:00 a.m., Central Time PLACE: Cookeville High School parking lot just a block northwest of the junction of U.S. Highway 70 and TN Highway 111. LEADER: Richard Simmers, Ornithologist and Naturalist, Route 6, Box 170, Cookeville TN 38301. Phone: 615-526-8517. This trip begins with a pleasant jaunt to a nearby population of the dwarf trillium (Trillium pusillum). To date, Tennessee botanists know of four counties within Tennessee in which this species has been found; they are all on the Highland Rim. Several short hikes will be made to extremely rich areas along the Roaring River and tributaries. Both plants and birds should be fantastic on this trip. Overton County has been seriously neglected by botanists in the past; preliminary observations indicate that there are a precious few hollows left that harbor great numbers of Spring wildflowers. FIRST APRIL FIELD TRIP LADY FINGER BLUFF SMALL WILD AREA, PERRY COUNTY c .• A. I I A inn/, uucuiuu/, npl U 1 *-f , A /us 1:00 p.m., Central Time Meet at gravel pulloff 1.7 miles west of the center of Linden, Perry County, at the junction of IN Highway 20 (also TN Highway 100) and County Road 6243. Linden can be reached easily from Interstate 40, check a recent highway map. We will travel to Lady Finger Bluff in unison since roads are tricky and signs may be missing!!! Judith Powers, Natural Areas Coordinator, Regional Natural Heritage Project, Division of Land and Forest Resources, TVA, Norris, TN 37828. Phone: (home) 615-494-9421; (office) local from Knox County 632-6450, otherwise 615-494-9800. Lady finger Bluff is a IVA Small Wild Area known for spring wildflowers, gnarled red cedars, and river bluff scenery. We plan to spend the afternoon along a 2.5 mile loop trail searching for wildflowers. Located along the eastern side of Kentucky Lake, the trail at Lady Finger Bluff has been designated as a Natural Recreation Trail and a Tennessee Scenic Trail. There should be plenty of time to photograph and look closely at plants, birds, views, whatever. We recommend writing or calling the Leader since the area is difficult to locate. For additional information on trails maintained by TVA, write for the new brochure entitled TVA Trails. Send $1.00 for the booklet to: TVA Map Sales, 100 Haney Building, Chattanooga, TN 37401, or TVA Map Sales, 400 West Summit Hill Drive, Knoxville, TN 37902. DATE: TIME: PLACE: LEADER: - 8 - SECOND APRIL FIELD TRIP LONG HUNTER STATE PARK WILDFLOWER PILGRIMAGE DATE: Saturday, April 21, 1984 TIME: 9:00 a.m., Central Time PLACE: Meet at the Couchville Lake Parking Area of Long Hunter State Park. From Nashville, take Murfreesboro Road East to Highway 171 (Hobson Pike), turn North or Left on Highway 171 for approximately five miles, crossing the lake. The entrance to the Park is on your right. Drive all the way in to Couchville Lake. From Murfreesboro, take Highway 41, (Murfreesboro Road), Northeast toward Nashville, turning right on Hobson Pike (Highway 171). LEADER: Bertha C. Chrietzberg 1715 Elrod Street Murfreesboro, TN 37130 615-896-1146 Reggie Reeves, Supt. Long Hunter State Park Route 3, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122 615-885-2422 We will join the Tennessee Trails Associations for a visit to one of our newest State Parks and enjoy guided wildflower tours. Long Hunter State Park lies along the shoreline of Percy Priest Lake and touches three counties, Davidson, Rutherford, and Wilson. We will visit a woodland area in the morning for early spring flowers on the barrier-free trail, (wheel chairs invited), a 2.5 mile trail around Couchville Lake. We will lunch in a picnic area beside Percy Priest Lake, and observe woodland flowers along a nature trail in that area. After lunch, we will visit a cedar glade area of the park tc ■'.hcrrv rare and unusual flowers found only in the above three mentioned counties of Middle Tennessee. Bring lunch and a beverage and join us for an easy hike and family-type outing on the day before Easter. --THIRD APRIL FIELD TRIP - 34TH ANNUAL SPRING WILDFLOWER PILGRIMAGE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, GATLINBURG DATE: Thursday - Saturday, April 26-28, 1984 TIME: Half -day and all-day hikes all three days, starting at 8:30-9:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m.; evening programs all three evenings at 8:00 p.m. PLACE: Civic Auditorium, Gatlinburg, for registration (small fee), programs, information and trip sign-ups. Programs can also be obtained in advance from the Park Office or the UT-K Botany Department. LEADER: GSMNP Office, Gatlinburg, TN 37738, Phone: 615-436-5615; or Dr. Ed Clebsch, Botany Department, UT-K, Knoxville, TN 37996-1100. Phone: 615-974-2256. This event is jointly sponsored by the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, the University of 1 ennessee Botany Department, and the Gatlinburg Garden Club. Experienced leaders, many of whom are T NPS members, lead guided wildflower tours all over the park. An enormous display of labeled wildflowers and evening programs emphasize the natural history of the region. T here are also bird hikes, amphibian and spider tours, and ecology and photography workshops. Approximately seventy hikes and scheduled trips are planned. - 9 - FIRST MAY FIELD TRIP BIG HILL POND STATE NATURAL AREA DATE: Saturday, May 5, 1984 TIME: 8:00 a.m., Central Time PLACE: North parking lot. Pink Palace Museum, 3050 Central Avenue, Memphis, TN. Take 1-40 straight-in to Highland Street exit, left on Highland to Central (at 4th light). Right on Central to Layfette Street (before 2nd light). Right on Layfette to fourth driveway on the left. LEADER: Larry Wilson, Pink Palace Museum, 3050 Central Avenue, Memphis, TN 38111 Phone: (home) 901-458-8724, (office) 901-454-5607. Join the Memphis Wildflower Society to explore Big Hill Pond, a new state natural area located approximately 70 miles East of Memphis near Pocahontas (5 miles East of Middleton). It is in the Hatchie River bottoms near the Mississippi State line. Wet swamps and flat woods can be negotiated by a newly constructed long boardwalk. Interesting trees, marsh plants, and birds abound in the area. Be prepared for walking in damp woods, and bring lunch for an all-day outing. Those desiring to go directly to Big Hill Pond may join the group arriving from Memphis at 10:00 a.m., Central Time. 1NPS and Wildflower Society members in the Memphis area have agreed to furnish sleeping accommodations for out-of-town members who can attend. If possible, contact Larry Wilson by April 21 for housing arrangements. —SECOND MAY FIELD TRIP DUCK RIVER CEDAR GLADES, MAURY COUNT Y DATE: Saturday, May 19, 1984 TIME: 10:00 a.m., Central Time PLACE: Stan's Restaurant at Columbia Exit to 1-65 (a neat place for a country breakfast!!!) LEADER: Leo Collins, Botanist, Regional Natural Heritage Project, Division of Land and Forest Resources, TVA, Norris, TN 37828, Phone: (home) 615-475-7676, (office) local from Knox County 632-6450, otherwise 615-494-9800. Join us for a day of short hikes and roadside botanizing, as we discover interesting cedar glades that may be affected my impoundments. Numerous characteristic cedar glade plants are present in this portion of the Central Basin. These glades resemble those around Cedars of Lebanon, although a few special plants have not yet been found along the Duck River drainage. We will review what glades are, see several glade species, id review efforts to protect the better examples. Some of the showy endemics will be at i heir peak. Glades of the south Central Basin need our attention; they are less explored than those to the North. 1 he start time is purposely late to allow those from far reaches of 1 ennessee ample time for travel. All hiking will be short and sweet!!! - 10 - BETULACEAE — THE BIRCH FAMILY The Betulaceae are spring blooming, wind-poilinated trees and shrubs. Leaves are simple, alternate, straight-veined, deciduous, petiolate, and subtended by stipules. Male and female flowers are separate but on the same plants. The male flowers occur in pendulous catkins or "tags" so familiar on alders and birch. The pollen dust from these catkins is one of the first signs of spring in our area. Female flowers are in small clusters and chiefly mature into cone-like structures. The nuts or small winged fruits are produced in late summer or fall. Fossils indicate the family to have been more widespread in past ages. Six genera exist presently and five of these occur in Tennessee: Alnus (alder), Betula (birch), Corylus (hazelnut), Ostrya (hop hornbeam), and Carpinus (ironwood). Worldwide distribution is chiefly North American, European, and Asian. The family makes many contributions to our comfort and pleasure. Filberts and hazelnuts come from this family. Birch, ironwood, and (on our Pacific Coast) alder are highly prized for their wood. Birch, hazelnut, and ironwood are valuable ornamentals. A fragrant wintergreen tea is brewed from twigs of two of our birches: yellow birch and sweet birch. Historically, birch is famous for its use in canoes and baskets by American Indians. Joseph L. Collins .eaves and fruit in summer Catkins in spring REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE Because we are so late in preparing for this election, we have found it difficult to comply with all the requirements of our constitution. We are supposed to elect three directors, one from each region of the state, each year, for two-year term. This means that there are always six directors, two from West T ennessee, two from Middle, and two from East I ennessee, but their two-year terms overlap. At the present time all of our officers have served at least three years, and three directors have served four years. Therefore, we have asked the three most recently elected directors to serve through 1984, and they have agreed. These three are Larry Wilson (West), Dennis Horn (Middle), and Ron Vance (East). We appreciate their willingness to serve. Our by-laws [Article VII, Section 3(b)] say: "In addition to nominations by the Nominating Committee any eligible member may also be nominated by written petition of not less than ten members received by the Chairman of the Nominating Committee (with notice of its submission sent to the Corresponding Secretary) not later than October 20, accompanied by written consent of the nominee to be a candidate and to serve if elected." The blank space in the ballot below is for write-in candidates. Change the date October 20, to April 1 for this election, and if you wish to add another nominee for any office, get his/her written consent, and return it to the Chairman of the Nominating Committee (see below) by April 1 with the signatures of ten members and a brief biographical description. Our by-laws [Article VII, Section 3(c)] further state: "If the Nominating Committee has submitted, and the Executive Board has certified, only one nomination for office, and the exact number of candidates necessary for the Board of Directors, and if no nominating petitions are received for any office or Board position as prescribed above, those nominated shall be declared elected, and no further election procedures are required for each such office or Board position." 7 he Candidates: For President: ( ) Tom Patrick, incumbent director, leader of many field trips, doctoral candidate in botany at UT, part-time TVA botanist. ( ) For Vice-President: ( ) Leo Collins, TVA botanist, has led field trips, written for newsletter and I NPS note cards, works on Tennessee Heritage Program. ( ) For Treasurer: ( ) Pat Parr, plant ecologist, manager of natural areas, ORNL National Environmental Research Park. - 12 - The Candidates : (Concl'd) For Corresponding Secretary: ( ) Linda Ewald, biology research technician at Gak Ridge Research Institute, has done art work for TNPS. ( ) For Recording Secretary: ( ) Fred Taylor, incumbent, processes all memberships and other information on computer for TNPS. ( ) For Regional Director, East Tennessee: ( ) A1 Foster, retired forest pathologist, former chairman of nominating committee, works on TNPS seed bank. ( ) For Regional Director, Middle Tennessee: ( ) Larry Smith, plant ecologist, natural areas coordinator, TNPS representative on Tennessee Environmental Council. ( ) For Regional Director, West Tennessee: ( ) Frances Spence, interested in rare plant protection legislation, active in Memphis Wiidflower Society. ( ) If further nominations are received, we shall send out new ballots. If not, the above ballot will be considered final, and the above candidates wiil be declared elected by April 31, 1984. I wish to take this opportunity to thank the other members of the nominating committee, Selma Myers and Paul Somers, who helped so much in finding our candidates and in giving me moral support. I also wish to thank all the candidates for their cooperative spirit and their willingness to serve our organization. Shirley Nicholson, Chairman of Nominating Committee 6806 Haverhill Drive Knoxville, TN 37919 1984 DUES Active - $5 Associate - $2.50 Institutional - $10 Life - $100.00 Regular membership with voting rights and Newsletter. Covers one person or an entire family, but carries only one vote per membership. Additional voting rights for couples or families would come through additional Active memberships. Includes the Newsletter and participation in all activities, except voting rights. Includes Newsletter, participation in all activities and one vote. For libraries, governmental agencies, parks, recreation areas, consulting firms, other business firms, etc. Same as the Active memberships, but a one-time payment; the funds to be invested; the annual income to be used for current expenses and growth. MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL/APPLICATION FORM (Check your address label on reverse side and if incorrect indicate necessary changes below). Name Phone Address (Indicate below TNPS programs you would like to work on) Publicity: writing, photography Membership Conservation: plant mapping, roadside revegetation Assist with field trips Other, please specify: ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES Active $5.00 Institutional $10.00 Associate $2.50 Life $100.00 Mail to: . Tennessee Native Plants Society c/o Department of Botany The University of Tennessee Knoxville, Tenn. 37916 3||IAXOU-X UU«| )0 MUfl aivd tfxM'Od s n j 6jq >t|Oi d -uON I 916 L£ N1 ‘3|l!*xou» oossouuox J° Aj jsjOAiufi oqx Aupiog jo luDiujjEdoQ o ^ A13I3DS SlNVHd 3AIIVN 33SS3NN31 ‘o Pipsissewa, Spotted A/intergreen Chimaphila maculala (L.) Pursh. An evergreen perennial which seldom reaches over 8 inches tall, this plant is used as a diuretic, tonic, astringent, and blood builder, and is alleged to treat skin eruptions and rheumatism. The plant is usually employed in a tea made from the leaves. Artist: Andrea H Higdon Appalachian Medicinal Herl> Notes Dish United by the U'ild flora. I ennessec Native Plant Society to support conservation of Tennessee s I N PS c/ o Department ot Botany, The University ol Tennessee Knoxville, TN 37916 TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY 1984 ANNUAL MEETING, BEERSHEBA SPRINGS, GRUNDY COUNTY DATE: Friday p.m. - Sunday p.m., June 15-17, 1984 TIME: Friday arrival: Evening program informal showing individual slides of botanical interest (no meal Friday night) Saturday arrival: Register for hikes between 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Central time ACTIVITIES: Saturday Hikes * A. All day (9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) 8 miles - Big Creek Gulf (on trail, moderate difficulty) B. All day (9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) 10 miles - Savage Gulf Big Trees (rugged terrain) C. Morning hike (9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.) 1-2 miles - Laurel Falls and Great Stone Door (easy) D. Afternoon hike (1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.) 2-3 miles - Collins River Bottoms (easy) Saturday Evening Program Meeting and slide presentation - 7:30 p.m. Sunday Hike Fiery Gizzard Trail (9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.) 5-6 miles - (on trail, moderate difficulty) COORDINATOR: Dennis Horn, 222 Crestwood Drive, Tullahoma, TN 37388, Telephone: 615/455-5742 (home); 615/455-2611, ext. 7447 (work) MEETING PLACE: Beersheba Springs Methodist Assembly, a church camp and conference facility just off TN Hwy 56 near the north end of Beersheba Springs on top of the Cumberland Plateau. Refer to a recent TN map, locate Grundy County and find your way toTN Hwy 56 coming from the north via McMinnville, or from the south via Tracy City and Altamont. Look for the church camp sign, turn west, and go about two blocks. Continuing the tradition, the TNPS annual meeting will be held at the historic Beersheba Springs Hotel overlooking the beautiful Collins River valley. For those arriving Friday evening, there will be an informal***, showing of slides, so bring 10-20 of your favorite slides or some taken on previous TNPS outings. Several hikes will be offered on Saturday beginning at 9:30 a.m. Central time. Trips will vary both in length and difficulty, with a wide variety of choices. Saturday night, activities begin at 7:30 p.m. with a short business meeting, followed with a slide presentation of Cedar Glade plants by Milo Guthrie. Many glade plants in Middle Tennessee are unique in the world and Milo will share with us some of these interesting plants and their habitats. On Sunday, we will go to the Grundy State Forest near Tracy City for a hike into the Big Fiery Gizzard Gorge. This rugged area is now a part of the South Cumberland Recreation Area. - 2 - 1984 ANNUAL MEETING, BEERSHEBA SPRINGS, GRUNDY COUNTY (Cont'd) To facilitate planning for lodging and meals, we ask that you complete the enclosed form "1984 Annual Meeting - Tennessee Native Plant Society." Fold it like a letter, affix postage, and mail directly to the Beersheba Springs Assembly by JUNE 9th . Please let them know your plans as soon as possible. However, you are most welcome even at the last minute, pre-registered or not! The food is great, the air invigorating, so come join us for an enjoyable weekend at Beersheba. “ALL HIKES ORIGINATE FROM THE BEERSHEBA SPRINGS HOTEL. JUNE FIELD TRIP WEST TENNESSEE EXCURSION: ANDERSON TULLY AREA. LAUDERDALE COUNTY AND LOWER HATCHIE WILDLIFE REFUGE, DYER COUNTY DATE: Saturday, June 2, 1984 and Sunday, June 3, 1984 TIME: 9:00 a.m.. Central Time, both days; evening program at 7:30 p.m., Saturday PLACE: Interpretive Center, Fort Pillow State Park, West off U.S. Hwy 51 at Henning exit, take TN Hwy 87 west and follow signs to Fort Pillow State Park. Meet in the parking lot. Don't get lost going by the Fort Pillow State Prison. LEADER: Tom Heineke, Botanist, Memphis District, Corps of Engineers, B-314 Clifford Davis Federal Building, Memphis, TN 38103. Phone: 901/521-3857 (work); 901/372-8181 (home). This is a weekend for field botany types interested in West Tennessee flora. Numerous activities are planned, using Fort Pillow State Park as a base of operations. Camping facilities are available; motels also along major U.S. Hwy 51. The State Park offers trails and probably will be new to most of us. The major emphasis Saturday will be Anderson Tully, a potential waterfowl management area with some relatively wild areas in western Lauderdale County. We will tour the area with Norman Davis, Forester, as our guide. Bring a pack lunch and snacks, rubber boots or old tennis shoes for hiking. We will be taking a series of short hikes with a high probability of getting our feet wet! A program on West Tennessee flora will be presented at 7:30 p.m. at the Interpretive Center. On Sunday, starting at the same time and place, we will explore the Lower Hatchie Wildlife Refuge floodplain forests, including some large unusual oaks - particularly Nuttall oak ( Quercus n uttallii) and overcup oak (Q. lyrata) . This area is in southern Dyer County. Again, be prepared for wet hiking and bring a lunch. As always, we expect to find surprise wildflowers and other interesting plants. We need enthusiastic explorers to become involved in learning about the natural areas of West Tennessee. Come meet some good people and see the Mississippi River bluffs and floodplain forests with us. RODUCED ON GOVT COPItV I PN 77207 OOU-9664E 33SS3NN3X aniAXON^ 33SS3NN3J. 30 AXISdSAINn 3HJ. iN3Wl«Vd3a ANVJ.OS A13I3DS INVlc 3AI1VN 33SS3NN3J Pipsissewa, Spotted Wintergreen Chimaphila maculata (L.) Pursh. An evergreen perennial which seldom reaches over 8 inches tall, this plant is used as a diuretic, tonic, astringent, and blood builder, and is alleged to treat skin eruptions and rheumatism. The plant is usually employed in a tea made from the leaves. Artist: Andrea H. Higdon Appalachian Medicinal Herb Nolei Distributed by the Tennessee Native Plant Society to support conservation of Tennessee's wild flora. TNPS do Department of Botany, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37916 i. TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Vol. 7. No. 2 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Effective April 1, 1984, a new slate of officers and three new Directors-at-Large began serving their terms (see Election Results). Plans are to hold a brief Board Meeting at our Annual Meeting at Beersheba Springs and to present to the membership at that time a Treasurer’s Report and an agenda of action for the upcoming year or so. There is much to do, but I am convinced from talking with many members that we will become an even more vocal organization in the future. Such a role, however, is absolutely impossible without good communications and publicity. Within the next two months, I hope to have produced a current membership list and to offer for presentation upon reguest a program on Tennessee’s flora and its major conservation group concerned primarily with plants — The Tennessee Native Plant Society (TNPS). By the way, I wish to publicly thank Editor Catherine Elick and Consulting Editor Paul Somers for their fine promotion of the Society and of native plants in general in the March/April issue of The Tennessee Conservationist . This was a job well done and did much to publicize the Society throughout the State. I have met with several of the new officers and we have made a smooth transition. Murray Evans is a co-founder of TNPS and has been involved with the Society administratively since its origin. I imagine he is relieved to be free of some of the tedious jobs needed to keep a widespread organization on the go. I am fortunate to be one of his graduate students and will continue to take advantage of his proximity for advice, encouragement, and ideas. There are several other key people without whom the Society would surely collapse who need to be re-introduced and ennobled. Linda Ewald opens all the mail and sends memberships on to the Treasurer. Pat Parr. Pat is busily learning high finance as she manages all the money matters and cashes every check. Membership Secretary Fred Taylor, holding his position since the organization was founded in 1978, works closely with Pat on keeping the membership list up-to-date. I can’t possibly mention everyone at this writing, but I wish to say that the person with the most influence on the Society is our major communicator, Lorene Sigal, TNPS Newsletter Editor. Have you ever tried getting out a TNPS Newsletter on time? There can’t be a tougher job. We all appreciate her efforts and I hereby pledge to make her job more enjoyable by getting stuff to her on schedule (starting next issue!). Finally, I am proud to be able to play some role in the Society's effort to promote the natural beauty of Tennessee’s native flora. We have much to accomplish — passing the Rare Plant Bill, doubling or even tripling membership, having a more active voice in the conservation movement in our State. We have many wild areas to explore, new plant records to discover, elusive orchids (and other kinds of plants) to track down. Please come to the Annual Meeting this June and find out what you can do to help! Tom Patrick President 2 MESSAGE f-KUM INK PAS I PKf-.SIDKNI With this brief missive, I leave the reins of I NPS to new blood. 1 am also confident that 1 leave them in good hands. I he nominating committee has done well, and 1 am delighted. We have a good start with I NPS and there is, and will always be, lots to do. I’m sorry 1 can’t end on the up-beat note that the Rare Plant Bill passed. It didn’t. Perhaps we can work on the fact that it didn’t fail either. It was sent to a study committee, presumably for a year. It is my own personal opinion that this may be a good thing. I’m sorry it wouldn’t be short, guick, and easy; but there had been enough dilution of what we wanted by special interest concerns, that 1 think we were losing ground. Hopefully with reflection, and living with the idea for a year some of the opposing groups can have some time to reflect on their concerns and see that the thrust of the bill is to protect that which really needs protection in the face of serious potential loss, and not everything everywhere. Another year. Dennis Horn has just given us a wonderful trip schedule for the year. This is certainly the backbone of the Society. Our new Executive Committee is a splendid group (see Election Results). Tom Patrick, as our new President, is a tour de force . But even he can't be everywhere at once. Together we can go anywhere. A. Murray Evans Past President JULY FIELD TRIP— - - BALD RIVER GORGE, CHEROKEE NATIONAL PORES I, MONROE COUNTY DATE: Sunday, July 8, 1984 TIME: 9:30 a.m., Eastern T ime PLACE: I ellico Ranger Station parking lot, 5 miles east of Tellico Plains (approximately), bear right along the Tellico River once within the Cherokee National Forest and follow signs to the Tellico Ranger Station. Take Tennessee Highway 68 south from Madisonville to get to Tellico Plains. LEADER: Tom Patrick, 153 Taliwa Court Addition, Knoxville, TN 3/920. Phone: 615-5/7-5652. Bald River Gorge, including the scenic Bald River F alls, was one of the areas originally proposed as a Wilderness Area within the Cherokee National Forest; it contains some beautiful hiking terrain. We will arrange a shuttle and hike from Holly Flats downstream along the Bald River to Bald River F alls, a distance of 5.6 miles. Further shorter excursions are possible if there is time and interest. An exceptionally nice sidetrip to Falls Branch Scenic Area just off the newly completed Robbinsville Highway is one possibility. The difficulty of the terrain will be partly overcome by our hiking mostly downhill. Try to meet promptly at 9:30 and plan on seeing some of the Tellico Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forest. Bring lunch and extra socks, there may be some streams to cross. Also, don't forget to stop at the bakery in the hotel in downtown Tellico Plains for some homemade pastry — a neat energy source for the day’s hiking. - 3 - p I ks | AUGUST FIELD 1 RIP WEEKEND EAST TENNESSEE ADVENTURE SNAKE MOUNT AIN DA TE: Saturday, August 18, 1984 TIME: 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time PLAGE: Intersection of Highway US 421 and State route TN 67 at Trade (Johnson County). LEADER: Ed Schell, 2514 Brown’s Mill Road, Johnson City, JN 3/601. Phone- 615-282-6125. Snake Mountain lies on the Tennessee-North Carolina line and reaches an elevation of 5,518 feet. The top is an exposed knife-edge ridge. Plants of the top include Northern Bush Honeysuckle, Silverling, Skunk Coldenrod, Three-toothed Cinguefoil, Minniebush and Chokecherry. Near the top are found Rose Jwisted Stalk, Blue Bead Lily, Polygonum cilinode , and Mountain Cranberry, while the lower slopes offer Meehan’s Heart-leaved Mint and Epilobium ciliatum . • CROSS MOUNT AIN AND SHADY VALLEY DATE: Sunday, August 19, 1984 TIME: 8:30 a.m.. Eastern Time PLACE: Intersection of Osborn Road and State Route TN 91 about 3 miles southwest of Shady Valley, TN. LEADER: Ed Schell, 2514 Brown’s Mill Road, Johnson City, TN 37601. Phone: 615-282-6125. We'll look for cranberries and Spinulose Woodfern at the Jess Jenkins Bog (Nature Conservancy) and explore Cross Mountain for the Large Round-leaved Orchid, Round-leaved Shinleaf, and Meadowsweet. If we're very lucky, we may see the Long-bracted Green Orchis. Camping is available at Backbone Rock, Cherokee National Forest, about 10 miles northeast of Shady Valley, TN on state route 133. The Hermit Motel (Phone: 727-781 1) and the Mountain Empire Motel (Phone: 727-7777) in Mountain City are closest to the meeting points. MttKXXKXMXMXXHMXXMM DEADLINE FOR MID AUGUST ISSUE IS JULY j 5 **xx**x*x**k*x*khxx Send Materials to: Lorene L. Sigal, Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box X, Oak Ridge, TN 37831. Phone: (615) 574-7266 I II lAL'f AT 4 I Ml I II Y I AMII.Y I he I iliaceae are a difficult group of plants to define; they have flowers with six similar perianth parts, six stamens, and a superior ovary with three stigmas. One important exception is Maian themum (false lily -of -the -valley) which has its parts in fours and an ovary with only two stigmas. Other than that, it depends on what one includes in the group. Trillium (wake -robins and toadshades), Srnilax (carrion flower and greenbriers), and both Allium (garlic, ramps, chives, onions), and Nothosc ordum (false garlic) are peculiar members of the 1 iliaceae; they are often put into their own families (i.e., Irilliaceae, Smilacaceae, Alliaceae) for they have, respectively, differentiated sepals and petals, leaf-sheath tendrils and sometimes recurved prickles, arid flowers in an umbo! subtended by a bract (spathe). A majority of I iliaceae blooms in the spring. I hese include Cama ss ia (wild-hyacinth), Cha m aelirium (fairy -wand), Clintoni a (bluebead -lily), C onva llaria (lily -of-the-valley), P ispo rum (mandarin), Erythro niu rri (trout -lily), Me deola (cucumber-root), Poly q onatum (Solomon -seal), S milacina (false Solomon -seal), Strejatopus (twisted-stalk), and Uvularia (bellwort, wild -oats). A few members of the family flower in the summer, such as: Amianthemu m (fly poison). I ilium (lily), S tenant hium (featherbeds), T ofieldia (false-asphodel), Veratrum (false -hellebore), X erophyllu rn (turkey-beard), and Ziqade nus (crow-poison). Many of the I iliaceae are important in horticulture. Several genera are found in gardens in I ennessee, including Eurasian ones, such as: Hemerocallis (daylily), I Tost a (plantain -lily), Hyac int hus (hyacinth), Ornit hoqalu m (star-of-Bethlehem), Muscari (grape -hyacinth), Scilla (squill), and 1 ulipa (tulip). Veratum produces a strong alkaloid and is considered potentially fatal when ingested. Several years are needed to produce a flowering shoot from a seed; often seeds remain in forest litter many years before germinating. The seeds of E r ythronium and 1 rillium are dispersed by ants attracted to whitish, oily appendages attached to the ripened seeds. - 5 - SELECT ED NATURE CENTERS AND BOTANIC GARDENS OF TENNESSEE THE UNIVERSE! Y OF TENNESSEE ARBORE ! IJM T he University of Tennessee Arboretum serves many purposes for many persons. A short definition of an arboretum would be, "a place where trees and shrubs are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes." But this does not begin to cover the many facets of the University of Tennessee Arboretum. The University of Tennessee Arboretum is a nature sanctuary, a living museum, an ecological laboratory, an education center, and certainly a place where a wide range of native and exotic woody plants, trees, and shrubs are grown in a concentrated area. Four miles of self-guided nature trails emphasize native plant associations and ecological points of interest. Interpretive plagues highlight the abundant wildlife found in the Arboretum. The uses of the University of Tennessee Arboretum are many and varied. It serves as a field laboratory for students at all levels from grade school through college. It is a concentrated pool of genetic material for advanced research. It is a highly valued center for research in disease and insect control, propagation, breeding, taxonomy, culture, physiology and phenology of woody plants. Several research projects can be observed and results are available through the University of Tennessee. The Arboretum is also a living source of information about trees and shrubs readily available for all interested individuals and groups. The plant collection has over 2,500 labeled plant specimens, arranged in family groups, such as junipers, magnolias, hollies, dwarf conifers, rhododendrons, willows, pines, and azaleas or in assucialiun groups, such as those of Central China, Poland, Japan, California, and Southern Coastal Plain. The environment is such that many find it effective for study of the habitats and behavior of many species of wildlife. The relative solitude of the University of Tennessee Arboretum also provides a place where individuals may go for inspiration and relaxation. The Arboretum is part of a program administered by the University of Tennessee Forestry Experiment Station and is located on the University of Tennessee Oak Ridge Forestry Experiment Station at Oak Ridge in the Ridge and Valley Physiographic Province of eastern Tennessee. It is designated as a Tennessee Wildlife Observation Area by the Tennessee Department of Conservation and the trails are recognized as part of the Tennessee Recreational Trail System. Visitors may obtain more information about the Arboretum from the Visitors Center/Office Building located near the entrance, off Highway 62. Several educational and informational displays are available in the lobby to acquaint visitors with the many features of the Arboretum. Arboretum grounds are open 8:00 a.m. to Sunset every day. Office/Visitors Center open 8:00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Monday through Friday. No Admission Fee. Richard M. Evans, Director 6 - ELECT ION RESULTS 1 984 OF F ICERS AND D1REC I ORS OF T FHF_ TENNESSEE NATIVE PLAN! SOCIETY OF F ICERS. 1ERMS ENDING 1986: F J resident: Vice-President: 1 reasurer: Corresponding Secretary: Recording Secretary: (Membership Secretary) 1 om Patrick, Knoxville Eeo Collins, Norris Pat Parr, Oak Ridge Einda Ewald, Knoxville F red T aylor, Oak Ridge DIRECTORS, TERMS ENDING 1986: F_ast Tennessee: Middle Tennessee: West Tennessee: A1 Foster, Norris Larry Smith, Nashville Frances Spence, Memphis DIRECTORS, TERMS ENDING 1985 (Continuing, not elected): East Tennessee: Middle Tennessee: West Tennessee: Ron Vance, Roan Mountain Dennis Hor n, T ullahorna Larry Wilson, Memphis We wish to thank the Nominating Committee (Shirley Nicholson, Chairperson; Dennis FHorn, Paul Somers, Selma Myers) for putting the slate together. We realize that some terms have been extended arbitrarily because the election was overdue, but we are now back on schedule. Linda Ewald Corresponding Secretary NATIVE PLANTS FROM SEED The TNPS Newsletter presents its first advertisement. Space will be available, free, to any nursery or individual having seeds of native plants or plants grown from seeds for sale. We hope that this policy will promote propagation of Tennessee's native flora. Sunlight Gardens, Inc. offers for sale over 30 species of summer and fall blooming native wildflowers — All grown from seed. Call for species and availability at 615-986-6071. - 7 - FILLD 1 RIP RE.POR I S ROARING RIVtR F or the record, 43 people attended the first outing of the year — a motorcade along the Roaring River in Jackson County after a brief jaunt to a small population of T rilli um pusillum (dwarf trillium) near Cookeville. The dwarf trilliums were still in bud, but we were able to get a feel for the delicacy of this species. Members Juanita Shettlesworth and Professor B. F. Jones have been monitoring this locality since their discovery of it in spring 1982. The population is growing slowly but still numbers less than 100 flowering plants. Their efforts are commendable; wouldn't it be neat if other members took on plants to monitor too? Along the Roaring River, we saw 32 kinds of showy wildflowers in full bloom with many others coming along. The area is full of limestone bluffs and rich ravines. Many gravel roads provide access, but few botanists have spent much time in the area. Perhaps the favorite wildflowers of the day were: Corydalis flavula (yellow harleguin), Iso pyrum biternatum (false rue anemone), Pachysandra procumbens (Allegheny -spurge), Phacelia purshii (Miami mist), S ilene virqinica (fire pink), and Stylophorum diphyllum (Celandine-poppy). Tom Patrick with Richard Simmers Fifteen persons visited this Small Wild Area managed by TVA in Perry County for the first April field trip. The best find of the day was a yellow-flowered prairie trillium ( Trillium recurvatum forma shayi) ; this is a sessile-flowered toadshade that normally has purple flowers. The trail was lined with Dodecatheon meadia (shooting-star) and large, scraggly redcedars ( Juniperus virqiniana) especially along the river bluff. We were joined on the trek by Linda Pearsall, Assistant Director, Tennessee Field Office, The Nature Conservancy. To some of us, the biggest surprise of the day was to discover where Perry County actually was. Tom Patrick /O mud j OlVd X*)i0 d s n j 8 J 0 I'lOi^-ooM | OOU-9664C 33SS3NN3X 3'niAVO:- -• 33SS3Nf\i3X 30 AXISU3A!Nn 3HX AN3ISiavd3a ANViOB A13I30S INVHd 3AI1VN 33SS3NN31 Pipsissewa, Spotted Wintergreen Chirnnphila maculata (L.) Pursh An evergreen perennial which seldom reaches over 8 inches tall, this plant is used as a diuretic, tonic, astringent, and blood builder, and is alleged to treat skin eruptions and rheumatism. The plant is usually employed in a tea made from the leaves. Artist: Andrea H. Higdon Appalachian Medicinal Hah Nates l distributed by the 1 ennessre Motive Plant So ( , etu to -uppart longer rut ton ,>' U'lU fL'rn i f’i M > • •'Si > Department at Ralanv. Ihellnu rr situ K n, i ;•;//» . 7 V 1 } r I Vol. 7, No. 3 August 15, 1984 TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY NEWSLETTER MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT First I want to summarize the Annual Business Meeting held at Beersheba Springs, June 16, 1984; field activities during that get-together are summarized elsewhere in this Newsletter . Paul Somers brought us up to date on the rare plants legislation; and we will gear up for that again this fall. The project has not be abandoned. Par Parr.Treasurer, presented the good news that we are considerably in the "black." A startling disclosure was that we have "lost" about 700 persons from active membership status due to address change, failure to pay dues, and a lackadaisical approach to dues collection. We have initiated several new policies to correct this — keeping people informed about the status of their dues, publishing addresses of new members as we receive them, and preparing an updated membership list. The membership list is being formulated and should be available soon (by the end of September!!). We decided to send this TNPS Newsletter to former active members to encourage their rejoining us. As I stated in my previous message, a major goal is to double or triple membership (in January it was hovering around 200; in June it had risen to about 260; we have a ways to go, but at least we are moving up). We must become more efficient in record handling and much more aggressive in spreading the word. Newsletters will be exchanged with neighboring states (several send us their native plant society news), public libraries, and nature centers. If you know of a public information center in your town that would display our newsletters, drop us a line and we'll fix them up. Numerous other business matters are to be acted upon by the Board and include: refurbishment of our notecards, preparation of a calendar, production of an official T-shirt and logo, and regional business meetings with society officers, in addition to our annual meeting at Beersheba Springs, etc. We will discuss these at a later time. I received numerous returns of the May questionnaire; thanks for the support. The orchid searches will be conducted from August 10 through August 15. Those responding to the invitation will be sent separate information packets. Please consider joining us for a summertime field trip — they are just as much fun as the spring trips! The berries are going to be fantastic this year; it's time to dust off the cobbler recipe. Tom Patrick - 2 - SECOND AUGUST FIELD TRIP WEEKEND CUMBERLAND PLATEAU, SOUTH CUMBERLAND SINKHOLES DATE: Saturday, August 25, 1984 TIME: 9:00 a.m.. Central Time PLACE: Stone Door Ranger Station, Beersheba Spring, Tennessee. Take Highway 56 from McMinnville or Monteagle to Beersheba, then Laurel Drive at the edge of the Plateau to the station. Turns are marked with state natural area signs at and on Laurel Drive. LEADER: Randy Hedgepath, Route 1, Box 144H, Tracy City, Tennessee 37387. Home Phone: 615-592-3931; Work Phone: 615-924-2956. Led by the Ranger-Naturalist for Savage Gulf Natural Area, this trip is an exploratory excursion into two or three sinkholes of 100’, 120' and260' depth on top of the Cumberland Plateau. The possibility of rare or disjunct species is the main attraction. Expect high heat, zillions of bugs, and tedious bush whacking. Bring water, lunch, protective clothing, and bug repellent. Although the hikes are short, they are steep and lack trails. Leader will provide a Chevy Luv 4x4 for shuttle, but anyone with a 4x4 willing to drive will be appreciated. SCOTT GULF SPIDER LILY FORAY DATE: Sunday, August 26, 1984 TIME: 9:30 a.m.. Central Time PLACE: Parking lot of Van Buren County Courthouse in the heart of Spencer, Tennessee. Take new Tennessee Highway 1 1 1 to Spencer and go into the business section on Tennessee Highway 33. Meet at the Courthouse. LEADER: Margret Rhinehart, Box 128, Spencer, Tennessee 38585. Home Phone: 615-946-2381. The objective of this trip is to see the spiderlily ( Hymenocallis occidental^) in full bloom. This is a spectacular, white-flowered member of the daffodil or amaryllis family with slender, spider-lily petals and daylily-like leaves. The plants are most abundant along the terraces adjacent to the Caney Fork and our hiking will be mainly along the rocky, but rather flat portions of this picturesque Cumberland Plateau stream. There will be as much as five or six miles of walking; we are going to try to drive in as far as possible but need your help to plan for the shuttle. Please drop the Leader a postcard or give her a call to let her know your plans to attend so we can estimate beforehand the number of hikers. THIS IS IMPORTANT!!! Scott Gulf is rather hot in late August so bring an adequate water supply and a hat to protect from too much sun. Bring a pack lunch and comfortable walking shoes. Dr. Rhinehart, you may recall, presented a slide show of the wildflowers of the Cumberland Plateau at our Annual Meeting in 1983. She is an enthusiastic explorer of interesting haunts for plants, especially around Sparta and Spencer. REMEMBER TO SEND A CARD OR CALL, PLEASE. - 3 - — SEPTEMBER FIELD TRIPS- NORTHWEST ALABAMA FORAY DATE: Saturday, September 15, 1984 TIME: 10:00 a.m.. Central Time PLACE: Parking area, Old First Quarters Small Wild Area, Muscle Shoals Reservation. Take US Highway 43 south through Florence, Alabama, continue across the Tennessee River into Muscle Shoals for about one mile, bear left on new Highway 43 (the four-lane) and take a left on the road to Wilson Dam and the U.S. National Fertilizer Development Center. Watch for the Old First Quarters Small Wild Area signs about 0.5 mile past the fertilizer plant on the left along the Tennessee River. LEADER: David H. Webb, Water Quality and Ecology Branch, E&D Bldg., Tennessee Valley Authority, Muscle Shoals, Alabama 35630 or 1729 Beckman Avenue, Florence, Alabama 35630. Work Phone: 205/386-2276; Home Phone: 205/766-9641. This trip is to observe a rare yellow composite found only in this part of Alabama. The plant, Jamesianthus alabamensis, is so local in its total distribution that it has no common name; it is a showy, sunflower-like species that inhabits riverbanks. The hike will be short along a watercourse where other interesting plants have been discovered. We will then go to cedar glade habitats and catch a few other showy composites and limestone lovers. Although this trip is in Alabama, it will be of interest to Tennesseeans. David Webb graduated from The University of Tennessee as a plant taxonomist studying St. Johnsworts (species of Hypericum) . You will see some pretty unusual showy plants on this excursion. Remember, the Muscle Shoals area of Alabama is just a stone’s throw away from ”our State,” and there’s no reason not to join us. This is a TNPS trip!!! TURKEY CREEK, CARTER MOUNTAIN (FRANKLIN COUNTY) DATE: Saturday, September 29, 1984 TIME: 9:30 a.m.. Central Time PLACE: Franklin County Bank parking lot, one block east of the Courthouse in the center of Winchester, Franklin County. LEADER: Dennis Horn, 222 Crestwood Drive, Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388. Work Phone: 615-455-2611, ext. 7447; Home Phone: 615-455-5742. This hike will feature a visit to the Shadow-Witch site. An unique orchid from the subtropical regions of the western hemisphere, Ponthieva ra cemosa, reaches its most northern inland station at this Tennessee location. Other plants we will likely see along the way include the Southeastern Viburnum (V. bracteatum) , a rare southern species, and unusual or rare composites such as asters, rosinweeds, goldenrods, leaf-cups, and black-eyed Susans. The hike will cover about five miles, two miles will be rock hopping along Turkey Creek, so wear good sturdy shoes. Bring drinking water and lunch. We will return by jeep trail. - 4 - FIELD TRIP REPORTS LONG HUNTER STATE PARK WILDFLOWER PILGRIMMAGE, APRIL 21, 1984 Twenty persons braved the gloomy weather report and dark clouds to attend the Long Hunter Wildf lower Pilgrimmage. Fortunately, the weatherman was wrong and the day's outing was delightful. In the morning, we hiked the handicapped trail at Couchville Lake and saw carpets of Leavenworthia endemic to the glade areas of Middle Tennessee, and one yellow hoary puccoon. After lunch, we hiked a small nature trail with glade flowers including Nashville breadroot and blue-eyed grass, and then went about two miles on the backpack Volunteer Trail. It was a little early for some flowers and a little late for our objective, the white trout lillies, but our disappointment was tempered when we found the wild hyacinth in bloom. F or those of you that missed this delightful outing, join us next year on the second weekend in April. Incidentally, the shelter, bathrooms, office, and fishing piers at Couchville Lake were about eight feet under water a short time after our hike. Supt. Reggie Reeves and his wife, Jodie Reeves, actually canoed the Handicapped Trail. Bertha Chrietzberg MAURY COUNTY CEDAR GLADES, MAY 19, 1984 Twelve folks went on the Maury County cedar glade trip to two glades, one disturbed and the other almost pristine. Several endemic plants were present at the disturbed glade and reminded us that cedar glades are tough plant communities which can survive and even thrive on certain kinds of disturbance. Plants of interest at this first site included scurf-pea or Nashville breadroot (Psoralea subacaulis), Gattinger prairie clover (Dalea qattinqeri) . spreading stonewort ( Arenaria patula). Tennessee milk -vetch ( Astragalus tennesseensis), a prairie-mimosa ( Viola eqqlestonii) . thoroughwax ( Bupleurum rotundifolium) . and a marbleseed ( Onosmodium molle). After lunch in the field, we investigated the second area. This glade was little disturbed and had excellent examples of the various glade community types: gravel glade, grass glade, glade-shrub, shrub-cedar, and glade woods. In addition to most of the species seen at the first stop, other interesting species were found including blue false indigo ( Baptisia autralis), a rare quillwort ( Isoetes buUeri), adders tongue ( Qphioqlossum engelmannii), sunny bells ( Schoenolirion croceum) . fame flower (Talinum calcaricum) . necklace glade cress ( Leavenworthia torulosa) . and Gattinger lobelia ( Lobelia qattinqeri) . Joseph L. Collins KKKKKKHHXHHKHHDfrADLjNIti FOR MID-OCTOBER ISSUE IS SEPTEMBER 15 *************** Send Materials to: Lorene L. Sigal, Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box X, Oak Ridge, TN 37831. Phone: (613) 374-7266 - 5 - FIELD TRIP REPORTS (CONT’D) ANNUAL MEETING — BEERSHEBA SPRINGS HIKES, JUNE 16-17, 1984 About 30 people participated in three hikes on Saturday, June 16. One group saw the "big trees" of Savage Gulf and the rugged terrain along Savage Creek with Ranger/Naturalist Randy Hedgepath. Another group of nine hiked to Stone Door, then descended into Big Creek Gulf and returned along the rim by several routes. Rhododendrons in flower included R. aborescens (white) and R. cumberlandense (deep orange). Other plants observed along the way included the fringed loosestrife ( Lysimachia tonsa) . Pipsisewa ( Chimaphila maculata) . and Indian pink ( Spigelia marilandica). The area was rich in spring wildflowers, but it was well past the flowering time. The final group walked through the Collins River bottoms below Beersheba Springs, which is a dry river bed during the summer months. In the partially sunny openings along the rocky stream edges, many interesting plants occur such as Barbara’s-buttons ( Marshallia trinerva), bee balm ( Monarda clinopodia) . Indian pink and hedge-nettle ( Stachys tenuifolia) . On Sunday, June 17, eighteen participants traveled to Tracy City to hike six miles of the Fiery Gizzard trail. Except for the heat, it was a rewarding hike through a scenic gorge. The fameflower, a sandstone rim species ( Talinum m engesii) was not open in the morning, but was in full flower as we returned to our cars in the late afternoon. Mountain maple ( Acer spicatum) , rare for the Cumberlands, was found along with the striped maple ( Acer pensylvanicum) . Another interesting shrub was the bearberry ( Vaccinium erythrocarpum) ; this one had white flowers. One spot was carpeted with the, still flowering, mountain woodsorrel ( Oxalis acetosella) , with white petals and pink lines radiating from the center. Some members displayed special talents in combating the heat while we stopped at the swimming hole below Sycamore Falls. Tom Patrick, Dennis Horn, and Randy Hedgepath BALD RIVER FALLS AND WAUCHEESI MOUNTAIN, JULY 8, 1984 The weather was fantastic for the eighth of July trip as ten folks hiked along the Bald River, southeast of Tellico Plains in the Cherokee National Forest. Thanks to Dennis Horn and his van, plus Ed Nicholas and his huge station wagon, we were able to shuttle and avoid repetitive hiking. We ambled slowly up to the top of Waucheesi Mountain in Dennis’ van, losing only one antenna. From the summit, fine views of North Carolina and the Great Valley of East Tennessee were before us. Here too was one of Tennessee's endangered plants, a bush-pea ( Thermopsis fraxinifolia) . We tried in vain to find the bright yellow flowers of this legume which is usually found only in open areas higher than 3500 feet; we did, however, locate several plants either about to bloom or in young fruit. We then began our easy downhill excursion along the Bald River. Extremely scenic, the river made up for the paucity of kinds of wildflowers observed. The trail was a continuous row of rosebay rhododendron; blossoms literally covered the ground, while others were still in their prime, clustered among the dense, dark foliage. Along the Tellico River we observed yellow-green blossoms of bush honeysuckle ( Diervilla sessilifolia) and showy white blossoms of tasselrue ( Trautvetteria caroliniensis) . As Sherry and Dennis Horn and I eased our way back up the mountain in my trusty VW bug, we spotted both color forms of the mountain camellia ( Stewartia ovata) . Some of the gardenia-like white flowers had purplish stamens, while others had yellow-orange stamens. That was almost as exciting as the young copperhead and the four-foot (at least!) common watersnake we had seen earlier along the trail. Tom Patrick - 6 - WELCOME NEW MEMBERS 0 We are starting something new. In each Newsletter we’ll print a list of members who have joined since the last Newsletter. Eventually, we hope to publish a directory with all of us in it. Active Members Associate Members Richard K. Clements, Smithville, TN David Anderson, Centerville, TN Frederick H. Gerber, Oak Ridge, TN Paul and Evelyn Gabor, Hixson, TN Debbie Griswold, Winchester, TN Jean McCoy, Knoxville, TN Mary Alice Smith, Oak Ridge, TN Hugh B. Travis, Goodlettsville, TN TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT 0 Have you paid your membership dues for 1984? It’s SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP DUES easy now to check. Look at the lower part of your mailing label. The year printed is the year through which you are paid. Life members are automatically changed each year — the rest of us are not and must pay our dues. Dues ($5.00 Active, $2.50 Associate, $10.00 Institutional, $100.00 Life) may be sent to TNPS, c/o Department of Botany, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 57996. If you think you have already paid for 1984 and have not been credited, send a note (and a copy of your cancelled check, if possible) to address above. If you have just recently sent in your dues, please wait until the next newsletter and check to see if the change has been made. TENNESSEE ENVIRONMENTAL Did you know that the Tennessee Native Plant COUNCIL a Society is a member of the Tennessee Environmental ™ Council (TEC)? For those who are not familiar with TEC, it is an umbrella organization which currently is supported by 38 organizational members, of which TNPS is one, -and about 300 individual members. The TEC is headed by Executive Director, Dr. Ruth Neff, a widely recognized expert in many environmental fields. The Council’s T ennessee Environmental Report, published ten times each year, provides a clear, concise and accurate report on the most important and current environmental concerns for our State. The recent TEC Annual Reports shows that 1983-84 was good for the organization. The Council completed the year in the black after three years in the red. A massive 50,000 piece direct mail fundraising drive is currently under way. Generated funds would allow TEC to do much more than they presently can within their very tight budget. The annual Intergroup Conference, one of the most useful as well as enjoyable functions of TEC, will be held on September 28, 29, and 30 at the Joe L. Evin’s Craft Center in Smithville. The conference, which welcomes all interested people to participate, has Natural Resources as its general theme. Topics will include scenic rivers, natural areas, and forestry among others. If you wish to become an individual member of TEC, would like a copy of their annual report, or want more information on the Intergroup Conference, please contact the Tennessee Environmental Council office at Suite 300, 1720 West End Avenue, Nashville, TN 37203, (615) 321-5075. Larry Smith - 7 - CAMPANULACEAE — THE BELLFLOWER FAMILY OF THE MONTH The Campanulaceae, here including the Lobeliacea of some authors, is mainly an herbaceous family of world-wide distribution and is almost exclusively blue-flowered. Leaves are generally alternate and lack stipules, flowers are bisexual, either regular or irregular, calyx and corolla five-lobed, stamens five, and the inferior ovary of two to several carpels. The fruit is a capsule or, rarely, a berry. The Lobeliaceae, when considered a separate family, is distinguished by its irregular flowers, fused anthers, and different chemical compounds. Considering the Campanulaceae in the broad sense, we have three genera in Tennessee: Campanula (bellflower). Lobelia (lobelia, including the beautifully scarlet cardinal flower), and Triodanis — called Specularia in some books (Venus looking glass). The species are fairly widespread in the state with exception of three kinds of Lobelia and one Campanula . These Tennessee rarities are L. amoena. reported in state from Polk and McMinn counties, L. appendiculata var. qattinqeri (cited as L. qattinqeri in some treatments), a cedar glade endemic from several middle Tennessee counties, L. canbyi from Coffee, Grundy, and Van Buren counties, and C. aparinoides from Blount, Carter, Fentress, and Johnson. The TNPS Newsletter will make advertising space available, free, to any nursery or individual having seeds of native plants or plants grown from seeds for sale. We hope that this policy will promote propagation of Tennessee’s native flora. Sunlight Gardens, Inc. offers for sale over 30 species of summer and fall blooming native wildflowers — All grown from seed. Call for species and availability at 613-986-6071. Wildflowers of the eastern USA. Plants and seed available. Fall special on Tennessee Coneflower and Purple Coneflower for TNPS members. Write for free catalogue today. Natural Gardens, 113 Jasper Lane, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Phone 615-382-6746. OOU-966Z.C 33SS3NN3X STUAXON* 33SS3NN3J. JO AJ.ISa3AIND 3HJ. lN3MidVd3a ANVJ.OS »||IAXOWX UU«1 1 0 AIUD QlVd s n •#JO H|Oi^-oon A13I3DS INVld 3AI1VN 33SS3NN31 Jimsonweed, Jamestown Weed Datura stramonium L Although deadly poisonous when used incorrectly, this species is used in the Eastern Mountains to treat wounds and kill pain as well as smoked in pipes to relieve asthma. In Europe it has been used to treat pulmonary diseases, nervous disorders, and nymphomania. Artist: Barbara C. McBride Appalachian Medicinal Herb Notes Distributed by the Tennessee Native Plant Society to support conservation of Tennessee's wild flora. TNPS c/o Department of Botany, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37916 TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Vol. 7, No. 4 October 15, 1984 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT It seems impossible that leaves are already turning color and that fall has arrived. We have had an active summer with more field trips all over the place than ever before. The orchid search of early August was successful, although we visited several areas without finding anything significant. During our initial survey, at a site known as the Morrison Bog between Manchester and McMinnville, we located a few strange orchids still in bud. Dennis Horn later checked the plants, as did Chuck Wilson, and confirmed that they turned out to be what we were after - the yellow fringeless orchid ( Platanthera integra ). We learned a good lesson about the phenology, or blooming sequence, of our native orchids. Our three species of Platanthera (or Habenaria in the "old" books) with yellow to orange flowers - the yellow fringed (P. ciliaris ), the yellow crested (P. cristata ), and the yellow fringeless (P. integra ) - bloom at slightly different times beginning, respectively, in late July and proceeding into early September. If you Search for the yellow fringeiess too early in the season, you will probably miss it even though other species may be in full bloom. The Morrison Bog is a sad story in Tennessee botany. It was first discovered in the late 1940's; it then contained Black Pond and a boggy drainage. Today, most of the original area is in a soybean field,