Volume 20. Number 1 TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY NEWSLETTER February 1997 President’s Message--Kay Jones This is probably the most eagerly awaited, most thoroughly digested, and the most referred to issue of the newsletter each year, because in this issue appears the schedule of field trips planned for the year. You will find that the trips reflect the botanical diversity of our state, ranging from the mountains of East Tennessee to the river bottoms of West Tennessee, with lots in between. The leaders of the trips are also varied: professional botanists and expert amateurs, men and women, young and old, all who give of their time for something they love. This is as it should be in an organization such as ours, that covers the whole state of Tennessee. I hope that each of you will try to take in as many trips as you can. Not only will you enjoy being out in the field and learning about native plants, you will especially enjoy being with like-minded individuals, who are interested in the same things that you are. Many long-lasting friendships are formed on these outings! Along the same vein, be sure to keep in mind attendance at the Annual Meeting, most likely to be in late summer or early fall. I welcome your suggestions for a location. A facility would need to be able to accomodate around fifty and need to provide meals, as well as lodging. We have found that state parks having only cabins and not an inn will only rent by the week, except during winter. If you have any suggestions, or would like to be responsible for locating and making arrangements for a site, please let me know. My phone number is (615) 285- 2777 and my e-mail address is Natcheztrace@worldnet.att.net. Finally, please remember that our membership dues are on a calendar year basis, and for most of you, this means that the time is now (or actually was January 1, 1997). You will find membership renewal rates in this newsletter; please send your check before you forget. I hope to see you on the roadside or the trail! EXOTIC PESTS OF THE EASTERN FOREST CONFERENCE This conference will focus on impacts of exotic pests on the eastern forest of the U S. It will be held at the Clubhouse Inn in Nashville, TN, April 8-10, 1997. The presentations will address existing and potential threats, public policy issues, and restoration. The purpose of the conference will be to raise awareness about the declining health of the eastern forest with an emphasis on invasive exotic pest plants while adressing the devastating effects of insects and diseases. The conference will include an afternoon of field trips to natural areas in the Nashville area. This conference is presented by the Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council (TN-EPPC) and the U.S. Forest Service. For registration information contact Lee Patrick (615)352-6299 or Rick Ledbetter (404)347-7193 or write TN-EPPC c/o Friends of Warner Park/50 Vaughn Road/Nashville, TN 37221. TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Feb. 1997. VOL. 20 NQ.1 This newsletter is a publication of the Tennessee Native Plant Society and is published six times a year, generally in February, April, June, August, October and December. The Tennessee Native Plant Society (TNPS) was founded in 1978. Its purposes are to assist in the exchange of information and to encourage fellowship among Tennessee’s botanists, both amateur and professional; to promote public education about Tennessee’s flora; to provide, through publication of a newsletter or journal, a formal means of distributing information on Tennessee flora; and to promote the protection and enhancement of Tennessee's natural plant communities. Dues for each calendar year are: Regular: $15 Student/Senior: $10 Institution: $20 Life: $150 Dues may be sent to: TNPS/Department of Botany University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN 37996-1100 TNPS OFFICERS Kay Jones, President Dennis Horn, Vice-President Nita Heilman, Recording Secretary Andrea Shea, Corresponding Secretary Susan Sweetser, Treasurer DIRECTORS Bertha Chrietzberg - Middle Tennessee Shirley Nicholson - East Tennessee Carl Nordman - Middle Tennessee Jane Norris - Middle Tennessee Mary Priestly - East Tennessee Larry Wilson - West Tennessee EX OFFICIO Dot Carman Jack Carman Hal DeSelm David Duhl Ruth Ann Henry Milo Pyne Newsletter Editor: Susan Stahl (615)758-9111 TNPS member Susan Stahl has graciously volunteered to be the new newsletter editor. With this change, the newsletter should arrive on time for 1997 and beyond. Susan welcomes submissions from TNPS members. Please send edited articles or announcements to Susan at 1763 Needmore Rd/Old Hickory, TN 37138, or via e-mail at GAELZEKE@AOL.com. We encourage all TNPS members to help Susan by submitting articles or offering suggestions. SPRING EPHEMERALS by Jim Huheey Every year the wood frogs, chorus frogs and spring peepers try to get a jump on spring. But if they have misjudged the season, they will look at the world through glass windows. So, too, the spring ephemerals burst forth, seemingly taunting the last cold weather of winter. Whether your favorite harbinger of spring be a hepatica, a spring beauty, or squirrel corn, they all use the same strategy: get up, flower, and photosynthesize in spring’s window of opportunity. The deciduous forests of Tennessee promote this behavior particularly well. After the trees are in full leaf, little light reaches the forest floor. Spring wildflowers find themselves in a definite bind; too soon risks the absence of pollinators or a late freeze; too late risks losing the chance to make food before the tree canopy closes. So they are often fast but low growing, providing an economy both of time and energy. This also helps a slightly warmed earth provide some protection if the air temperature should suddenly plummet. The flowers’ small size and delicacy provide their charm to our eyes. Skunk cabbage uses a completely different technique. It produces its own internal heat that can actually melt snow around the plant. In a sense, skunk cabbage is actually “warm-blooded” in turning food into heat. The warmth also volatilizes the odoriferous amines that attract flies to pollinate the plants. In this case, human aesthetic are not pleased! Jim Huheey is a retired professor of chemistry and zoology from the University of Maryland. He welcomes your comments or questions sent to P.O. Box 23843, Farragut Station, Knoxville, TN 377933 or sourwoodmt@aol.com 1997 TNPS FIELD TRIPS This is the only schedule of field trips that you will receive, please keep a copy!! Some trips will be described in more detail in future issues of the Newsletter. Trips are led by persons familiar with native plants of the area. These trips provide an opportunity to observe, photograph, and learn about our native flora. Since plant protection and conservation are primary objectives of our organization, digging and collecting is NOT PERMITTED. Please contact the leader in advance for those trips you plan to attend This not only lets the leader know the number of participants, but also ensures that last minute changes and updated information are known prior to the trip. Keep the schedule handy and plan to attend as many trips this year as possible. DATE EVENT/LOCATION/COORDINATOR April 12 Wells Hill Park / Fayetteville (Lincoln Co.) Expect to see Trillium flexipes , T. stamineum, Nemophila aphylla (Baby blue eyes), Hybanthus concolor (green violet), Phacelia bipinnatifida (Purple phacelia), many other spring wildflowers. Visit Katherine Simmons wildflower garden after a late lunch at Rachael’s. Time: 10 a m. central Place: Meet at Rachael’s Restaurant at the “Wye” Junction of US 231 and TN 1 10 (Ardmore Rd.) about 2 miles S. of Fayetteville. Bring: light snack for morning. Lunch after 1 :00 p.m. Leader: Dennis Horn (615) 455-5742 (H) April 19 Roadside Botany in Jackson, Overton, Clay Counties. Various roadside stops; minimal walking. Time: Morning trip at 9:30 a.m. central Afternoon trip at 1:30 p.m. central Place: Convenience & Antique Shop on right of HWY 56 approx. 1/4 to 1/2 mile before going across Cumberland River bridge heading north. Leaders: Morning trip is Dennis Horn (615) 455-5742 and Jack Carman (615) 946-2585 Afternoon trip is Dr. Margaret Rhinehart (615) 946-2381 April 27 Smoky Mountains Wildflower Pilgrimage April 24-26 TNPS Hike on Sunday, the 27th (the day after the Pilgrimage) at 9:30 a.m. eastern at Sugarlands Visitor Center. Contact Dennis Horn at (615) 455-5742. For more information see the article later in the newsletter. May 10 May 17 May 24 Cumberland June 7 June 21 July 19 Viking Mt. and Greene Mt ./ Greene County. Rosy twisted stalk, umbrella leaf, white and yellow Clintoma, Trillium undu latum, Thermopsis fraxini folia, Listera smallii. Time: 10:00 eastern Place: Nolichucky Ranger Station (USFS) on HWY 70 south of Greeneville. Leaders: Jamey Donaldson (423) 725-3434 and Arthur Smith. Bring: Need extra 4-wheel drive vehicles or high cleara trucks or this could be a strenuous hike. Spiranthes lucida (Ladies tresses)/ Overton County Time: 1 :30 p.m. central Place: From Cookeville take TN 1 1 1 to TN 42; near Livingston take TN 85 to TN 52 thru Livingston to Dairy Queen on left. Leader: Dr. Margaret Rhinehart (615)946-2381 Scotts Gulf/ White County General botanical exploration with the possibility of seeing rosemary and Philadelphia lily. Time: 10:00 central Place: First Union Bank (next to Walmart) on Hwy 1 1 1 i Sparta Leader: Bonnie Green (615) 836-3696 or Bertha Chrietzberg (615) 896-1146 Pickett State Park or Big South Fork / Fentress County Silene rotundifolia, Arenaria cumberlandensis, Ageratina luciae-brauniae, Clethra acuminata. Also geologic formations to view. Moderate hike. Time: 10:00 a m central Place: Pickett State Park office Leaders: Robert Emmott and Andrea Shea (615) 532-0439 Keith Springs (Carter Lands)/ Franklin County Silene rotundifolia , Canada lily, Smoketree, Talinum teretifolium. Time: 10:00 a.m. central Place: McDonalds on US41A, Wnchester Leader: Jack Carman (615) 455-2585 KY Native Plant Society visit to May Prairie/ AEDC TNPS is welcome to join KNPS for this outing. Time. 7:00 a m. central Place: McDonalds in Manchester on US41 Jack Carman at (615) 455-2585. Leader: July 20 August 10 August 30 September 13 September 27 Utricularia resupinata (bladderwort)/ Cumberland County This Sunday trip will involve getting your feet wet, so come prepared. Additional activities (a more strenuous hike) may inclu Black Mt. and search for Paronychia argyrocoma (Silverling) alo rocky outcrops at the top. Time: 10:00 a. m central Place: Meet at BP service station on north side of 1-40 , Crab Orchard exit. Bring: Sack lunch, boots for afternoon Leader: Dr. Margaret Rhinehart (615) 946-2381 Red Clay State Historic Park/ Bradley County Lysimachia quadrifolia and other wetland plants. This trip will involve getting your feet wet, so come prepared. Time: 10:00 eastern Place: Red Clay State Park office Bring: Boots Leader: Carl Nordman (615) 532-0440 and Landon McKinney Beaman Metro Park / Davidson County Helianthus eggertii (Eggert’s sunflower) Time: 10:00 central Place: to be determined Leader: Landon McKinney and Andrea Shea (615)532-0439 Millstone Mt./ Tipton County More details on this trip in a later newsletter. Leader: Andrea Shea and Carl Nordman (615) 532-0440 Duck River/ Tennessee River Wildlife Mgt. Area / Humphreys County Wetland plants include: alligator weed, arrowhead, exotic balloonvine, Heteranthera limosa. Ludwigia peploides, Commelina diffusa, Echinodorus, Hydrolea uniflora. Time: 10:00 central Place: New Johnsonville at US70 &Long Rd. in parking I at shopping center across from Steam Plant Leader: Jack Carman (615) 455-2585 September 28 October 4 October 10-11 March 29 and April 5 April 1-25 April 5, 6 April 6 April 13 and 27 April 11-13 April 12-13 and 19-20 April 18 - 20 April 19-20 April 18 - 20 Silurian Limestone Glades and Barrens/ Decatur County Salvia azurea var. grandiflora , Liatris cylindracea, Aster serlcius and Silurian fossil beds. Time: 10:00 a m. central Place: Interstate exit at 1-40 and Hwy 69 Leader: Carl Nordman (615) 532-0440 and Smoot Major Arnold Engineering Development Center / Coffee County Gentian puberulenta, Prenanthes aspera. Time: 10:00 a m. central Place: Take exit #1 17 on 1-24, go south 2.5 mi. to entran Leader: Jack Carman (615) 455-2585 Shady Valley Cranberry Festival / Johnson County More details on this trip in later newsletter. Leader: Joe McGuinness and Andrea Shea (615) 532-0439 Also call Eloise Jenkins (423) 739-4465 about the festival. OTHER WILDFLOWER ACTIVITIES Norris Dam State Park. Guided hikes at 10:00, 12:00 and 2:00. Contact Park office at (423) 426-7461. Rock Island State Park. Contact Park office at (615) 686-2471. Wildflower weekend at Montgomery Bell State Park. Contact Park office at (615) 797-9052. Bluebell Island, Sponsored by the Sewanee University Herbarium. Contact Mary Priestley (615)598-0157. Shakerag Hollow (on Sewanee's Domain), Sponsored by the Sewanee University Herbarium. Contact Mary Priestley (615) 598-0157 Fall Creek Falls State Park. Contact Park Office (423)881-3297. Chattanooga Nature Center Wildflower Festival, (including plant sale!). Contact Office (423) 821-1160. Cedars of Lebanon State Park Annual Wildflower Pilgrimage. Contact Park Office (615) 443-2769. Frozen Head State Park. Contact Park Office (423) 346-3318. Wildflowers and other outdoor activities. Warrior's Path State Park. Contact Park Office at (423) 239-8531. May 3-4 Roan Mountain State Park Wild flower and Bird Tours. Contact Jennifer Laughlin (423) 772-3303. May 3-4 Fall Creek Falls Lady Slipper Weekend. Contact Stuart Carroll at (423) 842-9480. The Smoky Mountain Field School schedule for 1997 is now available. To receive a copy, call (423) 974-0150, or send e-mail at FieldSchool@gateway.ce.utk.edu. A web site is also available at http://www.ce.utk.edu/smoky. COME TO THE 47th ANNUAL WILDFLOWER PIGRIMAGE IN GATLINBURG, TN and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on April 24-26. Over 90 guided hikes explore the region's wildflowers, ecology and natural history. Other activities include a spring wildflower exhibit and evening speakers. For information, contact the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at 423-436-1290. The Pilgrimage is organized and conducted by the Gatlinburg Garden Club, the Botany Department of the University of Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society, and the Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Assoc. Trail hikes, motorcades, photographic tours, flower identification and photography workshops take you to spring wildflowers. Morning birdwalks and all-day birding events are a feature of each day’s activities. Special trips are devoted to observation of insects, spiders, salamanders and pest species which threaten mountain forests. Saturday evening’s program features individual participation: you may present up to 10-12 of your own nature slides. Registration begins 6-9 p.m. April 23 in the Gatlinburg Civic Auditorium. The fee is $8.00 per day and $5.00 per day for students. A detailed description of Pilgrimage events is furnished to each participant at registration. For more information, see the Pilgrimage web site at: http://www.goldsword.com/wildflower/pilgrimage.html TNPS SPRINGTIME GIFT IDEAS T-SHIRTS with multicolored native plant design on GRAY, WHITE, BRIGHT YELLOW, or MINT GREEN (50/50) are $10.50 each plus $2.00 postage. Specify S, M, L, XL, XXL. SWEATSHIRTS same design as T-shirts on GRAY (50/50) are $18.00 plus $2.50 postage. Specify S, M, L, XL, XXL. HATS white twill with passionflower design are $7.50 plus $2.00 postage. NOTECARDS set of original ink drawings of either rare or medicinal plants are $3.00 plus $1 .00 postage. DECALS white with purple passionflower design are $1.00. Include self-addressed stamped envelope. Checks for these gifts should be made to TNPS and orders should be sent to Nita Heilman at: 429 Rivermont Drive Clarksville, TN 37043 Phone (after 5:00 pm) 615-645-9338 TNPS WELCOMES THESE NEW LIFE MEMBERS Terri Barnes Michael Berkley Gordon Burghardt William and Kay Jones Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nokes Myrtle Seno Life memberships are available for yourself or as a gift to others and are a good way to show your support for TNPS. Please see Page 2 for details. RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP IN TNPS If your dues are current, your mailing label will read 1997. If your mailing label shows a date earlier than 1997, please keep your membership current by sending a check to: TN Native Plant Society University of Tennessee Department of Botany Knoxville, TN 37996-1100 Contact Susan Stahl if your label or address is in error. Membership Categories: Regular $15, Student and Senior $10, Institutional $20, Life $150, One Year Gift Membership $10 (Please indicate who is giving the gift membership and the name and address of the recipient). Please renew your membership in TNPS. As an added bonus, you will receive (in separate mailing) one of three brochures: Landscaping With Native Plants for Middle and East Tennessee (TNPS helped fund the production of the East Tennessee brochure). The brochure for West Tennessee will be available soon. These brochures list hundreds of native plants that can be used in landscaping and gives light, soil and moisture requirements. USEFUL e-MAIL ADDRESSES Carl Nordman, State Botanist: cnordman@juno.com Kay Jones, President TNPS: natcheztrace@worldnet.att.net Anuiea Shea, State Rare Species Protection Coordinator: absnea@juno.com Susan Stahl, Newsletter editor: gbstahl@juno.com (e-maii only) gaelzeke@aol.com (email + attached files) Vol. 20 ,No. 1 February 1997 TENNESSEE NATIVE TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY NEWSLETTER VOLUME 18 , NUMBER 2 President’s Message by Kay Jones The board of directors of TNPS met February 22, welcoming several new faces of directors, officers, and ex-officio members. The organization continues to be in good shape financially, with the newsletter being our greatest expense, and membership is stable. More and more people seem to be taking advantage of life member- ship. At $ 1 50 it is a good deal, and you don’t have to keep up with whether you are behind in your dues! We approved our continuing membership in the Environmen- tal Action Fund, the organization through which we work with the Tennessee legislature on issues of interest to us. Also approved was the provision of a scholarship for the Culhowee Native Plant Confer- ence. We agreed to make our mailing list available to the Mid-South Plant Conference, to be held in Memphis on October 24-26. Individu- ally and as a group we sent letters to TVA supporting the donation of the Columbia Dam property to TWRA for recreation and natural areas. We also agreed to support the Wildlife Diversity Funding Initiative, a user fee or tax on outdoor products, the funds to be used for nongame wildlife conservation, recreation, and education. A report was received from Jack Carman on the progress of the book, Wildflowers of Tennessee (a working title); you will find an up to date report in this issue of the newsletter. 1 hope that you will all consider a financial contribution to the publication. We have begun to receive funds and have set up an account for this purpose. One method of funding, in addition to outright gifts, may be underwriting, in which large contributors would simply be providing up-front capital, to be repaid as book sales progress. No options are being ruled out! And finally, the trip schedule which you found in your last newsletter was approved. 1 hope that you will all have a chance to get to at least several of the outings. You will find them, as well as the annual meeting in September, fun, educational, and an opportunity to get to know others with an interest in wildflowers -- one of the big May 1997 Of interest to TNPS members is a book sent to this editor along with this short description. Comparative Description of the Native Trees of the Sewanee Area by Stephen Elliott Puckett with Mary P. Priestly, Karen Kuers, and Thomas O. Hay The “Sewanee Tree Book,” as it is affectionately known, has been re- published. First written in 1949 by Stephen Puckette, descendant of botanist Stephen Elliott, it was designed to be a resource for dendrology students struggling to distinguish among the native trees of the southern Cumberland Plateau and imme- diate vicinity. The current edition, with 45 line drawings and maps of the University of the South campus and Domain, is intended for a more general audience as well as students. This work is not a catalogue of descriptions of trees; rather, it is a list of comparisons of nearly 100 species (including several naturalized and other exotics) which might be confused by the beginner. It may be purchased through the University of the South Press, 735 University Avenue, Sewanee, TN 37383, phone (6 1 5)598-1 286. The cost is $12. 2-Tennessee Native Plant Society / May 1 997 TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Experimental Burns in the Oak Barrens May 1997 VOLUME21, NUMBER 2 By H.R. DeSelni, Botany Department DTK This Newsletter is a publication of the Tennessee Native Plant Society and is published fourtimes a year, generally in March, June, September, December The T ennessee Native Plant Society (TNPS) was founded in 1 978 Its purposes are to assist in the exchange of information and encourage fellow- ship among Tennessee's botanists, both amateur and professional; to promote public education about Tennessee flora, and wild plants in general; to provide, through publication of a newsletter or journal, a formal means of documenting information on Tennessee flora and of informing the public about wild plants; and to promote the protection and enhancement of Tennessee'swild plant communities. Dues for each calendar year are: Regular: $15 Student/Senior: $1 0 Institution: $20 Life: $150 Dues may be sent to: TN PS/DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN 37996-1 100. TNPS OFFICERS Kay Jones, President Dennis Horn, Vice-President Andrea Shea, Corresponding Secretary Nila Heilman, Recording Secretary Susan Sweetser, Treasurer DIRECTORS Bertha Chrietzburg - Middle Tennesse Shirley Nicholson - East Tennessee Carl Nordman - Middle T ennessee Jane Norris- Middle Tennessee Mary Priestly - East Tennessee Larry Wilson - West Tennessee EX OFFICIO Dot Carman Jack Carman Hal DeSelm David Duhl Ruth Ann Henry MiloPyne Susan Stahl, Editor What did the landscape look like on the eastern Highland Rim or on gentle landscape anywhere in Tennessee in the last century (or perhaps up to about 1940)? There was much forest and rough pasturage which was surface-burned annually or at least periodically by local landowners. And the Native Americans were doubtless enthusiastic fire-starters in places before that. How did the forests look during this period? Did the surface fires result in changes in size and species of overstory trees? What types of understory vegetation resulted? My colleagues Ed Clebsch, John Rennie and 1 investigated this during the period of 1 965- 1 989 at Elighland Rim Forest Experiment Station in the oak barrens. The Highland Rim Forest is on land obtained from the Arnold Center in the early 1960’s and is used by the U.T. Agricul- tural Experiment Station for research. It is managed and used mainly by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Wildlife. They were agreeable to establish an ecological reserve compart- ment of which 18 acres are used in the bum study. The forest manager. Jack Huffman, and now Tim Seay, looked after the land, and arranged for county forestry personnel to “do” the bums. Three two-acre plots are not burned, three are burned once in five years (periodic bums) and three are burned annually. The bums plots are within 100-200 yards of the railroad and burned periodi- cally, if not by landowners, then accidentally by railroad-caused forest before the 1940’s and afterwards too. During the period of fire control, the “no-bum” plots developed a heavy understory of oak, hickory, blackgum and blueberry bushes. The barrens herbs disappeared and a very few forest tree and herb species established the forest. The annual bum plots developed a grass aspect under- story where the main grass-like plants was little bluestem but 25 other grasses occurred. Many barrens flowering herbs, shrubs and tree sprouts were to be seen. The woody plants were suppressed by the annual fires; there were few tree stems between knee high and four inches diameter-but plenty of winged sumac. The periodic bums plots had the shrubby appearance of the no-bum understory mixed with the grasses and forbs of the annual bum treatment. During this period of experimental bums, tree stem number decreased 47-48 percent on the bum plots. Assuming a linear rate of tree loss and canopy opening, the appearance of a non-forest barren like the May Prairie, was predicted by the years 2006-2020. The early settlers and explorers saw on the uplands a mosaic of forests, as at Highland Rim, plus marshes/ponds, upland swamp, and prairie. Side slopes, ravine bottoms and stream and river borders were vegetated otherwise. Go to Highland Rim Forest, south of Tullahoma on Rt. 4 I A and ask Tim Seay to direct you to the burn plots (but no collecting). 3-Tennessee Native Plant Society / May 1 997 Wildflo we/so/ Tennessee Book Update By Jack Carman, General Chairman Format We are still planning for a 6" by 9" size with 2 photographs and accompanying descriptions on the same page. Because there are so many horizontal photos, this format is much better than four descriptions on one page with all photos on the facing page. The photo and description presentation will be quite similar to the recent “Wildflowers of the Land Between the Lakes Region, Kentucky and Tennessee” by Chester and Ellis. Content A tentative list of about 740 species with accompanying photo- graphs has been determined. The total number of photographs will be about 750 as some leaves and fruit will be included. Where space is available, the intent is to describe additional species similar to the one in the photograph, noting specific identification differences. This should bring the total number of species described to around 1 100. About 2800 vascular plants are known to occur in TN. All trees have been excluded along with most shrubs and vines (except the showiest). The ferns also likely will be deferred to a follow-on volume. The planned order of species presentation in the book is phylogenetic family order, and alpha- betically by genera/species within a fam- ily. It has been suggested by several people to order the plants by color, but this presents a myriad of probl em s for speci es that have several color forms. Photographs We have photos for all plants on Wffljf 4 f ' the tentative species list. During i I mV !/ it a review by the Photo and Plant Selection Committees last January, about 2 dozen photos (of the 750) were identified that potentially could be improved. Carl Nordman, our new state botanist, participated in the review and was quite impressed with the set of photos that have been assembled. He believes that the TN book will have a better set ^>f photos than any state wildflower book he has ever seen (and 1 heartily concur). The criteria followed in the photo selection process has been : “Good flower definition” is required, but “good flowers with leaves” is better. As such, we not only have good photos, but good ID photos as well. My thanks again to all those who submitted photos for consideration. Hopefully within the next few weeks I will be able to compile a list of the photos/photographers selected, and notify all who participated. The printing process will require that the slides be removed from the mounts, which means there is always a chance that the image could be damaged (albeit remote). As such, all selected images submitted that appear to be originals will be duped, and the originals returned to the owners along with those still held which were not selected. Hopefully this process can be completed within the next three months. Plant Descriptions About 25 plant descriptions each were assigned to over 30 volunteer writers. Almost 80% of the assign- ments have been completed and returned, and the rest are expected to be completed shortly. As might be expected, the descriptions vary in writing style, but all have been well done. Now that the second volume of the TN County Atlas has been published, the frequency of occurrence and distribution of each species across the state can be verified. Once all descriptions are received, formatted and compiled, a complete set will be reviewed by several knowledge- able TNPS members for accuracy of content and for suggested additional pertinent information that should be added. My thanks to the description writers for a job well done. Supporting Material Some work has been done on the supporting material such as: Cover Design, Dust cover. Dedication, Acknowledgements, Foreword, Contents, Introduc- tion, Glossary. References, Index, Identification Sketches, etc. However, a lot remains to be done, but most of this could be prepared while the plant description review is in progress. Cost and Funding Courier Printing of Smyrna (who printed the LBL book) has given us an estimate of $130,000 for 10,000 volumes (30% hardcover and 70% softcover). Therefore, the plan to retail the softcover volumes for $25 and hardcover volumes for $35 still appears to be on target. Carl Nordman has suggested that the TNPS conduct a fund-raising effort among the membership to show good faith to any foundational or corporate organizations that we approach in the future as sponsors or contributors. Letters of support inquiry to several founda- tions across TN and the Southeast have received little favorable response, although it could only take one letter to the right one. A simi- lar lack of support has been received from several TN corporations that were anticipated to Continued on Page 4 4-Tennessee Native Plant Society / May 1 997 Book Update Continued from Page 3 be solid potential sponsors. There is still a possibility that the book could receive some funding support from the state. One bit of good news just ar- rived: the Perennial Plant Society of Nash ville has pledged $1000 in support of the book, so at least we are no longer stuck at “ground zero” on the fund- raising effort. Publication Schedule The goal is to have all book material and photographs ready to turn over to aprinterby 1 Feb98. Based on progress to date, this goal certainly is attainable. Most effort to date has been directed at having a printer do the book for us rather than a publisher, because the TNPS would retain control over con- tent and retail price. There has been some concern expressed that whole- sale book distributors might be reluc- tant to purchase the books from any- one other than a publisher, and this issue is yet to be resolved. However, both Dennis and 1 firmly believe that once we have a product ready for publication, support to get it published will be forthcoming. Sponsor WUdf/owers- Fundraising campaign kicked off for Tennessee Wildflower Book By Carl Nordman At the most recent Tennessee Native Plant Society board meeting the Sponsor Wi Id flow- ers campaign was initiated to raise funds for the Tennessee Wildfower book. For $100 per Tennessee wildflower, you can be a rec- ognized sponsor of the TNPS wildflower book, the first goal of this exciting campaign if to raise significant funds from the TNPS members to enable the book to become a real- ity next year. To produce a book of top quality could cost over $100,000. TNPS is working on a variety of funding sources, but you the TNPS member are our most important supporter. The strong financial support of our members will inspire stronger support from important outside sources. You may select any Tennessee wildlowers you like. Some of our favorite wildf lowers will get sponsored more than once. In this way we can learn which are our favorites. All the funds will be kept in a fund devoted to the Tennessee Wildflower book. This is a very important effort of TNPS. The funds generated from members will deter- mine what control TNPS will be able to main- tain over the book. This book has the poten- tial to be the finest wildflower book avail- able. It will be a book that promotes it- self, and elevates the pride of all Tennes- seans for their native plants. The members of the board together spon- sored 33 wildflowers for $3,300 at their last meeting. How many can you sponsor? Send a tax deductible check to Wildflower Book, Tennessee Nat ive Plant Society, University of Tennessee, Department of Botany, Knox- ville, TN 37996-1100 and don't forget to keep track of it for your taxes. The Use of Old Metes and Bounds Survey Records By H.R. DeSelm, Botany UTK What was the composition of the forest when Daniel Boone walked around in Tennessee? Or what was their composition at or near the time of early settlement in parts of Tennessee? The first question can scarcely be answered; there were too few people writing about the plants they saw. And there is almost no organized Congressional type land surveys in Tennessee during the early period. Later, in the first third of the last century, land was being acquired, bought, surveyed and sold. Surveyors recorded the boundaries of plots of ground which were changing owner- ship. At the angle comers, they usually recorded a tree or two, sometimes drove in a stake, or noted a rock, or stream, or river. The tree records constitute a great source of information about forest composition. Records from county Register (of Deeds) offices and the State Archives have been examined for a few areas and compared to modem State or TVA inventories. Generally, I have recorded the occurrence of each tree of the surveyor’s species per survey and summed the number of trees per species across surveys-then converted the sum of each species to percentage of the total. The percent abundance has not changed much among many tree species. However, there are increasers and decreasers. Increasers are usually pine, red maple and tulip poplar and sometimes hickories and black locust. Three of these are natural invaders of logged forests, forest borders and old fields. Pine and locust may also be planted. Decreasers include chestnut (its populations devastated by fungus disease), white oak, beech, and sugar maple. These are species eliminated during land clearing for agricul- ture on sites with deep soil and some have high value for lumber or staves. Occasionally non-forest comers are recorded-such as glades (rocky cedar or cedar-pine glades) or just forest opening, or old fields. Usually about one-fourth of the comers are recorded as with a stake placed by the surveyor as a convenience. Like foresters and sometimes ecologists of today, no mention of herbs and rare mention of shrubs is made. But the tree date tells us that the overall forest composition has changed some since the early 1800’s. Unfortunately, 1 rarely can determine the location of an individual survey with any precision. Mostly they start from their own ownership boundary-or that of a neighbor. How- ever, it can be done; Morton Rose, Jr., has located the boundaries of many early surveys in northern Sevier County. The taxonomic expertise of the surveyors is apparently good though 1 am in doubt about “pin-oak” and “dedwood,” the red oaks as a group, and some swamp oaks. Survey books are available from State and local libraries and a few have been published by Smoky Mountain Press. 5-Tennessee Native Plant Society / May 1 997 Some were typed in a local records preservation program of the Works Progress Administration during the 1930’s. We need to find the records for the Congres- sional land survey type surveys performed by the State in the first third of the last century for West Tennessee and the Cherokee lands south of the Hiwassee River in East Tennessee. In the first case the adjacent Jackson Purchase survey records in Kentucky has been found and exam- ined by ecologists. And in northwest Georgia, the Cherokee land survey records have been found and examined. These records would be a treasure trove of information for Tennesseans but have not so far been located in any archive. There are many opportunities for volunteer work in Tennes- see which will benefit the conservation of our native plants and habitats. Anyone interested in helping as a volunteer please contact Carl Nordman, Botanist, Tennes- see Division of Natural Heri- tage (615)532-0440. 6-Tennessee Native Plant Society / May 1 997 The View from Sourwood By Jim Huheey This is the first issue of The Ten- nessee Native Plant Society News- letter under the new editorship of Susan Stahl, and I am happy to con- tribute to it. 1 moved to Tennessee a couple of years ago to be able to spend more time writing. Trained in chemistry and zoology, 1 have worked in the Smokies with Park Biologist Arthur Stupka on reptiles and anphibians. 1 have a wildflower garden at my home on "Sourwood Mountain” in Roane Co., on the Clinch River. Sour- wood Mountain is the nane that I gave to this parallel ridge in the Ridge and Valley Province that 1 happen to live on. 1 named it for a very large souiwocd tJEB, Oxydendrum arbo- retum, that is on the property. The sourwood tree has always been a favorite of mine for several reasons, some scientific, some es- thetic. It is a member the heath family that contains plants such as rhododen- dron. laurel, huckleberries, and trailing arbutus. Like them, it is acid-loving and so in this part of the state it grows here and there, depending whether the underlying rock is sandstone, shale, or limestone. As a chemist, 1 have always been fascinated by the rela- tion between plants and soil chemis- try. Perhaps I’ll write an article on that for the Newsletter one of these days. Unlike the showier members of the Ericaceae such as Rhododen- dron catawbien.se, R. calendulac- eum, and R. maximum , sourwood does not have large, brightly colored flow- ers. Nor does it produce the deli- ciously edible huckleberries and blue- berriesofGaylussaciaand Vaccinium. The flower is very similar to the lowly dog-hobble, Leucothoe fontanesi- ana , with small, white lily-of-the-val- ley-like flowers. Although each flower is small, the entire tree may be cov- ered with them. Later in the year it provides some of the earliest and pret- tiest fall foliage. And although the sourwood tree produces no edible fruits, it is the source of some of the world’s finest honey. When sourwood is in bloom, the honeybees will visit no other flow- ers, and thus the honey produced is pure, clear, and light-colored. Pure sourwood honey is said never to crys- tallize and harden as do most other honeys. The fact that the sourwood tree makes such fine honey stands in con- trast to some of the other members of its family. Honey from both rhodo- dendron and laurel is poisonous. For- tunately, honeybees probably do not visit these plants much if they have alternative sources of nectar. While I am on the subject of honey and honeybees, I might note that Tennessee produced 320,000 pounds of honey last year. (That’s a lot ofbiscuits! ) But the honeybees and the bee industry are in trouble. Two exotic mites have entered the United States in recent years, and they are killing off the bees. The wild or feral populations are practically wiped out, and only vigorous efforts by bee- keepers have prevented further loss. This will have further ramifications in reduced pollination of food crops. It has been estimated that one-third of our fruits and vegetables are polli- nated by honeybees. Will the decline ofhoneybee popu- lations have any effect on our native plants? 1 have not seen this addressed in any of the discussions that I have read about the problem. Because na- tive plants have always been polli- nated by native bees and other in- sects, 1 would hazard the opinion that the European honeybee, Apis me! I if era, will not be essential for their pollination. The possible excep- tion to this rule of thumb would be if the European honeybees had caused one or more native species to become extinct through competition. We don’t Mountain . . . know much about that subject in this county, as it is said that once the honeybees were brought over with the first settlers, they pushed west- ward faster than the pioneers. So there was little chance to study the native bee fauna in the absence of the European honeybee. Jim Huheey may be reached at: P. O. Box 23843, Farragut Station, Knoxville, TN 37933, or sourwoodmt@aol . com Roadside Botany in Jackson and Clay Counties Field Trip Report for April 19, 1997 A group of 1 2 to 15 participants gathered on an overcast Saturday morning. The threat of rain never materialized as Jack Carman and Dennis Horn led a caravan from one rich ravine and roadside bluff to another with abundant spring flora at each location. Our first stop was Dry Branch north of Gainsboro near the Clay County line. Plants in flower there included bishop’s cap {Mitella diphylla), prairie Trillium ( T . recurvatum ), purple phacelia (P. bipinnatifidum ), dwarf larkspur ( Delphinium tricorne ) and Synandra (S. hispidula). We then looked at bluffs along Brimstone Creek in Clay County for a Kentucky pearlwort (Sagina fontinalis). We were unsuccessful, but did find a nice hillside with bent Trillum (T. flex ipes) and an unusual shrub - leatherwood ( Dirca palustris). All along the creeks and roadsides carpets of miami-mist {Phacelia purshii) and large- flowered com salad ( Valerianella Continued on Page S 7-Tennessee Native Plant Society / May 1997 TNPS ANNUAL MEETING - September 10-21 , 1997 Put September 19 through 2 1 on your calendars for this year’s annual meeting in a different location from where we have ever met before: Armour’s Hotel at Red Boiling Springs. To quote from their literature: “Red Boiling Springs is a well-noted, very popular mineral spring resort town of years gone by. There are three remaining hotels, all are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Armour’s Red Boiling Springs Hotel is a two-story, native brick structure, built in 1924. A special effort is made to keep the period furnishings, but for your comfort, air conditioning is available on request.” And in case you can’t find Red Boiling Springs on your map, it is northeast of Nashville, on Hwy.52 and 151, east of Lafayette, in Macon County, this will be a challenge to Dennis Horn to scout out botanically interesting spots for field trips. Arrangements will be somewhat different than in recent years. They are holding a block of rooms for us (in fact, the whole hotel) until August 20. Members need to call them for reservations and for more informa- tion, preferably before that date. After that date you may be able to make reservations, but they will open the rooms to anyone and they may book up. They will be understanding if something comes up and you have to cancel, so try to make reserva- tions early. Rooms, per person, including dinner and breakfast, are $35, plus tax, per night. We are making arrangements for the possibility of box lunches on Saturday; when you make your reservations, tell them whether you will want lunch or not. Rooms and meals are both available at individual prices, in case you are not staying the full time. The menu looks great, if you like old-fashioned country cooking. And mineral baths and massages are also available, by appointment only. Call them at 615-699-2180 to receive a brochure with more details and to make your reservations. Native flowering dogwood by Chad Shockley, third grade, Spencer Elementary-School 8-Tennessee Native Plant Society / May 1 997 Roadside Botany in Jackson and Clay Counties Continued from Page 6 umbillicata) provided quite a show of lavender and white. Returning to Jackson County by way of the Round Bottom Road, we found hillsides with rich masses of purple Phacelia and upon a high bluff the rare honey- suckle ( Lonicera dioica) with orangish flowers. We had to use binoculars because it was hanging over a 20 ft. vertical wall. Lots of columbine and verbena were scattered along the hillsides as we returned to Gainsboro for lunch. The afternoon trip was led by Dr. Margaret Rhmehart. We first journeyed to a mud flat along Cordell Hull Reservoir west of Gainsboro. There we saw the unusual mouse-tail ( Myosurus mimimus), an interesting member of the Buttercup family and also the cursed Buttercup ( Ranunculus sceleralus ) just beginning to flower. There we also found a large snapping turtle half buried in the mud, possibly emerging from a long winter nap. We then drove up Hwy 53 into Clay County, turning right onto Wet Mill Creek Road. There we first saw a hillside full of wild hyacinths (Camassia scilloides) beginning to flower and among lots of dwarf larkspur, a pure pink colored one close enough to the road to photograph. Oil wells dotted the creekside pastures as we drove along Wet Mill Creek Road. We saw Western daisy (Astranthium integrifolium ) along the roadsides and as we continued upstream there were hillsides of shooting star ( Dodecatheon meadia), sweet betsy ( Trillium cuneatum), Virginia spiderwort ( Tradescanlia virginica) and Horse gentian ( Triosteum angustifolium). As darkness approached we made one final stop to see and compare creamy white violet ( Viola striata ) with Canada violet (V candensis). A more complete list of plants seen on this field trip may be obtained thanks to Otto Hirsch who recorded the many flowers we saw. Send a self addressed, stamped envelope to Dennis Horn, 222 Crestwood Dr., Tullahoma,TN 37388. TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY NEWSLETTER 1763 Needmore Road Old Hickory TN 37138 615/758-9111 i ! M I { 1 1 1 » i 1! 1 1 imliiuimli II, -in ^ e»e»v '2/2. VOLUME 18, NUMBER 3 TENNESSEE NATIVE RANT SOCIETY NEWSLETTER August 1997 President’s Message by Kay Jones I hope that all of you have had an opportunity to take in one or more of the walks that your organization has scheduled and conducted. They are planned throughout the state, so that there are some convenient to every member And we have some members who are so enthusiastic that they will drive six hours or more to get to a site. The trips Bill and I have attended have had the promised flowers blooming right on cue, and if nature’s vagaries don’t always permit that to be the case, there are always other unexpected finds to be had, with knowledgeable leaders and enthusiastic participants to make the day complete. As detailed in the last newsletter, our annual meeting is coming up soon, September 19-21, at Armour’ s Hotel at Red Boiling Springs. (You’ll find Red Boiling Springs northeast of Nashville, on Hwy. 52 and 151, east of Lafayette ) They will “turn loose” the rooms they are holding for us after August 19, so call before then to be sure that you get t. room. There wiil still be rooms available after that date, but they will be available to the general public as well. Call them at (615) 699-2180 for reservations and more information, including a brochure. Our meeting will follow our usual format, beginning with registration Friday afternoon, dinner that evening, and program following. Part of the program that night will be Kay Linder, who lobbies the state legislature on the behalf ofTNPS and other environmental organizations. We will have scheduled field trips all day Saturday, with a box lunch prepared by the hotel. (If you know of any good spots to visit in the area, be sure to suggest them to Dennis Horn, at (615) 455-5742.) After dinner, we will have further indoor programs. If you have some slides you would like to share with the group, be sure to bring them, and if you have a whole program you have prepared, call me at (6 1 5) 285-2777 so we can plan to include it. Then after breakfast on Sunday, the weekend will conclude with a meeting of the Board ofDirectors, to which everyone is invited . A highlight of the weekend will be an update on our Wildflowers of Tennessee project, spearheaded by Jack Carman. He has worked undauntedly for well over a year on this, both on the composition of the book and fundraising. There was an excellent article in the Tennessee Conservationist, praising its quality and soliciting financial support. If you have any contacts with grant- giving organizations, or any suggestions, be sure to talk to Jack about them at (615) 455-2585. And if you can make a contribution yourself, as all of your officers and board members have, it may be sent to our treasurer, Susan Sweetser, 227Brushy Valley Road, Powell, TN 37849. Jack will have a prototype of the book, in loose-leaf form, for us to see at the meeting, and some of the pictures to be used will certainly be included in our evening programs. There are many other members of the organization who have provided pictures, have worked in choosing which pictures to be used, and have written plant descriptions and other text. Without everyone’s efforts, we would not be able to be producing such a high-quality book, covering so many species, and at a reasonable price. In this issue : The Native Garden - Fringe tree page 3 Field trip reports - from April through June pages 4 , 5 and 6 Upcoming TNPS Field trips page 7 2-Tennessee Native Plant Society / August 1 997 TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY NEWSLETTER May 1997 VOLUME 21, NUMBER 2 This Newsletter is a publication of the T ennessee Native Plant Society and is published four times a year, generally in March, June, September, December. TheTennessee Native Plant Society (TNPS) was founded in 1 978. Its purposes are to assist in the exchange of information and encourage fellow- ship among Tennessee's botanists, both amateur and professional; to promote public education about Tennessee flora, and wild plants in general; to provide, through publication of a newsletter or journal, a formal means of documenting information on Tennessee flora and of informing the public about wild plants; and to promote the protection and enhancement of Tennessee's wild plant communities. Dues for each calendar year are: Regular: $15 Student/Senior $1 0 Institution: $20 Life: $150 Dues may be sent to: TNP8/DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN 37999-1100. TNPS OFFICERS Kay Jones, President Dennis Horn, Vice-President Andrea Shea, Corresponding Secretary Nita Heilman , Recording Secretary Susan Sweetser, Treasurer DIRECTORS Bertha Chrietzburg - Middle T ennesse Shirley Nicholson - East Tennessee Carl Nordman -Middle Tennessee Jane Norris - Middle Tennessee Mary Priestly - East T ennessee Larry Wilson - West Tennessee EX OFFICIO Dot Carman Jack Caiman Hal DeSelm David Duhl Ruth Ann Henry Milo Pyne Susan Stahl, Editor miscellany NOW AVAILABLE; Atlas of Tennessee Vascular Plants. Volume 2. Angiosperms: Dicots. Distribution maps by county for the 1913 taxa known to occur in Tennessee (1997: Edward W. Chester, B. Eugene Wofford, Robert Krai) $8.00 (includes shipping) STILL AVAILABLE IN LIMITED QUANTITIES: Atlas of Tennessee Vascular Plants. Volume 1: Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms , Monocots. Distribution maps by county for the 906 taxa known to occur in Tennessee (1993: Edward W. Chester, B. Eugene Wofford, Robert Krai, Hal DeSelm, A. Murray Evans). $6.00 (includes shipping) Send check (payable to Austin Peay State University) to: Publications Manager, The Center for Field Biology, P.O. Box 4718, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN 37044. SEED DISPERSAL An article in the Winter 1996 Chinquapin newsletter of the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society, by George Ellison, discussed the unusual seed dispersal of sweetshrub or straw- berry shrub ( Calycanthus floridus). The large fruit, a shriv- eled dark brown pod, acts like a pill dispenser, releasing each seed from a hole in the bottom of the pod when conditions are right. The author cites an experience Donald Stokes, author of The Natural History of Wild Shrubs, who found seeds dropping from a pod in his office, when the indoor temperature and moisture approached springtime conditions, allowing the pod-release mechanism to function. Special offer to TNPS members The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is offering a $1 discount to TNPS members who subscribe to their magazine The Tennessee Conservationist. Published since 1937 it is the only magazine that focuses on the natural environment of Tennessee. In each bimonthly issue. The Conservationist is full of informative and interesting articles on Tennessee’s native plants, wildlife, vacation spots, state parks and natural areas, exploration points, environmental issues, and Tennessee history. Subscriptions begin at $10.00 for one year. Make check payable to The Tennessee Conser- vationist and mail to Department of Environment and Conser- vation, Nashville, TN 37243-0440. 3-Tennessee Native Plant Society / August 1997 The Native Garden Fringe-tree Old-Man’ s-Beard By C.F. Sacchi The genus Chionanthus is a member of the olive family, the Oleacea consisting of 29 genera and about 600 species of trees and shrubs, which are most common in southeastern Asia and Australasia. Economically important members of this genus include the edible olive, ashes used for lumber, and ornamental plants including Forsythia, gardenia, and privets. North American relatives of Chionanthus virginicus include the many ashes in the genus Fraxims, the less well known devilwood, OsmcnUhus americanus , and four species of Forestiera , some of which bear the common name privet. The privets grown in gardens are members of the genus Ligustrum , none of which is native to North America. There are only two species of fringe-tree: Chionanthus virginicus found in eastern North America and Chionanthus retusus native to China. This unusual biogeographic pattern, with different species within a genus found only in eastern North America and eastern Asia and separated by several thousand miles, is a product of major geologic events includ- ing mountain building and the effects of glaciation. Familiar plants exhibiting this pattern include tulip poplar, Liriodendron , tupelo or sour gum, Nyssa , and the witch hazels, Hamamelis Fringe-tree grows as a large shrub or small tree from 10-18 and occasionally to 35 feet. The bark is gray to light brown and smooth on new branches but becomes narrowly ridged at maturity. Stems are marked by semicircular leaf scars and dark pores called lenticels that allow carbon dioxide and oxygen exchange between the plant and the environment. Buds are oval and possess three pairs of sharp-pointed, keeled scales. Buds and leaves are opposite one another on the stem. The leaves are dark green on the upper surface and paler and somewhat hairy beneath, particularly along the veins. Leaves measure 4-8 inches in length and generally are uniform in their width of 1 -4 inches while the tips of the leaves are pointed to long-pointed. The margins are entire, meaning without teeth, and are often wavy. In fall, the leaves turn a yellowish color, but fall color can vary from plant to plant and can range from greenish to brown to a good yellow. The plant’s crowning feature is its abundant production of 4-8 inch long clusters of delicate flowers in spring. Flowers are white, fringe-like and effectively dioecious, meaning that they are either pollen-bearing or pistillate, capable of setting seeds. Individual flowers consist of minute calyx and a long-lobed corolla of 0.6- 1 2-inch long petals and a single pistil on ‘female’ flowers or two stamens on ‘male’ flowers. Reportedly, plants bearing male flowers are more ornamental in spring than those with female flowers due to larger size of individual male compared with female flowers. Occasionally, both male and female flowers are found on the same tree The fruits ripen in late summer or early fall The dark blue to nearly black, egg-shaped fruits are marked by a white, powdery bloom and contain a single seed. Fruits are 0.6 to 1 inch long and are borne in clusters that may be hidden by leaves. Fruits are attractive to a variety of wildlife includ- ing many songbirds, whitetail deer, quail, and turkey. Male plants must be in the vicinity of females to allow abundant fruit set. Introduced into cultivation in 1736, fringe-tree is considered by many horticulturists to be one of the finest North American specimen trees but it also functions well when planted in groups. Propagation of Chionanthus virginicus from seeds requires patience since they possess a double dormancy. A warm period of 3-5 months at room temperature allows production of a root unit, while the shoot remains dormant; a cold treatment of 4i op for one or more months overcomes shoot dormancy. If seeds are sown outdoors in fall, germination takes place in the second spring. Fringe-tree can grow in a variety of environ- ments both in and out of its natural range and reportedly performs well in USDA 3-9. It prefers a sunny location and deep acid soils but can tolerate a range of soil conditions. Plants need little pruning once established and are remarkably free from pests and diseases. Reprinted from Virginia Native Plant Society. The Fringe -tree was named 1997 Virginia Wildflower of the Year. 4-Tennessee Native Plant Society / August 1 997 Trip reports Lincoln County Field Trip — April 12, 1997 By Jack Carman Twenty wildflower enthusiasts braved the threatening rain to visit two Lincoln county sites. In the morning we visited the Wells Hill Park area on Wells Hill Road just off of Hwy. 23 1, south of Fayetteville. The initial portion is developed as a city park, but we walked on up Wells Creek into a rich wooded area that was abundant with wildflow- ers. Ftw es in bixm incbdod Laige Periw jnkie Vinca major), Butterweed ( Senecio glabellus), Blue Phlox {Phlox divaricata ), Purple Phacelia ( Phacelia bipinnatifida), Foamflower ( Tiarella cordifolia. Baby Blue Eyes {Nemophila aphylla). Sweet Betsy {Trillium cuneatum), White Trillium {Trillium flexipes). Twisted Trillium {Trillium stamineum). Wild Ginger {Asarum canadense), Mayapple {Podophyllum peltatum). Downy Yellow Violet {Viola pubescens ), Common Blue Violet ( Viola sororia var. sororia ), Jack- in-the-Pulpit {Arisaema triphyllum). Rue Anemone {Thalictrum thalictroides), Hooked Buttercup {Ranunculus recurvatus), Kidney- Leaf Buttercup {Ranunculus aborvitus), Carrion Flower {Smilax ecirrata). Green Violet {Hybanthus concolor) and Appendaged Waterleaf {Hydrophyllum appendiculatum). Plants observed that were not in flower included Twinleaf {Jeffersonia diphylla) in fruit. Bloodroot {Sanguinaria canadensis) in fruit, Cut-Leaf Tooth wort {Dentaria laciniata) in fruit. Wild Yam {Dioscorea villosa) with buds and juvenile Green Dragon {Arisaema dracontium). After a leisurely lunch at Rachael’s in Fayetteville, we visited Katherine Simmons’ wildflower garden. Needless to say and as usual, the garden was simply spectacular and everyone was totally im- pressed. Just a few of the plants in bloom included Large Yellow Lady’s-Slipper {Cypripedium pubescens ), Wild Columbine {Aquile- gia canadensis) in abundance. Pipe Vine {Aristolcachia tomentosa). Prairie Trillum {Trillium recurvatus). Sessile Trillium {Trillium sessile), Large-Flowered Trillium {Trillium grandiflorum) and Shooting-Star {Dodecatheon meadia). If I were to even try to list most of the plants in the garden, it would take the rest of the newslet- ter, at least! Katherine and Melvin have spent untold hours working in the garden, but it’s obviously a labor of love based on its excellent condition and content. As official spokesman for the group, let me say officially: “Thank you, Katherine and Melvin, for taking time to host and visit with us, and for such a pleasant afternoon wandering through and marveling over your outstanding wildflower garden.” Ash Hopper Branch Trip Report — April 27, 1997 By Jack Carman Spring in the Smokies this year as somewhat unusual. Because of the abnormally warm weather in March, the early spring species bloomed two to three weeks ahead of schedule at low elevation, but then the abnormally cold April slowed things down at low elevation, and high elevation species were probably two weeks behind the normal blooming schedule. In fact, it snowed on top of the mountains the Wednesday night before the Pilgrimage began on Thursday. Eleven TNPS members met at the Sugarlands Visitors Center Sunday morning for a pleasant walk up the Ash Hopper Trail nearby. Three of the less common species found in flower were the Golden Saxifrage (Chrysosplenium americanum), Vasey’s Trillium ( Triilium vaseyi) and Large Yellow Lady’s-Slipper (Cypripedium pubescens). More common plants observed included Foamflower ( Tiarella cordifolia), Jack-in-the- Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum), Canada Violet ( Viola canadensis ), Solomon’s-Plume ( Smilacina racemosa). Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata), Sweeet White Trillim ( Trillium simile), Doll’s-Eye (Acaea pachypoda). Dog Hobble ( Leucothoe fontanesiana). New York Fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis) and Northern Maiden-Hair Fern (Adiantum pedatum). the Ash Hopper Branch trail winds through a rich cove hardwood area and a spring visit is usually rewarding. Greene County Field Report — May 10, 1997 By Jack Carman A small (Susan and Allen Sweetser and Jack Carman) but enthusiastic group met with leader Joe McGinnis of the U.S. Forest Service (both planned leaders were indisposed) to learn about the plants of Greene County. The first stop was the Allen Gap Bog just off TN 70 at the North Carolina line. Marsh Mari- gold ( Caltha palustris) and Marsh Blue Violet ( Viola cucullata ) were abundant and in foil bloom. Sweet-Flag (A corns americana) leaves were up but it was not yet in bloom. Cinnamon Fem (Osmunda cinnamomea) was also present with spore spikes. The second stop was the Cutshaw Fen off Greene Mountain Road. In the bog, the Golden Club ( Orontium aquaticum) was in full bloom and leaves of Swamp Lousewort ( Pedicularis lanceolata). Wild Sweet William (Phlox maculata ) and Royal Fem (Osmunda regalis ) were seen. In drier areas surrounding the fen were found Painted Trillium (Trillium undulatum) and Pink Lady’s-Slipper (Cypripedium acaule) in full bloom, and ferns observed included American Climbing Fem (Lygodium palmatum), Christmas Fem (Polystichum arostichoides), Hay-Scented Fem (Dennstaedtia punctilobuta), Ground-Pine (Lycopodium obscurum). Shining Club-Moss (Lycopodium lucidulum), and Ground-Cedar (Lycopodium digitatum). We then proceeded up the Bald Mountain Road with several stops along the way and found Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata), Stinking-Benjamin (Trillium erectum white form). Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis). Speckled Wood-Lily (Clintonia umbellata) in tight bud, Dutchman ’s-Pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla) in bud. Winter Cress (Barbarea vulgaris), Virginia Waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum) in bud, Indian-Poke (Veratrum viride) leaves, Large-Flowered Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum), Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia), Canada Violet (Viola canadensis). Golden 5-Tennessee Native Plant Society /August 1997 Ragwort (Senecio Aureus) and Kidney-Leaf Tway- blade (Listera smallii) in tight bud. About halfway up the mountain, we stopped and walked along what I believe Joe called the Kennedy Cabin Road and found Vernal Iris (Iris vema), Shuttleworth’s-Ginger (Hexastylis shuttlerworthii), Yellow-Flower Meadow-Parsnip (Thaspium trifoliatum var. flavum), Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), Fetterbush (Leucothoe racemosa?). Ash Leaf Bush-Pea (Thermopsis mollis var. fraxinifolia leaves, Turkey-Beard (Xerophyllum asphodeloides) leaves. Trailing Arbutus (Epigaea re pens) still in flower, Win ter green (Gaultheria procumbens) in fruit. Painted Trillum (Trillum undulatum), Pink Lady’s-Slipper (Cypripedium acaule). Southern Ragwort (Senecio anonymous) and Lily-of-the- Valley (Convallaria montana). Joe had to leave us at this point for an official errand, but Susan, Allen and I ventured on to the top of the mountain. Here we found gorgeous colonies of Stinking-Benjamin (Trillium erectum) in color forms from deep maroon to rose, Blue-Bead Wood Lily (Clintonia borealis) in tight bud. Yellow Trout Lilies (probably both Erythronium americanum and E. umbilicatum). Wood Anemone (Anemone quinquefolia), Carolina Spring-Beauty (Claytonia caroliniana). Sweet White Violet (Viola blanda). Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara), the ever present Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Kentucky Vibur- num (Viburnum lantanoides), Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense) leaves and Twisted-Stal (Streptopus sp.) in bud. Neither the Rosy or White Twisted-Stalk is listed for Greene county, but the bud on these plants definitely were white. However, the state line between NC and TN also runs somewhere along this mountain ridge so the plants might have been in NC instead of TN. There are many opportunities for volunteer work in Tennes- see which will benefit the conservation of our native plants and habitats. Anyone interested in helping as a volunteer please contact Carl Nordman, Botanist, Tennes- see Division of Natural Heri- tage (615)532-0440. 6-Tennessee Native Plant Society / August 1 997 Trip reports Field Trip to Pickett State Park - June 7, 1997 By Reta Taylor On the rainy morning of June 7th, 4 TNPS members met at the Pickett State Park office for a trip. Led by Robert Emmott, we first explored the Hazard Cave Trail where we saw lots of Big-leaf Magnolia (. Magnolia macrophylla). Plants that we saw in bloom included Silene rotundifolia and Lady Rue ( Thalictrum clavatum). Plants not in bloom were Heuchera parviflora. Lucy’s snakeroot ( Ageratina lucide-brauniae), and the endangered Sandwort ( Arenaria cumberlandensis). Luckily it stopped raining as we ended this first stop. Our next destination was the trail to Slave Falls in the Big South Fork. As we began our hike of 1 .3 miles we heard a Prairie Warbler with its ascend- ing in scale song. Partridge berry {Mitchella repens ) was blooming along the way. Robert told us the Box Huckleberry Keith Springs, Franklin county, By Jack Carman The first day of summer dawned with clear blue skies, but by the time 10 TNPS members joined me in Winches- ter at 10 o’clock, thunderstorms were rumbling off to the west. Fortunately, the storms skirted to the north and south of us so that neither rain nor lightening was a problem. As the weather was cooperative, so were the wildflowers. In the Keith Springs area along the escarp- ment and just on top of the Cumberland Plateau, the wildflowers were abundant and timely. Species in bloom in- cluded Golden St. John’s Wort ’Hypericum frondosum ) Pale Wild Bergamot ( Monarda fistulosa). Scarlet Pimpernel ( Anagallis arvensis), Butterfly Weed ( Asclepias tuberosa), Praine Coneflower ( Ratibida pmnata), Whorled-Leaf Coreopsis ( Coreopsis major). Wild Quinine ( Parlhenium integrifohum), Southern Rosinweed ( Silphium parvula), Canada Lily ( Lilium 21-June-1997 canadense), Heart-Leaf Skull- cap ( Scutellaria ovata), Prickly- Pear ( Opuntia humifusa). Spiny Pod ( Matelea carolinensis), Small Scullcap ( Scutellaria parvula). Harsh Spiderwort ( Tradescantia subaspera). Pale Touch-Me-Not ( Impatiens pallida) a spectactular colony of the Appalachian Fame- Flower ( Talinum iereiifolium), Farkle- berry ( Vaccinium arboreum), Indian Pink ( Spigelia marilandica), Smooth Ruellia ( Ruellia strepens), Roundleaf Catchfly {Silene rotundifolium). White Sweet Clover ( Melilotus alba), Indian Hemp {Apocynum cannabinum). Prairie rose {Rosa setigera). Southern Ragwort {Senecio anonymous) Hairy Phlox {Phlox amoena), Rough- Fruited St. John’s Wort {Hypericum sphaerocarpum), Trumpet Creeper {Camps is radicans). White Milkweed {Asclepias variegata), Bracted Plantain {Plantago aristata), Appalachian Beard Tongue {Penstemon canescens), and Whorled Milkwort {Polygala verticillala). {Gaylussacia brachycera) we saw was thought at one time to be extinct but it sure is doing well here. Grasses spotted along the way were Needlegrass {Stipe avenacea) and Mountain Oat Grass {Danthonia compressa). The falls were very nice. According to legend runaway slaves hid there to avoid recapture. Thanks to Robert for a very interesting day. Plants that had already flowered included Smoke Tree Cotinus obovatus). Hairy Meadow Parsnip {Thaspium barbinode). Smooth Meadow Parsnip {Thaspium trifoliatum), False Gromwell {Onosmodium molle), Thimbleweed {Anemone virginiana) and Yellow Horse- Gentian {Trios teum angustifolium). Plants that were yet to flower included Maxmilian’ s Sunflower {Helianthus maxmilianii). Clasping Leaf Goldenrod {Solidago auriculata) that is only re- corded in Franklin County, Canada Milk-Vetch {Astragalus canadensis). Slender Gaura {Gaura filipes), Small-Headed Blazing Star {Liatris microcephala). Reclining St. Andrew’s Cross {Hypericum stragulum). Southern Harebell {Campanula devaricata) and Green Milkweed {Asclepias viridiflora). 7-Tennessee Native Plant Society / August 1 997 1 997 TOPS Field Trips August 10: Red Clay State Historic Park/Bradley County: Lysimachia quadrifolia and other wetland plants. This trip will involve getting your feet wet, so come prepared. The time is 10:00 eastern and we will meet at the Red Clay State Park office. Trip leaders are Carl Nordman (615) 532-0440 and Landon McKinney. August 30: Beaman Metro Park/Davidson County: Helianthus eggertii (Eggert’s sunflower) which is federally endangered and alluvial hardwood forests, white oak (western mesophytic forest) dominated forest, and other rare plants. The time is 10:00 central. Meet at Waffle House parking lot on Whitebridge Rd. Take 1-40 west to the Whitebridge Rd/Robertson Rd exit. The trip leaders are Landon McKinney and Andrea Shea (615) 532-0439. September 13: Millstone Mt/Tipton County: the site is a prominent “knob” adjacent to the Hatchie River. Plants include Aruncus dioicus Goat’s Beard (only site west of TN river), Triphora trianthophora Three bird orchid, Schisandra coccinea Magnolia vine, Panicum ensifolium small-leaved panicgrass, Prenanthes crepidenea Rattlesnake root, and the largest September? elm in the world. The time is 10:00 central. Take 1-40 west to exit #47, Hwy 179 northwest to Covington. Take right on US 5 1 to the town square. Meet at ReMax Realty near New Look beauty shop. The trip leaders are Andrea Shea and Carl Nordman (6 1 5) 532-0440. September 19-21: Red Boiling Springs: TNPS Annual Meeting (more info cn pu^c 8 Oi this newsletter and in President’s message on page 1 . September 27: Duck River/Tennessee River Wildlife Mgt Area/Humphreys County: Wetland plants include: alligator weed, arrowhead, exotic balloonvine, Heteranthera limosa, Commelina diffusa, Echinodorus, Hydrolea uniflora. The time is 10:00 central. Meeting place is New Johnsonville at US 70 & Long Rd. in parking lot at shopping center across from steam plant. The trip leader is Jack Carman (615) 455-2585. September 28: Silurian Limestone Glades and Barrens/Decatur County Salvia azurea var. grandiflora, Liatris cylindracea, Aster sericius and Silurian fossil beds. The timeis 10:00 central. Meet at Exit 1 26 on 1-40 west at Hwy. 69 . The trip leaders are Carl Nordman (615) 532-0440 and Smoot Major. October 4: Arnold Engineering Development Center/Coffee County: Gentian puberulenta, Prenanthes aspera. The time is 10:00 central. Take exit #1 17 on 1-24, go south 2.5 mile to entrance. The trip leader is Jack Carman (615) 455-2585. October 10-11: Shady Valley Cranberry Festival/Johnson County. More details on this trip in next newsletter. The trip leaders will be Joe McGuiness and Andrea Shea (6 1 5)532- 0439. Also call Eloise Jenkins (423) 739-4465 about the festival. 8-Tennessee Native Plant Society / August 1 997 TNPS ANNUAL MEETING— September 1 9-21 , 1 997 Put September 19 through 2 1 on your calendars for this year’s annual meeting in a different location from where we have ever met before: Armour’s Hotel at Red Boiling Springs. To quote from their literature: “Red Boiling Springs is a well-noted, very popular mineral spring resort town of years gone by. There are three remaining hotels, all are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Armour’s Red Boiling Springs Hotel is a two-story, native brick structure, built in 1924. A special effort is made to keep the period furnishings, but for your comfort, air conditioning is available on request.” And in case you can’t find Red Boiling Springs on your map, it is northeast of Nashville, on Hwy.52 and 151, east of Lafayette, in Macon County, this will be a challenge to Dermis Horn to scout out botanically interesting spots for field trips. Arrangements will be somewhat different than in recent years. They are holding a block of rooms for us (in fact, the whole hotel) until August 20. Members need to call them for reservations and for more informa- tion, preferably before that date. After that date you may be able to make reservations, but they will open the rooms to anyone and they may book up. They will be understanding if something comes up and you have to cancel, so try to make reserva- tions early. Rooms, per person, including dinner and breakfast, are $35, plus tax, per night. We are making arrangements for the possibility of box lunches on Saturday; when you make your reservations, tell them whether you will want lunch or not. Rooms and meals are both available at individual prices, in case you are not staying the full time. The menu looks great, if you like old-fashioned country cooking. And mineral baths and massages are also available, by appointment only. Call them at 615-699-2180 to receive a brochure with more details and to make your reservations. TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY NEWSLETTER 1763 Needmora Road Old Hickory TN 37138 615/758-9111 VOLUME 18, NUMBER 4 TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY NEW5LETTER November 1997 President’s Message by Kay Jones It is hard to realize another year is about over. The Tennessee Native Plant Society was founded in 1978, which means that we are about to complete our twentieth year! Our membership has grown to around 250, and our field trips and annual meetings are always popular events. And we all receive, and enjoy, our newsletter on a regular basis. The publication of “Wildflowers of Tennessee” will be a wonderful way to celebrate as we enter our third decade! I urge your personal contribution to that effort and your influence with any organizations or corporations with which you may be associated. However great a product we may produce (as all who have seen the prototype agree that it is), without up-front money, we cannot go into publication. We have set up sponsorship categories so that your contribution can actually support a wildflower in the book. The categories are: $500 and up - Pink Lady’s Slippers (Cypripedium acaule ) $250 and up - Crested Iris ( Iris cristata) $100 and up - Trailing Arbutus ( Epigaea repens) $ 50 and up - Birdfoot Violet {Viola pedata) $ 25 and up - Purple Coneflower {Echinacea purpurea) In this issue : Many among our membership can remember when annual dues were $1.00. Admittedly, that was a “come-one”, and the current $15.00 (or less for students and seniors) is still a bargain. To keep your newsletter coming without interuption, with all of its news about past and upcoming events, be sure to send in your check. All memberships are on a calendar year basis so, unless you joined for the first time in the second half of 1997, now is the time to renew. Watch for the field trip schedule in the February issue and mark yourcalendar - and tell any others interested in wildflowers that if they join now, they will get that important issue too. Status Report on (Vi Id flowers of TN page 3 Field trip reports - from July through October pages 4 and 5 Why the Green Leaves of Summer page 6 2-Tennessee Native Plant Society / November 1 997 TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY NEWSLETTER May 1997 VOLUME 21 .NUMBER 2 This Newsletter is a publication of the Tennessee Native Plant Society and is published fourtimes a year, generally in March, June, September, December. The T ennessee Native Plant Society (TNPS) was founded in 1 978. Its purposes are to assist in the exchange of information and encourage fellow- ship among Tennessee's botanists, both amateur and professional; to promote public education about Tennessee flora, and wild plants in general; to provide, through publication of a newsletter or journal, a formal means of documenting information on Tennessee flora and of informing the public about wild plants; and to promote the protection and enhancement of T ennessee's wild plant communities. Dues for each calendar year are: Regular: $15 Student/Senior; $1 0 Institution: $20 Life: $150 miscellany New Publications: From University of North Carolina Press: Guide to Flowering Plant Families by Wendy B. Zomlefer. Understanding the flowering plants of any region begins with the recognition of families. This volume created to serve students, professionals, and other plant enthusiasts, covers 130 temperate to tropical families common to the US with detailed illustrations and modem referenced commentaries. From Missouri Botanical Garden Press: Plants, Man and Life by Edgar Anderson who was the Director of the Missouri Botanical Garden in the 1950’s. This book traces the development of man’s influence on plant life, especially crop plants. New Plant Introduction: Niche Gardens is offering ‘Dixie Lace’ Pitcher plant ( Sarracenia x ‘Dixie Lace’) in their fall catalog. This is a complex hybrid with several parents, including S. leucophylla and S. purpurea , yielding compact plants of 8-10" having maroon red pitchers etched in a mosiac of intricate dark red veins on a mottled background of creamy yellow. These striking pitchers are produced continuously during the summer and are especially showy August-October. To receive their fall catalog, write Niche Gardens, 1111 Dawson Road, Chapel Hill, NC. 27516, e-mail: mail@nichegdn.com Dues may be sent to: TN PS/DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY University of Tennessee Knoxville, TN 37996-1100. TNPS OFFICERS Kay Jones, President Dennis Horn, Vice-President Andrea Shea, Corresponding Secretary Nrta Heilman, Recording Secretary Susan Sweetser, Treasurer DIRECTORS Bertha Chrietzburg - Middle T ennesse Shirley Nicholson - East Tennessee Carl Nordman - Middle T ennessee Jane Norris - Middle T ennessee Mary Priestly - East Tennessee Larry Wilson - West Tennessee EX OFFICIO Dot Carman Jack Carman HalDeSelm David Duhl Ruth Ann Henry MiloPyne Susan Stahl, Editor 1763 Needmore Rd. Old Hickory TN 37138 Susanstahl@juno.com 616/758-9111 Low spot in the year? Consider these native shrubs As the winter rains settle in it becomes easier to spot those low areas of the yard. If you have such an area, one that remains damp for several days after a rain and receives at least six hours of sun each day it is the perfect spot to utilized shrubs that like their feet damp. A niche such as this can be filled with a variety of native shrubs that will make it much more attractive to birds and butterflies than an expanse of damp turf grass. Many shrubs found occurring in moist meadows, ditches and stream edges are equally happy in the garden as long as conditions mimic those in their natural habitat. Virginia sweetspire {I tea virginica ) is among the first shrubs to bloom. Emerging in late April on the burgundy stems, three to five inch panicles of white flowers are produced providing an early nectar source for butterflies that over winter in your area. Button bush ( Cephalanthus occidentalis ) is a large shrub often overlooked for damp spots. This eight foot deciduous native begins flowering in June and for nearly three months the tiny flowers in clusters resembling miniature golf balls are visited by adult butterflies of all types. Fall berries providing winter interest as well as food can be found on the winterberry holly ( Ilex verticillata). A large shrub, 8 to 12 feet at maturity, this deciduous holly suckers at the base becoming multi-stemmed. Cardinals relish the fruits through the winter and should there be any left by spring, migrating cedar waxwings make sure they don’t go to waste. (Written by Lynn Libous-Bailey and reprinted from Mississippi Native Plants. 3-Tennessee Native Plant Society / November 1 997 Status Report of Wildflowers of Tennessee Status Report of Wildflowers of Tennessee as reported to the Board of Directors at the annual meeting in September of 1 997: 1) Photograph Status * Essentially all photographs needed are on hand * Looking for potential improvement in about 2 dozen images * There will be no other comparable book on the market that can come close to matching our excellent set of photographs * Two carousels of photos available for review at the annual meeting 2) Plant Description Status * All descriptions have been completed and submitted * Both Dennis and I were well pleased with the description quality 3) Manuscript Text * Draft completed (including Acknowledgements, Introduction, Plant sketches. Glossary, Biblography, Index, etc.) * 5 draft copies out for review (Chester, Clebsch/Wofford, DeSelm, Houck, Horn) * Edited copies scheduled for return by end of October * 743 species photographs, 752 photographs (including fruit and leaves) * Approximately 350 additonal species de- scribed briefly * Draft copy on hand for examination 4) Fundraising * Approximately $4000 has been raised for publication * Mrs. Sundquist has a draft copy * Summary of support proposals and inquiries attached 5) Estimated Cost and Retail Price * Courier Printing of Smyrna has estimated $95,000 for 5000 copies, and $130,000 cost for 10,000 copies (30% hardcover volumes). Up front one time cost is $40,000. * Estimated $25 retail for softcover and $35 for hardcover volumes * We will likely seek competitive bids from other printers * Turning book over to publisher is my last choice and not recommended. The number of photos likely would have to be cut, or the retail price would be out of the range most wildflower enthusiasts would be willing to pay (estimated $40 to $50). Cutting photos to 500 to get price down would eliminate uniqueness and excel- lent state- wide species coverage of TN book. Submitted by Jack Carman Editors note: I have a two page list of founda- tions and corporations contacted by Jack for funding. If any one would like this list, just write me and I will duplicate it for you. Wildflower Book Update as of Novem- ber, 1997: Funds for publication now up to about $5000. Several good prospects have not yet responded to letters of inquiry or funding proposals. Unfortu- nately, several other good prospects that I had hoped might be able to provide funding support, did not. 4-Tennessee Native Plant Society / November 1 997 Trip Reports KNPS/TNPS Field Trip, May Prairie, Coffee County, July 19, 1997 Five KNPS members were joined by a dozen TNPS members for the May Prairie visit. Even with the preceding dry spell, the prairie was in pm e condition . Pints in ftw er include : H aiiy Angelxa Angelica venenosa), Rattlesnake-Master ( Eryngium yuccifolium), Big Mock- Bishop’s-Weed ( Ptilmnium costatum). Water Parsnip ( Sium suave), Butterfly Weed ( Asclepias tuberosa ), Narrow Leaf White Topped Aster {Seriocarpus linifolius). Hyssop Leaf Thoroughwort ( Eupatorium hyssopifolium ), White-Bracted Thoroughwort ( Eupatorium leucolepis), Boneset (Eupatorim perfoliatum), Round leaf Thoroughwort {Eupatorium rotundifolium). Hairy Sunflower ( Helianthus mollis ), Small Headed Blazing Star ( Liatris microcephala) Dense Blazing Star {Liatris spicata). Scaly Blazing Star {Liatris squarrosa). Shaggy Rosinweed {Silphium mohrii), Cutleaf Prairie Docl ; {Silphium trifoliatum ), Coppery St. John’s Wort {Hypericum denticulatum), Pineweed {Hypericum gentianoides), Dwarf St. John’s Wort {Hypericum mutilum). Spotted St. John’s Wort {Hypericum punctatum), Rose-Pink {Sabatia angularis). Horse Mint {Pycnanthemum tenuifolium). Coastal False Asphodel {Tofieldia racemosa). Winged Loosestrife {Lythrum alatum), Maryland Meadow Beauty {Rhexia mariana), Spindle Root {Ludwigia hirtella), Sundrop {Oenothera fruiticosa ), Southern Rein Orchid {Platanthera Jlava), a spectacular display of the Snowy Orchids {Platanthera nivea). Spring Ladies Tresses {Spiranthes vernalis), Smooth Phlox ( Phlox g/aberrima), Drumheads {Polygala cruciata ), Pink Milkwort {Po- lygala incarnata), Nuttall’s Milkwort, {Polygala nuttallii), Tassel-Rue ( Trautvetteria caroliniensis ), Buttonweed {Diodia virginiana), Blue- Hearts {Buchnera americana), Indian Paintbrush {Castilleja cocci nea). Smooth Beardtongue {Penstemon calycosus ), Fog-Fruit ( phyla lanceolata) and Twisted Yellow- Eyed-Grass {Xyris torta). The undoubted highlight of the trip (for me) was the discovery of the Naked Bladderwort {Utricularia comuta). We believe this to be the second population recorded in TN. As much as May Prairie has been visited anc studied when the Snowy Orchids are in bloom, it seems inconceivable that this Utricularia has not been seen before in May Prairie. As a lesson learned, I suppose when the attitude “Been there, done that” begins to creep in, we may need to counter that feeling with “it ain’t necessarily so!” The May Prairie trip was followed by a quick visit to the AEDC power line area where the large Yellow Fringed Orchid {Platanthera ciliaris) and Butterfly Pea {Clitora mariana) were in bloom, and plants of the Tennessee Sunflower {Helianthus eggertii were observed. It was a long haul for the Kentucky folks (and several Tennessee folks) to participate in the walk, but is is my personal opinion that none left disappointed that they made the trip. As for me, it’s always a pleasure to visit May Prairie. 5-Tennessee Native Plant Society / November 1 997 TNPS Field Trip, Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge (Duck River Unit), Humphreys County September 27, 1997 Five TNPS members joined me at New Johnsonville on a wanner dian normal fall day for the short trip to this wetland site at the confluence of the Tennessee and Duck rivers. Plants observed in flower included: Wingstem Water- Primrose ( Ludwigia decurrens). Creeping Water Primrose (Ludwigia peploides). Prickly Mallow (Sida spinosa). Cardinal Fiower ( Lobelia cardinalis), Narrow-Leaf Hedge- Nettle ( Stachys tenuifolia), Hedge-Hyssop ( Gratiola viscidula), Bur-Marigold ( Bidens cemua), Tickseed Sun- flower ( Bidens polylepis), Devil’s Beggar-Ticks ( Bidens fondosa), several Smartweeds ( Polygonum lapthifolium, P. cespitosum, P. pensylvanicum), Climbing Buckwheat ( Mikania scartdens), Virginia Dayflower ( Commelina virginica). Creeping Bur-Head ( Echinodorus cordifolius ), Halbert- Leaf Rose Mallow ( Hibiscus laevis). Tall Ironweed (Vernonia gigantea), Late-Flowering Thoroughwort (Eupatorium serotinum), Rough Marsh-Elder (Iva annua), Yerba-De-Tago ( Eclipta prostrata ), Sessile Toothcup ( Ammannia robusta), Alligator-Weed ( Altemanthera philoxeroides), Mist-Flower ( Conoclinum coelestinum), Sickle-Pod ( Senna obtusifolia), Water-Plantain (Alisma subcordatum), Buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentuni ), and Balloon-Vine ( Cardiospermum halicababum). An interest- ing vine found in fruit was the Buckwheat- Vine ( Brunnichia cirrhosa). Unfortunately, the trip timing appeared to be too late as we were unable to find the Blue Mud-Plantain (Hydrolea unifora). Later in the afternoon, we traveled to a roadside area near Bucksnort with interesting bluff formations. Flowers in bloom included: Short-Pappus Goldenrod ( Solidago sphacelata), Blue-Stem Goldenrod ( Solidago caesia). Yellow Giant-Hyssop ( Agastache nepetoides). Tall Thistle ( Cirsium altissiumum), Wing-Stem ( Verbesina alternifolia). White Crown-Beard ( Verbesina virginica) and Dittany ( Cunila origanoides). TNPS Field Trip, Arnold Engineering Develop- ment Center, Coffee County — Oct. 4, 1 997 Several TNPS members were joined by Several mem- bers of the Tennessee Wildflower Society of Signal Mountain and the AEDC botanist (Geoffrey Call) for the walk at the AEDC airfield area. Plants observed in flower included: Prairie Gentian ( Gentiana puberulenta, the only known location in Tennessee), Pale Gentian ( Gentiana villosa). Eastern Silvery Aster ( Aster concolor). Late Purple Aster {Aster patens). Swamp Aster (Aster paludosus ssp. hemisphericus). Awl Aster (probably Aster pilosus), Curtiss’ Milkwort ( Polygala curtissii), two Purple Gerardias (probably Agalinis gattingeri and Agalinis fasciculata), several Thoroughworts (Eupatorium rotundifolium, E. pilosum, E. leucolepis, E. serotinum and E. perfoliatum), Hedge-Hyssop ( Gratiola brevifolia), several Goldenrods (Solidago ere eta, S. odora, S. ne moral is and S. rugosum), Narrow-Leaf Sunflower (Helianthus angustifolia), Ozark Sunflower ( Helianthus silphioides), Small-Headed Blazing Star ( Liatris squarrulosa), and Nodding Ladies’-Tresses (Spiranthes cemua). Because the Tennessee National Guard had a scheduled afternoon sandbag drop, we had to clear the area by noon and weren’t able to spend as much time there as I would have liked. After a lunch break in Manchester, many of the group ventured to May Prairie in the after- noon. Plants observed in flower included: Autumn Coral-Root (Corallorhiza odontorhiza), Drum- heads (Polygala cruciata), Soapwort Gentian (Gentiana saponaria). Nodding Ladies’-Tresses (Spiranthes cemua). Oval ladies’-Tresses (Spiranthes ovalis). New England Aster ( Aster novae-angliae). Autumn Sneezeweed ( Helenium autumnale). Smooth Purple Gerardia (Agalinis purpurea). Slender Gerardia (Agalinis purpurea). Slender Gerardia (Agalinis tenuifolia), Shinner’s False-Foxglove (Agalinis pseudaphylla). Swamp Lousewort (. Pedicular is lanceolata), Mississippi Valley Grass-Leaf Goldenrod (Euthamia leptocephala). Downy Lobelia (Lobelia puberula), Mist-Flower (Conoclinium coelestinum), and Climbing Hempweed (Mikania scandens). Several fruiting heads of Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) with their brilliant red berries were also found. Submitted by Jack Carman Members may want to check out the web site for the Native Plant Conservation Initiative (NPCI): http://www.adq.nps.gove/natnet/ npci Revisions are being made monthly. New features being added include: NPCI grant information, kids comer, NPCI working groups information, resource listing, outreach activities, news desk and employment resources. 6-Tennessee Native Plant Society / November 1 997 Why the green leaves in summer? By Cathy Donaldson As I wandered in the woods in mid-summer, I began to wonder why the leaves of bloodroot, trillium and jack-in-the-pulpit are still green and growing when the canopy has long since closed over them. Why aren’t they gone like the leaves of spring ephemeral wildflowers such as Dutchman’s Breeches, Shooting Stars and Bluebells or the leaves of daffodils and narcissus of our gardens? A little thought and research led to some interesting probable answers. One reason may be the time needed to mature the seeds, especially for the trilliums and jacks. These plants expend lots of energy on seed production. It may be years before young plants become robust enough to make seeds. Trillium seed sprout the first spring but are not seen above ground. The next 2 or 3 years are spent as single leaves. Then the plant progresses to the typical three leaves but it may be another 2 or 3 years before it blooms. One source says it may take 10 years for a new trillium plant to bloom ifconditions are poor. Development of flowering in jacks has been discussed in several sources and all agree that the female plants take several years to grow large enough to bloom. The younger plants have no spathes at all or are male plants. If conditions are poor, the plant may remain as a male or even revert back to male- ness from a female flowering plant. Thus the plants need time to optimize the maturation and suc- cess of their seeds. Another reason for the longev- ity of the green leaves may be to store up starches to give energy for a speedy start the next spring. The early blooming bloodroot send up blossoms surrounded by new leaves in early (often risky) spring to get a jump ahead of the canopy. Trillium roots also have a high starch content. When the leaves persist into late summer, the plant store up reserves in a rhizome or bulb much like an iris or daffodil. In a woodland setting, how do these leaves and storage bin roots protect themselves from squirrels, woodchucks, skunks, etc? I know from sad experience that deer graze on the fresh trillium leaves prior to the blooms opening. Native Americans used the starch-rich jack corms as food. Marie Sperka in her book Growing Wildflowers reported that a mother bear and cub uprooted her jack bed, leaving behind a mess of half-eaten stalks and corms. Why aren’t more of them eaten? The answer appears to lie in a series of toxic substances produced by these plants — alkaloids in the case of bloodroot, glycosides in trilliums, and oxalates in the case of jacks and its close relative the leafy skunk cabbage (which is only found in three counties in TN). The bloodroot produces sanguinarine, protopine and other alkaloid compounds that trigger intense thirst, vomiting, vertigo and glaucoma. Trillium produces gluco- side saponins including trillarin and maybe other compounds that give it an acrid and bitter taste. Saponins can cause sneezing and mucus membrane irritation, digestive tract initiation and even bloat in ruminants, also red cell hemolysis in animals. Oxalates produce a burning sensation in the mouth and pharynx. The oxalate crystals are very sharp and their cutting edges can be felt well down into the digestive tract. Oxalates can also produce nausea, vomiting and breathing difficulties (even asphyxiation if the damage is severe enough). In larger doses it can cause convulsions, permanent liver and kidney damage, coma and death. Chris Carpenter, a naturalist at Natural Bridge State Park in Kentucky, tells the story of a boyhood prank to get his friends to taste the root of a jack-in-the-pulpit which he had scraped and cleaned like a carrot or turnip. As he says, “once you taste it, you never for- get”—hence the folk name of “memory root” for jacks. Several authors have reported similar stories of memorable taste testing of jack roots. More than one death has resulted, according to John Kingsley in Deadly Harvest. Cathy is a wildlower gardener and photographer and is the editor of Trillium Trails, a bimonthly newslet- ter about wildflowers and native plants. She can be contacted at P.O. Box23271, Knoxville, TN, 37933- 1271 7-Tennessee Native Plant Society / November 1 997 Annual Meeting at Red Boiling Springs The annual meeting was held at Red Boiling Springs in the north-central part of the state. Thirty five members gathered at Armour’s Hotel, a lovely old building which is listed on the National Register, On Friday night, Kay Linder of the Environmental Action Fund reported on the EAF’s activities during the past year. EAF is the lobbying arm for a coalition of environmental and citizen action groups of which TNPS is a member. Then we enjoyed a slide show, featuring a number of the photos which have been chosen for inclusion in the state wildflower book. The photos are truly spectacular. Jack Carman showed us, as well, a mock-up of the book, complete with all plant descrip- tions. It is clear that this will be an informative as well as beautifiil publication of which we will all be proud. Woodlands, meadows and streams - there was something for everyone on Saturday’s outings. We were invited to explore JeffPoppin’s property on Long Hungry Creek. Jeff operates an organic farm, but he is leaving much of the land more-or-less undisturbed. Dennis Horn and Jack Carman led the group. Walking along a clear, slate bottomed stream, we were greeted by tall bellflower (Campanula americanaL. ), great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphi Utica L.), Phlox maculataL., White snakeroot (Eupatorium rugosum Houttuyn), spangle grass (Chasmanthium latifolium (Michx.) Yates), and Allegheny spurge (Pachysatidra procumbens Michx.) seemed equally at home along these banks. The plants in fruit were as spectacular as those in flower: the vivid red berries of spicebush (Lindera benzoin (L.) Blume), Carolina buckthorn (Rhamnus caroliniana Walt.), and strawberry bush (Euonymus americanus L . ) looked almost good enough to eat . On the other hand, the still green fruits of pawpaw (Asimina tri/oba(L.)Duna\) held the promise of a truly edible treat! We headed up into a rich forest, dominated by beech (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) trees. Several species of ferns, including northern maidenhair (Adiantum pedatum L . ), southern lady (A thyrium felix-femina (L . ) Roth ssp . asplenoides (Michx.) Hulten), broad beech (The lypteris hexagonopter a (Michx.) Weath), and Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides (Michx.) Shcott), clustered at theroots ofthe trees. Delicate beech drops (Epifagus virgin iana (L )Barton), a non-photosynthetic parasitic plant, was just in bud. Doll’s eyes (Actaea pachypoda Ell.), strikingly beautiful in fruit, crane-fly orchid (Tipularia discolor (Pursh)Nutt), also in fruit, and plantain-leaved sedge (Carex platitaginea Lam.) were ample evidence of these woods’ richness and we vowed to return in the spring! Out in the meadow, members of the aster family competed for our attention: yellow crownbeard (Verbesina occidentalis (L.)Walt.) vied with the goldenrods (Soldago caesia L. , S. nemoralis Aiton, and S. erecta Pursh), narrow-leaved sunflower (Helianthus angustifolius L.), and masses of thoroughworts (Eupatorium hyssopifolium L. and E. perfoliatum L. ) to name a couple. A real show stopper was lion’ s paw (Prenanthes serpentaria Pursh) in full bloom. We knew this plant from its unusual initial leaf in the spring, and it was exciting to see the beautifiil final product. To end the morning, an impromptu musical performance by some of Jeff s friends was enjoyed by all. The afternoon found us headed for another part of Jeff’s property, where we were greeted by a small rain shower and an exuberant patch of Jerusa- Lm atfxboke iflelianthus tuber osus L ) We skirted a creek along which bloomed turtlehead (Che lone glabra L ), an arrowhead (Sagittaria sp. and mon- key flower (Mimulus alatus Ait). The variety of interesting fruits include bur cucumber (Sicyos angulatus L ), whose name is most descriptive, and ground cherry (Physalis heterophylla Nees. and/3, longifoliaduti ). Yellow passion flower (Passi flora lulea L.) boasted both fruits and flowers - another candidate for “most photogenic”! So many of the attractive flowers and fruits of this season are not large. It was worth the time that it took to gain a real appreciation for the tiny maroon flowers of carpenter’s square (Scrophularia mari/andicaL.y, the slender, pointed fruits of sweet cicely (Osmorhiza claytonii (Michx.) Clarke); and the erect fruits of wood sorrel (Oxalis stricta L.) which resemble dainty candelabra. On Saturday night, Kay and Bill Jones enter- tained us with slides and stories from their trip to eastern Canada: birding and enjoying the nature and people along the Bay of Fundy. Dennis Horn treated us to a slide show of photos that he took this summer in the Siskiyou Mountains, and ancient range in western California and Oregon. This was not passive appreciation. Dennis made us guess the names of Eastern relatives of these exotic looking Western plants. We impressed ourselves and maybe even Dennis with our responses. The annual meeting was refreshing for all, even for those of us who did not take advantage of the mineral baths. It was wonderful spending the week- end appreciating some of autumn’s many interest- ing and appealing offerings. By Mary Priestley WHAT IS THE EAF? The Environmental Action Fund (EAF) was formed 2 1 years ago to represent the common interests of environmental groups to the state legislature. A total of 26,000 Tennesseans are represented by the Board of Directors of the EAF. The Tennessee Native Plant Society is represented on this board. EAF seeks cooperative solutions to the dilemmas facing a fast growing population. EAF tries to work with state agencies to support bills that increase environmental quality; bills compromising the environment are opposed. All activities are coordinated through a lobbyist and support if from member dues and individual contributions. Recent issues include State Parks reform, a reappraisal of statewide forestry practices on public lands, a citizen’s right to participate (citizens should be able to testify at environmental hearings that could affect their neighborhoods), citizen’s right to know (citizens have a right to know what hazardous chemicals are being stored and released in their neighborhood) and many other issues. If you would like more information about the EAF, please contact Kay Linder at (615) 321-5075 or e-mail her at christl@edge.net. Identify yourself as an TNPS member and offer your support today! Submitted by David Duhl 8-Tennessee Native Plant Society / November 1 997 iSWYXSIHJQ UOX CIMHIHX U ojl aniSHHSHHM u haiq iom ahay axtra iuhjl xu -cnoHHsnoH HHa huha una sn xhu sxrxi cfflHSHHOT3H HDOA AVHNHU OX 3HIX S