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TENNESSEE NATIVE 
PLANT SOCIETY 
NEWSLETTER 


VOLUME 26, NUMBER 1 


February 2002 


President's 

Message 

More about the Pilgrimage this year. Another new 
feature is the ability to register on-line or by phone. 
Those of you who have attended previous 
Pilgrimages will remember the long lines that form 
several hours in advance of the registration time. 
Standing in these lines can be avoided by checking 
the website at www.wildflowerpilgrimage.org to 
view the latest information on events and to register 
between March 1 at 9:00 a m. and April 4 at 4:00 
p.m. Phone registration will be accepted over the 
same time span, with a few spaces reserved for on- 
site registration which begins April 22. You can also 
request a brochure by writing to: Great Smoky 
Mountains Natural History Association, 115 Park 
Headquarters Road, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. See you 
there! 



umbel 



spike 


2002 Smoky Mountain Wildflower Pilgrimage 


Once again, the TNPS will man an information 
booth at this year’s Wildflower Pilgrimage. A great big 
“thank you” goes to last year’s booth sitters; Hal 
DeSelm, Normal Luton, Lorene and Albert Sigal, 

Becky Roller, and Melinda and Bill McCoy. An another 
“thanks” to all the folks who have manned the booth in 
the past. 

We need booth volunteers for this year’s 
pilgrimage. If you can help in the morning, afternoon, or 
evening of April 25 or 26, please give Allen Sweetser a 
call at (865) 938-7627. 



FIELD TRIP PLANS FOR 2002; 

MORE AMBITIOUS THAN EVER 


This year’s TNPS field trip schedule has been 
organized by A1 Good, ably supported by the hard 
working committee of Jane Norris, Bart Jones, Allen 
Sweetser, Todd Crabtree, and Margaret Rhinehart. They 
have done an excellent job of planning a wide variety of 
trips from spring to fall. There are two trips at different 
times to the same cedar glade. We will have an 
opportunity to see this habitat as it changes through the 
season. A rare glimpse at Taylor Hollow in Sumner 
County is on the list. This property is owned by the 
Nature Conservancy. TNPS is offering trips both to 
Alabama as well as a whole weekend in North Carolina 
with trips led by the legendary Ed Schell. Also offered is 
a chance to visit the interesting plants on the Oak Ridge 
reservation. This is a great year for field trips. Come join 
for any or all of them. See you on the trails. 



TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT 
SOCIETY NEWSLETTER 


February 2002 
VOLUME 26, Number 1 

This Newsletter is a publication of the 
Tennessee Native Plant Society and is 
published fourtimes a year, generally 
in February, May, August, November. 

The T ennessee Native Plant Society 
(TNPS) was founded in 1978. Its 
purposes are to assist in the exchange 
of information and encourage fellow- 
ship among Tennessee's botanists, 
both amateurand 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 
T ennessee flora and of informing the 
public about wild plants; andtopromote 
the protection and enhancement of 
Tennessee’s wild plant communities. 

Duesforeach calendaryearare: 
Regular: $15 
Student/Senior $ 1 0 
Institution: $20 
Life: $150 


Dues may be sent to: 

Tennessee Native Plant Society 
PO Box 159274 
Nashville, TN37215 


TNPS OFFICERS 

Jane Norris, President 

Dennis Horn, Vice-President 

Bart Jones - Corresponding Secretary 

Nita Heilman, Recording Secretary 

Susan Sweetser, T reasurer 

DIRECTORS 

Bertha Chrietzburg - Middle T ennesse 
Todd Crabtree - Middle T ennessee 
Karl Heinzman - East Tennessee 
Mary Priestley- East Tennessee 
AIGood - East Tennessee 
Bart Jones - West Tennessee 


Spring is nearly upon us and wildflower walks abound. Here are two 
thatmay beofinteresttoyou dependingon whereyoulive: 

Saturday, March 30 Wildflowerwalk/TVANatural Heritage 
Project 

Susan and Allen Sweetser, TNPS members, will help lead 
wildflower walks at Norris Dam Stat Park’ s River BlufFT V A Small 
Wild Area. Two hikes will be offered, one at 10:00 am and the other at 
1 :00pm (eastern time). Come see the carpet of Trout lilies and many 
other spring wildflowers. Contact Allen or Susan for details at (865) 
938-7627. 

Thursday, March 28; Saturday, March 30; Thursday, April 4; 
Saturday, April 6 Warner Park Nature Center 

Spring Wildflower Walks from 9:00 am to noon. Brilliant 
white Bloodroot blossoms, crimson Trillium and yellow Trout Lilies 
are just a sample of the myriad of colors and shapes in a spring forest. 
Join Deb Beazley on a rejuvenating stroll into the woods of the 
Warner Parks. Registration begins on March 14 (615)352-6299. 


Susan Stahl, Editor 
1763 Needmore Rd. 

Old Hickory TN 371 38 

Susanstahl@juno.com 

615/758-9111 



2002 TNPS FIELD TRIP SCHEDULE 


This is the only complete schedule of field trips that you will receive, please keep 
. Some trips may 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 to participants prior to the trip. Keep 
the schedule handy and plan to attend as many trips this year as possible. 



April 6/Saturday BEAMAN PARK/DA VIDSON COUNTY 

A preview of this nature park with Bob Brown who can show us 

the rare plants to be blooming later as well as the Hepatica and 
Trillium species blooming now. Geologically, the site straddles 
the transition of the Nashville Basin and Highland Rim and has 
vegetative characteristics of both. About two miles of moderate 
hiking which should finish in time for a late lunch of your choice. 

Time: 9:30 central 

Place: Hot Chicken Restaurant at exit 40 (Old Hickory Blvd) 

off 1-24 W of Nashville. 

Leaders: Bob Brown and Jane Norris (615) 665-2056 


April 13/Saturday COLLINS GULF/SOUTH CUMBERLAND STATE PARK 

A scenic area with waterfalls and perhaps the best spring flower 
display in the park. Expect to see Dwarf Ginseng ( Panax 
trillium ) and four species of Trillium including Prairie Trillium 
(T. recurvatum ) and many other flowers. Hike is a strenuous five 
miles of steep and rough sections and a stream crossing. Bring lunch. 

Time: 10:00 am central 

Place: Collins West trailhead in Gruetli-Laager. From Monteagle 


on SR 56, left at first light in Tracy City. Go about 6 miles to 
SR 108 through Gruetli-Laager and about 4 miles to 55 th Ave. 
Left to end of the road. 



I 


April 22-27 SMOKY MOUNTAIN WILDFLOWER PILGRIMAGE 

Details in president’s message on page 1 of this newsletter 


May 4/Saturday 


Time: 

Place: 

Leaders: 


FLAT ROCK CEDAR GLADES AND BARRENS 

Nature Conservancy preserve for globally imperiled species. 

This is one of the largest cedar glade complexes in the Southeast. 
Expect to see Tennessee Milk Vetch ( Astragalus tennesseensis ) 
and Missouri Primrose ( Oenothera missouriensis). Easy walking. 
Bring lunch. 

10:00 am central 

McDonald’s in Murfreesboro at exit 81 (US 231) on 1-24. 

Todd Crabtree (615) 223-0279; Bertha Chrietzberg (615) 896-114 


May ll/Saturday TAYLOR HOLLOW 

This is a combined trip with the Sumner County Wildflower Club. 

Taylor Hollow was acquired by the Nature Conservancy primarily to 
protect the abundance of Blue-eyed Mary ( Collinsia vema ) growing 
there. At this later date expect to see many Synandra hispidula 
and a profusion of other species. Easy walking with one creek 
crossing. Lunch at a restaurant in Westmoreland. 

10:00 am central 

Bethpage United Methodist Church. 10 miles E of Gallatin on 
US 31E, right at church sign on Gifford Lane and 1 block to church. 
Mike Johnson (615) 888-2067 


Time: 

Place: 

Leader: 



Spreading 
Dogbane 
(pink) . 


May 18/ Saturday 


Time: 

Place: 


Leaders: 


DESOTO STATE PARK/LITTLE RIVER CANYON 
NATIONAL PRESERVE - ALABAMA 

On the park’s well developed woodland trails expect to see Fairy 
Wands ( Chamaelirium luteum). Lavender Phacelias ( Phacelia purshii ), 
Shuttlew orth’s Wild Ginger {Hexastylis shuttleworthii ), and Catawba 
Rhododendron ( R . catawbiense ) plus interesting trees and shrubs. 

The canyon rim has Green Pitcher Plants ( Sarracenia oreophilia). Candy 
Root ( Polygala nana ), and Flat Rock Onion ( Allium speculae) 
which are expected to be in bloom. Other plants rare or unknown in 
Tennesee are Coreopsis pulchra, Bigelowia virgata, and Diamorpha 
smallii. Easy to moderate hikes. Bring lunch to eat in picnic area. 

10:00 am central 

Picnic area across from Desoto State Park Headquarters. 

1-59 exit 231 to Hammondville, right on US 11, left shortly on 
SR 117 through Valley Head to Mentone, and right on Parkway 
(CR 89) to Park Headquarters. 

A1 Good (423) 886-1777 - Richard Ware and GA Botanical 
have been invited to join this trip 


June 2 1 Sunday 



BASE OF CUMBERLAND PLATEAU NEAR COWAN, TN 
FRANKLIN COUNTY 

Margaret keeps finding interesting and uncommon plants at this rocky 
place. On this trip expect to see Prairie larkspur ( Delphinium virescens) 
Little Skullcap ( Scuterlari parvula), Matelea carolinensis, Spreading 
Dogbane ( Apocynum androsaeminfolium ), Green Milkweed 
(Asclepias viridiflora ) and others. Easy walk. Bring lunch. 

The leader promises we will not have rain this year. 

10:00 am central 

Old Cowan Depot. West on US 64 from 1-24 to SR 15 and 
left to Cowan. 

Dr. Margaret Rhinehart (931) 946-2381 


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UIGbiTS OF JUNE 7 clv *^ % fJotO-St,)c>l<i/JG- / Doublet Q.'El > 

OKJ 194 I NJ M^UJLAMj) (mo CREplT CAe]}) OFFICE OPED UDTic )| 


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June 8 /Saturday 
Saturday 


Called 5-Z5-o2^ 


WEEKEND IN NORTH CAROLINA 
We will go to Linville Gorge National Wilderness to search for 
Mountain False Heather ( Hudsonia montana). We can also expect 
Turkeybeard ( Xerophyllum asphodeloides ) and several other late spring 
bloomers, including Allegheny Sand Myrtle ( Leiophyllum 
buxifolium, v. prostratum). Other possibilities include Flame Azalea 
{Rhododendron calendulaceaum) and Carolina Rhododendron {R. minus). 
Other plants to be seen are the Spike-mosses ( Selaginella tortipila and 
S. rupestris) and Witch Alder {Fothergilla major). 

The hike will finish around 4:00 p.m. 


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June 9 /Sunday 


Cs 






vP 


Time: 

Place: 

Leaders: 


A mystery hike in the same area. If we are indeed lucky, we may 
catch the last blooms of Pink-shell Azalea {Rhododendron vaseyi). 

Both hikes are on rocky trails with some short but steep climbs. Bring 
lunch and water both days. 

9:30 eastern - both days 

Hardee’s in Newland on SR 194 

Ed Schell -Susan and Allen Sweetser (865) 938-7627 

,55 oL 


Lodging: Time Square Inn (828)733-9271, Huskins Motor Court (828)733-2564, 

Shady Lawn Motel (828) 733-5a®€rParkview Motor Lodge (828) 765-4787, Pineola Inn 
(828)733-4979, Holiday Inn (828) 898-4571 or 1-800 HOLIDAY. Reservations may be hard to meol 
get after April 1. Camping is available at Linville Falls from the National Park Service, (828) 

298-0395. National Forest campgrounds near Linville Falls and Newland are also available. Call 
the Grandfather Ranger District for information (828) 652-2144. 

July 28 RARE PLANTS ON WALDEN’S RIDGE 

Sunday Two sites in one day. The morning destination will be a power 
line row in Sequatchie County to see Cumberland Rose Gentian 
{Sabatia capitata), Yellow Fringed Orchid {Habenaria ciliaris), 
and other meadow species. In the afternoon, Margaret will take us 
to a privately owned pond where she recently discovered Blue Water- 
Hyssop {Bacopa caroliniana) previously unknown in TN. Other 
species found there are Sweet Flag {Acorus calamusa). Water 
Pennywort {Hydrocotyle umbellata). Pickerel-weed {Pontedaria 
cordata), Eryngium prostratum, and Sagittaria platyphylla. Easy 
walking. Bring boots or shoes suitable for wading in the afternoon. 

Lunch in Dunlap. 

Time: 10:00 am central and 1:30 pm afternoon 

Place: Hardee's on US 127 on north side of Dunlap 

Leaders: AI Good (423 - 886-1777;Margaret Rhinehart (931) 946-2381 






t> N 


August 17 
Saturday 


Time: 

Place: 

Leaders: 

August 24 
Saturday 

Time: 

Place: 

Leaders: 


September 7 
Saturday 


Time: 

Place: 


Leaders: 


Sept. 20/21 


Nov. 9 
Saturday 

Time: 

Place: 

Leaders: 


FLAT ROCK CEDAR GLADES AND BARREN - II 

A second visit to this preserve (see May 5 trip) to catch another 
season’s flowers. Expect to see large grouping of prairie grasses, 

Little Bluestem ( Schizachyrium scoparium), and Side Oats Gramma 
grass {Bouteloua curtipendula), with flowers such as Si da elliottii. 

Bring lunch and be prepared for hot sun. 

10:00 am central 

McDonald’s in Murfreesboro at exit 81 (US 231) on 1-24 

Todd Crabtree (615) 223-0279; Bertha Chrietzberg (615) 895-1146 

OAK RIDGE RESERVATION 

Larry Pounds plans to get us into the reservation to see some of the 
interesting plants growing there. Details in the June newsletter. 
Preregistration will be required. 

10:00 am eastern 

American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge 
Larry Pounds; Susan and Allen Sweetser (865) 938-7627 

BROWNSPORT FURNACE, DECATUR COUNTY MICRO-GLADES 
AND NEWLY DESIGNATED CARROLL CABIN NATURAL AREA 

Limestone outcropping near the old (1848) iron smelter harbor many 
glade and prairie plants including Blue Sage ( Salvia azurea var. grandiflora). 
Rattlesnake Root ( Prenanthes barbata), Rosinweed ( Silphium integrifolium ), 
Prairie Dock ( S . terebinthinacceum), Elliots Fanpetals (Sida ellliottii), 

Glade Heliotrope {Heliotr opium tenellum), and prairie grasses. Other 
sites have Snowy -Squarestem {Mel anther a nivea ) and other species. Lunch 
at a catfish place along the Tennessee River. 

10:00 am central 

Decatur County Riverside High School. Exit 126 from 1-40, south 
on SR 69 through Parsons past Middle School and Beech River to 
SR 69 bypass at a warning light. High School is just ahead on right. 

Bart Jones (901) 726-6891; Claude Bailey (615) 532-1378 


ANNUAL MEETING AT ARNOLD ENGINEERING CENTER 

All details in June newsletter but mark it on your calendar now. 


WINTER BOTANY IN POLK COUNTY 

Ed Clebsch will show us a cranberry bog, coastal plain club moss, 
and other unique and fascinating stuff in the Copper Basin. 

10:00 am eastern 

Hardee’s in Ducktown on US 64 at SR 68 

Ed Clebsch (865) 856-3350; Allen Sweetser (865) 938-7627 


Interested in starting your own wildflower garden? 
Seed collecting is a good way to help propagate these plants 
as well as learn more about them and their propagating 
habits. Here are some things to remember: If the seed is moist 
when collected -being in a fleshy fruit or pod- they should 
be sown immediately or stored in a moist (not wet) plastic 
bag and refrigerated until you re ready to sow them. Seed 
that is dry can be sown immediately or kept in a plastic or 
paper bag in a dry place. If they are to be kept for several 
months, all seed should be stored in the refrigerator. 

Here are some seeds that should be sown in early 
spring while soil is cool or in latest fall. 

Allium cernuum, (Nodding Onion), Baptisia australis(False 
Indigo), Claytonia virginica( Spring Beauty), Corydalis 
sempervirens (Pale Corydalis), Hypericum hypericoides (St. 
Andrew’s Cross), H. starts (St. Peter’s Wort), Hypoxis 
hirsuta (Yellow Star Grass), Mertensia virginica (Virginia 
Bluebells), Passiflora incarnata (Passion Flower), Sedum 
species, Silene caroliniana (Wild Pink), S. virginica (Fire 
Pink), Viola species. Plant seeds in good soil either in 


planting flats or open ground. The depth at which seed 
should be planted is usually indicated by the size of the 
seed. 

From North Carolina Native Plant Propagation 
Handbook 





TENNESSEE NATIVE 
PLANT SOCIETY 
NEWSLETTER 


VOLUME 26, NUMBER 2 


June 2002 


President's 

Message 

Reserve your place now for the annual 
meeting on the weekend of September 20-21 ! With 
summer just under way, it seems far too early to be 
planning activities for fall, but this event is an 
exception. 

Our meeting this year will be on the Arnold 
Air Force base near Tullahoma. For security reasons, 
we are required to provide a list of guests at least one 
month in advance. No deposit is required - just 
names and addresses. Rooms will be at the Wingo 
Inn on base, and dinners Friday and Saturday will be 
at the adjacent Lakeside Club. Room prices are very 
reasonable: Suite with queen bed and private bath 
is $37 a night; room with queen bed and private 
or shared bath (shared by two rooms) is $27 a 
night. The price of each dinner will be approximately 
$12-$15. No breakfast or lunch is served, so we will 
get these meals at local restaurants. 

Membership activities start at 6:00 Friday 
night for dinner. After dinner we will meet in the 
conference room of Wingo Inn for a presentation, 
tentatively set on the topic of the use of natives in the 
landscape. Saturday morning we will meet at 8:30 to 
convoy to breakfast followed by all day field trips. 
You may bring a lunch if you prefer, or we will eat at 
a local restaurant. Dinner will be served at 6:00 
followed by our all membership annual meeting. If 
there is time, members may bring slides to share after 
the meeting. 

Send your reservation (name, address, and 
phone number) for your choice of room and meals to: 
TNPS, P.O. Box 159274, Nashville, TN 37215. 
Please do not send your payment. 



Included in this exciting issue is what 


you want to know about: 

Page 2 

Field trip to Taylor Hollow 

Page 3 

Notes on Cumberland Rose Gentian 

Page 4 

Preregistration info for Oak Ridge 

Page 5-6 

Remainingfteld trip schedule 

Page 7 

Learn more about the Flatrock Onion 



TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT 
SOCIETY NEWSLETTER 



June 2002 

VOLUME 26, Number 2 

This Newsletter is a publication of the 
T ennessee Native Plant Society and is 
published fourtimes a year, generally 
in February, June, August, November. 

The T ennessee Native Plant Society 
(TNPS) was founded in 1978. Its 
purposes are to assist in the exchange 
of information and encourage fellow- 
ship among T ennessee's botanists, 
both amateurand professional; to 
promote public education about 
T ennessee flora, and wild plants in 
general;to provide, through publication 
of a newsletter or journal, a formal 
means of documenting information on 
T ennessee flora and of informing the 
public about wild plants; andtopromote 
the protection and enhancement of 
Tennessee'swild plant communities. 

Dues for each calendaryear are: 
Regular. $15 
Student/Senior $10 
Institution: $20 
Life: $150 

Dues may be sent to: 

Tennessee Native Plant Society 
PO Box 159274 
Nashville, TN 37215 

TNPS OFFICERS 

Jane Norn's, President 
Dennis Horn, Vice-President 
Bart Jones - Corresponding Secretary 
Nita Heilman, Recording Secretary 
Susan Sweetser, Treasurer 

DIRECTORS 

Bertha Chrietzburg - Middle T ennesse 
T odd Crabtree - Middle T ennessee 
Karl Heinzman - East T ennessee 
Mary Priestley - East Tennessee 
Al Good - East Tennessee 
Bart Jones-West T ennessee 


Susan Stahl, Editor 
1763 NeedmoreRd. 
Old Hickory TN 371 38 
Susanstahl@juno.com 
615/758-9111 


T aylor Hollow - May 1 1 

The Wildflower Society of Sumner County, particularly 
Michelle Haynes and the “Pat and Mike” twins, Patricia French 
and Michelle Johnson, hosted a TNPS trip to the Nature 
Conservancy’s Taylor Hollow. The preserve is inthe Society’s 
neighborhood and the members have helped with trai 1 
maintenance and other chores. 

After meeting at the historic Bethpage Methodist Church 
tp check out a picturesque old Box elder ( Acer negundo), we 
drove to a field at the lower end of the hollow. Here the hollow 
begins at the edge of the woods. In the forest, a showy display of 
Synandra (S. hispidula) and Long-T ube Valerian ( V. pauciflora ) 
were widespread with a scattering of the more subtle flowers of 
Golden Alexander (Zizia aptera). Creamy V iolet ( V striata), 
Honewort ( Cryptotaenia Canadensis ), and Puttyroot 
( Aplectrum hyemale). A few flowers and fruits from earlier 
blooming plants such as Canada Violet ( V Canadensis), Jack- 
in-the-Pulpit ( Arisaema triphyllum), Celadine Poppy 
(Stylophorum diphyllum). Blue-eyed Mary ( Collinsia verna), 
Twinleaf ( Jeffer sonia diphyllum ), Bent Trillium ( T.flexipes ) 
suggested the April display here. The group was walking single 
fi le up a narrow low impact trail under tall T ulip trees 
( Liriodendron tul ipfera) withafewCuc umber trees ( Magnol ia 
acuminata) and one big Butternut ( Juglans cinerea). The scribe 
was missing some information because the people who knewthe 
place were way ahead of those trying to identify the plants. T odd 
Crabtree’s summary ’’everything is here” was but a slight 
exaggeration. With the foliage of Allegheny Spurge 
( Pachysandra procumbens). Glade Fern ( Athyrium 
pycnocarpon). Brittle Fem ( Cysopteris fragilis). Sedges ( Carex 
plantaginea, et.al). Nodding Fescue ( Festuca subverticillata), 
and ForestBluegrass (Poa sylvestris) mixed with the flowers, the 
forest floor is densely covered. Questions about an exotic looking 
plant with large terminal leaves gave Allen Sweetser a perfect lead 
to identify Carrion Flower ( Smilax ecirrata var. hugeri). On the 
way back, an interesting vine with large five-lobed leaves stum pied 
us until we had more time to identify it as Cupseed 
(Calycocarpon lyonu). Theoverall impression ofthe preserve is 
that it isbeing well managed with a fine balance between 
protection and access. 

After lunch in Westmoreland, Pat led some of us over into 
Kentucky to see a giant (17’ ca. x 125’h) Bald Cypress 
( Taxol ium distichum) brought over from the Coastal Plains by 
early settlers. 

Al Good 


3-Tennessee Native Plant Society /June 2002 


Cumberland Rose Gentian 

( Sabatia capitata) 

Thisrare flower with limited range will 
challenge the adequacy of your botanical library. 
Of the manuals I use, some don’t get far enough 
south and another is too far east. The range of this 
plant isNW Georgiaandthe adjacent parts of 
A1 abama and T ennessee. 1 In T ermessee the plant 
occurs on the southern part of Walden’s Ridge in 
Hamilton, Marion, and Sequatchie counties. The 
Tennessee Atlas shows it only in Hamilton. 2 The 
Georgia Botanical Society Atlas doesn’t show it 
at all, but S. gentianoides, a species with simi lar 
flowers is shown in the northwestern counties 
where S. capitata occurs. 3 This is assumed to be 
an error in i dentification. 

The typical inflorescence on a well- 
developed plant has multiple deep pink stemless 
flowers both terminal andaxillary on the 1 8” 
vertical stem. The stem can have many branches. 
The individual flowers can be up to 2” in diameter 
typically with 8 petals and ayellowcenter. 
Duncan’s Wildflowers of the Eastern United 
States has an excellent photo. 4 Depth of the pink 
varies from plant to plant and occasionally a plant 
wil 1 be found with essentially white flowers. 
Leaves are sessile and oval tending to a pointed 
tip. Flowering time is about the end of July. It is 
differentiated from the other Sabatias by: more 
than 5 petals, nearly stemless flowers, flat thin 
leaves (S. gentianoides has similar flowers but 
fleshy linear leaves). 5 

A complete botanical description is 
provided in Protected Plants of Georgia, but 
my observations do not support the description of 
the herb as an annual . I have seen single plants 
flowering in the same spot for more than one 
year. When I have moved plants, about half of 
them lived a second year and did not come back 
after that. A plant flowered in my yard last 
summer. After the stem died it formed twin furled 
rosettes half out of the ground and remained that 
way over winter. One rosette developed a 
branched stem in the spring. At this writing, the 
other rosette shows no sign of a stem. The 
transplant data suggests that the plant i s a biennial, 
but I think it is possibly a shortlived perennial. 

I have had no success in getting the tiny 
seeds to germinate. The plant discussed above 
showed up in a former seedbed where seeds had 


been planted 5 years earlier. Jim Brown, 
executive director ofTennessee River Gorge 
T rust, tell s a story about the Di vi sion of 
Forestry draggi ng a bul 1 dozer blade over a 
S. capitata site to keep them going. Every 
site I know has been bulldozed sometime in 
the past. Presumably, fire prepared sites for 
seed germination before the bulldozers. A 
smal 1 forest fire occurred near a S. capitata 
site thi s spring. I pi an to watch thi s place . 
Also, I plan to bum a meadow where they 
have occurred in the past. 

S. capitata is a strikingly attractive 
flower. We now find them briefly between 
the street and the woods in new residential 
subdivisions before the builders come, on 
power line ROW’ s, in pine plantations after 
clearcuts. We need a better understanding of 
its propagation requirements to protect it 
A1 Good. 


(Endnotes) 

1 Patrick, T.S. etal , Protected Plants of Georgia, ” 
Georgia Department ofNatural Resources, 1995. 

2 Chester, E. W. et at, Atlas of Tennessee Vascular 
Plants - Volume 2, The Center for Field Biology, 
Austin Peay State University, 1997. 

3 Mellinger, MB., Atlas of the Vascular Flora of 
Georgia, Georgia Botanical Society, 1984. 

4 Duncan, W.H. and MB, Wildflowers of the 
Eastern United States, The University of Georgia 
Press, 1999. 

5 Pickett, H.W., Wildflowers of the United States- 
Southeastern States, The New York Botanical 
Garden, 1967. * 



4-Tennessee Native Plant Society /June 2002 

DeSoto State Park/ 

Little River Canyon 
- May 18 


Saturday, May 1 8 
began cloudy and very 
chilly. Nevertheless, more 
than 20 people met at the 
picnic area across from the 
park headquarters. Several 
of them were members of 
the GA Botanical Society. 
We al 1 merged together and 
began our plant 
explorations. All the 
advertised plants were 
viewed Unfortunately, 
Lavender Phacelia (P. 
purs hi i) was past its bloom . 
Some of the other plants we 
were fortunate to see, and 
having several botanists on 
the tri p, were fortunate to 
identify were Dog 
Gooseberry ( Ribes 
cynosbati), Patridgeberry 
{Mitchella repens ), Krigia 
biflora ), Shuttleworth’s 
WildGinger(whichhasa 
very large flower). Fairy 
Wands ( Chamaelirium 
luteum). Fly Poi son 
{Amianthum 
muscaetoxicum ), Galax 
aphyl la, Rhodendron 
minus. This rhodendron 
seemed a little out of place 
since it is aBlue Ridge 
plant. Al Good checked 
with the ranger and there 
are several more in the 
park. We also saw a 
population ofFlatrock 
Onion (. Allium speculae ) as 
well as Y ellowroot 
( Xanthorrhiza 
simpl icissima ), I tea 
virginica, Sparkleberry, 
andafine display of Indian 
Cucumber Root (Medeola 


virginiana). Somehow through all 
this beauty, we had walked a 
complete circle and were now back 
at our cars for lunch. 

After lunch we drove to the 
canyon rim for the awaited sight of 
the Green Pitcher plants. As the sun 
came out, we saw them in 
abundance. There was speculation 
that the fire had promoted their 
continued spread. Alongthe road 
we also encountered Sampson’s 
Snakeroot (Gentiana villosa), 
Whorled Loosestrife ( Lysimachia 
quadrifolia), and small whorled 
Pogonia (Isotria medeoloides), 
which wasnotyetinbloom. Then 
we moved on to more plants and a 
spectacular viewofthe canyon. At 
the rocky top were Bigelowia 
virgata. Candy Root {Polygala 
nana), and more Pitcher plants. 

Thank you to Al Good and 
all the others that participated in this 
trip. 

Susan Stahl 



Fringed 
Loosestrife 
( yellow ) 


A Letter to Members: 

We even have a letter to the 
members for this issue. It is 
from Yvonne Brewingtonof 
480GranleyHill Road, 

Bethpage, TN 37022. She is a 
concerned citizen living in 
Sumner County. She writes, 

“We live out in the country 
where we are blessed with a 
large assortment of 
wildflowers. I have seen 
people digging up these 
flowers on the side of the 
road. They have even gone 
on private property without 
permission. They dug up a 
large amount of wildflowers. 

I would like to know the laws 
concerning the digging of 
wildflowers. Any information 
you can send me will be 
greatly appreciated. ” Can 
anyone help her. 1, too, know 
there are laws but how do 
you go about finding them? 
Please write her if you can help. 

Announcement: 

A note about the field trip to Oak 
Ridge reservation on August 24. 
Preregistration will be required 
for this trip. Due to security 
reasons, send your name and 
telephone number to Allen or Susan 
Sweetser at least two weeks before 
the trip date or before August 10. 
Their address is 227 Brushy Valley 
Road, Powell, TN 37849. Call Allen 
at 865- 938-7627 (there is no 
message machine) or call Susan at 
865-588-0508, ext. 126, which has 
a message machine. 


2002 TNPS FIELD TRIP SCHEDULE 


July 28 

Sunday 


Time: 

Place: 

Leaders: 


August 17 
Saturday 


Time: 

Place: 

Leaders: 


August 24 
Saturday 

Time: 

Place: 

Leaders: 


RARE PLANTS ON WALDEN’S RIDGE 

Two sites in one day. The morning destination will be a power 
line row in Sequatchie County to see Cumberland Rose Gentian 
(Sabatia capitata ), Yellow Fringed Orchid ( Habenaria ciliaris ), 
and other meadow species. In the afternoon, Margaret will take us 
to a privately owned pond where she recently discovered Blue Water- 
Hyssop ( Bacopa caroliniana) previously unknown in TN. Other 
species found there are Sweet Flag ( Acorus calamusa), Water 
Pennywort ( Hydrocotyle umbellata), Pickerel-weed ( Pontedaria 
cordata), Eryngium prostratum, and Sagittaria platyphylla. Easy 
walking. Bring boots or shoes suitable for wading in the afternoon. 
Lunch in Dunlap. 

10:00 am central and 1:30 pm afternoon 

Hardee's on US 127 on north side of Dunlap 

A1 Good (423 - 886-1777;Margaret Rhinehart (931) 946-2381 


FLAT ROCK CEDAR GLADES AND BARREN - II 

A second visit to this preserve (see May 5 trip) to catch another 
season’s flowers. Expect to see large grouping of prairie grasses, 

Little Bluestem ( Schizachyrium scoparium ), and Side Oats Gramma 
grass ( Bouteloua curtipendula ), with flowers such as Sida elliottii. 
Bring lunch and be prepared for hot sun. 

10:00 am central 

McDonald’s in Murfreesboro at exit 81 (US 231) on 1-24 

Todd Crabtree (615) 223-0279; Bertha Chrietzberg (615) 895-1146 


OAK RIDGE RESERVATION 

Larry Pounds plans to get us into the reservation to see some of the 
interesting plants growing there. Details in the June newsletter. 
Preregistration will be required 2 weeks prior to the trip. 

10:00 am eastern 

American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge 
Larry Pounds; Susan and Allen Sweetser (865) 938-7627 


September 7 
Saturday 


Time: 

Place: 


Leaders: 


Sept. 20/21 


Nov. 9 
Saturday 

Time: 

Place: 

Leaders: 


BROWNSPORT FURNACE, DECATUR COUNTY MICRO-GLADES 
AND NEWLY DESIGNATED CARROLL CABIN NATURAL AREA 
Limestone outcropping near the old (1848) iron smelter harbor many 
glade and prairie plants including Blue Sage ( Salvia azurea var. grandiflora ), 
Rattlesnake Root ( Prenanthes barbata ), Rosinweed ( Silphium integrifolium ), 
Prairie Dock ( S . terebinthinacceum ), Elliots Fanpetals (Sida ellliottii ), 

Glade Heliotrope ( Heliotropium tenellum), and prairie grasses. Other 
sites have Snowy Squarestem {Melanthera nivea ) and other species. Lunch 
at a catfish place along the Tennessee River. 

10:00 am central 

Decatur County Riverside High School. Exit 126 from 1-40, south 
on SR 69 through Parsons past Middle School and Beech River to 
SR 69 bypass at a warning light. High School is just ahead on right. 

Bart Jones (901) 726-6891; Claude Bailey (615) 532-1378 


ANNUAL MEETING AT ARNOLD ENGINEERING CENTER 
All details in June newsletter but mark it on your calendar now. 


WINTER BOTANY IN POLK COUNTY 

Ed Clebsch will show us a cranberry bog, coastal plain club moss, 
and other unique and fascinating stuff in the Copper Basin. 

10:00 am eastern 

Hardee’s in Ducktown on US 64 at SR 68 

Ed Clebsch (865) 856-3350; Allen Sweetser (865) 938-7627 


7-Tennessee Native Plant Society /June 2002 

Pitcher Plants - How well do they catch? 


The Flatrock Onion 

A1 Good gave us some information about the 
Flatrock Onion (. Allium speculae ) on the May 1 8 
trip to DeSoto State Park. This plant is categorized 
by the state as threatened. Range: Cumberland 
Plateau (Little River Canyon area) of northeaster 
Alabama; also Piedmont Plateau ofnorthcentral 
Georgia. Description: Perennial herb with typical 
onion habit and odor. The bulbs have a fibrous coat 
similarto loose burlap. The leaves are 2-8 (mostly 4- 
5) per bulb, narrow and grasslike, 20-25 cm long, 
and to 2 mm wide. The flowers have three sepals and 
three petals, each 5-6 mm long, narrowly elliptic, and 
appearing white with a pinkish tinge. The young fruit 
is greenish and 3 lobed. Flowering period: midMay 
to early June. Habitat: Found on seepy edges of 
vegetation mats on outcrops of granitic rock; 
commonly associated with sundrops, Cuthbert onion, 
sunnybells, wooly ragwort, and broomsedge. 



"Pitcher plants ( Sarracenia purpurea L.) at- 
tract insects to pitchers, and then capture them in 
fluid-filled, pitfall traps, buthowefflcienctare pitcher 
plantsatcapturingprey in their natural environment?" 

"We monitored insect activity by videotaping 
pitchers and analyzing videotapes for several vari- 
ables including identity of each visitor and outcome 
of each visit (eg. departure or capture)> Efficiency 
of capture (i. e. number of captures per number of 
visits) was low. Overall efficiency of capture was 
0.83-0.93%, depending on whether potential prey 
were broadly or narrowly defined. " 

"Ants constituted 74% of the potential prey. 
Efficiency of capture of ants was even lower at 
0.37%. Potential prey were more likely to visit 
pitchers with greater red venation and less water in 
the pitcher. There was no correlation between num- 
ber of potential prey visiting a pitcher and pitcher 
age, length, or mouth width. Also, number of poten- 
tial prey visits did not correlate with plant size, air 
temperature, time of day or date of videotaping." 

"While the overall efficiency of prey capture was 
very low, pitcher plants may benefit from the addi- 
tional nutrients. However, the relationship between 
ants and //. purpurea remains an enigma, since it is 
unclear whether the plants capture enough ants to 
compensate for nectar lostto ants. " 

Newell, S.J. & A.J. Nastase. 1998. Abstract to Efficiency of insect 
capture by Sarracenia purpurea, the northern pitcher plant in 
American Journal of Botany 85(l):88-9. 1998 

This article was reprinted from the March 1998 issue of the 
BotSoc News. 



r 




232 . 2 . 


in; •; n j | [ ] i 




Cumberland Rose Gentian 



TENNESSEE NATIVE 
PLANT SOCIETY 
NEWSLETTER 


VOLUME 26, NUMBER 3 

President's 

Message 

The annual meeting is coming up. Itisthe 
weekend of September 20 and 2 1 . If you phone me 
right away, we may still be able to reserve a room for 
you. The meeting wi 1 1 be held at Arnold Air Force 
Base. Arnold AFB can be reached from 1-24, exit 
1 1 7. A suite with queen bed and private bath is $37/ 
nightly; a room with a queen bed and private or 
shared bath is $27/nightly. The first event will be 
dinner at 6:00 on Friday night followed by a 
presentation by Meredith Clebsch on the use of native 
plants in our gardens. Meredith and her husband, Ed, 
own Native Plant Gardens Nursery in Greenback, 

TN You don’t want to miss this! 

Several fiel d trips are planned for Saturday, 
including the fabled runway area. This also requires 
preregistration. You must be a US citizen to go on 
thistrip. Ifyouare interestedinjustcomingfortheday 
hikes, you must preregister with me by calling me 
now. 

After dinner on Saturday, we will have our 
annual membershipmeeting, includingnewinformation 
about the soon-to-be-completed book. 

Please call today at 615-665-2056. If you 
are going to eat with us on Friday and Saturday nights 
at Wingo Inn, bring a checkbook. There is a 
possibility that I will have to pay for the entire bill and 
you reimburse me. 



August 2002 



Botanizing 

Color in the native landscape may be fading 
fast, but the browns and grays offer special 
treasures for botanizing, collecting, and even 
decorating. 

Identification of plants by their dried seed 
pods and seeds can reveal many secrets not so 
obvious in the midst ofthe blooming seasoa 

Note the kinship, more conspicuous now, of 
the asters and goldenrods, both in the composite 
family. Notice also theevencloserrelationship 
of coneflowers, and Black Eyed Susans in the 
genus Rudbeckia. 

i In doing so, gather up a cluster of stalks, add 

maybe a few knots of dried Queen Anne’s Lace 
and seed box, maybe also a dried thistle head 
and arrange it all on the kitchen table. A salute to 
the season. 


TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT 
SOCIETY NEWSLETTER 


August 2002 
VOLUME 26, Number3 


This Newsletter is a publication of the 
Tennessee Native Plant Society and is 
published fourtimes ayear, generally 
in February, June, August, November. 

The T ennessee Native Plant Society 
(TNPS) was founded in 1978. Its 
purposes are to assist in the exchange 
of information and encourage fellow- 
ship among T ennessee’s botanists, 
both amateurand professional; to 
promote publiceducation about 
T ennessee flora, and wild plants in 
general; to provide, through publication 
of a newsletter or journal, a formal 
means of documenting information on 
T ennessee 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 
Studerrt/Senior $10 
Institution: $20 
Life: $150 

Dues maybe sent to: 

Tennessee Native Plant Society 
PO Box 159274 
Nashville, TN 37215 

TNPS OFFICERS 

Jane Norris, President 
Dennis Horn, Vice-President 
Bart Jones - Corresponding Secretary 
Nita Heilman, Recording Secretary 
Susan Sweetser, T reasurer 

DIRECTORS 

Bertha Chrietzburg - Middle T ennesse 
T odd Crabtree - Middle T ennessee 
Kart Heinzman - East T ennessee 
Mary Priestley- East Tennessee 
AIGood -EastTennessee 
Bart Jones - West Tennessee 


Susan Stahl, Editor 
1763 NeedmoreRd. 
Old Hickory TN 37138 
Susanstahl@juno.com 


Base of Cumberland Plateau/ Cowan, TN- 
Sunday, June 2, 2002 

When meeting at the Old Cowan T rain Depot at 1 0.00 a m., 
we spotted a bird in distress near a nest under the Depot’ s roof 
eaves. Most of us took off in Margaret’ s Explorer and Alice ’ s 
Expl orer to investi gate the fl ora along the rai lroad tracks and an 
abandoned quarry and its lake. Two people stayed behind at the 
Depotto rescue the bird. With the aid of the police department and 
the seemingly only ladder in Cowan, the bird was returned to its 
nest. 

Most of the plants (I listed 29) were found at a mountain a 
few miles from Cowan. The majority of people walked up a rocky 
road leading through the forest to a glade like plateau. Beautifully 
bright orange blossoms of Asclepias tuber osa were seen. Also close 
by and in the same family were clusters of deep, mauve-burgundy, 
star shaped blooms of Matelea carolinensis (Spiny Pod) and 
Asclepias hirtella. Margaret also pointed out Matelea ablica 
which she had found in this area. The only Cactaceae native to 
T ennessee, Opuntia humifusa (Prickly Pear) gleamed 
photogenicaly towards the sun. While taking a picture, 

I implanted a few Opuntia hairs into my knee. Spigel ia marilandica 
(IndianPink) was bloomi ng. It opens its red blossoms 1 ike a bi rd’ s 
beak lined with yellow. Another characteristic and common plant of 
very dry land was Verbena simplex (Narrow leaved Vervain). 

Many thanks to Margaret Rhinehart for great guidance on thi s trip. 
Fun was had by all. 

Ali 


This Newsletter is a publication of the 
Tennessee Native Plant Society and is 
published fourtimes ayear, generally 
in February, June, August, November. 

The T ennessee Native Plant Society 
(TNPS) was founded in 1978. Its 
purposes are to assist in the exchange 
of information and encourage fellow- 
ship among T ennessee’s botanists, 
both amateurand professional; to 
promote publiceducation about 
T ennessee flora, and wild plants in 
general; to provide, through publication 
of a newsletter or journal, a formal 
means of documenting information on 
T ennessee 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 
Studerrt/Senior $10 
Institution: $20 
Life: $150 

Dues maybe sent to: 

Tennessee Native Plant Society 
PO Box 159274 
Nashville, TN 37215 

TNPS OFFICERS 

Jane Norris, President 
Dennis Horn, Vice-President 
Bart Jones - Corresponding Secretary 
Nita Heilman, Recording Secretary 
Susan Sweetser, T reasurer 

DIRECTORS 

Bertha Chrietzburg - Middle T ennesse 
T odd Crabtree - Middle T ennessee 
Kart Heinzman - East T ennessee 
Mary Priestley- EastTennessee 
AIGood - EastTennessee 
Bart Jones - West Tennessee 


Susan Stahl, Editor 
1763 NeedmoreRd. 
Old Hickory TN 37138 
Susanstahl@juno.com 


615/758-9111 




3-Tennessee Native Plant Society /August 2002 


A Weekend in North Carolina - 
June 8 and 9, 2002 

Our weekend field trip to North Carolina was a 
success no matter how you measure it. The weather, 
scenery, spirit of the group, the plants, and the 
leadership made this event one to remember. With Ed 
Schell “leading on,” our first day’s hike was along Jonas 
Ridge, elevation 3400 ft. This defines the eastern 
boundary of Linville Gorge National Wilderness. Having 
been ‘disturbed’ by wildfire in the fall of 2000, the plant 
community is showing a robust comeback as evidenced 
by the following list in Linville Gorge National 
Wilderness, Table Rock Picnic Area: Lily of the Valley 
(Convallaria Montana), Large leaved Aster (Aster 
macrophyllus ), Hay scented Fern (Demstaedtia 
punctilobula). Fairy Wand ( Chamaelirium luteum), 
both male and female plants. Wild Sarsaparilla ( Aralia 
nudicaulis ), Buffalo Nut ( Pyrularia pubera), Indian 
Cucumber Root ( Medeola virginiana). Cinnamon Fern 
0 Osmunda cinnamomea), Bracken Fern ( Pteridium 
aquilinum), Trailing Arbutus ( Epigaea repens). 
Mountain Pepperbush ( Clethra acuminata). Chinkapin 
(Castanea pumila). Mountain Oat Grass ( Danthonia 
compressa), Maleberry (Lyonia ligustrina). Downy Oat 
Grass (Danthonia sericea), Dwarf Rhododendron 
(Rhododendron minus), Serviceberry (Amelanchier we 
beat the birds), Smooth Sumac (Rhus glabra). Twisted 
hair Spike Moss (Selaginella tortipila). Pale Corydalis 
(Corydalis sempervirens), Shuttleworth’s Wild Ginger 
(Hexasbylis shuttleworthii), Whorled Loosestrife 
(Lysimachia quadrifolia ), Tickseed (Coreopsis major 
var. rigida). Mouse ear Hawkweed (Hieracium 
pilosella). Cat’s Ear (Hypochoeris radicata). Smooth 
Hawk’s Beard (Crepis capillaries). Fetter Bush 
(Leucothoe recurva). Mountain Sandwort (Arenaria 
groenlandica), Silverling (Paronychia argyrocoma). 
Witch Alder (Fothergilla major). Mountain False 
Heather (Hudsonia Montana), a very rare NC endemic, 
With-rod (Viburnum cassinoides), Sawbrier (Smilax 
glauca). 

After spending the night in several area motels 
and campgrounds, our group met again the next day at 
Beacon Heights along the Blue Ridge Parkway. We 
strolled up to the rock outcrop where great views of the 
valleys below and Grandfather Mountain alone serve to 
frame our sense of place. Here are some of the plants we 
saw: Velvet Grass, Witch Hobble (Viburnum 
lantanoides), Minnie bush (Menziesia pilosa). Flame 
Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum), Fraser 
Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri). Painted Trillium (Trillium 
undu latum), Michaux’s Saxifrage (Saxifraga michauxii), 
Appalachian or Kidney leaved Twayblade (Listera 
smallii), not yet in bloom. On July 23 and 24, Susan and 


Allen Sweetser saw the plant in bloom near Graveyard 
Fields along the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

We came back to our cars and drove off down the 
Parkway to identify two bright red spots poking out 
from the roadside greenery. These gems turned out to 
be Gray’s Lilies, the first two of maybe 80 or more we 
saw that day. This unscheduled stop revealed several 
interesting plants and provided a dandy place for 
lunch. Here are the plants at our lunch stop near Raven 
Rock Overlook: Gray’s Lily (Lilium grayi). Umbrella 
Leaf (Diphylleia cymosa), Green headed Coneflower 
(Rudbeckia laciniata), Carrion Flower (Smilax 
herbacea). Early Meadow Rue (Thalictrum dioicum). 
Meadow Parsnip (Thaspium trifolatum), Round leaved 
Gooseberry (Ribes rotundifolia). 

In the afternoon we hiked a section of the Blue 
Ridge’s Tanawha Trail from Wilson Creek Overlook to 
Rough Ridge Parking Area, a length of 1 .5 miles. This 
trail goes along the southeastern slope of Grandfather 
Mountain that rises to 5, 964 ft. One of the highlights of 
this trail is passing through a heath bald on an 
elevated, 200 foot long boardwalk. The following is a 
list of some of the plants we identified: False Hellebore 
(Veratrum parviflorum). Broad leaved Waterleaf 
(Hydrophyllum canadense). Wood Rush (Luzula sp ), 
Gray’s Lilies, Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum 
thalictroides), Virginia Waterleaf or John’s Cabbage 
(Hydrophyllum virginianum). Nodding Avens (Geum 
geniculatum). Filmy Angelica (Angelica triquinata). 
Southern Mountain Cranberry (Vaccinium 
erythrocarpum). Mountain Wood Fern (Dryopteris 
campyloptera). Three toothed Cinquefoil (Potentilla 
tridentate), Bigtooth Aspen (Populus grandidentata), 
Turkey Beard (Xerophyllum asphodeloides). Tufted 
Clubrush (Scirpus cespitosus). 

Allen and Susan Sweetser 


Editor's note: I wish to thank all who helped me with my 
husband' overheating car. With the good wishes of you all and 
two garage mechanics who advised me that I could make it back 
to Knoxville, I survived. Surprisingly enough, the radiator was 
not the problem but some kind of belt tensor. Since then the 
car has been in and out of the shop with a new alternator and 
new starter. Now, it seems something is wrong with the air- 
conditioning. I appreciate your kind concern and helpfulness 
in my time of need. 




4-Tennessee Native Plant Society /August 2002 
Flat Rock Cedar Glade 
and Barrens 


On our spring trip 
(05/04/02) we identified 40 
species of flowering 
plants in bloom including 
the beautiful Sunnybells 
( Schoenolirion croceum). 
A mystery plant on the 
spring trip was later 
identified as Salvia 
urticifolia That’s a 
prickly name for a pretty 
plant. On our late summer 
trip(08/17/02)we 
identified 41 species and 
there were a couple of 
Solidago species we 
didn’t have time to nail. 
Verbenas Canadensis and 
Oenothera macrocarpa 
were found to be 
blooming on both trips. 
This area is of interest to 
those who want to see 
flowers blooming most of 
the year. It begins with the 
Leavenworthia stylosa 
and ends with the grasses 
and composites. 

On both trips as 
participants were lead 
further and further into the 
extensive maze of cedar 
glades and thickets, some 
expressed concern about 
getting lost. I had to 
retrieve a few strays but I 
didn’t lose a one on either 
trip. It can be a 
disorienting experience 
especially if you are 
looking down at the 
ground most of the time. 

We had some 
good luck on the August 
trip. The weather when we 
started was atypical for 
that time of year. We had 
overcast skies and a nice 
breeze. The breeze didn’t 
help the photography but 
it kept us cool until the 
clouds scattered and the 
sun came blazing down. 

We were too early to see 
the masses of Sugarcane 


Plume Grass ( Erianthus giganteus) that 
appear in the barrens in the fall but we 
did see impressive masses of Gaura 
filipes. The Purple Love Grass 
( Eragrostis spectabilis) was beginning 
to produce a show. The prairie grasses 
were just getting started after some 
much needed rain but we did see some 
of the typical cedar glade grasses like 
Sporobolus vaginiflorus and Aristida 
longespica. Ruellia humilis and 
Asclepias viridiflora both managed to 
survive the extreme environment of the 
open glades and put out some very 
showy flowers. Another plant we saw 
thriving in the glades was the 
Limestone Fame Flower ( Talinum 
calcaricum). We saw a healthy stand of 
large fruiting giants that must have 
been almost blinding when in bloom. 

The Sida elliottii was very shy and 
although the plants had flowers, only 
one decided to unfurl its petals for us. 
Helianthus occidentalis really stood 
out from the numerous composites that 
were beginning their regular late 
summer show. Spiranthes tuberosa put 
on a delicate little show to represent the 
orchid family towards the end of the 
day. The botany manuals got a little use 
but we also made good use of Dennis, 

A1 and the other experts in the group to 
identify the plants. We enjoyed seeing 
the rare plants but after a day in August 
out in the open cedar glades, many of 
us were anxious to get back in the air 
conditioned comfort of our cars or at 
least into some cool shade. 

Todd Crabtree 


From the email file of TNPS: 

Sarah Howland, a horticulturist from 
Cheekwood Botanical Gardens, 
wants to know a source for the 
bumper sticker “I break for 
wildflowers.” If you have any 
information, please write her at 
Cheekwood, 1200 Forrest Park 
Drive, Nashville, TN 37205. 

Todd Crabtree suggests you look at 
this website for a view of a gigantic 
weed, http://www.state.ma.us/dfa/ 
pestalert/giant hogweed.htm 

Kay Jones extends an invitation for 
our members to join the Swan Trust 
in one of their nature walks. This 
will be Sunday, September 8 at 2:00. 
They will be exploring Autney 
Hollow, one the rare Tennessee 
Xyris sites. Wading is a possibility. 
Call or write Kay at P.O. Box 193, 
Hampshire TN 38461, 800-377- 
2770, orwww.bbonline.com/ 
natcheztrace 



Little 

Ladies’ 

Tresses 

(white) 





5-Tennessee Native Plant Society /August 2002 


In response to the question that Yvonne Brewington asked 
in our last issue, we received this reply from John H. 

Tullock, aTNPS member. 

I am currently writing a book about the conservation, 
cultivation and propagation of native orchids and have 
done considerable research into Tennessee ’s laws 
concerning wild plants. 1 am not a lawyer, but I will share 
with you what I have learned. 

The most important issue regarding the digging of wild 
plants is the digger’s intended use of the plants. If the 
plants are for private or personal use, digging is not 
regulated by the state in any way. However, removal of 
wild plants without the permission of the land owner is 
theft. Any land owner could file a complaint with local law 
enforcement, as would be the case if hay, a farm animal, or 
any other piece of property were taken. Therefore, if you 
are aware of a situation, the first thing to do is alert the 
land owner. 

If the plants are intended for sale, two state agencies have 
regulations. The TN Department of Agriculture issues a 
“Wild Plant Dealer License ” to nursery farmers who dig 
and sell wild plants. In addition, an “ Endangered Plant 
Dealer License ” is needed from the TN Department of 
Environment and Conservation by any nursery farmer who 
digs a species on the state 's list of endangered, threatened 
and rare plants. This list is periodically updated by the 
State Botanist ’s office. If the plants are on the Federal 
government ’s Endangered Species list, additional federal 
permits are required. For example, Tennessee Cornflower 
is on the Federal list. 

A person holding these permits may remove plants from 
any site with the written permission of the land owner. In 
the case of a roadside right of way, permission from the TN 
Department of Transportation would theoretically be 
needed. I do not know of any situation where TDOT has 
taken action again anyone removing roadside plants 
without permission. The state recommends, but does not 
require, the diggers obtain permission before taking plants 
from private property. 

Assuming the plants are on private property, the permit 
requirements are as far as the laws go toward plant 
protection, and it is up to the land owner to restrict 
activities on his or her property. The Tennessee Rare Plant 
Protection Act of 1985, which sets up the endangered 
species list and provides for the regulations just described, 
specifically states” ...nothing [in this act] shall be 
construed to limit the rights of private property owners to 
take rare plants from their own lands or to manage their 
lands for agriculture, forestry, development or any other 
lawful purpose. ” 

The TDA will issue a wild plant dealer license to anyone 
who applies and pay the $100 fee. A licensed dealer may 
have as many unlicensed diggers working for him as he 
wishes. All TDA does is inspect the dig site(s) to certify that 
agricultural pests are not present on the plants being sold 


The TDEC will issue an endangered plant license to 
anyone with either a nursery license or a wild plant 
license from the TDA. There is no fee for the endangered 
plant license. Licensees must file an annual report with 
TDEC specifying the species bought, collected or sold 
how many, and whether the plants were dug or 
propagated. What TDEC does with this information is 
anyone ’s guess, but the files are probably available for 
public inspection in Nashville. In addition, nursery 
owners are prohibited from purchasing more than 10 
specimens of any plant on the endangered species list, 
whether dug or propagated. However, a wild plant 
dealer is not restricted in the number of plants of any 
species that may be dug or sold. Thus, a nursery holding 
both a wild plant license and a nursery license may dig 
and sell as many plants of any species as desired 
In summary, a private individual may dig plants for 
personal use without restriction provided permission is 
obtained from the property owner. Only someone 
intending to sell the plants is regulated by the state. 

1 hope this answers your questions regarding 
Tennessee ’s plant protection regulations. 

This certainly answers all our questions. Thank you so 
much for providing this information to all of us. 




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7-Tennessee Native Plant Society /August 2002 


Notes about Cedar Glades from Field Trip Publication 
No. 2, Edition of 1981 by Gene Wofford and Tom Patrick: 

1 . Cedar glades occur on Lebanon limestone bedrock of 
Ordovician age in a climate of hot, dry summers and cool, 
moist winters. One feature of cedar glades of the Interior 
Low Plateau, especially in the Central Basin of Tennessee 
is high soil moisture in late winter and early spring. 

2. Winter annuals are numerous. Three are particularly 
conspicuous in early spring, namely Arenaria patula, 
Sedum pulchelum, and the four species of Leavenworthia 
Winter annuals germinate seeds in September and October 
and withstand the winter as basal rosettes. There are at 
least three major factors involved in their germination 
regime: a time period during which the mechanical 
resistance of the seed coat breaks down as the embryo 
expands; a critical, rather stable temperature of about 15-20° 
C for 2-3 weeks; and, alternate drying and wetting. 


3. Dominants of the summer flora of cedar glades 

include the grasses Aristida longespica and 
Scorobolus vaginiflorus, the umbel Bupleurum 
rotundifolium (evident in late spring as well), the 
succulent fameflower Talinum calcaricum, the 
sedge Cyperus inflexus , the legume Petalostemon 
gattingeri and the mint Iscmthus brachiatus 
Nostoc, a blue-green alga, is conspicuous in rock 
depressions. 

4. Mosses play a major role in cedar glade plant 

communities. Perhaps a cedar glade indicator moss 
more common than most if Pleurochaete 
squarrosa. 



The last of the 2002 Field Trips: 


Saturday, September 7 - Brownsport Furnace 
in Decator County and Carroll Cabin Natural Area 
Leaders are Bart Jones (901) 726-6891 and 
Claude Bailey (615) 532-1378. Call them if you are 
interested in participating. Expect to be impressed by 
these glade and praire plants. Meet at 10:00 am 
central at Decatur County Riverside High School. 
Exit 1 26 from 1 -40, south on SR 69 through Parsons, 
past Middle School and Beech River to SR 69 bypass 
at warning light. High school is just ahead on right. 


Saturday, November 9 - Winter Botany in 
Polk County 

Leaders are Ed Clebsch (865) 856-3350 and Allen 
Sweetser (865) 938-7627. We shall visit a cranberry 
bog, and see other unique and fascinating stuff in the 
Copper Basin. Meet at 10:00 am eastern time at the 
Hardee's in Ducktown on US 64 at SR 68. 





L 



TENNESSEE NATIVE 
PLANT SOCIETY 
NEWSLETTER 


VOLUME 26, NUMBER 3 


President's 

Message 

As I look back over the four years of my 
presidency of TNPS, it seems that our organization has 
made much progress. Increasingly I realize how much 
that progress has depended upon the able efforts of 
some very good people. Several areas come 
immediately to mind. 

While it may seem to an outsider that the book 
has been on hold for years, a lot of hard work has been 
going on behind the scenes - work that should now be 
acknowledged and applauded. We have been through 
an extremely unpleasant lawsuit, which delayed us for 
the better part of two years. After we finally had our 
photographs returned, Dennis Horn and David Duhl 
painstakingly sorted them, recruited new 
photographers, and organized the old and new 
photographs into a meaningful new order. In the 
meantime, Dr. Tom Hemmerly edited and rewrote, 
when necessary, all of the plant descriptions. Most 
recently, Tavia Cathcart has worked on redesigning 
and marketing the book. The result is different in many 
respects from our original plan but all in all - a better 
book. Thank you all. 

Our trip schedule seems each year to surpass 
the one of the year before. A1 Good, with the 
assistance of several dedicated trip leaders, Bart 
Jones, Mary Priestley, Todd Crabtree, Susan and A1 
Sweetser, among others, has once again put together a 
varied and imaginative program. I always regret 
missing a trip. Thanks to all of you. 

Susan Stahl has continually improved the 
newsletter. We now have more trip reports, and 


November 2002 

interesting other features from time to time. 
Thank you, Susan. 

Our membership is holding steady at 
around 200. We now have our membership on 
disk; actually there are three disks safeguarding 
this valuable information. We are hying to add 
email addresses to our list. If you have an email 
address and you think we don’t have it, please 
send it to us. You can get a printed membership 
list by sending $3.00 to PO Box 159724, 
Nashville, TN 37215. Nita Heilman has 
maintained a card file of all members, past and 
present, for some years. So even if you get 
deleted from our computer file, Nita still has a 
record of your membership. Nita, a multi- 
talented person has also designed and had 
printed our line of notecards, bumper stickers, 
and tee shirts which she also stores in her 
home. Thanks, Nita. Bart Jones has cheerfully 
agreed to maintain a backup computer 
membership list, in addition to his other 
volunteer jobs. Thanks, Bart. 

Last, but by no means least, thanks to 
all the board members who drive long distances 
for our meetings. I appreciate your good advice 
and concerns. 




TENNESSEE NATIVE PLANT 
SOCIETY NEWSLETTER 


November 2002 
VOLUME 26, Number 3 

This Newsletter is a publication of the 
Tennessee Native Plant Society and is 
published fourtimes a year, generally 
in February, June, August, November, 

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 T ennessee'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. $10 
Institution: $20 
Life: $1 50 

Dues may be sent to: 

Tennessee Native Plant Society 
PO Box 159274 
Nashville, TN 3721 5 

TNPS OFFICERS 

Jane Norris, President 

Dennis Horn, Vice-President 

Bart Jones - Corresponding Secretary 

Nita Heilman, Recording Secretary 

Susan Sweetser, T reasurer 

DIRECTORS 

Bertha Chrietzburg - Middle T ennesse 
T odd Crabtree - Middle T ennessee 
Karl Heinzman - East Tennessee 
Mary Priestley - East Tennessee 
Al Good - East T ennessee 
Bart Jones -West Tennessee 


Susan Stahl, Editor 

1763Needmore Rd. 
Old Hickory TN 371 38 
Susanstahl@juno.com 
615/758-9111 


TNPS Annual Meeting 

It was a dark and stormy night, gdt that didn’t stop thirty-four 
members of TNPS from enjoying dinner together on the evening of 
September 2 1 - at the first event of the annual meeting. After dinner, 
Meredith Clebsch presented an interesting and inspirational talk/slide 
show about using native plants in the garden. Several of us were 
moved to vow to replace non-native plants (or nonlocal ones) with 
plants that do not require constant attention and watering. 

Saturday was cool and cloudy - a prefect day for exploring die 
Arnold Air Force Base and May Prairie. More detailed reports of the 
field trips are elsewhere in this issue. A general membership meeting 
was held in the evening. Tavia Cathcart described new ideas for the 
format of the book, which is finally approaching completion. Several 
presses have expressed interest, and a decision will be made in the 
near future on how to proceed with them. We’ll keep you posted. 


Liains spicata 


Several TNPS members had roles in “The Third Eastern Native Grass 
Symposium” at Chapel Hill, North Carolina on October 1" through 3 rd . 
Meredith Clebsch was exhibiting Native Garden’s line of prairie 
grasses. Milo Pyne of NatureServe Ecology South co-authored the 
paper, “Remnant Diabase Grasslands in North-Central North 
Carolina” and led the Piedmont Natural Areas tour. Adam Turtle of 
Our Bamboo Nursery presented the paper, “River Cane, A Unique 
Woody Grass”. The symposium program effectively supported a 
premise that increasing awareness and use of native grasses is 
necessary for the conservation and healing of the natural landscape, 
even in the largely wooded eastern U.S. 



AEDC/May Prairie Field Trip 

As we all know the annual meeting is just an 
excuse to go on a really great hike (only kidding)! But it 
was a fantastic lineup we enjoyed on Saturday. Our first 
stop (after getting our visitor’s passes) was the fabled 
airstrip. Even thought the recent drought had severely 
impacted the airfield, we still managed to identify 44 
species. Most were not in bloom, but we did see several 
things to occupy our cameras and botanical keys The 
first flower to leap out at us was Purple Gerardia ( Agalinis 
purpurea) and its pinkish purple blossoms. These plants 
were scattered throughout the field. Upon examining more 
plants, we found another Agalinis species, A. gattingeri. 
Other frequently encountered wildflowers at the site were 
Narrow-leaf Sunflower ( Helianthus angustifolius). Gray 
Goldenrod ( Solidago nemoralis), Southern Aster ( Aster 
paludosus ssp. Hemisphericus), Maryland Meadow 
Beauty ( Rhexia mariana), Downy Lobelia ( Lobelia 
puberula ), and Blue Mistflower ( Conoclinium 
coelestinum). Group Leader, Dennis Horn, pointed out 
the state endangered White-bracted Thoroughwort 
(Eupatorium leucolepis) among the 6 other Eupatorium 
species. This rare plant can be distinguished by its 
narrow leaves that fold into a “V” shape along the midrib. 
The other Eupatorium species were: E. hyssopifolium, E. 
rotundifolium, and E. pilosum, E. semiserratum, E. 
serotinum, and E. perfoliatum The big mystery plant at 
this location was a small, shrubby plant with black fruits. 
An initial identification of Sand Cherry ( Prunus pumila) 
proved to be incorrect when AEDC botanist Kevin Fitch 
crushed the fruit to find that it contained many seeds and 
not a stone. With that it was ID’d as a Black Chokeberry 
( Aroma melanocarpa). Several interesting grasses were 
seen including Indian Grass ( Sorghastrum nutans), 
Slender Plume Grass ( Erianthus strictus), Panicum 
rigidulum, and Andropogon glomeratus. 

From the airstrip, we moved to an area under a 
powerline running through the base. On our way to the 
field from the parking area, we were greeted by a large 
plant of Common Thistle ( Cirsium discolor) in full bloom. 
Nearby was Lion’s Foot ( Prenanthes serpentaria). 
Although most things in bloom were seen at the airstrip 
also, we did find some new interesting plants. Normally 
found on the Cumberland Plateau, Small-headed Blazing 
Star ( Liatris microcephala) was nearing the end of its 
bloom Plants of Spatulate Sundew (Drosera intermedia) 
and Foxtail Moss ( Lycopodium alopecurioides) held the 
attention of several in our group. 

After a quick lunch, we headed to our final 
destination, the famous May Prairie. Unlike the other sites 
we had visited, the prairie seemed to be in good shape 
and not affected by the drought. The prairie is home to 
many rare plants, including Swamp Lousewort 
( Pedicu laris lanceolata) and the very rare Shinner’s 
False Foxglove ( Agalinis pseudophylla). Four Silphium 
species were past peak, but still in flower; Prairie 
Rosinweed (S. integrifolium ), Shaggy Rosinweed (S. 


3-Tennessee Native Plant Society /November 2002 

mohrii). Cut -leaf Prairie Dock ( S . pinnatifidum), and 
Whorled Rosinweed ( S . trifoliatum) Other composites 
in bloom were Orange Coneflower ( Rudbeckia fulgida). 

Fall Sneezeweed ( Helenium autumnale). Flat-topped 
Goldenrod ( Euthamia leptocephala). New England 
Aster (Aster novae-angliae), and Joe-pye Weed 
( Eupatorium fistulosum). Other plants in bloom 
included Soapwort Gentian (Gentiana saponaria). 

Thread-leaf False Foxglove ( Agalinia tenuifolia) and 
Bluehearts (Buchnera americana). On our way back to 
our automobiles, we walked along a wet ditch which 
harbored many wetland plants, among them; Cardinal 
Flower ( Lobelia cardinalis). Climbing Hempweed 
(Mikania scandens), Fogfiruit (Phyla lanceolata), and 
Nodding Ladies’ Tresses ( Spiranthes cemua). 

A full day of plant hunting left most of us tired, 
but satisfied with over 80 species identified 
Bart Jones 



4-Tennessee Native Plant Society/November 2002 


Gumdale Glades/Carroll 
Cabin Natural Area 



On September 7, we 
visited two cedar glades/barrens 
in southeastern Decatur county 
in West Tennessee Yes, there 
are glades in West Tennessee. 
The first site was Gumdale glade, 
where several in the group were 
immediately drawn to a few 
spectacular specimens of Rough 
Blazing Star (. Liatrisaspera ). 
Nearby were the first plants of 
Blue Sage ( Salvia azurea var. 
grandiflora) we encountered. 
This state listed threatened plant 
sports beautiful spikes of clear 
blue half-inch flowers atop 3-5 
foot plants with grayish-green 
leaves. In this general locale we 
saw Pale-spiked Lobelia ( L . 
spicata), Downy Lobelia 
(L.puberula), Axilflower 
( Mecardonia acuminata), and a 
very photogenic groups of 
Tickseed Sunflower (Bidens 
polylepis ) and Blue Mistflower 
(Concolinium coelestinum). 
Further into the glade, and in 
drier conditions, we spotted 
several spikes of Obedient Plant 
( Physostegia virginiana) in 
various shades of pink and 
Prairie Dock (Silpium 
terebmthinaceum) with 
gorgeous 3-inch yellow flowers 
atop 4 foot stalks. Near the edge 
of the glade, a pink mist drew us 
to what turned out to be a 
Desmodium species that baffled 
us. Later examination proved it to 
be Desmodium ciliare. Several 
plants seemed to be ubiquitous 
throughout the glades: Glade 
heliotrope ( Heliotropium 
tenellum). Glade Wild Petunia 
(Rue Ilia humilis). Slender 
Beeblossom (Gaura filipes), and 
Gray Goldenrod (Solidago 
nem oralis) Other species 
spotted were Small Purple 
Gerardia (Agalinis setacea), 
Patridge Pea (Chamaecrista 
fasciculate). Sensitive Plant 


(Chamaecrista nictitcms). Prairie Tea 
(Croton monanthogynus), Boneset 
(Eupatorium perfoliatum), Bitterweed 
(Helenium amarum), Sneezeweed 
(Helenium flexuosum). Stiff-haired 
Sunflower (Helianthus hirsutus), 
Small-headed Sunflower (Helianthus 
microcephalus), Common Y ellow Flax 
(Linum medium), Gray-headed 
Coneflower (Radbida pinnata). 
Fragrant Sumac (Rhus aromatica). 
Orange Coneflower (Rudbeckia 
fulgida), Rosinweed (Silphium 
intergrifolium). Erect Goldenrod 
(Solidago erecta), Pencilflower 
(Stylosanthes biflora), and False 
Pennyroyal (Trichostema brachiatum) 
Across the road, a second section of 
the glade produced plants of Stiff 
Goldenrod (Solidago rigida). Slender 
Bush Clover (Lespedeza virginica), 
and Yellow False Foxglove 
(Aureolaria flava). In addition, we 
spotted the threatened Rattlesnake 
Root (Prenanthes barbata) in bud. 
Several interesting grasses populated 
the glade: Little Bluestem 
(Andropogon virginicus). Little 
Bluestem (A. gerardii), Indian Grass 
(Sorghastrum nutans). Prairie 
Threeawn (Arisdda oligantha), 
Witchgrass (Panicum capillare). 
Poverty Grass (Sporoblulus 
vaginiflorus), and Narrow-leaf Oat 
Grass (Chasmanthium sessiliflorus). 
Thanks to A1 Good for his expert eye 
in identifying grasses 

A quick side trip to the river 
took us to a colony of Snowy 
Squarestem (Melanthera nivea) This 
member of a mainly tropical genus only 
occurs along the western run of the 
Tennessee River and the Mississippi 
River in the state Also present in this 
spot was Bur Cucumber (Sicyos 
angulatus) and Climbing Buckwheat 
(Polygonum scandens). 

A short journey back across 
the Tennessee River took us to our 
second site, a small glade situated 
below a new resort development on 
top of a ridge The site contained a 
wide diversity of plants, but its 
greatest attribute was the robust 


health of most of them. The star of 
the show here was definitely the 
Cylindrical Blazing Star (Liatris 
cylindracea). Another state listed 
threatened plant, the fuzzy purple 
blossoms protrude from tight, and 
cylinder-shaped involucres 
arranged along stems with stiff, 
narrow, pointed leaves Even a 
few true albino flowers were 
scattered throughout. AJ was 
mesmerized by the cedar trees 
growing out of limestone 
croppings. Their highly contorted 
branches were sparsely covered 
with greenery giving them the 
appearance of giant bonsai 
Several in the group also 
commented on the unusual 
coloration of the limestone, being 
a rusty red color This is due to a 
high concentration of iron, which 
was actually smelted in a nearby 
furnace back in the 1850’s Hugh 
plants of Southern Aster (Aster 
paludosus ssp. Hemisphericus) 
were in full bloom along the 
hillside. Just starting to bloom was 
a mystery Aster which Dennis 
Horn and I insisted was Late 
Purple Aster (A. patens), much to 
the consternation of A1 (who still 
insists we have it wrong). Several 
large bushes of Beautyberry 
(Callicarpa Americana) dotted 
the area with their chartreuse 
leaves and clusters of purple 
berries. Additional new flowers at 
this location included Whorled 
Rosinweed (Silphium trifoliatum 
var latifolium). Supplejack 
(Berchemia scandens), Tall 
Coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris), 
and Western Sunflower 
(Helianthus occidentalis). 

Unfortunately, we did 
not get to the Carroll Cabin State 
Natural Area, but after 6 hours of 
botanizing in 90+ degree heat, 
most of the group was ready to 
head home and rehydrate 
Bari Jones 



5-Tennessee Native Plant Society /November 2002 


Walden’s Ridge - July 28, 2002 

A larger than expected group (Jayne Cagle 
had promoted the trip at Cullowhee) met at Dunlap. 
Margaret Rhinehart was unable to leave husband 
Shelby’s bedside to participate but had arranged for 
her part of the trip to go ahead. 

The morning destination was a much used 
and abused power line meadow where an interesting 
plant community survives disruptive circumstances. 
TV A mows and sprays herbicides, ATV’s start 
gullies and, most recently, Bowater has been logging 
beetle-killed pines. A windrow of soil plowed from 
the roadside ditch had Dense Blazing Star ( Liatris 
spicata). A freshly graded knoll was covered with 
annual Milkworts ( Polygala curtissii and P. 
sanquinea) and Pineweed ( Hypericum 
originoides). We were able to compare the very 
different floret proportions of the superficially similar 
Milkworts. A slope across the road was almost solid 
Meadow Beauty ( Rhexia mariana). Most of the 
Cumberland Rose Gentian ( Sabatia capitata) was 
here. This rare plant has been found in several 
places along the power line but we did not check any 
others. Except for a few species of Eupatorium, the 
summer flowers and grasses had been retarded by 
the drought. Wayne Hitt, a horticulturist from 
Alabama, was particularly interest in a Beaked 
Hawkweed ( Hieracium gronovi ) which no one 
recognized with its small tight buds. We gave up 
finding the Yellow Fringed Orchids ( Habenatia 
ciliaris) in the tall grass, but Christine G. spotted 
some on the drive out of the tree farm. 

Field Trip Part II was a private lake near the 
Flat Top community. The five acre impoundment 
was created about fifty year ago and is fed by 
springs which probably emanate from a coal seam. 
Seepage below the dam produces iron sulfide 
precipitate. Water level was holding well in spite of 
the drought. The advertised water plants, Blue 
Water Hyssop ( Bacopa caroliniana). Sweet Flag 
( Acorns calamus). Water Pennywort ( Hydrocotle 
umbellata). Pickerel-weed ( Pontedaria cordata). 
Spreading Eryngo ( Eryngium prostratum ) and 
Ovate-leaved Arrow-head ( Sagittaria platyphylla) 
were thriving, the latter quite aggressively. We were 
told that some of these species had been introduced. 
Other flowers found around the water were 
Meadow Beauties ( Rhexia mariana and R. 
virginica). Cardinal Flower ( Lobelia cardinalis ), 


Mild Water Pepper ( Polygonum hydropiperoides). 
Yellow-eyed Grass ( Xyris tortus). Rice Cut-grass 
( Leersia oryzoides). Beak Rush ( Rhyncospora 
glomerata), and Rushes ( Juncus acuminatus and J. 
coriaceus). The latter was incredibly small to be a 
flowering plant, but Kurt Emmanuele spotted some 
Water-meal (Wolffia spp.), the smallest angiosperm. 

The adjacent meadow and woods had 
Goldenrods (3 Solidago spp.). Sunflowers (2 
Helianthus spp.), Mountain Mints (2 Pycnanthemum 
spp.) Starry Campion ( Silene stellata), St. Andrew’s 
Cross ( Hypericum hypericoides). Common 
Groundnut ( Apios Americana), Crane-fly Orchid 
( Tipularia discolor), Southern Ground Cedar 
( Lycopodium digitatum) and Southern Clubmoss (L. 
appressum). 

A few folks checked out the huge American 
Lotus-lily ( Nelumbo lutea) display in Chattanooga’s 
Amnicola Marsh that Chuck Wilson had spotted the 
week before. 

Al Good 




6-Tennessee Native Plant Society/November 2002 



IN THE NEXT ISSUE, LOOK FOR A TRIBUTE 
TO SHELBY RHINEHART BY BERTHA 
CHRIETZBERG. 


And the Nominees are: 

At the annual meeting in September, the 
nominating committee, composed of Mary Priestley (chair), 
Todd Crabtree, and Kay Jones, presented the following 
slate of officers to serve two year terms, beginning January 
15,2003. 

Karl Heinzman, Norris 
Dennis Horn, Tullahoma 
Kay Jones, Hampshire 
Bart Jones, Memphis 
Susan Sweetser, Powell 
A1 Good, Signal Mountain 


President 

Vice-President 

Treasurer: 

Recording Secretary: 
East TN Representative: 
East TN Representative. 


Middle TN Representative: Bertha Chrietzberg, 

Murfreesboro 

The positions of West TN representative and 
corresponding secretary are not filled. 

If a TNPS member has in mind an additional 
nominee for any of these positions, they should obtain that 
person’s consent to have his or her name placed in 
nomination. Then, they should contact Mary Priestley (at 
735 University Ave. , Sewanee, TN 37383 ; 93 1-598-0 1 57; or 
mpriest 1 @.sewanee.edu by January 1, 2003, to submit the 
nominee’s name 

The following board members’ two year terms 
expire on January 1 5, 2004: 

Middle TN Representative: Todd Crabtree, 

Smyrna 

East TN Representative: Mary Priestley, 

Sewanee 

In addition, Jane Norris will remain on the board 
ex-officio as immediate past president, and Nita Heilman as 
historian 


News from the Board Meeting, 9/22/02 

The West TN Director vacancy was 
discussed. Lack of active membership precludes 
filling the position now. It was proposed to 
contact any relevant organizations and 
universities to try and boost membership. Bart 
Jones agreed to write letters to these groups. 

Karl Heinzman made a motion to donate 
$50 to the Shelby Rhinehart Scholarship Fund at 
Tennesee Tech, seconded by Bertha Chrietzberg, 
and approved by the board 

A1 Good, chairman of the Field Trip 
Committee, asked members to think of possible 
trips for next year and report them to him soon. 
The committee includes Bart Jones, Todd 
Crabtree, Allen and Susan Sweetser, and Bertha 
Chrietzberg. Discussion of making our trips 
inclusive of other organizations or interests 
received positive response from the board 

The Book Committee of Dennis Horn, 
David Duhl, Tom Hemmerly, and Tavia Cathcart 
reported on the latest progress We have 750 
photos for the book including 80 that are different 
from present book on the market. The majority of 
the text is ok with the remaining being written by 
Dr. Hemmerly. 



7-Tennessee Native Plant Society /November 2002 


“Nobody makes a greater 
mistake than one who does 
nothing because they could 
only do a little.” Edmund Burke 

Exotic invasive plants are 
generating a lot of concern among 
managers of Tennessee’s forests, natural 
areas, open spaces, and greenways. 

Costs to manage the unwanted invaders 
are growing and new invasive plants 
keep arriving. The Tennessee Exotic 
Pest Plant Council (TN EPPC) was 
organized in 1994 to repond to these 
increasing challenges. Partnering with 
several groups and relying on volunteers, 
TN EPPC has focused on improving the 
awareness of resource managers and the 
public about the threats of invasive plants 
and ways these threats can be managed. 
Just this year, the Tennessee Academy 
of Science published, “Invasive Exotic 
Pest Plants in Tennessee” a list that TN 
EPPC developed with input from regional 
experts and included rigorous review. A 
detailed management manual, 
symposiums, identification photos, videos, 
and volunteer training sessions are some 
of the tools used to help members, 
resource managers, and volunteers 
understand their local situations. TN 
EPPC has recently been working with 
some communities to form ordinances to 
control invasive plants and to work with 
those most connected with the invasive 
plant situation. TN EPPC outreach has 
included conservation groups, community 
organizations, the nursery industry, 
county road departments, property owner 
associations, and specialists from 
universities and resource agencies. 
Responses to email and phone inquiries 
about ways to deal with specific invasive 
plant problems are an increasing part of 
the TN EPPC effort. 

TN EPPC was one of the early 
leaders in the nation to recognize and 
fulfill an important need. Today many 
state and regional exotic pest plant 


councils are being formed including most of the 
southeast, the Midwest, the east and the west. 
Members of TN EPPC automatically become 
members of the Southeast Exotic Pest Plant 
Council (SE EPPC) where even more information 
is shared. More information and membership 
applications can be found at www.tn-eppc.org . TN 
EPPC membership categories are: student ($10), 
general ($20), contributing ($50), donor (>$50) or 
institutional (several categories). To join send a 
check payable to TN EPPC to TN EPPC 
Treasurer, PO Box 936, Fairview, TN 37062 and 
include your name, address (including zip), business 
affiliation (if applicable), phone, fax, and email 
address. 


Reintroduction of Pyne’s Ground Plum to 
TN National Battlefield 

The imperiled Pyne’s Ground Plum now has 
a better chance for survival in the wild, thanks to a 
scientist at a Center for Plant Conservation 
Participating Institution. The plant, which occurred in 
only three locations in Tennessee, is now growing in 
eight of the state’s cedar glades - and it has begun to 
reproduce on its own. 

Kimberlie McCue, Ph.D, conservation 
scientist for the Missouri Botanical Garden, has been 
studying the imperiled plant for more than three 
years. In the summer of 2001, McCue planted the 
ground plum ( Astragulus bibullatus) at the Stones 
River National Battlefield near Murfreesboro, TN. 

Throughout the summer McCue visited the 
cedar glades where she transplanted the ground 
plums. Half of the plants had survived and many of 
those had flowered and set seed. 

The work with Pyne’s Ground Plum 
continues. In September 2002 McCue returned 
toTennessee where she and other conservationists 
planted 33 additional plants on glade habitat owned by 
the Nature Conservancy. 


If your mailing label has 2002, it is time to RENEW. Please send your 
dues to: 

T ennessee Native Plant Society 
PO Box 159724 
Nashville, TN 37215 

Membership categories are: 

Regular $15 
Student and Senior $10 
Institutional $20 
Life $150