Aquilegia

12 Pages·1993·1.5 MB·English

by  Colorado Native Plant Society

“...dedicated to the appreciation and conservation of the Colorado native flora”
Volume 17 Number 1 January/February/March 1993
Colorado Natural Areas Program Update
Your cards, letters, and calls to the Joint 1. Write aletterto: c/o StateCapitolBuilding
Budget Committee (JBC) onbehalfofthe Laurie Mathews, Director 200 E. Colfax Ave.
ColoradoNaturalAreasProgramhavemade Colorado DivisionofParksand Denver, CO 80203
an impact! Inresponse to publicpressure, OutdoorRecreation
theJBCrestoredthe$91,000NaturalAreas 1313 Sherman Street, Room 618 Thankthem forrestoringtheNaturalAreas
General Fund request in its final budget Denver, CO 80203. Program General Fund budget. Be sure to
recommendation to the state legislature. askhowthe Programwill functionwithout
^W^rhat'sthegoodnews.Thebadnewsisthat Thank her for her committment to the the two FTEsthatwere eliminated.
only .5 of the existing 2.5 Full Time Natural Areas Program. Laurie has
Equivalent (FTE) staff positions was supportedtheProgramstronglythroughout Additionalpointsyoumaywanttoinclude:
restored. Inotherwords,theNaturalAreas this ordeal and is committed to finding a
Program got itsmoneyback,buttwo staff workablesolutiontotheremainingstaffing 1. The people of Colorado voted
positionswere eliminated. It'sunclearjust problems. overwhelmingly in support of open space
how this illogical move will affect the andnaturalareasintheNovemberelection.
Program and its activities in the 1993-94 2. Write a letter to the Joint Budget
fiscal year. Committeemembers: 2. TheNaturalAreasProgramis theonly
Sen.MikeBird,Chair(R—ElPasoCo) state agency that strives to protect native
At press time (March 22), the budget is Sen.JamesRizzuto(D-SEColorado) plants and plant communities in Colorado
beingreviewedinthemajority(Republican) Sen. ClaireTraylor(R-JeffersonCo) throughvoluntarymanagementagreements.
caucus.Fromthere,itgoesstraighttoafloor Rep.TonyGrampsas(R—JeffersonCo)
vote,andthenbacktotheJBC whichserves Rep. DavidOwen (R—WeldCo) 3. The program was unanimously
,
asaconference committeetoreconcilethe Rep. GilRomero (D~PuebloCo) reauthorizedbythe legislaturein 1988
House and Senate versions. This process
does not allow for review by Democratic
legislators prior to the floor vote. Calls or
letterstoyourrepresentatives,especiallyif
Contents
they are Republican, can still be helpful
(House Majority Office—>866-2932 and
SenateMajorityOffice-^866-4866).Letters
Dues Reminder 2 Workshop Report 9
canbe sentto: State CapitolBuilding, 200
E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80203. Announcements 3 For Your Library 9
Rare Plant Info Needed 4 National Forest Weed Mgmt. 10
^
/oucanbestsupporttheColoradoNatural Loosestrife Alert! 5 Horticultural Notes
Areas Programnowby: Workshops 6 (Prunus virginiana) 10-11
Field Trips 7 Chapter Activities 10-11
Field Notes (Smilax) 8 Calendar 12
Page 2 AquHegia Volume 17
IS THIS YOUR LAST ISSUE OF AQUHEGIA?
Ifyouhaven’tpaidyour 1993 dues,thisisthelastnewsletteryou willreceive. Don'tmiss
outonalltheexcitingfieldtripsandotherinterestingandinformativeCONPS activities!
DuesnoticesweresentoutinlateNovember. Pleaserememberthatduescoveracalendar
year, exceptthatnew members whojoin inthe secondhalfofayearare credited forthe
following year’s dues, as well.—Your mailing label on this newsletter shows the year
THROUGHwhichyouarepaid i.e.,PAIDTHRU92meansyoushouldremityourdues
for1993!! (However,ifyouhavesentyourpaymentwithinthepastfewweeks,pleasenote
that the label couldbeincorrect dueto the lead-timerequiredforthe newsletter.)
MembershipCommitteeChair,MyrnaSteinkamp,also notes thatthepostofficewill not
forwardbulkmail, so ifyoumoveandwanttocontinuetoreceiveSociety mailings, itis
essential to notify the Society (P.O. Box 200,Ft. Collins, CO 80522-0200).
Animportantreminder...
Cirsiumscopulorum
ThePostOfficenowrequiresustouse9-digitZIPcodes. Pleasehelpusbyprovidingyour ArtistJanetWingate
complete, 9-digitZIPcodeon yourrenewalform. Ifyoudo notknow your4-digit
ZIPsuffix,pleasecontactyour localpostoffice(oraskyourmaildeliveryperson).
A
Aquil* e1 m ScheduleofMembership Fees OfBcers
'gia
President Carol Dawson 722-6758
LSiufpeporting :.... $$25500 Vice-President TamaraNaumann ...440-8933
Secretary MarkGershman 443-9365
Organization $ 30 Treasurer MyrnaSteinkamp ...226-3371
FamilyorDual $ 15
Individual $ 12 Board ofDirectors
StudentorSenior $ 8
JeffDawson(93) Denver 722-6758
MembershipRenewal/Information GaryFinstad(93) Denver 791-3790
Aquilegiaispublishedfourtosixtimesperyear Please direct all membership applications, MarkGershman(94) Boulder 443-9365
by the Colorado Native Plant Society. This renewals and address changes to the BillJennings(93) Louisville 666-8348
naenwdslteotottehreirssavwaiitlhabalnetionmteermesbterinsnoafttihveeSpolcainettsy. MPleamnbteSrosciheitpy,CPh.aOi.rBpeorxso2n0,0,CFoolrotrCaodlolinNsa,tCivOe TCBheartmihasrPPaaaingNtuaeeurm((9a943n))n (93) ..LFBoyoruotlndCsoelrlins 449420--84973139
ContacttheSocietyforsubscriptioninformation. 80522.Pleasedirectallotherinquiriesregarding TomRanker(94) Boulder 492-5074
theSocietytotheSecretaryatthesameaddress. VelmaRichards(94) .....Englewood 794-5432
Articles from Aquilegia may be usedby other NinaWilliams (94) GoldHill 443-8079
native plant societies or non-profit groups if NewsletterContributions
fullycitedtoauthorandattributedtoAquilegia. Pleasedirectallcontributionstothenewsletter ChapterPresidents
to:
The Colorado Native Plant Society is a non- TamaraNaumann BDoeunlvdeerr-Metro RBeotnsyAbNbeoetlty 433433--68105914
parnodfictoonrsgearnviaztaitoinonodfetdhiecaCtoeldotroatdhoeanpaptrievceifaltoiroan. 9Bo4u0lQdeuri,nnCOStr8ee0t303 FYoarmtpCaorlilkinas RMeiekdeSKceoltltey 489708--14768686
Membershipisopentoallwithaninterestinour SanJuan PeggyLyon 626-5526
native plants, and is composed of plant Shortitemssuchasunusualinformationabout
enthusiasts both professional and non- aplant, a littleknownbotanicalterm, etc. are Committees
professional. especiallywelcome. Camera-readylineartor
otherillustrationsarealso solicited. Conservation SallyWhite 697-5439
Pleasejoinusinhelpingtoencourageinterestin Editorial TamaraNaumann ...440-8933
enjoyingandprotectingColorado'snativeplants. Please include author's name and address, Education GaryFinstad 791-3790
TheSocietysponsorsfieldtrips,workshopsand althoughitemswillbeprintedanonymouslyif FFiieellddTSrtiupdsies JMeafrfyDaEwdswaornds 723232--86173538
osttahteerwiadcet.ivitiCeosnttahcrtoutghhe lSooccailetcyh,apatecrhsapatnedr rMeaqcu)estaerde.aAprptriecclieastesdu.bmiPtlteeadsoenidnidsikcsat(eIBwMorodr HMoermtb/eRerssthoirpation ....DMoyrrontahyStUedianlklamp 422862--39387216
...
representative, or committee chair for more processingsoftwareandversion. Publicity JuliaCarlson 752-2738
information. Workshops BillJennings 666-8348
.
Number Aquilegia Page 3
1
ANNOUNCEMENTS
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
NATIVE PLANTSEED
NATIVE PLANT LANDSCAPING PROJECT
EXCHANGE
TheCityofBoulder'sOpenSpaceDepartmentwillbelandscapingitsnewOperations Ifyou are interested inreceivingalist
ofnativeplantseedsthatare available
Center this spring and summer with locally obtained native plant materials. The
Centerwillshowcasevariouslocalplantcommunities,anddemonstratehowtoobtain forexchange,orifyouareinterestedin
collectingseedsforexchange,contact:
anduse nativeplants ingardens andlandscapes.
Craig Alseike
3256 Salem Street
Volunteersareneededtohelpdesign,establishandmaintainthenativegardens. Tasks
Auiora, Colorado 80011
will include research, planning, seed and propagule collection, propagation,
[phone].
transplanting weeding salvagingnativeplantsfromconstructionareas anddeveloping
, , ,
interpretivematerials. Ifsufficientinterestexists,thisvolunteergroupcouldevolve
into a Regional Native PlantTask Force! The Fort Collins Chapter is already very
active inthis area. How aboutthe BoulderChapter?
Don’tmissthis opportunitytohelpbuildaneducationalnativeplantgardenthatwe
hope will encourage others to appreciate native plants and to think seriously about
using native plant materials in their own gardens and landscapes! For more VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
information, orto setup aninterview, contact SusanRoss at441-4431
TheColoradoAquariumSocietyisplanning
to build a major regional aquarium near
104'*'AvenueandU.S. 36(Denver-Boulder
Turnpike)inWestminster.Thefacilitywill
Aquilegia
beone ofthe largestfreshwateraquariums
inthecountry,featuringsimulatedmountain
streams, slow moving rivers, and other
is printed on regionalfreshwaterhabitats,alongwiththeir
inhabitants. Projectproponents expect the
100% recycled paper
aquarium toattractas manyasonemillion
visitorsperyear.Educational,research,and
volunteer programs will be offered to
complementprogramsofferedbytheDenver
MuseumofNaturalHistoryandtheDenver
Zoo.
Volunteersareneededtohelpplan,design,
install,andcareforanativeplantlandscape
ontheaquariumgrounds.Creekandwetland
restoration and enhancement projects are
plannedforBigDryCreek,whichisadjacent
NURSERYINTERN totheproposedfacility.Projectplannersare
OPPORTUNITY Oxytropislambertii also soliciting volunteer help in planning
Small organic nursery seeks Intern Artist:AnnCooper live botanical exhibits representing plants
beginning spring, 1993, and of the Rocky Mountain and other north
continuingthroughfall.Allaspectsof temperate and arctic aquatic and related
environments.Ground-breakingmayoccur
smallnativeplantnurseryoperations-
-sales, plant production, record- asearlyasnextsummer,withcompletionby
1996.
keeping.BeautifulfarmnearBoulder,
Colorado.Housingplussmallstipend.
Writeorcall:BobHoward,Hedgerow If you are interested in contributing your
Farms, 8328 Valmont, Boulder, CO enthusiasmand/orexpertisetothisexciting
project, contact Carol Dawson (303) 722-
80301.[phone].
6758.
Page 4 Aquilegia Volume 17
Natural Heritage Program Seeks Information For Plant Rarity Ranking
DRABA GRAYANA GRAY’SPEAKWHITLOW-GRASS
The Colorado Natural Heritage Program is attempting to assemble DRABAJUNIPERINA WOODSDRABA W"
informationconcerningthestaterarityranks oftheplantslistedbelow. DRABAMACOUNII MACOUNDRABA
We are hoping that the botanists in the state may be able to supply DRABASMITHII SMITHWHITLOW-GRASS
additional information that we presently don’thave. Ifyou have any DRABASTREPTOBRACHIA COLORADODIVIDE
informationorrecommendationsconcerningthespecieslistedbelow,or WHITLOW-GRASS
ifyouknow ofsomeonewho does, please phone orwrite to me at the DRABA VENTOSA TUNDRADRABA
ERIGERONPHILADELPHICUS PHILADELPHIAFLEABANE
address below. Consider the following components: the number of
ERIGERONWILKENII WILKENFLEABANE
knownpopulations,thenumberofindividualsinthetotalpopulation,the ERIOGONUMLEPTOCLADONvar. SANDBUCKWHEAT
extentoftherangeofthespeciesinthestate,thepopulationtrend(stable, LEPTOCLADON
declining, etc.), protected populations and degree ofprotection, and ERIOGONUMLEPTOCLADONvar. , EASTWOODSAND
threatstothepopulations. Wehopethiscanhelpustoprioritizeourtime RAMOSISSIMUM BUCKWHEAT
andresourcesin ordertobestprotecttherareplants ofColorado. ERIOPHORUMGRACILE SLENDERCOTTONGRASS
ERIOPHORUMRUSSEOLUM RUSSETCOTTONGRASS
SteveKettler-Ecologist/Botanist HABENARJAZOTHECINA ALCOVEBOGORCHID
ColoradoNaturalHeritageProgram HACKELIA GRACILENTA MESAVERDESTICKSEED
c/oUniv. ofColorado Museum HAPLOPAPPUSFREMMOONNTOICIEssPpH.ALUS SINGLE-HEADGOLDENWEED
BHouunltdeerr,11C5,OC8a0m3p0u9-s0B3o15x 315 IISPOOEMTOEPSSIESCHAIGNGORSEPGOARTAAsssspp.. W'EBERI RSPAIBNBYI-TSEPAORRSEDGIQLUIIALLWORT
[phone] MURICATA
JUNCUSBRACHYCEPHALUS SMALL-HEADEDRUSH
ACORUSCALAMUS SWEETFLAG JUNCUSBREVICAUDATUS NARROW-PANICLEDRUSH
ADIANTUMCAPILLUS-VENERIS SOUTHERNMAIDEN-HAIR JUNCUSBRYOIDES MINUTERUSH
ADIANTUMPEDATUM NORTHERNMAIDEN-HAIR JUNCUSTWEEDYI TWEEDYRUSH
AGASTACHEFOENICULUM LAVENDERHYSSOP LESQUERELLACONDENSATA
ALETESMACDOUGALIIssp. MESAVERDEALETES LIATRISLIGULISTYLIS GAY-FEATHER
BBEVIRADIATUS LOMATIUMBICOLORvar.BICOLOR WASATCHBISCUITROOT
ANEMONERIPARIA WHITE-FLOWEREDANEMONE LOMATIUMBICOLORvar. OREGON BISCUITROOT
ARISriDABASIRAMEA FORKTIPTOREE-AWN LEPTOCARPUM
ASPLENIUMPLATYNEURON EBONYSPLEENWORT LYCOPODIUMDUBIUM STIFFCLUBMOSS
^
ASPLENIUMRESILIENS BLACK-STEMMED LYSIMACHIA THYRSIFLORA TUFTEDLOOSESTRIFE
SPLEENWORT MENTZELIACHRYSANTHA STICKLEAF
ASPLENIUMTRICHOMANES- GREENSPLEENWORT OENOTHERAHARRINGTONII ARKANSASVALLEY
RAMOSUM EVENINGPRIMROSE
ASTRAGALUSANISUS GUNNISONMILKVETCH OXYBAPHUSDECUMBENS GREATPLAINSFOUR-O’CLOCK
ASTRAGALUSBODINII BODINMILKVETCH OXYTROPISPARRYI PARRYOXYTROPE
ASTRAGALUSPISCATOR FISHERTOWERSMILKVETCH PACKERAPAUCIFLORA FEW-FLOWEREDRAGWORT
ASTRAGALUSRAFAELENSIS SAN RAFAELMILKVETCH PEDIOMELUMAROMATICUM PARADOXBREADROOT
BOTRYCHIUMCAMPESTRE PRAIRIEMOONWORT PEDIOMELUMMEGALANTHUM LARGE-FLOWERED
BOTRYCHIUMMULTIFIDUMssp. LEATHERYGRAPEFERN BREADROOT
COULTER! PELLAEAATROPURPUREA PURPLECLIFF-BRAKE
BOTRYCHIUMPALLIDUM PALEMOONWORT PELLAEABREWERI BREWER’SCLIFF-BRAKE
BOTRYCHIUMPINNATUM NORTHERNMOONWORT PELLAEA GLABELLA SMOOTHCLIFF-BRAKE
BOTRYCHIUMSIMPLEX LEASTMOONWORT PELLAEA WRIGHTIANA WRIGHT’SCLIFF-BRAKE,
BOTRYCHIUMVIRGINIANUM RATTLESNAKEFERN PENSTEMONBREVICULUS LITTLEPENSTEMON
BRAYAGLABELLA ARCTICBRAYA PENSTEMONCYATHOPHORUS MIDDLEPARKPENSTEMON
BUPLEURUMAMERICANUM THOROUGHWAX PENSTEMONLENTUS ABAJOPENSTEMON
CAREXCONCINNA LOWNORTHERN SEDGE PENSTEMONSCARIOSUS PLATEAUPENSTEMON
CAREXCRAWEI CRAWESEDGE PLATANTHERASPARSIFLORAvar. CANYONBOG-ORCHID
CAREXLEPTALEA BRISTLE-STALKSEDGE ENSIFOLIA
CAREXLIVIDA LIVIDSEDGE POLYSTICHUMSCOPULINUM CRAGHOLLYFERN
CAREXPECKII PECKSEDGE POTENTILLAAMBIGENS SOUTHERNROCKY
CAREXSAXIMONTANA ROCKYMOUNTAINSEDGE mountaincinquefoil
CAREXSCIRPOIDEA CANADIANSINGLE-SPIKE POTENTILLAPALUSTRIS MARSHCINQUEFOIL
SEDGE POTENTILLARUPINCOLA ROCKYMOUNTAIN
CAREXSYCHNOCEPHALA MANY-HEADEDSEDGE CINQUEFOIL
CAREXTENUIFLORA SLENDER-FLOWERSEDGE ROTALARAMOSIOR TOOTHCUP
CAREXTORREYI TORREYSEDGE SALIXMYRTILLIFOLIA LOWBLUEBERRYWILLOW
CAREXVIRIDULA GREENSEDGE SAXIFRAGAFOLIOLOSA LEAFYSAXIFRAGE
CEANOTHUSMARTINII UTAHMOUNTAIN LILAC SELAGINELLASELAGINOIDES NORTHERNSPIKE-MOSS
CENTUNCULUSMINIMUS CHAFFWEED SOLIDAGOPTARMICOIDES PRAIRIEGOLDENROD
CHENOPODIUMCYCLOIDES SANDHILLGOOSEFOOT STELLARIAIRRIGUA ALTAICHICKWEED
CORYDALISCASEANAssp. SIERRACORYDaLIS THAMNOSMATEXANA DUTCHMAN’SBREECHES
BRANDEGEI THELLUNGIELLASALSUGINEA SALT-LICKMUSTARD
CRYPTOGRAMMASTELLERI SLENDERROCK-BRAKE TOWNSENDIASTRIGOSA STRIGOSEEASTER-DAISY
CYMOPTERUSHUMILIS PIKESPEAKSPRINGPARSLEY VIOLAPEDATIFIDA PRAIRIEVIOLET
DRABAEXUNGUICUIATA CLAWLESSDRABA VIOLASELKIRKII SELKIRKVIOLET
DRABAFLADNIZENSIS ARCTICDRABA WOODSIAPLUMMERAE PLUMMER’SCLIFFFERN
DRABA GRAMINEA SANJUANWHITLOW-GRASS ZIGADENUSVAGINATVS ALCOVEDEATHCAMAS
,
Number Aquilegia Page 5
1
SOMETIMES, ITS NOT NICE TO SHARE
followingpoints couldbemade:
Mark Gershman
Thus, the sale of purple loosestrife
Wetlands & Wildlife Coordinator —> Purple loosestrife is an invasive represents a serious threat to wetland
City of Boulder perennialintroducedasanornamental habitatandthenativefloraofColorado.
plant.
Whatelsehasmid-wintertooffertheplant Members of the Colorado Native Plant
loverthanforcedbulbs andindoorplants? Ithastakenovervastareasofwetlands Societycanhaveanimpactuponthesaleof
Well, there are seed and plant catalogs— throughout the northeast and Great purple loosestrife by giving retailers
none more lavishly illustrated than White Lakes states, prompting several state information about the adverse effects that
Flower Farm’s spring garden book. governments to declare it a noxious thisplantcanhave. Iencouragemembersto
Beautifullycomposedphotographsshowing weed(the catalogindicatesthatitmay contactWhite Flower Farm and any other
fields of lilies and lupines reveal an notbe sentto AR, CA, MN, orWI).
appreciation for the beauty of plants.
However the following passage, when —> Many efforts to control loosestrife in
broughttomyattention,mademewonderif those areas ofthe country began after
native ecosystems were held in as high theplantwaswellestablished,andcost
regardasthe garden. thetaxpayersseveralmillionsofdollars
each year. The costs also include the
A native species, Lythrum salicaria destruction of thousands of acres of
iswidelyestablished. wetlandsimportantashabitatfornative
some states have embarkedon plantandanimalspecies, Aquilegia
. . .
eradicationprograms andprohibit Vol. 16no. 1 formore information.)
the sale of Lythrums [purple
loosestrife]. Weentirelyrespectthese -> In Colorado, loosestrife populations
efforts but are persuaded that the are still relativelyrestricted and most
,
vast populations of wild plants occuralongthe FrontRange andnear
alreadyinplacewillalmostcertainly GrandJunction.Theproximityofthese
overwhelmanylocaleffortsaimedat populations to urban areas suggests
control. These circumstances are thattheyhaveescapedfromcultivation.
not, in our view, occasion for Effective control ismuchmore likely
excludingLythrumfromallgardens. to occur in Colorado than in the
northeast, butthe introduction ofnew
The description continues to advise plantsmakes suchcontrolallthemore
deadheading(removingoldfloweringstalks) difficult.
because they can and will interbreed with
localpopulations. Inresponsetothethreatposedbypurple
loosestrife, the state of Colorado has
This seems to suggest that White Flower declared purple loosestrife seeds
Farm does not see a role for itself in the noxious, and Boulder County has
controlofnoxiousexotics. Icalledthefarm declared it a noxious weed. No law,
to ask ifthey were aware 1) thatLythrum however, prohibits sale of the plants
salicaria is not a native species as the themselves.
description stated, and 2) ofthe status of
purpleloosestrifeinColorado Mr.Frowline Purpleloosestrifeplantsarecapableof
.
ahorticulturist, indicatedthatthecompany producing up to 3 million seeds per
felt customers should have access to any plant.So-calledsterileplantsproducing
%
plantssuitableforcultivationinaccordance even1 ofthispotentialcouldresultin
with the law. He was unaware of the significantinfestations.
situationinColoradoandwasinterestedin
hearingmore. He suggested that I write a Although '‘sterile,” the plants sold by
^
letter to the company so that they could White Flower Farm (and others) still
considernew information. I in turnwould produce pollen. That pollen helps to
liketosuggestthatmembersoftheSociety fertilize the local established
writetoMr. SteveFrowline(WhiteFlower populations,potentiallyincreasingtheir
Farm, Litchfield, CT, 06759-0050). The vigorand seedproduction.
Page 6 AquHegia Volume 17
WORKSHOPS SPRING 1995
-
The Colorado NativePlant Society workshop series wasestablishedin 1985 toprovide Bill Jennings to Retire as
members with winter-timeactivities when field trips are impossible. CONPS members Workshop Committee Chair!
have attended more than 100 workshops over the years. Workshops bring native plant
lovers together with a well-informed instructor who may have photographs, herbarium
specimens, liveplants, orothermaterialsforhands-onstudy. Theopportunitytoreceive It'sgoingtobeahardacttofollow,butthe
one-on-oneinstructionandinformativelectureshasmadetheworkshopseriesoneofthe Colorado Native Plant Society is going to
mostpopularNativePlantSocietyprograms.Attendeesneednospecialskillsorbackground; have to find a new workshop committee
aloveofplantsandadesireto learn aretheonlyprerequisites Thegoalis todemystify chair. After planning and cooordinating
plant identification and to enhance in all of us our enjoyment and understanding of 100 workshops. Bill Jennings, who IS the
workshop committee, announced his
Colorado’s native flora.
retirementattheCONPSboardmeetingon
Please mail your registration to Bill Jennings, P.O. Box 952, Louisville, CO 80027. March 13th.WeallagreethatBillhasdone
Indicate the workshops for which you would like to register, and include your name, atrulyoutstandingjobbuildingtheCONPS
address, and telephone number. Phone registrations will also be accepted (666-8348). workshopprogram. Wehaveallhadmany
Registerpromptly asworkshopstendtofillupquickly.Thefeeforeachfull-dayworkshop opportunitiestoenhanceom-understanding
is $10forCONPS,membersand$22fornon-members ($10fortheworkshopand$12to andappreciationofColorado'snativeflora
jointheSociety).Paymentismadeonthedayoftheworkshop. Abouttwoweeksprior to thanks to Bill's hard work and dedication.
theworkshop,registrants willreceiveinformationbymailaboutlocation,time,lunch,and Manythanks,Bill, forajob well done!
suggestedreferences or materials to bring to the workshop.
Now...all ofthe work ofthe Society gets
Ittakesconsiderabletimeandeffortfortheinstructorstoplananddevelopworkshopsand done by volunteer members. If you have
fieldtiips.PleaseletusknowhowyouliketheactivitiesofferedbyCONPS.Weneedyour some good organizational and planning
suggestionsforfutureworkshopsandtrips.Wealsoappreciatefeedbackonwhether you skills, how about putting them to work as>^
findthem informative andexciting ordulland uninteresting. We'dlike youropinion on the new workshop committee chair? It's a
how well we areserving you, our membership, great program—one we'd all like to see
continue. Ifyouthinkyou'dliketotakeon
CONPS
the challenge, contact president,
Carol Dawson (303-722-6758) or Bill
Jennings (303-666-8348). Go for
ADOPT-A-RARE-PLANT PROGRAM
DENDROCHRONOLOGY
Leaders: Chris Pague, Bill Jennings, and Betsy Neely
Location: Lookout Mountain Nature Center near Golden
Saturday, April 17, 1993
Leader: Eric Schwab
Location: Chatfield Arboretum
The Nature Conservancy, Colorado Nature Heritage Program, and the Saturday, May 8, 1993
ColoradoNativePlantSocietyaredevelopingavolunteer-based"Adopt-
a-Rare-Plant"programtoassistinmaintainingandupdatingtheHeritage
Program's rare plant database, and to provide data for The Nature Dendrochronologyisthescienceoftree-ringdating.When
Conservancy's project selection process. At this training session, atreeisoldenough,thepatternofgrowthringscanprovide
participants will see photographs and specimens ofsome ofColorado’s information about pre-settlement environments.
rarestplants.Techniquessuchasherbariumuse,appropriatecollectionof Dendrochronologistscandeterminenotonlytheageofthe
specimens, photography, mapping, habitat description, and field data tree,butcanalsoilluminatesomeofthestressesatreehas
collection will be highlighted. After lunch, we will visit a site in faced(fire,insects, crowding,anddrought, forexample).
Wheatridge where Spiranthes diluvialis ( a federally protected orchid Tree ring data are used in studies offorest ecology anr*
species)hasbeenfound. Evenifyoudonotplanto "adopt" aplant,you paleoclimatology. Inthe classroom, during the morning^
will find this workshop interesting and informative. Searching forrare Eric Schwab will present the methods and uses of
plantsistheworld'smostfrustratingoccupation.Theproverbialsearchfor dendrochronology. After lunch, we will take some tree
aneedleinahaystackissometimessimplebycomparison.Findoutwhat coresandseewhatwecandeduce.Don'tmissthisunique
youneedinyourinformationarsenalbeforeventuringintothewilderness. workshop.
Number 1 Aquilegia Page 7
FIELD TRIPS 1993
-
SPLIT MOUNTAIN DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT
-
Leader; Lynn Riedel
Meeting Location; Green River Campground, Dinosaur National
Monument, Utah
Saturday & Sunday, May 1 & 2, 1993
This trip will focus on rare and endemic plants ofnortheastern Utah and northwestern
Colorado. Many of the more common high desert plants will be in flower, as well!
Participants will enjoy spectacular scenery along with some exciting botanizing. Lynn
RiedelhasconductedbotanicalstudiesforseveralseasonsatDinosaurNationalMonument.
Recenttasksincludeimplementationofalong-termmonitoringprogramforrareplants,
includingSpiranthesdiluvialis.
MeetattheGreenRiverCampground(northeastofJensen,UT) onFridayevening(April
30th) to camp with other participants, or join us at the campground by 9:00 a.m. on
Saturday. The trip will conclude mid-dayon Sunday.
The drive from Denverto the Utah side ofDinosaurNational Monumenttakes about 8
hours DrivewestfromDenveron1-70toSilverthome TurnnorthonHwy9toKremmling.
. .
TurnwestonHwy40inKremmling,and followHwy40through Steamboat,Craig, and
Dinosaur,Colorado,andthentoJensen,Utah.Ifyougethimgryalongtheway,thereisa
terrific bakery/pizza place one block north of the intersection of Hwys 9 and 40 in
Kremmling. Turn north at Jensen, Utah, onto Route 149 and follow the signs to the
monument entrance (approximately 7 miles from Jensen). Continue past the entrance
station4 miles to the GreenRivercampground.
Agroup campsitewillbereservedforFridayand Saturdaynights. Individual campsites
should also be available. Motel accommodations (Best Western, etc.) are available in
Craig, Colorado, andinVernal, Utah.
Bringcampingequipment,food,watercontainers,sunscreen,raingear,andclothingfor
warmand coldweather. Waterwillbe availableatthe campground. Wewillwalkalong
severalshorttrails.Hikingconditionsrangefromeasytomoderatelydifficult.Thelongest
distancecoveredonawalkwillbe a2-mileloop. Allwalkswillbewithin about5 miles Toregister,callJeffDawson [722-6758(h)
ofthe campground. Roads arepaved orhave awell-graded surface. or740-2793 (o)]. Trip limitis 25 persons.
PAWNEE NATIONAL GRASSLANDS
wildflower-laden ridges and arroyos along Willow Creek. Your
knowledgefromLorraineYeatts’ Astragalusworkshopcanbeput
Leaders; Jim Borland and Rick Brune tousehere! WillowCreekisalsohometooneofColorado'smost
Meeting Location; To be announced colorful fish, theplains topminnow, and some snapping turtles.
Saturday & Sunday, June 5 & 6, 1993
We will camp Saturday night, possibly ataremote location. On
Wewillfirstvisitaclay-barrensplantcommunitytoseeanunusual Sunday, wewillvisitPawneeButtes,“luckyferns,”andabuffalo
landscape dotted with pulvinate (bowling bail shaped) plants. wallow.Furtherdetails,includingmeetingplaceandtime,amap,
From there,aone-milewalk willtakeustoanareawherewewill and instructions will beprovided to tripregistrants.
glimpsealpine feverfew {Bolophyta alpina). Mountain plover, a
bird species on the candidate list for possible threatened or Toregister,callJim(922-4716)orRick(238-5078)beforeMay17.
endangeredstatus,isalsofoundinthisarea.Later,wewillexplore AfterMay 17, call JeffDawson (722-6758). Trip limitis 20.
Page 8 Aqiiilegia Volume 17
N0TE6
FIELD
A DIFFERENT KIND OF WINTER BOTANY
Carolyn Crawford
I have been involved with the Adopt-A- Then,asluckwouldhaveit,Ifoundanother For those interested injoining the search,
Rare-Plantproject forthe last three years, populationonMarch8,1993,ontheDaniels Smilaxhas also been foundinthe Boulder
studying Smilax lasioneuron Hooker Park Road in Douglas County, in another area, in Coal Creek Canyon, on Lookout
(carrion flower or greenbrier), a vining areathathadappeared,inawarmerseason, Mountain, inRoxborough StatePark,near
speciesrelatedtothelilies. Thespecieshas tobepromising habitat. Elbert in the Black Forest, near Palmer
carriedastatus ofG?S2withthe Colorado Lake, on the U.S. Air Force Academy
NaturalHeritage Programfor anumberof Twodayslater,afterleavingtheherbarium grounds, and in Cheyenne Canyon near
years,meaningthatovertheentirerange(G atColoradoStateUniversityinFortCollins, Colorado Springs.
forglobal) its status is not clear (?), but in Iwas feelingserendipitous. Headingwest
Colorado (S for state) there are fewerthan out ofFort Collins, 1 thought I’d see if I OutsideofColorado,Smilaxlasioneuronis
20 knownpopulations (1 =mostrare). could find a Larimer County site. Smilax widespread in the upper Midwest and
hasn’t been collected in that county in 65 southern Canada, reaching south on the
Smilax lasioneuron is a dioecious species years. About 2 1/2 miles up Rist Canyon west side ofthe plains into Colorado. In
(separate male and female plants) which fromBellvue,Ieasilyfoundmymostrecent Wyoming, it is known from Laramie,
dies back each fall and restarts new vines population. Onlyafewplants were found, Converse, Sheridan, and Crook Counties.
fromgroxmdleveleachspring. Ourspecies butthesewere obvious fromthe road. The species cannottoleratethe driestparts
iswoodyenoughthatthedeadvinespersist ofthe Great Plains. Along the Colorado
in the winter, often with the bluish-black One usually does not think of making Front Range, the plantcanbe found atthe
fruit still onthem. The pale bumt-sienna- voucherspecimensinthemiddleofwinter, mouthoffoothillscanyons,associatingwith,^
colored leaves (after frost) do not fall but but I will be doing just that. The dried theaforementionedGambeloak,hawthorn,
remain on the vines, leaving them quite leaves, stem, and fruits will be pressed in and chokecherry thickets. For those who
conspicuousinthe Gambeloak,hawthorn, theirwintertimeconditionandthesiteswill hunger forwinterbotanizing ofadifferent
andchokecherrythickets,whichbylatefall bere-verified duringthe summer. type,thisisdefinitelytheplanttolookfor!
are usually defoliated. Smilax does put up
considerablegrowthstartinginMay,butby
then the oak and hawthorn thickets are so
densewithfoliagethattheSmilaxisalmost
impossible to see, evenup close.
Since the 26thofDecemberoflastyear, I
have discovered five imdocumented sites,
four ofwhich are new state records. The
fifth site, in Castlewood Canyon, was
discoveredbyRonAbbottandJeffUhlich,
although specimens have not yet been
deposited in a herbarium. I found this
populationindependentlyonDecember26.
I found additional populations in Jarre
Canyon(DouglasCounty)andinDeerCreek
Canyon (Jefferson County) on December
27. 1 had expected to find plants at both
sites,butwastmabletoseethemduringthe
summer. I have been back to these sites
morerecentlyandtheJarreCanyonsiteisa
largevigorouspopulation—severalhundred
plantsquitevisible from avehicle at 20 to
30 MPH!
cm
1
Number 1 Aquilegia Page 9
WORKSHOP REPORT
Showy Monocots
I
Led by Jennings
Bill
Report by Karin Sundquist
Calochortusgunnisonii
Artist:AnnCooper
SHOWY MONOCOTS
I lived up to its instructive in the details and habits ofthe Finally,Billgavetheworkshopparticipants
name. This workshop was led November lilies portrayed. We were able to really a lily list for Colorado and the key he has
14-15 at the Denver Botanic Gardens by enjoy the splendors of such plants as the developedforLihaceaeandrelatedfamilies.
BillJennings,withatotalof28participants. sandlily(Leucocrinummontamm),thealp We were able to use the key to work on
The workshop opened with shdes oflilies lily(Lloydiaserotina) thewoodlily(Lilium identifying herbarium specimens. At the
,
andrelated families in Colorado, It would philadelphicum), and the glacier lily riskofbeingbannedfromtheherbariumfor
beeasytotaketheselovelyandinformative (Erythroniumgrandiflorum) nottomention totallackofrespectandappreciation,Imust
,
pictures forgranted. Afterall,thesearethe the mariposa or sego lily (Calochortus point out that working with squashed and
plantswecametostudyandweexpectedto gunnisonii).Billalsoshowedslidesofsimilar faded plants is always frustrating.
see pictures of them. But it is a little lihes inother states. Nonetheless,thekeyworkedquitewelland
staggering to realize that Bill found these we were able to fine-tune a few details in
plantsintheirColorado sitesandmanaged Inadditiontotheslides.Billsharedwithus usingitontheplantsathand.Thekeyuses
togettothemwhiletheywereinbloom(and some guides to the classification oflilies, Weber’s classification from the Colorado
whiletheweatherpermittedphotography). comparing the systems used by different Flora,butis less daunting (forthenovice)
^ Even the yellowbells (Fritillariapudica), authors. These guides helped make the thanhiskeytotheMonocots,soitwouldbe
which was well past its prime when he various classifications seem less arbitrary quite helpful in the field. All in all, an
photographedit,gaveonearealsenseofits tome.Theycouldalsobehelpfulontripsto enjoyable andrewarding workshop.
true color in the pictures we were shown. areas where the local floras employ an
And the rest of the slides were quite xmfamiliarsystem. Note: Copies ofall handoutsare
availablefromBillJennings
(666-8348).
FOR YOUR LIBRARY
Roberts Rinehart Publishers recently places where they live.” In his revised liststheelevationsandlifezonesoftowns,
announcedthe publicationofneweditions edition, Williams maintains the simplicity peaks, passes and parks in the Rocky
oftwo popular books onRocky Mountain and clarity of Nelson’s keys, but adds a Mountain region, from alpine to plains.
native plants. Ruth Ashton Nelson’s numberofspecieslikelytobefoundwithin Within each life zone section, the author
Handbook ofRocky Mountain Plants has the book’s range. Williams has honored providesanoverviewoftheplantsnativeto
beenrevisedbyRogerWilliams, authorof RuthNelson’swishtoprovidepopularnames thatparticularaltitude. Abriefdescription
therecentbiographyofAvenNelson,Aven fornativeplantspecies,butencouragesthe ofeach plant lists size, color, shape, and
Nelson ofWyoming. The ninth edition of reader to accept the precedence of Latin common locations in which it is found.
another old favorite, M. Walter Pesman’s names inthekeys. Detailedlinedrawingsinthemarginsfurther
MeettheNatives, is nowavailable. helpreaders to identifyplants.
Designed to aid the amateur plant lover,
In the first edition oftheHandbook, Ruth Meet the Natives: The Amateur’s Field Both books are available at a discount to
Nelson addressed her book to “outdoor Guide to Rocky Mountain Wildflowers, CONPSmembers.ContactVelmaRichards
people who are neither botanists nor even Trees, andShrubshelps identify over four [phone]oryourchapterpresidentto
y
naturalscientists,butwhowouldliketobe hundredplantspeciesintheRockyMountain purchase a copy.
abletoidentifythewildflowerstheyseeon region. This easy-to-use field guide is
theirmountainexcursionsandbeencouraged organizedbylifezones,colorofflower,and
to acquire some interesting, non-technical season of bloom. For quick reference, a
informationaboutplantsingeneralandthe detailedchartatthebeginningoftheguide
Page 10 Aquilegia Volume 17
NATIONAL FORESTS PLAN WEED CONTROL Chapter News
Boulder Chapter
Janet Coles
Colorado Natural Areas Program April 13: PlantingNatives for Birds,
Butterflies,andOtherWildlife
The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests are seeking public David Leatherman, an entomologist with
commentonthemanagementofnoxiousweedsandotherundesirableplants. Theywill theColoradoStateForestService,willgive
incorporatethe commentsintoanEnvironmentalAnalysis whichwilladdressaspectsof us some ideas for using native plants to
integrated weed control and infestation prevention. The plan will target a number of enhance the value of our landscapes for
aggressive exotic weedy species which degrade ecosystems in good health, but is also wildlife. April is a good time to begin
aimedtowardnative species—mulesear,lowandtalllarkspur.‘aidbigsagebrush—whose thinking aboutthis!
abundance generallyindicates ahighly disturbed ecosystem.
May 11: SpringPicnicandWildflower
Integratedweedmanagementisarealisticandprogressiveethicwhichseekscontrolrather Walk
thaneradicationofweedyplants. Techniquesemployed incontrolinclude fire,mowing MeetattheChautauquaRangerCottageat
or chopping,the use ofchemicalherbicides, andlimiting grounddisturbance. 6:30p.m. Bring dinnerandan appetite for
signsofspring in the Chautauquameadow
Inaddition,theNationalForestswillconsidercoordinatingactivitieswithotheragencies flora!
andprivate landowners, establishing“weed-free”areas,promotingpublicawarenesson
issuesrelatedtoweedsandweedcontrol,andlimitingtheriskofnewinfestationscaused MonthlymeetingsareheldfromSeptember
by the importofcontaminatedmaterials such asroad fill. through April on the 2nd Tuesday of the
month at 7:15 p.m. in the Boulder Public
One aspectofcontrol leftoutofthe hstofoptions istherole ofgrazingmanagementin Librarymeetingroom, 11thandArapahoe,
theproliferationof“undesirable” native speciessuchasbigsagebrush,thelarkspursand unless otherwise noted. For information,
mulesear. Thespeciesmentionedaboveareunpalatableorpoisonoustolivestockandtend callBetsyNeelyat443-8094orElaineHill
toincreaseinasystemthatexperiencesheavygrazing, aspalatablegrassesareremoved. at494-7873.
Controllingsagebrushistreatingthesymptomratherthanaddressingthesourceproblem,
whichis generallythatgrazingpressure is toogreatto allow grasses toregrow.
Fort Collins Chapter
The Forest Service hopes to publish a draft Environmental Assessment by April 1.
Questions and comments may be addressedto Robert Storch, Forest Supervisor, Grand April 1: Exotic Willows
Mesa,UncompahgreandGunnisonNationalForests,2250Highway50,Delta,Colorado, Patrick Shafroth, a graduate student at
81416,303/874-7691. Colorado State University, will discuss
aspects of the life history of crack willow
{Salix X rubens Schrank) and the golden
osier willow {Salix alba var. vitellina) in
Colorado.Theseexoticwillowshavebecome
established in many Front Range riparian
HORTICULTURAL N0TE6 areas.
May 5: Riparian Vegetation and
Natural Disturbance
Jonathan Friedman, a graduate student at
theUniversityofColorado,willdiscussthe
Prunus virginiana (chokecherry) cultivars and varieties
role of natural disturbance in riparian
Jim Boriand vegetation change in the high plains of
Colorado.
AnyoneinvolvedinhorticultureinColoradoknowsthattheindustryherereliesagreatdeal
onthehorticulturalproductsofotherstatesandthat,asaresult,wearesomeofthelastin MonthlymeetingswillbeheldthroughMay
thecoxmtrytotestandfinallyaddanewplanttotheexistingpaletteoflandscapeplants. at7:00p.m.inthelargeconferenceroomat
Thefactthatthissituationismadenecessarybywhatisconsideredtobeourratherhostile the headquarters for the Rocky Mountar
climateandsoilswouldseemtobodewellfortheacceptanceofourownclimate,soiland Station/Arapaho-RooseveltNationalFores^^
time-testednativefloraforthesepurposes. But,suchhasnotbeenthecase,oratleastthis 240WestProspect.Theconferenceroomis
acceptancehas beenvery slow ingaining anysignificantgroimd. adjacenttothe frontpatio.Note:thedayof
the month varies, so mark your calendar!
continuedonpage 11 Forinformation, callMikeScottat226-9475.