1. Minnesota Plant Press
The Minnesota Native Plant Society Newsletter
Volume 26 Number 4 Summer 2007
Monthly meetings Non-native invasives
Thompson Park Center/Dakota Lodge
Thompson County Park
360 Butler Ave. E., West St. Paul, MN 55118 threatening Chippewa
651-552-7559 (kitchen)
6 p.m. — Social period
7 – 9 p.m. — Program, society business
National Forest
Programs On June 20, the Minnesota Native Plant Society Board submitted
The MN NPS meets the first Thursday comments opposing the Chippewa National Forest Off-Highway
in October, November, December, Vehicle (OHV) Road Travel Access Project. Beth Nixon, a MN NPS
February, March, April, May, and June. board member, prepared the document and attached papers that were
Check the website for more program cited in footnotes. Following are the comments.
information. 1. Non-native invasive plant species present on the Chippewa
Oct. 4: “The harvesting of herbal National Forest are a top ecological threat to these USFS lands, and
medicines; concerns for protecting plant have been identified by Dale Bosworth, former chief of the U.S.
species and plant communities,” by Erica Forest Service, as one of the four top threats to the nation’s forests
Fargione, herbalist. Plant of the Month: and rangelands. In the Chippewa, there are 13 species of ingenious
Panax quinquefolium, American ginseng. propagators, producing enormous amounts of seed with a variety of
Nov. 1: “Effects of moose browsing on dispersal mechanisms. Invasives as a group are a major drain on the
long-term forest succession on Isle national, state, and local economies, costing the country roughly $138
Royale,” by Dr. Peter Jordan, University billion each year, according to the USFS document “National Strategy
of Minnesota. Annual seed exchange and Implementation Plan for Invasive Species Management.”
following the program. Package seeds in 2. An OHV will spread non-native invasive species very, very
small envelopes; label them.
effectively in several ways, including:
2008 Symposium a. As is commonly known, the OHV driver travels readily back
and forth between a variety of land cover types, disseminating
being planned invasive propagules into a wide variety of more remote and
ecologically sensitive natural areas, even when those areas are
The North Shore highlands will be the technically off-limits;
subject of the Society’s 2008 symposium.
Details have not been finalized, but it will b. The OHV tire size and configuration will very efficiently denude
probably be held at the Bell Museum on and then transport large quantities of soil laden with a high
the University of Minnesota campus. concentration of propagules when
Information will be posted on the website. driven through an infestation, and In this issue
then afterwards deposit those President’s column...............2
propagules for distances of over 10 Plant donation .....................3
Society has a blog miles;
MN NPS information and comments can Mushroom identification .....4
be read on the Society’s blog. Go to c. OHVs often are driven on Society news ...............4, 6, 7
www.mnnps.blogspot.com to see what is roadsides, where thick infestations Orchid field trip ...................5
posted. Information will continue to be of non-native invasive species are Pine Bend SNA field trip ....5
posted on the Society’s website, most likely to exist. Plant collection standards ....6
www.mnnps.org Continued on page 3 Plant Lore: Turtlehead.........7
2. President’s column MN NPS Board
by Scott Milburn, president
The Society is coming off another great year and one to be proud of. Our
of Directors
membership is strong and active, as seen with the number of members President: Scott Milburn,
attending our events. In keeping with our mission, we have provided an president@mnnps.org
opportunity to learn and expand as we explored the flora of our state. Vice President: Shirley Mah
To recap this past year, we dove into conservation issues such as alternative Kooyman, vp@mnnps.org
agricultural practices and how that affects our native biodiversity. We also Secretary: Sean Jergens,
spent a great day at the Bell Museum of Natural History learning about the secretary@mnnps.org
fascinating Prairie Coteau, with much insight provided by the talented folks
at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The Society was also Treasurer: Ron and Cathy
fortunate to have a great line-up of field trips, including a great lesson in Huber, treasurer@mnnps.org
forested wetland ecology and the visual experience of the incredible Ken Arndt, board member,
vegetative composition present in these communities. All in all, it was a karndt@mnnps.org
great year of learning. I would like to thank those who helped this year and
Peter Dziuk, board member,
hope for more of the same in the upcoming year.
pdziuk@mnnps.org
The board, an ever changing group itself, has several new members who
bring a lot to the table. I am excited and pleased to be working with this Linda Huhn, board member and
group of individuals, and I think the Society will be pleased with our future program coordinator, 612-374-1435
efforts. Daniel Jones,
Over the past several board meetings, the board made several changes to djones@mnnps.org
our membership policies. No need to worry about raising membership costs, Beth Nixon, bnixon@mnnps.org
as it appears we are inflation-proof for the time being. In all seriousness, it
Russ Schaffenberg,
was felt that we need to maintain continuity with our membership. The
rschaffenberg@mnnps.org
board recently voted to change our membership year from October to January
of every year to correlate with the calendar year, in an attempt to eliminate
forgotten renewals. Another exciting change is the ability to become a Listserv Coordinator: Charles
lifetime member of the Society. Umbanhowar, ceumb@stolaf.edu
Not only do we want to retain our members, we would like to increase our Field Trips:
membership. There is a large demographic out there that has an interest in fieldtrips@mnnps.org
the natural history of Minnesota. It is our job to reach out to this group and Memberships:
engage them. Perhaps the best start is for everyone in our membership to memberships@mnnps.org; 651-
introduce a friend to the Society. By doing this, we have a great opportunity 739-4323
to grow, expand, and add to what we do as a Society.
Historian/Archives: Roy
Minnesota Native Plant Society’s purpose Robison, historian/
(Abbreviated from the bylaws) archives@mnnps.org
This organization is exclusively organized and operated for educational Technical or membership
and scientific purposes, including the following: inquiries: contact@mnnps.org
1. Conservation of all native plants. New member packets: Chuck
2. Continuing education of all members in the plant sciences. and Ellen Peck, 651-739-4323
3. Education of the public regarding environmental protection of plant
Minnesota Plant Press editor:
life.
Gerry Drewry, phone, 651-463-
4. Encouragement of research and publications on plants native to
8006; plantpress@mnnps.org
Minnesota.
5. Study of legislation on Minnesota flora, vegetation and ecosystems.
6. Preservation of special plants, plant communities and scientific and
natural areas. MN NPS website
7. Cooperation in programs concerned with the ecology of natural For current information about
resources and scenic features. MN NPS field trips, meetings, and
8. Fellowship with all persons interested in native plants through other events, check the website:
meetings, lectures, workshops and field trips. www.mnnps.org
2
3. greatly accelerate the spread of non- the Chippewa National Forest
OHV damage native invasive species. statutory boundary likely to have a
Continued from page 1 8. Designating hundreds of miles moderate risk of infestation by a non-
3. OHV routes should not be of routes without reasonably native invasive species with a
designated in any areas known to be complete knowledge of where all moderate, high, or very high
infested with any non-native invasive non-native invasive species ecological risk categorization by the
species, or areas thought to be more infestations are located on the USFS. These species include all
likely to be infested, or in Chippewa National Forest will likely those terrestrial plant species listed
environments most susceptible to result in designation of many routes as occurring on the Chippewa, as
being invaded if the same route or a that are presently infested with one well as exotic earthworm infestations
connected route also traverses areas or more non-native invasive species. surveyed according to level of
infestation. In the estimation of the
likely to be or known to be infested 9. OHVs will rapidly spread non- Minnesota Native Plant Society,
with non-native invasive species. native invasive species to many infestations of haplotype common
intersecting routes, including some reedgrass and hybrid cattail should
4. OHVs should not be permitted
undesignated routes, making it very also be surveyed, since extreme
to travel on roads that run through or
difficult and perhaps impossible to OHV use can include marshy areas.
near to sugar maple and other
control, eradicate, or even effectively
northern hardwood stands, thereby 13. The above comments are
manage and monitor the spread of
introducing another stressor to areas
non-native invasive species in the consistent with direction in the
which the Environmental Chippewa National Forest’s current
forest.
Assessment Wildlife Report Forest Plan, including specifically
identifies as the most susceptible 10. The project at issue has the direction regarding soils, vegetation
communities to earthworm-caused capacity to do tremendous damage management, wildlife, threatened
damage. to the environment because it and endangered species, non-native
involves a highly efficient invasive species, social and
5. The ability to find places for mechanism for spreading non-native economic stability, recreation, trails,
watching wildlife or for enjoying or invasive species, and project and recreational motor vehicles.
studying rare native plants and high- planning has occurred in the absence
quality native plant community of reasonably complete knowledge
assemblages in a remote natural of all non-native invasive species
School sends thanks
setting, without the interference of locations, or even those representing for donated plants
OHVs, is itself rare and becoming the highest ecological threat levels. At the close of the June plant sale,
rarer. all unsold plants were donated to
11. Extensive surveys for all non-
6. Actions that accelerate the rate native invasive species should be Garlough School in West St. Paul. In
or extent of spread of non-native the following letter, Susan Simon
conducted on all road, other
invasive species will damage soils, explains how the plants were used.
motorized travel corridors, and
water quality, vegetation, and habitat proposed route alternatives at the “Thank you for donating the
for wildlife, for which there may be earliest possible time, particularly ‘leftover’ native plants from the sale
up to 27 percent of the state’s since over 82 percent of all Chippewa to Garlough Environmental Magnet
population of mammal Species in and Federal lands are within a half School. We are an elementary school
Greatest Conservation Need mile of route alternatives. located at 1740 Charlton Ave., across
(SGCN), a group of species from Dodge Nature Center.
representing a threshold level for 12. The project is likely to cause “Our school is developing an
significant effects;. 22 federal and significant environmental effects and environmental curriculum that will
state threatened, endangered or requires a full Environmental Impact include outdoor study areas.
special concern species; sensitive Statement, in part due to the Although much of the landscape is
plant species such as the goblin fern; unknown impacts on Minnesota currently turf grass in different stages
and several other rare moonwort SGCN. The EIS should proceed only of decline, we are working to restore
species known in the Chippewa. after a comprehensive survey of prairie, woodlands, wetland and put
SGCN, and concurrent with or after in raingardens. The plants you
7. Designating OHV routes non-native invasive species surveys donated will add much needed plant
through areas that are in fact infested have been completed on all road and material. Thanks again, Garlough
with non-native invasive species will other potential travel corridors within School.”
3
4. Getting started on Membership
mushroom identification year will start
by David and Esther McLaughlin Jan. 1; life
At the March MN NPS meeting, several members expressed interest in
learning about mushroom identification and natural history. We thought we option added
might provide the Minnesota Plant Press with information on books that The Minnesota Native Plant
would be most useful and accessible for beginners. These books are fairly Society Board of Directors has
widely available, either on-line or by ordering through local booksellers. All voted to change the membership
have colored photographs and cover many of the mushrooms you are likely year to a calendar year. The
to find in Minnnesota and environs in the spring, summer and fall. But be membership year, which has started
aware that there are many more species here than any of these books cover. Oct. 1, will now start Jan. 1.
Barron, G. L. Mushrooms of Northeast North America, 1999. Lone Pine As a result of this change, all
Publishing Co. current annual or multi-year
memberships will be extended three
Huffman, D.M., et al. Mushrooms
and Other Fungi of the
Volunteers are months. All annual memberships
will be due for renewal Jan. 1, 2008.
Midcontinental United States, 1989. needed Members are encouraged to pay
Iowa State University Press, Ames. Conservation committee
dues for several years in advance, if
Lincoff, G. H. The Audubon Society Would you like to receive timely they wish. This option is not
Field Guide to North American information about conservation available for donors, who receive a
Mushrooms, 1981. A. A. Knopf, Inc., issues? That is one of the benefits tax deduction for the donation
New York. for members of the MN NPS portion of their payment.
Miller, 0. K., Jr. and H. H. Miller. Conservation Committee. If you are Life Memberships for adults are
North American Mushrooms, 2006. interested, contact Beth Nixon at now available at a cost of $300.
Globe Pequot Press, Guilford, CN. bnixon@mnnps.org Membership categories are as
Smith, A.H. and N.S. Weber. The Social coordinator follows.
Mushroom Hunter’s Field Guide, The Society needs a new social $15 Individual
1980. University of Michigan Press, coordinator. This person helps $15 Family (two or more people
Ann Arbor. members and visitors get acquainted at the same address)
So which book should you choose? at the monthly meetings. $8 Student (full time)
Responsibilities include arranging for
We especially like Barron’s book, as $8 Senior (over 62 or retired)
snacks and providing name tags. Ann
it is very well illustrated, and the $20 Institution
McGee has been the coordinator. If
photographic guide at the beginning you are interested, let any board $25 Donor
is an effective way to find the right member know. $300 Life (for adults)
group. The Millers’ book is very up- David Johnson keeps the data base
to-date and more complete than the
rest but covers a much broader area. Plant sale earns of members. He also distributes the
e-mail copies of this newsletter.
All are good, so you should be $842 for Society You may join or renew your
successful with any of them. Total proceeds from the June 7, membership at any monthly
If you want help in getting started 2007, plant sale were $842, Treasurer meeting, or mail your check and
on mushroom identification or want Ron Huber reported. This is an information to: Minnesota Native
to go on a mushroom foray, the increase from the $789 total in 2006. Plant Society, P.O. Box 20401,
Minnesota Mycological Society John Arthur ’s auction photos Bloomington, MN 55420.
meetings and forays can be very brought $82; Peter Dziuk’s photos,
helpful. You can find out about them $38; auction plants, $76; and sale
Anniversary party
from their website: plants, $646. The plant sale is the being planned
www.minnesotamushrooms.org Society’s major fund-raising project. Watch the website and your mail
[Botanizers go on field trips; The board thanks everyone who for announcement of a MN NPS
mushroomers go on forays.] donated plants and pictures. 25th anniversary celebration.
4
5. Orchids everywhere
Article and photos by Ken Arndt
acaule, C. calceolus var. parviflorum,
C. calceolus var. pubescens, C.
reginae, Listera cordata, Platantera
dilatata, P. hyperborea, and P.
On June 30, the MN NPS held a
obtusata.
field trip to the Hill City area of
northern Minnesota, led by DNR John mentioned that last year’s
Forest Ecologist Dr. John orchid display was by far more
Almendinger. Over 30 field trip intense than this year’s. I think we
participants decided to make the were all very impressed by what we
journey north to take in this very got to experience that day.
special part of the state.
We began the morning near the The snow was deep
parking area, with a brief talk by John
about the rich cedar swamp we were at Pine Bend SNA
about to enter and some of the plants by Ken Arndt
that we would be seeing. Once we Who ordered the foot plus of snow
all were together, we started to hike two days before our field trip to Pine
into the cedar swamp by going down Bend Scientific Natural Area? On
a small hill through recent aspen March 3, Jason Husveth, Scott
slash a hundred feet or so. At the Cypripedium reginae, Showy Milburn and Ken Arndt led 12 brave
bottom of the slope, the terrain pink lady’s-slipper orchid. souls through the snow at Pine Bend
leveled out into eastern white cedar, SNA. This new SNA is just east
black spruce and a carpet of of the native orchid species were of Hwy. 52 in Inver Grove Heights.
sphagnum moss. We followed a found. We started the afternoon hike at the
narrow path into the swamp for a few Within a very short time you could top of the bluff, where we were
hundred feet more, to where many hear someone call out “over here is treated to a fantastic view of the
an orchid!” All around us we were Mississippi River some 200 feet
starting to see the many different below. From there we took a trail
native orchids and other interesting down to the river, identifying plants
plants that call this place home. as we came across them. It’s a good
Needless to say, we didn’t move very thing a few of the trip participants
far from this point for the whole day. were smart enough to bring
Several folks brought their snowshoes. Naturally, we let them
photographic equipment to capture blaze the trail for the rest of us.
these spectacular plants, while others With the deep snow cover, our
were able to wander around and take plant identification was heavy on the
it all in at a very reasonable pace. woodies, as you might imagine, with
Throughout the day, John would a few herbaceous plants still visible.
gather us together and lead The oak-dominated forest mixes with
impromptu talks about different white pine in areas and then
topics like peat formation and transitions into lowland floodplain
accumulation, as well as the local species closer to the river’s edge.
geology and ecology of this region Once we got down to river level, we
of Minnesota. We had lunch in the were able to explore the seeps where
swamp and ended up spending the the skunk cabbage grows. Luckily,
rest of the day within a few hundred the seeps flow year round, so the
feet of where we started. snow was no match for the water
flowing out from the bluff slopes.
Twelve different native orchids
Most of the seeps had little, if any,
were found within this cedar swamp,
snow cover, so seeing the skunk
with most in bloom. They include:
cabbage was not a problem. A few
Amerorchis rotundifolia, Arethusa of the skunk cabbage flowers were
Platantera dilatata, tall white bulbosa, Calopogon tuberosus, even beginning to open (a sign that
bog-orchid. Corallorhiza striata, Cyprepidium spring was near).
5
6. New international Conservation Union, and Josef
Brinckmann, Traditional Medicinals.
standard for collection of Organizations and experts involved
in the ISSC-MAP consultation
included: the German Federal
wild plants is adopted Agency for Nature Conservation
(BfN), the IUCN SSC Medicinal
A new standard to promote the harvested from the wild. Almost
sustainable management and trade in 70,000 species are involved, many of Plant Specialist Group (MPSG),
wild medicinal and aromatic plants them are in danger of over- WWF-Germany, and TRAFFIC, plus
(MAP) was launched Feb. 16 at exploitation and even extinction industry associations, companies,
Biofach, the World Organic Trade through over-collection and habitat certifiers and community-based
Fair, in Nuremberg, Germany. loss. For example, in India, almost NGOs.
300 medicinal plants are considered TRAFFIC works to ensure that
The International Standard for trade in wild plants and animals is
threatened by IUCN — the World
Sustainable Wild Collection of not a threat to the conservation of
Conservation Union.
Medicinal and Aromatic Plants nature. TRAFFIC is a joint program
(ISSC-MAP) was drawn up Traditional Medicinals, one of the
industry’s leading companies, is of WWF, the conservation
following extensive consultation organization and IUCN - The World
with plant experts and the herbal investigating applying the new
standard to the collection of Conservation Union.
products industry worldwide. It
promotes appropriate management bearberry, a shrub whose leaves are
of wild plant populations to ensure used for the treatment of a variety of Board members,
conditions, mainly of the diuretic and
plants used in medicine and
cosmetics are not over-exploited. urinary tract.
officers change
Scott Milburn was re-elected
“Our German supplier was able to president of the Minnesota Native
The ISSC-MAP is based on six
prove the sustainability of their Plant Society at the June 26 board
principles: maintaining wild MAP
bearberry sources, and we are keen meeting. Shirley Mah Kooyman was
resources, preventing negative
to see how the newly developed re-elected vice president; Ron Huber
environmental impacts, legal
ISSC-MAP criteria apply to this was re-elected treasurer. Sean
compliance, respecting customary
trade,” said Josef Brinckman, vice- Jergens was elected secretary.
rights, applying responsible
president of Traditional Medicinals. Peter Dziuk, Russ Schaffenberg,
management practices, and applying
“Sustainable supplies will mean and Linda Huhn joined the board at
responsible business practices. It can
long-term benefits for the local this meeting. Peter and Russ were
be downloaded from http://
people who rely on the bearberry elected earlier this year; Linda was
www.floraweb.de/proxy/floraweb/ appointed to complete Sandy
trade for supplementary income.”
map-pro/ McCartney’s term.
“I welcome the launch of this new
“Traders and companies, collectors standard, which presents an
and consumers must share the important step in ensuring the Extension service
responsibility for maintaining sustainable use of natural has forestry website
populations of medicinal plants pharmaceutical products,” said The University of Minnesota
which are valuable natural Professor Drenckhahn, president of Extension Service has created a new
resources,” said Susanne Honnef of WWF-Germany. “We’d like to see website, Myminnesotawoods.org
TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade other companies use the standard and The site includes information on the
monitoring network. “The ISSC- see how it works in practice for their natural history of savannas,
MAP principles and criteria show benefit.” woodlands, and forests in Minnesota,
how this can be achieved in
Those attending the EXPO West as well as specific information about
practice.”
trade fair March 9 - 11, 2007, were tree growth and forest health. It
More than 400,000 tons of able to hear more about the ISSC- encourages forest stewardship for a
medicinal and aromatic plants are MAP standard from Dr. Danna J. variety of purposes, including
traded worldwide annually, with Leaman, chair of the Medicinal Plant renewable timber harvest, recreation,
around 80 percent of the species Specialist Group for the World and restoration.
6
7. Peter Dziuk Plant Lore
joins board by Thor Kommedahl
What is turtlehead?
Peter Dziuk, a new MN NPS Board Turtlehead is Chelone glabra, a
member, is one of our most creative native herb in the figwort family.
members. One of his photos is on this
What do its names mean?
page. Following is the biography he Chelone comes from the Greek
submitted to introduce himself to kelone, a tortoise, referring to the
members. turtle-head shape of the upper part
Rumor has it that of the flower. In Greek mythology,
Peter M. Dziuk started his career Chelone was a nymph who, because
While in the fourth grade, she refused to attend the wedding of
Copping strawberry plants from Zeus and Hera, was turned into a
Little Old Ladies’ gardens. Chelone glabra, photo by Peter turtle. Glabra means smooth.
Dziuk What does the plant look like?
Since that time, Plants are usually two to three feet
He has been known to grow tall (some report up to six feet) from
All sorts of things, a creeping, perennial root. The stem
Some, possibly illegal, is smooth and somewhat four-angled.
But he’ll never fess up. Leaves are opposite without, or
Though of dubious academic perhaps with short, petioles. The two-
lipped flowers in a spike consist of
Intent and skill (attitude, attitude, four fertile stamens and one sterile
attitude), stamen and five united (two upper
He did manage to get degrees in and three lower), white petals. Seeds
Horticulture (early), biology and are flat and rounded, winged, and
secondary education (later). encased in a capsule.
However, teaching high school Where do turtleheads grow?
students Mainly in the eastern half of the
Was not in his future. state in swamps, wet meadows,
In the late 70s he worked at marshes, or along streams. They
The “new” zoo out in Apple Valley, flower from July to September.
But then stumbled around the private Chelone glabra in profile, Is this a “butterfly plant”?
sector, photo by Scott Milburn. Well, yes, at least for the Baltimore
butterfly (Euphydras phaeton),
And more schooling, for some time.
whose larvae feed exclusively on
Then, by 1992, he stumbled back into Field trips turtlehead leaves, e.g. the Minnesota
State Government — River Valley is habitat to both plant
Or at least the MDA version. Summer field trips are a popular
membership benefit. The Aug. 9 trip and butterfly. Fall butterflies also
He coordinated the tree inspector to St. Croix Savanna Scientific and feed on plant nectar.
program; Natural Area has been filled. Hannah Has it any medicinal uses?
He coordinated the gypsy moth Texlar, Minnesota DNR regional American Indians valued it as a
program; plant ecologist, will lead this trip. laxative and purgative. They also
He coordinated the invasive species Future trips will be announced on the made a tea from flowers to treat
website (www.mnnps.org) and on the worms and as a contraceptive. Early
program;
physicians prescribed it as an
He coordinated the cooperative blog (www.mnnps.blogspot.com). ointment for fevers, piles, liver
agricultural pest survey program. Recent completed field trips problems, etc. It contains a bitter
For now, he is a nursery inspector. include Whitewater Wildlife resin.
While he may have a habit Management Area May 12; Prairie Is it used horticulturally?
Of saying too much, Coteau June 16 and 17; Hill River It is sometimes planted in gardens,
Above and beyond all, State Forest June 30; a western but it requires light shade and
prairie fringed orchid survey the consistently moist soil. Plants can be
He is passionate about
weekend of July 7; and Pioneer Park propagated from seed and by
Native wildflowers!
fen in Blaine July 14. dividing roots.
7
