Bulletin of the Native Plant Society of Oregon Dedicated to the enjoyment, conservation, and study of Oregon's native vegetation Volume 35, No. l JANUARY 2002 Summer Intern Report Fraser a umpquaensis : a Rare Plant DON'T FORGET with an Identity Crisis TO RENEW YOUR by Djibo Zanzot, NPSO/IAE Intern MEMBERSHIP! The following is the third in a series of four articles in which NPSO/Institute for Applied Ecology interns discuss their activities during the 2001 field season. In this arti¬ cle, Djibo Zanzot discusses Umpqua swertia population biology and nomenclatural syn¬ onymy. Internships are jointly funded by NPSO, IAE, andfederal dollars. To learn more about this internship opportunity, contact IAE at [email protected] or 541-753-3099. In This Issue Thanks again to NPSO for contributing to botanical education and work experience. Tom Kaye, Institute for Applied Ecology, Corvallis, Oregon It's Still Renewal Time!.2 Who bade the sun list of candidate species for protection Clothe you with rainbows? under the state s Endangered Species Advertising Manager Needed Act. The Oregon Natural Heritage Pro¬ Who, with living flowers for Kalmiopsis.2 gram list puts F. umpquaensis in its Of loveliest blue, spread garlands at your feet? highest priority category (List 1), as a Chapter Calendar.3 - Samuel Taylor Coleridge, ‘To Chamoum species that is threatened or endan¬ alluding to gentians gered throughout its range. Federal NPSO Items for Sale.5 agencies recognize the species under otany is a discipline that, since various categories, such as Species of 2002 Nature Calendar Linnaeus, has been obsessed with Concern (US Fish and Wildlife Ser¬ Available.5 the consistent naming of plant taxa, or vice), “sensitive species” (Forest Ser¬ so I thought until I met the Umpqua vice), and “special status species” (Bu¬ Other Events.6 green-gentian, or Umpqua swertia. reau of Land Management [BLM]). A Frasera umpquaensis is one of several conservation strategy has been signed President's Message.7 rare plants being monitored by the In¬ by the latter two agencies, which are stitute for Applied Ecology (IAE) on monitoring the plant on lands under public land in partnership with various their purview throughout the range of Grant Proposals federal agencies. In this, the sixth year the species in southwestern Oregon Requested.10 of monitoring in the Medford BLM and northern California. district, some interesting new informa¬ The plant itself is a tap-rooted Call For Papers.10 tion about the life history of this perennial, attaining a height of over a species has come to light, which I shall meter on larger reproductive stalks. NPSO Contacts.11 present after a discussion of the plant’s Vegetative plants appear as rosettes of background and taxonomy. oblanceolate leaves, generally under 4 NPSO Annual Meeting.12 dm long, not unlike a head of lettuce. Frasera umpquaensis Status and In reproductive plants, the central Eastside Conservation Background stalks will bolt, producing a dense Coordinator Needed.12 Frasera umpquaensis is currently on panicle of short-stalked flowers with the Oregon Department of Agriculture continued on page 8 January 2002 1 irs STILL RENEWAL TIME! The NPSO membership year is January to December. Check your address label on the Bulletin. If there's a 01 on the top line, we haven't received your renewal yet. It’s also a good time to consider a tax-deductible contribution to our spe¬ cial funds. The Leighton Ho Memorial Award is used for research projects in western Oregon. The Rare and Endangered Plant Fund supports work with our most threatened plants. The Jean Davis Memorial Scholarship is awarded annu¬ Native Plant ally to a botany student at an Oregon college or university. You can also in¬ clude a contribution to the Oregon Flora Project along with your dues. Society of Oregon Your membership and donations make it possible to carry out more of the many projects that are needed to pursue the goals of NPSO. In return NPSO brings you field trips, programs, classes, the monthly Bulletin, and Kalmiopsis. World Wide Web http://www.NPSOregon.org E-mail Discussion List Advertising Manager Needed for Kalmiopsis N To join send a message to ow that Kalmiopsis is back on a nurseries and bookstores that feature [email protected], with the regular annual schedule, NPSO botany and natural history merchan¬ following in the body of the message: would like to sell advertising in its dise. Most of these contacts can be subscribe npso pages to help offset some of the journal made by mail or e-mail. costs. The Advertising Manager will be If you would like to try your General Business Address a volunteer role, which will entail creative skills in public relations and P.O. Box 902 working with co-editors Cindy Roche sales, here is a great opportunity to Eugene, OR 97440 and Linda Vorobik and the NPSO help NPSO. For more information or or correspond directly with Officers state Treasurer to develop standards to volunteer, please contact Cindy and Committee Chairs listed on the and prices, then soliciting ads from Roche at [email protected]. inside of the back page. businesses such as native plant Membership Inquiries Only Jan Dobak 2584 NW Savier St. Portland, OR 97210-2412 Bulletin of the Native Plant Society of Oregon Editor: Tanya Harvey ISSN 0884-599. Published monthly. Subscription price $ 18/year. Date and issue number on page 1. The submission date is the 10th of each month for the following month's issue. Send submissions by e-mail to [email protected]. Y Opinions expressed in this publica¬ VE AR tion are those of the authors of the A H Y articles. They do not represent the AN T opinions of the Native Plant Society of Oregon, unless so stated. Manzanita branches trace beautiful shadow patterns across the snow near Odell Lake. 2 NPSO Bulletin NPSO Calendar State Corvallis Emerald January 19, Saturday, 10:00am January 14, Monday, 7:30 pm January 26, Saturday, 8:00am Board Meeting: The next State Board Meeting: The Most Fiendish Plant I Work Party: OSU Herbarium. Scott meeting—our all-important budget Know: Botanizing in Corsica. Loren Sundberg needs help at the OSU meeting—will take place in McMinn¬ Russell will give us an exotic slide show Herbarium with sorting and mounting ville, 10:00am to 2:00 pm. All Board on his travels in Corsica at 7:30pm at of specimens and doi ng a variety of members are urged to attend. the Avery House, Avery Park, Corvallis. other tasks. Meet at South Eugene High School at 8:00am to carpool. June 7-9, 2002, Friday, February 11, Monday, 7:30 pm Return to Eugene before 4:00pm. Saturday and Sunday Meeting: From the Forest to the RSVP. For additional information call Annual Meeting: The Siskiyou Sea—The ecology of wood and Dave at 541-345-5531. Chapter will host the meeting at the salmon. Chris Maser will present a January 28, Monday, 7:30 pm Green Springs Inn on Highway 66 slide show and talk at 7:30 pm at the twenty miles east of Ashland. See the Avery House, Avery Park, Corvallis. Meeting: Exploring the Jungles of article on the back page and watch for For more information please contact the Yucatan, by Allen Curtis. The more information and registration Esther McEvoy at 541-754-0893. tropical lowlands of southeastern Mexi¬ materials on our web site and in co are experiencing rapid changes as upcoming issues of the Bulletin. modern man “develops” this area. Our IMPORTANT NOTE TO speaker, Alan B. Curtis, has been visit¬ Blue Mountain FIELD TRIP PARTICIPANTS ing the Yucatan Peninsula for 20 years. He is a retired forester/botanist who’s Field trips take place rain or shine, been volunteering with a Smithsonian January 7, Monday, 7:00 pm so proper dress and footwear are research project in the Yucatan. Get off essential. Trips may be strenuous Meeting: New Year Gathering. Join us the tourist route with Alan and visit and/or hazardous. Participation is for a “dessert pot-luck”. Bring some the land from the coast to swamps to at your own risk. Be prepared to goodies, or just come and eat some. dense forests with their multitude of sign a release form indicating this. Bring some slides of plants you haven’t species—trees, lianas, orchids, bromeli- For a sample copy check out the been able to identify. We’ll have some ads, wildlife, and Mayan ruins. Room NPSO website. Please contact the other slides too, and time to talk about 117, Science Building, LCC main cam¬ trip leader or chapter representative future field trips, etc. 7:00 pm, Small pus (from 30th Ave., go south on about difficulty, distance, and terrain Business Development Center, SE 1st Eldon Schafer Drive, park in the park¬ to be expected on field trips. Bring and SE Dorian, Pendleton. ing lot at the top of the hill, and walk water and lunch. All NPSO field trips down to the Science Building). For are open to the public at no charge more information call Nick Otting at Cheahmill (other than contribution to carpool 541-334-4499. driver) and newcomers and visitors January 24, Thursday, 7:00pm are always welcome. National February 9, Saturday, 9:30 am Forests require a Northwest Forest Meeting: Mid-Winter Social. Bring Workshop: Winter Twigs, conducted Pass for many field trip locations. your favorite botanical photos, slides, by Rhoda Love and Judith Manning Permits can be acquired at forest artwork, books, hiking suggestions, from 9:30am to 2:30 pm at the Mt. headquarters and ranger districts. propagation advice, etc. and make the Pisgah Arboretum. The workshop is acquaintance of people who share your sponsored by NPSO and the Arbore¬ NOTICE TO FIELD TRIP interests! General public welcome. tum. Cost is $25 for members and $30 CHAIRS AND LEADERS 7:00 pm Carnegie Room, McMinnville for non-members. Participants are Public Library, 225 N. Adams St., The Forest Service and other agen¬ asked to acquire the new Winter Twigs, McMinnville. For more info contact cies have set policies limiting group by Gilkey and Packard. Limit of 15 Susan Williams at 503-538-1865 or size in many wilderness areas to 12. participants. For more information or [email protected]. The reason is to limit human im¬ to register call the Mt. Pisgah Arbore¬ pacts on these fragile areas. Groups tum at 541-747-1504. using wilderness areas should be no larger than 12. January 2002 3 February 25, Monday, 7:30 pm applies to native inhabitants of present- February 6, Wednesday, 7:30 pm day Lane, Linn and Benton counties. Meeting: Gardening with Native Meeting: The “Secrets” Program. Note: 3rd Monday instead of 4th Shrubs of the Southern Willamette The “Secrets Program” brings the ecolo¬ Monday, this meeting only. 7:30 pm, Valley. Heiko Koester, a Eugene land¬ gy of old-growth forests and shrub- Room 117, Science Building, LCC scape designer and consultant, will steppe grasslands into 5th grade class¬ main campus. For more information share his knowledge of gardening with rooms, and makes learning science fun, call Nick Otting at 541-334-4499. shrubs native to the Southern Willa¬ active, and exciting. Join us to hear Kim mette Valley. He’ll give us the nitty- Burkland, “Secrets” Director, describe gritty on how to have success with na¬ High Desert the program and give us a demonstra¬ tive shrubs and show us his favorite tion. Even better, call Kim now at 541- slides of the plants. Room 117, Science For information on the High Desert 387-2274 to volunteer in the classroom Building, LCC main campus. For more Chapter, call Stu Garrett at or on field trips. (Volunteer training info call Nick Otting at 541-334-4499. 541-389-6981. starts January 7 at the Discovery Cen¬ ter.) The meeting is also at the Colum¬ March 9, Saturday, 9:00 am Klamath Basin bia Gorge Discovery Center. Take exit Field Trip: Lichen ID. Learn to iden¬ 82 off 1-84 and follow the signs. tify lichens with Daphne Stone. Meet For information on the Klamath Basin at South Eugene HS at 9:00 am to pool Chapter, call David Lebo at North Coast rides for 18-mile drive to meadow and 541-883-8393. oak forest near Jasper. Return to Eu¬ For information on the North Coast gene before 2:00pm. For more infor¬ Mid-Columbia Chapter call Vivian Starbuck at mation call 541-345-5531. 503-377-4141. January 2, Wednesday, 7:30 pm March 18, Monday, 7:30pm Meeting: Scientific Discoveries of the Portland Meeting: Burning for a Fine and Lewis and Clark Expedition: the Beautiful Open Country: How and For information on the Portland Flora and Fauna. Our own Jerry Igo, Why the Native People of Southwest¬ Chapter, call Dee White at Mid-Columbia Chapter president, will ern Oregon Burned the Landscape. 503-775-2909. show us the final version of the video Jeff LaLande, archaeologist/historian he has been working on for three years, for the Rogue River National Forest, with many beautiful scenes of the flow¬ Siskiyou will discuss the uses of fire by Native ers discovered by Lewis and Clark. American groups for a variety of vege¬ tation and wildlife management pur¬ 7:30 pm at the Columbia Gorge January 17, Thursday, 7:30pm Discovery Center in The Dalles (exit poses. Jeff’s focus is south of the Meeting: Sudden Oak Death. Sudden 82 off 1-84, and follow signs). Willamette Valley, but some info also Oak Death (SOD) is a disease caused by a recently-discovered pathogen (jPhytophthora ramorum) that is devas¬ tating oaks, tan oaks, and a number of other native trees and shrubs. First de¬ tected in California, it has spread to the southwest corner of Oregon. Kim Keir- nan works for University of California Cooperative Extension in Marin Coun¬ ty doing education and research related to SOD. She will be giving an overview of the disease including its distribution, hosts, symptoms and management. Ellen Michaels Goheen, Plant Patholo¬ gist for federal lands in Southwest Ore¬ gon, is the USDA Forest Service repre¬ sentative to the Oregon interagency team that is working on SOD. She will cover her work in detection, eradication and monitoring in Southwest Oregon. Sitka Mountian-ash (Sorbus sitchensis) can be told from. Western Mountain-ash (Sorbus scop- Room 171, Science Building, Southern ulina), which overlaps its range, by its duller berries and more rounded, only partially-toothed Oregon University. leaves. Otherwise they are similar with large heads of white flowers followed by bright red berries. 4 NPSO Bulletin Umpqua Valley Willamette Valley NPSO Items January 10, Thursday, 7:00pm January 14, Monday, 7:00pm for Sale Meeting: Survey and Management of Note: this is 2nd monday in January Species in the Umpqua National Meeting: Bonesteele Park Prairie The "Atlas of Oregon Carex" was Forest. At the Douglas County Court¬ Restoration. Susan Morre, Marion NPSO's first Occasional Paper. The house Annex. Richard Helliwell, County Botanist, will present an up¬ Atlas has 128 location maps, one Biologist for the Umpqua National date on the Bonesteele Park prairie for each Carex taxon in the state Forest, will present a program on sur¬ restoration. She’ll report on the results of Oregon. Also included are a syn¬ vey and management of species they of previous activities, current status, onymy, fun facts about sedges, a have found in the forest. He will cover and plans for the future. This project is history of the project, and Oregon lichens, bryophytes and fungi. They a focus of our chapter’s volunteer ef¬ geography maps. Price: $5. have been photographing, collecting forts, and I’m sure we’ll all be pleased and drying samples. For more with what Susan has to tell us. First "Louis F. Henderson (1853- information, call Jack Hausotter at United Methodist Church, 600 State 1942): The Grand Old Man of 541-863-5347. St., Salem. Please enter through the Northwest Botany" by Rhoda M. State Street door marked “Church Love is NPSO's second and most Office.” For more information, call recent Occasional Paper, published Karl Anderson at 503-315-7329. in 2001. This fascinating, peer- reviewed, 64-page biography William Cusick includes 56 historic and modern images. It is carefully and exhaus¬ For information on the William Cusick tively researched with 133 notes Chapter call Frazier Nichol at plus chronology, lists of publica¬ 541-963-7870. tions and plants named for Henderson. Price: $10. To order either or both Occasional Papers, send check for the appro¬ priate amount (made payable to NPSO) to: Occasional Papers, Hairy Honeysuckle Native Plant Society of Oregon, Lonicera hispidula P0 Box 902, Eugene, OR 97440- 0902. NPSO Membership Directory lists names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail address of NPSO mem¬ bers (April 2001). Available from Jan Dobak, 2584 NW Savier St., Portland OR 97210. $3 postpaid. Willamette Valley Oregon's Rare Wildflower Poster 2002 Nature Calendar Available depicts Punchbowl Falls and three D of the Columbia River Gorge's endemic wildflowers. Text on the ave Wagner, Emerald chapter The calendar is available in Eugene back describes the natural history member and former NPSO presi¬ at the Museum of Natural History of the Gorge and the mission of dent, has once again produced a lovely (University of Oregon campus) and the NPSO. Available from Stu calendar that every naturalist will Down to Earth (5th and Olive) or you Garrett, 21663 Paloma Drive, enjoy. The calendar is illustrated by can send $15.00 to: Bend, OR 97701, 541-389-6981. Dave with black and white drawings of Dave Wagner Individuals may order posters at a number of different Oregon native P.O. Box 30064 $12 each, plus $3 per order for plants. Lots of valuable information is Eugene, OR 97403-1064 shipping. Posters are mailed in included such as sunrise & sunset, av¬ 541-344-3327 tubes. erage temperatures and rainfall, and animal and plant activity for each month. January 2002 5 Other Events Mount Pisgah Siskiyou Environmental Film Festival Arboretum Events February 8-9 Seavey Loop Rd., Eugene n February 8th and 9lh the Siskiyou come about unless more of us get in¬ Project will host the inaugural volved. Come be inspired; come find January 12, Saturday, lOam-Noon Siskiyou Environmental Film Festival in your passion. Discover what appropri¬ Mosses & Lichens Walk with Daphne Ashland. The Festival will showcase ate actions are for many of our ecologi¬ Stone. Take a walk in the rain and dis¬ dozens of films with ecological themes cal problems and how film can aid cover the amazing plants that thrive in from around the world. Founded on your cause. Join us for the opening re¬ Oregon’s winter forests. Meet at the Ar¬ the ethic of environmental responsibili¬ ception on February 8th at 6:00 pm in boretum Visitor Center. Suggested do¬ ty and a spirit of hopefulness, the festi¬ the Meese Auditorium. nation $3. val honors film-makers who produce Tickets are available in Ashland at films with ecological themes and ac¬ the Northwest Nature Shop and the February 2, Saturday, 10am-4pm tivists who work to protect the Earths Outdoor Store. For more information Mosses & Lichens Workshop. Dive environment and to help make our or to order tickets, call the Siskiyou into the miniature world of mosses and communities sustainable. Project at 541-592-4459, or e-mail lichens with local expert Daphne The films will be shown in the Barry Snitkin, Community Outreach Stone. Learn ecology, life cycles, and Meese Auditorium on Southern Ore¬ Coordinator, at [email protected]. how to identify these unique plants gon University campus and will be fol¬ that thrive in Northwestern winters. lowed by discussions led by film-mak¬ Northwestern Fee: $35 ($30 MPA members) Pre-reg¬ ers and activists. The festival also istration required at 541-747-1504. includes a youth component with films California Rare Plant in the Science Building auditorium. February 9, Saturday, 9:30-2:30 pm Symposium On Friday night the Festival will Winter Twig ID Workshop. Learn feature In The Light of Reverence, a February 6-8, 2002 how to use Gilkey & Packard's winter stunning portrait of land use conflicts key to distinguish our native woody over Native American sacred sites on he North Coast Chapter of the plants from one another all year round public and private land around the California Native Plant Society with Rhoda Love and Judith Manning. West. Winner of numerous awards, it (CNPS) will present a symposium on Fee: $30 ($25 MPA and NPSO mem¬ is directed by Christopher McLeod and The Ecology and Management of Rare bers). Pre-registration required at 541- narrated by Peter Coyote. According to Plants in Northwestern California 747-1504. Robert Redford, “this beautifully craft¬ February 6-8 in Areata. ed film is a wake up call for everyone Topics will include autecology and who cares about the environment and life history of rare plant species, survey Butterfly Talk human rights.” and monitoring techniques, and con¬ Saturday morning will offer work¬ servation strategies. The conference February 4, Monday, 7:30 pm shops by nationally renowned producer will offer perspectives on new research Butterfly Life Cycles and Natural John de Graaf who is best known for and findings as well as illustrate exam¬ History. Dr. William Neill, noted pho¬ Ajfluenza and his work with David ples of successful programs, approach¬ tographer, butterfly expert and author Brower. Saturday afternoon and es, and case studies. It will also provide of the new book The Guide To The evening will feature numerous award an opportunity for biologists, natural Butterflies Of Oregon And Washington winning films such as Rough & Ready resource professionals, planners, and (Westcliffe Publishers, 2001) will speak Creek: Mining Threatens an Ancient policy-makers in northwestern Califor¬ and show slides on the natural history Landscape by local activist Barbara Ul- nia and southwestern Oregon to share of butterflies and their life cycles at the lian and Copper Salmon: A Call for their knowledge and concerns about meeting of the Eugene-Springfield Wilderness produced by Green Fire Pro¬ rare plant issues. Chapter of the North American ductions, the Oregon non-profit media The North Coast Chapter invites Butterfly Association. firm founded by international award¬ the general public and interested par¬ The talk will be held in Room 21, winning video and film-makers, Karen ticipants of all disciplines to attend. Jefferson Middle School, 1650 W. Anspacher-Meyer and Ralf Meyer. For more information and a regis¬ 22nd, Eugene and is free and open to The age of armchair citizenship tration form, please visit the North the public. For more information, ended in September. The world we Coast Chapter’s website at: www.north- contact Eric Wold at 541-431-7388. want, the world we imagine, won’t coast.com/ ^enps. 6 NPSO Bulletin President’s Message Greetings, NPSO Members! by Bruce Newhouse, President H appy New Year to native plant page, and consider linking to a web ecoregion, and produce regional native lovers everywhere! NPSO is page of their own which could be more and invasive lists that chapters adopt, entering our 4lst year, after celebrating elaborate. I hope all chapters will get and that we can get on our web site. our 40th at the annual meeting in busy on this, as we have a lot of infor¬ (Ecoregions can be seen on the web site Corvallis last year. This years annual mation out there, and it needs to be with the native gardening policy.) meeting will by hosted by the Siskiyou shared to a broader audience. E-mail Here in Eugene, the Emerald Chapter June 7-9 in and near the new Mike at [email protected]. Chapter has an invasives list that has Soda Mountain National Monument Our Kalmiopsis editors, Cindy been updated recently, and soon we in the Cascades of southern Oregon. Roche and Linda Vorobik, came hope it will get better publicity. A list The scenery and botany are outstand¬ through for us in a big way this year, of native shrubs in underway, and lists ing, and our chapter hosts are as well! producing 2 issues of Kalmiopsis to of other natives will follow. These na¬ Our state board had some wonder¬ catch us up a bit! Both issues were tive lists are being produced by the Na¬ ful accomplishments in 2001. One splendid, and another issue for 2002 is tive Gardening Awareness Program, a major success is the development and well underway. Their efforts this year committee that reports to the chapter adoption of our new “Guidelines for on behalf of NPSO were HUGE! board. Although every chapter does not use of native plants for gardening” (see Another outstanding contribution have enough activists for a new com¬ NPSOregon.org). We hope to produce this year came from Rhoda Love, board mittee, there certainly are at least 1 or similar guidelines this year for use of member-at-large, and member of our 2 people with the necessary knowledge native plants in restoration. new Publications Committee. Rhoda (perhaps working with nearby chap¬ NPSO continues to comment on singlehandedly has produced a major ters) to put together draft lists for cir¬ many issues both locally and at the fundraising item for NPSO: our sec¬ culation amongst the botanical com¬ regional and statewide levels. Several ond occasional paper, exploring the life munity. I hope to solicit input and chapters have conservation committees, of Louis Henderson. Congratulations, action supporting and/or guiding and our Eastside and Westside Conser¬ and thank you Rhoda for all you have NGAP (or similar) activities for all vation Coordinators lead efforts that done over the years for NPSO, and are chapters at the state board meeting in are broader in scope, which affect sev¬ continuing to do! (To purchase this January. If you have knowledge of na¬ eral chapters on either the east or west item see page 5 or check the web site.) tive and invasive plants in your area, side of the Cascades. Issues affecting or Of course, our grants and intern¬ this would be a great way to assist your concerning native plants and habitats ship support programs are running local chapter by volunteering! statewide are usually dealt with at the along well, as are our chapter field trip If you are a new member, or an old state board level, so NPSO’s involve¬ and speakers programs. Several chap¬ member “on the sidelines,” NPSO and ment is tiered to the level appropriate ters have now been involved in work¬ your chapter need you! Consider offer¬ for each issue. ing on restoration projects, and some ing your time and talents toward our There are numerous individuals to on public native plant gardens—we goals of protection/education/enjoy¬ thank this year for keeping NPSO run¬ hope to have these up on the web site ment of Oregon’s native flora. As our ning smoothly, including our officers soon so that you may visit them! population continues to burgeon, there Mike McKeag (VP), Kelli Van Norman Every time I visit another chapter I will be even greater pressures on the re¬ (who hit the ground running as our get excited to see all the interest and ac¬ maining fragments of Oregon’s natural new Secretary), and Eric Wold (Trea¬ tivity of our members! Regardless, I see heritage. Helping to protect it will surer, resigning to pursue fatherhood). so much more we could be doing, espe¬ bring happiness and satisfaction! (Fol¬ Erics replacement is Candice Guth, a cially in the realm of education. As lowing our newly-adopted native gar¬ Portland chapter member with previous President, I very often am asked for re¬ dening guidelines is an excellent way to experience as treasurer for non-profits. gional lists of native plants and invasive start protecting our native vegetation.) Thank you so very much, Candice! plants. This could be the single most If you have any suggestions or Our Bulletin (Tanya Harvey) and important unfilled need I can identify comments about NPSO and its activi¬ Web Site (Michael Hartman) for NPSO to address for each ecore- ties, please feel free to propose them to editors/coordinators continue to im¬ gion. This kind of information is con¬ your chapter president (local ideas) or prove our quality of service to members stantly requested by members and the to me at: [email protected] (statewide and the public. Our web site manager public alike, and we need to do a better NPSO issues). I look forward to your has asked each chapter to work on brief job to pull it together. My challenge to comments, and hope you will consider summaries of their chapter activities the chapter presidents this year is to co¬ increasing your interest and volunteer and local habitats for our state web ordinate with the other chapters in your involvement with NPSO this year! January 2002 7 Frasera umpquaensis (1973), the two genera are distin¬ guished based on the style thickness continued from page 1 and floral part number; Swertia having generally 4-merous flowers in clusters. a thick, short (<1 mm) style and 5- The corolla is whitish-green to pur¬ parted flowers, Frasera having a slender, plish-green with a small pit in each long (>2 mm) style, and 4-merous petal, a fovea, and is nested within a flowers. Unfortunately, gentians (in¬ calyx that is cleft, and about the same cluding Frasera umpquaensis) can be size as the corolla. sloppy accountants, often producing 5- As the name implies, Frasera parted flowers within a predominantly umpquaensis is found in the Umpqua 4-merous individual. Either way, Watershed, with the largest popula¬ whether one prefers F umpquaensis or tDioivnisd efo. uPnodp uallaotniogn tsh era Rngoeg ufreo/Umm thpeq ua Sn.o mumicpaqlulya evnasliisd,. both names are taxo- M KAYE TO Shasta-Trinity National Forest in The other issue is whether to rec¬ northern California, to Lane County, ognize umpquaensis or lump it with Oregon, with small populations on fastigiata. F fastigiata is described in Flowers o/Erasera umpquaensis are small Willamette National Forest and Eu¬ Hitchcock and Cronquist as a species (<1 cm across), four-(sometimes five-) gene District BLM lands. of the Blue Mountains in eastern Ore¬ petaled, and greenish- to purplish-white “Frasera umpquaensis... (is) found gon and Washington, and northeastern with fringed projections. within meadows, edge habitats, or Idaho (and, just to add to the confu¬ small openings within late-successional sion, having yet another synonym, F forest stands..according to a Late- thyrsiflord). But in the Jepson Manual Thus he combines the plant found in Successional Reserve Assessment pub¬ (Heckard 1993), James Pringle com¬ Trinity County CA with the one found lished by the Siskiyou National Forest bines F umpquaensis and F fastigiata as in northeastern Oregon and Idaho. and available on the web. It prefers ele¬ synonyms under S. fastigiata. The Photos of Frasera fastigiata, which are vations of 4000-6000 m, and cool, range of this new interpretation of S. also available on the web, show many moist sites that receive winter snow. fastigiata is considered to be the Kla¬ morphological differences, most no¬ math Range of California and Oregon, tably in the corolla color (which is light Systematics and taxonomic history and Idaho, with a big gap in between. purple), but also in the inflorescence, Frasera umpquaensis has suffered an which appears to have longer pedicels identity crisis for many years. To recog¬ than Frasera umpquaensis. nize the taxon as Frasera umpquaensis is While the morphological differ¬ to flout the currently accepted scientific ences between the taxa may lend cre¬ name, Frasera fastigiata (Pursh) Heller, dence to the argument that F. fastigiata according to the Integrated Taxonomic and F. umpquaensis should be not be Information System (ITIS). Other syn¬ lumped, genetic evidence exists to sug¬ onyms for the species we studied in the gest that the two plants differ. Isozyme Umpqua/Rogue watersheds include analysis, a comparison of the molecular Swertia fastigiata Pursh, and Swertia weight of enzymes that perform similar umpquaensis (Peck and Applegate) St. functions, indicates that F. umpquaensis John. Thus, the student of this beast and F fastigiata are genetically isolated. faces two identity dilemmas: in which Populations within the Klamath range, genus and which species should it be for example, are much more similar to placed? other populations in that area than Swertia is the lumper’s choice for they are to those in northeast Oregon the group. The Jepson Manual (1993) and Idaho, at least in the 13 enzymes does not include Frasera as a separate screened (NFGEL, 1997). genus, nor does Peck’s (1961) Manual Thus, here I describe Frasera of the Flora of Oregon. Peck relegated F. umpquaensis as such, contrary to the umpquaensis, a species he described recommendations of most published with Elmer Applegate, to Swertia floras. While this semantic argument umpquaensis (Peck and Applegate) St. may seem of little importance, it makes John. This was due to a novel treat¬ a world of difference to those who ment of the genus the same year the manage the lands on which the plant new species was described (St. John, Frasera umpquaensis (Umpqua swertia or occurs. Were the taxon called Frasera 1941). In Hitchcock and Cronquist green gentian). continued on page 9 8 NPSO Bulletin Frasera umpquaensis continued from page 8 umpquaensis lumped definitively with F. fastigiata, its management strategy would change dramatically because the latter is more abundant and not threat¬ ened. If F. umpquaensis was recognized by land managers as only a synonym for F fastigiata, it would probably not receive any protection. New observations on pollination and population biology The populations we monitored were found on lands managed by the MHoerdnf oarrde aB. LInM a dddisittriiocnt, tion othuer cHeonbsusso no f M KAYE the plant at three study sites, we made TO a few other observations about the plants biology that merit attention. A Frasera rhizome showing hud-scale scars that can he counted to estimate plant age. During our work at one study site, we happened upon a feast of pollination. We collected a representative sam¬ ently arising from bud scars. As the Bees were present in great numbers, ple of the bees, and found at least three plants produce only one such bud per busily servicing Frasera flowers, as well as species of bumblebee (Bomhus sp.) on year, the rings could be counted to give the nearby beargrass (Xerophyllum F. umpquaensis. To determine if these an approximate age of each plant. By tenax). Here we saw the opportunity to bees were actually moving pollen be¬ carefully excavating the upper portions collect more information on the polli¬ tween Frasera flowers and plants, we of the rhizomes, we were able to count nation dynamics of F umpquaensis. applied pollen analog dye (PAD) to the these rings on several plants. flowers on several reproductive stalks. Often rings were damaged, diffi¬ This dye is a dry powder that simulates cult to distinguish, or, more common¬ pollen and comes in several colors that ly, too deep to unearth without harm¬ fluoresce under UV light. Bees that ing the plant. Therefore, many of our come into contact with the dye in flow¬ estimates appeared to be minimum es¬ ers can move it from plant to plant the timates of plant age. Our champion, same way they move pollen, even col¬ from a less than exhaustive search, ap¬ lecting the dye as they would pollen. peared to have at least 89 years to its To track the movement of PAD, we re¬ credit (at the junior end, a small plant turned to the study site at night with a had three distinguishable rings). Hence black light. We observed that the bum¬ it appears some individuals may be blebees had transferred some of the contemporary with the surrounding PAD, primarily between flowers on the conifers. The potential for this new same plant and also between adjacent area of study, ecologically speaking, plants. Thus, it appears that seems to bear much promise. Is it pos¬ geitonogamy, the fertilization of female sible to deduce what effects historical flowers by pollen from a different disturbances have had upon the popu¬ flower on the same plant, may play a lation? How old can an individual major role in the reproductive biology plant live to be? How often do the of this species, but outcrossing to near¬ plants reproduce, and is recruitment by neighbors is also common. tied to major disturbance events? An interesting phenomenon came Observations on the Medford Dis¬ to light during the census of plants at trict since 1996 suggest that the plant M KAYE othnee rohfiz ooumr esst uodfy s esviteersa. lW plea netxsa manidn eodb ¬ ttehnredes stiote tsh wriev es uinrv deyisetdu rablle dh aadre eavs.i dTehnec e TO served the presence of what appeared of disturbance. One site had been par¬ to be annual growth rings on the out¬ tially logged, and had an abandoned Inflorescence o/Trasera umpquaensis. side of the subterranean stems, appar¬ continued on page 10 January 2002 9 Frasera umpquaensis Hitchcock, C.L. and Cronquist, A. Grant Proposals continued from page 9 1973. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. Requested University of Washington Press. T skid road running through the heart of Seattle, WA. he Native Plant Society of Oregon the population. At that site, other dis¬ Kaye, T.N. 2000. Frasera umpquaensis will continue to sponsor small junct plants were found away from the Population Monitoring Plan, Med¬ field research grants. The objectives of main population along a road, and in a ford District, BLM. Progress Re¬ the program are: 1) to stimulate basic couple of other patches where gaps in port. Institute for Applied Ecology. field research into the biology and dis¬ the canopy let light through. The sec¬ Corvallis, OR. tribution of Oregon’s native and natu¬ ond site we surveyed served as an ersatz ralized flora and vegetation, particular¬ landfill and munitions dump. The third NFGEL. 1997. Isozyme pattern analy¬ ly in the more remote areas of the state, had experienced a major canopy-clear¬ sis of Frasera fastigiata and F. and 2) to promote native plant conser¬ ing fire. Thus information about how umpquaensis. USDA-FS National vation through better understanding of the plant reacts to different types of Forest Gel Electrophoresis Labora¬ Oregon’s flora and vegetation and the disturbance will inform efforts geared tory, Project 54. Camino, CA. factors affecting their survival. to the management of the species. Peck, M.E. 1961. A Manual of the Persons interested in applying for I would like to extend a hearty Higher Plants of Oregon, 2nd ed. funding can obtain a copy of the pro¬ thanks to Dr. Tom Kaye and IAE for Binfords & Mort. gram policy and guidelines from Dan providing this invaluable educational Luoma, Research Grants Committee experience and to NPSO for providing Pringle, J.S. 1993. Gentianaceae. In Chair, 3740 NW Harrison Ave., Cor¬ financial support for this internship. Hickman, JC, ed. The Jepson Man¬ vallis, OR 97330. The material may With Toms help I’ve greatly depreciat¬ ual: Higher Plants of California. also be obtained at NPSO’s Web site, ed the monetary value of my Hitch¬ University of California Press. http://www.NPSOregon.org. cock, broken-in myjepson, and even Berkeley, CA. Research proposals are due by sought out a copy of Peck. I’ve even St. John, H. 1941. Revision of the March 1, 2002. conquered my fear of keying grasses genus Swertia (Gentianaceae) of and DYC’s (darned yellow composites, America and the reduction of to Bowdlerize). Frasera. American Midland Natu¬ Call For Papers ralist 26: 14-15. References Cripps, C. 1993. Conservation Strate¬ by Cindy Roche, Kalmiopsis Co-editor gy: Frasera umpquaensis Peck and Websites with information about wo traditional features are return¬ Applegate. Green-gentian or Frasera umpquaensis can be found along ing to Kalmiopsis'. Plant of the Year Umpqua swertia. USDA-FS Pacific with this article on the website of the and Oregon Plants, Oregon Places. NW Region/USDI-BLM Institute for Applied Ecology: The plant of the year series, which http://www.appliedeco.org. celebrates an Oregon native species, was begun in volume 2 in 1992 and continued through volume 6 in 1996. Plant of the year articles discuss identification, biology and ecology, Friends of the Oregon Flora Project distribution, management, conserva¬ tion, threats, and include illustrations or photos for a single species and have Contributions to the Oregon Flora Project will ranged from one to four pages. help us reach our goal of producing a Checklist, an Articles for the Oregon Plants, Atlas of plant distributions, and a new Flora of Oregon Places series are longer, and in¬ Oregon. We are grateful for your support—the clude descriptions of soils, geology, cli¬ Flora Project wouldn’t exist without it! mate, ecology, plant communities, Checks can be made out to NPSO (with “Oregon human history, and species lists. Flora Project” on the memo line) and mailed to: Because time is relatively short for inclusion in the 2002 issue, prospective Friends of the Oregon Flora Project authors should contact the editors soon P O. Box 402 to discuss a submission date. Cindy www.oregonflora.org Corvallis, OR 97339-0402 Roche, 109 Meadow View Drive, Medford, OR 97504, [email protected]. 10 NPSO Bulletin