Reminder about tomorrow's BSW meeting. (February 6 - 7 PM)
Topic: Invasion and Diversity: The Impact of an Invasive Grass on Plant
Communities
Speaker: Sheherezade N. Adams, University of Maryland Center for
Environmental Science - Full details at:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/botsoc/message/137
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
VNPS Meeting Thursday, February 8
Geologic History of Virginia 7:30 PM
Info at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vnps-pot/message/1788
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Art Wolfe Photography seminar February 24-25 in Shepherdstown. See PVNP
webpage for details about the seminar with this award winning nature and
wildlife photographer. http://www.potomacvalleynaturephotographers.org/
Flyer for posting is at http://botsoc.org/mar07.pdf
And remember, all of these message are archived on the webpage:
http://botsoc.org
Botanical Society of Washington's 881st Meeting
Date: Tuesday, March 6th at 7:00 P.M
Speaker: Nan Vance
USDA Forest Service, Research Plant Physiologist (emeritus)
Topic: Empty Promises and Tasty Treats
Pollination Ecology of Mountain Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium montanum) and
Brown's Peony (Paeonia brownii)
Location: Cathy Kerby Room (Room CE-340)
on the third floor of the new East Court building
Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History
All are Welcome.
As usual, light refreshments will be served.
Pre-meeting dinner: 5:30 P.M. at the Elephant & Castle Pub and Restaurant,
1201 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington. Phone 202-347-7707. The
restaurant is diagonally across from the Old Post Office Pavilion at 12th
and Pennsylvania, a few blocks from the Museum, with Federal Triangle the
nearest Metro station, and Metro Center also nearby.
Abstract:
Empty Promises and Tasty Treats
Pollination Ecology of Mountain Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium montanum) &
Brown's Peony (Paeonia brownii)
Nan C. Vance, USDA Forest Service, Research Plant Physiologist (emeritus)
Paeonia brownii (Brown's peony) and Cypripedium montanum (mountain lady's
slipper) are two relatively large and singularly interesting herbs of the
dry montane forests of the western US with little-studied pollination and
reproductive ecology. Although in a general way, they share the community
of pollinating insects that occupy their overlapping habitats, they
represent a fascinating contrast in evolutionary traits to secure
reproductive success. Paeonia brownii is one of two peony species, and C.
montanum is one of about 12 ladys slipper species, indigenous to North
America, yet little is understood about key traits that may contribute to
their reproductive success. Our objectives for both species were to
characterize the breeding system and pollination ecology with regard to
floral traits that may influence seed productivity and species fitness.
The results provide an opportunity to show that the evolutionary paths for
flowering plants are many and divergent in the dry, open forests that
range from British Columbia to California. The flower of P. brownii is
polyandrous and has a fleshy disc with nectar-secreting lobes encircling
the pistils. The lobes produce copious amounts of nectar which lures
wasps, flies, and bees. Although its pollen is semi sterile and its
carpels produce few mature seeds, the seeds are nearly always fertile and
germination rate is high. Whereas, C. montanum is a diandrous,
non-rewarding, nectarless orchid that merely smears its gooey pollen on
the dorsal side of an unsuspecting bees thorax. Yet, it has a relatively
high rate of fruit set. Its fruits have thousands of tiny seeds, few of
which ever germinate and emerge to see the light of day.
ANNOUNCING:
CHECKLIST AND ATLAS OF THE VASCULAR FLORA OF WEST VIRGINIA by Paul J.
Harmon, Donna Ford-Werntz, and William Grafton
The checklist and county dot-map atlas of the vascular flora of West
Virginia is now available!
This 381-page printed document includes a series of completely revised
lists of the vascular plants known to occur outside of cultivation in West
Virginia.
County dot maps indicate from which counties each of the 2503 taxa is
recorded. Open and solid dots indicate whether each was recorded after
1976 or not.
Botanists, ecologists, foresters, biologists, land managers, naturalists,
horticulturalists and gardeners will all find this book extremely
valuable, providing
*
a reference to names and classification of all the ferns, trees,
wildflowers and other vascular plants and the counties in the state in
which they occur;
*
which species are native, introduced, adventive, or exotic;
*
which are classified as wetland species, which may be invasive to
natural areas;
*
those needing further field work,
*
those needing systematic study, and
*
those tracked by the West Virginia Natural Heritage program as state
rare.
Each book is a spirally-bound, 8.5 x 11 inch formatted document suitable
as a field reference or an addition to ones library or herbarium shelf.
Inside front and back covers hold a table of abbreviations and icons found
throughout the book, and an index map of the counties of West Virginia.
The entire work is indexed on common names, current scientific names as
well as the scientific names used in the classic manual, Flora of West
Virginia by P. D. Strausbaugh and Earl L. Core (Seneca Books, Inc.,
Morgantown, WV, 1977).
Color-coded Sections include:
*
Checklist by Division, Class, Family and Scientific Name
*
Checklist by Scientific Name
*
Exotic and Introduced Taxa Not Confirmed as Naturalized
*
Reported Taxa Not Documented as Part of the Flora
*
Taxa Excluded From the Checklist
*
Atlas of the Native and Naturalized Vascular Flora
*
Atlas of Exotic and Introduced Taxa Not Confirmed as Naturalized
Cost: $20 each, including shipping and applicable taxes
To get your copy send check (Made to WVDNR) with order to:
Checklist and Atlas of the Vascular Flora of WV
Wildlife Diversity Program, Natural Heritage Group
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
P. O. Box 67, Ward Road
Elkins, WV 26241
VISA, MASTERCARD & DISCOVER ACCEPTED
Or contact:
Janet Iseli
304.637.0245
janetiseli@...
Order Form
Checklist and Atlas of the Vascular Flora of West Virginia
_________ copies @ $20 each $ _______________ USD
VISA, MASTERCARD & DISCOVER ACCEPTED
Card Number______________________
Expiration Date____________________
3 digit security code on back of card ________
Name_________________________________________________________
Address______________________________________________________
City______________________________________ State___________
Zip code____________________
Telephone ___________________________________
Message regarding New website for interactive identification keys
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/catoctinmnps/message/33
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Another talk at Green Spring Gardens - Doug Tallamy - on Feb. 25 - "A PLEA
FOR NATIVE PLANTS" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vnps-pot/message/1791
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From Julie Moore:
The Rise of Invasive Ornamentals: Plant Collecting and Landscape
Traditions
presented by
John Peter Thompson, Chairman and President,
The Behnke Nurseries Company
Thursday, March 8, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.
The Rise of Invasive Ornamentals will be the topic of the March
8 meeting of the Potowmack Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society.
John Peter Thompson will discuss plant collecting and landscape
traditions. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens in
Alexandria. The public is invited and admission is FREE.
Thompson is the Chairman and President of The Behnke
Nurseries Company in Maryland. His distinguished credentials include
Secretary of the National Invasive Species Council Advisory Committee and
Vice-President of the Maryland Green Industries Council. He served
recently as the President of the Maryland Nursery & Landscape Association
and also of the Mid- Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council.
.
Green Spring Gardens is located at 4603 Green Spring Road in
Alexandria, Va. Directions: From I-395, Exit 3B (Little River Turnpike
West), go 1.25 miles, turn right onto Braddock Road, go 0.2 miles, and
turn
right onto Witch Hazel Drive. From I-495, Exit 52B (Little River Turnpike
East), go 3.5 miles, turn left onto Braddock Road, go 0.2 miles, and turn
right onto Witch Hazel Drive. For additional information, call
703-534-8179.
________________________________________________________________________________\
__________
CONTACT: Susan Jewell (703) 913-0139, naturewrite@...
Botanical Society of Washington
FIELD TRIPS: Our 2007 field season opens with the Societys two annual
spring field trips to Bear Island, in the Potomac Gorge on the Maryland
side of the river. As usual, Dan Nicolson (Smithsonian) has offered to
lead participants along a route including roadsides, towpath edges, and
the rocky, riparian, and alluvial habitats of Bear Island, at times on
portions of the rugged Billy Goat Trail. We will seek and note species in
flower (woody and herbaceous), and compare our lists with those from
previous years. For the year 2000 list, see:
http://www.botsoc.org/bearislandlist.pdf.
For either trip, meet promptly at 9:30 am in the parking lots across from
the Old Anglers Inn, 10801 MacArthur Blvd., between the Beltway and Great
Falls, Maryland. Do not park in the private lot at the Inn itself! (This
area is also easily reached by taking the Clara Barton Parkway upstream
from Washington to its end, then turning left onto MacArthur Blvd. and
continuing to the Old Anglers Inn.) Bring lunch and water; and wear
mud-tolerant shoes also suitable for rocky terrain. We expect to return
to the parking area about 2:00 pm either day.
First trip Saturday, March 31st, 9:30 am, Bear Island, Montgomery Co.,
Md., details above.
Second trip Saturday, April 6th, 9:30 am, Bear Island, details above.
Additional 2007 field trips The BSW expects to offer 3-5 additional local
field trips this season, including a short-distance, easy-going,
everybody-welcome fall trip appropriate for old-timers, little kids, and
others who dont (or cant) join the longer walks and more rugged terrain
characteristic of most of our botanical destinations.
For our customary annual weekend excursion to a more distant area within
our region, we are considering southeastern Virginia, but dates,
destinations, and other details have not yet been worked out.
Larry Morse, BSW Field Trip Chair, 2007
larry.e.morse@...
(202)-543-2488
The first two fieldtrips of the season will be to Bear Island on Saturdays
March 31 and April 7 (not April 6). Further fieldtrip information is
online at: http://www.botsoc.org/bsw2007trips.pdf
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Announcement of Botanical Research Associate Position at NatureServe
http://lists.plantconservation.org/pipermail/apwg_lists.plantconservation.org/20\
07-February/000817.html
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Next BSW meeting: March 6 7pm.
Speaker: Nan Vance
Research Plant Physiologist, emeritus
USDA Forest Service, Corvallis Oregon
Topic: Empty Promises and Tasty Treats:
Pollination Ecology of Mountain Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium montanum)
and Brown's Peony (Paeonia brownii)
Meeting details and flyer for posting are on webpage. Flyer is here:
http://www.botsoc.org/mar07.pdf
Larry Klotz asked me to pass along this notice to BSW members.
An invitation to the 2007 annual Joint Field Meeting of the
Botanical Society of America -- Northeastern Section,
Torrey Botanical Society, and Philadelphia Botanical Club:
The 2007 Joint Botanical Field Meeting will meet on the campus of Davis
and Elkins College in Elkins, West Virginia, from Sunday, June 17 to
Thursday, June 21. Our program will include three all-day field trips plus
four evening lectures on pertinent topics.
Elkins is a gateway to the high Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. Much
of this magnificent, scenic region is conserved within the Monongahela
National Forest. Our field trips will visit Canaan Valley State Park,
Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, and other interesting botanical sites. Canaan
(pronounced kin-naine) is a high, cool valley at about 3000 ft. above sea
level, with an average growing season of less than 100 days. It supports a
varied flora, with plants such as balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and
bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) growing near the southern extreme of their
range. Dolly Sods features spectacular rock outcrops in addition to its
remarkable flora. We will examine some of the characteristic plant
communities of this part of West Virginia, including spruce forests, heath
barrens, and sphagnum glades. There will be plenty of ferns and fern
allies, and this should be the blooming time for several native orchids.
If you visited the area before, come back and see how your favorite plants
are surviving in the 21st century!
The price for the meeting is $250 based on double-occupancy. It includes
lodging for 4 nights, 4 breakfasts, box lunches on 3 field trips, and 4
dinners, including our traditional Wednesday night banquet. Our lodging
accommodation is a college dormitory with double-occupancy rooms (two twin
beds) and communal bathrooms. A few single-occupancy accommodations are
also possible ($290), and reduced rates are available for commuters ($55
or $185).
For further information or a registration form please contact:
Larry Klotz, chairperson
lhklot@...
717-477-1402
Hello Friends,
This is a notice to everyone that the 8th Parkfairfax Native Plant Sale
will be held in eight weeks on Saturday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to 2
p.m.!
The new flyer for the sale has been posted to the Parkfairfax native
plant sale website at http://home.earthlink.net/~sknudsen/
The website is still in the process of being updated, and additional
information will be posted to it in advance of the April sale.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS! For each of these sales, about eight volunteers
are needed to help the sale run smoothly. If you would like to help
out for a few hours, either at the start of the sale, from 8:30am to
11:30am, or at the end, from 11:30am to 2:30pm, please call me at
703-671-8416 or send an email to sknudsen@... .
Regards,
Scott Knudsen
Sale Organizer
Parkfairfax Native Plant Sale
website: http://home.earthlink.net/~sknudsen/
703-671-8416
sknudsen@...
---------------------
PARKFAIRFAX NATIVE PLANT SALE
Saturday, April 28, 2006 -- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
3601 Valley Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22302
Twelve vendors will be at the Parkfairfax sale, making it the second of
our largest events! Several of the vendors carry native trees and
shrubs as well as perennials, and several vendors specialize in some
aspect of native plants, such as fruiting shrubs, wetland plants, or
native azaleas. A few do not come to our local area for any other
plant sale. The full list of vendors will be available as a
downloadable list on the sale website soon. (The list from the
previous sale is currently available.)
Directions: Parkfairfax is located in the Washington DC metro area
within the I-495 Beltway, in northwest Alexandria directly across I-395
from Shirlington. From I-395, exit Shirlington/Quaker onto Quaker
Lane. At the first light on Quaker, turn left onto Preston. Follow
Preston to Valley and continue past Gunston Road. The sale will be in
the long parking lot on the right. Maps and directions are available
on the sale website.
Please pass this email along to your interested friends. This sale
depends entirely on word-of-mouth support. Thank you for helping to
spread the word!
Date: Tuesday, March 6th 7:00 PM
Speaker: Nan Vance
Research Plant Physiologist, emeritus
USDA Forest Service, Corvallis Oregon
Topic: Empty Promises and Tasty Treats:
Pollination Ecology of Mountain Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium montanum)
and Brown's Peony (Paeonia brownii)
Meeting location: Cathy Kerby Room (Room CE-340), third floor of the East
Court building Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History
10th St. and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC. Use the Constitution
Avenue entrance; wait to be escorted up. As usual, light refreshments will
be served prior to and after the presentation.
Pre-meeting dinner: 5:30 P.M. at the Elephant & Castle Pub and Restaurant,
1201 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington. Reservation under BSW. Phone
202-347-7707. The restaurant is diagonally across from the Old Post Office
Pavilion at 12th and Penn., a few blocks from the Museum, with Federal
Triangle the nearest Metro station, and Metro Center also nearby.
Archives of past announcements always available at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/botsoc/
Debbie Bell asked that this announcement be forwarded to the BSW list.
Here is an announcement of a position to assist with fieldwork for a
study of invasive species & white-tailed deer interactive effects on
native plant diversity in the local area. Questions about the position
can be addressed to Norm Bourg, bourgn@..., but application materials
should be sent to Dr. McShea as listed in the announcement.
Intern - Plant ecology
Position available to assist botanist in resurvey of herbaceous and woody
plants within multiple plots that differ in their abundance of invasive
species and deer herbivory. Work is part of a multi-year National Park
Service and Smithsonian Institution-sponsored study of the interactive
effects of white-tailed deer and invasive plants on native plant diversity
in Great Falls National Park, MD-VA and the Conservation and Research
Center, Front Royal, VA, both located in Greater Washington DC Metro area.
Internship will entail extensive time in field and data entry on rainy
days. Need biology background and working knowledge of plant
identification for eastern deciduous forests. Start about May 15 for 3
months. Stipend of $1000/month, plus possibility of free housing. Send
resume, copy of transcript, and contact information for references to
mcsheaw@... by March 15.
April 3 meeting details at:
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/botsoc/message/150
Mauricio Bonifacino's topic will be:
Journey to the Southern end of the world: a botanical perspective
The Southern South American biota has since the very beginning of the
evolutionary thought attracted scientists from all over the world. Stretching
through more than 5000 km of latitude, a vast array of topographical forms,
including most notably the Andes Mountain Range (the longest mountain range in
the world) harbor a cliché of vegetation types and myriads of unique plant
forms. Among these plants, Sunflower family (Asteraceae) is of particular
interest, given the fact that the most primitive lineages are almost entirely
restricted to this amazing patch of land. The objective of the talk is to
briefly characterize the main vegetation types of SSA commenting on its
physiognomy as well as its defining taxa.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
VNPS Ivy Pull Saturday, March 24 on Russell Road in ALexandria
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vnps-pot/message/1809
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Trips to Bear Island on Saturdays March 31 and April 7
Details at: http://www.botsoc.org/bsw2007trips.pdf
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BSW Field Trip: Saturday afternoon, April 28th, 2007, 1:00 pm, Snyder's
Landing, C&O Canal, near Sharpsburg/Antietam, Washington Co., Md.
Limestone cliffs and talus, canal bed, Potomac riparian corridor. Easy
walking on towpath, but brief off-trail ventures with mud and possibly
some rockscrambling needed to see limestone plants up close. Details,
directions, etc., to follow. Dinner group in nearby Shepherdstown
(pizza?) for those interested afterwards.
Jamie Whitacre asked me to forward this to the BSW list.
DC Ethnobotanists Monthly Meeting
Saturday, March 24; 3:00 pm
Hosted by the United States Botanic Garden
Inside the Medicinal Plant Garden at the U.S. Botanic
Garden -Nathan Bartholomew
Learn about the different aspects of designing,
developing, and maintaining the USBG medicinal plant
garden and the process for selecting the various
medicinal and therapeutic plants on display.
DC Ethnobotanists is a new local group comprised of
professionals and students living in the Washington
region who are interested in the interactions and
relationships between people and plants. Check out
our new blog for group news and related local events:
http://www.dc-ethnobotanists.blogspot.com
The U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG) is located on the
National Mall at the base of the U.S. Capitol
Building. The meeting will be held in the USBG
Conservatory classroom (on the left side of the main
entrance). Parking in front of the conservatory is
free on weekends. Federal Center SW is the nearest
Metro station.
RSVP to Jamie Whitacre (202) 230-8447 or
jamie_s_whitacre@...
Via Julie:
Hi Julie,
The Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences
would like to extend a special invitation to Biological Society of
Washington members to attend the special community preview of our new
exhibit, Infectious Disease: Evolving Challenges to Human Health, on March
26 from 3-5 p.m. Could you please share the evite below with your
membership?
Also, I would love to discuss the possibilities of arranging a special
event for your membership at the Koshland Science Museum. We have hosted
a number of speakers, panel discussions, programs, workshops, and
receptions at the museum and would enjoy developing an event especially for
your organization.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have or for any
additional information. I look forward to speaking with you soon.
Warm regards,
Deborah
Deborah J. Danuser
Media Associate
Marian Koshland Science Museum of the National Academy of Sciences
500 Fifth Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
202-334-1447 (direct) | 202-334-1548 (fax) | 701-866-8364 (mobile)
http://www.koshland-science-museum.org | DDanuser@...
Explore the microbial world we live in... Infectious Disease: Evolving
Challenges to Human Health exhibit now open!
| Special Preview |
|Date: Monday, March 26, 3 - 5 p.m. |Public Opening on
Saturday, March 31st
Free |
|Location: Marian Koshland Science Museum |Admission, Hands-on
Activities,
Special |
| 6th & E Streets, NW |Guest Speakers & More
|
| Washington, DC
|www.koshland-science-museum.org
Explore the |
|RSVP: Deborah J. Danuser |microbial world we live
in and discover the |
| 202-334-1447 or |harmful?and
helpful?roles microbes play in |
|ddanuser@... |human health. Learn
how new threats emerge |
| RSVP requested by Friday, |because of microbial
evolution and how our |
|March 23. |actions shape the
control of disease. Probe|
| |the effect antibiotic
misuse has on the rise|
|The Marian Koshland Science Museum of the |of drug-resistant
bacteria. Investigate |
|National Academy of Sciences invites you to |where the greatest
disease challenges are |
|attend a special community preview of a new |today and how public
health initiatives, |
|exhibit, Infectious Disease: Evolving Challenges|vaccinations, and
treatments can hold hope |
|to Human Health. |for the future.
|
| |
|
|Explore the microbial world we live in and find |
|
|out how new threats emerge because of microbial |
|
|evolution. Examine how our response determines |
|
|the spread of disease. |
|
| |
|
You are cordially invited to the Annual Meeting and
Awards Banquet of the Washington Academy of Sciences
to be held at the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens,
May 1, 2007 at 6:00 pm.
The event will feature the illustrated talk
"Butterflies of Meadowlark", given by noted
butterfly photographer William Folsom.
For reservations and additional information, please see
our website at http://www.washacadsci.org for invitation, directions and
reservation form.
Black tie optional
NPR Story about Miracle Fruit: Sideroxylon dulcificum
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9264829
=+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Early in April, a brand new nationwide citizen science project focused in
large part on native plants and global warming will premiere. Called
Project BudBurst, this collaborative effort will use the science of
phenology to begin to track key developmental stages in the growth of a
large number of native plant species across the country.
National Wildlife Federation's Wildlife Watch program (April 18-May 12)
will be encouraging people to participate in BudBurst through the
inclusion of four of BudBurst's species on our Wildlife Watch list. All
four we've selected are especially attractive to backyard wildlife. See:
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/citizen_science/budburst/ Craig NWF's mission
is to inspire Americans to protect wildlife for our children's future.
Craig Tufts - Chief Naturalist
Director of Citizen Science Programs
National Wildlife Federation
11100 Wildlife Center Drive
Reston, VA 20190-5362
www.nwf.org
This coming Saturday, April 7, is the 2nd fieldtrip to Bear Island.
Details: http://www.botsoc.org/bsw2007trips.pdf
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Next BSW Meeting - tomorrow
Tuesday, April 3rd 7:00 PM
Speaker: Mauricio Bonifacino
University of Uruguay
and Smithsonian Institution
Topic: Journey to the Southern End of the World: a Botanical perspective
Abstract: The Southern South American biota has since the very beginning
of the evolutionary thought attracted scientists from all over the world.
Stretching through more than 5000 km of latitude, a vast array of
topographical forms, including most notably the Andes Mountain Range (the
longest mountain range in the world) harbor a clich of vegetation types
and myriads of unique plant forms. Among these plants, Sunflower family
(Asteraceae) is of particular interest, given the fact that the most
primitive lineages are almost entirely restricted to this amazing patch of
land. The objective of the talk is to briefly characterize the main
vegetation types of SSA commenting on its physiognomy as well as its
defining taxa.
For further details (dinner, meeting place, etc.) see:
http://www.botsoc.org/
Remember, this Saturday, April 7, the second of 2 fieldtrips to Bear
Island and the Billy Goat Trail will take place. Meet at lot across from
Old Angler's Inn at 9:30 am. Bring water and lunch; binoculars, handlens,
fieldguides and gloves. Details: http://www.botsoc.org/bsw2007trips.pdf
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Jun Wen will be our May speaker - her title is: Botanical collecting and
capacity building in Himalayan Tibet, China.
Article by Jun Wen:
http://hengduan.huh.harvard.edu/fieldnotes/expeditions/macarthur-tibet/expeditio\
n-2006-plantpress.pdf
Flyer for posting: http://www.botsoc.org/may07.pdf
Meeting location: Cathy Kerby Room (Room CE-340), third floor of the East
Court building Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History
10th St. and Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC. Use the Constitution
Avenue entrance; wait to be escorted up. As usual, light refreshments will
be served prior to and after the presentation.
Pre-meeting dinner: 5:30 P.M. at the Elephant & Castle Pub and Restaurant,
1201 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington. Reservation under BSW. Phone
202-347-7707. The restaurant is diagonally across from the Old Post Office
Pavilion at 12th and Penn., a few blocks from the Museum, with Federal
Triangle the nearest Metro station, and Metro Center also nearby.
I just confirmed with Dan that tomorrow's trip is on.
Weather for Old Angler's zipcode (20854):
Saturday
Mostly cloudy with snow likely in the morning...then mostly sunny in the
afternoon. Total snow accumulation around an inch. Highs in the lower 40s.
Northwest winds 15 to 20 mph. Chance of snow 70 percent.
So, if you're coming on the fieldtrip, drive carefully and bring warm
clothes.
Mary Ann Lawler sent me an annouvcement about:
FROM BALD CYPRESS TO BOLTONIA--NEW DISCOVERIES
For anyone who missed this talk when Gary and John came to the BSW a
couple of months ago, you have another opportunity to hear them this
Thursday at Green Spring. It's a spectacular area, especially when the
water is down! (See below.)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dan Nicolson led about 14 of us on a nice, chilly trip to Bear Island on
Saturday. Sometimes it seemed as if there were more flowers than there
actually were because of the snow covering! A couple of people who had
just come to the park for a walk, stumbled upon our group and came with
us. Thank you, Dan!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FROM BALD CYPRESS TO BOLTONIA--NEW DISCOVERIES, THURSDAY APRIL 12, 7:30
P.M.In 2005 a virgin, bald cypress-tupelo forest with trees over 1,000 years
old
was discovered in South Hampton County, VA. And just last November, a new
species of Boltonia was reported in endemic sinkhole pond habitats of the
Appalachian mountains in Augusta County. Learn about these exciting discoveries
as we welcome Gary Fleming and John Townsend from the Virginia Natural
Heritage Program. Gary Fleming, VANHP vegetation ecologist, will share the
results
of his comprehensive study of the vegetation and floristics of the bald
cypress/water tupelo forest. John Townsend, VANHP staff botanist, will present
an
overview of the genus boltonia including the newly named Boltonia montana.
Directions to Green Spring Gardens Park:
>From Interstate 395, exit at Route 236 West (Little River Turnpike); turn
right at Braddock Road and go 1 block north to park entrance
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/gsgp/
This info is also on: http://www.botsoc.org/bswfieldtrips.html
Botanical Society of Washington
Field Trip -- 1:00 pm, Saturday, April 28, 2007
Snyder's Landing, Washington Co., Maryland (vic. Sharpsburg, Md.)
Larry Morse, Field Trip Leader
Snyder's Landing provides access to a long north-facing limestone cliff with
diverse ferns and flowering plants, and a population of the glacial-relict
northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis). This is one of several such cliffs
in the Sharpsburg/Shepherdstown area, where the meandering Potomac River is
deeply entrenched in the moderately tilted Conococheague limestone of the Great
Appalachian Valley. Small caves and other karst features are frequent in this
area, and slanted seepage lines (formed by truncation of tilted water tables)
are a characteristic feature of these high cliffs.
We will have easy walking along the C&O Canal Towpath, from which many of the
plants can be seen. Closer inspection requires crossing the sometimes muddy
canal bed, and usually some rock-scrambling on the cliff-base talus. We may
also take a steep ravine trail to the clifftop. No water or facilities
available.
Dinner group in nearby Shepherdstown (pizza?) for those interested afterwards.
Directions: Sharpstown, Maryland, is best known for the nearby Antietam
battlefield. The town can be reached by numbered roads from Frederick
(via Boonesboro), Hagerstown, Harpers Ferry, or Shepherdstown. From the
intersection of Maryland Routes 34 & 65 in Sharpsburg, take Route 65 north
(toward the Antietam Battlefield) for one block, then turn left onto
Chapline St. At its end, bear right onto Snyder's Landing Road, taking
that a mile or two to the NPS parking lot on the right, near the canal and
river. Meet near the footbridge over the Canal; we will then proceed
downstream (left) to the cliffs.
Meetings and field trips of the Botanical Society of Washington are open
to the interested public.
Larry Morse will lead a fieldtrip to Snyder's Landing near Sharpsburg, MD
starting at 1:00 pm, Saturday, April 28, 2007. Details are on:
http://www.botsoc.org/bswfieldtrips.html
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"First Flower" - In remote mountains of China, experts find clues to the
origins of Earth's most stunning plants. NOVA on PBS station Tuesday April
17 8 pm http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/flower/
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Spring Tracker - 6 part series on Animal Planet starting Saturday, April
21 at 8 pm http://animal.discovery.com/tv/spring-watch/spring-watch.html
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Two calico kittens in need of a home! Very cute - about 6 months old. Did
you know that the Calico Cat is the official state cat of Maryland?
It has the same coloration as the Baltimore oriole (State bird) and the
Baltimore Checkerspot butterfly (State insect). To inquire, call
301-432-6300 or email kathy@....
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Richard Preston: "The Wild Trees" (Random House) (interviewed on Diane
Rehm SHow)
Deep in the heart of an uncharted rainforest in Northern California lives
the tallest tree on the planet. Author Richard Preston tells the story of
the majestic Sequoia sempervirens and the daring group of botanists and
amateur naturalist who scaled the tallest trees and discovered a new
ecosystem. http://www.wamu.org/programs/dr/07/04/16.php#13067
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Nature with Mark Garland - Spring's Arrival - Metro Connection on WAMU
We transport the show to Great Falls, Maryland, where Metro Connection's
David Furst and naturalist Mark Garland stand between the Potomac River
and the C&O Canal. Mark's the author of "Watching Nature: A Mid-Atlantic
Natural History," and we welcome spring to the DC region.
You can hear audio at
http://wamu.org/audio/mc/07/04/m1070413-15012.ram(with RealAudio) or
http://wamu.org/audio/mc/07/04/m1070413-15012.asx (with Windows Media)
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Are mobile phones wiping out our bees?
http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/wildlife/article2449968.ece
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Highway shut for butterfly travel
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/6491255.stm
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Plant swap at Long Branch Nature Center - April 28
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vnps-pot/message/1830
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June 7-9, 2007
NATIVE PLANTS IN THE LANDSCAPE CONFERENCE
Location: Millersville University, Lancaster County, Millersville, PA
Contact: (717) 872-3030, npilc@...
Website: http://www.millersvillenativeplants.org
First, a couple of reminders:
Snyder's Landing Fieldtrip: April 28 Details:
http://www.botsoc.org/bswfieldtrips.html
Next BSW Meeting Tusday, May 1 Flyer for posting (which has meeting
details) is at:
http://www.botsoc.org/may07.pdf
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
From Jamie Whitacre:
-----------------------------------------------
Next DC Ethnobotanists Meeting Sunday, April 22nd,
11:15 am
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
Join DC Ethnobotanists this Sunday, April 22nd, for a
private tour of "East of Eden: Gardens in Asian Art."
East of Eden, a new exhibit at the Smithsonian
Institution's Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, explores some
of the fundamental elements of garden imagery across
Asia. From intimate courtyards to monumental temple,
tomb, and pleasure gardens, Asia has been central to
the development of cultivated landscapes. The earliest
known garden-the biblical Garden of Eden-may have been
located in West Asia at the confluence of the Tigris
and the Euphrates in present-day Iraq. The very word
"paradise" is derived from the walled orchard gardens
and hunting parks of ancient Iran, referred to as
pardis.
During this private tour, our docent will describe how
flowers and flower imagery were incorporated into
early Asian art. The material on display, primarily
from Smithsonian's permanent collection, includes
framed herbal manuscript pages, Chinese and Japanese
screens and scrolls, and other objects that
demonstrate how plants were used in religious
ceremonies and in everyday life.
Directions:
The Sackler Gallery is located on the National Mall,
steps from the Smithsonian Metro stop at 1050
Independence Avenue, SW. From the Smithsonian station,
walk to the back side of The Smithsonian Castle. The
Sackler is on the right side of the garden. The tour
will meet in the foyer on the first floor, near
"Forked Tongues" an artistic piece created from dried
chili peppers and cutlery.
Please RSVP as the group size is limited to fifteen.
E-mail jamie_s_whitacre@... or call (202)
230-8447 to reserve a place in the tour.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2007 16:07:05 -0400
From: Mary Travaglini <mtravaglini@...>
To: ma-eppc@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ma-eppc] Upcoming Weed Warrior trainings! (Potomac Gorge near DC)
Folks,
Sorry for those of you getting this who are not local to the DC area, just
ignore, I guess!
If you or anyone you know is interested in our Weed Warrior training,
which allows volunteers to control weeds on NPS and Fairfax lands between
Great Falls and Georgetown (the Potomac Gorge) please sign up, or pass this
email along! We still have plenty of space in both trainings--the April one
starts next week, and then we have one in May. Sign up soon, so I can make
enough training materials, if you or anyone else is interested, especially
for next week.
Details are best found at this link:
http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/maryland/events/ which
has all the times and locations. It also has info on all our other
workdays.
Cheers,
Mary Travaglini
Potomac Gorge Habitat Restoration Manager
The Nature Conservancy of MD/DC
5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 100
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 897-8570 x235
fax: (301) 897-0858
"Ecological release means that immigrants benefit from escaping a
constellation of competitors, predators, parasites and diseases that
bedeviled them in the old place. Adaptation is what they must do when the
fool's holiday of ecological release comes to an end. But as the uintatheres
and the mastodons demonstrated, adaptation takes time and sometimes there
isn't enough. Evolution is slow; extinction can be fast." David Quammen
Ruth Smith asked me to forward the attached message about Project Bud
Burst.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Tomorrow there is a Wilflower Festival at Yankauer Preserve near
SHepherdstown, WV.
See http://www.potomacaudubon.org/ for details.
Page for Yankauer:
http://www.potomacaudubon.org/yankauer.html
Hi Ruth,
No problem! Below is the introductory
and informational email that I sent out to a variety of people and
places (e.g., Botanical Gardens, Nature Preserves, etc.) where
volunteers and visitors might be interested in participating in this
nationwide effort to track the arrival of spring! Please forward
this to any enthusiastic plant-watchers!
I'm writing to get the word out about a
novel botanical program for the public that a consortium of U.S.
scientists and educators are initiating; it will be the
first National Phenology
Network (NPN) in the U.S. -
"phenology" being the study of the timing of seasonal events
such as bud break, flowering, and seed dispersal. I'm hoping
that friends and families and botanizers of all ages will be willing
to participate in this fun and important field and on-line
project.
One aim of the NPN is to track the arrival
and progression of spring so that we can observe how changes in
climate affect plants at local and continental scales. Other important
objectives of the NPN include the detection of correlations between
the onset of spring, the length of the growing season, availability of
water in streams and lakes, and phenomena such as wildfires, plant
invasions, weed and pest outbreaks, allergy outbreaks, and rodent
population dynamics (along with the diseases they carry).
Amateur naturalists in Europe and Canada
have an impressive history of recording - and making available to the
public - the flowering dates of many wild plant species; indeed, the
comparison of historical and current flowering dates has been a
critical way to demonstrate the direct effects of climate change on
plants. You may already know of the well-established and popular
national-level phenology networks in other countries such Canada's
Plant Watch, Britain's Nature's Calendar and Holland's
Naturekalendar. Thousands of citizens participate in these
on-line monitoring programs. To date, the U.S. has remained far
behind.
This spring, as part of a
"proof-of-concept" phase organized by the NPN's Education, Citizen Science, and Outreach
committee (of which I'm co-director),
we've established a web site targeting the participation of students,
teachers, native plant societies, botanic gardens, and natural
reserves. The effort is called "Project Budburst",
and the website (http://www.budburst.org) just went live on April
1, 2007 (many materials are available on the site already).
The website presents and solicits phenological data in a way that is
comprehensible both to novices and to amateur botanists, and there are
a variety of downloadable classroom materials for teachers of
all grade levels.
I'm writing to invite you to join the NPN
and to subscribe to Project Budburst (it's free!
http://www.windows.ucar.edu/citizen_science/budburst/subscribe.html)
to observe the phenological progression of wild or cultivated species
in their backyards and nearby natural areas; and to contribute their
observations to the Project Budburst website:
http://www.budburst.org. The link to the data-uploading web
page can be reached by clicking on "Participate!" at the
Budburst home page.
Ultimately, the NPN aims to enlist a network of citizens across the
country who will report the phenological stages of many plant (and
eventually animal) species in order to track changes associated with
climate change or other environmental alterations. We hope to
engage tens of thousands of students, families, "citizen
scientists", gardeners, docents, state and national park staff,
and other land stewards in the on-line contribution of phenological
data. The data, along with maps and synthetic analyses, will be
made available to the public by the University Corporation of
Atmospheric Research (UCAR) after the first few months of
data-collection.
I've attached some reading and promotional material to provide you
with a bit more information.
Would it be possible for you to
distribute this e-mail to other naturalists?
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.
I really appreciate any effort you may make to help me get the word
out. Project Budburst's success will depend on the help of
enthusiastic botanizers!
Best,
Susan
--
************************************************************
Dr. Susan J. Mazer
Professor of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology
Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology
University of California
Santa Barbara, California 93106
Here are a couple of articles from Castanea involving plants which will be
amongst those seen on the Saturday fieldtrip.
Note that Larry Morse found the stations for Thuja, no natural stands of
which had previously been reported for Maryland.
http://www.botsoc.org/Asplenium_Wherry.pdfhttp://www.botsoc.org/Larry_Thuja_MD.pdf
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If anyone is interested in getting out to the Sharpsburg area a little
earlier in the day, on Saturday about 10 a.m., and would like to take
about a two mile walk along the Snavely Trail, part of which goes along
the Antietam Creek, email Kathy. kathy@... The trail is on the
battlefield property just before you get to Sharpsburg, about a 5-10
minute drive from the meeting spot at Snyder's Landing for the 1 pm walk.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Fieldtrip details:
http://www.botsoc.org/bswfieldtrips.html
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Meeting reminder - May 1 - this coming Tuesday - 7 PM.
Flyer which has details and can be used for posting:
http://www.botsoc.org/may07.pdf
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FYI - Some cabins are available for rental in Sharpsburg (2) and
Keedysville (1). http://www.rusticretreats.net I have no idea whether any
are available. I just happened upon one near the Sharpsburg Post Office
the other day - and then looked them up online and found a website for
them.
Emanuela Appetiti asked me to forward this. Note - the Academy is having
its annual banquet on May 1 at Meadowlark.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Colleagues -
If you haven't seen the Academy's new website yet, take a look. It is still at
http://www.washacadsci.org. After the normal turmoil of a re-design, I believe
everything is in working order. The Search Engine is functioning, the links
have been checked, and life seems to have returned to normal.
The new look accompanied a move to a new internet service provider -- one that
gives us unlimited space. Thus, I would like to call your attention to a
feature that may be of particular interest to you.
Our Affiliates (Institutions as well as Societies) are invited to send us
material to post on the Academy site. Assuming that the material adheres to
our Website Policies (http://www.washacadsci.org/Policies/website.htm) we would
be happy to post. To see what others have done, go to
http://www.washacadsci.org/Affiliates/affpage.htm and take a look at the
submissions of the Botanical Society (A Botanical Phototour) and of Meadowlark
Botanical Gardens (the Seasons at Meadowlark). (Incidentally, those of you who
attend our May 1 Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet, will be able to enjoy the
Gardens as shown in the Spring section of Meadowlark's submission).
So -- if you have a presentation that's all dressed up with nowhere to go,
we'll be happy to post.
I hope to see you all at the Banquet.
Cordially,
Peg Kay
webmaster
--
Jamie Whitacre <jamie_s_whitacre@...> is hoping to get a one way
ride up to Sharpsburg for the Saturday trip. Please contact Jamie if you
can help out.
Hi Kathy,
I was hoping to attend Saturday's field trip. Do
people usually carpool up to the site for these
far-away trips? I don't have a car and was hoping to
catch a ride up. I can meet at any metro station.
I will be staying with friends in Winchester Saturday
night and will not need a ride back.
Any ideas?
Thanks!
Jamie
First off - Victoria.Batista@... also needs a ride - from
any Metro station. I believe Jamie Whitacre also still needs a ride.
jamie_s_whitacre@...
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The attached files Larry refers to can all be found in this directory:
http://www.botsoc.org/fieldtrips/
FYI - the mhtml files can only be opened with the Microsoft browser, so if
you use Firefox or Opera or another browser, you'll have to dig up I.E. to
see the files.
Message from Larry:
Y'all, here's some further background information for our 1:00 pm Saturday field
trip to Snyder's Landing Washing0ton Co., Md. (vic. Sharpsburg, Shepherdstown,
and Antietam).
The field-trip notice (including directions) is posted on the Botanical
Society of Washington's web site (http://www.botsoc.org). This trip is
open to the interested public.
I've attached scans of an article of mine on the glacial-relict Maryland stands
of northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis), and one by Edgar Wherry on one of
the limestone ferns, Asplenium resiliens. Wherry knew immediately that the
Asplenium was a new Maryland record, but apparently didn't realize that the
conspicuous and abundant Thuja trees had not yet been reported for Maryland in
botanical literature (so far as I researched the question in the early 1980's).
Two topographic and two geologic maps for the area also attached. Note the
Potomac's series of entrenched meanders is this area, with north-facing and
south-facing limestone along the river here. The area is near the eastern edge
of the Great Appalachian Valley (Shenandoah Valley, Hagerstown Valley, etc.),
where most of the exposed limestone bedrock in Appalachia is found.
Thanks to Alan Whittemore of the National Arboretum for the articles; I'm
currently in Ohio, away from major botanical libraries, starting back eastward
today and planning to meet y'all at the field site at 1:00 tomorrow. (Kathy,
please post the maps and articles and link to the field-trip notice on the BSW
web site. Thanks!)
Larry
Larry Morse
Washington, D.C.
Chair, BSW Field Trip Committee
larry.morse.dc@...
(larry.e.morse@...)
Hello Friends,
This is a reminder to all that the 8th Parkfairfax Native Plant Sale is tomorrow
Saturday,
April 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.!
Regards,
Scott Knudsen
Sale Organizer
Parkfairfax Native Plant Sale
Plant Sale website: http://home.earthlink.net/~sknudsen/
703-671-8416
sknudsen@...
---------------------
PARKFAIRFAX NATIVE PLANT SALE
Saturday, April 28, 2006 -- 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
3601 Valley Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22302
Eleven vendors from four states will be coming to the Parkfairfax sale, making
it one of
our largest events!
Several of the vendors carry native trees and shrubs as well as perennials, and
several
vendors specialize in some aspect of native plants, such as fruiting shrubs,
wetland plants,
or native azaleas. A few of these vendors do not come to this area for any
other plant
sale. An updated list of vendors is available as a downloadable file from the
sale website
at http://home.earthlink.net/~sknudsen
Directions: Parkfairfax is located in the Washington DC metro area within the
I-495
Beltway, in northwest Alexandria directly across I-395 from Shirlington. From
I-395, exit
Shirlington/Quaker onto Quaker Lane. At the first light on Quaker, turn left
onto Preston.
Follow Preston to Valley and continue past Gunston Road. The sale will be in
the long
parking lot on the right. Maps and directions are available on the sale
website.
Please pass this email along to your interested friends. This sale depends
entirely on
word-of-mouth support. Thank you for helping to spread the word!
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