www.bbgardens.org

Botanically SpeakingApril 2011

Volume 2. Issue 4

Native or not? What is a native plant?

Native plant has become a very familiar term and though most people have a general idea of what it means, I will elaborate as well as present the definition to which we subscribe at Birmingham

Botanical Gardens. First, let’s discuss the word “wildflower.” Until the last few decades, it was often used when speaking of native plants. In today’s lexicon, we more frequently use the term “native plant.” Two of the most preeminent native plant organizations in our country are the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center and New England Wildflower Society. These decades-old gardens, if named today, would likely replace wildflower with native plant.

A general definition often used for native plant in the U.S. is: a plant that existed in an area before European settlement. But this ignores the fact that plants, corn, for example, were moved about by Native Americans, who also altered ecosystems, primarily with fire, favoring or hindering the spread of certain plants. This happened long before the Europeans arrived, but lacking steel and domesticated beasts, the impact of indigenous people on the landscape was relatively minimal in comparison.

A literature search will reveal numerous native plant definitions. Each individual, agency or organization should determine which one they will adopt. The Gardens has adopted the definition originally articulated by the Federal Native Plant Conservation Committee in 1994 (now the Plant Conservation Alliance): “A native plant species is one that occurs naturally in a particular region, state, ecosystem, and habitat without direct or indirect human actions.”

Though this is an explicit definition it begs the question: native when? Metasequoia glyptostroboides, dawn redwood - of which we have several spectacular specimens here at The Gardens - is not considered native. However, digging into its history reveals that this species was thought to have covered much of North America during the Phanerozoic Eon, from 65 to 245 million years ago. Why, then, is it not considered native to North America? Food for thought…

For clarity, when discussing a specific native plant, it is important to indicate to where the plant is native. Cladrastis kentukea, Kentucky yellowwood, occurs naturally in seven Alabama counties, Jefferson County not being one of them. Growing this plant in Birmingham and referring to it as native might seem inaccurate; an area-defining modifier is required. Then one could describe collections of plants which are native to North America, to the Piedmont geophysical region, to Alabama, to Jefferson County, even native to China. Finally, remember that political boundaries, such as state or county lines, are artificial boundaries in regards to a flora, as contrasted with geophysical boundaries and habitat microclimates.

Here in the Kaul Wildflower Garden the focus of our native plant collection is plants native to the southeastern United States with an emphasis on Alabama and surrounding areas.

enhanc ing l i f e w i th p lan t s

in thiS iSSue

Native or Not?

Certificate inNative Plant Studies

The Peanut Gallery

UpcomingVolunteer Sessions

Manion’s Musings

To the Swamp!

Pictured above, left to right:(1) Osmunda regails, Royal fern;(2)Delphinium tricorne, dwarf larkspur;(3) Crataegus spathulata, littlehip hawthorne

2

The Gardens moves forward with Certificate in Native Plant StudiesBirmingham Botanical Gardens is excited to move forward with its new Certificate in Native Plant Studies program. The curriculum combines core courses, electives, field trips and volunteer service to provide a well-rounded education balanced among the taxonomy, ecology, conservation and uses of native southeastern flora.

Classes will be held at The Gardens and cooperating organizations, including Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, Aldridge Botanical Gardens, and sites managed by the Alabama Plant Conservation Alliance.

Series participants will be able to apply their new knowledge and skills to diverse landscape settings ranging from residential gardens to professional and volunteer service in horticulture, landscape design, conservation, land management, ecological restoration and environmental education. The certificate may be a valuable addition to resumes for those pursuing public or private employment in these fields.

Core courses and electives will generally be offered throughout the year. Students may begin earning their certificates with any course, but we suggest starting with Introduction to the Study of Native Plants to gain a basic understanding of the program’s scope. This particular program may be offered twice yearly, depending on demand. Certificates will be awarded to those who fulfill the requirements within three years, but everyone is welcome to attend any of the courses at any time in any order. Successful completion of the series is based on full participation, not academic proficiency. Therefore, exams will not be administered.

Registration and further information about the program, including course descriptions, instructor bios and certificate requirements can be found at www.bbgardens.org/plantstudies. Contact Kaul Wildflower Garden Curator John Manion at 205.414.3985 or jmanion@bbgardens.org for details.

Introduction to the Study of Native Plants (core)Instructor: John Manion

Location: Birmingham Botanical GardensSaturday, May 21 | 8:30-4:30 p.m.*

Non-Native Invasive Plants Workshop (elective)Instructors: Arnold Rutkis and John ManionLocation: Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve

Saturday, May 28 | 8:30-12:30 p.m.

Native Woody Plants in Summer (elective)Instructor: Fred Spicer

Location: Birmingham Botanical GardensSaturday, June 11 | 8:30-12:30 p.m.

Introduction to Botany (core)Instructor: Larry Davenport

Location: Birmingham Botanical GardensSaturday, June 9 | 8:30-4:30 p.m.*

Native Ferns and Their Relatives (elective)Instructor: Dan Jones

Location: Birmingham Botanical GardensSaturday, July 23 | 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Introduction to Soil Science (elective)Instructor: Henry Hughes

Location: Birmingham Botanical GardensSaturday, August 20 | 8:30-12:30 p.m.

Introduction to Plant Taxonomy (core)Instructor: Mike Hardig

Location: Birmingham Botanical GardensSaturday, September 17 | 8:30-4:30 p.m.

Native Plants for Pollinators (elective) Instructor: Sallie Lee

Location: Aldridge Botanical GardensSaturday, September 24 | 8:30-12:30 p.m.

Medicinal and Edible Native Plants (elective)Instructor: Darryl Patton

Location: Birmingham Botanical GardensSaturday, October 22 | 8:30-12:30 p.m.

Ecology of Alabama Native Plants (core)Instructor: Scot Duncan

Location: Ruffner Mountain Nature PreserveSaturday, November 19 | 8:30-4:30 p.m.*

*bring your own lunch

2011 Course Schedule

Several changes to upcoming volunteer sessionsSince four of our regular sessions will not meet in April, please let me know if there are any other times you may be able to help.

Tuesday, April 5 Kaul Wildflower Garden Thursday, April 7 Bog Garden Tuesday April 12 No session Thursday, April 14 Sign up to help with Spring Plant Sale! Tuesday, April 19 Kaul Wildflower Garden Thursday, April 21 Barber Alabama Woodlands Tuesday, April 26 No session Thursday, April 28 No session *all sessions 9 a.m. to noon

Meet us at the entrance to the garden in which we will be working. Please consider bringing something to drink and any favorite tools you like to use. Since we begin each session with an orientation, please try to arrive on time. Shortly after the beginning of each session we may be difficult to find, unless you search the whole garden in which we are working. We cancel if there is real rain, not just mist or a sprinkle; if you are unsure, give me a call on my mobile phone: 205.612.5285. (Please use only for this purpose.)

You don’t have to commit to attending sessions on a regular basis…you can come whenever possible, but please let me know you plan to attend. And…you don’t need to know anything about horticulture!

Helping in The Gardens offers many opportunities in addition to the altruistic aspect of supporting such an important community organization, among them: learning about native plants and horticulture in general from someone who is knowledgeable and passionate about these topics; working alongside interesting people in a beautiful setting; getting good exercise while having fun; and occasionally taking plants home!

3

Manion’S MuSingS.

Rarer than rare: Asplenium tutwilerae, Tutwiler’s spleenwortAmong the rarest of Alabama’s endemic plants (see The Peanut Gallery), indeed one of the rarest plants in the world, Tutwiler’s spleenwort is known from a single, small population in Hale County, where it grows in a shaded ravine on a type of conglomerate stone known as puddingstone. This diminutive fern, one of only 23 plants endemic to Alabama, was only recently described by botanists as a legitimate species. It developed through a type of speciation known as reticulate evolution, in which the two parent species (Asplenium platyneuron, ebony spleenwort, and A. rhizophyllum, walking fern) produced fertile progeny which now reproduce true to type, as opposed to creating sterile hybrids. The population was first written up by Julia Tutwiler, one of Alabama’s education pioneers and an amateur botanist, in 1873, and the fern is named in her honor. Two people that have been at the forefront of working to preserve this species and its habitat are Richard and Nancy Cobb. The Cobbs escorted a group of us to the Hale County site so we could assess and inventory the fern’s population and clear some encroaching invasive plants. I am leading the Alabama Plant Conservation Alliance (APCA) task force for this plant. Visit http://gump.auburn.edu/boyd/apca/Welcome.html for more info about APCA.

www.bbgardens.org

enhanc ing l i f e w i th p lan t s2612 Lane Park Road

Birmingham, Alabama 35223205.414.3950

John T. ManionKaul Wildflower Garden CuratorBirmingham Botanical Gardens205.414.3985 | jmanion@bbgardens.org

Please forward this newsletter to any individuals or groups you think might be interested. Likewise, if you prefer not to receive it, simply let me know and I’ll remove your name.

Thank you for your interest and support!

the peanut gallery. Endemic...Say what?Now that we understand what a native plant is, let’s move forward a step and discuss a closely-related term: endemic. When referring to a living organism, endemic means native only to the region which is being discussed. If a plant is endemic to Alabama, then it is only known to be found growing in the wild in Alabama. A plant might be endemic to any specified region, as with our definition of native, but there is generally a more restrictive implication with use of endemic. Again, one must specify to where the plant is endemic, i.e. to North America, Jefferson County, etc. Pictured left: Croton alabamensis var. alabamensis, Alabama croton, one of 23 plant species endimic to Alabama

Alabama has a high degree of endemism, with 23 endemic plant species, whereas Georgia has only 10-15. In contrast, the state of Maine has only one endemic plant. The Gerlach Plant Information Center (GPIC) here at The Gardens currently has a wonderful exhibit featuring Alabama’s endemic plants thanks to Director of Library Services Hope Long.Disclaimer: A plant that is endemic to an area – say, Alabama – may grow in other regions, but not naturally; it would have been moved there by humans.

We’re heading to the swamp!We still have a few spaces available for our trip to Ebenezer Creek (pictured left) and Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (pictured right) next month, from Tuesday, April 26 to Thursday, April 28! This educational excursion features two of the world’s most fascinating and distinctive natural areas, which will include touring by motorized boat, canoe and easy hiking. Nights will be spent in a motel (not included in registration fee). The $280 fee includes all equipment, food, drinks and snacks. Call John for more information at 205.414.3985 or visit www.bbgardens.org/other-events.php to register online.