Spring 2006 Minnesota Plant Press ~ Minnesota Native Plant Society Newsletter

7/31/2019 Spring 2006 Minnesota Plant Press ~ Minnesota Native Plant Society Newsletter

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Minnesota Plant PressThe Minnesota Native Plant Society Newsletter

Volume 25 Number 3 Spring 2006

Monthly meetingsMinnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Visitor Center, 3815 American Blvd. East

Bloomington, MN 55425-1600

952-854-5900

6:00 p.m. Building east door opens6:00 p.m. Refreshments,

information, Room A7 9 p.m Program, society business

9:00 p.m. Building closesPrograms

The MN NPS meets the first Thursdayin October, November, December,February, March, April, May, and June.Check the website for more programinformation.

MN NPS websitewww.mnnps.orge-mail: [email protected]

MN NPS ListserveSend a message that includes the word

subscribe or unsubscribe and yourname in the body of the message to:[email protected]

May 4: Sioux Nation Calcareous Fen,by Jeanette Leete, hydrogeology technicalanalysis supervisor, DNR. Plant of theMonth: Carex sterilis (a sedge) by ScottMilburn, Society vice president.

June 1 Invasive Cattail Control, byCindy Kottschade, University of Minnesotagraduate student. Native Plant Saleimmediately following the program.

Symposium is April 22At press time, there were still a few

openings at this years MN NPSsymposium The Land That GlaciersForgot: The Ecology of the Driftless Area.It will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday,

April 22, at the St. Olaf College ScienceCenter, Room280, in Northfield. Detailsare on the website, www.mnnps.org In this issue

New MN NPS T-shirt............2Field trips..............................3Dr. Valentine OMalley.........3Bolete mushrooms and trees.5FQA for state wetlands.........66 p.m. social hour/................6Plant sale tips........................6Wild ginger (Plant Lore)......7

Finding theinvisible orchidby Erika Rowe, Plant Ecologist/Botanist, Minnesota CountyBiological Survey, Division of Ecological Services,MinnesotaDepartment of Natural Resources

There are a handful of native plant species in Minnesota that have

mythic qualities: elusive, rare, revered, endangered, or so specific intheir habitat requirements they are not likely to be seen. Bog adders-mouth (Malaxis paludosa) encompasses all of these qualities andtherefore has earned the reputation of being one of the rarest orchidsin North America. Bog adders-mouth is one of the most challengingorchid species to find, partly because of its rarity, but also because itis easily overlooked. The orchids small stature and greenish colormake it difficult to distinguish from the mossy hummocks where ittypically grows.Prior to 2005, only six known records existed fromfour counties in Minnesota, the only state within the contiguous UnitedStates to have any documented locations. The first finding was inOtter Tail County in 1904; however, that population has not beenrelocated. Other populations were subsequently found in Hubbard,Clearwater, and Beltrami counties. It has also been found in scatteredlocations in Canada and Alaska. It is less rare in northern Europe.

In 2005,Malaxis paludosa was on my rare plant list as a species tolook out for while surveying Becker County for the DNRs MinnesotaCounty Biological Survey. The idea of finding it, however, seemedso remote I was reluctant to search for it. So when my colleague, TimWhitfeld, who was surveying nearby Clearwater County, told methat he was going to spend a few days looking forMalaxis paludosa,my initial reaction was one of amazement for attempting such anambitious goal. In fact, several other experienced botanists uttered

words such as wild goose chaseand a sarcastic good luck!However, this wasnt going todissuade him from organizing atrip with another DNR botanist,Welby Smith, to a documentedlocation ofMalaxis paludosaduring peak flowering in earlyAugust. Often, seeing a floweringspecimen in its habitat is the bestway to begin searching for rare

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MN NPS Boardof Directors

President: Jason Husveth,14758Ostlund Tr. N, Marine on St. CroixMN 55047; [email protected]

Vice-President: Scott [email protected]

Secretary: Karen [email protected]

Treasurer: Ron [email protected]

Ken Arndt, board [email protected]

Daniel Jones, board [email protected]

Shirley Mah Kooyman, boardmember, [email protected]

Sandy McCartney, boardmember, [email protected]

Program Coordinator: LindaHuhn, 612-374-1435

Listserv Coordinator: CharleUmbanhowar, [email protected]

Field Trips:[email protected]

Memberships:[email protected]; 651-739-4323

Historian/Archives:[email protected]

Technical or membershipinquiries: [email protected]

Minnesota Plant Press editorGerry Drewry, phone, 651-4638006; [email protected]

Minnesota Native Plant Societys purpose

(Abbreviated from the bylaws)This organization is exclusively organized and operated for educational

and scientific purposes, including the following:

1. Conservation of all native plants.2. Continuing education of all members in the plant sciences.3. Education of the public regarding environmental protection of plantlife.4. Encouragement of research and publications on plants native toMinnesota.5. Study of legislation on Minnesota flora, vegetation and ecosystems.6. Preservation of special plants, plant communities and scientific andnatural areas.7. Cooperation in programs concerned with the ecology of naturalresources and scenic features.8. Fellowship with all persons interested in native plants throughmeetings, lectures, workshops and field trips.

Mary Brown resignsfrom board; three

members re-electedMary Brown has resigned from the

Minnesota Native Plant SocietyBoard of Directors. She cited timeconstraints, but said she will continueto remain active in the Society.

The three board members whoseterms expire in June have been reelected. They are Scott MilburnShirley Mah Kooyman, and DanieJones.

by Jason Husveth

The Minnesota Native Plant

Society is pleased to announce the

upcoming arrival of its own limited

edition T-shirt.

Since October 2005, the Society

has been collaborating with Vera

Ming Wong, renowned local

botanical artist (and plant society

honorary member), to design the

Societys first T-shirt. Vera produced

a stunning woodcut print design,

which will be printed with forest

green ink on natural organic shirts.

The design showcases Minnesotas

state flower the Showy Ladys

Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium

reginae), along with the Societys

name and website address.

The shirts are now in print and will

be available for sale at the April 22

symposium and at our monthly

meetings and field trips. Sizes Small

to XXXL will be available. Be sure

to purchase these uniquely beautiful

shirts before they sell out!

Societys first T-shirt featuresdesign by Vera Ming Wong

Invasive species eventsIf you are sponsoring an invasive

species event this year, send theinformation to Dianne PlunkettLatham at [email protected] she will coordinate posting onthe MN NPS website with ourwebmaster. If you would like tovolunteer in one of the many noxiousweed control programs throughoutthe state, go to www.mnnps.org/

invasive/index.htm for a listing ofevents, and select one that has aconvenient time and location for you.

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pl an ts . Pic tures and herbariumspecimens can only go so far inconveying how tiny and difficult thisorchid is to see.

I decided to take part in the forayto relocate the existing population of

orchids, although I remainedskeptical that we would find them.Many people have tried returning toknown populations ofMalax ispaludosa and have been unsuccessfulin relocating them, perhaps becausethe orchids were not in bloom at thetime, but more likely because theplants have an uncanny ability todisappear into the vegetation evenwhen one is standing in a patch ofthem.

Our destination was a rich blackspruce swamp in Clearwater County.We set out in a line and walkedslowly, scouring the ground with oureyes. Close to an hour went by andstill no orchids. Something thencaught my eye, despite thinking thatit was probably just another fruitingstem of naked mitrewort (Mitellanuda), which is common in thathabitat. As I got closer, I immediately

knew that it wasMalaxis paludosa,despite having never seen it in thefield. I was then determined to finda new population in Becker County.

The next day, I set out hiking for asmall black spruce swamp mixedwith tamarack in Becker County thatseemed to have all the rightcharacteristics for potential habitat.The confidence that I had felt the daybefore had worn off by the time I hadarrived at my destination and I hadbegun to feel that this long, arduoushike would be for naught. Shortlyinto my search I spotted greenadders-mouth(Malaxis unifolia),which is often known to coexist withMalaxis paludosa. I stooped down toconfirm this, and to my disbelievingeyes there were also fourMalaxispaludosa in full bloom! I was in suchshock that I just stood there frozen,saying to myself this cant be

what are the chances! I came to mysenses and proceeded to countanother 10 plants within roughly twoacres. When I got back to the fieldhouse that evening, my colleagueMike Lee (also working in BeckerCounty), who was also inspired byTims enthusiasm for findingMalaxis paludosa, told me of his own

discovery of yet another population.By the end of summer, five newlocations were found in BeckerCounty, bringing the total up to 11locations in Minnesota.

All known occurrences ofMalaxispaludosa are in conifer swampsdominated by black spruce withoccasional white cedar or tamarack.The plants are usually growing insemi-shaded sites perched on

hummocks of Sphagnum, feathermosses, or rarely Mnium moss,appearing as if not rooted at all. Thebasal parts consist of a pseudobulb,which is a swelling of the stem,covered by the bases oftwo to fivealternate leaves. Stems arise from thepseudobulb and are typically three tosix inches long (includinginflorescence). Flowering beginsaround mid-July and lasts throughthe end of August, producing 10 to

Continued from page 1Finding the orchid 29 very small, greenish yellow

flowers that have a faint blue-greenstriped lip. These flowers twistthemselves 360 degrees so that thelip is uppermost of the perianth partsMost orchids twist 180 degrees inorder to have the lip lowermost in theflower. Another interestingadaptation of this orchid is its abilityto develop tiny vegetative propagulescalled foliar embryos at the marginsof its leaves that are capable ofgrowing into new adult plants oncethe leaves drop. How often oreffective this process is in producinga new plant is not known. The onlyinsect observed carrying pollen fromthis plant is a species of fungus gnatPhronia digitata.

When I returned to the office, I

notified Welby about the newpopulat ions that Mike and I hadfound. In near disbelief, he somewhatjokingly said, Wow, findingMalaxispaludosa will be the top find of yourcareer! Well, I guess its all downhill from here.

Photo by Erika Rowe, Copyright 2005, Stateof Minnesota, Department of NaturalResources, Reprinted with Permission.

Sonja Larsen natureprints are on exhibitby Sue Filbin, member of the

Minnesota Native Plant Society andthe Nature Printing Society

Nature printer Sonja Larsen ispresenting an exhibi t of springephemerals and buds native toMinnesota at the Eloise ButlerWildflower Garden during April. Theshow is in the Martha Crone VisitorsShelter. The garden opens at 10 a.mMonday through Saturday and atnoon on Sunday and closes one hourbefore sunset. Admission is free.

Sonja Larsen lives near NisswaFor many years, she led workshopsat the annual meeting of the NaturePrinting Society, and, for the 15thyear, will guide her own workshopin June at Driftwood Resort. Shemakes her prints directly from theplants, to enable viewers to identifyand appreciate the beauty inherent inthe plant life we often take forgranted.

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by Bryn T. M. Dentinger, Universityof Minnesota graduate student. This

is an abstract of his talk at the March2, 2006, meeting.Fungi are one of the most diverse

lineages of eukaryotic organisms onthe planet. With over 1.5 millionestimated species, only a fraction areyet known to science. Theseorganisms, whose ecological rolesare mimicked by distantly relatedcousins, the water molds and slimemolds, are instrumental in all livingenvironments as decayers,

pathogens, and mutuali st icsymbionts.

One way in which the true fungi(not including water molds and slimemolds) are essential is through anintimate association with plantsroots, known as mycorrhizae. Inthese mutually beneficialassociations (mutualisms), the plantprovides the fungus with sugars itcreates through photosynthesis in

return for water, minerals, andprotection from pathogens. Theinterdependence on this mutualismis so strong that both the fungus andplant are unable to persist in naturalenvironments without each other.

This association is also very old about 460 million years. It is nowwidely believed that a mycorrhizalassociation facilitated the initialcolonization of land by the earliestaquatic non-vascular plants. Since

this arrival on land, the mycorrhizalassociation has dominated the life ofplants, and at present, more than 90percent of all plants are involved ina mutual symbiosis with fungi.

There are several types ofmycorrhizal associations that arecharacterized by the morphology andanatomy of the contact between thefungus and plant roots, as well as theplant and fungus species involved.

One type, in which the fungusenvelops the developing lateral roots

but does not penetrate the plantscells, is called ectomycorrhizae. It isthis type of association that is foundin many of the trees that dominatethe temperate forests of the world,most prominently in the Pinaceae,Fagaceae, Be tu laceae andSalicaceae. In Minnesota, eightspecies of conifers and 24 species ofangiosperms are known to formobligate ectomycorrhizalassociations with fungi, including all

oaks (Quercus spp.), pines (Pinusspp.), spruce (Piceaspp.) and Balsamfir (Abies balsamea). The state treeof Minnesota (Pinus resinosa) wouldnot exist without these beneficialfungi on its roots.

The fungi involved in thesemutualistic associations are far morediverse than the plants. It has beenestimated that more than 5,000species of fungi formingectomycorrhizal associations have

been described! One prominentgroup of ectomycorrhizal fungi arecalled the boletes, based on themorphology of the reproductivestructures (mushrooms) that theyproduce.

A bolete is a typical-looking fleshy,stalked mushroom, but with denselypacked vertical tubes underneath thecap, rather than the gill-likestructures of the stereotypical

mushroom. These tubes give theunderside of the cap an appearancesimilar to a sponge. It is inside ofthese cylindrical tubes where thenumerous spores are produced,which, at maturity, are forciblydischarged into the air for dispersalby wind. When a spore lands in asuitable environment, it willgerminate to produce filaments ofcells known as hyphae. These hyphaeare the form in which the fungus lives

most of its life. An aggregate ofhyphae is known as a myceliumwhich is the body of the fungus thatresides in the soil and humus layersand, in ectomycorrhizal fungiinteracts with the roots of plantsOnly when two suitable mycelialmates join with each other (fungasex!) can a mushroom be produced

thus completing the life cycle of amushroom-producing fungus.

In Minnesota, 20 of 50 knowngenera of boletes have been recordedIn contrast, we only havedocumentation for 9.4 percent of aldescribed species of boletes. Thislow species diversity is partly onaccount of the limited biogeographicdistribution of many boletes, but alsolargely a factor of very poor

sampling. Clearly, more mushroomhunters are needed to betterdocument Minnesota boletes. Someof the common Minnesota membersinclude the often slimy-cappedSuillus; the pink-spored, bitter-tasting Tylopilus; the kooky OldMan of the Woods (Strobilomycesfloccopus ); the blue-stainingGyroporus cyanescens; and the falsetruffle genus Scleroderma.

Minnesota also has the strange

Midwestern endemic Paragyrodonsphaerosporus and one species thathas been collected only once in thehistory of the world, Suillusweaverae, named in 1965 in honorof the avid mushroom hunter PegWeaver.

One other notable group of boletesfound in Minnesota are the gourmetedible porcini (genusBoletus sectionBoletus). There are at least three

species known as porcini that arefound throughout the state: theBoletus nobilissimus complex isfound in oak forests in central andsouthern Minnesota; Boletus edulisvar. clavipes is found with conifersaspen, and birch in the boreal habitatsof central and northern MinnesotaBoletus subcaerulescens, a rarespecies, has been documented froma single red pine (Pinus resinosa)plantation.

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A match made in humus? Theassociation between boletemushrooms and trees


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Pot your plantsnow for June 1plant saleby Ken Arndt

The annual MN NPS native plantsale will be June 1, following themeeting. Plants will be arrangedoutside of the main building, similarto previous years. Members areasked to bring native plants that theyhave propagated themselves fromseed or division to the front of thebuilding at 6 p.m. We need all plantsto be potted individually and labeledwith common and scientific namesPricing will be done by the plant salevolunteers.

Now is the time to get out and

divide your extra native plants asthey start to emerge from the soilThe longer the plants can be pottedup before the sale, the better thecondition they will be in for the saleWe ask that only native plants bedonated, not cultivars or otherhorticultural selections. In additionto members donations of plantmaterial, we will also be adding tothis years sale native plants fromlocal nurseries that specialize in

native plant material.No out-of-state plants can be

accepted unless they have beencertified by the Department ofAgriculture of the state in which theywere grown. Minnesota hasreciprocity with all other statedepartments of agriculture, so theywill let in plants from other states ifthey were certified there.

A few volunteers are needed to help

with setting up the sales area andassisting members with their plantsOnce the sale begins, volunteers wilbe allowed to select plants firstfollowed by members who broughtplants, and finally all other membersand visitors.

Dave Crawford and Ken Arndt areco-chairs of the plant sale. Tovolunteer, contact Ken Arndt [email protected]. or 651-251-0626.

Floristic Quality Assessment forstate wetlands being developedby Scott Milburn

The Floristic Quality Assessment (FQA) was first introduced in theChicago Region in an attempt to provide a standardized method for assessingthe quality of natural areas. This methodology is additionally advantageousin that it can be used to assess restored areas, ecological quality betweensites, and changes to floristic quality over time.

The FQA is based on native species conservatism or coefficient ofconservatism (C-value). This C-value is a numerical gauge of species

Meet members at 6p.m. social hourby Anne McGee,Social Committeechair

On MN NPS meeting nights, skipyour take-out food or home stop, and

come right to the Wildlife Refuge at6 p.m. for a healthy snack andfriendly conversation. Our socialcommittee is working to create anenvironment which is welcoming tonew members and encouragesgetting acquainted, professionalsharing, and exchange of nativegardening ideas. We also like wholefoods and a non-package/garbageemphasis. Bringing your own mugfor your beverage will beappreciated.

When you arrive for the socialhour, we will greet you and give youa name tag. Help yourself to a fillingsnack. Beverage will be provided, orselect one from the pop machine inthe entry. Beginning in May, we willhave hot coffee or tea for those whobring their own mugs. Then join atable hosted by an experiencedmember, or mix and mingle until youhead into the program at 7 p.m.

If you would like to join the socialcommittee, call Anne McGee at 651-994-1956.

tolerance towards disturbance andhabitat fidelity. The FQA providestwo values, a mean coefficient ofconservatism and a floristic qualityindex. The mean coefficient ofconservatism is determined bycalculating the average C-value foran area of interest. The floristic

quality index incorporates the meancoefficient of conservatism inaddition to species richness.

To determine the floristic qualityindex, all native species inhabitingthe subject area or vegetativecommunity are documented. Oncethe list is compiled, the C-valuesderived from the species list wouldbe averaged and multiplied by thesquare root of the number of nativespecies documented. The greater themean C-value and Index value are,the higher the floristic integrity is.

The floristic quality assessment hasalready been implemented in Illinois,Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri,North Dakota/South Dakota, Ohio,and Wisconsin. The MinnesotaPollution Control AgencysBiological Monitoring Program(www.pca.s tate .mn.us /water /biomonitoring/index.html) is

funding the project through a U.S.EPA wetland program developmentgrant to develop a consistent andreliable method to monitor thequality of the states wetlands. TheC-values are currently beingassigned by a panel of expertMinnesota botanists and should becompleted this year. In addition tothe development of C-values,updated species distribution mapswill also be generated.

Garden with native plantsA class, Using Native Plants in the

Garden, will be taught at theMinnesota Arboretum from 10 a.m.to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, April 29. Theinstructor will be Douglas Owens-Pike. For more information, [email protected] orcall 952-443-1422.


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Plant Loreby Thor KommedahlWhat is wild ginger?

Wild ginger isAsarum canadense,a native plant of Minnesota in thebirthwort family (Aristolochiaceae).

How did it get its names?

Asarum is an ancient Greek wordof unknown derivation used byDioscorides. Birthwort refers to itsflowers, which resemble a swollenwomb, and wort means the plant wasonce used in medicine. Aristolochia,in the family name, means birth-improver. Ginger refers to its tasteresemblance to commercial ginger(no relation).

What does the plant look like?

The heart-shaped leaves of thislow-growing perennial grow in pairsfrom the underground stem(rhizome), and both leaf blades andpetioles are hairy. In the fork madeby the paired leaf stalks, a solitary,reddish-brown flower is borne. Oftenhidden by leaves, the flower isdetectable by its foul odor thatattracts flies, to foster pollination,fungus-gnats, and other groundinsects.

Where does wild ginger grow?It grows in rich, moist woods,

usually in colonies, throughout thestate but is native in similar climatesof North America, Europe, and Asia.

What are its medicinal uses, if any?American Indians used root tea for

colds and for uterine problems.Indian women used it to regulatemenstrual cycles and for birthcontrol, influenced by the womb-shaped flowers. Pioneers consumedit to ease gas formation and as a tonic.

It contains the anti-tumor compound

aristolochic acid.

Does it have any economic uses?Dried roots have been candied or

pulverized for use as a kitchen spice.It is a constituent of some snuffs.Wild ginger is planted in shaded wildgardens and to make a ground coverin shade. It can be propagated bydivision and by seeds.

Asarum canadense drawing and

photo by Jason Husveth

Back to BootLake SNA forWinter Botanyby Ken Arndt

On Saturday, March 11, a group of

15 MN NPS members enjoyed amorning of winter plantidentification at Boot Lake Scientificand Natural Area, located in northernAnoka County. Field trippa rt ic ipant s were led by VicePresident Scott Milburn (botanist)and Board Member Ken Arndt(urban forester) through severaldifferent plant communities on theway to Boot Lake, including atamarack swamp, mature hardwoodforest, and stands of large white pine

With temperatures in the 40s andvery little snow cover, a sense ofspring was in the air. The winter wasgentle to the plants here, with severaltypes of ferns still green from lastyear. Small herbaceous plants likegoldthread (Coptis groenlandica)and bunchberry (Cornus canadensis)were clearly visible throughout thetamarack hummocks.

From the tamaracks, the group wasled into a stand of mature white pine one of the finest stands left inAnoka County. As we made our waythrough the woods, we were able toidentify many different trees andshrubs by their buds, form, and otherkey winter characteristics.

We came across several areas thatare part of a reforestation projectwhere deer exclosures have been

placed to encourage the regenerationof white pine. With the noted highdeer population at Boot Lake, a long-term study like the one underway willprovide valuable information aboutthe deers effect on the plants. Afterseeing water-willow (Decodonverticillatus) along the banks of BootLake, the group headed back throughthe forests and wetlands with anappreciation of the many differentplant communities in this great SNA

Thank you, volunteersby Ellen L. Fuge, ManagementSupervisor, Scientific and NaturalAreas Program

I want to thank the MinnnesotaNa tive Plant Soci ety (whoveadopted Grey Cloud Dunes SNA)and all who showed up on Feb. 10to cut and burn brush. Thirteen

volunteers made the four-hour eventvery successful. These hard workersconsolidated many small, unburnablepiles into six burn piles. This clearedthe area of brush that would haveinterfered with the prescribed burnplanned for this spring. Additionally,they cut and burned morehoneysuckle, the dominant exoticinvasive shrub in the savanna that isbeing restored.

Thank you!

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Spring 2006

Minnesota Native Plant Society

P.O. Box 20401

Bloomington, MN 55420

Documents

Spring 2006 Minnesota Plant Press ~ Minnesota Native Plant Society Newsletter