1. Minnesota Plant Press
The Minnesota Native Plant Society Newsletter
www.mnnps.org
Volume 31 Number 1 Winter 2012
Monthly meetings La Salle Lake SRA has a
Thompson Park Center/Dakota
Lodge
Thompson County Park
360 Butler Ave. E.,
landscape to experience
by Erika Rowe, Minnesota County Biology Survey plant ecologist, DNR
West St. Paul, MN 55118 and former MNNPS board member.
Programs As a plant ecologist with the DNR’s Minnesota County Biological Survey,
I have hiked many miles and seen a variety of landscapes in northwestern
The Minnesota Native Plant
Society meets the first Thursday Minnesota. Yet the landscape surrounding La Salle Lake and Creek, just
in October, November, December, north of Itasca State Park in Hubbard County, immediately stood out as
February, March, April, May, and unique. It felt remote and wild, with steep, rugged slopes with red pine and
June. Check at www.mnnps.org balsam fir, rocky ravines with streams bordered by white pine and sugar
for more program information. maple, and old-growth cedar seepage swamps. Above the valley, on the
6 p.m. — Social period flatter terrain, expansive oak, aspen and maple forests frame this stunning
7 – 9 p.m. — Program, Society lake and valley.
business Fortunately, now others can explore this landscape as well. On Oct.
Feb. 2: “Using Plants to Assess 27, 2011, the State of Minnesota purchased approximately 1,000 acres
Wetland Quality in Minnesota – surrounding La Salle Lake, establishing Minnesota’s newest state
the Next Generation,” by Michael recreation area (SRA). The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment Act
Bourdaghs, research scientist for — specifically the Outdoor Heritage Fund — provided much of the funds
the PCA. Plant-of-the-Month: to acquire this property. In addition, an area adjacent to the SRA, north of
Tussock sedge (Carex stricta). Hubbard Co. Rd. 9, has been established as a Scientific and Natural Area
March 1: “Natural History (SNA).
of Maple Syrup Production,” by La Salle Lake, the highlight of this extraordinary landscape, is a large
Dr. Stephen G. Saupe, professor, (224 acres) lake that is one of the deepest (213 feet) in Minnesota. It has
Biology Department, College of St. 18,600 feet of shoreline, and much of its input is spring-fed. It is remarkably
Benedict and St. John’s University. wild and scenic, having never been developed, aside from the very northern
Plant-of-the-Month: Black maple edge where a resort caretaker’s home sits along with a few cabins and
(Acer nigrum), also by Dr. Saupe. buildings — remnants of the previous owners.
March 24: Symposium on Several different native plant communities exist in the La Salle Lake
Plants of Minnesota. See page 2. area, and because of the significant
In this issue
April 5: Stalking rare native elevation change throughout the
plants,” by Malcolm and Rosemary area and the myriad slope aspects,
MacFarlane, volunteers, DNR the vegetation of the area is March 24 symposium...............2
County Biological Survery. Plant- complex. These natural communities Society news ...........................2
of-the-Month: Least moonwort support a number of rare species La Salle Lake, photos ................3
(Botrychium tenebrosum). including ram’s-head lady Pagami Creek fire ..................4
May 3: “Wild Orchids of slipper (Cypripedium arietinum), New board member...................5
Minnesota,” by Welby Smith, northern oak fern (Gymnocarpium Our 30th anniversary................5
botanist, Minnesota DNR. Plant-of- robertianum), hair-like sedge Do we love our lakes? ..............6
the-Month: Case’s ladies’-tresses (Carex capillaris), trumpeter swans Donation to refuge, easements..6
(Spiranthes casei). Continued on page 3 Plant Lore: Anemone patens ...7

2. March 24 symposium MNNPS Board
of Directors
will feature plants
by Scott Milburn, MNNPS president.
President: Scott Milburn, scott.
milburn@mnnps.org
Our approach to the MNNPS Symposium this year differs from that of
recent years. We have been focused on regions and landforms, but this is Vice President: Shirley Mah
a special year — the Society is marking 30 years as an organization. With Kooyman, shirley.mah.kooyman@
that in mind, the most suitable topic is plants. mnnps.org
We have been lining up speakers, and things are moving forward. In Secretary, program coordinator:
addition, we are the benefactors of an anonymous donation of $5,000. Andrés Morantes, andres.
Rather than donating this money to other organizations, as we have been morantes@mnnps.org
doing over the past few years, we decided that the best use is for the Treasurers, membership data base:
Society itself. I am pleased to say that this allows us to bring two prominent Ron and Cathy Huber, ron.huber@
botanists from outside of Minnesota to our symposium. mnnps.org
The first is Dr. Don Farrar of Iowa State University, who is well
Ken Arndt: board member, field
known for his research of moonworts. The second is Dr. Tony Reznicek,
trip chair, ken.arndt@mnnps.org
of the University of Michigan. Dr. Reznicek may be best known for his
authorship of the sedge component of the Flora of North America series. Michael Bourdaghs: board member,
He has also been hard at work updating the Michigan Flora into a one- michael.bourdaghs@mnnps.org
volume publication. The symposium should be a very exciting day. Stay Otto Gockman: board member,
tuned for further details. otto.gockman@mnnps.org
The symposium will be held Treasurers’ report
Treasurers Ron and Cathy Huber Elizabeth Heck: board member,
March 24 and will be at the Bell
report that the Minnesota Native webmaster, elizabeth.heck@mnnps.
Museum of Natural History on the
org
University of Minnesota campus. Plant Society’s 2011 income totalled
The cost will be $42 for members $17,796. This included $5,384 in Daniel Jones: board member,
and $30 for full-time students. I am donations. Expenses totalled $9,515, daniel.jones@mnnps.org
not sure about the times yet, but for a net income of $8,280. Peter Jordan: board member, peter.
they will be in the brochures. These Assets of $25,388 include $8,939
jordan@mnnps.org
will be mailed in the beginning of in four CDs and $16,393 in the
February. checking account. Mike Lynch: board member, mike.
lynch@mnnps.org
Stephen G. Saupe: board member,
Minnesota Native Plant Society’s purpose stephen.saupe@mnnps.org
(Abbreviated from the bylaws)
Field Trips: fieldtrips.mnnps@
This organization is exclusively organized and operated for mnnps.org
educational and scientific purposes, including the following.
1. Conservation of all native plants. Memberships: memberships.
mnnps@mnnps.org
2. Continuing education of all members in the plant sciences.
3. Education of the public regarding environmental protection of plant Historian-Archives: Roy Robison,
life. historian-archives.mnnps@mnnps.
4. Encouragement of research and publications on plants native to org
Minnesota. Technical or membership
5. Study of legislation on Minnesota flora, vegetation, ecosytems. inquiries: contact.mnnps@mnnps.
6. Preservation of native plants, plant communities, and scientific and org
natural areas. Minnesota Plant Press editor:
7. Cooperation in programs concerned with the ecology of natural Gerry Drewry, 651-463-8006;
resources and scenic features. plantpress.mnnps@mnnps.org
8. Fellowship with all persons interested in native plants through
meetings, lectures, workshops, and field trips. Questions? Go to our website:
www.mnnps.org
2

3. La Salle Lake SRA woodland warblers.
This extraordinary landscape
near the east arm of Lake Itasca,
meanders north 11 miles along a
Continued from page 1 narrow valley floor through wet
doesn’t stop at the SRA’s southern
(Cygnus buccinator) and two caddis boundary, however. The entire meadows, shrub swamps and
fly species (Oxyethira itascae and O. landscape I outlined for the lowland seepage forests.
ecornuta). The area’s abundant and biological survey, a mix of public Four lakes of varying size and
diverse habitats are also rich with and private ownership, is a 3,200- depth occur along the creek’s
common plants, including 12 species acre corridor stretching from the route. The creek eventually joins
of orchids; animals including river confluence of the Mississippi River the Mississippi River just north of
otter, gray wolf, fisher, bald eagle, and La Salle Creek to Itasca State La Salle Lake, within the newly
osprey, loons; and many species of Park. La Salle Creek, originating acquired SNA. This narrow valley is
noteworthy, as it has been identified
as a tunnel valley formed during the
Quaternary Period and is present at
the juncture of two distinct areas of
glacial deposits, the Itasca Moraine
and the Guthrie Till Plain.
Besides the extraordinary natural
resources of the La Salle Lake area,
named after the French explorer
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La
Salle, it is rich in cultural resources as
well. A Native American prehistoric
site was discovered in the early
1990s adjacent to La Salle Creek in
what is now the new SNA. Ceramic
shards recovered from the site have
been dated about 3,180 years old,
one of the earliest known dates for
an Elk Lake Culture occupation in
Minnesota.
The DNR has initiated the
La Salle Creek winds south the new SRA.
process to create a master plan to
guide development, management
of natural and cultural resources,
tourism, and recreation for La Salle
Lake SRA for the next 15 to 20 years.
I encourage those who are interested
in providing input on the project to
go to: www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_
parks/la_salle_lake and click on the
“Get Involved!” hotlink. La Salle
Lake State Recreation Area is now
open to the public, but recreational
opportunities are limited to day
use.
Wild Ones conference
Wild Ones 2012 “Design With
Nature” conference will be Saturday,
Feb. 25, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the
Plymouth Creek Center, 14800 34th
Ave., Plymouth, MN, 55447. More
La Salle Lake, is the highlight of the new State Recreation Area. Both information is available at www.
photos by Erika Rowe. designwithnatureconference.org/
3

4. a warming climate remains to be
Pagami Creek fire shows seen.
Fires kill trees by: (1) total crown
how tree mortality from scorch and char of the entire above
ground portion of the tree in crown
fire varies with and director, The University of
by Lee Frelich, Ph.D., research associate
species fires (like most of the Pagami Creek
fire); (2) by scorching the roots in
places with very shallow or dried-
Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology. This is a summary of his talk at the out organic soils; (3) by girdling
Dec. 1, 2011 Minnesota Native Plant Society meeting. the base of the trunk by scorching
On Aug. 18, 2011, the Pagami cambium under the bark (Note that
forests were part of the controversial scorch means exposure to heat that
Creek fire was ignited by lightning “Portal Zone” in the south central
in The Boundary Waters Canoe kills live tissue while char means
BWCAW, which had active logging death and blackening of tissue by
Area Wilderness, about 14 miles within the wilderness during the
east of Ely. The fire was allowed direct contact with flames.); and (4)
middle of the 20th century. scorching the foliage of conifers
to burn because it met the Forest
Service criteria for WFU (Wildland Perhaps this fire will help push through convection and radiant
Fire Use.) Under this policy, fires in this second-growth forest towards heat rising through the canopy from
certain locations and under certain more natural conditions. It was a intense surface fires. (Deciduous
conditions are not suppressed, to very severe fire during late summer trees can be crown-scorched but
help restore the natural role of fire and early fall, a common pattern usually survive loss of foliage.)
in wilderness areas. for historical fires in the BWCAW, Jack pine is susceptible to intense
so that it fits right in with the fire crown fires, sacrificing adults and
As the fire smoldered and burned occurrences of the 18th and 19th surviving as seeds from serotinous
little forest for more than three centuries. cones.
weeks, a drought developed, and on
Sept. 12, dry conditions combined The unusual time period in the In contrast, red and white pine
with high winds caused the fire to history of the BWCAW was the do not have several years’ seed
blow up. It grew rapidly to about 20th century, which had less fire due production stored up in the canopy
93,000 acres in size over the next two to climate change, fragmentation waiting for a fire. Instead, they grow
days. The smoke was noticeable in of the landscape surrounding the in areas that are more likely to have
Chicago, and the plume was traced wilderness, and fire suppression. surface fires, have well insulated
through Poland and eventually to With the three large fires of the trunks with thick bark, and hold their
China. last decade, the fire regime of the foliage high above scorching heat,
BWCAW has reawakened. Whether thereby surviving fires as adults that
At 145 square miles, this was this heralds a return to the old can live for centuries and continue
larger than the 112-square-mile Ham regime, or a much more frequent to reseed the area.
Lake Fire of 2007, and the largest fire regime that we expect with The duration of radiant heat
fire in the BWCAW since 1875.
However, it was small compared
to the largest fires in the 400-year
history of fire reconstruction in the
BWCAW. Five fires were larger,
including fires of 275, 257 and 434
square miles in 1875, 1755 and 1865,
respectively, as documented by
Bud Heinselman in his 1996 book,
The Boundary Waters Wilderness
Ecosystem.
The fire burned some old,
unlogged forests of red, white and
jack pine, but mostly it burned
second-growth birch and aspen
forests with substantial amounts of Aerial view of Pagami Creek fire, showing smoke plume crossing
spruce, fir and pine mixed in. These Lake Superior. Photo courtesy of NASA.
4

5. around the base of the trunk is key
for tree survival. Trees with bark
John’s University. I teach a variety
of classes, including introductory MNNPS is 30
1, 2, and 3 cm thick can survive biology (for majors and non-majors), by Scott Milburn, president
heat for three, 12 and 26 minutes, plant systematics, plants and human This year marks the 30th
respectively. (Old red and white affairs, and plant physiology. I’ve anniversary of the Minnesota Native
pines usually have bark 3 cm also taught plant systematics at Plant Society. The idea was first
thick.) the University of Minnesota Lake formulated by Peg Kohring, Emily
Itasca Biological Station. I’ve Nietering, Heidi Van’t Hof, Jan
Heat can last much longer on the Grew, and Chris Soutter. That first
leeward side of a tree trunk from completed numerous floristic
studies in Minnesota, including board consisted of six members,
an approaching fire, so that trees with Peg serving as the first president
are often fire-scarred on that side. field work to help establish a local
nature preserve, served as the chief and Welby Smith as vice president.
Under typical conditions, surface In 1982, the individual membership
fires with flame lengths of one, five, botanist for a local BioBlitz, and
have even helped with a few DNR fee was $7. The current individual
and 10 feet, can scorch foliage two, fee, $15, is slightly cheaper, when
23 and 63 feet above the ground. grassland surveys. My current
research is focused on the airborne inflation is considered.
Red and white pines with less than
50 percent of their foliage scorched pollen and mold spores that occur Much has changed during this
usually survive, but mortality rates in Central Minnesota, as well as the time, yet much has remained the
go up dramatically as the percent ecophysiology of plants and fungi. same. The mission of the Society is
scorched rises above 50 percent. I am currently the curator of as important as ever, particularly for
the CSB/SJU Bailey Herbarium,
Like most fires over the last four the conservation of native plants.
centuries, The Pagami Creek fire which just celebrated accessioning During these 30 years, we have
killed or severely burned most of our 30,000th specimen. I also seen the formation of the Minnesota
the landscape, killing the jack pine,serve as the director of our County Biological Survey, the
spruce, and above-ground trunks of Melancon Greenhouse, the chair development and modifications
birch and aspen, but also had small of the St. John’s Arboretum of the official state rare species
inclusions of less intense fire alongCouncil, and I recently completed list, and the passing of the Legacy
lakeshores, cliffs and swamps, a term as a member of Minnesota Amendment. This amendment was
where mature pines will survive. DNR Commissioner’s Advisory extremely important, given the
Committee to the SNA program. As
Steve Saupe you will learn at the March meeting,
political opposition by various anti-
tax groups. These three items will
I have been involved with making
is new MNNPS maple syrup at St. John’s for more
have a lasting influence in the next
30-year period.
than a decade. I even teach a course
board member on maple syrup production at St. Of concern today is the Outdoor
Heritage Fund (OHF) portion of
by Stephen G. Saupe John’s/St. Ben’s and serve as the
Ever since reading Euell newsletter editor for the Minnesota the Legacy Amendment. There is
Gibbon’s books when I was in high Maple Syrup Producers. supposed to be a common vision
school, I have been a self-professed shared by those on the OHF
In my spare time, I am the clerk council, which is responsible for
“plant wienie.” After learning that of Avon Township and have a
so many wild plants were edible, I small hobby farm where my wife appropriating the funds generated by
became fascinated by what made Linda and I raise sheep, hazelnuts, the new sales tax. Perhaps this initial
other plants and fungi poisonous and blueberries and other assorted fruits vision is too grandiose, considering
decided to conduct graduate studies and veggies. Although I’ve been a the anticipated revenue stream.
in phytochemistry. I received my member of the MNPS for as long as It is time to reassess the goals
Ph.D. in botany from the University I remember, I’m sorry to say that I
and vision at this early stage and
of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign), haven’t been able to attend too many determine what is realistic. We need
where the main focus of my research meetings. I hope to change that and
the best and brightest involved —
was cyanogenesis, the production of look forward to meeting you in the
individuals who think beyond their
hydrogen cyanide, by fungi, bacteria coming months and years. own lifetimes, rather than those
and plants. more concerned with pressure
Following my graduate studies, Field trips planned mounted by special-interest groups.
I accepted a faculty position in the For information on upcoming The question should be: Are we
joint biology department of the field trips, go to the website: www. truly leaving a legacy for future
College of St. Benedict and St. mnnps.org generations?
5

6. Do we love our lakes?
by Darby Nelson. He earned his Ph.D. in aquatic ecology from the
lakes face? And what can we do
about them?
The EPA National Lake
University of Minnesota and taught biology and environmental science Assessment identifies major
at Anoka-Ramsey Community College for 35 years. Dr. Nelson served stressors: lake shore habitat loss,
three terms in the Minnesota Legislature, is the former board president of loss of physical habitat complexity,
Conservation Minnesota, and also served two years on the Lessard-Sams excess nitrogen and especially
Outdoor Heritage Council. This article is an excerpt from his talk at the phosphorus, lake shore disturbance
Nov. 3, 2011 MNNPS meeting. including sedimentation, aquatic
We say we love our lakes, and of a group called ‘pondweeds.’
invasive species, non-point pollution
the crowded shores and the crush in general, among others. The Lake
‘Weed.’ What an unfortunate and Volney story shows we can make a
to buy lakeshore at astronomical misleading name for these plants.
prices suggest we speak truth. Yet difference for lakes.
Language matters. Before being
our lakes deteriorate, and much of seen, before revealing anything
the deterioration results from our
own actions. What gives?
about their lives and relationships, Is a buckthorn
they stand condemned. Useless.
The Environmental Protection Nuisance. Undesirable. ‘Pondweed’ disease here?
Agency’s National Lake Assessment is … the name of a large and grand During research to identify
discovered that 45 percent of our family of aquatic plants known more biocontrol insects for buckthorn, a
nation’s lakes and 80 percent of technically as the Potamogetons phytoplasma disease was detected
urban lakes do not meet water (from Greek: Potamos, river and in potential biocontrol insects
quality standards. geiton, neighbor). How different and Rhamnus species in Europe.
Normally, we protect what we our perception of these plants might Reseachers need to know if this
“love.” My puzzlement over this be had we retained the Greek root phytoplasma is already present in
paradox finally bubbled over. I and called it ‘pond neighbor.’ What North America.
undertook a journey of exploration power the namers-of-things can Roger Becker, Ph.D., Extension
to investigate this, a journey that have over attitudes.” agronomist and weed scientist,
led to the writing of my book, For Perceptions determine behavior. Department of Agronomy and
Love of Lakes. The journey takes Do we perceive lakes differently Plant Genetics, University of
us to large lakes and small, from than terrestrial systems? The Minnesota, is leading the search for
Minnesota to Canada, Illinois, New contrast between the two is stark. the disease on common/European
England, and ultimately, Walden Expose beginning ecology students buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) in
Pond. Thoreau’s ghost peaked over to a woods and, in a matter of a Minnesota.
my shoulder throughout. few hours, they typically come to
understand the basic ecological Symptoms of the disease include
My bio as an academic, not witches’ brooms, red or yellow
surprisingly, led me to expect that dynamics of the place — because
they can see it. Take them to the leaves, and deformed or crinkled
maybe people simply lack adequate leaves. If you spot a buckthorn with
understanding of lake ecology. shore of a lake and they typically
see shore vegetation, often shore these symptoms, contact Dr. Becker
Maybe essayist Scott Russell at becke003@umn.edu
Sanders, has it right: “We protect birds. They also see the lake’s
what we love and we love what we surface. But they are unable to
understand.” see the remaining 99 percent of the Gift expands refuge,
So, let’s take a highly selected
lake. We are visual creatures. Our
perceptions of lakes are grossly
will fund easements
peek at lake natural history and at The Nature Conservancy has
inadequate to produce accurate lake
some of the less familiar aquatic life given 95 acres of land in Burnsville
understandings.
forms: plankton, micro-crustaceans, to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
aquatic insects, and freshwater Surely, lack of understanding Service. This land will be added
sponges. It was during snorkeling of lake ecology contributes to the to the Minnesota Valley National
experiences that I discovered Eden, paradox. But it soon became clear Wildlife Refuge. The gift is valued
the aquatic plants. that to understand the lake-human at $515,000.
An excerpt from the “Discovering paradox required a peek into A credit of that amount will be
Eden” chapter addressing human nature. My discoveries are used by the USFWS to purchase
pondweeds: “I now enter a gathering surprising. easements for prairie and wetlands
of skinny stemmed aquatic plants So what are the problems our in South Dakota.
6

7. Plant Lore
by Thor Kommedahl
Prairie Enthusiasts
plan conference
What is pasque flower? The Prairie Enthusiasts’ annual
Pasque flower is Anemone patens conference, “The Journey to Prairie
in the buttercup family, native to Preservation,” will be Saturday, Feb.
Minnesota. It is also called Pulsatilla 25, at UW-Stout in Menomonie,
patens (USDA). Wis. It will combine technical and
How did it get its names? basic prairie restoration information
Pasque comes from the French and education.
passé-fleur but was changed to Featured speakers will be
pasque (from an Old French word Stephen Packard, conservationist
for Easter) because of its early leader of the Chicago Wilderness,
flowering. Anemone was a name and Dr. Doug Tallamy, author
used by Theophrastus, possibly a and professor at the University
corruption of Naaman, a Semitic Close-up of Anemone patens of Delaware. For additional
name for Adonis, or a corruption shows stamens and pistils. Photo information and to register, go to
of an invocation to the goddess by Elizabeth Heck. http://theprairieenthusiasts.org
of retribution, Nemesis. Patens
means spreading out from the stem
(clumps). Pulsatilla (quiverer)
describes the pulsating movement
of plants in the wind, so it had an
alternate name of windflower.
What does the plant look like?
Flowers appear before leaves
and consist of five to seven white
to blue or purple, petal-like sepals.
Stems (hollow), leaves, and buds
are covered with silky hairs. Leaves
are deeply cut. Plants are six to 10
inches tall and bear fruits (achenes)
with feathery plumes. As a perennial,
the plant grows in clumps from a
thick taproot.
Where do these plants grow?
They grow in dry prairies in
southern and western counties of
the state.
Is the plant medicinal or
poisonous?
Once used in homeopathic
preparations, it is no longer
recommended for human use.
Blackfoot Indians used plants to
induce abortions and childbirth. The
leaves cause skin to blister. Taken
internally, cardiogenic toxins slow
the heart rate.
Has it any economic uses?
It is grown in gardens in full sun
as an early spring flower and thrives Anemone patens (pasque flower) loose and tight clumps of flowers.
in rock gardens. Photos by Peter Dziuk.
7

8. Minnesota Native Plant Society
P.O. Box 20401
Bloomington, MN 55420
Winter 2012
Thompson County Park
360 Butler Ave. East, West St. Paul, MN 55118
Directions:
Take Highway 52 to the Butler Ave. E. exit in West St. Paul.
Go west on Butler 0.2 mile to Stassen Lane.
Go south on Stassen Lane to Thompson County Park.