1. Minnesota Plant Press
The Minnesota Native Plant Society Newsletter
www.mnnps.org
Volume 30 Number 4 Fall 2011
Monthly meetings
Thompson Park Center/Dakota
Lodge
Fires play critical role in
Thompson County Park
360 Butler Ave. E.,
West St. Paul, MN 55118
ecosystem of BWCA
by Scott Milburn
Programs It has been very interesting following the events and discussion
regarding the Pagami Creek Fire in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
The Minnesota Native Plant
Society meets the first Thursday There is obviously concern for the well-being of those directly affected.
in October, November, December, Yet, we need to examine the situation for what it is.
February, March, April, May, and The majority of the fire, which impacted more than 92,000 acres, was
June. Check at www.mnnps.org contained at the time of writing this piece. It has been my impression, based
for more program information. on quotes and commentary in the print media, that some members of the
6 p.m. — Social period public believe fire suppression should be reconsidered as a management
7 – 9 p.m. — Program, Society tool, and there is a great deal of outrage towards the Forest Service for
business allowing this fire to evolve. What appears lost is an understanding of the
Nov. 3: “For Love of Lakes,” role and importance of fire on the landscape, particularly in the BWCA.
by Darby Nelson, Ph.D. Plant-of-
the-Month: Watershield (Brasenia I find the political theatre by members of the legislature suggesting that
schreberi), also by Dr. Nelson. Fall the Minnesota attorney general and the DNR sue the Forest Service as
seed exchange: After the meeting; sad. Their point is that this fire is responsible for damages to state forest
see details below. lands and lost revenue. The timber itself is an agricultural commodity and
Dec. 1: To be announced. should be thought of in terms of crop success and failure. Farming is by
no means a safe financial bet, with good years followed by bad years. It is
Feb. 2: To be announced. also disappointing that these legislators do not appear to demonstrate an
understanding of ecology, particularly in the districts they represent.
Seed exchange Nov. 4
Members are encouraged to Fortunately a great deal of research has been ongoing in the BWCA,
collect seeds from native plants on much in part due to the past work of Bud Heinselman. Bud stressed
their own property and bring them the importance of fire on this landscape. The general concept is easy to
to the tables just inside the lodge understand – it is a nutrient-poor system that relies on fire to release nutrients.
before the meeting.
In this issue
His work is a must read. Despite the
Seeds must be packaged in significant landscape change we are
envelopes or small containers and now seeing, this system is a resilient Conservation Corner................2
labeled with the plant’s name, one and one to truly appreciate. 30K celebration ......................3
scientific name (if known), habitat Arden Aanestad ......................3
type, location of source, and name
Miron (Bud) Heinselman
Bud, a former forest ecologist New members ..........................3
of donor. State wetland survey ..............4
with the U.S. Forest Service,
Ken Arndt is in charge of the advocated for the preservation Peatlands studied.....................5
exchange. He needs volunteers New state record plant ..............5
of Minnesota’s Boundary Waters
to receive the seeds, help arrange Lake Vermilion Park plants ...6
Canoe Area as wilderness.
them, answer questions, and take Plant Lore: Diervilla lonicera ..7
down the tables. Continued on page 7

2. Conservation Corner MNNPS Board
by Beth Nixon of Directors
Autumn is a time to drum up ideas with your friends and fellow MNNPS President: Scott Milburn, scott.
members to advance habitat and native plant conservation measures in milburn@mnnps.org
legislative proposals for the next session.
Vice President: Shirley Mah
Some of our best conservation is occurring from the ongoing slowdown Kooyman, shirley.mah.kooyman@
in land conversion to suburbia. However, might there be other strategic mnnps.org
approaches to this conservation by default? We have financially incentivized
private lands stewardship, but how about smart community planning that Secretary, program coordinator:
reverses the decades-old suburbanization of every little town across the Andrés Morantes, andres.
state? morantes@mnnps.org
I’ve been following strongtowns.org this year and their wise and rational Treasurers, membership data base:
arguments for long-term fiscal sustainability of local government. This also Ron and Cathy Huber, ron.huber@
turns out, in my view, to be a perfect vehicle for advancing a conservation mnnps.org
agenda.
Ken Arndt, board member, field
What land conservationist hasn’t railed against the demise of a local trip chair, ken.arndt@mnnps.org
woods or other undeveloped remnant by foolishly conceived local planning?
The economic squeeze is not an evil — it is forcing change from local Michael Bourdaghs, board member,
governments’ revolving door with local officials and local landowners who michael.bourdaghs@mnnps.org
work together to concoct quick bucks from land development plans. Otto Gockman, board member,
The economic squeeze will hopefully continue to force out land- otto.gockman@mnnps.org
wasting, poorly planned, sprawling towns. But those who stand to lose Elizabeth Heck, board member,
usually can’t be expected to go webmaster, elizabeth.heck@mnnps.
quietly. Take some time this fall to Black walnuts aplenty org
read up on the progressive ideas at Naturalists in southeasterm
strongtowns.org and consider how Minnesota are reporting a bumper Daniel Jones, board member,
you can get your elected officials harvest of black walnuts. Dave daniel.jones@mnnps.org
to embrace change, and, by default, Palmquist, naturalist at Whitewater Mike Lynch, board member, mike.
adopt land-planning practices that State Park, said it’s the best crop he’s lynch@mnnps.org
conserve open areas. seen in 38 years at the park.
Elizabeth Nixon, board member,
conservation committee chair, beth.
nixon@mnnps.org
Minnesota Native Plant Society’s purpose Erika Rowe, board member, erika.
(Abbreviated from the bylaws) rowe@mnnps.org
This organization is exclusively organized and operated for Field Trips: fieldtrips.mnnps@
educational and scientific purposes, including the following. mnnps.org
1. Conservation of all native plants.
Memberships: memberships.
2. Continuing education of all members in the plant sciences.
mnnps@mnnps.org
3. Education of the public regarding environmental protection of plant
life. Historian-Archives: Roy Robison,
4. Encouragement of research and publications on plants native to historian-archives.mnnps@mnnps.
org
Minnesota.
5. Study of legislation on Minnesota flora, vegetation, ecosytems. Technical or membership
6. Preservation of native plants, plant communities, and scientific and inquiries: contact.mnnps@mnnps.
natural areas. org
7. Cooperation in programs concerned with the ecology of natural Minnesota Plant Press Editor:
resources and scenic features. Gerry Drewry, 651-463-8006;
8. Fellowship with all persons interested in native plants through plantpress.mnnps@mnnps.org
meetings, lectures, workshops, and field trips. Questions? Go to our website:
www.mnnps.org
2

3. 30K celebration at Bailey Reminder:
It’s time to pay
Herbarium is Nov. 15 your dues
at St. John’s University The MNNPS operates on a
calendar-year basis, so dues are
The Colleges of St. Benedict/St. John’s University Bailey Herbarium payable in January. Members may
will celebrate its 30,000th specimen with a program and tours at 6:30 p.m. pay at the November or December
Tuesday, Nov. 15. meeting, if they wish. (We do not
“A herbarium is a collection of pressed, dried, labeled and identified meet in January.)
plants; in essence, a reference library
of plants,” said Stephen G. Saupe,
CSB/SJU Biology Department
Remembering We do not send out dues notices,
so this reminder will be the only
one that you receive.
professor and herbarium curator.
The 30K Day festivities will be
Arden Aanestad Download the membership form
Arden Aanestad of Edina, a
held in Peter Engel Science Center, long-time member of the Minnesota from our website (www.mnnps.org)
Room 373, on the campus of Saint Native Plant Society, died Aug. 27 or fill in one at a meeting. Mail the
John’s University, Collegeville, at age 86. He received a bachelor form or just send the information
Minn. The program will begin of science degree from North and your check to:
with a brief welcome at 6:30 p.m, Dakota State University, and a Minnesota Native Plant Society
followed by a presentation entitled master’s degree in entomology P.O. Box 20401
“What is the Bailey Herbarium and from Washington State University. Bloomington, MN 55420.
Why Celebrate?” by Dr. Saupe. His career centered on agricultural Membership categories
This will be followed by a chemicals; he co-founded the
• $15 - Individual
presentation entitled “A Botanist successful Castle Chemical Co.,
• $15 - Family (Two or more
Loose in the Herbarium” by Michael which he later sold.
individuals at the same address)
Lee, a Minnesota DNR botanist An early retirement enabled • $8 - Student (Full time)
who has worked extensively in the Arden to dedicate his time to his
• $8 - Senior (Over 62 or
herbarium. love of nature. He was a park retired)
His presentation will be naturalist at Richardson Nature • $20 - Institution
followed by a ceremonial stamping Center in Bloomington for nearly • $25 - Donor
of the 30,000th specimen, which 30 years and was named Minnesota • $300 - Lifetime member
is a moccasin-flower orchid Tree Farmer of the Year in 2009.
(Cypripedium acaule) collected by Include your name, full address,
He was active in many nature telephone number (work and/or
Michael Lee. Welby Smith, botanist organizations and especially loved
with the Minnesota DNR and the birds. He was a past president of home) and e-mail address.
author of Orchids of Minnesota, Izaak Walton League, Ruffed Grouse
will be the keynote speaker and will Society, and the Lake Washburn
discuss Minnesota orchids. Association, and for 25 years
MNNPS welcomes
Tours of the herbarium will contributed to Cornell University’s new members
follow the presentations, and visitors Project Feeder Watch. Arden was a The Society gives a warm welcome
will have the opportunity to make master bird bander, mentored bird to eight new members who joined
souvenir herbarium magnets. banders, taught bird-watching, and during the third quarter of 2011.
This program is free and open to led many bird-watching trips. He did Listed alphabetically, they are:
the public. For more information, most of his bird banding in northern Gary A. Carson, Brainerd;
contact Dr. Stephen Saupe, CSB/SJU Minnesota, on his tree farm.
Biology Department, Collegeville, Arden belonged to many nature Paul Dubuque, Duluth;
CarolAnn Hook, Burnsville;
MN 56321, or 320-363-2782, or organizations, including the Nature
send an e-mail to ssaupe@csbsju. Conservancy, the Minnesota Thomas Huette, Cass Lake;
edu. Mycological Society, and the Kathleen Jones, Wayzata;
Minnesota Arboretum. He liked to Sheila Marfell, Oakdale;
This program is jointly sponsored
hunt and fish, and traveled to many Kathryn Resner;
by the Saint John’s Arboretum and
countries in the world. Ed Wehling, Coon Rapids.
CSB/SJU Bailey Herbarium.
3

4. MPCA Begins Statewide ‘Barney’ traps
Wetland Quality Survey reveal spread
by Michael Bourdaghs of ash borer effort conducted by the U.S.
This summer, staff members Environmental Protection Agency Three-sided purple “Barney”
from the Minnesota Pollution and will support Minnesota’s goal traps are being used to detect the
Control Agency (MPCA) have of achieving no net loss in the leading edges of the emerald ash
been busy sampling vegetation in quantity, quality, and biological borer infestation. The traps, which
wetlands across the state. It’s part diversity of wetlands by providing are named for the cartoon dinosaur
of a statewide wetland condition the first comprehensive statewide of the same color, are baited with a
assessment aimed at measuring estimate of wetland quality. It will chemical lure and coated with glue.
the overall quality of Minnesota’s also complement an ongoing survey They were developed by the U.S.
wetlands. from the Minnesota DNR that tracks Forest Service, which distributed
The survey works much like a the status and trends of wetland 61,500 to state and local conservation
political poll, where the opinions of a quantity in the state. groups in all 48 states this year.
group can be estimated by randomly From June to September, Since the beetles were discovered
surveying a limited number of crews traveled to sites from Eagle near Detroit in 2002, they have spread
individuals. First, wetland sites of Mountain in the far northeast to to 15 states and Ontario. Foresters
all types were selected at random Pipestone County in southwest no longer consider eradication a
throughout the state. Sampling and many points in between, possibility; instead, they want to
crews then visit the sites and conduct sampling vegetation in all varieties slow the spread to protect as many
a detailed vegetation survey and, of swamps, bogs, fresh meadows, of the nation’s 9.5 billion ash trees
at a subset of sites, collect more and marshes. Many of the state’s as possible. The Barney trap is the
detailed data such as soils and water wetland orchids were observed, and strategy’s centerpiece. If officials
chemistry. a modest number of listed species know where the beetles are and
This information will then be records were made. where they are going, they have a
used to make an assessment of The highlight of the field season chance to slow them down.
wetland quality at the site based on was accessing nine sites in the
previously established metrics and Each side of the trap is corrugated
peatlands of north-central Minnesota plastic, 14 inches wide by 24 inches
criteria. Because all of the sites via helicopter. The linear-leaved
are selected at random, the results high. They are tinted a deep purple
(Drosera linearis) and English (D. (the color the beetles preferred),
should reflect the overall quality of anglica) sundews, which only occur
Minnesota’s 10+ million acres of folded to form a prism and coated
in the patterned fens in the heart of with glue. The chemical lure
wetlands. these vast wetland complexes, were
This work is being done in includes manuka oil from a tree in
both observed at a few of the sites. New Zealand. Each trap costs about
conjunction with a similar national To date, the MPCA has sampled $9; the lure packet costs $5.
over 100 of the 150 sites targeted for
the survey, with sampling scheduled New York State has spent $1
to be completed in 2012. million this year to survey and
slow the spread of the beetles.
Research grants Campgrounds are among the target
Prairie Biotic Research is again areas.
offering grants of up to $1,000 to Foresters are using information
individuals for the study of prairies from 6,560 Barney traps and making
and savannas. This all-volunteer “sink trees.” They remove a strip
Wisconsin nonprofit was established of bark about six inches wide all
in 2000 to foster basic biotic research around the trunks of the designated
Bog at sunrise with Tussock in prairies and savannas.
cotton grass (Eriophorum sink trees. Great numbers of the
vaginatum ssp. spissum) and Many previous grants have beetles are drawn to these locations
Bog rosemary (Andromeda supported graduate student research. instead of spreading throughout a
polifolia var. glaucophylla) in Proposals must be received by Jan. forest. In winter, the sink trees will
bloom, Pine County. Photo by 5, 2012. For additional information, be cut down, and most of the larvae
Michael Bourdaghs. go to prairiebioticresearch.org will die.
4

5. Peatlands many problems with accessing these
remote places.
are focus of The Red Lake Peatland has been
of particular focus for the past two
county surveys summers because it is the largest and
most diversely patterned peatland
by Erika Rowe, MCBS plant
ecologist in the United States. It is also the
As part of the ongoing statewide southernmost of the boreal peatlands
survey by the DNR’s Minnesota in North America. Its southerly
County Biological Survey (MCBS), position makes it a bellwether for
recent attention has been focused the impacts of climate change on
on the patterned peatlands of northern peatlands.
northwestern Minnesota. One of the most pressing
Peatlands cover over six million concerns is that climate change
acres, or more than 10 percent of will dry peat surfaces, causing
the state, and are internationally rapid decomposition of peat and
recognized for their ecological the release of large quantities of
significance. In addition to their carbon dioxide and methane into
ecosystem-level importance, the atmosphere.
Minnesota’s peatlands provide During the past two summers, This Botrychium crenulatum
habitat for over two dozen rare plant MCBS has worked with Dr. Paul
plant was discovered in the
species, including linear-leaved Glaser, University of Minnesota,
sundew, English sundew, twig-rush, to set up permanent vegetation Chippewa National forest.
and montane yellow-eyed grass. monitoring plots at a variety of sites Photo by Otto Gockman.
MCBS plans surveys in many within the peatland. Many of these
of the peatland communities
throughout northern Minnesota in
plots represent sites where he and
Botanist G. Wheeler collected data
State record
the coming field seasons, despite in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
plant is first
found east of
the Rockies
It is always big news when a
new state record plant is found. It
is especially exciting news if this
is the first time the plant has been
found east of the Rocky Mountains.
Botrychium crenulatum was a
surprising discovery this past June
in the Chippewa National Forest.
The species was observed with
Botrychium ascendens, also marking
the first time for that species to be
located in a native plant community
in Minnesota.
Apart from this being a major
Patterned fen, called the western water track, in the Red Lake range expansion for B. crenulatum,
Peatland stretches for approximately 14 miles and makes up the it is hoped that this discovery will
western-most extent of the peatland. The linear bands are ridges of shed more light on the presence of
peat called strings, and the pools of water are called flarks. Photo B. ascendens, a species of hybrid
by Erika Rowe, DNR. For more information, go to http://files.dnr. origin between B. crenulatum and
state.mn.us/eco/mcbs/peatland_poster either B. campestre or B. lineare.
5

6. appear to be common this far north
Native plant communities of in the state. More study is needed
why this plant community is present
Lake Vermilion State Park in the park.
Not surprisingly, over 50 percent
by Tavis Westbrook, Minnesota (BWCAW) and Quetico Provincial of the park is wetland and peatland.
DNR resource specialist, Division Park to the north and east, you have Most of the wetland systems we
of Parks and Trails a pretty good idea of what I am mapped can either be classified as
On June 8, 2010, Lake Vermilion describing. wet ash forest (WFn64), wet cedar
State Park became Minnesota’s Next, we used a Geographic forest (WFn53), or beaver wetland
newest state park. Situated near Information System to obtain other complex. Even in the wetlands
Soudan, Lake Vermilion State relevant data that also existed for there was clear evidence of logging,
Park is roughly 3,000 acres in size the parcel: streams, lakes, wetlands, most likely for cedar and tamarack
and is directly adjacent to Soudan topography, and soils data were posts. With that said, many of these
Underground Mine State Park. particularly helpful. Additionally, wetlands are in good condition,
Both parks combined boast nearly color infrared photography was with cedar regenerating quite well
10 miles of undeveloped shoreline essential when determining land in areas not flooded regularly by
on the east end of Lake Vermilion cover types because of the way beaver. Interestingly, there is very
and about 4,000 acres of land. different plant communities, even little acid peatland in the park. The
The mapping of the native plant tree species, have different photo rugged terrain, small basin size, and
communities of Lake Vermilion signatures. After acquiring and beavers all likely contribute to this
State Park began in earnest in analyzing all of the data, it was fact.
early 2010. We knew some of the then up to park resource specialists, Lastly, there are dozens of
recent land-use history on the parcel with help from the DNR County small to medium rock outcrop
already: Biological Survey, to go in the field and cliff features that give the
• It had been owned by US Steel and verify (or “ground truth”) our property variety, relief, scenery, and
since the late 1800s; assumptions that we made from the botanical interest. It is likely that
• It had been managed for timber GIS analysis and supporting data. some of these features may harbor
continuously through the 20th ‘Ground truth’ results less common plant species. Again,
century; and We identified 21 different more survey work will be needed to
• It contained very rugged upland plant community classes in eight confirm this hypothesis.
terrain as well as many hundreds different ecological systems in Lake To conclude, this is just one
of acres of open and wooded Vermilion State Park. aspect of the inventory work
wetlands. The vast majority of the uplands conducted by the Minnesota DNR
We also were able to look at its were classified as Northern Mesic at Lake Vermilion State Park. We
landscape position and make some Mixed Forest (FDn43). The anticipate many different surveys of
assumptions about its physical dominant tree species were aspen the flora and fauna will be conducted
characteristics using the Ecological and birch, with some pockets as the division develops the park for
Classification System developed by dominated by young red and jack recreational use. A new state park
the Minnesota DNR. pine. The stand ages throughout comes along maybe once in a career,
That hierarchical system told us most of the park were young to very and I have been fortunate to be on
that the park was in the Border Lakes young, confirming that most of this the ground helping the division in
Subsection. This subsection consists land was logged in the late 1970s its initial natural resource inventory
of “scoured bedrock uplands or and early 1980s. This is a fire- efforts.
shallow soils on bedrock, with large dependent plant community, but fire
numbers of lakes. Topography is was not at all frequent historically,
averaging over 200 years between
Treasurers’ report
dominantly rolling with irregular Ron and Cathy Huber report
slopes and many craggy outcrops of significant fire events. that on Sept. 30, the MNNPS had
bedrock.” Another term commonly One anomaly discovered during total assets of $19,763, including
used within this subsection and our field reconnaissance was $10,769 in the checking account,
certainly for this park would be the presence of small pockets of $8,939 in CDs, and $55 cash.
“Canadian Shield” topography Northern Mesic Hardwood Forest Income for the nine months totaled
If you have visited the Boundary (MHn35). This plant community $11,094. Expenses totaled $8,192.
Waters Canoe Area Wilderness is common statewide but does not Net income was $2,902.
6

7. Plant Lore
birch or balsam fir logging near
Duluth. BWCA fires
Continued from page 1
by Thor Kommedahl Are they edible, medicinal, or
What is northern bush poisonous? Earlier in his career, he studied
honeysuckle? The Potawatomi Indians made the ecology of black spruce and the
Bush honeysuckle is Diervilla tea from rhizomes or leaves for use extensive patterned peatlands of
lonicera in the honeysuckle family, as a diuretic. They are neither edible northern Minnesota.
native to Minnesota. nor poisonous, although one report He then turned to the much more
How did it get its names? is that leaves contain a narcotic complex task of deciphering the
Diervilla was named after a principle that induces nausea. ecology of northeastern Minnesota’s
French surgeon, Dr. Diéreville, Is bush honeysuckle useful in coniferous forests. The BWCA’s
who visited Canada and brought other ways? vast stands of virgin forest enabled
the plant to the French botanist Deer and moose browse shrubs Heinselman to identify and
Tournafort in 1699. Lonicera refers in winter. They are useful as a tall document the forest dynamics –
to the resemblance of the leaves ground cover and to hold banks from particularly the major role fires have
to honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.). erosion. Plants can be propagated played in determining the structure
Lonicera was named after the by seed or cuttings. Seed can be and composition of the wilderness
German botanist Adam Lonitzer. stored. forest.
Where does the plant grow? Heinselman wrote several
Bush honeysuckle grows mainly books about the Boundary Waters
in wooded areas, often in Jack pine Canoe Area. Limited numbers of
stands, in dry, or rocky, well-drained The Boundary Waters Wilderness
soil. It is often associated with hazel, Ecosystem, published in 1999, are
dogwood, alder, chokecherry, and still available.
blueberry.
What does the plant look like? Diervilla lonicera
It is a low shrub two to four feet Top left: Closeup of flowers,
tall with slender, ridged twigs and photo by Shirley Mah
opposite, finely toothed, egg-shaped Kooyman.
leaves. It has funnel-shaped, yellow Center left: Blooming branch,
flowers, often reddish in spring. photo by Peter Dziuk.
Bumblebees, butterflies, and moths
pollinate the flowers. Leaf colors Bottom left: Bush, photo by
in fall are yellow, orange, and red. Shirley Mah Kooyman.
Fruits are long-pointed capsules. Below: Moose damage on Isle
Plants spread mainly by rhizomes, Royale, photo by Peter Jordan.
and plants regenerate rapidly after a
fire or after logging, e.g., after paper
7

8. Minnesota Native Plant Society
P.O. Box 20401
Bloomington, MN 55420
Fall 2011
Directions:
Take MN Hwy. 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.