No Title

N A TIVE NOTES

Trifolium virginicum

K A TE’SMOUNT A IN CLOVER

BILL GR A FTON – EDITOR

WEST VIRGINI A N A TIVE PL A NT SOCIETY NEWSLETTER

Volume 16:2 A UGUST , 2008

2 008 A NNU A L MEETING

The 2008 A nnual Meeting will be held in Chief Logan State Park near Logan , WV on Sept . 20 & 21.

The schedule for the weekend is :

· Meet at the Parking Lot for the Lake at 10:30 am on Saturday and walk the Lake Shore Trail until noon .

· Lunch on your own

· Meet at the trail head of Guyandotte Beauty Trail at 1 pm and walk that trail

· Dinner 5:00 PM

· Business meeting 6:30 pm

· We will pick a trail to explore for Sunday morning at the business meeting .

Lodging or camping : check website www . chiefloganlodge . com or call 304 855-6100

Other choices :

Holiday Inn 304 752-6495 (4 miles away in Logan )

Best Western 304 831-2345 (5 miles away in Chapmanville )

Super 8 304 752-8787 (5 miles away in Logan )

Rodeway Inn 304 855-7182 (8 miles away in Chapmanville )

A partial list of spring plants ( below ) that I observed during the 1970 s and 1980 s will tell you there are lots of rich woods , deep hollows , and dry ridge tops . The plants are more typical of the Cumberland Plateau than the Western Hill of the Ohio River Valley . The 4- lane US Route 119 provides easy access to the State Park and the Conference Center .

Walking Fern A dder’s Mouth Orchid

Ramps Glade Fern

Showy Orchis Cranefly Orchid

Puttyroot Wild Cane

Fire Pink Wild Columbine

Slender Toothwort Celandine Poppy

Green Violet Greek Valerian

Bluebells Blue - eyed Mary

Guyandotte Beauty Crossvine

Pinxter A zalea Buffalonut

Umbrellatree

________________________________________________________________________

DR A FT MINUTES WV N A TIVE PL A NT SOCIETY

JUNE 14, 2008

The WV Native Plant Society Board of Trustees met on June 14, 2008 in the Lake Floyd club house . President Chad Kirschbaum called the meeting to order at 1 :45 pm . Others attending were Donna Ford - Werntz , Bill Grafton , Judi White , Jeff Patton , and Helen Gibbins .

A pproval of the January board meeting’s minutes was deferred until the Board receives them .

TRE A SURER’S REPORT – Donna Ford Werntz reported the following :

I . Checking

February Balance $4,638.37

Income ( Dues , donations , T - shirts sales ) 800.44

Expenses ( Native Notes , chapter dues reimbursements ,

FN A Illustration , board meeting room rent , CDs ) 3 ,666.00

Balance $1,772.81

(Obligated expense – MRTC rail trail sign $100)

II . CDs ( interest ca $25 quarterly )

Life Members ( dues revenue )$3,451.09

EPNPS ( dormant chapter )$2,326.11

WVNPS ( contingency fund )$3,025.52

Note – T - shirt summary : expense ( print / postage $884; income ( sales ) $1,000

WEBSITE

Jeff Patton reported that the WVNPS website had been hacked , but it is fixed now . He suggested the future website include wildflower gardening articles . Following are other suggested additions :

Nursery owners who sell wildflowers ( see last Native Notes ) and links to their websites

Links to useful websites such as the Connecticut Botanical Society

A list of easy - to - grow wildflowers . Judi White and Helen Gibbins will send suggestions

Helen mentioned Peter Heus’ booklet he sends with the plants he sells .

MEMBERSHIP

Steve Mace asked that someone replace him as membership chair . His work schedule precludes him from keeping up with the membership duties . He is willing to stay on the Board as Corresponding Secretary .

Some of the duties of the Membership Chair are to send out dues notices , send dues payments to the Treasurer , send a welcoming letter to new members , keep a list of members and send the list to the board periodically , and prepare labels for the newsletter editor . It was also suggested that the labels include the last date that the members paid their dues .

EVENTS A ND FIELD TRIPS

The Tri - State chapter , guided by Romie Hughart and Dick Thompson , went to East Lynn to check out a special trillium , but it was too early in the season to determine its species . The chapter also went to Carter Caves , KY . Under the guidance of the KY State Nature Preserves Commission the chapter checked out several species the Commission is tracking . Judy Dumke and Chad Kirschbaum will send a report to the Commission .

WV Wildflower Pilgrimage . Julian Martin and Mae Ellen Wilson publicized the WVNPS by wearing placards advertising the WVNPS .

Invasive Plants Conference . A bout 60 people attended this meeting in Pomeroy , Ohio with a good mix between property owners and agency persons . Frank Porter gave a good pitch for the WVNPS .

Wildlife Diversity Day at the Capitol . Frank Porter and Helen Gibbins staffed the table .

FN A PL A NT SPONSORSHIP - The legume volume is scheduled to be published in 2 009 and will include our Kate’s Mountain Clover illustration .

WVNPS FLYERS

Bill Grafton moved , Judi White seconded that if the price seems reasonable , 500 membershipflyers will be printed . They will include the amendments suggested by the Board at the last meeting . The motion passed . Chad will contact Frank Porter about taking care of the project .

WV OUTDOOR HERIT A GE A CT OF 2008

It was agreed that the NPS membership be canvassed through the website and newsletter asking them to list their favorite unique places ( not publicly owned ) they think might be a candidate for the Heritage list . The next newsletter will print again a description of the program . Helen Gibbins agreed to find out more about the A ct and forward the information on to the Board members .

W A IVER OF LI A BILITY

Jeff Patton will access Oregon’s Waiver Of Liability and change Oregon’s name to WV for the WVNPS and its chapters use . We will ask all attendees on our field trips to sign the waiver .

WV WILD Y A RDS PROGR A M

It was suggested that Native Notes and the website publicize this program .

NOMIN A TING COMMITTEE

Helen Gibbins agreed to contact some members asking them to be on the nominating committee of three . She will first talk to Cindy Ellis , Chris Gatens , and Mary Sansom . Officers needed are President , Treasurer , Membership Chair , and Director for three - year term .

ANNU A L MEETING

It was agreed that the WVNPS annual meeting will be in Logan County . Chief Logan State Park has lodge rooms and camping facilities . Bill Grafton will contact the extension office to find out if we can use their office for a meeting . Bill also will investigate places for field trips during the annual meeting .

PRESIDENT’S MESS A GE - Chad Kirschbaum

Greetings ! A s I type this message , the humid Dog - Days of summer are settling - in . These hot - muggy days of late summer get their name from the Romans who believed the dog star , Sirius is part of the constellation Canis major , and during this time of year it rises and falls with the sun . The Roman believed the dog star added extra heat to the summer .

In modern times , the Dog - Days of summer are associated with side - walk sales , complacency and sweltering heat . This however , it not a time for botanical enthusiasts to sit inside and soak - up the A C . Driving around the country - side I have noticed many late - summers bloomers festooning the roadsides . Yellow and purple mosaics of ironweed , joe - pye weed and wingstem signal the botanical Dog - Days of summer .

These three plants while considered by most to be roadside weeds and nuisances to cattle are very important late summer food sources for pollinators and critical habitat for native predatory insects . Ironweed alone has over 15 different species of butterflies that are attracted to its blooms . A recent study at Michigan State University revealed that pollinators and nearly 50 species of native insect predators are attracted most to plants with large inflorescences . In their study , during the late summer period , perfoliate boneset ( Eupatorium perfoliatum ) attracted the most native predatory insects and goldenrods attracted the most bees ( see http :// nativeplants . msu . edu / results . htm for more info ).

Pollinator decline and conservation have been on my mind lately . The U . S . Forest Service has recently launched a new website dedicated to this conservation issue (www . fs . fed . us / wildflowers / pollinators / index . shtml ). This website has information

and links about pollinators and pollinator decline . Did you know that 1 out of every 3 bites of food you eat is thanks to pollinator ? Think about all the foods we enjoy that require pollination ; tomatoes , pumpkins and strawberries are just a few examples . Here are a few more fun facts that I learned from the Forest Service website :

More than half of the world’s diet of fats and oils come from animal - pollinated plants ( oil palm , canola , sunflowe rs , etc .).

More than 150 food crops in the U . S . depend on pollinators , including almost all fruit and grain crops .

The USD A estimated that crops dependent on pollination are worth more than $10 billion per year .

What does this have to do with the West Virginia Native Plant Society and the Dog - Days of summer ? A s native plant enthusiasts we have an opportunity and responsibility to spread the word about the benefits of using native plants for gardening and the benefits of conserving native plants in West Virginia in their native habitats . One overlooked benefit is the value that native plants have in attracting pollinators for crop production and native insect predators for natural biological control of pest species . These essential animals will not only make gardens more interesting places but will also help strengthen our nation’s food supply and ecosystems’ food webs .

In the remaining Dogs Days of summer I encourage you look for and identify these beneficial insects in your gardens , fields and favorite natural areas and think about how you might use the plants that harbor them or how you can re - create their habitat on your property . Because in the Dog Days of summer we see a large number of showy plants with large - inflorescenes blooming , this is the perfect time to photograph and appreciate our native six - legged friends . In September , our annual meeting and field trip will be at Chief Logan State Park ( see details inside ). This event will be a perfect time to get outdoors and hunt for and appreciate the beneficial insects that are our partners in conserving West Virginia’s diversity of native plants . I hope to see you there !

VOLUNT A RY RUR A LOUTDOOR CONSERV A TION A CT

Passed on March 8, 2008 : To be effective June 8, 2008

SB 622 Voluntary Rural Outdoor Heritage Conservation A ct . " The purpose of this bill is to provide for land conservation and stewardship through a newly - created Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund to provide grants to certain state agencies and qualifying 501( c )(3) organizations . A n enhanced fee for the recording of deeds will be divided equally between the existing Farmland Protection Fund and the Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund . The Board of Trustees of the new Fund may direct the Economic Development Fund to issue revenue bonds to be secured by a portion of the recording fee ."

Led by The Nature Conservancy the passage of this bill was supported by a wide variety of recreation and conservation groups and business interests . A ccording to Beth Wheatley , of TNC , " It ' s not just about securing funding for land conservation . It ' s about making land conservation a priority for WV and giving the state and communities the resources to be able to protect land that is important to them ."

1 ) Fund to establish a funding source to conserve unique and important wildlife habitat , natural areas , forests , working lands , lands for hunting , fishing and recreation and other lands important to WV .

Funds will come from a fee on real estate transfers one / half to Conservation Fund and one / half for Farmland Preservation .

For purposes of this article , conservation criteria include :

( 1) Unique or important wildlife habitat as specified in the State Wildlife Conservation A ction Plan ;

( 2) Habitat for rare , threatened or endangered species ;

( 3) A relatively undisturbed or outstanding example of an ecosystem or natural community indigenous to West Virginia ;

( 4) A n important area for public hunting , fishing or other outdoor recreational uses ;

( 5) Important recreation lands or important habitats identified in county comprehensive plans ;

( 6) Riparian habitats , wetlands , water quality , watersheds of significant ecological value or critical aquifer recharge areas ;

( 7) Forest land or working land that has strategic economic significance ;

( 8) A larger area containing conserved lands or as a connection between conserved lands ;

( 9) Land of unique cultural , historical or archaeological significance ;

( 10) Degree of threat to land ; and

( 11) The number of acres of land to be conserved .

2 ) Board of Trustees - DNR and Forestry directors ; 9. others - 1 each from A gricultural Land Protection A uthority , registered forester , person with documented expertise in public health or public recreation , a representative of sportsmen and sportswomen ; 2 are recognized professional experts in biology or ecology , nominated by the WV A cademy of Sciences ; 3 are reps of independent IRC 501 © (3) ( see definition under 4 - charitable corporation )

Some of the duties of the Trustees

Make available money to the DNR for acquiring property or debt service for conservation purposes under the WV Wildlife Conservation A ction Plan or other conservation plans developed by the division .

May issue revenue bonds for financial support for land conservation .

From The Nature Conservancy ' s website

Legislation Launches Investment in West Virginia ' s Rural & Natural Heritage

Governor Manchin signs bill creating Voluntary Rural & Outdoor Heritage Conservation A ct

CH A RLESTON , WV - A pril 3, 2008 - A new state initiative , made official today with the ceremonial signing by Governor Manchin , commits the State of West Virginia to a stronger investment in the future conservation of important wildlife habitat , natural areas , forests , and farmland .

"A n investment in land conservation is important to growing key economic sectors like tourism and to attracting businesses interested in a high quality of life for their employees ," says Governor Manchin , " This legislation is one more step in making West Virginia a destination state ."

" This is a historic piece of legislation ," says Rodney Bartgis , state director of The Nature Conservancy , " We applaud the Legislature and Governor Manchin for their support in conserving West Virginia ' s rural and natural heritage ."

Gov . Manchin ' s signature confirms the West Virginia Legislature ' s March 8 th approval of the Voluntary Rural & Outdoor Heritage Conservation A ct . The legislation makes a state investment in the conservation of important wildlife habitat , natural areas , forestland , and farmland and establishes a statewide land conservation fund , the Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund .

The Voluntary Rural & Outdoor Heritage Conservation A ct makes an investment by dedicating revenue from a $4 flat fee on the recording of deeds and $5 flat fee on the recording of other documents to land conservation . Half of the revenue from these fees will be directed to the new state - level Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund created by the legislation and half will be directed to the state - level Farmland Protection Fund .

"The revenue directed to these two land conservation funds is a first step to enable conservation of lands important to West Virginians ' economic well - being and quality of life ," said Senator McCabe , lead sponsor of the legislation , " This initial state investment will begin to leverage private , federal , and in some cases - local - dollars to enable conservation of West Virginia ' s outstanding natural assets ."

A broad spectrum of interests supported the legislation : land trusts , farmland protection boards , hunting & fishing organizations , wildlife groups , landowners , and business leaders . " The coalition supporting this legislation recognized the economic and quality of life returns that West Virginians will see from investing in the conservation of outstanding natural areas , wildlife habitat , forestland , and farmland - and the value of conserving our natural heritage for our children and grandchildren ," says Rod Graves , retired farmer and active member of two farmland protection boards , " We also recognized the importance of partnering to support both a state investment in land conservation and the development of the Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund ."

"The fact that the bill passed during the first session in which it was introduced speaks to the power of the coalition of interests working together - for the first time - to meet a shared objective ," says Bartgis , " The bill ' s passage also speaks to the enormous public support to conserve West Virginia ' s natural assets and growing recognition that these assets are the state ' s competitive advantage ."

Public support of land conservation is reflected in recent survey results . More than 8 in 10 voters agree that protecting land and water is vital for a strong economy in the State (2007 survey of West Virginia voters conducted by Fairbank , Maslin , Maullin & A ssociates ). Seventy - nine percent (79%) of voters indicated that they favor using public funds to preserve forests , mountains and natural areas (2000 survey of West Virginia voters conducted by Peter D . Hart Research Associates and 2005 survey of West Virginia adults conducted by Responsive Management ).

NOW WE NEED YOUR HELP

The WVNPS officers and Board of trustees feels that it is time for us to develop a list of the most important wildflower sites in west Virginia that are privately owned . Please read the article above , a second time , and then list your favorite native plant locations on the enclosed insert .

Return the insert to Steve Mace , WVNPS , PO Box 808, New Haven , WV 2 5265-0808

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Website : WVNPS . org Website : WVNPS . org Website : WVNPS . org Website : WVNPS . org

G A RDENING WITH N A TIVE PL A NTS

By : Helen Gibbins & Judi White

Fall planting of perennials is often on gardeners’ agendas . Many of us would like to incorporate native plants into our gardens but such gardening is sometimes a challenge when we search for plants . Fortunately there are several nurseries in the state and nearby states that sell native plants and some popular catalogs sell native plants and seeds ( see previous Native Notes ) Perhaps you can ask members of the WV Native Plant Society for seeds .

Here are some colorful plants or ones that keep their foliage throughout the season . They work well alongside cultivars . I am not including the many ephemerals that we all enjoy .

Helen Gibbins’ list

SH A DE - Groundcovers and edging plants - Wild ginger (A sarum canadense ); Wild bleeding heart ( Dicentra exima ); Greek valerian ( Polemonium reptans ); Violets (Viola sp .); Golden - knees ( Chrysogonum virginianum ); Celandine - poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum )

Some taller flowers that work well are the showy lobelias ( Cardinal flower and Great blue lobelia ); Waterleafs ( Hydrophyllum sp .); Jack - in - the Pulpit ( A risaema triphyllum ); Black Cohosh – ( Cimicifuga racemosa ); Geranium (Geranium maculatum ); Plume - lily ( Smilacina racemosa ); Mistflower ( Eupatorium coelestinum )

. Native ferns can be incorporated into your shade garden , too .

SUN A ND SH A DE – Golden A lexander ( Zizia aurea ); Joe - Pye Weed ( Eupatorium sp .);

SUN - Butterfly and hummingbird attracters – Monarda sp .; Obedient plant ( wet area ) ( Physotegia virginiana ; Native A sters , Phlox , Coreopsis , Sunflowers ; Liatris sp ; Butterfly weed (A sclepias tuberosa ); Black - eyed Susan ( Rudbeckia hirta ), Purple coneflower ( Echinacea purpurea ), adventive from the west ; and if you have room for weedy plants -- Milkweeds (A sclepias sp .), Goldenrods ( Solidago sp .), Ironweed ( Vernonia altissima ); Cup plant ( Silphium perfoliatum ) and Trumpet Creeper - attracts hummingbirds - ( Campsis radicans ) Consult with a butterfly book to find all the native plants , trees , and shrubs that are larval hosts .

SHRUBS – Viburnums , spice bush ( Lindera benzoin ), sweet shrub ( Calycanthus floridus )

Judi White’s list –

Alumroot ( Heuchera americana ), wild columbine (A quilegia americana ), skullcaps (Scutellaria ), wild quinine ( Parthenium integrifolium ), Flaxleaf aster ( aster linarifolius ), Small ' s groundsel or golden ragwort ( Senecio smallii ), mouse ear tickseed ( Coreopsis auriculata ) Golden - knees ( Chrysogonum virginianum ).

SHRUB - Oakleaf Hydrangea ( Hydrangea quercifolia )

These are just a few of the wonderful native plants that are easy to grow . Send us your list .

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WVNPS . ORG OUR WEBSITE – CHECK IT OUT WVNPS . ORG

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -

L A KE FLOYD BIO - BLITZ

Lake Floyd is a community of summer cottages and year - around homes located between Clarksburg and Salem . David Powell ( a resident ) wanted all of his neighbors to increase their appreciation of the natural world around them so he organized a bio - blitz . The hope was to create a biological inventory of plants and animals in the Lake Floyd Valley – in 32 hours .

Some of the experts who helped were :

Chad Kirschbaum , Donna Ford - Werntz , Judi White , Helen Gibbins , Jeff Patton , and Bill Grafton representing WVNPS who helped with the plant inventory .

Sue Olcott ( WVDNR ) and Jay Buckelew ( Bethany College & WVNPS ) – Birds

Tom Pauley Marshall U .) and Zach Loughman ( West Liberty College ) – Amphibians & Reptiles

Laura Miller ( WV Dept . of A G ) and Harry Goodwin ( USD A) –Insects

Bill Roody & Donna Mitchell ( WV DNR & WVNPS ) – Mushrooms

On the plant side , we found about a dozen new county records for Harrison County . We also observed an ornamental Viburnum that was badly invading the surrounding woods . We think it is Viburnum lantata .

Hats off to David Powell and all of his neighbors for a great Bio - Blitz !!!

WVNPS Cranberry Glades Trip

BY : KEVIN C A MPBELL

During the weekend of June 27-30, 2008, the WV Native Plant Society , Kanawha Valley Chapter had an outing to the Handley Wildlife Management Area / Cranberry Glades region of Pocahontas County . In attendance were : Roger and Sharon Cook , Romie Hughart , Chris Gatens , Bill Hall , and Kevin Campbell . We stayed at the Handley Wildlife Management A rea near Edray , WV . The weather was fantastic for the weekend , only one exciting thunderstorm providing fireworks for Saturday night . We observed and identified 23 ferns and fern allies and eleven species of orchids . A mong the findings were Crested Shield Fern in a small bog near the cabin and approximately seventy - five Pale Green Orchids growing in a ditch near the lake in the Handley WM A.

Orchids

Cypripedium acaule Pink Ladies Slipper

Goodyera pubescens Downy Rattlesnake Plantain

Platanthera clavellata Green Wood Orchid

Platanthera flava Pale Green Orchid

Platanthera lacera Ragged Fringed Orchid

Platanthera orbiculata Round - Leaved Orchid

Platanthera psycodes Purple Fringed Orchid

Pogonia ophioglossoides Rose Pogonia

Calopogon tuberosus Grass Pink

Liparis loeselii Loesel’s Twayblade

Corallorhiza trifida Early Coralroot

Fern and Fern A llies

Lycopodium annotinum Stiff Clubmoss

Lycopodium dendroideum Groundpine

Lycopodium clavatum Common Clubmoss

Lycopodium digitatum Groundpine

Equisetum arvense Common Horsetail

Botrychium virginianum Rattlesnake Fern

Osmunda cinnamomea Cinnamon Fern

Osmunda claytoniana Interrupted Fern

Polypodium virginianum Common Polypody Fern

Dennstaedtia punctilobula Hay - scented Fern

Pteridium aquilinum Bracken Fern

Adiantum pedatum Maidenhair Fern

Asplenium montanum Mountain Spleenwort

Asplenium platyneuron Ebony Spleenwort

Cystopteris fragilis Fragile Fern

Thelypteris novaboracensis New York Fern

Thelypteris palustris Marsh Fern

Deparia acrostichoides Silver A thyrium

Dryopteris cristata Crested Shield Fern

Dryopteris intermedia Intermediate Shield Fern

Dryopteris campyloptera Mountain Wood Fern

Polystichum acrostichoids Christmas Fern

Onoclea sensibilis Sensitive Fern

$ $$$$$$$$$$ OUR WEBSITE : WVNPS . ORG ############## - % %%%%%%

PERON A L NOTES :

President Chad Kirshbaum and his wife are the proud parents of Miles Jensen Kirschbaum who was born on July 4 ^{th

in

A

shland

,

KY

.

We

wish

all

three

long

,

happy

,

and

healthy

lives

.}

If you have personal info ( yourself or others ) that can be shared please send to the Bill Grafton ( editor ) : wgrafton @ wvu . edu

KEEPING BUSY : You can help

Chad Kirschbaum , Jeff Patton and others are really doing great things on the Wayne National Forest . May 8 and 24 were garlic mustard pulling days , May 27 and June 6 were native plant potting days . July 12 and 25 were stiltgrass cutting ventures . June 2 4, A ugust 9 & 22 were Native seed collecting days . Do you want to help with future activities ? Call Chad at 740 534-6535

N A TIVE ORCHID CONFERENCE M A RCHES INTO WEST VIRGINI A

1 20+ orchid enthusiasts spent July 18-21 in Morgantown and on field trips to see our orchids that were in bloom at that time of year . Scott Shriver and Clete Smith were the 2 local organizers who worked with Dave Mc A doo from North Carolina . Donna Ford - Werntz was a WVU sponsor and made the WVU Herbarium available for the orchid enthusiasts . There were 2 folks from Germany , 2 from United Kingdom , 5 from Canada , and states , such as , California , A rizona , Florida , Wisconsin , Maine , North Carolina , Ohio , Pennsylvania , Maryland , & Virginia . Prominent speakers were John Freudenstein ( US orchid expert ), Kathy Gregg ( WV Wesleyan College and WVNPS member ),

Doug Jolley ( owner of Winbeam Way Nursery at Heaters , WV ),

Clete Smith and Scott Shriver ( both from Pittsburgh , P A and are WVNPS members ), Tom Sampliner & Jim Bissell , Cleveland , Ohio ,

Hal Horwitz , Richmond V A.

July 19 ^{th

was

a

field

trip

day

to

six

sites

in

Pennsylvania

.

We

operated

under

a

creative

format

that

was

the

brainchild

of

Scott

Shriver

.}

*Everyone received very detailed direction to drive to the orchid locations .

*Site leaders were at the sites from 9 am to 7 pm to help people find the orchids that were present . When people arrived they were directed to the orchid , especially those in bloom .

The dreaded words , ”You’ve got to be back on the bus or in the cars in 5 minutes” were never heard all day ! ”

*There were no caravans . People came and went as they pleased . When you finished at a site , you picked any of the other 5 sites and drove to it .

*There were seldom too many people at a site or too many wanting to take photos of the same flower at the same time .

The 6 sites , leaders and orchids to be seen in Pennsylvania are listed below :

1 . Alan Seeger Natural A rea : Clete Smith & Doug Jolley – Listera smallii , Coralorhiza maculata , Goodyera tesselata , Epipactis helleborine

2 . Scotia Range : Scott Shriver – Malaxis unifolia , Coralorhiza maculata , Goodyera pubescens , Isotria verticillata

3 . Gibbon Glade : Tom Sampliner – Platanthera peramoena

4 . Markleysburg Bog : Bill Grafton – Platanthera lacera , Malaxis unifolia , Pogonia ophioglossoides

5 . Laurel Hill State Park : Frank DiStefano – Platanthera peramoena

6 . Central City / Crumb Bog : James Nusser – Platanthera clavellata , Purple pitcher plant , Planthera lacera , Round - leaved Sundew

July 21 was the day for West Virginia field trips to 6 different sites as listed below :

1 . Thornwood : Clete Smith –“pale frilly” hybrid of Platanthers grandiflora

2 . Buffalo Fork : Doug Jolley – Bentley’s Coralroot , Coeloglossum viride

3 . Cranberry Glades : Tom Bailey – Calapogon tuberosus , Listera cordata , Listera smallii , Platanthera flava , Platanthera grandiflora , Platanthera clavellata , Platanthera orbiculata , P . x keenanii , Pogonia ophioglossoides

4 . Bullard Property : Jim & Beth Bullard , Bill Grafton – Godyera repens & pubescens , Coralorhiza maculata , Platanthera orbiculata

5 . Droop Mountain Bog : Scott Shriver – Calapogon tuberosus , Listera smallii , Platanthera lacera , Platanthera clavellata

6 . Montrose : Frank DiStefano – Platanthera peramoena

Sharon Kearnes of Hillsboro & a WVNPS member participated as did Charles Garratt (photographer from Warm Springs , V A) who frequently explores in WV . Dennis Horn , lead author of the excellent field guide , “Wildflowers of Tennessee , the Ohio Valley , and the Southern A ppalachians” , also participated .

If you like orchids , check out this group’s website at http :// groups . yahoo . com / group / nativeorchidconference

% %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%

MIDDLE A TL A NTIC CH A PTER – A MERIC A N RHODODENDRON SOCIETY

The “rhody” people came to West Virginia on June 6-8. There were about 80 participants who wanted to see our rhododendrons . Of greatest interest was the R . prinophyllum ( Rose A zalea ) that grows in the cold , windy weather of Dolly Sods . It was in its prime blooming stage and the cameras were clicking furiously and I suspect more than one person collected some pollen for hybridization purposes .

The weekend started on Friday evening with a talk by Bill Grafton on Canaan Valley and Dolly Sods . Saturday morning was devoted to a trip to Dolly Sods . The weather was great and we saw a lot of heath plants along with the fabulous show put on by the Rose Azalea . Saturday afternoon included a field trip to Blackwater Falls State Park . Recent rains caused the falls to be very nice and we saw quite a few native plants . A fter the 2 official field trips several people made an unofficial trip to look for the Showy Ladies Slipper ( still in bud ), the Jacob’s Ladder , Glade Spurge , Purple A vens , and other rare plants of Canaan Valley State Park .

Doug Jolley , Mike Breiding and Bill Grafton were the field trip leaders .

After a barbecue feast for dinner Dr . Stephen Krebs talked about the native azalea & rhododendron program at Holden A rboretum near Cleveland , Ohio .

2 008 DUES

Regular membership ------$12

Student membership ------ 8

Life membership -----------200

Chapter membership :

Kanawha Valley -- 6

Tri - State ----------- 6

You must be a member of the statewide WV NPS in order to be a member of a local chapter . Make your check payable to “West Virginia Native Plant Society” . Just write one check and note if you are joining one or both chapter or giving a donation . The Treasurer will distribute chapter dues to the proper chapter .

Send dues to :

West Virginia Native Plant Society

P . O . Box 808

New Haven , WV 25265-0808

WV N A TIVE PL A NT SOCIETY

P O. BOX 808

NEW H A VEN , WV 25265-0808

Web : WWW . WVNPS . ORG