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   N A TIVE    NOTES
        

K A TE’S   MOUNT A IN   CLOVER

BILL   GR A FTON   –   Editor

WEST   VIRGINI A  N A TIVE   PL A NT   SOCIETY   NEWSLETTER

Volume  15:3                                                               DECEMBER , 2007

Dear   WVNPS   Members ,

I   hope   everyone   had   an   exciting   spring ,  summer   and   fall   and   took   many   opportunities   to   botanize .   I   attended   several   Tri - State   Chapter   trips   and   the   Fall   State   field   trip .   Getting   together   with   friends   and   fellow   botanical   enthusiasts   is   always   a   treat .   I   encourage   you   if   you   haven’t   already ,  to   take   advantage   of   these   trips   next   summer .   It’s   a   great   chance   to   learn   about   the   flora   from   excellent   botanists   such   as   Bill   Grafton ,  Donna   Ford - Werntz   and   Judy   Dumke   and   wildflower   gurus   such   as   Romie   Hughart ,  Helen   Gibbons ,  Jeff   Patton   and   many   others   who   regularly   attend   these   fields   trips   and   willingly   share   the   knowledge   with   participants .   Even   though   I   work   with ,  identify   and   read   about   plants   for   my   job ,  I   always   learn   new   things   on   our   field   trips .  

I’d   like   to   thank   our   Chapter   presidents ,  the   WVNPS   Board   and   Frank   Porter  ( Fall   meeting   host   and   organizer )  for   organizing   excellent   field   trips   and   working   to   educate   and   involve   our   WVNPS   members .

Please   remember   that   the   WVNPS   is   a   organization   for   all   seasons ,  not   just   the   growing   season .   This   winter   we   will   continue   our   annual   lecture   series   at   Marshall   University   (see   schedule   in   this   issue ).  A t   the   first   talk   in   December   I   will   present   on   the   topic   of   fire   ecology .   The   use   of   prescribed   fire   by   land   managers   is   an   important   tool   in   conserving   biodiversity   and   rare   plants .   I   will   explain   why   that   is   and   discuss   some   of   the   controversy   surrounding   the   use   of   prescribed   fire .   The   next   topic   of   our   lecture   series   in   January   features   a   similar   but   more   specific   theme ;  How   does   fire   and   other   forest   management   practices   affect   mosses ?   This   will   be   presented   by   John   Willey   a   graduate   student   at   Ohio   State   University .  A nother   graduate   student   and   colleague   of   mine ,  Gerald   Scott   will   present   his   research   on   the   effects   of   the   invasive   species   Tree - of - Heaven   on   plants   and   soils .   Many   of   you   are   probably   familiar   with   this   species   and   its   stench .    Not   only   does   this   plants   stink   literally ,  but   its   also   stinks   for   the   plants   and   soils   that   have   to   live   with   it .   Last   but   not   least ,  Jim   Boggess   of   Barboursville   will   prime   us   for   spring   wildflower   season   by   giving   us   a   virtual   tour   of   the   wildflowers   of   Barboursville   park .   Jim   will   discuss   many   virtues   and   uses   of   the   plants   he   has   photographed   at   the   park .  

Thanks   for   your   continued   support   of   the   WVNPS   and   I   look   forward   to   seeing   you   this   winter   or   next   summer .

Cheers ,

Chad   Kirschbaum ,  WVNPS   President

SILENT   INV A SION :  ECOLOGIC A L  A ND   HE A LTH   THRE A TS   OF   INV A SIVE   SPECIES

A   silent   invasion   is   taking   place   in   our   precious   forests ,  meadows ,  and   wetlands .  Little   by   little   invasive   plants   are   out - competing   native   plants   as   they   vie   for   nutrients   to   survive .  The   list   of   invasive   species   is   growing   at   an   exponential   rate .  These   invasives   arrive   in   cargo   containers   from   abroad   either   as   seeds ,  roots ,  or   plants .  They   also   are   brought   into   this   country   intentionally   by   nurseries   who   sell   them   to   unsuspecting   gardeners   who   are   delighted   by   the   flowers   and   foliage ,  but   are   completely   unaware   of   the   ecological   havoc   these   plants   can   cause   in   our   native   ecosystems . A ttempts   to   eradicate   these   invasives   will   always   be   hampered   until   the   public   is   made   aware   of   the   damage   caused   by   them .  One   solution   is   to   begin   using   native   plants   as   substitutes   for   these   invasive   species .  Native   plants   are   not   only   extremely   ornamental ,  they   are   also   well - adapted   to   the   growing   conditions   in   which   they   will   be   placed ,  requiring   little   or   no   irrigation ,  needing   no   fertilization ,  and   requiring   no   insecticides .  The   use   of   native   plants   lessens   the   destruction   of   fragile   ecosystems   that   are   inundated   with   chemicals   as   the   result   of   too   much   irrigation   and   use   of   pesticides   and   insecticides .

The   intentional   and   accidental   introduction   of   alien   species   of   plants   is   one   of   the   dire   threats   to   the   natural   resources   of   the   Ohio   Valley .  One   need   only   drive   along   our   major   highways   and   look   at   the   rapid   spread   of   Kudzu   vines ,  Paulownia   trees ,  and   the   ornamental   grass   Miscanthus   sinensis   to   see   how   devastating   these   species   can   be .  Invasive   species   are   even   more   prevalent   within   the   confines   of   our   federal   and   state   forests   and   parks .  Microstegia   vimineum  ( Stiltgrass )  is   literally   choking   out   hundreds   of   species   of   wildflowers   and   grasses .  It   is   an   annual   grass   that   produces   thousands   of   seeds   per   plant   that   attach   themselves   to   any   object   that   passes   through   them . A TVs   are   one   of   the   main   culprits . A s   they   ride   along   trails   covered   with   Stiltgrass ,  their   tires   spread   the   seeds   wherever   the  A TVs   venture . A nd   all   too   often ,  the   riders   stray   off   the   trails   and   traverse   the   sides   of   the   mountains   or   along   gullies   and   cuts   dissecting   the   slopes .  Within   a   matter   of   weeks ,  there   are   green   strips   present   where   the   tires   have   dispersed   the   seeds .

Invasive   species   also   present   health   risks   to   humans .  Tree   of   Heaven  (A ilanthus   altissima )  is   not   only   invasive   but   also   poisonous .  There   have   been   instances   where   individuals   who   were   sawing   these   trees   became   seriously   ill   from   the   sap .  Another   pernicious   invasive   plant   that   is   a   public   health   hazard   is   Heraclelum   mantegazzianum  ( Giant   Hogweed ).  Originally   from  A sia   and   introduced   as   an   ornamental   plant ,  Giant   Hogweed ' s   clear ,  watery   sap   has   toxins   that   cause   photodermatitis .  Skin   contact   followed   by   exposure   to   sunlight   produces   painful ,  burning   blisters   that   can   develop   into   purplish   or   blackened   scars .

There   are   far   too   many   other   species   that   have   invaded   the   forests ,  meadows ,  and   waterways   of   the   Ohio   Valley . A  regional   effort   must   be   implemented   to   prevent   and   control   the   continued   spread   and   introduction   of   these   non - native   species .  Efforts   are   already   underway   by   both   federal   and   state   agencies   to   eradicate   specific   invasive   species .  But   it   will   prove   to   be   a   fruitless   effort   if   these   same   non - native   species   are   allowed   to   grow   in   adjacent   private   lands   and   continue   to   be   a   source   of   seeds   that   will   ultimately   spread   back   onto   public   lands .  Private   landowners ,  as   well   as   federal   and   state   agencies ,  must   be   made   aware   of   the   health   hazards   and   ecological   catastrophe   that   is   taking   place   because   of   non - native   invasive   plants .

KEYNOTE   SPE A KER :   Mark   Rose

Mark   Rose ,  of   Greensboro ,  North   Carolina ,  has   been   interested   in   native   plants   since  1954. A t   an   early   age ,  he   began   cultivating   native   orchids ,  trilliums ,  lilies   and   hexastylis .  His   primary   interest   is   in   shade   gardening   and   spring   ephemerals .  He   owned   and   operated   a   commercial   tropical   orchid   nursery   from  1964  to  2007.  He   is   a   Life   Member   of   the  A merican   Orchid   Society   Inc .;  a   fellow   in   the   Royal   Horticultural   Society   of   London ,  England ;  a   co - founder   and   Board   Member   of   the   Native   Orchid   Conference   Inc .;  and   a   member   of   the   North   Carolina   Native   Plant   Society   and   serves   on   its   board .  In   March   of  2006,  Mark   was   appointed   by   Governor   Easley   to   the   North   Carolina   Plant   Conservation   Board .

Date :  March  27, 2008

Location :   Meigs   County   Extension   Office ,  Pomeroy ,  Ohio

For   further   information   contact   Frank   W .  Porter   at   sr 2642@ dragonbbs . com  

Wvnps . org  ----------- You   can   pay   your  2008  dues   now .   Check   our   website .----------- wvnps . org

Our   winter   lecture   series   has   been   finalized   for   this   season .   See   the   schedule   below   and   feel   free   to   forward   it   to   anyone   you   think   would   enjoy   these   lectures .   Hope   to   see   you   all   this   season . 

Winter   Lecture   Series

Fire   Ecology   of   the  A ppalachian   Foothills

Chad   Kirschbaum ,  Wayne   National   Forest  

Wednesday ,  December  12 th  

Silvicultural   Effects   on   Forest   Mosses   in   Vinton   County :  Ohio   Records   and   Species   Trends

John   Wiley ,  Ohio   University

Wednesday ,  January  16 th  

Tree - of - heaven   its   history ,  biology ,  and   invasion   into   the   deciduous   forests   of   southern   Ohio  

Gerald   Scott ,  Ohio   University  

Wednesday ,  February  13 th  

The   Wildflowers   of    Barboursville   Park

Jim   Boggess

Wednesday ,  March  12 th

All   Lectures   will   be   held   at   

Marshall   University

Science   Building   Room  376

6 :30  –   7:30  P . M . Free

Public   welcome !   Please   join   us   for   a   series   of   talks   about   wildflowers ,  mosses ,  ecology   and   invasive   species . 

 

wvnps ------------ wvnps ------ 2 008  dues   are   now   due -------- wvnps --------- wvnps ---------

WVNPS   BO A RD   MEETING  :  Will   be   held   in   Charleston  ( Saturday ,  January  19, 2008

Back - up   date   will   be   February  19 th .    Time   and   place   on   website   and   by   email .    We   hope   to   have   a   guest   speaker   talking   about   invasive   species .

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Summary   of   the  A nnual   Joint   Meeting   of   the   Torrey   Botanical   Society ,  the   Philadelphia   Botanical   Club ,  and   the   Botanical   Society   of  A merica ,  Northeastern   Section  ( June  17-21,  2 007).  

By   Elizabeth   Byers ,  with   thanks   to   Larry   Klotz   and   Ed   Miller   for   their   notes   on   the   event

The   meeting   took   place   at   Davis   and   Elkins   College   in   Elkins ,  West   Virginia ,  and   featured   a   program   of   three   all - day   field   trips   plus   four   evening   lectures .   This   was   the  60 th   BOTSOC   foray .  The  42  full - time   and   five   part - time   participants   represented  11  northeastern   states   plus   the   District   of   Columbia   and   Florida .   

The   field   trip   leaders   were   Jim   Vanderhorst ,  Elizabeth   Byers ,  and   Brian   Streets   from   West   Virginia   Natural   Heritage   Program ;  Dr .  Katherine   Gregg   of   West   Virginia   Wesleyan   College ;  and   Leah   Ceperley   from   Canaan   Valley   National  

Wildlife   Refuge .   Evening   lectures   were   given   by   Elizabeth   Byers ,  Katherine   Gregg ,  Bill   Roody  ( West   Virginia   DNR ),  and   Rodney   Bartgis  ( The   Nature   Conservancy ).   Larry   Klotz   was   the   Chair   for   this   meeting ,  Marcia   Minichiello   was   the  A ssistant   Chair ,  and   Karl  A nderson   again   served   as   Treasurer .   The   next   meeting   for   June  2008  will   be   in   southern   New   Jersey   and   organized   by   Ted   Gordon   and   Walt   Bien .

The   program   opened   on   Sunday   evening   with   a   slide   presentation   by   Elizabeth   Byers   on  " High   elevation   wetlands   of   the  A llegheny   Mountain   region ."   We   distributed   field   trip   materials ,  including   maps   and   a   checklist   of  733  species   which   have   been   documented   at   the   field   trip   sites .   On   Monday   morning ,  we   departed   for   Cheat   Mountain  in   the   area   of   Gaudineer   Knob .   We   began   with   an   upland   limestone   forest   on   west   flank   of   Cheat   Mountain .   This   was   the   lowest   elevation   stop   of   the   day ,  and   was   situated   along   a   band   of   Greenbrier   limestone   that   forms   a   ring   around   the   entire   Tygarts   Valley   River .   The   forest   here   is   successional ,  with   black   cherry   and   slippery   elm   over   a   rich   herbaceous   layer .   There   was   an   abundance   of   land   snails .  This   area   also   had   lots   of   black   cohosh  (A ctaea   racemosa )  in   bloom   and   blue   cohosh  ( Caulophyllum   thalictroides )   in   fruit ,  Goldie’s   shield   fern   ( Dryopteris   goldiana ) ,  and   other   calciphiles .  In   the   dense   shade   of   June ,  the   spring   ephemerals   had   disappeared ,  except   for   wild   leek   flowers  ( Allium   tricoccum ) ,  which   are   known  ( and   relished )  as   “ramps”   to   the   locals . 

The   group   then   ventured   into   the   balsam   fir  ( Abies   balsamea )   swamp   at   Blister   Run .     This   is   perhaps   the   finest   stand   of   balsam   fir   in   WV   near   the   southernmost   extent   of   the   species   range .  This   large   swamp   hosts   numerous   wetland   plants   including   several   rare   species .   We   saw   several   pad   orchids  ( Platanthera   orbiculata ) .  One   was   in   perfect   bloom   which   greatly   pleased   the   photographers . 

Lunch   was   at   the   Gaudineer   Picnic  A rea .     Gaudineer   Knob   is   over  4400  feet   elevation   and   is   clearly   in   the   “spruce   zone . ”    The   picnic   area   is   surrounded   by   a   young   spruce   forest   with   a   ground   carpet   of   the   liverwort   Bazzania   trilobata .  At   the   lunch   stop ,  we   enjoyed   a   southern   beauty ,  the   southern   mountain   cranberry ,  ( Vaccinium   erythrocarpum ) .  Its   fruit   dangles   like   deerberry   but   is   red   when   ripe .  Mountain   wood   fern  ( Dryopteris   campyloptera )   and   a   budding   woodland   orchid   ( Platanthera   clavellata )    were   additional   highlights .  We   then   ventured   into   the   old   growth   spruce   forest   at   Gaudineer   Scenic  A rea .     This   is   a   rare   old   growth   remnant   of   upland   spruce   forest   in   WV ,  said   to   have   survived   the   loggers   by   a   surveyors’   error ,  so   that   ownership   was   in   question .   Ed   Miller   observed   that   in   the   Adirondacks   of   New   York , A LL   of   the   adjacent   landowners   would   have   logged   and   asked   questions   later . A  loop   trail   meanders   through   the   stand   which   is   near   the   ecotone   of   the   red   spruce   and   northern   hardwoods   ecosystems .  

The   final  ( or   first ,  if   you   were   in   the   second   group )  stop   of   the   day   was   the   high   elevation   river   scour   prairie   on   the   Upper   Shavers   Fork   River .     Our   northern guests   enthusiastically   waded   the   river   to   what   they   attractively   called   an    “ice   meadow” .   Ed   Miller   said   it   reminded   him   strongly   of   the   ice   meadows   on   the   upper   Hudson   River ,  which   also   have   sticky   tofieldia  ( Triantha   glutinosa )   and   a   green   orchid  ( Platanthera   flava ) .  Two   rare   Central  A ppalachian   endemics ,  Barbara   buttons  ( Marshallia   grandiflora )   and   long - stalked   holly  ( Ilex   collina )   provided    a   geographic / botanical   thrill   to   the   group .   Other   highlights   were   smooth   azalea   ( Rhododendron   arborescens ) ,  Carolina   tasselrue  ( Trautvetteria   caroliniensis ) ,  glade   St .  Johnswort  ( Hypericum   densiflorum )   and   a   pretty   phlox  ( Phlox   maculata ) .

Monday   evening ,  Kathy   Gregg   gave   a   fascinating   slide   presentation   entitled  " Do   orchids   hedge   their   bets ?"   Tuesday   morning   we   set   out   in   windy ,  threatening   weather   for   Dolly   Sods .    Luckily ,  the   rain   and   lightning   and   held   off   until   the   afternoon ,  and   we   were   able   to   enjoy   the   spectacular   views   and   breathtaking   expanse   of   mountain   laurel   in   bloom .   We   began   with   a   brief   stop   in   the   upland   forest   at   Laneville   Cabin .   Dolly   Sods   is   drained   by   the   high - gradient   Red   Creek ,  which   crosses   the   Greenbrier   limestone   at   this   point .   We   looked   at   the   transition   from   the   rich   deciduous   forest   to   the   high   elevation   spruce   zone .   There   is   a   small   colony   of   exotic   but   uncommon   strawberry - raspberry  ( Rubus   illecebrosus )   at   this   site ,  with   a   large   white   flower   and   pleasant   odor .   We   then   drove   up   to   the   top   of   the   ridge   and   visited   the   beautiful   shrub   and   bog   communities   along   the   Northland   Loop   Trail .   Lunch   was   at   the   Red   Creek   Campground ,  followed   by   a   brief   visit   to   the   tall   shrub   community   and   views   of   the   Ridge   and   Valley   ecological   province   on   eastern   side   of  A llegheny   Front .

The   last   stop   of   the   day   was   at   Bear   Rocks .   Here   the   landscape   was   covered   with   blooming   mountain   laurel ,  whites ,  pinks   and   red .  The   laurel   is   complimented   with   groves   of   red   spruce ,  Pleistocene   rock   rivers ,  and   open   bogs .  Minniebush  ( Menziesia   pilosa )   was   a   new   species   for   many   of   our   northern   visitors .   They   also   enjoyed   the   many   blueberries   and   cranberries  ( Vaccinium   spp .),  trailing   arbutus  ( Epigea   repens ) ,  swamp   dewberry  ( Rubus   hispidus ) ,  black   huckleberry  ( Gaylussacia   baccata ) ,  catberry  ( Nemopanthus   mucronata ) ,  chokeberries  ( Photinia   melanocarpa ,  P .  pyrifolia ) ,  wild   raisin  ( Viburnum   nudum   var .  cassinoides ) ,   pinkster   azalea   ( Rhododendron   prinophyllum   ),  and   smooth   gooseberry  ( Ribes   rotundifolium ) .   They   recognized   bunchberry  ( Cornus   canadensis )   and   three - toothed   cinquefoil   ( Sibbaldiopsis   tridentata ) ,  common   northern   species   that   are   rare   in   West   Virginia .   Along   the   road   we   found   a   very   photogenic   display   of   wild   red   bleeding   heart   ( Dicentra   eximia )   and   native   bush   honeysuckle  ( Diervilla   lonicera ) . A bout   this   time ,  the   lightning   began   to   flash   and   we   drove   back   to   Elkins   in   a   driving   rain ,  grateful   for   the   beautiful   day .

Tuesday   evening ,  Bill   Roody   treated   us   to   an    engaging   slide   presentation   on   “ Mushrooms :  a   world   of   wonder . ”    Wednesday   dawned   clear ,  cool   and   dry . A  perfect   botanizing   day .  We   headed   out   to   Canaan   Valley ,   a   high ,  cool   valley   at   about   3 000  ft .  above   sea   level .  Canaan   Valley   is   home   to   a  7,000  acre   expanse   of   wetlands ,  the   largest   anywhere   in   the   unglaciated  A ppalachians .   Geologically ,  the   valley   lies   along   the   axis   of   the   breached   Blackwater   River   anticline ,  with   a   ring   of   limestone   around   the   edge ,  and   a   sandstone   ridge   in   the   middle .   The   Blackwater   River ,  called   the   “River   Styx”   by   surveyor   Thomas   Lewis   in  1746,  drains   the   valley   with   slow - moving   meanders   and   boggy   tributaries ,  providing   exceptional   habitat   for   wildlife ,  birds ,  and   rare   plants .   Cold   air   drains   from   the   surrounding   uplands   to   pool   in   the   flat   valley   at   an   elevation   of  3200  feet   above   sea   level .   Rainfall   is   plentiful ,  averaging   about  1300  mm / year ,  and   the   valley   functions   as   a   giant   frost   pocket .   Natural   wetland   communities   in   this   system   generally   have   substrates   of   shallow   to   deep   peat   or   muck .   Canaan   Valley   is   especially   known   for   its   rich   limestone   swamps ,  which   are   among   the   most   biologically   significant   of   all   Appalachian   wetlands .  

The   day   began   with   a   walk   to   a   limestone   meadow   and   beaver   pond   complex   in   a   restricted   part   of   the   national   wildlife   refuge ,  with   many   interesting   seep   and   wetland   species ,  ferns   and   mosses .   Several   purple   fringed   orchids  ( Platanthera   psycoides   or   P .  grandiflora ) ,  one   of   which   was   an   albino   were   a   highlight .  We   then   visited   an   oxbow   fen   impounded   by   natural   stream   levees   along   the   Blackwater   River .   Steeplebush  ( Spiraea   tomentosa )   and   meadowsweet  ( Spiraea   alba )   were   common .   We   also   saw   roundleaf   sundew  ( Drosera   rotundifolia )   and   green   woodland   orchid  ( Platanthera   clavellata ) .  Lunch   was   at   the   Canaan   Valley   State   Park   Pavilion .

In   the   afternoon ,  we   walked   the  A be   Run   Swamp   Boardwalk ,  with   its   rich   limestone   flora .   This   swamp   contains    “frost   pocket”   balsam   fir   wetlands   with   one   of   the   highest   concentrations   of   rare   plants   in   the   state .   We   saw   good   populations   of   glade   spurge  ( Euphorbia   purpurea ) ,  a   globally   rare   plant   that   is   fortunately   not   palatable   to   deer .  A  few   plants   of   pretty   Jacobs   ladder  ( Polemonium   van - bruntiae )   pleased   the   photographers ,  and   we   saw   a   few   common   northern   species  ( rare   in   WV )  including   creeping   snowberry  ( Gaultheria   hispidula ) ,  star   violet  ( Dalibarda   repens ,   known   as   dew   drop   up   north ),  and   alder - leaved   buckthorn  ( Rhamnus   alnifolia ) . 

Our   final   stop   was   at   the   deer   exclosure    on   Timberline   Road   within   the   national   wildlife   refuge .   Here   we   put   our   botany   skills   to   work ,  surveying   a  1600  sq   m   deer   exclosure   at   the   edge   of   a   shrub   swamp   and   enclosing   a   balsam   fir   stand .   Canaan   Valley   National   Wildlife   Refuge   and   volunteers   built   the   exclosure   in  2002  to   protect   balsam   fir   regeneration .   Our   many   eyes   and   specialties   helped   to   inventory   the   plant   species   that   are   present   after  4  years   of   deer - free   growth .

The   meeting   came   to   a   close   with   a   delightful   lecture   on   Wednesday   evening   by   Rodney   Bartgis ,  entitled  " Dry   limestone   communities   of   the   upper   South   Branch ."   On   Thursday ,  some   participants   toured   Cathedral   State   Park   and / or   Cranesville   Swamp   on   their   way   home .   It   was   a   great   privilege   to   spend   four   days   with   this   remarkable   group   of   talented   botanists   from   the   northeast ,  and   to   have   the   opportunity   to   showcase   some   of   our   West   Virginia   treasures !

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Federally   Listed   Threatened   and   Endangered   Plant   species   in   WV

An   Update   Regarding   Their   Status   –   Part  1

Paul   J .  Harmon

Botanist  -  West   Virginia   Natural   Heritage   Program

Wildlife   Resources  -  Division   of   Natural   Resources

Four   federally   listed   endangered  ( LE ),  and   two   federally   listed   threatened  ( LT )  plant   species   occur   in   West   Virginia .   They   include   running   buffalo   clover   ( Trifolium   stoloniferum )  ( LE ),  shale   barren   Rockcress  ( Arabis   serotina )  ( LE ),  harperella  ( Ptilimnium   nodosum )  ( LE ),  northeastern   bulrush  ( Scirpus   ancistrochaetus )  ( LE ),  Virginia   spiraea  ( Spiraea   virginiana )  ( LT ),  and   small   whorled   pogonia  ( Isotria   medeoloides )  ( LT ).   Botanists   of   the   West   Virginia   Natural   Heritage   Program   have   been   monitoring   the   status   of   these   species   for   more   than   two   decades ,  using   standard   methods   generally   used   across   the   range   of   the   species   by   other   Heritage   botanists   in   other   states .   The   large   volume   of   qualitative   and   simple   quantitative   data   has   accumulated   to   the   point   that   we   can   begin   to   see   whether   they   are   stable   in   numbers ,  increasing   in   numbers   or   decreasing   in   numbers .

T  &  E   plant   species   in   West   Virginia   are   some   of   the   most   interesting   species   found   in   our   state ,  often   growing   in   unique   habitats   or   in   specific   disturbance   regimes   that   help   to   keep   competitor   species   from   overcoming   them .   They   often   have   special   adaptations   or   qualities   that   enable   them   to   survive   in   their   respective   habitats .

Let’s   revisit   the   T & E   plant   species   found   in   the   Mountain   State   and   learn   how   they’ re   doing .

Running   buffalo   clover  ( Trifolium   stoloniferum )

Running   buffalo   clover  ( RBC ) ( Trifolium   stoloniferum )   is   a   member   of   the   legume   family  ( F A B A CE A E ).   It   was   once   commonly   reported   from   West   Virginia   to   eastern   Kansas  ( Brooks , 1983).   Brooks  (1983)  had   concluded   that   this   species   was   extinct   in   North  A merica ,  but   Rodney   Bartgis ,  now   Director   of   the   West   Virginia   Chapter   of   The   Nature   Conservancy ,  found   two   small   Element   Occurrences  ( EOs )  in   West   Virginia   in  1983  and  1984.   The   United   States   Fish   and   Wildlife   Service   (USFWS )  listed   RBC   as   an   endangered   species   in  1987.   Since   then ,  sufficient   EOs   of   RBC   have   been   discovered   across   its   range   to   warrant   the   RBC   recovery   team   to   recommend   to   the   USFWS   to   down - list   it   to   federally   Listed   Threatened  ( LT )  status ,  but   this   has   not   been   officially   acted   upon   to   date .  

RBC   looks   much   like   the   European   white   clover   common   to   lawns   in   our   state ,  but   it   differs   in   having   large   white   flower   heads   atop   a   stalk   that   arises   from   a   pair   of   trifoliolata   leaves .   Its   leaves   are   glabrous  ( having   no   hairs )  and   there   are   no   chevrons  ( v - shaped )  markings   on   its   leaves .   RBC   produces   stolons  ( runners   along   the   ground ),  with   two   large ,  thin   stipules   at   each   leaf   node .  A s   of  2007,  West   Virginia   has  36  extant  ( existing ,  living )  and   three   extirpated  ( eliminated   from   the   landscape )  occurrences .

Running   Buffalo   Clover   is   disturbance   dependant ,  most   commonly   growing   in   mesic   woodlands   in   partial   to   filtered   sunlight ,  where   there   is   a   pattern   of   moderate   periodic   disturbance ,  such   as   mowing ,  trampling ,  vehicle   traffic ,  or   grazing .   In   at   least   some   instances ,  disturbance   can   be   as   extreme   as   the   hauling   of   logs   along   a   road ,  or   as   mild   as   periodic   trampling   by   large   mammals .   In   West   Virginia ,  the   species   prefers   old   logging   roads ,  jeep   trails ,  hawthorn   thickets ,  grazed   woodlands ,  game   trails ,  and   old   fields   succeeding   to   mesic   woodlands .  In   Ohio ,  Kentucky ,  Indiana ,  and   Missouri ,  the   species   tends   to   be   found   in   old   cemeteries ,  lawns   of   historical   homes ,  and   on   river   terraces   where   cattle   have   been   grazing .   The   larger   occurrences   exist   within   a   matrix   of   mesophytic   deciduous   forests .   Plants   in   West   Virginia   often   occur   in   regions   underlain   by   limestone ,  but   are   also   found   in   rich   soils   derived   from   other   geological   units ,  such   as   the   Mauch - Chunk   group .   To   date   extant   occurrences   are   located   in   or   near   the  A llegheny   Mountains   and   at   the   eastern   edge   of   the  A ppalachian   Plateau   of   central   to   eastern   West   Virginia ,  in   Barbour ,  Fayette ,  Pendleton ,  Pocahontas ,  Preston ,  Randolph ,  and   Tucker   counties ,  with   one   occurrence   in   the   Central   Low   Plateau   of    Brooke   County ,  in   the   Northern   Panhandle .  Historically ,  occurrences   were   found   in   Monongalia   and   Webster   counties   as   well .

An   estimated  11,200  plants   were   noted   in   West   Virginia   in  2007,  and   that   does   not   include   an   additional  37,700  plants   estimated   on   Crouch   Knob   in  2004.   The   largest   known   EO   of   RBC   to   date   is   found   on   a   foothill   of   Cheat   Mountain   in   Randolph   County ,  West   Virginia .   More   than  65,000  rooted   crowns   were   estimated   to   be   growing   there   in  1996,  but   by  2004,  the   estimation   seemed   more   likely   to   be   around  35,700  rooted   crowns .

In  2005,  the   RBC   Recovery   Team   revised   the   Running   Buffalo   Clover   Recovery   Plan ,  and   recommended   that   the   species   be   down - listed   to   federally   threatened   status .   Part   of   their   reasoning   for   doing   so   is   because   when   they   analyzed   more   than   ten   years   of   data   taken   in   West   Virginia ,  Ohio ,  Kentucky ,  and   Missouri ,  using   Population   Viability  A nalysis  ( PV A),  it   was   concluded   that   the   probability   that   RBC   will   go   extinct   within   the   next  100  years   is   essentially  0%.   To   do   so ,  the   recovery   team   has   defined   certain   criteria   for   the   species   to   be   down - listed   and   de - listed .  A  certain   number   of   large ,  medium   and   small   populations   of   RBC   must   be   under   legal   protection ,  and   for   West   Virginia ,  which   has   no   state   endangered   species   law ,  that   requires   the   maintenance   of   healthy   occurrences   on   federal   land .   Of   the   thirteen   occurrences   on   federal   property ,  critical   to   the   protection   and   recovery   of   the   species ,  five   have   declined   significantly ,  three   increased   significantly ,  and   five   have   fluctuated   over   time .   One   new ,  large   occurrence   was   discovered   in  2007  on   the   Monongahela   National   Forest   with   over  2,300  rooted   crowns   estimated   to   be   present .   In   summary ,  RBC   is   no   longer   truly   endangered ,  but   we   must   continue   to   document   its   status   and   manage   protected   sites   to   ensure   it   can   eventually   be   de - listed .

Shale   barren   rockcress  ( Arabis   serotina   ) ( LE )

  A rabis   serotina     is   a   federally   listed   endangered   plant   species .   Because   it   grows   sympatrically   with   another   member   of   the   same   genus ,  both   in   flower   during   much   of   early  A ugust ,  a   plan   calls   for   monitoring   this   species   at   several   sites   across   its   range   between  15 A ugust   and  5  September   each   year ,  and   all   other   sites   every   five   years .  This   protocol   has   been   followed   since  1993.   However ,  in  2001  it   was   decided   that   to   limit   the   impact   of   repeatedly   crossing   the   barrens ,  monitoring   would   be   conducted   biennially   at   the   Little   Fork   and   Brandywine   shale   barrens   in   Pendleton   County ,  as   opposed   to   every   year . 

Shale   barrens   are   steep ,  generally   south - facing   slopes   in   the   rain   shadow   of   the   Allegheny   mountains   that   are   home   to   numerous   endemic   or   near   endemic   plant   species ,  including   Kate’s   Mtn .   Clover  ( Trifolium   virginicum ) ,  yellow   buckwheat ,  bent   milkvetch ,  and   shale   bindweed .   Shale   Barrens   occur   on   Devonian   shale ,  often   where   the   substrate   is   composed   of   tiny   chips   of   shale   called   “channers” .   Barrens   also   occur   on   massive   outcrops   of   shale .

Traditionally ,  researchers   cited   around  18  vascular   plant   species   considered   endemic   or   nearly   endemic   to   shale   barrens .   In   recent   years   we’ve   learned   that   some   are   less   endemic ,  also   occurring   in   woodlands   on   shale   slopes   of   the   same   substrate . 

Shale   barren   Rockcress   was   once   thought   to   be   a   biennial   plant ,  but   most   observers   consider   it   to   be   a   facultative   perennial .  A fter   its   seeds   germinate ,  tiny   rosettes   develop   in   the   channery   shale   of   for  3-5  years   until   they   presumably   gain   enough   energy ,  or   environmental   conditions   develop   such   that   plants   produce   a   flowering   bolt   that   may   be  2-3  feet   tall .   Once   the   bolting   plant   produces   flowers   and   fruits ,  the   seeds   fall   away   and   the   plant   dies .

However ,  that’s   not   the   total   story !  A  botanist   in   Virginia   observed   that   a   large   “ mother”   rosette ,  under   mild   temperatures   and   adequate   moisture   may   produce   smaller   “satellite”   rosettes   connected   under   the   shale   substrate   by   thread - thin   rhizomes .   It   seems   that   under   the   extreme   heat   of   summer ,  those   satellite   rosettes   disappear ,  perhaps   their   nutrients   re - absorbed   into   the   mother   rosettes .   Under   mild   conditions ,  the   satellite   rosettes   have   been   observed   to   develop   into   mature   rosettes   and   bolting   plants .

Shale   barren   rockcress   is   rare   because   of   limited   habitat .   Shale   barrens   can   be   found   from   Pennsylvania ,  through   Maryland ,  into   Virginia   and   West   Virginia ,  mostly   on   extremely   steep   Devonian   shale   slopes   at   the   base   of   mountains   in   the   ridge   and   valley   province .   On   a   hot  A ugust   day ,  the   temperature   of   the   air   six   inches   above   the   surface   can   be   as   warm   as  110  degrees !   That’s   not   very   favorable   to   tree   seedling   development ,  so   the   shale   barrens   are   characterized   by    widely - spaced   trees   and   plant   species   specialized   to   survive   the   hot ,  dry   climate   and   constantly   cascading   channers .

Shale   barrens   are   threatened   by   physical   removal   of   the   shale   substrate ,  invasive   plants   such   as   knapweed ,  canopy   encroachment ,  grazing   by   sheep   and   goats   and   road   construction .  

The   number   of   bolts   and   rosettes   counted   on   Brandywine   Shale   Barren  (132/164)  and   the   Little   Fork   Shale   Barren  (277/230)  increased   from   that   of  2005  (Brandywine : 62/380) ( Little   Fork : 38/949).   These   and   one   other   barren   were   the   only   ones   that   WVHP   staff   were   able   to   monitor   in  2007  due   to   personnel   losses .  

Website  :    wvnps . org ------ Website :  wvnps . org ---------------- Website :      wvnps . org

The   WVU   Biology   Dept .  Native  Plant   Garden :  Breaking   Out   of   the   Grid

By   Sue   Moyle   Studlar  (26  November  2007)

Very   few   people   know   this ,  but   the   WVU   Biology   Department   has   a   small   Native    Plant   Garden   that   dates   back   to  2004.   It   is   a   hidden   treasure   in   a   back   corner ,  behind   the   monumental   new  (2002)  Life   Science   Building . 

The   Native   Garden   replaced   a   dense   monoculture   of   the  A sian   ground   cover   Liriope   with   an   ever - changing   display   of   native   West   Virginia   wildflowers . 

Sarah   Wennerberg  ( then   Donna   Ford - Werntz’   graduate   student )  designed   the   garden   and   set   it   up ,  using   start - up   funds   from   the   Department   of   Biology   and   volunteer  ( and   work - study )  student   labor  ( graduate   and   undergraduate ). 

The   inaugural   Native   Garden   work   party   was   on   October  6, 2004.  First   the   Liriope   was   removed  ( hard   manual   labor   by   undergraduate   Marc   Smith ).  Then   Sarah’s   grid   design   was   implemented .  The   Garden’s   bed  ( measuring  23  X  9  feet )  was   completely   covered   with   a   mulch   cloth   that   had   been   perforated   with  48  holes  (4  rows , 12  holes   each ).  Each   hole   was   actually   an   X   that   had   to   be   forced   open   when   a   plant   was   introduced   through   the   mulch   cloth   to   the   soil .  The   plan   was   to   favor   the   wildflowers   and   keep   out   the   weeds   with   cloth   plus   several   inches   of   bark .   

The   students   put   in  40  plants ,  two   each   of   twenty   species   purchased   from   Enchanter ’s   Garden  ( Peter   Hues ).  Sarah   carefully   noted   the   location   of   each   plant   on   a   paper   grid  ( Excel   printout )  that   corresponded   to   the   Garden   grid . A  Carolina   silverbell   tree  ( Halesia   tetraptera )   that   had   graced   the   original   Liriope   planting   was   left   in   place ,  so   the   Garden   had   a   shady   end   and   a   sunny   end . 

This   grid - based   garden   was   relatively   weed - free   and   easy   to   monitor .  We  ( Donna ,  me ,  and   student   assistants )  noted  ( about   three   times   per   year )  whether   plants   were   vegetative ,  flowering ,  declining ,  or   dead .  There   was   only   about   a  50%  survival   rate   of   species   over   the   first   three   years .  To   compensate   for   losses ,  we   added   ten   more   plants  (5  species )  from   Porterbrooks  ( Frank   Porter )  in   September   of  2006.

With   something   in   bloom   throughout   the   growing   season ,  our    minimum - maintenance   garden   was   a   nice   resource   right   outside   the   door   for     Plant   Systematics   and   Flora   of   West   Virginia   field   trips .  Yet   with   only  50%  survival   and   minimal   recognition ,  we   could   surely   do   better .

In   October  2007  a   chance   meeting   led   to   marked   improvements . 

Susie   Hart ,  a   returning  ( older )  student   in   general   biology ,  liked   to   study   at   the   desk   outside   my   office   that   just   happened   to   overlook   our   Native   Garden . A ctive   in   Garden   Clubs   in   both   Morgantown  ( West   Virginia   GC )  and   Clarksburg  ( Goff   Plaza   GC ),  Susie   offered   to   seek   Garden   Club   grants   for   improving   the   WVU   Native   Garden .  She   said   both   Garden   Clubs   would   welcome   affiliation   with   the   Department   of   Biology ,  and   would   appreciate   guided   tours   of   the   Garden   to   see   the   “fruits”   of   their   sponsorship .  

Inspired   by   the   Garden   Club   connection ,  I   looked   more   critically   at   our   flower   bed .  It   was   clear   that   Frank   Porter’s   earlier   assessment   was   correct :  the   non - biodegradable   mulch   cloth   was   doing   more   harm   than   good .  The   plants   –   almost   without   exception   –   were   growing   on   top   of   the   mulch   cloth   rather   than   in   the   soil   below .  They   were   caught   “between   a   rock   and   a   hard   place”   –   with   compacted   clay   below   the   cloth   and   soilless   bark   upon   the   cloth .

So   it   became   clear   that   what   we   needed   to   do   was   get   rid   of   the   mulch   cloth ,  ameliorate   the   soil ,  and   replant   all   species .  Our   goal   became   a   more   diverse   garden   with   more   natural   groupings   than   a   grid   pattern   provided .   Fortunately ,  I   had   two   excellent   student   assistants   this   fall :  work - study   student   Michelle   Prusa   and   independent   study   student  A nthony   Barker .  Together  ( in   October  2007)  we   cut   up   and   discarded   the   restrictive   mulch   cloth ,  and   replanted   all   plants   into   a   loamy   mix   of   recycled   greenhouse   soil ,  coir  ( coconut   fiber )  and   new   peatmoss - based   soil .

The   replanting   gave   us   a   chance   to   liberate   the   whorled   milkweed   and   dwarf   crested   iris   from   the   rapidly   spreading   blue   and   gold  ( Chrysogonum   virginianum ) .  We   could see   that   blue   and   gold   made   a   fine   native   ground   cover ,  but   it   had   to   be   watched   or   it   would   take   over . 

We   also   introduced  (2007)  seven   more   species :  five   from   Porterbrooks   and   two   from   the   Groundskeeper  ( Morgantown )  funded   by   a   grant  ($250)  from   the   WV   Garden   Club   for   plants   and   labels .  I   now   have   additional   funding  ($136  from   the   Goff   Plaza   Garden   Club )  for   tools ,  plants ,  and   labels ,  so   next   spring   will   see   further   diversification   of   the   Garden . 

Making   informative   durable   labels   seemed   like   a   good   way   to   increase   both   the   educational   content   and   visibility   of   the   Garden .  Many   students   sit   on   the   Garden   walls   during   the   frequent   “fire   alarms”   for   the   Life   Science   Building  ( LSB )  without   any   idea   that   their   native   plant   heritage   is   at   their   elbows .

So   we   made   informative   durable   labels   that   were   nice   but   not   fancy   enough   to   invite   theft .  Each   label   gave   basic   information   on   the   name  ( common ,  scientific ,  family ),  habitat ,  and   geographic   distribution ,  as   well   as   one   feature   of   special   interest  ( such   as   the   pollinator ). 

The   label   information   was   printed   onto   mailing   labels ,  using   a   Word   template .  The   labels   were   then   self - glued   to   two - legged   metal   labels  ( sold   as   “rose   markers” )  and   lastly   water - proofed   with   contact   paper  ( very   carefully ,  using   cut - out   strips ). 

We   put   out   the  20  labels   for  20  species   in   the   Native   Garden   in   October  2007.  The   labels   were   similar   to   our   LSB   Conservatory   labels ,  but   would   they   withstand   thunderstorms ?  Indeed   they   did ,  over   a   several   week   period ,  with   only  1  of  20  showing   any   damage .  Fortunately ,  there   was   also   very   little   vandalism   to   the   labels   or   to   the   plants .  In   mid - November ,  the   labels   were   taken   in   for   the   winter   and   replaced   with   inconspicuous   metal   markers   to   facilitate   later   plantings   and   monitoring .

We   anticipate   that   survival   rate   in   the   Native   Garden   will   far   exceed  50%  in   the   future .  Our   native   wildflowers   should   grow   and   bloom   with   vigor   in   response   to    ameliorated   soil ,  freedom   from   the   mulch - cloth   grid ,  and   enhanced   care   and   attention .  We   expect   our   back   corner   Native   Garden   to   become   increasingly   visible ,  colorful ,  educational ,  and   enjoyable   to   the   WVU   community   and   the   public . 

Species   list ,  WVU   Biology   Dept .  Native   Plant   Garden ,  November   2007

Asarum   canadense	Wild   Ginger	Aristolochiaceae   ( Birthwort   Family
Aruncus   dioicus	Goat’s   Beard	Rosaceae  ( Rose   Family )