1. Minnesota Plant Press
The Minnesota Native Plant Society Newsletter
www.mnnps.org
Volume 30 Number 2 Spring 2011
Monthly meetings New research reveals
Thompson Park Center/Dakota
Lodge
Thompson County Park
360 Butler Ave. E.,
more harmful impacts
West St. Paul, MN 55118
of invasive earthworms
Programs by Dr. Lee E. Frelich, Department of Forest Resources, University of
The Minnesota Native Plant Minnesota. This is a summary of his talk at the Feb. 3 MNNPS meeting.
Society meets the first Thursday Invasive European earthworms have been shown to cause a number of
in October, November, December, impacts at the ecosystem and plant community level, which were briefly
February, March, April, May, and reviewed. Principle among these are changes in the structure of the soil
June. Check at www.mnnps.org — loss of the organic horizon of the soil (along with its insulating and
for more program information. erosion preventing properties), and increase in bulk density. This results
6 p.m. — Social period in lower availability of nitrogen and phosphorus and more run-off during
7 – 9 p.m. — Program, Society heavy rain events. In turn, these changes cause loss of species richness
business among native plants, increased susceptibility of plants to deer grazing via
May 5: “Grazing Plans a double whammy effect of earthworms combined with deer grazing, and
with Conservation Priority in replacement of a lush and diverse plant community with a relatively simple
Minnesota Native Prairie Bank community dominated by fewer species.
Sites,” by Paul Bockenstedt,
Bonestroo, and Jason Garms, DNR. Recent advances in research were the main focus of the presentation
Plant-of-the-Month: Licorice and included earthworm interaction with climate change; facilitation of
bedstraw (Galium circaezans var. invasive plant species; longer ecological cascades, referred to as invasional
hypomalacum) by Mr. Bockenstedt. meltdown; and impacts on birds, other vertebrates, and water quality.
June 2: “Plant Communities of The changes in soil structure and nutrient status mentioned above make
Vermilion State Park,” by Tavis trees more susceptible to drought at the same time as drought frequency
Wesbrook, parks and trails regional is increasing due to climate change. This will help reinforce the negative
specialist, DNR. P-O-M: Alpine effects of climate change on forests within a few hundred miles of the
woodsia (Woodsia alpina), also by prairie-forest border in the Upper Midwest. Earthworms also create a
Mr. Westbrook. Plant Sale. signature in the rings of trees at the time of invasion — ring widths of
Oct. 6: “Delays in Nitrogen sugar maple, for example, are narrowed by about 30 percent. Recovery
of ring width occurs a few decades
In this issue
Cycling and Population
Oscillations in Wild Rice later, but it is not clear at this time
Ecosystems,” by Dr. John Pastor, whether the trees recover from the President’s column ...................2
professor, Department of Biology, changes cause by earthworms, or Spring field trips ............ ...........3
U of M, Duluth. P-O-M: Wild whether the forest undergoes a Lakeshore plantings .... .............4
Rice (Zizania palustris), also by Dr. period of increased mortality so that Winona County Larix ...............5
Pastor. a lower of density of trees allows the Lifetime member Linda Huhn.5
surviving trees to grow faster due to Mushroom book list .................6
Plant sale requirements less competition. New members .......... .................6
By 6 p.m., bring labeled potted Several papers have been BioBlitz events ........................7
native plants (not cultivars) dug published recently, which combined Plant Lore: Twinleaf .................7
from your property in Minnesota. Continued on page 3

2. President’s The majority of the responses were
very positive, and the Board will MNNPS Board
column be exploring this possibility over
the next year. This will not be an of Directors
by Scott Milburn inexpensive endeavor, but it would President: Scott Milburn, scott.
The Society elected three new be a great long-term investment in milburn@mnnps.org
board members at the annual meeting our youth. Vice President: Shirley Mah
in March. These new members, Dr.
Counter to that proposal was a Kooyman, shirley.mah.kooyman@
Peter Jordan, Mike Lynch, and Otto
recent amendment to House Bill mnnps.org
Gockman, are all new to the board.
A small write-up of these three HF1010 which would allow for Secretary, program coordinator:
individuals will be included in the logging of oak and walnut trees at Andrés Morantes, andres.
next Minnesota Plant Press. Frontenac and Whitewater state morantes@mnnps.org
parks. As of now, this amendment
We had our annual symposium Treasurers, membership data base:
was removed from the bill, but it
at the Bell Museum on March 26th. Ron and Cathy Huber, ron.huber@
could reappear. It raises questions
This was our fifth year at the Bell, mnnps.org
about short-sighted political
and I would like to thank the folks maneuvering in difficult economic Ken Arndt, board member, field
who helped out. The event was very times. trip chair, ken.arndt@mnnps.org
well attended, with more than 150 Those who care about natural Michael Bourdaghs, board member,
people present. It is my hope to resources need to be diligently michael.bourdaghs@mnnps.org
keep the current committee together reading the amended items that end Elizabeth Heck, board member,
for the 2012 symposium. A topic up in proposed legislation. This webmaster, elizabeth.heck@mnnps.
has yet to be decided, but we will be amendment to allow logging might org
reviewing the evaluations soon for have passed through the House had
possible ideas. Daniel Jones, board member,
it not been publicized in the news. daniel.jones@mnnps.org
Another item handed out this I hope that as a Society we can
year was a questionnaire regarding Dylan Lueth, board member, dylan.
be the ones shedding light on these lueth@mnnps.org
a five-year strategic plan for the issues and raising awareness. We
Society. The last few questions were have the ability through our blog Elizabeth Nixon, board member,
in regards to exploring the idea of and Facebook page, but we need conservation committee chair, beth.
donating Welby Smith’s recent Trees responsible members to take the nixon@mnnps.org
and Shrubs of Minnesota book to initiative and to help keep us all Erika Rowe, board member, erika.
every public high school in the state. informed. rowe@mnnps.org
Field Trips: fieldtrips.mnnps@
mnnps.org
Minnesota Native Plant Society’s purpose
Memberships: memberships.
(Abbreviated from the bylaws)
mnnps@mnnps.org
This organization is exclusively organized and operated for
educational and scientific purposes, including the following. Historian-Archives: Roy Robison,
historian-archives.mnnps@mnnps.
1. Conservation of all native plants.
org
2. Continuing education of all members in the plant sciences.
Technical or membership
3. Education of the public regarding environmental protection of plant
inquiries: contact.mnnps@mnnps.
life. org
4. Encouragement of research and publications on plants native to
Minnesota. Minnesota Plant Press Editor:
Gerry Drewry, 651-463-8006;
5. Study of legislation on Minnesota flora, vegetation, ecosytems.
plantpress.mnnps@mnnps.org
6. Preservation of native plants, plant communities, and scientific and
natural areas. Changes in the board
7. Cooperation in programs concerned with the ecology of natural Dr. Peter Jordan, Mike Lynch,
resources and scenic features. and Otto Gockman will replace three
8. Fellowship with all persons interested in native plants through board members whose terms expire
meetings, lectures, workshops, and field trips. in June. Derek Anderson and Russ
Schaffenberg recently resigned.
2

3. Earthworms
Continued from page 1
with my observations, show that
Spring field trips
by Ken Arndt, MNNPS field trip Hastings Sand Coulee
earthworms facilitate the invasion coordinator
of European buckthorn (not to be Scientific and Natural Area
confused with our native buckthorn
Hastings Scientific and Thursday June 9, 6 to 8 p.m.
that grows in swamps of northern Natural Area By popular demand, we are
Minnesota), tatarian honeysuckle, Saturday, April 23 offering this trip for a third year in
garlic mustard, black swallowwort, Join field trip leaders Scott a row. Join field trip leaders Karen
Japanese barberry, hemp nettle Milburn (MNNPS president Schik (ecologist for Friends of the
(Galeopsis tetrahit), and Veronica and senior botanist/ecologist for
Mississippi River), Tom Lewanski
officinalis. These species coevolved Midwest Natural Resources) and
with earthworms on their home Ken Arndt (MNNPS board member (conservation director for Friends
continent and germinate and and forest ecologist for Critical of the Mississippi River), and
survive best under bare mineral soil Connections Ecological Services) Dave Crawford (“retired” naturalist
conditions created by earthworm at Hastings SNA for an afternoon of from Wild River State Park) for an
invasion. In addition, a longer hiking and early spring wildflower evening hike into one of the DNR’s
chain of invasional meltdown identification. A highlight to the newest Scientific and Natural Areas.
has been detected, whereby field trip will be seeing the rare snow Hastings Sand Coulee is a dry sand
earthworm invasion facilitates trillium (Trillium nivale) in bloom. prairie about 80 acres in size located
European buckthorn in woodlots This field trip will be limited to just beyond the southern edge of the
in agricultural areas. European 20 MN NPS members.
City of Hastings.
buckthorn is the overwintering host Eloise Butler Wildflower
of the soybean aphid (a major pest This is a joint field trip with
Garden and Bird Sanctuary Friends of the Mississippi River
for farmers in recent years), which
Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m. to noon and will be limited to 15 MNNPS
in turn is the food source for exotic
MNNPS members will take a
ladybeetles that become pests and members.
tour with trip leaders Elizabeth
cause allergies in people’s houses in For additional information about
Heck (MNNPS board member
October.
and Eloise Butler Wildflower these trips, go to our website at
Earthworms also impact habitat Garden naturalist) and Shirley Mah www.mnnps.org and follow the link
for vertebrate wildlife species. Kooyman (MNNPS vice president to the field-trip page. Details on
Ground-nesting birds such as and wildflower enthusiast) through driving directions and meeting areas
ovenbird and hermit thrush have Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, will be e-mailed to participants who
been shown to have lower nest the oldest wildflower garden in
density in earthworm-infested register for each trip.
the country. This historic garden is
areas by Scott Loss, a Ph.D. home to over 500 species of plants, More trips are being planned for
candidate in Conservation Biology all within 14 acres. summer and fall. Watch for e-mail
at the University of Minnesota.
Due to the narrow trails within updates.
Research conducted in upstate New
the garden, this field trip will be A friendly reminder: our field
York shows that salamanders are
limited to 20 MNNPS members. trips are for members only. If you
negatively impacted by European
earthworm invasion. watershed infestation in six small would like to become a member or if
Finally, the loss of the organic lakes in Itasca Park was related to you need to renew your membership,
horizon (duff layer) and greater measures of eutrophication. now is a great time to join. Renew
bulk density of soils can influence The circle of invasive earthworm by downloading a membership form
water quality of lakes invaded by research is ever widening. from our website (www.mnnps.org)
European earthworms, even in Earthworms truly deserve the title or use PayPal at the website. Just
remote areas like Itasca State Park. of “Ecosystem engineers,” as well follow the link to Membership from
We know that there is more runoff as Darwin’s comment in his 1881
the home page. I hope to see some
and erosion, as well as leaching of book: “It may be doubted whether
nutrients such as P, when earthworms there are many other animals which of you at an upcoming field trip.
invade. University of Minnesota have played so important a part in Have you read our blog?
limnologist Jim Cotner and his intern the history of the world, as have It is on the MNNPS website:
Hal Halvorson showed that level of these lowly organized creatures.” www.mnnps.org
3

4. Three options for site preparation
Lakeshore plantings can are smothering, mechanical,
and chemical preparation. The
maintain access while smothering method uses black
plastic or newspapers to smother
the existing plants and seeds on
protecting shore, views site. The mechanical method uses
a sod cutter or larger soil mover like
by Rusty Schmidt, natural resources the fibrous root systems. Plantings a skid-steer or bulldozer. The most
specialist, Washington Conservation in the water will protect the shore common method for ease and cost
District. This is a summary of his talk from some of the wave action and is to use a glyphosate chemical of
at the March 3 MNNPS meeting. provide fish and aquatic insect Rodeo or Round-up or one of the
Rusty Schmidt showed from start habitat. Typically, aquatic plantings generics. Round-up is to be used in
to finish several projects throughout will need larger plants planted. the upland. Anywhere near the shore,
the metro area. Most were sunny They will absolutely need permits Rodeo or its generic counterparts
shorelines with lawn-grass shores before that portion of the projects should be used.
that were replaced with native can begin.
Plant-of-the-Month
upland and transitional shorelines
all the way into the water, with
Some of the materials that will be
needed will include a wave break, Chelone glabra
some aquatic plants. The plantings that may be a fence or biolog, to
were very showy, with a number slow down the wave action hitting
of blooming plants throughout the the shore. Biologs are shredded
year. coconut fibers bound into a big log
The average shoreline owners with various dimensions. They
value their shore of a lake, stream or provide resistance to wave action;
wetland for the ability to access the substrate for plants planted into
water and the views. To accomplish them; and capture sediment from
these goals, practical designs can be upland areas. Other materials that
created by planting and maintaining can be used are Enviro-loc Bags,
good aquatic vegetation within the which are sandbags made of filter
water, then a transition of plants that fabric and filled with the soil media.
like moist to wet soils, and finally an Once filled, they can be stacked into
organized upland planting that still a wall or used for slowing down
provides the views the landowner water in a flow, as a check dam
desires and access to the water’s or wing dam. Then the bags are
edge. planted with deep-rooted plants that
Trees and shrubs are perfect to will take over the bags in time.
Photo by Peter Dziuk.
provide screening for certain areas Another option is to use Pre- by Rusty Schmidt.
and to frame views. The closer the Vegetated Erosion Blankets. These Chelone glabra (turtlehead) has
tree is to the viewpoint up the bank, blankets are pre-ordered for a site an interesting flower head that when
the less obstructive it is to the shore with two layers of blanket and soil pinched looks like it is a talking
view. Yet it still provides habitat placed between with seed that is turtle, similar to a snapdragon. Also
and shade. By creating the complete specified for the site. The seed is similar to bottle gentian, this flower
shore with all levels of structure, grown, and then the blanket is cut is pollinated only by the large
habitat is also provided for wildlife. and rolled like sod. Once delivered bumble bees, as its flower opening is
The upland portion of the planting to the site, the sod is rolled out on difficult to enter to get to the nectar
should have some organization and site for instant shoreline planting. source at the back. Turtlehead is a
regard to aesthetics, with more New plantings need site robust perennial one to three feet
flowers than grasses, and easy access preparation and protection from high, has a bluntly angled stem and
to the shore and showy plants. The rabbits and geese. Fences are the opposite, elongate and coarsely
transitional plantings should be best defense against unwanted critter toothed leaves. It is found in grassy
chosen for habitat and toleration of invasions of the new plantings. and bushy meadows and will thrive
water fluctuations and have a higher Other methods include sprays and a in all but the deepest shade. It prefers
ratio of grasses and sedges with deer scarecrow. moist soils.
4

5. OnPhilip A. Cochran, Ph.D., were there, I could see them from
Larix in Winona County Linda Huhn is
by
professor, chair of Biology U.S. Highway 61.
lifetime member
Linda Huhn, long-time program
Department, Saint Mary’s It took me some time to get coordinator for the Society, was
University, Winona, Minn. permission to access the slope awarded the Lifetime Membership
There is a tamarack (Larix behind one of the homes, but on Aug. Award during the Symposium
laricina) on the Saint Mary’s 1 and Oct. 24, 2007, I was able to program. In her thank-you to the
University campus. I assume that it secure some samples (Bell Museum board, she wrote:
was put there by the botanist who 918878). The relatively large cones “Serving on the board, being
founded our biology department, and long needles revealed that the secretary for a year and coordinating
Brother Charles Severin (1896- trees were not tamaracks, but rather the programs was a great honor for
1992), because it sits in line with a European larch (L. decidua), and the me, not to mention educational and
ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) and a bald presence of many saplings indicated fun. I did the programs for as long
cypress (Taxodium distichum) next to that successful reproduction had as I did because of the example of
our science building in a convenient occurred. Later, I found several others working for the Society, and
location for demonstrating additional larches growing from I just could not quit when all of you
deciduous gymnosperms. sandstone outcrops along Garvin were giving so much.
Tamaracks have not been Heights Road in Winona. Once
formally documented from Winona again I was alerted to their presence “Preserving Earth’s beauty and
County (G. B. Ownbey and T. by their golden foliage persisting living sustainably is something I
Morley 1991, W. R. Smith 2008), after most other trees had dropped learned from my Dad Delmar, the
but L.H.Bunnell (1897) noted that their leaves. In this case, an guy who took our family on trips
they occurred on bluffs in Homer, obvious source was a large tree in around Minnesota, but mostly out
and unlike certain other tree species, the Woodlawn Cemetery downslope west. … The Nature Conservancy
he did not indicate that they had from Garvin Heights Road. W. showed me later, in my adult life,
escaped cultivation. Moreover, R. Smith (2008) noted reports how beautiful Minnesota itself is,
the botanist John Holzinger (1913) that European larch had escaped and I made it a goal to see it and do
also listed them among the trees of cultivation in the eastern U.S. what I could to preserve the beautiful
Winona County. For some reason, a European places. The Plant Society seemed
larch does not occur next to the like home when I discovered it and
Across the Mississippi River in made so many friends.”
Trempealeau County, tamaracks are tamarack, cypress, and ginkgo
known from bog-like habitats along outside our science building on the
Tamarack and Little Tamarack Saint Mary’s University campus. I Emerald ash borers
creeks, and they may sometimes have noted a tendency for some of cross Mississippi
grow from acidic sandstone outcrops our staff to assume that the cypress Ash trees along West River
in southwestern Wisconsin (Hansen is a European larch, and an outside Parkway in south Minneapolis are
1933). They can be easily observed consultant hired by our grounds now infected with emerald ash
along Tamarack Creek by driving department listed it erroneously borers. About 100 of these trees
north along State Highway 93 from as a dawn redwood (Metasequoia along the river and another 100 in
Centerville in the fall, and some can glyptostroboides), another deciduous the previously infected Prospect
still be seen in upland habitat along species. The latter can be found, Park neighborhood will be cut
side roads. along with a cypress, on the Winona soon. Last year, 1,400 ash trees in
On Nov. 15, 2006, I was driving State University campus. The only other parts of the city were cut as
along Old Homer Road southeast European larch on the Saint Mary’s preventive measures.
of Winona, when I noticed multiple campus grows along the upper edge Treasurers’ report
golden spires of what could only of the wooded terrace slope east of Treasurers Ron and Cathy Huber
have been Larix on a steep forested Saint Joseph Hall. report that in the first quarter of
bluffside overlooking the lowlands Native Plant Expo-June 4 2011, the Society had total income
along Pleasant Valley Creek. At Landscape Revival: Native Plant of $8,829.13. This was mainly from
least two dozen trees of various Expo and Market will be Saturday, membership dues and Symposium
sizes extended along approximately June 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Roseville registration fees. Expenses totaled
100 meters of north-facing slope Rainbow Foods Pavilion, at the $3,992.16, primarily Symposium
behind private residences along Old northeast corner of Larpenteur Ave. costs. Assets on March 31, including
Homer Road, and once I knew they and Fernwood St. CDs, totaled $19,945.66.
5

6. Illustrated books about New pollinator
program will create
Minnesota mushrooms native habitats
Native Habitat Development for
by Dr. David McLaughlin, Lincoff, G. H. The Audubon
Department of Biology, University Society Field Guide to North Pollinators is a new U.S. Department
of Minnesota. He spoke at the April American Mushrooms. 1981. A. A. of Agriculture option for farmers
7 MNNPS meeting. Knopf, Inc., New York. enrolled in the Conservation
The book that I most recommend McFarland, J. and G. M. Reserve Program (CRP). It is
for the beginner is the one by George Mueller. Edible Mushrooms of defined as “restoring and conserving
Barron. Several of these books Illinois and Surrounding States. native plant communities to benefit
are nation-wide in coverage, and a 2009. University. of Illinois Press, pollinators and associated wildlife
significant number of the species Urbana and Chicago. species.”
may not occur here. Miller, 0. K., Jr. and H. H. Miller. This plan requires plantings
No book covers all Minnesota North American Mushrooms. 2006. that contain at least three species
mushrooms, as there are regional Globe Pequot Press, Guilford,
from each flowering group —
differences in mushroom floras. Conn.
Two that focus on nearby states early, mid- and late-season. The
Phillips, R. Mushrooms of North
(Courtney and Burdsall, Huffman et seed mixes must consist of at least
America. 1991. Little, Brown and
al.) are likely to have use here, but Co., Boston. nine native species, including two
may cover only some parts of the or three grasses. The grasses may
Smith, A.H. and N.S. Weber. The
state, as the mushroom flora changes not exceed 25 percent of the seed
Mushroom Hunter’s Field Guide.
in the different biomes. mixes. Minimum acreages range
1980. University. of Michigan
Barron, G. L. 1999. Mushrooms Press, Ann Arbor. from 1 acre to 10 percent of total
of Northeast North America. Lone CRP acreage.
Pine Publishing Co., Edmonton and MNNPS welcomes
Vancouver, Canada; Renton, Wash.
(A good book to start with.)
new members Conservation
Bessette, A.E., et al. 1997.
The Society gives a warm
welcome to 22 new members who Corner
Mushrooms of Northeastern North joined during the first quarter of by Elizabeth Nixon
America. Syracuse University 2011. They are: Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R,
Press. Marcus W. Beck, St. Paul; Mazeppa) proposed an amendment
James G. Carlson, Lake Elmo; to an environmental finance bill that
Courtenay, B. and H. N. Burdsall, would require logging at Frontenac
Jr. A Field Guide to Mushrooms Nancy Carlson, Isanti;
Christopher Currey, Lafayette, Ind.; and Whitewater State Parks. This
and Their Relatives. 1982. Van surprise amendment was tacked onto
Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York. Troy Eagan, Rochester;
Steve Emmings, Excelsior; the large environmental finance bill
(Wisconsin fungi). in late March but was not included
Karen Stout Heller, Verndale;
Grove, J. W. Edible and Anita P. Hoaglund, St. Paul; in the final bill. However, it could
Poisonous Mushrooms of Canada, Jacob and Kathryn Huebsch, resurface during the continuing
revised ed., 1975. Research Branch, Jordan; budget battles.
Canada Department of Agriculture, Dorothy J. Jachim, Stillwater; Examination suggests that
Ottawa, Ontario. Michael Kaluzniak, St. Paul; elected officials did no research
Huffman, D.M., et al. Ruth Henriquez Lyon, Duluth; to understand what native forest
Mushrooms and Other Fungi of Cathleen Marquardt, Eagan; communities look like and the
the Midcontinental United States. Megan Kranz McGuire, St. Paul; critical roles black walnut and oak
2nd ed. 2008. University of Iowa Stephanie McNamara, White Bear play in the long-term viability of
Press, Iowa City. (Iowa and parts of Lake; forest ecosystems.
surrounding states.) Chad and Shannon Skally, St. Paul; Conserving Minnesota native
Paul and Alex Skawinski, Stevens plant communities is critically
Kibby, G. Mushrooms and Other dependent on each of us demanding
Point, Wis.;
Fungi. 1992. Smithmark Publisher., credible, full disclosure research by
Edward Stec, Wyoming;
New York. those we elect to represent us.
Mary Williams, White Bear Lake.
6

7. Plant Lore Three BioBlitz
by Thor Kommedahl
What is twinleaf?
events are
Twinleaf is Jeffersonia diphylla
in the barberry family. It is also
being planned
Individuals and families are
called rheumatism root. invited to participate in BioBlitzes at
How did it get its names? Lake Vermilion/Soudan state parks,
Jeffersonia was named for Macalester College’s Ordway Field
Thomas Jefferson, who was then Station in Inver Grove Heights, and
U.S. Secretary of State, by his Blomberg Lake SNA in Wisconsin.
friend Benjamin Smith Barton, Participants will help count and map
later a professor at the University flora and fauna, from bacteria to
of Pennsylvania. He wanted to insects, plants, birds and animals.
honor Jefferson’s considerable Soudan Underground Mine,
interest in natural history. Diphylla Lake Vermilion state parks;
(two leaves) and twinleaf describe June 25, 12 noon – 12 noon, June
the one or few basal leaves, almost 26.
divided into two half-ovate parts. Photo of twinleat (Jeffersonia
diphylla) by Peter Dziuk. The Minnesota DNR is looking
Rheumatism root was so named for participants and team leaders.
because American Indians used a Inventories and programs will take
Korea (explained by the continental
wash from its roots and rhizomes to place at established times throughout
drift).
treat rheumatism. the 24-hour period. Details will be
Is it edible, medicinal, or posted on the Lake Vermilion State
Who discovered twinleaf? poisonous?
André Michaux found the Park website (www.mndnr.gov/
Not edible. American Indians vermilion). For more information,
plant in Virginia and gave it to made a root tea for dropsy, diarrhea,
John Bartram, who planted it in urinary ailments, and applied it as send an e-mail to tavis.westbrook@
his garden. Benjamin Barton saw poultices for sores and ulcers. It state.mn.us
it there, described and named it contains the alkaloid berberine, Macalester’s Ordway Field
after Jefferson, and published the an antibiotic, and has also been Station, Inver Grove Heights;
description. Friday, June 10, 5 – 11:59 p.m.
used in eyedrops, for treatment of The Katharine Ordway Natural
What does the plant look like? leishmaniasis, and experimentally
It is a perennial, 4 - 18 inches for diabetes and cardiovascular History Study Area is located at
tall, with a leaf divided at the base conditions. Berberine can also be 9550 Inver Grove Trail, Inver
to look like two paired leaves, and toxic. Grove Heights. This BioBlitz is co-
one or more leafless flower stalks Can it be grown as a garden sponsored by Macalester College,
(scapes) with a single white flower the Mississippi National River
plant? and Recreation Area (MNRRA),
of eight petals on top. They resemble
It grows well in shaded, moist and the Mississippi River fund.
bloodroot flowers. The fruit is a
garden soil for an early spring For information, contact dosch@
pear-shaped, green capsule with a
flower, but it doesn’t last long. Seeds macalester.edu
lid on top. Twinleaf blooms from
do not store well. Ants disperse Blomberg Lake SNA, Burnett
April to May, and plants are gone
seeds; rodents cache them for later County, Wisconsin
by August. The flowers last only a
consumption. July 9, 12 noon - 6 p.m.; July 10,
couple of days.
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Where does it grow? Lost and Found This SNA is north and west of
Twinleaf grows in rich, moist Two thermos containers (silver Siren, Wis. Details will be available
woods in about five counties in one had two tea bags, pink one from the Botanical Club of Wisconsin
the southeast corner of the state. had coffee) were found after website (https://sites.google.com/
It is usually found over limestone the Symposium held at the Bell site/botanicalclubofwisconsin/).
or other calcareous rocks, and is Museum March 26. If you lost Contact Paul Skawinski at
more abundant east of Minnesota. either one, please contact Shirley lakeplants@yahoo.com or go to the
The only other Jeffersonia species Mah Kooyman at 763-559-3114 or Blomberg Lake SNA page on the
grows in northeastern China and smkooyman@gmail Wisconsin DNR website.
7

8. Minnesota Native Plant Society
P.O. Box 20401
Bloomington, MN 55420
Spring 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.