1. Minnesota Plant Press
The Minnesota Native Plant Society Newsletter
www.mnnps.org
Volume 31 Number 2 Spring 2012
Monthly meetings Carmen Converse receives
Thompson Park Center/Dakota
Lodge
Thompson County Park
lifetime membership award
Carmen Converse is the 2012 recipient of a lifetime membership in
360 Butler Ave. E., the Minnesota Native Plant Society. She received the award during the
West St. Paul, MN 55118 March Symposium. Following are the comments of award presenters Lee
Programs Pfannmuller, state planning coordinator, Audubon Minnesota; and Barbara
The Minnesota Native Plant Coffin, associate director of adult education programs, Bell Museum of
Society meets the first Thursday Natural History.
in October, November, December, Carmen’s accomplishments in the field of natural history over the
February, March, April, May, and past few decades have been nothing short of astounding. Although her
June. Check at www.mnnps.org for contributions precede her engagement and leadership with the Minnesota
more program information. County Biological Survey, it is for the latter that she is best known. In
6 p.m. — Social period 1987, this fledgling program started with a little over $100,000 and a
7 – 9 p.m. — Program, Society couple of ecologists documenting native prairie communities in the Red
business River Valley.
May 3: “Wild Orchids of
Minnesota,” by Welby Smith, But under her leadership, beginning in the early 1990s, the program has
botanist, Minnesota DNR. Plant- grown tremendously to include a staff of some of the best plant community
of-the-Month: Least moonwort ecologists, plant taxonomists and zoologists in the Upper Midwest. From
(Botrychium tenebrosum). a budget of just over $200,000 in the early 1990s, the annual budget is
now nearly $1.5 million, supporting a diversity of field work, conservation
June 7: “Minnesota’s State efforts and educational products.
Prairie Plan: The Conservation of
Minnesota’s Most Threatened Major During her tenure:
Habitat Type,” by Steve Chaplin, • More than 19,000 records of rare species and native plant communities
The Nature Conservancy. Plant- have been collected and entered in the Natural Heritage Information
of-the-Month: Whorled milkweed System;
(Asclepias verticillata). Spring • Map polygons for over 10,000 MCBS sites of Biodiversity Significance
Plant Sale: See article on page 2. are publicly available;
• Species never previously known to occur in the state have been found;
Oct. 4: To be announced.
• Maps depicting MCBS results
are available to resource managers
throughout the state; In this issue
• Numerous quality publications Society news ...........................2
have and continue to be produced, New members .........................2
including a Guide to the Native Native plant sale ....................2
Habitats of the St Croix River Nomenclature changes ...........3
Valley and Anoka Sand Plain, and Maple syrup’s natural history ...4
the collection of three Field Guides President’s column .................5
Asarum canadense (wild ginger) to the Native Communities of Field trips ...............................6
that Ken Arndt is potting for the Minnesota. Plant Lore - wild geranium ....7
June 7 native plant sale. Continued on page 3 Conservation Corner ..............7

2. Welcome, new Jon Peterson, North Mankato;
Tony Randazzo, Minneapolis;
MNNPS Board
members Tony Reznicek, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Nancy M. Rose, Minneapolis;
of Directors
The Society gives a warm President: Scott Milburn, scott.
welcome to 39 new members who Jessica and Eric Schultz, Plymouth;
milburn@mnnps.org
joined during the first quarter of Terry Serres, St. Paul;
2012. Greg Silverman, Minneapolis; Vice President: Shirley Mah
Listed alphabetically, they are: Geri Sjoquist, Rosemount; Kooyman, shirley.mah.kooyman@
Kathy Ahlers, Minneapolis; Katy Smith, Crookston; mnnps.org
Marilyn Andersen, Maplewood; Richard Stich, Remer; Secretary, program coordinator:
Barbara Coffin, Minneapolis; Kim Thomas, Apple Valley; Andrés Morantes, andres.
Marcel Derosier, Arden Hills; Megan Ulrich, Renville; morantes@mnnps.org
Stephanie Erlandson, Inver Grove Anita Volkenant, Montrose;
Barbara Walther, Hastings; Treasurers, membership data
Heights;
Tim Whitfield, St. Paul; base: Ron and Cathy Huber, ron.
Don Farrar, Ames, Iowa;
Robert Wolk, Minneapolis. huber@mnnps.org
Kelly Feyler, Hastings;
Tiffany Forner, Columbia Heights; Ken Arndt: board member, field
Ron Gamble, Dexter; MNNPS has nine trip chair, ken.arndt@mnnps.org
Bryan Harvey, Aitkin;
Rosanne Healy, St. Paul; lifetime members Michael Bourdaghs: board
We thank our nine lifetime member, michael.bourdaghs@
Margaret Hibberd, St. Paul; mnnps.org
Kirsten Howe, West St. Paul; members for their support. In order,
Melinda Kjarum, North Mankato; they are: Otto Gockman: board member,
Andy Kranz, Winona; Jason Husveth, Scandia, 2008; otto.gockman@mnnps.org
Lake Harriet Montessori, Pamela Marie Deerwood and John
Arthur, Hopkins, 2009; Elizabeth Heck: board member,
Minneapolis; webmaster, elizabeth.heck@mnnps.
Gunda Luss, Minneapolis; Daniel Jones, Northfield, 2011;
Stewart Corn, St. Paul, 2011; org
Meghan Manhatton, St. Paul;
Katie McCann, Plymouth; Dean Doering and Lisa Scribner, Daniel Jones: board member,
Steven McKay, Burnsville; 2011; daniel.jones@mnnps.org
Beverly McLaughlin, Isanti; William E. Faber, Brainerd, 2012; Peter Jordan: board member, peter.
Sandra Nussbaum, Minneapolis; Anna Gerenday, Afton, 2012. jordan@mnnps.org
Mike Lynch: board member, mike.
Annual plant sale is June 7 lynch@mnnps.org
by Ken Arndt, plant sale chair.
The time to prepare for this year’s MNNPS annual plant sale is now. Stephen G. Saupe: board member,
The sale helps raise money for the Society and is a great opportunity to stephen.saupe@mnnps.org
share native plants. The sale is held at the June meeting and follows the Field Trips: fieldtrips.mnnps@
evening speaker’s talk. It is held outside, on the patio area near the lodge mnnps.org
entrance. We ask that all donated plants be dropped off by about 6 p.m. so
our volunteers will have plenty of time for setup. Memberships: memberships.
mnnps@mnnps.org
The sale is open to members and non-members. Those who either help
with the sale or donate plants will get to have first pick. We ask that only Historian-Archives: Roy Robison,
native plants from Minnesota be included. Do not bring any cultivars historian-archives.mnnps@mnnps.
(horticultural selection) of native plants (e.g. ‘Goldstrum’ Black-Eyed org
Susan). Plants should come from your own property, or private property Technical or membership
with that owner’s permission — not from public property. Bring your inquiries: contact.mnnps@mnnps.
plants in typical nursery containers with adequate soil and water. Label org
them with both common and scientific names. Pricing will be done by the
volunteers. We will have plant identification guides available prior to the Minnesota Plant Press editor:
sale to assist with labeling plants correctly. Gerry Drewry, 651-463-8006;
Volunteers are needed to help with setting up and taking down the sales plantpress.mnnps@mnnps.org
area and assisting folks with their plants. To volunteer, contact Ken Arndt Questions? Go to our website:
at karndt@ccesinc.com. www.mnnps.org
2

3. Carmen Converse
Continued from page 1
New botanical nomenclature
And this is only the tip of the
iceberg of Carmen’s contributions.
rules are now in effect
by Shirley Mah Kooyman, plant as being “validly published.” The
Statewide, there isn’t a development
taxonomist and vice president of scientific name concept (genus and
initiative or conservation action
MNNPS. species) would stay intact and not
that doesn’t include some element
When a new plant species be changed by the new rule. The
of information from the County
is discovered and named, it is decision to make these changes
Biological Survey.
published with a scientific name in came about as a method to facilitate
In the 1980s, integrating the binominal system of a genus a quicker way of getting new
information on native plant and species along with a description species described. Habitats are
communities or rare species in the of the plant written in Latin and a rapidly being destroyed, and species
everyday work of wildlife biologists, supporting “Type” specimen of the are becoming lost before they are
foresters, fisheries biologists or parkspecies described. officially acknowledged.
resource managers was challenging
at best. Today, it is a common This practice began in 1753 For additional information, the
practice because of the tireless with the publication of Species following references are cited.
efforts of Carmen. Plantarum by Carl Linnaeus. Plant Miller, James S. 2012. “Flora,
name changes are not decided at Now in English,” published in The
Today, a field forester doesn’t just random by botanists with little New York Times – Jan. 22, 2012.
classify a forest stand as aspen — to do, as some people presume. Palmer, Kim. 2012. “Botanical
he or she decides if it is a Central Instead, there is an International Bombshell,” published in
Dry-Mesic Oak Aspen Forest or Code for Botanical Nomenclature StarTribune, Home and Garden
a Central Dry Oak-Aspen Pine that outlines the rules for when a Section – March 7, 2012.
Woodland, and information on the name is accepted or rejected.
Walford, Charles. 2011. “Plants
species occurring in the subcanopy
Every six or seven years the no longer to be given Latin-only
and herbaceous layer are used to
International Botanical Congress name ‘so they can be classified
help make that decision.
meets to make decisions regarding before they die out,’” published by
Today, a park resource manager plant names. The decisions are then Mail Online (http://www.dailymail.
decides if a trail that is planned published in a book for all to see. The co.uk/sciencetech/article-2077542/
through the park needs to be routed earliest plant name, for a particular Plants-longer-given-Latin-
around a patch of rare native orchids. species that is validly published, classified-die-out.html) – Dec. 22,
is the accepted name unless other 2011.
Today, a wildlife manager evidence indicates differently. Wingate, Marty. 2011. “Why
designing a restoration effort on Since 1908, descriptions had to be Plant Names Change,” published by
a shallow lake inquires about the written in Latin as required by the northwestgardennews.com – Feb.
native aquatic plants that occur in International Code for Botanical 11, 2011.
the lake. The County Biological Nomenclature. Now, all of that has
Survey is at the heart of these been changed effective at the start WaterFest 2012 is
changes. of the year 2012. June 2 at Lake Phalen
Nearly 25 years after she began In July 2011, members of the
leadership of the County Biological International Association for Plant Waterfest 2012 is a free Ramsey
Survey, Carmen’s commitment to Taxonomy and the International County family festival to celebrate
her staff and to the conservation of Botanical Congress met at the clean lakes. Activies on land and on
Minnesota’s natural resources has nomenclature the water include hands-on learning
conference in about rain gardens, shorelines,
been unwavering. It is a great honor Melbourne, Australia. It was voted
to bestow this award on her today. watersheds and ecosystems. The
on and accepted that beginning event is sponsored by the watershed
January 1, 2012, plant descriptions district, county, cities and other
Friends School plant sale no longer had to be written in partners. For more the information,
The annual Friends School plant Latin. Instead, the descriptions call event manager Debbie Meister
sale will be May 11 - 13 at the State could be in English or Latin. It (651-647-6816) or Louise Watson
Fair Grandstand. Online catalog: was also voted and approved that (651-792-7956), or visit the website
www.friendsschoolplantsale.com electronic publications would count at rwmwd.org.
3

4. Natural history of maple syrup
by Stephen G. Saupe, Biology pull of water in the stem, provides blowers in the fire chamber, sap pre-
Department, College of St. Benedict/ the pressure that pushes sap out of heaters, and reverse osmosis, have
St. John’s University, and a MNNPS the taphole. evolved to conserve fuel and save
board member. This is a summary of time.
his March 1, 2012, presentation for One flaw with this physical
the Society. explanation for sap flow is that To determine when the syrup is
According to an Anishinabe sucrose in the vessel sap shouldn’t ready to bottle, producers measure
legend, the Great Spirit made life be required for sap flow — but it its density with a hydrometer,
easy by providing abundant game is! Recent research suggests that or sugar concentration with a
and crops, and even filling a maple fibers, which surround the vessels, refractometer. The temperature
tree with a thick sweet syrup which act like a membrane to allow of the boiling syrup can also be
could be drunk by simply breaking for osmotic uptake of water and used, since finished syrup boils at
off a branch and allowing it to drip the concomitant development of 7 degrees F above the boiling point
into your mouth. Manabohzo was pressure that further contributes to of water. If the syrup is cooked too
concerned that the people were the stem pressures forcing sap out long, it tends to crystallize, but if
spending too much time drinking of the tree. Stay tuned for more it’s not cooked long enough, then it
syrup, so he collected some water advances in our understanding of may develop mold in storage. The
from the river in a birch basket and sap flow physiology. syrup must be filtered before it is
poured it into the tops of the trees to bottled, because during cooking
To make syrup, a hole (7/16th-
thin out the syrup. He also decreed a precipitate called sugar sand, or
inch or preferably 5/16th-inch) is
that the trees would only flow for a nitre, forms. This material is the
drilled about two inches into the sap
short time in the spring. result of the interaction of various
wood. Maples (Acer), including A.
trace components of the sap and is
There are many truths in this tale. saccharum, A. nigrum, A. negundo,
largely comprised of calcium salts,
First, we learn that maple syrup is A. saccharinum, and A. ginnala, are
including calcium malate.
an ancient crop; in fact, it is one of among the few trees that produce
the relatively few uniquely North sap in the spring. Apparently this As the Native Americans have
American crops. The legend also is due to their perfect combination long known, maple sap is relatively
rightfully attributes the discovery of air-filled fibers and fluid-filled dilute, approximately 2 percent
of syrup-making to the Native vessels. Once tapped, a spile is sugar, whereas finished syrup
Americans and emphasizes that inserted in the hole and a bucket, is 66 percent. The Rule of 86
maple sap is dilute (about 2 percent bag, or vacuum tube is attached to expresses the relationship of sugar
sugar) and flows in the springtime collect the sap. The dilute sap must concentration between maple syrup
when the day and night temperatures then be concentrated into syrup. and sap. To determine how much
fluctuate above and below freezing, sap is required to make a gallon
The Native Americans originally
respectively. of syrup, divide 86 by the sugar
dropped hot rocks into hollowed
concentration of the sap.
The mechanism by which sap logs containing sap. Allowing sap
flows from a maple is not fully to freeze and then removing the ice Thus, it will take 43 gallons of
understood, but is related to was likely also used, since when the sap with 2 percent sugar (= 86 / 2) to
temperature. During the cool night, water freezes it leaves behind a more make a gallon of syrup. Or in other
gases contract in the stem. This concentrated sugar solution. These words, a producer must boil off 42
reduces the pressure, sucking water techniques gave way to boiling sap gallons of water to produce one
from the roots. The water freezes in batches in metal kettles or flat- gallon of syrup. This is the source
inside hollow fiber cells, trapping bottom pans, and ultimately to the of the commonly cited statistic that
gases in ice bubbles. The following continuous-flow evaporators now in it takes approximately 40 gallons of
day, as the temperature warms, the use by larger operations. Because sap to make one gallon of syrup.
ice melts and the gases expand, cooking sap is so energy-intensive, Although most maple sap is now
which along with the gravitational various improvements, including used to make syrup, the Native
4

5. Americans and early settlers
continued cooking the syrup to
President’s the early phenology. Maybe you
have a gardening log at home, or
produce maple sugar because it was
easier to transport and store.
column you collect specimens for your
herbarium repository of choice. I
by Scott Milburn urge everyone to take the time to
The syrup grading system is I decided to take a different just observe. On that note, I would
currently in flux but will soon approach in delivering my like to encourage everyone to visit
president’s column. I have always a Scientific and Natural Area (SNA)
include four main grades available
enjoyed the mainstay sports this summer and report back to us
for sale to consumers: Golden, columnist and Minnesota legend
Amber, Dark, and Very Dark. Sid Hartman. I often find he lacks and share your experience or photos.
They differ in color and flavor; a cohesion in his ramblings, so I Fiscally solvent
consumer should taste the various figured I would follow suit. Our treasurer’s report indicates
grades to see which he/she prefers. New board members that we are fiscally solvent. We are
in a great position, and that extra
The quality of the syrup is a function We will have two new additions money allows us more flexibility
of any microbial contamination of to the board this June, Steve Eggers when it comes to symposium
the sap before it was cooked, the and John Arthur. Steve is returning planning and other opportunities.
biochemical constituents of the sap, to the board after last serving in the We have had a number of requests
and the length of time the sap was late 1980s. John Arthur is a longtime in regards to taping presentations.
member and is ready to contribute. That is something we would like to
cooked.
The board terms for both Elizabeth explore in the future.
No matter which grade of syrup Heck and Michael Bourdaghs end in
you prefer, Robert Boyle was June. We thank them for their many May meeting
I would also like to promote the
certainly correct when he wrote in contributions and look forward
upcoming monthly meeting in May.
1663, the “juice that weeps out its to their continued involvement as Welby Smith, our state botanist,
incision, if it be permitted slowly to members of our Society. will be speaking about his newly
exhale away the excess moisture, New honorary member revised Orchids of Minnesota. We
doth congeal into a sweet and I would also like to bring up have pre-ordered 160 copies to sell
saccharine substance.” our honorary lifetime membership at the meeting, as well as having the
award. Only 10 people have opportunity to have the book signed
been awarded this in the 30-year by the author himself.
history of the Society. The board
Prairie field trips was very pleased to bestow this
Joel Dunnette, a past MNNPS honor on Carmen Converse. Her Lady Slipper Days
president, will lead three prairie contributions have been many, and The two-day 2012 Lady Slipper
field trips in May. The trips are the Society has much to appreciate Celebration features the arts,
listed below. For more information, in regards to her efforts. It was culture, nature and history of the
contact him at jdunnette@gmail. great that Barb Coffin was able to lady’s slipper orchid and the Lady
com or call 507-269-7064. Slipper Scenic Byway, Hwy. 39
present this award to Carmen at the from east of Cass Lake north to
Weaver Dunes: Saturday, May Symposium this year. Blackduck, where the orchids grow
12, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., northeast of Successful Symposium in abundance.
Weaver, Wabasha County. See sand The Symposium was well Saturday, June 23, events will be
prairie flowers on rolling terrain. attended. We had a great line-up, and headquartered in Blackduck, at the
Iron Horse Prairie: Wednesday, I thank each speaker. I would also north end of the byway. They will
May 30, 6 p.m. until dusk, southeast like to thank everyone involved on include photo/viewing bus tours
of Hayfield, Dodge County. See the logistical side, including Shirley to see orchids and/or the old CCC
spring flowers, including small Mah Kooyman, Daniel Jones, Otto Camp Rabideau. Sunday, June
white lady’s slippers. Rough terrain. Gockman, Jeanne Schacht, Michael 24, the celebration moves south to
Bourdaghs, Erika Rowe, Mike the Norway Beach Visitors Center
Chester Woods, Tuesday, May Lynch, Cathy and Ron Huber, Mary
near Cass Lake. For additional
22, 7 p.m., an Olmsted County Nolte, and Dorothy Paddock. In all,
information, contact Deborah Davis
park west of Eyota. The trip is we had 157 registered, including 10 Hudak, Minnesota Department
co-sponsored by Zumbro Valley students. of Agriculture Plant Protection
Audubon Society. See restoration of Visit a SNA Division at 218-243-2058 or
bluff prairie, oak savanna. This is a great year to document deborah.davis.hudak@state.mn.us
5

6. 2012 field trips planned
Iron Horse Prairie SNA:
Saturday Aug. 25, Steve Eggers
(senior ecologist for the St. Paul
by Ken Arndt Meadows, near Regal, Minn. Join
District Corps of Engineers) will
2012 will be another good year Steven Saupe (professor of biology
lead participants on a hike into
for a MNNPS field trip. Attending at the College of St. Benedict and
Southeast Minnesota’s largest
one of the field trips is a great way St. John’s University and a MNNPS
remaining contiguous mesic
to see some of Minnesota’s many board member) and a regional DNR
prairie. See this fantastic prairie in
different native plant communities, plant ecologist to see the orchids in
full color, and see rare plants like
as well as meeting others who share bloom. An alternate date of May
Sullivant’s milkweed (Asclepias
a similar interest in native plants. 19 is scheduled if the Small White
sullivantii), Indian plantain
Lady’s Slipper Orchid is blooming
We have confirmed several trips (Arnoglossum atriplicifolium), wild
early. This trip is full, but you may
for 2012, and they are open for quinine (Parthenium integrifolium),
sign up for the waiting list.
registration. Additional trips will be rattlesnake master (Eryngium
added in the coming weeks. You can Cedar Creek Ecosystem yuccifolium), and edible valerian
register for any of the field trips by Science Reserve: Friday evening (Valeriana edulis var. ciliata). This
visiting our website (www.mnnps. July 27, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Join SNA is known as one of the finest
org) and going to the field trip page, field trip leader Barb Delaney mesic prairie remaining in this part
or by attending one of our monthly (professional botanist and MNNPS of Minnesota.
meetings where sign-up sheets are member) for an evening hike to see Cuyuna Country State
available. Information for all of the Ten Sedges in Ten Meters. You will Recreation Area: Mid-June.
field trips is posted on the website see more than just ten sedges as we Malcolm and Rosemary MacFarlane
regularly as each trip is finalized. hike through xeric dune crests, a will lead this trip, which will be
sand prairie, wet meadow swales, a a Botrychium (Moonwort/Grape
Field trips are just one of the peaty wetland, oak savanna, and dry
benefits of being a Society member. Fern) hunt. Watch the website for
oak forest. Microhabitat diversity details.
If you haven’t already joined, now will be highlighted. There will even
is the time, before the field trip you be Cedar Creek Carex Checklists Grand Rapids region: Late
want to attend fills up. Most trips for you. A highlight will be the summer. Go with the DNR’s John
have a limited number of registrants opportunity to see a state endangered Almendinger and Midwest Natural
due to the site-sensitive areas that species in the sedge family, tall nut- Resources’ Scott Milburn. Spend
are encountered, so registering rush (Scleria triglomerata), along part of a day exploring different
early is encouraged. Following are with other rarities. native plant communities in the
MNNPS field trips planned so far region. Watch for more information.
for 2012.
If you or anyone you know is
Katharine Ordway Natural interested in leading a field trip or
History Study Area: Friday has suggestions as to where they
evening, May 18, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 would like to see a Society trip,
p.m. Join Mark Davis (professor e-mail me at karndt@ccesinc.com.
of biology) and Mike Anderson We are always looking for additional
(associate director for the Ordway field trip leaders and co-leaders to
Field Station) and two professional take us into the many fantastic parts
ecologists/botanists for an evening of Minnesota and the region.
of hiking and plant identification.
This unique field station is located on Treasurers’ report
the bluffs of the Mississippi River in On March 31, 2012, the Society
Inver Grove Heights. Participants had $27,483.04 in assets. This
will learn about the different plant included $18,462.09 in the checking
communities found here, observe account, $8,965.95 in CDs, and $55
the many native plants of the area, cash. From Jan. 1 through March 31,
and enjoy the great views of the income totaled $9,066.34; expenses
Mississippi River. Ken Arndt took this photo of were $6,002.73, for a net gain of
a small white lady’s slipper $3,063.61. Dues totaled $2,964.20.
Small White Lady’s Slipper (Cypripedium candidum) Symposium income was $5,892; its
Orchid: Saturday, June 2, at Regal while on a field trip. expenses were $5,109.18.
6

7. Plant Lore Conservation Corner
by Thor Kommedahl by Beth Markhart (Nixon)
What is wild geranium? Long-term conservation requires passionate advocates. Typically,
Wild geranium is Geranium older, accomplished scientists and citizens who best articulate the
maculatum in the geranium argument for conservation will tell you about their childhood source
family—along with the introduced of passion for conservation. If this is to continue to be the source of
garden and houseplant geranium inspiration later in life, then opportunities for children to deeply connect
(Pelargonium sp.). their feelings with natural world experiences is an imperative now.
One the most prescient strategies for this is the through the Nature
What do its names mean? Deficit Disorder (NDD) movement. Minnesota offers exciting news
Geranium means crane (Greek about NDD initiatives. The web news summarized here can inform you
geranos) and, according to and hopefully inspire action.
Dioscorides, the fruit resembles
the head of a crane after the petals The Will Steger Foundation has received the annual Environmental
fall off. This led to its other name, Initiative finalist award in environmental education for Minnesota’s
cranesbill. Maculatum means Changing Climate: Engaging Students in Environmental Stewardship.
spotted and refers to the light This program was developed with the belief that environmental
blotches seen on older leaves. stewardship and action begins with a local connection and sense
of appreciation, or environmental sensitivity, towards the natural
What does the plant look like? environment.
It is a perennial and overwinters Don Shelby, an advocate for building environmental awareness, is
as stout rhizomes covered with speaking on NDD to church communities. NDD continues to break into
scars. Leaves are deeply five-parted the mainstream education infrastructure, and NDD curriculum is being
and hairy; flowers are rose-purple to taught to teachers through the Minnesota Association for the Education
pale or violet purple with five petals of Young Children. An AARP blogger offers avenues for readers to
and 10 stamens; flowers last until build bridges in nature between older and young persons. University
about June. The fruit is a capsule of of Minnesota initiatives include a webinar on natural places and youth
five sections, each with one seed. development by Rebecca Meyer, an Extension educator.
On ripening, the capsules explode
to shoot seeds several feet. Focusing on NDD is a long-term development strategy for the MNNPS.
The Society has a role to play, perhaps by initiating field trips that bring
Where does the plant grow? our own young children, as well as other children, into the field.
It is native in dry to moist woods
in eastern counties of Minnesota.
Plants often grow in clumps and go
dormant in early summer.
Is it medicinal or poisonous?
Plants are rich in tannins.
Rhizomes are astringent and can
stop bleeding. Powdered roots were
once applied to canker sores. Entire
plants were boiled to make tea for
diarrhea. Indians used it to treat
venereal and other diseases. It was
once listed in the U.S. Pharmacopeia
and the National Formulary as a
folk remedy. It is neither poisonous
nor edible.
Has it any other values?
It is a good, woodsy-garden
plant for spring flowers. Bees visit
flowers; doves, quail, and deer feed
on seeds. Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum) photo by Peter Dziuk.
7

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