We have one more pollinator garden grant to announce for 2023. Tichenor Middle School of Erlanger, KY received a $500 grant to start a pollinator garden this fall. Science teacher, Steven McNabb is the school’s sponsor and the Greater Cincinnati WildOnes chapter has agreed to be their educational partner for the next two years. Ironweed Native Plant Nursery in Waddy, Kentucky is supplying the plants.
They plan to break ground in the next few weeks, so the garden will be ready for spring.
By Ron Jones, Foundation Professor Emeritus, Eastern Kentucky University
With the assistance of Tara Littlefield, Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves.
We’re republishing this article because additions have been made.
This botanical timeline is a continuation of the series that appeared in The Lady Slipper in five installments from 2005 to 2008.
The goal is to highlight major events in the history of Kentucky botany, including new discoveries, important publications, changes in agricultural developments, major changes or upgrades of herbaria, developments or changes for the Kentucky Native Plant Society, and the retirements or deaths of people that made major contributions to Kentucky botany. Addition to the list are welcome; please send suggestions to ron.jones@eku.edu.
Events omitted from previous lists:
1980—Dr. Ernest O. Beal passed away in August 1980. (from his obituary): Dr. Beal was born on March 7, 1928 in Lancaster, Illinois. He received a BS from Northcentral College in Naperville, Illinois, before going on to attain his MS and PhD from the University of Iowa. He taught from 1954 to 1968 at North Carolina State University, where he received a distinguished teaching award from the Association of Southeastern Biologists in 1966. From 1965 to 1968 he served as Director of a National Science Foundation Academic Year Institute in Raleigh, North Carolina. From 1968 until his retirement in 1978, Dr. Beal was the head of the Biology Department at Western Kentucky University. Dr. Beal also led a full life outside of academia. He was an author of two books and numerous publications, a member of the First Christian Church in Bowling Green, husband, and father to three children. Most notably he was coauthor with John Thieret of Aquatic and Wetland Plants of Kentucky; Beal initiated the book and invited Thieret to join the project in 1977. After Beal’s death, Thieret completed the book with Beal as first author; it was published in 1986 by the Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission. Upon his death, the Ernest O. Beal Biology Scholarship Fund was established to honor the memory of Dr. Beal: Department Head, lover of Biology, author, and scholar. Through this fund his legacy lives on, helping other students cultivate a love for biology.
1986–KSNPC (Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission) signed a limited Cooperative Agreement on Plants with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on January 8, 1986 to work cooperatively on rare and federally listed plants in Kentucky. Since then, KSNPC (currently OKNP) has led the states rare plant program that focuses on surveying, monitoring, managing and recovering federally listed and globally rare plants in Kentucky. The Rare plant program has been managed since 1986 by three successive botanists–Marc Evans, Deborah White and Tara Littlefield. Currently (2023) this program focuses on the recovery of around a dozen federally listed species and an additional 30 globally rare plants. This program also oversees the Kentucky’s Rare Plant List, which is updated every 4 years in accordance with the Kentucky Rare Plant Recognition Act of 1994.
1992-2012-Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Salato Center began a native plant propagation program led by Mary Carol Cooper. This program focused on propagating native forbs and grasses that were important pollinator plants and was instrumental in native plant and pollinator education for Kentucky.
1994-KSNPC creates the Natural Areas Inventory Program, led by Marc Evans, which focused on surveying and inventorying the remaining remnant natural areas that have a concentration of rare species and high quality natural communities in the state. The majority of Kentucky’s state nature preserves have been discovered through this program. Several ecologists/botanists have worked on this program since its inception including Tom Bloom, Martina Hines, Brian Yahn, Deborah White, Tara Littlefield and several other KSNPC biologists.
2005-Delisting of the federally endangered Eggerts Sunflower (Helianthus eggerti). This species was removed from the Federal endangered species list due to additional populations discovered during status surveys and inventories as well protection efforts and management of several populations in Kentucky.
2007–2012—NSF Grant for Herbarium improvement at Murray State University (MUR).
Murray State University Herbarium received a five-year grant of about $167K from the National Science Foundation. The goals of the grant were to improve the existing database, to make the data accessible over the Internet, and to acquire new herbarium cabinets to enlarge and improve storage facilities of the herbarium, under the direction of Dr. Dayle Saar. The herbarium contains an important collection of Kentucky flora, especially from the less studied western region of the state. .
2007—Dave Luzader becomes webmaster of KNPS website. Dave made great improvements in the KNPS website, and it became a focal point for announcements and organizing the activities of the KNPS.
2007— Major floristic study published on Hancock Biological Station: The Vascular Flora of the Hancock Biological Station, Murray State University, Calloway County, Kentucky, in J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 1: 609–630, by Ralph L. Thompson.
Hancock Biological Station (HBS), a 37.5-hectare tract of upland Oak-Hickory Forest adjacent to Kentucky Lake in the Jackson Purchase of western Kentucky, is the biological field station of Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky. A total of 573 taxa have been documented from ten habitats. HBS is a member of the Organization of Biological Field Stations, a consortium of 220 biological field stations in North America. HBS was founded in 1966 and since 1972, it has served as a year-round facility for aquatic and terrestrial biology research and service programs, and it has presented students with opportunities for field classes, independent research, and faculty-directed undergraduate and graduate research.
Continue reading Botanical Timeline for Kentucky, 2008 to 2014Mark your calendars and plan to meet up with other KNPS members and friends as we head to western Kentucky for the Society’s 2023 Fall Meeting, on Oct 28th, at John James Audubon State Park, in Henderson. We will learn about and explore the old growth forests and wetland plant and animal communities in and around John James Audubon State Park and the nearby Sloughs Wildlife Management Area.
We are still in the planning process, but the basic outline is set. There will be a meeting in the morning, from 10am to noon, with talks and updates from KNPS. After lunch there will be walks to look at some of the plants and plant communities that occur at the state park and wildlife management area. All of the talks and walks will be finalized by next month’s Lady Slipper
The forest along the bluffs of the Ohio River is mature, almost old growth in nature with some trees more than 200 years old. At least 61 species of trees and more than 200 wildflowers have been documented from the site. The north facing, mesic forests are dominated by American beech, sugar maple, and American basswood whereas the more south facing slopes are dominated by sugar maple, various oaks, and tulip tree. At least 169 bird species have been observed in the park.
The 650-acre Audubon Wetlands was added to the park by the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation fund in 2016. The highlight is a bald eagle nest and heron rookery, as well as habitat for waterfowl and amphibians. The Friends of Audubon, a local nonprofit, has installed a wheelchair accessible boardwalk through the wetlands with plans to install more.
Sloughs WMA consists of a diverse mix of seasonally flooded grain crops and natural “moist soil” vegetation, natural marsh, seasonally flooded bottomland forest, and natural depressions or “sloughs,” that contain flooded stands of bald cypress lined with buttonbush thickets.
This event is open to KNPS members and friends alike. There is no cost for the event, but in order to plan effectively, we are requesting that folks pre-register for this event. If you are likely to attend, please fill out the registration form HERE. Thanks, hope to see you there!
By Emilie Grace Yochim
When winter creeps in with her cold, frosty air, and gloomy, shorter days, most gardeners can only think about one thing: next year’s flower garden. Well, at least, that’s what runs through my mind. How can I keep myself busy with my garden over the dreary days of winter? Two words: winter sowing.
Winter sowing is a fun, cost effective way to prepare for next summer’s native garden. Defined, winter sowing is a way to start seeds outdoors during the winter months. It is particularly useful for any seeds that require a period of cold, moist stratification to break dormancy and germinate. Another advantage of winter sowing is that you end up with plants that are hardier, and acclimated to the temperature swings. Also, you don’t need to start seeds indoors using fancy grow lights or an expensive greenhouse!
When to start? Most winter sowers begin their project on the winter solstice. Typically, you will start with your seeds that need the longest period of time to break dormancy. Those would be the seeds that need 60 to 120 days of cold, moist stratification. You can winter sow as late as March using seeds that need less time or seeds that need no special treatment.
What do I need to winter sow? Well, seeds would be at the top of the list! What “new to me” native plants and grasses would I like to add? What areas need more fillers to support the other plants I already have? Which plants did the pollinators love that I want to increase in number to support them? These are all questions you can ask yourself as you decide on seeds to grow.
Where can I get native seeds to winter sow? Some reliable sources to purchase native seeds include Roundstone Native Seed Company and Prairie Moon Nursery. You can also find native seed swaps in several groups on Facebook in Kentucky, including mine Pollinators, Poof Heads & Native Plants in Kentucky, where you can get seeds for free or a minimal fee to cover shipping costs.
I have my seeds, now what? The following materials are what you’ll need on hand:
With all your materials gathered, you’re ready to start:
Once your jugs are filled and taped shut, place your jugs in an area with sun. Moisture (rain and snow) will enter through the top creating condensation (aka your greenhouse). You can spray the inside if things start to dry out.
Now, sit back and let nature take its course! Once spring is here, and temperatures warm up, open your jugs. Be sure to water as needed. If we get a frost or freeze, put the lids back down or cover the jugs with a blanket.
Once seedlings are ready to transplant in late spring, take them out of their containers, separate them in “hunks,” and plant them directly in the ground. If they’re small and still need more growing time, use the same method, but place them in pots to grow until they’re large enough to put in the ground. If your seedlings are large enough to separate, I’ll use Asclepias incarnata (Rose milkweed) as example, then by all means separate them instead of using the “hunk” method.
Winter sowing helps us look forward to spring with the anticipation of new life growing in our containers and the pollinators that will enjoy them in the summer. It is a highly addictive project; you have been warned! I winter sowed over 130 containers last year, and I can say I likely won’t do as many this year, but then my plant pals who know me will just laugh and say, “yeah right.”
And, as always, please remember to support your local native plant growers. We need them to be successful in making native plants more accessible to the public and retailers!
Editors’ Note: You can follow Emilie’s backyard restoration by reading Replacing Invasives With Natives Is A Work Of Love.
Emilie Grace Yochim is a homeschooling mom to two teens and has been married to Philip for 20 years. Since 2019, Emilie has developed a slight obsession with pollinators, poof heads (bantam Satin and Silkie chickens), and native plants.
She enjoys educating others about planting natives and identifying pollinators by sharing pictures and information about the native plants, chickens, and wildlife in her yard. She also enjoys making terrible memes and puns that she finds hilarious.
By Anne Milligan
The Kentucky native plants/seed swap movement is now in its fourth year, and this is an update on our progress. As many of you know, our swaps began in 2019 in Louisville, when some of us realized that we needed a venue to share all the extra seeds and plants from our native habitats. As of August 2023, we have 10 regional swaps fanning out from Louisville in all directions and a Louisville citywide Facebook group of over 2,500 members.
Our newest regional swap group is also a transitional moment for our greater swap network. A young lady in Somerset stepped up to host a swap group for the entire Pulaski County/Lake Cumberland area. She envisions that group as a hub for an expanding swap network independent of the Louisville one.
Our Louisville citywide “big swap” will take place at Jefferson Memorial Forest in Fairdale. The staff offered us the Horine Conference Center for free, and for that we are very grateful. Our big swap brings together the extra seeds accumulated from all the regional fall swaps that took place last November. Regional swap hosts will be present to help guide new folks on native gardening and to check for nonnative species, which we don’t want to spread around.
We’re happy to announce that this past year, many of us expanded into growing the earliest-blooming native species, or spring ephemerals, and we are excited to share those extra seeds in the years ahead at regional spring swaps.
Our goal is to increase the diversity of Kentucky native plant species, primarily by educating property owners/gardeners/landscapers via regional swap groups how to grow and share native species. We understand that, by doing so, we are joining passionate groups of people all over the world who are helping to restore natural ecosystems essential for life on this planet. To keep up with the various swap events, please join our Louisville Citywide Facebook group by clicking here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/652100455295916
We encourage everyone to establish native plant swap events in every Kentucky county, administered by individuals who are passionate about native species. There has never been a more important time than now to use our own properties to restore native ecosystems, not just for ourselves but for all those who follow.
Editors’ Note: To learn how this group got started, read Follow A Growing Trend And Organize Your Own Seed Swap. Read a review of Anne’s book, “Let the Earth Breathe,” which she coauthored with her husband, Stephen Brown.
Anne Milligan is an artist, singer/musician, and landscape designer. She lives in Louisville, KY with her husband, author and historian Stephen A. Brown.
Sarah Grace and Jonathan Omar Cole Kubesch proudly introduce Joseph Cole Kubesch to the Kentucky Native Plant Society. Joseph joined the Kubesch family on August 20th and has taken quickly to life on the family’s turkey ranch in Pembroke, Virginia.
Jonathan is an editor for The Lady Slipper.
By Robert Dunlap
In March 2022, I was lucky enough to find a new population of Turk’s cap lilies (Lilium superbum) containing about 500 stems in two colonies in McCracken County while searching for spring ephemerals. Additional searches yielded five more colonies containing another 1,700 individuals, all within about 75 yards of each other.
Due to my unfamiliarity with this plant and the lack of blooms, it took a little research to verify they were Turk’s cap lilies and not their close relative, Michigan lily (L. michiganense). Dichotomous keys usually differentiate between these plants using flower characteristics i.e., tepal curvature and anther length, which is not very helpful if you don’t have a flower to examine. Several online sources mentioned two vegetative characteristics to check: L. superbum has smooth leaf margins (not finely serrate), and the bulbs are white (not yellow). The plants I found exhibited both of these features so I’m going with the Turks cap lily. This plant was found by Mr. Raymond Athey less than 10 miles from this site in 1978, so there is historical evidence supporting the L. superbum identification, as well.
That being said, some botanists are reluctant to rely on the vegetative characteristics described above and feel that positive identification requires examination of flower structures. After being moved to more suitable sites in the future, my hope is that some of these bulbs will produce flowers allowing their identity to be determined beyond any doubt.
The species name is pronounced “superb – um” as opposed to “super – bum” and refers to the flowers, which can be translated from Latin as proud, superb, excellent, splendid, or magnificent. Mr. Linnaeus did a good job naming this plant back in 1762!
Turk’s cap lilies are classified as threatened in Kentucky by the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves and probably occur in less than a dozen counties. They are scattered across the state from Black Mountain in Harlan County in the east to Carlisle County in the west. Threatened plants are defined by the OKNP as “… likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant part of its range in Kentucky.” So, the assumption is that their numbers are declining and will continue to do so in the future.
The BONAP map (Biota of North America Project) to the right displays the counties where Lilium superbum occurs in the U.S. Light green counties have stable populations while those highlighted in yellow have populations that are small and possibly declining.
It is generally more common in upland areas along the Appalachian Mountain chain, which includes Black Mountain. So how did they end up in McCracken County and across the Ohio River in southern Illinois? Some botanists have theorized that many southern plant species migrated north and west following the Cumberland River and the Tennessee River, which join up with the Ohio River near Paducah. Perhaps the lilies travelled from the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee along these waterways over the last several thousand years or so.
Continue reading Native Spotlight: Turk’s cap lily (Lilium superbum)