Two Lupines

Sundial Lupine is a characteristic species of many sandy habitats across the eastern US.  In former savannas and barrens of the upper Midwest, southern Ontario, extending into New Hampshire and New York this native Lupine is the only known host plant for the larvae of the Karner Blue Butterfly, a federally endangered species. With the loss of open habitats, lack of fire, and decline of host and nectar plants the butterfly remains in trouble with its fate inextricably linked to the Lupine. During June 2014 visits to the "Oak Openings" region of southeastern Michigan and northwestern Ohio I had my eyes open for this keystone species.

Sundial Lupine (Lupinus perennis) in southeastern Michigan

For the most part, I was a bit too late to see extensive flowering; many of the plants I saw either showed no signs of flowering or were already in fruit, such as shown in the image below.

Sundial Lupine with dehiscent pods at Lou Campbell Preserve (Ohio)
The twisting and natural opening of the pods helps disperse the seeds 

Later, as I traveled northward to the Sanilac region of Michigan, where the sandy lakeplains had disappeared, I was surprised to see a couple extensive Lupine patches interspersed within the matrix of agricultural fields (see below). Of course I was hoping they were remnant savannas.

Unfortunately, upon closer examination, these plants had larger and more numerous leaflets and larger flowers than Sundial Lupine, and the leaflet tips were shaped differently. They turned out to be so-called Garden Lupines (Lupinus polyphyllus) which are not native to Michigan, but rather the Pacific Northwest.  I noticed patches in 3 different locations where plants were clearly naturalizing and apparently had been present in non-cultivated margins of agricultural fields for some time (well away from existing homes).

Lupinus polyphyllus in Michigan
Dots indicate previously documented;
stars show the counties where I
observed populations
http://michiganflora.net/species.aspx?id=1329

I consulted the Michigan flora online (http://michiganflora.net/) and found documentation for Lupinus polyphyllus only in the Upper Penisula of Michigan, relatively far from the "Thumb" region of my observations (Tuscola & Huron counties) near Lake Huron.

Normally a range extension like this would be positive, but given the origin of these Lupines, not so much....at least they're pretty!

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Plant ecology and hydrology

Our visit to University of Córdoba was productive and successful. Dr. Maria Jose Polo and Dr. Cristina Aguilar presented their work on hydrological models of the Guadalquivir River. Dr. Rafael Villar presented research on plant functional traits and relationships with plant and ecosystem functioning. We are developing research to examine plant functional traits and community changes along riverine environmental gradients, as well as incorporating vegetation changes and subsequent hydrological/biotic feedbacks into models.  We will be considering students interested in pursuing this line of research. Other areas of research that integrate physical and biotic interactions will be developed by VCU Biology and UCO faculty.  During our visit we also enjoyed great food (the essence of the CPEL lab) and wonderful friendship.    

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How to Build a 6 foot Cucumber and Vegetable Trellis in 10 minutes for $15: Grow Vertically

How to Build a 6 foot Cucumber and Vegetable Trellis 

in 10 minutes for $15: Grow Vertically

Cucumbers and other vine vegetables can be grown vertically. It really can save a lot of valuable space. Instead of having just 1 or 2 vines take up my 2 feet x 6 feet space... I can get 6 or 8 vines in that space. That is a lot more delicious vegetables I get to eat or share.  I show you how to buy pre-made parts and assemble them in under 10 minutes. No screws, nails or bolts. It is held together with string.

The other benefit of growing things like cucumbers, pole beans, squash and melons vertically is disease and pest management. Vines that are off the ground have a lower risk of getting pest and disease. Perhaps more importantly it is much easier to spray them when you grow them up a large trellis. It is easier to spray the underside and top sides of leaves when treating disease and/or inspect them for pests.

This video shows you the supplies, my small space and how to assemble a 6 foot cucumber and vegetable trellis in 10 minutes for about $15.

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the big clay day out...

A Big shout out to my friend Darren Williams Photography for these! 

some moving stills from the day…

We had an amazing crew, kitchen, studio and firers they were all just brilliant and made for a great environment. I still cannot believe the response we had for the event, so big shout out to all who came and made it such an enjoyable day. It was a pre 9am til well past midnight thing for some of us.

There was a lot of permissions to get for the day and the council were very helpful in making sure all of those safety needs were met. One big huge shout out to Kevin who without none of this would have happened. He is one committed and brilliant Safety Officer and all round mentor to loads of students. 

A Big Thank you to all!

 Oh and then there's the digging out the pots from the pit in the rain!!! seriously messy stuff!! again thankyou to kevin, sandy, irene and matt who between them cleaned up and washed everyones pots, well done guys...

Here's a wee vid, hope you enjoy…and hop on over to my youtube channel there's plenty there to watch...

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Prairie Surprise, Ohio Style

It may not come as a surprise to some people that "prairies" were once fairly common across the landscape of Ohio. Even the most casual visitor has likely seen hundreds of acres of Zea mays Prairie (a.k.a "corn fields") in the state.                                                                                                        

More diligent observers recognize scraps and pieces (actually jewels) that escaped the plow and conversion to agriculture. The Ohio Prairie Association produced the map above showing the approximate historic locations of some of the largest prairies in the state (http://www.ohioprairie.org/).  

Earlier this June, I ventured to central Ohio with plans to search out one of these, Daughmer Savanna, maybe 30 miles from my childhood home.  However, too much time in the car over the last week made me hesitant to drive the extra miles it was going to take to get there. If it wasn't for the persistence of my mother I never would have made it...

Although I had been searching for prairie remnants off and on for several days in NW Ohio and SE Michigan, this one knocked my socks off!  But I must admit it was the trees that really captured my interest; I barely noticed the ground flora.  The trees were amazing. None of my pictures from that brief afternoon visit do them justice. They were astounding huge, gnarly, twisted old hulks several feet in diameter. Some appeared as wide as they were tall, and some had branches draping almost to the ground (reminiscent of ancient live oaks in the south).

There seemed to be something approaching 4 hulks/acre, but they were not evenly distributed, giving the impression of a natural pattern or, perhaps, intelligent design?.  Many had broken tops and lightning scars. Who knows what travails these oaks have experienced in their obviously long lives?  

No midstory trees were trees were present giving the site much of its open structured appearance. However, a large number of saplings were establishing in the understory (the sitee is now protected from no grazing other than from an obviously abundant deer population).  I had never really been around much Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) before - what awesome trees!                                                                                                                                                                             After "oohing and ahhing' for quite some time I was able to notice a few other plants. Yep, there were prairie grasses.  Also glimpsed the uniquely midwestern Sullivant's Milkweed (Asclepias sullivantii). Large ants were swarming all over the flowers. Does anyone know what they may have been doing?  

Winged Lythrum (Lythrum alatum)
didn't expect it in the open, wet prairie

I was surprised to see a patch of Winged Lythrum (Lythrum alatum) in a low, wet swale. Unfortunately, there was also a large patch of Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) near the road frontage, but few natural areas, especially small remnants like this one, are free of such invasives.

Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense)
apparently introduced to America hundreds of years ago

Daughmer Savanna is located in Prairie Region #5 on the map above, also known as the "Sandusky Plains". I have read estimates of nearly 200,000 acres of prairie & savannas historically occurred in this region. To say a handful still remain may be an overstatement.  The Daughmer Savanna is one of a meager few remnants, and barely exceeds 30 acres. On the aerial image below (from 2010) I have highlighted the tract in black, giving some idea of the current landscape. The individual Bur Oaks in the savanna stand out in dark green, even at this scale.

 

                                                                                                                   I am impressed & heartened by Ohio's Department of Natural Resources decision to purchase this tract a few years ago.  Let's hope they and other states continue to make such excellent decisions!






As a volunteer working at the site said, "pilgimages to Daughmer offer hope and renewal".  I couldn't agree more....  

THANKS MOM, for making me go!!

Avalon Evans, age 82, on a trek through Daughmer Savanna in June
she braved ticks galore and never complained
Back in 5th grade she encouraged my interest in the outdoors and natural history and has always supported me in this path
I can't express enough gratitude.....

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Ascending the Slippery Slope of Restoration

For several years now, I and the NC Plant Conservation Program have been working with the Eno River Association to restore their oldest Nature Preserve, the Blue Indigo Slopes.  The site is important, in part, due to the rare plants present as well as frontage on the Eno River . In addition, we view it as an important stepping stone in a landscape-level pollinator pathway in northern Durham (perhaps I will explain what that is in a future post).

During a routine visit this year, late in June, I noted general ecological conditions of the site and recorded mental notes on additional ecological restoration needs. A few observations follow:

Flowering Spurge (Euphorbia corollata)
widespread in eastern U.S.
often found in open sites or prairies
a few stems flowering here and there on the Slopes in esp. open areas

Piedmont Barbara's Buttons (Marshallia obovata)
locally abundant in some of our open, burned sites; this specimen
was flowering much later than typical for the species in our area
a small colony is present on the site

Post Oak (Quercus stellata) and Blackjack Oak (Quercus marilandica) sprouts and seedlings were apparent around the open edges of the site (see below). I think of these two oaks as likely historically important in many Piedmont open woodlands and savannas; both tolerate fire well. However, Blackjack is especially intolerant of shade and may be easily overwhelmed by faster growing, shade tolerant species - a major reason it is rarely seen today in the region.

Top: Blackjack Oak (Quercus marilandica) sapling amidst prairie flora
Bottom: Post Oak (Quercus stellata) sapling near clumps of Eastern Gamma Grass

Like many other rare plant sites in the Piedmont, this site was historically more open & prairie-like. A common attribute of these sites is the tendency to become heavily overgrown by dense trees and shrubs, presumably due to the absence of fire or grazing. One result of this change is the decline of  many understory species that are now of conservation concern and require special efforts to restore their populations.

We have begun an ecological restoration program supported by the Eno River Association Board, staff, and volunteers. Part of the restoration has involved slowly removing trees (mostly Loblolly Pine) and other invading brush from the site. As part of the broader effort we also conducted two consecutive spring-time prescribed burns on the Preserve. 

Results are becoming apparent!

The images above show a portion of the site before and after preliminary ecological restoration 

(November 2007 & February 2013); 

Note the large, limby eastern red cedar on the right side of both images

The green "clump" in the middle of the 2013 image is a shortleaf pine sprouting after fire

images complements of Kurt Schlimme of the Eno River Association.

The site's namesake, Wild Blue Indigo (Baptisia australis var. aberrans), suffered for years under the growing canopy. A decent number of individuals are still present but most are relatively small and still show diminished flowering. Consequently, very few of the individuals actually produce fruit. The individual shown below has only a single pod this season and appears to be affected by powdery mildew or some other pathogen. Although I don't know the identity of the white substance illustrated below we did document powdery mildew on these plants several years and a pathologist suggested heavy shade and associated moist conditions were contributing factors. We have purposely "gone slow" on the canopy re-opening, but the continued relatively poor vigor and possible mildew problems on the Wild Blue Indigo suggest we need to renew and expand our efforts. 

Newly developing Prairie Wild Blue Indigo Pod (Baptisia australis var. aberrans)
Typical "healthy" plants produce numerous pods, this is the lone pod on this individual

The site supports a scattered population of Starry Rosinweed (Silphium astericus) (left below) just coming into flower, as well as numerous Glade Wild Quinine (Parthenium auriculatum) (right below). As with the Blue Indigo, relatively few of the Glade Wild Quinine appear likely to flower this year.

An open prairie-like portion of the Eno River Association's Indigo Slopes Preserve (above). A Post Oak sapling can be seen near the back of the opening near the large pines, a Prairie Wild Blue Indigo individual occurs on the right, and scattered rosettes of Glade Wild Quinine (Parthenium auriculatum) can be seen throughout. The extent of the opening is less than 1/4 acre and surrounded by dense woods on at least 3 sides. We hope to significantly expand this opening, both up and downslope, in the near future.

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Bogged Down in the Thumb

I recently had the chance to visit eastern Michigan and see an excellent example of northern peat bog, just a few miles from the shores of Lake Huron.  Also called an "Ombotrophic peatland" or "raised bog" this site in Sanilac county is apparently one of the most southerly examples of this community type.

Sporadic clumps of Tussock Cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum) were found scattered about. Sheep Laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) was flowering abundantly, and appeared dominant in places. Here and there were flowering stems of Labrador Tea (Ledum groenlandicum). I was able to find a single Sundew (Drosera sp.)

Tussock Cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum)

Sheep Laurel (Kalmia angustifolia)

Labrador Tea
 (Ledum groenlandicum)

The lone carnivorous plant observed in Minden Bog

Most of the vegetation was low growing, dense, clumpy shrubs not more than 2' in height. An occasional tree sapling emerged over the tussocks. Standing no more than 3-4 ' tall were stems of Bog Birch (Betula pumila). It is a naturally diminutive species, unlike its relative Paper Birch (of which one or two individuals were found growing in the bog as well). Its growth form was unusual in the bog, amidst the rounded mounds of the other dominant shrubby species. In the deeper sections of the bog, tamarack became taller and more abundant.

A scene toward the interior (or at least the portion I was able to get into) of Minden Bog; Sheep Laurel in the foreground with Tamarck in the background. A single Bog Birch is emerging near the right background.

Bog Birch (Betula pumila) can be found across much of Canada and the northern U.S.

Although the remaining wetland complex is still apparently quite large (I saw at least one report

that it exceeds 5,000 acres), the site is not "pristine".  An adjacent stream has been obviously 

channelized, and parts of the surrounding area are now under cultivation. However, the core of the site escaped the fate of others in the region and has not been mined for its peat content. 

      

                                          I found this relic of the past in an old barn nearby                                                                                                                                                                            

I felt lucky to be able to see this great remnant of natural habitat. 
Like most of the midwest, such places are few and far between these days. Finding Minden Bog was not easy (there were no signs or trail marker anywhere that I could find) but it was well worth the visit!

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