March 2007 Vol. IV No. 7

Directors & Officers

Ruth Loper, Director

Lynn Sherrod, Director

Sonnia Hill, President

Phone 903-849-5357

Sonnia36@hotmail.com

Jim Showen, VP Programs

Elizabeth Parks, Secy/Treasurer

Liz Soutendijk, VP Field Trips

Herb Jarrell, VP Membership

Kay Fleming, Newsletter Editor

MARCH PROGRAM

Our March 5^th meeting will feature a program by Whitehouse sculptor Jim Day entitled "Carving Fine Sculpture from Southern Hardwoods." Jim show slides of sculptures he has carved from the wood of more than twenty species of trees, that for the most part, are native to East Texas. He will discuss the various steps involved in creating a piece of sculpture.

Jim Day grew up on a farm near Texarkana, Texas. Professionally trained as a psychologist, he studied at Texas A&M University and East Texas State University and earned his Ph.D. degree in Experimental Psychology at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. After nearly thirty years of teaching and research at the university level, he now sculpts full-time. In 2001, Jim retired and moved with his wife Cherry Day to their home near Whitehouse, where together they established Day Sculpture Studios.

DINNER FOR GUEST SPEAKER – Our Chapter has invited our guest speaker to dinner at Gilbert's El Charro at 2623 E. Fifth and the Loop.  We will meet at 5:30 PM prior to our Chapter Meeting. 

Future Programs

April 2^nd "The Paintings of Redoute' " presented by Mr. Barney Lipscomb

Mr. Lipscomb is Dorothea Leonhardt Chair of Texas Botany and Head of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas Press. He is an author, speaker, researcher, and co-author of "Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas" and the "Illustrated Flora of East Texas, Volume 1.”  Mr. Lipscomb has written numerous scientific publications.  Other areas of interest include poisonous plants and forensic botany; and he has provided expertise and assisted in several criminal cases.  He serves on the board for the North Texas Poison Center and enjoys teaching at school where he is known as "Barney the Botanist."

This will be our joint meeting with the Tyler Chapter of the Audubon Society.

May 7^th "Bog Restoration" presented by Linda Chance from Louisiana (Sonnia's request)

Since September, 2006, the Tyler Paper has published information about the NPSOT's speakers and their subject each month. On the Sunday before the meeting date, the information is found in the "Community Events" section and on the Monday of the meeting date, the information is found in the "Day By Day" section. This is done free of charge. Jim Showen

FIELD TRIPS

TEXAS TRILLIUM VISIT - For those who haven't seen the Loper’s rare Texas Trilliums or want to see them again the Lopers are scheduling another walk down to their bog on Saturday, March 24, at 9:00 A.M. According to Ruth, “The rare plants are not even up yet, but since they always have been up by the middle of March, I feel that this will be a good time.  It's possible that they will have turned pink by then.  Other things to see will be Southern Twayblade Orchids, Violets, and pink May Apples.  You may have to slosh through shallow water to get to them.”

To get to the Loper’s, you take Hwy 110S (Troup Hwy) from Tyler through Whitehouse. About 4 miles south of Whitehouse, take CR2235 to the left, (opposite Hwy 344 going to the right). Take the left hand fork to the end of the road and come through the gate by their mailbox. When the pavement ends - that’s the Loper’s! Liz Soutendijk

TEXAS TRILLIUMS

Since Kay, last month, wrote about our Southern Twayblade Orchids, I will write a synopsis of an article I wrote two years ago for the NPSOT state newsletter. (Note that we are invited to the Loper’s this month to see the Trilliums. - Kay)

We found our little trilliums in March after we moved here in 1980. I found their photograph in Wild Flowers of the Big Thicket, which said they were rare. I wrote to the author, Geyata Ajilvsgi, who wrote back, saying that yes, they seemed to be rare, but how many people go slogging through a bog in March? You will see that they grow along the hillside above a bog.

Barney Lipscomb was nice enough to send me up-to-date information from the Botanical Research Institute of Texas’ then-unpublished Illustrated Flora of East Texas on the new-named TRILLIACEAE. The genus Trillium is found in Asia, eastern and western North America. There are forty-three species and five are found in the Piney Woods of East Texas. Our trillium has been called Trillium texanum, but is currently T. pusillum var. texanum. Other varieties are found in Arkansas and back east.

Come see our Texas Trilliums and Southern Twayblade Orchids on March 24, or if it’s raining, on March 31. Probably by then, we can find pink May Apples, violets, and some of the little spring annuals. We’ll have our breakfast potluck buffet at 9:00 A.M. and then walk (waddle?) down to the bog. We might even look more closely at the twigs from the trees and shrubs along the way. Come join us. Ruth Loper

NEW MEMBERS

We want to welcome our new members to the Tyler Chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas. Its great to have you with us! If you haven’t come to one of our meetings or our field trips you are missing out. Also if you have recently joined our chapter and you’re not listed below, let Tyler Chapter President Jim Showen know. Sometimes our State office is slow in getting the word to us.

RECENTLY JOINED MEMBERS

John Lester

ANNOUNCEMENTS AND EVENTS

The Wood County Master Gardeners will hold their 2007 Spring Home Gardening Conference, Saturday, March 10^th from 8:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M. at the Mineola Civic Center (Oak Room), in Mineola. The program is titled “Gardening Smart.” Carol Feldman, Landscape Architect, will present a program on “Native Plants.” Keith Mills, Horticulturist-Caldwell Zoo, will talk on “Ornamental Grasses.” Dottie Woodson, Texas Extension Service, will present her program on “Rainwater Harvesting.” Registration is from 8-8:30 A.M. Admission is FREE!

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Dr. Elray Nixon, to whom the Illustrated Flora of East Texas is dedicated, will be in Nacogodoches for a book signing on the 30th of March at the Stephen F. Austin Biology Department. The event will be at 7 pm. Bring your book if you have one. Sonnia Hill

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BOOK REVIEW: A new book, “Pitcher Plants of the Americas”, was released in late December. Stewart McPherson shares his fascination of these alluring and beautiful plants by consolidating information about some 45 species, hybrids, and cultivars, and providing for the very first time, published images of several species and varieties in their natural habitat. Descriptions and photographs of 30 currently unnamed and largely undocumented variants of pitcher plants are also unique in their presentation. The book contains over 250 full-color photographs, and reportedly is the most extensive review of the pitcher plants of North and South America ever presented in a single book. It provides a detailed overview of the systematics, biology, ecology, biogeography, conservation, and horticulture of the five genera of American pitcher plants. From what I saw of the book it appeared up-to-date, comprehensive, and well-illustrated. It covered more on Pitcher Plants than I thought I needed but to someone studying pitcher plants, it would be a good information source, a reference book, and spectacular overview of pitcher plants throughout the Americas.

For more information about this book and its author, you can visit the publisher's website at www.mwpubco.com/PitcherPlants.htm. Kay Fleming

PONDERINGS

MAYAPPLES

by Dr. Lynn Sherrod

When we visit the Loper’s, we will be there primarily to see the star of the show, the Texas trillium. We should also see tway-blade orchids, liverworts, several ferns, and mosses in the bog. Just above the bog, in the slightly drier region is another plant worth close observation. That plant is the mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) also known by various other common names such as Indian apple, umbrella plant, Devil’s apple, and mandrake.

The mayappple is a perennial in the barberry family (Berberidaceae). It is widespread in woodland areas from Canada and the Eastern United States to East Texas. There are 4 other species which are found in eastern Asia and the Himalayas.

Mayapples on the forest floor This entire group of plants is likely a clone, which spread from a single original plant.

The plants grow in patches, spreading by rhizomes. Therefore, the large clumps of plants you see are likely genetically identical (clones). Each plant has a single stalk topped with one or two deeply divided leaves that vaguely resemble umbrellas. Technically, the leaf is attached toward the middle bottom to the petiole, an arrangement said to be peltate; hence, the species name for this plant.

A single mayapple plant Note the two, deeply lobed leaves with single flower at the axil of the 2 petioles.

The single flower is overtopped by the leaves and is somewhat difficult to see initially. It has a white perianth of 12-15 broad tepals. There are twice as many stamens as tepals. The single pistil develops into a pulpy berry which matures to a purplish color. Blooming is in early spring and the flowers last about 3 weeks. A word about the perianth color: While most sources mention only the white color, the Flora of North Central Texas mentions that the perianth may rarely be pink. It is interesting that most of the mayapples at the Loper’s are pink.

The flowers are pollinated by bees. The foliage is avoided by herbivores because of the bitter taste and poisonous qualities.

There is some disagreement about the toxicity of the berries. One source mentions that they may be eaten by box turtles and possibly by opossums, raccoons, or skunks. Another source suggests making jelly from them while cautioning that mayapples should be eaten in moderation.

The most poisonous part of the plant is the rhizome. It has high concentrations of polophyllotoxin and alpha and beta pelatin which in carefully measured doses have shown some anticancer properties. Extracts of the plant are also used as a topical application to treat genital warts and certain skin cancers. Native Americans may have used the powdered rhizome or soaked seeds to protect themselves from pests. They also used the root as a strong laxative to treat worms. There are also accounts of use of the root to commit suicide with death occurring in a few hours.

Given the uncertainty of the concentration and action of the toxins, one should treat this plant with care and never try to use it for self medication. It is not recommended that you make jelly from the berries unless you are trying to collect on an insurance policy.

Single flower with white tepals and stamens in the center

Contributions to Newsletter

The newsletter is normally printed monthly, September through May. Members are encouraged to submit articles for publication in the newsletter. Contributions will be considered on the basis of interest, suitability, and available space. Grammar and spelling corrections will be made at the discretion of the editor. Email your articles and announcements to the editor at kfleming@suddenlink.net or mail to Kay Fleming, 809 E. Clinton Ave, Athens, TX 75751.

If you have never attended one of our meetings, and you are interested in learning more about native plants and their habitats, we invite you to give us a visit. We have a good time! Our meetings are normally held at the Walter Fair United Methodist Church in Tyler on the first Monday of each month, September through May. Walter Fair United Methodist Church is located just off 5^th Street, (Highway 64) at 1712 Old Omen Road, East of Loop 323.