President's Message
Gene Kelly
My perception of the Florida Native Plant Society has evolved
considerably over the last several years. I’ve always been
attracted by the shared enthusiasm for conserving Florida’s native
plants and the easy camaraderie of the membership, which reach a maximum
expression at the annual conference. I have been energized by our
organization’s success and feel even more so having just attended
another stellar conference. Being President at this moment in the
Society’s history makes me feel both humbled and challenged. The
challenge will be to maintain the steady rate of progress we have
enjoyed thanks to an extended period of thoughtful and dedicated
leadership and the exciting projects of our chapters, which have clearly
advanced our mission.
As I stated during the conference, FNPS has been launched on a
trajectory that now distinguishes us as more than just a Society of
native plant enthusiasts. Our past Presidents and Boards have laid a
solid foundation for this period of growth, and the additions of
Executive Director Karina Veaudry and Lobbyist Sue Mullins have served
as an important catalyst.
Evidence of our progress can be measured in many ways: by the
addition of seven new chapters; by the caliber of the plant conservation
and research projects we are supporting through our grant programs; and
by the prominent role the Society played in the Florida Legislature’s
recent passage of a Florida Forever successor program that will allow
the state to continue protecting habitat for our native flora. For the
first time in my experience as a member, we can begin to think about
what our "legislative priorities" should be for the upcoming legislative
session. We are actively preparing policy statements that will help
direct our advocacy for native plant conservation and assist chapters
when they choose to pursue their own local efforts. The Executive
Committee will be updating the FNPS Handbook, which will help all of us
become more effective at successfully achieving our mission.
So as I embark on this challenge, I would like to begin by saluting
the efforts of our devoted membership, my predecessors, the current
members of the Board of Directors, and Karina Veaudry and Sue Mullins.
The future looks bright, indeed, for the Florida Native Plant Society. I
look forward to working with all of you to keep the Society moving
forward, and enjoying the time we share together learning about native
plants.
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New Sabal Palm Disease
Sabal palmetto (cabbage palm) in Manatee County have been
diagnosed with a lethal phytoplasma disease. Preliminary
laboratory analyses indicate that this may be the same phytoplasma that
causes Texas Phoenix palm decline (TPPD).
This is going to be a difficult disease to diagnose in early stages,
as various causes produce a similar symptom as the phytoplasma: cabbage
palms not being green all the way to the bottom of the canopy.
Over-trimmed palms improperly fertilized palms, and even palms in
natural settings with nutritional issues will show similar symptoms.
For more information, see the
IFAS publication.
Notes on Native Plant Conference
Anne Lambrecht, Master Gardener
The FNPS annual conference was four days in May in Bradenton. Since I
am fairly new to FNPS, I thought I’d go for 24 hours. I thought it was
wonderful.
The conference, named Uplands to Estuaries: Celebrating Florida’s
Native Plant Heritage, was held at the Manatee Convention Center and
consisted of field trips to local environmental jewels, interesting
workshops led by professional naturalists, children’s activities, and
native plant vendors.
Each field trip to area state parks, nature centers and preserves was
led by a naturalist guide and a plant expert. By hiking, kayaking,
rafting, or ferrying, the participants were able to see native flora and
fauna at hammocks, lakes, tidal creeks, pine flatwoods, rivers,
estuaries, bays, prairies and marshes in the Sarasota/Tampa Bay areas—19
different community types—over the course of four days.
Workshops were held morning and afternoon. It was hard to choose.
Native Plant Communities; Dragonflies, Butterflies and Pine Flatwoods
Flora; Ancient Native Americans in Florida; Challenges with Florida
Orchid Conservation; Scrub Jay Habitat, the list went on and on. These
workshops were headed up by expert biologists, botanists, curators,
conservationists, doctors of horticulture and environmental activists.
The keynote speaker on the day I was there was Jon Thaxton, a
Sarasota County Commissioner who is a real estate broker, land
developer, and, ironically, a nationally recognized environmentalist! He
gave us some tips on achieving successful changes, through our political
system, to benefit our environment.
Another speaker was the society’s lobbyist in Tallahassee, Sue
Mullins, who helped fight for the recent successful passing of the
Florida Forever bill. She told us how extremely down-to-the-wire this
bill nearly wasn’t passed.
The Florida Native Society states that "for most purposes, the phrase
‘Florida native plant’ refers to those species occurring within the
state boundaries prior to European contact, according to the best
available scientific and historical documentation. More specifically, it
includes those species understood as indigenous, occurring in natural
associations in habitats that existed prior to significant
human impact and alterations of the landscape."
Growing natives is good. If the plant has been living here for
centuries, then it thrives here with little or no attention and water.
Native plants also attract native wildlife (beneficial insects, birds,
etc.).
You can bet I’ll be going to next year’s conference. And I’ll be
there for more than one day!
Ed. Note: This is essentially the same article Anne wrote for the
Ocala Star Banner; she also sent the Banner a photo of the conference
poster. Although new to FNPS, Anne serves as Chapter Representative for
the Sumter County chapter of FNPS.
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A Great Loss
Cammie Donaldson
On Friday, June 20, a plane crash in Lake Placid resulted in the
death of the pilot, third-generation Floridian and agriculture leader
Mason Smoak, and conservation biologist David Maehr. They were surveying
black bears in Highlands County.
David Maehr was a courageous scientist who spoke openly and did not
back off when his views clashed with those of others, whether
development interests or environmental groups. His career undoubtedly
suffered as a result, but he was greatly respected and his loss is a
huge blow to the conservation community.
The author of several important conservation books, David wrote what
was probably the seminal article on saw palmetto for our own Palmetto
magazine some years ago and inspired a lifelong passion for palmetto in
me and many other members. He has been at the University of Kentucky for
a while and was apparently stationed at Archbold Biological Station this
summer as a visiting researcher.
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Species Spotlight
Uses for Portulaca
Portulaca spp.
PORTULACEAE
E.K. Sommer
The succulent, cooling Portulaca has an extensive history of
medicinal and culinary use and is a fine way to beat the Florida heat.
Commonly known as purslane, Florida has two native species: P.
pilosa, which has pink to magenta flowers and grows abundantly
throughout the state, and P. rubricaulis, which has a yellow
flower and is confined to the coastal southwest.
The yellow-flowered P. oleracea is native to Persia and India
and is the species most often mentioned in traditional herbals; it has
been found in archeological sites in Mexico dating from 6000 BCE, and
may have been brought to the New World when the Vikings explored
Newfoundland. Europeans considered Portulaca protection against
magic and placed it around sleeping areas.
In Florida, you will find pink purslane in pinelands, sandy fields, and
open hammocks; along sidewalks and emerging from cracks in pavement; and
probably in your backyard garden!
By regularly harvesting the tender tips (which are best when
harvested before the plant flowers), you can enjoy a continuous
supply of this tasty green. Rinse purslane well as it is typically full
of sand. Enjoy the sweetly sour tips and stems raw in salads, process
them into syrups and beverages, or even simmer for ten
minutes and eat cooked. Purslane thickens soup and can be used as an
unusual ingredient in gazpacho recipes. Try preserving the stems using
your favorite pickle recipe.
Purslane is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. It provides
vitamins A and C, and minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, and
phosphorus.
Purslane is cooling and demulcent, and has been used to assist in the
reduction of fevers and other "hot" conditions, including inflammation,
dryness, and thirst. The Cherokee people used the juice for earaches.
Syrup made with the juice was purported to be helpful in treating dry
coughs. A poultice of purslane can be used to soothe burns and insect
stings.
Cautions: Avoid using this plant during pregnancy or in cases of
digestive difficulties.
Although there are no poisonous look-alikes to purslane, always
exercise caution when using plants for food or medicine. Be sure of
identification or ask someone who is familiar with the plant to help
you. Before trying it, read about the medicinal use of a plant in at
least three reputable sources and be sure that you have no allergies to
constituents or similar plants.
References:
-Brill, S. 1994. Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal
Plants in Wild (and Not So Wild) Places. NY: Hearst Books.
-Foster, S. and Duke, J. 1990. Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants.
NY: Houghton-Mifflin.
Carolina Satyr
Linda Cooper
Not all butterflies are colorful and noticeable. The smallest and most
common of our woodland satyrs, Carolina Satyr, is often dismissed as a
brown moth as it flies low and slow through wooded areas. It lands and
sits with closed wings making it hard to find in the shadows.
Its markings are a series of yellow-rimmed eye spots along the outer
edge of the wings along with several dark brown lines on a brown
background. When the wings are open it appears even more moth-like with
a plain brown dorsal surface.
Rarely collecting nectar at flowers, it prefers sap and decaying
vegetation. Eggs are laid on various grasses. It ranges throughout the
southeast. Look for this satyr the next time you are walking in shaded
woodlands.
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Society News
Requests from Our Executive Committee
Volunteers are needed for the following committees:
Membership Vice Chair - one year position, approximately 10 to 20
hours per month.
Education Committee - one year position to assist new Education
Committee Chair, approximately 5 to 15 hours per month.
Publications Committee -one year position to assist new
Publications Committee Chair to collect, organize and edit past articles
and FNPS publicity, approximately 5 to 10 hours per month.
In addition to the committee work, other volunteers are needed:
Website Merchandise Coordinator - one year position,
approximately . 6 to 12 hours per month, to create and manage a
website-based merchandizing program for FNPS.
International trip organizer - one year position, roughly 2 hours
per month, plus attend the trip; trip costs for volunteer are covered.
If you are interested in furthering the mission of the Florida Native
Plant Society by assisting with these needed organizational duties,
please contact Karina Veaudry at executivedirector@fnps.org or
321-388-4781.
Conference Plans for Children
The FNPS Conference Team is planning an outlet where parents can leave
their children for educational sessions during the conference.
We are trying to gauge how many members would take advantage of this
service during the May 21-24, 2009 conference in West Palm Beach. The
cost would be $55.00 per day, and will include lunch, snacks, half day
field trip and instructors’ fees.
If you think you may be interested in this service this year, please
contact Conference Team Chair Stephanie Brown: scb17611@hotmail.com
or 561-575-3991.
FNPS Board of Directors
Upcoming Meetings
August 16, 2008 - Saturday, 10am; Palatlakaha Environmental and
Agricultural Reserve, Lake County. Also, hike scheduled for Sunday,
August 17th.
October 25, 2008 - Saturday, 10am; joint meeting with Association
of Florida Native Nurseries (AFNN), All Native Garden Center and
Nursery, Ft. Myers; John Sibley 239-939-9663.
January 9-11, 2009 - Friday evening through Sunday afternoon
retreat; Camp Kulaqua, High Springs. This is a special meeting, where
the BOD engages in the analysis and visioning required to create a
three-year strategic plan for FNPS.
- Visit the website at www.fnps.org close to the meeting dates for
details. From the menu, choose Member Services --> Society
Coordination --> Society Calendar.
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Chapter Resources
Chapter Tips & Tricks
Stephen Tonjes publishes the Lyonia chapter’s newsletter, and
learned of a real lifesaver for printing and mailing it: let the Postal
Service do the whole thing! Through a contract vendor on the web, USPS
will print, stamp, and mail various types of publications. Stephen sends
them the electronic document for printing and a spreadsheet with
addresses. He even gets a break on the postage. It sure beats copying
and folding and sealing and labeling and stamping! Check it out:
http://www.click2mail.com/
The Conradina and Sea Rocket chapters of Brevard County
got involved in the county comprehensive plan update process, which
involved the Viera / Duda Family Development of Regional Impact project.
Their suggestions regarding critical wetland/upland communities were
considered by the county commissioners and heralded by the Department of
Community Affairs in Tallahassee, and may be the input that ultimately
preserves these areas.
The Hernando, Lake Beautyberry and Sea Oats
chapters have been taking action, correcting misinformation on websites
and newspaper articles, sending letters to the editor of garden sections
that promoted invasive plant material, and working with Lowe's Home
Improvement store on their "Plants For Your Area" list.
The Paynes Prairie chapter created an educational Florida
Wetland Display for the 2008 Kanapaha Spring Garden Festival in
Gainesville. The display described types of wetlands found in Florida
and Alachua County and included over 100 native trees, shrubs,
perennials, ferns and grasses typical in those areas. A special exhibit
of live native frogs, newts and salamanders in large tanks were really
popular with the kids. Various animal footprints led visitors around the
central display which contained a grounded john-boat, a water pond and
even a stuffed alligator! Chapter members really used their imaginations
and pitched in to plan and build the exhibit. FNPS volunteers were on
hand to answer questions on native plants and activities of FNPS locally
and statewide. Over 25,000 people visited the Gardens during the 2-day
festival.
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