In this IssueSabal minor E-newsDecemberJanuary
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Executive Committee ProfileAnn Redmond, Vice President for AdministrationAnn is the Vice President for Administration and Magnolia Chapter Representative. She has served on the Magnolia Chapter board since 2002 and from 2002-2005 chaired the Native Plant Garden Restoration at Maclay State Gardens, which was nominated for a 2004 Take Pride in America Award. Ann has worked in the environmental profession for many years, including as a regulator and consultant. She recently joined Biological Research Associates as a Senior Project Manager. Ann specializes in mitigation banking, rural land stewardship and developing solutions to landscape-scale issues. In service capacities she served as the private sector representative on the National Research Council's Committee on Mitigating Wetland Losses and is presently a technical advisor to the Environmental Law Institute's and Environmental Defense's Wildlife Habitat Policy Research Program "Design of US Habitat Banking Systems" study. She is married to fellow member, Ron Myers. Species SpotlightMYRICA CERIFERAHow did settlers use wax myrtle?
by Chelsie Vandaveer Wax Myrtle or Southern Bayberry (Myrica cerifera) is a large evergreen shrub/small tree native to the southern and eastern coasts of the U.S. Depending upon the authority, there are four to six species in North America and possibly fifty species worldwide. The Wax Myrtle was a source of fragrant wax. Although it was never "official" in the U.S. Pharmacopeia, the plant supplied eclectic medicines used by some doctors and in home remedies. Myrtle wax candles and soap were vital to many Native Americans and early American settlers who lived off the land. Charles Millspaugh wrote that the extraction of myrtle wax for making candles was first reported in Lousiana. In 1722, the water in which wax had been extracted was further boiled and used to treat cases of violent "typhoid" and dysentery among the Louisiana colonists. This may well have been associated with the devastating hurricane that leveled French New Orleans and most of the southern Louisiana that year. Myrtle water is astringent (drying) and was probably a last-ditch effort to cure dysentery. It has unpleasant side effects - dizziness, headaches, burning pain in the eyes and nasal passages, dry throat, sensation of hunger, cramping of the abdomen, nausea, chills and fever. The Native Americans chewed the bark from myrtle roots for toothaches and bleeding gums. Extracted as an infusion or tea, it was also gargled for sore throats and applied topically to itchy skin. The powdered root bark was applied to hemorrhages, sores and skin ulcers. Soap made from myrtle wax was considered gentle compared to common lye soap. Country doctors used myrtle soap for "soap plasters" where a topical medication was kept on the skin, or the plaster used to support or immobilize an injury. Men also preferred myrtle soap over traditional lye soap. Millspaugh declared, "Soap from this wax makes an aromatic and very softening shaving lather..." ("Myrica", American Medicinal Plants, Charles F. Millspaugh, 1892). Palamedes (Papilio palamedes)
Florida, and maybe the entire southeast, are in danger of losing one of its most beautiful swallowtails - Palamedes (Papilio palamedes) - due to Red Bay Ambrosia Beetle (Xyleborus glabratus). This Asian beetle causes the death of trees in the Laurel family (Lauraceae). Palamedes Swallowtail females lay their eggs on Red Bay (Persea borbonia) and Swamp Bay (P. palustris) almost exclusively. This large black and yellow swallowtail is widespread and easily observed in pine flatwoods and freshwater swamps. Spicebush Swallowtail (P. troilus), another Laurel feeder, will likely be affected also though its host plants are more varied than Palamedes. A search on the web will bring a lot of information about this beetle. Society NewsHoliday Mega Membership Explosion!December 2007 thru Earth Day, April 22, 2008GOAL is for each and every FNPS member of each chapter to present a gift membership to a friend, colleague, neighbor, family, ally, or foe. FIVE MONTHS of holiday giving opportunities (see flyer for the complete list of holidays under Membership at www.fnps.org).
Note: The number of gift and new memberships achieved in the 5-month challenge must match the number of members in the chapter at the beginning of the membership drive to reach the 100% increase goal. For more information, contact the FNPS Membership Chairs, Lynka Woodbury <lwoodbury@fairchildgarden.org> OR Mary Ann Bolla <bollam@bellsouth.net> Highlights from the FNPS Board of Directors MeetingNovember 10, 2007Palmetto FL and Picnic with AFNN at Sweetbay NurseryOfficial minutes will be available at the FNPS forum once approved; these highlights are offered to keep the membership up to speed on key decisions. At our meeting, much business was conducted to support the Society's mission and continued growth. We also enjoyed the hospitality of our friends from the Association of Florida Native Nurseries for a delicious lunch and excellent shopping at Sweetbay Nursery. Each year, during the November meeting, the next year's budget is proposed and review; retention of contractors is also addressed. This year, we employed roll-call voting for these critical issues and enforced rules from the bylaws that (1) require a written proxy to be delivered in person by those substituting for their Chapter reps; and (2) disallow proxies for members of the Executive Committee. Board members attending addressed the excellent service we enjoy from the contractors up for renewal, including Palmetto editing and design by Visual Key (Marjorie Shropshire), Consolidated Administration services from Just Cause Media (Cameron Donaldson) and Accounting by Joslin & Hershkowitz, Inc. A unanious roll-call vote approved the motion to accept the scope and fees of contracts as provided by Ann Redmond, Vice President for Administration. It was also agreed (30 yes, 1 no, 2 abstentions) to add improved standard legal contractual language to each letter of engagement with our contractors. This language is pending legal review and will be appended after review by the board. Fees Structure, 2008
The 2008 FNPS budget was reviewed, amended and approved (roll-call vote: unanimous). New funds were included for retention of legal services, as needed, and for a lobbyist, Sue Mullins, to carry our flag and report on the action in Tallahassee. The budget also provides for an increase in the landscape awards, and support for FNPS representation at key conference. These increases will be supported in part by an approved dues increase that concludes the evaluation and adjustment of FNPS dues structure initiated in 2007 (roll-call vote: 30 in favor, 3 opposed). The Board also approved replacements for three positions vacated due to time conflicts. New appointments include Vice President of Finance - Candace Weller, Pinellas Chapter, and Directors at Large, Lynne Flannery Heatland Chapter, and Fritz Wettstein, Magnolia Chapter. Finally, a new chapter was approved in the Marion County area. Updates from Committees appear elsewhere in Sabal minor. Thanks to Christina Uranowski, Pine Lily Chapter, who stood in for the FNPS secretary to capture the proceedings of this important meeting. Chapters Present: Cocoplum, Dade, Eugenia, Heartland, Hernando, Ixia, Lake Beautyberry, Magnolia, Mangrove, Naples, Nature Coast, Palm Beach, Pawpaw, Paynes Prarie, Pine Lily, Pinellas, Sea Rocket, Serenoa, Sumter, Suncoast, Tarflower FNPS Retreat Highlights and PerceptionsMary Echols, Naples ChapterWe attended the "first annual" FNPS Retreat in October held In Lake County, near Dora. The retreat site's Longleaf Pines, plentiful sinkholes and ponds with adundant plants and wildlife inluding herons, sandhill cranes and egrets were a nice backdrop to interesting sessions and great social time. There were about 35 people in attendance and the weekend included time for networking, a field trip to a local preserve, presentations on advocacy, tips for using illustration in your plant or field journals, a rain barrel workshop, and wonderful meals. A clever game of FNPS Jeopardy, plant ID contests and a members' forum on making your Chapter activities successful rounded out the program. There were even special activities for children which makes this members' retreat a possible family vacation. Jane Wallace, Mangrove ChapterI attended the Florida Native Plant Society Retreat on the weekend of October 6 - 7. It was a fun and delightful weekend filled with interesting events. I recommend other members try it next year. For me, the highlight was the workshop on Plant Journaling taught by Marjorie Shropshire. Although I'm not an artist, I thought I would see what it was all about. Plant journaling? Think Lewis and Clark, little books filled with text, sketches and drawings that hold the story of their findings. Who needs to draw when we have all the modern photography equipment? Yes, the camera can capture an image and even create a very beautiful picture, but drawing and sketching makes you REALLY look at and interpret the plant subject. When you draw something you learn a lot more about it. We experienced seeing things in the plant we never really noticed. Don't worry about how well you draw, but try to keep the proportions correct. It gives a whole new dimension to learning and experiencing our native plants. With instruction, I was amazed at the quality of my plant sketches at the end of the session.  Retreat participants explore the techniques of field journaling. Our instructor, Marjorie, is an artist and brought some of her detailed journals. To see examples of these types of field sketches, refer to the book Drawing from Life, the Journal as Art. A plant journal is a personal record of what you see and experience and, if you include text, a wonderful tool to refer back to. Marjorie recommends dating the pages, never tearing them out, using softer pencil leads such as HB, 2B and 3B, a kneaded eraser, a mechanical pencil for taking notes and a journal that contains waterproof paper. My only objection was that the session ended too soon. You will have an opportunity to gain these helpful tips as Marjorie will be teaching another session of plant journaling at the 2008 retreat as well. Also, the conference in May will highlight a botanical pen sketching workshop with Susan Trammell. Next year the retreat is planned at Camp Kulaqua Retreat just north of Gainesville during the weekend of September 26-28, 2008; http://www.campkulaqua.com/ Amazon Jungle Safari Trip Reviewby Joanne Trebatoski
Twelve people left Miami on October 19th heading for the jungles of Peru. We stayed at various lodges, sleeping under mosquito netting, using outdoor latrines and showers, and having only kerosene lamps to light the night. That's a vacation, you say? While staying in these remote lodges, we took many jungle walks immersing ourselves in the native flora of Peru, many mammals, white-fronted capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys, tarantulas, many varieties of butterflies, bats and colorful insects. An anaconda was witnessed as well. The countless, beautiful birds and tropical jungle plants were quite amazing to experience. At the Explorama Inn, the group toured the clinic that was established there almost 20 years ago by a lady doctor from Wisconsin. Since medical supplies are always needed, some members of our group donated these items to the clinic. The group visited an ethnobotany garden of medicinal plants and, after an educational presentation by the shamans there, some of us took part in a blessing ceremony. Some of us got temporary tattoos of animals that have a healing significance. 
From there, we took boat trips down the Amazon river to observe birds and plants and to visit a small village where indigenous people lived. We found out we could "adopt" a school for $350.00 per year. Several of us plan to do this. The people are so very poor there, and school supplies are meager. The children and parents were grateful for donations made to help the childrens' learning. We walked about 45 minutes through primary rainforest to get to the next lodge. It was the most remote and it is basically a research station visited by scientists throughout the world to study the rainforest. The Canopy Walkway which is above the trees (up to 115 feet high) and 1/3 of a mile long, enabled us to view the forest below and experience the wildlife from this vantage point. While in the jungle, we fished for piranahs and ate what we caught for dinner. They are a delicious light tasting fish. While fishing, the pink and blue-grey dolphins put on quite a show for us, dancing on the water and breeching. The optional excursion was to the Paracas National Research with its "Little Galapagos Islands" and to see the Nasca Lines in the desert area of the sourthern coast of Peru. What a change from the lushness and green of the rainforest! The contrast in diversity was interesting. The group enjoyed staying in a hacienda with beautiful grounds and a swimming pool. From here we drove to see the island near Paracas that had Humboldt Penguins, sea lions, Peruvian Terns, Peruvian Boobies and other birds by the hundreds. It was quite a sight. The Nasca Lines are a series of glyphs carved 5 inches deep into the rock of this desert area. They were made between 200BC and 300AD and are huge representations including a spider, hummingbird, monkey, parrot and even an astronaut who is waving his hand and has a bubble structure over his head. We took a chartered plane flight to view these fantastic glyphs as they can only be seen from the air. It is a mystery how and why they were constructed. Several of us brought blankets, jackets, diapers, etc. to give to the people who were affected by the earthquake that had happened in this region only months before our trip. Probably the highlight of the trip was a visit to a sanctuary preserve outside of Lima. It houses an unusual habitat called the Loomis. It is at the base of the mountains and it never rains here but it almost constantly mists. Unusual looking wildflowers and grasses abounded here among outcroppings of jagged, dark bolders. A couple of people went on to the Andes highlands and Matchu Pichu. The rest of us adventurous travelers reluctantly returned home. The trip earned $2,400 for the Native Plant Society and brought the total earnings of all the fund raising trips to approximately $19,000. Watch for the announcement of the next trip for Fall 2008 and come along! 
Call the Holiday Inn Riverfront now to reserve your conference rate! 2008 ConferenceUplands to Estuaries: Celebrating Florida's Native Plant HeritagePalmetto, FL - May 15-18, 2008Manatee Convention CenterKeynote ProfileThere will be two Key Note Speakers, one is Jon Thaxton. He was elected to the Sarasota Board of Country Commissioners in 2000 and is a representative on the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, the Sarasota Bay National Estuaries Program Policy Committee, the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Council of Governments.  Jon Thaxton brings his skills in environmental advocacy to service on the Sarasota County Commission. One of his most recent appointments comes from the National Association of Counties where he serves on its Environment, Energy and Land Use Steering Committee. Mr. Thaxton participates in the Sarasota Board of Advisors for Girl Scouts of Gulf Coast, Florida. Thaxton previously served as vice chairman of the Sarasota County Planning Commission and as a member of the country's Stormwater Utility and Environmentally Sensitive Lands Advisory Committees. Thaxton is a fourth generation Sarasota County resident and is perhaps best known for his success as an environmental activist. He has twice been chosen as the "Grass Roots Activist of the Year" by the Florida Nature Conservancy and has received awards from 1000 Friends of Florida's Growth Management and the Council for Sustainable Florida. In 1995, he was featured in National Geographic Society's magazine for his contribution toward endangered species protection. John Thaxton believes that Florida's economy and its environment are inseparable and each must remain healthy for the other to survive. With his diverse background, he hopes to bridge the gap between development and environmental interest groups. Conference NotesSocial events and muscial entertainment are planned for each evening after diverse and exciting conference sessions. FNPS Talent search! If you would like to perform, please contact Denny Girard at dennyg29@msn.com. Call before April 14th and mention FNPS for Holiday Inn Riverfront discounted room reservations (941)747-3727. CEU Credits pending for ASLA, Ecological Society of America, FNGLA, Society of American Foresters, ISA, and Society of Wetland Scientists. Chapter ResourcesChapter Tips & TricksAlterNative Publication for Northeast Florida The Ixia Chapter was the proud recipient of the FNPS Education Award in March of 2007 to help fund an "AlterNative" brochure for northeast Florida. The purpose of the pubication is to help educate the community on the threat that commonly used non-native invasive plants have in natural areas and recommend alternative plants that would be good substitutions. Ixia subcommittee members have spent a considerable amount of time over the last few months determining what 15 invasive plants should be featured and researching appropriate native plants to recommend. Text will also be included throughout the pubication highlighting the benefits of using native plants and adopting other sustainable gardening practices like water conservation and integrated pest management. The publication is already scheduled to have various public debuts such as being featured in one of Duval County's largest plant seminars, "Springfest 2008" as well as being presented at large garden clubs and various online websites. For more information about the publication, pleases contact the Ixia Chapter at FNPS.org Native Plants Mean Water Conservation in Projected DroughtIf you live in the Southwest Florida Water Management District's region, they want to talk to your Chapter as soon as possible. Michael Molligan writes, "As you know, west-central Florida is experiencing a drought. Over the last two years, our rainfall deficit is more than 20 inches. Unfortunately, forecasters predict a dry winter and spring, which means the situation will only worsen and possibly set new low level records. The situation is serious." Consequently, SWFWMD is looking for speaking engagements to talk about the drought, what the District is doing to ensure water supply needs are met, and what people can do to help. They also have ads and editorial content for newsletters. Powerpoint presentations and talking points are available. To take advantage of these resources for your Chapter, contact Michael Molligan, Communications Director, Southwest Florida Water Management District, (352)796-7211, ext 4750, Michael.Molligan@swfwmd.state.fl.us The Tarflower Chapter hosted a panel discussion about landscaping for water conservation and invited water management, county and city officials as well as local landscape architects, land planners, environmental lawyers and master gardeners. The discussion was taped for the local television station programming and prompted pertinent and important discusion. Ray Jarrett of the Lyonia Chapter sent an article with pictures to the regional newspaper in his area of the state. To his surprise, it ended up as front page news, under a huge headline: "Florida Lawns Going Native," with large photos and key facts on several native plants, and an engaging shot of Ray in his landscape. Ray says, "We thought it would be a small article in the garden section." Instead, Ray's article was published in full with full benefits of the use of natives in home landscapes. and yes, they addressed the coming drought, and identified FNPS as a resource. To see the article online, go to NewsJournalOnline. Such success suggests there is a paradigm shift happening throughout the state, and landscaping for water conservation and native plants are in the spotlight more than ever. Karina Veaudry, FNPS Executive Director, encourages all chapters to write an article and submit it to regional newspapers. Members of the ExComm are available for text review and photo searches. Contact Karina at executivedirector@fnps.org Representing FNPSMembers with special interests and expertise are increasingly visible on planning meetings related to mission. Joan Bausch, Palm Beach County, represents us at Everglades Coalition meetings. Karina Veaudry, Tarflower, and FNPS Executive Director, is representing us at Florida Forever Coalition meetings (stratigic planning for the continuance of the state land acquisition program), state fertilizer task force meetings, Board of Education science standards renewal meetings and the Public Lands Acquisition & Management conference in Sarasota in December. Walter Kingsley Taylor, Tarflower, will be representing FNPS on the Florida Wildflower Foundation board which includes selection of eduction, research and planting projects throughout the state. Nia Wellendorf, Magnolia Chapter, sits on the Florida Wildflower Foundation Council representing Florida DEP. If you sit on a state board OR council, let us know that, too. Your Chapter Representative can bring it to the Board for approval. |
Florida Native Plant Society, P.O. Box 278, Melbourne, FL 32902-0278
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