The last week of June has been glorious in terms of weather but the rest was very hot and humid.  I had the opportunity to participate in a few non-plant related activities recently.  I assisted with a breeding bird survey and tagged along with the park’s geologist intern to visit some caves and poke around for fossils.  I still got out to do some plant surveying though.

One plant that occasionally gets overlooked by some is Polygonatum pubescens (Hairy Soloman’s Seal).  It grows alongside and appears very similar to another species within this genus, Polygonatum biflorum (Soloman’s Seal).   Fortunately, once you are aware of the two species they are easily distinguished even without flowers.  The leaves of Polygonatum pubescens have lines of hairs on their underside while Polygonatum biflorum’s leaves are glabrous throughout.

Polygonatum pubescens (Hairy Soloman’s Seal)

Polygonatum pubescens (Hairy Soloman’s Seal) A close-up of the leaf underside showing the rows of hairs along the veins. Folding it over the finger like this seems to be the best way to see them. A hand lens is not required to see them.

I feel obligated to mention that distinguishing the genus of Polygonatum in a vegetative state from other similar genera took me several seasons to learn.  Some of the genera that can look similar to Polygonatum in the eastern U.S. are Maianthemum spp., Uvularia spp., Prosartes spp., and Streptopus spp.  It’s also worth mentioning that the synonym for Maianthemum is Smilacina while the synonym for Prosartes is Disporum.   Distinguishing these genera when in flower is a lot simpler.  However, typically Polygonatum spp. can be separated from Maiantheum racemosum by leaf margin characters and these two genera I just mentioned can be separated from Prosartes spp. and Streptopus spp. by whether or not their stalks are forked.  I have never personally seen Streptopus spp. in the field.

I also found Ruellia strepens (Limestone Wild Petunia) in flower this month and realized just how inconspicuous it is when it is not in flower.  The common name of this plant is slightly misleading.  Although it may grow predominately in limestone areas it is not limited to them.  One of the populations I found was around the Potomac Gorge area in a floodplain forest.  This species is listed in Maryland as a S2S3.

Ruellia strepens (Limestone Wild Petunia)

Ruellia strepens (Limestone Wild Petunia) The calyx lobe width is an important character in distinguishing species within this genus.

Not far from where I found the Ruellia I checked out a rocky river outcrop along the Potomac and found two other state listed species.  One of those species was Trachelospermum difforme (Climbing Dogbane) which I discussed in a blog entry last season and is an S1 (Endangered) species.  The other was Hibiscus laevis (Halberdleaf Rosemallow) an S3 (Watchlist) plant.  I guess the interesting thing about the photos I took is that they show each plant in an immature state.

I should note as I stated in my previous entry that leaf shape for climbing dogbane is listed as “variable” in the manuals.  To my eyes the young leaf grow was linear and narrow with more vigorous/older stems showing the orbicular and wider leaf shape I was used to seeing.  With that said I can’t be certain if these young “narrow leaves” will retain their shape as they grow or morph into the orbicular form.  I also can’t be certain whether or not this narrow growth is a result of physical damage to the stems.  The stems are exposed to potential damage from flooding and visitor trampling.  Additionally, in my previous post I neglected to mention that some species descriptions for climbing dogbane state that milky sap is not always detected when its tissue is broken.  As with all populations I have encountered on the Potomac, these plants did have milky sap.

Trachelospermum difforme (Climbing Dogbane)

Trachelospermum difforme (Climbing Dogbane) The population was in fierce competition with Campsis radicans, Toxicodendron radicans, and the non-native shrub, Ulmus pumila.

Halberdleaf Rosemallow is not especially uncommon along the Potomac River.  The pictures I took captured it at about the half way point in terms of its growth height.  The leaf shape is very distinctive.  It could be confused with Hibiscus moscheutos (Crimsoneyed Rosemallow) which can have slight lobing of the basal portions of some leaves.  Typically Halberdleaf Rosemallow holds true to its name and possesses well defined lobes throughout.  One of the interesting observations I noted from this population was the deformities in the leaves as seen in the pictures.

Hibiscus laevis (Halberdleaf Rosemallow)

Hibiscus laevis (Halberdleaf Rosemallow)

Hibiscus laevis (Halberdleaf Rosemallow) This picture shows an example of the leaf deformities I observed. This type of deformity occurred in every clump of plants though varied in abundance on each stem.

I’ve crossed the halfway point of my internship once more.  July will be a busy month because many of the G1-G3 priority species on my list are flowering in that period.   July on the Potomac is particularly exciting for me because the decrease in rainfall that usually occurs opens access to certain islands and scour bars on the river where so many interesting and rare plants grow.

I wouldn’t consider myself an eloquent person, particularly when it comes to reflecting upon experiences I’ve had. This perception of myself has made it difficult for me to sit down and write this blog-post. Thus, I’ll try to keep it concise.

This internship has forced me out of my comfort zone in more ways than one. I find myself stumbling upon new plants and wildlife that, as a native east coaster, seem otherworldly. From a political perspective, I am absolutely a minority as I’ve relocated from New York, possibly the liberal epicenter of the country, to Wyoming.

This internship, although I am just six weeks into it, is exposing me to more than just a potential career with a federal agency or as a botanist. It is introducing me to new people and perspectives I wouldn’t otherwise come across. It is forcing me to change the way I discuss the environment and other issues I feel are important.

I don’t want to spend too much time talking about my workday since many of the other blog posts seem to focus on that, but also because thus far, the most valuable experience for me as a result of this internship has been the culture shock of relocating my life to a completely new place. I’ve adjusted plenty over the last six weeks, and I look forward to finding out what the rest of this internship will introduce me to.

E. Grapstein -–Buffalo Field Office, Buffalo, WY

Hello from my front porch in Somerville, Massachusetts! I am currently enjoying a hot cup of tea, the sounds of the city, the lingering smell of warm afternoon rain on asphalt and cement, and a moment of reflection on the incredible first week I have just had with the internship of my dreams at the New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods .

Studying plant ecology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, I never forgot how privileged I was to grow into my passion for the subject in such a rich botanical area. When I applied to the CLM program I steeled myself to head west and say goodbye to many of my favorite plants. I was excited to learn the botany of a new area but sad to leave the extreme diversity of my eastern home state. Imagine my delight when the offer from NEWFS’s Seeds of Success team came through my inbox carrying the promise of six more months with all that familiar diversity (and then some – our collection list includes over three hundred target species!).

An especially vibrant and somewhat blurry Kalmia about to bloom at NEWFS’s Garden in the Woods. A familiar face from my time working in the Southern Appalachians!

My SOS colleagues in the West are able to collect from huge swaths of BLM property, but the three SOS East teams work within a patchwork landscape that has been extensively occupied and developed on both geographic and temporal scales. Interns here face an additional stage in this early season: the hunt for permission. We are tasked with searching out properties of relevant habitat and adequate size and then directly requesting collection permits from land trusts and other conservation agencies. I have written a lot of emails this week! Fortunately, most conservationists in the area understand the significance of our project and are more than willing to allow us access to their properties. Though the East lacks the great open conservation lands of the West, it is truly amazing how many ecological gems you can still find tucked among historic cities and farmland, lovingly preserved by centuries of botanists, ecologists, and nature enthusiasts at large.

Of course, it wouldn’t be botany job if we didn’t sneak away from the office and hit the field for some flora study! Our awesome mentor Michael Piantedosi very transparently tried to make us all fall in love with New England this week (as if we needed any prompting) by taking us to two of the most gorgeous tracts of land I have ever seen.

First up was the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge, a property of a staggering 4700+ acres of salt marsh and barrier sand dunes. It is truly something to look out over such a great expansive of marsh, broken up only by the alternating shades of Spartina patens, Juncus gerardii, and cuts of blue water. The dunes were equally beautiful and some of the tallest I have ever seen, held together by clumps of lichens and Hudsonia tomentosa and peaked with tufts of dune-building Ammophila breviligulata.

Not a tree in sight! Could this really be Massachusetts?

Hudsonia tomentosa (beach heather) in flower, framed by Ammophila breviligulata (American beachgrass). The guardians of the back dunes!

Yesterday we visited Ponkapoag Bog, a completely new habitat type for me. This location is remarkably just a handful of miles out of Boston in the Blue Hills but it feels like it’s on a different planet. We slipped and slid our way along the partially submerged boardwalk to scout out a number of Ericads and sedges, ooh and aah at the majestic Sarracenia purpurea, and squish a lot of Sphagnum. The next time we visit we’ll be armed with waders!

Michael Piantedosi leading the way through the bog and quietly suffering the loss of feeling in his wet feet.

My field notes are full of misspelled Latin after being introduced to so many new plants, but in just a few weeks I know my co-interns and I will be old hats at recognizing our target species and these feverish days of crowding around floras and cramming field characters will seem silly. I am not sure what stage of familiarizing myself with local botany I like better – meeting new species with fresh, eager eyes, or greeting them later as old friends.

My new favorite plant? Nuttalanthus canadensis, blue toadflax. See(d) you in three weeks when you fruit up!

Every day I have to take a moment to revel in the fact that this is really my life. I have never been so happy to go to work! I am endlessly grateful to the CLM program for this opportunity, and unbelievably excited for what the next six months hold.

Until next time!

-Alex

My name is Kelsey Piepkorn and I am from Minnesota. I started my internship at the end of May. I am a recreation intern at the BLM Burns District Office in Hines, OR. The BLM Burns District Office is responsible for 3.5 million acres! There is a wide variety of landscape throughout the district from sagebrush to the historical Diamond Craters as well as the Alvord Desert to the Steens Mountains. My internship has been filled with a variety of activities such as collecting data from traffic counters, hiking to monitoring remote campsites and rivers for the ability to cross, monitoring Wilderness Study Areas, and spending most of my time getting to know the Steens Mountains area. The locals say the Steens Mountains is a bit of an unknown beauty because it is overshadowed by the west coast. I have not been to the summit yet because there is still snow on top of the Steens Mountains. I went up most of the way with a mentor and it truly is breath-takingly beautiful. I also attended meetings and helped with Burns’ first ever “Gravel Grinder” bike race. I now understand how much effort goes into planning a bike race such as meetings, thoroughly marking the course, having people directing riders during the race, and having an Emergency Action Plan set. I was very impressed with the collaboration during the race to keep all the riders safe. I am honored to have helped make the first annual Skull 120/60 Bike Race a success.

Until next time.

Kelsey Piepkorn

Burns District, BLM

On the Steens Mountains as far as we could make it before the snow drifts. This is my office for the summer!

Up in the Steens Mountains area, there is this cool lake formed from snow melt.

In the Steens Mountains area during a 7-mile hike along the Blitzen River, I monitored remote campsites.

It was quite the week in Lander, Wy. We got back from our training in Chicago and finished our first seed collection on Monday. As we were leaving the site we thought we would take a further look down the road but ended up getting our truck stuck in a wash out. Our first Seeds of Success collection followed by our first save our souls moment, a double SOS day. Luckily, our amazing mentor, Emma, came with snacks and shovels.

We made it home safe and sound and hoped for a better field day tomorrow, but the bad luck kept coming. Tuesday we checked on a population of Rumex only to discover it had all been eaten by caterpillars while we were in Chicago (learning about herbivory I might add).

Luckily we found an amazing population of bitterroot which happens to be Emma’s favorite flower, back on her good side after the truck incident (jokes, Emma only has good sides). We also collected seed from a Musineon plant and I have decided that umbels are my favorite plant part. It’s so satisfying to pour all of those seeds in your bag and not even come close to touching 20% of the populations.

On Wednesday we began a collection of Astragalus pershii, the woollypod milk vetch. As the name suggests it was awesome to collect. The seed pods were large and furry and I definitely played with the tiny rabbit’s foot seed pods in my bag while looking for more plants.

Thursday we finished up the A. pershii collection and started a collection of Astragalus spatulatus, which turns out to be pretty prickly. I got a bit distracted by the phenotypic shape of this mat former…

Isn’t it cute? Not to anthropomorphize, but I took it as a sign that this plant appreciates our conservation efforts. Here is a different species (did not have time to key out, too busy collecting seeds) reaffirming this message:

Friday I left to go to Portland, OR for the Evolution Conference where I met up with another CLM intern, Lia Leibman, who is stationed in Boise, ID. The CLM program is awesome for growing your network across the country. So far I’ve heard some great talks about Sagebrush, Oenothera, and Penstemon and feel extra prepared to jump back into seed collections next week back in Lander!

Leah Prescott

Lander, Wy

The trees were beginning to reach higher as the highway started to whine. The road had changed. I was heading South East when I began to notice that the road was all double lines; no passing. There were hills here. I wondered what the National Forests of East Texas would be like.

The three and a half hour drive didn’t take longer than that. I rolled into Lufkin, Texas on a Sunday evening and didn’t see the roaches on the floor of the Motel 6 until the next morning. I didn’t have to worry about another morning there as my internship mentor, Tom, had gone the extra distance for me before we had ever met. He had organized a possible place for me to live from a work colleague. All that I had to do was approve of it and move in. The place was in the middle of the woods and not a neighbor around. There were two stray dogs, a cat, and a bull and his mom to keep me company. It was very private.

On the first day I met Tom. He was different than I had imagined. His calm and patient voice on the phone did not prepare me for how he looked in real life. He was a strong fellow and a veteran. I could tell that he was used to the forests but had no idea how much he knew until the next day. He finished my paperwork that first day and I had two combinations to memorize as well as a handful of rules.

We had car trouble on the first day and almost got stuck on the second; but I’m not there yet. Tom introduced me to many people and one of them was Alan. Alan and Tom work on projects together. It was fascinating to ride in the back of the NRCS Suburban and listen to the two of them discuss the plants that they were developing together. Alan is a Master in Chemical Biology and the Manager / Supervisor for the NRCS’s Plant Research Center; otherwise known as the Experimental Forest. Tom is an experienced Botonist. So you can imagine how much info there was to take in from these two in a one hour setting (or driving).

I’m going to slow this blog down after I tell you about the second day because it is why I chose this direction in my life. Tom asked me to come in early on Tuesday and I did. I followed him out and watched his every move in order to prepare myself for the day that I would walk alone. There were backpacks and leg wraps to detour any snakes and ticks from reaching skin. Water, compass, a snack or two and something to write stuff down. I listened as he told me how to leave a trail in case I get lost. There were dartboards and sheets with check-in and out and a line for signatures.

He told me the codes and showed me where the keys were and after memorizing the codes we were driving in the Forest Service vehicle. He made one more stop and in stepped a long blond haired man in flip-flops and a T-shirt. The two talked together as they had done a million times before but I had no idea at that time what the day held in store or the fact that the flip flop guy was a scientist as well.

We drove for an hour and a half and entered the Sam Houston National Forest. I learned many words that day as we walked for TEN hours through the forests of East Texas and “stand” was one of them. I learned that a stand of trees was nothing complicated other than how they were standing in organization in the woods. The two that I was with began pointing out plants to me by their scientific name as well as their common name. I was slapped in the face with the reality of the fact that I had much to learn and following these two guys was a great place to start.

Ten hours was a long time to walk but it seemed to bother none of us. The forests were beautiful. Ten hours was blink of an eye. We almost got stuck leaving the first stand and I was got to help push. The spin of the tire threw mud all over me a few times and we finally made it out. Tom walked passed me and stopped and had a look at me. He simply said with that calm quiet voice, “Welcome to the Forest Service.”

To be continued…