October 2010Volume 4, Issue 10

The purpose of the Florida Native Plant

Society is to promote the preservation,

conservation, and restoration of the native

plants and native plant communities of

Florida.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:President:

Jenny Welch..............mwelch@cfl.rr.com

1st Vice President:

Mark Johnson

.......mjohnson@ecotonelanddesign.com

Secretary:

..............................................Apply now

Treasurer:

Amy Johnson ..........artmlj@embarq.com

Chapter Rep:

..............................................Apply now

Membership:

Susan Parent ..... sparent20@yahoo.com

Publicity/Newsletter:

Loret ..................PineLilyFNPS@aol.com

October ProgramFNPS Executive Director Kariena

Veaudry will be our speaker this

month. Kariena will be outlining why

building the Northeast District might

not be “Smart Growth” after all.

Florida NativePlant PartnershipFlorida Wildflower Growers Coop

The Florida Wildflower Growers

Cooperative now offers seed packets

on-line. Now Florida Native Plant

enthusiasts can pick up a single seed

pack or neighborhood wildflower

meadow mix for their home garden.

Grown by Floridians for Florida,

these seed will attract native wildlife

such as butterflies and birds, and add

seasonal color. Go to their website:

http://www.floridawildflowers.com/categories/

to order and have them delivered

right to your door.

Board MeetingWe will have a board meeting

October 13 from 7pm – 8:30p, at the

Hart Memorial Library in the

Roseada Room.

All members are welcome to attend

and encouraged to come be a part of

“growing” our chapter.

���

Be part of thesolutionAttached is a preliminary poster

announcing the 2011 Conference. If

you live or work where it would be

appropriate to post to encourage

sponsorship, please print it out and

post it. Get on board. Time is

running out.

The Lily Pad

Meeting is Thursday

October 21st 6:30 p.m.

First United Methodist Church101 W. Dakin Avenue, Kissimmee

"How we garden now is what nature will look like,"—Douglas W. Tallamy, Ph.D.

New/Renewing Members

Loret Thatcher (R)

Thank you for your continuedsupport!

Discover Osceola display. See Story under “Community” on page 4

October 2010

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Solidago Gall Photo © 2010 Loret

Galls Part IIby Loret

Well the pretty flowery looking galls on my live oak tree are

nowhere to be found. Lots of anoles dancing up and down

the branches which have good amounts of new growth. I’ll

keep an eye out next year to see if I can figure out the

species that created them.

I cut open the Goldenrod gall and found what I believe to be

beetle larvae, wiggling around. I was only sorry that in my

experiment I cut the stem close around the gall for I could

have taped it back together and placed it back close to it’s

original location and I believe the beetle might have

continued to grow. Unfortunately he was tossed off the table

by a gust of wind. I’m sure the skink was ready for him.

I retrieved a gall from the blueberry bush and I can

understand why they were called “gall nuts” because this

thing was harder to cut than a Brazil nut. I saw no signs of

life, but that gall has been on that plant for as long as I can

remember, at least two or three years so perhaps whatever

started out in there has long ago escaped.

As you can see in the photo, new plant growth was

continuing through the gall so this type really doesn’t appear

to cause any harm. And that’s the “inside” scoop on my

spate of galls.

���

A Message on FacebookWe received the following note on our Facebook page

www.Facebook.com/PineLilyFNPS

From: Ron Williams September 10 at 3:25pm

“Found Pine Lily on my land

“I was perusing internet for info on this beautiful native and

found your page. Thought your chapter would be pleased to

know I have four of these blooming as of today. I have

several high quality photos I took this a.m.. I too share your

concern for native habits. I am in St. Tammany Parish, LA.

Part of my 14 acres is 2-3 acres of pine bottomland. I was

doing some thinning and burning over the years then Katrina

came along and opened the canopy even further. So I did

more burning of the broken, splintered mess. It now has the

Pine Lily as well as several other native species. YEA!”

���

A papercut is a tree's last revenge.

At Home With NativesBeautyberry Jelly

(reprinted from The Lily Pad, Volume 2, January 2008)

1 ½ qts beautyberries, washed

2 qts water

Boil 20 minutes and strain to make infusion

Use 3 cups infusion, bring to boil, add 1 envelope

Sure-Jell and 4 ½ cups sugar. Bring second to boil and

boil 2 minutes. Remove from burner and allow to stand

until foam forms... Skim off foam. Pour into sterilized

jars and cap.

source: Florida’s Incredible Wild Edibles written by Richard J

Deuerling and Peggy S Lantz., Published by Florida Native Plant

Society 1993.

Shiny Blueberry Gall Photo © 2010 Loret

The Lily Pad

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Fund RaisingStill looking for craft ideas! We’ll

have a display at the Kissimmee Arts

and Crafts show in November, so if

you have any ideas for craft items

that we could sell to benefit our

Chapter, please let Jenny Welch

know.

Help Wanted“Defenders of the Environment”

call for entries

This award recognizes outstanding

Achievement in Environmental

Protection, Defense, Advocacy and

Education. Sponsored by Naturewise,

Inc. the award is presented at their

Annual Awards Dinner March 5,

2011 in Orlando. Deadline for entries

is Feb. 1, 2011. Fee $25.00. Entry

forms available online at:

www.naturewisetv.org “Defenders

Gala and Seminar” tab.

Project Budburst

Project BudBurst is a national field

campaign for citizen scientists

designed to engage the public in the

collection of important climate

change data based on the timing of

leafing and flowering of trees and

flowers. Project BudBurst

participants take careful observations

of the phenological events such as

the first leafing, first flower, and first

fruit ripening of a diversity of trees,

shrubs, flowers and grasses,

including weeds and ornamentals,

and especially targeting native

species. The citizen science

observations are reported to the

national Project BudBurst database.

Want to participate? Visit

http://www.budburst.ucar.edu for details

and to download forms.

Species SpotlightSolidago spp.

by Loret

Photo © Jenny Welch

Solidago or Goldenrod comprises a

genus of about 80 mainly North

American species. Sorting out the

individual species can be challenging.

All are perennials and have alternate,

simple leaves and composite flowers

with disc and ray florets.

Several have leaves that give off an

anise smell when crushed.

Many of the species have been used asa yellow dye or a medicinal tonic.

Caution is advised when using the

leaves for tea because a toxic fungus

that sometimes grows on the leaves

may poison tea made from infected

leaves

S. odorata can be grown in full sun or

semi-shade, is accepting of most soil

types and is drought tolerant.

Propagation is by seed but germination

may be unreliable, so sow thickly.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 5 – 9

Allergy: Goldenrod is given an 8 on

OPALS™ (where 1 is the best, most

allergy-free selection and 10 is the

worst). It is related to ragweed and it

can cause allergy, albeit far less than

ragweed. While the pollen is heavier

and less likely to become airborne,

30% of those who are allergic to

ragweed are also allergic to goldenrod.

It can also cause contact dermatitis.

Goldenrod is listed as the number one

most valuable perennial in terms of

supporting biodiversity in the mid-

Atlantic region according to Douglas

W. Tallamy, Ph.D, author of Bringing

Nature Home.

source: Floridata.comFL Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Tri-ology, Vol. 48 No. 5, Sept./Oct 2009Allergy-Free Gardening by Thomas Leo Ogren, Ten Speed Press

Natural ObservationsHe sees me and scampers daringly, walking on water, barely a ripple he makes.

Suddenly a splash! Fish satisfied....Spider GONE!

October 2010

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

CommunityThe Outreach Display at “Discover

Osceola” was a big hit. As always

Jenny did a fabulous job of

coordinating plants and photographs

showing what native plants were the

larval hosts for which butterflies.

Loret and Jenny provided an array of

live insects, which drew the attention

of the youngsters. A big thanks to

Jenny’s whole family and Sandie

Mulrooney who helped set up and

took down the display and manned it

so that members could attend our

regular meeting which was scheduled

for the same day. Additionally,

Kattya Graham, along with her

daughter helped to answer the many

questions that the community had

about our organization. Volunteer!

It’s fun and it feels good!

From the HomeOfficeHelp FNPS win $1,000

Take a minute to help us win $1,000!

Download the Florida Native Plant

Society - Melbourne toolbar and

every time you shop at one of more

than 1,500 participating stores, a

percentage of your purchase will

automatically go to our cause! The

five organizations that have the most

toolbars downloaded in October win

an extra $1,000 each so please add it

and share with friends today!!

http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/flori

da-native-plant-society-melbourne.

Volunteer highlights:

Home Depot event, October 2, 2011

Photo © Jenny Welch.

Amy Johnson (left) andLoret (center) talk aboutnatives to Home Depotcustomers.

The Pine Lily Chapter was invited to a community outreach program sponsored

by and at the Home Depot in Saint Cloud on 13th Street. The event included

displays by the Saint Cloud Police Department, Fire Department of Saint Cloud

and Kissimmee Valley Audubon Society. Over 300 children and their parents

arrived to learn crafting skills by building a wooden replica fireboat under the

guidance of Home Depot employees. The hammering was noisy yet enjoyable.

After completing their boat, many of the children and parents came to view our

information table skillfully manned by Amy Johnson, Loret Thatcher, Kaity

Storer and Larry Rosen. As always, Jenny Welch and her husband were there

for set up and take down of Jenny’s masterful display. Jenny had to attend the

2011 Conference Planning meeting in between.

The kids were enthused by the live insects and the parents made inquiries about

the various native plants on display. We had conversations with some of the

Home Depot employees, who were thrilled to get information on native plants.

They seek to be better able to inform the pubic in making wise plant choices. It

was a great venue and we have already been asked back for next year.

Volunteer….with your help we can make a difference in our community!

Volunteers Needed

Harmony HarvestFestival ...............October 22-23

MG Plant Sale ........October 29-30Pioneer Day:...........November 13Kissimmee Pots

Maintenance ......ongoingcontact Jenny Welch

Before and After – Gulf Fritillary(Agraulis vanillae)

Host Plants: maypop (Passiflora incarnata), yellow passion flower (Passiflora lutea),corky-stemmed passion flower (Passiflora suberosa). Larvae is shown here onPassiflora incarnata, Adult on Bidens alba.

© Loret © Loret

The Lily Pad

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

What’s Blooming at HomeContributed by: Claudia Canty

Location: Poinciana

Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria); Beautyberry (Callicarpa

americana) almost ready for birds! Pretty and full ofmature berries. Let the birds and critters come! Firebush(Hamelia patens) (shown) that is full of bumblebees

Photo © Claudia Canty

EVERY morning! I watch them trying to pollinate thenarrow, tub-shaped flowers. They crawl into the flowersand buzz their wings to loosen the pollen. Elliot's lovegrass (Eragrostis elliottii). Got them at the plant sale andlook how gorgeous they look! My neighbor loves it andwill plant some in his yard.

Ed. Note: See? Planting natives is infectious.

Next up: November’s contributor will be Jenny Welch

Please volunteer to contribute to this new feature.

What to do for Wildlifeby Loret

Skip the Fall Cleanup! Deadheading removes fruits and

seeds vital to a bird’s diet during the winter when insects

are less plentiful. Raking breaks down brush, which is

good for protective cover of many different species.

Leave the cleanup duties for the Spring.

What do you do for wildlife? Drop your idea to

PineLilyFNPS@aol.com and you might see it published

here!

BUSINESS CARD ADS ACCEPTED

Target environmentally conscious peoplefor only $15.00 a month.

Contact Loret via email or call (407) 433-4483 for more

information.

Weeds to Watch Out forWater-hyacinth

Eichhornia spp.

Photo © 2004 Floridata.com

Although quite beautiful, they are a PROHIBITED

aquatic plant by the Florida Department of Agricultureand Consumer Services.

No person shall possess any Class I prohibited aquatic

plant listed in Rule 62C-52.011, F.A.C., without a

permit issued by the department.

Source: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/legal/rules/aquatic/62c-52.pdf

2011 ConferencePATIOS, PRESERVES AND PUBLIC SPACES: MAKING

CONNECTIONS.

Call for Scientific Papers and Poster Presentations

The Florida Native Plant Society annual conference will be

held at the Sheraton Orlando North, Maitland, Florida,

May 19-22, 2011. The Research Track of the Conference

will include presented papers on Friday, May 20 and

Saturday, May 21. Posters will be on display on Friday

and Saturday and the poster session will be on Saturday

afternoon.

Researchers are invited to submit abstracts on research

related to native plants and plant communities of Florida

including preservation, conservation, and restoration.

Presentations are planned to be 20 minutes in total length

(15 min. presentation, 5 min. questions).

Abstracts of not more than 200 words should be submitted

as a MS Word file by email to Paul A. Schmalzer

paul.a.schmalzer@nasa.gov by February 1, 2011. Include

title, affiliation, and address. Indicate whether you will be

presenting a paper or poster.

October 2010

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

September Follow-up

It was a small group to view the

Wildlife Matters Pollinator program

presented by Tracy McCommon but

it was well received and if you

weren’t there you missed an

outstanding opportunity. Tracy

provided a raffle prize of a stuff owl

as well as literature and information

on her non-profit. Her programs are

going nationwide on PBS so watch

your TV listings. Attached at the end

of the newsletter is a copy of their

Children’s Art Contest Flyer.

Jenny and Loret provided the cookies

and goldfish snacks since Sue was

out of town.

Field Trip Report

The trip to Arnold’s Butterfly Haven

was lightly attended, but no less fun.

They have an interesting butterfly

shaped open garden. Our only

disappointment was to see Mexican

Petunias as a nectar source. The

wildlife rehab section was a nice

surprise featuring many different

species of animals including Florida

Panther. They have an otter pool that

was quite entertaining and we were

given the opportunity to pet baby

skunks (descented). Well worth the

trip down to Okeechobee.

Save the DateFriday, October 15, 2010

9 am – noon

Guided Woods Walk – Lake LizzieSouth Loop

Osceola County Extension Services.Registration required. Call 321-697-3000.

Saturday, October 15, 20108 am – 7pm

Annual Boktoberfest Plant Sale at

Bok Tower Garden, Lake Wales, FL

863.676.1408

FREE admission. The event will

feature live music, German food,

craft beers, tree climbing and the new

Pumpkin Patch for kids.

Educational workshops with Dr.

Walter Taylor and popular radio host

Tom MacCubbin.

Fri. & Sat., October 29 & 30, 20109 am – 2 pm

Master Gardener Fall Plant Salebehind KVLS Bldg.Osceola Heritage Park

Annual, perennials, herbs, landscape

plants, plus Melaleuca mulch.Proceeds benefit the MasterGardener’s educational programmingand scholarship fund.

Friday, November 5, 2010

9 am – noon

Guided Woods Walk – ShingleCreek Regional Park

Osceola County Extension Services.Registration required. Call 321-697-3000. See the expanded boardwalktrail.

Field TripsThursday, October 21, 2010

Field trip to DWP withTarflower/BeautyberryI need firm reservations for the DWPtour 10/21/10. ASAP

Cost is $10 per person for the buggytour, suggested $3 per persondonation no buggy tour.Phone 352-326-2045pegcondor@embarqmail.com

Upcoming: January 2011

Field trip to a native plant nursery tocelebrate Florida Arbor Day. Detailscoming soon!

Florida Native Plant Society Membership Application

Membership in the Florida Native Plant Society enables you to receive theirwonderful quarterly magazine The Palmetto. Joining the FNPS also entitles Check pertinent category:

you to membership privileges in the Pine Lily Chapter of the FNPS and a

subscription to their monthly newsletter The Lily Pad. □ Individual $35 □ Not-for-profit

□ Full time student $15 organization $50

□ Library subscription $15 □ Business or

□ Family or household $50 corporate $125

Name _____________________________________________________ □ Contributing $75 □ Donor $250

□ Supporting $100 □ Life $1000

Business name or organization _________________________________Make check payable to: FNPS

Address ___________________________________________________ Detach and mail to:

Pine Lily Chapter of

City, State and Zip ___________________________________________ Florida Native Plant Society

P.O. Box 278

Home phone ____________________ Work phone _________________ Melbourne, FL 32902-0278

The Florida Native Plant Society is registered as a 501(C)3 non-profit organization.

The Lily Pad

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

October 2010

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

The Lily Pad

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9