Table Of Content

LONG ISLAND BOTANICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Vol. 8, No. 6 Sept. - Oct. 1998 Geological Aspects of the Parabolic dunes may also evolve from dome Grandifolia Sandhills, L.I. shaped dunes. In this case wind blown sand begins to accumulate in a particular area and eventually assumes a dome shape. Throughout time, additional John A. Black sand will accumulate and the dome shaped dune will ultimately reach a certain critical height. When this While the vegetation of the Grandifolia Sandhills occurs the continued force ofthe wind causes a & has been well documented (Good Good, 1970; blowout forming a parabolic dune which then begins Lament, M., 1994; Lament, E., 1998), its geology, to migrate (Black, 1993; 1996). It appears that a despite the studies conducted by Fuller (1914) and new dome shaped dune is now forming at the A Lewis (1876), is rather poorly understood. casual Grandifolia Sandhills. If this is so itcan be expected examination ofthe area in May of 1998 revealed that to continue to grow and eventually begin to migrate the Sandhills consist oflinear, parabolic, dome, and as a parabolic dune. possibly star shaped dunes perched atop ahigh bluff As parabolic dunes, driven by the prevailing fronting on the Long Island Sound. The sediment winds, migrate they may eventually encounterwinds that forms these dunes is derived from the bluffface blowing from a different direction. When this and is carried to the top by the winds blowing occurs the migration will stop and ifthe wind landward across the Long Island Sound, direction continues to vary the dune may begin to The U-shaped parabolic dunes indicate that these assume a star shape. landforms had, indeed, been actively migrating in the past, while the vegetation presently occupying these dunes shows that, for the most part, they have been rather stable for a relatively long period. Parabolic dunes are formed by the prevailing winds focusing on a section of a linear dune. When this occurs the wind’s energy discourages the growth of vegetation and causes ablowout on the side ofthe dune facing the wind. As a result the dune begins to migrate under the continued force ofthe wind. Highlights Geology of the Grandifolia Sandhills 33 Wildflowers of the South Fork 34 Notes on Orchids ofLong Island 36 Plant Sightings 37 Society News Sc Field Trips 37 Earth-star(Geasterhygrometricus), a bizarrepuffball fungus on shifting dunes atthe Grandifolia Sandhills, Programs 38 Illustrated by Audrey Watson Wigley. L.I. Botanical Society Sept. - Oct. 1998 Page 33 GrandifoliaSandhills, continued from p. 33 Fall Wildflowers As dunes migrate the vegetational communities change in response. Thus, the community structure of the South Fork is dependent on the formation and migration ofthe dunes. The Grandifolia Sandhills illustrate the Larry Penny intricate relationship between the geology and biology ofa migrating dune system located on, and Summer’s done. Queen Anne’s lace and evening adjacent to, a coastal bluff. In addition, the collec- tion and analysis ofthe sediments composing and primrose are giving over to goldenrods and asters. It underlying the older dunes may serve to elucidate might as well be fall. Eastern Long Island is not visited for its wild- Holocene and more recent climatic events. Thus, flowers. Nonetheless, it has an interesting wild- this area is a valuable resource for the study of flower flora, particularly so at this time ofthe year. these geologic features. Moreover, the area The goldenrods and the asters, numbering about 25 provides an opportunity to study the interactions species locally, are chiefamong them. There isn’t a of an ever changing dune system on the plant habitat around that doesn’t have at least one aster or and animal life of an ecosystem. goldenrod flowering at this time. The Napeague Dunes are the only other Goldenrods belong to the sunflower family genus migrating dune system on Long Island (Black, Solidago. In the Northeast they are all yellow- 1993; 1996). This system, however, has formed flowered with the exception ofSolidago bicolor, or under totally different geologic conditions. silverrod, which is white-flowered, or silvery-white. All local goldenrods are perennials. They can be Thus, the Grandifolia Sandhills are thought to attractive in the flower garden or natural landscapes. be the last example of a migrating dune system on a coastal bluff in New York State. Perhaps the one best utilized for such situations is the seabeach goldenrod, Solidago sempervirens. This species has succulent leaves and large, showy, Literature Cited yellow heads. Its preferred niche is the upper shore Black, J,NA..Y.19P9r3o.cTeheediNngaspeoafgtuhee EDiugnhetsh,SLyomnpgoIssilaunmd,on aanndy foopreenslsoppoetswohfedruenetsh,e bsouitliitsias lliitatblleestaonbdey faonudnndotin Coastal and Ocean Management. Volume 2. compacted. It is practically drought-resistant, can American Society ofCivil Engineers, N.Y. tolerate salt spray, and often flowers well into fall. Black, J. A, 1996. The origin and fate ofthe Migrating Seabeach goldenrod is a must for monarch Dunes, Napeague, N.Y. In\ Geology ofLong butterflies migrating southward along the Atlantic Island and Metropolitan New York. Stony Coast at this time. It is often the only plant in flower Brook, N.Y. during their lengthy daytime flight over ocean dunes Fuller, M. L. 1914. The geology ofLong Island, New and beaches, and thus is the monarch’s most impor- York. United States Geological Survey Profes- tant source of nectaring at such times. sional Paper 82: 1-231. The other prominent yellow flowers holding Good, R. E. & N. F. Good. 1970. Vegetation ofthe sea sway during September are two goldenasters, the cliffs and adjacent uplands on the North Shore of Long Island, New York. Bulletin oftheTorrey Maryland goldenaster (Chrysopsis mariana) and the Botanical Club 97: 204-208. sickle-leaved goldenaster (Cfalcata). The former is Lamont, M. L. 1994. The maritime dwarfbeech forest on the rarer ofthe two on the South Fork, although in Long Island, New York. Long Island Botanical Rhode Island it isjust the opposite. There, the Society Newsletter4: 33-34. sickle-leaved goldenaster is on the endangered Lamont, E. 1998. The Grandifolia Sandhills: One ofLong species list. This last one has very narrow, arcing •Island’s great natural wonders. Long Island leaves and is low to the ground. It is most common Botanical Society Newsletter 8: 13-19. in sandy open spots on the landward side ofmajor Lewis, E., Jr. 1876. The formation ofsand-dunes. Popular sea dunes. The Beach Hampton community in Science Monthly 8: 357-363. LI. Botanical Society Sept. - Oct, 1998 Page 34 Fall Wildfiowers, continued from page 34 silky leaves, while the leaves of the latter are Amagansett and Montauk-by-the-Sea community on sandpapery. the ocean in Napeague, are, you might say, mini Several lady’s-tresses orchids in the genus sickle-leafgoldenaster capitals ofthe world. The Spiranthes are also in bloom during September. Maryland goldenaster is upright, to about a foot in Four or five ofthese grassland species can be found height, and found with goldenrods along roadsides at locally {S. cernua, S. lacera var. gracilis, S. the edges ofwoods. ochroleuca, S. tuberosa, and S. vernalis). They are The asters are either blue or white-flowering. the last orchids to bloom, but most are so slenderor Among the blues are some rather brilliant ones diminutive that they can be easily passed over. The including the showy {Asterspectabilis), late-flower- largest stand oflady’s-tresses in this area occurs on ing {A. patens), smooth (A. laevis), stiff {A. the slopes ofgrassy shoulders alongside Montauk linariifolius). New York {A. novbbelgii), and New Point State Boulevard where it passes through Hither England (A. novae-angliae) asters. The first three Woods. are found in dry to slightly moist habitats, especially The New England blazing star, Liatris scariosa on roadsides, while the latter two are freshwater var. novae-angliae, is another rarity in New York wetland species. The New England aster has a touch State. More are found in Amagansett and Montauk ofmagenta and is the rarer ofthe two; on the South in sparsely vegetated openings than anywhere else Fork it is confined to a few wet spots south ofthe on Long Island, although about 50 percent or more highway in Bridgehampton and around Hook Pond ofour population has been decimated by careless in East Hampton Village. Because it is often in management practices along roadways. They are the bloom on Michaelmas, i.e., the 29th ofSeptember, it only tall species flowering on dry land at this time, is sometimes called the Michaelmas daisy. having showy panicles oflargish rose-purple flowers The white asters, which outnumber the blue ones, and nonprickly leaves. are almost all tall, some getting up to four feet or The rarest September flower ofall in New York more, as the umbellate aster (A. wnbellatus) that we State is the sandplain gerardia {Agalinis acuta) of find in freshwater wetlands adjacent to Accabonac Montauk and a few other spots on Long Island and Harbor along Old Stone Highway in Springs. coastal New England. This small, pink-red flowered Cranberry Hole Road on the north side ofNapeague annual once covered the grasslands ofMontauk from provides a good place to see lots ofthe white- the ocean to Block Island Sound. No longer. There flowering asters and some ofthe blue-flowered ones arejust a few left. as well. In days ofold, when Montauk was covered mostly in grasslands, with numerous pockets of marshes and wet meadows, kept down by annual fires and the grazing oflivestock,just about every aster found on Long Island was also found there. A few found nowhere else on Long Island were found in Montauk. An aster listed on New York State’s Natural Heritage List, and one that has endangered and threatened status because of its rarity in the state, is the eastern silvery aster. Asterconcolor, which is just hanging on in the Shinnecock Hills. A second rare aster reported for the South Fork from swamps in the vicinity ofSag Harbor, but apparently absent in recent years, is the rough-leaved aster, Aster radula. Both ofthese are blue-flowered. The former, a denizen ofdry, sandy habitats, has silvery. Sickle-leaved Golden Aster (left) and New York Aster IllustrationfromThe New Britton& BrownIllustrated Flora L.7. Botanical Society Sept. - Oct. 1998 Page 35 Notes on Wild Orchids underground rhizomes which strongly resemble some types ofmarine corals. of Long Island In early August while botanizing near the swamp cottonwood forest in Greenport, I chanced upon a Eric Lamont small population of spring ladies’ tresses {Spiranthes vernalis). This is the only population currently known from the North Fork, although Roy Latham During the past decade naany ofLong Island’s remaining populations ofnative orchids have fallen reported several North Fork localities earlier this to development pressures and poor management century. According to the New York Natural Heritage Program, fewer than a halfdozen popula- practices. Recent efforts to p^rotect our orchids have been frustrating, but the fruits of those efforts may tions ofthis rare orchid remain in the state. finally be starting to mature. It may be a little early A previously unreported population of the downy to speculate, but it appears that some ofour rarest rattlesnake plantain (Goodyera pubescens) was orchids are making a modest comeback. located by Mike Bottini at Fresh Pond town park north of Amagansett during January of 1998. Jim The yellow fringed orchid (Platanthera ciliaris) was almost completely annihilated from East Ash relocated a population at Napeague; the last Hampton township due to roadside mowing during report from that locality was in 1928 by Roy Latham. Another population south of Sag Harbor peak flowering time. During the early 1980s, magically reappeared this summer after several years hundreds ofthese magnificent orchids adorned of absence. The Moores Woods population of several roadsides, but by mid-1990 only a few individuals precariously struggled to survive. The Goodyera remains stable, although a nearby stand in mowing has finally ceased. One population in Peconic has not been recently observed. Two particular has been slowly recovering and this year Nassau County populations, one at Muttontown the several dozen individuals successfully flowered and other at Oyster Bay, are thriving. Apparently, it has produced seed. Two other populations are still been a good year for Goodyera. extant, but have not recolonizcd adjacent roadsides At the. turn ofthe century, 23 native orchid which are now dominated by non-native weeds. species occurred in Queens County; in 1995, only two species were thought to remain {Cypripedium Roadside populations ofthe crested fringed orchid (P. cristata) and white fringed orchid (P. acaule and Spiranthes cernua). Well, add a third blephariglottis) south ofSag Harbor also appear to extant species to the county list. Skip Blanchard and be slowly recovering from previous mowing. The Rich Kelly recently located a healthy population of the ragged fringed orchid {Platanthera lacera) from rare hybrid between these two species, the pale fringed orchid (P. x canbyl), was also observed this the vicinity ofEast Pond at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. Additionally, Barbara Conolly and Betty year. As an aside, Dr. Richard Mitchell has listed the recently described Platanthera pallida as a Lotowycz reported P. lacera from Oyster Bay in synonym ofP. x canbyi. Nassau County; the last report from that locality was Another rare and interesting hybrid was observed in 1926 by William Ferguson. Finally, Long Island’s only non-native orchid, the near Georgica after a long absence. Platanthera x bicolor (bi = “two,” color= “color,” referring to the helleborine orchid {Epipactus helleborine), contin- two colors of the flower which mix to create this ues to vigorously expand it range. First reported on hybrid) appeared in the midst ofseveral white L.I. from Greenport in 1962 by Roy Latham, fringed and yellow fringed orchids. Epipactus is now known from more than 30 locali- Ofsignificant note is the recent rediscovery of ties. The first reports from Southampton Township are arriving: Steve Biasetti reported more than three the spotted coralroot orchid (Corallorhiza maculata) at Montauk by Jim Ash, John Lawrenson, Guy dozen plants from the south end ofLong Pond, and Tudor, and Marc Weinberger. Roy Latham last Tom Meoli reported a population at Big Woods observed this species at Montauk in 1927; currently Preserve,Just west of North Sea. Ironically, Richard no other populations areknown from Long Island. Stalter reported a large population ofthe “immigrant Coralroots are named for their multi-branched orchid” fromEllis Island, in New York Harbor. L.I. Botanical Society Sept. - Oct. 1998 Page 36 Plant Sightings Bibliography ofEnvironmental Literature Mike Bottini located a population offeatherfoil David Kunstlerhas been compiling an extensive list (Hottonia inflata), a rare aquatic member ofthe Primrose ofnatural history literature pertaining to Long Island, SE Family, in a wetland offBrick Kiln Road north of New York and adjacentNew Jersey. The single-spaced Bridgehampton. Steve Clemants reported that the five- manuscriptcurrently totals 36 pages and includes more angled field-dodder (Cuscutapentagona) is frequently than 1500 citations in the areas ofgeology, marine/ observed in the boroughs ofNew York City; NYNHP aquatic/precipitation/groundwater, botany, community lists this species as rare. Steve also reported the rarered ecology, terrestrial invertebrates, fishes, amphibians & pigweed (Chenopodium rubrum) from ShelterIsland. reptiles, birds, mammals, history & native Americans, Eric Lament added a new species to the flora of biographies, and general (wildlife, impact assessments, Gardiners Island: mock-pennyroyal (Hedeoma hispidum) restoration, & other topics). For acopy, pleasecontact was collected from a grassy barren on a knoll overlooking David at: City ofN. Y. Dept ofParks & Recreation, Van Bostwick Creek. Eric also reported cat-tail sedge {Carex Cortlandt & Pelham Bay Parks Administrator’s Office, typhina) and primrose violet (Violaprimulifolia) from 1 Bronx River Parkway, Bronx, N.Y. 10462. Moores Woods in Greenport. Barbara Conolly and Betty Lotowycz reported goat’s beard (Aruncusdioicus) as escaped in Coffin Woods, Locust Valley. They also Field Trips located little-leaftick-trefoil (Desmodium ciliare) along Swamp Road south ofSag Harbor, and ipecac spurge (Euphorbia ipecacuahana) at Rocky Point Preserve. 26 September 1998 (Saturday), 9:30am. Tom Meoli also reported ipecac spurge from the sandy David Weld Sanctuary, Boney Lane, Nissequogue. banks ofBig Fresh Pond at WolfSwamp Sanctuary, and Leader: Tom Meoli. This TNG preserve is on the Eric Lamontreported two*additional populations from north shore in the township ofSmithtown, near the mouth nearCalverton. Mary Laura Lamont reported aruby- ofthe Nissequogue River. Directions: Take 25A from throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) feeding on either the E or the W to the tiny town ofSt. James. Turn flowers ofjoe-pye weed (Eupatoriumpurpureum) in N at traffic light onto Moriches Rd (from the W turn left Northville. MindyBlock reported what may be the at the light after passing the “Deepwells” manor; from the largestpopulation ofwild lupine (Lupinusperennis) on E turn right at the light afterpassing the St. James Long Island; roughly a thousand individuals occurin an Firehouse). Continue to the end ofMoriches Rd and bear opening in the pine barrens nearManorville. right onto Horse RaceLa. (Moriches Rd. becomes Horse Race La.). Turn left onto Boney Lane. Look forsign and Society NeWs parking lot on right, within 1/4 mile. You’ve gone too far ifyou end up at Short Beach at the mouth ofthe river. For further info please contact Tom Meoli at 516/427-9458. American Chestnut Update 3 October 1998 (Saturday), 10:00am. John Potentereported that the nuts collected lastfall Bent ofthe River Sanctuary, Southbury, CT. were kept in cool storage over the winter. Unfortunately, Leader: Muriel Stoker. This sanctuary is administered they did not germinate when planted this past spring. by the National Audubon Society and features large tracts Increased humidity in seasonal storage and/orpossible ofoak-hickory and hemlock forest and other southern immediate fall planting are being considered for this New England ecosystems. Directions: LIE to Whitestone year’s attempt. Bridge to Hutchinson RiverPkwy to 1-684 (toward As a result ofnews coverage in Newsday (23 April Brewster) to exit 9E to Interstate-84 (toward Danbury, 1998) and theNew York Times(3 May 1998) readers have CT). From 1-84 take exit 14 (South Britain), proceedN helped locate additional flowering trees at Stony Brook, on Route 172 for exactly one mile after passing through Huntington, and Lloyd Harbor. The one in Lloyd Harbor the traffic light with Main St. (locatedjust N of1-84). In being the largest and most majestic found so far at about South Britain turn left onto EastFlat Hill Rd. (between thirty to forty feet high. There are noweight potential Red General Store & Church), and proceed 4/10mile to trees onLong Island thatproduce flowers that are driveway on left. Parking is on the immediate left. Bring relatively accessible (six ofthose eight are blight in- lunch, etc. For further info including car pooling, please fected). They were pollinated during the first week of call AI Lindberg at 516/922-0903 (h), 516/571-8500 (w). July, 1998, and again will hopefully bearnuts come this autumn. L.L Botanical Society Sept. - Oct. 1998 Page 37 LONG ISLAND BOTANICAL SOCIETY PROGRAMS Founded; 1986; Incorporated: 1989. TheLong IslandBotanical Societyisdedicatedtothepromotionof 8 September 1998 - 7:30 pm* field botanyandagreaterunderstandingoftheplantsthatgrow Otto Heck wildonLong Island,NewYork. (Professor Emeritus, College ofNew Jersey) "Ferns ofthe Northeast" President Eric Lamont VicePresident SkipBlanchard Ajoint program with The Nature Conservancy Treasurer CarolJohnston featuring one ofL.I.'s mostpopular field naturalists Rec'rdSec'y BarbaraConolly Location: Uplands Farm Nature Center, Cor’sp Sec'y John Poiente LocalFlora StevenCleinants Cold Spring Harbor. FieldTrip AllanLindberg TomMeoli Program SkipBlanchard 13 October 1998- 7:30 pm* Membership LoisLindberg Joann Knapp Conservation JohnTurner KarenBlumer (Planting Fields Arboretum) Education MaryLauraLamont "Western Mountain-Top Hopping" _ ThomasAllenStock Hospitality BettyLotowycz Spectacularphotographs ofextensive trips to the JaneBlanchard most beautiful high alpine areas ofthe western U.S. Editor EricLamont Location: Bill Patterson Nature Center, Muttontown Prdsefve, East Norwich. Membership U Membership isopentoall,andwewelcomenewmembers. • Annualduesare$10. Formembership, makeyourcheckpayable *Refreshments & informal talkbegin at7:30pm, themeeting toLONGISLANDBOTANICALSOCIETYandmail to;Lois starts at 8pm. Fordirections to 1) Uplands Farmpleasecall LBianyd,beNrYg, M11e7m7b,e1-r3s1h1i1pChairperson,45 SandyHill Road,Oyster 516/367-3225, 2) Muttontown Preservecall 516/571-8500. LONG ISLAND BOTANICAL SOCIETY c/o Muttontown Preserve Muttontown Lane East Norwich, New York 11732 LI. Botanical Society Sept.- Oct. 1998 Page 38