Table Of Content

LONG ISLAND BOTANICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER Vol. 7, No. 5 Sept. - Oct. 1997 blowing this beach anddune sandlandward up the The Maritime Oak-Basswood Forest faces ofadjacent morainal bluffs composedof on Long Island’s North Fork glacial till. The resulthas been the formation ofa system ofundulating dunes on top ofthe moraine. Think ofit. Sand dunes deposited on top of 12,000 Where on Long Island can you observe undulat- year old glacial moraines - a very unique geological ing sand dunes blanketed with beach grass, and process and formation. desert-like swales interspersed with wet depressions A unique and possibly globally rare plant com- supporting insectivorous plants, cranberry, and a munity has developed on this geologic formation: a slew ofsedges and rushes? The south shore, right? pygmy forest largely composed ofstunted, gnarled Well, not always. and contorted oak and basswood trees. The big Although muchofLong Island’s north shore surprisehere is the occurrence ofbasswood (Tilia consists oftall bluffs directly bordering Long Island americana) which is normally a tree ofrich moist Sound, sand dunes and broad sandy swales do rarely woods, and is often associated with species such as occur, I am not referring to locations within pro- sugar maple {Acersaccharum), white ash {¥raxinus tectedharbors and coves, I refer to broad, well americana), American beech {Fagus grandifolia), developed sandy beaches directly bordering the and American elm {Ulmus americana). Sound. The maritime oak-basswood forest is dominated A system oflow dunes and swales parallels Long by dwarfindividuals ofpost oak {Quercus stellata), Island Soundjusteast ofGoldsmith Inlet in Peconic black oak (Q. velutina), and basswood, with scat- onthe NorthFork. Dr. Les Sirkin, professor of tered individuals ofshadbush {Amelanchier geology at Adelphi Lfniversity, describedthis unique canadensis), black cherry (Prunusserotina), and area in his bookEastern Long Island Geology, hickory {Carya tomentosa and C. glabra). Some published in 1995: “The beach hereis much wider due to excess sandin the longshore drift andperhaps a balance between east and west currents.” During thepast few hundred years, strong winter windshave been constantly andunrelentingly Highlights Maritime Oak-Basswood Forest 27 The Pollen ofAmerican Chestnut 28 Development at Moores Woods? 30 Society News 31 Field Trips 31 Programs 32 AmericanBasswood (Tiliaamericana). Dlustrationfrom Britton &BrownIllustratedFlora(1952).N.Y.BotanicalGarden. LI. BotanicalSociety Sept. - Oct. 1997 Page 27 Oak-Basswood Forest, con't. frompage27 The Pollen ofAmerican Chestnut sandyridgetops aredominated by red maple (Acer rubrum) whichon Long Island is often associated with wetlands buthere grows as an upland species. The North American continent saw the lastof Also noteworthy is scattered individuals ofpaper Europe when the growing mid-Atlanticridge birch (Bendapapyrifera), a more northern species churned up past Iceland eons ago and shovedthe that is rare on Long Island; gray birch (B. New World adrift. And it was then thatthe great populifolia), which superficially resembles paper American foresttree genus Castanea established an birch, is common throughout the island. independent lineage in America. Trees occurring onthetops ofdunes are ex- The chestnut family had colonized muchofthe tremely gnarled andcontorted. Century old oaks continent by casting about its pollenpowder into the grow horizontal before sending twisted limbs ancientCenozoic breezes. Someofthis pollen skyward, only to bepruned back by constant expo- becameimmortalized in raging volcanic floods some sure to salt spray, sand blow-up, cold wind, and forty million years ago inthe areathat is now winter ice. Here, the understory is sparse and Yellowstone. Twenty million years later chestnut A patches ofsandy soil are exposed. few herbs have pollen along with its dentate leaves becameorna- precariously colonized the bare sands: common ments in fossil beds ofnorthern Idaho. Then some hairgrass (Deschampsiaflexuosa), starry false ten thousand years or so ago North America’s Solomon’s seal (Maianthemum stellatum), wild northwestern flank saw its last link with Asiamelt sarsaparilla (Aralia nitdicaulis), and an upland form away at the Bering Straight and the geographic ofseaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens). Low isolation ofmodem Castanea was complete. lying areas between and behindthe dunes are And so Castanea pollen blew in the winds that relatively protected; here the understory consists swept the great divide, in the winds that powered primarily ofshrubs and lianas, including bayberry tornadoes in the west, and in the winds that wore (Myricapensylvanica), pasture rose (Rosa Carolina), downthe peaks ofthe Appalachians. black huckleberry (Gayliissacia baccata), poison ivy Chestnutpollen left its skeletons behindduring (Toxicodendron radicans), Virginiacreeper the interglacial period 41,000-47,000 BC onLong (Parthenocissus quinquefolia), and briers (Smilax Island (and in the Adirondacks). After the last ice glauca and S. rotundifolia). sheetretreated andthe chill ofits aftermath waned I am awareofonly one other New York occur- some4,500-5,000 years ago, Castanea reappearedin rence ofa plant community thatresembles this the northeastofNorth America (andon Long maritimeoak-basswood forest. Gordon Tucker and Island). It appeared as Castanea dentata which is Ed Horning have informed methat a “dwarfbass- likely a mutated form ofchinquapin (a southern wood forest” occurs on South Dumpling Island,just species appearing in Pennsylvania and south). The offthe north coast ofFishers Island. The forest present natural range of Castanea dentata comprises covers the crest ofthe island’s moraine, and is pretty much the outlay ofthe Appalachian mountain exposed to severe maritime forces. South DumpUng range and foothills, including our notable glacial Island is located about 25 miles northeastofPeconic morainal home: Long Island. Dunes, and both locations experience very similar The tree served as a forest stanchion providing limiting ecological factors. How and why did shade, wood, food, and strength to the evolving basswoodcolonize and become established at such eastern deciduous forest andits inhabitants. The unlikely habitats? The early events that led to the early native Americans’ bare feetpressed its leaves development ofsuch a uniqueforest may always andpollen into the ground while collecting its nuts. remain a mystery. And arriving settler’s axes shaped thetrunks into cabins and cabinets and later on into universities and Eric Lamont, Riverhead college town barrooms. The American chestnut tree, being a favored tree forits lumber, seed, and prowess, was then planted LI. Botanical Society Sept. - Oct. 1997 Page 28 ChestnutPollen,con’tfrompage28 abouts offlowering American chestnuttrees from outside ofits post-Wisconsinian range into the soils announcements in the LIBS newsletter and assorted ofthe Adirondacks, Michigan, Wisconsin, and local Long Island weeklies. Most ofthe well- Oregon whereits pollendusts the air today. meaning respondents sent in leaves ofChinese Just after the turn ofthis century the fungus chestnut, Japanese chestnut, and horse chestnut Chryphonectriaparasitica hitched a ride on some {Aesculus hippocastanum). But therewere accurate nursery stock from Asia (probably Japan) and made findings oftrue American chestnut that did manage a feast ofthe American chestnut tree bark cambium. to bear flowers. Unfortunately, none that I have It ateits way through four billiontrees up and down seen to date had naturally occurring nuts withinthe the Appalachians for five decades and leftthe ripe burrs. All flowering survivors found so far were species destroyed and disabled. In less than fifty on the Harbor Hill Moraine and ranged from Hun- years’ time a treethat had a dominant position on tington to Wading River. this continent for over forty million years was And so this summer during the month ofJuly annihilated. The creamy white catkins with their when the flowers of Castanea arein full display I set wind-bornepollen all but disappeared. out with water containers, ropes, poles and snippers, The chestnut trees ofLong Island were no and with the help ofJason Moore and my brother exception and they too were crippled to helpless root Dan, scaled backyard chestnut trees to reach and sprouts. And the few that remain today only occa- collect theprized male catkins at the ends oflimbs. sionally manage to reach flower bearing heights of Thesepollen bearing catkins were thendriven to twenty or thirty feet beforethey too are drawn down other flowering American chestnuttrees miles away. by the consumptiveblight fungus. And again we worked our way up twenty to thirty Since the pollen refuses to fertilize the flower of foot tree trunks to pollinate the anxiously awaiting thetree from which it was shed, cross-pollination stigmas offemale flowers. (Please notethat trees betweentrees must occur for fruit production which adjacent to the chestnut trees were climbed instead, has thus become an even rarer event. And so the to avoid scarring the chestnut bark which might collected burrs that are often enthusiastically re- make it more vulnerable to blight infection.) Fortu- poned by scouting naturalists are merely full of nately, North Shore Tree Service ofStony Brook undeveloped ovaries and barren ofnuts. helped out by providing and operating abucket truck Thepollencan be carried by wind up to about a to assist inpollinating a lonedying thirty foottree in thousand feet under normal circumstances. And Caleb Smith StatePark. Thomas Allen Stock, who since thepollen oflocally planted Japanese chestnut offered comment on the “coronation,” said thathe (Castanea crenata) and Chinese chestnut (C. can’t remember anything so boring and yet so mollissima) will gladly fertilize an attractive Ameri- exciting at the same time. canchestnutovary, some nuts within the burrs of Hopefully I can now beat the squirrels come American chestnut trees can be traced to hybridiza- September and will have in my hand the first known tion by these transgressive species adding insultto true American chestnuts ofLong Islandinpossibly injury. fifty some odd years. During the spring, summer, fall, and winter of These nuts will then be planted in reserveor- chards onLong Island (one ofwhich will probably be in Caleb Smith StatePark). There they can be grown and monitored for posterity as research advances. Ifenough are harvested somewill go on to breeding programs in Meadowview, Virginia, and SUNY a genetic engineering project at Syracuse. It is my hopethat these efforts will help allay the terrible misfortune ofa beautiful American land- mark: the American chestnut tree, DistributionofAmerican Chestnut(Castaneadentatd). John E. Potente, Long Island Director for the MapfromFloraofNorthAmerica,Vol. 3 (1997), Oxford Univ, Press American ChestnutFoundation LI. Botanical Society Sept. - Oct. 1997 Page 29 Moores Woods Threatened almost anywhere on Long Island. Although these lasttwo wildflower species occur With Development within the forest itselfand not directly along trails, the developmentofMoores Woods into a regional "Myfeeling is, Moores Woods suffersfrom bikecenter may attract off-road mountain bikers too little use. /think thefact thatsofew who may inadvertently destroy these rareplant people useMoores Woods leads tomisuse. ” populations. Nature enthusiasts who leisurely stroll through Mayor David Kapell Moores Woods can often observe salamanders Greenport Village during proper times ofthe year, Roy Latham, the June, 1997 famous naturalist from Orient, reported four different species ofsalamander from the vicinity of Plans to develop the North Fork’s 192 acre Moores Woods. What impact might speeding Moores Woods nature preserveinto “aregional bicyclists have on these salamander populations? attraction” wererecently presented to the Greenport The oak-tulip tree forest at Moores Woods is Village Board by the Southold TownTransportation considered rare in New York, and is strikingly Committee, The ambitious plans include construc- different from thetypical oak-hickory forestof tion ofa series ofbike trails, elevated boardwalks eastern Long Island. The areais largely underlain with benches and information kiosks, a classroom with fine sediments ofclay which compact together building, bicycle racks, a skating rink, and parking to form underground lenses. These clay lenses lots. inhibit the infiltration ofwater through the ground, Moores Woods has long been a mecca for nature wateris often trapped near the surface resulting in enthusiasts. The ecosystem supports a significant rich, mesic to wet soil conditions and an elaborate diversity offlora and fauna. Five species oforchids system offreshwater wetlands. How might new have been reported from the site; one ofthem occurs bike trails, parking lots, and other proposed develop- along the edges ofpaths through the forest. The ment impactthese sensitive wetlands at Moores very rare cat-tail sedge (Carex typhina) and white- Woods? Could increased soil compaction and edge sedge (Carexdebilis var. debilis) also occur surfacerunoffhave a negativeimpact upon the along forest paths. During wet spring years the forest ecosystem? delicate primrose violet (Violaprimulifolia) emerges I am personally aware ofnumerous environmen- from wet mucky depressions sometimes right in the tal and educational groups that have utilized Moores middle offoresttrails; only a dozen or sopopulations Woods for nature studies during recent years, ofthis rare plant occur in all ofNew York. How including Brooklyn Botanical Garden, Connecticut might aregional bikecourse curving between forest Botanical Society, Greenport High School, Long trees impact these rare and endangered plants? Island Botanical Society, Long Island Mycological Unquestionably, the rarest plant at Moores Club, National Audubon Society, The Nature Woods is thecranefly orchid (Tipularia discolor), Conservancy, New England Wildflower Society, withhorizontal flower spurs that resemble the New York Natural Heritage Program, NorthFork elongated abdomen ofthe true craneflies (inthe Environmental Council, Sierra Club, and Torrey insect genus Tipulof, it takes only a littleimagina- Botanical Society. Certainly other groups have also tion to turnthe delicate petals and sepals into the utilizedthe site. wings and legs ofthese commoninsects. The I propose that a feasibility study and full Environ- cranefly orchid currently occurs at only onelocation mental Impact Statement be completed before any inNew York - Moores Woods. For almost a century development plans are implemented at this highly now, botanists havetraveled from throughout the sensitive ecosystem. Only then will we be able to northeast to view this rare orchid at Moores Woods. share with our children and grandchildren the natural The only naturally occurring NorthFork popula- heritage that has been bequeathed to us. tion ofspring beauty (Claytonia virginica) also occurs at Moores Woods, and although this spring Eric Lamont, Riverhead wildfloweris common upstate, it is a rare find LI. Botanical Society Sept. - Oct. 1997 Page 30 Society News Field Trips Search for Rare Orchid September 6 & 7, 1997 (Saturday & Sunday). The small whorledpogonia(Isotria medeohides) is The Montauk Peninsula. Joint trip with New York oneofthe rarestorchids in the eastern United States; itis Flora Association. Leader: Bob Zaremba. We aFederally threatened species thathasnotbeen observed will be exploring the outermost limits ofLong inNew York in manyyears. Historically, twopopula- Island, an area famous for its unusual flora, includ- tionsoccurred onLong Island: Fanny andHarrietMulford ing: Napeague Beaches, Walking Dunes, Oyster reported it from HempsteadLake in 1918, andWilliam Ferguson reportedit from the vicinityofDixHillsin Pond, Montauk Point, the woodlands at Hither HilWlse, 1923. Ithasn’tbeen seen since. OnJune 18th, ateamof and grassland restoration burns at Prospect Hill. LIBS botanists spent theday searching for therareorchid may even see the very rare sandplains gerardia in the vicinityofDix Hills, West Hills, HalfHollow Hills, {Agalinis acuta), which should be in bloom at that andManetto Hills. Theeffort was organizedby Steve time. Meet at Montauk, Saturday am; overnight Young (State BotanistforNew YorkNatural Heritage lodging may be available at TNC’s Mashomack Program, andLIBS member); participants included Skip Preserve on Shelter Island. Please register with and Blanchard, Julius Hastings, Eric Lamont, TomMeoli, obtain details from Bob Zaremba at 518-273-9408 andTroy Weley(botanist, NYNHP). All told, tens of (note, this numberis new). thousands ofindividuals oftlie largewhorledpogonia [Isotria verticillata) were observed, butnomedeoloides. Afterwards the team concluded, “ifnoone looks, noone's September 13, 1997 (Saturday), 10 am. gonnafindit.” Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge: Shirley, & Suffolk County. Leaders: Robert Parris Allan Kiew Plant Checklist Lindberg. This trip is a follow-up on ATs recent After 11 years ofpreparation, Revised Checklistof article on management ofPhragmites (see LIBS New YorkState Plants, by RichardMitchelland Gordon Newsletter, Vol. 7(3), May/June 1997). Water level Tucker, is finally available from New York State manipulation and burning has been used to eliminate Museum Publications. This400page, hard-coverbookis Phragmites in a 20-30 acre freshwater impoundment. amustforanyone interested in plantsofLong Island. After lunch, we will explore some ofthe different The treatment incorporatescutting-edge nomenclature plant communities atthe Refuge. Directions: Take and taxonomic decisions, andmany pertinent synonyms. the LIE to exit 68 South (William Floyd Pkwy), Toorder, send$15.50percopy, plus $4.00 shipping and continue south over Sunrise Hwy (Rte. 27) and turn handling (all orders must be prepaidby checkormoney order) to; New York State Museum, Publications Depart- right (west) on Montauk Hwy. Travel about 3/4 mi ment, 3140C.E.C. Albany, NY 12230. Formore infor- and turn left (south) onto Old Riverhead Road, cross mation please call DickMitchell at 518/486-2027. railroad tracks and enter Refuge. Meet at Visitors Center which is about 1 mile into Refuge. Bring lunch. For more details contact A1 Lindberg at 516/ Update: Joe Beitel Memorial 571-8500. Forseveralyearsnow, LIBS hasbeen trying to obtain permission from SuffolkCounty Parks toplace amemo- October 25, 1997 (Saturday). Great Trees of rialplaque inhonorofJoeBeitel atMontauk County Long Island, northern Nassau County. Leader: Park. Joebegan his botanical careerby conducting plant Vincent Simeone (Assistant Director, Planting inventories throughoutSuffolkCo. Parks; he wenton to Fields Arboretum). Observethe island’s largest become anacknowledgedauthority on ferns and fern trees (including State and National champions) alliesat theNew YorkBotanicalGarden, beforepassing during the height ofautumn leafcolor. We will away at theageof39. Joewas also instrumental in meet in the vicinity ofOyster Bay, but specific establishing theLong Island Botanical Society. LIBS memberKarenBlumerhas volunteered to details were not available before the newsletter went revitalizetheeffort to establish thememorial plaqueat to press. For details, including meeting time and MontaukCounty Park. Anyone interested in helping location, call A1 Lindberg at 516/571-8500. should contactKaren at516/821-0975. L.7. Botanical Society Sept. - Oct. 1997 Page 31 LONG ISLAND BOTANICAL SOCIETY PROGRAMS Founded: 1986; Incorporated: 1989. 9 September 1997 - 7:30 pm* TheLongIsland Botanical Societyisdedicatedtothepromotionof & fieldbotanyandagreaterunderstandingoftheplantsthatgrow Vincent Puglisi Elizabeth Gulotta WildonLongIsland, NewYork. (Nassau Community College) "Field Biology in Costa Rica" President EricLament VicePresident SkipBlanchard Slides ofphytogeographic regions Treasurer CarolJohnston with an emphasis onplants Rec'rdSec'y BarbaraConolly Cor’spSec'y JaneBlanchard Location: Bill Patterson Nature Center, LocalFlora StevenQemants Muttontown Preserve, East Norwich FieldTrip GlennRichard Allan Lindberg Membership Lois Lindberg 14 October 1997 - 7:30 pm* Conservation JohnTurner Michael Flemming LouiseHarrison Education Mary LauraLamont (Brooklyn Botanic Garden) lliomas AllenStock "Vegetation ofthe Siletz River Hospitality BettyLotowycz Watershed, Oregon" Program SkipBlanchard StevenClemanLs Slides with an emphasis on cthnobotany, Editor Ericlament based upon Michael's MS degree Location: Bill Patterson NatureCenter, Membership Muttontown Preserve, East Norwich Membershipisopentoall, andwewelcomenewmembers. AnnualduesareSlO. Formembership, make yourcheckpayable toLONGISLANDBOTANICALSOCIETYandmail to:Lois ^Refreshments & informaltalkbegin at 7:30pm, the Lindberg,MembershipChairperson.45SandyHill Road.Oyster meeting starts at8pm. Fordirections to Muttontown Bay,NY 11771-3111 Preservecall516-571-8500. LONGISLANDBOTANICAL SOCIETY doMuttontown Preserve Muttontown Lane EastNorwich, New York 11732 LI. Botanical Society Sept. - Oct. 1997 Page 32