Sage notes : Idaho Native Plant Society newsletter

2006·0.9 MB·English

by  Idaho Native Plant Society

Sage Notes
Idaho Native Plant Society
-
Inside this issue
Annual Meeting 2ndAnnouncement - Registerby June 1
2006 Election - Ballot Enclosed - Vote by June 2
Volume 28 (1) Spring 2006
Contents Editor’s Note:
Manythanks to all that have
ConsSecriveanttiisotnsBDreicefrsy Attempts to Weaken Endangered Species cNoonttersib-uttehdetportehmiiseirsnseuwesolfetStaegreon
conservation of Idaho native plants
Act 1 and their habitats.
Endangered-plant lovers unite 1
National Conservation Group Calls for Opposition to There is a general consensus within
Kempthorne Appointment 4 the Societythat Sage Notesshould
Land Sale Program Opposed by Many 5 be produced bya committee. Thejob
is too much foroneperson to take on
Features - for any length oftime orin a
Member Profile: A Tribute to Lois Wythe 6 sustainable manner. Rather, we
Scotchman Peaks Wilderness 7 need ateam offolks, all contributing
small or large pieces to the whole;
News and Notes either in a series of contributions
(produced reliablyfor sequential
Plant Species Named 8 issues) or as a single installment.
2006 Idaho Rare Plant Conference 8
Ecological Society of America Position Paper on Invasive Sage Notes is open to all. Avast
Species 9 amount of opportunity is here: little
Deer Flat to Host BioBlitz 9 ideas, big dreams, stories, technical
papers, white papers on
Society News and Activities conservation issues, personal
Idaho Native Plant Society reflections, artistic renderings,
Annual Meeting 10 imagery, book reviews, lists (of
plants, people, orplaces; lists of
INPS Board Highlights 12 lists), poetry, field reports, meeting
Kinnikinnick Chapter 13 reports, and advertisements.
BALLOT - mail by June 2. Opportunityabounds! Please
consider submitting to Sage Notes.
Betteryet- please consider serving
on the Sage Notes Editorial
Editorial Committee Chair Committee.
INPS
Sage Notes Thanks,
PO Box 9451 SKR.
Boise, ID 83707
days: [phone]
evenings: [phone]
Committee Members/
Contributing Editors
Nancy Cole
Cyndi Coulter
Cleve Davis
Tom Jefferson
Marlene Fritz
Chris Murphy
Steve Rust
Mark Shumar
Sarah Walker
Sage Notes is published quarterlyby Idaho Native Plant Society,incorporated
since 1977 underthe laws ofthe State of Idaho.
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1,
Cover: Lupinusargenteus. Line drawing by Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913.
Illustrated flora ofthe northern states and Canada.Vol.2: 348. Courtesy of
KentuckyNative PlantSociety. Scanned byOmnitek Inc. From USDA NRCS
PLANTS Database.
Opposite: Lupinusseed. Line drawing courtesy ofUSDA ForestService. From
USDA NRCS PLANTS Database.
Spring 2006 SAGE NOTES Quarterly Journalofthe Idaho Native Plant Society - Volume 28(1)
Conservation Briefs The scientists creditthe success ofthe ESAto its
reliance on the best available science, and caution
that recent congressional proposals-particularly those
Compiled by Tom Jefferson that seekto narrowly define or limitthe science used
to enforce the ESA-will result in extinctions. The letter
Scientists Decry Attempts to Weaken emphasizes that, "The current Endangered Species
Endangered Species Act - Leading Act standard of"best available science" has worked
well and has been flexible enough overtime to
Biologists Release Sign-On Letter accommodate evolving scientific information and
practices." Thescientists recommend theSenate can
By Union ofConcerned Scientists best protect and strengthen the ESA by ensuring
sound scientific practices in five areas: species
Leading scientists released a letter signed by 5,738 listings, habitat, scientifictools, recovery plansand
biologists across the United States urging the Senate scientific advances.
to stand by scientific principles that are crucial to
species conservation in the Endangered Species Act "The Endangered Species Act has protected many
(ESA). The letter (representing scientists from all 50 species overthe last 30 years. The bald eaglewas on
states and more than 900 institutions) asks Congress the brinkof extinction in the 1970s and is nowfound
to stop efforts to weaken the ESA. in all the lower48 states," said Dr. JenniferHughes
Martiny, Assistant Professor, Dept, of Ecology and
"Thanks to a strong scientific foundation, for 30 years Evolutionary Biology and Centerfor Environmental
the Endangered Species Act has protected wildlife, Studies, Brown University.
fish and plants onthe brinkof extinction," said Dr.
Stuart PIM, Doris Duke Chairof Conservation Biology, "By limiting the science that can beused to enforce
Duke University. "We should protect biodiversity by the ESA, the House of Representatives has put
strengthening andfully funding the ESA, ratherthan endangered species ateven greaterrisk," said Dr.
attacking it." Dennis Murphy, Research Professor atthe University
of Nevada, Reno. "Losing these species means losing
"The Endangered Species Act has been effective the potential tosolve some oftheworld's most
because it is based on good science," said Dr. intractable problems. Species diversity has provided
Gordon Orians, Professor Emeritus in the Biology humankind withfood, fiber, medicines, clean water,
Department atthe UniversityofWashington. "Since it and numerous otherservices thatmany of us takefor
was enacted, less than one percent of species listed granted."
underthe ESAhave gone extinct, while 10 percent of
species waitingto be listed have been lost." The list of signers includes 12 MacArthur "genius
award" recipients, six National Medal of Science
recipients, 39 National Academy of Science members,
and 20 Pew Marine Science Fellows.
Endangered-plant lovers unite in effort
to boost U.S. protection
By Eric Hand, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
The kodachrome bladderpod and Hoover's spurge;
the fleshy owl's clover andthe four-petal pawpaw; the
sensitivejoint-vetch, the showy stickseed, Virginia
sneezeweed and Michigan monkey-flower - the total
spending for all ofthese at-risk plants is still less than
the money spenton an endangered riverclam called
the fat pocketbook.
It's notthateasy being green.
Plants make up morethan half ofthe 1,290 plant and
animal species on thefederal endangered or
threatened list. But animals get 97% ofthe money,
according to the 2003 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
expenditure report, which includes moneyspent by all
federal and stateagencies.
Philadelphuslewisii. Photograph by S. Rust.
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Spring 2006 SAGE NOTES Quarterly Journalofthe Idaho Native Plant Society - Volume 28(1)
Some call it zoo-chauvinism. Others call it plant obscure locations togather rare seed pods -
blindness. Eitherway, thedisparity irksthe staff ofthe sometimes wadingthrough waist-deep water and
Centerfor Plant Conservation, a nonprofit climbing to rockoverhangs. She brings seeds back
organization atthe Missouri Botanical Garden that and, on herdesk, counts them all with tweezers, even
banks rare seeds and reintroduces plants to former when thereare thousands smallerthan a pinhead.
ranges.On a gray day earlierthis month atan aging
airport hotel, the centerstafftried to rallya motley Some she sends in sealed foil envelopes to the
crew of horticulturists, botanists and bureaucrats to National Centerfor Genetic Resources Preservation
invigorate a loose confederation known as the Plant in Colorado. Others, she germinates in Petri dishes,
ConservationAlliance. sometimes rubbing them with sandpaperto getthem
to sprout.
The conferenceseemed low-budget. Some ofthe
attending organizations have lowbudgets. Onlyby On a recent morning, she lovinglywashed the leaves
connecting these disparate plant lovers through of an endangered Hawaiian plantto rid it ofmites.
collaborative efforts will greater plant awareness
arise, said centerdirector Kathryn Kennedy. Animals For Gosejohan, conservation is an ethical obligation.
have plentyof advocates, shesaid. Plants don't. Earth is in the midstof its sixth period of massive
extinction -and most ofthoseextinctions are because
While the federal endangered listprovides some of humans, she said.
plants protection, many more deserve it, according to
NatureServe, a nonprofit organization thattracks Kennedy saysplant conservation is notjust a
conservation data. NatureServe says there are 16,100 "greeny" issue -there are plenty of practical reasons
native plant species in the United States. Ofthose, to care aboutthem. Humans use plants forfood,
5,474 - more than one-third -are considered atrisk. fibers, waxes, oils and building materials. Plantsare
often "keystone"species that hold together entire
Plant blindness - In 1998, a botanist named James ecologies. And a rare plant might hold the genetic or
Wandersee coined the term "plant blindness" to chemical keyto somefuture discovery.
describe the way plants are neglected. He sought
reasons for it. "I would hate to say thattodaywecould judge what
uses we mightneed them for," she said.
Some ofthe reasons are evolutionary, he has written.
The human eye notices color, movement and danger - Who gets the most money
in short, animals.
Top 5 animals:
"Plants tend to be the green backdrop," Kennedy said.
Bruce Rittenhouse, the center's conservation program Chinook salmon: $122,620,000
manager, has a simplerexplanation: "You can pet an Steelhead: $101,449,000
animal." Steller sea lion: $54,811,000
Coho salmon: $30,242,000
The government has shown animals the money. Fish Bull trout: $29,296,000
getthe most - $382 million - followed by mammals
and birds. Afewexamples: The leasttern, abird, Top 5 plants:
didn't getthe most, but it gota lot - $4 million. The
whooping crane got awhopping $5 million. Even the Johnson's seagrass: $3,164,000
kangaroo rat gotnearly half amillion bucks. Pondberry: $1,175,000
Western prairie fringed orchid: $350,000
By contrast, the decurrentfalse astergot$97,561. It's Seabeach Amaranth: $260,000
a 5-foot-tall perennial that grows in onlythree spots in Ko'oloa'ula:$257,000
Missouri nearthe confluence ofthe Mississippi and
Missouri rivers. The entire species was underwater Source: 2003 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
during the Flood of 1993. expenditure report.
Not only doesthe governmentspend more on
animals, but, legally, it can do moreforthem. In old
English law, animals were the propertyofthe king,
Kennedy said. She said that attitude is embedded in
the Endangered Species Act.
The government can force private landowners to
maintain habitatfor endangered animals. But private
landowners can cutdown as many endangered plants
as theywant.
Banking seeds - Meredith Gosejohandoesn't suffer
from plant blindness. If anything, she's blinded by love
forthem.
A researcherforthe center, Gosejohan goes to
3
Spring 2006 SAGE NOTES Quarterly Journalofthe Idaho Native Plant Society - Volume 28(1)
National Conservation Group Calls for endangered wolfto the stateof Idaho, Kempthorne
Opposition to Kempthorne sreolmeeaspeadckasp.laKnetmopetxhtoerrnmeinbatleam7e5d%thoeftehnedawnolgveersedin
Appointment wolves foradecline in elk populations, but elk had
been declining in those areas since beforewolves had
Conservation biologists representing the Centerfor been reintroduced, and biologists stated thatthe
Biological Diversity made a callfor letters and support available habitatcouldn’t support increased elk herds.
of opposition to the nomination of Idaho Governor
Kempthorne to the post of Secretary of United States Introduced Senate bill to underminethe Endangered
Department ofthe Interior. The call forsupport of Speci—es Recoverv-Specifically. the 1997 bill S.
opposition focuses on endangered species and 1180 supported bythe American Forest and Paper
habitat conservation issues relatedto the Endangered Association, American Petroleum Institute, National
Species Act. Mining Association, and otherindustry lobbies—would
exempt recovery implementation plans for
Kempthorne’s Dismal Record on Endangered endangered species from judicial review, thereby
Species and Habitat Conservation1 -Throughouthis leaving them entirely atthewhim of political
career, Dirk Kempthorne has maintained close ties to manipulation, eliminating scientific scrutiny, and
timber, mining, and development corporations. abandoning the recovery standard. The bill would
Before runningfor public office, Kempthorne worked also exemptrecovery implementation agreements
as public affairs managerforthe agricultural chemical with federal agencies from Section 7 consultation,
company FMC Corp. andvice president ofthe Idaho thereby eliminating the process bywhich U.S. Fish
Homebuilders Association. In his 2002gubernatorial and Wildlife Service biologists update federal agency
reelection campaign, Kempthorne received more management strategies and modifythem as
moneyfrom timber, mining, and energy industries necessaryto prevent serious harm to endangered
than any otherwestern gubernatorial candidate. species. Fortunately, this bill did not pass.
Perhaps not coincidentally, his League of
Conservation Voters environmental voting record in Voted to eliminatethe federal ESA listing budqet-As
the U.S. Senate was a low 1% for his six years in the a senator, Kempthorne voted infavorof an
Senate (6% thefirst year and 0% each following amendmentto HR889 (1996) Defense Supplemental
year), and as governor of Idaho he has a poor record Appropriations to eliminate the remaining funding for
on conservationofwildlifeand habitat. the ESA listing budget available thatyear.
Fortunately, this amendment did not pass.
Opposed recovery ofThreatened grizzly bears-As
governor, Kempthorne sued the U.S. Fish andWildlife Voted to eliminatefederal fundingfor endangered red
Service in an attemptto stop the reintroductionof wolf recoverv-As a senator, Kempthorne voted in
grizzlies into the remote Bitterroot Wilderness Area. favor of an amendmentto the Fiscal 1996 Interior
Kempthorne said, “Canyoubelieve theClinton Appropriations bill HR 1977 (1996) to eliminate the
Administrationproposalto re-introduce flesh-eating recovery budgetforthe red wolf, with thejustification
grizzlybears into theSelway-Bitterroot Wilderness? thatthe wolf is too dangerous. Fortunately, this
Folks, this couldbethe firstlandmanagementaction amendment did not pass.
in historyto resultin sure deathandinjuryofcitizens.
We willchallenge thisblatantconfrontation to our Voted to open environmental regulations to a new
state sovereigntyinfederalcourt."2 round oftakings claims-As a senator, Kempthorne
voted in favor of S. 2271 (1998) to overrule Supreme
This exaggeration ignoresthe factthatthe entirety of Court decisions that require developers to attemptto
Idaho is within the threatened bears’ historic range, resolve land disputes through administrative means
and ignores the factthatthe 1.3 million-acre Bitterroot before going tothe courts with “takings” claims. The
Wilderness Area is federal public land. bill would allowdevelopers to override federal
environmental laws and local zoning. Fortunately, this
Opposed recovery of Endangered wolves-As bill did not pass.
governor, Kempthorne signed amemorial asking the
U.S. Department ofthe Interiorto remove all wolves Voted repeatedlyto open Arctic National Wildlife
from Idaho, and calling forthe eradication ofwolves in Refuge to drillinq-As a senator, Kempthorne
Idaho "byanymeans necessary," and claiming that repeatedlyvoted to open theArctic NationalWildlife
recovery ofimperiled wolves and grizzly bears “has Refuge to oil and gas exploration (1995 and 1996).
no basis in common sense, legitimate science, or
free-enterpriseeconomics."3 Days aftersigning an Wants to open roadless areas to logging and
agreementto shiftfederal managementofthe development-As governor, Kempthornejoined forces
with Boise-Cascade timbercompany to suethe USDA
Forest Service in 2001 to blockimplementation ofthe
Roadless Area Conservation Rule thatwould protect
' Prepared by Centerfor Biological Diversitystaff. aranrdedreovaedlleospsmeanrte;ashenahtaiosnaalctfiovreelsytssufprpoomrtreodadt-hbeuiBludsinhg
220S0t1ate of the State address to the Idaho legislature Jan 8, AKdemmipntishtorrantieond’esriedfefdorttshetorurleepeaaslath“efeRdeoraadlleedsisct,R”ule.
ignoring the factthatthe rule affects only federal
lands.
3 Idaho House Joint Memorial No.5 by Resourcesand
Conservation Committee (2001)
4
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Spring 2006 SAGE NOTES Quarterly Journalofthe Idaho Native Plant Society - Volume 28(1)
Miscellaneous: The Forest Service posted on its websitethe location
• As governor, Kempthorneonce threatened to throw of 300,000 acres itwas evaluating forsale, with a sale
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency outof of 200,000 acres contemplated. The agencythen
Idaho when it proposed to listpolluted mines there as took public commentthrough May 1
a Superfund site.
• On the four-member Idaho State Board ofLand Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), ranking Democrat on the
Commissioners, Kempthorne repeatedlyvoted to Senate subcommitteeon Public Lands and Forests,
ignore court decisions and withhold grazing leases did not submitformal comments to the Forest Service,
from conservation groups to award them instead to but he didn't have to, said an aide to Wyden, "He has
ranchers at lower prices. said in public hearings on several occasions he would
• As a senator, Kempthorne repeatedly voted to sell block any legislation to authorize land sales."
offfederal public lands, including lands managed by
the Departmentof Interior (1995, 1996, 1998). The Secure Rural Schools and Community
Self-Determination Act of 2000 allocates more than
Land Sale Program Opposed by Many4 $400 million each yearto compensate forest
communities for losttimber sale revenues.
CorfiNtiactsioonfaal BFoursehstadSmyisnitsetmraltainodncpornotpeonsadltthoatseslolmtreacotfs Aflrloomcatthieonpsasatr.e based on 25 percent of sale revenues
those tracts have high conservation values and Because the Secure Rural Schools law expires atthe
should not be sold. end offiscal year 2006 in September, Congress is
Organizations such as the Nature Conservancysay nowworking on legislationto extend it. (See previous
article on legislation to rescue theprogram.)
the Forest Service should studythe planned sales
more rigorously. "Absent a careful, science-based
analysis of individual tracts proposed for sale, the
Forest Service risks harm to itsconservation mission,"
said conservancy President Steve McCormickin an
April 28 letterto the ForestService.
Like other program critics, the Conservancy cited
specific examples of high-risk lands that might be
sold. On Wenatchee National Forest in Washington,
for instance, McCormick said the Forest Service
includes in its inventory atractthat borders Swauk
Creek, an areaof important aquatic and fish species.
Rep. Rik Keller®-Fla.) recently opposed the
administration forincluding in the sale inventory 1,000
acres of Ocala National Forest in Florida. "They say
these lands are not'crown jewels,"' hesaid on the
Housefloor. "While our budget shortfall is temporary,
ruining pristine national lands is permanent. We
cannot sell nationalforest lands everytime there is a
budget shortfall. This is adangerous precedentfor
Congress to set."
Finally, powerful fishing and hunting groups that
usually side with the Republican Party wrote
Congressional appropriators May 3 objecting to the
proposal because ofpossible habitat loss. "Hunters
and anglers simplywill not support any proposal that
could further exacerbate this overwhelming problem,"
said the Theodore RooseveltConservation
Partnership on behalf of hunting and fishing groups.
Acerglabrum.USDA-NRCSPLANTS
The Bush administration proposedthe land sale Database/Britton,N.L.,andA.Brown.1913.
program in its fiscal year 2007 budget February6 to CIlalnuastdraat.edVafll.or2a:o4f9t7h.enorthernstatesand
provide $800 million to sustain theSecure Rural
Schools Act of 2000 for afewmore years. The
administration would letthe program expireafterfour
years.
4 Adaptedfrom FS LandSale Program Takes a Lashing
fromMany Quarters, Public Lands News 31(9), Resources
Publishing Co.,Arlington.
5
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Spring 2006 SAGE NOTES Quarterly Journalofthe Idaho Native Plant Society - Volume 28(1)
Features
A Tribute to Lois Wythe
By PhilHough
Sandpoint’s native plant arboretum
has become a true regional treasure,
a place to go for an introduction to
native plants and for quiet
contemplation. Because the trees,
plants and the serene setting take
center stage, it’s easyto forget the
dedication and hours of toil that have
gone on behind the scenes to make
this wonderful place possible. Let’s
take a moment to recognize Lois
Wythe and the original team of “straw
bosses” she recruited for all their
efforts in creating and maintaining this
special place.
Lois’s dream for an Arboretum moved
toward reality in the mid-1990’s with
her impassioned plea for others to
join her in "signing away one
summer morning per week forthe rest LoisWythe Photograph byp. Hough,
of their lives.” This produced 1 .
dedicated volunteers. Through hard
work and sheer force of will they endured the trials of selecting and acquiring a site, planning and
coordinating all the details, and soliciting both community support as well as sponsorship. With the
bureaucracy behind them they set about creating, maintaining and continually improving a place where
native plants, and our appreciation of them, can flourish. Their never-ending work continues to this day.
Their work quickly grew into creating the Kinnikinnick Chapter of the Idaho Native Plant Society. Most of
these individuals are still giving heart and soul everyweek to the arboretum, testimony to the loyalty and
commitment that Lois inspires. Many more carry on other chapter work including local landscaping
projects and conservation work. We thank all these many volunteers for their dedication and
perseverance.
The legacy of Lois’s dream, drive, and passion will be the continued growth and strength of the arboretum,
the Kinnikinnick Chapter, and the Idaho Native Plant Society. The dedication and ongoing efforts carried
out by Lois continue to inspire new volunteers and bring about improvements to the arboretum and the
society. We salute Lois and supportthe fulfillment of her vision!
Violoa. PhotographbyP.Hough.
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Spring 2006 SAGE NOTES Quarterly Journalofthe Idaho Native Plant Society - Volume 28(1)
Recommending a Scotchman Peaks cedar, hemlock and white pine to drysouthern slopes
Wilderness dotted with ponderosa pines, to inland temperate
rainforestto fragile alpine lichensand delicate
wildflowers. Found hereare giant cedars, hidden
By PhilHough glens, clear streamsand rocky cleftswhich shelter
small and fragile lichens and sedges. These
Since 1987, the Idaho Panhandle National Forest and mountains, rolling north to Canadaand eastto
the Kootenai National Forest have managed the Montana, are a natural corridorfor native species of
Scotchman Peaks areaas “Recommended flora and fauna, forming avital link in the Yukon to
Wilderness.” The Friends ofScotchman Peaks Yellowstone corridor. The Scotchmans are asource
Wilderness, which formed aboutayear ago, believes of clean water and a place ofunparalleled beauty.
thatthis unique place deserves permanent protection
as part ofthe national wilderness system. Grizzliesand wolveswhose presencedefines “wild”to
many people arefound here, alongwith mountain
Currentlythere are no lands in Northern Idaho, and goats, bull trout, wolverine and Canada lynx. Soare a
onlyverylimited lands in Western Montana, which wide arrayofwildflowers and unique native plants.
have been set aside forwilderness. This region has This area is atthe convergenceofthe northern
more unprotectedwild countrythan anyother place in Rockies ecosystem, the southern reaches ofthe
the contiguous United States. Lying just north of northern borealforest and atthe extreme inland edge
Clark Fork, Idaho, the Scotchmans, atthewest end of influenced by maritime climes. Disjunctive flora
The Scothman Peaks. Photograph by P. Hough.
the Cabinet Mountains, hold steep and deepvalleys species are frequently found here. Manyplant and
with pristine microcosms ofwild native plants and animal species call theScotchmans home; all are vital
animals, clearflowing streams and precious solitude. links in the chain oflife.
The Scotchmans cover parts of3 counties, 2 states Leaving this unique place undisturbed protects plants,
and 2 National Forests, plus several watersheds, and wildlife, waterquality, and wonderful views. It
numerous habitats and life zones. The Scotchmans preserves a place for us to go when we needto get
form the rugged backbone ofthe northern Idaho/ away. In atime when we face population growth and
Montana border. Theydefine the word “diverse.” rapid change, we wanttobe certain thatthis special
They also bring new meaning to the words “steep” place remains available for ourselvesto grow along
and “rugged.” Perhaps because they cross overso with our native flora and fauna. The Scotchmans
many borders they have been forgotten. And, should continue to be a refuge forthat part ofthis
perhaps being forgotten has been good until now. entirewebof life that grows wild and yearns for
Should we continue to forgetthe Scotchmans we risk wilderness.
losing them to thosewho will discover newuses for
their resources. Or, at least, we risk losing those For information about Friends of Scotchman Peaks
qualities that make the Scotchmans so special. Wilderness, go online to: www.scotchmanpeaks.org.
This part ofthe West Cabinet Mountains has an
abundantvariety of nativeplants and native plant
habitat, rangingfrom deep valleys of old growth
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Spring 2006 SAGE NOTES Quarterly Journalofthe Idaho Native Plant Society - Volume 28(1)
News and Notes Sacajawea’s bitterroot was not always
considered a unique species. It was originally
New Plant Species Named after known as Kellogg’s bitterroot, also found in
California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. Recent
Sacajawea!
research on the plant’s genetic and physical
characteristics confirmed that the Idaho plants
By Edna Rey-Vizgirdas are indeed distinct from the Sierra plants.
Sacajawea’s bitterroot is smaller than its
A species new to science -- Sacajawea’s California relatives, and about half the size of the
sbiptetceirreosotto(Lbeewinsaiamesdacianjhaowneoarnao)f Sisactahejafwiresta.plant common bitterroot.
Idahoans can now celebrate both Sacajawea —
An Idaho native, this rare and beautiful plant and this unique rare plant named in her honor
occurs nowhere else in the world but central 200 years after the Lewis and Clark Expedition!
Idaho. Just over two dozen populations o—f
Sacajawea’s bitterroot are known to exist Results of the 2006 Idaho Rare Plant
roughly 3/4ths of them on the Boise National Conference
Forest. Scattered populations also occur on the
Payette, Sawtooth, and Salmon-Challis National
By MichaelMancuso
Forests.
A high country resident, Sacajawea’s bitterroot The 22nd Idaho Rare Plant Conference was held
craanngibnegfforuonmd 5i,n0m0o0nttoa9n,e50a0ndfesetu.balTphienephlaanbtitiasts HFeeabrduqaurayrt1e4rsanbduil1d5inagt tinhedoIwdnahtoowPnowBeorise.
dormant most of the year, like its relative, the Approximately 75 people interested in rare plant
common bitterroot, Lewisia rediviva (Montana’s conservation in Idaho attended the annual
INPS-sponsored event.
state flower). Shortly after snowmelt, a rosette
of succulent leaves emerges, followed by showy
white flowers that hug the ground. After The primary purpose of the conference is to
fdlioswaeprpienga,ra-llwaitbhovtehegrtouubnedrosuisgncsarorfott-hleikeplraonott pIrNePsSenrtarneepwlainntfolirsmt.atTihoen oapbeonutfsopreucmiefsoromnatthoef
hidden just below the surface. the conference allows information about field
The name Lewisia was originally developed in surveys, monitoring projects, protection
1813 by botanist Frederick Pursh to honor measures, conservation strategies, threats,
Meriwether Lewis. Although Lewis collected a taxonomy, and other issues to be reviewed and
discussed. The conservation status of several
handful of bitterroot plants during the historic
journey, Sacajawea’s bitterroot was apparently species on the list typically change as a result of
not one of them. this review process. The annual review and
updating of the INPS rare plant list
helps ensure its relevancy and
usefulness. The list is dynamic (even
after over 20 years) and reflects the
ongoing accumulation and synthesis
of information concerning Idaho's rare
flora. The conference is also an
opportunity forthe INPS to make
recommendations to the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service for those plant
species needing the most
conservation attention.
The INPS Rare Plant List contained
324 species (287 vascular and 37
non-vascular/lichens) prior to the
2006 conference, plus an additional
1 17 Review category species. A total
of 56 (17%) of these species were
discussed at the 2006 conference.
Based on the group review process,
the majority of species discussed at
the conference had no change made
to their conservation status on the
Lewisia sacajaweanaon Boise National Forest. Photograph byS. Rust.
8