Aquilegia Editions 1991
Summary: This special conservation issue focuses on the urgent need to protect Colorado’s rare native plants and threatened ecosystems. Articles examine the mystery surrounding Thamnosma texanum, a species documented near Cañon City in the late nineteenth century and now presumed extinct in Colorado, while raising questions about its origins and potential rediscovery. A major emphasis is placed on the conservation of South Park’s High Creek Fen, one of Colorado’s most biologically rich wetlands, which harbors an extraordinary concentration of rare and disjunct species but faces threats from peat mining and water development. The issue also highlights shortcomings in federal endangered species protection, promotes citizen involvement through the Adopt-a-Rare-Plant program, and encourages advocacy for stronger state-level plant conservation laws. Practical guidance continues with advice on maintaining native prairie gardens, emphasizing ecological processes such as grazing, fire, and responsible weed management.
Plant Species: Species mentioned include Thamnosma texanum, Menodora scabra, Astragalus ousterhoutii (Ousterhout milkvetch), Penstemon penlandii (Penland beardtongue), Spiranthes diluvialis, Trichophorum pumilum (Scirpus pumilus), Scorpidium scorpioides, Carex scirpoidea, Sisyrinchium pallidum, Primula egaliksensis, Salix candida, Salix myrtillifolia, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum gracile, Lomatogonium rotatum ssp. tenuifolium, Pneumonanthe affinis, Gentianopsis thermalis, Salicornia europaea ssp. rubra, Spartina gracilis, Glaux maritima, Amphiscirpus nevadensis (Scirpus nevadensis), Triglochin palustris, Triglochin concinna, Chara spp., Utricularia spp., Artemisia frigida, Buchloe dactyloides, Bouteloua gracilis, Chrysothamnus spp., Prunus spp., rose species (Rosa spp.), sage species (Artemisia spp.), Chorispora tenella, Polygonum aviculare, Lactuca serriola, Bromus tectorum, Bromus japonicus, Convolvulus arvensis, Cirsium arvense, Agropyron repens, Agropyron smithii, Poa pratensis, Malva neglecta, Bromopsis inermis, Schedonnardus paniculatus, and Sporobolus spp.
Keywords: January/February 1991, conservation issue, endangered plants, rare species advocacy, High Creek Fen, South Park wetlands, peat mining, wetland preservation, plant extinction, federal endangered species protection, Adopt-a-Rare-Plant program, citizen science, state plant legislation, Thamnosma texanum, presumed extinction, disjunct flora, botanical rediscovery, prairie gardening, native landscape maintenance, ecological restoration, herbicide concerns, volunteer conservation, and Colorado native flora.
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Summary: This issue emphasizes the evolving role of native plant conservation through research, education, and ethical stewardship. Highlights include recent botanical discoveries at Roxborough State Park, where previously unrecorded species were identified, illustrating the dynamic nature of Colorado’s flora. The newsletter presents a draft ethical framework for collecting native plants, encouraging responsible propagation while safeguarding vulnerable species and habitats. Conservation concerns extend to invasive plants, the ecological value of native species in supporting wildlife, and Denver Botanic Gardens’ formal commitment to endangered plant protection. Research on the elusive dwarf milkweed (Asclepias uncialis) sheds new light on one of North America’s rarest milkweeds, while updates on a newly described moonwort species underscore the importance of continued botanical exploration. Educational seminars and field trips reflect the Society’s dedication to fostering public engagement with Colorado’s native landscapes.
Plant Species: Species mentioned include American black currant (Ribes americanum), New England aster (Virgulus novae-angliae), Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium maculatum), arrowleaf tearthumb (Truellum/Polygonum sagittatum), plumeless thistle (Carduus acanthoides), nodding thistle (Carduus nutans), South African capeweed (Arctotheca calendula), Oreocarya paradoxa, Frankenia jamesii, bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), Dichanthelium lanuginosum, Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), giant helleborine (Epipactis gigantea), Limnorchis ensifolia, blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima), curlleaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius), Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia), pale moonwort (Botrychium pallidum), dwarf milkweed (Asclepias uncialis), Asclepias brachystephana, plains milkweed (Asclepias pumila), Mead’s milkweed (Asclepias meadii), and prickly pear (Opuntia macrorhiza). The issue also references Dicentra species in its concluding wildflower feature.
Keywords: March/April 1991, Roxborough State Park, plant discoveries, native plant ethics, responsible collecting, conservation policy, invasive species, ecological restoration, native plant education, Cloud Ridge seminars, Golden Gate Canyon inventory, Unaweep Canyon, Great Basin Silverspot butterfly, Denver Botanic Gardens, plant protection resolution, moonwort discovery, Botrychium pallidum, dwarf milkweed, Asclepias uncialis, endangered species research, ecological importance of natives, invasive Russian olive, Colorado flora, and citizen conservation.
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Summary: This issue highlights the Colorado Native Plant Society’s growing emphasis on rare plant conservation, botanical identification, and citizen science. A major feature provides updates from the Adopt-a-Rare-Plant Program, documenting rediscoveries, expanded populations, and newly verified locations for numerous uncommon Colorado species. The newsletter also includes a preliminary key to Colorado’s willows (Salix), offering botanists and enthusiasts an important identification resource. Conservation concerns are addressed through discussions of the Colorado Natural Areas Program’s transition and an inquiry into the ecological role of smooth brome (Bromus inermis). Field opportunities, including inventories at Golden Gate Canyon and explorations of Unaweep Canyon, encourage members to participate directly in documenting Colorado’s flora. Workshops on Apiaceae identification and botanical illustration further reflect the Society’s commitment to education and public engagement in native plant stewardship.
Plant Species: Species mentioned include Limnorchis ensifolia (Platanthera sparsiflora var. ensifolia), Epipactis gigantea, maidenhair fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris), Astragalus humillimus, Listera borealis, Listera convallarioides, Spiranthes diluvialis, Cypripedium fasciculatum, wood lily (Lilium philadelphicum), carrion flower (Smilax lasioneuron), alpine feverfew (Parthenium alpinum), pale blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium pallidum), Astragalus proximus, Penstemon cyathophorus, Penstemon harringtonii, Ptilagrostis porteri, American black currant (Ribes americanum), prairie gentian (Eustoma grandiflorum), smooth brome (Bromus inermis), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), Dichanthelium lanuginosum, Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium maculatum), blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima), curlleaf mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius), and numerous willow species treated in the Salix identification key, including Salix exigua, S. amygdaloides, S. fragilis, S. babylonica, S. purpurea, S. planifolia, S. monticola, S. lutea, and others.
Keywords: May/June 1991, rare plant monitoring, Adopt-a-Rare-Plant Program, willow identification key, Salix, Colorado Natural Areas Program, CNAP transition, smooth brome debate, invasive species, citizen science, Golden Gate Canyon inventory, Unaweep Canyon, Great Basin Silverspot butterfly, annual meeting, grassland conservation, field trips, botanical illustration, Apiaceae workshop, rare orchids, endangered plants, plant rediscoveries, Colorado flora, and native plant education.
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Summary: This special issue is devoted to the extraordinary alpine ecosystem of Summit Lake on Mount Evans, one of Colorado’s most significant botanical sites. The centerpiece article by William A. Weber documents the history of Summit Lake’s designation as Colorado’s first National Natural History Landmark, emphasizing its importance as a refuge for rare Arctic-alpine plants that persist as Pleistocene relicts in the Southern Rockies. Weber describes the site’s unique habitats, recounts the discovery of several remarkable species, and provides extensive catalogs of the vascular plants, bryophytes, and lichens recorded there. The issue also includes a field report from the San Luis Basin, highlighting rare species and conservation concerns related to mining and grazing. Throughout, the newsletter underscores the value of careful stewardship, ethical collecting practices, and long-term botanical documentation to preserve Colorado’s native flora for future generations.
Plant Species: Species mentioned include Cleome multicaulis, Astragalus ripleyi, moonworts (Botrychium spp.), Penstemon hallii, Ranunculus adoneus, Neoparrya lithophila, Phippsia algida, Koenigia islandica, Saxifraga foliolosa (Spatularia foliolosa), Hydrogrimmia mollis, Carex scopulorum, Oreas martiana, Chrysosplenium tetrandrum, Ranunculus pygmaeus, Saxifraga cernua, Saxifraga hyperborea, Saxifraga rivularis, Trifolium parryi, Artemisia spp., Carex randallii, Kobresia myosuroides, Kobresia sibirica, Kobresia simpliciuscula, Hirculus propinquus (Saxifraga prorepens), Psychrophila leptosepala, Rhodiola integrifolia, Primula angustifolia, Oxyria digyna, Allium geyeri, Oreoxis alpina, Acomastylis rossii, and the extensive bryophyte and lichen flora cataloged from Summit Lake.
Keywords: July/August 1991, Summit Lake, Mount Evans, National Natural History Landmark, alpine flora, Arctic-alpine disjuncts, Pleistocene relicts, William A. Weber, botanical discovery, rare plants, bryophytes, lichens, vascular plant catalog, conservation ethics, alpine ecology, San Luis Basin, field trips, native plant stewardship, botanical documentation, Colorado alpine habitats, and biodiversity baseline.
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Summary: This issue focuses on the importance of conserving Colorado’s often-overlooked low-elevation ecosystems and the extraordinary biodiversity they support. Tim Hogan argues that foothill and montane habitats can equal or exceed alpine regions in conservation value, despite occupying far smaller areas. Additional articles document the first known 1941 collection of the threatened Ute ladies’-tresses orchid (Spiranthes diluvialis), explore the reproductive ecology of introduced crack and white willows along Front Range waterways, and provide updates on Colorado’s rare plant discoveries and conservation efforts. The newsletter also promotes educational workshops, prairie-focused annual meeting programs, and citizen involvement in protecting natural areas. Together, the articles highlight the crucial role of documentation, public advocacy, and stewardship in preserving Colorado’s botanical heritage.
Plant Species: Species mentioned include Betula papyrifera, Botrypus virginianus, Cypripedium fasciculatum, Cypripedium spp., Cylactis pubescens, Lilium philadelphicum, Listera borealis, Listera convallarioides, Listera cordata, Limnorchis ensifolia (Limnorchis sparsiflora sensu lato), Malaxis monophyllos, Pyrola picta, Smilax lasioneura, Viola pedatifida, Spiranthes diluvialis, Alisma triviale, Aquilegia coerulea (state flower), Epipactis gigantea, Erigeron kachinensis, Salix fragilis, Salix alba var. vitellina, Salix amygdaloides, Salix babylonica, Salix matsudana, Draba spp., Astragalus spp., Vitis, Parthenocissus, Smilax, Crataegus, Malus, and numerous species of Mentzelia, including Mentzelia decapetala, M. nuda, M. rusbyi, M. albescens, M. multiflora, M. laevicaulis, M. paradoxica, M. argillosa, M. multicaulis, M. sanjuanensis, M. pterosperma, M. speciosa, M. sinuata, M. reverchonii, M. pumila, M. densa, M. chrysantha, M. laciniata, M. cronquistii, and M. marginata.
Keywords: September/October 1991, biodiversity, low-elevation conservation, Tim Hogan, Colorado Native Plant Society, wilderness protection, rare plants, Spiranthes diluvialis, Ute ladies’-tresses, herbarium records, citizen science, exotic willows, reproductive ecology, crack willow, white willow, Mentzelia identification, orchids of Colorado, prairie ecosystems, annual meeting, workshops, rare plant monitoring, and botanical stewardship.
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Summary: This issue is devoted largely to the conservation of sensitive plant species on U.S. Forest Service lands and the role citizens can play in advocating for their protection. Contributors examine shortcomings in Forest Service policies, compare proposed and recommended sensitive species lists for Region 2, and encourage readers to participate in public comment processes to strengthen rare plant protections. The newsletter also honors Colorado conservation pioneer George Kelly, whose work helped shape the state’s native plant movement and promoted the use of Colorado natives in horticulture. Additional articles provide updates on the status of Eutrema penlandii and Spiranthes diluvialis, announce upcoming workshops and conferences, and document the Society’s ongoing educational and stewardship efforts. Together, these pieces emphasize that effective plant conservation depends on scientific knowledge, public involvement, and persistent advocacy.
Plant Species: Species mentioned include Adenocaulon bicolor, Adiantum capillus-veneris, Aletes humilis, Aquilegia jonesii, Arctostaphylos rubra, Armeria scabra ssp. sibirica, Arnica lonchophylla, Aster mollis, Astragalus anisus, A. molybdenus, A. osterhoutii, A. proximus, A. ripleyi, Botrychium ascendens, Botrychium campestre, Braya glabella, Braya humilis ssp. ventosa, Carex alopecoidea, C. intumescens, C. livida, C. pedunculata, Chenopodium cycloides, Claytonia lanceolata var. flava, Corallorhiza odontorhiza, Descurainia torulosa, Draba pectinipila, D. smithii, Drosera rotundifolia, Epipactis gigantea, Equisetum scirpoides, Erigeron lanatus, Eriogonum visheri, Eutrema penlandii, Festuca hallii, Frasera coloradensis, Gilia penstemonoides, Ipomopsis aggregata ssp. weberi, Ipomopsis globularis, Lesquerella pruinosa, Lycopodium complanatum, L. dendroideum, Mimulus gemmiparus, Muhlenbergia glomerata, Neoparrya lithophila, Orchis rotundifolia, Parrya nudicaulis, Parthenium alpinum, Penstemon harringtonii, P. haydenii, P. mensarum, Phacelia submutica, Platanthera obtusata, Primula egaliksensis, Ptilagrostis porteri, Rhamnus alnifolia, Rubus arcticus ssp. acaulis, Salix lanata ssp. calcicola, Salix myrtillifolia var. myrtillifolia, Salix serissima, Sanguinaria canadensis, Scirpus cyperinus, S. pumilus, Senecio dimorphophyllus var. intermedius, Shoshonea pulvinata, Sisyrinchium pallidum, Sulivantia hapemanii, Townsendia condensata var. anomala, Vaccinium membranaceum, Viola selkirkii, Asplenium adiantum-nigrum, Gaura neomexicana var. coloradensis, Spiranthes diluvialis, Gaillardia aristata, Rudbeckia hirta, Echinacea purpurea, and Sphaeralcea coccinea.
Keywords: November/December 1991, sensitive species, U.S. Forest Service, Region 2, rare plant conservation, Endangered Species Act, public advocacy, biodiversity protection, George Kelly, Colorado native horticulture, citizen action, Colorado Native Plant Society, Eutrema penlandii, Spiranthes diluvialis, rare plant monitoring, workshops, botanical education, Forest Service policy, native plant gardening, and conservation leadership.
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