May 2000

Michigan Coastal Plain Disjuncts

Twenty-nine people attended the April 4th meeting of the Red Cedar Chapter. The meeting featured a presentation by Dr. Anton Reznicek, Curator of Vascular Plants, University of Michigan Herbarium.
Along the Great Lakes shoreline and in northern Indiana, there are populations of plants that have significant gaps before their next occurrence. These disjunct species are a diverse group of plants, growing in poor soils, freely draining wetlands, pods, bogs and acid conditions. As a native of the Georgian Bay area of Canada, Dr. Reznicek became interested in these populations, wondering why they grew in some areas and not others and what generates the persistence of these plants.
Not all disjuncts grow along lakeshores. Some are found on former lake beaches, fossil dunes, sand plains, inland lakes even dry meadows. What all these areas have in common is that the water level fluctuates. After the changes in water levels, there are changes in the occurrence and amount of disjunct species. Many of the disjuncts are small grasses, sedges, pitcher plants and wildflowers. During dry years trees and shrubs grow and choke out these small plants.
Coastal plain disjunct species, grow in very valuable real estate. When a rare plant may only appear once every 80 years, it is hard to convince others to preserve the area. Many areas have been converted to cranberry bogs or have been destroyed by ever increasing urban expansion.
Special thanks to Chris Clampitt for providing refreshments.

BUSINESS MEETING

The deadline to sign up for the Spring Foray is May 5th. Pat Fields has not received any applications from students interested in the sponsorship opportunity to attend the foray. This year the Red Cedar Chapter has a $200 grant from MBC to cover the cost of the sponsorship. If more than one qualified application is received the RCC could also approve a second sponsorship.
Please remember to use the north entrance of the Plant Biology Building for access to RCC meetings. All other doors will be locked for security reasons. If you arrive after 7:30 PM please knock on the window.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thank you to Marlene Wesselman, Jason Kilgore, Bob and Betty Peebles and Tom Trana for representing our chapter at

the Student Horticulture Spring Show, April 15th. The volunteers reported that they spoke to lots of people and many were interested in our club.
Ann Webster, an RCC member since 1997, passed away suddenly last month. She attended many field trips and the spring foray and will be greatly missed.
SPRING FIELD TRIP

The RCC has arranged to visit Fred Case's garden on Sunday, May 14th. Persons interested in attending should gather in the parking lot of the Plant Biology Building by 10:00 AM to car pool. The White Pine Chapter and Mr. Case's class

Calendar

MSU Perennial Plant Sale
Sat., June 3 from 9 am to 1 pm and
Mon., June 5 from 9 am. to 4 pm
Divisions from the DeLapa Perennial Garden and plants from the Perennial Research program.

Greater Lansing Rose Society
54th Annual Rose Show
Sat., June 10 from 2:30 to 6 pm & Sun., June 11 from 10 am to 5 pm Rose show, plant sale and premier of the newly remodeled Frank's Nursery & Crafts Rose Garden at MSU. For more information call (517) 323-2333 or (517) 487-2953

Hosta Road Trip
Saturday, June 17, 2000. Join fellow hosta enthusiasts on an all-day excursion to Wade and Gatton, Belleville, Ohio. For more information call (517) 355-6469

Garden Day 2000
Friday, August 4, 2000
MSU Plant & Soil Science Building

Presentation Schedule for Red Cedar Chapter

MARCH 7
Where have all the flowers gone?
Dr. Leah R. Knapp, Chair, Department of Physical and
Natural Sciences, Olivet College

APRIL 4
Hybridization and Biodiversity
Dr. Warren H. Wagner, University of Michigan Herbarium

MAY 2
Oriental Bittersweet in Michigan - The Kudzu of the North, Tim Tibbetts, MSU Dept. of Botany and Plant Pathology &
Conservation and Genetics of the Michigan Monkey Flower
Amanda Posto, MSU Dept. of Botany and Plant Pathology

Officers and Committees

President
Jason Kilgore Term: 8-1-1999 to 7-31-2001
6916 Richard Rd., Lansing, MI 48911 (517) 355-5076
Vice-President
Elaine M. Chittenden Term: 8-1-1999 to 7-31-2001
2517 E. Cavanaugh, Lansing, MI 48910 (517) 887-7437
Treasurer
Harold I. Juran Term: 8-1-99 to 7-31-2001
P.O. Box 1395, East Lansing, MI 48826 (517) 332-3762
Secretary
Nancy Kapp Term: 8-1-1999 to 7-31-2001
411 Westmoreland Ave., Lansing, MI 48915 (517) 487-6647
Directors at Large to MBC State Board
1997-1999 Elaine Chittenden
1998-2000 Betty Peebles
1999-2001 Robert Bloye

Field Trips Committee:
Isobel Dickinson Committee: Patrick Fields, Steve Stephenson
MSU Natural Areas Plant Inventory Committee: Bill Schneider
Foray Scholarship Committee: Patrick Fields, Elaine Chittenden, Martha Davidson