We hope everyone is having a peaceful winter. I have been enjoying the mild weather, spending time analyzing plant data from last year’s projects, studying winter tree ID, and lots of planning for the year ahead. Out in the forest we are seeing incredible moss displays and the greening up of many overwintering basal rosettes of spring wildflowers. The term rosettology comes to mind, coined by a notorious southeastern botanist, meaning the study of plant rosettes. It is true I am a rosettophile, or one who loves rosettes, including dutchman’s breeches, harbinger of spring, spring beauty, and winter annuals such as glade cress that are visible now.
Select mosses and rosettes seen in Kentucky over the past month (from L to R): 1. Spoon moss (Bryoandersonia illesebra), common moss in Kentucky Forests; 2. Dutchman’s Breeches ( Dicentra cucullaria), Anderson County, Kentucky. 2020-01-12; 3. Kentucky Glade Cress rosette-Federally threatened winter annual (Leavenworthia exigua var. laciniata), Jefferson County Dolomite Glade, 2020-01-11. T.R. Littlefield
The KNPS board and officers have been busy planning for some fantastic events this year. We will announce our field trip and workshop schedule soon, so check back by mid-February to view our 2020 calendar. Several workshops and classes will be offered either individually or as part of our Native Plant Stewardship Certification Program. Classes offered include Botany in a Day, Natural Communities of Kentucky, Remnant Natural Community Management, Native Plant Gardening, and more. Hikes by legendary botanists are currently in the works.
We will be meeting in late February for a strategic board meeting at Bernheim Forest. The board will be revising our strategic plan with emphasis on prioritizing our efforts in native plant education, conservation, and restoration. A reminder that this year we have the 34th Annual Wildflower Weekend at Natural Bridge, April 3-4. It is earlier than usual this year, but with warmer temperatures we might expect the wildflowers to be early as well.
Don’t forget our website can be a resource to find out about other botanical events not directly organized by KNPS occurring throughout the state, so please contact us if you have an event that you would like to promote on our website. We are stronger together!
For the love of native plants and natural communities,
Tara Littlefield- KNPS President