That is the question. There is only so much time in the day and lately I have been putting New York flora information out on our Twitter account, @newyorkflora, because it is fast and easy to do, especially from a smartphone. I tend to look at Twitter more because it is easier to scan and pick up a lot of information in a short amount of time. It is like looking at scores of microblogs. Before Twitter I would put all of our information here on the blog. The blog has languished because of it but it is still a great place to put more extensive information and photos about a subject that can’t be tweeted. So I urge all of our blog followers to stay with us and consider following us on Twitter too. All of these blog posts automatically get tweeted out. Have a great December and Happy Holidays! – Steve Young
New Orchid Book for New England and New York
Posted October 10, 2012 by nyfloraCategories: Publications, Apps, and Websites
A new field guide to the orchids of New England and New York is now available. The photos of Tom Nelson and the text of Eric Lamont (NYFA board member) have produced a very useful and beautiful book. Characters are discussed in relation to closely related species which is very helpful for field identification and other useful information is included with every species. There is a series of fruit photos in the front of the book which is also very helpful and unique. How many times have you wished you knew what orchid it was that you were seeing in fruit. The small size of the book is a plus for field use so there is no excuse for not knowing what species of Spiranthes that is. It is available on Amazon and in other fine bookstores. – Steve Young
2012 Pennsylvania Botany Symposium in November
Posted October 10, 2012 by nyfloraCategories: Happenings
Please join us for the inaugural Pennsylvania Botany Symposium at Powdermill Nature Reserve in the beautiful Laurel Highlands of western Pennsylvania! The symposium takes place November 9-10, 2012
Several plant conservation institutions have teamed up to initiate a biennial meeting that brings academic and amateur botanists together to share current research in the region.
Invited speakers will cover a variety of topics, including important recent field discoveries, early botany in North America, species interactions in a Pennsylvania forest, lichens of Pennsylvania, recovery of rare native plants after invasive species removal, and addressing the shortage of botanical capacity in academia and land management agencies.
Please join us for an informative program and opportunities to network with fellow plant enthusiasts.
Registration is limited! Registration for the symposium is $75 and includes lunch, snacks and beverages. Please visit our website for more information and to register at http://www.dcnr.state.pa .us/forestry/plants/index.htm.
New Rare Plant Conservation Guides Posted for Long Island
Posted September 27, 2012 by nyfloraCategories: Publications, Apps, and Websites
The New York Natural Heritage Program has recently posted over 30 new conservation guides for rare plants on Long Island. The guides were written thanks to funding from the New York State DOT. You can access the guides site by CLICKING HERE. If you find any errors please report them to Steve Young at young@nynhp.org. With additional funding from the NYS Office of Parks and Historical Preservation, more guides will be posted from Central and Western NY next year with the goal of having all rare plants covered by a conservation guide.
Plants Are Cool Too Episode Two Ready for View
Posted September 23, 2012 by nyfloraCategories: Natural History, Plant Distribution, Publications, Apps, and Websites
Former NYFA board member Chris Martine, who now teaches at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, has released his second in a series of videos about how plants are cool too. This one shows the actual plant leaves (not fossils) that were preserved in rock 15 million years ago!
The New Protected Plant List is Available for New York
Posted September 18, 2012 by nyfloraCategories: Publications, Apps, and Websites
The Protected Native Plants Program was created in 1989 as a result of the adoption of the protected native plants regulation (6 NYCRR 193.3).
A new regulation was adopted in May of 2012. Changes to the regulation were made to incorporate new information compiled by the New York Natural Heritage Program. There have also been many changes in the scientific names of many of the plants.
To access the list CLICK HERE.
For any questions about the list contact Doug Schmid in the Division of Lands and Forests: daschmid@gw.dec.state.ny.us.
Carline Thistle Seen in Otsego County
Posted September 6, 2012 by nyfloraCategories: Invasive Species, Plant Identification, Plant Sightings
Until now, the Carline thistle (Carlina vulgaris) has only been recorded for Cortland and Tompkins County, New York (see NYFA Atlas). Recently it was seen naturalized in fields in Otsego County by NYFA board member and botanist Connie Tedesco. The USDA Plants database only has it occurring in New York and New Jersey. It is a Eurasian species that was introduced in the mid-1900s to New York.
The information at the NY state museum for this species shows it was collected for the first time in Cortland County in August, 1948 by R.T. Clausen “SE of Dryden Lake, Harford.” It was seen again south of Harford Mills in Cortland County by Stanley Smith Sept. 17, 1955. This is on the border of Tioga County. Arthur Cronquist reported it to the museum as common and spreading in Ithaca in 1983.
Is this a new invasive species on the move? If you see this plant naturalizing in your area please leave a comment at this blog entry. Thanks. – Steve Young
Plants from an Otsego County field. Photos Connie Tedesco.
