Chapter News
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All photos by Jan Newton unless otherwise noted
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2011 |
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Be sure to check the Fieldtrips and Events page for upcoming plant walks and meetings.
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Chapter Nov.-Dec. 2011 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! Nov. 2011 |
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color!
Members wishing to receive a pdf copy of the Claytonia in full-color instead of receiving a black and white paper copy in the mail should email Patti Gray and give her their contact information, stating that they would like to receive a pdf copy of the Claytonia. The chapter is attempting to a go green by sending mostly electronic newsletters rather than using paper and gas to deliver a hard copy.
To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia Nov.-Dec. 2011
Get your newsletter by email or on-line!
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Chapter Sept.-Oct. 2011 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! Sept. 2011 |
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color! To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia Sept.-Oct. 2011
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| Native Plant Walk at Freedom Park July 23, 2011 | ||||||
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More details coming...
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| July Chapter Meeting - The Chestnut Story July 21, 2011 | ||||||
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Cathy Mayes, board member of the Virginia Native Plant Society and Chair of the Virginia Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation, spoke about the American chestnut tree during our July 21 meeting. The American chestnut was once the dominant tree of the Virginia forest, making up a quarter or more of the hardwoods, producing millions of board feet of lumber per year and providing edible, nutritious nuts for wildlife and livestock. Then came the chestnut blight, an environmental disaster thought by many to be still the worst ever. The American Chestnut Foundation is hard at work trying to produce American Chestnuts that will be blight resistant. Learn about how The American Chestnut Foundation is trying to restore this "mighty giant" and return it to our forests > www.acf.org. |
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Guest speaker Cathy Mayes
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Chapter July-Aug. 2011 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! July 2011 |
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color! To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia July-Aug. 2011
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| Native Plant Walk at Lake Matoaka July 16, 2011 | ||||||
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There was a large turnout for the walk in College Woods led by Gus Hall. Gus shared history of the College Woods with the group and many species of fungi were spotted, grasses and trees were identified and rose pink (Sabatia angularis) was blooming. For more details about this walk see the Sept.-Oct. 2011 Claytonia.
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Blue Lactarius Mushroom, Lactarius indigo
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View from Squirrel Point |
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Green Ash, Fraxinus pennsylvanica
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Rose Pink (Sabatia angularis) |
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Trip leader Gus Hall sharing history about College Woods
To view more photos from this walk visit our Photo Gallery and click on our new flickr.
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Spike Grass |
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| Native Habitat Tour July 14, 2011 | ||||||
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Jan Newton led a tour through the Stonehouse Elementary School’s Habitat garden located at 3651 Rochambeau Drive in Williamsburg. The garden is a Certified Wildlife Habitat, recognized by the National Wildlife Federation, features Virginia native plants that attract birds, butterflies and other wildlife and serves as an outdoor classroom. The plants are labeled with their common and Latin names. Blooming were Joe-pye weed, coreopsis (tall and lance-leaf), sweet pepper bush, swamp milkweed, cardinal flower, summer phlox, rose verbena, rattlesnake master, white obedient plant, blue vervain, coral and Clayton honeysuckle, passionflower vine, brown-eyed Susan, blue mistflower, soldier mallow and scarlet hibiscus. To learn more about the Stonehouse Habitat and to see Jan's photos of plants in the Habitat, go to the "Habitats and Education" page and click on "Stonehouse Elementary Habitat." |
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| Stonehouse Elementary Habitat Tour June 18, 2011 | ||||||
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Jan Newton led a walk through the Stonehouse Elementary School’s Habitat garden located at 3651 Rochambeau Drive in Williamsburg. The Stonehouse Habitat contains over 80 species of Virginia native small trees, shrubs, perennials and ferns and features plants that attract birds and butterflies. The group saw blossoms of lance-leaf and tall coreopsis, butterfly weed, brown-eyed Susan, bee balm, phlox, rattlesnake master, blue vervain, blue mistflower and passionflower vine. To see Jan's photos of plants in the Stonehouse Habitat, go to the "Habitats and Education" page and click on "Stonehouse Elementary Habitat." |
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Chapter May-June 2011 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! May 2011 |
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color! To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia May-June 2011
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May Chapter Meeting: Endangered and Threatened Plant Species of Virginia May 26, 2011 |
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Dr. Bruce Hill, a retired cell biologist who spent his career on the East cost of the U.S., gave a presentation about endangered and threatened plants in Virginia. The presentation focused on a sample of the threatened or endangered plants in our state, including Bentley’s coralroot (Corallorhiza bentleyi), Swamp pink (Helonias bullata), Eastern prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera leucophaea), Small whorled pogonia (Isotria medeoloides), and Virginia sneezeweed (Helenium virginicum). You can read more about Dr. Hill's presentation and see photos of some of the featured plants in our July-August Claytonia 2011.
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 Speaker Bruce Hill with co-vice-president Charlotte Boudreau
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Swamp Pink Helonias bullata
This photo courtesy of Bruce Hill
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Chapter May-June 2011 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! May 2011 |
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color! To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia May-June 2011
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| Native Plant Rain Gardens at the College of William & Mary May 20, 2011 | ||||||
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Phillip Merritt led a tour of the landscape around the new School of Education complex, featuring cutting edge stormwater treatment using rain gardens, many native plants and contemporary design. The rain gardens were bordered by serviceberry (Amelanchier sp.), also known as Juneberry and shad blow, was at its prime with delicious ripe fruits! Blue flag iris were blooming in the rain garden and a fairly large northern catalpa (Catalpa speciosa) was blooming beside the entrance drive to the building. The group also take a short stroll on the boardwalk through the nearby College Woods where wood vamp (Decumaria barbara) was budding. |
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Native Plant Swamp Walk in Williamsburg May 1, 2011 |
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Phillip Merritt led a group to a small swamp at the intersection of John Tyler Highway and Venture Lane (near Five Forks). The area is a BMP site (Best Management Practice - which refers to either retention or detention basins used to control stormwater runoff). Blooming were crossvine (Bignonia capreolata), wild grape, yellow pond lily (Nuphar adventa), swamp doghobble (Leucothoe axillaris), swamp dogwood (Cornus foemina), tulip poplar, American holly and elderberry.
There is a more detailed report of this walk in the July-August Claytonia 2011.
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 Yellow Pondlily Nuphar lutea Photo by Phillip Merritt |
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New Kent Forestry Center Walk May 1, 2011 |
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Botanist Donna Ware led a walk to a plant community that we have never before visited on a JCC/VNPS field trip in the New Kent Forestry Center. This site is on an isolated piece of higher ground (deep sand) adjacent to the Chickahominy River. We traveled along the Cactus Trail and, yes, we saw cactus - eastern prickly-pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa, we think!). Donna is doing some research into the exact species as it was sprawling and twisting all over the ground rather than its more upright form which one usually sees. The group saw numerous wild pinks blooming in various areas, along with a fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus), much rattlesnake weed, a few fetterbushes (Leucothoe racemosa), Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum biflorum) and lyreleaf rockcress (Arabidopsis lyrata), the latter being a mountain disjunct.
You can read a more detailed report of this walk in the July-August Claytonia 2011 and for more pictures see the "New Kent Forestry Center Walk - May 1, 2011" set posted on our new flickr photo site: New Photo Gallery Site. |
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Photos by Jan Newton |
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Deerberry, Vaccinium stamineum
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Bastard Toad Flax, Nuttallanthus canadensis |
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Field trippers |
Rattlesnake Weed, Hieracium venosum
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Sand Post Oak, Quercus margarettae Back to Top
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Overcup Oak, Quercus lyrata |
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| Announcing our New Flickr Photo Site! May 2011 | ||||||
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We have a new flickr photo site that will serve as our New Photo Gallery. It can be found on the Photo Gallery page in this website. The old "Photo Gallery" was maintained by Phillip Merritt and he is moving out of state and will be keeping the flickr site since it showcases mostly his photographs and he has quite a following of fans which know him as "claytonsnatives'". We can still access his wonderful photos, but he will soon be adding photos from his new location. The chapter thanks Phillip for his beautiful photography of our wonderful native plants and will miss him and his photography! Check out our New Photo Gallery - new photos from plant walks and other events are being posted. |
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Riverside Plant Rescue April 30, 2011 |
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The Williamsburg Wildflower Rescue Team, members of the John Clayton Chapter and friends were at it again rescuing native plants for the last time before bulldozers hit the site of the Riverside Hospital complex on the corner of Rt. 60 and Rt. 199. As usual, Carolyn Will directed the process. Thanks goes out to these dedicated plant rescuers!
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Plant rescuers Photo by Tim Gabbert |
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| 2011 Virginia Native Plant Sale a Hit! April 30, 2011 | ||||||
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This year's plant sale was held at the James City/Williamsburg Community Center on Longhill Road in Williamsburg along side of the JCC/W Master Gardeners' plant sale. We had roughly one thousand plants for sale which brought in good profits to fund our Nature Camp Scholarships and other educational and conservational projects for native plants. Co-Chairs Joan Etchberger and Lucile Kossodo thank all who participated, shopped and/or helped out in any way for this year's plant sale. It takes the whole chapter to make this event successful!
Thanks also goes to the Boy Scouts for helping customers carry plants to their cars. These helping hands and smiling faces were a big help!
For story and more photos view May/June Claytonia 2011 or visit our new flickr site at our Photo Gallery and click on the set titled "Plant Sale 2011."
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 A happy customer with plant sale co-chairs Lucile Kossodo and Joan Etchberger
Photo by Helen Hamilton
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| Williamsburg Farmer's Market April 23, 2011 | ||||||
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Several members pitched in to share their love of native plants while spreading the news of how beneficial they are for wildlife as they welcomed folks to the Chapter's display at the Farmer’s Market in Merchants Square on Duke of Gloucester Street, Williamsburg. This was a good venue and served as good advertisement for our upcoming plant sale.
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 Jan Newton, Shaune Reams and Mary Turnbull
Photo by Helen Hamilton
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Plants Rescued at Riverside Hospital Site April 23, 2011 |
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The Williamsburg Wildflower Rescue Team, members of the John Clayton Chapter and friends met at the future site of the Riverside Hospital complex on the corner of Rt. 60 and Rt. 199 to rescue native plants before bulldozers arrive and construction began. Carolyn Will directed the process. Job well done to those who helped with this rescue! Thanks to all.
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Plant rescuers Photo by Cortney Langley |
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| Earth Day 2011 Display April 17, 2011 | ||||||
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Jan Newton and Sherry Brubaker manned the chapter display table at the Newport News Park's Earth Day celebration. The mood was great as folks came out to celebrate ways they could help the earth by recycling, using less energy and resources, planting native and protecting wild areas. Many contacts were made.
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 Jan Newton and Sherry Brubaker
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| CNU Garden Symposium 2011 - Chapter Display April 16, 2011 | ||||||
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Around 400 were present at this year's Garden Symposium held at Christopher Newport University in Newport News. John Clayton members volunteered at our chapter's display, encouraging the conservation, planting, and benefits of native plants. Thanks to all who volunteered.
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Potting Parties Numbers 3 and 4 April 3 and 9, 2011 |
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Charlotte Boudreau hosted a potting party at her home in Newport News on April 3rd and Hayes and Joyce Williams hosted one on April 9th at their home in White Marsh. Thanks to these and the other potting get-togethers we have roughly a thousand plants to sell at our plant sale on April 30th! Thanks to all who participated in a potting party and/or who brought plants to pot.
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Native Plants at Homestead Garden Center April 2, 2011 |
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Our chapter manned a display table in the afternoon and gave out information on native plants during Homestead Garden Center's spring native plant event and sale. Homestead is eager to be adding more native plants to their large selection of shrubbery & herbaceous plant material available during the season. John Clayton Chapter members received a 20% discount the day of the sale.
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Cynthia Long, Helen Hamilton, Lucille Kossodo and Kendra Swann;
Photo by Jan Newton
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Potting Party Number 2 April 2, 2011 |
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About 15 members showed up at Mary Turnbull's in Williamsburg to help divide and pot plants for the April 30th plant sale. Blue vervain, horsetails, wild ginger, brown-eyed and black-eyed Susans, sweet shrub and elderberry were some of the many plants that were potted.
During a short walk before working on the plants, the group was delighted to discover a purple cress, Cardamine douglasii near the calcareous stream on Mary's property. Mary was concerned that she had some Chinese privet on her site and, after Jan Newton gave a positive ID, Mary said she would remove the one medium and many small non-native invasives right away. Way to go Mary!
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Gary Driscole, Louise Menges, Jan Lockwood, Jan Newton, Martha Smith, Maryland Johnson, Phyllis Putnam, Adrienne Frank, Lucile Kossodo, Joli Huelskamp and Turnbull. Also participating were Dorothy Geyer, Helen Hamilton and Allen Turnbull.
Photo by Helen Hamilton
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First of Four Potting Parties March 26, 2011 |
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Joan Etchberger and Jan Newton hosted the first potting party of the year. Over 200 hundred plants were dug and potted and will be sold at the chapter's Virginia Native Plant Sale on April 30 at the James City/Williamsburg Community (Recreation) Center at Longhill Road in Williamsburg.
Photos by Helen Hamilton |
 Joan Etchberger and Edie Bradbury
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Cynthia Long and Patti Gray
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Jan Newton dug a beautyberry bush for the sale that was growing inside the native honeysuckle trellis.
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March Chapter Meeting - A Photographic Review March 17, 2011 |
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Phillip Merritt, chapter member and landscape architect with Hertzler and George, presented a power point presentation which featured native plants that he photographed during past chapter fieldtrips and from some of his explorations of native plants in our region and beyond. President Helen Hamilton presented Phillip with a gift from the chapter as a thank you for his contribution to the chapter as co-chair and leader of fieldtrips and a photographer. Phillip will be moving to Florida in the summer and will be missed. We do wish him well in his new location and hope that he will enjoy exploring the native flora of Florida. Two of our Nature Camp 2010 scholarship recipients, Shannon Atkinson and Austin Beaulieu, each reported on their experiences at Nature Camp in the George Washington National Forest in Vesuvius. The meeting was held at the York County Library on Rt. 17 in Yorktown.
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Speaker Phillip Merritt and president Helen Hamilton |
Shannon Atkinson and Austin Beaulieu, 2010 Nature Camp scholarship recipients
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| 2011 Horticultural Extravaganza March12, 2011 | ||||||
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Several chapter members helped with our native plant display during the 2011 Horticultural Extravaganza held at Tabb High School. Participating members were Pat Baldwin, Shirley ?, Helen Hamilton, Louise Menges and Jan Newton.
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 Helen Hamilton, Cheryl Gellis and Louise Menges
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Chapter Mar.-Apr. 2011 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! March 2011 |
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color! To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia March-April 2011
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| Nude Tree Walk - Still Popular! February 26, 2011 | ||||||
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Despite the cold, about 40 participants enjoyed the nude tree walk as Dr. Stewart Ware taught them how to indentify bare trees by looking at their bark and twigs. Most participants were clothed, but one member, Lee Bristow, donned bare feet! The group learned how to identified well over 50% and close to 75% of the most abundant trees in our area! The most abundant tree in the area is loblolly pine, the second most abundant tree is tulip poplar, the third most abundant tree (and most abundant oak) is white oak, and the fourth most abundant tree is beech. Holly is the species that ties dogwood for the most abundant understory tree in the area. Now, let's see if we can remember all this!
The group studied the differences between loblolly pine, Virginia scrub pine and shortleaf pine. It was pointed out that wax Myrtle is not a bayberry, as one of it's erroneous names, Southern bayberry, would have us believe. Many other tree species were identified in their winter garb, including sweet gum, tulip poplar, dogwood, sourwood, red maple, and various hickories. Did you know that a pecan is a hickory! Red maple trees were showing signs of swelling flower buds! Spring is coming! Perhaps we can offer a 'clothed' tree walk in the summer.
This year's walk was held on the campus of Wellspring United Methodist Church, located at 4871 Longhill Road in Williamsburg.
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Nude Tree Walk participants Tulip Poplar twig with terminal bud and leaf scars
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Wax Myrtle leaf buds Dr. Stuart Ware, trip leader
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Plants Rescued at Freedom Park Feb. 19, 2011 |
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A group of John Clayton Chapter members and friends met at Freedom Park on a beautiful Saturday morning to rescue native plants before bulldozers arrived in two days! Construction to build a building, road and parking lot were set to begin on Monday, February 21st. Numerous cranefly orchids, Christmas ferns and partridge berries were among the native plants that were dug from the development site and then re-planted in another section of the park. Carolyn Will (Williamsburg Wildflower Rescue Team) directed the process. Thanks to all who showed up at this last-minute effort to save some native plants! Well done!
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Ralph Will, Jan Newton and Gary Driscole were among the plant rescuers at Freedom Park. Photos by Helen Hamilton
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Book Donation to York County Library Jan. 21, 2011 |
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Our chapter donated two
copies of Doug Tallamy's book,
"Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in our Backyard," and one copy of Eric Grissell's book, "Insects and Gardens," to the York County Library as a Thank You for providing space for our meetings. The York County Library is located on Rt. 17 at Battle Road.
Pictured is Norma Colton and chapter president Helen Hamilton. Photo by Cortney Langley
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January Chapter Meeting - Planting Wild Jan. 21, 2011 |
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Lance Gardner, a doctoral candidate at the Virginia Institute for Marine Science (VIMS) and Gloucester Master Gardener, gave a presentation, titled “Planting Wild: Healthier Plants, Critters and People,” during the January meeting of the John Clayton Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society. Gardner’s 7-year old son, Skye, assisted him with the talk. In addition, Billie Meacham, a 2010 John Clayton Chapter scholarship recipient, gave a report of her experience and adventures at Nature Camp in the George Washington National Forest in Vesuvius. Refreshments were made by Gloria Diggs.
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Guest speaker Lance Gardner with his son, Skye
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Billie Meacham, a 2010 Nature Camp scholarship recipient
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Nature Camp 2011 Scholarship Recipients Jan. 2011 |
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The John Clayton Chapter has awarded Nature Camp 2011 scholarships to Callie Newton, a 7th grader at Toano Middle School in Williamsburg, and Alexandra Stanton, 8th grader at Grafton Middle School in Yorktown. Nature Camp is a coeducational, academic camp that emphasizes education in natural history and environmental studies for students currently in 5th - 12th grades. Nature Camp is located at Vesuvius, VA in the George Washington National Forest.
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Chapter Jan.-Feb. 2011 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! Jan. 2011 |
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color! To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia Jan.-Feb. 2011
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Be sure to check the Fieldtrips and Events page for upcoming plant walks and meetings.
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November Chapter Meeting - Virginia Natural Area Preserves on the Eastern Shore Nov. 18, 2010 |
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Dot made an extra effort to
make it to our meeting - she had awakened that morning to
find that her office building had burned to the ground!
Thanks, Dot, we |
Guest speaker Dot Field
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| Chapter Nov. - Dec. 2010 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! Nov. 2010 | ||||||
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color! To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia Nov.-Dec. 2010
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| Fall Leaves in the 'Burg October 23, 2010 | ||||||
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Phillip Merritt led a large group for a look at fall leaves in downtown Williamsburg and on the College of William and Mary's campus. The national champion water elm (Planera aquatica), the poisonous Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) and witch hazel trees were among the trees and sites enjoyed during this walk.
Photos from this walk are by Phillip Merritt. |
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Field Trippers
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 Witch Hazel |
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Kentucky Coffeetree
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Kentucky Coffeetree pod
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| Potting Parties at Stonehouse Elementary October 2, 2010 | ||||||
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This marked the first of several potting parties that were held at the Stonehouse Elementary Habitat garden. Members dug and potted purple muhly grass, Joe-pye weed, blue star and cup plant for next Spring's plant sale (scheduled for April 30th). During later potting parties switch grass, 'Shenandoah', meadow beauty, soldier mallow and New York ironweed were dug and potted. The plants are being stored and cared for by Joan Etchberger.
Needed: more plants for the annual plant sale on April 30th. If you have plants that can be dug and/or divided and potted, please contact Lucile Kossodo at (757) 565-0769.
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Melinda Webb, Lucile Kossodo, Nancy Carnegie and Shaune Reams (not pictured: Dorothy Geyer)
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Jan Newton and Shelby Cuthriell
Above and below photos by Terri Cuthriell |
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Stonehouse Elementary Habitat in the Fall
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Lucile Kossodo, Nancy Carnegie and Shaune Reams
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| Chapter Sept.-Oct. 2010 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! Sept. 2010 | ||||||
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color! To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia Sept.-Oct. 2010
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| Go Green September 25, 2010 | ||||||
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Our chapter had a display booth at the Go Green conference. Members handed out pamphlets, gave information and answered questions about native plants.
Photo by Melinda Webb>
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Bharati Lakshmi and other John Clayton members help educate participants about native plants.
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| September Chapter Meeting - "Love Games that Insects Play" Sept. 23, 2010 | ||||||
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Helen provided practical information about developing a garden requiring little maintenance, while supporting a variety of wildlife, and some fascinating little-known facts about lifestyles of many native insects: insects with chastity belts, the origin of the aphrodisiac Spanish fly, ants that eat their mate while mating, and the ultimate multi-tasking beetles that mate while eating! The meeting took place at 7pm at the Yorktown Public Library on Rt. 17 and Battle Rd. in Yorktown.
For photos and more about Helen's talk, see the November-December Claytonia 2010.
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Chapter president and speaker Helen Hamilton
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| Native Plant Walk at the Stonehouse Habitat September 18, 2010 | ||||||
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Jan Newton led a walk through the habitat garden at Stonehouse Elementary School located at 3651 Rochambeau Drive in Williamsburg. The Stonehouse Habitat features over 80 species of Virginia native plants that attract and feed birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Participants saw the following plants in bloom: New York ironweed, great blue lobelia, sweet goldenrod, obedient plant, brown-eyed Susan, sneeze weed, soldier mallow, blue mistflower, Maryland golden aster and scarlet hibiscus (budding). Beautyberry, winterberry and inkberry were loaded with berries and hearts-a-bustin' was showy with its orange and maroon seeds and pods.
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Trip leader Jan Newton in front of New York Ironweed This photo by Dorothy Geyer
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Hearts-a-Bustin', Euonymus americanus
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Stinking Camphor Weed
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Variegated fritillary butterfly on Maryland Golden Aster |
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Stonehouse Elementary Habitat in the fall
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Joe-Pye Weed
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| Fall Native Plant Walk September 11, 2010 | ||||||
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Helen Hamilton led a walk through Freedom Park area and the Ellipse Garden (Williamsburg Botanical Garden), discussing native plants which do well in our over-heated or over-watered environment.
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| Native Plant Rescue - Hampton September 11, 2010 | ||||||
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Carolin and Ralph Will led another native plant rescue at the National Aerospace Institute site in Hampton.
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| VNPS Annual Meeting September 10-12, 2010 | ||||||
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Several John Clayton members attended the Virginia Native Plant Society's state annual meeting located this year in the Shenandoah National Park.
Pictures below are from the Blue Ridge Mafic Fen and Prairie walk, Hawksbill Mountain walk and the Jones' Farm tour.
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Jan Newton and Dorothy Geyer in Shenandoah National Park - VNPS Annual Meeting 2010
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Heller's Blazing Star, Liatris Helleri Globally rare (G3), Hawksbill
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 Hawksbill fieldtrip
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View from Hawksbill |
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Big Meadow, a mafic prairie
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Canada Burnet, in a Blue Ridge mafic fen |
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Bear claw marks in tree trunk - a territorial marking
Click here for more VNPS Annual Meeting 2010 photos
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American Chestnut, Castanea dentata in mafic fen area
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| Chapter July-August 2010 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! July 2010 | ||||||
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color! To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia July-August 2010
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| July Chapter Meeting - Mountain Disjuncts July 15, 2010 | ||||||
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Donna Ware and Ralph Will led a joint presentation about the planning and installing of the calcareous ravine display at the Williamsburg Botanical Garden in Freedom Park, James City County. The speakers explained why populations of mountain plants like wild coffee, alternate leaf dogwood and American bellflower are established in habitats of the coastal plain. Jerre Johnson was also part of the project. The meeting took place at 7pm at the Yorktown Public Library on Rt. 17 and Battle Rd. in Yorktown.
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Ralph Will and Donna Ware tell about the calcareous ravine at Freedom Park in James City County. Photo by Helen Hamilton
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| Pitcher Plant Bog Tour - Joseph Pines Preserve June 5, 2010 | ||||||
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A group of John Clayton Chapter members participated along with a few other groups on a tour of the Joseph Pines Preserve led by Phil Sheridan. The Joseph Pines Preserve, owned by the Meadowview Biological Research Station and located near Waverly, VA, houses pitcher plant bogs and longleaf pine restoration meadows and forests. Both longleaf pines and pitcher plants are dependent on fire to be successful and thrive. Longleaf pine-pitcher plant ecosystems have been dwindling and becoming extinct throughout the U.S. due to development, drainage areas being installed which dry bogs, and to fire exclusion in this country. Through prescribed burning and restoring longleaf pine areas, the Joseph Pines Preserve provides a home for planted and propagated pitcher plants and other carnivorous plants. The goal is to revive the decreasing population of longleaf pine and pitcher plants. The site offers several bogs with yellow pitcher plants (Sarracenia flava) and some have purple pitcher plants (Sarracenia purpurea) and sundews (Drosera sp.) mixed in among them. On our trip the bog areas showcased blooming swamp azalea (rhododendron viscosum), orange milkwort and wild quinine. The pitcher plants blooms were already beginning to make seed. Mary Berg was thrilled to spot a grass-pink orchid (Calopogon tuberosa). Fruiting black berries and meadows full of bracken ferns were abundant. White milkweed, blue toadflax and Small's ragwort were seen on dryer ground. Many research projects are under way at the Joseph Pines Preserve, some of which involve Old Dominion University students and volunteers working to determine how water gets to the bogs, as well as to determine through soil plugs the make-up of the soil and the type and age of any seeds that are found within the plugs. Finding pitcher plant seeds, and better yet, viable pitcher plant seeds, would be exciting news indeed!
You can see more photos from the trip by clicking on the two links below these photos.
To learn more about the Meadowview Biological Research Station and the Joseph Pines Preserve visit www.pitcherplant.org.
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Yellow Pitcher Plant, Sarracenia flava
Photos by Jan Newton |
Purple Pitcher Plant, Sarracenia purpurea
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Pitcher Plant Bog at Joseph Pines Preserve
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Young Longleaf Pine, Pinus palustris |
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Grass-Pink Orchid, Calopogon tuberosa
For more trip photos click here and even more photos at our flickr site
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Swamp/Sweetbay Magnolia, Magnolia virginica
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| Plant Rescues in Hampton June 2, 2010 | ||||||
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Carolin and Ralph Will led a several plant rescues at the National Aerospace Institute located at 100 Exploration Way in Hampton. Volunteers Cortney Langley, Alice and Seig Kopinitz, Jan Newton, Ralph and Carolyn Will, and Lise Schioler dug plants in a wooded area that will be developed. Some of the plants will be returned to the site once the construction is finished and other plants will be relocated at nearby public parks and gardens, as well as schoolyard habitats. Royal and southern ferns, spice bushes and Jack-in-the-pulpit were among the plants rescued. In October after rain finally came to our area, the Wills went back to the site and rescued 100 crane-fly orchids that had been hiding due to the drought this summer!
For a more complete list of rescued plants and more news about the rescues, see the July-August 2010 Claytonia.
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| Newport News Park Plant Walk May 28, 2010 | ||||||
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Phillip Merritt led a group of about 13 members and guests on a walk to the boardwalk. Along with way we saw Indian pipes blooming and spotted wintergreen budding. From the board walk we could see woodvamp, and swamp rose blossoms, as well as a few remaining swamp dogwood blossoms. Some birders in the group pointed out a prothonotary warbler and an orchard oriole during our trip. We also saw a thin, quite long snake in the bushes over the water! You can see more photos from the trip by clicking on the two links below these photos.
Photos by Jan Newton unless otherwise noted |
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Hyssop Skullcap, Scutellaria integrifolia This photo by Phillip Merritt
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Swamp Rose, Rosa palustris |
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Swamp Loosestrife, Cattails and other wetland plants |
Trip leader Phillip Merritt showing blooms of Swamp Loosestrife, Decodon Verticillata This photo by Shirley Devan |
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Trip participants This photo by Shirley Devan
For more trip photos click here and even more photos at our flickr site
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Swamp Dogwood, Cornus foemina
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| May Chapter Meeting - Insects and Native Plants May 20, 2010 | ||||||
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Guest speaker Deborah Waller, Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Old Dominion University, spoke about how the reproductive success of native plants depends on their interactions with insect pollinators and seed dispersers. These insects (and native plants) are threatened by habitat loss and competition with introduced species. She reminded us that herbivores may feed on native plants, but healthy ecosystems support parasites and predators that usually keep herbivores in check. Plant sale co-chairs Joan Etchberger and Lucile Kossodo gave a report on the success of the annual plant sale, Plants Galore, held on April 24 in Williamsburg. Thanks was given to all who participated and to all who bought plants! Newsletter editor Louise Menges presented all members with a new nametag, each featuring a different native plant photo. Board members' nametags display the chapter's flower logo drawn by Lucile Kossodo. Thanks Louise for the beautiful nametags!
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Plant Sale Co-Chairs Lucile Kossodo and Joan Ecthberger
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Guest speaker Debbie Waller
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Debbie Waller and Program Co-Chair Bharati Lakshmi
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| Spring Plant Walk - Freedom Park May 20, 2010 | ||||||
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This trip was a replacement for the previously scheduled Wormley Pond walk near Yorktown. Instead Dr. Donna Ware led a tour of calcareous ravines in Freedom Park, Williamsburg. The group traversed down and up ravines, over creeks and over a few fallen logs and were rewarded with blooming puttyroot orchid, lily-leaved twayblade orchid, and green adder's mouth orchid, in addition to a small grove of maidenhair fern, a rattlesnake orchid not in bloom and at least ten other fern species. The group stopped by the Williamsburg Botanical Garden to see the calcareous ravine area that will showcase mountain disjuncts. Lance-leaf coreopsis, smooth beardtongue, purple milkweed and elderberry were in full bloom. We ended the trip with Mint-Chocolate Girl Scout cookies and green tea!
Photos by Jan Newton |
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Alice Kopinitz and Kathi Mestayer observing Maidenhair Fern, Adiantum pedatum
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Puttyroot Orchid, Aplectrum hyemale
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Lily-Leaved Twayblade Orchid, Liparis liliifolia
For more Freedom Park trip photos click here
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Observing Lily-Leaved Tway-Blade Orchid |
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| Mother's Day in the Garden May 9, 2010 | ||||||
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John Clayton members volunteered for Virginia Living Museum's Mother's Day in the Garden in Newport News. Our chapter's display featured photos of long-blooming perennials. Members encouraged the conservation and planting of native plants, gave out hand-outs and free seed packets with membership brochures. Volunteers included Terri Cuthriell, Helen Hamilton, Jan Newton, Bharati Lakshmi.
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Jan Newton and Bharati Lakshmi tell why natives are best.
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Terri Cuthriell and Helen Hamilton
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| Chapter May-June 2010 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! May 2010 | ||||||
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color! To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia May-June 2010
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| Annual Plant Sale a Big Hit! April 24, 2010 | ||||||
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This year's plant sale, Plants Galore, did well and we had a good supply and variety of wonderful native plants and lots of happy customers! The sale was held at the Williamsburg Community Building on N. Boundary Street, across the street from the Williamsburg Regional Library and was co-hosted with the JCC/Williamsburg Master Gardeners.
Thanks to all those members who grew plants from seed, hosted potting parties, took care of plants, divided and dug plants from their own yards, attended potting parties, helped with the planning, handled publicity, posted flyers, set-up, and/or helped the day of the sale. And thanks for those of you who purchased plants at the sale.
And a big thank you to Joan Ecthberger and Lucile Kossodo for being the plant sale co-chairs! |
Members Edie Bradbury, Helen Hamilton and Sara Nugent
Happy customers - Laura Rabbit, Jennifer Taylor and Patty Wilson
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Members Bill Morris and Pat Baldwin
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Some of our cashiers - member Ray Nugent (left). |
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| Spring Plant Walk - Sandy Bottom Nature Park April 11, 2010 | ||||||
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Phillip Merritt led a trip to Sandy Bottom Nature Park in Hampton expecting to see sweetleaf, a small native tree that blooms in early spring before the leaves emerge. Unfortunately with the unusually warm weather we had, the flowers on all the trees had fallen off and the trees were starting to leaf out. The group did see Carolina jessamine and wax myrtle in bloom.
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 Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) Photo by Phillip Merritt
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| CNU Garden Symposium 2010 - Chapter Display April 10, 2010 | ||||||
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Over 350 were present at this year's Garden Symposium held at Christopher Newport University in Newport News. John Clayton members volunteered at our chapter's display, encouraging the conservation and planting of native plants. Those who signed up for a membership that day received a free plant propagated by Cynthia Long. Volunteers included Edie Bradbury, Joan Ecthberger, Pat Hogge, Lucile Kossodo, Cynthia Long, Jan Newton, Shaune Reams and Melinda Webb.
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Cynthia Long and Melinda Webb help at the chapter's display at the CNU Garden Symposium.
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| Spring Wildflower Walk - Gloucester April 10, 2010 | ||||||
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Mary Hyde Berg led a fieldtrip to Summerfield's Wild Area in search for trailing arbutus, a dainty, fragrant, ground-clinging shrub. Jack-in-the pulpit and other delights of the spring acid woods seen.
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| Spring Wildflower Walk - YRSP April 3, 2010 | ||||||
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Phillip Merritt led a fieldtrip to York River State Park.
For details and more photos of this trip visit Phillip's blog at www.howitgrows.com. Look for York River State Park under “Past Field Trips”. |
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 York River State Park trip photos by Phillip Merritt
For more York River State Park trip photos visit
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Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)
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| Potting Party in White Marsh April 1, 2010 | ||||||
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Members gathered at Joyce and Hayes Williams' place to pot and label the plants for the April 24th plant sale. The native plants were dug and divided from members' own yards and/or grown from seed. Volunteer helpers were Hayes Williams, Bill Morris, Jane Dixon, Edie Bradbury, Lucile Kossodo, and Zack Loesch (not pictured).
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Photo by Zack Loesch
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| Potting Party in Williamsburg March 30, 2010 | ||||||
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Hostess Ada Lou Turner opens her back yard and deck to members so they can pot and label plants for the upcoming plant sale.
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Kathi Mestayer, Liz Lowe and Patti Gray Potting party photos by Helen Hamilton
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Ada Lou Turner, Cynthia Long and Lucile Kossodo
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| Potting Party in Williamsburg/James City County March 25, 2010 | ||||||
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Chapter members meet at Al Davidoff's place to prepare for our annual plant sale, Plants Galore. Plants were potted early to be ready for buyers by the time of the April 24th sale. Participating were Al Davidoff, Helen Hamilton, Plant Sale Co-chair Lucile Kossodo, Sara Nugent and Carolyn Will.
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Sara Nugent, Al Davidoff and Plant Sale Co-chair Lucile Kossodo Photo by Helen Hamilton
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| Spring Wildflower Walk - Gloucester March 20, 2010 | ||||||
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Mary Hyde Berg led this fieldtrip to her Tripetala site.
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| Potting Party in Newport News March 20, 2010 | ||||||
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Charlotte Boudreau was the hostess of this potting party. Lots of fun was had by all and lots of plants were potted in preparation for the plant sale, Plants Galore.
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Charlotte Boudreau, Lucile Kossodo, Joan Ecthberger, Terri Cuthriell, Bharati Lakshmi and Cynthia Long |
Potting party photos by Denis Boudreau
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March Chapter Meeting: Landscaping with Ferns March 18, 2010
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Guest speaker Jim Orband, York County Extension Agent, talked about using ferns (many of them native) in the landscape. Ferns can be used as specimen plants as well as understory plants and are quite adaptable. Jim says, "Ferns are deciduous as well as evergreen with a palette of frond color that is very appealing in the garden." Isabella Downey, one of our Nature Camp 2009 Scholarship recipients, told us about her Camp experience. The meeting took place at the York County Library on Rt. 17 and Battle Rd. Refreshments were served.
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Guest speaker Jim Orband |
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Hayes Williams and president Helen Hamilton |
 March 18 meeting
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Isabella Downey, a Nature Camp 2009 Scholarship recipient
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| Chapter Mar.-Apr. 2010 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! March 2010 | ||||||
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color! To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia Mar.-Apr. 2009
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| 2010 Horticultural Extravaganza March 13, 2010 | ||||||
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Members volunteered at our chapter's display at York High School. The day long event included educational classes exhibits, horticultural clubs, plant sales, and experts. John Clayton chapter president Helen Hamilton presented "Gardening Relationships: Understanding the relationship and interdependencies of living organisms is very important to the success of your landscape." Member volunteers included Edie Bradbury, Helen Hamilton, Louise Menges and Jan Newton. (If your name got left off, please let Jan know!)
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| Nature Camp 2010 Scholarship Winners Jan. 2010 | ||||||
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John Clayton Chapter is pleased to announce the recipients of the scholarships for Summer 2010 sessions of Nature Camp at Vesuvius, Virginia in the George Washington National Forest. This year's scholarship winners are 10th grader Shannon Atkinson of Yorktown (Grafton H.S.), 6th grader Austin Beaulieu of Williamsburg (Norge Elementary), and 10th grader Billie Meacham of Williamsburg (Jamestown H.S.).
The scholarship committee was very pleased with all of the scholarship applications that were received this year and encourage all participants to enter the competition again next year!
These Nature Camp 2010 Scholarships are provided by the John Clayton Chapter, VNPS and the American Holly Society.
Click here for more information about Nature Camp.
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| Skunk Brunch: a Big Hit in Winter! Jan. 25, 2010 | ||||||
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About 35 participants met in the parking lot of the Christian Life Center on Longhill Road in Williamsburg for the Skunk Brunch led by Phillip Merritt. What a great way to cure cabin fever! Donuts, bagels, hot coffee and coca and fruit were served tail-gate style on the back of Phillip's pick-up truck. After an introduction to skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) and other plants nearby the group ventured down to the Longhill Swamp to see numerous blossoming skunk cabbages. Phillip brought a meat thermometer to measure the temperature of the ground in the middle of a clump of flowers and then a few of the participants decided that for comparison the temperature of the ground a foot or so away from the flowers should be measured. I don't think a difference of temperature was detected with our limited experiment! But, hey, if anyone wants to venture out in the mud again, they are welcome to conduct the experiment on a larger sample of specimens! Thank goodness for boots!
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Skunk Cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus
Trip leader Phillip Merritt gives an intro.
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Skunk Cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus
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Measuring the temp of a skunk cabbage clump |
 A look inside! |
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Skunk Cabbage, Symplocarpus foetidus
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| The Skunk Brunch photos below are by Phillip Merritt | ||||||
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Trip leader Phillip Merritt |
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Longhill Swamp
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January Chapter Meeting: The Effects of Coal on the Bay and Alternatives to Coal Jan. 21, 2010 |
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Guest speaker Emily Francis, Outreach & Advocacy Manager for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, discussed the effects of coal pollution on the health of the Bay, while our own Patti Gray, also of Williamsburg Climate Action Network, discussed the alternatives to coal. In addition, Summer Chambers, one of our Nature Camp 2009 Scholarship recipients, gave us an overview of her Camp experience. The meeting took place at the York County Library on Rt. 17 and Battle Rd. Refreshments were served.
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 Summer Chambers, a Nature Camp 2009 Scholarship recipient
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 Speakers Emily Francis and Patti Gray |
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| Chapter Jan.-Feb. 2010 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! Jan. 2010 | ||||||
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color! To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia Jan.-Feb. 2010
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Membership Reminder: Buy one get one free: when you join or renew your membership with any chapter of the VNPS during 2009, you can sign someone else up for a year membership for free! Join the John Clayton Chapter or renew your membership today! Membership Info.
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| Herbarium Tour Nov. 21, 2009 | |||||
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Beth Chambers, Curator at the College of William and Mary Herbarium, lead chapter members and guests on a tour of the College’s new herbarium. The herbarium, also known as WILLI, was founded in 1968. Gus Hall, the first director of the herbarium, was beaming with pride as he saw the progress the Herbarium has made! Donna Ware, the Curator prior to Beth, was present as well.
For more details of the Tour and the Herbarium, visit How It Grows, Phillip Merritt's Blog about plants and more! Herbarium Photos by Phillip Merritt |
Curator Beth Chambers |
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Mounted specimen - Euonymus americanus
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Rachel working |
Applying glue |
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Pressed New York Fern, Thelypteris noveboracensis
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Pressed Kentucky Lady Slippers, Cypripedium kentuckiense |
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Pressed Mountain Camellia, Stewartia ovata |
Looking at specimens |
Gus Hall
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| November Chapter Meeting: Flowers of Early America Nov. 19, 2009 | |||||
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Guest speaker Larry Griffith |
Guest speaker Larry Griffith, the curator of plants at Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, gave a beautiful presentation on the species treated in his book that was published last year: Flowers and Herbs of Early America. Gavin Baker, one of our Nature Camp 2009 Scholarship recipients, presented a report of his Camp studies and adventures. The meeting took place at the Main Street Library in Newport News. Refreshments were served. |
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Chapter President Helen Hamilton
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Gavin Baker, a Nature Camp 2009 Scholarship recipient
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| Chapter Nov.-Dec. 2009 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! Nov. 2009 | |||||
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color! To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia Nov.-Dec. 2009
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| Fall Foliage Walk - Sandy Bottom Nature Park Nov. 1, 2009 | |||||
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Phillip Merritt led a tour of fall foliage and wildflowers at Sandy Bottom Nature Park located at the corner of Hampton Roads Parkway (West) and Big Bethel Road, Hampton.
For more details and photos, visit Phillip's blog: www.howitgrows.com
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| Work Day at Melissa's Meadow Oct. 17, 2009 | |||||
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Cynthia Long and Bland Freeman headed a work day at Melissa's Meadow located adjacent to the parking lot of the McCormack/Nagelson indoor tennis center at the College of William and Mary, on South Henry Street. Work days are on-going on the third Thursday of the month during the growing season.
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| Grafton Ponds Plant Walk Oct. 13, 2009 | |||||
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Rebecca Wilson of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation led a small group on a field trip at the Grafton Ponds Natural Area Preserve in Newport News. We saw many species of seeding grasses and sedges, including little bluestem and nodding beaksedge, and a few wildflowers such as slender goldenrod, gerardia and Maryland golden asters. A few pictures taken by Jan Newton are below. For more photos and other details, visit Phillip Merritt's blog: http://www.howitgrows.com/2009/10/grafton-ponds.html.
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A globally rare sink-hole pond at Grafton Ponds Natural Area Preserve
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Slender Goldenrod
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Trip leader Rebecca Wilson pointing out Sourwood's oblong bole (trunk)
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Fetterbush |
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| Chapter Sept.-Oct. 2009 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! Sept. 2009 | |||||
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color! To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia Sept.-Oct. 2009
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| Chapter July-Aug. 2009 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! July 2009 | |||||
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color! To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia July-August 2009
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| Chapter May-June 2009 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! May 2009 | |||||
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color! To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia May-June 2009
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| Chapter March-April 2009 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! March 2009 | |||||
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color! To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia March-April 2009
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| Chapter Jan.-Feb. 2009 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! January 2009 | |||||
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color! To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia Jan.-Feb. 2009
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| Chapter Nov.-Dec. 2008 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! November, 2008 | |||||
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color! Please let me know if the newsletter takes a long time to open... Jan) Members wishing to receive a pdf copy of the Claytonia in full-color instead of receiving a black and white paper copy in the mail should email Louise Menges and give her their contact information, stating that they would like to receive a pdf copy of the Claytonia. The chapter is attempting to a go green by sending mostly electronic newsletters rather than using paper and gas to deliver a hard copy.
To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia Nov.-Dec. 2008 |
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| We have a New Mailing Address October, 2008 | |||||
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Please note our new mailing address: John Clayton Chapter of the VNPS, PO Box 1128, Williamsburg, VA 23187
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| Chapter Sept.-Oct. 2008 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! September, 2008 | |||||
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To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia Sept.-Oct. 2008
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| VNPS Annual Meeting Sept. 12-14, 2008 | |||||
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This year's state VNPS annual meeting, "The Potowmack Experience: Flora Along the Fall Line," was hosted by the Potowmack Chapter and featured guest speaker Jim Long. For more details read the September 2008 edition of The Bulletin. Also, chapter member Jan Newton wrote an article highlighting fieldtrips to the Great Falls National Park and to the Barcroft Magnolia Bog. The article appeared in the January 2009 chapter newsletter> Claytonia - January 2009. |
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| Great Falls National Park, Fairfax, VA Photos by Jan Newton | |||||
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Potomac River - Great Falls
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Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) |
Stiff Aster (Ionactis linariifolious) |
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Halberdleaf Rosemallow (Hibiscus laevis) |
Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans) |
Rock Goldenrod (Solidago racemosa)
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Stiff Aster (Ionactis linariifolious) |
Mystery Rock (Suspect Rock)
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Spurge (Euphorbia corollata) |
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Hop Hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)
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Hop Tree (Patelea trifoliata) |
Culver's Root (Veronicastrum virginicum) |
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Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) |
Mather Gorge
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Riverside Goldenrod (Solidago rupestris) |
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| Barcroft Magnolia Bog, Alexandria, VA | |||||
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Orange Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
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Primrose-leaved Violet (Viola primulifolia) |
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Siverrod (Solidago bicolor) |
Poison Sumac (Toxicodendron vernix)
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| College Creek Plant Walk August 30, 2008 | |||||
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A group of 20 participated as Phillip Merritt led us to see brackish marsh plants at the College Landing Park, located about a mile south of Colonial Williamsburg on South Henry Street. Seashore mallow, wild rice, climbing hempweed, partridge pea, and evening primrose were blooming, whereas persimmon trees were displaying young fruit. The walk was continued at the mouth of College Creek and the James River where purple love grass, marsh fleabane, winged sumac and partridge pea were in bloom.
Photos by Jan Newton unless noted |
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College Landing Park boardwalk |
 Big Cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides) |
 Partridge Pea (Chamaechrista fasciculata) with cloudless sulphur caterpillar |
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 Marsh Fleabane (Pluchea odorata) Photo by Phillip Merritt |
Winged Sumac (Rhus copallinum) |
Seashore (Marsh) Mallow (Kosteletzkya virginica) |
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 Trip leader Phillip Merritt identifies Groundsel Tree (Baccharis halimifolia). Photo by Linda Cole
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Long Leaf Pine (Pinus palutsris) |
 College Creek and James River |
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| Native Plants in the Landscape Walk and Talk August 21, 2008 | |||||
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Jan Newton led a walk to see fall-blooming plants at the Stonehouse Elementary School's Habitat off of Rochambeau Drive in Williamsburg. The Stonehouse Habitat was recently recognized by the National Wildlife Federation as a certified wildlife habitat. Blooming were Boltonia, cup plant, sweet goldenrod, coral and Clayton honeysuckles, cardinal flower, summer phlox, bee balm, blanket flower, Joe-Pye weed, soldier mallow and switchgrass.
False Aster (Boltonia asteroides)
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Cup Plant (Silphium perfoliatum) |
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Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium fistulosum) and Sweet Goldenrod (Solidago odora) blooming; Meadow Beauty (Rhexia virginica) seed pods
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 Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis) |
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| Williamsburg Farmer's Market July 26, 2008 | |||||
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Drought-tolerant native plants was the topic of the chapter's display at the Williamsburg Farmer's Market in Merchant's Square.
For story and more photos view
Photo by Louise Menges
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| July Chapter Meeting: Kansas Tallgrass Prairie Presentation July 17, 2008 | |||||
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40 members attended as chapter president Helen Hamilton presented a presentation, full of beautiful photos of wildflowers and prairies from the state VNPS fieldtrip to the National Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Chase County Kansas, the Konza Biological Station and Tallgrass Prairie, and the Coblentz Prairie Kansas.
For detailed story and more photos, please view Claytonia July-August 2008.
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 Ralph Will, Dorothy Geyer and Carolyn Will identifying plants in Kansas.
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 Longbract Spiderwort (Tradescantia bracteata)
Photos by Helen Hamilton |
 Bottomland National Trial, Kansas
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| Chapter July-August 2008 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! July, 2008 | |||||
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To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia July-August 2008
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| "Clothed" Tree Walk a Hit June 28, 2008 | |||||
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Dendrologist Dr. Stewart Ware led over 20 people on a native tree walk to see "clothed" trees along the Williamsburg/JCC Community Center Recreation Trail at 5301 Longhill Road. This was a continuation of the Nude Tree Walks which have been so popular in the winter. The group had fun differentiating the leaves, bark and overall shapes of trees wearing their summer duds.
Trip leader Stewart Ware talks about leaf characteristics of Northern Oak. |
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Stewart tells some interesting facts about American Holly (Ilex opaca)
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"Clothed" Tree Walk participants
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| Big Tree Drive-Around in Gloucester County June 12, 2008 | |||||
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Byron Carmean led a Big Tree Drive-Around through western Gloucester County.
For story and more photos view
Lucile Kossodo beside a very large Black Cherry (Prunus serotina) > Photos by Louise Menges |
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 Lucile Kossodo, Byron Carmean and Gary Williamson, who is hidden behind the tree, measure the circumference of the Gloucester Champion Southern Red Oak (Quercus falcata).
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 Under the State Champion Willow Oak (Quercus phellos) |
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| Chapter May-June 2008 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! May, 2008 | |||||
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Check out our newsletter, Claytonia, on-line in full-color! This edition of the newsletter has been emailed to members for whom we have an email address. If you did not receive an email copy of the newsletter, please email Louise Menges at ltmeng@verizon.net and let her know.
To view the on-line version of this newsletter click here> Claytonia May-June 2008
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| May Chapter Meeting/Picnic: New Quarter Park Walk May 4, 2008 | |||||
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The annual chapter picnic was held at New Quarter Park on Sunday this year. Plant Sale Chairman Patti Gray gave a report on the plant sale numbers and a discussion occurred as to whether or not the last week in April works for the plant sale. It was decided that, since the last two year's sales have been successful, the same weekend should be used in the future. Member Sara Nugent discussed the rapid development in greater Williamsburg area and announced a public gathering at the Williamsburg Regional Library on May 12, titled "Less is More." A walk in the park unveiled eight fern species and the blossoms of showy orchid, blackberry, cross vine, and rattlesnake weed. We also saw a black snake.
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 Showy Orchid (Galearis spectabilis)
< Blackberry
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| Earth Day Display at William and Mary April 19, 2008 | |||||
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Our chapter manned a display booth at the Earth Day celebration on the terrace of the University Center at the College of William and Mary. Thanks to Sara and Ray Nugent who erected the tent and talked with visitors, Patti Gray who brought plants for display and sale (free with a donation!) and Beth Chambers who added her expertise to the discussions.
Patti Gray took this picture of chapter president Helen Hamilton with the College's Interim President W. Taylor Reveley III.
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| Plant Sale (Plants Galore) a Success! April 26, 2008 | |||||
 This fundraiser would not be a success without the help of all of you! Thanks! Also thanks to these organizations in the community who provided essential -- and free -- help: Williamsburg Event Rentals, Colonial Williamsburg Nursery, Ken Matthews Nursery, Cooke’s Nursery, and Homestead Garden Center.
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This year's plant sale, Plants Galore, was held at the Williamsburg Community Building on N. Boundary Street, across the street from the Williamsburg Regional Library and was co-hosted with the JCC/Williamsburg Master Gardeners. Plant sale chairman Patti Gray reports that there were 430 buying customers and our proceeds were somewhat better than last year. We had lots of plants and lots of happy customers!
Thanks to all those members who grew plants from seed, hosted potting parties, took care of plants, divided and dug plants from their own yards, attended potting parties, helped with the planning, handled publicity, posted flyers, and/or helped the day of the sale. And thanks for those of you who purchased plants at the sale.
And a big thank you to Patti Gray for being the plant sale chairman! |
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Ada Lou Turner, Patrick Richardson and Phillip Merritt |
 Co-Chairs Becky Sutton and Patti Gray
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 Plants Galore Volunteers |
Plants Galore Volunteers
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| Dragon Run Paddle Trips April 13 and 15, 2008 | |||||
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Teta Kain, also known as the "Queen of the Dragon," has been leading kayak trips down the Dragon Run River for years in an attempt to educate folks about this special place. Dragon Run River is one of the most pristine waterways in Virginia and Teta and the non-profit organization "Friends of the Dragon" wish to keep it that way. On April 13, 15 and 27 members of our chapter joined Teta and other guides as they took us down the Dragon. On the April 27 trip Jan Newton reports that among the blooming plants were featherfoil, spatterdock, fetterbush, pinxter flower, and pink lady slippers.
For more information about Dragon Run and the Friends of the Dragon visit their web site: Friends of Dragon Run. (Note: if you get a password box, just click on cancel and you should be able to enter the site)
The following Dragon Run photos are by John Clayton member Ronnie Cohen.
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Featherfoil |
Trip leader Teta Kain |
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Lucile Kossodo, Libbey Oliver, Martha and Gary Smith
Photos by Ronnie Cohen
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Martha and Gary Smith
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Native Plant Projects at New Quarter Park April 2008 |
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Several work days took place in April as the educational native plant trail and the Bobwhite quail habitat restoration projects got underway. Members of the John Clayton Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society and the Historic Rivers Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists are working together on the education trail, and the Williamsburg Bird Club is partnering with both organizations on the Bobwhite habitat project.
The John Clayton Chapter has joined forces with several organizations to work on two native plant projects in New Quarter Park in York County, Williamsburg.
The first of these projects is to restore a Bobwhite quail habitat in an existing meadow which is primarily grass covered and mowed regularly. Our Chapter, the Historic Rivers Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalists, and the Williamsburg Bird Club are working together to plant some native meadow plants, to clear out some of the alien invasives and to allow the meadow to grow naturally to provide the preferred cover habitat for the birds. The plan would be to mow the area only once a year to keep trees from growing in the meadow. During several work days in April John Clayton members helped plant blue stem grass and broom sedge donated by Cynthia Long and some invasives were cleared from the exterior of the meadow. John Clayton volunteers working on the Bobwhite project include Laurie Houghland, Cynthia and Bob Long, and Carolyn and Ralph Will.
The second project at the park is the development of an educational native plant trail. Invasive plants are being removed from the area and native plants are being rescued from on and along other trails in the park. Plant identification labels will be installed. The John Clayton Chapter is co-partnering with the Historic Rivers Chapter on this trail project. The York County Parks and Recreation Department is also working with the organizations on both projects.
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 Patty Riddick, Larry Riddick (Historic Rivers Chapter, Virginia Master Naturalists), Carolyn Will, Ralph Will (John Clayton Chapter, Virginia Native Plant Society), and Alice Kopinitz and Seig Kopinitz (Williamsburg Bird Club and Historic Rivers Chapter, Virginia Master Naturalists)
Photo by Sara Lewis |
 Carolyn Will, Laurie Houghland, Larry Robertshaw and Ralph Will
Photo by Helen Hamilton |
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| Chapter April-May 2008 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! April , 2008 | ||||||
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As a way of going green and doing our part for the environment the chapter newsletter, Claytonia, is now on-line and can be found under Newsletter. Members are encouraged to contact Phillip Merritt with their email address or email changes so that they will receive a pdf copy of the newsletter. Members choosing to continue receiving a paper version of the Claytonia should contact Phillip Merritt to let him know of their choice to do so. Phillip can be reached at phillipmerritt@hotmail.com.
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| Native Plants in the Landscape Walks April 11 and May 3, 2008 | ||||||
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Jan Newton led two walks in the Stonehouse Elementary Habitat that focused on native plants in the landscape. The Habitat was planted to benefit wildlife, especially birds and butterflies, and serves as an outdoor classroom. When designing the garden, the height and width of the plants at maturity, and their moisture and light requirements, as well as their texture and overall shape were taken into measure. Seasonal interest was also kept in mind, considering bloom time and color, summer and fall foliage color, and berries, grasses and evergreens for winter interest. The Habitat contains over 70 species of small trees, shrubs, perennials and ferns. Wild blue phlox (Phlox divaricata), wild bleeding heart (Dicentra exima), creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera), Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica), dwarf iris (Iris verna) and golden ragwort (Packera aurea (Senecio aureus)) were in bloom on April 11. Whereas bluestar, blue-eyed grass, Small's ragwort, wild bleeding heart, foam flower and wild columbine were blooming on the May 3 walk. (The Jamestown lilies bloomed in between the two scheduled walks!)
The Stonehouse Elementary School Habitat is located at 3651 Rochambeau Drive in Williamsburg. The wildlife habitat is used as an outdoor classroom. The Habitat is wheelchair accessible.
Public viewing is allowed during non-school hours M-F (after 3:30pm) and all day on weekends. Call Jan Newton for private tours: (757)566-3646.
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Golden Ragwort (Packera aurea (Senecio aureus))
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Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
Photos by Jan Newton |
Wild Bleeding Heart (Dicentra exima)
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Potting Parties March 25, 27 and April 1 and 9, 2008 |
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Several potting parties were held in March and April to dig, divide and/or pot plants in preparation for Plants Galore, our annual plant sale co-hosted with the JCC/Williamsburg Master Gardeners (See Plant Sale news above, April 26, 2008). Potting parties were hosted by Cynthia and Bob Long, Jan Newton, Sid and Sylvia Sterling and Ada Lou Turner.
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 Callie Newton, Helen Hamilton and Lucile Kossodo at Jan Newton's Potting Party (4/9/08)
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 Lucile Kossodo, Jan Newton and Dorothy Whitfield at Jan Newton's Potting Party (3/25/08) |
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 Pat Gibbs, Lucile Kossodo, Bob Long, Martha Smith and Cynthia Long at one of the Long's Potting Parties
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 Martha Smith and Cynthia Long going green by re-using plastic containers |
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| Spring Wildflower Walk - Summerfield March 22, 2008 | ||||||
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Mary Hyde Berg led a walk at her home site, Summerfield, in Gloucester County. The walk began in Mary’s naturalized front yard where red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia), Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens), blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium), black cherry, wild columbines and common blue violets were blooming. In the wooded area of the property dogwood, heartleaf ginger and pink lady slippers were in bloom. Marsh blue violet, lady smocks (Cardamine bulbosa), and blisterwort (Ranunculus recurvatus) were flowering near a brook. Blooming along the roadside were pinxter flower, red chokeberry, dogwood and an impressive stand of wild lupines (Lupinus spp). Bracken fern, rattlesnake (Botrychium virginianum) and adder’s tongue were among the eight fern species spotted.
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 Mark Chittenden, Gloria Heizler, Susan Chittenden, Mary Berg (trip leader) and Kathleen Kamper
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 Adder's Tongue Fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum) |
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 Blisterwort (Ranunculus recurvatus) |
 Wild Lupine (Lupinus spp.)
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Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia)
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 Heartleaf Ginger (Hexastylis virginica)
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| Spring Wildflower Walk - Tripetala March 16, 2008 | ||||||
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Due to an overcast sky and unusual spring weather, the walk on March 16 to Mary Berg’s Tripetala site proved to be slightly early in terms of seeing the bloodroot and hepatica carpeting the woodland. We did, however, see a few opened bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) blossoms and a few liverworts (Hepatica americana) were showing their beautiful little faces. We also saw many toothworts (Cardamine concatenata) and moneyworts (Obolaria virginica) in bloom. A box turtle was found by Callie, daughter of Jan and Jim Newton. Two fledgling American woodcocks were almost stepped on as their mother tried to act as a decoy, flying off in the opposite direction. The group was impressed with the numerous umbrella magnolia trees (Magnolia tripetala), the tree for which the site was named. Mary reports that the tripetala are blooming as I am writing this article on May 6th. After the walk my family and I went to Mary’s home to see her goats and were delighted to see Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) in full bloom.
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 Moneywort (Obolaria virginica) |
 Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata)
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 Yellow Jessamine Vine (Gelsemium sempervirens) |
 Trip leader Mary Hyde Berg (Photo by Phillip Merritt)
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 Box Turtle |
 Callie Newton
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Fledgling American Woodcock (Photo by Phillip Merritt)
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Liverwort (Hepatica americana)
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| March Chapter Meeting: Mountaintop Removal: March 20, 2008 Its affects on Plants, Animals and Humans | ||||||
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Guest speaker Hannah Morgan of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN) and the South Appalachian Mountain Stewarts (SAMS) gave a presentation about the destruction and pollution that is caused by mountaintop removal occurring in southwest Virginia. Mountaintop removal uses explosives to blast the tops off of mountains to get to the coal below. The ground that was blown up is then dumped into the valleys below, filling them up and blocking the streams and rivers that were there. The coal is washed on site and the contaminated water, called sludge, is then stored in lakes on top of the flattened mountain and held in by dams. One such dam broke in Kentucky causing a larger environmental disaster than did the Exxon-Valdese oil spill in 1972. The powerful and rich coal and power companies were able to keep this news from reaching the national media! Hannah also discussed the pollution and damage that will be caused by the coal-fired power plant that Dominion Power is proposing to build in Wise County, Virginia, Hannah's home. The plant, called the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center, will spew 5.4 million tons of CO2 into our atmosphere annually and, according to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), will be one of Virginia's largest air polluters. This plant will also release mercury and sulfur dioxide (acid rain) into the atmosphere. Guest speaker Maureen Lynch of the Williamsburg Climate Action Network (WCAN) spoke about global warming and what each of us can do in our own homes and businesses to help fight global warming.
Jan Newton reports that, according to the Nature Conservancy, the Southern Appalachians in Southwestern Virginia is one of the most biological diverse regions in the country and is home to numerous rare and threatened species. The ecosystems in the Clinch, Holston, and Powell watersheds which run through Wise County are of particular concern. These rivers of the Tennessee River system harbor more at-risk fish and mussel species than any other river in the nation, as well as the highest concentration of imperiled species in the mainland United States. Coal mining and burning would endanger and, in some cases, destroy these wildlife habitats and the species that live in and around these rivers.
Jan and the VNPS encourage all members to write legislators and members of the DEQ and encourage them not to say NO to dirty coal plants and STOP mountaintop removal for the health of the plants and animals of Virginia and the planet. Visit some of the web sites below to find out how you can do more.
For more information about and images of mountaintop removal visit the following sites:
For more information about the Williamsburg Climate Action Network and what you can do to help fight global warming, visit this site: |
 Guest speakers Maureen Lynch and Hannah Morgan
Mountaintop removal uses an explosive mixture of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil, commonly called ANFO, the same explosive was used in the Oklahoma City bombing. Communities located near mountaintop removal sites have reported their homes bombarded with rocks and other dangerous projectiles from blasting. Many foundations to homes have been cracked from the shaking of the ground.
Black Mountain is one of the most horrific strip sites in Wise County, Virginia. That specific site sits directly above the coal camp Inman, which is where in 2004 3-year-old Jeremy Davidson was killed by a boulder being pushed over from the site.
VNPS passes resolution against the proposed Coal Plant in Wise County, Virginia The Virginia Native Plant Society recently passed a resolution against the building of the coal-fired power plant (known as the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center) in Wise County on the grounds that its pollution would endanger plants in the region and that the coal plant would encourage more mountaintop removal which destroys habitats and their inhabitants. |
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| Nude Tree Walk - Back By Popular Demand! February 9, 2008 | ||||||
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Despite the cold, over 50 participants enjoyed dendrologist Dr. Stewart Ware as he led them through the mysteries of bark and twigs during the nude tree walk held on the campus of Eastern State Hospital in Williamsburg. Oddly enough the most abundant tree in Virginia, the tulip poplar, was not spotted at this site, so Dr. Ware and his wife, Donna Ware, passed out twig samples of the tree for examination and discussion. This was most helpful and interesting. The nude tree walk is the chapter's most popular walk and, in fact, the attendance was so large this year that the registrants were divided into two groups and a second walk was added. We plan on offering a 'clothed' tree walk in the summer. Stay tuned to "Fieldtrips and Events."
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Trip leader Dr. Stewart Ware |
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| John Clayton Botany Award: Ingrid Jahn Honored January 17, 2008 | ||||||
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John Clayton chapter native plant enthusiast, Ingrid Jahn, was honored with the John Clayton Botany Award during the January meeting of the John Clayton Chapter, Virginia Native Plant Society. Jahn received the award for her devotion to rescuing native plants that are endangered by development and relocating them into other habitats and gardens where they enrich lives through their educational and aesthetic values. Chapter members Carolyn and Ralph Will, who work with Jahn in rescuing plants, received the same award at a previous meeting.
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 Ingrid Jahn (on left) receiving the botany award from chapter vice-president Donna Ware. |
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| January Chapter Meeting: Ancient Tree Talk January 17, 2008 | ||||||
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For an audience of nearly 70, big-tree hunter Byron Carmean gave a presentation about Gary Williamson's and his discovery of an ancient water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica) and an ancient bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) in a swamp forest located near Courtland, Virginia in Southampton County. Byron reported that these trees are 1500 years old (and maybe as old as 2500 years) and that there is a forest full of these big trees. In a recent visit to the site, eight John Clayton chapter members where able to enter the cavernous hollows that had formed in some of these ancient trees and found themselves dwarfed by the height of the cypress knees! The meeting was held at the James City/Williamsburg Community Center located at 5301 Longhill Road in Williamsburg.
For pictures and links for Cypress Bridge old-growth forest scroll down to "Cypress Bridge," October 29, 2007. |
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| Nature Camp Scholarship Competition - Now Closed January - February, 2008 | ||||||
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The John Clayton Chapter is now considering candidates for scholarships for Summer 2008 sessions of Nature Camp at Vesuvius, Virginia. The deadline for scholarship essay submission is February 29th. Click here for Details.
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| Chapter January 2008 Newsletter, Claytonia is ON-LINE! January 11, 2008 | ||||||
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As a way of going green our chapter newsletter, Claytonia, is now on-line and can be found under Newsletter.
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| November Chapter Meeting: Sustainable Agriculture November 15, 2007 | ||||||
Pictured are Libbey Oliver, holding a commemorative poster for the Farmers’ Market, and Gloria Diggs, showing the canvas tote bag. Both items can be obtained at the Williamsburg Farmers’ Market. |
Libbey Oliver, the manager of the Williamsburg Farmers’ Market, was the speaker for the November meeting of the John Clayton chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society. Oliver spoke on the environmental and health benefits of sustainable agriculture in our area and nationwide. She stressed the importance of buying local and supporting our local farmers. Gloria Diggs provided refreshments made from nuts, vegetables and herbs that she grew. The next date for the Williamsburg Farmers’ Market is February 9. For more info visit www.williamsburgfarmersmarket.com or call (757)259-3768. |
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| 2007-2009 Officers Announced November 2007 | ||||||
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The chapter is delighted to announce that the previous slate of legislative officers is returning to serve another two-year term. Thanks to the 2005-2007 officers and committee chairs for a job well done. The chapter is back and growing strongly now! There have been a few changes in the Committee Chairs and an updated list can be found under Contacts.
President: Helen Hamilton Vice-President: Donna Ware Secretary: Mary Turnbull Treasurer: Hayes Williams |
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| Cypress Bridge Old Growth Forest Walks October 29 and November 4, 2007 | ||||||
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Patsy Wells reports that members of the John Clayton Chapter traveled south in October to an old-growth forest, known as Cypress Bridge, located in an often flooded slough or inlet of the Nottoway River near Courtland Virginia. The walk was led by Byron Carmean of Suffolk, a retired school teacher and now a "big tree hunter." The old growth forest which is owned by International Paper covers about 40 acres and has trees that are believed to be more than 1500 years old. Patsy says, "the pictures can't describe how it feels to be standing (with very wet legs and feet) near one of these ancient trees. Byron is a delightful speaker and told us amazing details about the life cycle of the Tupelo and Cypress trees. This is a trip worth taking."
In November another group of John Clayton members joined Teta Kain and her Friends of Dragon Run buddies on an identical trip to Cypress Bridge.
Below are links for additional reading and photos about the Cypress Bridge Old Growth Forest. http://www.flickr.com/photos/claytonsnatives/
http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/virginia/files/vasouthernrivers.pdf For more about Big Trees of Virginia visit http://www.cnr.vt.edu/4H/BIGTREE/ |
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Phillip Merritt, Mary Turnbull, Donna Ware and Louise Menges standing at base of "Big Mama," an ancient bald cypress (Taxodium distichum). Note height of cypress knees!
Photos above and to the right by Phillip Merritt
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Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum) |
Anybody home? Donna Ware and Louise Menges check out the cavity in an ancient water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica). |
 Check out height of cypress knees (above)!
Photos (above and center) by Patsy Wells
Click here |
 "Big Mama," an ancient bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) |
 Byron Carmean, Lucile Kossodo and Diane Sullivan
Photo above by Helen Hamilton
Click here > to see more Cypress Bridge photos by Helen |
| Chapter Newsletter, Claytonia is Now ON-LINE! October 2007 | |||||||||||||||||
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In an attempt to become more green and to do our part for the environment the chapter newsletter, Claytonia, is now on-line. The October-December 2007 Claytonia is our premiere on-line edition and can be found under Newsletter. Members are encouraged to contact Helen Hamilton with their email address so that they will receive a notice of the quarterly postings of the newsletter. Starting with the January-March 2008 edition, members will receive an email announcement indicating that the current newsletter has been posted to the chapter web site, www.claytonvnps.org. Members choosing to continue receiving a paper version of the Claytonia should contact Helen Hamilton to let her know of their choice to do so. Helen can be reached at helen44@earthlink.net, (757)564-4494, or by mailing her at 952 Wood Duck Commons, Williamsburg, VA 23188. |
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| Scouts Learn about Native Plants October 20, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||
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Members of the John Clayton Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society and the Williamsburg/James City County Master Gardener Association manned a display booth on October 20 at the Boy Scout Expedition held at Chickahominy Riverfront Park in Williamsburg. Scouts and their troop leaders learned about the benefits of native plants and the damage to native habitats by invasive plants. John Clayton president Helen Hamilton reports that "this outreach was very effective. Most of the adults and scouts were not aware of the invasive character of tree-of-heaven, stiltgrass, English ivy and Japanese honeysuckle, and of the variety of native plants looking good in late October." Thanks to members Helen Hamilton, Judy Hansen and Sara Nugent who staffed the tables.
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Judy Hansen educating Troop 41 scouts from Windsor, Virginia.
Photos by Helen Hamilton (above and right) |
Sara Nugent manning display at Chickahominy Riverfront Park
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Judy Hansen informing scouts about native plants |
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The VNPS Annual Meeting: "Where the Water Meets the Land" was a Big Success! September 14-16, 2007 |
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With nearly 160 participants, 14 field trips and 11 presentations in addition to the keynote speaker, the 2007 Annual Meeting/Conference, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the VNPS, was the best ever according to John Clayton Chapter president Helen Hamilton! The conference took place on the campus of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) in Gloucester Point and was co-hosted by VIMS and our own chapter. Thanks to Leslie Herman for arranging the partnership with VIMS and starting the ball rolling. Also thanks to Jan Newton, Shaune Reams, Lucile Kossodo and Cynthia Long who, on the way home from last year's annual meeting in Staunton, came up with many of the preliminary ideas and names of speakers and fieldtrip locations. So many fabulous fieldtrips and terrific presentations were offered that folks had a dilemma when trying to choose their schedules. The actual 25th VNPS annual meeting was celebrated on September 15 at the Freight Shed on the Riverfront in Yorktown with a delicious catered buffet. A raffle held during the meeting raised $350 towards 2008 Nature Camp scholarships.
We would like to give a BIG THANK YOU to all of the speakers and fieldtrip leaders, as well as to those of you who volunteered in so many ways to organize and run such an event. We are also proud that so many of our own members attended the conference. For more details of the conference schedule and events, including a list of the conference speakers and fieldtrip descriptions, please click here > "2007 State Conference." |
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Happy 25th Anniversary VNPS! |
Cynthia Long receiving the John Clayton Botany Award cup from Libbey Oliver |
VNPS president Sally Anderson and John Clayton Chapter president Helen Hamilton |
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VNPS Annual Meeting: dinner held at the Freight Shed in Yorktown |
More Annual Meeting pictures coming by Dec.
For more information about Annual Meeting/Conference 2007 see October 2007 newsletter (Claytonia)
For more Dragon Run Trip pictures visit |
Dragon Run Trip Photo by Phillip Merritt |
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| Farmer's Market: Invasive Plants and Their Alternatives August 18, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||
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John Clayton members manned a display booth at the Williamsburg Farmer's Market on Merchants Square in Williamsburg from 8-11am. The focus was on non-native invasive plants. Information on look-a-likes and native alternatives was presented and samples of invasives as well as native flowers in bloom were on display. Coloring activities were available for children, as well. The booth had numerous visitors and was appreciated by many. Thanks to Mary Turnbull, Beth Chambers, Carol Ann Elliot and Jan Newton for volunteering for this outreach and educational activity.
Beth Chambers, Mary Turnbull and Carol Ann Elliot > |
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| Big Tree Drive Around Gloucester July 21, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||
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Mary Berg reports that Byron Carmean, one of the Big Tree Guys, led twenty tree lovers on a drive to big tree sites in eastern Gloucester County on July 21. While at beautiful White Marsh plantation Byron explained the measurement and ranking of trees. Among the big trees seen at this site were the state champion Ginkgo biloba planted in 1820 and a good sized pawpaw, Asimina triloba that was rich with fruit. Zion Poplars Baptist, the first black church in Gloucester, was the next stop. The group saw the historic and curious poplar tree which fell long ago, and had, before the Civil War, sent up seven trunks, which made a mystical number and an inviting site for blacks to worship.
The next stop (the former Hinkle property, next to Andrews funeral home on Business Rt. 17) featured the state champion horse chestnut, Aesculus hippocastanea, a Greek species related to the American buckeye, and, like it, having a poisonous seed. On the way to Ware Neck, the tour paused near the site (excavated and re-interred) of the first Ware Church, which burned in the early 1700s, to see a row of splendid oak trees, mostly Quercus pagoda, cherry bark, and black Q, velutina, with some water oak, Q. nigra.
The last stop was deep in Ware Neck where a productive fig bush grows. As a woody species Ficus is ranked even as oak, pine, and cypress. The owners of this large fig bush led us to the long sought state champion Ficus carica nearby. Several planned stops were left undone, and it was generally agreed we would want to do this again.
Please call Byron Carmean at 1-757/934-0588. if you know of a likely candidates for a “remarkable tree." |
 Mary Berg in front of a big ash tree. Photo by David Girard |
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| Farmer's Market: Invasive Plants and Their Alternatives July 21, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||
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John Clayton members manned a display booth at the Williamsburg Farmer's Market on Merchants Square in Williamsburg from 8-11am. The focus was on non-native invasive plants. Information on look-a-likes and native alternatives was presented and samples of invasives as well as native flowers in bloom were on display. Coloring activities were available for children, as well. The booth had numerous visitors and was appreciated by many. Thanks to Helen Hamilton, Beth Chambers, Kathi Mestayer and Jan Newton for volunteering for this outreach and educational activity. |
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| July Chapter Meeting: Spring Wildflowers of the Blue Ridge July 19, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||
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Ann Messick of the Northern Neck Chapter of VNPS presented a delightful slide show featuring her photographs of mountain plants and Blue Ridge Mountain scenes during our July 19th meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Yorktown Public Library on U.S. Rt. 17 at Battle Road. Trillium, goldenseal, Oconee Bells, gay-wings, dwarf ginseng, and bishop’s cap, will be among the species shown. She also highlighted some “critters” and other aspects of mountain slopes, such as types of rustic fencing.
Donna Ware tells us that Ann was a devoted member of the John Clayton chapter for many years, faithfully traveling the distance from her home in Kilmarnock on the Northern Neck to participate in our meetings and programs. About five years ago, with mentoring by the Sterlings and Lorna Wass, she was instrumental in founding the Northern Neck chapter and served as its first president. She also played a key role in the successful effort to save the Cabin Swamp area on the Northern Neck from development. |
Guest speaker Ann Messick with Mary Hyde Berg |
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| Book Donation in Honor of Dr. Jay Andrews July 19, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||
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On behalf of the John Clayton chapter, member Sid Sterling presented a book in memory of Dr. Jay Andrews to the Yorktown Library on July 19. Dr. Andrews, who was a charter member of the John Clayton chapter and an oyster scientist at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, helped the chapter in many ways to promote and conserve native plants and to educate the public about the benefits of planting native. The book, titled “With Paintbrush and Shovel: Preserving Virginia’s Wildflowers/Watercolors by Bessie Niemeyer Marshall,” was written by Nancy Kober along with chapter vice-president Donna Ware acting as botanical consultant. If you haven’t read or browsed the book yet, you can now buy it or check it out from the Yorktown Library. It is a wonderful story with beautiful wildflower paintings!
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| Freedom Park Plant Walks May 15, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||
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Chapter vice-president Donna Ware led two walks through the woodlands at Freedom Park in Williamsburg on May 15. During the morning walk chapter members and guests saw twelve species of ferns, as well as blooming green adder’s mouth (Malaxis unifolia), lily-leaved twayblade (Liparis liliifolia), and pink lady slipper (Cypripedium acaule) orchids. Additional species observed by participants in the afternoon walk included foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) and puttyroot orchid (Aplectrum hyemale). |
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| GreenHaven Native Plant Walk May 3, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||
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On the drizzly afternoon of
May 3, Dr. Donna Ware led chapter members and guests on a
walk at the GreenHaven VNPS Registry Site, a Pictured from the left are Tanya Wilson, Patti Gray, Wayne Moyer, Dorothy Whitfield, Martha Smith, and Donna Ware. |
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| Plant Sale a Huge Success April 29, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||
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This year's plant sale was held at the Williamsburg Community Building on N. Boundary Street, across the street from the Williamsburg Regional Library. Plant sale chairman Patti Gray reports that "Thanks to the efforts of so many members, our first attempt at a plant sale in Williamsburg in partnership with the Master Gardeners was very successful. There were over 530 sales that day, and many people expressed their appreciation for a local sale with such fine quality and reasonably priced plants...[JCC treasurer] Hayes Williams noted that the amount raised was about average for our sales the last few years, but all in one day, instead of 2 weekends!"
Patti thanks all of the volunteers who appeared for planning sessions, potting sessions, and the day of the sale activities and emphasizes that they were "essential wheels in the engine of success." She "thanks Helen Hamilton and Cynthia Long for helping in the early planning stages, Jan Newton for an amazing ability to keep the media interested, and those people who hosted potting sessions and then nurtured those fledgling plants –Sylvia and Sid Sterling, Ada Lou Turner, and Charlotte Boudreau." She also gives "much gratitude to those who individually raised and presented plants – John McCloskey, Sylvia and Sid, Cynthia Long, and Lorna Wass."
Organizations in the community who provided essential -- and free-- help were—Williamsburg Event Rentals, Colonial Williamsburg Nursery, Ken Matthews Nursery, Cooke’s Nursery, and Homestead Garden Center.
Mark your calendar for next year... 2008 Plant Sale will be on Saturday, April 26th! |
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Virginia Native Plants - T-Shirt April 2007 |
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Jan Newton, with the help of Lucile Kossodo and
Helen Hamilton,
For more details call Jan Newton at (757)566-3646 or click on "T-shirts."
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| State VNPS Native Plant Walk at York River State Park April 28, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||
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Botanist Donna Ware, John Clayton chapter's vice-president, led a six-hour native plant walk in York River State Park in James City County on Saturday, April 28. The walk was one of several state-wide fieldtrips sponsored by the VNPS. Highlights of the walk were seeing the 400-year old Majestic Oak, a white oak tree (Quercus alba) and yellow lady slippers. John Clayton president Helen Hamilton led a native grass walk at YRSP that day as well.
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| John Clayton Office Site Plant Walk April 14, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||
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Sandy Pait led a native plant walk at the office site of colonial botanist John Clayton on April 14. The Gloucester County site included woods, cypress swamp and planted gardens. Among the blooming plants were Virginia bluebells and mottled ginger.
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| Christopher Newport University's Garden Symposium April 21, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||
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John Clayton members volunteered at the Christopher Newport University's Garden Symposium on April 21. Members handed out brochures and information about native plants, water-wise gardening and alternatives to alien invasive plants. |
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Chapter president Helen Hamilton and Charlotte Boudreau |
Brenda Sullivan and Gloria Diggs |
Charlotte Boudreau |
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| Potting Parties: Preparations for Plants Galore March/April 2007 | |||||||||||||||||
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Ada Lou's Potting Party (3/26/07): from left: Lucile Kossodo, Ada Lou Turner, Patti Gray and Cynthia Long.
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 Ada Lou's Potting Party (3/26/07): from left: Lucile Kossodo, Cynthia Long (holding a Jamestown lily) and Ada Lou Turner. |
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Charlotte's Potting Party (3/31/07): from left: Callie Newton, Lucile Kossodo, Jan and Jim Newton, Gloria Diggs, and Charlotte Boudreau.
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Potted plants from Ada Lou's Potting Party (3/26/07) | Ada Lou's Potting Party (3/26/07): Jan Newton wearing John Clayton Chapter's new t-shirt, "Virginia Native Plants" | |||||||||||||||
| Nature Camp Scholarships Awarded March 2007 | |||||||||||||||||
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Callie Houghland of Williamsburg, age 11, and John Lingenfelser of Gloucester, age 10, have each been awarded $700 scholarships to Nature Camp, a coeducational summer camp specializing in natural history and environmental science for youth. Nature Camp is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Rockbridge County and is one of the oldest camps of its kind in the country. The John Clayton Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society and the Holly Society work together to provide these scholarships and are proud to sponsor these two young people at Nature Camp. Proceeds from the annual plant sale, Plants Galore, help the John Clayton Chapter provide scholarships like these, as well as fund other conservation and educational projects and activities. |
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Herbarium Tour March 27, 2007 |
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Curator Emeritus Donna Ware (chapter vice-president) and current Curator Beth Chambers
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John Clayton members visited the herbarium of the College of William and Mary, on March 27. The herbarium, known as “WILLI,” was founded in 1969 and houses over 79,000 pressed plant specimens, including one of the largest collections of native Virginia coastal plain flora. The herbarium serves the local community and the scientific community at large with its repository of pressed flora specimens and their accompanying information of habitat location, collection date, and identification. |
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March Chapter Meeting: Powhatan Indian Native Plant Uses March 15, 2007 |
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Guest speaker Lisa L. Heuvel of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation presented a program on “Exploring the Powhatan Indian Landscape: 1607-2007” during the chapter's January 15 meeting held at the York County Library on Rt. 17 in Yorktown. The presentation covered seventeenth-century Powhatan Indian plant uses from both colonial and modern perspectives. Native plants discussed included tuckahoe (Peltandra virginica), groundnuts (Apios americana), and bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadense). There were over 50 in attendance and refreshments were served, as usual.
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Cynthia Long presents guest speaker Lisa Huevel with native sunflowers (Helianthus simulans) grown from seed. |
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Guest speaker Lisa Huevel
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 March 15, 2007 Meeting |
 Betsy Guckeyson provides refreshments |
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| Nude Tree Walk February 18, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||
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Dendrologist Dr. Stewart Ware led a Nude Tree Walk sponsored by the John Clayton chapter on February 18. Despite the cold weather, over forty participants learned how to distinguish one bare tree from another by looking at bark, twig and bud differences. The tree walk took place along the woods bordering the Williamsburg/James City County Community Center on Longhill Road. |
 Trip leader Dr. Stewart Ware |
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January Chapter Meeting: Tree Leaf Shape Workshop January 18, 2007 |
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During the January 18 meeting, guest speaker Dr. Stewart Ware, Biology Professor at William and Mary, led a workshop on Tree Leaf Shape. Fall leaves had been collected and frozen to offer fresh leaves for the workshop. Participants learned how leaf shape is not purely decorative. Dr. Ware noted that "variation in leaf shape...is closely linked with leaf function, the pinkings, scallops, and reinforced “seams” providing some advantage." Sometimes the advantage is to let sun light beyond the upper most leaves, allowing leaves within and/or on lower branches to receive sun light. Dr. Ware added, "These shapes provide an advantage for humans, also, for they help us to identify trees even when we have no flowers or fruit to help us." The meeting took place at the York County Public Library on Rt. 17 and Battle Rd., Yorktown. |
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Guest speaker Dr. Stewart Ware |
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| November Chapter Meeting: Save the Crow's Nest November 16, 2006 | |||||||||||||||||
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Nancy Barker, Environmental Manager for the consulting firm Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. in Williamsburg, gave a presentation about the Crow's Nest Peninsula during the chapter's November 16 meeting held at the York County Library on Rt. 17 in Yorktown. Barker discussed the habitats and rare plants and animals of the mostly undisturbed mature forest and coastal area and stressed the fact that the 3,000 acre property is threatened by development and logging. To learn more about the Crow's Nest Peninsula, located in Stafford County, log onto www.savecrowsnest.com.
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 Guest Speaker Nancy Barker |
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| John Clayton Chapter Celebrates Birthday! September 21, 2006 | |||||||||||||||||
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The John Clayton Chapter celebrated its 22 birthday during its Annual Meeting and Potluck held at the Freight Shed in Yorktown on September 21, 2006. Guest speaker Teta Kain, also known as the 'Queen of the Dragon,' gave a presentation of the plants and animals of Dragon Run, a river on the Middle Peninsula. Kain leads kayak expeditions along the river and notes that spring and fall are particularly good times to visit the Dragon. Guided expeditions fill up quickly, so register far in advance. Two student scholarship recipients and participants in Nature Camp, Cody Adams and Victoria Respess, gave presentations of their camp experiences from this summer. |
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Annual Meeting Awards Presentation September 21, 2006 |
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During the annual meeting of the John Clayton chapter on September 21, prestigious awards were given to several members. The John Clayton Cup was awarded to Lorna Wass for devoted service to the chapter since its inception in 1984. John Clayton Botany Awards were given to Ralph and Carolyn Will and to Ingrid Jahn for rescuing native plants that are endangered by development and relocating them into gardens where they enrich lives through their educational and aesthetic values. A John Clayton Botany Award was also given to Lisa and Robert Harper for their archaeological excavations in search of colonial botanist John Clayton's home site.
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 Lorna Wass and presenter Sid Sterling |
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John Clayton Chapter of the VNPS, P.O. Box 1128, Williamsburg, VA 23187, www.claytonvnps.org
walk at the Olive Branch Christian Church in
Toano. The woodland habitat featured a 320 year-old white oak,
twin 200 year-old tulip poplars and nine species of ferns, as
well as Solomon’s seal, Solomon’s plume (false Solomon’s seal),
climbing hydrangea, wild petunia, and lizard’s tail. Two ferns
to note were the abundant rattlesnake fern (Botrychium
virginianum) and the large specimens of sensitive fern (Onoclea
sensibilis). The site, rich in calcareous soil due to
fossil shells leftover from the Yorktown Formation, also
contains spice bush, Jack-in-the-pulpit, pawpaw, perfoliate
bellwort, and golden ragwort.
tract of land owned by Wayne and Dolores Moyer in Norge,
James City County. At the bottom of a slippery slope the group found
native dwarf ginseng (Panax trifolius) and American dog
violet (Viola labradorica), as well as yellow bellwort (Uvularia
sessilifolia), spring beauty (Claytonia virginica), water
hemlock (Cicuta maculata), wild geranium (Geranium
maculatum) and numerous varieties of ferns. These species
thrive in the calcium-rich soil of the GreenHaven ravine. The high
level of calcium is due to the weathering of underlying layers of
fossil shells of the Yorktown Formation. (Please note that dwarf
ginseng [Panax trifolius] is not the ginseng that is
sometimes used medicinally.) 
has designed a t-shirt for our chapter. The
shirt features coral honeysuckle, passionflower vine, Virginia
bluebells, and swamp (narrow-leaved) sunflower. Photos were taken
by chapter members Felice Bond, Helen Hamilton and
Jan Newton. The caption below the pictures says “Virginia
Native Plants” and our new chapter logo designed by Lucile
Kossodo is on the back of the shirt along with our web address,
www.claytonvnps.org. You can check out pictures of the
t-shirt on this site and can get a shirt with a $15 donation to the John
Clayton Chapter, VNPS. We have adult sizes S-2XL and children sizes
S-XL.
