Aquatic vascular plants in three bays of eastern Door County, Wisconsin

Aquatic macrophytes of the western shores of Lake Michigan have received little attention from Wisconsin botanists (Ross and Calhoun, 1951; Curtis, 1959), probably because few localities are available for study. Severe wave action and unstable bottom sediments prevent the establishment of such plants in many areas of the lakeshore and intensive shoreline development has eliminated most of the hardy species which were originally present. However, three bays in eastern Door County (Rowleys Bay, North Bay and Moonlight Bay) support a considerable number of aquatic plant because they are protected from severe storms and are relatively free from human interference. This report is a brief synopsis of my observations of the diversity and density of these plants and their general distribution in relation to water depth, shoreline features and water movements in these bodies of water

Yews and hemlocks - A progress report.

An investigation which has been underway for several years at the Cedar-Sauk Field Station and the adjacent Cedarburg Bog is concerned with the American Yew or Ground Hemlock (Taxus canadensis Marsh.) and the Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (1.) Carr.). The yew occurs naturally in small clumps in the upland maple-beech woods, on several islands in the bog and on the better drained ridges and knolls throughout the bog area. Nowhere is it very abundant. In contrast, the hemlock has not been reported in the vicinity of the Station; however, scattered trees of various sizes occur in some of the wooded ravines along Lake Michigan as far south as Grant Park in South Milwaukee and Petrifying Springs Park in Racine County. The purposes for studying these species in this area are: (1) to determine the survival and regeneration of the yew in protected and unprotected areas, (2) to establish hemlock trees as components of the upland forest, and (3) to determine the effects of deer browsing on these species and their chances of survival under natural and artificial environmental conditions

Insectivorous plants in Cedarburg Bog

Bogs, with their poorly drained organic soils, high water tables, low mineral content and cool sluggish water, offer unique habitats for a variety of unusual plants of which the insectivorous ones are especially interesting. These plants have one feature that separates them from others-their leaves are capable of attracting, holding and partially digesting insects. Because bogs are difficult to traverse during the warmer months of the year, and the mosquitoes are numerous, many persons have never observed these plants in their native habitats and few professional botanists have studied the nature of their physiological adaptations to this environment. A series of articles about these carnivorous plants by Plummer (1966) and West (1965), which appeared in the publication Carolina Tips, \u27prompted this writer to investigate the species which occur in Cedarburg Bog. This report is based on this survey, and, most of the representatives cited here are filed as specimens in The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Herbarium

Phenology

A number of events are being recorded at the UWM Field Station, chiefly concerning the earliest arrival dates of certain birds and the earliest flowering dates of native woodland and bog plants. In the table below are listed some events which may be observed during the months of April and May. Those starred (*) are of particular interest to researchers at the Field Station, and any observations by our readers will be appreciated

Dogwoods in Wisconsin

Many persons who have taken early spring trips to the southern and southeastern sections of our country frequently remark about the attractiveness of the Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida L.) which they observed in the woodlands of this area. They also ask why this small tree does not grow in Wisconsin. According to the publication, Growing the Flowering Dogwood (USDA, 1970), this plant cannot be successfully grown where the winter temperatures go below -15°F; therefore, it is not considered hardy in our climate. We can take some solace, however, because there are a number of attractive native dogwoods which bloom in the spring and early summer, and several of them are suitable for planting as ornamentals. The following key and the accompanying line drawings may be of some assistance to persons interested in identifying the species which occur in Wisconsin

Personnel profile - Alvin L. Throne

The UWM Field Stations Committee is composed of dedicated individuals interested in preserving natural areas for educational and scientific purposes. Success in the acquisition of such areas is often the result of the extra effort of one person. Such is the role played by Professor Alvin L. Throne, the Chairman of a previous committee and a former member of the present one. Until this Bulletin came into existence, there was no way to inform his many students and friends of his contributions, so this belated article is an expression of appreciation to Professor Throne for his years of dedicated service

Goldenrods

The Goldenrods, with their abundance and diversity, produce one of the most brilliant natural wildflower displays in our area from mid-August to November. In North America there are about one hundred species of these plants occurring in such habitats as upland woods, marshes, bogs, abandoned fields, dry roadsides, prairies, railroad rights-of-way and even open cliffs and sandy beaches. Approximately twenty-one species are found in Wisconsin

Wisconsin\u27s earliest native flowering plant

With the coming of spring there is an enthusiastic revival of interest in people for the out-of-doors and, not infrequently, a more than casual interest in the pursuit of the first flowering plant. For the stay-at-home there is contentment in simply waiting for the first Crocus, Scilla, Narcissus, Forsythia or even the Common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale Weber) to bloom, but the dedicated naturalist is not satisfied until he finds the native harbinger-of-spring. During this adventure the often asked question is What is the earliest native flowering species

A botanical history of Downer Woods

The pattern of vegetation which occurs in Downer Woods, a wooded tract on The University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee campus and a landmark on Milwaukee\u27s east side, is a reflection of the uses to which it has been subjected for a period of over two hundred years. Information to document this has been compiled by students in various field courses and by faculty members and individual students who carried out independent investigations in this woods. These persons checked land deed records, surveyors records, interviewed long-time residents who are familiar with the woods, counted tree rings and evaluated the present vegetation through a variety of sampling methods. The historical interpretation presented here is essentially their story

Hollies in Wisconsin

With the coming of the winter season botanical interests are directed chiefly toward yuletide plants, one of which is the holly. The species most commonly used in wreaths and decorations is the English Holly (Ilex aquifolium L.); however, many people are unaware that a number of native holly species are found in eastern North America and two of them occur in Wisconsin. Unfortunately, the Wisconsin representatives are deciduous shrubs and not suitable for Christmas decorations. Although\u27 of no value to us for the holiday season, their fruits are eaten by overwintering birds and squirrels, hence they may be considered as a winter treat for wildlife