Rancher Writes Unique Book About Flora and Recollections

A unique perspective of flora of the northern fringe of the sandhills is an ode written by Clarence Nollett during his time ranching in South Dakota, 15 miles northwest of Crookston. He describes the local flora in his self-published work – written from a self-expressed rancher’s perspective – as prepared from 1993 to 2000, while living on the ranch where he was born. Plant types include prairie grasses, legumes, colorful forbs and woody trees and shrubs.

The history for the ranch starts in 1918-19 when Felix Nollett paid $29 per acre for 320 acres, Clarence Nollett said. Martin and Irma Nollett carried on at the ranch. This was the range country where Clarence grew to appreciate different flora and the places where they abundantly grew and thrived.

While was growing up in the 1930s, he "thought we were in the forgotten part of the world." The land and its livestock, as well as the outdoors were especially enjoyed.

When a youngster, Clarence remembers walking the 3/4 mile to the mailbox south of the house. "We would pick wildflowers during the walk," down the country lane. Nollett said. "Mom would trim them and put them in a vase" for appreciation in the kitchen.

One reminiscence he mentioned was arriving late for classes at the country school because of the time spent gathering flowers. The wild rose is one plant he especially enjoyed then.

Nollett returned to the ranch land in October 1953, after his service in the Army. The youthful interest in blooming plants started again with in the 1960s upon winning a $100 savings bond for first place in a state conservation district competition.

Days among the prairie lands were some of the best times of my life, Nollett said. "One day with a range conservationist was one of the best days of my life," he said. He learned about grassland features, plants and other new things and realized that "prairie is an amazing feature of our area."

This awareness lit a spark of interest. Clarence focused on plants he could appreciate nearly every day on the ranch, and thus began his work to write about plants of the prairie.

His flora book was compiled from about 1993 to 2000, he said. It started with a personal inventory with text about the grasses and wanting to put a name on them. Pictures were then added for many other species, including legumes and forbs with their flowers.

"I hope I have left some footprints that someone can follow."

His words begin with a preface and then an account for Big Bluestem, a prominent species of the "true prairie." Nollett then writes about Little Bluestem and Indian Grass and some of their features of particular interest. Switchgrass has its own account. For each of the many other plants denoted, his rancher’s perspective is indicative, while also included are floristics, plant uses, scientific name and perhaps other specifics from readily available references. Poems are included, including one from Robert Frost, a great American poet.

Personal essays are reading to enjoy, especially those about the family farm (with numerous pictures from the place during the years), then about range and grass management, financial considerations, marketing and conservation. Quotes from scripture and authors of renown are included to convey important perspectives cattle man Nollett realized and came to personally know.

Cattle at the ranch were sold in 2002, though he stayed at the place for several more years before moving to Valentine.

He remembered the flora of the hills, and a favorite plant was the shell-leaf penstemon, as indicated during a personal interview during the latter months of 2016. A picture hanging in his residence shows this species with a windmill in the background so is a prominent appreciation in his living room.

An original version of "Range Grasses and Plants of the Native Prairie" was initially given to the Valentine Public Library, years ago. It is an over 400 page compilation with some pictures, loosely bound in a large notebook and catalogued as a research book with limited distribution to patrons. Its dedication is to his parents Martin and Irma Nollett, who "helped nourish my interest in plants and birds," he said.

His work was done to inspire future generations, as conveyed by the tome’s preface: "I want to create an awareness, stimulate the curiosity, and help to develop an understanding and an appreciation for the things found in our surroundings."

Nollett is still a member of the Great Plains native plants society, Hermosa, SD. A signing event and presentation for the reissued “Range Grasses and Plants of the Native Prairie” occurred on March 31 at the Cherry Hills estate at Valentine, where he currently resides. Marvanna Logterman helped to get Nollette’s work published and to make it more readily available for the public to appreciate as a resource to learn from.

Floral Picture Project Around Valentine

After taking a few pictures of local flora during May 2016, efforts intensified in June, with an increased focus on getting quality pictures of additional blooming plants. Whenever a species was in a fine condition with flowers, pictures were taken and eventually identified, often with the assistance of Dr. David M. Sutherland, professor emeritus at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Without his assistance, this project would not have occurred. There is simply no reference available that could provide a comprehensive means to make an proper identification of the forbs and grasses.

Specimens were mostly from the North Lake Shore Hills which included the local environs of the bluebird shack, the Valentine Mill Pond with its bit of planted warm-season grass prairie and the wild-fire setting at the water tanks tract northward of the pond. A few were observed at Government Canyon. Only a very few were recorded elsewhere, at Valentine of the fish hatchery along Minnechaduza Creek.

The focus was essentially on naturally occurring species amidst wild lands, especially north of the city. A “value-added” picture included some type of insect that added to the subject of attention.

About the bluebird shack, pictures — mostly of weedy species — were taken whenever conditions were especially suitable, i.e., early morning light and no breeze, or even when dew or snow occurred. Elsewhere they were recorded while birding. Autumn leaf color provided the impetus to get views of some trees. The intent was not to get a picture of every species species that occurs in the area, but to denote a the variety.

The last species denoted — the American Elm — was in a wooded area along Lake Shore Drive.

This is a list of the species recorded, listed in the order when recorded, rather than in taxonomic sequence.

1. Yarrow — Achillea millefolium; North Lake Shore Hills; 05/05
   
2. Shell-leaf Penstemon — Penstemon grandiflorus; Water Tanks Tract; 05/29
   
3. Tall Hedge Mustard — Sisymbrium altissimun; North Lake Shore Hills; 05/31
   
4. Dames Rocket — Hesperis matronalis; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/06
   
5. Smooth Brome — Bromus inermis; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/07
   
6. Hoary Alyssum — Berteroa incana; North Lake Shore Drive; 06/08
   
7. Blue Vervain — Verbena hastata; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/18
   
8. Prickly Poppy — Argemone polyanthemos; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/18
   
9. Purple Coneflower — Echinacea angustifolia; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/18
   
10. Plains Beebalm — Monarda pectinata; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/22
    
11. Yellow Cone Flower (a.k.a Prairie Coneflower) — Ratibida columnifera; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/22
    
12. Common Nettle — Urtica dioica; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/23
    
13. Motherwort — Leonurus cardiaca; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/23
    
14. Musk Thistle — Carduus nutans; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/23
    
15. White Prairie Clover — Dalea candida var. oligophylia; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/23
    
16. White Vervain — Verbena urticifolia; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/23
    
17. Wild Four O'Clock — Mirabilis nyctaginea; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/23
    
18. Yellow Goats Beard — Tragopogam dubius; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/23
    
19. Common Mullein — Verbascum thapsus; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/24
    
20. Spiderwort — Tradescantia occidentalis; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/24
    
21. Leadplant — Amorpha canescens; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/26
    
22. Wooly Plantain — Plantago patagonica; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/26
    
23. Bush Morning Glory — Ipomoea leptophylla; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/28
    
24. Yellow Clover — Melilotus officalis; North Lake Shore Hills; 06/28
    
25. Bull Thistle — Cirsium vulgare; Valentine Mill Pond; 06/29
    
26. Giant Bur Reed — Sparganium eurycarpum; Valentine Mill Pond; 06/29
    
27. Swamp Milkweed — Asclepias incarnata; Valentine Mill Pond; 07/07
    
28. Canada Lettuce — Lactuca canadensis; North Lake Shore Hills; 07/23
    
29. Common Elderberry — Sambucus canadensis; Valentine Mill Pond; 07/23
    
30. Field Bindweed — Convolvulus arvensis; North Lake Shore Hills; 07/23
    
31. Smooth Sumac — Rhus glabra; Water Tanks Tract; 07/23
    
32. Plains Sunflower — Helianthus petiolaris; Water Tanks Tract; 07/30
    
33. Catnip — Nepata cataria; North Lake Shore Hills; 07/31
    
34. Common Yellow Primrose — Calylophus serrulatus; North Lake Shore Hills; 07/31
    
35. Golden Prairie Clover — Dalea aurea; North Lake Shore Hills; 07/31
    
36. Buffalo Bur — Solanum rostratum; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/11
    
37. Canada Goldenrod — Solidago canadensis; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/12
    
38. White Clover — Trifolium repens; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/12
    
39. Spotted Joe Pye Weed — Eupatorium maculatum; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/13
    
40. Big Bluestem — Andropogon cristatum; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/15
    
41. Common Arrowhead — Sagittaria latifolia; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/15
    
42. Common Evening Primrose — Oenothera latifolia; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/15
    
43. Gumweed — Grindelia squarrosa; Lake Shore Drive; 08/15
    
44. Indian Grass — Sorghastrum nutans; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/15
    
45. Jewelweed — Impatiens biflora; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/15
    
46. Water Hemlock — Cicuta species; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/15
    
47. Wild Bergamont — Monarda fistulosa; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/15
    
48. Annual Wild Buckwheat — Erigonum annuum; Water Tanks Tract; 08/16
    
49. Black Nightshade — Solanum interius; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/16
    
50. Purple Lovegrass — Eragrostis spectabilis; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/16
    
51. Gilia — Ipomopsis longiflora; Water Tanks Tract; 08/20
    
52. Blazing Star — Liatris glabrata; Water Tanks Tract; 08/26
    
53. Horseweed — Conyza canadansis; North Lake Shore Drive; 08/26
    
54. Prickly Pear Cactus — Opuntia humifusa; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/26
    
55. Barrel Cactus — Coryphantha vivipara or Coryphantha missouriensis, with species identification not possible as the plant pictured does not have any flowers, an essential needed to determine their coloration; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/27
    
56. Bristlegrass — Setaria species; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/27
    
57. Cocklebur — Xanthium strumarium; Water Tanks Tract; 08/27
    
58. Fringed Sage — Artemisia frigida; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/27
    
59. Prostrate Vervain — Verbena bracteata; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/27
    
60. Snakeweed — Gutierrizia sarothrae; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/27
    
61. Lamb'squarters — Chenopodium album; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/29
    
62. Broad-leaved Cattail — Typha latifolia; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/30
    
63. Bulrush — Scirpus species; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/30
    
64. Purple Loosestrife — Lythrum salicaria; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/30
    
65. Blue Cardinal Flower — Lobelia siphilitica; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/31
    
66. Boneset — Eupatorium perfoliatum; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/31
    
67. Common Duckweed — Lemna minor; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/31
    
68. Dandelion — Taraxacum officinale; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/31
    
69. Green Foxtail — Setaria viridis; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/31
    
70. Late Goldenrod — Solidago gigantea; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/31
    
71. Puncture Vine — Tribulus terrestris; North Lake Shore Hills; 08/31
    
72. Rough Barnyard Grass — Echinochloa muricata; Valentine Mill Pond; 08/31
    
73. Field Sandbur — Conchrus longispinus; North Lake Shore Hills; 09/01
    
74. Red Clover — Trifolium pratense; North Lake Shore Hills; 09/01
    
75. Bearded Flatsedge — Cyperus squarrosus or C. acuminatus; Valentine Mill Pond; 09/08
    
76. Lady's Thumb — Polygonum persicaria; Valentine Mill Pond; 09/08
    
77. Nodding Beggarticks — Bidens cernua; Valentine Mill Pond; 09/08
    
78. Pale Smartweed — Polygonum lalathifolium; Valentine Mill Pond; 09/08
    
79. Redroot Flatsedge — Cyperus erythrorhizos; Valentine Mill Pond; 09/08
    
80. Straw-colored Flatsedge — Cyperus strigosus; Valentine Mill Pond; 09/08
    

    This visit to the Mill Pond involved wading out to the terrestrial flats just west of the open water of the pond, where the beggartick plants were profuse in their blooming.

81. Siberian Elm — Ulmus pulima; Water Tanks Tract; 09/14
    
82. Aromatic Aster — Aster oblongifolius; Water Tanks Tract; 09/14; some of these were blooming late in October at the Cherry Street Nursery and were attractive to small butterflies
    
83. Catalpa — Catalpa speciosa; Valentine — 09/14
    
84. Golden Aster — Heterotheca villosa; Water Tanks Tract; 09/14
    
85. Little Bluestem — Andropogon scoparius; Water Tanks Tract; 09/14
    
86. Sand Bluestem — Andropogon hallii; Water Tanks Tract; 09/14
    
87. Sand Reedgrass — Calamovilfa longifolia; Water Tanks Tract; 09/14
    
88. Sugar Maple — Acer saccharinum; North Lake Shore Hills; 09/14
    
89. False Boneset — Brickellia eupatorioides; North Lake Shore Hills; 09/21
    
90. Heath Aster — Aster ericoides; North Lake Shore Hills; 09/21
    
91. Ponderosa Pine — Pinus ponderosa; North Lake Shore Hills; 09/21
    
92. Common Boneset — Eupatorium perfoliatum; Government Canyon; 09/28
    
93. Green Ash — Fraxinus pennsylvanica; Government Canyon; 09/28
    
94. Peach-leaf Willow — Salix amygdaloides; Government Canyon; 09/28
    
95. Riverbank Grape — Vitis riparis; Government Canyon; 09/28
    
96. Water Cress — Nasturtium officinale; Government Canyon; 09/28
    
97. Western Water-Horehound — Lycopus aster; Government Canyon; 09/28
    
98. White Aster — Aster lanceolatus; Government Canyon; 09/28
    
99. White Water-Crowfoot — Ranunculus longirostris; Government Canyon; 09/28
    
100. Woodbine — Parthenocissus vitace; Government Canyon; 09/28
     

     Wetland plants were notably gathered during this outing from the upper extent of the stream, with other distinctive plants also present in this scenic canyon.

101. Switchgrass — Panicum virgatum; Valentine Mill Pond; 09/30
     
102. Windmill Grass — Chloris verticillata; along the road at the Valentine Fish Hatchery; 09/30
     
103. Black Walnut — Juglans nigra; Valentine Mill Pond; 10/01
     
104. Box Elder — Acer negundo; Valentine Mill Pond; 10/01
     
105. Honey Locust — Gleditsia triacanthos; Water Tanks Tract; 10/02
     
106. Bur Oak — Quercus macrocarpa; Valentine Mill Pond; 10/07
     
107. Eastern Cottonwood — Populus deltoides; Valentine Mill Pond; 10/07
     
108. Small Soapweed (yucca) — Yucca glauca; North Lake Shore Hills; noted on 10/07 though obviously present throughout the season, though flowering was not noted
     
109. Skunkbrush Sumac — Rhus aromatica; Water Tanks Tract; 10/16
     
110. Northern Red Oak — Quercus rubra; Lake Shore Drive; 10/27
     
111. American Elm — Ulmus americana; Lake Shore Drive; 10/31
     

Additional early spring species could most likely be denoted if the Valentine City Park woodlands were visited early in the growing season.

Of the thousands of pictures taken, only about 10% were retained and suitably named and saved.

Ranchers Ode to Cherry County Flora and Ranching

A unique facet of Cherry county flora is an ode written by Clarence Nollett during his time ranching 15 miles northwest of Crookston. He describes the local flora in his self-published work – written from a self-expressed rancher’s perspective – as prepared from 1993 to 2000, while living on the ranch where he was born. Plant types include prairie grasses, legumes, colorful forbs and woody trees and shrubs.

The history for the ranch starts in 1918-19 when Felix Nollett paid $29 per acre for 320 acres, Clarence Nollett said. Martin and Irma Nollett carried on at the ranch. This was the range country where Clarence grew to appreciate floral and their differences.

While was growing up in the 1930s, he "thought we were in the forgotten part of the world." The land and its livestock, as well as the outdoors were features he enjoyed.

When a youngster, Clarence remembers walking the 3/4 mile to the mailbox south of the house. "We would pick wildflowers during the walk," down the country lane. Nollett said. "Mom would trim them and put them in a vase" for appreciation in the kitchen.

One reminiscence he mentioned was arriving late for classes at the country school because of the time spent gathering flowers. The wild rose is one plant he especially enjoyed then.

Nollett returned to the ranch land in October 1953, after his service in the Army. The youthful interest in blooming plants started again with in the 1960s upon winning a $100 savings bond for first place in a state conservation district competition.

Days on the prairie were some of the best times of my life, Nollett said. "One day with a range conservationist was one of the best days of my life," he said. He heard about grassland features, plants and other new things. "Prairie is an amazing feature of our area."

He worked on his flora book from about 1993 to 2000, he said. It started with a personal inventory with text about the grasses and wanting to put a name on them. Pictures were then added for many other species, including legumes and forbs with their flowers.

"I hope I have left some footprints that someone can follow."

His book begins with a preface and then an account for Big Bluestem, a prominent species of the "true prairie." Nollett then writes about Little Bluestem and Indian Grass and some of its features of particular interest. Switchgrass has its own account. For each of the plant types, his rancher’s perspective is indicative, and also included floristics, plant uses and the scientific name. Poems are included, including one from Robert Frost, a great American poet.

Personal essays are reading to enjoy, especially one about the family farm (with numerous pictures from the place during the years), then about range and management, financial management, marketing and conservation. Quotes from scripture and authors of renown are included as they convey important perspectives.

Cattle at the ranch were sold in 2002, though he stayed at the place for several more years before moving to Valentine. A favorite plant now is the shell-leaf penstemon. A picture hanging in his residence shows this species with a windmill in the background.

A donated copy of "Range Grasses and Plants of the Native Prairie" is available at the Valentine Public Library. It is an over 400 page book, - loosely bound in a large notebook - is dedicated to his parents Martin and Irma Nollett, who "helped nourish my interest in plants and birds."

His work was done to inspire future generations, as conveyed by the tome’s preface: "I want to create an awareness, stimulate the curiosity, and help to develop an understanding and an appreciation for the things found in our surroundings."

Nollett is still a member of the Great Plains native plants society, Hermosa, SD.

Bugly Action at Memorial Park in Omaha

While intent on taking floral pictures at the rose garden at Memorial Park, there was no realization of the bugly activity going on amidst many of the rose blossoms. Only later, when looking at the photographs was the extent of their bug activity blatantly evident. They were certainly being active in their antics.

This image was especially surprising in its result. A gold-headed bug. Have not seen one of them before.

The quality of the conditions meant that more than 450 pictures were taken during the late afternoon and evening. It was a first to completely drain all of the juice from a fully charged camera battery.

Only a portion of the pictures taken still remain. Editing meant multiple deletions and with a cantankerous camera, well sometimes an image is just worthless.

The blooming flowers are a great attraction in various ways. During my visit, there was a wedding couple and their giggly photographer. Then there was some event with people looking for art pieces (for whom a group photo was taken) among which was the metal art-work in the middle of this distinctive Omaha garden. It was Saturday (July 25th), which helps explain the ongoing antics. Nearby residents were walking about as well with a couple strolling among the many sorts of roses. At least two buses as needed to move many people came and went. There were limousines as well taking up space for a while.

An identification on the particular species of the busy bugs would be appreciated, but will certainly need some further consideration.

The bugs in the pictures are the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica), according to Steven Spomer, research entomologist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, adding in a late July email that "they are all over Omaha now."

Flora Transforms CSO Space at Elmwood Park

Blooming flora is transforming the stormwater gardens at the east side of Elmwood Park, along 60th Street. Vibrant yellow colors now predominate what had formerly been nothing but an expanse of barren green grass. It is now certainly a place to enjoy the seasonal colors of a nice variety of plants.

During a visit to the site with Dr. David Sutherland, professor emeritus from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, he indicated the identity of many species of plants now in bloom, and which add a completely unique feature to the park.

The pinkish Joe-Pye Weed is "just beautiful" and "spectacular" Dr. Sutherland commented. Numerous bees and a very nice Monarch Butterly were appreciating the flowers.

He also noted there was "quite a bit of native species" present. The locale "looks quite good from a distance."

There is blooming Boneset, gayfeather, some Yellow Cone Flower, a limited extent of switchgrass and some Canada Wild Rye. The Swamp Milkweed was doing well, Dr. Sutherland noted. Planted trees including catalpa and hackberry were doing well.

"I love the idea of having Kentucky Coffeetree," Dr. Sutherland said.

There may be other species maturing as the season progresses.

One nice improvement would be the addition of more native grass species along the "upland edge" of the area. This is currently not mown on a regular basis, has some weedy growth and lingering brome. Adding species such as Big Bluestem, more Switchgrass and Indian Grass would only improve the botanical diversity and make the place even more attractive.

These are a few pictures taken at the the scene on August 13th.

A clump of Black-eyed Susan plants.

David Sutherland enjoying the flora at the Elmwood Park CSO! stormwater gardens.

Closeup of Joe-Pye Weed.

A patch of Joe-Pye Weed.

A colorful patch of partridge pea.

Autumn Phlox and its bit of floral color.

This is the storm water drain, near the north end of the project site. Just to the north of here, there is a small temporary pond with standing water.

Robins busy enjoying the water of the pond, with a goldfinch also visiting on the left side.

This is a view looking southward at the stormwater garden area.

As a reminder, this is what the swale looked like in October 2011.

The original plans for this project indicated a greater variety of plant species, but they were not seen.

A request had been made to Omaha Public Works to have someone present during this visit to help explain current conditions, but the city referred to a consultant who agreed to meet. That however, did not work out.

Plant Seeds From Hummel Park Going to China

By Dr. David M. Sutherland, professor emeritus, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Dr. Mary Barkworth, a plant systematist at Utah State University, recently put out a call in a herbarium listserve for mature grains of the grass Oryzopsis racemosa, recently moved by some American agrostologists into the genus Patis. She was requesting this material, not for her own research, but for a Dr. Chen, in China, who is working on the molecular systematics of this and related genera. I have been retired for a few years, but still keep an interest in grasses, even giving an occasional guest lecture to the UNO flora class, and I recalled from long-ago flora field trips, that there were several large colonies of this uncommon grass on the south slope of the north ridge at Hummel Park, in the Ponca Hills region of northern Omaha. On an afternoon jaunt with Jim Ducey in mid-October, we looked to see whether the grass was still there and found it in abundance, but the plants were very mature, and nearly all the grains of this season had dropped. After inspecting a fairly large number of inflorescences we discovered that a very few bracts were still holding the large black grains, and, in a period of about a half-hour, we collected exactly 15 grains, the minimum number needed by the Chinese scientist. Later that afternoon, they were packed them up in a small plastic bag in a padded envelope and sent to Dr. Barkworth, who will know the proper procedure for mailing them safely to China.

Brown County Flora Diversity Revealed

A recently issued scientific paper indicates a great diversity of vascular flora occur in Brown County, Nebraska.

There are 726 plant species, subspecies and varieties known to occur, according to research by Megan K. Killion and Steven J. Rothenberger, associated with the University of Nebraska at Kearney. There are 105 plant families represented.

The diversity is due to the variety of native vegetation types occurring in the 1,221 square miles of the county, from the Niobrara River valley south to the Sand Hills. Specific types identified include sand hills mixed grass prairie, gravelly mixed-grass prairie, ponderosa pine forests/savannas, sand hills borders/mixed-grass prairie, upland deciduous prairie and wetlands.

Another explanation for the floral diversity indicated by the authors, is that "post-glacial forests in the valley serve as a transition zone that supports species with both western and eastern affinities."

"Parts of the Niobrara valley represent a unique transition zone where species with northern, southern eastern and western affinities meet," said Rothenberger. "There are plant species that are more representative of the Black Hills or of montane forest environments than the Great Plains."

The significance of the river valley and its flora "runs far beyond the state's border," he noted in an article prepared for the National Park Service. "Management of the scenic river valley is essential to its biological integrity," he said

Some of the rare or unusual species within the Niobrara Valley include paper birch, hybrid aspen (known as "ancestors of the Pleistocene Epoch" of thousands of years ago), harebell, large-flowered tick-clover, wild columbine, prairie alumroot and different types of sedges.

"It is noteworthy that Megan completed this study as a part of her senior undergraduate research project at UNK," Rothenberger said. "All of our undergraduates are required to complete a research project under the guidance of a mentor (a full-time faculty member of the biology department). She was originally from Brown County and was pleased to discover some new county records that were added to the state's known flora."

There were 14 "new county records" collected, according to the article. The "blue scorpion grass" specimen was only the second for the state, being previously known only from Cass County.

The list of species is based upon specimens collected at 21 sites visited during the 2008 growing season, including Long Pine State Park, the Niobrara Valley Preserve, privately owned pastures and hay meadows and Keller State Park. Their work also involved a review of pertinent publications or material in museum collections to determine additional records.

A comparison was included which indicates the difference in the number of species known for four other Nebraska counties:
Banner - 435
Dixon - 439
Keith - 645
Seward - 613

The recently issued article was in the Transactions of Nebraska Academy of Sciences, 2011 edition. It includes a complete list of those plants recorded thus far in the county. Voucher specimens are now in the herbarium at UNK. Records from this effort have also been added to the Flora of Nebraska (second edition, issued in 2011), by Robert Kaul, David Sutherland, and Steven Rolfsmeier.

South Africa Thrills Nebraska Botany Professor

A unique opportunity to visit South Africa allowed Dr. David M. Sutherland a chance to experience and enjoy new sorts of flora and fauna.

Ibis at Capetown	Protea at the Kirstenbosch Gardens
All photographs courtesy of David M. Sutherland, and used with permission

During his two week vacation to the Cape Town vicinity of South Africa - with its distinctive "Fynbos" type of vegetation - he enjoyed the endemic flora and African fauna of the area.

The Kerstenbosch Botanical Gardens were "simply gorgeous," Dr. Sutherland said, "and were a jewel of the city." Especially appreciated were examples of plants such as the representatives of the families Proteceae and Aizoaceae, which are seldom seen in North America.

Two days were spent at the Garden Route Game Lodge, a private facility where a variety of large animals roam the property. There were white rhinos, antelopes, zebras, giraffes and others which could be enjoyed up close. Since the group stayed overnight, there were able to get among the animals during different parts of the day.

Giraffes at the Garden Route Game Lodge

Penguins at Boulder Beach

During a visit to two coastal colonies of African penguins, the visitors were able to get quite close to the birds, which were actively breeding.

At the West Coast National Park, there were the showy flamingos to enjoy.

Black oystercatchers at West Coast Park

Flamingos at West Coast Park

"The idea of going to this area really appealed to me," Sutherland said. The flora, animals and birds in this area are extremely interesting," noting his visit was the "thrill" of a lifetime.

As a retired botany professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Dr. Sutherland is well acquainted with the plants and vegetation of the Great Plains. His only other previous trips overseas were to England.

Dr. David M. Sutherland in Africa.