November 4, 2015 Thirty-two members and six guests attended our annual potluck dinner and seed exchange, held at The Heights community center of Richmond Heights. Copies of our chapter membership list were distributed. President Ed Schmidt invited us to join in the discussion of what to do in your yard…
By Marcia Myers Not only does this amazing plant act as a nursery, provide nectar, and serve as an important food source, it provides extra protection from predators. Both monarchs (Danaus plexippus) and queen butterflies (Danaus gilippus) store cardenolides, toxins obtained from their milkweed (Asclepias spp.) diet. Why aren’t the butterflies poisoned? Monarchs…
By Marcia Myers Monarch butterflies are in serious decline, so raising and releasing them must be good, right? It would seem so, but some experts have concerns. On October 8, “a group of 10 monarch researchers and conservationists from across the U.S. issued a statement highlighting concerns with the release…
By Cori Westcott of Bring Conservation Home While enjoying the expansive vista of a prairie, my eye stopped upon a strange looking little creature just beyond the boardwalk. A buckeye (Junonia coenia) caterpillar was dining upon a slender-leaved false foxglove (Agalinus tenuifolia), formerly a Gerardia. The false foxglove flowers from…
Learn to identify some of the common seasonal, wild edibles found in Missouri. Like spring and summer, fall brings us a bounty of possibilities and even winter offers some nutrients. This class will discuss tips for foraging, plant identification, and some processing techniques. Also, participants will have the opportunity to sample…
By Marcia Myers The catered food from Local Harvest tantalized taste buds. The booths provided education, games, and even food from native plants. And of course the Whitmire Wildflower Garden‘s natural beauty hosted tours. Celebrants enjoyed a diversity of activities during the Native Plant School’s 10th anniversary celebration at Shaw Nature…
By Bill and Linda Bennett We hope to start a Wild Ones chapter in the Arcadia area. In order to generate interest, we are planning a Native Plant and Pollinators workshop on Saturday, May 14, 2016. Grow Native! is assisting with the planning process and Betty Struckhoff has agreed to be…
The Tupelo chapter of Wild Ones recently formed near Murphysboro, Carbondale and Carterville in southern Illinois. It’s short notice, but they have a meeting tonight, Wednesday, Oct. 28. Visit their Facebook page for more information. That means there are now four chapters within driving distance of St. Louis (click any…
Greetings from Diana Oleskevich After seeing this sign in Hawaii, I could not help but think of all of you native plant lovers in St. Louis. Sending you happy plants energy!
The decline of bee populations concerns native plant gardeners who know how important bees are for pollination. The 2015 Whitney and Anna Harris Conservation Forum is presenting “Conservation of the Bees”. Topics will address the population decline, behaviors, environmental impacts, and conservation of bee populations across the globe. Speakers include:…
