Saturday October 20, 2018 Fern Society & NPG

If you are familiar with previous posts, you know that the New York Fern Society, which met at the NYBG for 42 years, was threatened with dissolution because our two world famous fern experts, John Mickel and Robbin Moran, were unable to continue leadership.  Even someone as unknowledgeable about ferns as I am could send out reminders or collect dues.  But who could have the contacts in the fern world to get speakers for meetings?  That seems to be our roadblock.

Nevertheless, a Fern Society reunion was planned for this date, to meet in the lobby of the Watson Building, and be led by Michael Penziner and Ed Impara in the Garden.  Sixteen people showed up, which shows there is still interest and love of the organization that usually attracted fifty people to meet in that small room allotted to us.  We would have to admit that food was a major attraction, amazing variety of delicious offerings brought by the members. But friendliness, humor, interesting information especially were major attractions.

Carol & John Mickel 2nd and 3rd from left

a selfie for me to get in the picture

A forest tour led by Michael focussed pretty much on trees. Of trees with alternate compound leaves, only four are native, all hickories.  yellow bud is bitternut; Mockernut with a hard nut; shagbark you can guess it's the shaggy bark; pignut has narrow leaves.  Maple (red) has a v-shaped sinus. On an oak, if the sinus is less than halfway down the leaf, it is a red oak.  Did I get that right, Michael?

Michael educating us.

I left to check out the Native Plant Garden.

  NPG See blog of six days ago and the report can just read "Ditto." Nothing left, nothing new arrived, nothing different.   

It took me 15 minutes to remember the name of these appealing leaves: Skullcap.

Several of you asked what this was, at the corner of the plantings across from the Gertrude (we're on a first name basis) plaque.  It is Aster laevis seedling.  Thanks to Michael Hagen.

The delicate tops of the wild grasses will be what we will be admiring in the near future as the season hides the flowering plants.

See you then.

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