SE Coastal Chapter

Photo: Spoon Leaf Sundew (Drosera intermedia)

Our Events

The SE Coastal Chapter meets for field trips and other events. The southeastern region of North Carolina is rich in unusual plants, such as Venus flytraps, pitcher plants, and orchids. Popular destinations include the Green Swamp and the Ghost Savannah. We usually meet monthly on a weekend, Saturday or Sunday, except for the hot months of July and August, but times vary. Contact the Co-Chair, Charley Winterbauer (cewinterbauer39@gmail.com) for up coming walks if not listed on this web site. Find recordings of our online meetings/walks on YouTube.

Post 2024 Native Plant Festival

With the idea of continuing to promote natives, this message is dedicated to that idea. For those that attended this year’s festival, you know that we had a different format. For those that didn’t attend, in summary, the speakers were on three different sequential evenings. The plant vendors DID NOT have tables with plants for sale but we did it differently. We had a map in the handout that showed the location and names of the vendors and promoted a shopping day. Those that attended any part of the festival probably picked up the Native Plant Festival handout.

The handout is the topic of this message. The middle foldout contained a map of the participating vendors scattered around the area. For those that didn’t attend the festival and get the handout, I am including a link to that handout. I previously sent the link but I am doing it again with another purpose. The most common question I get and you probably do too, is OK, I want to plant natives but where do I get them? Well, if you give the handout to that person, neighbor or friend, then the map with vendors answers that question. You can give them a paper copy or forward this email with the link or just copy the link and send it to them. The advantage of this year’s vendor access is that a person that went to the any one or more of the vendors was able to choose from all of the natives that vendor carried. Those that didn’t attend any or all can still visit one or more of the nursery vendors at any time they are open. One request I have is when you go to the vendor, mention that you are there to buy native plants. This “plants” the notion that there is a demand for natives. Of course, you follow up with buying native(s).

Lastly, for those that attended this year’s festival, please let me know your thoughts on this new format. My email is cewinterbauer39@gmail.com. I will pass your comments to the group when we have the post festival meeting or future planning meeting. We may make changes for 2025 based on the feedback.

https://issuu.com/capefearsgoinggreen/docs/2024_native_plant_festival_v16-3

Sponsors are Friends of the Arboretum, NC Cooperative Extension, Extension Master Gardener ^SM Volunteers, Cape Fear’s Going Green, NC Native Plant Society-SE Coastal Chapter.

Doug Tallamy Came to Town

The University of North Carolina Wilmington sponsored (along with others, see below) Douglas W. Tallamy’s visit. The presentation was given at the Lumina theater at UNCW.

Other sponsors: Alliance for Cape Fear Trees, Cape Fear Audubon Society, Cape Fear Garden Club (CFGC), Cape Fear’s Going Green, Extention Master Gardener Volunteer Association, Friends of the NHC Arboretum, Friends of the Library, Gardening for Wildlife (CFGC), Nature at Home, Nature at Work, NC Cooperative Extention-New Hanover, Penderlea Farms and SE Coastal Chapter-NC Native Plant Society.

Doug’s Bio

Doug Tallamy is the T. A. Baker Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has authored 106 research publications and has taught insect-related courses for 41 years. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities.

His books include Bringing Nature Home, The Living Landscape, co-authored with Rick Darke, Nature’s Best Hope, a New York Times Best Seller, and The Nature of Oaks, winner of the American Horticultural Society’s 2022 book award. In 2021 he cofounded the “Homegrown National Park” program with Michelle Alfandari. Source: US Fish and Wildlife Service.

For more information on the Homegrown National Park, go tohttps://homegrownnationalpark.org

The Presentation

The fun part

Doug’s wife, Cindy insisted that Doug be fed. Here is the proof along with Debbie Winterbauer, Charley Winterbauer, Doug and Jim Nesbit.

Doug wanted to visit the Airlie Oak. That is Doug, dwarfed by the Oak.

The book, “Nature’s Best Hope” can be obtained free. Go to the New Honover Arboretum and pick up a copy of the adult version or the children’s version. One catch, you need to pass it on to another person.

Walks and other Chapter Activities

Plant Walk, November 9, 2024

Fort Fisher Aquarium walk, November 9, 2024

The walk was led by our co-chair, Duane Truscott. Not a lot of folks participated but it was a good walk with interesting observations.

One point along the walk, there is an observation platform overlooking a small pond.

As can be seen, the pond is covered in Duckweed.

Duckweed is an important, high-protein food source for waterfowl and many species of fish. The tiny plants provide cover for the vulnerable fry and tadpoles of many fishes and amphibians. The plants are used as shelter by pond species, such as bullfrogs and newts, and fish such as bluegills.

Despite some of these benefits, because duckweed thrives in high-nutrient wetland environments, the plants can be seen as a nuisance species when conditions favor excessive proliferation in environments that are traditionally low in nutrients

Along the walk path, there is a side trip to a playground

Much of the yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) was exhibiting the beautiful red berries.

This list was created by Bob Roush and he is to be thanked for his dilligence and excused for some unsure IDs

Plants noted
Boneset (?) Eupatorium spp
Cattail Typha latifolia
Chinese ligustrum aka Chinese privet ligustrum Sinense
Clematis?
Climbing Hempvine Mikania scandens?
Common reed Phragmites australis?
Duckweed Lemna minor
Dwarf Palmetto Sable minor
Eastern Live Oak Quercus virginiana
Frogfruit Phyla nodiflora
Japanese privet ligustrum japonicum
Pennywort (aka dollar weed?) (Hydrocotyle spp)
Peppervine Ampelopsis arborea
Poison Ivy Toxicodendron radicans
Red Cedar, Eastern) Juniperus virginiana
Red Cedar (Southern)? Juniperus sp
Redbay Persea borbonia
Saltbush (aka groundsel tree) Baccharis halimifolia
Wax myrtle Morella/Myrica cerifera)
Winter Aster ? Frost Aster? Symphyotricum pilosum??
Yaupon holly Ilex vomitoria

Plant Walk, October 6, 2024

The SE Coastal Chapter of NCNPS conducted a plant walk at Stanley Rehder’s Carnivorous Park, 3800 Canterbury Rd, adjacent to Alderman Elementary school on October 6th at 9am. The walk was led by the new Co-chair, Duane Truscott. A list of plants seen is listed below

A good turnout. Duane giving the introduction and the 3rd picture is near the carnivous plant bog.

Plants seen

Gelsemium sempervirens…Carolina Jessamine

Magnolia virginiana…Sweet Bay Magnolia

Magnolia grandiflora…Southern Magnolia

Morella/Myrica cerifera…Wax Myrtle

Ilex glabra…Inkberry

Ilex vomitoria…Yaupon

Ilex coriacea…Gallberry

Vitex sp…Grape vine

Aronia arbutifolia…Red Chokeberry

Cyrilla racemiflora…Titi

Liquidambar styraciflua…Sweetgum

Morella/Myrica cerifera var pumila…Dwarf Wax Myrtle

Carphephorus odoratissimus…Vanilla leaf/Dogs Tongue

Pleea tenuifolia…Pleea

Pluchea foetida…Marsh Fleabane

Euthamia tenuifolia…Slender Leaved Goldenrod

Quercus phellos…Willow Oak

Quercus nigra…Water Oak

Quercus geminata…Sand Live Oak

Vaccinium crassifolium…Creeping Blueberry

Carphephorus bellidifolius…Sandhill Chaffhead

Ilex cassine…Dahoon Holly

Ilex opaca…American Holly

Clethra alnifolia…Sweet Pepper Bush

Osmanthus americanus…Osmanthus/Devilwood

Invasives sighted

Ligustrum japonicum…Ligustrum

Ligustrum chinensis…Privet

Triadica sebifera…Popcorn Tree

Lonicera japonica…Japanese Honeysuckle

Plant Walk at Carolina Beach State Park, May 25, 2024

Photos by lara Berkley

John giving orentation at trailhead (Charley’s pup, Mandy, not interested)

Featured Plant at the park, Drosera intermedia (Spoon leaf sundew)

Another sundew, Drosera capillaris

A few of other plants seen

Opuntia humifusa

<–Cuthbertia graminea

Sarracenia flava

Lily Pond seedbank response

Cypress pond Polygala cymosa

Grass pond (dry)

For the birders-Red Headed Woodpecker

Venus Flytrap Rescue, Boiling Springs NC, November 26, 2023

Venus Flytrap rescue in Boiling Springs Lake, NC, November 26, 2023

Two of the principal organizers, Tylor Gramley and Julie Moore.

<– Roger Shew and Friend (Charley Winterbauer)

Estimated to have moved about 500 plants to the new location.

<– Chris Dean & Julie Moore

Thanks to the SE Coastal members that helped out, Chris Dean, Duane Truscott, Kathy Curtis, Virginia Holman (pictures courtesy of Virginia), and special guest, Roger Shew–submitted by Charley Winterbauer

The Fire in the Pines October 28, 2023 at Halyburton Park

The usual Chapter setup

Monster Flytrap on Flytrap

Many families attended

Interesting characters

The SE Coastal chapter had a walk on October 23, 2023 at E-V Henwood. It was walk co-led by Duane Truscott (Plants) and Andy Methven (Fungus).

20 folks participated -Andy describes a fungus -Duane points out a Native

Chris Dean next to “Gus” a 1,000 year old Bald Cypress which is located at E-V Henwood. Gus is 20 feet around.

September 16, 2023 Native Plant Festival held at the New Hanover Arboretum

The Native Plant Table

Ever popular, the Flytrap

Chapter participation in Flytrap rescue in Boiling Springs Lake. August 28, 2023

Retired endangered species biologist Julie Moore talks with Charley Winterbauer, co-chair of the Southeast Chapter of the N.C. Native Plant Society as volunteers replant Venus flytraps on land owned and managed by the city of Boiling Spring Lakes. Photo: Trista Talton To see the entire article go to the following link.

https://coastalreview.org/2023/08/volunteers-help-remove-venus-flytraps-from-harms-way/

1st Pix One of the Flytraps plugs 2nd Pix A few trays of Flytraps 3rd Pix Replant area near pond

June 17, 2023 Moores Creek National Battlefield Plant Walk

The walk was led by Dr. John Taggart shown in 3rd picture talking to the SE Coastal Chapter Co-chair, Charley Winterbauer.

The Participants were:

John Taggart, leader (UNCW prof + Coastal Reserve etc.),Charley Winterbauer, (co-chair), Jeff Pierce, from Pollocksville, retired doctor, Lara Berkeley, Chris Dean, mycologist, Wild Meadow Farm, Diane Butzin, Lee Butzin, Karen Sorenson, Robert Roush

A list of plants seen as noted by Bob Roush, Note, not all Identified exactly as the walk was busy.

Yellow sneezeweed
Fleabane
Coastal dawn flower
Fleabane (“junky”)
Hoary pea? aka go through, red flower. Tephrosia spicata ? Tiny red flower
Eupatorium
Sundown?
Fowl mannagrass
Red root
Narrowleaf cattail “may not be native”
Plumegrass (plume grass?)
Stinking fleabane
Royal fern
Bluestem
Crotalaria (rattlebox)
Mockernut hickory
Frogfruit
Button bush
Lizards tail
Buttonbush (buttonweed?) (like sparkleberry?)
Switch cane (same as Arundinaria gigantea, in book)
Yellow stargrass (Hypoxis)
Bald cypress (Taxodium distichum)
Pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens)
Resurrection fern (Pleopeltispolypodioides)
Ironwood ”two things named that” this one in Betulaceae family; another is Cyrillaceae
Jewelweed. “Shimmers underwater, and beads when water applied to leaf.” AKA touch-me-not. (Balsaminaceae)

Water ash = pop ash (Fraxinus carolinia)
Titi tree. Cyrillaceae. Cyrilla racemiflora is on species. White cylindrical flowers – racemes.
Johnson grass – invasive
Fetterbush
Cypress knobs – still much debate
Swamp dogwood
Peltamara?
Lady’s bedstraw (aka Yellow bedstraw, Gallium verum)
False nettle
Sensitive ferm
Overcup oak (Quercus lyrate), in white oak group. Rarely seen
Bluejack oak (Quercus incana)
Horse sugar (aka sweetleaf) Simplocos tinctoria
Sparkleberry (large on at end of boardwalk)
Lespedeza bliflora or Lespedeza bicolor?) NOT native
Post oak
Alder (like elm
Centella asiatica (good for brain stem?) (aka Asiatic pennywort)
Carex (sedge)
Red oak
Railroad vine (Ipomea?)
(smilax?) with few spines (this is railroad vine too?)
Bracken fern
Devils walking stick (Aralia spinosa) family Araliaceae (Genseng family, includes ivies)
Silver grass (NOT grass)

June 11, 2023, NCNPS Annual Meeting

Ken Bridle, President, Awarding Karen Lineman the William Lanier Hunt Award shown in the right hand photo. Also participating in the award ceremony is Tom Harville, Awards Chairman.

Please visit our Facebook page for the latest field trip photo albums and more!

May 21, 2023 Wild Meadow Farm plant walk

We were hosted by owner of the farm, Chris Dean who is describing the history of the farm.

June 19, 2022 Shelton Herb Farm

SE Coastal Chapter members in the picnic area at Shelton Herb Farm

We visited Shelton Herb Farm, which propagates many native plants. Margaret Shelton talked to our small but interested group about the history of the farm, which has been in her family for over 200 years.

May 21, 2022 Ghost Savannah Walk

Dr. John Taggart led our Ghost Savannah walk about 45 minutes north of Wilmington North Carolina. This wet pine savannah has been described as one of the Southeast’s most rare and unique natural gardens. It was an overcast day which made the walk pleasant. Since we have not had any rain, it was quite dry. Pitcher plants were not blooming because of lack of rain.

Other Activity

Other Plant Walks

Hutaff Island with Dr. Paul Hosier
(October 2021)

UNCW Bluethenthal Wildlflower Preserve with Dr. Darrin Penneys (June 2021)

Carolina State Park with Dr. John Taggart (February 2019)

EV-Henwood Nature Preserve with Dr. Larry Mellichamp (October 2017)

Picture Albums

For information on local habitats and the plant species associated with them, please see the photo albums below. For instance, information on beach plants can be found in the Bald Head Island and Fort Fisher albums; pine savanna plants can be found in the Green Swamp and Shaken Creek albums.