        
 , . , 
TCU Student Ethan
Householder in his
preferred habitat, the
palm swamps of the
Madre de Dios region in
southeastern Peru
’s
r
o
t
c
e
r
i
D Note
Medical Ethnobotany:
STAFF PHOTO
A Significant Future Program at BRIT
Will McClatchey and Sy Sohmer
Ethnobotany is core to BRIT’s mission. Broadly
defined, it is the study of the relationships between the
peoples of the world and the plants around them. It deals
with how they use plants for food, fiber, shelter, and the
maintenance of human health. I have always felt that such
a program with particular emphasis on medicinal plants
must be an integral and significant part of our research
activities. I once wrote in an earlier column that:
“Aside from the absolutely essential ecological
services provided by plants, such as the oxygen we
breathe, the watersheds maintained, and the fertility
of soil, there is the matter of the food we eat, the
structures we live in, the clothes we wear, and the
medicines that treat our diseases and maintain our
health. Without plants there would be no life as we
know it. And one of the primary missions of BRIT is
to collect, study, and preserve the knowledge of how
peoples all over the world use plants for the
treatment of human diseases and the maintenance
of human health. At BRIT, because of the
importance of this part of our mission, and as soon
as we have the financial support with which to do so,
we will add a medical ethnobotanist to the staff, an
individual who will create and lead a program that
will study the ways in which people have used plants
for medicine.”
Recently, we had the good fortune to gain significant
insight in conceptualizing and creating such a program at
BRIT when Dr. Will McClatchey came to Fort Worth at
my invitation. He built and oversees one of the most
significant ethnobotany programs in the country, at the
University of Hawaii. While in Fort Worth he met with
many of the potential stakeholders in such a program and
delivered two lectures on the topic of building an
ethnobotanical program. He gave an informal noon lecture
at BRIT on this topic and a major lecture at the Health
Science Center that was titled: “Medical Ethnobotany:
Wisdom of the Past for Survival in the Future.” He spent
considerable time with our colleagues at two of our Fort
Worth collaborating institutions, Texas Christian
University (TCU) and the University of North Texas
Health Science Center (UNTHSC), and particularly with
the latter since this program will work closely with their
department of pharmacology and neuroscience. Indeed,
grant proposals in conjunction with UNTHSC will make
the program envisioned possible. We are very grateful for
the support of the Health Science Center for this potential
program as we are to TCU for collaborating with us and
helping make possible our Amazon project in Peru.
Dr. McClatchey emphasized the paramount need to
understand the cultures and languages of the peoples that
one works with, and to distance oneself from the concept
that this discipline revolves primarily around snatching
samples of plant matter to screen for compounds. While
exploring biodiversity is essential, it is very important to
understand the cultural and linguistic settings in which
ethnobotanical knowledge resides. All work needs to be
based on the understanding that the scientists recognize
the intellectual property rights of the peoples with whom
they work.
Some of his specific recommendations are:
• Build on the great strengths of BRIT, primarily the
herbarium collection diversity and the depth of skills
and experience of the staff.
• Use ethnobotany research as a means to invest value in
the communities in which plant diversity is being
studied.
• Focus ethnobotany research on specific questions
(hypotheses) that are answerable in the mix of cultures
and biodiversity in which research is conducted.
• Emphasize training of local researchers from
communities, instilling in them the combined strengths
of scientific methods and the wisdom of their own
ancestors.
• Always remember that the greatest value of medicinal
plants in our culture is as pharmacological tools for
understanding human biology.
• Maintain plant materials in conditions that best
preserve the chemistry of living plants.
• Ethnobotany is of most value to living cultures.
Encourage sustainable lifestyles, conservation ethics,
and thinking beyond the period of political cycles.
• Researchers come and go from field sites. The only real
conservationists are people who live in the environment
and make daily decisions about how biodiversity should
be used. Plan accordingly.
• EVERYONE is “local” where they are and ALL people
use plants in their daily lives. Ethnobotany is not limited
to the exotic “ethnographic other” but should also be
studies of cultural introspection.
I am hopeful that we will have the financial resources to
make this program a reality.
5
HEINZ GAYLORD
table of contents
Blackwater Mysteries: BRIT Student Searches for
Luscious Fruit in Vanilla Swamps of Amazonian Peru
8
BRIT Launches Distinguished
2007
9
Ruth Carter Stevenson: 2007 International Award
Excellence in Conservation
10
Lecturer Series 2006of
Read It and Weep! The Fascinating Journey from Pasture to
Pharmacy for One Remarkable Species, The Willow and
Its Great Gift, Salicin
Andes to Amazon Biodiversity Program Update
16
16
17
Shinners Dinner
Debut in Nacogdoches: Illustrated
causes a stir
Awards Corner
BRIT Toasts a New, Vintage Event
Flora of East Texas
26
Albert Ruth Collection Finds a Permanent Home at BRIT
What’s in Your Brown
Bag Lunch?
Goldmines to be discovered in BRIT’s books and reprints
Discover Distance
Learning at BRIT
Movers & Shakers
BRIT Press
Botany 101 for Lifelong Learners
Tree Class
Summer 2006 Environmental Science Youth
Mentoring Program
BRIT Donations
Our sincerest apologies to Mrs. Mathilde H. Panker whose name appeared
erroneously as “Mildred” on page 13 of the last issue of Iridos in an article
on a gift to the library.
IRIDOS v o l u m e 18 n o 1
12
14
18
19
20
21
21
22
23
23
24
3
I R I D OS
A publication of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas
509 Pecan Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102-4060
817.332.4441
Metro 817.429.3200
Fax 817.332.4112
www.brit.org
Dear Readers,
Patricia Harrison
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AND HEAD OF EDUCATION
This issue of Iridos has a clean new look and approach. BRIT continues to grow and move
forward in planning for a new building with greater visibility at a new location. It is appropriate
that our magazine reflect this new attitude. Beginning with this issue Robert George has taken
on the task of editor. He has been at BRIT since 1999 as an assistant for the Illustrated Texas Floras Project (see
page 14). Through the combined efforts of all the staff and Robert, we believe that our mission and direction as an
institution is appropriately reflected in this new Iridos.
Cleve Lancaster
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Sy Sohmer, Director
Robert George, EDITOR
S.H. Sohmer
DIRECTOR
Judy Secrest
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
& HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES
COLLECTIONS
Amanda Neill, Herbarium Director
Lee Luckeydoo, Collections Manager
Frances Ockels
Marissa Oppel
Michiko Stone
EDUCATION
Pam Chamberlain
Pat Dorraj
Amber Keller
Kathy Scott
LIBRARY
Gary Jennings
PUBLICATIONS
Barney Lipscomb, Head
Judy MacKenzie
RESEARCH
ANDES TO AMAZON BIODIVERSITY PROGRAM
John Janovec, Co-director
Amanda Neill, Co-director
Fort Worth
Peru
Justin Allison
Angel Belarezo
Jason Best
Pedro Centeno
Tiana Franklin
Benjamin Chambi
Kevin Jenson
Miguel Chocce
Asha McElfish
Fernando Cornejo
Keri McNew
Darlo Cruz
Marissa Oppel
Javier Huinga
Andrew Reina
Piher Maceda
Andy Waltke
Renan Valega
FLORA OF EAST TEXAS PROJECT
Robert George
Barney Lipscomb
FLORAS
Guy Nesom
DEVELOPMENT SPECIAL EVENTS/MEMBERSHIP
Tammie Crole
Patty Marksteiner
Amanda Morris
CONSULTANTS
Iridos Design - Jennifer Henderson, JODesign
Iridos Editorial - Paige Hendricks, PHPR
Distribution is free to those providing support to BRIT.
Comments and suggestions are welcomed and may be sent
to the editor at rgeorge@brit.org.
Conveying an unwritten message with flowers was prevalent in the
18th and 19th centuries and came to be known as “the language of
flowers.” Iridos is the Greek word for iris. Iris is a sweet-smelling
flower and was the symbol of the mythological character Iridos, the
messenger of the ancient Greek gods. Iridos was the goddess of the
rainbow, winging a message across the sky; in the Iliad, she was the
swift-footed messenger of Zeus and Hera. Iridos was selected to carry
BRIT’s message.
Mission: To conserve our natural heritage by deepening our
knowledge of the plant world and achieving public understanding of
the value plants bring to life.
Welcome,
At BRIT, I think our magazine, Iridos, is taking a role to presage the increased
visibility that will accompanying the upcoming move of our facilities within the
next few years. For the past few months, we’ve been working on refining Iridos to
engage even more readers amongst our existing BRIT supporters and to pique the
interest of those who might be new to the organization. We’ve opened up the
pages of the magazine to welcome even more intriguing stories set in a fresh, inviting layout with a generous
helping of human interest.
If we haven’t yet met, I am first a scientist–a botanist by training and profession. My goal is to help translate
what we do every day at BRIT into exciting stories. I thank our contributors and the BRIT staff, for their
participation during the process!
Good, bad or indifferent, your comments are important to me. Please let me know what you think and if you
like what you see. And a phone call would be the highest compliment, no matter what the subject! I sincerely invite
interaction as we at BRIT work to improve our communication and further connect with our readers.
Robert George, Editor
Ph: 817.332.4441 ext. 11
Email: rgeorge@brit.org • Fax: 817.332.4112
BRIT Spotlight
Besides adding a letter from the editor to
the new Iridos, this page will highlight a Brit staff
or associate in each of its issues. For this issue of
Iridos we feature the four authors of the
Illustrated Flora of East Texas, Volume one (see
full article on page 14). The authors’ work
together illustrates the collaborative ethic that is
so much a part of BRIT.
George Diggs, Monique Reed, Barney Lipscomb, and
Bob O’Kennon
George Diggs is a faculty member in the Biology
Department and Center for Environmental Studies at
Austin College in Sherman, Texas. He also works at BRIT
as a Research Associate.
Barney Lipscomb is the Dorothea Leonhardt Chair of
Texas Botany at BRIT, and editor of BRIT’s two botanical
journals.
COVER PHOTO BY DARIO CRUZ
Monique Reed is the Herbarium Botanist in the Biology
Department at Texas A&M and coordinates undergraduate and graduate laboratories in botany. She’s
particularly interested in the plants of Texas (especially
bog and outcrop plants), cultivated plants, exotic weeds,
and education.
Robert (Bob) O’Kennon is a Research Associate at
BRIT, has served on its Board of Trustees from the
beginning in 1987, and is Vice Chairman.
Blackwater Mysteries:
BRIT Student Searches for Luscious Fruit
in Vanilla Swamps of Amazonian Peru
A question was posed to me by a
good friend: “How is one affected by
spending an entire year of his/her life
in the tropical blackwater swamps of
Peru?
My response was immediate and
without reflection.
“Only two toenails rotted off, I
have just one scar from a flesh-eating
parasite. I tangled with only two maneating anacondas, and I experienced
only one case of mild hypothermia
during the night I spent lost in the
(continue to p. 6)
swamp.”
ETHAN HOUSEHOLDER
Ethan Householder, current BRIT/TCU student, spent the past year in the
Peruvian Amazon exploring the palm swamps of the Madre de Dios River.
While in search of a single orchid genus, Vanilla, he recorded his experiences and
offers the story of his year of intense botanical exploration and its meaning to him.
The intoefllectual
depth swer
my an
was apparently
unsatisfying to my curious friend. But how
preservative, a
better to quickly summarize the aftermath of a
fragrance, a flavor.
year’s worth of swamp exploration than with a
It’s even been used
few physical manifestations of my incredible
as money. The
journey?
Aztecs forced the
Not for the faint of heart, my lurid
Totonacs of
Veracruz, Mexico, to
toenails and a debilitating paranoia of large
pay tribute to their
snakes. The relevance of those experiences
conquering masters in the form of vanilla. As a
lifts the lid on the heart of a deeper issue.
weapon of war, vanilla helped Hernán Cortéz
First let me explain why I was in these
conquer the Aztecs with a mere 200 men by
traditions, I discovered deep-rooted feelings
swamps to begin with. It’s fairly simple. I was
convincing the Totonacs they’d never be
dormant in me and they were about to emerge.
searching for the vanilla orchid.
forced to give their prized vanilla to another
This passion for vanilla, and the swamps
Aztec… if they would join him in his war
demanded that I travel to find them.
formed, plant evolution had already begun to
against the Sun God, or Aztec king.
our existence as a species.
Partaking in this most ancient of
But today botanical exploration has new
The world seen through the lens of this
meaning. The botanical explorers of yesterday
of the swamps in BRIT research. Naturally
single plant is absolutely fascinating. I have
ventured into a world very different from ours.
occurring “perfume” from vanilla orchid
found myself in remote jungle swamps, often
Yesterday human existence depended on how
flowers, as well as from resins, feces, and
in precarious positions, searching for
other sources, is collected by males of a
this single plant. Its natural history, its
certain tropical bee. These perfumes then
human history, and its mystery all hold
become the raw material for the production of
me captive. And it happens to grow like
pheromones used in the bee’s mating rituals
a weed in the swamps of the Peruvian
with the opposite sex. Over evolutionary time,
Amazon.
shape the orchid family, a significant element
as male bees have modified their mix of
So, I ventured into these Amazonian
fragrance attractants for choosy females, the
swamps, to partake of what is perhaps
vanilla perfume also has responded with
the most ancient profession of mankind,
change. And perhaps because we all share a
botanical exploration. Our hunting and
common biology at some level, this floral
gathering ancestors lived or died
perfume —- so proficient at luring male bees
according to their botanical acumen.
—- is also deliciously tempting to us, Homo
Ten thousand years ago, the dawn of our
sapiens.
agricultural civilization depended on
What is this delicious scent? I am of
IRIDOS v o l u m e 18 n o 1
Orange indicates
swamps where
Ethan Householder
studied
narrative begins there… with only eight
Before the Peruvian palm swamps were
6
medicine, a
botanical knowledge. Seed satchels
course speaking of Vanilla, an orchid which
carried by ancient farmers contained the
has achieved iconic status in the minds, and
genetic diversity they created, traded,
noses, of humans, including mine. Throughout
and protected. That diversity and those
world and human history, vanilla interlaces
seeds continue to feed us today.
ancient religious ceremonies. It is a symbol of
pomp and prestige. It’s an aphrodisiac, a
Botanical exploration was a matter
of survival, something deep rooted in
Ethan with vanilla pods
produced no fruit at all, the females having
been reduced to rotting stumps. No fruits
mean no animals. No fruits mean no
baby palms to replace the fallen. I
considered these swamps among
the living dead.
What will become of these
well
swamps? What will become
they explored
of the palms growing there
their local floras.
Today, as nature gets pushed out
and becomes more subdivided, isolated,
and the vanilla orchids that adorn their trunks?
More importantly, what can I do? These
and forgotten, the survival of our floras depend
questions have nagged me since I returned to
on how well we explore them, how well we
the United States. I offer them as the answers
understand them, and how much we value them.
to the original question that began my
From my first day in the swamps I was
journalistic exploration, “How is one affected
made keenly aware of their value. I’m not
by spending an entire year in the tropical,
referring to botanical value, but to monetary
blackwater swamps of Peru?” Swamp
value. By some cruel trick of the same
conservation has become a personal issue, and
geological forces that lifted up the great Andes,
for as long as I have some toenails left, I’d
enough gold has been deposited underneath
rather be knee deep in one than not have them
accumulated organic matter in vanilla swamps
to explore. The passion for swamp vanilla that
to lure thousands of gold miners to the area.
has overtaken me in the past year ensures that
They hope to get lucky, like male bees to
I will play a role in the fate of its home, the
vanilla fruit, but in a much louder and more
swamps.
destructive manner. I was never out of earshot
As I write this, I sit in the backyard of my
of the droning sounds of motorized pumps
mother’s house in Fort Worth, Texas. In my
turning the swamps inside out, looking for gold.
line of sight is a plant she collected from a
And if there’s yellow gold beneath, there’s
small crack in the sidewalk of her suburban
lot. The plant has over fifty flowers, each with
of the palm, Mauritia flexuosa. The palms are
an intense, beautiful smell. I reminisce about
also the natural trellis of the vanilla orchid.
the sweet fragrance of vanilla, about the
The dry season in the swamps is met with
swamps where they grow. I realize that such a
bountiful harvests of the irresistible palm
passion does not require a trip to distant, far
fruits. One of the dirty little secrets of
off places. It can be expressed anywhere. Plant
uncontrolled, laissez-faire capitalism in the
lovers everywhere—gardeners, naturalists,
Amazon is that commercial palm fruit
ecologists, taxonomists, or evolutionary
collectors fell 30-meter female palm trees for a
biologists—share a common passion. And
one time harvest. Only male trees are left,
we’re all equally bound by a common
unable to produce fruit and progeny on their
responsibility. That is, to explore, study, and
own. Every day the market expands for these
understand the plants around us. The plants
fruits. Everyday I walked through swamps that
depend on it.
Vanilla
orchid on
palm (note
the yellow
pod near
bottom)
IRIDOS v o l u m e 18 n o 1
red gold above. It’s the brightly colored fruits
7
BRIT Launches Distinguished Lecturer Series 2006-2007
IRIDOS v o l u m e 18 n o 1
Explorers of the 21st Century
8
STAFF PHOTO
with speakers after the lectures. Thanks go to
Mr. Carroll Collins and Mrs. Lucy Darden
who hosted elegant dinners for the speakers
and BRIT guests in each of their homes.
The Fort Worth Botanic Garden, Fort
Worth Garden Club and the Fort Worth
Botanical Society, host the lectures and provide
receptions for guests in the Deborah Biggs
Moncrief Garden Center. American Airlines
generously donates travel sponsorship to bring
speakers to Fort Worth.
Please take part in the spring lectures!
More exciting expeditions are anticipated. And
no boarding pass required.
STAFF PHOTO
TCU students Jorge Lingan and Romina Gazis
COURTESY OF F. HOWARTH
Think exploration was just a 15th century
phenomenon? This year’s lecture series proves
the Age of Exploration is far from over. There
are still giants who explore our earth, and many
of their discoveries come from scientists whose
work originates in our own back yards.
Last September, Sara Harrison Sohmer,
Ph.D. initiated this timely and intriguing BRIT
series interwoven with a fascinating perspective
from British history.
“This curiosity about a much expanded
natural world required both new skills and new
actors— individuals who literally saw and
explained Nature innovatively,” said Dr.
Sohmer. “By the mid-18th century, that process
was sufficiently developed to support
something of a ‘golden age’ of scientific
exploring expeditions.”
The first modern-day explorer in the
lecture series was appropriately enough, John
Janovec, Ph.D., research botanist. The head of
BRIT’s Andes to Amazon Biodiversity Program,
Dr. Janovec shared stories that helped bring to
light remarkable work he is leading with a team
in Peru, and technology that is revolutionizing
21st century science. His talk in October,
“Exploring the Deepest Amazon, the Peruvian
Andes, and the Jungles of Cyberspace,” was
quite enlightening.
In November, Frank G. Howarth, Ph.D.,
Bishop Museum, Honolulu, described some of
the wonders of Hawaiian natural history,
including happy-face spiders and birds with
bills for every purpose. He took the audience
on an expedition into an unknown world to
marvel at the bizarre life forms that have
adapted to live in some of Hawaii’s most
inhospitable places. These life forms survive in
such extreme habitats as hot barren lava flows
and freezing desolate summits of the highest
mountains in the mid Pacific.
Major donors had the opportunity to visit
Frank G. Howarth
Dr. Sara Sohmer and Val Wilkie
“A Lifetime of Collecting in the World’s Tropics
- Or How I Got to Know the Diversity of Plants
By Collecting Them” with Thomas Croat, Ph.D.,
P.A. Shulze Curator of Botany, Missouri Botanical
Garden, St. Louis
1 February 2007
“Old Plants and Very Old Bones---Exploring the
Ethiopian Highlands” with Bonnie Jacobs, Ph.D.,
Director, Environmental Science Program and
Associate Professor, Department of Geological
Sciences, Southern Methodist University
5 April 2007
“Exploring the New Guinea Highlands: the
Magical World of the Birds of Paradise” with
Bruce Beehler, Ph.D., vice president, Melanesia
Center for Biodiversity Conservation,
Conservation International, Washington, D.C.
1 March 2007
“Saving the Wild Places of Earth for the
Unicorn and the Tiger: Assuring the Future for
Young Explorers” with Eric Dinerstein, Ph.D.,
chief scientist and vice president for Science,
World Wildlife Fund, Washington, D.C.
4 May 2007
Ruth Carter Stevenson
Recipient of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas’
2007 International Award of Excellence in Conservation
BRIT’s 2007 Award of Excellence in Conservation will be held Thursday, 26 April, at the Renaissance Worthington Hotel in
Fort Worth. BRIT's award gala is an important event attended by more than 500 guests.
Ruth Carter Stevenson will receive the
Botanical Research Institute of Texas (BRIT) 2007
International Award of Excellence in Conservation
at a dinner in Fort Worth, Texas on Thursday, April
26, 2007. She is being recognized for making a
sustaining difference in conservation in Fort
Worth.
“Ruth Carter Stevenson is a deserving
recipient of BRIT’s 2007 International Award of
Excellence in Conservation,” said Tim McKinney,
chair of BRIT’s board of trustees.
“Characteristically, she has continually worked
successfully behind the scenes to enhance the
natural beauty of our community. She is known as
a ‘walking encyclopedia’ on plants and for her
enthusiasm for green spaces.” Her
accomplishments are significant.
By the early ‘70s, the US Army Corps of
Engineers had completed its flood control project
on the Trinity River, which runs through the heart
of Fort Worth, but the work had left its banks
barren. Mrs. Stevenson was one of the original
founders of the Streams and Valleys Committee,
established in 1971 to preserve and beautify the
Trinity River and its adjoining areas. She activated
l
“Anything I can do that will make Fort
Worth a better place, or accessible, or
more interesting to the outside world, I
would do that.” – Ruth Carter Stevenson
She has also been a board member of the
following organizations: National Trust for Historic
Preservation, 1968 – 71 and 1989 – 93; Texas
Christian University, board of trustees, 1974 – 86;
National Endowment for the Arts, 1968 – 71;
Smithsonian Institution, National Collection of
Fine Arts, 1966 – 70; The University of Texas at
Austin, Board of Regents, 1963 – 69. She has
been a member of the following organizations:
Council on Foreign Relations, New York City,
1983 – 89; Streams and Valleys Committee, Fort
Worth, 1970 – 76; Fort Worth City Art
Commission, 1960 – 83. Her awards have been
many: Historic Preservation “Lifetime
Achievement Award,” Fort Worth, October 2000;
Ruth Carter Stevenson Regents Chair in the Art of
Architecture, established in 1992 by The
University of Texas at Austin; Doctor of Humane
Letters, Texas Christian University, May 1973;
Doctor of Humanities, Texas Wesleyan College,
March 1972.
Created in 1995, the International Award of Excellence in Conservation is presented annually to an individual or
organization that exemplifies the ideals expressed in BRIT’s mission: to conserve our natural heritage by deepening our
knowledge of the plant world and achieving public understanding of the value that plants bring to life.
IRIDOS v o l u m e 18 n o 1
the Halprin Plan, the master plan designed to
beautify the urban greenbelt along the Trinity
River that had been prepared by nationally known
San Francisco landscape architect Laurence
Halprin in 1970. She was responsible for the
planting of hundreds of trees along the Trinity
River. She was instrumental in the creation of the
award-winning Fort Worth Water Gardens in
1974, and she made it possible for the City of Fort
Worth to have the land to establish Gateway Park
on the city’s eastside.
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Mrs. Stevenson
was born on October 19, 1923. She earned her
Bachelor of Arts degree in 1945 from Sarah
Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. An
active leader both locally and nationally, she has
served as president of the Amon G. Carter
Foundation since 1982. Her parents, Amon G.
and Nenetta Burton Carter, established the
foundation in 1945. She joined the foundation’s
board in 1945 and served as its vice president
from 1955 to 1982. She also serves as president of
the board of trustees of the Amon Carter
Museum, a position she has held since the
museum was founded in 1961. Her father, Amon
G. Carter (1879-1955), provided in his will for the
establishment of the museum, which has evolved
into one of the great museums of American art.
Since 1995 she has been a member of the
National Gallery of Art’s Trustees Council. She has
also served the National Gallery of Art as founding
chairman of the Collectors Committee, 1976 –
96, board member, 1978 – 97, and chairman of
the board, 1993 – 97. Former volunteer positions
have included being founding chairman of the
Cultural District Advisory Committee, Fort Worth,
1986 – 89; vice president, International Council,
New York Museum of Modern Art, 1965 – 72;
president, Arts Council of Greater Fort Worth,
1963 – 64; vice president, Fort Worth Art
Association, 1951 – 61.
9
Read It and Weep!
The Fascinating Journey from Pasture to Pharmacy for One
Remarkable Species, The Willow and Its Great Gift, Salicin
by
MARISSA
OPPEL
Salicylic acid
IRIDOS v o l u m e 18 n o 1
Salicin
10
What do willow trees have in common with
aspirin, acne treatments, and ancient Egypt? The
answer is salicin, a chemical compound first
isolated from willow (Salix sp.) in 1829 by the
French pharmacist Henri Leroux.
Sometimes called weeping willows, species
of willow have been prized as medicines by global
cultures ancient and modern, including
Egyptians, Greeks, American Indians, and
Europeans. Thousands of years ago Dioscorides
and Hippocrates recorded medicinal uses. Early
American Indians exploited the willow to yield
tonics and treatments for a full body range of
ailments, from colds, rheumatism, fevers, and
headaches, to stomach and skin problems.
Medieval Europeans thanked willow species for
relief from fevers and pain. And that was just the
beginning!
During the century from 1820 to 1926,
willow bark was listed in the official go-to drug
compendium, the United States Pharmacopoeia
(USP). And, today, white willow extracts and teas
are prized herbal medicines sipped by many for
help with back pain, arthritis pain, headaches,
and fevers.
Why? The answer again is salicin and other
prodrugs, drugs that only become active once in
the body. Salicin, the gift of the willow, converts
into salicylic acid in the human digestive system.
Salicylic acid is a plant hormone that activates a
systemic response to infections. Other
applications abound. It can be used as a less toxic
form of pest control, an ingredient in drugstore
wart removers, and it’s
found in over-thecounter acne
medications too.
To get technical,
salicin is actually a
glycoside of salicylic
acid [A glycoside is a
compound consisting
of a sugar molecule
attached to some
other molecule].
Salicylic acid is
irritating, so much so
that it cannot be
ingested over the
long-term because
it can cause stomach, mouth, and throat
irritations. However, salicin doesn’t convert to
salicylic acid until it is in the intestines and liver,
sparing delicate human stomach, mouth, and
esophageal tissues.
Many members of the willow family produce
valuable salicin or similar compounds named
salicylates. We can say thanks to weeping willow
(Salix babylonica), purple willow (Salix purpurea),
crack willow (Salix fragilis), cottonwood trees
(Populus deltoides), as well as meadowsweet
(Filipendula ulmaria) and wintergreen
(Gaultheria procumbens)
from the rose and
blueberry families.
So, back in 1829,
after Leroux had isolated
salicin, the Italian
Chemist Raffaele Piria
converted salicin to
salicylic acid. And in
1839, German researchers
isolated salicylic acid from
meadowsweet.
Meadowsweet, traditionally
used to treat fevers and
urinary problems, is used in
modern herbal medicine as
1869
1897
1899
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sel lsali ann
f a cy te
nd lic sts
art aci
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tic
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on
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La
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1853
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tyl a synt
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aci orm
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Joh
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Kr
au
ts
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a p nthe
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tyl fo s
sal rm
icy of
lic
aci
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1839
Ch
arl
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1829
He
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ola Lero
ear ele
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sal su
ici cce
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{
aspirin timeline
voila! An article was published all about aspirin in
the July 1899 issue of Lancet. Researcher and
author, Heinrich Dreser, a Bayer scientist who at
first didn’t appreciate aspirin’s potential, soon
reaped substantial royalties from the lucrative
new product that was initially used to treat fevers.
The scientists who discovered it were not so
fortunate. At least they had some aspirin to ease
their pain.
Soon aspirin shot up on the charts. It
became one of Bayer’s top-selling
products, sold alongside popular
medicines of the era like heroin, another
compound that was renamed and
marketed by Bayer Laboratories! Sales of
new mass-produced drugs, such as
aspirin and heroin, helped secure Bayer’s
new starring role, having left its former
dye manufacturer focus to become a
powerful leading member of the young
pharmaceutical industry.
Today, numerous manufacturers
synthesize aspirin in massive quantities
using phenol as a starting compound.
Though not found in pretty green trees,
phenol is plentiful in black coal tar.
Aspirin is used all over the world to treat
pain, fevers, headaches, and
arthritis–even to help prevent heart
attacks. Aspirin is a member of a group of
compounds known as non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). NSAIDS inhibit
prostaglandin (a hormone-type molecule)
synthesis, producing a range of beneficial effects
and huge profits for the pharmaceutical industry,
who are weeping all the way to the bank.
But of course, we know that salicin, the very first
NSAID, was originally synthesized by nature.
IRIDOS v o l u m e 18 n o 1
an anti-rheumatic, analgesic, febrifuge
(fever reducer), stomachic, and antiinflammatory agent. Salicylic acid and its
salt, sodium salicylate, were soon marketed
as exciting new drugs. Acetylsalicylic acid,
a.k.a., aspirin, was probably first
synthesized in a crude form by a fellow
Frenchman, a chemist named Charles
Gerhardt, in 1853. Sixteen years later
Johann Kraut synthesized a purified form of
acetylsalicylic acid that was later
manufactured by a German group, the
Chemische Fabrik von Hayden Company.
Its fame was still in the wings, though.
This compound did not become famous as
a medicine until almost 50 years later when
Bayer Laboratories released its version of
acetylsalicylic acid and named it aspirin.
Fortune followed. The Bayer aspirin
legend states that, Felix Hoffmann, a
scientist working for Bayer Laboratories,
tested the virtually ignored compound on himself
and his arthritic father in 1897. Felix discovered
that aspirin had the pain-relieving properties of
salicylic acid with fewer unwanted side effects.
Like salicin, aspirin converts into salicylic acid in
the gut. Because of its chemical structure it is less
irritating and more palatable than salicylic acid.
Fast forward past a period of research, and,
11
Andes to Amazon
Biodiversity Program
Update
By JOHN JANOVEC and AMANDA NEILL
Co-Directors of the AABP at BRIT
rs ago,
Just over two yea
the Botanical Research Institute of Texas requested
support from the Gordon and Betty Moore
• dissemination and publication
Foundation (GBMF) for BRIT to lead a group of
• training and education
institutions in a collaborative effort to integrate
IRIDOS v o l u m e 18 n o 1
The study of plants serves as the essential
biodiversity science and conservation with
foundation for all of our activities and products.
sophisticated computer and information technology.
However, this project combines other studies
Their answer? A three-year, $2.3-million challenge
(biodiversity data collection) of organisms like
grant to support the activities and products of
insects, mammals, birds, and fungi. These are just a
BRIT’s Andes to Amazon Biodiversity Program in
few model organisms that occur in the diverse
southeastern Peru.
ecosystems of the Andes-Amazon region of
BRIT took on the challenge of raising $400,000
12
• data analysis and integration
southeastern Peru. All our activities contribute a
as part of the global project budget for the three-year
substantial foundation of information—now and for
period.
the future.
Because of the breadth of the AABP project,
The AABP team conducts activities in the areas
we typically divide our activities into the following
of science, technology, and education, all of which
components
ultimately contribute to BRIT’s mission to conserve
• environmental data collection (climate, soils,
water)
our natural heritage. How? First by deepening our
knowledge of the plant world and then by achieving
• biodiversity data collection (plants and animals)
public understanding of the value plants bring to
• technology development and testing
life. We pride ourselves in being dedicated and
in the field. There are a total of more than 50
proud of the AABP team at BRIT and in Peru. And
members of the AABP team, including principal
we’re equally excited about all the possibilities for
scientists, students, field assistants, and volunteers.
the program’s future. To celebrate, we’ve created an
Add to that the more than 50 seminars, lectures, or
improved and enhanced project website, with major
public presentations given during the last year here
updates in technology for collaborative management
and in various countries like Peru, Costa Rica,
and publication of the website. We created a
Canada, Brazil, Argentina, and the
database-driven system so that the AABP team can
Dominican Republic. What’s more,
access and modify the website content from any
23 articles were published! We are so
internet connection, anywhere in the world.
Because members of the management team of the
AABP live and work in the Andes-Amazon region of
diligent, efficient and
Peru, this system will allow us to post more constant
effective. One might
and consistent updates about the progress of work
even say that the AABP
taking place in Texas and in Peru.
team is engaged in the
What’s new? The website includes a built-in
intensive scientific dirty
newsletter, tools for creating photographic essays,
work that’s required to
and an image management system. Users can even
discover and record the
interact with the AABP team through an on-
presence of species,
line blog, allowing visitors to share in the
describe their ecology
daily adventures of the team and view
and natural history,
photo-essays on the field research underway.
and better define the
Zero Design (www.zerodesign.com), located
ecosystems they comprise
in Kansas City, Missouri, was our strategic
in the Andes-Amazon
partner on this, officially launching the site
region.
in October 2006. So, when you sign on to
“Dirty” is both literal
and figurative. We spend most of our time in the
our regular AABP address:
www.andesamazon.org, be
field and in the museum. This ‘boots on the ground’
prepared to get to know the
philosophy is underpinned by our belief that the
AABP team and learn all you
secret to understanding complex tropical ecosystems
ever wanted to know about our
and their services to humanity is found in fully
efforts to conserve biodiversity
integrating biological and ecological data. Most of
and ecosystems, from the Andes
these data must be collected–where else?–in the
to the Amazon.
field. We are driven by a philosophy that the
products and the impact of our work will contribute
over time to the justification, planning,
management, and review of conservation areas that
are necessary to protect complex tropical ecosystems
and their ecosystem services. This gets us closer to
ecosystems in the Andes-Amazon region of
southeastern Peru, and of course–beyond.
In October, we finished a major annual progress
report for the second year of our project. During
that process we were reminded of the importance of
the people working on the AABP both at BRIT and
IRIDOS v o l u m e 18 n o 1
the overall goal of conserving biodiversity and
13
Debut in N
Art by Stuart Gentling
Illustrated Flora of East Texas causes a stir
By ROBERT GEORGE
he asked. He could not have been more pleased
encompassing BRIT/Austin College program
debut last May at the 3rd Lone Star Regional
that the Illustrated Flora of East Texas had made
known as the Illustrated Texas Floras Project.
Native Plant Conference in Nacogdoches, the
its debut on his campus.
The Illustrated Flora of East Texas made its
heart of the Texas pineywoods.
As our van approached the Forest Research
IRIDOS v o l u m e 18 n o 1
comprehensive information about all plants in the
third of the state is one of the more botanically
different regions of Texas. The kicker here is the
Institute on the Stephen F. Austin State
rich areas for its size, there’s no recent publication
books, which botanists call “floras” are written to
University campus in Nacogdoches we noticed
providing comprehensive plant information. Now,
inform, educate, and serve the amateur devotee,
increasing activity in the milling crowd. They
BRIT and Austin College have delivered on a
student, and the professional botanist. Of course,
were trying to tell where we might set up. As we
promise to do just that for the people of East
the bulk of the book addresses basic botanical
emerged and began to unload our cargo, people
Texas and nature lovers worldwide.
information. This includes:
anxiously gathered and began to cue up at our
14
Why all the excitement? Though the eastern
The project has as its goal to provide
The Illustrated Flora of East Texas, Volume I,
• a host of general interest jewels
reserved table. We wrestled our boxes of books to
is the first of three volumes detailing plants in the
• plant scientific name
the spot and began to extricate the newly
eastern part of the state. It supplies information
• common names
delivered volumes and free them from their
on a third of the plants (more than 1,000). The
• plant description
cellophane. David Creech, a professor in the
second and third volumes, with publication dates
• plant distribution
Agricultural Department, approached. “Can I
yet to be announced, will deal with the remaining
• uses
have the first book and a photo with the authors?”
+2,000 plants. It’s the second publication of the
• toxicity
To ameliorate the use of necessary scientific
research associate and board member at BRIT.
terms a concise illustrated glossary is included.
But this illustrious group is only the most
What is the main purpose of this flora? As with
individuals and organizations that donate to the
production of the floras. As a free standing
visible. Numerous other individual botanists and
institution BRIT offers its salute to these
any, it’s primarily to identify plants in its area. The
institutions weigh in as well. They provide important
collaborators who are the foundation for the
best tool for this is a dichotomous key. This tool is
review of information, illustrative sources, and even
realization of its mission.
daunting to many, even botanists. But amateurs can
contribute to writing some sections of the book. The
reap great rewards by being a little persistent. The
other and most important collaborators are the
Nacogdoches
most prominent user friendly feature is the inclusion
Dichotomous key:
of botanical illustrations for every single species. The
term “fully illustrated” denotes this feature. One
Dichotomous keys are tools used to
identify unknown plants. They provide a
choice between alternative plant
characteristics, for instance:
rarely, if ever, sees drawings for every species in a
flora of this magnitude. It is this very feature, among
many others, that realizes the BRIT mission of
spreading the word about plants—“instilling public
1a. Petals of your unknown plant red.
(If yes go to #2, if no go to 1b).
Species a
2. Petals < 1 inch long
2. Petals > 2 inches long
Species b
1b. Petals of your unknown plant white.
2. Plant a shrub
Species c
2. Plant a tree
Species d
awareness of the value of plants.” Some of the other
user friendly and useful features of the book are:
distribution maps for the plants, where to buy native
plants including nursery addresses, list of
conservation organizations, list of botanical websites,
and a “how to” on collecting and preserving plants.
The book is a triumph for BRIT’s mission and
possible only through a tremendous collaboration–
illustrated by the four authors: George Diggs, Barney
Lipscomb, Monique Reed, and Robert O’ Kennon.
George participates through the Austin College
Department; Barney is on staff at BRIT; Monique is
The first choice (here lines beginning with
the number 1) is followed by another choice
indented under it (here lines beginning with
the number 2) and so on, until the identity
of a plant is determined. Though simplified
this is the basic structure.
on staff at Texas A&M University; and Bob is a
M E E T T H E Authors!
BRIT will host a book signing event for the Illustrated Flora of East Texas on 25 January 2007.
Rub elbows with the authors from 5-7 P.M. in the BRIT herbarium and get your flora autographed!
IRIDOS v o l u m e 18 n o 1
Center for Environmental Studies and Biology
Texas ecological regions: The East Texas Flora covers
regions 1, 3 and 4
15
TIANA FRANKLIN
Scottie and Harry Bartel
pecans and heirloom tomatoes and goat cheese,
Salt Crusted Tenderloin of Beef with heirloom
tomato and corn relish, bacon-wrapped roasted
asparagus and corn pudding, and mini chocolate
tamales with goat’s milk cajeta.
BRIT’s Wine Dinner 2006 featured a wine
pull and eager buyers purchased corks, or
“tickets,” with some walking away with bottles of
2003 Ducru-Beaucaillou Saint-Julien, Veuve
Clicquot Ponsardin, and Chateau Pontet-Canet
Pauillac 1988 after plunking down just $50 for
one wine pull “ticket”.
The inaugural Wine Dinner 2006 was the
warm up event to set the stage for the BRIT
Wine Dinner and Auction 2007. Here’s a
preview of a few phenomenal ideas that are
currently on the list for the 2007 gathering:
Gladys and Raymond Haak
•
exquisite cuisine
•
luxurious wines
•
red-hot live wine auction that includes a
vast selection of unique lots, exceptional
BRIT Toasts a New, Vintage Event
wine collections, one-of-a-kind wine
adventures, rare bottles, and international
and domestic travel vacations
Over 100 wine connoisseurs, aficionados and novices converged at Harry and Scottie Bartel’s home
in Fort Worth, Texas on October 19, 2006 for BRIT’s inaugural Wine Dinner 2006.
Guests shared bottles of wine each had selected and brought along. And Haak Vineyards’ award
background music during the Theinot Champagne reception as dusk filled the patio. Guests then walked
into elegant, candle-lit dinner tents where celebrity chef Grady Spears, designed and presented a
delicious four course menu: Mini Quail Tostadas with Jose’s Slaw, Crab Cakes with Roasted Corn and
Cotija Cheese, Mini Squash Blossom and Goat Cheese Tarts, Field Greens with San Saba candied
the live auction, it promises to be equally as
breathtaking! (No breathalyzers allowed.)
IRIDOS v o l u m e 18 n o 1
winning Blanc du Bois filled glasses at every table. Local favorite Tom Reynolds and his trio provided
For the less boisterous there will be a
showcase silent auction. Though not as loud as
17
Albert Ruth Collection Finds a
Permanent Home at BRIT By AMANDA NEILL
Albert Ruth (1844-1932) From the
collection of the Fort Worth Public Library
Amateur botanist Albert Ruth (1844-1932) is
more Ruth collections from various sources over
fondly remembered at BRIT as one of the first
the past two decades. Finally, in September
plant collectors in the Fort Worth, Texas area.
2006, the balance of Mr. Ruth’s personal
Mr. Ruth spent most of his career in
herbarium was delivered to BRIT by the Fort
Tennessee as a superintendent of schools in
Knoxville, while he collected
plants all over the
eastern half of
that state.
Several
Worth Museum of Science and History.
residential area. We are lucky to know what
circuitous route through our city over the last 75
species lived there when it was still a prairie,
years to arrive at its final home. After his death,
making the case for baseline data to monitor
Mr. Ruth’s collection was sold “for a nominal
change.”
sum” to a coalition comprised of the Fort Worth
wildflower identification classes where century-
Club, and the Fort Worth Park Board. It was
old plants impressed students with their
stored at the Botanic Garden. In 1950, Mary
sustained bright colors.
collected are
move many of its holdings to storage or other
University (TCU). Hewatt wrote a letter to TCU
institutions while its new facility was being
President M. E. Sadler to convince him that the
constructed. Yet again the Ruth Herbarium was
university would be the best home for the Ruth
considered in terms of “where will it be of most
Collection.
use?” The idea of moving the collection to BRIT
and finally a decision was made and approved by
Herbarium from the TCU biology building.
the board of the FWMSH to permanently
[Apparently there was little interest in the
transfer the Ruth Collection to BRIT.
collection at TCU at the time. Again the decision
The materials arrived in custom-made
cabinets in September after a complete count by
most use.”] The FWMSH welcomed the
museum staff listed 8025 specimens in total. As
orphaned collection, despite the fact that its
the specimens are processed at BRIT, we are
scope (plants from all over North America) was
discovering that about half of these plants were
continued his prolific botanizing in Texas, keeping
not in keeping with their focus on Texas and the
collected by persons other than Ruth. They are
some of his collections for his own herbarium
southwest. Nevertheless, they had room for it.
nationwide in origin as a result of Ruth’s
and conducting exchange with other botanists.
General plans were to keep it safe and intact
exchange of specimens with others. The average
Mr. Ruth shared many of his collections with
until a better home could be found.
collection date is around the turn of the last
him. When he
moved to Fort Worth in 1907, he
other herbaria, such as the Arnold Arboretum at
IRIDOS v o l u m e 18 n o 1
had been discussed several times over the years,
and History (FWMSH) picked up the Ruth
was one of “where the collection could be of
now named for
18
In early 2006, the FWMSH prepared to
Hewatt, a biology professor at Texas Christian
In 1972, the Fort Worth Museum of Science
he first
He says the specimens were also used in
Botanic Garden (FWBG), Fort Worth Garden
Lake, then director of FWBG, contacted Willis
species
Polytechnic. Poly is now a large, sprawling, urban
Albert Ruth’s personal collection took a
For 30 years, the Ruth Collection was a
century, so this is indeed a historically valuable
Harvard, the New York Botanical Garden, and
FWMSH feature for classes and workshops,
assemblage. Despite their itinerancy, the Ruth
the Smithsonian. Southern Methodist University
primarily to illustrate the value and utility of plant
specimens are in remarkably good physical shape.
obtained 300 of his collections for class use,
collections. Jim Diffley, FWMSH’s V.P. and
BRIT is excited to now count the Ruth
which were eventually transferred to BRIT upon
Curator of Collections states, “Some Ruth
Collection among its own, with specimens that
its inception.
specimens were collected in the vicinity of a
are definitely “of use” to our community and to
small section of southeast Fort Worth called
botanists around the globe.
The BRIT Herbarium acquired about 500
“What’s in Your Brown Bag Lunch?”
Can you say “BRIT’s Brown Bag Botany?” If not, just say “B4!” (Grab your lunch
and head on down to BRIT’s Learning Center for our noontime informal presentations)
BRIT trustee and provost of Texas Christian
Coordinator of School Services, BRIT.
University Dr. Nowell Donovan, is now the
Next on the menu, Dr. John Janovec presented
proud father of a fascinating new project: “Great
an update on the Andes to Amazon Biodiversity
Trees of Fort Worth.” Recently he briefed an
Program at the September brown bag while Marissa
interested audience that gathered in our
Oppel, Museum Assistant for the Andes to Amazon
Learning Center on the concept. As a result of
Biodiversity Program, described edible plants of
his presentation, BRIT will be working with
North Central Texas in her presentation in October.
TCU and a number of local agencies to engage
The October session included a deliciously tangy
the community in this project.
cactus pad hors d'oeuvre! To cap off the B4 Fall
Tiana Franklin
The initiative will involve school age children
Series in November, TCU graduate student Tiana
and local residents in tree awareness and
Franklin, Research Assistant for the Andes to
conservation. “We need to get children outdoors and engaged in
Amazon Biodiversity Program, served the audience a personal
projects such as this,” said Pat Harrison, BRIT’s Head of
slice of the program through a visually stimulating photographic
Education. The statement was underscored by the following
account of her journey through Peru.
B4–the education staff’s thought-provoking presentation
What’s on the B4 Spring Schedule? Take a look below.
“Overcoming Nature Deficit Disorder,” led by Amber Keller,
Brown Bag Lunch Schedule 2007
14 February 2007
11 April 2007
16 May 2007
Red Dirt Sand Dollars: An East Texas Tall Tale
A Year’s Work with Vanilla in the Palm Swamps of Madre
Who Is the Hunter and Who Is the Hunted?
Robert George, project assistant for the East Texas flora,
de Dios in Peru: Natural History, Use, and Conservation
Romina Gazis, Graduate student, TCU/BRIT
exposes the geology and the plants of East Texas.
Ethan Householder, Graduate student, TCU/BRIT
Come listen to Romina Gazis talk about the bizarre
Environmental Studies program
relationships between mushrooms and insects in the
14 March 2007
Can youPEuseP?
some
Hear a dynamic presentation, from one of BRIT’s youngest
Peruvian rainforest. Romina is a TCU graduate student
explorers, on vanilla natural history, phenology (flowering
and research associate with the Andes to Amazon
and fruiting cycle), ecology, pollination biology,
Biodiversity Program (AABP). She studies the fascinating
demography, and distribution, with fascinating tidbits
life-forms we call fungi in southeastern Peru.
Marissa Oppel, MS, herbarium technician
thrown in for fun! Throughout, the perspective will
Learn about ethnobotanical, phytochemical, and
always be on using vanilla within its natural system and
pharmacological literature combed by Marissa to review
how the plant’s biological peculiarities affect its
53 plants that grow in the Rio Grande Valley of South
management and intelligent use.
Texas. Of the 22 families, 44 genera, and 53 species
reviewed, 10 families, 18 genera, and 22 species had
literature reporting effects on or interaction with living
animal tissues. This means arid-zone South Texas plants
may be likely candidates for drug discovery and for the
development of dietary supplements. And you’ll get the
scoop first!
here!
Nothing p la in vanilla
IRIDOS v o l u m e 18 n o 1
The Pharmacology, Ethnobotany, and Phytochemistry of
South Texas Plants
19
goldmines
Discover
in
BRIT’s books and reprints
Accounts of botanical explorations found in library books and in
the reprint collection
One can find numerous accounts
of explorations in the Library and
Reprint Collection. The BRIT
collections are especially rich in
accounts dealing with the opening of
the American West and in explorations
of the Pacific Rim countries.
The Library catalog reveals many
treasures when you search using the
words ‘explor’, ‘discover’ or ‘voyag’.
Report on the U.S. and Mexican Boundary Survey 1857-1859
Using a truncated version of these
words allows the catalog software to
search for any words that start with those letters. Catalog records for books in the Library using any of the
words explore, explorers, exploring, or explorations will be brought up.
Western explorations:
Exploration of the Red River, 1852.
Reports … Route for a Railroad from the Mississippi … , 1856.
Report … Surveys West of the 100th Meridian … , 1875-79.
Voyages:
Humboldt et … Bonpland … Mexico … , 1808-09.
Nova Genera et Species Plantarum … , by Bonpland, 1815-25.
Voyages of various of His Majesty’s Ships including the Blossom (1833),
the Sulphur (1844), the Herald (1852), and the Challenger (1873).
Discoveries:
Annals of Nature … by Rafinesque, 1820.
Flora of the State of New York … , 1843.
Enumeration of all the Plants Known from China … , 1886.
The titles listed above represent only a very few of the titles in the Library dealing with explorations.
Further research would reveal numerous others. And you can do this right from home by going to the
BRIT website and navigating to the library. There you can search titles.
The Reprint Collection dealing with specific plants is divided first by Family, Genus, then by Species
if warranted. Articles about collectors, collections and expeditions are filed with the Family or Genus.
Special articles about geographic regions and subjects are in a separate collection. The main collection has
both vascular and non-vascular plants and also explorations made in pursuit of them. However, a few
specific groups, such as Ferns, Mosses, Lichens, Algae, and Fungi, have explorations made in pursuit of
them with the specific group.
These works are vital as historical documents in their own right. In BRIT’s botanical library they play
additional roles. They function as virtual botanical time machines giving perspectives on botanical aspects
of the geographical areas explored. Many important botanical details are mined from these writings such
as the different species of plants in an area and the condition of the habitat. Botanists also consult these to
find the original descriptions of new species. This is just one small part illustrating the depth of BRIT’s
collections.
&Shakers
Discover Distance
Learning at BRIT
Wild Flowers of
Mombacho (Nicaragua)
by Helen Pickering
2006
This photographic guide, Wild Flowers of
Mombacho (Nicaragua), is color-coded and
arranged by family within the color sections. It
covers flowering plants found on the whole of the
volcano, which includes both tropical cloud forest and dry,
deciduous forest at lower altitudes.
The book covers 200 plants, each of which has two or three photographs
and a short description in both English and Spanish giving common
name(s); a description of the plant, including height, flowering period, and
habitat; and any known use of the plant. The vast majority of plants are
likely to be found in similar habitats throughout tropical America and
nearly one third are pan tropical, making this book of interest to a wide
audience throughout the tropics.
Mombacho cover
FIN
14/10/05
4:04 PM
Page 1
HONDURAS
Puerto Cabezas
•
NICURAGUA
MANAGUA
CARRIBEAN
SEA
• Bluefields•
••Volcan Mombacho
Granada
NORTH
PACIFIC
OCEAN
•San Carlos
This guide covers the whole
of Volcan Mombacho including
both the
evergreen, humid forest
above 800m and the dry,
deciduous forest
below this level. The majority
of plants can be found
in similar
habitats throughout Central
America and about one
third are widely
distributed in the tropics.
COSTA RICA
NICARAGUA
ISBN 1-889878-14-6
BOTANICAL RESEARCH
INSTITUTE OF TEXAS
509 PECAN STREET
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
76102-4060 USA
TELEPHONE: 1 817
332-4441
FAX: 1 817 332-4112
WEBSITE: www.brit.org
E-MAIL: sida@brit.or
g
9 781889 87814
0
HELEN PICKER
ING
Annette Gunter, seven year member of the BRIT staff, has joined the
Texas Independent College Foundation as Director of Development.
Her graciousness and impeccable sense of style were evident in the
publications and events she organized and implemented for BRIT.
Members and staff of BRIT wish her success in her new endeavors.
A BRIT veteran has moved east. Dr. Roger Sanders has relocated to
the green hills of southeastern Tennessee, where he’s taken a faculty
position at Bryan College in Dayton. During his time at BRIT, Roger
was Associate Collections Manager (caring for the Vanderbilt
collections). He conducted taxonomic research on the genus
Lantana (which includes species that are both widely appreciated
for their garden beauty and those that have become noxious weeds,
especially in Australia) and conducted detailed plant surveys of
state and national parks and of preserves in the Texas region. His
voluminous collections documenting the park surveys enrich the
BRIT herbarium. We’ve appreciated the botanical intelligence and
experience that Dr. Sanders contributed to our institution. We
especially honor his contribution to BRIT's conservation mission.
We’ll miss him, but we wish him the very best as he continues as a
researcher, moving into academia and adding teaching to his
daily rounds.
IRIDOS v o l u m e 18 n o 1
Above: Stems of
Chamaedor ia and
inflorescen ce of
Iresine diffusa.
W I L D F LO W E
RS OF MOMB
ACHO
FLO RES SILV ESTR
ES DEL MO MBA
CHO
HELEN PICKERI
NG
To order, contact:
Judy MacKenzie/BRIT Press
509 Pecan Street, Suite 101
Fort Worth, TX 76102-4068, USA
jmackenzie@brit.org
Phone: 817.332.4441
Fax: 817.332.4112
Sida, Botanical Miscellany (No. 28)
www.brit.org/sida/sidaBotMis.htm
WILD FLO WER
S OF MOM BAC
HO
$15 + postage & handling (USA $3;
International: $7; Texas residents
add $1.24 sales tax)
Amanda Morris, Donor Relations Coordinator at
BRIT, came on board in September of 2006.
Recently with The Wine & Food Foundation of
Texas in Austin, she was their program manager
in charge of special events. She bid farewell to
her hometown of Lubbock, Texas, to attend The
University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a
Bachelor of Science in Public Relations in May, 2004. “I’m thrilled to
be working with the incredibly talented BRIT staff,” Amanda said.
“And I adore my new hometown of Fort Worth, Texas!”
STAFF PHOTO
BRIT is partnering with the
Education Service Center
for Region XI to present
distance learning programs.
The Education Department
welcomes Pamela
Chamberlain as the
Distance Learning
Coordinator. The system
emphasizes interactive
broadcasting where students not only see and hear each BRIT presenter; they can also
be seen and heard by the presenter. This puts BRIT within the classroom while
speakers stay on site here and use our many immediately available resources. Look
for BRIT offerings of interactive virtual explorations of the natural world and join the
fun at www.Connect2Texas.net.
Frances Ockels joined the BRIT staff in
September as a herbarium technician. She will
be mounting and filing specimens to add to our
extensive plant collection. Frances earned a B.A.
in Physics with a minor in Biology at the
University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In June
2006, Frances graduated with a Master of
Science Degree in Environmental Science from
the Ohio State University. Her research focused on a disease called
Sudden Oak Death, which is caused by the pathogenic fungus,
Phytophthora ramorum. This disease-causing fungus from unknown
origins is having a significant impact in California and Oregon. In
fact, it’s responsible for widespread mortality of several oak species.
Frances’ research provided her an opportunity to plan and conduct
surveys in the eastern U.S. and gain experience working with several
molecular and chemical techniques. She’ll be a valuable addition to
the BRIT staff.
STAFF PHOTO
Movers
21
Contributions to Botany) is an international journal of
systematic botany and has been a source of current
research in classical and modern systematic botany for
readers throughout the world for 44 years. The journal
publishes primary research papers in fields such as
anatomy, biogeography, chemo-taxonomy, ecology,
evolution, floristics, genetics, paleobotany, palynology, and
phylogenetic systematics. Coverage is not restricted to any
geographical area, and papers are contributed from authors
around the world. It is published twice a year, with papers
and abstracts in both English and Spanish. All papers are
peer-reviewed and are frequently illustrated with maps and
line drawings. Each issue includes short communications on
floristic discoveries, book reviews, and notices of new
publications.
Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas:
■ Annual 2007 subscription rates for individual subscription
within the U.S., $41
■ Individual subscription outside the U.S., $41
■ Organizational subscription within the U.S., $85
■ Organizational subscription outside the U.S., $95
■ I am interested in subscribing, please send a free sample copy.
■ I would like to subscribe; payment is enclosed.
Guidelines for contributors to Journal of the Botanical
Research Institute of Texas are available at
www.brit.org/Sida/AuthSubmit.htm.
NAME:
_____________________________________________
ADDRESS:
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
PAYMENT:
■ Check
■ Visa ■ MasterCard
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$_____________ total in U.S. dollars
Credit card number: _______________________________________
Expiration date: _____/_____/_____
Print name as listed on credit card:
BRIT Press
Botanists Discover New Species—Published in
Fall Issue of Sida, Contributions to Botany
Finding, naming, and studying new species has
been the pursuit of “botanists” since civilization
began. Solving the puzzles of plant relationships,
evolution, origins, and distribution to piece together a
complete understanding of nature is an ongoing task.
In the fall issue of Sida, Contributions to Botany
(Vol. 22, No. 2, 2006), now in its 44th year, are articles
by 66 botanists from nine countries—Argentina,
Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, India, Mexico, the
United Kingdom, and the U.S.A. Included are reports
about exciting field efforts around the globe, but
particularly noteworthy are descriptions of over two
dozen brand new species and varieties never before
discovered or described. Previously unknown to
science, 11 are from the U.S.A. In addition, authors
detail accounts of all vascular plants in Caddo Parish,
Louisiana, and in the Lance Rosier Unit of East Texas’
Big Thicket National Preserve. Notes on plant
distributions in other parts of the USA are added.
Among the new species from the USA:
• Hamamelis ovalis (witch hazel family) from Perry
County in southern Mississippi
• Eriogonum callistum (buckwheat family) from the
Tehachapi Mountains of Kern Co., California
• Carex reznicekii (sedge family) from mesic (moist) to
dry-mesic forests of Alabama, Arkansas,
Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia,
Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New
Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia
• Boltonia montana (sunflower family) from depression
wetlands and riverine habitats in the Appalachian
Mountains of Virginia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania
• Ericamerica nauseosa subsp. ammophila (sunflower
family) from Colorado on stabilized sand dunes of
the Great Sand Dunes National Park
• Sphagnum (6 species) (sphagnum moss family) from
Alaska and Canada
• Matelea (4 species) (milkweed family) from
Hispaniola
• Nymphaea minuta (water lily family) from
Madagascar (see photo)
• Zeuxine pantlingii (orchid family) from India
Two BRIT authors are represented in this issue of
Sida, Contributions to Botany in the articles below.
Lipscomb, B.L. 2006. A new name for Sida,
Contributions to Botany. Sida 22(2):847–848.
Nesom, G.L. 2006. Taxonomic review of
Symphyotrichum patens (Asteraceae: Astereae). Sida
22(2):1075–1080. The current study recognizes and
maps only 2 varieties within the blue-rayed aster
Symphyotrichum patens—previous botanists recognized
3 varieties. Within var. patens, tetraploids
(chromosomes in sets of 4) apparently have twice
arisen independently from persistent diploid
(chromosomes in sets of 2) ancestors.
Nesom, G.L. and B.L. Turner. 2006. New
distribution records for Eupatorieae (Asteraceae) in
the United States. Sida 22(2):1249–1253. Distribution
records for various species of the Eupatorium group,
as presented in corresponding FNA treatments, are
documented and discussed.
These are Sida’s fall contributions to solving the
botany puzzle.
Rick Edwards
Journal of the Botanical
Research Institute of Texas
(J.Bot.Res.Inst.Texas) (formerly Sida,
Photo of Nymphaea minuta, a new species of water
lily from Madagascar (note scale indicated by fingers)
Compare with white water lily from East Texas
IRIDOS v o l u m e 18 n o 1
Signature:__________________________________________________
22
For information or subscription payment, contact:
Judy MacKenzie/BRIT Press
509 Pecan Street, Suite 101, Fort Worth, Texas 76102-4068 USA
jmackenzie@brit.org
Phone: 817.332.4441
Web site: http://www.brit.org/Sida
Also there are a number of new species from outside
the USA:
• Bromus ayacuchensis (grass family) from Peru
• Poa matri-occidentalis (grass family) from Mexico
• Eugenia haberi (myrtle family) from Costa Rica
• Psidium cauliflorum (myrtle family) from Brazil
• Calyptranthes and Eugenia (myrtle family) from
Ecuador and Peru
Bob O'Kennon
____________________________________________________________
By contrast, white water lily (Nymphaea odorata)
from East Texas measures to seven inches across
Botany 101 for Lifelong Learners
Botany 101 mini-courses offer a peek into the
renowned plant collections at BRIT and star BRIT’s
talented staff who are eager to share diverse expertise
about their areas of interest. This popular series has a
number of components. A two-part class on local tree
identification in September featured BRIT botanists
Guy Nesom, Barney Lipscomb, and Robert George.
Participants, including members from local master
naturalist groups, teachers, and gardeners, learned
about family characteristics and were challenged to
identify numerous native and naturalized tree species
and shrubs collected in Fort Worth (see story at
bottom). Then, in October, Lee Luckeydoo, Ph.D.,
BRIT Collections Manager, instructed participants on
how to collect, press and mount plant specimens. By
popular demand, Barney Lipscomb told all about his
experiences and extensive research in forensic botany.
April 2007
“Botany 101” with instructor, Amanda Neill, BRIT
Herbarium Director, and co-director, Andes to Amazon
Biodiversity Program
Learn the elements of plant identification after Amanda
provides a foundation of basic botany. This course equips
learners with specific terminology and techniques and
reveals a whole new world of plants before your very eyes!
Classes take place in our comfortable, centrally
SPRING SCHEDULE
27 February 2007
Plant Rx: “Medicinal Plants of North Texas” with
instructor, Marissa Oppel, M.S., Pharmacognosy
Is it a weed? Well…
Did you know that the common dandelion is very useful
for medicinal purposes? This is just one of the plethora
of medicinal plants growing right here in North Texas!
In this course learn the basic ethnobotany and
pharmacology of plants right here in our own D/FW
backyards, gardens, alleys, parks, and roadsides.
Course Fee: $15 ($12 for donors $100 and up)
27 March 2007
“How to Use Your Library: Botanical Information and
Beyond” with instructor, Gary Jennings, BRIT Librarian
Can you find out everything you really want to know
about plants or botany? If not, then come learn how to
make use of all the fabulous resources available to you
right here, both in and out of the Library.
Course Fee: $15 ($12 for donors $100 and up)
TREE
To register, phone Kathy Scott at 817.332.1741 or
kscott@brit.org.
BRIT is located in downtown Fort Worth at the
corner of 4th and Pecan Streets
May 2007
“Abandoned Plants” with instructors, Guy Nesom &
Robert George, BRIT botanists
Learn the identities of about 30 common weeds in
local lawns, lots, and sidewalk cracks. To the diligent
observer, all are beautiful in their own way.
Classes followed by short urban walks
May 2 and 9.
Field trip to local weedy park, location and date TBA
Course Fee: $35 ($26 for donors $100 and up)
Twenty civilians earned their stripes as botany cadets and
were indoctrinated into the world of plant identification by three
BRIT botanists on two nights in September.
“Common Trees (and shrubs) of Fort Worth” (AKA Tree Botany
101”) presented 60 species cuttings and solved I.D. mysteries
brought in by attendees. They were an energetic and inquisitive
group of teachers, Master Naturalists, and just regular people off
the street. Shrub sleuths and BRIT botanists, Robert George,
Barney Lipscomb, and Guy Nesom helped I.D. the behemoths of
biomass and beauty, a fun way to show that even a city’s concrete
jungle harbors and nurtures an amazing array of plant life—all of
which have names! The “Tree Trio” will repeat the course next year,
adding a field trip, and hoping for an equally diverse and
enthusiastic group of recruits.
One enthusiastic participant glowed:
“Thank you so much for an excellent class on tree identification. I am
BRIT
Fort Worth, Texas
major arteries
A tree I.D. free- for-all!
still processing and absorbing it all. I really enjoyed the exploration style
learning— and the stand-up comedy routine! But the best part was how it
was backed up by the awesome knowledge and experience of all three
instructors. Thank you.”
IRIDOS v o l u m e 18 n o 1
C
l
a
s
s
The Value of Botany + How to Use a Key April 4
Plant Morphology
April 11
Important Plant Families I
April 18
Important Plant Families II
April 25
Field ID
April 28
Course Fee: $65 ($50 for donors $100 and up)
located BRIT Learning Center from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
23
~ summer 2006 ~
Environmental Science
Youth Mentoring Program
UNT graduate students assist program
participants in identifying macroinvertebrates
in the Trinity River.
IRIDOS v o l u m e 18 n o 1
The BRIT 2006 Summer Environmental
Science Youth Mentoring Program was a
unique opportunity for eight middle and high
school students and three teachers to work
with local professionals in the real world of
environmental science. Young people gained
information about careers related to the
environment by working with professionals in
different community agencies and identified
relevant environmental issues through exciting
activities and interaction.
The three teachers who participated in the
mentoring program expressed excitement.
We’re taking these ideas back to our students,”
said one of the teachers, Donnette Durham,
who started a journal then and keeps one now.
She has added journaling to her curriculum.
Students in her class prize their journals and
use them daily. Here is an extended quote from
Donnette.
24
{
Students and teachers learned to make seed balls as part
of a habitat enhancement project at El Tesoro.
“
My involvement with the summer
mentoring program allowed me to grow
immensely in my understanding of myself as
a scientist and as a science teacher. Being in
the field daily, participating in multiple
scientific inquiries, discoveries, and
discussions, working with many different
scientists and watching the impact of that
exposure on the students and the mentors…
I see science differently–through a different
lens. My involvement with the mentoring
program fired a passion in me for sharing
science. It helped me to begin to have a
different point of reference as I planned and
scoped my own lesson agenda for the
following year. I believe that I must help
students to see themselves as scientists and
as stewards of the earth. All of the work they
do needs to matter to them. When students
are immersed in their field of study they
Rebecca Royal and Cameron Noyce assess
wildlife populations on El Tesoro by
examining scat they collected on the preserve.
absorb more. When they are actively
journaling, discussing, testing, and reflecting,
the work they are doing has greater value.
When they are exposed to specialists who do
science for a living, when they can ask
questions and work through investigations
side by side with real scientists, they see the
future of the work they are doing today.
”
The Youth Mentoring Program sparks a
passion to continue learning about the
environment in all its participants. Donnette
says, “I prepared to return to school an active
learner–someone with observation skills, with
awareness of the world around me and a sense
of responsibility to raise and nurture an
awareness like that in my students.”
}
“The staff of the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge is proud of our
involvement with the BRIT Summer Mentoring Program from its inception.
Each year we have the opportunity to highlight the scientific side of our
profession while the students are able to make a connection between their
classroom studies and the practical application of their knowledge in the field.”
– Suzanne Tuttle, Director, FWNCR
“
{
}
While we were at the river, we experienced first-hand one
rinsing off the polishing cream in the river to reveal a shined-
way humans affect the Trinity River. As we were doing our
up portion of the plate. The students and teachers
field studies, a man carrying a tarnished brass plate made his
immediately knew that this activity was detrimental to the
way through to perch himself upon a big rock in the middle of the
health of the river, and were able to quickly understand the
river. He pulled out his
importance of being educated about the effects of our actions
polishing cream and a
on aquatic systems. Thankfully, one of our mentors politely
rag and proceeded to
asked the man to stop what he was doing and the man left
shine up his plate,
without incident.
while every so often
Mentoring program participants receive an
unexpected real-life lesson on environmental
issues while at the Trinity River.
”
– Amber Keller, Coordinator of School Services, BRIT
Participants in the program:
MENTORS
Lee Luckeydoo
Bob O’Kennon
Suzanne Tuttle
Rob Denkhaus
Dian Smith
ORGANIZATION
Botanist, Botanical Research Institute of Texas
Botanist, BRIT
Director, Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge
Natural Resource Manager, FWNCR
Research Scientist, Lewisville Aquatic Ecosystem
Research Facility
Nathan Rains
Wildlife Biologist, Texas Parks and Wildlife
Megan Davis McConnell Private Land Owner and Manager, Beekeeper,
El Tesoro Nature Preserve
Clarence Reed
Stanley Davis
Trish Shaw
Jaimie Slye
Rosemary Rudin
Tamara Contador
Rob Denkhaus and students sample life in the
marsh at the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge.
City of Fort Worth Environmental Management,
Water Quality Section Team
City of Fort Worth Environmental Management,
Water Quality Section Team
City of Fort Worth Environmental Management,
Water Quality Section Team
Institute of Applied Sciences graduate student,
University of North Texas
Institute of Applied Sciences graduate student,
University of North Texas
Institute of Applied Sciences graduate student,
University of North Texas
Students
Bianca Leos
Daniel Custead
Cameron Blake
Eddie Rojas
Allie Stapleton
Cameron Noyce
Rebecca Royal
Dustin Latham
Schools
Applied Learning Academy, Ft. Worth
Central Jr. High School, Euless
Applied Learning Academy, Ft. Worth
Applied Learning Academy, Ft. Worth
Applied Learning Academy, Ft. Worth
Boles Jr. High School, Arlington
Boles Jr. High School, Arlington
Hughes Middle School, Burleson
Teachers
Kathy Cash
Janet Rasher
Donnette Durham
Outdoor Educator, Fort Worth
Hughes Middle School, Burleson
Alice Carlson Applied Learning Center, Fort Worth
Supporters
EPA Region 6 Environmental Education
The Ken W. Davis Foundation
Donations
1 June 2006 to 30 November 2006
DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE
$5,000 AND ABOVE
Anonymous
Mr. and Mrs. Edward P. Bass
Mr. Carroll W. Collins*
Ms. Wendy Garrett
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy W. McKinney
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy L. Petrus
Richard E. Rainwater & Darla D. Moore
Charitable Remainder Unitrust 2
Southern Methodist University
Texas Capital Bank
Mr. and Mrs. Bill J. Zimmerman
IRIDOS v o l u m e 18 n o 1
SUSTAINING LEVEL
$1,000 TO $4,999
Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Bartel
Mr. and Mrs. Sid R. Bass
Ms. S.E. Channon
Mr. Jeff R. Davis
Mr. and Mrs. James B. DeMoss III
Mr. and Mrs. H. Paul Dorman
Ms. Karen Foley
Craig Hamilton and Company/Mr. and Mrs.
Craig R. Hamilton
Mrs. Terese T. Hershey
Mrs. S. Gordon Johndroe, Jr.
Ms. Joann Karges
Mr. and Mrs. D. Alan Meeker
Mr. and Mrs. J. David Nivens
Capt. Robert J. O’Kennon*
Ms. Mary G. Palko
Mr. and Mrs. Sebert L. Pate
Mrs. Margret M. Rimmer
Mrs. A. Hardy Sanders
Mr. Charles M. Simmons
Dr. and Mrs. George C. Sumner
Texas Christian University
Wallach, Andrews & Stouffer, P.C./Mr. and Mrs.
Richard Henderson*
26
PATRON LEVEL
$500 TO $999
Anonymous
Mr. John T. Bailey
Mr. and Mrs. Delamar T. Bell
Ms. Gunhild G. Corbett
Mr. Early Davis
Mr. and Mrs. David Diesslin
Mr. and Mrs. Diego O. Giordano/Cawley,
Gillespie & Associates, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. John P. Hickey
Dr. and Mrs. Harold E. Laughlin
Mrs. Phillip Laughlin
Dr. and Mrs. Wm. F. Mahler
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Murrin III
Native Plant Society of Texas,
Trinity Forks Chapter
Mr. and Mrs. Hershel R. Payne
Pier 1 Imports
Mr. and Mrs. Joe T. Romine
Dr. and Mrs. Sergio Sanchez-Zambrano
Mr. and Mrs. Tim Sear
Mrs. John Reese Stevenson
Wm. Rigg Co./Mr. and Mrs. Rob Wilson
SUPPORTING LEVEL
$100 TO $499
Dr. Robert Adamski
Mr. and Mrs. William R. Allen, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. Ethan D. Alyea, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. Charles Andrews
Dr. and Mrs. H. Barry Bailey
Mr. and Mrs. J. David Bamberger
Mr. and Mrs. David M. Beckerman
Dr. and Mrs. U. Narayan Bhat
Mr. and Mrs. William Biggs
Mrs. Evelyn H. Breaux
Mr. John S. Broude and Ms. Judy Rosenblum
Dr. Tony Burgess
Canyon Specialty Foods, Inc./
Mr. and Mrs. W. Dennis Connally
Dr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Cappel
Dr. and Mrs. Robert S. Capper
Mr. and Mrs. Paul Carl
Mr. and Mrs. Edward H. Carus, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. David F. Chappell
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen P. Christie
Mr. Louis Church and Mrs. Betsy Goode
Mr. John Clayton
Mrs. Marie Louise Cole
Mr. M. DeWitt Daggett
Mr. and Mrs. Logan A. Damewood
Dr. and Mrs. Ivan Danhof
Mr. and Mrs. Glenn M. Darden
Mr. and Mrs. Joe S. Davis
Mrs. Samuel Alexander Denny
Mr. Douglas Dieker
Ms. Gretchen Duque
Mr. O.V. Eary
Ms. Joan Echols
Mrs. Sally M. Ehrhart
Dr. and Mrs. Mark C. Eidson
Dr. Wayne Elisens
Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Ellis
Dr. and Mrs. David Ellis
Ms. Olga M. Engel
Dr. and Mrs. Fred Erisman
Mr. and Mrs. Charles K. Fischer
Mr. Dan Fitzgerald
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gearhart
Mr. Stanley Graner
Grant Engineering Co./Mr. and Mrs. John A. Grant III
Dr. and Mrs. Dana Griffin III
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hackett
Mr. and Mrs. David Halbower
Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Haltom
Mr. and Mrs. Tom Harrison
Mr. and Mrs. John R. Hart
Mr. and Mrs. William Y. Harvey
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Haskell
Mr. and Mrs. Jareld Hathcock
Dr. Marcia Hawkins
Mr. and Mrs. Houston Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Hill
Mr. and Mrs. Gary Hinds
Mr. and Mrs. J.O. Holamon, Sr.
Mr. and Mrs. Brent Holdridge
Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay B. Holland
Ms. Sally A. House
The Right Reverend and Mrs. Sam B. Hulsey
Drs. Bonnie and Louis Jacobs
Jammy, Inc./Mr. and Mrs. Ralph L. Bradley
KJR & Associates, Inc./Ms. Kathryn J. Robinson
Mr. and Mrs. Robert E. Kolba
Mr. and Mrs. Henry Kologe
Ms. Karen P. Kologe
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis F. Kornfeld, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. Tetsuo Koyama
Lane, Buhl, Fenker & Assoc., Inc./
Dr. and Mrs. Sam H. Lane III
Mr. and Mrs. Allan R. LaQuey
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Leavens
Lt. Colonel and Mrs. Karl Paul Leche
Mr. and Mrs. David Levine
Dr. and Mrs. David P. Lewis
Mr. and Mrs. Grant Liser
Mrs. Jacqueline Loeb
Mr. and Mrs. Howard Lund
Mr. John Lunsford
Mr. and Mrs. Howell Mann
Mr. and Mrs. John W. Mason
Mr. and Mrs. William A. Massad
Dr. and Mrs. James D. McChesney
Mr. and Mrs. Lance K. McDonald
Mr. Robert Miller
Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Mitchell
Dr. and Mrs. B. O’Dell Molpus, Jr.
Ms. Maxine R. Moore
Mr. and Mrs. William B. Moser, Jr.
Dr. Nick Nickelson and Mrs. Karen Ostrander
Ms. Betty Norvell
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. O’Brien
Mr. and Mrs. Michael O’Connell
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Palmer
Ms. Diane Parrotta
Mr. and Mrs. George W. Pepper
Dr. Gwynn W. Ramsey
Dr. and Mrs. Larry E. Reaves
Mr. and Mrs. Doug Renfro
Mr. and Mrs. Roger B. Rice
Dr. and Mrs. Roger R. Robinson
Mr. and Mrs. T. Pollard Rogers
Mrs. Gloria Rognlie
Ms. Lupe Arriola and Mr. Chris Sanchez
Dr. and Mrs. Roger Sanders
Mr. and Mrs. Joel T. Sawyer
Mrs. Jake M. Schrum
Mr. and Mrs. Jack A. Schutts
Mr. Phillip R. Shelp
Mr. and Mrs. Ben R. Smith
Drs. Sara and Sy Sohmer
Mr. and Mrs. Dulaney G. Steer
Mrs. Betty H. Stevens
Mr. and Mrs. John M. Stevenson
Dr. and Mrs. George H. Sullivan
Ms. Jo Ellen Teasdale
Mr. and Mrs. J. David Tracy
Mr. and Mrs. Steve Tuttle
Mrs. Dieter W. Wagener
Dr. and Mrs. Michael Walter
Mr. and Mrs. Stewart Ware
Mr. and Mrs.† Jeffrey K. Wentworth
Mr. and Mrs. John D. Willbanks
Mrs. Suzanne S. Williams
Mr. and Mrs. Ed A. Wilson
PARTNER LEVEL
Up to $100
Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Anderson
Ms. Abhay M. Anello
Arborilogical Services, Inc./Mr. Steve Houser
Ms. Victoria Ball
The Beaux Arts Club
Mr. Morgan Bilbo
Ms. Martha Bleker
Mr. and Mrs. Frank D. Bowers
Ms. Mary Lou Brieger
Ms. Jane A. Bruckner
Mr. Kerry A. Bruns and Ms. Judy K. Fabry
Ms. Diane Burch
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Burgen
Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Burns
Mr. Stephen C. Byars
Ms. Sherry Clark
Clint Horticulture, Inc./Mr. and Mrs. Chip Clint
Ms. Melinda Coogan
Mrs. Diane M. Cornwall
Ms. Elaine Couch
Dr. and Mrs. Gordon M. Cragg
Mr. and Mrs. Calvin L. Crole
Ms. Dixie Daymont
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Densmore, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. William D. Draper
Mrs. Editha W. Dudley
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Durda
Mr. and Mrs. R.W. Flados
Dr. and Mrs. James H. Gardenhire
Mr. Hugh Garnett
Ms. Joan Gaspard
Mr. and Mrs. John Hamilton
Ms. Marian Hardy
Mr. Dan Hays
Ms. Sue W. Heaberlin
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas N. Headland
Drs. Noel and Patricia Holmgren
Mr. and Mrs. Delmar Janovec
Mr. Richard D. Janovec
Mrs. Irvin Jarrell, Jr.
Mr. Herbert Jarrell
Mrs. Estella G. Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Karl K. Keffer
Mr. Bill Keller
Mr. and Mrs. Henry C. Kelly
Mr. and Mrs. Michael E. Kerr
Ms. Teri Kramer
Mrs. Jacqueline C. Kunke
Mr. and Mrs. W. Cleve Lancaster
Dr. and Mrs. Claudio Lehmann
Dr. Ole J. Lorenzetti
Ms. Shirley D. Lusk
Ms. Julie Mangiameli
Mr. and Mrs. Jesse A. May
Ms. Linda Metcalf
Mrs. John M. Michie
Dr. and Mrs. Bruce Miller
Dr. and Mrs. Alan N. Miller
Ms. Jane W. Miller and Ms. Jacqueline C. Russell
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Moher
Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy W. Moore
Dr. and Mrs. Roscoe F. Morton
Mr. and Mrs. Steve B. Moss
Native Plant Society of Texas, Garland Chapter
Dr. and Mrs. Richard P. Norgaard
Ms. Mary Joan Owens
Ms. Sherry Owens
Mr. and Mrs. Michael D. Palmer
Ms. Elizabeth B. Parks
Mr. P. Michael Peck
Ms. LaShawn Pennington
Mr. Damon R. Phillips
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Pittman
Ms. Patricia J. Post
Mr. and Mrs. Don Pritchard
Dr. and Mrs. Peter Raven
Mr. and Mrs. Jim Redmond
Mr. and Mrs. Dan M. Reed
Ms. Jesse T. Reinburg
Mr. and Mrs. Paul K. Rodman
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas B. Romine, Jr.
Dr. John C. Rosemergy
Dr. and Mrs. Nealie E. Ross, Jr.
Mr. Robert W. Sanders
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sennhauser
Ms. Barbara Slagle
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Smith
Mr. and Mrs. Bert Spencer
Mrs. John W. Spruill
Mr. and Mrs. Donald W. Sutton
Dr. Ray C. Telfair II
Mrs. Joy Terry
Dr. and Mrs. Martin Terry
Ms. Sarah Louise Terry
Mr. and Mrs. Rueben H. Walter
Mr. Kimball S. Watson
Mr. and Mrs. James C. Werner
Mrs. Jack G. Wilkinson
Mr. Joseph R. Williams
Ms. Anne A. Wilson
Ms. Dana Wilson
Ms. Gloria T. Winfree
Mrs. Florence Jones Witt
Mr. and Mrs. Edwin S. Wittenberg
Ms. Gerry Neal Yates
Mr. Max Zischkale, Jr.
Foundations
Bass Foundation
Greater Kansas City Community Foundation
& Affiliated Trust
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
Alvin and Lucy Owsley Foundation
Sid W. Richardson Foundation
Matching Gift Companies
Bank of America#
Gifts In-Kind
American Airlines**
Mr. and Mrs. Harry E. Bartel
Mr. and Mrs. W. Dennis Connally
Ms. Carol Crochet
Mr. Jeff R. Davis
Mr. and Mrs. David Diesslin
Ms. Patricia Ebert
Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Finlay
Mr. Dan Fitzgerald
Ms. Gloria Fleming
Mr. and Mrs. Diego O. Giordano
Mr. and Mrs. Jacques de La Giraudiére
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Haak
Mr. Richard Henderson
Ms. Noel Ice
Mr. Ed Martin
Mr. Paul McCallum
Dr. Nick Nickelson
Capt. Robert J. O’Kennon
Mr. Tony Palmer
Mr. Ray Raney
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Rasher
Mr. Doug Renfro
Mr. T. Pollard Rogers
Dr. and Mrs. Sergio Sanchez-Zambrano
Dr. Shannon H. Shipp
Drs. Sara and Sy Sohmer
Mr. Grady H. Spears
Mr. and Mrs. Bill J. Zimmerman
Thank you to all those who generously
supported the 2006 Wine Event but
chose not to be recognized.
Gifts to the Library
Mr. William S. Alverson
Dr. and Mrs. Bruce F. Benz
Mr. Jason Best
Mr. Paul M. Brown
Mr. William R. Burk
Mr. John Coakley
Dr. Nikolaus H. Fischer
Ms. Sharon V. Foster
Mr. Robert George
Mrs. Pat Harrison
Dr. Frank G. Howarth
Mr. Gary L. Jennings
Ms. Joann Karges
Mr. Barney Lipscomb
Dr. and Mrs. B. O’Dell Molpus, Jr.
Dr. Guy Nesom
Capt. Robert J. O’Kennon
Mrs. Margaret H. Parker
Dr. Roger Sanders
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon E. Sylvester
Mr. and Mrs. Bill J. Zimmerman
Thank You!
From
The Beaux Arts Club
Dr. Tony Burgess
Mrs. Editha W. Dudley
Ms. Gretchen Duque
Mr. and Mrs. Frank Durda
Mr. and Mrs. Allan R. LaQuey
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Leavens
Lt. Colonel and Mrs. Karl Paul Leche
Mr. and Mrs. Dan M. Reed
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Smith
Drs. Sara and Sy Sohmer
Mr. and Mrs. John M. Stevenson
Mrs. Florence Jones Witt
In Memory of
Mr. Perry R. Bass
Mr. Jesse C. Griffin
Ms. Margaret Hays and Mr. Chuck Barnes
Mr. Tom Law
Mr. Perry R. Bass
Dr. L. J. Loeb
Mrs. Joyce Bailey Lorenzetti
Mr. Perry R. Bass
Mr. Perry R. Bass
Mr. Perry R. Bass
Mr. Bill Howard
Mrs. Jean Allen
Mr. Jake M. Schrum
Mr. Perry R. Bass
Ms. Betty Brague
Mr. Perry R. Bass
Ms. Katherine Dupree
Mr. Stuart Gentling
From
Mrs. Kay F. Baldwin
Dr. and Mrs. Dana Griffin III
Mr. Dan Hays
Mrs. Terese T. Hershey
Mr. and Mrs. Lindsay B. Holland
Mrs. Jacqueline Loeb
Dr. Ole J. Lorenzetti
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy W. McKinney
Mr. and Mrs. George W. Pepper
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy L. Petrus
Mr. and Mrs. Timothy L. Petrus
Ms. Jesse T. Reinburg
Mrs. Jake M. Schrum
Dr. and Mrs. George C. Sumner
Ms. Jo Ellen Teasdale
Ms. Sarah Louise Terry
Mr. Kimball S. Watson
Mrs. Jack G. Wilkinson
*
**
#
Host Committee 2006 Award of Excellence in Conservation Gala
Corporate Sponsor 2007 Award of Excellence in Conservation Gala
Corporate Conservator
† Deceased
IRIDOS v o l u m e 18 n o 1
In Honor of
Mrs. Beverly Leche
Dr. Lee Luckeydoo
Mr. Justin Allison
Ms. Susan DeBusk
Mr. Frank Durda III on our 50th Wedding Anniversary
Our Grandchildren, Caleb, Abby and Luke LaQuey
Dr. Alain Liogier
Dr. and Mrs. Stephan Urban
Mrs. Iona Richardson
Mrs. Mary Louise Cole
The birth of Liam Seldon Gerrish
Mrs. Jane Molpus
Mrs. Jane Molpus
27
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Lloyd Shinners Collection in Systematic Botany