COP26

This week Science has an article on biodiversity and climate change... https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abm8739 

This seems worth remembering as world leaders meet in Glasgow.  

Crataegus wootoniana

 This week I've been spending time down at the Botanic Garden, as a visitor admiring the fall folliage, as a docent for a Health & Wellness Day at the BioPark, as the plant label guy, and as a volunteer working on the tiny BioPark herbarium. The herbarium is tucked away in a small workroom near the High Desert Rose Garden. After this morning's early shower passed and the sun came out, the view of the back border was particularly striking with bright yellow Philadelphus, deep marroon Physocarpus, and the taller Crataegus with its bright red fruit against lemony foliage. That has inspired me to pull together a piece this month on our own rare NM native hawthorn, Crataegus wootoniana. Eggl. or Wooton's hawthorn.

It's named after E. O. Wooton, who we've discussed before with regard to the unfortunate Brickellia chenopodina (https://www.facebook.com/groups/847285882110574/posts/1619502338222254). Eggl. refers to Willard Webster Eggleston (1863-1935). He was an expert on hawthorns, which is a difficult genus due to apomixis (asexual reproduction), polyploidy (multiple sets of chromosomes), and hybridization (interbreeding between species). As best I can tell, Wooton collected it, but it wasn't until Eggleston saw a specimen from Metcalfe that was collected in Socorro County on August 22, 1903 that this hawthorn was recognized as a distinct species.

NM Rare Plants places this rare plant in Catron, Grant and Lincoln counties, so I'm puzzled by the lack of a reference to Socorro County. Is the type specimen's population gone? SEINET has all the location information redacted because this is a rare plant. iNaturalist shows a couple sightings in the Pinos Altos Mountains and another over by Ruidoso, but otherwise can't help us.

NM Rare Plants describes the plant as a small tree or shrub to 3 m tall; branches thorny, the thorns purplish brown, 3-4 cm in length; leaves simple, alternate and rhombic in outline, margins with 3-4 broad lobes on each side of the upper two-thirds of the leaf, these lobes with fine marginal teeth that are not strongly glandular-tipped; flowers with 5 white petals and 5-8 stamens, carpels 1-5, hard and bone-like with each enclosing 1 nutlet; fruit a pome. Flowers April to June. Canyon bottoms and forest understory in lower montane coniferous forest; 1,900-2,500 m (6,500-8,000 ft). It should be out there sporting its bright red fruits that are similar to small rose hips. Possibly it's still holding on to its late autumn fall color if today's wind didn't strip them off.

Crataegus erythropoda has leaf margins that are not distinctly lobed and the marginal teeth are glandular-tipped. This species is closely related to C. erythrocarpa and possibly C. macracantha, a more northern species. The distinction between C. wootoniana and C. macracantha var. occidentalis needs further study. It's possible that Eggleston collected in New Mexico from what I've seen about herbarium records, but the information on his activities seem to place him firmly back East for most if not all of his career.

15 Years Ago this Week

 

Hard to believe that 15 year ago I was in Seattle along with my colleague Debbie for the Plone conference.  We spent time visiting PC and Goen at their home in Phinney Ridge.  Along the way, Augusta had provided us with a miniature Rail Runner model.  As far as I know, it's still in a place of pride in his office, even though he passed away 2 weeks ago.  

Plant Labels

I spent a few hours getting the new Gravostyle software installed on the new-ish irrigation computer.  Version 8 is the most current and so I'll have to adapt to that.

 Time to look for my old notes from Jon Stewart.

Pistachia chinensis

 The Chinese pistache at the BioPark is a glorious yellow-orange-red.  Ours in the backyard is just beginning to change a little at the top.  Stay tuned...

Back in the Herbarium

After a week off due to the Health and Wellness event at the BioPark, we're back at it.  The walk in was a rainy one, the first precipitation in many weeks.  The afternoon was windy but warm.  

HDRG west border with Philadelphus, Crataegus, and Physocarpus

Amelanchier, Pinus flexilis, and Euonymous alata 'Autumn Flame'

Chinese pistache, aka Pistacia chinensis

Post-booster Blahs

Fever, fatigue, achiness... no energy.  

Booster

 

Autumn Colors

 

Fall in the Garden

 

Celebrating Botanic Gardens

This morning I tuned in to portions of Oxford's webinar on botanic gardens.  Good stuff.

 More to come tomorrow.  

Autumnal Colors

Fall colors are changing...

 

Health & Wellness at the BioPark

Jerry, Caitlan, and I were docents at the succulent planting station today during the TLC Plumbing-sponsored Health & Wellness Day at the BioPark.  Staff only came by and painted a pot, filled it with cactus soil, and planted a succulent to take away.

 Some results were stunning.  Meanwhile, there were dozens of other activities...

At noon, everyone left for the Zoo... 

Which left me alone in an empty Garden...

Pachyderms

 At the new Elephant Overlook...

The Acequia

Took a walk this afternoon north to Johnny Heal and Eli's B&B.  

Bonsai Workshop

I'm still avoiding the club workshops until I get my Moderna booster.  After that, I think we'll be good to go... workshops and meetings in person.  

I'd better get started on my video presentation on winter bud scales...

 

Ocimum basilicum

Ocimum basilicum is the scientific name for that wonderful cullinary herb, basil.  We're trying hard to make good use of the last of the season's basil, which I harvested ahead of yesterday's first freeze.  

Had a caprese salad for lunch a couple of days ago.  

Here's a blurry photo of last night's watermelon-feta-basil salad.  

2nd Schweinfurt Raid

This is the 78th anniversary of the 2nd Schweinfurt Raid.  Dad's B-17 group sent planes and most were shot down.  

 

Stella

Le Sommelier Stella still visits even on the coldest, windiest days (and nights).  Yesterday evening she was watching me grill a couple steaks in the blustery weather.  

 

Herbarium and Labels

Sheila and our "intern" Melanie will be at it in the herbarium Tuesday morning.  While they are labeling, I'll be organizing the labels in the Showroom.

 

Phall Phenology

Judith, Sandy, and I took today's observations.  Things are definitely fall-ish with color changes in the cottonwoods.  Temps were in the low 40°s, but in the sun things only needed a long-sleeved shirt. 

Level 10, Second Time Around

Friday I clawed my way back up to Level 10 in Ingress.  That's a couple months since recursion.  At my current average rate of play (28,000 AP/day), it'll be something short of 3 months before I hit 11. 

 

Canvassing for Keller

The local Democratic Party is gearing up for this fall's election.  Mayor Keller is up for reelection and there are a ton of bond issues, including one for the soccer stadium. 

Thunbergia

The Thunbergia and Verbena mound in the Jardin Redondo is doing phenomenally well.  We'll see how it handles the 36° temperatures next Wednesday.

 

The Garden Railroad

Today I was in the Garden providing an opportunity for the new class of docents to shadow me in the Japanese Garden.  To my surprise, the BioPark Railroad tracks have been removed up to the crossing at the entrance to the JG.  Big changes coming.  

I'm told that the existing track will be connected around behind the Cottonwood Gallery and out into the planned extension of the Heritage Farm, forming a small loop much shorter than the original people mover.  

 

Falling Cleaning

Spent the day with Baldo and Caro getting the garage ready for the not-quite-tender plants that will overwinter in the garage.