A botanical legacy. Growing Knowledge. OSU s Herbarium shows what grew in Oregon in the past and what may grow here in the future

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1 Growing Knowledge A botanical legacy OSU s Herbarium shows what grew in Oregon in the past and what may grow here in the future By Richard R. Halse A herbarium is a collection of dead, dried plants. All the plants have been pressed flat, then glued onto a sheet of archival quality paper, along with a label, and stored on shelves inside cabinets. Labels have information on where, when and who collected the plant. The Oregon State University Herbarium currently has about 450,000 dead, dried specimens of flowering plants, ferns, pines, algae, mosses, liverworts, molds and mushrooms. The emphasis of the collection is on plants found growing naturally in Oregon, but the herbarium also has specimens collected from all over the world. Many of the plants represent cultivated species found growing in flower or vegetable gardens, parks, arboretums and nurseries. Because they are all dead and dried, the plants are low maintenance no water or fertilizer required. The herbarium can be thought of as a kind of library that has plants instead of books. The specimens are actively being used in all types of research, and their scientific value is incalculable. Figure 1. The OSU Herbarium documents plants that have been found growing naturally in Oregon, including weeds such as spatulaleaf loosestrife (Lythrum portula). Reading the leaves Global climate change is being investigated by looking at the dates of flowering times. Research has shown that many plants are flowering earlier in the year than in the past, which may be an indication of global warming. A relatively recent tool in the study of plants is DNA analysis, which can show how closely one group of An ongoing series provided by Oregon State University in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture and in partnership with OAN may 2014 DIGGER 33

2 osu herbarium plants is related to another group. It can also be used to detect new species. DNA can be extracted from many of the plants in the herbarium even from some plants that were collected years ago. Herbarium specimens are used to document the distribution and habitat preferences of rare species. The herbarium also provides the foundation of information used to compile the upcoming new flora of Oregon by the Oregon Flora Project ( One of the primary uses of specimens in the herbarium is to aid in identifying plants. When a sample has been tentatively identified, it can be compared to a named specimen in the herbarium. Each year, the herbarium receives several hundred plant samples from people who would like the plant identified by name. [If you want to have a weed identified you can find instructions at Many of the plants people send in are native wildflowers, and some are plants being cultivated in gardens. However, most are weeds. The correct identification of weeds can be important in determining the appropriate control methods. Weeding out the flora A weed is a plant growing where it is not wanted. They are an interesting and ever-changing part of Oregon s flora. Weeds come and go over time. New ones are constantly appearing on the scene. Most are not native to Oregon. For example, Lythrum portula (spatulaleaf loosestrife) was first found in Oregon in 1982 in Multnomah County (Fig. 1). It has now spread Figure 2. Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is a noxious weed initially detected in Oregon in It has since spread widely throughout the state. 34 may 2014 DIGGER

3 southward to Coos County and westward through the Coast Range to the Oregon Coast. It is an inconspicuous, small plant that seems to fit into its habitat without attracting much attention. The same cannot be said for its relative, Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife) (Fig. 2). This plant was first collected in Oregon in Polk County in It did not attract much notice and was not even included in a flora of Oregon published in The plant seemingly started to spread rapidly in the 1970s. It is now found from Malheur County westward to the Pacific Ocean beaches in Lincoln County. Purple loosestrife is listed as a noxious weed in Oregon and most other states in the U.S. Not all introduced plants become weedy. Lepidium heterophyllum (purple anther field pepperweed), a member of the mustard family, was first collected in Oregon in Benton County in 1927, then again in 1932 (Fig. 3). The next collections were in 1991 in Linn and Marion counties. The plant has been collected sporadically in various places since then. So, while around, it may be difficult to find. DIGGER Marketplace HOSTETLER FARM DRAINAGE Plastic Tubing 3"-24" Laser Grade Control Open Ditch for Buried Irrigation Plows and Trenches Pot-n-Pot Drainage Oldest Drainage Firm in Oregon Newest Subsurface Irrigation Techniques Canby, OR Schurter Nursery Materials and Technical Assistance Available Arborvitae Emerald green Virescens Boxwood Japanese Maples Otto Luyken Skip Laurel Various sizes & Varieties DIGGER Marketplace Figure 3. Purple anther field pepperweed (Lepidium heterophyllum) has been sighted in Oregon, but not that frequently. It was collected in 1927, 1932, 1991, and sporadically since then. Your contribution today helps prepare the nursery industry leaders of tomorrow. OREGON NURSERIES FOUNDATION Contact the Oregon Association of Nurseries for more information or The ONF is a nonprofit 503(c)3 corporation. Donations may be tax-deductible; consult a qualified tax attorney or accountant. Supplies for Small Growers SEED STARTING - Pots Trays Inserts Plug Trays Labels - large variety size, color & shape of blank plant pot & row markers Weed control, fertilizer, tapes & ties, watering, and more Enter coupon code DIGGER for a 15% discount for a limited time at AAAmercantile.com may 2014 DIGGER 35

4 osu herbarium Some native plants can be weedy. Epilobium ciliatum (willow herb), a member of the evening primrose family, is common in disturbed and wetland habitats throughout Oregon (Fig. 4). It is often sent to the herbarium for identification by nurseries. The seeds of this plant are small, with tufts of hairs at one end; the wind can carry them some distance from their origin. They readily germinate and grow in the soil of flats and pots found outside of the greenhouse. Identification proves daunting Humans have introduced and cultivated many species of plants in Oregon. Some of these have escaped and become a naturalized part of Oregon s flora, including such common plants as apple (Malus domestica), sweet cherry (Prunus avium), rye (Secale cereale), honesty (Lunaria annua), field poppy (Papaver Figure 4. Willow herb (Epilobium ciliatum) is a native plant that pops up like a weed at some nurseries. It is common in disturbed landscapes in Oregon. IDEAS TO GROW WITH WORKING TOGETHER TO BETTER SERVE YOUR NEEDS Announcing, Wilbur-Ellis is now offering Apex products to better serve your plant nutrient needs. Please contact your local Wilbur-Ellis representative at for more information on adding Wilbur-Ellis and Apex products to your plant nutritional program. ag.wilburellis.com For information only. Not a label. Prior to use, always read and follow the product label directions. WILBUR-ELLIS logo and Ideas to Grow With are registered trademarks of Wilbur-Ellis Company. APEX is a registered trademark of Simplot. K may 2014 DIGGER

5 rhoeas) and hazel (Corylus avellana). Other plants may be thought of as waifs; they are rarely found growing outside of cultivation, and so far have not established themselves in the wild. This category includes plants such as the potato (Solanum tuberosum), oregano (Origanum vulgare), snowflake (Leucojum aestivum) and Australian tree fern (Sphaeropteris cooperi). All of these plants might be considered weeds. Cultivated plants that are sent to the OSU Herbarium for identification may cause special problems for many reasons. There are no books that list or provide keys for identification of the cultivated plants of Oregon. Some references include keys to aid in the identification of cultivated plants, but many are quite old. New species of plants from around the world are constantly being brought into cultivation. Ideally, plants sent to the herbarium will have flowers and/or fruits, but sometimes they do not. Samples that are sterile are almost impossible to identify. Sometimes the identification of a cultivar is requested. For example, someone might send in a branch of an apple and want to know if it is a Rome Beauty, a Red Delicious, a Fuji apple or something else. The OSU Herbarium does not have the resources or ability to provide this level of identification. Specimens of Oregon plants have been collected in the past and continue to be collected. These are all added to the herbarium. The samples tell us what plants whether native, cultivated or weedy were growing in Oregon in the past. They show which plants are here presently, and may help predict what will be here in the future. These dead, dried plants have become part of Oregon s botanical legacy. Dr. Richard R. Halse is a senior instructor and curator of the Herbarium in the Oregon State University Department of Botany and Plant Pathology. He can be reached at or halser@science.oregonstate.edu. DIGGER Marketplace - Over 300 species grown from seed - Hard to find natives - Drought tolerant, high elevation - Quaking Aspen specialists - Highest Quality bareroot seedlings - Containers from 4-25 gallon Roots to grow on Phone: Fax: may 2014 DIGGER 37 DIGGER Marketplace