Our first online program in November was a great success. 32 people enjoyed a wonderful presentation by Roger Hedge about Indiana’s rare plants. Roger is an ecologist and botanist with the Indiana Natural Heritage Data Center in the Division of Nature Preserves, Department of Natural Resources. Roger covered the many reasons plants can be rare in Indiana along with beautiful pictures of many rare plants. Maps showed us where the plants can be found in Indiana and in the US.
Some of the plants that are rare in Indiana are not rare elsewhere. Pictured is the prairie plant downy gentian (Gentiana puberulenta). This species is known from several counties in northwest Indiana, and at least one record from far southern Indiana in dry upland woods. As you go west into states with more prairies it becomes more common.
Roger briefly discussed some reintroductions. He also shared a few of his anecdotes from time in the field to locate rare plants. Overall it was well done. The attendees saw lots of splendid photos from the bounty of nature in Indiana.
Photo credit: Scott Namestnik