Native Plant Society to celebrate its 30th anniversary
Trillium, (Trillium ovatum) is one of the first to bloom each spring in Glacier. Native Americans used it to ease childbirth pain, according to “Wildlfowers of Glacier National Park.”
The Montana Native Plant Society has some upcoming events, including a celebration of its 30th anniversary.
“Ethnobotanical Roots in the Rockies” is Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. at The Museum at Central School in Kalispell. Anthropologist Sally Thompson will discuss plant foods, medicines, and materials important to indigenous people in this area. She will draw heavily on her 2015 book, “People Before the Park: The Kootenai and Blackfeet Before Glacier National Park.” There won’t be a general society meeting beforehand, but they will serve birthday cake to celebrate the society’s anniversary.
“Montana Mushrooms from Morels to Remediation” is March 15 at 7 p.m. at the North Valley Community Hall in Columbia Falls. Missoula mushroom guru, Larry Evans, will present a summary of common local edibles and the role of fungi in our ecosystem: recycling and mining nutrients, and feeding insects, small mammals and ungulates.
“A Phytocentric Hawaiian Vacation Subject Could Change to Utah Wildflowers” is April 19 at 7 p.m. Peter Lesica, a botanist and resource management expert, has written articles and books on Montana plants such as “Flora of Glacier National Park.” Lesica will share his experience of native plants in Hawaii.
All programs are free and open to the public. A general meeting to discuss society business and projects is at 5:30 p.m. Bringing a sack dinner is welcome.