On this shortest day of the year, we take time to look back on one of the bright notes - our native plants were quietly at work every single day of 2023 adding beauty and value to the world we live in. They were feeding the pollinators and the birds. Feeding the mammals, the fish, and reptiles, those that eat plants and those that eat the creatures that feed on plants. Giving them all shelter. Giving us food, too, and oxygen to breathe. Removing carbon dioxide from the air, stopping erosion, and improving the soil. Providing sources of medicine and inspiring inventions through biomimicry. They also looked great in our gardens and brought visitors we enjoyed.
.jpeg) |
| Veined Ctenucha moth, Ctenucha venosa, feeding on native chokecherry, Prunus virginiana |
Providing food for insects is perhaps one of the most important things native plants do. E.O. Wilson said:
"If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos."
As they co-evolved with the living beings around them, native plants developed specific characteristics that enabled them to thrive. Native bees are important contributors to local ecosystems, pollinating native plants in the exact places and times when they are blooming.
 |
| Frigid bee, Bombus frigida, feeding on Wholeleaf paintbrush, Castillija integra. |
Another important timing event associated with the presence of the plants that feed the insects is that many birds require insects to raise their fledglings. Seeds provide food for birds in winter, but in the spring, many birds must utilize insects to successfully raise the next generation. Those insects, appearing when the native plants they need to eat are also appearing, have had to overcome all of each plant’s natural compounds meant to discourage predators. Just like us, they can’t eat everything that grows!
.jpeg) |
| This red-breasted nuthatch, Sitta canadensis, depends on seeds for food in winter and chooses old growth conifer forests to shelter and nest in. |
Did you know that native plants are constantly contributing to advances in medicine and science? Indigenous peoples knew centuries ago about the healing properties in the Salix, or willow, family. From that knowledge came one of our most commonly used remedies, aspirin. A device in widespread use today, velcro, was invented directly from a hiker’s experience with removing burrs from his dog’s coat. Read more about biomimicry here: https://www.learnbiomimicry.com/blog/best-biomimicry-examples
.jpeg) |
| The hooks used by plants like this Wild licorice, Glycyrrhiza lepidota, to attach and move their seeds by hitch hiking on animal fur were the inspiration for the invention of velcro. |
Native grasses are a fascinating group of plants and are vital sources of food for many mammals, birds, insects. They also have an important role as shelter - birds, insects, and small mammals hide in grass from predators, use grasses for nesting, and often the chrysalis of a butterfly can be found hanging from a grass leaf. Beneficial, too, in our gardens, for connecting design elements and acting as backdrop for colorful flowers. One native grass, Little bluestem, Schizachyrium scoparium, is common in all but three of our states and not only valuable to a multitude of wildlife species, but also a wonderful addition to a garden. Read more about Little bluestem here: https://conps.org/big-and-little-bluestems-not-so-blue-in-fall/
 |
| This New Mexico feathergrass, Hesperostipa meomexicana, is native in the western parts of the country. Grass seedheads can provide excellent textural accents in a garden in addition to the benefits they bring for wildlife. |
Last, but by no means least, native plants are beautiful. The artist within us all appreciates their astounding variety of colors and forms. Our gardens and civic landscapes become places of delight and refreshment in addition to being valuable for all the reasons above. As we now turn toward the new year, we have choices to make. How can we best contribute to a sustainable future? E.O. Wilson had this to say:
"There can be no purpose more enspiriting than to begin the age of restoration, reweaving the wondrous diversity of life that still surrounds us."
 |
| Native plants are beautiful! Dark-throated shooting star, Primula pauciflora |
Sue Dingwell
Colorado, Virginia, and Florida Native Plant Societies
Master Gardener
Master Naturalist
