Michigan Botanical Society, Southwestern Chapter

Michigan Botanical Society, Southwestern Chapter Volunteers dedicated to the discovery, study, and protection of Michigan's rich flora since 1941. The club was founded in 1941 and consists of five chapters.

This is the page of the Southwestern Chapter of the Michigan Botanical Club. The focus of the Michigan Botanical Club is:

Conservation of all native plants. Education of the public to appreciate and preserve plant life. Sponsorship of research and publication on the plant life of the State. Sponsorship of legislation to promote preservation of Michigan native flora. Establishment of

suitable sanctuaries and natural areas. Cooperation in programs concerned with the use and conservation of all natural resources and scenic features. The Southwestern Chapter holds monthly meetings, usually organized around an annual theme: indoor presentations on the 3rd Monday Jan-April and Oct-Nov; outdoor field trips April/May - Sept/Oct; first Monday of December we have a holiday potluck. Indoor meetings held at People's Church 1758 N. 10th St. in Kalamazoo.

Sauntering Day (June 19th) was created in the 1970s by Michigan native W.T. Rabe. Rabe was known for creating and public...
06/19/2026

Sauntering Day (June 19th) was created in the 1970s by Michigan native W.T. Rabe. Rabe was known for creating and publicizing inventive, quirky ideas. Sauntering Day was his response to the growing popularity of jogging. I’ll admit that a botanist in the field appears to be sauntering along in a leisurely manner, but they are certainly not idle. If you want to see an idle walker, you need to check out walking fern.
Asplenium rhizophyllum (walking fern) Photos: A.A. Reznicek

June 18th is Sushi Day. Sushi is a traditional Japanese dish typically made with vinegar-dressed rice topped or rolled w...
06/18/2026

June 18th is Sushi Day. Sushi is a traditional Japanese dish typically made with vinegar-dressed rice topped or rolled with raw or cooked seafood, vegetables, or cooked egg and often other ingredients. Sushi is popular in the U.S. but not everyone is a fan. The same can be said about "Japanese" plants. Some people like them as attractive ornamentals, while some people dislike their invasive nature. Here are three “Japanese” adventive plants that are very troublesome.
Berbreis thunbergii (Japanese barebarry) Photo: A.A. Reznicek
Fallopia japonica (Japanese knotweed) Photo: D. Spalink
Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle) Photo: R.W. Smith

What’s America’s favorite dried-up, wrinkly brown fruit? If you answered prunes, you’d be right! Today, June 15th, Prun...
06/15/2026

What’s America’s favorite dried-up, wrinkly brown fruit? If you answered prunes, you’d be right! Today, June 15th, Prune Day, we shine the spotlight on dried plums, also known as prunes. Prunes are tasty and chock full of fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. So, if you are feeling a bit confined, a few prunes will set you free. Be sure to put your new freedom to good use looking for these native Michigan plums.
Prunus americana (American wild plum) Photo: ex W. H. Wagner slide collection
Prunus nigra (Canada plum) Photo: gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org.
Prunus umbellate (Allegany plum) Photo: A. A. Reznicek Special Concern

On Jun 14th, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued an official decree making June 14th Flag Day. As my salute to Old Glo...
06/14/2026

On Jun 14th, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued an official decree making June 14th Flag Day. As my salute to Old Glory, here are three native Michigan flags.
Iris versicolor (wild blue flag) Photo: A. Chartier
Iris virginica (southern blue flag) Photo: C. Peirce
Acorus americanus (sweet-flag) Photo: L. Mellichamp

Don't forget our next field trip to the Michigan Nature Association's Prairie Ronde Preserve on 20jun2026.
06/13/2026

Don't forget our next field trip to the Michigan Nature Association's Prairie Ronde Preserve on 20jun2026.

EGLE Not MI Species Webinar Wednesday 17jun2026, 9:00amKowabdanawa odë kė: Preventing and Preparing for Invasive Species...
06/11/2026

EGLE Not MI Species Webinar
Wednesday 17jun2026, 9:00am
Kowabdanawa odë kė: Preventing and Preparing for Invasive Species on Pokagon Lands

The emerald ash borer decimated the ash population across the state. For the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians in Southwest Michigan, this meant the loss of mature black ash trees, culturally important for traditional basket making. Since then, many new invasive species have emerged that could cause harm to culturally significant trees in the tribe’s service area in southwest Michigan and northern Indiana.

Join Vic Bogosian, Natural Resources Manager for the Pokagon Band's Kowabdanawa odë kė ('They watch over this land') to learn:
~ How they are taking a proactive approach
~ Including education
~ Tree surveys and response planning
~ To prepare for Asian longhorned beetle, spotted lanternfly, and beech leaf and beech bark diseases.
PRONUNCIATION: Ko-wab-da-nawa oduh keh (the last part is pronounced like speck or let).

Register for Zoom Webinar here. https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__O-KcQonQjeSUhpJ_Xpegg #/registration

One of the great inventions of the 20th century was the ballpoint pen (Ballpoint Pen Day, June 10th). Invented in 1943, ...
06/10/2026

One of the great inventions of the 20th century was the ballpoint pen (Ballpoint Pen Day, June 10th). Invented in 1943, the ballpoint pen freed humanity from the fussy and messy fountain pen. The ballpoint pen and carbon paper enabled the simultaneous creation of copies of documents, an astounding capability at the time. To celebrate the marvelous ballpoint pen, here are a few native Michigan pinweeds (Lechea spp.).
Lechea minor (small pinweed) Photo: N. Martneau Threatened
Lechea intermedia (intermediate pinweed) Photo: R. Schipper
Lechea mucronate (hairy pinweed) Photo: R.W. Smith
Lechea pulchella (Leggett’s pinweed) Photo: R. Schipper Thrreatened

Happy Birthday, Donald Duck! (June 9th). Donald Duck’s long-time sweetheart is Daisy Duck, so of course, Donald’s favori...
06/09/2026

Happy Birthday, Donald Duck! (June 9th). Donald Duck’s long-time sweetheart is Daisy Duck, so of course, Donald’s favorite flower is the daisy. To celebrate this very special occasion, here are a few native Michigan daisies.
Erigeron strigosus (daisy fleabane) Photo: R.W. Smith
Erigeron annus (daisy fleabane) Photo: A.A. Reznicek
Tetraneuris herbacea (lakeside daisy) Photo: A.A. Reznicek Endangered
Botrychium matricariifolium (daisy-leaved moonwort) Photo: ex W.H. Wagner slide collection

Trails Day (June 6th) was created to celebrate America’s wonderful network of national, state, county and local trails. ...
06/06/2026

Trails Day (June 6th) was created to celebrate America’s wonderful network of national, state, county and local trails. So, put on those boots and get outside for a hike! If you happen to be in the U.P. hiking in the counties bordering Lake Superior, be on the lookout for trail-plant (Adenocaulon bicolor).
Adenocaulon bicolor (trail plant) leaves Photo: B.S. Walters
Adenocaulon bicolor (trail plant) flowers Photo: R. Schipper

Today (June 5th) is one of those oddly timed holidays. It’s Gingerbread Day. Kind of odd that Gingerbread Day isn’t in D...
06/05/2026

Today (June 5th) is one of those oddly timed holidays. It’s Gingerbread Day. Kind of odd that Gingerbread Day isn’t in December. I guess we can still celebrate with the smell-alike wild ginger (Asarum canadense).
Asarum canadense (wild-ginger) Photo: C. Peirce

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