Paradoxa Chapter is based in Rolla. Our name refers to Echinacea paradoxa (yellow coneflower), the only member of the “purple coneflower” genus with yellow ray flowers, endemic to the Ozarks. Our goals are to improve our skill in identifying plants, from seedling through fruiting stages, as well as learning their habitats; to become more familiar with scientific names and botanical terminology; and to promote conservation of native plants. Our members vary in their levels of expertise, but all share a desire to learn. Currently, we schedule at least four botany walk-abouts during the year, with additional field trips, workshops, and programs as determined by the interests of our members. In addition, a group of us meet on Thursday mornings at Audubon Trails Nature Center in Rolla and walk the trail through woodland and prairie habitats, documenting species in bloom and population size.

Tuesday, April 23, 3:00-6:00 p.m., Callery Pear Buyback, Audubon Trails Nature Center, Rolla. Chop down a callery pear to pick up a free Missouri native tree. Registration will open March 15 on MoIP’s Callery Pear Buyback page, and is limited to 25 participants.

April 26 – 28, MONPS Spring Field Trip Weekend. On this trip we’ll explore the Ozark Highlands, lodging at Ava or Gainesville. Sites we may visit include Bryant Creek State Park, Ava Glades Natural Area, and Caney Mountain Conservation Area.

Monday, April 29, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Kaintuck Hollow. A prescribed burn was done in this location in April 2023, so it will be interesting to see the impact on spring ephemeral wildflowers.

Saturday, May 18, 8:00 a.m.-Noon, Spring Native Plant Sale, Rolla Saturday Farmers Market at Big Lots. Vendors will be Doolittle Gardens, Prairie Hill Farm, and Paradoxa. Please let me know if you can donate plants to sell and/or can lend a hand setting up canopies and helping at the sale.

Monday, May 20, 6:30-8:00 p.m., Solomon Hollow Glades Natural Area. This designated natural area contains a series of sandstone glades. We can expect to see plants that prefer an acid substrate such as dwarf potato dandelion (Krigia virginica), thread-leaved sundrops (Oenothera linifolia), and fame flower (Phemeranthus calycinus).

Saturday, June 15, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Indian Trail Natural Area. The natural area here is divided into two separate sections: dolomite glade and savanna. A pre-trip expedition will determine our focus area.

June 21-23, MONPS Summer Field Trip Weekend. We’ll travel to southeast Missouri; our choice of sites to visit will determine lodging location. Possibilities include Sand Prairie Conservation Area, Big Cane Conservation Area, Mingo Swamp, and Sand Pond Conservation Area – an interesting mix of habitats!

Monday, July 15, 6:30-8:00 p.m., John & Elaine Edgar property. We return to one of our favorite places, the Edgars’ restored prairie, at the height of blazing star bloom period! John advises that they have been doing extensive work in their woodlands to promote native plants, so there will be plenty to see.

Saturday TBD in August, FQA Workshop. We are hoping to schedule a hands-on workshop on doing Floristic Quality Assessments.

Saturday, September 7, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Missouri Botanical Garden. We’ll plan to leave Rolla in time to arrive at MOBOT at 10. We plan to visit the native garden area and whatever else folks want to see. Indoor exhibits are an option if it’s hot!

Saturday, September 14, 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Fall Nature Festival & Native Plant Sale, Audubon Trails Nature Center, Rolla. Paradoxa Chapter will have a display and activity. Justin Thomas of NatureCite will be leading plant walks. It’s a family-friendly affair and there will be many more things see and do. Please contact me if you can help out for part of the time.

September 20-22, MONPS Fall Field Trip Weekend. This trip will visit sites in northeast Missouri, around Kirksville. Potential sites include Spring Creek Ranch Natural Area, Morris Praire Conservation Area, Dark Hollow Natural Area, and Rocky Hollow Natural Area.

Saturday, October 12, 10:00 a.m.-Noon,> Emily Brown & John Johnson property.Saturday, November 16, 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Seed Swap & Annual Meeting, Bray Conservation Area, Rolla. We’ll meet once again in the Bray house to share seeds, discoveries, and pizza and to plan for 2025.

For more information about events, or to be added to our email notification list, please contact Pam at the address below.

Contact Us
Pam Barnabee
paradoxarolla@gmail.com

Favorite Places
Audubon Trails Nature Center
Bohigian Conservation Area (Mill Creek)
Kaintuck Hollow Trail
Lane Spring Recreation Area
Maramec Spring Park
Marguerite Bray Conservation Area
St. James Park Glade (Plant List)
Spring Creek Gap Conservation Area