Kelseya uniflora, the mascot plant of the Montana Native Plant Society, is named for its discoverer, Francis Kelsey, namesake of the Kelsey Chapter. (Peter Lesica photo)

503 State Street

Helena MT 59601

(406) 449-6586

For more information about Kelsey Chapter programs and events, call Kathy at 449-6586.

Programs:

Activities:

• Monday, May 17, 5:15 p.m. Wildflower identification on Mount Helena. Join us for a refresher course on the blooming vascular plants on Mount Helena. This will also serve as a preview for the national Celebrating Wildflowers event the following day. There will be two groups: a fast group to look at the trail and some quick wildflower ID, and a second group to take a closer look at wildflower classification and botany. Call Kathy Martin at 443-1712 or e-mail katbrim@bresnan.net for additional information.

• Tuesday, May 18 and Wednesday, May 19 Celebrating Wildflowers on Mount Helena. Volunteers will assist Helena area students through learning stations and help with native plant identification. Volunteers are needed for half-day or full day sessions. To volunteer Call Kathy Martin at 443-1712 or e-mail katbrim@bresnan.net.

• Saturday, May 29, 10 AM to 2 PM Join us for a meander up Lewis & Clark Pass and the Alice Creek Drainage east of Lincoln. This 3.5 mile (round trip) walk follows a tributary of Alice Creek and provides outstanding views from the top of the Continental Divide. Along the route we usually see arnica, camas, sugarbowl, shooting stars, and forget-me-nots, but each year the colors are a little different. We will meet at the Alice Creek Trailhead and begin walking at 10 AM. Group size is limited to 15. For reservations, please contact Sam at 495-3718. Sponsored by the Montana Discovery Foundation and Helena National Forest.

• Wednesday, June 16 Join the Montana Department of Agriculture and the Kelsey Chapter for the annual "Weed Day." This year the event will be at Camp Child on the Little Blackfoot River. There will be a native plant segment in the day's festivities, and eventual seeding/planting of natives to replace/compete when the weeds have been removed. This is a fun yearly event and a chance for all of us to help restore native habitats. Call Carol Bearden at 444-7880 for the final details.  

Chapter Projects

The Flora of Mount Helena  The Flora of Mount Helena database includes most of the nearly 300 vascular plant species found on Mount Helena. The database is maintained by the Lewis and Clark Library and updated by the Kelsey Chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society. Click here to access the database online.

The Flora of Mount Helena permanent specimen collection is housed in the Montana section at the Lewis and Clark Library in Helena. The collection is arranged alphabetically by scientific name. Nomenclature follows Dorn 1984. An index is provided that allows cross-referencing by common name and common family name. Click here for a pdf file of the species list.

The Flora of Mount Helena collection is a joint project of the Kelsey Chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society and the Lewis and Clark Library. The Kelsey Chapter formally donated the specimen collection to the Lewis and Clark Library in 1999.

For more information about the collection or to make suggestions, call the Montana Native Plant Society at 406-449-6586.