Kelsey Chapter

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)
The Kelsey Chapter serves native plant enthusiasts in the greater Helena area.
Bob Person, can help with contacts and organization. Members who want to organize a program or activity may contact Bob as well.

Interested in Native Plant Landscaping in our area? Click here

Programs and Activities Upcoming: NOTE: PROGRAM CANCELLATION IS LIKELY. WATCH HERE FOR LATE CANCELLATIONS OR CONTACT THE EVENT ORGANIZER DIRECTLY

Celebrate Wildflowers third week in May. Every year, the Helena/Lewis and Clark National Forest, Montana Discovery Foundation, Prickly Pear Land Trust, and the Kelsey Chapter of the Montana Native Plant Society host a series of events to celebrate these messengers of spring.

1. Celebrate Wildflowers in the field on Mount Helena the third week of May 2021:
   1. As the main focus, Celebrating Wildflowers hikes on Mt. Helena with 4^th grade classes.These hikes are typically conducted the third week of May each year and volunteers are always needed to help out. While students will participate in an art contest through their schools, the Mount Helena hikes for 2021 will depend on circumstances then;
      
   2. A hike leader training session is held each year. This tuneup is designed for hike leaders but is open to the all MNPS members and the public. Watch for 2021 status.
      
   3. On the Thursday of Wildflower week the Prickly Pear Land Trust in cooperation with the Kelsey Chapter and the Montana Discovery Foundation hosts a wildflower hike for the general public on the same route as that used for the 4th graders – contact Bob Person, ([email protected]) for questions. 2021 event subject to conditions at the time.
      
   4. All field events begin and end at the main Mount Helena trailhead. Flags will be out and information posted at the trailhead kiosk. Enjoy the spring flowers while practicing your social distancing. Virtual events are being planned for 2021 and will be widely announced.
      

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Reports on Recent Activities:

Kelseya uniflora Field Trip – Trout Creek Canyon Trip Report For several years, we had hoped to conduct a field trip to see the Kelseya uniflora in full bloom, but the uncertainty of spring weather has foiled our attempts. At one point, we succeeded. Six Kelsey Chapter members journeyed out to see the spring bloom in as mild spring snowstorm. Our species list, according to the Lesica rule (only blooming plants counted) was 1, Kelseya uniflora.

These three pictures show the plants in bud or just beginning to bloom on April 6, 2017.

Here are pictures from our trip on April 9, 2017:

 

Chapter Projects
The Flora of Mount Helena
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, contact the Montana Native Plant Society, Kelsey Chapter at [email protected]