Kansas Native Plant Appreciation

Governor Mark Parkinson has proclaimed June 2010 as Kansas Native Plant Appreciation Month! The Governor's proclamation urges all citizens to join in the observance by enjoying, appreciating, and celebrating our floral diversity and taking advantage of the opportunities to learn more about native plants, their habitats, and how to protect them.

Discover recommended newer and older classic nonfiction books about native plants in Kansas and the larger region. In addition to the titles listed below, more resources on identification of and gardening with native plants and wildflowers, uses of native plants and prairie ecology may be found by searching in the library catalog.

Kansas Native Plant Society is celebrating Kansas Native Plant Appreciation Month with many different free events. Everyone is welcome to enjoy these opportunities to discover our state's natural heritage. You may also want to view this website for resources on native plant identification, wildflower gardening, natural areas to visit, book recommendations, and more.

The following 32 books represent some aspect of native plants in our area. Note: When our catalog doesn’t offer additional information, an Internet link may be included where you may access more information about a book. Click on the titles to view and reserve these books in the catalog.

	Wildflowers and Weeds of Kansas by Janet E. Bare This thorough resource aids identification for many different plants found in the state.
	Native Trees, Shrubs, & Vines: A Guide To Using, Growing, And Propagating North American Woody Plants by William Cullina Cullina's book is like an encyclopedia. He presents strong opinions about each plant, which makes this resource helpful for selecting the best plants for landscaping. More about the book
	The New England Wild Flower Society Guide To Growing And Propagating Wildflowers Of The United States by William Cullina The author has much experience landscaping with native plants. He offers recommendations for the most attractive garden plants. More about the book
	Weed Seeds of the Great Plains: A Handbook for Identification by Linda W. Davis Seeds of native and introduced plants are illustrated and described. More about the book
	Roadside Wildflowers of the Southern Great Plains by Craig Carl Freeman & Eileen K. Schofield This informative field guide describes common wildflowers found in Kansas or near the border in neighboring states. Many of the highlighted plants include line drawings of unique identifying features and notes of historical medicinal or food uses, and related species. More about the book
	Flora of the Great Plains by Great Plains Flora Association The most complete botanical guide to native and naturalized plants in the Great Plains, including Kansas. It contains technical keys and descriptions and lacks illustrations.
	Walking the Prairie by Doug Guess Watercolor paintings of wildflowers are paired with poetry.
	Wildflowers and Grasses of Kansas: A Field Guide by Michael John Haddock Helpful comments are included with each plant description. The author created a website, with many forbs, grasses, sedges, rushes, and woody plants found growing in Kansas: www.kswildflower.org. More about the book
	Field Guide to the North American Prairie by Stephen R. Jones and Ruth Carol Cushman Use this guide to learn about different types of prairie habitats and the flora and fauna of North American prairies. A directory offers recommended places to visit. More about the book
	Edible Wild Plants of the Prairie: An Ethnobotanical Guide by Kelly Kindscher Kindscher shares his own experiences preparing and eating wild foods coupled with historical uses. Beautiful line drawings and range maps are provided for each plant. More about the book
	Medicinal Wild Plants of the Prairie: An Ethnobotanical Guide by Kelly Kindscher Historical uses of wild plants as medicine are recounted with range maps and beautiful line drawings for each plant. More about the book
	A Field Guide to Eastern Forests, North America by John Kricher Bring this guide along next time you visit a forest and identify some of the plants and wildlife. More about the book
	A Practical Guide to Prairie Reconstruction by Carl Kurtz Learn how to select seeds, prepare the soil, manage prairies and more. More about the book
	Ozark Wildflowers: A Field Guide by Don Kurz This guide will aid anyone who wants to identify wildflowers while visiting the southeast corner of Kansas; this is part of the Ozark physiographic region. More about the book
	Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers: A Field Guide to the Wildflowers, Grasses, and Woody Vines of the Tallgrass Prairie by Douglas M. Ladd This book is a helpful identification tool with excellent photography. This second edition includes notes about prairie restoration techniques and an updated directory of tallgrass prairies to visit. More about the book
	Grassland: The History, Biology, Politics, and Promise of the American Prairie by Richard Manning Manning's dramatic prose describes the troubled history that brought about the loss of one of our most symbolic landscapes and recent attempts at restoration. More about the book
	Where the Buffalo Roam by Anne Matthews Frank and Deborah Popper's proposal to return the arid western Great Plains to bison and a wildlife refuge is explained in this book. More about the book
	The National Grasslands: A Guide to America's Undiscovered Treasures by Francis Moul Among the fascinating history and politics described here is much information about Cimarron National Grassland in southwest Kansas. More about the book
	Common to This Country: Botanical Discoveries of Lewis and Clark by Susan H. Munger Specific plants are featured and beautifully illustrated with wonderful details of when Lewis and Clark were first introduced to each plant. More about the book
	Kansas Grasses by Clenton E. Owensby Detailed line drawings are included with each featured grass. The author created a website for Kansas grasses: http://spuds.agron.ksu.edu/Grassint.htm.
	Kansas Prairie Wildflowers by Clenton E. Owensby This small book is a classic reference with color photos. The author created a website for flowers found in the Flint Hills: http://spuds.agron.ksu.edu/wildflw.htm.
	Sunflowers: The Secret History; The Unauthorized Biography of the World's Most Beloved Weed by Joe Pappalardo This enjoyable read delves deeply into world cultural history as reflected in sunflowers. More about the book
	Pasture & Range Plants by Robert A. Nicholson This beautifully illustrated guide provides helpful information on forage use for livestock. More about the book
	Konza Prairie: A Tallgrass Natural History by O. J. Reichman Explore the ecology of one of the largest remaining tallgrass prairie habitats in the country. More about the book
	Dyes from American Native Plants: A Practical Guide by Lynne Richards & Ronald J. Tyrl Learn dyeing techniques using the plethora of natural colors obtainable from native plants. More about the book
	The Secrets of Wildflowers: A Delightful Feast of Little-Known Facts, Folklore, and History by Jack Sanders Delve into the fascinating history and legends behind many different wildflowers, including their uses and the origins of their names. More about the book
	Prairie: A Natural History by Candace Savage Savage provides a perspective of the natural heritage we have lost. Prairie once covered more of North America than any other type of ecosystem. Breathtaking photos and dramatic text describe what remains and offer an outlook for the future. More about the book
	Poisonous Plants of the Central United States by H.A. (Homer A.) Stephens Stephens provides plant descriptions and symptoms of poisoning, accompanied by clear black and white photos. More about the book
	Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines in Kansas by H. A. (Homer A.) Stephens This classic field guide includes range maps and photos of bark, leaves, and fruits. More about the book
	Gardening With Prairie Plants: How To Create Beautiful Native Landscapes by Sally Wasowski Native plant gardening inspiration from a very experienced prairie gardener. More about the book
	Wild Seasons: Gathering and Cooking Wild Plants of the Great Plains by Kay Young Use this book as a field guide and recipe book for the best tasting wild edibles. More about the book
	Land of Grass and Sky: A Naturalist's Prairie Journey by Mary Taylor Young Young shares personal essays evoking the spirit of various elements of the prairie. More about the book

Like the books listed here? Our post honoring the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day contains many related titles.

Most Popular Books: May 2010

The twenty most checked-out books at the library during the month of May. Click on titles to view and reserve these books in the catalog. Click on More about the book for reviews and summaries.

1.		The Help by Kathryn Stockett More about the book
2.		The Lost Symbol: A Novel by Dan Brown More about the book
3.		The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan More about the book
4.		U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton More about the book
5.		Dead In The Family by Charlaine Harris More about the book
6.		Worst Case: A Novel by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge More about the book
7.		If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond More about the book
8.		Twilight by Stephenie Meyer More about the book
9.		Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer More about the book
10.		Deliver Us from Evil by David Baldacci More about the book
11.		Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling More about the book
12.		New Moon by Stephenie Meyer More about the book
13.		Wiggle by Doreen Cronin, art by Scott Menchin More about the book
14.		Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells More about the book
15.		If You Give a Cat a Cupcake by Laura Numeroff More about the book
16.		If You Give a Pig a Party by Laura Numeroff, illustrated by Felicia Bond More about the book
17.		Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts More about the book
18.		The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger More about the book
19.		Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Greg Heffley's Journal by Jeff Kinney More about the book
20.		House Rules: A Novel by Jodi Picoult More about the book

Upcoming Author Visit: Nancy Pickard

Acclaimed mystery writer Nancy Pickard will present a reading and book signing at the Library on Wednesday, June 2 at 7 pm. The event is co-sponsored by The Raven Book Store, which will make copies of the book available for purchase.

Pickard is the author of eighteen popular and critically acclaimed novels, including the Jenny Cain and Marie Lightfoot mystery series and the Eugenia Potter series created by Virginia Rich, as well as dozens of short stories. She is the co-author, with psychologist Lynn Lott, of the non-fiction book Seven Steps on the Writer’s Path. Nancy has won multiple Agatha, Anthony, Macavity, and Shamus awards for her short stories and novels. She is a founding member and former president of Sisters In Crime, the international organization dedicated to the advancement of women mystery writers, and a former national board member of the Mystery Writers of America. She lives in Merriam, Kansas.

Pickard's new novel, The Scent of Rain and Lightning, opens twenty-three years after Jody Linder's father, the eldest son of a wealthy and influential ranching family, was murdered in fictional Rose, Kansas, during a night of violent thunderstorms and torrential rain. When his body was found the next morning, his wife was missing and the evidence suggested that she was dead too. Now Jody's uncles have arrived to tell her that Billy Crosby, the man convicted of the crime, has been released from prison and is returning to Rose. Jody soon learns that not everyone in town believes that Billy Crosby committed the murders. As she continues to ask questions, Jody and the other members of the Linder family are forced to confront the past and reevaluate their beliefs about what happened on that fateful night.

The Scent of Rain and Lightning, like Pickard's last book, The Virgin of Small Plains, is set in a fictionalized version of an area of Kansas with distinctive geographical features that figure into the story. In The Scent of Rain and Lightning, Jody is drawn to a rock formation outside of Rose based on the Monument Rocks in Gove County, unique limestone formations millions of years old that rise suddenly out of the prairie, remnants from the time when Kansas was covered by an inland sea. Kansas weather plays a part in both books as well. Like the blizzards and tornado in The Virgin of Small Plains, the thunderstorm on the night of the murder in this book might be considered a character in the story, driving the action and influencing the actions of the other characters.