Botanical Watercolors

Michigan Monkey Flower

Erythranthe michiganese is federally listed as a rare, endangered species that depends on a flow of cold, clear spring water. There are 15 known occurrences of this tiny plant in northern Michigan. One population was discovered when a biologistfound a specimen used as a garnish on his plate in a restaurant. It is threatened by residential and recreational development as well as climate warming. Storms and high lake levels disrupt the flow of ground water that the plant needs to survive. It is believed to reproduce by cloning,which reduces genetic diversity and makes it more vulnerable.
Watercolor and graphite on paper 18″ x 14″
prints available

Shenandoah salamander

A federally endangered species found only at the highest elevations of the Shenandoah National Park. It belongs to a familyof lungless salamanders that “breathe” through their skin and require a cool, moist environment to survive. Although its range is protected, it is threatened by climate warming, acid rain, and forest defoliation by non-native insects.
Watercolor on paper, 16″ x 15″
prints available

Mitchell satyr butterfly

Neonympha mitchellii with dried herbarium specimum of Carex conoidea, Open field sedge.
One of the rarest butterflies in the U.S. and on the Federal endangered list. It flies only 10 days a year in late June and early July. Historically it was found in New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. Today it is found only in 13 Michigan locations and 2 Indiana locations. The primary threat to its survival is loss of critical wetlands habitat, although it is believed that some populations were eliminatedby collectors. I have chosen to show it pinned as a collected specimen along with a dried herbarium specimen of a rare wetland sedge.
Color pencil, 20.5″ x 16″

Shrubby Fivefingers

Sibbaldiopsis tridentata,is a member of the rose family imperiled in 5 states. In Virginia, it is found at high, rocky sites in the Shenandoah National Park and isthreatened by foot traffic of Park visitors.Watercolor, 16″ x 16″ prints available.

Butterfly Weed
Asclepias tuperosa

Like taller members of the Milkweed family, this brighter, smaller plant is host to the Monarch butterfly – thus its common name. I found this particular specimen at the edge of our field. It had been run over by a tractor. When I dug it up in a rescue effort, its large tuberous root took me by surprise. Turns out, a tea brewed from the root was once used to treat asthma and pleurisy. In large quantities, the tea can be toxic.

Blackberry Lily
Iris domestica

This tiny member of the Iris family was originally Asian and came to America in the 18th century. Its root has many uses in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western science confirms its anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal properties. I love the “blackberry” seed clusters and the way the spent blooms curl into spirals (fun to paint!). My background drawing in graphite shows actual size.

Round-lobed Hepatica
Anenome americana

An unobtrusive member of the Buttercup family, Hepatica is one of the earliest spring ephemerals. Its brown-mottled leaves and shy flower make it hard to spot on the woodland floor. Early herbalists used a tea made of its leaves to treat liver aliments – hence its common name derived from the Latin word for “liver”. During the19th Century the plant was over-harvested for a tonic. In 1883 alone, some 450,000 pounds of dried “liverleaf” were consumed in Europe. Today’s science, however, does not substantiate claims of its healing virtues.

 Large Purple Fringed Orchid
Platanthera grandifolia

This orchid is one of the rare plants in the Shenandoah National Park. Its location is carefully mapped and kept secret in order to protect it. I felt honored when the Park’s botanist gave me its coordinates. I visited it three times to photograph and sketch it from bud to bloom. My composition was inspired by religious paintings in which a central holy figure is flanked by two lesser companions.