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Show iiir11 a -- g BA tEfc gifanCT-wbqane- y fiYl,',f"T,"ITIM"l"' Trr hf imuri V H"T Thurxtoy, NovmbW 20, 1987 wi, Fall foliage in Matheson Wetland readies for winter, seeds drop was germinated under controlled conditions. As the roots spread from the original seed throughout the growing medium, over 99 shoots sprouted from growing points located along these creeping rhizomes. Though cattails obviously can reproduce by seeds, iF From within a dense forest of cattails a marsh wren scolds me for entering its domain. The cattails themselves look ragged and worn, ready for their winters rest. The broad leaf blades (from which the species name latifolia is derived) are brown and bent by Damian Fagan I walk the boardwalk on this overcast, quiet Wednesday morning. Gone are the symphonies of summers songbirds. The earlybird dawn chorus is closed for the season. In their wake, a few squawking magpies and an occasioned soft, sharp whistle of a over, the suppleness of youth giving way to the signature of age. Battered by the cold winds of autumn, the tight, cylindrical seed heads look more like Rip Van Winkles beard after his nap. I watch, through my camera lens, as the wind tugs at the loose seeds, uprooting them from their flowering stalk. Tiny hairs attached to the seeds spread outward like a miniature parachute. These hairs provide an aerial buoyancy that enables the seeds to gain dispersal distance from their parents. I wonder what percentage of the seeds find suitable growing substrates and actually germinate. For many plants with seeds, the survival perare low, but enough to centages establish new plants. And from a single seed over 100 individual plants can arise. In a laboratory study conducted by the U.S. Agricultural Research Service, a single seed war- wintering bler punctuate the quiet. The dull bullfrog bellowing that I grew accustomed to this summer is no longer a constant in this wetland world. No, it is autumn in the Matheson Wetland Preserve, and at this point in the morning, the loudest natural sound is of falling leaves gently yellow-rumpe- d the researchers estimated that 10 individual plants could produce over 650,000 plants during a single growing season. Thats a lot of birthdays to remember! But the cattails are not the only plant out in the sloughs shedding their seeds this time of year. Russian olive trees bear clusters of small, bronzed fruits. The fleshy coating of the olivelike fruit surrounds a long, hard 20-ye- laying themselves down to sleep. But sounds from outside this lush oasis pierce my solitude. Heavy equipment moves earth and supplies over by the sewage treatment plant. Someone, somewhere by Holiday Haven, has a rampant hammer that beats out a steady song. The few cars that drive down Kane Creek leave their passing as echoes off of the Portal walls I walk to the Teaching Circle, wind-dispers- crunching leaves along the boardwalk of recycled redwood. Few birds show themselves at this time and cold of morning. ar cylindrical seed. Birds and mam- mals, like cedar waxwings, evening grosbeaks, rock squirrels, and gray foxes, feast on the fruits then pass the seeds through their systems. This morning I saw several scat piles along the trail which were loaded with these hard seeds. Unlike the cattails, the Russian olives are not native to the United States. Introduced from Europe, their horticultural use ed includes shade trees, wind breaks, and erosion control. Like plants, the Rusmany sian olives have naturalized (a nice way to say they are here to stay) along drainages and moist sites. Sharp spines along the stems give this plant a thorny reputation and make efforts for its removal difficult. But at least some wintering birds like the food source, although the fruits are often covered with a dark mold. The birds may pass over these seeds in search of other, more preferable food resources. Whichever way the seeds spread, they quickly germinate and establish new plants. Today the Russian olive trees Alan C. Jensen, D.D.S., M.S. Moab, UT 84532 Call for an appointment or 259-245- 5 try months ahead, but the tama- risks still hold their fall foliage, As I finish my walk the sun mo-- mentarily peaks out from behind a veil of clouds and washes the sloughs in a goldenl glory. For more information call the Matheson Wetlands Preserve at 259-489- 6. non-nati- ve Jensen Orthodontics 570 West 400 North Cattails, bathed in autumn sunlight at The Nature Conservancy's Matheson Wetlands. 259-223- 2 Moab Women's Club to turn 100 in March The Moab Womens Club met Saturday, Nov. 15 for their regular monthly meeting, with President Arm Pool presiding. The topic was public affairs, and members discussed the election of the woman mayor, Karla Hancock, of whom the members are very proud. Traffic and parking also were discussed. There will be no December meeting. The Janu Do you have items amongst a sea of gold and brown. s Most of the cottonwoods and are now preparing themselves for the cold win- leaf-bgr- e, or Jewelry Kachinas Bring them by Tuesday Noon! TIMES-INDEPENDE- v. Baskets ' , Rugs Pottery in wil-qw- Will be in Moab Nov. 20, 21 259-560- 4. pictures you would like published? still flaunt their greenery SPECIALIZING IN BRACES ary meeting will concern the arts. This club will turn 100 years old in March and its members are proud of all the work they have done in the Moab area. The club belongs to the General Federation of Womens Clubs and the GFWC of Utah. Anyone interested in joining should call Ann at Sand Pawiings Sculpture NT 35 E. CENTER t 259-75- 25 . 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