KCCSS newsletter March 2017 page � of �1 4

Our March 21 program will be presented by Bob Howells. His topic is INVASIVE CACTI: Cultured Plants to Ecological Pests

KCCSS member Bob Howells is a fisheries research biologist with m a j o r i n t e r e s t s i n freshwater mussels and exotic species, in addi-tion to general fisheries a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l work. His work has in-

cluded the staff of the Cleveland Museum of Natur-al History, 10 years with an environmental consult-ing firm, and 22 years conducting fisheries research with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Heart of the Hills Fisheries Science Center. He retired from TPWD in June 2006, but has remained active in several biological fields, including legally pro-hibited and invasive exotic animals and plants. His life-long interest in cacti has overlapped with issues involving invasive, exotic species.

Invasive plants and animals are among the most important ecological problems facing natural re-source managers, with implications for agriculture, aquaculture, and industry, not to mention human health issues. Cacti have been transported and propagated around world for many reasons. Most have never been considered noxious species, but a few have been ecologically and economically disas-trous.

One recent study found that among nearly 2,000 cactus species, only 57 were considered to be inva-sive. Many Pricklypears and Chollas are the worst

offenders. Well known invasion problems occurred in Australia in the 1800s and early 1900s where at least 39 cactus species were introduced. Other countries with noxious cactus problems include Spain, Italy, many African counties, and even some Pacific Islands. The U.S. has at least four invasive cactus species. Fortunately, no exotic cacti were reported to be problems in Texas; however, several Lone Star species have become major bad actors elsewhere in the world.

This presentation addresses what invasive species are, which cacti have been environmental problems, reasons and pathways for introductions, traits of invasive species, and countries that have been in-vaded. It also briefly addresses some control meth-ods that have been employed.

Pricklypear. Some Pricklypear species are among the world’s most invasive and ecologically harmful species.

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As many of you may know, I am filling in for Larry Fagarason as Vice President while he recovers from his health issues.

I have put together an impressive list of programs for the remainder of the year. I believe everyone will certainly enjoy each of these programs.

I need your help in energizing the club for the re-mainder of the year. To have a viable club everyone needs to do a little to make it work.

Here’s what you can do to make this happen:

1. Pay your 2017 dues promptly. Many of the high profile speakers for the upcoming programs are traveling from out of town and we need to pay a small honorarium to at least cover their expenses. Our only source of revenue are the small annual dues and plant raffle. We also have a monthly $20 fee for use of the meeting room.

2. Sign up as a host for refreshments. Hopefully, members will sign up to provide refreshments for the remaining months. Please contact Bill Wildfong our newsletter editor and add your name to the refreshments list.

3. Try to attend every club meeting. Attendance shows your support for the club and appreciation

for the considerable efforts by our officers to provide quality, informative, programs each month.

4. Bring good quality plants for the plant raffle. The plant raffle is a popular part of each meeting and a significant source of funds needed to sup-port the club. Larry Fagarason has been the ma-jor contributor of plants. In his absence, other members need to redouble their efforts to ensure we have a good selection plants for the raffle. Please try to label your plants so members not too familiar with them will know what they are.

5. Share your ideas for energizing the club. We need input from all members on what can be done to improve the club and attract new mem-bers. If you have an interest in a particular area and would like to have a program on that topic, please let Wendell know. Likewise, any other aspect of club functioning you feel could be im-proved is most welcome.

6. Solicit new members. Our motto should be “Every Member Get a Member”. Only through a vigorous outreach effort to bring in new mem-bers can our club grow.

Message from Acting Vice President, Wendell Bingham

Now that we know our club will remain active, it’s time for 2017 dues. They’re still only $10 for individuals and $15 for families. If you haven’t paid them yet, please pay at the next meet-ing— or mail a check, made out to KCCSS, to our new treasurer: Patrick McDaniel, 1200 Warbler Dr., Kerrville TX 78028.

PLEASE DO YOUR DUES

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We now have a new secretary, Peggy Owens; an interim VP/program director, Wendell Bingham; and new treasurer, Patrick McDaniel. Hopefully, Larry Fa-garason will resume his VP position after

he recovers from his leg operation, and Natalie will continue as historian. Bob Savage is still president but would like to have someone take over his job. Call him at 325-622-4664.

WE STILL NEED A NEW PRESIDENT

The Genus Gymnocalycium by Rosario Douglas, COCSS

The name of the genus comes from the Greek gym-nos = naked and kalyx = calyx. This name reflects the lack of hairs or spines on the flower buds. There are about 90 species of this primarily South American genus. This genera is represented in Bo-livia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil and Argentina. Gymnocalyciums are relatively small globose plants ranging in size from 5-7 inches high. These cacti of-ten grow in grasslands and can tolerate some shade. Some species form clumps. Gymnocalyciums are popular in cultivation due to their colorful flowers. Sources: CactiGuide.com , “The Encyclopedia of Cacti”, 1984. Cullmann, Gotz&Groner. Drawings are from Blühende Kakteen – Iconographia Cactacearum Tafel 101. 1904 Author Schumann, Gürke & Vaupel. From The Offset (Central OK CSS) 3/17

Gymnocalycium horstii. Wikipedia Creative Commons. Flowers range from 1-1.5 inches wide.

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The KCCSS meets in Kerrville on the third Tuesday each month except December,

at 7:00 pm, in the conference room of the Butt-Holdsworth Memorial Library,

505 Water Street. We occasionally meet elsewhere: visitors

should go to our website a few days before the meeting and check the current

newsletter for exceptions.

Membership dues are $10 for individuals and $15 for families.

The membership year starts in January.

President: Bob Savage, 325-622-4664Past Pres.: Wendell Bingham, 830-895-7010VP-Programs: Larry Fagarason, 830-792-5421Director: Larry Fagarason, 830-792-5421Secretary: Peggy Owens, 830-377-1224Treasurer: Patrick McDaniel, 830-955-5878Historian: Natalie Fagarason, 830-792-5421Newsletter: Bill & Cheryl Wildfong, wildfong@windstream.net,

830-896-8940Items for the newsletter are due the first Tuesday of the month.

Webmaster: Bill Wildfong, wildfong@windstream.net

OUR CLUB’S WEBSITE:home.windstream.net/wildfong/KCCSS.html

ALL YEAR: Kerrville, TX: Riverside Nature Center: To keep up with the various ex-hibits and events going on at RNC, bookmark their website, www.riversidenaturecenter.org/ where you can view their calendar and download their newsletters.

Apr 1–2, 2017:Austin, TX: Austin CSS Spring Show & Sale;• Austin Area Garden Center at Zilker Botanical Garden; 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m; www.austincss.com

Apr 27-29—CORRECTED DATE: San Antonio, TX: S.A. Cactus and Xerophyte Soci-ety’s Annual Show & Sale, San Antonio Garden Center, 3310 N. New Braunfels; SACXS.org

May 12-13: Kerrville, TX: KCCSS annual show and sale. Details later.

June 3-4: Oklahoma City, OK: Central Oklahoma Cactus and Succulent Society’s Annual Show & Sale, Will Rogers Exhibition Center, 3400 N.W. 36th St.; web page

Jul 26-30, 2017: Tempe, AZ: CSSA 37th Biennial Convention; sponsored by the Central Arizona CSS; for details and registration: cssaconvention.com

WHERE TO BUY CACTI: DO THE LOCAL BIG-BOX STORES REALLY CARRY WORTH-WHILE PLANTS?

Robert G. Howells, Kerrville, Texas – January 2016

Because this excellent, entertaining article by an enthusiastic KCCSS member is a large high-resolution file (3.5 mb), we have posted it separately on our website under

“Links.” To read it now, click HERE.