Wear the Coneflowers!

The Missouri Native Plant Society’s Badge of Achievement

The MONPS Badge of Achievement shows the pale purple and yellow cone–flowers on a blue background trimmed with green and yellow. These bright, showy wildflowers are representative of the wide variety of plants native to the state. The badge is embroidered on sturdy material that may be sewn onto a pack, hat or other item. Actual size, 31/2 inches.

It’s fun
You'll learn about our native wildflowers and other plants
It will look good on your hat, pack or jacket
It marks you as an achiever with special knowledge of native plants & their habitat,because THIS BADGE MUST BE EARNED.

What You Do

To earn the Missouri Native Plant Society (MONPS) Badge of Achievement, you must demonstrate that you have studied and learned about a number of plants from several different aspects. You do this by performing a prescribed set of activities. Certain minimum activities are required, while others are elected by the participant. Your responses, which are prepared to meet those requirements, are to be assembled in a folder or lightweight notebook.

Depending on which projects you choose, you may need to devote considerable time to completing all the requirements. This program does not require a personal collection of whole plant specimens, plant materials, or seeds. The Missouri Native Plant Society specifically discourages the collection of whole plants from the wild for gardening, personal, or commercial reasons. NEVER DISTURB A RARE OR ENDANGERED SPECIES.

Check your material over carefully before sending it. Be sure the necessary requirements have been met. If working with a group, have the group leader review it first.

The native plants studied may be found elsewhere than in your local area. You need not be a resident of Missouri or a member of the Missouri Native Plant Society to earn the MONPS Badge of Achievement.

When you have finished your folder or notebook containing eight or more completed steps (Step One plus seven others of your choice), arrange the answers in numerical order, corresponding to those on the list of requirements. Mail the completed packet to the Missouri Native Plant Society. Include your name and mailing address. Your entry will be carefully read and evaluated by a qualified member of MONPS. The badge will be mailed to you. Allow six to eight weeks for delivery. If you want your materials returned, include a stamped, self-addressed envelop large enough to hold the materials. If the material is not requested to be returned, it becomes the property of MONPS and may be used in future promotions of the Society and its programs. Send you materials to:

Missouri Native Plant Society
PO Box 440353
St. Louis, MO 63144-0353

Activities to Be Fulfilled

Step 1: EVERYONE MUST COMPLETE THIS STEP

Identify and record 30 native Missouri plants outdoors. Choose a variety of types, i.e., perennials, shrubs, trees, vines, grasses, herbs, ferns. List each one by common and scientific name.
Note the location, habitat (growing conditions) and abundance of each plant found.
Note what stage the plant is in (flower, seed, fruiting, or vegetative).
Note plant type (as in A above), leaf type, alternate or opposite, and, if flowering, note the flower type and color.
Note the date you found each plant.

CHOOSE & COMPLETE ANY 7 OF THE FOLLOWING 16 STEPS

Step 2: Illustrate your project showing at least 10 of the plants identified in Step 1 by sketching, photographing, tracing, photocopying, or other graphic means. Include both blossom or fruit and leaf.

Step 3: List 10 plants that have escaped cultivation or were intentionally planted, but because of their rapid spread into the native ecosystem they are considered to be undesirable exotics. For each one note the plant’s origin, its habitat, and why it is a problem.

Step 4: Choose 2 plant families. List up to 10 species in each family that are found in your area. List up to 10 not found in your area. What common characteristics do each family share that distinguishes it from the other?

Step 5: Find 5 native plants that have at least one relative that can be found in your local flower shop, grocery store, greenhouse, garden, farm, or field. List the native plant, its relative, and a least one common characteristic the two share.

Step 6: Identify 5 plants found in Missouri that are likely to cause skin irritations or allergies in some people. Note their potential irritant and their identifying characteristics for each season. Identify similar looking plants that are not usually irritants and discuss their differences.

Step 7: Name 5 native plants found in Missouri reportedly used for medicinal purposes today. What specific part(s) is used? Note the potential uses for each plant. Name 5 other native plants previously used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes, the plant part and their uses. Name 5 other native plants currently found in Missouri that have other, nonmedicinal uses, include the plant part, and its potential uses.

Step 8: List 15 wild plants found in Missouri that have edible parts. Name the edible part(s) of each specific plant and tell how it/they are prepared. List 5 plants to avoid eating, naming the toxic part(s) and the potential toxicity.

Step 9: List some organizations in your community, state, and/or nation that are working for the protection and propagation of wild plants. Discuss their activities. How can you help them?

Step 10: Attend a local or state meeting or activity of the Missouri Native Plant Society. Write a brief report (not more than one page) of the plant-related business covered at the meeting or activity. Discuss any information you learned about native plants.

Step 11: Visit an area (glade, prairie, forest, wetlands, etc.) where native plants can be found. How is the area different from a non-native or domesticated area (pasture, lawn, flower bed, field, etc.)? Are the plants in the natural area being protected? Should they be? What is their possible future?

Step 12: Choose a small natural area of 1-yard x 1-yard and list all plant and animal life found in that area. Date your list. Describe other features of the habitat, such as soil, water, exposure and shelter. Note the association or interdependence of the various plants and animals.

Step 13: Using your library, local bookstore, or the internet identify 10 references (not including the references listed in this pamphlet) for plant information. Note the category and full reference information for each.

Step 14: List at least 4 local, state, and/or federal agencies that control land in Missouri open to the public. Discuss the role each of these agencies plays in conserving the land. Visit 1 of these sites and describe the measures being taken to protect native plants.

Step 15: Describe 15 of the Missouri plants currently identified by the Missouri Department of Conservation as plants of "conservation concern." Discuss why they are "of concern," why they should be protected, and what you can do to aid in their protection.

Step 16: Write a short essay (not more than one page) on the ways in which native plants contribute to our environment (for example: wildlife habitat, erosion control and conservation). Use examples.

Step 17: Discuss the 2 major methods of plant propagation reproductive and vegetative. Include how each is achieved and why that method is desired. List 5 native plants examples of each type of propagation.

SUGGESTED REFERENCES

Denison, Edgar. Missouri Wildflowers, Fourth Revised and Expanded Edition. Jefferson City: Missouri Department of Conservation, 1989.
Dorling, Kindersley, Inc. The Visual Dictionary of Plants. New York: 1992.
Gleason, Henty A. and Conquist, Arthur. Manual of the Vascular Plants of Northwestern United States and Adjacent Canada. Second Ed. Bronx: The New York Botanical Garden, 1991, (Advanced).
Kaye, Connie and Billington, Neil. Medicinal Plants of the Heartland. Vienna, IL: Cache River Press, 1997.
Kurz, Don. Shrubs and Woody Vines of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, 1997.
Kurz, Don. Trees of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, 2003.
Phillips, Jan. Wild Edibles of Missouri. Jefferson City: Missouri Department of Conservation, Second Edition, 1995.
Smith, Tim Missouri Plants of Conservation Concern. Missouri Department of Conservation, 2000.
Smith, Tim. "Plants that won’t stay put," Missouri Conservationist, April 2001.
Yatskievych, George. Steyermark’s Flora of Missouri, Revised ed. Volume 1. Missouri Department of Conservation, in cooperation with the Missouri Botanical Garden Press, 1999.
Yatskievych, George. Steyermark’s Flora of Missouri, Revised ed. Volume 2. Missouri Department of Conservation, in cooperation with the Missouri Botanical Garden Press, 2006.

Missouri Botanical Garden: www.mobot.org
Missouri Department of Conservation: www.mdc.mo.gov
Grow Native!: www.grownative.org
Cornell Plant Database: www.cals.cornell.edu
Missouri Plants: www.missouriplants.com
TAMU Vascular Plant Image Gallery: www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/gallery.htm