| Place a Classified | Subscribe today | July 10, 2009 |
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Semiretired teacher sows love of plants: Holte staffs local herbarium Fridays
POCATELLO - Karl Holte is the man behind one of the largest plant collections you'll ever find.
Idaho State University's Ray J. Davis Herbarium, located inside the Idaho Museum of Natural History building, is home to more than 65,000 pressed and dried plants from throughout the world. He believes the herbarium is an invaluable resource for understanding where plants were and what's impacted them throughout the years. Holte, mostly retired from the ISU biology department, staffs the herbarium every Friday. He also teaches a class each Friday on identifying plants by keying - using a dichotomous key that poses questions about a given plant and narrows the possibilities until a plant is identified.
Holte, originally from Iowa, moved to Pocatello in 1965 to teach botany. He taught systematics, spring flora, fall flora, dendrology (the study of trees) and agrostology (the study of grasses).
“In general, our grasses are on the decline because of overuse of our range,” Holte said. “More and more, we're seeing more weeds in the area because we're denuding our vegetation by overuse.” Holte is a member of the Idaho Native Plant Society, which takes frequent field trips throughout the area in warm months and hosts monthly guest speakers during the winter.
Anyone interested in knowing more about the Native Plant Society should call Holte at 232-6563. Let the questions begin: ISJ: What's your favorite food?
Holte: It changes as time passes but right now it is Thai food, especially yellow curry tofu or chicken. Also, Norwegian lutefisk. ISJ: Who inspires you the most?
Holte: Other friendly people who are interested in plants. ISJ: Who's your ideal next-door neighbor?
Holte: My three daughters, their spouses and families. ISJ: When (and if) you arrive at the gates of Heaven, what would you like to hear God say to you?
Holte: "Ya done good." ISJ: Any regrets?
Holte: A few - the greatest was not taking the time to record my mother's recollections and interpretations of her 102-year lifespan. She was born before cars, radio, TV and even plastic bags! ISJ: What's your favorite appliance? Holte: I am a gadget person, but probably I most enjoy the Insta-Hot faucet on the kitchen sink, which immediately yields 190 degree water for hot drinks, peeling fruits, etc. The dishwasher would be second choice. ISJ: Who are your top three dream dinner partners? Holte: My wife Ardys, Carolus Linnaeus, and Charles Darwin. ISJ: If you won the lottery, how would you spend the money? Holte: Three ways (I first would have to buy my first lottery ticket!) 1. I'd buy two parcels of land with natural vegetation, one in Idaho and the other in a warmer climate such as Ecuador or Baja. 2. Establish a foundation to pay the educational expenses of deserving botany undergraduate students and fellowships for botany graduate students conducting floristic studies. 3. Travel the U.S. seeking out national parks, natural history museums and historical sites, funding friends and family to enjoy them with us. ISJ: What was the last good book you read? Holte: “Buffalo for the Broken Heart,” by Dan O'Brien. By John O'Connell - Journal Writer
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