re: collecting and conservation
- To: i*@Rt66.com
- Subject: re: collecting and conservation
- From: L* P* <p*@peak.org>
- Date: Sat, 13 Apr 1996 20:36:17 -0700
At 05:41 AM 4/13/96 MDT, you wrote:
>
>tom wrote to lonnie -< Dr. Jim Waddick of Kansas City (I think?) has recently
>named a collected Louisiana species clone ...which is I. fulva..."Marvell
>Gold." I think he collected this in Arkansas, if I'm not mistaken. I bring
>this up simply to point
>out that it appears we still have room for collecting specimens of
>Louisianas.>
>
>Tom already has jumped on this podium but i had to add my tuppence - Do keep
>in mind that these wild species are adapted to the environment from which
>they are collected, and while we may 'need' certain varieties or species in
>commerce, it is all too easy to overcollect and eliminate them entirely in
>the wild. That's why i suggested earlier that if you collect, also plan to
>put something back after it's been propagated, if not in the original
>habitat, then in one that has maybe deteriorated because of collecting or
>grazing or whatever. Genetic material disappears from commerce all too
>quickly. We don't want to collect something that's not on the endangered
>species list, just to help it get there faster.
>
>sorry for the soapbox again.
>
>linda mann lmann76543 e tenn usa
Don't apologize for your views say I who happen to agree with you!
Gardening is booming just now and will continue to for quite awhile as the
"baby boomers" become "empty nesters" with more leisure etc.
Garden clubs should consider having strong "plant ethics" policy about
collecting both here and abroad. It is all too easy to go to a site and tell
yourself "I'm only taking a little bit" without grasping the collective
impacts of what we are doing. I am concerned about cradle-snatching unless
the plant victims are condemned to death by construction or development. In
those cases plant relocation is the best option. I think it is ok to gather
a very small fraction of seed of non-endangered species, but only from a
large and well-established colony, keeping in mind that natural germination
rates are very low among some species.
Iris verna is a species that comes to mind as having been overly plundered
in areas. It is a double-whammy for this lovely tiny thing that it was once
common in some of the most developed areas of the country. To add to the
problem it does not transplant very well.
I do not know much about the LA's except that their environment is also
fragile. Most states have native plant societies and you can get lots of
help and advice. Our NPS supports ethical and necessary collecting and if
your locale is appropriate, they are an excellent source for inexpensive
Iris and other species.
To leap briefly to another topic: Diane, our local and very well-stocked big
nursery here in Corvallis (Garlands) has variegated Iris foetidissima in
large pots. I will check out the source for you. I bought one and they are
very handsome!
Louise H. Parsons <parsont@peak.org>
1915 SE Stone St.
Corvallis, OR 97333 USA
USDA zone 7 , Emerald NARGS, AIS, SIGNA, SPCNI, transplanted Oregrowian
