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Re: Weed killing / wildflower questions

On Sun, 19 Apr 1998, Christopher P. Lindsey wrote:

> Finally, you should try and identify the plant that you're moving.
> This may be a requirement for step #2, as well.  Use a field guide
> to help you identify unknowns -- I prefer "Newcomb's Wildflower Guide"
> by Lawrence Newcomb.  It's easy to use and only requires you to know
> the number of flower petals, how the leaves are arranged, and the
> approximate leaf shape.  VERY easy for the beginner with no dichotomous
> keys to work through.

One point on "amateur wildflower books" (as opposed to professional
floras): if a plant is NOT in the wildflower book, you can generally
assume that it's not terribly common, and you should take special pains
to make sure it's not on the state's threatened, endangered, or
special concerns list.  (The Nature Conservancy generally has very good
lists, also).  

> If the plant's collection isn't restricted by law, you have your own
> morality to judge by.  Is the plant covering an entire field?  If so,
> it's probably ok to collect.  Is it just one of three plants in a
> field?  If so, you could be disrupting the distribution of this
> species by collecting one.  You will most certainly be disrupting
> the gene pool.  Other factors to consider -- is everyone coming out
> to collect one?  Will they come out once they see yours? 

You might also try to find a group that does salvage work from areas
that are slated for bulldozing -- hanging around with some folks with
a little more expertise also helps improve the success of your plantings.
Consider, too, that plants often establish better from seed propagation
rather than by moving entire plants... which also tends to keep the local
genepool intact, since you haven't removed any of the parents.

Kay Lancaster  kay@fern.com





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