plants

The Center for Plant Conservation (CPC) has passed the 700 mark of endangered plants 'safeguarded in seed banks and living collections'. But what is that worth? The CPC says that, 'off-site storage and cultivation of genetically appropriate plant material is a critical step in supporting restoration in the wild.' I have my doubts.

Protecting rare plants by placing them in gardens is at best an academic exercise and at worst conservation under false pretenses. More likely, these activities match well the historical, stamp-collecting instincts of the participating institutions.

What is absolutely required to ensure the longevity of rare and endangered plants (and no one disputes this) is the protection and restoration of the ecosystems within which they have evolved. So....let's get on with it.

A rough survey of Lost Prairie this Monday netted two vascular plants not previously reported (at least not by Gleason or Robertson et al). The prairie lettuce (Lactuca ludoviciana) is easy enough to spot. It is a large lettuce with prickly leaves, as in the weedy garden lettuce.

Volunteer Revegetation Saturday

After all the stabbing at heavy soil in the rain,
and all the hands, backs, eyes, knees, working the plants in
and after passing pots, picks, spades, cups, bottles, chuckles, shovels,
and so many how-to’s and how-come’s and
all too simple explanations, ...