=20
Hi,
In answer to Kathleen, some folks wrote years ago that a rare Californian sp=
ecies, Arctostaphylos pallida, was effectively extinct because of swamping o=
f its gene pool from planted cultivars in the vicinity of the last remaining=
extant populations.=C2=A0=20
On this subject, I hope that everyone has read:=C2=A0=20
=C2=A0
McKay, J. K., C. E. Christian, S. Harrison,
and K. J. Rice. 2005. "How Local Is Local?" A Review of Practical and
Conceptual Issues in the Genetics of Restoration. Restoration Ecology 13:432=
-440.
Grey Hayes
Soquel, California
=20
-----Original Message-----
From: Kathleen Knight <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Sent: Tue, 18 Dec 2007 1:32 pm
Subject: Re: native plants
Hi Steve,=20
I'm not an exert and haven't looked for any studies on this, but if the=20
native/non-native hybrids or non-native species can hybridize with nearby=20
native populations, this could be problematic, and might be worse than=20
planting unrelated non-native, non-invasive plants. If pollen a large=20
planted population of non-native hybrids contributes to a large proportion=20
of the seed set in a small, nearby native population, native genetic=20
diversity might be lost quickly over a few generations. I think this has=20
been a concern with corn in central america. Has anyone heard of examples=20
of horticultural species that have caused these kinds of problems?
On the other hand, there are pros to planting non-invasive hybrids that are=20
similar to native species. They may be well-adapted to the environment and=20
not require much watering or fertilization.
-Kathleen
On Dec 18 2007, Steve Kunz wrote:
>=20
>In a message dated 12/17/2007 11:48:56 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, =20
>[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
>
>Another option is to consider native/non-native hybrids as well as=20
>native selections from unusual ecotypes. There are many varieties of =20
>azaleas, for instance, that are hybrids between natives and exotic =20
>species. These (non-invasive) plants provide the beauty of large =20
>flowers from their non-native genetic stock with the heat/drought/frost =20
>(depending on the variety) tolerance from their native genes. Two neat=20
>selections from odd ecotypes are the dwarf wax myrtle ('Tom's Dwarf' or=20
>'Don's Dwarf') from or the variegated Florida anise ('Shady Lady').
>
>
> I am a member of my local Environmental Advisory Council (we assist our=20
> Township supervisors on environmental issues), and we always strongly=20
> recommend the use of native plants in the landscaping proposed for new=20
> developments. Some plants proposed are clearly non-native, but many times=20
> an applicant will propose use of a variety, or hybrid, or some other=20
> cultivar of a native species. Since I am not a botanist, I wonder about=20
> the appropriateness of using cultivated varieties. Is there some limit on=20
> how much hybridization or cross-cultivation (I'm not even sure these are=20
> the correct terms) can be allowed before a plant is no longer considered=20
> "native"? And if so, how can a layperson recognize that the line has been=20
> crossed?
>=20
>Any input on this matter would be appreciated.
>=20
>Steve Kunz
>Vice-Chair, Schuylkill Township EAC=20
>Chester County, Pennsylvania
>
>
>
>**************************************See AOL's top rated recipes=20
>(http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=3Daoltop00030000000004)
>
--=20
-----------------------------
Kathleen S. Knight
=20
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