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Propagation of Rare and Endangered Species at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia

Propagation of Rare and Endangered Species at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Dr. Jim Affolter University of Georgia 2010 Curators Workshop. Silene polypetala Fringed Campion. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia. A unit within the University of Georgia

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Propagation of Rare and Endangered Species at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia

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  1. Propagation of Rare and Endangered Species at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia Dr. Jim Affolter University of Georgia 2010 Curators Workshop Silene polypetala Fringed Campion

  2. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia • A unit within the University of Georgia • 313 acres, including 35 acres of accessioned collections • Serves a university and public audience, ca. 200,000 visitors annually • Member of the Center for Plant Conservation and Botanic Gardens Conservation International

  3. Why do we propagate rare and endangered species? • Ex situ safeguarding • Reintroduction projects • Research • Public display Lindera melissifolia is a federally protected species threatened by the recent spread of laurel wilt disease

  4. Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance (GPCA) • Membership includes botanical gardens, NGOs, government agencies, utility companies, colleges and universities in the state • Established in 1995 • Collaborate on rare plant research, management and education projects Elliottia racemosa

  5. Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance GPCA Member Organizations • Atlanta Botanical Garden • Atlanta History Museum • Callaway Gardens • Chattahoochee Nature Center • Coastal Plain Research Arboretum • Fort Valley State University • Georgia Botanical Society • Georgia Department of Natural Resources • Georgia Department of Transportation • GA Exotic Pest Plant Council • Georgia Native Plant Society • Georgia Power • Georgia Southern Botanical Garden • Georgia Wildlife Federation • Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Station • The Nature Conservancy of Georgia • TNC at Fort Benning • North Georgia College and State University • The State Botanical Garden of Georgia • The University of Georgia • USDA Forest Service • US Fish and Wildlife Service • Valdosta State University Herbarium • Zoo Atlanta

  6. Typical Propagation Sequence for Rare and Endangered Plants • Cold stratification • Grow Lab (fluorescent light) • Greenhouse • Outdoor Propagation Area

  7. Ex Situ Safeguarding Baptisia arachnifera

  8. Reintroduction of Echinacea laevigata and woodland prairie associates (Heather Alley)

  9. Echinacea associates propagated at SBG for Currahee Mountain Outplanting • Asclepias viridiflora (S3) Green Milkweed • Clematis ochroleuca (S2) Curly-heads • Helianthus strumosus (NR) Pale-leaf Sunflower • Lysimachia fraseri (S1) Fraser’s Loosestrife • Oligoneuron album (S3) Prairie Goldenrod • Sericocarpus linifolius (NR) Narrow-leaf Whitetop Aster • Symphyotrichum (S2) Georgia Aster georgianum

  10. Granite Rock Outcrops • Piedmont rock outcrops support many endemic species and are a unique feature of the southeastern flora • Outcrops are threatened by development, quarrying, dumping, recreational abuse, and invasive species

  11. Piedmont Rock Outcrop Habitats • Range from Virginia to Alabama; by surface area ¾ of the outcrops (6,000 acres) are in Georgia • Granite, gneiss, or quartzite; high in Si and Al, low in Fe and Mg • Vegetation differs significantly form surrounding plant communities and exhibits a high level of endemism (many species with closest relatives in the arid Southwest and Mexico) • “Desert islands” in a surrounding sea of mesic environments

  12. Adapting to a Harsh Environment • High light environment and heat absorbing capacity of rocks result in high summer temperatures • Rainfall runs off rapidly • Irregular weathering of rock face creates numerous microenvironments • Plant adaptations include succulence, reflective hairs, annual life cycle, CAM physiology

  13. Seed Germination Study(Suzzanne Tate) Analyze stratification requirements needed to break seed dormancy in representative species associated with pied- mont rock outcrops.

  14. Species with seeds that were available in sufficient quantity Juncus georgianus Juncaceae Endemic Lindernia monticola Scrophulariaceae Near endemic Crotonopsis elliptica Euphorbiaceae Associate Hypericum gentianoides Hypericaceae Associate Viguiera porteri Asteraceae Near endemic Aster avitus Asteraceae Endemic

  15. Seeds were exposed to three temperature treatments simulating seasonal conditions: • Spring/Fall (18/10°C) • Summer (35/20°C) • Winter (8°C)

  16. Juncus georgianus (Summer group) Seed collected June 29 X = 4, 8, 12, 16 weeks

  17. Aster avitus (Fall group) Collected Nov. 6 X = 4, 8, 11

  18. General Conclusions • Temperature fluctuations were important in controlling dormancy in all species studied • Fruit maturation time was a good indicator for stratification times needed to break dormancy and induce germination • Further research needed to develop production protocols for use of these species in green roof settings, etc.

  19. Pitcherplant Bog

  20. Micropropagation of Georgia Plume Induction Young leaf explants TDZ+IAA (1 month) Shoot development Same medium (2 months) Multiplication & Elongation 2iP medium Rooting and acclimation (2 months) Regenerated plant

  21. Culture lines initiated from populations in the field

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