The Provenance of Plants

Growing native plants to promote conservation is very popular, but botanists are concerned about the origin of the plants. The habitat range of any native plant varies. If specimens from one region of the habitat are promoted, the genes of that particular population may supplant those of the local population. Subtle genetic differences that aid the plant's survival in other areas of the range may be lost.

At the recent Consortium of European Botanical Gardens meeting, the issue of the provenance of the plants in the native collections was discussed. In Britain a botanical garden network has matched up gardens to the nearest local populations of endangered plants. This ensures the best growing conditions and each garden can specialize in growing their assigned plants.

Membership in the consortium has recently been opened to botanic gardens in Eastern Europe. Conservationists are looking at issues critical to gardens in that region and will apply preservation standards there.

Link: Survival instincts from the Scotsman

Posted by Eric La Fountaine at 12:23 PM on February 17, 2005

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