[APWG] Stilt Grass Seeds

Thu Oct 2 10:54:56 CDT 2008

Hi All - Interesting news on the fungus! Sounds like you might be thinking 
about it as a possible biocontrol. I'm sure you already know this, but I 
have to say it anyway.  Remember that many medicinal plants grow in the 
understory of the Eastern forests - so whatever the fungus, pls. be sure 
it doesn't affect the beneficial native (often medicinal) plants in the 
understory.
Thanks,
-Patricia

Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.
Botanist - Division of Scientific Authority
Chair - Plant Conservation Alliance - Medicinal Plant Working Group
US Fish & Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 110
Arlington, VA  22203
703-358-1708 x1753
FAX: 703-358-2276
Working for the conservation and sustainable use of our green natural 
resources.
<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal>

"S. Luke Flory" <sflory at indiana.edu> 
Sent by: apwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org
10/02/2008 10:31 AM

To
Michael Schenk <schenkmj at earthlink.net>
cc
apwg at lists.plantconservation.org
Subject
Re: [APWG] Stilt Grass Seeds

Deer are certainly dispersing seed in their hooves and from bedding in 
Microstegium but I don't think they are eating much of it - I haven't 
ever seen any browse damage although I work in areas with relatively low 
deer densities.

I also haven't seen hardly any insect damage to Microstegium plants. If 
there are insects that eat seed they are not likely eating enough to put 
a dent in populations. Most populations have seed/seedling densities so 
high that populations self-thin to a great degree over the course of a 
growing season (someone once emailed me that they had counted >100 
seedlings in a square inch!). That is, even if half of the seeds were 
eaten, populations would likely have the same stem density and biomass 
per area at the end of the season. However, if an insect consumed enough 
seed it would affect seed dispersal rates...

I have noticed a fungus that is hitting some Microstegium populations 
pretty hard, particularly in open areas where I think morning dews 
spread the fungus. We are currently trying to isolate, identify, and 
culture the fungus in the lab and are planning experiments next year to 
see if the fungus has an effect on Microstegium biomass, seed 
production, and ultimately population dynamics.

Luke

Michael Schenk wrote:
> Yes, deer do seem to be a great mechanism for dispersing stilt grass. 
They like to bed down in it, for one thing.
> 
> What I'm wondering is if there is some species which destructively feeds 
on stilt grass seeds and which might be useful as a biocontrol. Since 
they're so small, this would likely be an invertebrate, maybe millipedes 
or some other forest floor small grazer. What generally eats small grass 
seeds?
> 
> Mike
> -----Original Message-----
>> From: "Scott Ruhren Ph.D." <sruhren at asri.org>
>> Sent: Oct 2, 2008 9:21 AM
>> To: 'Michael Schenk' <schenkmj at earthlink.net>, 
apwg at lists.plantconservation.org
>> Subject: RE: [APWG] Stilt Grass Seeds
>>
>> Mike,
>>
>> I saw a poster at an invasive species conference in CT with a long list 
of
>> invasive plant seeds detected in deer droppings. Many/most were viable.
>> Unfortunately, I do not have the author tec. This dispersal mechanism 
seems
>> plausible as deer sample broadly across the flora. 
>>
>> Just a thought.
>>
>> Scott
>>
>> ---
>>
>> Scott Ruhren, Ph.D.
>> Senior Director of Conservation
>> Audubon Society of Rhode Island
>> 12 Sanderson Road
>> Smithfield, RI 02917
>>
>> 401-949-5454
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: apwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org
>> [mailto:apwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of Michael
>> Schenk
>> Sent: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 11:00 AM
>> To: apwg at lists.plantconservation.org
>> Subject: [APWG] Stilt Grass Seeds
>>
>> Here's today's question: what eats stilt grass seeds, either on the 
stem or
>> on the ground?
>>
>> Mike
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
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>>
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>> Any requests, advice or opinions posted to this list reflect ONLY the
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>>
>>
>>
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
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> 
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> 
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> Any requests, advice or opinions posted to this list reflect ONLY the 
opinion of the individual posting the message.

-- 
***********************************************************************
S. Luke Flory, Ph.D.
Post-doctoral research associate
Department of Biology
Indiana University
1001 East 3rd Street
Bloomington, IN 47405
sflory at indiana.edu
812-855-1674
www.lukeflory.com

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