[MPWG] Oregon Grape

Sun Jan 11 21:28:30 CST 2004

Happy new year everybody,

I wanted to comment on the, UPS To - Watch status, sustainability and
Oregon Grape Root.

I also have some questions about the criteria used for the UPS To-Watch
list. Is there a specific set of criteria or is it anecdotal information
from handful of herbalists? Unfortunately, we have little alternative
sources for looking at species that could be put at risk by
over-harvesting.  Currently to my knowledge the State and Feds are not
able to adequately monitor theses species due to various reasons.
Because we have such deficit of data on these species it is imperative
that wildcrafters to be involved in the monitoring of (watching) the
status of medicinal plant populations because if we don't who will? So I
think there is a need for a list such as the "to- Watch list" 

Perhaps a standard set of monitoring survey questions could be developed
and willing wildcrafters could begin the process of getting some
baseline data. I know Tilford (1993, Ecoherbalist's field guide) has
some forms but perhaps someone could direct me to other standard
population surveys aimed at harvesters that address harvest amounts,
population size and health, complementary species, and other relevant
indicators. If we had a few hundred willing wildcrafters over the course
of a decade we could collect some decent data. Just a fantasy here, but
if an organization such as United Plant savers (who I'm sure has plenty
of work already) could act as a central database, in about a decade we
could have some real baseline population information. Okay, I know it is
a lot of work, money, and coordination but we can aim high. 

Additionally, I agree with Robyn Klein that "It is perilous to view the
At Risk List as a black and white simplicity.  Sustainable harvest
(managed for continued population growth and health) of ANY wild plant
is at the core.  Though it is important to identify particular wild
species, I believe it is better to focus on how to develop and maintain
sustainability practices."

My master's research focused on the sustainable harvest of Oregon-grape
(Berberis nervosa). I tested the Forest Service guidelines for harvest
in order to determine if they provided adequate protection from over
harvest. For those interested I have attached a copy of my paper. If you
have any questions about this research please contact me, I like talking
about it. 

Best regards,

Jolie Lonner
jolie at gowildconsulting.com

-----Original Message-----
From: MPWG-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org
[mailto:MPWG-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of Robyn
Klein
Sent: Monday, January 05, 2004 12:38 PM
To: PCA's Medicinal Plant Working Group List
Subject: [MPWG] Oregon Grape

Hi Myron,

A point of clarity.  Oregon Grape (Berberis/Mahonia) is on the To Watch 
List, not the At Risk List of the United Plant Savers. This is one of
the 
problems of the To Watch List. It has gotten confused with the At Risk
List.

In my opinion (not others) the To Watch List should have never been 
published.  I believe it would have better served as an in-house working

list of species needing to be further investigated and 
evaluated.  Publishing of the To Watch List has created great confusion
and 
misunderstanding, for example, the commonly found species
Berberis/Mahonia, 
or Arnica cordifolia (A. montana being a European species and a
different 
story). What medicinal wildcrafted species should NOT be on the To Watch

List? Okay, maybe yarrow. :)

I'd like to emphasize that these UpS lists are primarily based on 
conjecture and opinion, though still very valuable as a place to
recognize 
examples.  There is some data to back up some of the plant species 
(goldenseal is one), but most of these species have no current
population 
survey in each state where they occur, nor wildcrafting tonnage, nor
sale 
amount per year.  Using current, good data to back up these lists is a 
valuable goal which I think UpS agrees. However, it is extremely costly
to 
produce such data these days.

I always like to say that saw palmetto is rare and endangered in
Montana. 
But now I am mixing official terminology with un-official, which is also
a 
problem. One should seek official sources of species' position in each 
state to really understand the nature of each species population and 
occurrence. Natural Heritage Program websites are good sources for this 
info.  Also, USDA website (oh there are many others some of you might
want 
to mention).

The more important issue to me are the effects of mass harvest in a 
specific area or ecosystem.  Each case is different.  It is perilous to 
view the At Risk List as a black and white simplicity.  Sustainable
harvest 
(managed for continued population growth and health) of ANY wild plant
is 
at the core.  Though it is important to identify particular wild
species, I 
believe it is better to focus on how to develop and maintain
sustainability 
practices. For then all plant species will be treated with respect and 
cherished, and a stewardship attitude/second nature practice are more 
likely to develop.

Best Regards,
Robyn Klein

At 03:11 PM 1/5/04 +0900, you wrote:
>What I consider curious:
>No mention yet of the appropriateness of using endangered goldenseal
for a 
>dental infection.
>I concur the use of other berberine containing plants. Memebers on
Another 
>herblist to which i subscribe decried the at-risk status of Oregon
grape 
>root which elicitted a barrage of comments regarding viable
propogation, 
>range, and appropriate application.  Issues that, while welcome 
>(especially Robyn's) might be considered off-topic for a therapeutics
list 
>yet Incredibly appropriate for THIS list  (and less so the concerns of
a 
>dental infection)I have also used spilanthes, but less so on concerns
of 
>sustainability despite its absence from a number of watch lists, BTW.
>What is the thematic focus of this list?  I am presuming (hoping) 
>sustainable promotion of herbal remedies with respect to their use as 
>alternative pharmaceutical substitutes (if only to reduce the burden on

>our diminishing water table) AND their use within a living herbal 
>tradition/philosophy which runs counter to conventional drug use.  A
tall 
>task no doubt, and I appreciated more the "conservation" comments of
IVOR 
>rather than the attempts to prescibe over the net. which I consider 
>inappropriate for this list ( Despite gleaning a couple of good
resources 
>and staying abreast of opinions I highly respect .  Nevertheless I am 
>simply deleting the therapeutics recommendations while wishing the best
of 
>luck to the questioner)
>myron
>On the other hand many of us like to see the questions and answers even
if
>we are not participating in the conversation.
>
>Most important is to keep the responses to the point and send thank
yous and
>asides to the individuals in question and not to the list.
>
>Jackie Wootton
>
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>MPWG mailing list
>MPWG at lists.plantconservation.org
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servation.org
>
>Disclaimer
>Any advice given on this list regarding diagnosis or treatments etc. 
>reflects ONLY the opinion of the individual who posts the message. The 
>information contained in posts is not intended nor implied to be a 
>substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific 
>medical condition or question. All medical and other healthcare 
>information that is discussed on this list should be carefully reviewed
by 
>the individual reader and their qualified healthcare professional.
Posts 
>do not reflect any official opinions or positions of the Plant 
>Conservation Alliance.

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Disclaimer

Any advice given on this list regarding diagnosis or treatments etc.
reflects ONLY the opinion of the individual who posts the message. The
information contained in posts is not intended nor implied to be a
substitute for professional medical advice relative to your specific
medical condition or question. All medical and other healthcare
information that is discussed on this list should be carefully reviewed
by the individual reader and their qualified healthcare professional.
Posts do not reflect any official opinions or positions of the Plant
Conservation Alliance.

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