[MPWG] Ecological link between the passenger pigeon and goldenseal?

[Malcomb, Alexis - FS]

From Joel Greenberg (Author of A Feathered River Across the Sky: The Passenger Pigeon’s Flight to Extinction<http://www.amazon.com/Feathered-River-Across-Sky-Extinction/dp/1620405369/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8>)
http://joelrgreenberg.com/



It is great to hear from you. I hope everything is going well.  You need to wander out this way at some point. And thanks for sharing this.

The most comprehensive compilation of passenger pigeon food items appears on pp 36-51 in Schorger’s The Passenger Pigeon. He lists 42 genera of plants eaten by passenger pigeons but he cites no evidence that the species ever foraged on goldenseal or ginseng. If there is any published speculation that the birds did eat either of those two plants, I would be interested in having a citation. I hope this helps. And please feel free to share this reply with your colleagues.



From: Malcomb, Alexis - FS<mailto:amalcomb at fs.fed.us>
Sent: Tuesday, April 21, 2015 10:09 AM
To: Joelrgreenberg at gmail.com<mailto:Joelrgreenberg at gmail.com>
Subject: FW: [MPWG] Ecological link between the passenger pigeon andgoldenseal?

Hi Joel-

I thought of you when I saw this e-mail, do you have any insight?

Thanks!

Alexis Malcomb
(from facebook)



From: MPWG [mailto:mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of Edward Fletcher
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2015 6:59 PM
To: 'Robert Beyfuss'; 'Patricia Angelis'; mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org
Subject: Re: [MPWG] Ecological link between the passenger pigeon and goldenseal?

Interesting to consider these connections between flora and fauna. I feel sure there are many other connections that we are unaware of simply because we do not pay attention. I do know that turkey's consume ginseng seeds, but due to their complex digestive systems, the seeds are no longer viable. So this is connection that is not conducive to spreading the species.
Bob, I'm sure you can elaborate on this.....

Genuinely,
Edward J. Fletcher
Strategic Sourcing, Inc.
Botanical Division, C.O.O.
828.898.7642
Fax.898.7647
Efletcher at StrategicSourcingInc.net<mailto:Efletcher at StrategicSourcingInc.net>
www.StrategicSourcingInc.net<http://www.StrategicSourcingInc.net>
-----Original Message-----
From: "MPWG" <mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org<mailto:mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org>>
Sent: 4/20/2015 6:27 PM
To: "De Angelis, Patricia" <patricia_deangelis at fws.gov<mailto:patricia_deangelis at fws.gov>>; "mpwg" <mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org<mailto:mpwg at lists.plantconservation.org>>
Subject: Re: [MPWG] Ecological link between the passenger pigeon and goldenseal?

I have not heard of connections to Goldenseal, but I have heard that it has been speculated that ginseng seed had been spread by passenger pigeons until their extinction. The only bird now reported to eat and deposit ginseng seed is the lovely wood thrush.


From: MPWG [mailto:mpwg-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of De Angelis, Patricia
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2015 5:47 PM
To: mpwg
Subject: [MPWG] Ecological link between the passenger pigeon and goldenseal?

Have any of you esteemed list members ever heard about any ecological links between the passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) and goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)?

Thanks, Patricia
Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.
Botanist, US Fish & Wildlife Service-Division of Scientific Authority
Chair, Plant Conservation Alliance-Medicinal Plant Working Group
703-358-1708 x 1753

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