[PCA] strict natives vs cultivars

[Brian Majka]

The USDA/ARS actually collected 75 different switch grass samples from
remnant prairies and cultivars, then compared the genetics, and found
very few differences. In fact, they found that samples from the same
population had as much genetic variability as those from broadly
geographic areas. To my knowledge, this is the first time anyone's done
any actual genetic testing of native plants.

 

Here's a link to the article:

 

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/sep07/prairie0907.htm

 

This is, of course, just one piece of the debate...

 

Brian Majka

JFNew

Unit Manager

11181 Marwill Ave.

West Olive, MI 49460

bmajka at jfnew.com <mailto:bmajka at jfnew.com>   www.jfnew.com
<http://www.jfnew.com> 

Office: 616-847-1680 Fax: 616-847-9970

Cell: 574-229-1667

 

Full-Service Ecological Solutions

 

 

 

 

From: native-plants-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org
[mailto:native-plants-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of
Rochelle Bartolomei
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2008 9:33 AM
To: native-plants at lists.plantconservation.org
Subject: [PCA] strict natives vs cultivars

 

I have a question regarding the use of cultivars versus straight native
species.  My understanding is that cultivars are native plants that have
been selected for certain characteristics and then reproduced (cloned?).
I assume this would have a negative impact on diversity of ecotypes.  

I am a landscaper and I am attempting to do the right thing for the
environment and want to know which plants to select.  As a design
element, it would be nice to be able to choose cultivars for their
specific traits.  In terms of the plants themselves, sometimes the
non-cultivated species are rife with problems.  For example, Michael
Dirr advises against using ilex opaca because of its vulnerability to
disease and insect infestation, whereas he encourages use of cultivars.
Wouldn't it be better to have a healthy cultivated native?  

I know  that this subject is debatable, but I'd love to hear some
conversation about it, or be referred to recent studies or articles
where I could find some solid science to base my decisions on.  My fear
is that in the future, our yards are going to be one of the few places
wildlife is going to have a chance to thrive, and if so, we need to make
them as close to the true natural world as we can.  

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