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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Here’s a link to the article:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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color:#1F497D'><a
href="http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/sep07/prairie0907.htm">http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/sep07/prairie0907.htm</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>This is, of course, just one piece of the debate...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Brian Majka</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:
"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";
color:blue'>JFNew</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Unit Manager</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:
"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>11181 Marwill Ave.</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>West Olive, MI 49460</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<a href="http://www.jfnew.com"><span style='color:blue'>www.jfnew.com</span></a></span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Office: 616-847-1680 Fax: 616-847-9970</span><span
style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Cell: 574-229-1667</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
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<p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Black","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Full-Service Ecological Solutions</span></i><i><span
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src="cid:image001.gif@01C89A2C.A82C6760" alt=email-tagline><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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color:#1F497D'> </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>From:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>
native-plants-bounces@lists.plantconservation.org
[mailto:native-plants-bounces@lists.plantconservation.org] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Rochelle
Bartolomei<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, April 09, 2008 9:33 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> native-plants@lists.plantconservation.org<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [PCA] strict natives vs cultivars<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>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. <br>
<br>
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? <br>
<br>
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. <o:p></o:p></p>
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