5
Fritillary/Butterfly Weed
Eared Coreopsis
While the result may be
attractive, now that these trees
have been around long enough to
mature, many of them are
beginning to split down the
middle. Having the weight
centered in one area makes them
exceedingly vulnerable to wind and
snow, unlike native varieties which
have branches extending from
points all along the trunk, thus
evenly distributing the weight.
Conservation
The rate of extinction for
plants and animals is at an all-
time high. There are a number of
causes, but loss of habitat is
certainly a major factor. Many
zoos are now expected not just
to provide entertainment and
education, but are entrusted
with the survival of certain
species through careful breeding
programs, often with the hope of
reintroducing animals to the wild
as suitable habitat becomes
available.
While we may not have the
resources to help ensure the
continued existence of Giant
Pandas or Bengal Tigers, each of
us can participate in the
conservation of native plants,
and thus the local wildlife that
depends on them.
Genetic diversity is another
concern. We have been breeding
plants to favor certain
characteristics for so long that
the genetic makeup of many of
them is nearly identical. This could
be disastrous. Just one pest or
disease could wipe out an entire
species, perhaps permanently.
Already we have had to turn to
native root stock to save specific
crops such as walnuts. By planting
a variety of native species, we may
be ensuring the survival of genetic
lines.
Most of the medicines used in
this country – over 40 percent –
contain chemicals based on plant
derivations, yet to date only about
two percent of the world’s plant
species have been analyzed.
Just 25 years ago, the cancer
treatment taxol was discovered in
the bark of the native Pacific yew
tree.
These trees had no former
commercial value and could just as
easily have been rendered extinct,
a casualty of logging operations
for other species.
Clearly native plants are
resources that we can’t afford to
lose or neglect, and yet the
United States has indeed lost
nearly 200 plant species since
the 1800’s. Five thousand are at
risk, with over 600 on the
endangered species list.
Individual concerned gardeners
and naturalists can be a driving
force in saving species and in
educating others about the
importance of native plants.
How do I find and
use native plants.
Because of the valid concern
that natural habitat is
disappearing more rapidly every
year, native plants should not be
gathered in the wild. Most have
very specific soil requirements, so
they are unlikely to survive
transplanting anyway.
Exceptions to this rule would
be the “rescue operations" which
are held when an area is
scheduled to be cleared for
development. In those cases,
trained volunteers go in and
gather wild species which are
