Funded by U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Rare Plant Partnership

Project Completed: 2024

Institution: Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG)

Collection of 11 threatened taxa in Nantahala National Forests for ex situ conservation

Introduction

MBG, alongside North Carolina Botanical Garden (NCBG), initiated a project aimed at safeguarding rare plant species in and near Nantahala National Forest. This effort focused on collecting seeds and monitoring populations of 11 globally or state-threatened plant species tracked by the Tennessee and North Carolina Natural Heritage programs.

Project Goals

Locate and collect seeds from wild populations of 11 target plant species to support conservation, research, and propagation efforts. The objectives included mapping occurrences, collecting seeds from at least 50 individuals per species where possible, and updating the Natural Heritage programs and National Forest records with accurate population data. The seeds and plant materials would be preserved in the MBG collections and tested for viability, and propagation techniques would be refined for educational and conservation use.

Key Achievements

Seed Collection and Mapping: The team successfully located and mapped populations for eight of the 11 target species including Berberis canadensis, Clematis glaucophylla, Dicentra eximia, Glyceria nubigena, Phlox amplifolia, Pycnanthemum beadlei, Stewartia ovata and Thermopsis villosa. Seed collections were made for four species: Clematis glaucophylla, Glyceria nubigena, Pycnanthemum beadlei, and Stewartia ovata. For the remaining species, populations were mapped and plans to revisit for seed collection were made.

Population Data and Species Monitoring: Population data were gathered across multiple sites, with updates provided to the state Natural Heritage programs and National Forests. Key findings include notable populations of Berberis canadensis and Pycnanthemum beadlei, and the first documentation of Glyceria nubigena in several areas.

Conservation and Propagation Support: Collected seeds were x-rayed for quality and accessioned into MBG collections. Propagation is underway for certain species, allowing continued conservation research. This project provides foundational data and plant material that will contribute to future conservation efforts and environmental education.