Tree fern!
Aaron Hicks (ahicks@prism.nmt.edu)
Tue, 18 Jul 1995 18:33:06 -0600
Quick question for the CP group, as I've been having some headaches
over the subject with respect to orchids...
It has been suggested as of late that treefern is an endangered
species, and that it not be used for orchid potting media. I called the
American Orchid Society, and Bruce Ide was to the opinion that it was
Costa Rica's actions, by stopping the export of ALL plants, that caused
the shortage of treefern, which has been interpreted as it becoming
threatened. Other than that, they really didn't know what was going on.
So I called the Center for Plant Conservation, and they were to the
opinion that it grew like crazy in Hawaii, and even with the amount of
habitat destruction there, it was STILL not listed as threatened, so they
had difficulty in understanding why there might be a problem overseas.
They did forward two names to me of men who worked actively in
Costa Rica, in the hopes they might be of greater assistance; both have
been out for the day, and haven't gotten back to me.
In any event... any help out there from the other disciplines
in the plant world (an appeal to any CPers out there) would be appreciated.
Also, if anybody has any idea what species might be involved here, I've
been unable to dredge that information as well.
Thanks in advance!
-AJHicks
NMTech
Dept. of Geochemistry