Managing natural populations of CPs
Ed McWilliams (elm2294@ACS.TAMU.EDU)
Mon, 4 Dec 1995 17:03:57 -0600
I am a not so new member that has followed the interesting discussions of
preserving natural areas and of flower color in Drosera brevifolia (D.
annua). Land that is good for cps is often not expensive land. Wetlands
are not something some land owners want to own since the law limits what can
be done with the land and the natural fauna and flora thereon. Buying it
and preserving it is often easy. Determining how to best manage dynamic
wetlands is more challenging.
For the last 20 years or so I have observed D. brevifolia populations
near their western limits in east and south central Texas. The plant is
common in the coastal area of the southeastern states but becomes less
common in south central Texas.
In Brazos Co., Texas, sundew is a good name for these plants since they
definitely require sun and are often shaded out in their natural habitats in
a matter of years. Our D. brevifolia plants are smaller than similar plants
in Louisiana and here flower color varies from pink to pale rose. I would
be interested in hearing of other people's experience in managing naturally
established populations of 1,000 or so sundews.
Ed McWilliams