Date: Fri, 11 Jul 1997 01:30:12 -0400 From: "Paul V. McCullough" <pvmcull@voicenet.com> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg2606$foo@default> Subject: Re-introduction of CP into natural habitats...
Had an idea bouncing around my head recently (sometimes they get
stuck on the point at top) and I thought I'd kick it out to the list for
reaction. Perhaps this is done all of the time, and I'm just ignorant
of the fact. Anyway, here goes...
I have the potential for a landslide of drosera capillaris seeds
coming from the tons of flowers on my d. capillaris cluster. Although
I've never seen d. capillaris in NJ, I think they do come from the
northeast (of the US for our international friends)- and the plants I
have are extremely prolific and hardy... I think they would do fine in
our state's bogs. I've been thinking of reserving some small portion of
the seeds (of course) and scattering the remainder into areas where CP
grow now. Am I suffering from "Johnny Appleseed Syndrome??? (Johnny
CPseed? Seepyseed?)
On the other hand, my drosera rotundifolia is about to flower. D.
rotunds are native to NJ (See my pictures on my webpage), and will
definitely grow here. (Assuming there isn't some sort of subtropical
rotundifolia I don't know about...) I can't think of a reason not to
toss these seeds into the moss of our bogs, nor the capillaris, but on
the other hand... (I'm three handed)
Reasons to do it: Obviously, to reinvigorate the dwindling "wild"
CP population. To introduce new genetic material into the local CP
(well, specifically to d. rotundifolia) gene pool. Give NJ another CP
for people (okay, CP fans) to marvel over.
Reasons not to do it: Placing a plant that isn't indigenous to
the area is a waste of CP seeds; there may be local laws forbidding this
action (for whatever reason); the (unlikely) possibility that the newly
introduced CP will overwhelm the resident CP and do more harm then
good; disease or other pest intro (my Klimagro has plants from all over
the world, all purchased at Home Depot) into a pristine environment.
There are probably others.
I hope no one gets crazy over this... I haven't done it yet and I
won't decide until I can get a consensus of opinion first. Has anyone
ever taken pitcher plants (their own overflow) and "turned them loose"
in the natural settings where they are already established? Anyone ever
introduced a non indigenous but compatible CP into a local bog? What
were the results? Also, for those of you with backyard artificial
bogs... have CP (via seed transportation) ever been accidently
introduced from your gardens into the local wild reserves? (I know,
this would be extremely rare- but all seeds of all plants travel pretty
well...)
I did read somewhere (can't remember where) that NJ was quietly
attempting to introduce Venus Flytrap into the state's bogs. I don't
know if this ever proved to be successful. I'd love to see this work-
I've never seen VFT in the wild. So on a state level, there is interest
in creating a continuing sanctuary for CP- of course in our state parks-
but also in taking in CP from other states that is endangered.
Let's hear some opinions on this one.
Cheers,
Paul
-- Paul V. McCullough "3D Animation World" http://www.voicenet.com/~pvmcull "CP Page" http://www.voicenet.com/~pvmcull/pics/cp/carniv.htm
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