Sidalcea oregana var. calva

reported to be the most rare plant in Washington!

comments (4)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

Wow, congrats!!! Posted 6 years ago
1. morpheme
  
  Lion
  
  I can't brag too much - they are rare, because they have a very limited range that they grown in, but they are not particularly difficult to find or even difficult to get to... No having to climb to the top of a remote mountain or into an un-tracked ravine for these guys. I think they could be quite rightly described as "rare, but locally abundant". We probably saw more than a couple of dozen of plants, just around the edges of the meadow preserve. I didn't even feel that I shouldn't geotag this photo, as the Department of Natural Resources' own website and signboard tells people that they are present on this particular site. The biggest fear of conservationists is that fire could easily wipe them out because they are confined to only a few small areas that are not significantly far apart from one another.
  
  There is supposed to be another rare endemic in the area that we couldn't find - I think perhaps it was not yet blooming. There will be quite a few more, likely new, flowers to come from this trip. I think it was a new micro-climate to explore for me, so I saw many things that I haven't come across before. One (no hints ;-} ) that I was *super* excited to find. Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    If in doubt, my policy is to remove the geotag. Conservation above anything else. But I will leave it to you. Can this species not be conserved by storing its seeds, or is that a silly question.
    
    And you got me excited about what's coming next! Your set is already legendary to me and of significant scientific value, and every little drop you add keeps making it even more valuable. Love it that you commit to such a long running exercise! Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. morpheme
      
      Lion
      
      There are some things that if I found I'd never reveal - like phantom orchids, because they are very rare and vulnerable to people wanting them.... sad to say but there are some things people might dig up if they knew where to go... These don't seem to be that type of target and so long as the DNR doesn't feel like they need to keep it a secret then I'm good with it too - in this case I hope, and maybe they do too, that it actually gets people to think twice before going out and tramping around in the meadow to know that there are two very rare plants that they might be killing...
      The information about conservation doesn't mention seed storing, only habitat restoration, so I don't know if they are doing it or not, or if there any obstacles preventing them from cultivating the plants. It wouldn't be unknown out here. Golden paintbrush has been reintroduced in places that it had been wiped out through a cultivation program. Posted 6 years ago