Ohio University
Dr. Thompson’s Plants and People (PBIO 1030)
Spring 2015
Texas Wild Rice : Zizania Texana
Texas Wild Rice
By Kate Hickenlooper
Texas wild rice (Zizania texana) is a plant that grows in the San Marcos River, Texas. It is in the endangered spices list. (Jackie Poole and David Bowles, Habitat Characterization Of Texas Wild-Rice). It is classified as a grass that has a natural habitat in bodies of water. For this particular grass that body of water is the San Marcos River, and only that river. It prefers to be in fast and shallow water The Texas wild rice has leaves that are long, skinny, and flat (Gale, Texas Wild-Rice). One of the reasons this plant is endangered because of its restricted habitat. Researchers have only been able to find it for approximately a one and half mile stretch in the San Marcos river, They have not found any evidence of this plant existing anywhere else recently (H.P. Emory, The Decline and Threatened Extinction of Texas Wild Rice). Other factors such as plowing, pollution, and destruction of the natural habitat have had a grave impact on the plant’s growth.
Conversational efforts to limit such impacts have been made, but the population has neither decreased nor increased since the start of conservation efforts. Scientists are also working on taking seeds and planting them to try and reboot the population, but so far have had no success in the wild (H.P. Emory, Current Status of Texas Wild Rice). So while efforts are being made to save the Texas wild rice, scientists and environmentalists have had their share of struggles trying to find a way to protect and add to the current population.
Works Cited
Jackie, Poole, and Bowles David E. “Habitat Characterization Of Texas Wild-Rice (Zizania Texana Hitchcock), An Endangered Aquatic Macrophyte From The San Marcos River, TX, USA.” Aquatic Conservation 9.3 (1999): 291-302. Environment Complete. Web. 15 Mar. 2015.
Texas Wild-Rice. n.p.: Gale, 2000. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 15 Mar. 2015.
Emery, H. P. “Current Status of Texas Wild Rice (Zizania texana Hitchc.).” The Southwestern Naturalist 1977: 393. JSTOR Journals. Web. 15 Mar. 2015.
Wm. H. P., Emery. “The Decline and Threatened Extinction of Texas Wild Rice (Zizania texana Hitchc.).” The Southwestern Naturalist 1967: 203. JSTOR Journals. Web. 16 Mar. 2015.
Georgia Aster
By: Anna Ventre
The Georgia Aster or otherwise known as the Symphyotrichum Gerogianum Nesom and is part of the Asteraceae family. This purple herb is found in mostly Savannah of Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina, and more towards the opening of pine forest. The flower head shaped like hearts are more than 2 inches long and the stems are only 20-40 inches tall. Since the mid 1990s around 65 populations have been discovered. (Georgia Wildlife)
This delicate flower is now considered a candidate for Endangered species since it has been on the list of the Endangered Species Acts of 1973. Developments near highways, pine forest and pastures have destroyed the Georgia Aster habitat. Along with herbicides and pest spray have been destroying the flowers environment. (National Park Service)
The Georgia Aster thrives when a fire or grazing is around its environment, which helps the plant reproduce. It is also able to withstand from being destroyed from human intervention like pulling weeds or mowing. Places such as the Chattahochee River, which is a National Recreation Area provides refugee for this plant. The park provides a natural environment that is isolated from humans and other developed that could harm its habitat. The Georgia Wildlife Resources is another program that continues
to try and save the Georgia Aster plant. (National Park Service) (Georgia Wildlife)
Cited
Gregk. Symphyotrichum_georgianumx (n.d.): n. pag. Web.
United States. National Park Service. “Georgia Aster.” National Parks Service. U.S. Department of the Interior, 15 Mar. 2015. Web. 15 Mar. 2015.
“About Georgia Aster.” Endangered Plants & Animals. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2015.
Echinacea Paradox
By: Grace Folz
Endangered Plants
For our blog we chose the topic of endangered plants. This is a rare flower (Echinacea Paradox). Many people do not understand that there are a lot of plants endangered. I researched on the United States Botanic Garden. I then researched into the Rare and Endangered Plants Gallery. On the website I found a lot of information. The U.S. Botanic Garden is a worldwide known organization. Their main goal is to study wild plants at risk (Yellow).
The plant that I focused is the Echinacea paradox. It is more commonly known as the yellow coneflower. This is a beautiful plant, but sadly it is endangered. When looking at it, it is bright yellow petals surround a brown bud. The average height for the Echinacea paradox is 24-36 inches (Echinacea Paradox). The plant level for this plant is threatened. The native home of the Echinacea paradox is Missouri down to Texas. It is commonly found to the west of the Mississippi River. The National Garden Room location for this plant is is the Butterfly Garden. The type of sunlight needed is full sunlight. The type of soil needed is rocky and dry soils or clay or shallow soils (Yellow). These flowers attracted many birds during the winter, including goldfinches. Many animals are reliable on this plant. Another benefit and need for this plant is that is attracts butterflies. Echinacea paradox is endangered because of habitat loss, slow re-colonization and over-harvesting for the herbal industry (Echinacea).
Works Cited
“Yellow Coneflower.” Yellow Coneflower. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2015
“Echinacea Explosion – The Coneflower Chronicles.” Echinaceas for Sale, Buy Echinacea, Buy Coneflowers for Sale, Buy Perennials Summer-flowering Plants. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2015.
“Echinacea Paradox.” Yellow Coneflower from Riverbend Nursery. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2015.
Arizona Hedgehog Cactus: Echinocereus arizonicus
By: Ellen Shipley
Echinocereus arizonicus or the Arizona hedgehog cactus is an endangered cactus in the Superstitious Mountains nearby Phoenix, Arizona. This cactus produces flowers off of the sharp, prickly stems that are usually bright red and cup-like. The cactus was named the hedgehog cactus due to the prickly stems resembling the spikes that hedgehogs have on their backs (Drue Tibbits, Hedgehog Cactus Information). In 1979 the Arizona hedgehog cactus became endangered for the main reason of disturbance by humans but also because of the limitation it has to grow in the mountainous area.
In the Superstitious Mountains where the Arizona hedgehog cactus is found, there are many disturbances from miners, ranchers, highways and people that use the area for recreation (Clare E. Aslan, Pollination of the Endangered Arizona Hedgehog Cactus) causing the cactus to lose large areas of land where they usually grow. Due to this huge issue of disturbances many of the cactuses have been transplanted to different areas where they have been able to grow in a better climate. The hedgehog cactus has characteristics where it can protect itself from predators with its prickly exterior and these, spines also help the cactus too not get too much sunlight with the desert heat (Kent Page McGroarty, Characteristics of the Hedgehog Cactus). This allows the plant to not lose as much water enabling the plant to survive in the very warm climate.
The survival characteristics that the Arizona hedgehog cactus has help the cactus with protection from predators and too much sunlight but still has very little protection from humans. The cactus is protected under the Arizona Native Plant Law and also is protected from international trade but it is still endanger of going extinct.
References
Aslan, Clare E. “Pollination of Endangered Arizona Hedgehog Cactus.” American Midland Naturalist Jan. 2015: 61-63. Environment Complete. Web. 15 Mar. 2015.
McGroarty, Kent P. “Characteristics of the Hedgehog Cactus.” SFgate. n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2015.
Tibbits, Drue. “Hedgehog Cactus Information.” SFgate. n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2015.
Northern Wild Monkshood
by Richard Hakala
When it comes to preserving nature it is important to bring attention to the plants that are already endangered so we can spread awareness and help prevent it other species from suffering the same fate. I will be talking about the Aconitum noveboracense also known as Northen Wild Monkshood. This plant is native to just four states including Ohio, with Iowa having the densest population (Cathy M. Maybry, Population trends in Northern Monkshood). It is a flowering perennial plant that is known for its blue flowers. The flowers go up along the stem and one stem can host multiple flowers. This plant got its name because of the distinct shape of its flower, it is hood-shaped hence the name Monkshood.
The main habitat of Northern Monkshood is moist places with cool soil environments, like moss beds or sandstone cliffs. The biggest threat to this endangered species is loss of habitat. Through acts like logging and setting up power lines this plant has trouble growing. It is also grazed upon by herbivores such as deer and rabbits (Gray, CPC National Collection Plant Profile). This plant was added to the U.S. list of endangered and threatened wildlife and plants in 1978, to ensure this plants survival there are precautions in place to help prevent loss of habitat, such as fencing the perimeter of the plant to stop it from getting eaten or stepped on and general awareness of its endangerment to get people to recognize not to mess with is in its nature habitat to keep it growing safely.
Here is a picture of Northern wild Monkshood to show its hood-like flowers
Works cited
Cathy Maybry, “Population Trends in Northern Monkshood, Aconitum noveboracense, at Four Sample Intervals over Fifteen Years.” Researchgate.net, Web. 15 March, 2015
Hardin Gray “CPC National Collection Plant Profile” centerforplantconservation.org, Web. 15 March, 2015
Howell’s Spectacular Thelypody, Thelypodium howellii spp. spectabilis
By: Abigail Thomas
Upon hearing the word “endangered,” ones mind may automatically wander to polar bears, whales, or tigers. It’s easy to forget that just because plants contain seeds, and receive our tender, love, and care, native plant species can still be endangered as well, such as Howell’s Spectacular Thelypody.
According to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, this tall, hairy, lavender colored flower with greenish, white sepals can be found in several Oregon counties (2009). It can grow up to 60cm tall with its leaves stretching out to around 5 cm forming a rosette (Pacific Biodiversity Institute, n.d.). It is a part of the Brassicaceae family and has been federally named endangered since 1999 (Oregon Fish & Wildlife Office, 2009). It is without critical habitat meaning that it does not need to thrive in a specific location, yet not enough are being planted. Although potential medicinal and agricultural uses for this species have not been investigated yet, it is possible that this plant could be very useful to humans when looking at its relatives. Relatives of this plant include vegetables like cabbage and broccoli in the Mustard family (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, n.d.).
Its decline is due to loss of habitat as a result of urban and agricultural development, destruction by livestock grazing and consumption, herbicide use, changes in hydrology, and competition against invasive vegetation.So, how are invasive species affecting 42% of America’s wildlife?
According to National Wildlife Federation, invasive species are living organisms that are not native to an ecosystem, growing and reproducing rapidly, which triggers harm (n.d.). They can takeover existing ecosystems and form monocultures that contain the resources native plants thrive off of. They also have the ability to expand their populations which in turn creates a loss of genetic material, especially in native California, which Howell’s Spectacular Thelypody is said to stretch to. By doing this, “meadows” are formed in muddy areas. When you combine the damage done by and the cost to control invasive plants, prices can add up to $120 million dollars a year, preventing endangered plants from thriving (National Wildlife Refuge System, 2008). A few ways to avoid this problem is remove invasive plants from your home, use firewood near your campsite instead of bringing some from home, and report sightings of invasive plants (National Wildlife Federation, n.d.).
References
Oregon’s Fish & Wildlife Office. (2009). Howell’s spectacular thelypody. Retrieved from http://www.fws.gov/oregonfwo/Species/Data/HowellsSpectacularThelypody/
Pacific Biodiversity Institue- Endangered Species Information Network. (n.d.). Thelypodium howellii ssp. spectabilis (Howell’s spectacular thelypody). Retrieved from http://www.pacificbio.org/initiatives/ESIN/Plants/thelypodium.HTML
National Wildlife Federation. Invasive species. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nwf.org/wildlife/threats-to-wildlife/invasive-species.aspx
The National Wildlife Refuge System. What’s The Problem With Invasive Plants?. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.fws.gov/invasives/volunteerstrainingmodule/nwrsystem/invasives.html
Plant Preservation : Which Plants are at risk? 
