& ROTA 2007 WORKING AGAINST EXTINCTION ycas micronesica is a large, arborescent cycad found caterpillars begin consuming tender leaves. Any remain- Cin the remote Pacific islands of Guam, Rota, , ing leaves may be infested by CAS after hardening. and Yap. Uniquely adapted to its island environment, it COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS withstands frequent typhoons, and, along with other closely Funding from the Association of Zoological Horticulture related species, it has a spongy flotation layer within the allowed MBC to obtain an ex situ conservation collection seed coat to aid in ocean dispersal. of micronesica from Guam. Montgomery Botanical Center Montgomery Botanical received (MBC) is playing a key role in seeds from Dr. Thomas Marler, the conservation of this cycad. botany professor and cycad re- AN ENDANGERED CYCAD searcher at the University of Guam, Until recently, Cycas micronesica in early 2007. At the same time, was the most common forest tree Dr. Irene Terry, University of Utah, in Guam. In 2003, a tiny insect discovered CAS had made its way forever altered the future of Guam’s to a native C. micronesica popula- forest giants. , tion on the island of Rota, 60 km commonly known as cycad aulac- north of Guam. aspis scale (CAS), made its way to Dr. Marler is coordinat- Guam in 2003 via the importation ing multi-institutional efforts to of king sago (Cycas revoluta) . combat CAS, gain a better under- With no native predators, wide- standing of Cycas micronesica, and spread hosts, and year-round trade preserve its genetic diversity. He winds to aid dispersal, CAS quickly is studying pollination biology spread throughout Guam. CAS of C. micronesica with Dr. Terry, attacks Cycas leaves by inserting and releasing natural CAS preda- needle-like mouthparts and feed- tors for biological control with ing on the ’s sap. It reproduces colleagues from the University of very rapidly and leaves are quickly Guam and the Guam National covered by white scale, eventually Wildlife Refuge. Despite inten- overwhelming the plant until it sive in situ conservation efforts, dies. The effect on Guam’s native the infestation is not contained has been so devastating that and populations continue to C. micronesica was listed as Endan- decline at an alarming rate. gered (EN) in the 2006 IUCN In late 2007, I had the unique Red List of threatened species. opportunity to work with In addition, the cycad blue Michael Calonje next to Cycas micronesica in Guam Dr. Marler in Guam and Rota; butterfly (Chilades pandava) collect Cycas micronesica leaflet arrived in Guam in 2005. The butterfly lays its eggs on samples for DNA extraction for genetic studies by newly emerging Cycas leaves. Soon after hatching, the Dr. Angélica Cibrián-Jaramillo and Dr. Eric Brenner of (continued on page 3) Montgomery Botanical Center Established 1959 Board of Directors Charles P. Sacher, Esq., President Karl Smiley, M.D., Vice President Walter D. Haynes, Esq., Sec./Treasurer Loyd G. Kelly, Assistant Secretary Nicholas D. Kelly Peter A. Manz F r o m t h e Executive Director Executive Director M. Patrick Griffith, Ph.D. Botanical Consultant John Popenoe, Ph.D. Measuring success is essential. For a botanical institution, defining Montgomery Botanical the metrics of success can be challenging. How can we quantify botany? Research Fellows John Dowe, Ph.D. At Montgomery Botanical Center, collaboration and colleagueship William Hahn, Ph.D. are deep principles, established by Nell and The Colonel. Thus, quanti- Damon P. Little, Ph.D. fying collaborations can offer a measure of our success. The number of Mónica Moraes R., Ph.D. these collaborations has risen in recent years: from 2005 to 2006, the Silvia Salas-Morales number of Montgomery Botanical Center collaborators increased by Alberto S. Taylor B., Ph.D. 60 percent; 2007 saw an additional 36 percent increase. Our partner- ships in research, conservation, and education continue to grow. Col- To advance science, education, laboration is the best path forward — by dividing costs and multiplying conservation and horticultural outcomes, everyone achieves more. knowledge of tropical plants, emphasizing palms and cycads, Other statistics provide insight into our work. Last year, we conducted Montgomery Botanical Center collects six collecting expeditions, planted a total of 807 living specimens, and seeds from wild plant populations distributed nearly one million seeds. In the first three months of 2008, around the world and grows the we’ve already completed three more expeditions. Articles throughout this resulting plants in population-based, issue highlight other achievements — consistent, focused effort is accom- documented, scientific collections, for plishing a great deal. use by botanists, scientists, and educators, in a 120-acre botanical Numbers clearly demonstrate our success. Harder to measure, garden exemplifying excellent design. though, is the increasing goodwill that MBC generates in the local, national, and international botanical community. It seems MBC helps Montgomery Botanical Center enable more projects than ever. Personally, I noted this at the recent (originally The Montgomery Foundation) Cycad 2008 conference in Panama. Dr. Alberto Taylor, University of is a tax-exempt, nonprofit institution established by Nell Montgomery Panama professor and Montgomery Botanical Research Fellow, chaired Jennings in memory of her husband, an excellent meeting — scientists from around the globe presented their Colonel Robert H. Montgomery, and work. Seeing so many of our colleagues in one place highlighted Mont- his love of palms and cycads. gomery’s contribution to botany.

Montgomery Botanical News With expanding operations, MBC will need increased capacity. I am is published biannually by very excited to report a generous pledge from Christiane Tyson for a new Montgomery Botanical Center. plant conservation building (see page 6). Please join me in thanking 11901 Old Cutler Road Mrs. Tyson for her wonderful support. Miami, Florida 33156 In 2007, Montgomery Botanical Center saw many successes. I look Phone 305.667.3800 forward to working with you to advance our mission even further Fax 305.661.5984 this year. [email protected] www.montgomerybotanical.org

Masthead photo of Veitchia arecina (formerly V. montgomeryana) by Harvey Bernstein Pictured: Dr. Griffith with a specimen of Encephalartos woodii, at Longwood Printed on recycled paper Gardens, Pennsylvania.

2 Montgomery Botanical News | Spring/Summer 2008 GUAM & ROTA 2007 WORKING AGAINST CYCAD EXTINCTION (continued from front page)

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG); and collect seeds invaded. Nine months and biogeographic data to augment MBC’s ex situ conser- after Dr. Terry first vation collection. During an intense month of non-stop found CAS on a single fieldwork, we studied a total of 25 different populations of population in Rota, C. micronesica in Guam and Rota. Funding from the West- the scale remained ern Pacific Tropical Research Center, College of Natural and confined to that single Applied Sciences, University of Guam, generously supported population. Although Montgomery Botanical’s work. a natural scale preda- GUAM tor beetle (Rhyzobius The collecting protocol for NYBG’s gene flow studies lophanthae) was intro- required sampling a total of 15 plants every 20 meters along duced into Rota just two months after Dr. Terry’s discovery, extensive devastation from CAS in that Cycad Blue butterfly, wingspan to 3 cm population was still evident. It is probably only a matter of time before the scale spreads throughout Rota. This demonstrates the vital impor- tance of our quarantine procedures. EX SITU CONSERVATION Montgomery Botanical’s Guam and Rota 2007 Expedition secured valuable DNA collections for studies at NYBG, and MBC obtained 561 seeds from 18 populations of Cycas micro- nesica for ex situ conservation. MBC now has 150 accessions of C. micronesica from 24 different populations — the most complete single-species representation of any cycad in MBC’s collection. With native C. micronesica populations declining rapidly, the crucial role of ex situ conservation collections has Cycas micronesica population on Rota, devastated by CAS never been clearer — Montgomery Botanical Center is work- ing directly to prevent extinction of cycad populations. a straight transect. This presented an enormous challenge as Guam has very rugged terrain, abundant limestone cliffs, and areas of scrub forest with virtually impenetrable veg- etation. Moreover, scale had infested the entire island and, in several populations, over 80 percent of standing cycads were dead — finding live plants in the correct transect location was difficult. In some populations, cone produc- tion had ceased entirely and seeds could not be found. In the 17 populations I visited in Guam, I observed only one, single-leaf seedling, likely to soon succumb to scale. ROTA The environment on Rota was more encouraging, with large, healthy, actively reproducing Cycas micronesica popula- tions — as Guam’s populations must have been before CAS Healthy Cycas micronesica population on Rota

Michael Calonje, Cycad Biologist Montgomery Botanical Center [email protected]

Spring/Summer 2008 | Montgomery Botanical News 3 PANAMA 2007 EXPEDITION COMARCA KUNA YALA

omarca Kuna Yala is an autonomous territory in Dr. Alberto Taylor, Montgomery Botanical Research Fellow CPanama controlled by the Kuna indigenous people. and University of Panama professor, as well as by Kuna bota- It is a thin strip of land approximately 200 miles long by 10 nist Heraclio Herrera, and agricultural technician and Kuna miles wide on the eastern Caribbean coast of Panama, bor- guide, Domingo Díaz, from the Dobbo Yala Foundation. dering Darien Province and Colombia. Along the coast is an Conducting scientific research in Kuna Yala can be a com- plicated matter as each of the 52 communities has ownership and controls access to the land surrounding the populated area. Obtaining permission from each community required the expedition team to meet the village elders to explain our intentions. The elders, known as Sahilas, sat in hammocks and spoke in the Kuna language through translators. They asked many questions until they were assured that our intentions were ethically sound, and then allowed us on our way. We discovered an extensive population of Zamia cunaria, which was previously only known from a single location and presumed very rare. Field morphological study of this popula- tion suggests that Z. cunaria is very similar to Z. ipetiensis, and the range of morpholo- gies intergrade. This new bio- geographic and morphological data expands our Heraclio Herrera, Domingo Díaz, Randy Moore, understanding Dr. Alberto Taylor, and Michael Calonje with Kuna guides of Panamanian cycad diver- archipelago of coral islands called the San Blas Islands. Most sity, and will of the 40,000–50,000 Kuna Indians in Kuna Yala live on 40 prompt further densely populated islands with only 12 communities located investigation. on the mainland. In 2007, Montgomery Botanical Center This brief ex- (MBC) conducted conservation fieldwork in Kuna Yala. pedition brought Randy and Cindy Moore generously supported our project. MBC a total of Unlike Darien Province, which has been largely deforested 471 seeds from along the Pan-American Highway, the forests of Kuna Yala eight species and are particularly well preserved. This preservation is due, in 17 accessions of part, to there being only one road crossing the Comarca, palms and cycads, Male cones, Zamia cunaria but also because of the Kuna conservation ethic. Forests in further augment- Kuna Yala are considered spiritual sanctuaries that should not ing Montgomery Botanical’s ex situ collection of Panamanian be disturbed, and the Kuna Yala authorities have, thus far, Zamia. The cooperation and collaboration of the Kuna and refused to grant logging concessions. the University of Panama is advancing cycad conservation. Kuna Yala has not been botanically well-explored, due to its inaccessibility. Randy had visited Kuna Yala to research Michael Calonje, Cycad Biologist coconut palm diseases on behalf of the USDA, and has re- Montgomery Botanical Center turned several times, on his own, since then. He was instru- [email protected] mental in planning the logistics for MBC’s two-week ex- ploratory expedition to Kuna Yala. We were joined by Randal J. Moore, Heritage Member Montgomery Botanical Center

4 Montgomery Botanical News | Spring/Summer 2008 THE COLONEL’S LEGACY NEW PARTNERSHIPS IN LONG-TERM CONSERVATION

olonel Robert Montgomery’s first botanical passion has seen increasing research visits and requests for these Cwas , and he developed an important collec- conifer specimens. tion at his estate in Cos Cob, Connecticut. The Montgomery For many years, the International Conifer Conservation Pinetum grew into the then-largest private conifer collection, Programme (ICCP) of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh comprising 850 varieties. Col. Montgomery donated a selec- (RBGE) has also been collecting wild tropical conifer speci- mens for ex situ conservation and research. At RBGE, tropical material must be housed under glass. Glasshouse space limits RBGE’s capacity for large tropical trees and can prevent those specimens from reaching mature coning size. Therefore, the ICCP is seeking “safe sites” for tropical conifers to enhance its ex situ conservation efforts. Montgomery Botanical is a natural choice due to its subtropical location and shared dedi- cation to well-documented, wild-origin plant collections. In October 2007, Ron Determann, conservatory and con- servation director of Atlanta Botanical Garden (ABG), and I visited RBGE to collect material. This project was funded by the Plant Exploration and Exchange Program of the USDA. In total, 54 cuttings and 64 plants comprising 34 species in four families were collected, nearly all of wild origin. In addition to collecting new plant material, Ron and I became

Nageia wallichiana, a rare and unusual tropical conifer, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh tion of 200 varieties to The New York Botanical Garden in 1945 — The Montgomery Ornamental Conifer Collection. Cycads, the most ancient of , were especially favored by Col. Montgomery. Although he focused on cycads and palms after moving to Florida, his dedication to the other major group, the conifers, continued. In Fifty Years of Accountancy (1939), the Colonel declares: “In coni- fers and palms I find two families which include the greatest variety and the greatest beauty”. The Montgomery Archive Cones of atropurpurea, Montgomery Botanical Center contains an extensive list of temperate conifer taxa brought from Cos Cob for the Coconut Grove Palmetum in 1938. familiar with the operations of the ICCP, visited the RBGE Significant rare tropical conifers were added to the Mont- collections at Benmore and Logan, and made plans for RGBE gomery Botanical Center (MBC) collections in the 1970s and staff to visit MBC and ABG in 2008. 1980s. These have done quite well and several have produced Close collaboration between Scottish and American cones. Dr. P. Barry Tomlinson of Harvard has used the MBC institutions is leading to very successful outcomes. Colonel conifer collection for research and teaching since the early Montgomery would undoubtedly be proud of MBC’s very 1980s, observing that “tropical conifers are quite underrep- important contributions to ex situ conifer conservation; with resented in botanical collections, especially in the U.S., yet the ongoing development of our conifer collection, MBC their antiquity and diversity of structure and function are of represents the full range of his botanical legacy. fundamental interest”. In recent years, the tropical conifer collection at MBC has grown through accessions from other Chad E. Husby, Collections Manager and Botanist botanical gardens and cuttings collected afield, and MBC Montgomery Botanical Center [email protected]

Spring/Summer 2008 | Montgomery Botanical News 5 CHRISTIANE TYSON FUNDS NEW PLANT CONSERVATION BUILDING at MONTGOMERY BOTANICAL CENTER ith a very generous gift from Christiane Tyson, provide important dedicated capacity for this central use of WMontgomery Botanical Center (MBC) will greatly our collections. The new building will increase available plant expand its capacity for conservation and research. The Chris processing space at MBC threefold, while integrating with the Tyson Plant Conservation Building will house the MBC existing landscape and architectural tradition of the Mont- Seedbank program and provide workspace for visiting scien- gomery property. tists. By providing this new facility, Mrs. Tyson’s generosity Christiane Tyson has been a significant benefactor of fulfills a crucial need for added capacity at MBC, enabling tropical botany. Her ongoing support has benefited The Kam- further conservation and research outcomes. pong, The Gifford Arboretum and the University of Miami, The conservation work of the MBC Seedbank program Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, and the Organization sees growing success. By producing large volumes of hand- for Tropical Studies, as well as MBC. Mrs. Tyson states: pollinated cycad seed, MBC works to reduce the demand “Growing up with chocolate and coffee while my father was for poaching of wild cycads. This effort directly leverages our president of Nestlé afforded me a good life and these Organi- living collections for world cycad conservation. zations are making it possible for others to enjoy the “fruits” The Montgomery Estate has enthusiastically hosted (environmentally speaking) of the tropics.” scientists since its founding. In recent years, there has been MBC is deeply grateful for this very significant support, great growth in visiting researchers. These botanists utilize allowing greater advancement of botanical research crowded ad hoc spaces around the property for specimen and conservation. preparation, microscopy, or dissection; the new building will M. Patrick Griffith, Ph.D., Executive Director Montgomery Botanical Center [email protected]

THE VILLAGERS GRANT FUNDS for MONTGOMERY GUESTHOUSE RESTORATION ith generous funding from The Villagers, Inc., to scientists, educators, students, and researchers so they can WMontgomery Botanical Center (MBC) will begin maximize their time with MBC’s scientific plant collections. restoring the Arthur Montgomery Guesthouse, ensuring the Arthur Montgomery, the youngest of Colonel Robert long-term integrity of this important part of the original Montgomery’s sons, was one of the original 1959 incorpora- Montgomery Estate. Designed by architect Robert Fitch tors of Montgomery Botanical Center. A noted mineralogist, Smith and completed circa he founded what is now the 1934, the Guesthouse is expe- Montgomery Botanical Fel- riencing the effects of over 70 lows Program, which continues years of use; exposure to south through the Kelly Foundation. Florida moisture has affected The Guesthouse was formally its subflooring. named the Arthur Montgomery Notable biologists visited Guesthouse in March 1992. the Montgomerys as early as Arthur died in December 1999; the 1930s. Liberty Hyde Bailey he was 90 years old. frequently stayed at the Guest- “Montgomery Botanical house in the 1930s and 1940s. Center gratefully acknowledges Richard Archbold visited in The Villagers for their generous March 1938, just weeks before funding,” said Dr. Patrick his famous expedition to Griffith, MBC executive New Guinea. director. “The historic Arthur In 1980, Nell Montgomery Montgomery Guesthouse Jennings expressed her desire has continuously supported that the Montgomery Estate the scientific community be used “for visiting scientists, since its construction — this for educational or scientific Guestbook entry by Robert Fitch Smith, 1937. generous grant helps that Sketch of his designs for Montgomery Estate buildings. purposes”. In the Arthur Mont- From top: Montgomery home, Guesthouse, Nell’s art studio. tradition continue.” gomery Guesthouse, MBC has The Villagers, Inc., has been hosted researchers from every continent representing inter- dedicated to the restoration and preservation of historic sites nationally recognized institutions. Montgomery Botanical for over 40 years. offers the Arthur Montgomery Guesthouse, without charge, Charmaine Kappler, Funding & Communications Montgomery Botanical Center [email protected]

6 Montgomery Botanical News | Spring/Summer 2008 KELLY FOUNDATION ADVANCES BOTANICAL RESEARCH via the MONTGOMERY FELLOWS enerous funding from the Kelly Foundation, Inc., education in this way. Through the Fellows, MBC initiated Gis developing a productive research program at projects in molecular phylogenetics, morphometric analysis, Montgomery Botanical Center (MBC). Since 2005, the germination studies, and ethnobotany. Novel syntheses of Montgomery Botanical Research Fellows program has seen collections data and laboratory investigation are important increasing successes, and funding outcomes of the program. has been renewed for the next Montgomery Botanical Research Fellows I am excited to report that the three-year cycle. 2005-2007 Fellows funding has been renewed The Montgomery Botani- for 2008-2010, with additional cal Research Fellows program International Research Fellowships 8 support for early-career botanists. advances collections-based U.S. Research Fellowships 3 We anticipate further advance- research by bringing research Lectures and Seminars 21 ment of research and education scientists to MBC. Through Conference Presentations 8 through the Kelly Foundation. lectures, the Fellows provide Field Studies 5 Loyd Kelly, president of the educational opportunities Publications 2 Kelly Foundation, Inc., has been for the community. Since a member of MBC since 1979, Manuscripts 8 2005, the program has sup- and was president of The Mont- ported travel for eight U.S. gomery Foundation from 1990 and international scientists to study and lecture at MBC. to 1996 — the very important period immediately following Currently, MBC has six Research Fellows, from , Nell Montgomery’s passing. The MBC team and the botanical Bolivia, Mexico, Panama, and the United States. The program community are very grateful for Loyd’s generous support has produced many successes (please see table); MBC is deeply and guidance. grateful to the Kelly Foundation for advancing research and M. Patrick Griffith, Ph.D., Executive Director Montgomery Botanical Center [email protected]

MONTGOMERY BOTANICAL’S GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT IMAGING PROGRAM ontgomery Botanical Center’s (MBC) plant col- permanent biological record, augmenting and complement- Mlections are rigorously documented. Image records ing both the living collection and the herbarium specimen. are first seen in the detailed work of Dexter Davis, Colo- Image documentation can support identification or the nel Montgomery’s botanist at the Montgomery Pinetum botanical description of new taxa. These images also aid in in the 1930s. the aesthetic appre- Montgomery ciation of a plant’s Botanical has digi- potential for land- tally documented scaping purposes its collections since throughout its 1998. An image growth and devel- database now docu- opment process. ments the growth At left is a palm and development species collected of palm and cycad in Ceará, Brazil collections. Rep- in 1994 by MBC resentative plants palm biologist, are photographed Dr. Larry Noblick. every two years, After being prop- until a sufficient agated from seed Syagrus cearensis, 2002, at MBC Dr. Noblick with same specimen, 2008 record of growth and planted in and development is established. Images include a meter scale the ground in 1999, Syagrus cearensis was described by and timestamp. Dr. Noblick in 2004. For the specimen shown, the growth With many rare and endangered species in the MBC of the stem is estimated at 1.75 m in eight years. collections, the Growth and Development Program is a valuable resource for researchers. This documentation is a Sandra Rigotti-Santos, Collections Supervisor Montgomery Botanical Center [email protected]

Spring/Summer 2008 | Montgomery Botanical News 7 COLLECTIONS RECEIVE INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION ontgomery Botanical Center’s plant collections Scientific plant collections with rigorous curation are Mrecently received high praise through an interna- essential to guard against plant extinctions. Chad Husby, tional review. Following an in-depth examination by the MBC collections manager, stated, “MBC and NAPCC share North American Plant Collections Consortium (NAPCC), the common goal of promoting focused and responsible plant Montgomery Botanical Center’s (MBC) Palm Collection conservation. Public recognition of MBC’s palm and cycad and Cycad Collection were both certified as Collections of collections reflects the success of MBC’s ongoing efforts to National Significance. practice excellence in ex situ conservation.” NAPCC’s review thoroughly examined most aspects of Pam Allenstein, NAPCC coordinator, writes, “[MBC] MBC. Every related function, from field collecting to record- stands among a prestigious group of gardens and arboreta that keeping and horticulture, and even administration, was have committed themselves to the conservation and care of studied. “These are important accreditations for Montgomery specific plant collections curated at the highest professional Botanical, which directly verify our mission,” stated level.” The American Public Gardens Association (formerly Dr. Patrick Griffith, MBC’s executive director. “Each the American Association of Botanic Gardens and Arboreta), member of the Montgomery team can share the credit for through the NAPCC, is working to promote high standards these achievements.” of curation for plant collections.

Provenance of Montgomery Botanical Center palm and cycad accessions. Biogeographic data is essential for conservation and research.

THREE GRANTS ADVANCE MBC DATA SYSTEMS ocumentation, data stewardship, and labeling are software to support each. These upgrades will streamline the Dessential for scientific plant collections. Montgomery flow of information throughout the entire collections process Botanical Center’s strong tradition of rigorous plant cura- — from fieldwork, to planting, to labeling. tion began in the 1930s in Colonel Montgomery’s Coconut Additionally, we recently implemented a handheld, Grove Palmetum. In recent months, three grants totaling over weather-resistant PDA interface system. The PDA interface $35,000 allowed significant advances in MBC data systems. allows us to review and collect data while in the field. This Firstly, MBC obtained two in-kind grants from Environ- direct field interface reduces error, and significantly improves mental Systems Research Institute: a Conservation Program speed and efficiency. Grant and a Botanic Gardens and Zoological Parks Grant. By creatively adapting industry standard technology This support enables interactive maps which communicate through external funding, these upgrades allow our collec- the provenance of our research collections; data from indi- tions development team greater efficiency and flexibility. vidual accessions can be easily retrieved. As well as being an Through new technologies, MBC can do much more, much intuitive interface, this provides a useful tool for evaluating more quickly — keeping our precious resources focused on collections strategy and for planning future expeditions. achieving our mission. Secondly, the Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust awarded M. Patrick Griffith, Ph.D., Executive Director MBC $15,000 to purchase an upgraded engraving machine, Montgomery Botanical Center a handheld sub-meter GPS unit, and computer hardware and [email protected]

8 Montgomery Botanical News | Spring/Summer 2008 MONTGOMERY BOTANICAL CENTER 2007 COLLABORATORS AND COLLEAGUES Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, UK Carol C. Horvitz, Ph.D. Rare Fruit Council, FL Adelaide Botanic Garden, Australia The Huntington, CA Lauren Raz, Ph.D. American Public Gardens Association Fiona Inches Rob Rinn Association of Zoological Horticulture Institute for Ethnomedicine Joyce Rondinella Mervyn Atkinson Institute for Plant Systematics, Switzerland Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, UK Atlanta Botanical Garden Instituto de Ecología, México Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK Tomás Ayala-Silva, Ph.D. International Palm Society Steven Royer Christine Bacon Melissa Islam David Ruland Kerry Bohl IUCN Species Survival Commission – Sonali Saha, Ph.D. Craig Brodersen Cycad Specialist Group The Sarah P. Duke Gardens, NC Dánae Cabrera-Toledo J.R.E. Lee Opportunity School, FL Cliff Sawtell John Carson James Cook University, Australia Truman Scarborough Phillipe Castellano Heather Jezorek Colleen Schokman Edmund Charles Christie Jones Larry Schokman Angélica Cibrián Jaramillo, Ph.D. David Jones Christian Schulz, Ph.D. Deborah A. Clark, Ph.D. Paul Jones Jeff Shimonski Martin Clement The Kampong, FL Jason Smith, Ph.D. Clemson University, SC Liliana Katinas, Ph.D. Fred Stauffer, Ph.D. Columbia University, NY Ken-Pines Garden Club, FL Dennis Stevenson, Ph.D. Paul Comeau, Ph.D. Martha Kent Peter Stiling, Ph.D. Yasmin Baksh-Comeau Patrick Knopf Swarthmore College, PA Paul Cox, Ph.D. La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica Patrick Sweeney Paul Craft Kirsten Lamas Willie Tang Jorge V. Crisci, Ph.D. David W. Lee, Ph.D. Alberto S. Taylor, Ph.D. Tom Croat, Ph.D. Carl Lewis, Ph.D. Philip Thomas Chuck Davis, Ph.D. Anders Lindstrom Yang Ting Ting David J. de Laubenfels, Ph.D. Damon Little, Ph.D. Barry Tomlinson, Ph.D. Ronald Determann Cristina Lopez-Gallego, Ph.D. Trinidad and Tobago Forest Division David Deutsch Longwood Gardens, PA Turks & Caicos National Trust Domingo Díaz Bryan Manco Christiane Tyson Tad Dobbs, Ph.D. Thomas Marler, Ph.D. Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, Bolivia John Dowe, Ph.D. Nirzka Martinez University of British Columbia Duke University, NC Joyce Maschinski, Ph.D. University of California, Santa Cruz Durban Botanic Gardens, South Africa McKee Botanical Garden, FL University of Colorado Dave Ehrlinger Jan Meerman University of Florida Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, FL Alan Meerow, Ph.D. University of Florida IFAS, Florida Department of Agriculture and Jessica E. Metcalf, Ph.D. Tropical Research and Education Center Consumer Services Miami Archivists Group, FL University of Florida IFAS Extension, Florida International University Michigan State University Broward County Florida Nursery, Growers and Robert Mill, Ph.D. University of Guam Landscape Association Missouri Botanical Garden University of Miami Stephen Forbes Montgomery Pinetum, CT University of Puerto Rico Henry Ford Randal J. Moore University of South Florida Javier Francisco-Ortega, Ph.D. Mónica Moraes Ramírez, Ph.D. University of Vermont Fundación Dobbo Yala, Panama Mounts Botanical Garden, FL The University of the West Indies, Martin Gardner Richard Moyroud Trinidad and Tobago John C. Gifford Arboretum, FL Museo de La Plata, Argentina USDA Agriculture Research Service, MS Doug Goldman, Ph.D. Kathy Musial USDA Chapman Field, FL Amanda Hale, Ph.D. Sandra Namoff John Vanderplank Brett Hall Naples Botanical Garden, FL Sula Vanderplank Doug Holton National Collection of Passiflora, UK Wagner Vendrame, Ph.D. Martin Hamilton National Tropical Botanical Garden, HI Art Vogel Dylan Hannon The New York Botanical Garden Stephen Wagner Harvard University, MA Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden, Ian Watt Thomas Hecker Thailand Cal Welbourn, Ph.D. Thomas Henry, Ph.D. Charles Novak Alfred Wheeler, Ph.D. Heraclio Herrera Isidro Ojeda Barbara Whitlock, Ph.D. Sara Hiebert Burch, Ph.D. Pacific Cycad Nursery, HI Lynka Woodbury Brian Holley Ania Pinares Hu Jian Xiang Jason Holmes Cedric Pollet Xishuangbanna Tropical Greg Holzman José Pompeo Jr. Botanical Garden, China Hortus Botanicus, Cecil Pounders, Ph.D. Wenheng Zhang, Ph.D. Universiteit Leiden, Netherlands René Price, Ph.D. Scott Zona, Ph.D. Montgomery Botanical Center apologizes for any omissions or errors in accuracy.

Spring/Summer 2008 | Montgomery Botanical News 9 MONTGOMERY BOTANICAL CENTER GRATE FULLY ACKNOWLEDGES YOUR 2007 DONATIONS

James Adt Barbara L. and Nicholas D. Kelly IN MEMORY OF MAYNA HUTCHINSON Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority L. Patrick Kelly Isabel and Eugene Singletary Elias Baltin Ken-Pines Garden Club IN MEMORY OF ALFRED R. ROBERTS Elizabeth Locke Besse Iraset and William Krupczak Susan C. Roberts Botanics Wholesale David Leaser Robert Brier Susan E. Lynch IN HONOR OF LARRY ARONSON Edwin Brown III Sally and David Manz, Esq. Nancy J. Aronson, Virginia F. Besthoff, Marian J. Brusberg Jean and Peter A. Manz Beth and Adam Shapiro Laurence M. Butler McKee Botanical Garden IN HONOR OF WALTER D. HAYNES, ESQ. Jeffrey Chait, D.M.D. Patricia and Robert McNaughton, M.D. John T. Beaty Jr. Marlene Colangelo-Lunior Jill Menzel IN HONOR OF LOYD G. KELLY Lamar Louise Curry Michael Merritt Stephen D. Pearson, Esq. Alan Curtis Cindy L. and Randal J. Moore IN HONOR OF WILLIAM ROBERTS AND Ted Delevoryas, Ph.D. Florence Noblick RED CAPITAL GROUP Carolyn and John DeMott Nita Norman Walter D. Haynes, Esq. Amelia L. and James M. Donovan Jr. Therese and Brian Olwell Richard W. Ebsary Polly and Benjamin Pascal ZANE B. CAROTHERS MEMORIAL FUND Elliott, McKiever and Stowe, Inc. Lazaro Priegues, M.D. Ann E. Rushing, Ph.D. Marcia Faragher Nettie Belle Robinson PAUL DRUMMOND FUND Lillian Fessenden Claudia Romero and Francis J. Putz Jeff Shimonski George Fitzpatrick Dorothy C. and Charles P. Sacher, Esq. M. Patrick Griffith, Ph.D. Ana B. and Charles S. Sacher, Esq. IN-KIND DONATIONS William Gundlach, P.A. Olga Salliby Larry Aronson Constance and Vincent Hanlon Karl Smiley, M.D. Banyan Tree Service Marion Haynes Elizabeth and Thomas Smiley Caribe Copier Walter D. Haynes, Esq. Donald G. Smith, D.D.S. Laurie Danielson Don E. Hemmes Cheryl Solomon Kelly Tractor Co. Joseph A. Hibbard Suzanne B. and Sydnor M. Speer Jill Menzel Patricia R. Hicks Marjorie J. and Jeremy I. Tabak Sandra Simone Rigotti-Santos Dale F. Holton Mae and Robert Thorne, Ph.D. Bernard Scherban Charlene Huan Christiane and Christopher Tyson Trees, Inc. Joan A. and James F. Hutchinson Patricia and Milton J. Wallace Tropical Flowering Tree Society Dr. John T. MacDonald Foundation, Inc. Marcelle L. Wolf Beverley H. Johnson GRANTS VOLUNTEERS Association of Zoological Horticulture, Inc. Larry Aronson Gwen Myres ESRI Conservation Program Duane Banks, M.D. Daniela Noblick Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association – Dade Chapter Barbara Benners Roland Ramos International Palm Society Claudia Calonje Greg Reed, M.D. Kelly Foundation, Inc. Kate Donovan Cliff Renshaw Randal and Cindy Moore in support of Panama 2007 Expedition Bettye Douglas Merilynn Renshaw South Florida Palm Society Mitzi Frick Bernard Scherban Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust Judy Griffis Peter Siegel The Thomas S. Kenan Foundation, Inc. Trish Hicks Sima Siegel USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System – Bob Hutchinson Karl Smiley, M.D. Plant Exploration and Exchange Program Marilyn Johnson Cristina Strader The Villagers Incorporated Vivian Jordan Victoria Strader Cassie Manz Brenda Whitney David Manz, Esq. Brian Witcher Olivia Manz Evelyn Young Montgomery Botanical Center apologizes for any omissions or errors in accuracy.

Interested in volunteering? Why not join Montgomery Botanical’s volunteer team? Be part of our important conservation mission. Check out volunteer opportunities at www.montgomerybotanical.org or phone (305) 667-3800, extension 114.

10 Montgomery Botanical News | Spring/Summer 2008 Water Resource Conservation at MBC very generous gift from Jeff Paul Drummond passed away on Water management agency irriga- A Shimonski recently established September 15, 2007. The palms he tion restrictions for south Florida will the Paul Drummond Fund at Mont- generously distributed as seeds and likely continue into the future. Mont- gomery Botanical Center (MBC). The seedlings from his vast collection re- gomery Botanical Center’s facilities Fund honors the life and work of Paul main a lasting tribute. With the Paul team has been challenged to provide Drummond, past president of the Inter- Drummond Fund, Montgomery Botan- adequate irrigation for the scientific national Palm Society and lifelong palm ical Center will continue to honor plant collections, while adhering to the enthusiast. The Paul Drummond Fund Mr. Drummond through dedicated restrictions applicable to MBC’s status will advance the conservation of palms fieldwork for palm conservation. as a botanical research facility. through field expeditions to collect and Please consider supporting MBC’s Of Montgomery’s 120 acres, conserve palms. important palm conservation work by approximately 50 acres are irrigated. Born in 1924 and raised in New contributing to the Paul Drummond The facilities team evaluated the areas York City, Mr. Drummond first ad- Fund. To honor Paul Drummond in covered by the irrigation system and mired a palm as a young boy at the New this way or for more information, please determined the areas that have reached York World’s Fair of 1939 and 1940. contact me at any time. the developmental point to meet sus- At the Fair’s Florida exhibit, he saw the M. Patrick Griffith, Ph.D., Executive Director tainable horticultural requirements Sabal palmetto. His love of the tropics (305) 667-3800 ext. 105 with minimal auxiliary irrigation. and palms led him to Miami in 1948. [email protected] Several expansive zones supporting primarily drought tolerant grasses, such MBC Team News as Paspalum notatum (Bahia grass), and palm species such as Hyphaene, Phoenix, Felix Beruvides joined MBC as Claudia Calonje joined MBC as and Sabal, were identified as being suf- assistant curator and is working with assistant curator and is working with ficiently mature to thrive under natural MBC’s palm collections. Felix is a the nursery collections. She began rainfall conditions. Areas totaling just graduate of University of Florida’s as a volunteer in MBC’s collections under 16 acres were identified as self- horticulture program and brings long- development department. Claudia’s sustaining, at least as far as irrigation term experience with plants to MBC. extensive field, laboratory, and green- requirements. This definitely represents Felix has also worked in fundraising at house experience make her a valuable a notable decrease in consumption, and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. His addition to MBC’s nursery team. complies with the voluntary 30 percent diligent attention to the collections Claudia is skilled in plant propagation cutback suggested by the South Florida and his hard work have been essential and field evaluation, with experience Water Management District. to MBC. In the future, Felix will be in statistics and data management. The MBC staff is developing and working toward his master’s degree, Claudia received a degree in biology implementing a Best Management having been accepted into NASA’s and botany from the Universidad del Practices program according to guide- horticulture program. Valle in Cali, Colombia. lines from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Ser- vices, addressing the unique needs of a botanical research and education facility. Looking for additional ways to conserve, experts from the Univer- “Other” includes sity of Florida/Miami-Dade County tropical conifers and tropical Extension’s Mobile Irrigation Lab have flowering trees. been called upon to suggest conserva- tion tactics. In this inventory, Just as our horticultural staff is faced taxa counts are of with conservation issues of a botanical species, subspe- nature, our facilities team anticipates cies, and varieties. the challenges of natural resource An accession is a management in general, and water con- collection of servation in particular. seeds from one Lee Anderson, Superintendent source or locality. Montgomery Botanical Center [email protected]

Spring/Summer 2008 | Montgomery Botanical News 11 MONTGOMERY BOTANICAL CENTER NON-PROFIT ORG. 11901 Old Cutler Road U.S. POSTAGE PAID Miami, FL 33156-4242 MIAMI FL PERMIT NO. 1302

his photo of Colonel and Nell Montgomery wasT taken on the Montgom- ery Estate in November 1945. Montgomery Botanical Center records show Phoenix canariensis (pictured) was part of the Mont- gomery Collection as early as 1939. Several P. canariensis dat- ing from 1939 still stand today in Montgomery Botanical Center’s Coconut Grove Palmetum.