THETHE MONTGOMERYMONTGOMERY NEWSNEWS Newsletter of Montgomery Botanical Center VOL. VOL. 12 NO. 1 SPRING SPRING 2004 WhoWho WeWe AreAre Terrence Walters, Ph.D. Executive Director Lee Anderson Manager, Horticulture & Facilities Mary Andrews Manager, Development & Communications A Botanical Garden Charles Bauduy Assistant Palm Horticulturist Jack Bauer Facilities Supervisor Barbara Bohnsack Built for Science Field Supervisor Mario Borroto Landscaper Terrence Walters, Ph.D. Juan Corona MBC Executive Director Equipment Specialist Orlando Coy Grounds Supervisor Stella Cuestas Assistant Cycad Horticulturist Laurie Danielson Palm Horticulturist Abbie Dasher Landscaper Willy Dye Landscaper Christine Emshousen Cycad Horticulturist Jody Haynes Cycad Biologist Barbara Judd Nursery Horticulturist Judith Kay Seedbank Coordinator Martha Lagos Housekeeper Scott Massey Dicot Horticulturist Vickie Murphy Assistant Palm Horticulturist Larry Noblick, Ph.D. Manager, Collections Development Palm Biologist Willie Payne Landscaper Jessie Pender Landscaper Annamaria Richcreek Administrator Randy Russ Landscaper Arantza Strader Database Assistant Ansel Thomas Irrigation Specialist Hostilio Torres This population of Caryota gigas in the MBC collection not only provides an attractive visual Equipment Operator Marino Valcourt presentation of shapes and textures, but, along with its associated data, is far more valuable Irrigation Technician to researchers than if just one or two representatives of the species were available. Laura Vasquez Field Specialist Evelyn Young Manager, Administration Volunteer Coordinator During each MBC garden tour, when a group of interest, whether they are oaks, introducing our scientifically valuable roses, orchids, or palms. In many cases, the The Montgomery News population-based collection, I’m frequent- specimens lacked any associated prov- is published twice a year by Montgomery Botanical Center, ly asked to explain, first, just what that enance data and were obtained from a a nonprofit private institution of science long phrase means—followed immediately single (and not necessarily representative) specializing in tropical plant research with, “How are Montgomery Botanical population of the species. Gardens devel- collections emphasizing palms and cycads. Center’s collections different from those oped these types of collections for the typi- Editor and Designer in the familiar botanical display garden?” cal garden viewer interested in seeing the Mary Andrews It is a common confusion even among diversity among species within a specific 11901 Old Cutler Road; Miami, FL 33156 informed botanical enthusiasts. plant family. 305-667-3800 fax 305-661-5984 Historically, botanical gardens develop [email protected] Montgomery Botanical Center has a www.montgomerybotanical.org their important collections by obtaining very different mission than most botani- a few specimens of each species within cal gardens, as set forth by its founder, Nell Operating hours: M-F, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 2 spring grown from seeds collected in the Since 1995 MBC has been mount- wild in an ex-situ botanical collection. But ing three to five expeditions per year to a study based on just a few representative tropical regions of the world to obtain the samples is not enough. For research to be required propagules for our collections. In valid, the provenance of the seeds must be 1996, the MBC team planted our first pop- established by having comprehensive visual ulation-based assemblage. We have contin- and written field data collected along with ued to add approximately 50 population the seeds, and have that information read- samples annually, typically consisting of ily available in a database. Samples obtained 12–15 individuals each, to systematically from multiple populations—groups of indi- increase the number and diversity of acces- viduals spatially isolated from other group- sions required for study by researchers. ings of the same species—provide even Also of scientific importance is where more information to the scientist. populations are collected within the geo- A plant species can consist of one to graphic range. In the wild, populations at hundreds of populations; each population the extremes of a species’ distribution are can consist of one to literally thousands of often under different sets of environmen- individuals. A genetically distinct individual tal pressures, and therefore are likely to within a population grows, develops, repro- possess unique, genetically-based, adap- duces, and dies; however, it does not evolve. tive qualities. Evolution, as we understand it today, occurs If the conspecific populations are too in the genetic variation among the individ- numerous to feasibly collect, we strive to uals within a population through many sample those populations at the geograph- generations. ic extremes of the species’ range as well as One of the evolutionary changes that at least one sample from deep within the can occur in a population is speciation, range. In this way, we endeavor to repre- the development of a new species. For sent as much of the genetic diversity with- example, a particularly isolated and distant in a species as possible—genetic diver- population might be subjected to extreme sity that is vital for evolutionary research, environmental changes not experienced teaching, and species conservation. by other conspecific (same-species) pop- Today, with hundreds of wild-collect- ulations. Although many plants and their ed, extensively-documented population offspring fail to thrive under the new envi- samples of palms and cycads growing at ronmental pressures, some individuals will MBC, the significance, value, and impor- breed with other genetically distinct indi- tance of these collections to the interna- viduals to produce progeny with genetic tional botanical community are becom- coding for physical and physiological traits ing clear. Dr. John Donaldson, Research necessary to survive more successfully in Director of South Africa’s Kirstenbosch the new environment. This process of adap- Botanic Gardens, recently observed that tation causes the population to diverge “Montgomery Botanical Center has been at genetically from other conspecific popula- the forefront of efforts to build up off-site tions and sometimes marks the beginning collections of cycad species.” of a new species. Researchers from around the globe A sampling of only one or a few speci- recognize MBC as a primary source for mens from a population does not represent experimental plant material. We are able the genetic diversity within the population, to provide them with quality material their let alone the diversity within the entire research demands. Educators interested Montgomery Jennings. species. To uncover, or just to understand in demonstrating conservation-quality off- MBC is an institution that the diversity and evolution of plant life, site collections, characteristics of popula- directs its resources toward the research must be undertaken at the popu- tion biology, and techniques for taxonomic scientific and educational usage lation level. studies have been enthusiastically access- of our collections by researchers, In 1994 the MBC team identified the ing MBC’s population-based collections. educators, and students. type of collections needed by researchers Even the public, who has learned of our Researchers have very specific and made the long-term decision to devel- unique collections, is clamoring for more needs that differ greatly from casual op the highest quality, scientifically useful, on-site tours. It is heartening to know that garden visitors. They require samples population-based palm and cycad collec- MBC offers something for all those who from wild material. If it isn’t feasi- tions in the world. This focus meant we want to see and use the type of conser- ble to access plants in their natu- needed to enhance the existing collections vation and research collections that will ral habitat (in situ), a very close by obtaining wild documented seeds from improve our ability to understand and pre- alternative is to use their off- multiple populations of each species. serve the earth’s diversity. ■ 3 COLLECTIONS DEVELOPMENT ON EXPEDITION In Search of Lilliputian Palms Museum of Natural History of Paraguay, Larry Noblick, Ph.D. we finally got permission to collect in the MBC Collections Development Manager and Palm Biologist reserve after weeks of paperwork, phone calls, and several trips to the permitting office. What we thought would be a short, wrap-up visit to pick up our papers turned into two long days of bureaucratic back and forth. But frustration quickly turned into a sense of good fortune. While impatiently waiting for the per- mits, heavy rains had turned the roads into an impassible quagmire of clay. If we had left when first planned, we would have ended up worming our vehicle through a seemingly giant bowl of chocolate pud- ding. By the time we hit the roads they were dry enough so we negotiated easily around large trucks still deeply buried up to their axles—although, admittedly, we drove with the four-wheel drive engaged for most of the 300 kilometers to the Reserve’s overnight accommodations. We made good progress, arriving at dusk in Mbaracayú Reserve guide, Eligio Fariña, examines Butia campicola hidden in the time to meet the resident biologist, Rosalia grass that it mimics. The inset above shows the developing palm fruits growing Fariña, and our guide, Eligio, and get settled from what otherwise looks like a grass spike.