ABSTRACTS 2015 RARE PLANT TASK FORCE

ORAL PRESENTATIONS

Jenna Annis, Eastern Illinois University, Department of Biological Sciences, Samantha Primer, University of Illinois, Department of Plant Biology, Janice Coons, Eastern Illinois University, Department of Biological Sciences, Brenda Molano-Flores, Illinois Natural History Survey, Center for Wildlife and Plant Ecology, and Mary Ann Feist, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Botany, “Impact of environmental factors on anthocyanin production and the proposed link with prey capture in Pinguicula planifolia.” [email protected]

The occurrence of anthocyanins in the vegetative tissues of evolutionarily distinct carnivorous plant families suggests these pigments may provide physiological adaptations. Pinguicula planifolia (Lentibulariaceae) is one of six carnivorous butterwort species endemic to the Florida Panhandle. The state threatened P. planifolia expresses a prominent variation of anthocyanins on its -trapping leaves. Our objectives were to determine how environmental factors impact anthocyanin production in P. planifolia, and to determine how anthocyanin affects prey capture. Three field studies were conducted at populations within the Florida Panhandle. For the first study, chlorophyll and anthocyanin contents in leaves were measured as a factor of light intensity, water depth, soil nutrients, water nutrients, and habitat structure. In the second study, artificial sticky traps (painted red, green, or control) were established next to plants to determine how color affects prey capture. For the third study, three treatments were established for marked plants (control, clipped, and caged), to test if leaf anthocyanin content can change when light intensity changes. Laboratory studies tested ex situ responses of P. planifolia anthocyanin production to artificial environmental cues. Leaf anthocyanin content is linked to changes in light intensity. Anthocyanins do not enhance insect prey capture. Exposure to solar radiation may be the prominent environmental cue that determines anthocyanin production in carnivorous plants. While anthocyanin may not serve a role in prey attraction for this species, it may be providing a physiological advantage to plants growing in areas of high solar radiation.

Mario Cisneros, Haydee Borrero, and Hong Liu, Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, “Population status of Trichocentrum undulatum, an endangered South Florida orchid.” [email protected]

Everglades National Park is home to the endangered mule-ear orchid Trichocentrum undulatum (Sw.) Ackerman & M.W.Chase. Due to its spectacular inflorescence, collectors have ravaged this epiphytic orchid over the years and their populations have significantly declined (Hammer, 2001). The establishment of the Everglades National Park has offered protection to the sole surviving population. However, the population is currently facing a problem of a different kind. A rare (possibly endemic) herbivorous fly, Melanagromyza miamensis, which is able to halt the development of the orchid’s inflorescence, has incurred an alarmingly high rate of attacks in recent years. The fly oviposits its eggs into the stalk where its larvae will then develop and emerge as an adult leaving behind an exit hole (Higgins, 2007). As a consequence, the population has not been able to reproduce for several years (Higgins, 2007). In this study, we aimed to understand the extent of the herbivore damage and the population status and dynamics of T. undulatum. Two years of fieldwork in 2013 and 2014 confirmed that the population is in fact being attacked at a consistently high rate. Data collected for both years has revealed an attack frequency of fly to flower stalk to be 100%, with the few successful blooms being caused by human interference and/or offshoots of the flower stalk.

George Gann, Chief Conservation Strategist, Institute for Regional Conservation, "Rare plants of Everglades National Park." [email protected]

Based on the recently published report by The Institute for Regional Conservation, I will present information about the rarest plants in South Florida that have been found in Everglades National Park. A massive collaborative effort documented the status of rare plants in the park and made recommendations to improve their plight in the face of sea level rise, exotic species invasions, and other threats. Some plants have disappeared. Others require monitoring and restoration of their populations.

Michael Kane, Plant Restoration, Conservation and Propagation Biotechnology Program, P.O. Box 110675, University of Florida, “Bridging the Gap Between Horticulture and Ecology: Integrated Conservation of Florida Orchids.” [email protected]

Since 1989, Plant Restoration, Conservation and Propagation Biotechnology Program at the University of Florida has conducted laboratory, greenhouse and field studies focused on developing integrated conservation practices to protect, conserve and recover Florida’s native species, including orchids. Species studied include Calopogon tuberosus, Bletia purpurea, Cyrtopodium punctatum, Prosthechea boothiana, Eulophia alta, Spiranthes odorata, Spiranthes floridana and Dendrophylax lindenii. Much of this research has been in close cooperation with the USFWS Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge, Naples Florida. Our research objective has been to integrate results of seed propagation, symbiotic seed culture, pollination biology, genetics, cryostorage, and ecotypic differentiation studies to develop restoration and conservation plans which result in sustainable populations. Examples of this approach using Florida orchid species will be discussed.

Joyce Maschinski and Jennifer Possley, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Christina Walters and Lisa Hill, USDA-ARS National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation, Don Walters, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Lisa Krueger, University of Tennessee at Martin, and Dallas Hazelton, Miami-Dade County, Natural Areas Management Division, “Seed biology influences recruitment, restoration success, and population persistence of endangered Dalea carthagenensis var. floridana (Fabaceae).” [email protected]

Seed banks buffer populations from environmental variation; yet unpredictable seedling emergence poses challenges for restoring rare plant populations. Using wild and restored populations of endangered Dalea carthagenensis var. floridana, we tested whether germination is regulated by rare dormancy releasing cues that subsequently limit seedling emergence, population persistence, and restoration success. Over 7 to 10 years we monitored three wild populations and studied factors associated with recruitment. Abundant wild seedling emergence followed cold winters and human disturbance. Laboratory trials confirmed that seeds remain viable for 600 days even when moist and that freezing and scarification triggered higher and more rapid germination than controls. Field seed germination trials using pre-treated and untreated seeds showed that freezing pretreatment increased field germination and maturation in natural pine rockland habitat, but not in novel habitat. PVA models incorporating 2007-2014 field data simulated that germination cues increased population growth in most transition years, except 2010-2011 when high seedling mortality occurred. Stable population growth would require 3 in 10 years of high recruitment. The frequency and timing of conditions suitable for germination versus mortality interacted with microsite to determine population growth. In a restoration context, using seed pretreatments for species with dormancy can improve establishment success in suitable habitats, but adequate seeds, watering, and protection from herbivory are advised to increase population size effectively.

Mike Owen, Park Biologist, Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park and Dennis Giardina, Everglades Region Biologist, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, “The Decline and Fall of the Giant Airplant, utriculata at Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park.” [email protected]; [email protected]

In March, 2002 the first Mexican bromeliad weevil, Metamasius callizona was collected by Mike Owen in a West Indian tufted airplant, Guzmainia monostachia at Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park (FSPSP). In April, 2004 Dennis Giardina documented bromeliad weevils in a giant airplant, at Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge (FPNWR) three miles north of FSPSP. By October, 2005 the FPNWR weevil infestation spread south to within a mile of the FSPSP border. In April, 2007 three plots full of large, healthy bromeliads were established in northern FSPSP and all Tillandsia utriculata plants were quantified. In April, 2008 the three plots were re-surveyed only to find many of the Tillandsia utriculata in a noticeable state of decline and a larva of Metamasius callizona was collected from a fallen cardinal airplant, . In August 2008 the first of several releases of the biological control organism Lixadmontia franki (a parasitic fly that preys on the larvae of bromeliad weevils) was made In the vicinity of the three northern plots. In December, 2008 an annual effort to monitor the spread of Metamasius callizona was initiated by documenting all the Tillandsia utriculata (870) along a seven mile section of Janes Scenic Drive in the center of FSPSP. Annual surveys were conducted from 2008 to 2013 and in December, 2009 Tillandsia utriculata plants began to show signs of decline due to weevil parasitism. By December, 2013 the spreading mortality due to the impact of Metamasius callizona was sufficiently concerning to prompt drastic management action.

Hector E. Pérez, Plant Restoration and Conservation Horticulture Consortium, Department of Environmental Horticulture, University of Florida, [email protected]

Abstract coming

Samantha B. Primer, University of Illinois Department of Plant Biology, Jenna Annis, Eastern Illinois University Department of Biological Sciences, Janice Coons, Eastern Illinois University Department of Biological Sciences, Mary Ann Feist, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Brenda Molano-Flores, Illinois Natural History Survey, “Effect of Habitat Structure on the Reproductive Output and Prey Capture of Pinguicula lutea a Threatened Carnivorous Plant.” [email protected] Carnivorous plants comprise a unique subset of angiosperms that thrive in wet, nutrient poor ecosystems. Anthropogenic habitat modification is a main contributor to the decline of many carnivorous plant species. One such species, Pinguicula lutea (yellow butterwort), inhabits fire- dependent longleaf pine savannas of the southeast US and has received heightened conservation status in Florida. Changes in habitat structure due to fire suppression are potential reasons for decline, yet empirical evidence is sparse. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of changes in habitat structure on reproduction and prey capture for P. lutea in the Florida Panhandle. Populations were identified in various habitat structure types (i.e. maintained, grassy, woody) and quantitatively categorized. Reproductive output was determined by assessing fruit and seed set at each population. Prey capture was determined by identifying the prey community. Both fruit set/seed set and arthropod availability/prey capture were impacted in different ways depending on the habitat structure. This is the first comprehensive study of plant-insect interactions for Pinguicula species of the southeast US. Specifically, it begins to provide an ecological foundation on which to make management and conservation decisions.

Samantha Primer M.S. Student | Department of Plant Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, 1816 South Oak Street, Champaign, IL 61820

Juliet Rynear, Rare Plant Specialist, Bok Tower Gardens, M. L. Richardson, Center for Conservation Education and Sustainability, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, C. L. Peterson, Conservation Program Manager, Bok Tower Gardens, “Microhabitat of Critically Endangered Lupinus aridorum (Fabaceae) at Wild and Introduced Locations in Florida scrub.” [email protected]

Elucidating microhabitat preferences of a rare species is critical for its conservation. Lupinus aridorum McFarlin ex Beckner (Fabaceae) is a critically endangered plant known only from a few locations in imperiled Florida scrub habitat and nothing is known about its preferred microhabitat. Our goals were threefold. First, determine whether L. aridorum has multiple cytotypes because this can influence its spatial distribution. Second, measure how microhabitat characteristics at locations supporting wild L. aridorum vary from random locations. Third, measure whether microhabitat characteristics differ between locations supporting wild or introduced plants. Our research determined that L. aridorum is diploid and grew, on average, in areas closer to trees and shrubs, with lower soil moisture, and with a greater mixture of detritus than random locations. Some microhabitat characteristics at locations where L. aridorum were introduced were similar to microhabitat supporting wild L. aridorum, but multiple soil characteristics differed as did the plant community, which contained more nonnative plant species near introduced plants. Therefore, the realized niche is narrower than the fundamental niche.

POSTERS

Haydee Borrero and Hong Liu, Department of Earth and Environment, Florida International University, "Specialized and Generalized Pollination of Cyrtopodium punctatum at the Edge of its Distribution” [email protected].

Understanding the pollination ecology of threatened species is essential for devising conservation strategies for such species. The Florida state listed endangered orchid, Cyrtopodium punctatum, is reportedly pollinated by a specialist bee pollinator, Centris errans, in the southeast Florida habitats, but by a generalist bee, Xylocopa sp., in the orchid’s southwestern habitats (where C. errans is absent). How such a combination of specialized and general deceptive pollination system functions is not well understood. For my dissertation project, I intend to discern both the generalist and specialized pollination ecology of C. punctatum by measuring the volatiles, color, morphology, UV spectra, as well as phenology of the flowers. I will study populations of C. punctatum in both southeastern Florida (the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden and Everglades National Park) and southwestern Florida (Big Cypress National Reserve and the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve) to gain understanding of the orchid’s complex methods of pollination. My research will shed light on the species’ ability to persist and/or expand in its global distribution edge in southern Florida, especially when the species’ specialized system is disrupted.

Ben Hughes and Michael Kane, Plant Restoration, Conservation and Propagation Biotechnology Program, P.O. Box 110675, University of Florida, “Modification of Spinner Flasks for Orchid Seed Bioreactor Culture.” [email protected]

Florida is home to approximately half of the orchid species found in the United States, the majority of which are classified as either endangered or threatened. Asymbiotic seed germination on agar-solidified media is often used as an effective means of producing genetically diverse orchid seedlings for conservation and restoration efforts. This method often results in uneven germination and seedling development resulting in reduced propagation efficiency. Seeds often fuse together when germinated on solid media and makes separation into individual seedlings difficult. Application of bioreactor technology for orchid seed culture offers the potential for reduced culture space requirements and labor while increasing synchronization of orchid seedling development. Bioreactors were constructed from Bellco Bel-Flo 250 mL spinner flasks and modified to provide aeration. Silicone tubing with in-line bacterial vents was connected to each sidearm of the flask to deliver and exhaust sterile air through the media. Enhanced medium aeration was achieved using a silica airstone, attached to the inside flask wall with silicone adhesive. All materials used were autoclavable. Aeration was provided by a Pondmaster aquarium pump delivered through a PVC manifold that allowed aeration for up to 20 bioreactors.

Rinnie Rodenius, Nguyen Hoang, Ben Hughes, and Michael Kane, Plant Restoration, Conservation and Propagation Biotechnology Program, P.O. Box 110675, University of Florida, “Effect of Pruning on Root Regrowth of In Vitro Cultured Dendrophylax lindenii Seedlings.” [email protected] (MK)

Dendrophylax lindenii, the ghost orchid, is a leafless epiphytic orchid. The species ranges from southern Florida, Cuba and the Caribbean and is noted for its striking white flowers. Morphologically, plants consist of photosynthetic roots attached to a reduced stem having highly reduced scale-like leaves. Plantlets have been observed to regenerate from broken or damaged roots but this is not well documented. Likewise, little is known of the root regeneration from the reduced stem of the ghost orchid. An experiment was designed to: 1) examine the effects of root pruning on subsequent root regrowth of Dendrophylax lindenii seedlings; 2) examine the anatomical origin of regenerated roots; and 3) compare the effects of two orchid media PhytoTechnology Laboratories P723 supplemented with 3% (w/w) banana powder and PhytoTechnology Laboratories P748 on root regrowth following pruning. Roots of the seedlings were pruned to 0.5 or 1.0 cm in length and cultured on the two media for 14 weeks. Ghost Orchid seedlings displayed the capacity to regenerate new roots from the central stem following pruning with maximum root regeneration and length observed on P723 medium. The results are useful for producing smaller roots on older seedlings which would facilitate root attachment to substrates during greenhouse acclimatization.

Kristie S. Wendelberger, Daniel Gann, and Jennifer H. Richards, Florida International University, “Using Remote Sensing to Detect Long-Term Coastal Plant Community Changes Due to Sea Level Rise, Everglades National Park.” [email protected]

Everglades National Park includes unique plant communities and 21 rare plant species that will be impacted by sea level rise. Developing effective conservation strategies requires that land managers understand what the coastal plant community matrix looks like today, know how it has changed over time, and have a template to monitor large scale change in the future. We are addressing these issues using remote sensing technologies to create a 2m-resolution map of the coastal plant communities in the Flamingo area of ENP. To assess 31 years of plant community change, we will compare this map to that made by park biologists in 1980. The study site encompasses the mainland range and most of the world population of the Federally Endangered species, Chromolaena frustrata. Park biologists will be able to use this map to monitor future plant community change, helping to create conservation action plans for this Federally Endangered species threatened by sea level rise.