collecting TAPERTIP ONION (Allium acuminatum Hook.) in the great basin using traditional and gis methods | Robert Adair, RC Johnson, Barbara Hellier, and Walter Kaiser ABSTRACT As part of a biodiversity assessment and germplasm conservation project, we col- lected 55 populations of tapertip onion (Allium acuminatum Hook. [Alliaceae]) angeland restoration using native throughout the Great Basin region of the US (Idaho, Oregon, Nevada). Population species is increasingly important for improving habitat quality in data from field observations and herbarium specimens were entered into a geo- R graphic information system (GIS) to facilitate efficient sampling strategies and maxi- arid and semiarid western areas that have mize the number and diversity of ecoregions represented. Although limited by the been severely degraded by wildfires, inva- quality of source data, GIS-based population location information greatly aided in sive annual grasses and noxious weeds, the organization and time management of the field collection. We collected, meas- human activity, livestock overgrazing, and ured, and described bulbs. The bulbs will be used in common garden studies and mining. The threats to ecosystem health in genetic research to evaluate species diversity throughout the region, and develop in Great Basin rangelands have led to the loss situ germplasm conservation sites for future native rangeland restoration efforts. Ex of both plant and animal habitat. For situ collections will also be entered into the National Plant Germplasm System and be example, only about 56% of Greater Sage- available for research, ecological restoration efforts, and germplasm enhancement. Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus Bona- parte [Phasianidae]) habitat remains Adair R, Johnson RC, Hellier B, Kaiser W. 2006.Collecting tapertip onion (Allium acuminatum Hook.) in the Great usable since settlement by people of Euro- Basin using traditional and GIS methods Native Plants Journal 7(2):141–148. pean descent (Schroeder and others 2004; USDI BLM 2005). K E Y W O R D S Survival and fecundity rates for sage- National Plant Germplasm System, georeferencing, field sampling, grouse and other wildlife may depend in situ conservation on habitat quality, which is commonly quantified by the presence of key indica- N O M E N C L A T U R E tor species (Johnson and Braun 1999). USDA NRCS (2005) The presence of wild onion (Allium spp. [Alliaceae]) and other key shrubs and Walter Kaiser collecting A. acuminatum bulbs in southern Idaho. Photo by RC Johnson 141 NATIVEPLANTS | SUMMER 2006 forbs are associated with good rearing and are strongly complementary, espe- habitat for sage-grouse (Nelle and oth- cially for native species. Ex situ collections ers 2000; Miller and Eddleman 2001). are readily available for research and pro- Juvenile sage-grouse also depend on vide a security backup for areas that may forbs and associated insects prior to be disturbed or degraded. For native brood dispersal (Drut and others 1994). species that are difficult to regenerate ex The diversity of forb species in the situ, the in situ sites provide a source of Great Basin and the limited amount of germplasm from natural plant communi- information concerning seed produc- ties. tion, cultivation requirements, and seed Pavek and others (2003) provide transfer zones for many species has guidelines for selecting native plant impeded the progress of restoration populations that would be suitable can- projects with native forbs (Walker and didates for in situ conservation sites Shaw 2005). In an effort to alleviate the using rock grape (Vitis rupestris Scheele lack of research, federal and state agen- [Vitaceae]) as a model. Rock grape is a cies, universities, and private companies wild North American species used as are working together as part of the rootstock to confer grape phylloxera Native Plant Selection and Increase Pro- (Daktulosphaira vitifolie Fitch [Phyllox- ject (NPSIP) to promote the availability eridae]) resistance to cultivated grape and variety of native plants for restora- varieties (Cahoon 1996; Pavek and oth- tion efforts (USDA FS RMRS 2005). ers 2000). They conclude that factors The USDA Agriculture Research Ser- such as inter- and intra-population vice, National Plant Germplasm System variation within the geographic range of (NPGS) is responsible for maintaining a species can be used to determine the genetic diversity of economically impor- suitability of a particular population for tant plant species. The Western Regional in situ conservation designation. Plant Introduction Station (WRPIS), The genus Allium is a member of the Pullman, Washington, as part of the Alliaceae family and contains 500 to 600 Figure 1. Allium acuminatum collected at NPGS, maintains approximately 72 500 species occurring mainly in the Northern Roland Road (Owyhee County, Idaho) show- accessions representing 358 plant genera Hemisphere (Kamenetsky 1993) with 84 ing umbels, scapes, and bulbs. (2194 species). Of these, 15% are native species native to North America (Stearn Photo by Walter Kaiser forb, shrub, and grass genera. The wild 1992). Seven Allium species are currently Allium, garlic (A. sativum L.), leek (A. grown commercially throughout the and for relief of arthritic and inflamma- ampeloprasum L.), and chive (A. schoeno- world including common onion (A. cepa tory pain (Augusti 1990). Wild Allium prasum L.) collections (984 accessions, L.), garlic, leeks, and chives. The Food and species have been reported by many early 108 species) are maintained at WRPIS. As Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported medical writers in Greece, Persia, and Ara- part of an ex situ program, conservation in 2003 that common onion production bia as a remedy for colds, neuritis, depres- maintenance of these genetic resources was 52 550 metric tonnes (57 926 tons), sion, fever, and dyspepsia (Kamenetsky includes storage, regeneration, and distri- surpassed only by tomato and cabbage in 1993). Many of the North American bution of germplasm for research. the vegetable and melon category (FAO Allium species also have been used medic- Gene banks typically maintain ex situ 2003). Commercial and wild Allium inally. Meadow garlic (Allium canadense genetic resources of native and culti- plants have been used throughout history L.) is reported to prevent worms and colic vated plant material. Ex situ collections as a vegetable flavoring, are rich in carbo- in children, and shortstyle onion (A. bre- provide an easily accessed and organ- hydrate, and full of vitamins and minerals vistylum S. Wats) as a wash for carbuncles ized germplasm resource. Alternatively, (Augusti 1990). (Moerman 1998). Wild leek (A. tricoccum in situ conservation sites, in which pop- Garlic is historically the most impor- Ait.) is reported to have similar virtues as ulations are identified in natural com- tant Allium species utilized for medici- garlic (Foster and Duke 2000). Explo- munities for a given species, allow for nal properties, but other species have ration of additional medicinal and the dynamic interplay of adaptation and also received attention (Goldman and nutraceutical values of wild Allium survival pressures (Pavek and others others 1995). Some traditional folk species, exotic and native, may be 2003). Both ex situ and in situ remedies involve the use of garlic as an enhanced with expansion of the public 142 approaches, however, have advantages antiseptic, diuretic, earache treatment, Allium germplasm collection. NATIVEPLANTS | SUMMER 2006 COLLECTING TAPERTIP ONION IN THE GREAT BASIN For this project, we chose to collect The GIS data from Omernik Ecore- more individuals were collected to mini- tapertip onion (Allium acuminatum gions and our possible collection sites mize the long-term impact on a given Hook.; Figure 1) for germplasm conserva- were joined in order to identify A. site. In practice, most populations signifi- tion and potential future use in rangeland acuminatum populations located in cantly exceeded 250 plants (Figures 2 and reclamation and restoration. Allium unique ecoregions (Minami 2000). This 3). A large screwdriver was used for dig- acuminatum is a perennial herb native to procedure allowed us to prioritize col- ging bulbs by removing soil surrounding North America that grows throughout lection sites and maximize the probabil- the scape until the bulb was exposed (Fig- most of the western US and western ity of collecting plants that may have ure 4). Although bulbs were occasionally Canada (USDA NRCS 2005). It has a large adapted to special or rare environments. damaged, this method resulted in less range compared with many of the North Level III and IV Omernik Ecoregions habitat disturbance than using a hand American native Alliums (Hellier 2000). geospatial data are available for most of shovel. Bulb depth varied but generally Although other native Allium species the conterminous US on the Environ- ranged from 5 to 15 cm (2 to 6 in). occur in the Great Basin, A. acuminatum mental Protection Agency website (US Site location, county, directions to the was selected because of its wide range, EPA 2005). Although other classifica- site, as well as site characteristics and asso- abundance, and possible association with tions are available, Omernik Ecoregions ciated vegetation were recorded, for study quality sage-grouse habitat. were chosen because of the ease in use and entry into the NPGS Germplasm obtaining the data needed to create our Resources Information Network (GRIN) preliminary collection site maps. Other database (Figure