HELP SAVE LOTUSLAND’S CYCAD COLLECTION SAVE the CYCADS JOIN LOTUSLAND AND OUR DISTINGUISHED PARTNERS TO COMPLETE THESE TWO CRITICAL PROJECTS American Public Garden Association (APGA) Plant Collections Network’s (PCN) accredited Cycad Multisite Collection International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission’s (SSC) Cycad Specialist Group (CSG) Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) Global Conservation Consortium for Cycads US Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Plant Rescue Center To support these critical projects, please visit lotusland.org/cycad CYCADS ARE THE MOST THREATENED PLANT 695 Ashley Road GROUP ON THE PLANET. LOTUSLAND’S CYCAD Santa Barbara CA 93108 FPO COLLECTION IS ONE OF THE MOST COMPLETE Printed on recycled 805-969-3767 IN ANY AMERICAN PUBLIC GARDEN. paper with 10% PCW (post-consumer waste) www.lotusland.org PROTECT & PRESERVE PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE: A CRITICAL CONSERVATION COLLABORATION THE MOST THREATENED Lotusland is working with the International Union for Conservation Nature (IUCN), Species Survival PLANT GROUP ON Commission (SSC), their Cycad Specialist Group THE PLANET (CSG), and Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI), to develop an ex situ assurance colony for Encephalartos heenanii, a South African 1 2 cycad now believed to be extinct in the wild. LOTUSLAND'S CYCAD COLLECTIONS ARE AT-RISK For the first time in two decades, Lotusland’s Cycad In 2011 Lotusland produced seed of Encephalartos Garden is experiencing a flare up of a devastating heenanii for the first time ever in the United States and fungus, Armillaria. Many plants have been infected likely the first time in a public garden anywhere. We and damaged, and many more are threatened. The must now construct a secure growing facility to only effective way to eliminateArmillaria is to find protect E. heenanii, and to establish a breeding colony the infected host of old roots or stump material and for future reintroductions. This initial step deep within the soil and remove it along with the towards a Species Survival Action Plan for E. heenanii surrounding contaminated soil. is in collaboration with our South African colleagues. For more information please contact Paul Mills, 3 4 Lotusland is embarking on a comprehensive renovation of our largest cycad garden bed, to Curator of the Living Collections, at 805.895.4380 eradicate this threat to our most prized collection. or [email protected] The project is critically important and poses a risk if it is not addressed appropriately and immediately— Armillaria won’t go away on its own. BE A PLANT THE PLAN FOR REMEDIATION EFFORTS INCLUDES: • Dismantling part of the Mexican section of the cycad garden hero lotusland.org/cycad 5 6 • Excavating all potential problem areas • Disposing of all infected soil and decaying wood 1. Armillaria at the base of a Dioon edule. This plant did not survive. • Adding a 1,500 square foot area with 2. Stems of Dioon califanoi and D. sonorense excised of infected a custom soil mix rotten tissue. Now being re-rooted. YOUR TAX DEDUCTIBLE CONTRIBUTION MATTERS! 3. Collecting pollen from a male Encephalartos cone. • Constructing a new drainage system Gifts of all sizes have a big impact to help us accomplish 4. Pollinating a female Encephalartos lehnannii cone. this important work. • Replanting all displaced plants in 5. Fertilized Encephalartos lehnannii seed sprouting in newly designed bed Lotusland’s nursery To make a gift to Save the Cycads, please contact 6. Encephalartos seedlings to be planted in the Secure Patricia Sadeghian, Donor Relations Manager Growing Facility 805.969.3767 x125 or [email protected] .