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S. flava in the wild

I have known about these S. flava for a couple of years, but I'm just now getting some decent pictures and wanted to share them. These plants are located in what I think is a utility easement along a road in Colquitt County, GA very near the city limits of Moultrie. These are the only CPs I've ever seen in the wild, so I try to get by and see them whenever we visit my wife's family in Moultrie, three hours south of where I live. I am worried that one day the utility company is going to come along with herbicide to clear the easement and these plants will be gone forever.

Group 1
2195727S.-flava-2.jpg


Group 2
2195728S.-flava-3.jpg


Group 3
2195729S.-flava-4.jpg


All 3 groups
2195726S.-flava-1.jpg


Utility easement where the plants are located
2195730S.-flava-5.jpg
 
Very nice and it's cool to have discovered something like that. Given how open that land is, it looks like the utility sprays somewhat regularly, certainly within the life of those Sarrs.
 
Great!

Were there any seedpods? It would be worthwhile to go back in October and open the pods. Scatter 3/4 of the seed and keep hold of the rest. That way, if they do go we've got genetic material for repopulating.
 
I'm not much for CP Habitat but I wouldn't expect them to grow around a small pine tree haha. Very nice.
 
Alexis - I like the idea of spreading the seed at the site and keeping some to grow in my collection. I haven't been close to the plants because I'll have to go over a fence, but I can make out some seed pods zooming in on the original pictures. Sowing and collecting seed will definitely be worth going over the fence. I'll have to arrange to get back down to the site in October.
 
It wouldn't hurt to cut out the pine too. Well, it would hurt the pine, but this is a CP forum after all and the pine population seems secure.
 
I agree, herenorthere. I believe I will take out that pine next time I'm in the area. Maybe that will help the Sarrs growing in that spot.
 
If it's the utility company's property, sneaking over to get some seed is one thing, but cutting the pine...???
 
I have S.flava from Moultrie, GA. The plants in your photos don't look that hot. Was the site dry?
 
  • #10
The Griffin - I would agree if the property was a "regular" piece of property, but I'm sure the utility company doesn't want pine trees growing under the power lines. They would take the pine out eventually, anyway, and possibly destroy the Sarrs at the same time.

mfh - The site appeared to be dry. As I said I haven't been over the fence so I don't know the exact soil conditions. I've never noticed that area to be very wet, so I'm surprised the plants are still there. I agree, you can definitely tell they need some water. Maybe south GA will start getting some rain and the Sarrs will make it through another summer. How did you get your S. flava from Moultrie?
 
  • #11
I recieved it from someone in a trade. The person was in California. It is listed as coming from a tree farm.
 
  • #12
Don't just kill that pine tree... I'd pull it out of the ground and re-plant it somewhere else... that'd be just cruel, it IS a living thing you know.
 
  • #13
Unfortunately for the tree, that photo ended up in a CP forum, where it doesn't have many friends. If the photo were posted at a pine forum, maybe everyone would be saying to pull out that awful Sarracenia so it doesn't crowd the tree. Them's the breaks.
 
  • #14
As far as collection the seeds in Oct, here is what I have learned about Sarracenia seeds. They are ripe in mid Sept. The capsule does not open until later. Oct. maybe to late as the capsule will have opened and dropped the seeds already. If you pick the capsule in Sept. it is possible to open the capsule (which is much easier when it is green than dried) and sow the sed immediately without stratifacation and have them sprout. There is something about the drying process that hardens the outer coating of the seeds and then requires stratification to remove it.

As far as the pine goes, it will not hurt the Sarracenia. I have see many a healthy stand of Sarracenias growing in and among pines. If you choose not to remove the pine, it can at least have the lower branches cut off to allow more light to the plant. My thought is if the pine stays it will attract the attention of the power company who is more likey to spray. One treatment of herbicide and they are gonners.
 
  • #15
Thanks for the information, Brooks. I will try to get back to Moultrie in September instead of October and go ahead and sow the seed.

I agree with you on the pine tree. It may be better to do something about it now before it gets too big and the power company takes notice of it. I would hate to see herbicide sprayed on these Sarrs. I'll have to see what I can do next time I'm down there.
 
  • #16
Hi Jaxon

Interesting post and great photos.

This is exactly the type of situation that NASC (North American Sarracenia Conservancy) is looking for. We would love to have location data on that stand of plants and possibly seed to be entered into the growing program to preserve the genetic material of these plants. If the situation is right, more plants could possibly be reintroduced to this site to strengthen the population.

If anyone knows of Sarracenia locations in the wild, please try to remember to contact NASC. We need to get location data entered into our database so the existance of these sites is recorded. And that info (database) is confidential info to protect these areas. We also need land surveys taken.
 
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