The mushroom discovered that may be a new species
Gary A. Monroe @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Denver Botanic Gardens staff were among the thirty-six scientists who donated their time in the first Soapstone Prairie Natural Area Bioblitz, surveying all species in a 24-hour period. Ten scientist teams inventoried insects, mammals, fungi, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and of course plants.
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One of the rare Penstemon species tested
“It might be used for medicines some day” is an often-cited justification for protecting imperiled plant species when scientists are pressed to justify our work to protect species that have no perceived “use.” And yet, it appears that no one has specifically looked at the likelihood that this is true… until now. Dr. Don Hazlet, Adjunct Researcher with Denver Botanic Gardens and ethnobotanist, will be submitting a report to the Colorado Natural Areas Program this week of the results of his studies on the biochemistry of 80 of Colorado’s rarest plants.
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Dr. Sam Mitchel studying his favorite fungi
Forty years ago, a family physician named Dr. Sam Mitchel turned a hobby into a real scientific endeavor by establishing a “mushroom collection” at Denver Botanic Gardens. The fungal collection at the Gardens is now the largest actively curated herbarium of Rocky Mountain fungi in the world, with over 24,000 specimens representing over 2,000 taxa. Preserved collections of plants and fungi are called herbaria (herbarium is singular), and are an essential resource for scientists, land managers, botanical illustrators, horticulturalists, explorers, historians, educators, and others needing documentation or records about plants and fungi.
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Michelle Ohrtman doing field research
Join me in congratulating Michelle Ohrtman who has recently successfully defended her doctoral dissertation on the subject of invasive tamarisk trees at the University of Denver (DU). Michelle is now the fourth graduate student officially affiliated with DBG to finish her degree since the two institutions became partners 6 years ago (the other three earned Master’s degrees). Much of this research has focused on restoration of river ecosystems in the West and was funded by the Bureau of Reclamation.
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It is with great pride that we share the news with you that a research paper published by our own Jenny Neale was recently selected to receive the “PSB Best Paper Award 2008″ from the presitgous Plant Species Biology journal. Dr. Neale’s research was on the population genetics of a rare sunflower. The full citation is ‘Conservation of rare species with island-like distributions:’ A case study of Lasthenia conjugens (Asteraceae) using population genetic structure and the distribution of rare markers.’ Plant Species Biology 23: 97-110 (2008)
Considering the thousands of papers from professionals across the globe, this is a real distinction. The awards ceremony will be held in Japan.
We are also excited to announce that Dr. Neale will be leading the charge in the establishment of a new of a new Conservation Genetics program at Denver Botanic Gardens. With the support of an endowment named for Gladys Cheesman Evans
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Vera and her dedicated assistant, Karen Schoen
Passion. Commitment. Dedication. Love. All these words and more describe the relationship Vera Evenson, Curator of Denver Botanic Garden’s fungal herbarium, has with the most elusive of kingdoms. And yet, few know quite how remarkable this woman is. Vera recently received a distinguished award from the North American Mycological Association in honor of her 30+ years of dedication and expertise in the field.
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No, not in pole-vault (with sunflowers) or fencing (with pruning sheers) or swimming (among the lilies), but as a part of an international exhibit of botanic gardens called “Homes for plants, Gardens for humans” located at the Science & Technology Park at the Olympic Village, Beijing. This exhibit highlights what over 70 botanic gardens (including ours) are doing to conserve species and resources around the world. Each botanic garden is represented by a large color panel, describing their contributions. Kudos to the staff of the Research, Herbaria & Records Department at Denver Botanic Gardens for giving us so much to talk about on our panel for the exhibit! Check out the Conservation and Research navigation link on our Web site to learn more about what we are doing to protect plants of the Rocky Mountain region.
Here is a link to a PDF of the panel shown below.
Please join me in congratulating my University of Denver graduate student, Maggie Gaddis, on the successful defense of her masters thesis, “Environmental impact of restoration of riparian ecosystems: fitting Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) into the picture.” This research was funded by a grant to Denver Botanic Gardens by the Center for Invasive Plant Management to assess the success of restoration projects across the Rocky Mountain region where invasive Russian olive has been removed. In lay-speak: Maggie tromped around Montana, Wyoming and Colorado measuring plants and soil in places
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