Once a common sight, Missouri’s native chestnut tree, Castanea ozarkensis, provided food for people and animals as well as wood for furniture and musical instruments. Now, the tree, also called the Ozark chinquapin, is unfamiliar to most Missourians. In the early 20th century, chestnut blight wiped out millions of Castanea ozarkensis. The remaining trees grow…
Tag: conservation horticulture
Saving Spring: Growing Rare and Endangered Magnolias
An emblem of spring, magnolias are celebrated for their beautiful white and pink flowers that bloom early in the season. While common in home landscapes, half of all magnolia species are threatened with extinction in the wild. They are found around the globe, and are mainly threatened by logging activity as well as habitat loss…
A New Model for Targeting Climate-Appropriate Species for Ex Situ Conservation
A recent collaboration between the Garden’s Horticulture division and the Center for Conservation and Sustainable Development will help botanical gardens around the world determine where to source plants for ex situ conservation in their collections. Botanic gardens play a central role in ex situ conservation and are well positioned to host increasing numbers of species of…