north american native orchid journal - at The Culture Sheet
north american native orchid journal - at The Culture Sheet
north american native orchid journal - at The Culture Sheet
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Pelch<strong>at</strong>: SPIRANTHES PARKSII CORRELL – NAVASOTA LADIES’-TRESSES<br />
Director, Office of Endangered Species for the U.S. Fish and<br />
Wildlife Services. Of course all of the habit<strong>at</strong> destruction is well<br />
within the boundaries of the law and perfectly legal, but one has<br />
to question the ethical ramific<strong>at</strong>ions and hypocrisy of this<br />
situ<strong>at</strong>ion. Ironically the only true protection of S. parksii is being<br />
afforded by the Texas Municipal Power Authority, (TMPA), as a<br />
result of strip-mining oper<strong>at</strong>ions on leased land. This protection<br />
will also disappear as the mining oper<strong>at</strong>ions wind down and the<br />
land leases expire removing them from the stewardship of the<br />
TMPA.<br />
Summary<br />
Spiranthes parksii is an interesting and unusual <strong>orchid</strong>. It is<br />
interesting because it has a limited range and therefore can teach<br />
us much about the conserv<strong>at</strong>ion of <strong>orchid</strong> species as we continue<br />
to study its habit<strong>at</strong>s. <strong>The</strong> general observ<strong>at</strong>ions of the Lick Creek<br />
Park popul<strong>at</strong>ions show th<strong>at</strong> there are similarities between S. parksii<br />
and S. cernua and indic<strong>at</strong>e th<strong>at</strong> further more detailed studies will<br />
result in a better understanding of this rel<strong>at</strong>ionship. Finally, I<br />
hope th<strong>at</strong> gre<strong>at</strong>er awareness of this <strong>orchid</strong> and others like it will<br />
lead to better conserv<strong>at</strong>ion efforts on the part of individuals th<strong>at</strong><br />
will insure th<strong>at</strong> all of the n<strong>at</strong>ural wonders around us are available<br />
to future gener<strong>at</strong>ions.<br />
References:<br />
Ayenus, E.S. 1975. Endangered and Thre<strong>at</strong>ened Orchids of the United<br />
St<strong>at</strong>es. Amer Orchid Society Bulletin 44(5): 384 – 394<br />
C<strong>at</strong>ling, P. M. and K. L. McIntosh. 1979. SIDA 8(2): 188-193<br />
Correll, D. S. 1950. N<strong>at</strong>ive Orchids Of North America North Of Mexico.<br />
Waltham, Ma. Chronica Botanica<br />
Correll, D. S. 1947. A new Spiranthes from Texas Amer. Orchid Society Bull.<br />
16:400<br />
Correll, D. S. and Johnston, M. C. 1970. Manual of <strong>The</strong> Vascular Plants of Texas.<br />
Texas Research Found<strong>at</strong>ion,1970.<br />
Bridges, E. L. & S. L. Orzell 1989. Additions and noteworthy Vascular Plant<br />
collections from Texas and Louisiana, with historical, ecological and<br />
geographical notes. Phytologia 66: 12-69<br />
Houston Chronicle 1990, K<strong>at</strong>hy Huber. Lab Gardeners Try To Thwart<br />
Orchid Pir<strong>at</strong>es. Houston Chronicle, S<strong>at</strong>urday 2/10/1990, P.1, 2 Start edition.<br />
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