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  • From: growyourown@earthlink.net
  • To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [NAFEX] In Search of Strange Plants!
  • Date: Wed, 7 Feb 2007 19:34:36 -0500 (GMT-05:00)

Ethan,
I may have a few seeds of Amelanchier stolonifera to share this summer.
Drop me an email in early june to remind me. Back in the late 80s I was
attending a botanical conference in southern ME. For one of the field trips
we went to the Kennebunk Plains. At the time the land was in private
ownership. It was a lowbush blueberry production. Besides that there were
several rare plants growing in this hot sandy plane. One being Liatris
borealis. Northern blazing star. Acres and acres of the lavender wanded
plant. It was beautiful. Also growing there were Amelanchier stolonifera. I
was always amazed at the berry quality. Even though normally you cant trust
the species name on any Amelanchier this one you can. On that trip was one of
the leading authorities on The taxonomy of the genus. Chris Campell. At the
time I didnt collect any seeds.
Fast forward 15 years. I was back in the area and made a special trip to
collect seeds and cuttings. The one surviving cutting started bearing fruit
last year. The seedlings still have a few years to go.
The land is now in The Nature Conservancys hands. They do perscribed burns
so the bushes only reach about 2 feet but I have seen them up to six or seven
feet.
As for Zanthoxylem, I am rather fond of the plant.Being in the citrus
family, It is one of the few plants in our area that is host to the larva of
the giant swallow tail. Its not so invasive in our heavy clay,plus its rather
rare. I have used the seed coverings as you would use sichaun peppercorns,
its asian cousin.

Mark
Southern Ohio




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