The secrets botanists keep

“But if people can’t be anything but a problem,” says Burge, “we’re f–ked anyway. So I think we have to try.”

Admirable that he wants to try.

The oldest bristle cone pines in this country have no placards.
The location of the last 4 acres of a particular carnivorous plant is not made public.

The price of failure is high.
I'm a cynic. Keep it secret.

The location of the only 3 clumps of Wollemi Pines in the world (quite literally, Jurassic era stuff) remains confidential. We know it is in the Wollemi NP, but that is rather large, and for the rest, the walking clubs simply do not go looking for them.

Fortunately they are cloning very well, and the clones are now on sale.

Cheers

"In November 2005, wild-growing trees were found to be infected with Phytophthora cinnamomi. New South Wales park rangers believe the virulent water mould was introduced by unauthorised visitors to the site, whose location is still undisclosed to the public. "

I'm hoping those pines are still there Roger….People are ridiculous.

Ryan

"In November 2005, wild-growing trees were found to be infected with Phytophthora cinnamomi. New South Wales park rangers believe the virulent water mould was introduced by unauthorised visitors to the site, whose location is still undisclosed to the public. "

I'm hoping those pines are still there Roger….People are ridiculous.

Indeed we are. But I wonder, how many of us scrupulously clean our shoes (including mold/mildew treatment) before and after every hike.

Eric Hansen's Orchid Fever is about orchid subculture, poaching and uneven enforcement of the CITES treaty. A great read … and not only for the fact that he opines that he only found only one genuine and pure example of orchid conservation during five years of navigating the rabbit hole that is orchid subculture … that happening in my home state.

And since another BPL thread laments the dreariness of the hiking season known as November, here is another great read. Hansen's entree into that world came when some orchid crazies read his Stranger in the Jungle … an account of a 4000km trek in the interior of Borneo.

"Indeed we are. But I wonder, how many of us scrupulously clean our shoes (including mold/mildew treatment) before and after every hike."

I'm sure none of us do. Of course, most of us arent seeking out T-Rex era plants either. I do scrupulously clean my felt soled boots with bleach solution after each fishing trip though.

Ryan

The presence of Jaguars in SE Arizona is generally regarded as a secret. Sure the occasional roaming male gets leaked to the public, but allegedly we have a small but healthy breeding population in the state.

> how many of us scrupulously clean our shoes (including mold/mildew treatment) before and after every hike.
After most every hike, yes. Then they are stored inside.

Cheers