Plant Science: Areas of interest

Conservation Science

Regional Floristics

lobelia (lobelia)

Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower)

In a collaborative project with Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, scientists at the Chicago Botanic Garden are studying two species of Lobelia, a native wetland plant that produces spikes of bell-shaped flowers in red or blue.
The research is designed to develop recommendations about genetically appropriate seed sources for restoration projects, using cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) and great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica) as models. Specifically, the researchers are trying to answer a question that plagues restorationists: is it better to import seeds from some distance or produce second-generation plants from local stock?

In this research on "outbreeding depression," Garden scientists cross-pollinate plants growing various distances apart, from a few feet to 75 miles, and then compare the vigor of the offspring. "After three generations of plants, we hope to develop guidelines about whether restorationists should collect only local seed or if it is safe to go farther away for seed sources," commented Dr. Kayri Havens, the Garden's Director of Conservation Science. “It is important to base these kinds of management decisions on sound science.”

Lobelia was chosen for the study because it is common enough to be ethically used in this type of research and it is frequently used in wetland restoration projects. During the winter, Garden scientists plant seeds to produce the next generation of plants. Each summer they pollinate the plants, and in the fall they collect seed and measure plant size and fruiting to assess vigor.

The six-year project, which will be completed in 2003, is funded by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Native Plant Conservation Initiative, Kenilworth Garden Club, Garden Guild of Winnetka, Winnetka Garden Club, Lake Forest Garden Club, Garden Club of Evanston and Garden Club of Barrington.