Wakehurst Place Research Articles

1082. Rudbeckia hirta L.

SummaryRudbeckia hirta L. (Compositae: Heliantheae: Rudbeckinae) is described and illustrated. Material in Wakehurst's North American Prairie planting would key out to the widespread Rudbeckia hirta L. var. pulcherrima Farw., in that it is a perennial, leafy in the upper half of the stem and with narrow‐lanceolate leaves. The issue of the rank of the currently recognized infraspecific taxa is highlighted and the cluttering of the synonymy with the recognition of minor, often horticultural variants discussed. A commonly cultivated species, this is one of several late‐season flowerers in the American Prairie at RBG, Kew at Wakehurst Place. Cultivars are commonly cultivated, offering a considerable colour variation in the ray limbs, but it appears that the true species is relatively uncommon, possibly having come in and gone out of fashion since it was first brought into cultivation. Statements of the species' distribution, habitat and ecological preferences, phenology, conservation status, and the etymology of both generic and specific epithets are given, along with an impressive array of vernacular names, reflecting its wide distribution and long cultivation. Comments are provided on the nectar, or honey, guides seen (under UV light) in Rudbeckia hirta. The guides are due to the presence of flavonol glucosides, these present only in the upper surface of the ray limbs. Historical uses of the species are noted, and phytochemical analyses have provided evidence that the anti‐inflammatory properties have a factual basis.

1085. Monarda punctata L.

SummaryMonarda punctata, the spotted bee‐balm or dotted horsemint, is illustrated from plants growing in the North American Prairie planting at Wakehurst Place; its history, ecology, pollination and cultivation are described.

Making the Wakehurst prairie

SummaryThe creation of the North American prairie gardens at Wakehurst Place is described, with details of different stages in the planting, designed to form a species‐rich perennial sward which will be self‐sustaining.

1079. Symphyotrichum laeve (L.) Á. Löve & D. Löve: Compositae

SummarySymphyotrichum laeve (L.) Á. Löve & D. Löve (Compositae: Astereae: Symphyotrichinae) is described and illustrated, and the species is provided with an expanded synonymy that includes type citations, known types, and supplementary comments for the presently accepted varieties. A commentary on the tribal position of Symphyotrichum, its recognition, infrageneric classification, and the placement of S. laeve within that classification, is provided. Most recently, Symphyotrichum laeve has been divided into four varieties, although it might be more appropriate to recognise just two subspecies; the appropriate synonymy is suggested by amalgamating the two pairs' synonymies. The material grown in the North American Prairie plantings at Wakehurst Place is more aptly called S. laeve var. laeve (or subsp. laeve) largely by the conspicuous diamond‐shaped apical green patch on the phyllaries, and the phyllaries markedly gradate nature. Notes are provided on cultivation and propagation, pests and diseases, and availability. Although illustrated previously, in 1830, the plate of Aster laevigatus was somewhat stylized, and the name, possibly applicable to Lamarck's, Willdenow's or Purch's concept, at best sensu auctt. A short commentary on Oliver Atkins Farwell, author of a few infraspecific names of, is provided.

Creating a North American prairie: The inspiration

SummaryThe inspiration and early planning for the new North American prairie planting at Wakehurst Place is explained, and how it fits into the landscape and is associated with the Millenium Seed Bank.

1084. Eryngium yuccifolium Michx

SummaryEryngium yuccifolium, the rattlesnake master, a characteristic species of tall‐grass prairies in eastern North America, is illustrated from plants growing in the North American Prairie planting at Wakehurst Place; its history, ecology, pollination and cultivation are described.

Developments and management of the Wakehurst North American prairie

SummaryThe management of the new North American prairie at Wakehurst Place is described, including the difficulties faced when some species threaten to become dominant.

Introduction to the Compositae of the North American Prairies

SummaryThe North American Prairie landscape at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew at Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, West Sussex, is discussed. The abundance of the Compositae in the North American Prairies is outlined, by tribe, and comments provided on a range of 105 interesting Compositae that could be considered in prairie plantings, for dry, moist and wet situations. The exclusion of a number of plants that are most unsuitable for prairie plantings is also covered, with whole tribes, such as the Cardueae and Anthemideae, excluded from potential planting schemes, and a limited selection made from the Lactuceae and Senecioneae. The Astereae, other than providing a large selection of potential prairie plants, is discussed more fully, especially with the break‐up of the core genus Aster. Both inside and outside of the prairie environment there have been many taxonomic changes, with name changes of concern to taxonomists and horticulturists alike. Shaw's list is revised, relevant to those he left in Aster, and some observations made on how the splitting of Aster is still an active area of research. The differing propagation methods, in general and for the Compositae in particular, are outlined, covering vegetative propagation methods, and seed harvesting, cleaning, and sowing preparation techniques outlined. A number of previously published plates from Curtis's Botanical Magazine are used to illustrate some of the tribes, and are supplemented by photographs of several species, mostly from the Heliantheae, in cultivation at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The supportive appendices cover: Appendix 1 – 105 suitable Compositae that can be considered for prairie plantings, each with an indication of tribe, common name/s, publication details of those previously illustrated in Curtis's Botanical Magazine (or in this issue), the plate number under which it was published, together with those republished in this issue, and photographs of a handful of others, together with an indication of the base colour/s of the flowering capitula of each, and Appendix 2 an updated list of the species left in Aster in Shaw's 2014 list following several subsequent transfers into other genera, and a different view of the taxonomy of some of the genera.

Digging up Colonial Roots

The Millennium Seed Bank Partnership (MSBP) at Wakehurst place in West Sussex, England is the largest repository of wild plant seeds in the world. According to their self-published institutional history, the MSBP was created to take on the mantle of global biodiversity conservation at a moment of ecological crisis. I study the bio-politics of the recasting of Kew’s role as arbiter of colonial botanical knowledge to keeper of botanical futures through seed banking. While the MSBP is a part of Kew’s vision to stay at the cutting edge of conservation and environmental governance, its relationship to colonial botany and political economy must also be interrogated in the light of its legacy. I revivify the origin story of the MSBP to show how Kew Gardens’ long tradition of plant extraction, accumulation, and exchange, as well as nationalist zeal motivated by the potential loss of ‘native species,’ were integral to the ‘rebranding’ of Kew as the MSBP.

The Value of Ecological Plantings in Public Gardens

This paper has been developed from a third year dissertation written as part of the Diploma in Horticulture course at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. It serves as an overview of the subject of ecological planting and its potential applications within public gardens. It also outlines some scientific benefits regarding ecological studies, the impact that this type of planting may have on horticulture (both in gardens and the nursery trade), and the educational benefits for the public and school groups. The case study below looks at the viability of representing a section of Snow Gum Grassy Woodland (a vegetation type found in New South Wales, Australia) outside in Coates Wood, Wakehurst Place, UK.

Seeds: time capsules of life

Pollen was recognised as a benchmark for art and science collaboration amongst botanists at Kew and laid the ground for further publications. Seeds, produced together with Dr. Wolfgang Stuppy a seed morphologist from the Millennium Seed Bank, Wakehurst Place, is a response to this opportunity for artistic research to make a unique contribution to the understanding and appreciation of an organism vital to the preservation of bio-diversity. Alongside a scientific text by Stuppy, tracing the evolution of seeds and the many morphological characteristics they have evolved to ensure efficient dispersal I developed an extensive collection of macro and micro coloured photographic images to reveal the seeds as powerful phytomorphic motifs. Focussing particularly on small seeds (below 4mm) the use of a new digital scanning electron micrography enabled the production of extremely high-resolution images, which reveal complex and diverse surface structures. Extending the canon of botanical representation I examine the contrasting representational modes for depicting plants that distinguish the individual approach of artists, scientists and illustrators and challenge the orthodoxies of conventional representation. Employing artistic modes of visualisation in this pioneering way I was able to reveal forms and functions of the seed structures which pushes forward the impact that the work has on both scientific and art and design communities. In a further essay on the way in which plant structures have long provided an example and template for architectural form, from Vitruvius to Nicholas Grimshaw’s Eden Project, I extend this principal further through the comparison of contemporary architectural form with seed structures. In 2006 I was elected as a fellow of the Linnaean Society for my contribution in the field and in 2007 the book was awarded a gold medal at the Independent Publishers Awards in New York, for the most innovative concept of the year.

Effect of high temperature on chalazal plug removal and germination in Apeiba tibourbou Aubl.

26 Topic: Research Notes Key Author: Matthew I. Daws Correspondence Address: Seed Conservation Department Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Wakehurst Place Ardingly, West Sussex RH17 6TN UK E-mail: m.daws@rbgkew.org.uk Authors: M.I. Daws, D. Orr, D.F.R.P. Burslem and C.E. Mullins Effect of high temperature on chalazal plug removal and germination in Apeiba tibourbou Aubl. Pages: 221-225 We tested the effects of a two minute wet heat treatment at a range of temperatures on germination of Apeiba tibourbou seeds. Exposure to >50°C for two minutes resulted in an increase in germination from c. 0 to 80% and resulted in the removal of the chalazal cap. Physical removal of the chalazal cap or mechanical scarification of the seed coat allowed water uptake and subsequent germination. Our results indicate that A. tibourbou seeds exhibit physical dormancy that can be overcome with hot water treatment, chalazal cap removal or mechanical scarification of the testa.

Wild Flowers at Wakehurst

Summary.There are over three hundred species of native or naturalised plants found growing wild in Wakehurst Place. Certain areas away from the formal beds have been left wild, but are managed for the encouragement of wild flowers and a visitor taking a gentle stroll around the gardens will have no difficulty in finding many of them.

The Southern Hemisphere Garden at Wakehurst Place

The Southern Hemisphere Garden at Wakehurst Place

Gerald Loder, maker of Wakehurst Place: a portrait

Summary.Gerald Loder, created Baron Wakehurst, (1861–1936), purchased the Wakehurst estate in 1902. His great enthusiasm for trees and shrubs, shared by his head gardener Alfred Coates, laid the foundation for the garden as it is today.

The History of Wakehurst Place

The History of Wakehurst Place

A New Combination for a Newly Recorded British Bolete

Identification of the xerocomoid boletes has always been critical and it was only after the recent description of Xerocomus cisalpinus (Peintner et al. 2003) that it was realised this fungus might have been found in Britain but passed over as an aberrant member of the Boletus chrysenteron consortium. Xerocomus cisalpinus has been found extensively in Italy associated with Quercus spp., although not as yet with Q. robur and Q. petraea, and with Fagus sylvatica. Examination of fresh and suspect dried specimens and re-evaluation of other herbarium material indicated the presence of the tell-tale characters of this species, viz. a pileus suprapellis differing from that of B. chrysenteron Fr., slightly longitudinally striate and rather narrow basidiospores and amyloid 'pruinatus' hyphae, an unusual hyphal type described by Ladurner & P6der (2000) in the stipe tissue of Boletus pruinatus Fr. & Hok. The British collections now recognised as belonging to this taxon range from Derbyshire (Ousledene, Clough Derwent, 7 Sept. 2003, Herb. A. Hills, Oxford) in the north to Berkshire (Silwood Park, 16 Sept. 2003, in Herb. K, K(M) 120369), Oxfordshire (Grey's Green Village Green, nr Henley, 13 Nov. 2002; Herb. A. Hills) and West Sussex Park (Wakehurst Place, 9 Nov. 2003; Herb. K, K(M) 120269) in the south and Shropshire (Attingham Park, 17 Oct. 2003; Herb. K, K(M) 120027) in the west. All the collections were associated with Quercus spp. and/or mixtures of Quercus and Fagus, except the collection from Silwood Park which appeared to be associated with Cedrus. It is possible that now it has been recognised it will be found to have a much wider distribution.

The Millennium Seed Bank: building partnerships in arid regions for the conservation of wild species

The Millennium Seed Bank Project is a large, international conservation project. Most of the project will focus—in collaboration with many dryland countries—on the much-neglected need for conservation of wild species in the (semi-) arid regions of the world. Its principal aim is to help safeguard 24, 000 species of dryland plants—10% of the world's flora—against extinction. A second aim is, equally through ex-situ conservation, to secure the future of almost all of the U.K.'s native flowering plants. For the project, a new building has been constructed at Wakehurst Place in Sussex, part of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. After opening in late 2000, it will house the Seed Bank and be a world resource for seed conservation, research and education.

A 13‐point flora strategy to meet conservation challenges

TAXONVolume 50, Issue 2 p. 475-477 Point of View A 13-point flora strategy to meet conservation challenges Janice S. Golding, Corresponding Author Janice S. Golding golding@nbipre.nbi.ac.za Southern African Botanical Diversity Network (SABONET), c/o National Botanical Institute, Private Bag X101, Pretoria 0001, South Africa. E-mail: golding@nbipre.nbi.ac.za (author for correspondence).Search for more papers by this authorPaul P. Smith, Paul P. Smith p.smith@rbgkew.org.uk Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Seed Conservation Department, Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, W. Sussex, RH17 6TN U.K.Search for more papers by this author Janice S. Golding, Corresponding Author Janice S. Golding golding@nbipre.nbi.ac.za Southern African Botanical Diversity Network (SABONET), c/o National Botanical Institute, Private Bag X101, Pretoria 0001, South Africa. E-mail: golding@nbipre.nbi.ac.za (author for correspondence).Search for more papers by this authorPaul P. Smith, Paul P. Smith p.smith@rbgkew.org.uk Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Seed Conservation Department, Wakehurst Place, Ardingly, W. Sussex, RH17 6TN U.K.Search for more papers by this author First published: 01 May 2001 https://doi.org/10.2307/1223893Citations: 12AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume50, Issue2May 2001Pages 475-477 RelatedInformation

Seeds you can bank on

Arguments over ‘preservation’ versus ‘conservation’ will no doubt be around for some time. However, while these discussions continue plants are becoming rarer in the wild. The recent opening of a botanical equivalent of Noah's Ark at Wakehurst Place (part of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew, UK) should play its part in both. Seeds from >24 000 plant species will be deep-frozen and preserved in the Millennium Seed Bank, providing an invaluable resource for plant conservation and research. New Sci. (2000) 168, 5. NC