Native Orchids: A National Approach to Conservation

Sponsoring Organization: US Botanic Garden

Speaker: Dennis Whigham, Senior Botanist, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center

There are about 250 species of orchids native to the United States and Canada. They occur in all states and provinces, and one or more species in each state or province is listed as threatened or endangered. Restoring or conserving native orchids is not easy because of their complex life cycles, especially the interactions between orchids at all life history stages and mycorrhizal fungi that provide necessary resources for orchids.

In this presentation, Dennis will describe the range of species that occur in the United States and Canada and describe their life cycles. He will demonstrate the range of complexities associated with studies of native orchids and their conservation. He will also describe a new initiative between the Smithsonian and the United States Botanic Garden to develop a national public-private effort to establish the North American Orchid Conservation Center.

Pre-registration required: Program Code: LH041112. www.usbg.gov or by phone at (202) 225-1116.