Orchid Lecture at New York Botanical Gardens

[Tindomul]

Hi all, I just got wind of this lecture, if anyone in NY area is interested.

I wanted to send you one more reminder that on this Sunday March 4th, 2012, the Torrey Botanical Society will be presenting a FREE lecture at the New York Botanical Garden titled Why Orchids Grow Where They Do… The Secret is Under Our Feet by Melissa McCormick, researcher at the Smithsonian Environmental Center (SERC) in Maryland

Abstract:

The vast majority of plants require associations with mycorrhizal fungi to obtain nutrients and grow in natural environments. Orchids are no exception to this. However, while most mycorrhizal associations are beneficial to both partners, orchids generally parasitize their mycorrhizal fungi, actually digesting them to obtain nutrients. Most orchids can only form mycorrhizal associations with a few kinds of fungi, so they can only grow where these fungi are. However, it is not easy to figure out where particular fungi are. We have used DNA analysis to find where host fungi grow in the soil and where they are abundant enough to support orchid growth. We have also used these techniques to find out how soil and environmental conditions affect orchid host fungi and so determine where orchids can grow. Because they rely on only a few fungi, orchid mycorrhizal associations may be particularly sensitive to disruption by environmental changes but now that we have the tools to study fungi directly we are beginning to understand what factors affect orchid mycorrhizal fungi and what we can do to improve conditions for their growth.


Following the lecture is our Annual Banquet. The cost is $35 per person, please pay by cash or a check made out to Torrey Botanical Society. Please RSVP by Friday the 2nd of March to Uli Lorimer (ulilorimer@bbg.org)

To reserve your seat at the table. Thanks and hope to see you there!!


Cordially,


Uli Lorimer
Corresponding Secretary
Torrey Botanical Society

Curator of Native Flora
Brooklyn Botanic Garden
1000 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11225
718-623-6406

Let's grow!
Brooklyn Botanic Garden