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G'day guys and girls, hope you are all well. I am a bit knackered this week so I am dialling this one in. It is Pesach (Passover) this week but I have bailed and instead looking at doing an overnight hike at Mt Meron. At any rate I should have some stories next week. Until then I'll copy and past a half finished artical for Hort Journal for your browsing if thats your kind of thing... here you go... (I'll stop writing about plants for a bit after this I swear... Oh by the way write to me on here so I know you are out there its good to hear from ya'll.
Middle Eastern Marvels: Protecting the rare and endangered plants of Israel
A mention of the Middle East to many, conjures images of dusty, barren deserts, void of plant life but it is spring here in Israel and nothing could be further from the truth.
I have been lucky enough in recent years to travel the world in the pursuit of botanical happiness and along the way met some amazing people that epitomise the International Plant Propagators Society moto to 'Seek and share' plant knowledge. The latest of these horticulturally inclined minds herald from this very area and in particular Israel's J.B.G (Jerusalem Botanic Gardens).
Here a small team of scientists, scholars and horticulturists are working to preserve the unique flora of the region in the face of a range of both unique challenges and many echoed around the world. Of particular interest at this time of the year are the herbaceous perennials and annuals bursting into life across the country and ready to provide a valuable seed supply to the rare plant propagators of the JBG. Israel plays host to some 56 endemic species of plants in addition to many others that, while not considered exclusive to Israel, are rare and endemic to the Levant region of Western Asia.
The JBG's preservation projects are overseen by head scientist Ori Fragman-Sapir who is regarded as one of the foremost authorities on the plants of the region. Accompanying Ori and a small team of scholars on a seed collection expedition recently to Mount Gilboa on the edge of the Jordan Valley, it became apparent just how minute and elusive some of these species can be. High atop Gilboa the team navigates through fields of Adonis, Scabiosa and Atractylis species among others before an enthusiastic cry comes from Ori's direction. He's found what we've come for, a rare Israeli Allium, Allium hierochuntinum. While no bigger than a ten cent piece its deep iridescent blue colour and intricate arrangement command attention among the surrounding flowers.
Not far on, a population of indigenous Iris haynei are scattered below a Pinus halepensis canopy and as far as the eye can see splashes of fleeting botanical colour brighten every landscape. Look south into the Negev and you'll find unique Iris atrofusca among blankets of Anenome coronia while in north wild Paeonia mascula are on offer to those lucky enough to visit the Mount Meron area. Even the journeys between destinations are spectacular this time of year and though not considered rare (even reputedly weedy in some economic crops), one cannot help but be distracted by the showy roadside flower displays of the parasitic Broomrapes Orobanche and Cistanche.
You could spend days exploring these areas and indeed I have but there is more to this story than botanical sightseeing. In an ironic twist, the droves of curious tourists descending on the landscape each spring to appreciate the floral feat are in many ways inadvertently contributing to its decline. So the Botanic Garden's rare plant projects are branched with benefits. Not only do they preserve and populate genetic diversity through propagation, production and seed security, but the gardens themselves become a gallery showcasing the flower displays with no negative impact to the flowers natural habitats.
(like I said, half finished)
Hag semeach (Happy Holidays)
- comments
Karen Phillips Shalom. Sounds awesome, Dan! Maybe we need to invent some kinda drinking game with a few of the tongue-twisting botanical names? or maybe a competition over limerick writing.................