Asymbiotic Seed Germination of Native Virginia Orchid Tipularia discolor
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
Tipularia discolor, commonly referred to as crippled cranefly, is a perennial terrestrial orchid found across the eastern coast of the United States. Characterized by its purple-spotted leaves and plain, crane fly-like flowers, T. discolor has slowly started to disappear from its native woods. Speculation around the decline of T. discolor generates the same insights gained from the reputation of orchids and their specificity on locale and the vital relationship with its mycorrhizal partners. Currently, there are no published methodologies which explore T. discolor seed germination, likely due to the complexity of its requirements. The purpose of this study is to develop methods of asymbiotic germination and to test variable levels of ammonium nitrate, which may give insight to the little-known nature of germination in T. discolor. Our initial tests indicate that T. discolor seeds can be germinated asymbiotically, and the results of these additional experiments will be presented. Understanding how botanists and ecologists can protect fragile orchid populations in light of human disturbance and human-accelerated climate change is instrumental to the reintroduction of orchids to their native habitats and survival of this plant family.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Lisa Wallace
College Affiliation
College of Sciences
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Biology | Botany | Plant Biology
Session Title
Poster Session
Location
Learning Commons @ Perry Library
Start Date
3-19-2022 9:00 AM
End Date
3-19-2022 11:00 AM
Asymbiotic Seed Germination of Native Virginia Orchid Tipularia discolor
Learning Commons @ Perry Library
Tipularia discolor, commonly referred to as crippled cranefly, is a perennial terrestrial orchid found across the eastern coast of the United States. Characterized by its purple-spotted leaves and plain, crane fly-like flowers, T. discolor has slowly started to disappear from its native woods. Speculation around the decline of T. discolor generates the same insights gained from the reputation of orchids and their specificity on locale and the vital relationship with its mycorrhizal partners. Currently, there are no published methodologies which explore T. discolor seed germination, likely due to the complexity of its requirements. The purpose of this study is to develop methods of asymbiotic germination and to test variable levels of ammonium nitrate, which may give insight to the little-known nature of germination in T. discolor. Our initial tests indicate that T. discolor seeds can be germinated asymbiotically, and the results of these additional experiments will be presented. Understanding how botanists and ecologists can protect fragile orchid populations in light of human disturbance and human-accelerated climate change is instrumental to the reintroduction of orchids to their native habitats and survival of this plant family.