Harper's Ginger
Committee:
Beth Clendenen: Auburn Horticulture
Ryan Shurette: U.S. Forest Service
Al Schotz: AL Natural Heritage Program
Keith Tassin: The Nature Conservancy AL
Rachel Conley: Westervelt Ecological Services
Nancy Cobb: AL Wildflower Society
Richard Cobb: AL Wildflower Society
Contact point: Beth Clendenen Horticulture Auburn Univ, AL 36849
Phone: (334) 844-3030 Email: clendfb@auburn.edu
Project Rational: Hexastylis speciosa is a native evergreen perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Aristolochiacea family. The plant is stemless and the leaves are sagitate with green mottling on the upper surface of the foliage. Flowering occurs in spring (April-May). All Hexastylis species blooms occur under the foliage and are often referred to as ‘little brown jugs’, but the flower of Hexastylis speciosa is much larger and showier than many ginger blooms. It occurs in shaded sites, well-drained sandy loam in open pine-deciduous forests above acidic streams or bogs. Hexastylis speciosa is endemic to a small area north of Montgomery, Alabama and is listed as a G2 S2, imperiled species.
Short-term Goals:
- Further document germination and propagation techniques
- Collect seed from more sites
- Monitor in situ populations
Long-term Goals:
- Build ex situ populations
- Establish partners for ex situ safeguarding sites
- Augment existing populations
Accomplishments:
- Specimens and seed have been collected from several known locations
- Seedlings successfully started and wild collected material successfully maintained by Auburn University Horticulture Department (2015-2016)
