Solomon's Seal of Approval

This colony of Maianthemum Racemosum (False Solomon’s Seal) is my biggest success story since the start of the woodland restoration. It was just a few scraggly plants before removing the honeysuckle. There is now a large colony, varying in density, across the entire ¾ of an acre.

The colony started expanding with the initial removal of honeysuckle. It really took off when I started pulling garlic mustard. It surprised me so much that I looked around on google scholar for an explanation. And… there is one. ... https://bsapubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.3732/ajb.0800184

The study provides some evidence that garlic mustard can inhibit mycorrhizal colonization of Maianthemum roots, thereby inhibiting growth. I had fumbled around long enough to find something that encouraged this plant. What I did is the opposite of real science. Only looking for science after I observed something that had already happened. I had no controls in place to allow me to infer anything. But it didn't matter. Seeing the Maianthemum expand while I forced the honeysuckle and garlic mustard colonies to contract was enough for me.

One of the questions during any restoration is… What, if anything, should be reestablished following invasive removals? This anecdotal evidence suggests that Mainthemum is a good candidate when a tree canopy exists but the honeysuckle understory has been removed. This is especially true when garlic mustard is managed after the honeysuckle removal. The tree canopy provides dappled shade but there is still plenty of sunlight for the Mainthemum. Without the garlic mustard, it has a chance to thrive.

It also suggests that targeted restorations can begin where a struggling colony of Maianthemum exists. Honeysuckle and garlic mustard immediately next to the struggling colony could be removed first. As the False Solomon's seal expands, so too does the restoration. Working outward with invasive removals as the desirable colony expands.

The only plant that rebounded as aggressively as Mainthemum was White Snakeroot. I’d be perfectly happy with White Snakeroot dominating the herbaceous layer, but my backyard is in a very residential neighborhood. The False Solomon’s Seal is pretty enough to appear intentional. Neighbors are less apt to arch an eyebrow. Distant future owners of my backyard are less likely to rip it out and plant grass.

The web of life for each plant is also worth considering. White Snakeroot is EXTREMELY common in my region. False Solomon’s Seal, somewhat less so. Any downstream insects and animals relying on White Snakeroot will have plenty available. The insects and animals relying on False Solomon’s Seal will be thankful for my work.

Publicado el diciembre 21, 2022 12:52 MAÑANA por stockslager stockslager

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