Ecological and Genetic Status of the Purple Pitcher Plant, <i>Sarracenia purpurea</i> L., in Maryland and Virginia

<p><em>Sarracenia purpurea</em> is a rare wetland plant in Virginia and a threatened species in Maryland, with two potential subspecies in the region. I utilized restriction fragments from the intron of the chalcone synthase gene to compare <em>S. purpurea</em> populations and determine whether the subspecies concept was supported. I performed a census of existing populations, compiled all known historical data on the species, and investigated the reasons for the species demise and predicted dates of extinction. Bloom phenology was examined to see if climate change may have influenced bloom period. Soil, vegetation, and climatic information was obtained to determine if taxonomic differences correlated with environmental variables. I found no genetic difference in the intron of the chalcone synthase gene in mid-Atlantic <em>S. purpurea</em> populations while I did find differences with other <em>Sarracenia</em> species and <em>S. purpurea</em> varieties. These results suggest that a single taxon of <em>S. purpurea</em> occurs in Maryland and Virginia. Only 31% (4 of 13) of the sites are extant on the western shore of Maryland and District of Columbia while 33% (14 of 42) of the sites remain in Virginia with respective populations of 46 and 513 clumps. Causes of regional extirpation include beaver flooding, succession, and development. Predicted pitcher plant population extinction dates, based on trend line from 130 years of data, are 2015 (Maryland) and 2055 (Virginia). Disturbance, especially natural fire, played an essential role in maintaining purple pitcher plant historically in Maryland and Virginia. <em>Sarracenia purpurea</em> blooms May 8–June 12 in Maryland and Virginia with a peak May 18–20. Peak bloom period of <em>S. purpurea</em> may have shifted as much as a week from historical dates, perhaps due to climate change. Purple pitcher plant soils in Maryland and Virginia met expected conditions of low pH (3.5–4.9) and were low in almost all macro- and micro-nutrients. Perturbed or polluted sites exhibited elevated levels of exchangeable cations magnesium, calcium, and sodium. Climatic data disclosed that southern Virginia purple pitcher plant sites are both warmer and wetter than those in Maryland. Maryland pitcher plant bogs had greater species richness than Virginia bogs but the latter had more state rare plants.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.available

2010

Author dc:creator

• Sheridan, Philip M.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Frank Day
• Kneeland Nesius
• Robert Griesbach
• Lytton Musselman

• Pitcher plants
• Sarracenia purpurea
• Threatened species
• Botany
• Natural Resources and Conservation
• Plant Biology

Statement dc:rights

• <p>In Copyright. URI: <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).</p>

Identifier

9781124131597

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.odu.edu:biology_etds-1081