USDA Forest Service Celebrating Wildflowers

 

Native Plant Materials

Native plants are valued for their economic, ecological, genetic, and aesthetic benefits in addition to their intrinsic value as living species. The use of native plant material (seeds, cuttings, plants) in vegetation projects plays an important role in the maintenance and restoration of native plant gene pools, communities, and ecosystems, and can help reverse the trend of species loss in North America.

man looking at rows of blue wildrye plants in a nursery.
A genetic study to develop seed zones for blue wildrye, an important native grass restoration species in the western United States. Seed zones help land managers make informed decisions in selecting plant materials that will be adapted to local climates and planting site conditions.

orange poppies in a native California poppy seed production area.
Native California poppy seed production area. Native plant species are increasing being utilized on federal lands to restore native ecosystems and mitigate the effects of wildfire and other types of disturbances. Photo by Shelley Ellis, Bureau of Land Management.

Policy and Authorities

Protecting Plant Genetic Resources

Developing Native Plant Materials for Restoration

Using Native Plant Materials

Citizen Scientists

Note: The photographs in the Native Plants Material section of Celebrating Wildlfowers are courtesy of USDA Forest Service Employees, unless otherwise noted.

U.S. Forest Service
Rangeland Management
Botany Program
1400 Independence Ave., SW, Mailstop Code: 1103
Washington DC 20250-1103

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Location: http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/nativeplantmaterials/index.shtml
Last modified: Tuesday, 24-Jun-2008 21:54:54 EDT