Tracking individual plants and local populations

In July a few years ago, I observed and identified the small white spikes of Hooded Lady's Tresses, Spiranthes romanzoffiana.

I discovered that the Hooded Lady’s Tresses have a small white carrot like root that appear to be for water storage. (I accidentally pulled one up.) Roots that store water make sense - the Lady’s Tresses I have observed are located in an area that is wet during the rainy season, but becomes very dry during the summer when the leaves wither and the plant blooms and sets seed.

I identified these plants by their small white spikes, but there were no leaves present. The leaves are described as linear and grass like. In the spring, I looked for the plants to emerge - but which of the leaves belonged to the little orchid? They were in an area full of grasses and sedges. This year, I think I have found them. They have light green upright clusters of leaves. I continued to observe them every week and was finally rewarded with some spikes topped with buds. I will be able to positively identify these plants when the buds open. See my June 15, 2019 observation.

I will be exploring how to use iNaturalist to track individual plants and hyper-local populations. Tracking individuals l would assist with identifying plants like Spiranthes romanzoffiana that are difficult to find when there are no blooms or other recognizable characteristics. Is there a way to physically tag or otherwise register specific individuals in observations made through the seasons and years?

Publicado el sábado, 22 de junio de 2019 a las 05:11 PM por bpricehall bpricehall

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