Left: Jay Averett. Right: Elliottia racemosa

See also: 1998 Project Update

Although the species produces viable seed, seedlings have never been documented in the wild. Because this rare shrub occurs in communities historically dominated by fire but are rarely burned today, it is believed the species' fate could be undermined by this interruption in the natural fire regime.

GPCA considers the Georgia Plume a priority concern and has established a committee to advance research and knowledge of the species. GPCA projects include a variety of horticultural, ecological, population and genetic studies to better understand the life history of Elliottia and apply this research to the management and recovery of the species in the wild.

GPCA would like to thank the Trustees Garden Club of Savannah, Georgia for funding GPCA Intern Peter Dolan who conducted a population survey of all known locations of this species in 2002 (detail below).

Listed below is a brief description of current projects being conducted by committee members:

1. Seed Bank Study
In 1999, Jay Averett conducted seed viability testing at two different sites, R. G. Daniells Conservation Easement and Fort Stewart Military Reserve. Soil samples were collected under fruiting trees in the direction of the prevailing wind. Samples were collected next to the trunk of the tree, 3 meters out from the tree and 6meters out from the tree. A control sample was collected away from plants but in the same general area. A sterile control was made using Schultz Professional Potting Soil. Controls were sprinkled with Elliottia seed. The only seed germination that occurred was in control pans. Seedlings in the sterile control died. Due to unknown factors, soil samples taken from under fruiting trees did not produce seedlings. Eight seedlings from study site survived and were transplanted back to respective sites a year later (Nov. 7, 2002). To date all seedlings appear to be thriving.

2. Factors Inhibiting Germination of Elliottia Seedling in the Wild
Field, lab and nursery studies are being conducted to determine why seeds are not germinating in the wild, and to define optimal growing conditions for seed germination. This is research being conducted by the State Botanical Garden of Georgia carrying on from Jay Averett's master's thesis, UGA Department of Horticulture 2000. In 1996 the State Botanical Garden of Georgia began experimenting with various dry and aqueous smoke treatments for seed germination based on previous published work from California, South Africa, and Australia. Results for Elliottia were very promising. In 2003 projects include applying these treatments in situ.

Elliottia burn management trials conducted by Dena Thompson, Fish and Wildlife Service, Fort Stewart: (from left) pre burn, burn, after burn.

3. Season of Burn Study
This study will determine the effects of season of burn on Elliottia. Data collected includes number of stems, stem height (within a range), number of flowering racemes and number of capsules/raceme. All individuals were mapped and tagged by placing trolling wire with an aluminum tag around all stems. Post-treatment census will includes all previous measurements and mortality. Any new stems or possibly newly established seedlings will be mapped and tagged every two years. There are three burn regime treatments to the study sites: (1) growing season burn; (2) dormant season burn; and (3) control (no treatment). Burning treatments will be conducted every three years.

Dena Thompson's and Martha Joiner's Elliottia reintroduction study: (top) Seedling in leaves. (right) Seedling in cage.

4. Experimental Outplanting Study
In Fall 2002 eight seedlings each from two populations have been reintroduced in an experimental outplanting study conducted by Dena Thompson and Martha Joiner (Georgia Southern Botanical Garden). The trees were caged to protect them from deer browsing. Survivorship has been surprisingly good. Measurements on growth rate being recorded and photo monitored.

In 2002, GPCA hired an intern, ecologist Peter Dolan, to conduct a survey of all known Elliottia populations. Below is a brief description of his project in Peter's words, with a quick summary to follow. Funding for the internship was provided by a generation donation from the Trustees Garden Club of Savannah, Georgia.

Field Survey Project Description

1. Find and contact landowners of Elliottia based on Report by Dr. John Bozeman and other recent Elliottia finds.
2. Revisit and find former Elliottia sites (access the stability of populations by comparing to the report of Dr. Bozeman and Dr. Rogers)
3. Gain a GPS coordinate of Elliottia sites found.
4. Invite landowners and Friends of Elliottia to a BBQ to appreciate the delicate nature of the Elliottia ("or loss of habitat") situation and try to incite owners to protect and manage the plant.

November 2002 Brief Summary of Population Re-location Data (population assessment data not included here)

• 54 known Elliottia populations sites in 19 counties.
• 18 of the sites are protected and have someone actively managing (4 of which were in the genetic study by Dr. Godt).
• 48 private landowners.
• I have sent letters to 39 of the 48 landowners; 2 letters were returned due to insufficient address.
• Of the 39 contacts I have, I visited 31 populations at least once.
• 26 of 31 populations were found.
• All populations found were GPSed/differentially corrected and formatted into Arcview shapefiles for DNR records. (Not found: 36, 38, 10, 12.)
• Of 26 populations found, 12 are in need of active management.
• Of the 12 that need management, 6 landowners have shown positive interest in managing and attending the BBQ.

Ron Determann, Jennifer Ceska, Malcolm Hodges, Madelein Groves, and Jay Averett