Conservation genetics of the endangered Apalachicola Rosemary

Conradina glabra, or Apalachicola rosemary, is a federally listed endangered species that exists only on a small area of sandhill in Liberty County, Florida. Land management activities in the last 100 or so years have resulted in declining populations of C. glabra. In the wild, scientists have noted that plants produce very few seeds, but small plants that resemble seedlings are commonly found. Through a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Garden is using molecular genetic techniques to understand whether C. glabra is reproducing clonally or via sexual reproduction as well as what factors encourage seed germination.