Wild genotypes database

[JPB]

Like many of you, I collect seeds (occasionally plants/cuttings if not endangered etc.) from their wild habitats and I keep a record of when and where they are found. If possible, using GPS coordinates. In pot culture, I keep these wild genotypes as basic stock in order to avoid outcrossing/introgression.

I notice that I'm not the only one here. What would you think of joining forces, and make living database of wild-collected genotypes? F.i. starting in Europe. It is very interesting to look at intraspecific variation between plants from different geographic areas. We have a good-working binomial system for species, but I find that the intraspecific patterns are undervaluated. I see a lot of this in my collection. A creeping form of Cistus crispus. Small Scilla autumnalis and Rosa pimpinellifolia from dune areas as compared to inland plants. And so on...

Moreover, gardeners can benefit from it by picking intraspecific genotypes with certain characteristics to raise new plants.

Any thoughts on this? Your opinion please.

Hans

[cohan]

Like many of you, I collect seeds (occasionally plants/cuttings if not endangered etc.) from their wild habitats and I keep a record of when and where they are found. If possible, using GPS coordinates. In pot culture, I keep these wild genotypes as basic stock in order to avoid outcrossing/introgression.

I notice that I'm not the only one here. What would you think of joining forces, and make living database of wild-collected genotypes? F.i. starting in Europe. It is very interesting to look at intraspecific variation between plants from different geographic areas. We have a good-working binomial system for species, but I find that the intraspecific patterns are undervaluated. I see a lot of this in my collection. A creeping form of Cistus crispus. Small Scilla autumnalis and Rosa pimpinellifolia from dune areas as compared to inland plants. And so on...

Moreover, gardeners can benefit from it by picking intraspecific genotypes with certain characteristics to raise new plants.

Any thoughts on this? Your opinion please.

Hans

i do think its an interesting and worthwhile subject; in some cases this kind of tracking proves seemingly disjunct populations/species to be part of a continuum, in other cases may provide evidence for speciation...
i am working on photographs of plants in my area, though identification to and beyond the specific level isn'at always possible for me yet, since i don't yet have a complete flora of the region;
however, when i am collecting seed, i am keeping track of locations and particular populations, so when these plants are properly identified, they can be associated with locations/populations..

[Sinchets]

We also try to keep track of the seeds we collect, recording where they are from, altitude and habitat etc.. We take photos of flowers and foliage if possible. We too have problems with identification of some plants to species level as we have no access to a concise 'Flora' for Bulgaria.
From what we have seen so far there is so much more variety within in some of the species, than is represented in any of 'forms' of these species collected here in the past and currently in cultivation.
It is important though to take time to verify if variations are due to location or habitat