Can we use seed from cultivated plants to produce plants of “Local origin?
” Because nurseries producing plants sourced from local seed can so very easily and undetectably substitute plants sourced from seed from other locations, reputations and total honesty are critical to the conservation plant growing business. In the past (not in North Queensland) slight suspicions have given rise to invective that has seriously damaged a commercial nurseryman’s reputation as a conservation grower. This situation is not the same for enthusiasts, but clearly it is best to be strictly honest and to be seen to be honest. Even if you are certain that a 10 year old cultivated plant was grown from seed of local origin, will others be convinced? Furthermore perhaps it was pollinated by another plant growing nearby (or even some distance away) of the same species but whose origin was from another ecotype. Seed from cultivated plants certainly is easier and more reliably obtained, and is of value, but generally does not have the “local origin” conservation value. Collecting seed
