[Ceratiola ericoides]

Greetings,
 
Is this plant protected?  I know of an undevelped area in my neighborhood where this is growing and am concerned that it will eventually be scraped down to build new houses or some commercial building.  Is the FNPS interested in protecting this plant?  I know that it is not a common plant.  I'd hate to see it destroyed.  So, if its not protected can I get this plant to root or dig it up if the land is going to be leveled?  I'm not going to go after it unless its in danger, so not to worry.  I would just want to save it if endangered.  Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Erin

[Re: Ceratiola ericoides]

Did anyone ever reply to you about this?  No, Ceratiola isn't protected and it's rarity is due to the rarity of the scrub it inhabitats.  It's ecology is pretty unique (presumed allelopathy that prevents other plants from growing in assoication with it, creating "rosemary balds"; takes a long time to mature and produce seed (15 years?) so can be easily eliminated from a site if fires occur more frequently than that).  As for rescuing plants in the way of the bulldozers - good luck.  They grow in the deepest dryest sands.  My guess is you'll never get enough of the root system intact to get good survival from transplants unless you use one of those machines designed for transplanting trees.  The best route is too preserve the site if it's part of a relatively large, intact scrub.

[Re: Ceratiola ericoides]

No, no one ever replied to this post.  Thanks for the info even though its kind of sad.  There are two of these plants on opposite corners of a block.  The one plant is roughly 4 feet tall and the other is maybe half that.  I have thought about trying to dig the smaller one up, but it sits opposite a convenience store and well traveled road so I would feel rather criminal digging it up, even though I know it will eventually just be destroyed.  I have also tried to take cuttings of the larger plant without success.  I'm sure this plant is at least 15 years old, but wouldn't have a clue how or when to collect seeds.  I think that it was in bloom not too long ago though.