Online Reporter
Andrew Mangwarara
EVERY plant we use for greening purposes originates from natural forests around the world.
However, biodiversity, as we know it, faces many threats, such as loss of habitats, climate change, illegal harvesting and even the introduction of foreign species.
Amid all this, gardeners the world over have a key role to play in conservation efforts.
Our country Zimbabwe is endowed with many beautiful plants, some of which are endemic to this part of Africa.
There are many things that gardeners can and should do to conserve our flora heritage for future generations.
This cannot be overstated.
The first thing is for them to know the conservation status of the plant species they are growing.
When buying plants, be a responsible consumer by not contributing to the demise of threatened plants.
Many threatened orchids, cacti, succulents, bulbs and cycads find their way into the nursery trade.
To help protect wild plant populations, think conservation when buying plants. Do not buy these plants being sold on the roadsides.
A wild orchid like the ansellia gigantea and a bulbous plant such as the boophane disticha (century plant, mudzepete, ingcotho) are common around this time of the year.
They bloom and send out new shoots during the rainy season, but soon fade away and are often thrown in the trash can.
They are better off in the wild where they can survive the rainy season undisturbed.
Give your business to those nurseries that actively work towards the conservation of threatened plants.
If possible, purchase plants that have been propagated sexually (by seed). This is aimed at maintaining the genetic health of threatened plants.
Collecting seed is a better way of protecting the mature plants. This ensures the plants continue dispersing seed.
At the nursery, ask how the plants were propagated, especially if they are indigenous ones. Learn to document the origins of any threatened plants in your garden like cycads, orchids, ferns and succulents.
Some plants are so endangered that those in private collections may be an important stockpile of germ plasm for future conservation efforts.
A detailed record of your plants increases their value to conservationists. Such a collection should be handed over to your nearest botanic garden in the event no one is able to continue looking after it.
Never grow any invasive or potentially invasive plants in your garden as they can spread easily, threatening the survival of mature plants.
Remove any invasive plants and get relevant information from the Environmental Management Agency or the National Botanic Garden.
Grow indigenous plants from your local area.
One other thing that you can do as a gardener or green-up activist is to join conservation efforts in your area, such as helping remove invasive plants like lantana, bugle weed, jacaranda, castor oil plant and syringa.
Be an eco-tourist by visiting botanic sanctuaries; they need your support.
This contributes to the protection of these critical habitats and sustains local communities.
If you would like to be featured in our green-up campaign, contact us on the number above. Feedback: ataurai@gmail.com or sundaymail@zimpapers.co.zw
