On The Hunt For Eggert's Sunflower in South Carolina
Poster Number
54
Session Title
Poster Session 2
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Biology
Abstract
Helianthus eggertii commonly known as Eggert’s Sunflower is a rare species of the Asteraceae family. It was previously identified in the Rock Hill, SC area. The findings of Helianthus eggertii in the Rock Hill area suggests the species is distributed across a broader range than originally discovered in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. The primary habitat of Helianthus eggertii is areas of poor soil quality, open barrens, and under power lines where competition is low. Locations previously inhabited by Helianthus eggertii were reexamined in 2021 during late fall, and no populations remained in those locations due to competition with native vegetation and new development. In year 2022, we plan to conduct a plant survey with a broader range and will start looking for the species much earlier than last year. We will focus our search around Rock Hill area. Our goal aims to monitor populations and formulate methods to preserve Eggert’s sunflower. This work is vital toward the efforts of preserving Eggert’s sunflower populations in South Carolina.
Start Date
15-4-2022 12:00 PM
On The Hunt For Eggert's Sunflower in South Carolina
Helianthus eggertii commonly known as Eggert’s Sunflower is a rare species of the Asteraceae family. It was previously identified in the Rock Hill, SC area. The findings of Helianthus eggertii in the Rock Hill area suggests the species is distributed across a broader range than originally discovered in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Alabama. The primary habitat of Helianthus eggertii is areas of poor soil quality, open barrens, and under power lines where competition is low. Locations previously inhabited by Helianthus eggertii were reexamined in 2021 during late fall, and no populations remained in those locations due to competition with native vegetation and new development. In year 2022, we plan to conduct a plant survey with a broader range and will start looking for the species much earlier than last year. We will focus our search around Rock Hill area. Our goal aims to monitor populations and formulate methods to preserve Eggert’s sunflower. This work is vital toward the efforts of preserving Eggert’s sunflower populations in South Carolina.
