Native Plants and Their Cultivars: Morphological and Chemical Traits Influence Pollinators

Native plants are those that grow naturally in a region without human intervention, while cultivars are plants that have been selected, bred, or hybridized by humans for desirable traits such as color, shape, size, or disease resistance.

Cultivars of native plants, also known as nativars, are increasingly popular among gardeners and landscapers who want to enjoy the benefits of native plants while also having more choices and predictability.

However, not everyone agrees that nativars are as good as native plants for the environment and wildlife. The debate over native plants and their cultivars has been heating up in recent years, as more research and opinions emerge on the topic.

The case for nativars

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Some proponents of nativars argue that they are better suited for urban and suburban landscapes, where space is limited and conditions are different from natural habitats.

They claimed that nativars can offer more diversity, beauty, and functionality than native plants, while still providing some ecological benefits.

For example, nativars may have more disease resistance, longer blooming periods, or more compact growth habits than native plants, making them easier to maintain and more attractive to gardeners.

Some nativars may also have more or larger flowers, which can attract more pollinators and provide more nectar and pollen.

Additionally, some supporters of nativars contend that they are not harmful to native plant populations or wildlife, and may even enhance them.

They point out that nativars are derived from native plants, and therefore share some genetic material and characteristics with them.

They also argued that nativars can increase the availability and accessibility of native plants, as they are more widely sold and marketed than native plants.

They suggested that nativars can serve as a gateway for people to learn more about native plants and appreciate their value.

The case against nativars

Some opponents of nativars argue that they are inferior to native plants in terms of ecological function and impact.

They claim that nativars have been altered by human selection, and therefore have less genetic diversity and adaptability than native plants.

They also argue that nativars may have different or reduced chemical or physical traits than native plants, which can affect their interactions with insects and other animals.

For example, nativars may have less or different types of defensive compounds, which can make them more susceptible to herbivory or less palatable to predators.

Some nativars may also have sterile flowers or seeds, which can reduce their reproductive potential and limit their gene flow.

Additionally, some critics of nativars contend that they are detrimental to native plant populations and wildlife, and may even threaten their survival.

According to them, nativars can cross-pollinate with native plants, and produce hybrid offspring that have unpredictable or undesirable traits.

Moreover, nativars can compete with or displace native plants, and reduce their genetic diversity and resilience.

Furthermore, nativars can disrupt the co-evolutionary relationships between native plants and animals, according to them, and affect the food web and ecosystem services.

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The need for more research and education

The debate over native plants and their cultivars is not likely to be resolved anytime soon, as there are many factors and perspectives to consider.

However, there is a need for more research and education on the topic, as there is still a lot of uncertainty and variability in the effects and outcomes of nativars.

Some researchers have been studying the differences and similarities between native plants and nativars, and their impacts on insects and wildlife.

For example, Doug Tallamy, a professor of entomology at the University of Delaware, has been examining the relationship between nativars and insect herbivory.

He has found that some nativars are as good as native plants in supporting insect populations, while others are not.

He has also developed a list of criteria for evaluating nativars, such as the degree of genetic modification, the presence of sterile flowers or seeds, and the similarity of appearance and chemistry to native plants.

There is also a need for more education and awareness on the topic, as there is still a lot of confusion and misinformation among the public and the industry.

Some experts have been advocating for more accurate and consistent labeling and marketing of native plants and nativars, as well as more guidance and information for consumers and professionals.

 For example, the University of Maryland Extension has created a webpage on cultivars of native plants, where they explain the pros and cons of nativars, and provide some recommendations and resources for choosing and using them.

They also encourage people to use a mix of native plants and nativars, and to monitor their performance and impact in their landscapes.

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