SEED ORIGINS

Wild plant species differ one from another. There are also important, but less obvious, differences within species. Species exist as a collection of ecotypes, each showing adaptations to the particular conditions in which it grows. These ecotypes have evolved by a process of recruitment and loss in response to selection pressures, and provided the ecotype is not overwhelmed by excessive recruitment, loss or selection pressure, it will maintain its well adapted distinctiveness and continue to evolve. The differences between ecotypes can be quite remarkable. In white clover, for example, different ecotypes have been found to have evolved adaptations to different parts of the same field. Generally speaking, as ecotypes become more distant, or occupy more unlike habitats, they become more different.

The origin of a seed lot therefore is a guide to its genetic suitability for a particular project. If the origin is selected to match the site to be sown then the resulting vegetation will be better adapted to the prevailing conditions and will pose less of a threat to existing nearby ecotypes of the same species.

If a project requires the use of seed of local origin, this may be obtained by brush harvesting a mixture of seeds from a suitable wild donor site. Alternatively, stock seed can be hand-collected locally and crop seed grown specifically for the project.

Differences between ecotypes can be greater across regions, and for many projects it may be desirable to use seed stocks that have originated in the region of use. The availability of regional origin seed is limited at present, but improving all the time.

For all the above reasons it is, at least, important to use British origin seed.

Emorsgate Wild Seeds
Wild Flower Seed &
Wild Grass Seed
Growers & Suppliers

Regrettably we only
provide seed to
the UK market.