Day 283: Following up on yesterday's post regarding a species of Boechera infected by a fungal pathogen, Team Biota was able to put to rest one bit of the mystery: the affected plants are B. lyallii. We hiked the Silver Forest Trail, searching for both healthy and unhealthy plants to examine. Fewer infected plants were found along the trail than on the roadside 200' higher, a hint that late-lying snow (that piled up by plowing) may have contributed to fungal growth. Note that I say "may have contributed." This is by no means conclusive. I merely put it out there as food for thought. Our current Plant Ecologist specializes in plant pathogens. We will be turning our evidence over to her to pursue if she sees fit.
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