Botany experts with the Michigan State University Extension are conducting research on Michigan’s state wildflower in 10 counties across Northern Michigan including Emmet, Alpena and Mackinac.
The dwarf lake iris is a globally rare species that only grows along the northern shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, experts said.
Rachel Hackett, a botanist with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory through MSU Extension said shoreline development, partnered with the plant’s rarity, can be an issue for the threatened species.
“Lake shore development can be a problem for their habitat. A lot of development, trampling, too many removal of trees can change that habitat, can make it too dry, because they really like that partial shade from the conifers that keeps them moist in that kind of windy, well drained habitat,” Hackett said.
MSU researchers will also be working with Jim Cohen, a botanist and associate professor at Kettering University who specializes in rare plants. Cohen is working to gain more knowledge about the genetics of the dwarf lake iris.
Cohen said he is working with tools similar to ones genetic ancestry company 23andMe uses, to map the genome of the wildflower.
“We’re able to do a survey of the whole genome using these markers called single nucleotide polymorphisms, and sort of get an understanding of what’s going on across the entire genome in terms of where more diversity can lie,” Cohen said.
Cohen said the plant is not genetically diverse, which can cause a population problem. With less diversity across the genome, the wildflower is less fit to survive.
Cohen said he hopes to learn more about the dwarf lake iris with this study. Only a few studies have been done in the past with the flower.
Hackett said people can help researchers with this study by downloading the app, iNaturalist. Citizen scientists can take pictures of the dwarf lake iris using the app to help track populations of the wildflower.