Circumpolar

20 years ago

Some while ago I was asking in this forum about the mechanisms involved in the circumpolar nature of Lamb's quarters. I could just as well be asking about Yarrow, of course. I was asking how these plants could cross the ocean before Columbus, or Erikson, or whomever. Someone answered "birds"; I think that answer included "you dolt", or words to that effect. Now I am aware that lots of American birds (the avian kind I mean) routinely wind up in Europe. English birdwatchers flock (please excuse the pun) to the Scilly Isles off Land's End to see the latest arrival. A case of prevailing winds, which -- like Wrong-way Corrigan, go west to east. American birwatchers don't have the same opportunity to spot European birds -- for the same reason.

Finally I come to the point. Might circumpolar plants like Lamb's Quarters and Yarrow have originated in the Americas? I'm assuming origins for these species before the continents partyed, which seems reasonable -- otherwise there would be lots more circumpolars. Does anyone have any sraps of evidence that would support such a conclusion. Or the reverse?

Regards, Peter.

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Comments (6)

paalexan
20 years ago
Seems like circumpolar plants would most likely represent plants that made it across the Bering land bridge (from either direction), since while that land bridge was available the continental polar regions were one contiguous land mass. Wouldn't surprise me if birds have something to do with it, too, but dispersal across land is more likely for most plants... birds generally disperse either plants with edible berries or plants with adaptations to cause their seeds to adhere to feathers or fur (things like Bidens); a lot of circumpolar plants (including Achillea millefolium & Chenopodium album) don't fit into either of those categories.

Patrick ALexander
vbain
20 years ago
And lets not forget plants with seeds light enough to float on the wind or water.
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mytime
20 years ago
Although I certainly think these plants had their origins way back before the continents divided, I have to point out that you're only thinking of the East Coast. What about prevailing wind going from Asia to N. America? And also ocean currents.
Birders 'flock' to western Alaska in the spring to see the birds arriving from Asia, both migrating and accidentals.
john_mo
20 years ago
I second (or third) the suggestion that most circumpolar plants arrived via the repeated land connections during the Pleistocene ice ages. Birds and wind could have played a role in some cases.

This dispersal was probably a two-way transfer between Eurasia and North America, but I have read some interesting stuff about why North America may be inherently more susceptible to invasion from Eurasia, rather than vice versa. I believe I am remembering this from Jared Diamond's book 'Guns, Germs, and Steel'. Something about the wider east-west range of temperate climate in the old world leading to more inter-species competition -- and thus to the development of more resistance to invasion.
peter_6
Original Author
20 years ago
All good stuff! What do you think about the theory of immigrants bringing the plants with them -- because they were regarded as indispensible -- across the Bering Straits land-bridge? Regards, Peter.
RUDE_RUDY
20 years ago
http://www.batnet.com/rwc-seed/sweetgrass.html
I was surfing the web a while back to get information on sweetgrass: Hierochloe odorata. I found the above link that was speaking to this question regarding this plant which humans have used for a good long time.
Later... Rude

Here is a link that might be useful: sweetgrass

Circumpolar

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