Twenty-four plots contained flowering plants, which have typically spread outside the plots. The remaining plots contained living plants that did not flower in 1995. Most plants in these plots are less robust, and some of these plots are expected to eventually fail. Several plant viruses have been identified on clover plants at the propagation facility as well as at our field sites. We believe that some mortality is due to virus infection.
Research is ongoing to identify the viruses involved and to identify which plots are infested.
In the spring of 1994, a naturally-occurring population of running buffalo clover was discovered on private land in southeastern Missouri. It is the only natural extant site known to have existed in the state since 1907, except for the plants that appeared in Dr. Yatskievych's backyard topsoil. Recent genetic testing has shown that Yatskievych's plants and those from southeastern Missouri show genetic similarities to each other, but they differ from plants in other parts of the range. These results help lay to rest any doubts about whether Yatskievych's plants truly represent Missouri genetic stock. Had the occurrence of native Missouri genetic stock in 1989 been known, those working on the project would probably not have decided to re-introduce plants from other parts of the species' range.