Why go to the trouble?

Why do we take the time to study native plant populations? It would require less logistical effort to conduct research on plants at hand. When plants are not readily available or the species is Uncharacterized, which is partly true in my case, it becomes necessary. That being said, there must be some compelling reason that I've undertaken this expedition

Practically speaking, I am working on a plant breeding project.  My research helps make improved varieties of the trees and shrubs in your yard. For the landscape plant industry as a whole, demand is driven by novelty. Consumers want plants with the newest color, form, and uniqueness. Unfortunately these demands expedite the transfer of exotic species around the globe to places where they often have negative ecological consequences.

Another consequence of this quest for novel plants is that plant performance can suffer. A plant that is "ideal" in one place at a given time is no indication that it will remain "ideal" when subjected to the stresses of different environments. An understanding of the genetic and environmental contributions that make a plant "ideal" must first be understood if the breeder wants to make improvements. Take for example yield increases in corn, which have seen dramatic increases over the last century. Corn yields did not increase markedly due to the selection of novel high yielding individuals. Rather, strategic approaches were taken to improve plant performance. For creating adapted, sustainable ornamental plants, it  will be breeders' obligations to implement strategic plant improvement.  There is a lot of beauty and novelty in our own backyards: let's build upon that and make it even better.

And so I find myself (currently in the Ozarks) trying to improve one US native plant, Rhododendron viscosum, for landscape use. If only I could find it..

Piney creek  bottoms, Ozark NF