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“P” is for Plants

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  “P” is for Plants. The vegetation of a particular region consists of all of its native plant species, as well as those that are introduced and naturalized. Any consideration of naturally occurring flora must include some treatment of the threats to its integrity. These threats come from two sources: human development [especially urbanization] and aggressive, introduced species from other parts of the world. These aliens, once naturalized, essentially become a part of the surrounding landscapes and are then considered “naturalized.” Despite the past botanical studies in South Carolina, new species continue to be discovered in the wild--suggesting a diverse and resilient flora. South Carolina’s vegetation consists of approximately three thousand species. Considering the geographic size of the state, this is one of the most diverse parts of the entire nation.

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Dr. Walter Edgar has two programs on South Carolina Public Radio: Walter Edgar's Journal, and South Carolina from A to Z. Dr. Edgar received his B.A. degree from Davidson College in 1965 and his Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina in 1969. After two years in the army (including a tour of duty in Vietnam), he returned to USC as a post-doctoral fellow of the National Archives, assigned to the Papers of Henry Laurens.