Abstract
Two forested regions within the US contain exceptionally high plant species richness and are highly significant for conserving temperate biodiversity on a global scale. Herbaceous understory taxa of North American Asarum and Hexastylis are representative of the biogeographic history and sensitive forest-floor dynamics in both regions. Life-history characteristics and seed dispersal mutualisms limit natural recruitment, recovery, and recolonization in fragmented and disturbed habitats. Additional research is needed on pollinator interactions and fruit set, seed dormancy, and germination patterns in order to effectively conserve genetic diversity within in situ environments and to contribute to ex situ conservation efforts.
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