Rare plant species supports reliable hydropower at Osage Energy Center

Some people may think of reliable energy in terms of steel and concrete or wires and electrons. However, a recent contribution from Ameren Missouri to the Missouri Botanical Garden showcases a unique role plants play in powering your home.

The contribution was inspired by a recent Lake News and Shoreline Views (PDF) article highlighting the role of lignum vitae at the Osage Energy Center. The nearly century-old hydropower facility forms Lake of the Ozarks and produces enough clean energy to power approximately 40,000 Missouri households.

“Lignum vitae has long been valued for its density, durability and natural oils,” said Bryan Vance, manager of shoreline management at Ameren Missouri. “It can withstand heavy use in wet environments, and we have yet to find a man-made material that can perform better.”

Small pieces of the wood can sometimes be left over from the production process, when larger blocks of lignum vitae are precision-cut to fit inside the generator. Ameren Missouri recently contributed a sample of this wood from Osage Energy Center to the Missouri Botanical Garden.

“This kind of object helps us show how plants are connected to people’s lives in unexpected ways,” said Robbie Hart, director of the Garden’s William L. Brown Center. “It tells a clear story about the importance of plants in our everyday lives.”

The Garden’s biocultural collection also features items connected directly to the Ozarks, including a postcard book made from natural fibers and ink made from the Missouri-native black walnut. By adding the Ameren Missouri sample to its research collection, the Garden can preserve a piece of Bagnell Dam and Osage Energy Center history and place it alongside other examples of how plants support communities across the globe.