The tremendous diversity of the plants of southeastern North America has long been recognized in the botanical community. Boufford and Spongberg (1983) summarized the history of awareness of the phytogeographical relationships of eastern North America and eastern Asia, tracing the origin of the ideas back to Linnaeus. Core (1970) recounted the botanical explorations of pioneer botanists in the 1700’s and 1800’s such as John and William Bartram, Andre and F.A. Michaux, and C.S. Rafinesque, who opened the eyes of the world to the natural wonders of the Southeast. Boufford and Spongberg (1983) pointed out that Nuttall made a trip through the southeastern United States, retracing the paths of Bartram and Michaux, and subsequently discussed the regional affinities of plants in a seminal 1818 publication that laid the foundation for the work of Asa Gray.