Volume 37 – Issue 4 (Dec 1972)

Notes and News: Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Unicoi Mountains

The Flora of Outer Otter Island, Colleton County, South Carolina

ABSTRACT A few intergeneric and interspecific crosses were tried for studying the relationships within the subtribe <em>Euphaseoleae</em> and between the subtribes, <em>Euphaseoleae</em> and <em>Cajaneae</em>. Most of the crossings failed to produce normal seed. But the success of crossings between two species, one of <em>Dolichos</em> and one of <em>Cajanus</em> suggests a close relationship of the two genera of different subtribes.

INTRODUCTION In the course of general studies of <em>Ranunculi</em> collected from Nepal, the authors came across some specimens of special interest in having floral anomalies of significance. These specimens were collected in the alpine zone of Nepal. Fischer (1960) had also found a number of species of New Zealand buttercups of the alpine group that showed variations of leaf shape. The results of the study of the Nepal material seemed sufficiently interesting to warrant their publication.

ABSTRACT <em>Gutierrezia dracunculoides</em> (DC.) Blake (Compositae) is reported from Kentucky for the first time. The occurrence of <em>G. dracunculoides</em> in the Outer Bluegrass Region of Kentucky represents an eastern range extension for the species. Two conditions that appear to be requisite for its establishment and persistence after the seeds have reached an area are lack of mowing during the summer and lack of competition from other plant species.

ABSTRACT Small spore taxa from throughout the vertical extent of Dunkard strata are listed in stratigraphic sequence. It is concluded that the occurrences of <em>Triquitrites</em>, the culmination of monolete spore genera, the limited appearance of bisaccate, striate pollen, and the continuing occurrence of numerous Pennsylvanian trilete spores are positive evidence for assigning a Pennsylvanian age to the Dunkard.

ABSTRACT <em>Splachnum ampullaceum</em>, a rare species of dung-growing moss, is recorded from Pendleton County, West Virginia, far south of its previously known range of distribution.

ABSTRACT Jones, S. B., Jr. (Department of Botany, University of Georgia, Athens, 30601). Hybridization of <em>Vernonia acaulis</em> and V. <em>noveboracensis</em> (<em>Compositae</em>) in the Piedmont of North Carolina. Two seasonally and ecologically isolated species of <em>Vernonia</em> were found to be hybridizing in Montgomery and Randolph Counties, North Carolina. Man has broken down the ecological isolation by clearing the forest and cutting roads through this area. Origin of the natural hybrids was documented by the production of artificial F1 hybrids. Meiosis was normal and pollen stainability was high in both the hybrids and the parents. Local population samples were made and the morphological characters of the parents and their hybrids were compared. Chromatographic studies detected backcrosses which would have been overlooked on the basis of gross morphology. The occurrence of F1’s, plus BC’s and presumably successive BC’s may allow a limited, but possible route for some gene flow between the two parent

ABSTRACT The following recently discovered vascular plants are new records for the State of West Virginia, U. S. A.: <em>Calamagrostis neglecta</em>, <em>Muhlenbergia brachyphylla</em>, <em>Eleocharis palustris</em>, var. <em>major</em>, <em>Carex straminea</em>, <em>Lechea villosa</em>, <em>Cicuta bulbifera</em>, <em>Verbena scabra</em>, <em>Viburnum rufidulum</em>, <em>Aster junciformis</em>, <em>Lactuca hirsuta</em>, var. <em>sanguinea</em>, and <em>Prenanthes crepidinea</em>. This is a compilation of vascular plants recently discovered and not listed in “The Flora of West Virginia” by Strausbaugh and Core, 1952-1970. The nomenclature used and sequence followed are that employed by M. L. Fernald in the 8th Edition of Gray’s Manual, 1950 edition.

Records Preliminary to a Flora of Virginia