Recent field observations have revealed that two previously unreported species, Pinus strobus and Heterotheca subaxillaris, have become established on Long Island.
Recent field observations have revealed that two previously unreported species, Pinus strobus and Heterotheca subaxillaris, have become established on Long Island.
The following collections of Carex meadii Torrey & Hooker, C. prasina Wahl., and C. seorsa Howe are thought to be additions to the Mississippi flora. The C. stricta Lam. from Oktibbeha County is a range extension.
Four native and one naturalized species of Berberidaceae occur in the flora of Ohio.
Plants were grown to maturity in an experimental garden from a composite sample of seed collected randomly from ten widely separated populations along the Mississippi coast of the tidal marsh rush, Juncus roemerianus. Progeny segregated into two plant types: hermaphrodites bearing perfect flowers and females bearing pistillate flowers. No plants with staminate flowers were produced, nor were there any exceptions to the above distribution of flower types on individual plants. Examination of 1,323 flowering plants revealed that 861 (65%) produced only perfect flowers and 462 (35%) produced pistillate flowers. Almost twice as many plants bearing perfect flowers were produced in comparison to those bearing pistillate ones. The reason for this ratio is not presently known. This study provides experimental evidence and proof that Juncus roemerianus is gynodioecious. Furthermore, gynodioecism in J. roemerianus makes it unique among rushes and rare among monocotyledoneous plants.
This well-written Ohio work is yet another contribution to the growing number of books and articles devoted to “Endangered and Threatened Plants of ___” (or similar title; you fill in the name of a political area.
Wildrice (Zizania aquatica L.) pollen is collected and eaten by the bees, Bombus vagans Smith, Dialictus imitatus (Smith), and the syrphid fly, Toxomerus politus (Say) in Maryland. A brief review of the literature on other insects visiting typically wind-pollinated flowers of Poaceae and Cyperaceae is provided.
Wood anatomy of Betula uber (Ashe) Fernald is described and compared with woods of other birches belonging to series Humiles and series Costatae. Anatomically, wood of B. uber is typical of birches in general. On the basis of pore size and frequency, fiber characteristics, axial xylem parenchyma distribution, and absence of aggregate rays, it is argued that B. uber is properly classified in series Costatae. Resolution of its relationships within series Costatae is not apparent from wood data.
Ten wetlands, each at least 1 ha in size, are associated with marl deposits in eastern West Virginia. These wetlands contain a predominantly herbaceous, calciphilic flora which includes twenty-seven species of vascular plants considered to be rare in the State. Disturbances, including drainage, impoundment, and grazing, have been widespread and may have led to a reduction in the number of rare species that occur within a wetland.
An updated version of the 1973 edition, Naturalist’s Big Bend is intended to give the reader a “biological introduction” to Big Bend National Park and vicinity. Beginning with a description of the region and a discussion of “Man—a User of the Land” and “The Living Scene Today” (data on the park’s five ecological zones), this enjoyable book gives a general account of natural history of the park’s biota.
Helonias budlata L. (Liliaceae), Swamp Pink, is a rare disjunct species inhabiting few bogs in the Southern Appalachians. Its main range is the coastal plain from Virginia to New Jersey. The status of the species in the Southern Appalachians is presented with a summary of population number, population size, inflorescence number and population threats. The breeding system of the species is also described. Helonias is self-compatible and produces large numbers of seed per plant, however, the browsing of inflorescences, the restricted seed dispersal, and sparsity of safe sites for germination appears to reduce the potential number of seedlings entering the populations. Seed appears to be a minor contributor to the continued maintenance of these populations.