Elliottia racemosa, Georgia plume, is considered one of our rarest native trees. Georgia plume is currently classified as an “endangered” species in the state of Georgia. Harper (1903) reported that Elliottia had been found in six Georgia counties. Reported colonies now occur in 12 Georgia counties (Jones and Coile 1988, Faircloth 1970), primarily in the coastal plain region of the state.
Faced with accelerating habitat loss and global climate change, plant ecologists need the ability to accurately predict changes in vegetation composition. To facilitate these analyses, a database of species traits within vegetation assemblages must be compiled. Plant ecology also lacks precise measurement and generality characteristic of the physical sciences. This is the synopsis presented by Hendry and Grime in the Introduction of Methods in Comparative Plant Ecology. Comparative Plant Ecology (CPE) and the Integrated Screening Program (ISP) offer a research program for achieving these goals. In brief, the CPE/ISP program involves measuring the traits of plants grown in a standardized environmental regime and comparing the results to individuals subjected to various treatments. Since CPE/ISP was developed using temperate terrestrial plants, the need for more inclusive methodologies is stressed.
ABSTRACT
A floristic inventory of the Ichetucknee Springs State Park, located in southeastern Suwannee and southwestern Columbia counties, was documented from March 1991 to November 1993. Collections of 604 species of vascular plants were made in the 907 ha (2,241 acres) site, representing 111 families and 358 genera. Sixty species of bryophytes were collected, consisting of 39 mosses and 21 liverworts. Plant communities were characterized by quantitative methods and general field observations. Eleven natural plant communities were documented, which include sandhill, upland mixed forest, upland pine forest, bluffs, floodplain forest, floodplain swamp, floodplain marsh, sinkholes and sinkhole ponds, depression marsh, dome swamp, and spring-run streams and river.
This volume is part of the “Vascular Flora of Ohio Series.” Previously published parts are part 1, E. Lucy Braun’s The Monocotyledoneae (1967) and part 3, T. Richard Fisher’s Asteraceae (1988). The present Linaceae through Campanulaceae and the promised Saururaceae through Fabaceae (by John Furlow) make up part 2 and complete the series.
“We may be the fastest-growing botanical society in America” reports John Herr after talking with representatives of various professional groups at the recent AIBS meetings in San Diego. I think this is great news, and we should be proud. This is due to all the hard work everyone does to keep Castanea strong, to spread Chinquapin around, and to encourage students to join. Every graduate student in the organismal plant sciences should be a member of SABS! It’s a good habit to cultivate throughout one’s entire career. SABS has demonstrated its relevance and usefulness to a wide range of readers by being highly regarded among professionals with such significant works as the Barrens Symposium published last year, and the “Invasion of the South” symposium to be published next year. On the other hand, we appeal to laypersons through Chinquapin. You may support this effort by sending Dan Pittillo news, stories, notices and ideas.
ABSTRACT
The vascular flora of Rock Creek Park, Washington, D.C., was surveyed from 1986 through 1994. The park is a forested steep valley in the eastern deciduous forest ecosystem, with 85% of its 1754 acres in natural forest. A total of 656 species representing 374 genera and 106 families were documented. Of these, 418 species are indigenous and 238 are introduced. Voucher specimens were deposited in the United States National Herbarium in The District of Columbia and Vicinity collection. In addition to providing a list of plants currently in the Park, this collection will contribute to the checklist of the Flora of Washington, D.C. and Vicinity, in progress at the Smithsonian Institution. Prior to this study, the last period of intensive collecting within Washington, D.C. was approximately 100 years ago.