ABSTRACT Much of western Sainte (Ste.) Genevieve County, Missouri, is underlain by parts of the LaMotte sandstone formation. The geological properties of this bedrock have led to the formation of canyons and cliffs, which harbor ‘‘glacial relicts’’ and other regionally rare, restricted plant species. A partial survey of the flora at Horton Farm Conservation Area (HFCA) in Ste. Genevieve County was performed from June 2012 to July 2014 to provide local conservation officials with relevant data to make informed management decisions. Four specific areas of interest were selected: a cliff complex near Rough Creek, a small acid seep, a glade/woodland complex, and the riparian corridor along Jonca Creek. A total of 214 vascular plant species was collected from HFCA: 23 from the acid seep area, 120 from Jonca Creek, 48 from the glade/woodland, and 77 from the cliff area. Included were 5 species of conservation concern, and 16 county records
ABSTRACT Sewanee: The University of the South, located in Franklin County, Tennessee, is a 5,263 ha site that encompasses a variety of plateau and cove habitats on the southern Cumberland Plateau in southeastern Tennessee. The vascular flora of the University of the South was documented from 1948–2015 and comprises 1,118 species and lesser taxa in 553 genera and 150 families. We documented 229 exotic taxa, 20.5% of the flora. This flora contains six state records, 74 Franklin County records, and two potential new species. Eighteen taxa are listed as protected either at the state or federal level, including the federally listed endangered Clematis morefieldii and state listed endangered Diamorpha smallii, Silphium brachiatum, and Symphyotrichum pratense. When compared to the five other published floras for the southern Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee, the University of the South flora is the most diverse, capturing 69% of the total taxa at the species level
ABSTRACT Roads have the potential to serve as dispersal corridors for invasion into pristine habitats for invasive exotic species. However, undisturbed habitats may also resist such invasion. Torpedograss (Panicum repens L.) is an aggressive invasive grass in many parts of the world and, although most problematic in lakes and ponds, frequently occurs in roadsides and in other disturbed habitats. We studied torpedograss dynamics along roadsides adjacent to upland habitats in southcentral Florida to determine whether observed tiller population growth rates differed among roadside populations adjacent to different habitats. We also examined seasonal growth and persistence patterns of this invasive species in sand roads, quantifying torpedograss density, growth, and panicle production at 10 roadside sites every other month for 14 mo. Four populations were adjacent to disturbed habitats (pastures or disturbed Florida scrub) containing established populations of torpedograss, while six populations were adjacent to undisturbed Florida scrub lacking torpedograss. Population growth
ABSTRACT In pyrogenic ecosystems, fire often plays an integral part in plant population dynamics. For a subset of plant species in such ecosystems, fire is connected to seed set and/or germination, resulting in postfire recruitment episodes. We investigated the relationship between fire and seed set in the perennial forb Liatris ohlingerae (Asteraceae), one of many species endemic to the pyrogenic Lake Wales Ridge ecosystem of central Florida. Our study focused on comparisons of seed production and invertebrate damage to flowers across L. ohlingerae populations in locations encompassing a range of intervals since fire, between 1 mo and 9 yr prior to the study. We found that the estimated seed set was significantly higher in populations burned less than 1 yr prior to the study than in all other populations. Both low invertebrate damage and high seed production rates contributed to this trend in the populations burned < 1 yr prior
ABSTRACT Successful management of rare plant species requires understanding of reproductive life history. To assess reproductive attrition, the status of all reproductive units (expressed in seven stages) on 40 plants at The Nature Conservancy’s Keel Mountain Preserve (Madison County, Alabama) was recorded throughout 4 yr (2009–12). Floral herbivory by Lepidopteran larvae (Geometridae) and abortion of reproductive units was common, with few flower buds (< 12%) producing mature fruits and the greatest attrition occurring during the smallest flower bud stage. Reproductive output was positively correlated with peak growth season rainfall (April–June); plants produced more fruits in wet years (2009 and 2011) than in drought years (2010 and 2012). Postdispersal achene predation assessed in a high-density Clematis area and a low-density Clematis area reached 15% after 1 wk and increased to 30% after 4 mo but did not significantly differ between high-density and low-density areas. Germination was documented by planting achenes in
Systematics — Jessica L. Allen and James C. Lendemer Ecology — Lauren F. Howard The Richard and Minnie Windler Award recognizes the authors of the best systematics and ecology articles published in Castanea during the previous year. For 2016, authors of two articles were selected as winners: Jessica L. Allen and James C. Lendemer for their work entitled ‘‘Japewiella dollypartoniana, a New Widespread Lichen in the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern North America’’ (Castanea 80[1]:59–65), and Lauren F. Howard for his work entitled ‘‘A Quarter-Century of Change Without Fire: The High-Elevation Pitch Pine Community on Panther Knob, Pendleton County, West Virginia’’ (Castanea 80[3]:193–210). Jessica Allen and James Lendemer described a new species of lichen, Japewiella dollypartoniana J.L. Allen & Lendemer, sp. nov., widespread throughout the Appalachian Mountains but also occurring on the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Using morphological and chemical characteristics, they were able to differentiate the new species from other previously
The Southern Appalachian Botanical Society (SABS) annually presents the Elizabeth Ann Bartholomew Award to deserving individuals in memory of her untiring service to the public, to plant systematics, and to this organization. It is presented to individuals who have distinguished themselves in professional and public service that advances our knowledge and appreciation of the world of plants and their scientific, cultural, and aesthetic values, and/or to individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the Society. Elizabeth Ann Bartholomew served as Secretary of the Southern Appalachian Botanical Club from 1946 to 1981. Her life was devoted to plants, and she enthusiastically transferred her interest in plants and nature to others. Dr. Lytton John Musselman was the 2016 recipient of the Bartholomew Award, receiving it at the Society’s spring meeting in Concord, North Carolina. Dr. Musselman exemplifies the dedication to service, botany, and the public demonstrated by Elizabeth Bartholomew. His career spans