From aceska at telus.net Tue Oct 6 09:33:25 2009 From: aceska at telus.net (Adolf & Oluna Ceska) Date: Tue, 6 Oct 2009 01:33:25 -0700 Subject: [BEN-L]BEN # 415 Message-ID: <000501ca465f$ac90ab00$05b20100$@net> BBBBB EEEEEE NN N ISSN 1188-603X BB B EE NNN N BBBBB EEEEE NN N N BOTANICAL BB B EE NN NN ELECTRONIC BBBBB EEEEEE NN N NEWS =20 No. 415 October 6, 2009 =20 aceska@telus.net Victoria, B.C. ----------------------------------------------------------- Dr. A. Ceska, P.O.Box 8546, Victoria, B.C. Canada V8W 3S2 ----------------------------------------------------------- TAXONOMY OF _BROMUS_ SECTIONS _BROMUS_, _BROMOPSIS_ AND _GENEA_ = (POACEAE) IN BRITISH COLUMBIA: A SUMMARY, A KEY, NEW RECORDS, SPECIMEN = CITATIONS, AND MISCELLANEOUS NOTES=20 From: Jeffery M. Saarela, Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, Ontario K1N = 8A5 [jsaarela@mus-nature.ca] See: http://bomi.ou.edu/ben/415/ for Figure 1 to 3 and Appendix 1 Note: The introductory text and taxonomic key are adapted and modified = from the following paper, courtesy of the _Journal of the Botanical = Research Institute of Texas_: Saarela, J. M. 2008. Taxonomy of _Bromus_ (Poaceae: Pooideae: Bromeae) = sections _Bromopsis, Bromus, and _Genea_ in British Columbia, Canada. = _Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas_ 2, = 323=E2=80=93372. [Please, contact the author if you would like a hard = copy reprint or PDF of this paper.] _Bromus_ L. is a large and taxonomically complex grass genus that = includes more than 160 species distributed in temperate regions = worldwide. The genus is distinguished from other grass genera by the = combination of leaf sheaths that are closed for most of their length, = awns that are inserted subapically, and hairy appendages on the apices = of the ovary (Clayton & Renvoize 1986). Approximately 80 _Bromus_ = species are currently recognized in North, Central, and South America = (Pavlick et al. 2003); 29 of these reportedly occur in Canada (Pavlick & = Anderton 2007). In Canada, British Columbia has the greatest number of = _Bromus_ species. It is the second-largest grass genus in British = Columbia; only _Poa_ L., with 31 species (Soreng 2007), has greater = species richness in the province. There has been considerable progress in clarifying lower-level taxonomic = problems in _Bromus_. Several taxa that occur in North American have = received recent taxonomic study, including: _B. ciliatus_ L. and _B. = richardsonii_ Link (Peterson et al. 2002); _B. grandis (Shear)_ Hitchc., = _B. hallii_ (Hitchc.) Saarela & P.M. Peterson and _B. orcuttianus_ Vasey = (Saarela et al. 2005); _Bromus catharticus_ var. _elatus_ (E. Desv.) = Planchuelo (Planchuelo 2006); and _B. carinatus_ Hook. & Arn. (Barkworth = et al. 2006). Comprehensive taxonomic treatments of _Bromus_ for North = America north of Mexico have recently been published (Pavlick 1995; = Pavlick & Anderton 2007). Despite these resources, identifying species = of _Bromus_ can be a notoriously difficult exercise for many workers. In = such large and difficult groups, geographically focused taxonomic = treatments can greatly facilitate accurate identifications and provide = more detailed information than is normally found in standard floras, be = they regional or continental in scope.=20 The most recent comprehensive treatment of _Bromus_ for British = Columbia, in _Illustrated Flora of British Columbia_ (Douglas et al. = 2001), takes a taxonomically conservative approach and does not reflect = current understanding of the genus. Another recent treatment for the = province (Stewart & Hebda 2000) is restricted geographically to only = those species that occur in the Columbia Basin region in southeastern = British Columbia. In Saarela (2008) and here I provide a detailed and = updated taxonomic treatment for_ Bromus_ in British Columbia, including = a dichotomous key, synonymies, species descriptions, distribution maps = and citations of representative specimens.=20 _Bromus_ in British Columbia _Bromus_ in British Columbia includes multiple native and introduced = species that are currently classified in four sections (the genus-level = taxonomy is reviewed by Saarela et al. 2007). Most of the introduced = species are annuals classified in _Bromus_. sects. _Bromus_ (_B. = briziformis_ Fisch. & C.A. Mey., _B. commutatus_ Schrad.,_ B. = hordeaceus_ L., _B. japonicus_ Thunb., _B. racemosus_ L., _B. secalinus_ = L. and _B. squarrosus_ L.) and _Genea_ Dumort. (_B. diandrus_ Roth, _B. = sterilis_ L. and _B. tectorum_ L.). All of these (and other) introduced = species in _Bromus_ sects. _Bromus_ and _Genea_ occur throughout western = North America, mostly north of Mexico (see Pavlick & Anderton 2007; = Saarela & Peterson in press), and several have caused serious ecological = disruption. In general, annual species can be distinguished from = perennial species based on basal vegetative characteristics. In = perennial _Bromus_ species, the dried remains of the previous = years=E2=80=99 growth are normally present, whereas there is no previous = years=E2=80=99 growth in the annual species. In most cases the annual = taxa are generally smaller in stature and have a more delicate = appearance (with some exceptions, such as some individuals of the large = annual, _B. diandrus_), compared to the perennial taxa. _Bromus_ sect. = _Bromus_ is characterized by 3=E2=80=935-nerved first glumes, = 5=E2=80=937-nerved second glumes and lemmas rounded over the backs, = whereas _Bromus_ sect. _Genea_ is characterized by 1(=E2=80=933)-nerved = first glumes, 3(=E2=80=935)-nerved second glumes and narrow, elongate = lemmas. Species of _Bromus_ sect. _Bromopsis_ in British Columbia are = perennials with 1(=E2=80=933)-nerved first glumes, 3(=E2=80=935)-nerved = second glumes and lemmas rounded or slightly keeled over the backs = (i.e., flattened dorsiventrally). Two _Bromus_ sect. _Bromopsis_ species = in British Columbia are introduced: meadow brome (_B. riparius_ Rehm.), = which I reported in Saarela (2008) as part of the British Columbia flora = for the first time, and the highly invasive smooth brome (_B. inermis_ = Leyss.). The remaining six _Bromus_ sect. _Bromopsis_ species in the = province are native: _B. ciliatus_ L., _B. pacificus_ Shear, _B. = porteri_ (J.M. Coult.) Nash, _B. pumpellianus_ Scribn., _B. = richardsonii_ Link and _B. vulgaris_ (Hook.) Shear.=20 The remainder of the Bromus taxa in British Columbia are classified = in_Bromus_ sect. _Ceratochloa_ (P. Beauv.) Griseb., a group that is = widespread throughout the province and easily recognizable on the basis = of its strongly laterally flattened and keeled glumes and lemmas. = Species limits within _Bromus_ sect. _Ceratochloa_ are not clear, both = in British Columbia and more broadly throughout western North America = from Central America to Alaska. Multiple morphologically similar taxa in = _Bromus_ sect. _Ceratochloa_ have been variously recognized at different = ranks; in British Columbia these include _B. aleutensis_ Trin. ex = Griseb. [=3D_B. sitchensis_ Bongard var. _aleutensis_ (Trin. ex Griseb.) = Hult=C3=A9n], _B. carinatus_ Hook. & Arn., _B. marginatus_ Nees ex = Steud. [=3D_B. carinatus_ var. _marginatus_ (Nees ex Steud.) Barkworth & = Anderton], _B. polyanthus_ Scribn. ex Shear and _B. sitchensis_ Bongard. = Because taxon circumscriptions are not clear in _Bromus_ section = _Ceratochloa_, the section is not treated here. TAXONOMIC KEY TO THE SPECIES OF _BROMUS_ SECTIONS _BROMUS_, _BROMOPSIS_ = AND _GENEA_ IN BRITISH COLUMBIA=20 Note: Adapted and Modified from Saarela (2008) 1. Spikelets laterally compressed; lemmas laterally compressed and = strongly keeled = =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6._Bromus_ sect. = _Ceratochloa_, not treated here 1=E2=80=99 Spikelets not laterally compressed; lemmas flattened = dorsiventrally, not strongly keeled = =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80= =A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6= =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6.2 2. Lemmas narrow, largest lemmas generally < 2 mm wide; lemma apex = bidentate, with awn-like to acuminate hyaline teeth 1=E2=80=935 mm long = (Bromus sect. Genea) =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A63 2=E2=80=99 Lemmas broad, largest lemmas generally > 2 mm wide (except in = B. vulgaris) and conspicuously flattened across the back; lemma apex = entire or bidentate, teeth usually not hyaline, 0=E2=80=933 mm long, not = awn-like or = acuminate=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6..5=20 3. Lemma bodies 18=E2=80=9335 mm long; awns 30=E2=80=9350 mm long; lower = glumes 12=E2=80=9326 mm long; upper glumes 18=E2=80=9335 mm long = =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6...=E2=80=A6 _B. diandrus_ Roth 3=E2=80=99 Lemma bodies 9=E2=80=9322 mm long; awns < 30 mm long; lower = glumes 4=E2=80=9314 mm long; upper glumes 7=E2=80=9321 mm long = =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80= =A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6..4 4. Lemmas 13=E2=80=9322 mm long; awns 15=E2=80=9330 mm long; panicles = sparse, with 1(=E2=80=933) spikelets per branch; branches straight, = usually longer than spikelets=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6...=E2=80=A6_B. = sterilis_ L. 4=E2=80=99 Lemmas 9=E2=80=9313.8 mm long; awns 8=E2=80=9318 mm long; = panicles sparse or dense, usually some branches with > 3 spikelets per = branch; branches sinuous, longer or shorter than = spikelets=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80= =A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6= _B. tectorum_ L. 5. Plants perennial, often with remnants of a previous years=E2=80=99 = vegetative growth present; lower glumes 1=E2=80=933-nerved; upper glumes = 3=E2=80=935-nerved (_Bromus_ sect. _Bromopsis_).6 5=E2=80=99 Plants annual, without remnants of a previous years=E2=80=99 = vegetative growth present; lower glumes 3=E2=80=935-nerved; upper glumes = 5=E2=80=939-nerved (_Bromus_ sect. = _Bromus_)=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6..15 6. Plants with rhizomes; longest anthers > 4 mm = long=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80= =A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A67 6=E2=80=99 Plants without rhizomes, all anthers < 4 mm = long=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6.=E2=80=A6=E2=80= =A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A69 7. Awns (3=E2=80=93)4=E2=80=937.1 mm long; readily decaying basal = sheaths reticulate-fibrillose (i.e., thatched in appearance); cilia = present on palea keels only along upper 2/3 to upper half; marginal leaf = blade hairs robust and conspicuously widened at the base = =E2=80=A6................................................................= ..................................._B. riparius_ Rehm. 7=E2=80=99 Awns 0=E2=80=934 mm long; basal sheaths eventually decaying = into straight fibers; cilia present on palea keels along lower =C2=BE to = entire length; leaf blades glabrous or pubescent, marginal hairs (if = present) not robust and not conspicuously widened at the = base=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80= =A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6= =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A68 8. Awns absent or up to 3 mm long; lemmas glabrous to variously scabrous = or puberulent on lower 1/6 to = =C2=BC=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80= =A6=E2=80=A6..=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80= =A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6.._B. inermis_ Leyss. 8=E2=80=99 Awns 1=E2=80=934.5(=E2=80=935) mm long; lemmas with hairs = 0.5=E2=80=930.8 mm long along margins and midvein, or moderately to = densely villous throughout=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6_B. pumpellianus_ Scribn. 9. Most lower glumes 3-nerved; awns 1.5=E2=80=933(=E2=80=934) mm = long.._B. porteri_ (J.M. Coult.) Nash 9=E2=80=99 Most lower glumes 1-nerved; awns (2=E2=80=93)3=E2=80=9311 mm = long=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80= =A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6...10 10. Auricles present and conspicuous, particularly on lower leaves; = collars densely pubescent; culms with 9=E2=80=9320 = nodes=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6_B. latiglumis_ (Scribn. ex Shear) = Hitchc. 10=E2=80=99 Auricles absent; collars glabrous or pubescent (but not = densely so); culms with up to 9 nodes = =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80= =A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6= =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A611 11. Glumes pubescent = =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80= =A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6...=E2=80= =A612 11=E2=80=99 Glumes = glabrous=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6..=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6= =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80= =A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A613 12. Mature inflorescences open, 13=E2=80=9319 cm wide; branches broadly = spreading, each with (1=E2=80=93)2=E2=80=935 spikelets; awns = 3=E2=80=936.5(=E2=80=937) mm long; ligules 2=E2=80=934 mm long; leaf = blades not thin and papery in herbarium = material.................................................._B. pacificus_ = Shear 12=E2=80=99 Mature inflorescences narrow, 1=E2=80=935 cm wide; branches = erect, narrowly ascending or drooping, each with 1(=E2=80=932) = spikelets; awns (4=E2=80=93)6=E2=80=9311 mm long; = ligules(2=E2=80=93)3=E2=80=936(=E2=80=937) mm long; leaf blades thin and = papery in herbarium material_B. vulgaris_ (Hook.) Shear 13. Ligules (2=E2=80=93)3=E2=80=936(=E2=80=937) mm long; awns = (4=E2=80=93)6=E2=80=9311 mm long; larger lemmas =E2=89=A4 2 mm wide; = leaf blades thin and papery in herbarium material=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6._B. = vulgaris_ (Hook.) Shear 13=E2=80=99 Ligules 0.5=E2=80=933 mm long; awns 4=E2=80=937(=E2=80=939) = mm long; larger lemmas generally > 2 mm wide; leaf blades not thin and = papery in herbarium = material=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6=E2=80=A6...14 14. Lemma backs glabrous or sparsely puberulent with hairs to 0.1 mm = long, margins pubescent with hairs 0.5=E2=80=931.3 mm long; upper glumes = 6.5=E2=80=939.5 mm long; lower glumes 5=E2=80=937.5 mm long; anthers = 0.9=E2=80=931.6 mm long; basal leaf sheaths glabrous or sparsely to = densely pubescent with soft and wavy hairs; upper blades with pilose = adaxial surfaces; upper nodes usually = pubescent=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6_B. ciliatus_ L. 14=E2=80=99 Lemma backs sparsely to densely pubescent with hairs > 0.1 = mm long; upper glumes (8=E2=80=93)9.5=E2=80=9311.5(=E2=80=9314.5) mm = long; lower glumes 7=E2=80=939.5 mm long; anthers = (1.2=E2=80=93)1.6=E2=80=932.7(=E2=80=933.4) mm long; basal leaf sheaths = glabrous or sparsely to densely pubescent with stiff hairs; upper blades = with glabrous adaxial surfaces; upper nodes usually glabrous = =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6.=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6.._B= . richardsonii_ Link 15. Lemmas appearing inflated, 3=E2=80=934 mm wide; awns absent or to 1 = mm long; spikelets = ovate=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80= =A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6.=E2=80=A6=E2=80= =A6_B. briziformis_ Fisch. & C.A. Mey. 15=E2=80=99 Lemmas not appearing inflated, < 3 mm wide; awns = 2=E2=80=9320 mm long; spikelets lanceolate to = ovate-lanceolate=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80= =A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6.16 16. Lemmas with strongly protruding nerves when dry; panicles usually = dense = .........................................................................= ................................_B. hordeaceus_ L. 16=E2=80=99 Lemmas smooth, without strongly protruding nerves; panicles = =C2=B1 open=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6..17 17. Awns arising 1.5=E2=80=935 mm below the apex of the lemma = =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6...=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A618 17=E2=80=99 Awns arising < 1.5 mm below the apex of the = lemmas=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80= =A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6...21 18. Panicles dense and erect, some branches shorter than the spikelets; = lemmas 11=E2=80=9320 mm long; most awns >15 mm long; glumes and lemmas = pilose with most hairs >=3D 0.9 mm long = =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80= =A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6_B. lanceolatus_ Roth 18=E2=80=99 Panicles lax and erect to nodding, some branches longer than = the spikelets; lemmas 7-11 mm long; awns < 15 mm long; glumes and lemmas = glabrous or pubescent with most hairs <0.9 mm long, never = pilose....=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6= =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6...=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6= =E2=80=A6.19=20 19. Inflorescense usually racemose and appearing one-sided, the branches = usually bearing a single spikelet; lemmas with hyaline margins = 0.5=E2=80=930.9 mm wide. = =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80= =A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6._B. squarrosus_ L. continue to 20 19=E2=80=99 Inflorescences usually paniculate and not appearing = one-sided, at least the lower branches usually bearing > 1 spikelet; = lemmas with hyaline margins 0.3=E2=80=930.5 mm wide = =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6 = =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6_B. = japonicus_ Thunb.=20 20. Glumes and lemmas glabrous or scabrous=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6_B. = squarrosus_ var. _squarrosus_ 20=E2=80=99 Glumes and lemmas densely pubescent with hairs to 0.8 mm = long = =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6........................_B. = squarrosus_ var. _villosus_ Roth 21. Lower leaf sheaths glabrous or with sparse, stiff hairs = 0.5=E2=80=930.6 mm long; spikelets widening substantially by divergence = of the florets as the fruit forms, many rachillas becoming visible as = the lemma wraps around the caryopses; caryopses U- and V-shaped in cross = section = =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80= =A6_B. secalinus_ L. 21=E2=80=99 Lower leaf sheaths densely pubescent with long, soft hairs = to 1.2 mm long; spikelets not widening substantially as the fruit forms, = lemmas continuing to obscure most rachillas; caryopses flat or crescent = shaped in cross section = =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A622 22. Panicles narrow, < 2.5 cm wide; inflorescence branches < 4 cm (as = measured from node to apex of the terminal floret); 1 spikelet per = branch; most larger spikelets <22 mm long (including awns); lemmas = 6.5=E2=80=939.5 mm long=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6..=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6_B. = racemosus_ L. 22=E2=80=99 Panicles broad and spreading, > 2.5 cm wide; longest = inflorescence branches >4 cm (as measured from node to apex of the = terminal floret); 1=E2=80=933 spikelets per branch; larger spikelets > = 22 mm long (including awns); lemmas 7.5=E2=80=9311 mm long = =E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2= =80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80= =A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6=E2=80=A6_B. commutatus_ = Schrad. _Bromus latiglumis_ in British Columbia and southwestern Alberta _Bromus latiglumis_ (Scribn. ex Shear) Hitchc. is a relatively = widespread northern Parkland area taxon, distributed from south central = Alberta to Nova Scotia, and the adjacent northeastern United States = (e.g., Pavlick 1995; Pavlick & Anderton 2007: 209). Until recently, it = was not reported for mountainous areas in southwestern Alberta and = adjacent British Columbia; however, the distribution map for _B. = latiglumis_ in Flora of North America vol. 24 (Pavlick & Anderton 2007) = included a dot in British Columbia near Golden, adjacent to the Banff = National Park area in Alberta, and dots in extreme southwestern Alberta. = Because _B. latiglumis_ had not previously been reported for these = areas, it seemed worthwhile to confirm these determinations. The = southwestern Alberta dots are presumably based on three CAN specimens = (or duplicate specimens deposited elsewhere) that were originally = determined as B. latiglumis, but which in fact are clearly B. vulgaris. = Bromus latiglumis is not known from this area. The single British = Columbia dot near Golden requires confirmation, and it remains = suspicious. Specimen citations: _Bromus latiglumis_ (Scribn. ex Shear) Hitchc. = [Originally identified as _Bromus vulgaris_ (Hook.) Shear] Alberta: = Waterton Lake, trail to Bertha Lake, 4200-6000 ft, 13 Sep 1925, _M.O. = Malte & W.R. Watson 2665_ (CAN-38721!), _2618_ (CAN-38722!); = Castlemount [ranger station], 8 mi up W branch of Castle River, 4800 = ft, 1 Sep 1925, _M.O. Malte & W.R. Watson 2515_ (CAN-38719!). Despite the hitherto suspicion of _B. latiglumis_ in British Columbia, a = recent collection (Fig. 1) provides what appears to be the first confirmed report for = British Columbia. _Bromus latiglumis_ was recently collected by Valerie Huff (V) in the = Peace River region of British Columbia (specimen originally determined by K.L. Marr = [V] and confirmed here). Based on the specimen data, it seems likely that the = taxon was seeded at=20 this location for reclamation purposes. Specimen citation: _Bromus latiglumis_ (Scribn. ex Shear) Hitchc. = British Columbia: Peace River, Mt. Wooliever, Marathon, Husky Sikanni = wellsite number C-40-J, reclaimed wellsite, with seeded native grasses, = some weedy species, no tree regeneration evident. Light: open, Slope: = 8, Aspect: 110, BEC (Biogeoclimatic Ecological Classification): SWBmk = (Moist Cool Spruce Willow Birch)57=C2=BA11=E2=80=9946"N = 123=C2=BA15'01W, 1360 m, 08 Aug 2008, _V. Huff & B. Haddow MAR1T2-3_ = (V202233!). _Bromus latiglumis_ is a member of _Bromus_ sect. _Bromopsis_ (see = Introduction). It is straightforward to distinguish from all other sect. = _Bromopsis_ species in British Columbia, characterized by the following = combination of characters: 9=E2=80=9320 nodes per culm, conspicuous = auricles, and densely pubescent collars (see Taxonomic Key). A good = illustration is provided in FNA vol. 24 (2007, page 210).=20 A second collection of _Bromus riparius_ in British Columbia _Bromus riparius_ Rehm. (meadow brome) was first reported for British = Columbia and characterized morphologically by Saarela (2008), based on a = recent collection from the southern part of the province [Rampart Rest = Area, 10 km E of Cranbrook, 23 May 2006, _Saarela 417_ (CAN, UBC)]. = Another recent specimen (Fig. 2) collected in 2008 by Valerie Huff (V) = in the Peace region appears to be the second confirmed report of the = taxon for the province. Based on the specimen label information, these = plants were likely seeded, which is common for _B. riparius_ since it is = widely grown as forage (see Saarela 2008). Whatever the source of the = introduction, the species is clearly an element of the British Columbia = flora and should be considered as such. More instances of this species = should be looked for.=20 Specimen citation: _Bromus riparius_ Rehm. British Columbia: Peace: Mt. = Wooliever, Marathon, Husky Sikanni wellsite number C-40-J, reclaimed = wellsite, with seeded native grasses, some weedy species, no tree = regeneration evident. Light: open, Slope: 8, Aspect: 110, BEC = (Biogeoclimatic Ecological Classification): SWBmk (Moist Cool Spruce = Willow Birch), 57=C2=BA11'46"N 123=C2=BA15'01"W, 1360 m, 08 Aug 2008, = _V. Huff & B. Haddow MAR1T2-15_ (V202555!). _Bromus lanceolatus_ in British Columbia The annual species _Bromus lanceolatus_ Roth (lanceolate brome), native = to southern Europe and northern Africa, has been introduced and = collected very sporadically across the United States (Pavlick and = Anderton 2007: 235). The species is cultivated as an ornamental; it is = likely that this is how the species is/was introduced. In June 2007, I = encountered and collected (Fig. 3) an unusual and unfamiliar _Bromus_ = species growing steadfastly in a small vacant lot directly adjacent to a = small building in downtown Cumberland on Vancouver Island. The plant = turned out to be _B. lanceolatus_, which I determined based on Pavlick = and Anderton (2007) and comparison with Old World specimens at CAN. I = presume these plants were cultivated somewhere nearby and escaped to = this location. There is no evidence of _B. lanceolatus_ persisting in = BC, and the species should not be considered naturalized. Nevertheless, = evidently it can grow in British Columbia, and since I was initially = uncertain of its identity, I have included the species in the key here.=20 Specimen citation: _Bromus lanceolatus_ Roth British Columbia: Vancouver = Island, Cumberland, Main Street, along edge of building, 49=C2=BA = 37=E2=80=9909=E2=80=9DN 125=C2=BA01=E2=80=9934=E2=80=9DW, 7 June 2007, = _J.M. Saarela, D.M. Percy & Y.M. Chang 940_ (CAN-590536!, duplicate sent = to UBC).=20 _Bromus squarrosus_ var. _villosus_: a confirmed record for Washington, = U.S.A. Saarela (2008) reported _B. squarrosus_ var. _villosus_ Roth for the = flora of BC (and North America) based on three specimens (i.e., = Kootenay, _Pavlick 93-143_ (V); Hells Gate, _Saarela et al. 736_ (CAN, = UBC); Waneta, _Lomer 6268_ (UBC, V) . Frank Lomer (personal = communication, March 2009) has confirmed the presence of this taxon in = northeastern Washington, based on a UBC specimen. Specimen citation: _Bromus squarrosus_ var. _villosus_ Roth U.S.A.: = Washington: Lincoln Co., Wilbur, low places, black soils on scablands, = 47=C2=B045=E2=80=B224=E2=80=B3N 118=C2=B042=E2=80=B223=E2=80=B3W, 18 = June 1947, _V.C. Brink 47-9-1_ (UBC-V20405), determined by F.L. Lomer, = 2009. Summary of taxonomic changes for British Columbia _Bromus_ in Saarela = (2008) and here compared with _Illustrated Flora of British Columbia_ = (IFBC; Douglas et al. 2001) =E2=80=A2 First report of _Bromus lanceolatus_ Roth for British Columbia =E2=80=A2 First report of _Bromus latiglumis_(Scribn. ex Shear) Hitchc. = for British Columbia =E2=80=A2 First reports of _Bromus riparius_ Rehm. for British Columbia. = =E2=80=A2 First report of _Bromus squarrosus_ var. _villosus_ Roth for = British Columbia (and North America). =E2=80=A2 _Bromus richardsonii_ Link is recognized in Saarela (2008) and = here as a distinct taxon (i.e., not included within _B. ciliatus_ L. = s.l., as in IFBC). =E2=80=A2 _Bromus rigidus_ Roth of IFBC is treated in Saarela (2008) and = here as _Bromus diandrus_ Roth.=20 =E2=80=A2 In Saarela (2008) and here, intraspecific taxa of _Bromus = hordeaceus_ L. are not recognized. =E2=80=A2 Bromus anomalus Rupr. ex E. Fourn. of IFBC is treated in = Saarela (2008) and here as Bromus porteri (J.M. Coult.) Nash. British Columbia _Bromus_ specimen data not published previously=20 In Saarela (2008) I cited only a fraction of the _Bromus_ material = housed in the herbarium at the Royal British Columbia Museum (V). = Georeferenced latitude and longitude data, when not present on specimen = labels, were kindly provided by John Pinder-Moss (V). I have confirmed = all of the determinations, and present these previously unpublished data = here in full in Appendix 1: http://bomi.ou.edu/ben/415/ =20 Acknowledgements=20 I am grateful to Barney L. Lipscomb (Editor, JBRIT) for allowing = reproduction of parts of the published manuscript; John Pinder-Moss (V) = for help with herbarium requests, for providing specimen label data, and = for hospitality during a visit to the herbarium at the Royal British = Columbia Museum (RBCM); Micheline Bouchard and Jennifer Doubt (both CAN) = for their ongoing help with herbarium loan requests; and Kelly Sendall = (RBCM) for clarifying the RBCM policy on publishing herbarium record = data. Frank Lomer (UBC) and Luc Brouillet (MT) provided important = information. =20 References Barkworth, M.E., L.K. Anderton, J. McGrew, & D.E. Giblin. 2006. = Geography and morphology of the _Bromus carinatus_ (Poaceae: Bromeae) = complex. _Madrono_ 53(3): 233-243. Clayton, W.D., & S.A. Renvoize. 1986. _Genera graminum: grasses of the = world._ Her Majesty's Stationary Office, London. Douglas, G.W., D. Meidinger, & J. Pojar, eds. 2001. _Illustrated flora = of British Columbia. Volume 7. Monocotyledons (Orchidaceae through = Zosteraceae)_. Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, British = Columbia. Pavlick, L.E. 1995. _Bromus L. of North America._ Royal British Columbia = Museum, Victoria, British Columbia. Pavlick, L.E., & L.K. Anderton. 2007. Bromus L. Pp. 193-237 In: M.E. = Barkworth, K.M. Capels, S. Long, L.K. Anderton, and M.B. Piep [eds.] = _Flora of North America, Volume 24. Magnoliophyta: Commelinidae (in = part): Poaceae, part 1._ Oxford University Press, Oxford and New York. Pavlick, L.E., A.M. Planchuelo, P.M. Peterson, & R.J. Soreng. 2003. = _Bromus_ L. In: R.J. Soreng, P.M. Peterson, G. Davidse, E.J. Judziewicz, = F.O. Zuloaga, T.S. Filgueiras, & O. Morrone [eds.] _Catalogue of New = World Grasses (Poaceae): IV. Subfamily Pooideae_. _Contr. U.S. Natl. = Herb._ 48:154=E2=80=93191. Peterson, P.M., J. Cayouette, Y.S.N. Ferdinandez, B. Coulman, & R.E. = Chapman. 2001 [2002]. Recognition of _Bromus richardsonii_ and _B. = ciliatus_: Evidence from morphology, cytology, and DNA fingerprinting = (Poaceae: Bromeae). _Aliso_ 20(1): 21-36. Planchuelo, A.M. 2006. A new combination in the _Bromus catharticus_ = complex (Poaceae: Bromeae sect. _Ceratochloa_). _Sida_ 22(1): 555-560. Saarela, J.M. 2008. Taxonomy of _Bromus_ (Poaceae : Pooideae : Bromeae) = sections _Bromopsis_, _Bromus_, and _Genea_ in British Columbia, Canada. = _Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas_ 2(1): 323-372. Saarela, J.M. & P.M. Peterson. [In press] _Bromus_ In: B.G. Baldwin, S. = Boyd, B.J. Ertter, R.W. Patterson, T.J. Rosatti, & D.H. Wilken [eds.]=20 _Jepson Manual_ 2nd edition. Saarela, J.M., P.M. Peterson, & J. Cayouette. 2005. _Bromus hallii_ = (Poaceae), a new combination for California, USA, and taxonomic notes on = _Bromus orcuttianus_ and _Bromus grandis_. _Sida_ 21(4): 1997-2013. Saarela, J.M., Peterson, P.M., Keane, R.M., Cayouette, J., & Graham, = S.W. 2007. Molecular phylogenetics of _Bromus_ (Poaceae: Pooideae) = based on chloroplast and nuclear DNA sequence data. _Aliso_ 23: 379-396. Soreng, R.J. 2007. _Poa_. Pp. 486=E2=80=93601 in: M.E. Barkworth, L.K. = Anderton, K.M. Capels, S. Long, & M.B. Piep [eds.] _Magnoliophyta: = Commelinidae (in part): Poaceae, part 1. Flora of North America North of = Mexico, volume 24._ Oxford University Press, New York.=20 Stewart, H. & R.J. Hebda. 2000. _Grasses of the Columbia Basin of = British Columbia._ Royal British Columbia Museum Working Paper 45. Crown = Publications, Victoria. [also available at = http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/docs/wp/Wp45/Wp45-a.pdf ] ________________________________________________________________ =20 Subscriptions: http://victoria.tc.ca/mailman/listinfo/ben-l Send submissions to aceska@telus.net BEN is archived at http://www.ou.edu/cas/botany-micro/ben/ ________________________________________________________________ From aceska at telus.net Tue Oct 20 09:00:52 2009 From: aceska at telus.net (Adolf & Oluna Ceska) Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 01:00:52 -0700 Subject: [BEN-L]BEN # 416 Message-ID: <003d01ca515b$72376ff0$56a64fd0$@net> BBBBB EEEEEE NN N ISSN 1188-603X BB B EE NNN N BBBBB EEEEE NN N N BOTANICAL BB B EE NN NN ELECTRONIC BBBBB EEEEEE NN N NEWS =20 No. 416 October 20, 2009 =20 aceska@telus.net Victoria, B.C. ----------------------------------------------------------- Dr. A. Ceska, P.O.Box 8546, Victoria, B.C. Canada V8W 3S2 ----------------------------------------------------------- MUSHROOM POISONING: THE ROLE OF CARELESS IDENTIFICATIONS From: Michael W. Beug, Chair, NAMA Toxicology Committee = BeugM@evergreen.edu=20 Figures 1-12: http://bomi.ou.edu/ben/416/ben416_figures.pdf =20 I have always considered the consumption of edible wild mushrooms a safe = and enjoyable, indeed healthful, pastime. I have my list of what I call = 55 mile per hour mushrooms that I can identify glancing out the window = at highway speeds. I pass up other edible mushrooms that require a good = spore print or microscopic analysis to be sure of the identification. = However, lately when I am leading a group in the woods, I have been = reluctant to assure others that even my 55 mile per hour mushrooms are = foolproof. What follows are some accounts of recent misidentifications = that stagger the imagination. You see, I collect and report on mushroom = poisoning cases from throughout North America as chair of the North = American Mycological Association Toxicology Committee. In early September 2009, I received an email report of severe = gastronomic upset affecting four people (probably in Wisconsin) who had = consumed what was reportedly _Laetiporus sulphureus_ (Bull.) Murrill. I = am used to getting reports of upset from the western look-alike, = _Laetiporus conifericola_ Burds. & Banik (Figure 1). However, even with = _Laetiporus conifericola_, I would not expect every person in the group = to have become ill. I would expect at most one or two sensitive = individuals to have suffered gastro-intestinal distress, not the whole = group. Besides, it is very rare for someone to react to _Laetiporus = sulphureus_ itself, just to its polypore look-alikes_ Laetiporus = conifericola_ and _Laetiporus gilbertsonii_ Burds. The answer came a few = days later in another email reporting that _Laetiporus sulphureus_ has = a dangerous look-alike in eastern North America. The purported = look-alike, and culprit in this story, was _Omphalotus illudens_ = (Schwein.) Bresinsky & Besl (Figure 2). The most stunning aspect of this = story is that a few years ago I received another report of someone = serving Omphalotus illudens thinking it was _Laetiporus sulphureus_. To = me this is like not being able to distinguish green apples and limes. = The only things that the two have in common are that they both grow on = trees and both are green. The only things _Laetiporus sulphureus_ and = _Omphalotus illudens_ have in common is that they are both somewhat = orange and both grow on wood. _Laetiporus sulphureus_ is a polypore and = _Omphalotus illudens_ is a gilled mushroom =E2=80=93 how different can = you get? The same week I received a call from a poison center. They were fielding = a call from a nurse at a hospital in another state who had identified a = mushroom as _Amanita muscaria_ (L.) Lam. (Figure 3). A young man had = eaten 6-8 whole mushrooms in an apparent effort to get high and an hour = had elapsed yet nothing was happening. The mushroom was described as = having brown gills, among other features including bumps on the cap = =E2=80=93 and _Amanita_ species have white gills unless old and rotting. = Besides, consumption of 6-8 _Amanita muscaria_ would constitute a = massive overdose =E2=80=93 1 or 2 caps are what someone would eat = attempting to get high. Six to 8 would be an attempt at suicide, though = even that amount probably would not kill a healthy individual. So what = was the culprit? I asked if the nurse could be requested to send me = pictures and shortly some fairly blurry pictures arrived in my email = =E2=80=93 pictures of what was clearly an edible but bland and = uninteresting species of _Pholiota_, possibly _Pholiota terrestris_ = Overh. (Figure 4). I was stunned but considering other mistakes I have = seen, not altogether surprised. _Amanita_ species have white gills that = are not attached to the stipe and yield a white spore print. _Pholiota_ = species have brown gills that are attached to the stipe and yield a = brown spore print. _Amanita muscaria_ has warts on the cap that readily = rub off or wash off in the rain. The scales on the cap of a _Pholiota_ = are part of the cap structure and do not rub off.=20 _Amanita pantherina_ (DC.) Krombh. (Figure 5) has frequently been picked = and eaten by persons who thought that they were eating _Agaricus = augustus_ Fr. (Figure 6). Do people also have trouble telling cantaloupe = from oranges? Mushrooms are very safe to pick and eat if you eat = distinctive species like _Agaricus augustus_ so long as you read the = description of the species and pay attention to what _Agaricus augustus_ = looks like. A tragic case of mistaken identification was reported in Macleans.ca in = an August 27, 2009 article: = http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/08/27/judith-josephine-koritar-1944-2009/ = According to the article the woman picked what she thought was = _Leucoagaricus naucinus_ (Fr.) Singer - syn.: _Lepiota naucina_ (Fr.) = P. Kumm. (Figure 7). She actually picked a truly close look-alike, = =E2=80=9CThe Destroying Angel=E2=80=9D or _Amanita virosa_ (Fr.) = Bertill. (in reality it was most probably _Amanita bisporigera_ G.F. = Atk., Figure 8). She checked her mushroom book and consumed the = mushrooms which made her nauseous the next day and led to her death from = _Aspergillosis_ 19 days later. Her mistakes were subtle =E2=80=93 she = thought that the _Amanita_ only grew in the woods and so a lawn mushroom = would be safe =E2=80=93 but not true if a tree is anywhere near. = Virtually all _Amanita_ species are mycorrhizal associates of trees, but = a tree can grow near a lawn. Her second mistake was in not collecting = the entire base of the mushroom. The volva, or =E2=80=9Cdeath = cup=E2=80=9D characteristic of the Destroying Angel group of mushrooms = but not _Lepiota_ species, is often just below the surface of the ground = and is easily missed by a careless picker. Thus one of my rules = =E2=80=93 never eat an all-white gilled mushroom. By the way, the = Destroying Angel mushrooms are exceptionally tasty =E2=80=93 and thus = poison several careless people each year. And there is a green to tan = deadly _Amanita_, _Amanita phalloides_ (Vaill. ex Fr.) Link (Figure 9) = that came over on nursery stock from Europe over 100 years ago and is = often found in urban areas. I have another rule - never eat small gilled mushrooms. Several small = _Lepiota_ species contain the same toxins as the =E2=80=9CDestroying = Angel.=E2=80=9D _Lepiota subincarnata_ J.E. Lange, also known as = _Lepiota josserandii_ Bon & Boiffard (Figure 10) is one. Several = _Galerina_ species like _Galerina marginata_ (Batsch) K=C3=BChner (alias = _Galerina autumnalis_ (Peck) A.H. Sm. & Singer, Figure 11) have the same = deadly toxin, =CE=B1-amanitin. Numerous small _Inocybe_ species contain = a different toxin, muscarine. _Inocybe_ species like _Inocybe geophylla_ = (Pers.) P. Kumm. (Figure 12) can kill a small dog but in a human cause = severe vomiting and diarrhoea, profuse salivation and tear formation and = constricted pupils. There is no reliable rule that will tell you that a mushroom is edible. = Poisonous mushrooms are no more likely to turn a silver spoon black than = an edible species, nor will they change the color of rice they are = cooked with. To be safe you must know how to identify each species that = you choose to eat. VEGETATION-PLOT DATA AND DATABASES IN EUROPE From: Schamin=C3=A9e J. H. J., Hennekens S. M., Chytr=C3=BD M. & Rodwell = J. S. (2009): Vegetation-plot data and databases in Europe: an overview. = =E2=80=93 _Preslia_ 81: 173=E2=80=93185. Abstract. Full article: = http://www.preslia.cz/P093Schaminee.pdf=20 During the last decade many electronic databases of vegetation plots, = mainly phytosociological relev=C3=A9s, were established in different = European countries. These databases contain information which is = extremely valuable for both testing various macroecological hypotheses = and for nature conservation surveying or monitoring. The aim of this = paper is to provide estimates of the number of vegetation plots there = are in Europe, how many are stored in an electronic format and to assess = their distribution across European countries and regions. We sent a = questionnaire to the managers of national or regional databases of = vegetation plots and other prominent vegetation ecologists. Meta-data = obtained in this way indicate that there are > 4,300,000 vegetation-plot = records in Europe, of which > 1,800,000 are already stored = electronically. Of the electronic plots, 60% are stored in TURBOVEG = databases. Most plot records probably exist in Germany, the Netherlands, = France, Poland, Spain, Czech Republic, Italy, UK, Switzerland and = Austria. The largest numbers of plots per unit area are in the = Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and countries of central Europe. The most = computerized plots per country exist in the Netherlands (600,000), = followed by France, the Czech Republic and the UK. Due to its strong = phytosociological tradition, Europe has many more vegetation plots than = any other part of the world. This wealth of unique ecological = information is a challenge for future biodiversity studies. With the = alarming loss in biodiversity and environmental problems like global = warming and ongoing changes in land use, there is an urgent need for = wide-scale scientific and applied vegetation research. Developments of = information systems such as SynBioSys Europe and facilitation of data = flow between the national and regional databases should make it easier = to use these vegetation-plot data. Check also: The International Association of Vegetation Scientists organizes a = conference and workshop on Vegetation databases and climate change 24 February - 26 February: 9th Meeting on Vegetation Databases Hamburg, Germany http://www.botanik.uni-greifswald.de/workshop2010.html?&L=3D1 =20 Contact: J=C3=BCrgen Dengler (dengler@botanik.uni-hamburg.de ) BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT - AUDUBON: BEYOND BIRDS Small E., P.M. Catling, J. Cayouette, & B. Brookes. 2009.=20 _Plant portraits and conservation heritage of John James Audubon_.=20 NRC Press, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. xiv + 266 p.=20 ISBN-13: 978-0-660-19894-1 [hardcover] CAN$49.95=20 Book available from NRC Press:=20 http://pubs.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca/eng/books/books/9780660198941.html =20 Phone: 613-990-2254 or 1-800-668-1222; email: = monographs.cisti@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca=20 John James Audubon was one of the world's greatest painters of wildlife. = He is best known for _The Birds of America_, a gigantic four-volume set = of 435 paintings that to this day remains one of the largest books ever = produced, the most expensive book ever sold at auction and an artistic = achievement almost without parallel. Audubon also prepared a similar = three-volume set of 150 outstanding paintings of North American mammals. = In the last 2 centuries, dozens of books have been produced, either = stressing Audubon's work as pure art or documenting the animals that = were painted. The present volume is unique in emphasizing the plants = that Audubon frequently illustrated along with his animals. Superb, = full-color reproductions are shown of more than 100 of Audubon's best = paintings, chosen for their excellent portrayal of plants. Each = magnificent full-page plate is accompanied by information on the animals = (mostly birds), the painting and (most particularly) the plants. An = introductory, extensively illustrated chapter details Audubon's life and = career =E2=80=94 a fascinating story of heroic achievements in the face = of great obstacles. A second chapter deals with Audubon's conservation = legacy, a topic of considerable importance to the world's ongoing crises = related to loss of biodiversity, degradation of the environment and = global warming. This book will appeal to everyone who appreciates the = stunning beauty of nature and the intriguing life stories of wild plants = and animals. =20 NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN: RECENT BRYOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS From: William R. Buck, New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10458-5126, = USA e-mail: bbuck@nybg.org =20 The New York Botanical Garden Press is pleased to offer two new titles = for=20 Fall 2009: Anderson, Lewis E., A. Jonathan Shaw, & Blanka Shaw. 2009. _Peat Mosses of the Southeastern United States._ (Memoirs of The New = York Botanical Garden, Volume 102.)=20 New York Botanical Garden Press, Bronx, NY. 126 p. ISBN: 0-89327-505-0 = [hardcover] Price US$42 Order no. M10200 Sphagnum, commonly known as peat moss, is widely used in agriculture,=20 horticulture, and floriculture. Living plants are colourful and add much = to the=20 beauty of wetlands. It takes little training to recognize the genus, and = most=20 of the sections are almost as easy to recognize. Yet they are scarcely = noticed=20 by field botanists, and even bryologists tend to avoid them; they have a = reputation of being taxonomically difficult but this applies only to a = subset. There are few taxonomic treatments of Sphagnum in North America, yet=20 it is a fascinating genus whose species comprise an integral part of = nearly=20 all fresh-water wetlands. Almost all significant critical taxonomic = characters=20 are microscopic and require dissections and staining, which can, with a = little=20 practice, be easily self-taught. Even with a moderate amount of field=20 experience, however, a novice can learn to recognize sections and some = species=20 in the field with certainty (although there are many species that even = experts=20 cannot distinguish without a compound microscope). All field = identifications=20 need to be confirmed microscopically. This volume will aid those who = venture=20 into identifying peat mosses. Gradstein S. Robbert, & Anna Luiza Ilkiu-Borges. 2009. _Guide to the Plants of Central French Guiana Part 4. Liverworts and = Hornworts_=20 (Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 76,4) New York Botanical Garden Press, Bronx, = NY.=20 144 p. ISBN 0-89327-506-9 [hardcover] Price: $52 / Order no. = M76P04 This hepatic flora of central French Guiana is based on the study of=20 about 1500 collections made by many different collectors. All species = are=20 keyed, described, and illustrated. Brief descriptions of the habitats of = the=20 species and of the lowland cloud forest of central French Guiana are = also=20 provided. The flora consists of 175 species of liverworts in 59 genera and 17 families and 2 species of hornworts (2 genera, 2 families). The=20 Lejeuneaceae are the most important family with 117 species in 37 = genera.=20 Eight new taxa are introduced. This much-anticipated volume is the fourth and final part of the Guide=20 to the Plants of Central French Guiana. In addition, NYBG Press is offering a very special price on the entire = four- volume Guide to the Plants of Central French Guiana. Purchase all four = books=20 for $128 -- a savings of $62 over the list price of $190. The set = comprises=20 1,674 pages and 200 color plates. Part 1 treats pteridophytes, = gymnosperms,=20 and monocotyledons; Part 2 covers the dicotyledons; Part 3 deals with = mosses;=20 and the newly published Part 4 covers liverworts and hornworts. To order, call 718-817-8721 ________________________________________________________________ =20 Subscriptions: http://victoria.tc.ca/mailman/listinfo/ben-l=20 Send submissions to aceska@telus.net=20 BEN is archived at http://www.ou.edu/cas/botany-micro/ben/=20 ________________________________________________________________