Richard Stalter

The Vascular Flora of Assateague Island, Virginia

The vascular flora of Assateague Island, Virginia is based exclusively on collections made by the authors from October 1986 to October 1988. Altogether, 443 vascular plant species in 272 genera and 99 families are here reported. Of these, 58 species are new records for Assateague Island, and 157 species are confirmed for the Virginia portion of the island for the first time. Two species are state records for Virginia. Largest families are Poaceae (77 species) and Asteraceae (62 species), and largest genera are Panicum, Juncus, Eleocharis, Aristida and Eupatorium

Flora of North Carolina's Outer Banks, Ocracoke Island to Virginia

STALTER, R. (Dept. Biol. Sci., St. Johns Univ., Jamaica, NY 11439) AND E. E. LAMONT (N.Y. Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10458). Flora of North Carolinas Outer Banks, Ocracoke Island to Virginia. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 124:71-88. 1997.-The vascular flora of the Outer Banks, Ocracoke Island to Virginia, consists of 741 species within 413 genera and 138 families. Sixteen of the species are listed as rare or endangered in North Carolina. Polygonum prolificum (Small) B. L. Robinson is a new state record. Thirty-seven species of southern affinities reach their northern range limit on the Outer Banks, whereas only three northern species reach their southern limit. Species of foreign origin, though numerous in the flora, are nonetheless only a minor component of the natural vegetation. Each taxonomic entry in the checklist is accompanied by an annotation which includes the locality and habitat in which each taxon occurs, frequence of occurrence, range extensions, rarity status, and pertinent synonyms.

Vascular Flora of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Long Island, New York

STALTER, R. (Dept. Biol. Sci., St. Johns Univ., Jamaica, NY 11439) AND E. E. LAMONT (N.Y. Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10458). Vascular flora of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Long Island, New York. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 129: 346-358. 2002.-The vascular flora of Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, New York, consists of 456 species within 270 genera and 90 families. Twelve of the species are listed as rare in New York. Largest families are Asteraceae (77 species) and Poaceae (57 species), and largest genera are Polygonum, Cyperus, Aster, Panicum, Trifolium, Carex and Eupatorium. Each taxonomic entry in the checklist is accompanied by an annotation that includes the habitat in which each taxon occurs, frequency of occurrence, rarity status and pertinent synonyms. A summary of the land use history of Jamaica Bay is also presented.

The historical and extant flora of Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada

Abstract Stalter, R. (Department of Biological Sciences, St. Johns University, Jamaica, NY 11439) and E. E. Lamont (Honorary Research Associate, Institute of Systematic Botany, The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10458). The historical and extant flora of Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 133: 362–374. 2006.—Sable Island, Nova Scotia, Canada, was surveyed for vascular plants in August 2002. The islands past and present flora comprises 61 families, 156 genera, and 224 species, of which 145 species (65%) are native and 79 species (35%) are non-native. The most species-rich families are Poaceae, Asteraceae, Cyperaceae, Polygonaceae, Caryophyllaceae, and Rosaceae. The largest genera are Juncus and Carex. Floristic studies of five earlier investigators are presented and discussed, including Macoun, conducted in 1899; Güssow, in 1911; St. John, in 1913; Erskine, in 1952; and Catling et al., in 1981. During the past 100 years, the islands flora has remained relatively stable; the number of native species has changed little and most plants introduced to the island have not become established.

Rare and endangered plants at Gateway National Recreation Area: a case for protection of urban natural areas

Abstract The diversity of native plant species in urban environments is usually overlooked when biodiversity levels are considered. Inventories of native plants reveal many to be rare species surviving the harsh conditions encountered in urban ecosystems. Knowledge of their existence and an inventory of their distribution will assist in maintaining these populations. Protection strategies for rare plant species are outlined for urban National Parks.

The Vascular Flora of Five Florida Shell Middens

RICHARD STALTER (Dept. Biol. Sci., St. Johns Univ., Jamaica, NY 11439) AND DWIGHT KINCAID, (Dept. Biol. Sci., Lehman College CUNY, Bronx, NY 10468). The vascular flora of five Florida shell middens. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 131:95-105. 2004.-This study described the vascular flora of five Florida shell middens: Fort George Shell Ring, Guana River State Park Shell Ring, Tomoka State Park Shell Midden, Green Mound, and Turtle Mound. These protected middens were located on state or National Park property. The vascular flora consisted of 190 species within 159 genera in 81 families. Poaceae and Asteraceae were the largest families and the largest genera were Cyperus, Quercus, Smilax, and Solidago. Native species composed 95.3% of the flora. Soil salinity and daily flooding affected the distribution of vascular plants at tidal midden sites. Calcareous soils influenced species distribution at upland shell midden sites. Each taxonomic entry in the checklist is accompanied by site location.

Vascular Flora of Fisherman Island, Virginia

STALTER, R. (Dept. Biol. Sci., St. Johns Univ., Jamaica NY 11439) AND E. E. LAMONT (N.Y. Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY 10458). Vascular flora of Fisherman Island, Virginia. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 127:324-332. 2000.-The vascular flora of Fisherman Island, Virginia, consists of 274 species within 180 genera and 64 families. Seven species of southern affinities are at or near their northern range limit on Fisherman Island; thirteen species are new records for Northampton County; and seventeen species are listed as rare, threatened or uncommon in Virginia. Two of the species, Eremochloa ophiuroides and Oplismenus setarius, had not been reported from Virginia before this study. Species of foreign origin, though numerous in the flora, are nonetheless only a minor component of the natural vegetation. Each taxonomic entry in the checklist is accompanied by an annotation that includes the habitat in which each taxon occurs, frequency of occurrence, range extensions, rarity status and pertinent synonyms. Largest families are Poaceae (57 species) and Asteraceae (37 species), and largest genera are Panicum s. lat., Juncus, Carex and Cyperus.

The biological flora of coastal dunes and wetlands: Spartina patens (W. Aiton) G.H. Muhlenberg.

Abstract Spartina patens (W. Aiton) G.H. Muhlenberg is a New World tropical-, subtropical-, and temperate-zone rhizomatous grass that often is a dominant species in coastal environments. It occurs in habitats ranging from foredunes to saturated soil conditions in high marshes and swales. Herein, we present a review of the extensive literature of this important species. Spartina patens occurs where salinity ranges from 1 to 27 ppt, but it will tolerate salinities up to 40 ppt for brief periods. It tolerates moderate tidal inundation, low nutrient levels, and low to moderate sand coverage. Also known as marshhay cordgrass, it may account for almost all net productivity in high marshes on the Gulf of Mexico coast of Louisiana. High marshes dominated by S. patens are affected by flooding depths associated with global warming and rising sea levels. It is a valuable species for coastal restoration projects for it quickly invades dredged material and storm washover sites. Spartina patens provides cover for wildlife and forage for livestock.

The Vascular Flora of Ellis Island, New York City, New York

RICHARD STALTER AND STEVEN SCOTTO (Department of Biological Sciences, St. Johns University, Jamaica, NY 11439). The vascular flora of Ellis Island, New York City, New York. J. Torrey Bot. Soc. 126:367-375. 1999.-The vascular flora of Ellis Island, a 11.1 hectare (27.5 acre) island in New York Harbor, consists of 247 species within 164 genera and 69 families. The largest families in the flora are the Poaceae (45 species) and Asteraceae (39 species). Twenty five families represented in this flora are comprised exclusively of non-native species. Species of extra-regional origin, 60.3% of the flora, are a major component of the natural vegetation. A list of the 247 species of vascular plants identified is included.

Biological Flora of Coastal Dunes and Wetlands: Uniola paniculata L

Abstract Uniola paniculata C. Linnaeus is a New World, tropical-, subtropical-, and temperate-zone, rhizomatous grass that is often a dominant species on foredunes and on the primary dune complex. Uniola paniculata L. has low freshwater-moisture requirements, tolerates aerosol salt spray, has low nutrient level requirements, tolerates high sand temperatures, and provides extensive sand coverage. Also known as sea oats, this grass inhabits mobile and semistable dune systems and plays a significant role in trapping sand and building primary dunes. Caryopsis production is low. However, germination is enhanced by cutting into the endosperm and leaching the caryopses. Northern populations require cold treatment before germination, but southern populations are not dependent on cold treatment before exposure to a germination protocol with a 35/25°C thermoperiod.