Ronald L. Jones

Weeds of the South

This book is an update to the Southern Weed Science Society’s Weed Identification Guide, which was available only as a three-ring binder. Twenty-eight members of the Weed Identification Committee of the Southern Weed Science Society are listed as having provided major contributions to the volume, and the editors state that dozens of others over the last 30 yrs have helped to accumulate the information presented in the book. Weeds are defined as ‘‘plants that grow spontaneously and prolifically in habitats that have been modified by human activity,’’ and a brief history on the origin of weeds is provided. The geographic coverage actually extends across most of eastern United States, south of a line extending from Delaware through central Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, to western Oklahoma. The species treatments begin after eight pages of color drawings illustrating botanical terminology, and a very helpful key to the families of weedy species. About 400 of the most troublesome and invasive weeds of the region are covered. The species treatments are arranged by major grouping (pteridophytes, dicots, and monocots), and then alphabetically by family and genus, but it is the common name that is highlighted at the beginning of each treatment. Each treatment includes common and scientific names, synonyms, habit, habitat, and origin, seedling characteristics, mature plant characteristics, special identifying features, and toxic properties. Also included for each species is a distribution map for North America and several (usually four) color photographs, typically showing seed, seedling, plant, flower, or other special characteristics. A very helpful feature is the inclusion of a color drawing of the collar and ligule for each grass species. Altogether over 1,500 color photographs, 125 illustrations, and 405 maps are provided. The book concludes with a 14-page glossary, a 5-page bibliography, a listing of contributors providing specific descriptions, and a 16-page index to scientific and common names. Mostly exotic species are included, but some native plants that can become weedy, such as species of Solidago and Polygonum are also covered. The species selection is heavily weighted toward ‘‘field and roadside’’ herbaceous weeds, not species that invade woodlands, such as Alliaria petiolata and Microstegium vimineum. Very few woody species are treated, and only a few species that invade aquatic habitats are covered. Also not included are such upand-coming invasives as Achyranthes japonica, the Japanese chaff-flower, and Thlaspi alliaceum, garlic penny-cress, which are both now spreading rapidly in south-central United States. Obviously a book of this kind cannot address all the types of weedy plants in the southern United States. For the 400 species selected, the contributors have done a fine job of presenting the information in a clear and precise manner, as well as providing excellent color photographs and drawings. The descriptions and illustrations of seeds and seedlings are especially valuable, since they are rarely found in other similar books. This book is a valuable resource not only for those that deal with agricultural weeds, but for land managers, students, professional botanists, and others interested in the growing problem of invasive species across the landscape.

Botanical survey of Rock Creek Research Natural Area, Kentucky

A 10-year survey of vascular plants was made of Rock Creek Research Natural Area, a 77-ha deep, narrow gorge of old-growth Hemlock-Mixed Mesophytic Forest located in Laurel County, Kentucky, on the Daniel Boone National Forest. The study documented 350 specific and infraspecific taxa in 223 genera and 93 families. Thirteen are nonindigenous naturalized species. Vascular plants include 6 Lycopodiophyta, 25 Polypodiopyta, 5 Pinophyta, and 314 Magnoliophyta; 255 are annual, biennial, and perennial herbs and 95 are woody vines, shrubs, and trees. Seventeen rare and special interest species have been recorded, including 4 that are listed by the state. The floristic survey provides a baseline reference for relative abundance, species richness, plant associations, habitats, and generalized life-forms within the Rock Creek Research Natural Area.

A Reference List to Field Botany in Kentucky (1985–2006)

ABSTRACT The reference list of 874 field botany entries principally from 1985 to 2006 updates two previous reference lists, the last of which appeared in 1989. Seventy-seven relevant entries through 1987 are included that were not indexed in the last reference list. One hundred fifty-two entries are from 1989 or earlier, 391 from the 1990s, and 331 since 2000. The references include 606 peer-reviewed journal articles, 67 scientific botanical books, 62 technical articles, 46 theses, 30 technical reports, 22 dissertations, 18 book chapters, and 23 popular books. The four largest botanical subjects within 11 subdivisions are floristics (247), synecology (205), autecology (134), and systematics (126).

Index Herbariorum Kentuckiensis IV

ABSTRACT A survey conducted in August and September 2006 provides information on present herbarium collections at 12 Kentucky institutions. A total of 338,000 vascular and nonvascular specimens are reported. Of these, 324,700 are vascular specimens, and 13,400 are nonvascular. This number represents a 37% increase in specimens since the last survey in 1995. Updates are provided on current curators, databasing efforts, and other changes during the last decade.