Life Sciences Commons^™

The Bell Natural History Museum, An Aid To Teaching Botany, Harold W. Hansen

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Much of the regular academic year does not lend itself to observation of plants in their natural habitat outdoors. The museum exhibits can serve as study aids in the off season, although they should not be utilized as substitutes for field work. This study systematized some materials available for class use. Museum files, display legends, and original observations were used. From the Bell Museum of Natural History, 112 exhibits were listed and coded for location; 384 specimens, of 247 species were listed from individual displays; a massed alphabetized species index was prepared. The exhibit "Maple-Basswood Forest" was studied in detail; …

Lichen Studies On Allison Savanna, Clifford Wetmore

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Soil and tree lichens were studied on the Helen Allison Savanna in Anoka County, Minnesota. Sample plots established in parts of the savanna have had fires at various time frequencies, and one section has had no recent fires. Fire has not eliminated any lichen species on the trees but has reduced their frequency in the lower trunk plots. Most soil species of lichens are eliminated by even infrequent fires. Fifty two species were found on trees and 13 species on the soil.

Composition Of Goldenrod (Solidago: Compositae) Populations By Species In The Upper Midwest, William E. Miller

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

In each of 100 abandoned agricultural fields grown over with goldenrod, stems were diagnosed and counted in 20 occupied 0.4 M plots selected by hoop tossing. Preliminary results differed little between hoop tossing and random plot selection, and between 0.9 and 0.4 m plot sizes. In rank order of stem abundance the taxa were Solidago altissima L. S. canadensis L. complex S. gigantea Ait. S. graminifolia (L.) Saliab. S. nemoralis Ait. S. ulmifolia muhl. others. An average of 2.2 taxa were recorded per field, and three or more taxa in at least one plot in 34 percent of fields. Where …

Some Optimal Growth Media For Use In The Botany Classroom, Marshall D. Sundberg

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Cultures of various bacteria and fungi are often used in introductory botany classes. In most cases the students are simply asked to examine these colonies or to prepare a microscope slide. Directions are given in this paper for the preparation of optimal growth media which may be consumed by the student. This provides a new twist to otherwise routine laboratory exercises.

Vegetation Within A Portion Of The Copper-Nickel Study Region, Nancy Sather

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Cluster analysis of data from 277 Braun-Blanquet releves differentiates 11 major forested communities in a 1,450 sq km area of northeastern Minnesota. Upland communities include black spruce-jack pine, jack pine, red pine, aspen-birch, aspen-birch-fir, and mixed conifer-deciduous. Forested wetland communities include black spruce, tamarack, cedar, ash, and alder carr. The greatest floristic differences are between those communities at opposite extremes of the moisture spectrum, and greatest similarities between red pine and aspen-birch-fir communities. Floristic similarities and differences are-reflected by the positions of communities in the synecological ·moisture nutrient field Structural differences between upland communities are more notable than floristic differences.

Planting Trees-Why Rather Than How, Angelo Cohn

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Three evergreen plantings over 25 years in a private woodland are described and evaluated in terms of reforestation, economics and personal satisfaction. Credit is given to government foresters and support from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DN\R) and the federal Forest Incentives Program (FIP). Changes in site preparation methods, selection of species and planting procedures are discussed as outcomes of research and field experience. Cost-benefits are assigned principally to human values reflected in family learning and enhanced appreciation of the ecosystem of rural Minnesota.

Scirpus Validus And S. Acutus: A Question Of Distinctness, Marlyn Miller, E. O. Beal

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

An analysis of 32 populations of bulrushes in the Scirpus validus-acutus complex growing in Itasca State Park and prairie ponds to the west indicates that most of the populations are referable to neither S. validus nor S. acutus but, rather, are intermediate in morphology. Further, the supposedly characteristic features by which the two nomenclatural species have been identified are erratically correlated.

A Computer Analysis Of Relationships Between Orders Of Chrysophyta, David P. Olds

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

The division Chrysophyta has previously been formulated to include three diverse groups. A computer analysis was made of the individual orders within the division to determine the "naturalness" of this grouping and also to show how computer techniques may be used for this purpose. The computer methods are described, and a possible system of classification of the division based on the computer analysis is presented.

Size-Structure Correlation In Developing Roots Of Cissus And Syngonium, David L. Berquam

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

The development of conducting tissues in relation to root size is examined in Cissus sicyoides L. and Syngonium podophyllum Engl. Evidence is presented that such relationships arise earlier in development than has hitherto been described. Their early appearance calls into question the hypothesis that such relationships reflect a solution to problems of water economy in mature tissues. While pattern determination in Syngonium is similar to that anticipated on the basis of published investigations, a new 'kind of size-structure correlation is identified in Cissus. In light of this fact, a need to broaden the philosophical bases for an interpretation of form …

Deciduous Trees Of Minnesota: A Winter Key, Thomas Morley

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Keys are provided for the identification in winter condition of Minnesota's native deciduous trees and also those commonly cultivated. A labelled plate of illustrations accompanies the keys, as does a brief selected reference list.

Pine Reproduction In Itasca State Park: Analysis In Moisture-Nutrient Coordinates, Vilis Kurmis, Henry L. Hansen

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Natural pine reproduction was studied in 36 forest communities representing the range of ecological variability of the upland forest in Itasca Park, Minnesota. The method of synecological coordinates was used to evaluate reproduction in relation to stand and site conditions. In the absence of fire, predominantly medium to nutrient-rich forest soils favor the growth of herbs, shrubs, and hardwoods under the open canopies of pine and aspen stands. There are very few red pine (Pinus resinosa Ait.) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) seedlings under these conditions, and growth of white pine (Pinus strobus L.) seedlings is severely restricted.

Sex Induction In Equisetum Arvense L., Stephen Davis

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Equisetum arvense was studied for sexual development. The effects of crowding and transplantation were observed to influence sexual maturity and growth patterns of the gametophytes. Regeneration experiments demonstrated that sexual development is environmentally induced.

Internode Growth In The Aquatic Macrophyte, Hippuris Vulgaris, Mary Ellen Bland

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT -An analysis of internode lengths in the Hippuris stem is represented by a four phase growth curve, The two parameters which infl~ence this pattern of internode lengths are the number of cells per internode and the length of the individual cells within the internode. In the ontogeny of the Hippuris stem cell length and cell number influence internode length in the distal portion of the stem while in the basal portion of the stem cell number is the major factor affecting internode length. The pattern of stem growth in Hippuris differs from that of Elodea in that the cell …

Relation Of Hybridity To The Expression Of Gene Dwarf-1 In Maize Coleoptile Growth, Martin C. Goffinet

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT - The plants used in this study were two inbred strains of maize and their hybrid. Each strain segregated for the mendelian gene dwarf-1, approximating a ratio of three normal to one dwarf, with l 00 per cent penetrance. The length of each of fifty coleoptiles per strain was determined at planting and after emergence of the seedlings until maturity of that organ. The dwarf seedlings were compared with their normal sibs within each strain to determine the degree of expression of the mutant gene. The growth parameters determined from the measurements were: l) total elongation of coleoptile after …

Vegetation And Soils Of The Balsam Fir Habitat Type Of Southern St. Louis County, Andrew F. Robinson Jr.

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT - The vegetation and soils of the Abies balsamea/Lonicera canadensis/Cornus canadensis habitat type were characterized from field reconnaissance, soils and plant tissue analysis of six balsam fir stands of Northeastern Minnesota. From nutrient analysis, the concentration of phosphorous and potassium was found to be much higher in living balsam fir needles than in surrounding soils.

The Vessel Member Of Myrica Esculenta Buch.-Ham., Lucy B. Abbe, Ernst C. Abbe

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT- The vessel members of Myrica escu/enta from two_ trees, one in Sarawak, the other in Singapore, are described. The differences in habitat as well as in vertical position in each-tree have a minor influence on dimensional characteristics of the vessel members. However, radial position is very significant. Average length of element increases from 600μ, to 950μ, b~tween .05 cm from the pith to 1.75 cm from the pith and then ceases to elongate appreciably. Average diameter over the same radial distance increases from 30μ, to l 05μ. Also over the same radial distance, the average number of perforations of …

Aphanizomenon Elenkinii Kissel, An Interesting Variation, Hibbert Hill

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

ABSTRACT-A mature bloom of Aphanizomenon elenkinii Kissel, type II, appeared in a local lake in late April, early May, 1971. The appearance of the alga in late spring and changes in the structures of the alga from those previously reported are of interest.

Regeneration Of White Cedar In Northern Swamps, Walter H. Petraborg

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Regeneration of white cedar in six northern Minnesota swamps by layering, suckering, and seeding was found where surface and subsurface soils were circum-neutral (median pH 7.1 for surface soils and 7.0 for subsurface soils) but not on more acid soils. Regeneration was best where the peat soil was coarsely decomposed and little compacted, and where the water table was high with some flow of ground water through the swamp. Sphagnum moss grew on all regeneration sites but was also found on more acid, unsuitable sites. No single associated groundcover plant appeared to be a specifically reliable indicator species for regeneration …

Ferns And Fern Allies Of Brown County, Barbara J. R. Gudmunson

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

In collecting ferns and fern allies in Brown County, Minnesota, during the 1964 summer, six of the seven species previously recorded were found again and six fern species and seven horsetail species and varieties new to the records were collected.

Tao newly found in 1964 are: Botrychium virginianum var. virginianum, Osmunda clayfoniana, Woodsia obtusa, Woodsia oregana var. cathcartiana, Athyrium filix-femina var. michauxii, Cystopteris bulbifera, Equisetum hyemale var. pseudohyemale, Equisetum hyemale var. elatum, Equisetum scirpoides, Equisetum fluviatile, Equisetum palustre, Equisetum pratense, and Equisetum sylvaticum.

Voucher specimens of the nineteen taxa were deposited in the herbarium of Mankato Stole College. Duplicate specimens …

Lead Absorption From Soil Into Legumes, Marie H. Berg

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

There is evidence that lead is taken up from the soil into legumes and accumulated in the leaves of beans and peanuts which were examined in this study.

A Preliminary Study On Ensiling Aspen Bark, Charles Helleloid, John Klow, Gary Pullar, John Veranth

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

A preliminary study was conducted on the ensiling of aspen bark in laboratory silos for the production of animal food. Several types of silo, both with and without an enzyme preparation, were tested. Results of physical and chemical tests on the contents indicate that definite changes occur when bark is ensiled, and that these changes differ with ensiling conditions. Several of these changes suggest possibilities for future research.

Mature Pine Forests In Duluth Harbor Area, Donald W. Davidson, John B. Bernard

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Quantitative and qualitative studies have been made on mature pine forests of selected areas on Minnesota Point and Wisconsin Point in the Duluth-Superior Harbor area. The forests were sampled by the point quarters method. The leading dominant in the Minnesota forest was Pinus resinosa, while the leading dominant in the Wisconsin forest was Pinus strobus. Trees up to 173 years of age were found on Minnesota Point, while the maximum age of the trees sampled on Wisconsin Point was 142 years. A total of 87 species of vascular plants were identified in the two areas.

Scotch Pine: Variation And Performance In Minnesota, Muhammad A. K. Khalil

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Scotch pine exhibits clinal variation from north to south in two characteristics: viz., the number of days after April 15 to the time of maximum rote of height growth, and total height after the age of 17 years. There is east-west clinal variation with respect to two characteristics: viz., the number of days after April 15 to the beginning of height growth, and to the time of the maximum rote of height growth. The twelve out of the fifteen varieties analyzed showed the existence of valid sub-varieties or ecotypes. Varieties from central Europe were the fastest growing in each of …

Dwarf Mistletoe Parasite In Spruce, F. H. Tainter, D. W. French

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Locations of all known major infection centers of dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium pusillum) in Minnesota are presented and compared to botanical ranges of important hosts. A brief summary of disease symptoms and identification of the parasite are included.

Records Of The Higher Fungi Of Minnesota, Margaret G. Weaver, Robert L. Shaffer

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

This paper, presenting an annotated list of 203 species of Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes of Minnesota, is the first published report of the occurrence of many of the species in the state. The collections on which the list is based were made in five Minnesota counties and are deposited in the senior author's herbarium at Faribault, Minnesota, and in the University of Michigan Herbarium at Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Distribution Of Foliar Applied P-32 From The Leaves Of Soybean At Various Ages, George E. Ahlgren, Theodore W. Sudia

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Transport patterns of phosphorus-32 from the cotyledons, primary leaves and the first five trifoliate leaves of soybean were determined at various ages of these organs. The transport patterns studied indicate the same general pattern for each leaf. There is initially a bidirectional movement from the leaf that increases in its upward component as the leaf becomes older, followed by a sharp drop in the upward component and P'" transport becoming essentially unidirectional downward in the stem. At fruit development, phosphorus-32 transport becomes quite specific for fruit at the axil of a particular leaf. Contiguity to sites of high metabolic activity …

Cytoplasmic Male Sterility And Intergrafts Between Lycopersicon Esculentum And Solanum Pennellii Corr., W. R. Andersen

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Attempts to transmit cytoplasmic male sterility through intergrafts between Lycopersicon esculenfum and Solanum pennellii have been unsuccessful. This implies that in these materials, the factor conditioning cytoplasmic male sterility is noninfective. The results of this study and other similar studies by other workers suggest the possibility that grafting might be used as a tool in the classification of cytoplasmic factors affecting mole sterility in plants.

The Wild Celery Of Christmas Lake, Hibbert Hill

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

The growth and reproduction of Vallisneria as seen and photographed below water in Christmas Lake, Hennepin County, Minnesota, is described. The functions of the water surface film, of wave energy, and of the coiled stem of the pistillate flower, in fertilization is discussed. It is found that many of the plants grow in such depths that fertilization is impossible.

A Taxonomic Study Of The Genus Galium In Minnesota, John E. Seaholm

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Galium is quite a commonplace, cosmopolitan genus in Minnesota. Most naturalists are familiar with one or more species such as the Northern Bedstraw, G. boreale, and Goosegrass, G. aparine. However, it may come as a surprise to many to learn that there are a total of eleven species and two varieties of Galium found growing within the boundaries of the state.

Because of the difficulties met with in trying to tell the species apart, it was realized soon after this study was initiated that a need existed for a clarification of their taxonomy as it related to the state flora. …

Sporulation Of Helminthosporium Dictyoides On Filter Paper, G. A. Bean, Roy D. Wilcoxson

Journal of the Minnesota Academy of Science

Helminthosporium dictyoides Drechs. and H. sativum Pam. King and Bakke were the fungi most commonly isolated from plants of Poa pratensis L. infected with leaf spot in Minnesota during 1960-1962. H. dictyoides has not been implicated as a pathogen of P. pratensis (it is pathogenic on Festuca spp.) and so studies on its physiology and pathogenicity seemed necessary. Such work usually requires a large quantity of spores but H. dictyoides sporulated sparingly on the acid potato - dextrose agar used for isolating it from the plant tissue. We decided to study methods for inducing abundant sporulation as preliminary work for …