Life Sciences Commons^™

When It Comes To Clethra: Roots Matter, W. John Hayden

Biology Faculty Publications

Roots, too often, are out of sight and out of mind, but they are critical for vigorous, healthy plant growth. All plant enthusiasts—including gardeners, farmers, foresters, and naturalists—should think about and appreciate roots if they wish to acquire a holistic understanding of plant biology. This article introduces readers to the mycorrhizal roots of the 2015 VNPS Wildflower of the Year, Clethra alnifolia (Sweet Pepperbush), and explores the diversity of mycorrhizae in a closely related family, Ericaceae.

Upside-Down Anthers Of Clethra Stand Out, W. John Hayden

Biology Faculty Publications

For the most part, the flowers of the 2015 VNPS Wildflower of the Year, Clethra alnifolia (Sweet Pepperbush), are unremarkable. Five separate sepals, 5 sepa rate petals, 10 stamens in 2 whorls, and a 3-carpellate superior ovary—an organization that can only be considered prosaic among the dicots. One floral feature, however, stands out: the anthers in the open flowers are upside-down! (See Figure 1A.) Further, these upside-down anthers open by pores (Figures 1B, 1C) rather than longitudinal slits, as in most flowering plants. These pores initially form on what would normally be the lowermost extremity of the anther, the inversion …

2015 Virginia Wildflower Of The Year: Sweet Pepperbush, Clethra Alnifolia, W. John Hayden

Biology Faculty Publications

Clethra alnifolia is a rhizomatous shrub with aerial stems from 1 to 3 m tall. Leaves are simple, alternate, and bear stellate hairs; petioles are short, 5–10 mm long; leaf blades are obovate to oblong, 5–10 cm long, with relatively blunt apices, cuneate (wedgelike) bases, and margins that are entire toward the base but finely serrate above the middle; venation is pinnate with secondary veins that extend to leaf margins. Stipules are lacking. Flowers are borne on erect terminal racemes that may be solitary or accompanied by additional racemes terminating few-leaved branches arising from upper nodes. Raceme axes and pedicels …

Redbud Seedpods Hold Surprises, W. John Hayden

Biology Faculty Publications

As fall advances across the Old Dominion, canopies of redbud, the 2013 VNPS Wildflower of the Year, transform themselves from green to gold, revealing seed pods also changing color from pale green to dark chocolaty brown. These seedpods, which may be retained on the tree into winter, are typical legume fruits, the product of the flower’s simple pistil, each containing several seeds. Unlike most legumes, however, redbud seed pods seem disinclined to open and release individual seeds for dispersal. Redbud fruits tend to disperse intact. Once on the ground, the inevitable action of weather and microbes gradually degrades the pod, …

Redbuds Similar Around The World, W. John Hayden

Biology Faculty Publications

Like music, one of the hallmarks of biodiversity is theme and variation. Redbuds—species of the genus Cercis— from around the world illustrate this analogy well. Because all redbud species conform to a certain morphological theme, anyone familiar with one particular species of redbud should be able to recognize without hesitation any other redbud species as a member of the genus Cercis. In brief, the redbud theme consists of broad, basally-lobed, leaves with pulvinar petiole thickenings, and pea-like red-purple (rarely white) flowers that may arise on small twigs or main trunks. In fact, these plants are so distinctive, it would …

Redbuds And Legumes Subfamilies, W. John Hayden

Biology Faculty Publications

Although legumes constitute one of the largest families of flowering plants in the world, and despite 25 years of celebrating Virginia’s wildflowers, redbud (Cercis canadensis) is the first legume to be recognized as a VNPS Wildflower of the Year. This article addresses the relationships of Cercis with the rest of the legumes (family Fabaceae, or Leguminosae in older literature).

2012 Wildflower Of The Year: Partridge Berry, Mitchella Repens, W. John Hayden

Biology Faculty Publications

Although partridge berry is a small and creeping herb, its jewel-like beauty rewards attentive naturalists year-round.

Botanist In Death Valley, Stanley L. Welsh

Books by Faculty of the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum

Abstract

This book details the author’s trips to Death Valley, along with general ecological information about the region. Explorations by other natural historians are also recounted. Death Valley and its surrounding mountain ranges are stark and appear to lack vegetative cover, but that appearance is deceiving. The ranges and valley support a great diversity of living things, both plants and animals. Pages 10–17 contain photographs of various landscapes. Pages 18–20 list the plant species collected in Death Valley, 1970–1983. Voucher specimens are available for study at Stanley L. Welsh Herbarium, Brigham Young University.

White Oak Part Of Global Oak Presence, W. John Hayden

Biology Faculty Publications

As we act locally celebrating white oak, Quercus alba, as the 2011 VNPS Wildflower of the Year, it is perhaps appropriate to think globally for a few moments and consider the breadth of diversity encompassed by the oaks. Quercus is a big genus, easily the largest in its family, the Fagaceae. Approximately 400 species of oak are known, and they are widely distributed in the northern hemisphere. We tend to think of oaks as temperate zone trees, but in the New World, their range extends south through the mountains of Central America to Colombia and in the Old World, …

2010 Wildflower Of The Year: Wild Ginger, Asarum Canadense, W. John Hayden

Biology Faculty Publications

Wild ginger is a low herbaceous plant. The stem consists of a branched creeping rhizome at or just below the soil surface. Soft-hairy leaves arise in pairs annually from rhizome branches. Petioles can be up to 20 cm long, elevating the 7—25 mm wide kidney-shaped leaf blades above the forest floor. Small flowers appear in the spring shortly after the leaves have expanded. Typically, one must push the leaves aside in order to glimpse the jug-like flowers. A single flower stalk appears between the paired leaf bases, but it is short and barely lifts the flower above the soil surface. …

2009 Wildflower Of The Year: Skunk Cabbage, Symplocarpus Foetidus, W. John Hayden

Biology Faculty Publications

Skunk cabbage is a coarse herbaceous plant. The stem consists of a stout rhizome oriented vertically in the soil. Leaves and flowers arise from the tip of the rhizome which is often not visible, resulting in the appearance of leaves and flowers arising directly from the swampy mires where these plants grow. Flowers appear during the winter, long before the leaves. The flowers are minute, clustered into a ball-like group (spadix) almost entirely enclosed by a fleshy, hood-like, spathe. The spathe ranges from 8 to 15 cm in height, is more or less pear-shaped, widest near the bottom, and tapers …

2007 Wildflower Of The Year: Atamasco Lily, Zephyranthes Atamasca, W. John Hayden

Biology Faculty Publications

Atamasco lily is a perennial herb that grows from a subterranean bulb. The bulb is dark, with a short neck and papery tunic formed by remnants of old leaf bases. Leaves are glossy green, linear, flat to somewhat concave, up to one half inch wide, approximately one foot in length and, overall, rather grasslike. When not in flower the plants can be easily overlooked. Flowering stems are leafless scapes that are about as long as the leaves. In crosssection the scapes are hollow. Each scape terminates in a single flower. A few papery bracts subtend the flower stalk where it …

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Northam, Sarah J. Weaving

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet provides land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of Northam, including the existing and original vegetation, fauna and flora, drainage systems, topography and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of these resources within the Shire and community initiatives to deal with these problems are also discussed. It is hoped that this information will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Toodyay, Sarah J. Weaving

Native vegetation handbook series

The Handbook provides land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of Toodyay, including the original and existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of these resources within the Shire and ideas and community initiatives to solve these problems are also discussed. It is hoped that this information will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Beverley, Rod Safstrom

Native vegetation handbook series

This Handbook is one of a series covering the agricultural region of Western Australia. The Handbook aims to assist the development of sustainable farming systems which combine agricultural production and nature conservation. Information is provided on the natural resources of the Shire of Beverley, including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Problems in managing these resources are described and community initiatives to tackle the problems are summarised.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Pingelly, Rod Safstrom

Native vegetation handbook series

This Handbook is one of a series covering the agricultural region of Western Australia. The Handbook aims to assist the development of sustainable farming systems which combine agricultural production and nature conservation. Information is provided on the natural resources of the Shire of Pingelly, including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Problems in managing these resources are described and community initiatives to tackle the problems are summarised. It is hoped that this Handbook will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Brookton, Rod Safstrom

Native vegetation handbook series

This Handbook is one of a series covering the agricultural region of Western Australia. The Handbook aims to assist the development of sustainable farming systems which combine agricultural production and nature conservation. Information is provided on the natural resources of the Shire of Brookton, including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Problems in managing these resources are described and community initiatives to tackle the problems are summarised. It is hoped this Handbook will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Bridgetown-Greenbushes, Shaun B. Grein

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet provides rural land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural resources in the Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes and possible solutions to these problems are also discussed. By providing this information, it is hoped this booklet will contribute to the long term viability of the rural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Boyup Brook, Shaun B. Grein

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet provides rural land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of Boyup Brook including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural resources in the Shire of Boyup Brook and possible solutions to these problems are also discussed. By providing this information, it is hoped this booklet will contribute to the long term viability of the rural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Augusta-Margaret River, Shaun B. Grein

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet provides rural land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural resources in the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and possible solutions to these problems are also discussed. By providing this information, it is hoped this booklet will contribute to the long term viability of the rural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Dumbleyung, Shaun B. Grein

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet provides agricultural land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of Dumbleyung including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural resources in the Shire of Dumbleyung and possible solutions to these problems are also discussed. By providing this information it is hoped this booklet will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Cunderdin, Sarah J. Weaving

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet provides land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of Cunderdin. This includes the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural vegetation resources in the Shire and possible solutions to these problems are discussed. The provision of this information will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Trayning, Sarah J. Weaving

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet provides land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of Trayning including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural vegetation resources in the Shire of Trayning and possible solutions to these problems are also discussed. Provision of this information will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Bruce Rock, Sarah J. Weaving

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet provides land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of Bruce Rock including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural vegetation resources in the Shire of Bruce Rock and possible solutions to these problems are also discussed. Provision of this information will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Tammin, Sarah J. Weaving

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet provides land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of Tammin including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural vegetation resources in the Shire of Tammin and possible solutions to these problems are also discussed. By providing this information it is hoped this booklet will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of York, Sarah J. Weaving

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet provides rural communities with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of York including the original and existing vegetation, fauna and flora, drainage systems, topography and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural vegetation resources in the Shire of York and community initiatives to address these problems are also discussed. It is hoped that this information will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Merredin, Sarah J. Weaving

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet provides land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of Merredin including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural vegetation resources in the Shire of Merredin and possible solutions to these problems are also discussed. Provision of this information will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Wyalkatchem, Sarah J. Weaving

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet provides land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of Wyalkatchem including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural vegetation resources in the Shire of Wyalkatchem and possible solutions to these problems are also discussed. Provision of this information will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of Williams, Shaun B. Grein

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet provides land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of Williams including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils.Some of the problems relating to the management of natural vegetation resources in the Shire of Williams and possible solutions to these problems are also discussed. By providing this information it is hoped this booklet will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.

Native Vegetation Handbook For The Shire Of West Arthur, Shaun B. Grein

Native vegetation handbook series

This booklet provides land managers with information relating to the natural resources of the Shire of West Arthur including the existing vegetation, drainage systems and soils. Some of the problems relating to the management of natural vegetation resources in the Shire of West Arthur and possible solutions to these problems are also discussed. By providing this information it is hoped this booklet will contribute to the long term viability of the agricultural landscape and the conservation of native vegetation within the Shire.