Botany at Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University was established in 1899, and from its beginning recognized the importance of the botanical sciences. Two terms of botany were required for the four year program. Otis W. Caldwell, a botanist, was one of the original faculty members. He taught all of the biology courses and initiated the acquisition of a greenhouse. Caldwell was the first of a series of talented and dedicated botany professors including Edgar N. Transeau, Ernest L. Stover, Hiram F. Thut and John E. Ebinger. These and many other professors incorporated a field component into almost all classes. This dedication to the study of plants in their natural habitat led to one of the finest programs in the nation for training field botanists. By 1923, a formal Botany Department was established and in the late 1960’s EIU began awarding a M.S. in Botany. At this time, over 40 different undergraduate and graduate courses were offered with 95% having a lab component. The excellence of the program was recognized in Illinois where organizations such as the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Natural History Survey relied on graduates from the EIU Botany Department for their field botanists. In 1992, the American Phytopathological Society recognized the department for its contribution to plant pathology. Between 1913 and 1993, six hundred and nine students graduated with degrees in Botany, and 121 continued to receive their doctorates in botanical fields. Although numbers of botany majors rose during early to mid 1990’s, an administrative decision was made in 1998 to combine the Botany Department with the Zoology Department into a Biological Sciences Department. Since the merger, the B.S. in Botany was eliminated. Unfortunately, the elimination of this Botany Department is an example of past national trends to eliminate Botany Departments even with exceptional reputations

Botany at Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University was established in 1899, and from its beginning recognized the importance of the botanical sciences. Two terms of botany were required for the four year program. Otis W. Caldwell, a botanist, was one of the original faculty members. He taught all of the biology courses and initiated the acquisition of a greenhouse. Caldwell was the first of a series of talented and dedicated botany professors including Edgar N. Transeau, Ernest L. Stover, Hiram F. Thut and John E. Ebinger. These and many other professors incorporated a field component into almost all classes. This dedication to the study of plants in their natural habitat led to one of the finest programs in the nation for training field botanists. By 1923, a formal Botany Department was established and in the late 1960’s EIU began awarding a M.S. in Botany. At this time, over 40 different undergraduate and graduate courses were offered with 95% having a lab component. The excellence of the program was recognized in Illinois where organizations such as the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Natural History Survey relied on graduates from the EIU Botany Department for their field botanists. In 1992, the American Phytopathological Society recognized the department for its contribution to plant pathology. Between 1913 and 1993, six hundred and nine students graduated with degrees in Botany, and 121 continued to receive their doctorates in botanical fields. Although numbers of botany majors rose during early to mid 1990’s, an administrative decision was made in 1998 to combine the Botany Department with the Zoology Department into a Biological Sciences Department. Since the merger, the B.S. in Botany was eliminated. Unfortunately, the elimination of this Botany Department is an example of past national trends to eliminate Botany Departments even with exceptional reputations

Botany at Eastern Illinois University

Eastern Illinois University was established in 1899, and from its beginning the importance of the botanical sciences was recognized. Two terms of botany were required for the four year program. Dr. Otis W. Caldwell, a botanist, was one of the original faculty members. He taught all of the biology courses and initiated the acquisition of a greenhouse. Caldwell was the first in a series of talented and dedicated botany professors including Edgar N. Transeau, Ernest L. Stover, Hiram F. Thut and John E. Ebinger. These and many other professors incorporated a field component into almost all classes. This dedication to the study of plants in their natural habitat led to one of the finest programs in the nation for training field botanists. By 1923, a formal Botany Department was established and in the late 1960’s EIU began awarding a M.S. in Botany. In the 60’s, the department greatly expanded with 15 faculty hires and over 40 different undergraduate and graduate courses were offered with 95% having a lab component. The excellence of the program was recognized in Illinois where organizations such as the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Illinois Natural History Survey relied on graduates from the EIU Botany Department for their field botanists. In 1992, the American Phytopathological Society recognized the department for its contribution to plant pathology. Between 1913 and 1993, six hundred and nine students graduated with degrees in Botany, and 121 continued to receive their doctorates in botanical fields. Although numbers of botany majors rose during early to mid 1990’s, an administrative decision was made in 1998 to combine the Botany Department with the Zoology Department into a Biological Sciences Department. Since the merger, the B.S. in Botany was eliminated. Unfortunately, the elimination of this Botany Department is another example of past national trends to eliminate Botany Departments even with exceptional reputations

Scarification Technique Affects Germination of Stylisma pickeringii (Patterson bindweed ), an Illinois Endangered Plant

The seed coat of Stylistna pickeringii (Torr.) Gray var. pattersoni (Patterson bindweed), an endangered species of Illinois sand prairies, inhibits water uptake and seed germination. The purpose of this research was to find an effective and efficient way to scarify seeds of S. pickeringii to aid reintroduction into its natural habitat. Seeds were collected from sandy areas close to the Illinois River near Snicarte (Mason Co.), Illinois during the summers of 1998 and 1999. Experiments were conducted to determine the best scarification techniques (basal cut, sandpaper shakes, sulfuric acid, sand shakes and sonication). Initially, each technique was evaluated by scarifYing the seeds for different times (except for the basal cut). The optimal time for each scarification technique then was compared. Scarified seeds were germinated in petri dishes at 25 C, 16 h photoperiod, with a mean light intensity of 51 ,..... mol m- 2s- •. The basal cut, 48 h sandpaper shake, 120 min acid soak and 72 h sand shake techniques did not differ significantly in germination (96, 92, 84 and 84%, respectively). The sonicator technique and the unscarified control yielded only 4 and 0% germim1tion, respectively. For scarification of S. pickeringii seeds the 48 h sandpaper shake and 120 min acid soak were very effective and efficient relative to other techniques. Of these two techniques, the sandpaper shake is safer than the acid soak, although when scarifying large numbers of seed, the sandpaper shake would require a large shaker. The techniques have potential applicability to other threatened and endangered species whose seed coat also inhibits germination

Seed biology of Physaria ludoviciana (silvery bladderpod; Brassicaceae ), an endangered species in sand prairies of the Midwest

Physaria ludoviciana (Nuttal) O\u27Kane & Al-Shehbaz (silvery bladderpod) is a state endangered species in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin, the eastern edge of its range. Our goal was to investigate its seed biology (production, dispersal, seed bank longevity, afterripening, seed longevity after storage using germination and emergence, and seedling establishment). This information will be useful for conservation efforts of this endangered species. Over a ten-year period, various seed biology parameters were measured. Infructescences were counted to estimate seed production with 110–744 seeds per reproductive plant. Soil samples were collected at various distances to estimate dispersal where seeds dispersed less than a meter, and also at various times to estimate longevity in the seed bank where only 4% as many seeds were found in November as in June. After-ripening tests used seeds imbibed every two months after harvest for ten months where germination rates increased when imbibition was delayed at least six months. Germination and emergence of stored seed was measured to estimate longevity. Seeds stored at 4 °C and 40–50% relative humidity remained viable for at least six years. For establishment and plant density, seedlings, vegetative plants, and reproductive plants were counted. For establishment, densities were 0–11 seedlings m−2. This seed biology information could be applied to conservation efforts for this endangered species

Seed biology of Physaria ludoviciana (silvery bladderpod; Brassicaceae ), an endangered species in sand prairies of the Midwest

Physaria ludoviciana (Nuttal) O\u27Kane & Al-Shehbaz (silvery bladderpod) is a state endangered species in Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin, the eastern edge of its range. Our goal was to investigate its seed biology (production, dispersal, seed bank longevity, afterripening, seed longevity after storage using germination and emergence, and seedling establishment). This information will be useful for conservation efforts of this endangered species. Over a ten-year period, various seed biology parameters were measured. Infructescences were counted to estimate seed production with 110–744 seeds per reproductive plant. Soil samples were collected at various distances to estimate dispersal where seeds dispersed less than a meter, and also at various times to estimate longevity in the seed bank where only 4% as many seeds were found in November as in June. After-ripening tests used seeds imbibed every two months after harvest for ten months where germination rates increased when imbibition was delayed at least six months. Germination and emergence of stored seed was measured to estimate longevity. Seeds stored at 4 °C and 40–50% relative humidity remained viable for at least six years. For establishment and plant density, seedlings, vegetative plants, and reproductive plants were counted. For establishment, densities were 0–11 seedlings m−2. This seed biology information could be applied to conservation efforts for this endangered species

INVESTIGATION OF INSECT VISITS TO FLOWERS OF STYLISMA PICKERINGII (PATTERSON BINDWEED), AN ENDANGERED PLANT OF ILLINOIS SAND PRAIRIES

Little is known about the reproductive biology of Stylisma pickeringii var. pattersonii, an endangered plant in Illinois occurring in only three counties (Cass, Henderson, and Mason). The objective of this study was to estimate flower densities and temporal (time of day and seasonal) differences in insect visitation to flowers of S. pickeringii in 2002 for native populations in Henderson and Mason Counties. A 50 m transect was located where S. pickeringii was most abundant and quadrats (0.25 m2) were placed on alternate sides of the tape measure at every meter at random distances from the transect. The number of flowers was estimated for both Mason and Henderson Counties in July and August 2002. For insect visitations, three plots (1 m2) were located in patches where open S. pickeringii flowers were abundant. Insects visiting flowers were collected within the same plots for one hour starting at 10:00 A.M., 12:30 P.M., and 3:00 P.M. on July 9, 2002 (Henderson County) and on July 10, 2002 (Mason County). On August 21, 2002 in Mason County only, plots were observed for one hour starting only at 12:30 P.M.. Insects were collected with nets and placed in killing jars containing cyanide. The number of each insect species visiting flowers of S. pickeringii was recorded for each time. Pollen from the bodies of four insect visitors was compared to that from flowers. Mason County had significantly higher flower density with a mean of 131 6 17 flowers/m2. July is peak flowering time for S. pickeringii in Mason County, Illinois. Insect diversity was greater in Henderson County than in Mason County. No differences were noted for insect visits to flowers during different times of day in July at Henderson County, but visits were greatest from 3:00 to 4:00 P.M. at Mason County. Pollen collected from all insect visitors that were checked was similar in color, shape and size to pollen from flowers of S. pickeringii. These findings increase the understanding of plant-pollinator interactions for S. pickeringii and will support more informed management decisions

Influence of Reproductive and Environmental Factors on Population Size .. of Wild Hyacinth [Camassia angusta (Engelm.· and A. Gray) Blank. (Liliaceae)], an Illinois Endangered Species

Wild hyacinth (Camassia angusta) is a perennial species native to mesic prairies of the midwestern and south-central United States. In Illinois, the only extant population of this state-endangered species is in a small section of degraded black-soil prairie along a railroad track right-of-way south of Elwin, Macon County. The objectives of this study were to determine the population status, seed production, and effects of scarification and stratification on germination of C. angusta. The population was surveyed from 1990 to 2007. A survey of other plant species present was conducted in 1999. The site consisted of approximately 75% native and 25% exotic species. The number of flowering stems of Camassia angusta fluctuated significantly (28 to 169 plants) during the course of this study. Prescribed spring burns and a construction equipment disturbance may be partially responsible for these fluctuations. A large percentage of undeveloped fruit, resulting in low seed production ( \u3c3,000), as well as low seed germination (8%), may be responsible for this population\u27s inability to increase consistently in number of individuals

Germination of Silene regia Seeds from Four Sites in Lawrence County, Illinois, Following Scarification or Stratification

Silene regia Sims is an endangered prairie forb in Illinois where small isolated colonies are scattered. In La·wrence County, two sites (Allison Prairie and Chauncey Marsh) have fewer plants (6-23) than two other sites (Cmmty Road and Cemetery) with 26-45 plants. Information on seed germination in these isolated colonies is needed. Our goal was to evaluate seed germination of S. regia from colonies in Lawrence County, illinois. S. regia fruits were collected from these four sites on August 9 and 19, 1999. Seeds were scarified by cutting the seed coat, or they were stratified at 2 C for 12 or 15 weeks. Seeds from Chaun.cey Marsh weighed less than those from other sites. With the exception of seeds from Chauncey Marsh, scariiication increased gemrination within each site. When significant germination differences occurred due to site, they were apparent on stratified seed, where frequently Allison Prairie was highest and Chauncey Marsh was lowest. Germination clifferences between stratified and control seeds were inconsistent, although stratified seeds had up to 67% higher gemrination than control seeds when significant differences occurred. These increases in seed germination were most evident in seeds collected on August 9th and stratified for 12 weeks. Seed that was neither scarified nor stratified gemrinated after storage, indicating that scarification and stratification are not absolute gemrination requirements with after-ripened seeds. Seed germination at different sites did not correspond directly with population sizes, and multiple mechanisms were present for breaking seed donnancy in S. regia