A Re-Examination of the Taxonomic Boundaries of \u3cem\u3eSymphysia\u3c/em\u3e (Ericaceae)

DNA sequence data were generated for the nuclear ITS region for Symphysia racemosa and for 26 additional Vaccinieae representing 12 sections in the genus Vaccinium plus one species from each of five additional segregate genera. Our focus is on the placement of S. racemosa relative to Vaccinium sensu scricto and Vaccinium sect. Oreades (represented by V. poasanum). Maximum parsimony analysis of 608 bp of nrITS region suggests that S. racemosa and V. poasanum form a well-supported clade in spite of substantial morphological divergence. Futhermore, this clade is a sister group to a clade consisting of all segregate genera examined. These molecular results led us to undertake a morphological cladistic analysis of all of the other Central American green-flowered taxa. We suggest that the genus Symphysia should be expanded to encompass these 15 taxa, despite the lack of phylogenetic resolution within this group. This will necessitate eight new combinations, via. Symphysia almedae (= V. almedae), Symphysia costaricensis (= V. costaricense), Symphysia jefensis (= V. jefense), Symphysia orosiensis (= V. orosiense), Symphysia ovata (= Lateropora ovata), Symphysia perardua (= V. santafeënsis), Symphysia poasana (= Vaccinium poasanum), Symphysia santafeënsis (= L. santafeënsis), and Symphysia tubulifera (= L. tubulifera)

The Reproduction and Ecology of Hypericum edisonianum: An Endangered Florida Endemic

The reproduction and ecology of the narrow endemic and Florida endangered shrub Hypericum edisonianum (Edison\u27s St. John\u27s Wort) was investigated through field and greenhouse studies. Hypericum edisonianum, exhibits a number of traits common to rare and geographically limited plant species including heavy reliance on clonal propagation to maintain local stands, passive seed dispersal resulting in a near-parent seed shadow, limited numbers of genetically unique individuals in its isolated seasonal-pond habitat, and likely self-incompatibility. In the field study, most flowers were produced by a small subset of the monitored ramets. Indeed, three ramets belonging to a single genetic individual accounted for 26% of all seed output from the 78 ramets monitored over a one-year period. In spite of strong seed production and germination, seedling establishment appears to occur episodically. The implication is that H. edisonianum is poorly equipped to withstand landscape drainage, agricultural and human development, and climate change. Such impacts will severely challenge the persistence of not only H. edisonianum but also many of the associated species inhabiting Florida scrub. Detailed information is needed about the population-genetic structure of H. edisonianum populations in order to understand its metapopulation structure. Protection of existing and potential H. edisonianum stands is crucial to the long-term preservation this species