The Distribution and Reproductive Phenology of the Milkweeds (Asclepiadaceae: \u3ci\u3eAsclepias\u3c/i\u3e and \u3ci\u3eCynanchum\u3c/i\u3e) in Nebraska

The Asclepiadaceae are represented in Nebraska by seventeen native species of Asclepias and one of Cynanchum. Two species are here added to the State\u27s flora: Asclepias asperula and A. purpurascens. Detailed county distribution maps are presented for all species based upon our extensive field and herbarium work, and numerous additions and corrections are made to the maps published in the Atlas of the Flora of the Great Plains in 1977. A map is presented showing the zone of hybridization of A. speciosa with A. syriaca in central Nebraska. Data are given on flowering and fruiting phenology for each species, and floral odors are described

Range Maps for the Terrestrial Natural Communities of Nebraska

This document includes range maps for the 83 terrestrial natural (plant) communities described in Terrestrial Ecological Systems and Natural Communities of Nebraska (Version IV - March 9, 2010) by Rolfsmeier and Steinauer 2010. Each map includes the known range and potential range for individual community types. The known range includes areas where a community has been documented and areas where it has not been documented but thought very likely to occur. The potential range includes areas where the community has not been documented but is thought to have some potential to occur. The maps should be considered approximations of the community ranges and are meant to be used at a coarse scale

New and Corrected Floristic Records for Nebraska

Nineteen species (including eight Eurasian ones) are newly recorded for Nebraska: Alopecurus arundinaceus, Amaranthus californicus, Asclepias asperula, A. purpurascens, Cardamine {lexuosa*, Centaurea diffusa, Dipsacus laciniatus, Eriochloa villosa, Euclidium syriacum, Gentiana alba, Geranium viscosissimum, Geum vernum, Goodyera oblongifolia, Haplopappus multicaulis, Heterotheca latifolia, Lathyrus tuberosus, Polygonum douglasii, Scirpus saximontanus, Veronica biloba. Twenty-one others are shown to be more widespread in Nebraska than previously known, one has a more restricted range than previously reported, two (Scirpus smithii, S. torreyi) are deleted from the flora based upon corrected identifications, and the status of some rarely-collected species is updated. Thirty-two additions, two deletions, and two corrections to the recently published flora of Seward County are also presented along with thirteen additions to the flora of Keith County

New and Corrected Floristic Records for Nebraska

Nineteen species (including eight Eurasian ones) are newly recorded for Nebraska: Alopecurus arundinaceus, Amaranthus californicus, Asclepias asperula, A purpurascens, Cardamine {lexuosa*, Centaurea diffusa, Dipsacus laciniatus, Eriochloa villosa, Euclidium syriacum, Gentiana alba, Geranium viscosissimum, Geum vernum, Goodyera oblongifolia, Haplopappus multicaulis, Heterotheca latifolia, Lathyrus tuberosus, Polygonum douglasii, Scirpus saximontanus, Veronica biloba. Twenty-one others are shown to be more widespread in Nebraska than previously known, one has a more restricted range than previously reported, two (Scirpus smithii, S. torreyi) are deleted from the flora based upon corrected identifications, and the status of some rarely-collected species is updated. Thirty-two additions, two deletions, and two corrections to the recentlypublished flora of Seward County are also presented along with thirteen additions to the flora of Keith County

The Saline Wetland-Meadow Vegetation and Flora of the North Platte River Valley in the Nebraska Panhandle

The saline wetlands associated with the Platte River have received very little attention from botanists since the 1890s, and several plants widespread in these habitats, such as rayless salt-marsh aster (Aster brachyactis), annual goldenweed (Haplopappus annuus) and thelypody (Thelypodium integrifolium) have been considered rare in the State. A floristic inventory of sixteen tracts of saline lowlands near the North Platte River in Garden, Morrill, and Scotts Bluff counties reveals the presence of 231 species of vascular plants (169 native and 62 introduced), including three Eurasian halophytes (Althaea officinalis, Najas marina, Spergularia marina) not previously reported from Nebraska. Saline habitats along the North Platte River have a larger number of halophytic species than similar habitats in eastern Nebraska, though data from eastern salt marshes are insufficient for quantitative comparisons of species richness

Keys and Distributional Maps for Nebraska Cyperaceae, Part 1: \u3ci\u3eBulbostylis\u3c/i\u3e, \u3ci\u3eCyperus\u3c/i\u3e, \u3ci\u3eDulichium\u3c/i\u3e, \u3ci\u3eEleocharis\u3c/i\u3e, \u3ci\u3eEriophorum\u3c/i\u3e, \u3ci\u3eFimbristylis\u3c/i\u3e, \u3ci\u3eFuirena\u3c/i\u3e, \u3ci\u3eLipocarpha\u3c/i\u3e, and \u3ci\u3eScirpus\u3c/i\u3e

Keys and distributional maps are provided for nine genera and 43 species of Cyperaceae documented from Nebraska (excluding Carex). Two species--Eleocharis elliptica and Fimbristylis vahlii--are newly reported for the state, while seven species attributed to the state in the Flora of the Great Plains (Great Plains Flora Association, 1986)--Eleocharis compressa, E. verrucosa, E. wolfii, E. xyridiformis, Scirpus georgianus, S. smithii, and S. torreyi--are deleted based on re-identifications, lack of specimen evidence, or specimens of doubtful provenance in the state. Notes on local systematic problems within the family are also included

The Vascular Flora and Plant Communities of Seward County, Nebraska

A recent botanical survey of Seward County in southeastern Nebraska recognizes ten representative plant communities including four major vegetation zones (tall-grass prairie, eastern deciduous forest, floodplain woodland and lowland [floodplain] prairie), and a total of 599 species of vascular plants representing 324 genera in 95 families. Three hundred seventy-five species were not previously reported for the county. Although the study area includes an interesting topographic and perhaps physiographic boundary formed by the terminal moraine of the Kansan glaciation, no evidence supporting an analogous floristic boundary was found

Terrestrial Ecological Systems and Natural Communities of Nebraska

Over two decades ago, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and state natural heritage programs developed the “coarse filter/fine filter” approach to preserving biological diversity (Grossman et al. 1994). This approach involves identification and protection of natural communities (coarse filter) as well as rare species (fine filter). Identifying and protecting representative examples of natural communities ensures conservation of most species, biotic interactions and ecological processes. Those species that “fall through” the community filters are generally the rare species. Identification and protection of viable occurrences of rare species serves as the fine filter for preserving biological diversity. Using communities as a coarse filter assures that conservation efforts are working to protect a more complete spectrum of biological diversity, not just those species whose priority conservation status has been documented. By protecting communities many species not generally targeted for conservation, such as poorly known groups like fungi and invertebrates, are protected. Furthermore, communities are an important tool for systematically characterizing the current pattern and condition of ecosystems and landscapes. The Terrestrial Ecological Systems and Natural Communities of Nebraska (Version IV) was developed primarily as a tool to aid in the conservation of biological diversity by providing a systematic classification of the natural communities found in the state. In some cases, land managers and other conservationists have found natural community classifications too fine-scale and complex for vegetation mapping and other land management projects. In recent years the need for a broader scale ecological classification unit for conservation and resource management efforts on a national and state level became obvious. To fulfill this need, this document, for the first time, includes a classification of the ecological systems of Nebraska (ecological systems are broader scale classification units than natural communities)

Keys and Distributional Maps for Nebraska Cyperaceae, Part 2: \u3ci\u3eCarex\u3c/i\u3e and \u3ci\u3eScleria\u3c/i\u3e

Keys and distributional maps are provided for the 71 species and one hybrid of Carex and single species of Scleria documented for Nebraska. Six species-Carex albursina, C. melanostachya, C. mesochorea, C. umbellata, C. utriculata, and Scleria triglomerata-and a hybrid-Carex laeviconica x C. trichocarpa-are newly reported for the State, while eight species attributed to the State in the Flora of the Great Plains (Great Plains Flora Association 1986) are deleted-C. crinita, C. festucacea, C. haydenii, C. muehlenbergii var. enervis, C. normalis, C. siccata (as C. foenea), C. stricta, and C. trichocarpa-based on re-identifications or on specimens of doubtful provenance in the State. Notes on local systematic problems within the genera are also included

The Characteristics and Phytogeographic Affinities of the Flora of Nine-Mile Prairie, a Western Tall-Grass Prairie in Nebraska

Three hundred ninety-two species, subspecies, and varieties have been recorded at Nine-Mile Prairie, a relict tall-grass prairie that has been reduced from 323 to 97 ha in the past 50 years. There are 218 native and 17 introduced herbaceous perennial species, and 73 native and 24 introduced annuals. Analogous numbers for biennials are 15 and 11, for shrubs are 14 and one, for trees are ten and three, and for woody vines are six and none. One hundred twenty-one native species are of central and eastern North American phytogeographic affinity, and 109 are of transcontinental affinity. Seventy-nine of the Prairie\u27s native species occur only in the central part of the continent, but only 27 are characteristic of the western and central parts. Five habitats are utilized to categorize the vegetation: wooded ravine, upland prairie, disturbed upland prairie, wet prairie, and aquatic. Data are presented on the distribution of growth habits and phytogeographic affinities for the habitats. The upland prairies have more native and introduced species than either the wet prairies or ravines. However, the relative proportions of growth habits, flowering phenologies, and phytogeographic affinities are not the same in the various habitats. The flora of the wooded ravines is mostly of eastern affinity, while that of the upland prairies has strong western and central phytogeographic elements