Cephalanthus Occidentalis Research Articles

Are roads and railroads barriers to bumblebee movement in a temperate suburban conservation area?

We investigated how habitat fragmentation affects the movement of marked bumblebees between plant patches in a temperate conservation area in metropolitan Boston, Massachusetts. Our study was conducted on populations of sweet pepperbush ( Clethra alnifolia L. f.) separated by a road and natural woodland, and buttonbush ( Cephalanthus occidentalis L.) separated by a railroad. Bumblebees showed high site fidelity and only rarely crossed roads or railroads. When bees captured at one sweet pepperbush population were moved across a road to a new sweet pepperbush population and released, they returned to their original site, some within 20 min of their capture. When all inflorescences were removed from one sweet pepperbush patch, most bees moved to another sweet pepperbush population on the same side of the road. The results show that while bumblebees have the ability to cross a road and railroad, these human structures may restrict bumblebee movement and act to fragment plant populations because of the innate site fidelity displayed by foraging bees. Moreover, marked bees were almost never observed to move between populations unless they were displaced, or forced to seek additional forage sites.

EFFECTS OF FIRES ON FORAGING AND BREEDING WADING BIRDS IN THE EVERGLADES

Nests, eggs, and chicks of nesting wading birds were unharmed by two fires in the Everglades. However, at least 50 adult White Ibises (Eudocimus albus) foraging away from the breeding colonies were killed during one fire. These results are counter-intuitive given that well-flighted adult birds seem more capable of escaping a fire than immobile nests or eggs. Nests probably were unharmed because of their location in wet willow (Salix carolina) and buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) islands. The adult birds foraging in a small cattail (Typha angustifolia) stand may have been trapped by flames in surrounding tall sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense) or debilitated by smoke inhalation. These observations provide insight into the direct effects of fire on wading bird breeding colonies and individual survival.

Nectar Sources of Day-Flying Lepidoptera of Central Illinois

Abstract We tabulated flowering plant species visited by 98 species of Lepidoptera as extracted from records of C. Robertson, who observed >15,000 insect visitors of flowering plants in central Illinois during a 33-yr period. Diversity of Lepidoptera was highest on plant species of the Asclepiadaceae and Verbenaceae, and the greatest number of lepidopteran species visited Verbena stricta Ventenat (Verbenaceae), Aster pilosus Willdenow (Asteraceae), Cephalanthus occidentalis L. (Rubiaceae), and Pycnanthemum flexuosum (Walter) Britton, Sterns, Poggenberg (Lamiaceae). Lepidopterans were particularly abundant on A. pilosus and C. occidentalis. The most polyphagous lepidopteran species were Colias philodice Godart (Pieridae), Danaus plexippus (L.) (Danaidae), Artogeia rapae (L.) [=Pieris rapae (L.); Pieridae], Phyciodes tharos (Drury) (Nymphalidae), Polites themistocles (Latreille) (Hesperiidae), Pontia protodice (Boisduval & LeConte) (Pieridae), and Everes comyntas (Godart) (Lycaenidae), each of which visited...

Hydrochory, seed banks, and regeneration dynamics along the landscape boundaries of a forested wetland

Following the environmental sieve concept, the setting in which the recruitment of Taxodium distichum occurs in, becomes increasingly restrictive from the seed to seedling stage in an impounded forested wetland. Although a wide elevational band of dispersing seed moves across the boundary of a swamp-field in the water sheet, the zone of germination is relegated to that portion of the forested wetland that draws down during the growing season. Seedling recruitment is further restricted to the uppermost zone of the winter water sheet. These patterns are likely applicable to other species of dominant swamp species, e.g., Cephalanthus occidentalis crossed the boundary of a forested wetland and abandonded field in winter flooding (November–December and November–March, respectively) in Buttonland Swamp. The elevation of the boundary was 101.3 m NGVD. While the seeds of at least 40 swamp species were dispersed across the boundary, few viable seeds were dispersed after the winter season. Kriged maps showed seeds of T. distichum and C. occidentalis dispersed in patches in the water depending on the position of the water sheet. Most species of both water- and gravity-dispersed species had a localized pattern of seed distribution (either spherical or exponential) and this indicated that seeds may not be dispersed for great distances in the swamp. Water-dispersed T. distichum and C. occidentalis had larger dispersal ranges (A0=225 and 195 m, respectively) than Bidens frondosa and B. discoidea (A0=14 and 16 m, respectively). Seed dispersal varied with season depending on the availability of seeds. In Buttonland Swamp, viable seeds typically were dispersed for T. distichum in November–June, and for C. occidentalis in November-July. Low water occurred in August 1993 and high in February 1994 (99.8 and 101.6 m NGVD, respectively). The seed banks along the landscape boundary varied in species composition according to elevation (r2 = 0.996). While the similarity of species richness between water-dispersed seeds and the seed bank at elevations that flooded (during June 1993 through May 1995) was high (10–17%), it was low between water-dispersed seeds and the seed bank at elevations that did not flood (5%). T. distichum seeds had a short germination window in that seeds germinated within a year following their production in zones that were flooded in the winter followed by drawdown during the next growing season. After 1 year, less than 5% of the T. distichum seeds remained viable on the surface of the soil. Germination of T. distichum was confined to specific elevations (above 99.3 but below 101.6 m NGVD) during this study with 4.1% of the seedlings surviving for more than 2 years at a mean of 101.4 m NGVD. All seedlings below this elevation died. To maximize natural regeneration along the boundaries of swamps in abandoned farm fields targeted for restoration, this study suggests a flood pulse regime consisting of high water in the winter to maximize dispersal of live seeds followed by low water in the summer to facilitate seed germination and seedling recruitment. Hydrologic restoration could assist in the natural recovery of damaged wetlands if a seed source exists nearby.

NUTRIENT UPTAKE AND GROWTH RESPONSE OF SIX WETLAND/RIPARIAN PLANT SPECIES RECEIVING SWINE LAGOON EFFLUENT

A two-year study was conducted to determine the growth response of six different wetland/riparian plantspecies receiving swine lagoon effluent. Wastewater from the third lagoon of the University of Georgia main swine unit atTifton, Georgia, was applied to replicates of the species Ilex cassine (Dahoon Holly), Cephalanthus occidentalis(Buttonbush), Itea virginica (Virginia Sweetspire), Spartina patens (Saltmeadow Cordgrass), Juncus effusus (SoftRush), and Panicum hemitomon (Maidencane). The plants were grown in open ended steel containers recessed in thesoil at a field site so that they received natural weather conditions in addition to applied wastewater. Measurements weretaken periodically of plant height, plant width, biomass, leaf area, and N and P content. All six plant species responded towastewater with increased growth, and were tolerant of the level of wastewater application. It was found that of thebroad-leaved species Cephalanthus had the greatest growth response, while of the non-broad-leaved species Spartina hadthe greatest growth.

Flood and salinity stress of wetland woody species, buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) and swamp tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica var.biflora)

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) and swamp tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica var.biflora) seedlings were exposed to flooding and salinity conditions simulating the chronic exposure of sea-level rise and the acute exposure of hurricane storm surge. Chronically exposed seedlings were either watered or flooded with 0, 2, or 10 ppt salinity. Those in the acute experiment were watered or flooded with freshwater until exposed to a 21-ppt salinity surge for 48 hours. Freshwater flooding reduced photosynthesis (A), water pressure potential (Ψ), height, and stem and root biomass for swamp tupelo while biomass of buttonbush roots decreased and stem increased. Chronic watering with 2 ppt salinity reduced height, basal diameter, and stem and root biomass for swamp tupelo but did not significantly affect buttonbush. Both species were negatively affected by watering with 10 ppt salinity, with total mortality of swamp tupelo. Flooding with 2 ppt salinity also caused a 100% mortality for swamp tupelo. All buttonbush seedlings survived with reducedA, Ψ, and stem and root biomass. Plants chronically flooded with 10 ppt salinity were more affected, with drastically decreasedA, stomatal conductance (g s ), and Ψ within the first day of treatment and all dying within three weeks. Watering with 21 ppt salinity reducedA andg, of both species during the second day of the surge, but buttonbush recovered within the next 20 days. Flooding with 21-ppt saline water also greatly impacted buttonbush, which did not recover as when watered with 21 ppt salinity. Swamp tupelo was already stressed due to flooding and showed no further reduction in A org s due to the 21-ppt salinity flood surge. Buttonbush seedlings were more tolerant of salinity and flooding conditions than swamp tupelo seedlings, although it is unlikely that either species could survive long-term exposure to 10-ppt salinity flooding.

Species Diversity of Louisiana Chenier Woody Vegetation Remnants

NEYLAND, R. AND H. A. MEYER (Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA 70609-2000). Species diversity of Louisiana chenier woody vegetation remnants. J. Torrey Bot Soc. 124:254-261. 1997-The cheniers of southwestern Louisiana are linear arrayed ridges up to 3 meters high and 450 meters wide. These prehistoric shorelines now stand as relict islands surrounded by coastal marsh. Although the chenier woodlands were once extensive, most have now been converted to rangeland, roads and homesites, and therefore presently exist as remnants. The woody species in six remnant sites were sampled in order to determine species diversity and importance. High numbers of the introduced species, Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxb., resulted in species diversity in the two Little Chenier sites being significantly lower than those on Grand Chenier, Tiger Island and Pecan Island. This appears to be due to a higher level of habitat destruction in the Little Chenier than in the other cheniers. Importance values suggest a high degree of heterogeneity among the sites chosen for study. For example, Quercus virginiana L. Celtis laevigata Willd., Cephalanthus occidentalis L. and Sapium were each the most important species in at least one of the sampled sites. An ordination of the six sites suggests that only three sites form an ecologically meaningful cluster and the remaining three sites are clearly segregated from all others. The ordination pattern may be due primarily to varying levels of habitat destruction as a result of historic anthropogenic activity.

Vegetation of selected upland temporary ponds in north and north-central Florida

Vegetation was sampled in 13 temporary ponds located in uplands of north and north-central Florida The ponds were selected for study because they represented potential breeding sites for 2 rare amphibians, the gopher frog, Rana capito aesopus, and the striped newt, Notophthalmus perstriatus. Vegetation in the non-forested depression ponds was analyzed in order to determine if a set of characteristic species was present in each. These date then could be used to identify breeding sites for the two species and to provide information for use in the development of management plans for the sites. The study ponds generally fill during winter rains and completely dry down during the summer, but, during the period of this research, Florida was experiencing a relatively dry period, and some ponds did not fill on an annual basis. A total of 112 vascular plant species were identified in the pond basins. Panicum hemitomon was the only species present at each pond. Other common species included Andropogon glomeratus, Rhexia mariana var. mariana, Eupatorium leptophyllum, Rhynchospora spp., Ilax glabra, Cephalanthus occidentalis, and members ofthe family Eriocaulaceae. Similarities between ponds generally resulted from similarities in hydrologic cycle, defined as the period of time since each had held water, and the proximity of ponds to each other. The vegetation of each pond reflected a pattern of zonation or banding commonly described for temporary ponds in other regions. Wetland index values calculated for each pond fit wetland designation criteria, including a basin that had not formed a pond for 7 years, Dry Pond. Species richness and diversity were highest in ponds that had recently dried down and lowest in flooded ponds and Dry Pond.

Decomposition and litter production in a northern bald cypress swamp

. Primary production as measured by annual mean litter fall in the Lower Cache near Perks, Illinois, was the lowest recorded for cypress swamps (2345.5 kg/ha/yr). This swamp is continuously flooded with a low input of phosphorus (< 0.24 mg 1). Rates of leaf litter decomposition were higher in the Lower Cache for Taxodium distichum than in swamps to the south of the region. The winter rates of leaf litter decomposition in the Lower Cache were slower than summer rates for Cephalanthus occidentalis, Echinochloa muricata, Polygonum pensylvanicum, Jussisaea repens, Taxodium distichum, and Eleocharis obtusa, but not for Typha latifolia. Because the 99% turnover rates for these species (0.69–5.10 years) often exceeds one year, undecomposed litter can be expected to accumulate or be exported from the system. Most leaves are shed in the autumn (October through December; 83.6%).

Protandry, Incompatibility, and Secondary Pollen Presentation in Cephalanthus occidentalis (Rubiaceae)

Cephalanthus occidentalis L. is protandrous and presents pollen secondarily on the stigma surface. Because self-pollen is present on the stigma, the degree of selling vs. outcrossing in this species will depend on 1) the phenology of pollen presentation and stigma receptivity; 2) whether the species is self-incompatible; and 3) the rates of self vs. crossed pollen tube growth. This study describes floral morphology and phenology, self-incompatibility, and pollen tube growth rates in self- and crosspollinations of C. occidentalis. Light and scanning electron microscopy were used to study stigma morphology after flower opening, while controlled pollinations tested for incompatibility. Stigmas were unreceptive initially but became receptive by the second day after flower opening. Ninety-two percent of cross-pollinated flowers set fruit, compared to 12% fruit set in self-pollinations. Pollen tubes from selfed and out-crossed pollen initially had similar growth rates. Out-crossed pollen tubes began to grow rapidly ca. 5 hr after pollination of a receptive stigma, whereas selfed pollen tubes ceased growth or grew slowly after this time. Pollen tubes from out-crossed pollen grew the length of the style within 24 hr after pollination, while selfed pollen tubes were inhibited at the stigma-style junction. Our results indicate that C. occidentalis has selfincompatibility, in addition to protandry and secondary pollen presentation. Protandry allows removal of self-pollen from the unreceptive stigma, while self-incompatibility prevents fertilization by unremoved self-pollen.

PROTANDRY, INCOMPATIBILITY, AND SECONDARY POLLEN PRESENTATION IN CEPHALANTHUS OCCIDENTALS (RUBIACEAE)

Cephalanthus occidentalis L. is protandrous and presents pollen secondarily on the stigma surface. Because self‐pollen is present on the stigma, the degree of selling vs. outcrossing in this species will depend on 1) the phenology of pollen presentation and stigma receptivity; 2) whether the species is self‐incompatible; and 3) the rates of self vs. crossed pollen tube growth. This study describes floral morphology and phenology, self‐incompatibility, and pollen tube growth rates in self‐ and crosspollinations of C. occidentalis. Light and scanning electron microscopy were used to study stigma morphology after flower opening, while controlled pollinations tested for incompatibility. Stigmas were unreceptive initially but became receptive by the second day after flower opening. Ninety‐two percent of cross‐pollinated flowers set fruit, compared to 12% fruit set in self‐pollinations. Pollen tubes from selfed and out‐crossed pollen initially had similar growth rates. Out‐crossed pollen tubes began to grow rapidly ca. 5 hr after pollination of a receptive stigma, whereas selfed pollen tubes ceased growth or grew slowly after this time. Pollen tubes from out‐crossed pollen grew the length of the style within 24 hr after pollination, while selfed pollen tubes were inhibited at the stigma‐style junction. Our results indicate that C. occidentalis has selfincompatibility, in addition to protandry and secondary pollen presentation. Protandry allows removal of self‐pollen from the unreceptive stigma, while self‐incompatibility prevents fertilization by unremoved self‐pollen.

Landscape reclamation at a central Florida phosphate mine

A 13-ha parcel of phosphate-mined land at the Gardinier Mine near Ft. Meade, Florida, USA, was reclaimed to test several design principles, establish planting and seed-dispersal trails, and monitor groundwater and surface water. The site was designed as a complete hydrologic unit with perched, basin, and lake-fringe wetland communities in upland communities. The design and placement of ecological communities resulted from the reclaimed topography and site hydrology. The percent growth for 11 wetland and mesic tree species averaged 127% (weighted average) in 3 years; some species averaged more than 160%. Percent survival ranged from 0% ( Cephalanthus occidentalis) to 100% for several mesic forest tree species ( Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Liquidambar styraciflua, Magnolia grandiflora). The percent survival of wetland species (weighted average) was 94.6%. An adjacent forested, floodplain wetland was evaluated as a source of windblown and bird-dispersed seeds to the site. Windblown seeds decreased in densities as distance from forest edge increased. Densities were from 125/m 2 to 380/m 2 within the forest, 50/m 2 to 120/m 2 at the forest edge and decreased exponentially as distance increased. Bird-dispersed seed densities at the base of constructed perches and tree “snags” ranged from 100/m 2 to more than 300/m 2. Rainfall and surface-water inflow along the edge of the site were the largest inputs to the reclaimed landscape's hydrologic budget. Groundwater flow and seepage were more important to growth and survival of planted species because of the maintenance of higher soil moisture during periods of drought.

A New Species of Plocetes from the Florida Keys with Notes on Other Species Occurring in the United States (Coleoptera: Curculionidae; Curculioninae; Tychiini)

Plocetes clarki Anderson, new species is described (type locality; U.S.A., Florida, Monroe County, Sugarloaf Key, N.W., McKay Tract). Adults were collected on flowering Guettarda scabra Vent. (Rubiaceae) in open areas of a pinelands-palmetto-hardwood hammock transitional forest. This plant is the likely larval host. Plocetes clarki belongs in the P. hamifer group-P. zonatus group-P. apicalis group lineage of Plocetes but precise relationships are otherwise not clear. Other species of Plocetes occurring in the United States are: P. bahamensis (Casey), apparent larval host Erithalis fruticosa L.; P. ulmi LeConte, apparent larval host Cephalanthus occidentalis L.; and P. versicolor (Champion), apparent larval host Randia rhagocarpa Standl. All plants are Rubiaceae.

Drift Fence-Associated Sampling Bias of Amphibians at a Florida Sandhills Temporary Pond

Drift Fence-Associated Sampling Bias of Amphibians at a Florida Sandhills Temporary Pond

Direct heat injury of roots of woody swamp species

1. 1.Three month-old seedlings of Taxodium distichum, Nyssa aquatica, Cephalanthus occidentalis and cuttings of Salix nigra were acclimated to simulated natural swamp conditions (ambient temperature, saturated soil) and then used to assess direct high temperature injury of root tissue. 2. 2.Electrolyte leakage from excised root tissue exposed for 30 min to temperatures ranging from 30 to 66°C was used to assess cellular injury. 3. 3.The relationship between leakage and temperature was sigmoidal for each species. 4. 4.Inflection point temperatures on the response curves, ranged from 45.4 to 51.0°C, were species-specific, and indicated differences in thermal tolerance of root membranes. 5. 5.Root of C. occidentalis and N. aquatica were more heat tolerant than roots of T. distichum and S. nigra.

Community patterns and environmental gradients of Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis, ponds in lowland forests of southern Ontario

Community patterns and environmental gradients of Buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentalis, ponds in lowland forests of southern Ontario

RESPONSE OF WOODY SWAMP SEEDLINGS TO FLOODING AND INCREASED WATER TEMPERATURES. I. GROWTH, BIOMASS, AND SURVIVORSHIP

Growth, biomass, and survival of bald cypress (Taxodium distichum [L.] Richard), water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica L.), black willow (Salix nigra Marshall), and button bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis L.) were examined in a 3 times 3 factorial experiment varying water temperatures (AMBIENT, MID, and HIGH [~40 C]) and water levels (DRAINED, SATURATED, and FLOODED). Stem diameter and height, biomass, and survivorship for water tupelo and bald cypress were all reduced by the HIGH/FLOODED treatment. Black willow growth had the greatest variability among nonlethal flooding and temperature treatments, and achieved the greatest biomass of the four species. In the HIGH/FLOODED treatment, however, only 47% of the black willow seedlings survived and stem diameter, height, and biomass of survivors were greatly reduced. Button bush had intermediate variability of growth to the nonlethal treatments as compared to the other study species. Survival of button bush seedlings in the HIGH/FLOODED treatment was high (87%), but root biomass of the survivors was reduced. Interspecific differences in growth, biomass, survivorship, and morphological characteristics existed among these swamp species to experimental conditions. These responses may help explain vegetation patterns in a thermally impacted swamp.

Revegetation of a Taxodium-Nyssa forested wetland following complete vegetation destruction

Revegetation is described for a portion of a Taxodium distichum-Nyssa aquatica (bald cypress-water tupelo) forested wetland in South Carolina. Thermal effluent from nuclear production reactors from 1954 to 1968 eliminated most of the original vegetation from the study area. Vegetation in disturbed and adjacent undisturbed areas was sampled in 1981 and 1985 using permanent plots. Herbs invaded rapidly throughout the disturbed portion of the wetland after thermal discharge ceased. Shrubs (Salix spp. and Cephalanthus occidentalis) followed soon thereafter, and have gradually occupied more of the area. Taxodium and Nyssa regeneration is rare because of the inability of seedlings of these species to compete with the dense cover of herbs and shrubs. Species composition is correlated with water depth, substrate type, and severity of disturbance. Because of substrate diversity, several successional mechanisms may account for the revegetation patterns.

Biomass, photosynthesis and water use efficiency of woody swamp species subjected to flooding and elevated water temperature.

Seedlings of water tupelo (Nyssa aquatica L.), bald cypress (Taxodium distichum (L.) Richard) and button bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis L.) and cuttings of black willow (Salix nigra Marshall) were established in pots and included in a complete factorial experiment with three water temperatures (maximums of about 30, 35 or 40 degrees C) and three water levels (maximum flood depth was 6 cm above soil level). Flooding for 3 months at 30 degrees C reduced dry weight of roots and shoots in all species except water tupelo. At 40 degrees C, however, flooding significantly reduced growth of water tupelo as well as the other species. High water temperatures reduced stomatal conductance and photosynthetic rates in water tupelo and black willow, but not in the other species. In combination with flooding, high temperature reduced water use efficiency in all species except button bush and most sharply in water tupelo.

Plant community pattern analysis: a cartographic approach applied in the Lac des Deux-Montagnes area (Québec)

Following quantitative sampling of riparian and forest plant communities bordering on Lac des Deux-Montagnes, a classification and a plant community pattern analysis were made. First a community classification was established by using an hierarchic agglomeration cluster analysis technique. These communities were mapped at a 1:10 000 scale. Second, by superimposing on this map, soil and topographic maps of the same region, a systematic sampling of the maps was done. The variables considered were elevation, drainage, aspect, slope, soil great groups, soil series, deposit, soil texture, stoniness, parent rock, and topography. The discrimination potential of these abiotic variables over the classification was investigated by means of information theory. The variables which most controlled the plant community pattern distribution in the studied area were soil texture, slope, elevation, and aspect. To study relationships among the abiotic variables and their relation to the plant communities, contingency tables, based on the map sampling, were prepared. By analysing each box of these tables it was possible to characterize each of the plant communities and establish the toposequence for nine communities. These communities were dominated respectively by Acer saccharum, A. saccharinum – Cephalanthus occidentalis, A. saccharinum – Fraxinus pennsylvanica, A. saccharinum – Matteuccia struthiopteris, A. saccharinum – Phalaris arundinacea, Pinus strobus, Quercus bicolor, Q. rubra, and Salix sp.