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Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies Nebraska Academy of Sciences
1991
The Vascular Flora of Banner County, Nebraska
Joyce Phillips Hardy Chadron State College
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Hardy, Joyce Phillips, "The Vascular Flora of Banner County, Nebraska" (1991). Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societies. 148. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/tnas/148
This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Nebraska Academy of Sciences at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences and Affiliated Societiesy b an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 1991. Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences, XVIII: 109-126
THE VASCULAR FLORA OF BANNER COUNTY, NEBRASKA
Joyce Phillips Hardy
School of Science and Mathematics Chadron State College Chadron, Nebraska 69337
other areas being more lightly sampled. The areas A botanical survey of Banner County resulted in a to receiving the most attention in each collection trip tal of 432 species of vascular plants being recorded, repre were alternated during the different collections and senting 238 genera of 70 families. Two hundred seven of years to allow for thorough sampling of the entire these species had not previously been collected in Banner county. The specimens were collected and processed County. One (Penstemon buckleyi) is newly collected for Nebraska. These collections represent four major plant according to standard taxonomic procedures. Spec communities: coniferous forest, native prairie, riparian imen determinations were made following the and stream habitat, and disturbed sites. Banner County treatment set forth by the Great Plains Flora Asso has four distinct topographical regions (Platte River Val ciation (1986) in the Flora of the Great Plains. The ley, Wildcat Hills, Pumpkin Creek Valley, and habitat and frequency of occurrence of each species Cheyenne Tableland) that provide varying habitats for were observed and recorded. The specimens are re plants. The transition areas between these units ~ave posited in the Chadron State College Herbarium at habitats that provide refugia for plants from other regtons. Chadron, Nebraska. A list of the plants recorded from Banner County with the areas where they are found is presented. P. A. Rydberg collected in Banner County dur ing the summers of 1890 and 1891 and reposited the t t t specimens in the Charles E. Bessey Herbarium (NEB) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. H. INTRODUCTION A. (Steve) Stephens collected heavily throughout the Great Plains region during the 1960s and 1970s and Livestock ranching and small cereal farming reposited his specimens in the McGregor Herbar are the primary land uses of Banner County, N e ium at the University of Kansas (KANU). Monica braska. European settlement of Banner County be Rohde-Fulton collected in Banner County in the gan in the 1880s. Oil has been commercially pro summers of 1976 and 1977 and placed those plants in duced since early 1951, and Minuteman missile si the Chadron State College Herbarium. These are the los have been in place since 1963. These activities only major previous collections of plants from Ban have led to changes in the vegetation of the area. ner County, as far as is known by the author. The This study was undertaken to determine the flora diversity of habitats, as well as the diversity of that currently occurs in Banner County. Collections plants collected, reveal that this area is rich in were limited to those species that occur naturally in species. the region and to the introduced plants that appear to be established outside cultivation. The political boundaries of Banner County delimit the collection LOCATION AND SIZE area. Collection trips were made throughout the growing season of six years (1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, Banner County is located in the southwestern 1988 and 1989) at three-week intervals. Representa portion of the Nebraska panhandle. It borders Scotts tive areas of the plant communities and habitats Bluff County on the north and Kimball County on the within the county were intensively collected, with
100 110 Banner County flora south. Morrill and Cheyenne counties are east of gravel. Lime is very abundant and often cements Banner County, while the western border is formed the sedimentary constituents into a coherent porous by the Nebraska-Wyoming state line. The area in mass which is resistant to erosion (Fenneman, cluded in Banner County is approximately 1930 1931). Gravel, sand, and clay carried from the square kilometers (745 square miles). Rocky Mountains during the Tertiary "were de posited over the whole area by heavily loaded TOPOGRAPHY streams which spread out fanlike, overflowing and depositing their materials widely" (Weaver and The topography of the county may be separated Albertson, 1956). This fluvial plain stretched from into the following four broad categories: (1) a the Rocky Mountains on the west to the Central Low smooth and level area called the Cheyenne Table land Province on the east. Originally this flat land; (2) a broad lowland area called the Pumpkin tableland covered the entire area, but erosion has Creek Valley; (3) a high range called the Wildcat significantly lowered portions of the original table Ridge; and (4) a small lowland area of the North land by several hundred feet, resulting in ex Platte River Valley locally referred to as Horseshoe tremely diverse topography in this region. Table Bend (Fig. 1). areas of high-plains prairie are dissected by deep steep-sided canyons. At the bottom of many of these Banner County is located in the High Plains ravines meander intermittent streams. The Wild section in the Central Great Plains Province cat Ridge extends across the northern portion of the (Fenneman, 1931). The bedrock is mostly of lake county, separating the broad Pumpkin Creek Valley and stream deposits but reworked volcanic material from the North Platte River Valley in the extreme is present. The sediment material is mostly uncon northeastern corner. solidated silt with small quantities of sand and
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Figure 1. Topographic regions of Banner County, Nebraska Banner County flora 111 DRAINAGE The Cheyenne Tableland is a remnant of the original plain, extending across the southern part of Approximately 91 square kilometers (35 square Banner County. The altitude of this area is a ap miles) in northeastern Banner County drain by proximately 1594 meters (5,230 feet) at the Wyoming ephemeral streams into the North Platte River. The State line. It slopes downward to the east at an aver remainder of the northern two-thirds of Banner age of 3.2 m per km (17 feet per mile), although at the County is drained by Pumpkin Creek, the only con eastern part of the county the slope is as much as 4.2 tinuously flowing creek in the county. Pumpkin m per km (22 feet per mile) (Smith and Souders, Creek flowed during the drought of the 1930s, but 1975). The southwestern portion of the Cheyenne during the summers of the early 1980s the creek Tableland is mostly flat to slightly rolling, while dried up in some areas. This may have been due to the stream channels are poorly developed and occur the combination of drought conditions and irriga mainly as shallow swales. The surface gradually tion practices lowering the water table (Banner becomes more rolling to the east until the tableland County Historical Society, 1982). Pumpkin Creek becomes extremely dissected and broken in the originates in southwestern Scotts Bluff County just southeastern part of the county. The original sur north of the Banner County border. It is 0.6 to 1.2 face of the tableland is present on the tops of the nar meters (two to four feet) deep and is usually about a row divides and small flat hilltops in this area. The meter (3 feet) wide, although it widens out to approx northern edge of the Cheyenne Tableland is an imately 6 meters (20 feet) in places. Pumpkin Creek escarpment 61 to 122 meters (200 to 400 feet) above the is swift and erosive near its head but becomes slug plain below. The bases of these cliffs and vertical gish near the eastern boundary of Banner County. It walls flatten to gentle slopes leading toward the is fed entirely by groundwater seepage, springs, and Pumpkin Creek Valley. intermittent drainageways. These drainageways are all on the south side of Pumpkin Creek, heading The Pumpkin Creek Valley comprises about 40 in the rough broken escarpments bordering the percent of the total area of Banner County (Hayes Cheyenne Tableland. and Bedell, 1921). Pumpkin Creek flows near the northern edge of its valley. The mostly flat flood Most of the southeastern Cheyenne Tableland is plain lies from one-third to one meter (one to three drained by ephemeral streams flowing to Lawrence feet) above the floodplain. The southern slope from Fork, which empties into Pumpkin Creek 11 km these terraces to the Cheyenne Tableland is long (seven miles) east of the county line in Morrill and gentle while the northern slope toward the County, Nebraska. About 124 square kilometers (48 Wildcat Ridge is relatively short and steep. square miles) of the southwestern tableland drains into Lodgepole Creek in Kimball County, Nebraska The Wildcat Ridge is 213 to 229 meters (700 to 750 (Smith and Souders, 1975). feet) above Pumpkin Creek and 30 to 61 meters (100 to 200 feet) lower than the Cheyenne Tableland. CLIMATE This extremely eroded remnant of the original tableland forms a high narrow divide between the Cold winters and short summers, with great ex Pumpkin Creek Valley and the North Platte River tremes of temperature, characterize the climate of Valley. The surface ridge is rough and broken, Banner County. The weather, as reviewed by Smith with precipices bordering both sides. The northern and Souders (1975), is "quite variable from year to escarpment drops abruptly to the North Platte River year, season to season, and even day to day." Hunt Valley, which is approximately 350 meters (1150 (1967) reports the maximum temperature is about feet) below the Wildcat Ridge (Condra, 1926). 38°C (lOO°F) and a minimum -29°C (-20°F) for this region, although these temperatures are surpassed Immediately north of the Wildcat Ridge a small during extreme weather conditions. The average comer of the North Platte River Valley occupies the temperature is 9°C (48°F). The average annual pre northeastern corner of Banner County. It slopes to cipitation is about 40 cm (15.5 inches) with two ward the North Platte River located in Scotts Bluff thirds of that occurring from May to September County. The lowest part of Banner County, slightly (Smith and Souders, 1975). The annual snowfall is less than 1170 meters (3840 feet), is located here greater than 51 cm (20 inches), the depth of frost (Smith and Souders, 1975). penetration is 51 cm (20 inches), and the average length of the frost free period is 140 days (Hunt, 1967). 112 Banner County flom SOILS derived through weathering of the calcareous sand stones on flat tops of high tables; (7) Scotts soils, Most soils of the tableland belong to the Rosebud shallow basins of lacustrine origin, and (8) Dune series. These are moderately deep, well-drained sand, formed by wind deposits from surrounding soils with weathered sandstone bedrock at a depth of sandy hills, which are subject to drifting and occur 51 to 102 cm (20 to 40 inches). These soils are slow to as isolated areas in Pumpkin Creek Valley (Hayes erode and have moderately good drainage. Topog and Bedell, 1921). raphy of the Rosebud series varies from nearly flat to steeply rolling. Some areas are extremely eroded These differing soils, in combination with and white underlying formations are exposed. varying slopes and exposures, form many differing Rosebud loam is the most extensive soil in this micro environments. The diversity of habitats pre series, followed by Rosebud silt loam and Rosebud sent in Banner County provides refugia for plants very fine sandy loam. The Rosebud soils cover 35 on the edge of their ranges of distribution. percent of the county (Hayes and Bedell, 1921). NATIVE VEGETATION The rough broken lands of badly eroded bluffs and slopes constitute about 16 percent of Banner Shantz and Zon (1924) classified the area in County. The topography is extremely rugged, with cluding Banner County as short-grass plains. This many steep slopes, canyons and gullies. Rock vegetation type is located east of the Rocky Moun outcrops are common, and white calcareous stones tains and, most generally, west of the 100th merid are frequently found in the soils. Grasses grow well ian. The grasses are mostly low growing and shal on areas where erosion is minimal, and trees and low rooted as a result of the relatively low rainfall. shrubs can be found in the breaks. Drainage in The short-grass plains occupy 14 percent of the total these locations is excessive due to the steep slopes. area of the United States, and can be broken into several distinct associations. The (blue) gram a Soils of the Epping series occupy the gently buffalo grass association contains almost equal rolling to sloping and dissected valley lands adja quantities of the two component grasses (Buchloe cent to the rough broken lands. These are shallow, dactyloides and Bouteloua gracilis). It is the most well-drained soils which weathered from siltstone typical short-grass association of the plains grass (Ragon, et aI., 1977). Soils of this series cover about land. The western wheatgrass association is char 24 percent of Banner County (Hayes and Bedell, acterized by blue grama and buffalo grass sod with a 1921). They are deficient in organic matter and are scattered to common growth of western wheatgrass used mostly for pasture and hayland (Smith and (Agropyron smithii). The grama-western needle Souders, 1975). Drainage is good, although in some grass association has blue gram a and green areas it may be excessive. needlegrass (Stipa viridula) forming the large part of the grass cover. Bridgeport soils occupy 15 percent of Banner County, forming the long, gently sloping fans of al Weaver and Clements (1938) considered the luvial and colluvial materials of the upper terraces area including Banner County as the Short-grass of Pumpkin Creek. The soils of the Bridgeport Disclimax. They described this area as a portion of series are grayish-brown to brown colored and have the mixed prairie where the less favorable rainfall good drainage. They are a recently formed soil, resulted in the absence of the mid grasses. The idea with little organic matter present. These soils are that these short-grass plains are modified forms of utilized mostly for livestock grazing, as they are mixed prairie is substantiated by the presence of susceptible to wind erosion when cultivated (Hayes mid-grasses in areas where sandy soil or topogra and Bedell, 1921). phy result in increased availability of water. Their book was published during a severe drought cycle, The remaining 10 percent of the soils belong to which resulted in a drastic change in the plant com the following series: (1) Tripp series, alluvial ma position (Weaver, 1965). teriallocated on the terraces of Pumpkin Creek; (2) Cheyenne series, alluvial material deposited in Oosting (1956) agreed with Weaver and stream valleys; (3) Mitchell series, windblown de Clements (1938) in classifying the original plant posits on terrace-like benches; (4) Laurel series, community as a mixed-grass community, with highly calcareous soils near stream bottoms; (5) shorter dominant grasses of blue grama and buffalo Valentine soils, windblown material derived from grass being associated with western wheatgrass, underlying Tertiary sandstone; (6) Dunlap series, little bluestem (Andropogon scoparius), Junegrass Banner County flora 113 (Koeleria pyramidata), needle-and-thread (Stipa cover of short grasses. A rather diffuse layer of comata), and sand drop seed (Sporobolus cryptan taller grasses is present in areas that receive extra drus). The short-grass condition, termed a discli water through pooling or run-in of rain water. max, was, Oosting stated, a result of overgrazing an area which would normally support a mixed prairie Vankat (1979) stated that the short-grass asso plant community. ciation "occupies the 'High Plains' and is composed chiefly of grasses 20 to 50 centimeters in height." Kuchler (1964) outlined a grama-buffalo grass Buffalo grass and blue grama are listed as the dom province for the area including Banner County. He inant grasses, with needle-and-thread and western described the plant structure as a "fairly dense wheatgrass also present. South-facing slopes re grassland of short grass with somewhat taller ceive more solar radiation and therefore have grasses in the eastern section" of the entire vegeta higher temperatures, increased evapotranspiration, tion type. and longer growing seasons than the near-by north facing slopes or flat areas. "Species and plant In 1965, Weaver stated that "the most significant communities may be restricted to south slopes at the difference of mixed prairie from true prairie is the northern edge of their range and north slopes at the almost universal presence of one or more short southern edge." Similarly, east-facing and west grasses or sedges as a lower layer under the mid facing slopes can differ in their plant communities grasses. The distinctive feature of the mixed due to the difference in the time of day when direct prairie is the intimate mixing of mid grasses with radiation is received (Vankat, 1979). the shorter ones." He continued, stating that buffalo grass, blue grama, and sedges (Carex species) form As elevation increases, soil depth decreases, the understory, while sideoats grama (Bouteloua and/or as one continues farther westward the mid curtipendula), needle-and-thread, sand dropseed, grasses become less dominant in the prairie. Al Junegrass, and green needlegrass form the upper bertson (1937) stated that the distribution of plant layer of the prairie. Weaver made a point of stating species is correlated to topography and soil envi that sandy soil increases the availability of soil ronment. Their influence is due primarily to moisture for the plants, thereby permitting more moisture availability, since water appears to be the mid grasses to grow in the area than what might major controlling factor in the distribution of normally be expected. prairie plant species.
Kaul (1975) classified the original grasslands of CURRENT VEGETATION Banner County as short-grass prairie. Jensen (in Bose, 1977) described this community as consisting The valley floors of Banner County are covered primarily of prairie sandreed (Calomovilfa longi by a mixed-prairie plant community. The under folia), western wheatgrass, needle-and-thread, blue story of blue grama and threadleaf sedge is over grama, and threadleaf sedge (Carex filifolia). As topped by mid grasses such as needle-and-thread, sociated grasses include sand bluestem Indian ricegrass, and western wheatgrass. Little (Andropogon hallii), buffalo grass, sand drop seed, bluestem and sand dropseed are also common. On green needlegrass, and Indian ricegrass shallow soils, dry areas, and overgrazed pastures (Oryzopsis hymenoides). the short grasses become more frequent. Buffalo grass is intermittently distributed throughout the Daubenmire (1978) described steppe as a grass county. It is present in patches of varying sizes on land of "areas where the zonal soils are too dry for overgrazed areas and shallow soils. In most of trees and herbaceous perennial grasses are well Banner County it cannot be considered a dominant represented." The few species of trees which are component of the vegetation. present occupy narrow and scattered bands along stream edges. The steppe region in North America Cottonwood (Populus deltoides subsp. monilif was formed during the Pliocene when the Rocky era), box elder (Acer negundo), willow (Salix Mountains reached a height sufficient to produce a amygdaloides and S. exigua subsp. interior), hack rain shadow. The BOJlteloua gracilis Province, he berry (Celtis occidentalis), green ash (Fraxinus continued, is the largest of the North American pennsylvanica) and chokecherry (Prunus virgini Steppe Provinces. It occupies the driest portion of the ana) often occur near Pumpkin Creek and many of rain shadow of the Rocky Mountains, including the streambeds and ravines. Sedges, rushes Banner County, Nebraska. In the northern section (Juncus species), rabbitfoot grass (Polypogon mon of this province blue grama dominates the mat-like speliensis) and forbs such as cat-tail (Typha latifo- 114 Banner County flam lia), monkey flower (Mimulus glabratus var. fre virescens subsp. penardii, Erigeron bellidiastrum, montU), blue vervain (Verbena hastata) and milk Geum aleppicum, Lupinus plattensis, Machaeran weeds (Asclepias species) grow near the continu thera grindelioides,Oenothera canescens, Prunus ously wet streams, where they are especially preva pumila var. besseyi, Solanum triflorum, and The lent in the marshy areas between the water and lypodium integrifolium) were reported by Steven prairies. Rolfsmeier as being in the Charles E. Bessey Herbarium (NEB) and are included here.) Speci Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and juniper mens located at herbaria other than the Chadron (Juniperus scopulorum) are common along the steep State College Herbarium are denoted by the herbar canyons and ridgetops of the Wildcat Ridge and ium's acronym in the description. The habitat and Cheyenne Tableland escarpments. The open hill the frequency of occurrence of each species are sides between the pines exhibit a wide variety of given. The terms abundant, common, scattered, grasses and forbs, such as Kentucky bluegrass (Poa and rare are used as an indication of frequency pratensis), needle-and-thread, breadroot scurf-pea within the species' appropriate habitat in Banner (Psoralea esculenta), Easter daisy (Townsendia County. A species is considered abundant if large grandiflora), and bluebells (Mertensia lanceolata). numbers of individual plants can easily be found, cryptal\thas, eriogonums, draba milkvetch common if individual plants are found fairly often, (Astragalus spatulatus), ball-head (Ipomopsis con scattered if the species is found occasionally, and gesta), and stemless hymenoxys (Hymenoxys rare if the plant is known from one or a few small acaulis) are often present on shallow soils or bare colonies within the county. outcroppings of both the Wildcat Ridge and the Cheyenne Tableland. Rocky outcrops of the The arrangement of the following list of species Cheyenne Tableland provide habitat for dwarf lo is alphabetical by family, genus, and species. Syn coweed (Oxytropis multiceps), Missouri milkvetch onomy follows the Great Plains Flora Association (Astragalus missouriensis), lotus milkvetch (1986). Plants marked with a double asterisk (**) (Astragalus lotiflorus), and threadleaf sedge. are newly recorded for Banner County, as compared Mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus montanus) to the Atlas of the Flora of the Great Plains (Great forms dense thickets on localized tops of hills within Plains Flora Association, 1977). the dissected Cheyenne Tableland, dominating the vegetation. Woodbine (Parthenocissus vitacea), ACERACEAE (Maple Family) poison ivy (Toxicodendron rydbergii), waterpod Acer negundo V8r. interiUtl (box elder). Scattered in deep (Ellisia nyctelea), and western red currant (Ribes ravines and along streams. ** cereum) can be found in gullies and ravines. At the Acer negundo Yar. negundo (box elder). Scattered along broad bottoms of larger canyons are often found streams, in deep ravines, and in prairie. ** wild plum chokecherry, aro (Prunus americana), AGAVACEAE (Agave Family) matic sumac (Rhus aromatica var. trilobata) and Yucca glauca (small soapweed). Scattered in prairies, dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum). Dry roadsides open ponderosa pine forests, and at base of Wildcat and field borders provide habitat for smooth brome Ridge. (Bromus inermis) as well as many weedy species, such as the thistles (Cirsium species and Carduus ALISMATACEAE (Water Plantain Family) nutans), knotweeds (Polygonum species), common Sagittaria latifolia (arrowhead). Rare in Pumpkin purslane (Portulaca oleracea), clammy-weed Creek, common in stock tank overflows. ** (Polanisia dodecandra subsp. trachysperma), Rocky Mountain bee plant (Cleome serrulata), and AMARANTHACEAE (Pigweed Family) lamb's quarters (Chenopodium species). Amaranthu. grtM!Cium. (prostrate pigweed). Common on disturbed sites. ** Amaranthu. hybridu. (slender pigweed, green pigweed). ANNOTATED SPECIES LIST Common along newly disturbed roadsides of High way #71; scattered elsewhere along roadsides. ** The following list contains all the plants found Amaranthu. retroflexu. (rough pigweed). Common in outside cultivation in Banner County, Nebraska. disturbed areas. ** The plants listed have been collected from the field by the author, and are represented by voucher speci ANACARDIACEAE (Cashew Family) mens in the Chadron State College Herbarium, or Rhu. aromatica V8r. trilobata (fragrant sumac, polecat have been seen and verified by the author. Twelve bush). Common along gulches and on slopes. ** species (Agalinis tenuifolia var. parviflora, An Toxicodendron rydbergii (poison ivy). Common in draws tennaria microphylla, Carex diandra, Delphinium and on sides of gulleys. ** Banner County flora 115 APIACEAE (Parsley Fam.i1y) Arctium minus (common burdock). Widely scattered in Berula erecta var. inciBum (water-parsnip). Shallow wa disturbed areas, especially in deep shade or moist ter near springs. (NEB: Rydberg, August 1890). soils. ** Conium maculatum (poison hemlock). Rare along Artemisia campeslriB subsp. caudata (western sagewort). streams. ** Scattered on lower slopes of gulches and on bluffs. Cymopterus acaulis. Scattered in upland prairies and Artemisia cana (dwarf sagebrush). Widely scattered hillsides. along roadsides and in western mid-grass prairie. Cymopterus montanus. Scattered on shallow soils under ** ponderosa pines. ** Artemisia drocunculus (silky wormwood). Scattered in Lomatium foeniculaceum var. foeniculoeeum (wild pars draws, gulches, and prairies. ** ley). Scattered in short-grass prairie and on Wildcat Artemisia filifolia (sand sagebrush). Common in Ridge. ** prairies. Lomatium orientale (wild parsley). Scattered in dry Artemisia frigida (fringed sage). Scattered in prairies, prairie. ** rims and draws of canyons, and on disturbed soils. Musineon divaricatum. Scattered in rocky wheatgrass ** prairie in northwestern part. Artemisia ludoviciana var. ludoviciana (white sage). MUBineon lenuifolium. Scattered on dry roadcuts. Widely scattered in prairies and draws. ** Osmomga longistylis var.longiBtyliB (anise root). Rare Aster commutatus (wild aster). Widely scattered in in shaded ravines. ** prairies. ** Asterericoides (white aster). Common in draws of upland APOCYNACEAE (Dogbane Family) prairies. Apocynum cannabinum (Indian hemp dogbane, prairie Asler falcatus (wild aster). Scattered on damp to drying dogbane). Scattered in gulch bottoms. ** soils in prairies and near streams. Aster praealtus var. nebraskensis (willowleaf aster). ASCLEPIADACEAE (Milkweed Fam.i1y) Rare near springs in dense shade. ** Asclepias arenaria (sand milkweed). Common along Bidens cel7lua (nodding beggar-ticks). Scattered along dry roadsides. ** stream margins. Asclepias enllelmanniana (Engelmann's milkweed). Bidens frondosa (beggar-ticks). Scattered along stream Calcareous outcroppings of Cheyenne Tableland. margins and in drying disturbed areas. ** (NEB: Rydberg, August 1891). Brickellia Ilrandiflora. Open areas of Wildcat Ridge. Asclepias incal7lata (swamp milkweed). Scattered along (NEB: Rydberg, August 1890). Pumpkin Creek. ** Carduus nutans subsp. leiophyllus (musk thistle, nodding Asclepias pumila (plains milkweed). Common in thistle). Locally common in fields, widely scattered prairie. in roadside ditches. ** Asclepias speciosa (showy milkweed). Common in road Chrysopsis horrida (golden aster). Widely scattered in side ditches. western prairies. Asclepias syriaca (common milkweed). Scattered along Chrysopsis villosa var. hispida (golden aster). Scattered Pumpkin Creek. ** on midslopes of Wildcat Ridge and on prairie outcrop Asclepias verticillata (whorled milkweed). Moist soils pings. and prairie. (KANU: Richardson #1566, August Chrysopsis villosa var. villosa (golden aster). Common 1965). in prairies, roadsides, and on disturbed soils. Asclepias viridiflora (green milkweed). Widely scat Chrysothamnus parryi subsp. howardii (Parry's rabbit tered in prairie. brush). Rare on bare sandstone bluffs of Wildcat Ridge. ** ASTERACEAE (Sunflower Family) Ci,."ium arvense (Canada or field thistle). Locallyabun Achillea millefolium subsp. lanulosa (yarrow). Common dant in moist soils, ditches, fields, and near Pumpkin on disturbed soils. ** Creek. Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common ragweed). Common Ci,."ium canescens (Platte thistle). Scattered in roadside on disturbed soils. ** ditches and prairies. Ambrosia psilostachya (western ragweed). Common on Cirsium flodmanii (Flodman's thistle). Rare along disturbed soils. ** roadsides and near creeks. ** Ambrosia tomentosa (perennial bursage). Scattered Ci,."ium undulatum (wavy-leaf thistle). Scattered in dry along roadsides. ** prairies. Ambrosia tri{ida (giant ragweed). Common on disturbed Ci,."ium vulgare (bull thistle). Scattered along roadsides, roadsides and along fields. pastures, and disturbed sites. ** Antennaria microphylla (pink pussytoes). Pumpkin Seed Conyza canadensis (horse-weed). Common on disturbed Valley. (NEB: Rydberg. July 1891; identified by J. sites. ** G. Chmielewski, 1987). Coreopsis tinctoria (Plains coreopsis). Rare in roadside Antennaria parvifolia (pussy-toes). Abundant under ditches and prairie. ponderosa pines and scattered in prairies. ** Crepis acuminata (hawk's-beard). Dry prairie. (KANU: Stephens #40888, June 1970). 116 Banner County flora Crepi8 occidentali8 (hawk's-beard). Rare in western Senecio integerrimu8 var. exaltatu8 (groundsel). Com prairies. ** mon in prairies and draws. ** Crepi8 runcinata (hawk's-beard). Rare on saline soils of Senecio integerrimu8 var. integerrimu8 (groundsel). damp and drying sites near Pumpkin Creek. Scattered in dense vegetation at base of gulches and 1Jy88odia pappo8a (fetid marigold). Locally abundant in ravines and in prairies. ** trail roads, along open fields, and other disturbed lo Senecio platten8i8 (prairie ragwort). Scattered in mid cations. ** grass prairie and along roadsides. Erigeron bellidiastrum (western fleabane). Lawrence Senecio riddellii (Riddell ragwort). Scattered on road Fork. (NEB: Rydberg, July 1890), cuts, slopes, and in prairie. Erigeron pumilu8 (fleabane). Common along roadsides, Silphium integrifolium var. laeve (rosin-weed). Widely in prairies, and on lower slopes of Wildcat Ridge. scattered along Highway #71 near junction with Eupatorium purpureum (sweet joe-pye weed). Locally Highway #88E. ** common in grassy roadside ditch of Highway #88W Silphium laciniatum (compass plant). Scattered along near Pumpkin Creek. ** Highway #71 just north of junction with Highway Grindelia 8quarro8a var. 8quarro8a (curly-top #88E. ** gum weed). Abundant along roadsides and in Solidago canadensi8 var. 8cabra. Along roads. (KANU: prairies. ** Croat #3338, September 1966). Gutierrezia 8arothrae (snakeweed). Scattered in prairies, Solidago canaden8i8 var. gilvocane8cen8 (Canada gold especially in dry upland areas. enrod). Common along creeks and in damp soils. ** Haplopappu8 annUU8 (golden weed). Widely scattered Solidago gigantea (late goldenrod). Rare in moist open along dry roadsides in western part. ** areas near streams. Haplopappu8 armerioide8 (goldenweed). Rare on sand Solidago mi88ourien8i8 (prairie goldenrod). Common in stone outcroppings in western prairies. prairies and on hillsides. Haplopappu88pinulo8U8 subsp. 8pinulOBu8 (cutleafiron Solidago molli8 (soft goldenrod). Scattered in prairie and plant). Scattered in native prairie. open ponderosa pine forest. Helianthu8 annUU8 (annual sunflower). Common along Solidago nemorali8 (gray goldenrod). Common in roadsides and on disturbed sites. grassy roadside ditches and edges of gullies. ** Helianthu8 nuttallii subsp. rydbergii (Nuttall's sun Taraxacum officinale (common dandelion). Scattered flower). Rare along roadsides in southern part. ** along roadsides and in disturbed ares. ** Helianthu8 petiolari8 (plains sunflower). Common in Thele8perma filifolium var. intermedium (greenthread). dry roadsides and disturbed areas. Common in pastures and along roadsides. Hymenopappu8 filifoliu8 var. polycephalu8. Scattered Thele8perma megapotamicum. Widely scattered in open along roadsides and in shallow soils of outcrops. prairies and near ponderosa pines. HymenoxY8 acauli8 (stemless hymenoxys). Common in Town8endia exscapa (Easter daisy). Common on shallow shallow soils over outcrop pings and on Wildcat soils of outcrops in prairie and on upper slopes of Ridge. Wildcat Ridge. ** Iva xanthifolia (marsh elder). Widely scattered along Town8endia grandiflora (Easter daisy). Scattered on Pumpkin Creek. ** shallow soils of outcrops in prairie and on Wildcat Kuhnia eupatorioide8 var. corymbulo8a (false boneset). Ridge. Scattered in prairies. ** Tragopogon dubiu8 (goat's beard, western salsify). Scat Lactuca oblongifolia (blue lettuce). Common on roadside tered along roadsides and in prairie. banks and ditches and near streams. Xanthium strumarium (cocklebur). Scattered near Lactuca 8erriola (prickly lettuce). Common in wet sites streams. ** and disturbed areas. ** Liatri8 punctata (gay feather, blazing star). Common in BORAGINACEAE (Borage Family) prairies and open ponderosa pine forests. Cryptantha cana. Scattered in disturbed areas of prairie. Lygode8mia juncea (skeletonweed). Common in road Cryptantha celo8ioide8. Scattered on shallow soils in cuts, along roadsides, and in prairies. prairie. Machaeranthera cane8cen8 (hoary aster). Scattered on Cryptantha fendleri. Scattered in dry sandy prairie and upper slopes of bluffs in Wildcat Ridge. ** canyons. Machaeranthera grindelioide8 (golden weed). Sand Cryptanthajame8ii. Scattered in prairie, in open areas of draws, Hills of Pumpkin Seed Valley, Upper ponderosa pine forest, and on disturbed sites. Lawrence Fork. (NEB: Rydberg, August 1890, July Cryptantha minima. Scattered in dry prairie on disturbed and August 1891). sites. ** Machaeranthera lineari8. Common on old roads and Cryptantha thyrsiflora. Common in open ponderosa pine primary floodplains of streams. ** forest and on shallow soils. Micro8eri8 cU8pidata. Common in upland prairies. Hackelia floribunda (large-flowered stickseed). Rare Ratibida columnifera (prairie coneflower). Common in along streams and in deep ravines. native prairie and along roadsides. Heliotropium curas8avicum (heliotrope). Damp saline Senecio canU8 (gray ragwort). Scattered along roadsides soils near Pumpkin Creek. (NEB: Rydberg, July and in prairies. 1891). Banner County flora 117 Lappula redowskii (stickseed). Abundant on disturbed soils. CACTACEAE (Cactus Family) Lappula texaRa (cupseed stickseed). Scattered in dis CoryphCIRtha vivipara var. vivipara (pincushion cactus). turbed areas of prairie. Widely scattered in dry areas of prairie and persist Lithospermum i1lCisum (puccoon). Common in prairies ing under ponderosa pines. ** and under ponderosa pines. EchiRocereus vindiflorus (hedgehog cactus). Widely MerteRsia lanceolata (bluebells). Abundant under pon scattered throughout prairie. ** derosa pines and scattered in prairies and road OpuRtia fragiliB (little prickly pear). Scattered through ditches. prairie. ** OpuRtia macrorhiza var. macrorhiza (plains prickly BRASSICACEAE (Mustard. Family) pear). Common in prairie. ** Alyssum myssoUles (pale alyssum). Scattered in western part on disturbed soils. ** CAESALPINIACEAE (Caesalpinia Family) ArabiB hinuta var. pycRocarpa (rock cress). Rare under GkditBia tnacaRthos forma inermis (thornless honey lo ponderosa pines on escarpments of Cheyenne Table cust). Commonly planted around homesteads and land. ** persists. ** Arabis holboellii var. piRetorum (rock cress). Widely scattered on shallow soils and outcroppings. CAMPANULACEAE (Bellflower Family) Brassica jURcea (Indian mustard). Locally common CampaRula rotundifolia (harebell). Scattered under pon near Pumpkin Creek. ** derosa pines and in nearby prairies. ** CameliRa microcarpa (small-seeded false flax). Rare in Lobelia siphilitica (blue cardinal flower, great lobelia). shallow and disturbed soils. ** Rare in shady damp soils near streams. Capsella buna-pCIBwriB (shepherd's purse). Common in disturbed soils along roadsides, fields, and in CANNABACEAE (Hemp Family) prairie. ** CaRRabis sativa (hemp, marijuana). Rare along ChoriBpora teRella (blue mustard). Common in disturbed streams. ** areas. DescuraiRia piRRata subsp. brachycarpa (tansy mus CAPPARACEAE (Caper Family) tard). Abundant in dry disturbed sites along road Ckome serrulata (Rocky Mountain bee plant). Very sides, fields, and near stock tanks. common on disturbed soils along roadsides, in De8curaiRia sophia (flixweed). Common in disturbed ar ravines, and in prairies. eas. ** PolaRiBia dodecaRdra subsp. trachysperma (clammy Draba Remorosa (yellow whitlowort). Widely scattered weed). Scattered in washes and draws on disturbed on lower slopes and draws of gulches near Cheyenne soils. Tableland. ** Draba reptaRs (white whitlowort). Present with D. CAPRIFOLIACEAE (Honeysuckle Family) nemorosa. ** Symphoricarpos occideRtaliB (western snowberry, wolf Erysimum ClBperum (western wallflower). Common in berry). Common in draws and prairie ravines. prairie. Lepidium deRsiflorum (peppergrass). Very common on CARYOPHYLLACEAE (Pink Family) disturbed sites. ** AreRaria hooken var. hooken (sandwort). Common on LeBquerella alpiRa (bladderpod). Scattered on rocky rocky slopes and shallow soils of Wildcat Ridge and outcrops in prairie (KANU: Stephens #28152, May Cheyenne Tableland. 1970) CerCIBtium brachypodum (mouse-ear chickweed). Widely Lesquerella ludoviciaRa (bladderpod). Scattered on dis scattered at base of gulch walls and in shaded dis turbed areas, roadcuts, and under ponderosa pines. turbed areas. ** Lesquerella moRtaRa. Widely scattered in dry wash ar ParoRychia depresBa (whitlow-wort, nailwort). Common eas of ravines. ** on shallow soils and rocky outcrops of Cheyenne Nasturtium officiRale (watercress). Common along Tableland prairie and on upper slopes of Wildcat edges of streams in shallow water. ** Ridge. RaphaRus satiVUB (radish). Collected along Highway #71 ParoRychia seBBili(lora (whitlow-wort, nail wort). in southern part. ** Widely scattered on upper bare slopes of Wildcat Rorippa palustriB subsp. hiBpida var. hispida (yellow bog Ridge. ** cress). Common along edges of Pumpkin Creek. ** Sisymbnum altissimum (tumbling mustard). Common CHENOPODIACEAE (Goosefoot Family) in disturbed ground. ** CeratoideB laRata (white sage, winter fat). Scattered Thelypodium iRtegrifolium. Low meadow, upper Pump along base of Wildcat Ridge and in western prairie. kin Valley (NEB: Rydberg, July 1891). Chenopodium album (lamb's quarters). Scattered on dis ThlCIBpi arveRBe (field pennycress). Scattered along turbed soils. ** roadsides and in old fields. ** Chenopodium berlCIRdieri (pitseed goosefoot). Common in dry disturbed areas. ** 118 Banner County flora Chenopodium fremontii (Fremont goosefoot). Scattered in EleochariB macroBtachya (spikerush). Common in tank shaded areas among dense vegetation along Pump overflows and along streams. kin Creek. ** EleochariB xyridiformiB (spikerush). Locally abundant Chenopodium incanum (lamb's quarters). Common on along streams. ** dry disturbed soils of prairie. SCirpUB pungenB (bulrush). Scattered along Pumpkin Kochia Bcoparia (kochia, fire-weed). Common along Creek, in stock tank overflows, and along intermit roadsides and in disturbed areas. ** tent streams. SalBola iberica (Russian-thistle, tumbleweed). Common ScirpuB validuB (bulrush). Common along Pumpkin along roadsides and disturbed sites. ** Creek and in marshy areas. **
COMMELINACEAE (Spiderwort Family) ELAEAGNACEAE (Olive Family) TradeBcantia bracteata (spiderwort). Scattered in road ElaeagnuB anguBtifolia (Russian olive). Scattered in side ditches and swales of prairie. ** moist soils along Pumpkin Creek, in shelterbelts, and TradeBcantia occidentaliB (spiderwort). Common in along yards. prairies and on disturbed sites. ** EQUISETACEAE (Horsetail Family) CONVOLVULACEAE MOLLUGINACEAE (Carpetweed Family) PLANTAGINACEAE (Plantain Family) Mollugo verlicillata (carpetweed). Locally abundant in Plantago eriopoda (alkali plantain). Locally common in draws in shade of trees. ** marshy meadows near Pumpkin Creek. Plantago lanceolata (English plantain, buckhorn). Scat NYCTAGINACEAE (Four-o'clock Family) tered along Pumpkin Creek near Hwy #88W. ** Abronia fragranB (sweet sand verbena). Scattered Plantago major (common plantain). Scattered in dis through prairies and along roadsides. turbed sites. MirabiliB hirButa (hairy four-o'clock). Scattered through Plantago patagoniea var. patagonica. (Patagonian plan prairies and along roadsides. tain). Abundant in disturbed sites. MirabiliB lineariB (narrowleaf four-o'clock). Rare in open prairie near ponderosa pines. POACEAE (Grass Family) MirabiliB nyctaginea (wild four o'clock). Common in Agropyron caninum subsp. majuB (slender wheatgrass). open prairies and along roadsides. ** Scattered in prairie. Banner County flora 121 Agropyron criBtatum (crested wheatgrass). Scattered in Elymus villosus (hairy wild rye). Rare on moist soils in roadside ditches, disturbed areas, and prairies. ** deep canyons. ** Agropyron dasystachyum (thickspike wheatgrass). Scat Elymus virginicus (Virginia wild rye). Widely scattered tered in roadside ditches, disturbed areas, and in drying areas of prairie and in washes. ** prairies. ** Eragrostis cilianensis (stinkgrass). Common on dis Agropyron elongatum (tall wheatgrass). Locally abun turbed soils. ** dant in lowland area along Pumpkin Creek and in Fesfuca arundinacea (tall fescue). Locally common in the Wildcat Ridge prairie. ** hay meadows in northern part. ** Agropyron intermedium var. intermedium (intermediate Fesfuca octoflora (sixweeks fescue). Common along wheatgrass). Scattered in prairie and along roadside. roadsides and on shallow soils over outcroppings. ** ** Hordeum jubatum (foxtail barley). Common in prairie Agropyron smithii (western wheatgrass). Abundant in and disturbed areas. ** western prairies and common in rest of prairies. Hordeum pusillum (little barley). Common on bare areas Agrostis stolonifera (redtop). Scattered along streams of Wildcat Ridge. ** and in low moist ground. Koeleria pyramidata (Junegrass). Common on rocky ar AlopeCUruB aequaJ.iB (short foxtail). Scattered in wet areas eas, disturbed sites, and under ponderosa pines. near streams. Muhlenbergia cuspidata (plains muhly). Dry prairies. Andropogon hallii (sand bluestem). Locally common in (NEB: Rydberg, August 1891). sandy soil, especially at base of Wildcat Ridge. Muhlenbergia pungens (blowout grass, sand muhly). Andropogon scoparius (little bluestem). Common in Scattered on sandy soils. prairies, on rims and sides of canyons. Munroa squarrosa (false buffalograss). Scattered in dis Aristida purpurea var. longiseta (three-awn). Scattered turbed areas along Highway #88W. ** in disturbed areas of native prairie. Oryzopsis hymenoides (Indian ricegrass). Abundant in Ari.tida purpurea var. purpurea (purple three-awn). prairies and along roadsides. Scattered in disturbed areas of prairie. Panicum capillare (common witchgrass). Scattered in Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama). Common in disturbed ground and along roadsides. draws and on shallow soils of prairie. Panicum virgatum (switchgrass). Scattered in moist low Bouteloua gracilis (blue grama). Common in prairie, land areas. abundant on shallow soils and under ponderosa Phleum pratense (timothy). Locally scattered on lower pines. ** slopes of canyons and in ditches. ** Bouteloua hirsuta (hairy grama). Widely scattered on Poa compress a (Canada bluegrass). Disturbed moist ar shallow soils over outcroppings. ** eas. (KANU: Stephens #5505). Bromus inermis subsp. inermis (smooth brome). Locally Poa palustris (fowl bluegrass). Scattered along intermit abundant in ditches and along roadsides. ** tent drainageways. ** Bromus japonicus (Japanese brome). Scattered in dry dis Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass). Common near turbed sites. creeks, stock tank overflows, under ponderosa pines, Bromus tectorum (downy brome). Common along road and in yards. ** sides and in dry disturbed areas. Poa sandbergii (Sandberg's bluegrass). Rare on bluff Buchloe dactyloides (buffalo grass). Widely scattered in sides and in gulches. ** prairies and along dry roadsides. ** Polypogon monspeliensis (rabbitfoot grass). Common Calamovilfa longifolia (prairie sandreed). Common in along Pumpkin Creek. ** prairies and roadsides, especially at base of the Wild Schedonnardus paniculatuB (tumblegrass). Widely scat cat Ridge. tered at base of Wildcat Ridge. ** Catabrosa aquatica (brookgrass). Common in and near Setaria glauca (yellow foxtail). Common along road Willow Creek. ** sides. ** Cenchrus longispinus (sandbur). Locally common on Setaria viridis (green foxtail). Scattered along roadsides disturbed ground and along roadsides. ** and in draws. ** Dactylis glomerata (orchard grass). Scattered along Sitanion hystm var. brevifolium (squirreltail). Rare in lower roadsides near Pumpkin Creek and in other dry soils of pastures and roadsides. moist sites. ** Spartina gracilis (alkali cordgrass). Scattered along Di.tichlis spicata var. stricta (inland saltgrass). Com Pumpkin Creek. mon along roadsides near creeks. Sporobolus cryptandrus (sand dropseed). Common in Echinochloa crusgalli (barnyard grass). Locally com roadside ditches and prairies. mon along stream edges and in disturbed drying Stipa comata (needle-and-thread). Common to abundant sites. ** in roadside ditches and prairies, especially on Echinochloa muricata. var. microstachya (barnyard Cheyenne Tableland. ** grass). Widely scattered near Pumpkin Creek in Stipa viridula (green needlegrass). Common in prairie, damp soil. ** especially on Cheyenne Tableland. ** Elymus canadensis (Canada wild rye). Widely scattered Triticum aestivum (wheat). Abundant along dry road in drying soils of prairie. sides and in cultivated fields. ** 122 Banner (OUntyflora POLEMONJACEAE SOLANACEAE (potato or Nightshade Family) ZANNICHELLIACEAE (Horned Pondweed Family) PhYBalis hederifolia var. comata (ground cherry). Zannichellia palustris (horned pondweed). Common in a Prairies (NEB: Rydberg, 1891). stock tank with a sandy bottom in Long Canyon and PhYBalis longifolia (common ground cherry). Scattered probably elsewhere. on disturbed soils. PhYBalis pumila subsp. hispida (prairie ground cherry). ZYOOPHYLLACEAE (Caltrop Family) Scattered along roadsides and in disturbed sites in Tribulus terrestris (puncture vine, goat head). Common prairie. in disturbed areas. ** PhYBaliB virginiana (Virginia ground cherry). Rare along roadsides. ** DISCUSSION Solanum rostratum (buffalo bur, Kansas thistle). Locally abundant in disturbed areas. The dicot group of plants (Magnoliopsida) are Solanum triflorum (cut-leaved nightshade). Prairie dog far more abundant in occurrence than the monocots towns, Lawrence Fork (NEB). (Liliopsida), the fern-allies (Pteridophyta) or the SPARGANIACEAE (Bur-reed Family) conifers (Pinophyta). The dicots account for 76 per Sparganium eurycarpum (bur-reed). Common along cent of the total number of species, genera, and fam Pumpkin Creek in shallow water and marshy areas. ilies (Table n. ** Largest families in numbers of species TYPHAC~ (Cat-tail Family) Eleven families contain a total of 279 species. Typha latifolia (broad-leaved cat-tail). Abundant along This is over 64 percent of the species from just under Pumpkin Creek and scattered in stock tank over 15 percent of the total families. The two largest fam flows. ** ilies, Poaceae and Asteraceae, contain nearly one third of the species. The number of species in the ten largest families are: Asteraceae 79; Poaceae 55; 124 Banner County flora Table I. Cumulative List of Plant Groups. Northern Plants: Many ofthe plants presented in the western species section exhibit a northwestern Families Genera Species distribution. No plants with strictly northeastern Pteridophytes 234 distribution were collected in Banner County. The Pinophyta 223 eight species presented below are of a more northern Magnoliophyta range: Astragalus gilviflorus, Catabrosa aquatica, Magnoliopsida 53 180 330 Collomia linearis, Draba nemorosa, Eriogonum Liliopsida 13 53 95 pauciflorum var. pauciflorum, Hackelia flori Total 70 238 432 bunda, Ipomopsis congesta, and Penstemon glaber var. glaber. Fabaceae 36; Brassicaceae 22; Polygonaceae 16; Cyperaceae 14; Scrophulariaceae 14; Boraginaceae Endemic Plants: Eleven species are possibly 12; Onagraceae 12; Lamiaceae 11; and Juncaceae endemic to the general area including western Ne 11. Although members of the Poaceae form the ma braska, according to the Great Plains Flora Asso jor components of most of the plant communities, the ciation (1986). Endemic plants are restricted to nar diversity within the family is less than in Aster row ranges of distribution. These species are: Aster aceae. praealtus var. nebraskensis, Astragalus hyalin us, Astragalus sericoleucus, Besseya wyomingensis, Interesting species distribution Cryptantha fendleri, Chrysothamnus parryi subsp. Extension of Ranges: The following species howardii, Eriogonum cernuum, Lesquerella mon newly found in Banner County are disjunct from tana, Musineon tenuifolium,Oxytropis multiceps, previously known ranges and therefore of special and Paronychia depressa. interest: Coronilla varia, Eschscholzia californica, Potentilla recta, Salvia azurea, Silphium integri Rare Species: Corydalis aurea var. occidentalis folium, and Silphium laciniatum. has a broad distribution but is seldom collected. Due to its rarity of collection it is included here as an Eastern Species: Plants that exhibit an eastern interesting plant from the county. Cryptantha fend distribution and are near the western edge of their leri is also infrequent in the Great Plains. range in Banner County include: Brassica juncea, Eupatorium purpureum, and Geum canadense. Species Newly Recorded for Nebraska: This is the first collection of Penstemon buckleyi in Ne Southern Species: The following species from braska, as far as the author is aware. This penste Banner County are at or near the northern limits of mon was found where Longhorn cattle had been im their range: Asclepias engelmanniana, Brickellia ported from Texas, and the author speculates that grandiflora, Chrysopsis horrida, Cucurbita foe seed from the plant was transported on their coats or tidissima, Echinocereus viridiflorus, Eriogonum in their feces. Determination was done by Craig C. alatum var. alatum, Haplopappus annuus, Freeman, State Biological Survey of Kansas. The Oenothera canescens and Penstemon angustifolius plants persisted for at least two seasons, but in the var. caudatus. summer of 1989 the author could not locate the small population. Western Species: Twenty-three species repre sentative of the western flora at the eastern edge of Excluded Species: their range were found: Alyssum alyssoides, Am The following species are listed by the Great brosia tomentosa, Arenaria hookeri, Astragalus Plains Flora Association (1977) as being in Banner crassicarpus var. paysoni, Astragalus shortianus, County, although the author has not seen specimens Ceratoides lanata, Cercocarpus montanus, Crepis to verify their determinations: Alisma triviale , acuminata, Delphinium nuttallianum, Euphorbia Astragalus hyalinus, Carex lanuginosa, fendleri, Euphorbia robusta, Eriogonum cernuum, Chenopodium standleyanum, Erigeron canus, Eriogonum effusum var. effusum, Haplopappus Euphorbia cyathophora, Fimbristylis puberula var. armerioides, Ipomopsis spicata, Mertensia lanceo interior, Lemna trisulca, Muhlenbergia asperifo lata, Microsteris gracilis, Musineon divaricatum, lia, Muhlenbergia racemosa, Oenothera laciniata, Oenothera caespitosa, Paronychia sessiliflora, Oryzopsis micrantha, Polygonum punctatum, Poly Penstemon glaber var. glaber, Poa sandbergii, and gonum scandens, Rorippa truncata, and Scirpus Ribes cereum var. inebrians. pallidus. Banner County flora 125 Species which may be present: (Rydberg, 10 Jul 1891), and Suaeda depressa from "Saline Species listed for neighboring counties in the At meadow, Pumpkin Seed Valley" (Rydberg, 16 Jul 1891). las of the Flora of the Great Plains which may be present in Banner County include: Amaranthus al LITERATURE CITED bus, Astragalus pectinatus, Atriplex argentea subsp. argentea, Atriplex canescens, Bidens co Albertson, F.W. 1937. Ecology of mixed prairie in mosa, Bidens vulgata, Carex eleocharis, Cycloloma west central Kansas. Ecological Monographs 7: atriplicifolium, Linum rigidum var. compactum, 481-547. Orobanche fasciculata, Orthocarpus lute us, Poly Banner County Historical Society. 1982. Banner gala alba, Potamogeton foliosus, Ranunculus lon County and its people, Vol. 1. Walsworth Pub girostris, Ranunculus macounii, Rorippa sinuata, lishing Company. Marceline, Missouri. Rumex stenophyllus, Scutellaria galericulata, Bose, Dan R. 1977. Rangeland resources of Ne Shepherdia argentea, Sorghastrum nutans, braska. Society for Range Management. Old Spartina pectinata, Sporobolus airoides, and Teu West Regional Range Program. United States crium canadense. Department of Agriculture. Soil Conservation Service. Lincoln, Nebraska. This is only the third floristic study completed Condra, George Evert. 1926. Geography of Ne for the Nebraska panhandle (The others are Nixon, braska, 16th ed. The University Publishing 1967, and Urbatsch and Eddy, 1973). Vegetational Company. Lincoln, Nebraska. studies of Agate Fossil Beds National Monument Daubenmire, Rexford, 1978. Plant geography. and Scotts Bluff National Monument involving the Academic Press. New York. author and Ronald Weedon of Chadron State Col Fenneman, Nevin M. 1931. Physiography of West lege are in progress, and H. Karcher has been con ern United States. McGraw-Hill Book Com ducting an ongoing floristic inventory of Morrill pany. New York. County, Nebraska. This study resulted in a greater Great Plains Flora Association. 1977. Atlas of the floristic diversity from the relatively small area /lora of the Great Plains. Iowa State University than what was originally expected. The Pine Ridge Press. Ames, Iowa. of northwestern Nebraska and the Wildcat Hills ____. 1986. Flora of the Great Plains. Uni found here provide refugial areas for plants from versity Press of Kansas. Lawrence, Kansas: outside this region. This area is a previously unex 1,392pp. plored key region for edge-of-range species. Fur Hayes, F.A, and H.L. Bedell. 1921. Soil survey of ther floristic studies in this region will have great Banner County, Nebraska. United States De merit, particularly with respect to increasing our partment of Agriculture Soils Survey Report. understanding of Great Plains vegetation and the Hunt, Charles B. 1967. Physiography of United biogeographical distribution of plant species. States. W. H. Freeman Company. San Fran cisco, California. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Kaul, Robert B. 1975. Vegetation of Nebraska (circa 1850). Conservation and Survey Division. In The author wishes to thank Dr. R. Weedon for stitute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. suggesting this thesis project and for subsequent University of Nebraska-Lincoln. suggestions and comments. Dr. R. Kaul and two Kiichler, AW. 1964. Potential natural vegetation anonymous reviewers provided helpful suggestions of the conterminous United States. American on an earlier draft of this paper. Field travel during Geographical Society, Special Publication No. 1989, and travel to the Charles E. Bessey Herbarium 36. New York. (NEB) and the McGregor Herbarium (KANU) were Nixon, E. S. 1967. A vegetational study of the Pine funded by the Chadron State College Research Insti Ridge of Northwestern Nebraska. The South tute. Landowners within Banner County were gra western Naturalist. 12(2): 134-145. cious and helpful throughout this study. Finally, the Oosting, Henry J. 1956. The study of plant commu author's family is greatly appreciated for its finan nities, 2nd ed. W.H. Freeman and Company. cial support and sacrifice during the progression of San Francisco. this research. Ragon, Larry G., Larry D. Worth, Max A Sher wood, and Michael Fausch. 1977. Soil survey of Note added in proof: Three additional collections were lo Dawes County, Nebraska. National Cooperative cated by Steve Rolfsmeier at NEB at a date too late to include Soil Survey and University of Nebraska Con them in the text of this paper. They are Euphorbia hexag servation and Survey Division. Lincoln, Ne ona from "Canyons of Banner County" (Rydberg, Aug braska. 1890), Lactuca ludoviciana from "Lawrence Fork" 126 Banner County flora Schantz, H.L., and Raphael Zon. 1924. Atlas of American agriculture, Part 1, Section E: Natu ral vegetation. United States Department of Agriculture. Government Printing Office. Washington. Smith, Frank A., and Vernon L. Souders. 1975. Groundwater geology of Banner County, Ne braska. Nebraska Water Survey Paper Number 39. Conservation and Survey Division Institute of Agriculture. University of Nebraska. Lin coln, Nebraska. Urbatsch, Lowell E., and Robert Eddy. 1973. A Floristic study of Dawes County, Nebraska. Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences 2: 190-204. Vankat, John L. 1979. Natural vegetation of North America: An introduction. John Wiley and Sons. New York. Weaver, J.E. 1965. Native vegetation of Nebraska. University of Nebraska Press. Lincoln, Ne braska. ____, and F. W. Albertson. 1956. Grass lands of the Great Plains. Johnsen Publishing Company. Lincoln, Nebraska. ____, and Frederic E. Clements. 1938. Plant ecology, 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill Book Com pany, Inc. New York.