Department of Botany & the U.S. National Herbarium TheThe PlantPlant PressPress

New Series - Vol. 10 - No. 1 January-March 2007 Botany Profile Taking Aim at the GSPC Targets By Gary A. Krupnick and W. John Kress n 2002, the Convention on Biologi- are the contributions that the Department The data and images of more than cal Diversity (CBD), a global treaty has made towards achieving the 16 targets 95,000 type specimens of algae, Isigned by 188 countries addressing since the Strategy’s inception in 2002. lichens, bryophytes, ferns, gymno- the conservation and sustainable use of sperms and angiosperms are available on biological diversity, adopted the Global Understanding and Documenting USNH’s Type Specimen Register at Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), Diversity . A the first CBD document that defines Target 1: A widely accessible working multi-DVD set containing images of specific targets for conserving plant list of known plant species, as a step 89,000 vascular type specimens from diversity. The 16 targets are grouped towards a complete world flora USNH has been produced and distrib- under five major headings: (a) under- uted to institutions around the world. In standing and documenting plant diversity; One of the Department’s core mis- addition, data from 778,054 specimen (b) conserving plant diversity; (c) using sions is to discover and describe plant life records have been inventoried in the plant diversity sustainably; (d) promoting in marine and terrestrial environments. EMu catalogue software. education and awareness about plant Thus, one primary objective is to conduct In addition, USNH is a partner in diversity; and (e) building capacity for field work in poorly known areas of high producing the Global Working Check- the conservation of plant diversity. species diversity. As a result our scien- list of Compositae. This collaborative The National Museum of Natural tists publish articles that describe new project will produce a working checklist History is a member of the Global Part- species, produce checklists and mono- of the approximately 25,000 species nership for Plant Conservation, which graphs, and contribute to floras. Each of and 75,000 synonyms of the Composi- brings together international groups to these actions advances the creation of a tae by 2010. A grant from the Global contribute to the implementation of the working list of the world’s flora. Biodiversity Information Facility GSPC. A leader in plant and Since the inception of the GSPC in (GBIF) to Landcare Research in evolution, NMNH’s Department of 2002, the Department has described 240 Lincoln, New Zealand, is paying for the Botany and the U.S. National Herbarium new taxa, revised 1,988 taxa, included first 18 months of this international (USNH) together have made great 23,939 species in checklists and floras, project. strides in contributing and addressing and published 5,721 pages of information many of the GSPC targets. These that document plant diversity. Further, the Target 2: A preliminary assessment contributions take the form of scientific Department is actively involved with and of the conservation status of all papers and books, electronic publica- have contributed to many flora projects known plant species, at national, tions, symposiums and informal lec- from around the world, including the regional and international levels tures, new species descriptions, speci- Flore Analytique du Bénin, Flora of the At a series of recent international men collections, and making many Caribbean, Flora of China, Flora of biodiversity conferences it has been specimens of the USNH collections , Flora of the Guianas, Flora of emphasized that the world’s herbaria accessible over the internet. the Hawaiian Islands, Flora of the Mar- have the opportunity to contribute quesas Islands, Flora of Myanmar, Flora he Plant Conservation Unit at significantly to meeting Target 2 Neotropica, Flora of through the vast information contained NMNH has been tracking the North of Mexico, Flora of Puerto Rico progress that the Department has in their plant specimens. Gary Krupnick T and the Virgin Islands, Flora of Somalia, and W. John Kress have created an made in contributing to the implementa- Flora of Venezuela, and Flora of the tion of the GSPC targets. Listed below Washington-Baltimore Area. Continued on page 11 Visitors

Wenying Wu, Philipps University, Colombia, Bogota; Colombian palms Heroen Verbruggen, Ghent University, Marburg, Germany; Nolana (Solanaceae) (Arecaceae) (10/15-11/9). Belguim; Green algae (11/21-1/1). (2/28/06-2/27/08). Marcus Lehnert, University of Califor- Meg Ojala, St. Olaf College; C. Geyer Hui Ren, South China Botanical Garden, nia at Berkeley; Neotropical ferns (Cy- 1838 Minnesota and Iowa collection (11/ Guangzhou; Vitaceae (5/7/06-4/1/07). atheaceae) (10/16-10/20). 22). Zhiduan Chen, Institute of Botany, Alejandra Vasco, New York Botanical Laura Mol, Virginia Medical Center; Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing; Garden; Elaphoglossum subsection Mus- Ross Ogden, Cassidy and Pinkard, Parthenocissus (Vitaceae) (9/22-12/20). cosa group (Dryopteridaceae) (10/16-10/ Graduate School, USDA; Michael Wil- 24). pers, Sackler Gallery, S.I.; Fall DC Carol Allen, U.S. Botanic Garden; Tour Woody Plant Identification Class, tour greenhouse and exchange (10/3). Raymund Chan, National University of herbarium (11/28). Singapore; Asteraceae (10/23-11/8). Jonathan Deeds, Food and Drug Admin- Jerrold Davis, Cornell University; Poa- istration; Dinoflagellate collection (10/ Richard Rabeler, University of Michi- ceae (11/30). 5). gan; Caryophyllaceae and Scrophularia- ceae (10/24-10/25). David Mindell, University of Michigan; Gustavo Romero, Oakes Ames Orchid Collaborative research (11/30-12/1). Herbarium, Harvard University; Neotropi- Yuen-po Yang, Sun Yat-sen University, cal Orchidaceae (10/5-10/6). Kaohiung, Taiwan; Asian Castanopsis Konstantyn Romaschenko, National (Fagaceae) and Veronicastrum (Scrophu- Academy of Science of Ukranie, Kiev; Mark Suddleson and Patricia Tester, lariaceae) (10/24). Stipeae () (11/30-5/30). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Dinoflagellates (10/5). Renato Goldenberg, Universidad de Oscar Vargas, Universidad de los Andes, Federal do Parana, Curitiba, Brazil; Bogota, Colombia; Diplostephium (As- Manny Burstein, Queens College; Melastomataceae (10/30-11/3). teraceae) (12/9-1/13). Digital imaging project (10/10). Fabian Michelangeli, New York Botani- Steve Manchester, Florida Museum of Carlos M. Ochoa, International Potato cal Garden; Melastomataceae (10/30-11/ Natural History; Aralidium and Rutaceae Center, Peru; Solanaceae and Amaryllida- 3). (12/13-12/16). ceae (10/12-10/13). Kasha Helget, Graduate School, United Rodrigo Bernal, Instituto de Ciencias States Department of Agriculture; Fall DC Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Woody Plant Identification Class, tour herbarium (11/13). The Plant Press Judith Holt, Ann Olsen and Narayan New Series - Vol. 10 - No. 1 Patel, Earthwatch Institute; Medicinal plants of Antiquity (11/13-11/17). Chair of Botany Peter Wieczorowski, DC Woodlands; Warren L. Wagner ([email protected]) Discuss work of “DC Woodlands” (11/ 15). EDITORIAL STAFF

Editor Gary Krupnick Travel ([email protected]) Pedro Acevedo traveled to Oxford, Dominica and St. Lucia (12/3 – 12/8) to News Contacts Ohio (11/1 – 11/3) to present two lec- conduct continued research on Heliconia MaryAnn Apicelli, Robert Faden, Ellen tures at Miami University. and hummingbirds. Farr, Shirley Maina, Rusty Russell, Alice Tangerini, and Elizabeth Zimmer Laurence Dorr and Dan Nicolson Diane Littler, Barrett Brooks, Don traveled to Bronx, New York (10/10 – 10/ Hurlbert, Barbara Watanabe and Larry The Plant Press is a quarterly publication provided 13) to conduct research on Taxonomic Gorenflo (Conservation International), free of charge. If you would like to be added to the Literature, F & G Supplement at the New traveled to the island of Bonaire, Nether- mailing list, please contact Dr. Gary Krupnick at: Department of Botany, Smithsonian Institution, PO York Botanical Garden. lands Antilles (11/1 – 11/14) to evaluate Box 37012, NMNH MRC-166, Washington, DC W. John Kress traveled to St. Louis, the condition and algal flora of the vast 20013-7012, or by E-mail: [email protected]. Missouri (10/13 – 10/16) to attend the reef system. rd Web site: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany 53 Annual Systematics Symposium at Rusty Russell traveled to St. Louis, the Missouri Botanical Garden; and to Missouri (10/16 – 10/19) to attend the

Page 2 Editor’s Note A Ten Year Mark his issue marks the tenth year of the Plant Press, and my The botanical type specimen collection in the U.S. National first “Editor’s Note.” The Department of Botany has Herbarium is one of the finest collections in the world, and is Tundergone quite a change in those 10 years. We have highlighted in this issue on several fronts. The Type Specimen seen five curators retire, including Dan Nicolson who recently Register contains images retired last month (page 4 and back page), and two new hires and data for more than 90,000 type specimens of algae, (Jun Wen and Kenneth Wurdack). We also had a change in lichens, bryophytes, ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms. The Chairmanship at the end of 2006, with John Kress stepping type collection continues to expand its reach with the release down, and Warren Wagner resuming the Chair he once held 9 of a 4-DVD set (page 7). In addition, the Type Register was a years ago. feature at a recent conference and fair at the Smithsonian, In the newsletter’s 10-year history, I have had the honor to highlighting efforts to digitize the Institution’s vast and varied be a co-editor for 5 years and the sole editor for the past 2 collections (page 10). The Register will continue to grow and years. The Department continues to flourish, and I find it improve as the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation has just awarded exciting to witness the thought-provoking research that our a grant to the Department to continue work on digitizing the staff produces. type collections (Plant Press 9(4); 2006). In this issue we report on the progress we have had at While it is a bit early, we are also pleased to announce that contributing to the implementation of the Global Strategy for the next Smithsonian Botanical Symposium will be held on 25- Plant Conservation (page 1). The Department was a key player 26 April 2008, and will coincide with the opening of the in the creation of the Strategy four years ago, and we continue National Museum of Natural History’s new hall of coevolution to make strides on several of the 16 Targets. (page 10). The past six symposia have been highly successful at Collecting trips are the foundation of the U.S. National bringing together an international mix of botanists, taxono- Herbarium, for it was the large collections of the U.S. South mists, ecologists, and conservation biologists. With this next Pacific Exploring Expedition, under the command of Lt. installment we look forward to continuing to create an environ- Charles Wilkes, U.S.N., in 1838-1842, which formed the real ment of critical thinking and lively discussion. basis for a national herbarium in 1848. In this issue of the Plant Press, we highlight two expeditions, one from the depths of the Caribbean Sea (page 7) and the other from the peaks of the Tibetan mountains (page 8). Gary Krupnick, Editor

Taxonomic Databases Working Group Oregon (10/7 – 10/10) to attend the Taipei, Taiwan (10/31 – 11/8) to conduct (TDWG) meeting at the Missouri Botani- board meeting of the National Tropical research and collect specimens from cal Garden; and to Atlanta, Georgia (10/ Botanical Garden and to give a public Taipei to Lanyu. 19 – 10/20) to visit the Georgia Depart- lecture; to St. Louis, Missouri (10/10 – Elizabeth Zimmer traveled to St. ment of Archives and History for collec- 10/16) to serve on the external review Louis, Missouri (10/13 – 10/16) to tions research on the Palmer project. committe for the Missouri Botanical attend the 53rd Annual Systematics Alice Tangerini traveled to Seattle, Garden, to participate in the 53rd Annual Symposium at the Missouri Botanical Washington (10/25 – 10/29) to attend the Systematics Symposium, and to conduct Garden. annual meeting of the American Society research on Onagraceae; and to London, of Botanical Artists. England (10/30 – 11/6) to participate in a Alain Touwaide and Emanuela Appe- two-day meeting and present the treas- titi traveled to Canada (11/3 – 11/12) to urer’s report at the Species Plantarum attend the annual meeting of the History meeting. of Science Society in Vancouver, and to Anna Weitzman traveled to St. Louis, present lectures at the University of Vic- Missouri (10/17 – 10/22) to present a toria; to Thessaloniki, Greece (11/27 – talk at the Taxonomic Databases Working 12/ 4) to present the inaugural lecture at Group (TDWG) meeting at the Missouri the 5th Conference of the Pan-Hellenic Botanical Garden; and to London, England Society for the History of Medicine and (11/8 – 11/16) to work on the “INtegrated to conduct research at the Library of the Open TAXonomic Access” (INOTAXA) Aristotle, University of Thessaloniki; and project at the Natural History Museum. to Crete, Greece (12/23 – 1/3) to discuss Jun Wen traveled to St. Louis, Mis- medicinal plants from Antiquity with souri (10/13 – 10/16) to present a talk at colleagues. the 53rd Annual Systematics Symposium Warren Wagner traveled to Portland, at the Missouri Botanical Garden; and to

Page 3 on the occasion of the Congress of the for educational travel programs in the Staff International Society for the History of U.S., India, and Kenya. In 2006, Van Ee Medicine, and has been displayed since in completed a Ph.D. studying aspects of the Research & Geneva, Rome, Istanbul, and Mexico. It is phylogenetics, morphological evolution, Activities now on display at the University of Paris and biogeography of the large and in November, it will be at the Univer- Croton (Euphorbiaceae) at the University sity of Victoria in Canada. It travels to of Wisconsin-Madison under Paul Berry. Vicki Funk presented “Enology and China and London next year. Lei Xie began a two-year postdoctoral Phylogeny: A Botanical Perspective” to On 11 December, Touwaide gave a fellow in January. Working with Jun Wen the Botanical Society of Washington at presentation on “Medicinal Plants in and Warren Wagner, he will focus his their November meeting. Greece and Rome” at George Washington University, College of Arts and Sciences, research on the systematics of Clematis On 1 November, Gary Krupnick pre- Department of Classical and Oriental (Ranunculaceae) and the Circaea-Fuchsia sented a guest lecture “A Natural History Studies. clade (Onagraceae). Xie received his Approach to Plant Conservation” to the Ph.D. from the Institute of Botany, public at the Smithsonian Environmental Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, Research Center (SERC) in Edgewater, China. His doctoral thesis was “Taxonom- Maryland. ic revision of Clematis Sect. Campanella Tamura (Ranunculaceae), with a study on Recently it was realized that the U.S. the phylogeny of Clematis based on National Herbarium had the first set of pollen morphology.” specimens distributed by Merrill around Staff 1916 to represent species published by Retirements Blanco in the 1800s. Dan Nicolson and former staff member Dawn Arculus pub- Dan Nicolson officially retired from the lished a short paper pointing out that the Smithsonian Institution in December. US specimens of Merrill’s were logical Nicolson, a specialist in Asian botany and candidates for neotypification of Blanco’s botanical nomenclature, had nearly 43 names (Taxon 50: 947-954. 2001) years of federal service in the Depart- because it was the first set (often with ment. Only Harold Robinson has been on field labels). Nicolson was delighted to the staff longer. Nicolson was previously see that Cucumis luzonicus Blanco was profiled in the Plant Press (2(1); 1999). just neotypified (Blumea 51: 21. 2006) Working with Laurence Dorr, Nicolson is on the US specimen of Merrill’s Species close to finishing the last supplement to Blancoanae no. 848. The database and Stafleu & Cowan’s “Taxonomic Litera- images of the US set are available from ture” (TL-2) (F-G) with about 800 pages our public Website at . The image there lacks the Awards & recent annotation labels added while the specimen was on loan. New Faces Grants In January, Benjamin van Ee started a Alice Tangerini led a workshop entitled The U.S. Department of Agriculture has Smithsonian postdoctoral fellowship “Botanical Illustration: Pen and Ink Tech- awarded grants to Vicki Funk ($18,000) under the sponsorship of Kenneth Wur- niques” at the U.S. Botanic Garden on 10- and Paul Peterson ($20,000) to review dack. He will be working on poinsettias, a 12 November. The workshop covered the taxonomy, nomenclature, and at- group within the large genus Euphorbia illustration of botanical subjects, from tributes of the Asteraceae (Funk) and (Euphorbiaceae), and including the sketch to a finished rendition in black and Poaceae (Peterson) of the U.S. and its commonly cultivated Christmas poinset- white using pen and ink. Territories contained within the PLANTS tia, Euphorbia pulcherrima. Van Ee’s database . Alain Touwaide has a 10-panel poster project involves a morphological and exhibition circulating around the world, taxonomic part that will be carried out in Paul Peterson received a grant from the entitled “An Odyssey of Knowledge.” The the herbarium and molecular work at the National Geographic Society (NGS) for exhibition presents the circulation of Laboratories of Analytical Biology, along $20,600, beginning in FY2007, to support medical knowledge in the medieval with field work to collect more poinset- the project, “Phylogeny, Biogeography, Mediterranean world on the basis of tias and to observe their pollinators in and Evolution of the Muhlenbergiinae manuscripts and early printed books from Mexico. Van Ee was born and raised in the (Poaceae).” The grant will cover two the collection of the National Library of Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. He obtained collection trips, one to Peru and Bolivia Medicine (National Institutes of Health in an undergraduate degree in Environmental and the other to Mexico, and it will also Bethesda, Maryland). The exhibition was Studies from Dordt College in northwest support some of the DNA sequencing inaugurated in 1984 in Metaponto, Italy, Iowa after which he worked as an assistant fees.

Page 4 Three Recipients which is maintained by Vargas. Alejandra Vasco visited the Depart- of the 2006 José ment during ten days in October. A graduate student at the New York Botani- Cuatrecasas Travel cal Garden, Vasco received the award to Award Visit USNH support her project “Monograph and Phylogenetic Study of the Fern Genus Rodrigo Bernal, from the Instituto Elaphoglossum Subsection Muscosa de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad (Dryopteridaceae).” During her visit, Nacional de Colombia (Bogotá, Colom- Vasco examined herbarium material from bia) visited the U.S. National Herbarium two groups within the genus Elaphoglos- between 15 October and 16 November, in sum: Elaphoglossum subsection order to study the specimens of Colom- Muscosa (her doctoral dissertation study bian palms (Arecaceae). His main group), and another small Elaphoglossum objective was to study relevant collec- group (E. ciliatum-group). Most Elapho- tions that might help solve some old- glossum collections in herbaria remain standing taxonomic problems in various unidentified because many of the species genera. Although he identified many are confusingly similar and no keys exist specimens in different genera, he concen- to identify them. The visit to the US trated mostly on the genera Aiphanes, Oscar Vargas National Herbarium allowed Vasco to Mauritiella, and Manicaria. As a result revise the folders containing unidentified of his study, he gained a better under- In early December, Oscar Vargas, a specimens and find collections that standing of particular species complexes graduate student from the Universidad de otherwise might not have made it into a in the genus Aiphanes, which allowed him los Andes (Bogotá, Colombia), visited the normal loan request. Vasco examined the to separate several species previously Department for six weeks. Vargas began types, the general collection and all the included under other taxa in the recent studying the Colombian members of the possible folders where the species might monograph of the genus for Flora Neo- large genus Diplostephium Kunth in HBK have been hiding, as well as the indetermi- tropica. As a consequence of his studies (Asteraceae) more than two years ago nate collections. For the Elaphoglossum he recognized five new taxa in this genus, when he worked on his bachelor thesis. subsection Muscosa group, specimens of four of which will be removed from Now he has broadened his interests and is interest were set aside for loan to the synonymy; the other one will be de- studying the whole genus, just as Cuatre- New York Botanical Garden. The speci- scribed as a new species. In the genus casas did years ago, and he has included mens in the ciliatum-group were identi- Mauritiella, the study of collections taxonomy, cladistics, biogeography and fied and annotated. helped him separate a species previously molecular systematics of Diplostephium included in synonymy. In the genus Mani- in his master’s research. During his stay, caria, the collections available for study he studied many specimens of Dip- at US were not enough for drawing any lostephium and collected data from the conclusion about the recognition of a collections, the library, and the Cuatre- second species in this currently mono- casas archives. He compiled a complete typic genus. As a result of Rodrigo’s visit, list of published names and found many the total number of palm species native to non-valid names related to the genus. Colombia has increased from 215 to 222, Vargas annotated 11 type specimens and and many new localities and common identified three additional types in the names were added to the records. general collection. He also carried out a careful study of the specimens in order to find diagnostic characters to identify each species. These characters were then used to curate the general collection and to identify (or re-identify) 50 specimens. Finally, he put morphological data into a datamatrix, photographed all specimens, and completed some drawings. These data will be used to perform a cladistic analy- sis, to build an interactive digital key as well as a dichotomous key, and to propose new synonyms. Some of the results of this visit will be published on the Dip- lostephium Webpage , Alejandra Vasco

Page 5 A Great Day for Pollinators at Risk In an unprecedented move to advance a vital conservation cause, three U.S. entities collaborated on 18 October to increase attention to the importance, and potential peril, of pollinating animals and the plants which depend on them for reproduction. At the “Pollinator Sympo- sium”—jointly hosted by the U.S. De- partment of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the North American Pollinator Protection Cam- paign (NAPPC)—the National Academy of Sciences, USDA and U.S. Postal Service each made major announcements to focus public attention on often unseen and yet vitally important interactions In the summer, Post Offices will be abuzz with the release of the four-design, 20- between plants and the pollinating animals stamp Pollination booklet. The four designs featured depict: two Morrison’s that help them reproduce. bumble bees paired with purple, or chaparral, nightshade; a calliope humming- The goal of the Pollinator Symposium bird sipping from a hummingbird trumpet blossom; a lesser long-nosed bat was to raise awareness and to underscore preparing to “dive” into a saguaro flower; and a Southern dogface butterfly the critical need for forethought and visiting prairie, or common, ironweed. An intricate graphic scheme emphasizes research to prevent a crisis in the pollina- the ecological relationship between pollinators and plants and also hints at the tor world. As part of the NAPPC Pollina- biodiversity necessary to ensure the future viability of that relationship. The tor Partnership, scientific, environmental four designs are arranged in two alternate blocks that fit together like inter- and agricultural organizations are working locking puzzles. Above, the flowers are arranged in the center. Below, the together to avert a global calamity by pollinators form a central starburst. © 2006 USPS. All Rights Reserved. focusing on sustaining and enhancing pol- linators, who in turn play a vital role in a that Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns Status of Pollinators: Monitoring stable food supply and in natural ecosys- signed a proclamation in recognition of and Prevention of their Decline in North tems. Gary Krupnick, NMNH’s repre- pollinators and designated June 24-30, America, a nearly 400-page report sentative on NAPPC and a member of 2007, as National Pollinator Week. This completed by the Academies’ National NAPPC’s steering committee, served on action is part of a growing effort by Research Council (NRC) was introduced the symposium’s organizing committee. USDA to address pollinator conservation by Gene Robinson, University of Illinois Chuck Conner, Deputy Secretary of challenges, and lays the groundwork for a professor of entomology, Academy Agriculture, announced at the Symposium national outreach campaign in 2007. member and member of the NRC com- mittee formed to conduct the pollinator study. “This study is the foundation on which all our science and policy for pollinators can be built from now on,” said Robinson. “This thorough compendium shows us not only what we know about pollinators, but also what we need to know.” The report is available at http://www.nationalacademies. org. In a third major development, the U.S. Postal Service unveiled the intricate design for a commemorative stamp series highlighting the interconnectedness of nature and the process of pollination. “Farmers see the connection between plants and pollinators every day,” said Conner. “Thanks to these beautiful stamps, that same point is illustrated for everyone.” The pollination stamps will be

Page 6 issued during National Pollinator Week in specimens in the world. longer is Vincent Demoulin (from Liége, 2007 as part of NAPPC’s planned national The DVDs were produced in Novem- Belgium), a mycologist who began as pollinator awareness campaign. ber 2006, and the data and images com- editor with the 1978 (Leningrad) Code. The Pollinator Symposium was prise the largest verified plant type spec- created by the partners of NAPPC, a tri- imen database in the world. The DVD set national, public-private collaboration of is most appropriate for those who do not scientific researchers, state and federal have immediate access to the Web and is agencies, private industry and environ- available from W. John Kress (kressj@ mental groups dedicated to ensuring si.edu) or Rusty Russell (russellr@si. sustainable populations of pollinating edu). Support for the types image project animals. More information can be found was provided by the National Science at http://www.pollinator.org. Foundation and the Walcott Fund in the Department of Botany. Exploring the For a completely searchable database Reefs of Bonaire A Typical DVD of vascular type images that is continually Collection updated, please visit the Department’s In early November, Diane Littler, Botanical Type Specimen Register at Barrett Brooks, Don Hurlbert, The United States National Herbarium . Barbara Watanabe and Larry Gorenflo has recently produced a 4-DVD set con- (Conservation International) traveled to taining over 85,000 records and 79,000 The Vienna Code the island of Bonaire, Netherlands images of vascular type specimens in the Antilles to evaluate the algal flora and USNH. For plant taxonomists, type The International Code of Botanical condition of the vast reef system. The specimens are fundamental to understand- Nomenclature (Vienna Code) was mailed research expedition was sponsored by ing the link between a plant species and to the editors, including Dan Nicolson, Conservation International and the its published name. These specimens are on 21 September. The Vienna Code Antilles government. The team collected the physical manifestations of an author’s contains 568 pages (94 more pages than over 300 specimens from the reef wall to species concept and allow us to revisit the the St. Louis Code). A glossary (Appendix a depth of 170 ft. Over 1,000 digital work of earlier scientists as new informa- VII) is just one new feature of the Code. photographs were taken in support of one tion and technologies become available Nicolson has been an editor of the Codes of the long term project: Caribbean Reef for analysis. The USNH has assembled since the 1983 (Sydney). The only person Plants: First Revision. They surveyed the one of the finest collections of plant type who has been on the Editorial Committee health of the reefs using key indicator species in reference to the growing problems associated with eutrophication and overfishing along tropical and subtropical shorelines (the ecological responses of coral and macroalgae to nutrient enrichment and release from predation have been repeatedly cited as priority areas in need of further research). Bonaire’s reefs seemed in excellent shape in respect to fish populations with large numbers of herbivorous fish at nearly all of the 21 sites surveyed. The problem of eutrophication seems to be of paramount importance, however, with the Antilles government and the local population aware of the need to reduce the nutrient load to improve coral recruitment following the last several hurricanes, which destroyed most of the shallow coral populations. The excess nutrients are a problem for the overall reef dynamics but provided the Littler team with an opportunity to collect the abundant Cyanobacteria (over 70 numbers) in the shallower reef habitats. The deeper reefs were still spectacular The cover of the 4-DVD set of the U.S. National Herbarium vascular type speci- with abundant hard corals and gorgonians men collection. dominating the seascape.

Page 7 Botanical Collecting and Capacity Building in Himalayan Tibet, China By Jun Wen The mountains of southern Tibet (Xizang Autonomous Region), China, form the eastern extent of the Himalayan range. Across this rugged landscape, high ridges uplifted from the collision of India with Asia shift from an east-west orienta- tion to run primarily north-south; to the northwest, they give way to the highest plateau on Earth. It is a region of extreme elevational ranges compressed in short distances, with a corresponding diversity of habitats ranging from nearly untouched lowland subtropical forests (with tree ferns) in the Yarlongtsangpo River Valley, to montane tree Rhododendron cloud forests, to areas of alpine and cold desert vegetation at the highest elevations. The flora of southern Tibet is rich and Map of South Asia showing three collection sites in eastern Tibet. contains many endemic species. However, biodiversity in this region has in general of the Xizang region has been published status of most plants and fungi in Tibet been little studied and poorly docu- (Flora of Xizang, vols. 1-4; 1983-87), have not been studied. mented. Historically this politically but this is neither intended, nor suffi- Jun Wen and colleagues Rick Ree and sensitive, geographically remote region ciently detailed, for conservation pur- Greg Mueller (Field Museum of Natural has received few non-Chinese biologists. poses. History) received a grant from the A paucity of botanical collections exists In terms of biodiversity conservation, MacArthur Foundation to collect baseline in western herbaria, and those tend to be southern Tibet is perhaps the most data on biodiversity in southern Tibet, over sixty years old, made primarily by W. enigmatic region in the Himalaya. The emphasizing vascular plants and fungi. The Griffith, J. Rock, and F. Kingdon-Ward in geographic distribution, abundance, project also intends to increase the the early part of last century. A basic flora habitat needs, and overall conservation capacity of young colleagues to conduct biodiversity research and education, with a strong orientation toward floristic conservation. The project is conducted in collaboration with Chinese colleagues in Kunming to build capacity in Tibet for research and conservation. Their primary collaborator in Kunming is Hang Sun, the Deputy Director of the Kunming Institute of Botany (KIB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The first expedition occurred in September 2006, with a team consisting of five botanists from the U.S. (Wen, Vicki Funk, Deborah Bell, Ree and Mueller), three senior botanists from Kunming (Hang Sun, Songgong Wu and Zhekun Zhou), four graduate students from Kunming (Zelong Nie, Ying Meng, Liang, and Jipei Yue), one graduate student Yunjuan Zuo from Beijing, and two Tibetan colleagues, Zhen Yang and The botanical expedition team, in eastern Tibet on the way from Nyingchi to Sang Ge, from Xizang Plateau Institute of Lulang: (Back row, L-R) Vicki Funk, Greg Mueller, Rick Ree, Jun Wen, Sugong Biology. The team started the 3-week Wu, Jun-Feng Liang, and Jipei Xue; (Front row, L-R) Zhen Yang, Zelong Nie, field trip in late August with a one-day Deborah Bell, Yunjuan Zuo, Ying Meng, and Song Ge. (Photo by driver “Turkey”) preparation stay in Kunming Institute of

Page 8 Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sci- ences. Then the team set out for Lhasa, Tibet. The expedition team had four vehicles and collected in three major areas. The first area was around Lhasa within 200 km from Lhasa. The second site was about 400 km east of Lhasa near Nyingchi (Linzi) and Lulang. The third area was in Zham (or Zhangmu) and Nyalam (or Nyelamu), ca. 600 km southwest of Lhasa near the border with Nepal. The team collected about 1000 collection numbers with several duplicates in three major vegetational zones: the dry plateau area near Lhasa, the eastern forest and alpine area near Linzi and Lulang, and the eastern Himalayan forests in Zhangmu and Nyalam. They also collected in transi- tional zones in the alpine areas between Lhasa and Nyingchi. Several collections Saussurea stella in the Lhasa area of Tibet. (Photo by Jun Wen) were made between Nyalam and Lhasa, where they covered some areas with the local herbarium in Xizang Plateau many species of Saxifraga, Saussurea, Tibetan Steppe floristic area, which Institute of Biology, one of the partner and Meconopsis. The dominant trees are represents the eastern end of the Central institutions in Tibet. Pinus griffithii, Abies forrestii, and Picea Asian floristic zone. The alpine and subalpine areas near and likiangiensis, along with various Betula The main focus of the project was to east of Lhasa were still covered with species. The southern area bordering collect vascular plants and fungi. These various flowers in September. It was Nepal was typical Himalayan. The groups play critical roles as primary especially rich in gentians and close Zhangmu-Nyalam area was fascinating in producers and nutrient recyclers of relatives, various Asteraceae such as that within 40 km, they crossed several terrestrial ecosystems, and are thus Saussurea, Campanulaceae, Apiaceae. The zones from alpine to warm temperate natural choices for conservation research. Lulang-Nyingchi area shows the transition montane forests. In the high Nyalam area, The specimens collected as a result of between the Himalayan flora and the it was dry and alpine; yet in the Zhangmu this program are used to develop a western Chinese flora. There are lots of area it is wet and warm with excellent research database of the biodiversity of Pedicularis with short or extremely long development of the cloud forests. southern Tibet. They also hope the floral tubes (e.g., Pedicularis Wen’s team anticipates that the four- collections will help enrich the small longiflora), Panax bipinnatifidus, and year project will achieve the following: 1) train a group of about 20 highly knowl- edgeable specialists in various aspects of biodiversity research and management; 2) establish a database of plants and fungi with photographs, drawings, and informa- tion about their ecology, habitats, and associated species; 3) make collections of plants and fungi that will assist in further training and research within Tibet; 4) produce a field identification guide of plants, and 5) develop long-term collabo- ration that will provide benefits to all those involved for years to come. The development of baseline data today and the development of local expertise for the future will be instrumental for the continued existence of that biological heritage for future generations.

Saussurea obvallata (Photo by Jun Wen)

Page 9 Digitization in the hands-on demonstrations that allowed den, hosted by NMNH. The show runs participants to take a digital photo of a from 27 January through 22 April. Spotlight leaf that automatically transferred via The Museum was involved with Rusty Russell was selected as one of WiFi or Bluetooth technology to the developing the exhibit script with Sally Identifier the nine featured speakers at the “Spot- notebook computers. Using Love in the NMNH Office of Exhibits light on Digitization at the Smithsonian” recognition software developed by serving as Exhibit Developer, working Robert Faden, W. Conference & Fair held 30 October at the collaborators at the Department of with museum botanists John Kress Gary Krupnick Ken Smithsonian Institution. This pan- Computer Science, Columbia University, , , and Wurdack Institution conference highlighted various and at the Department of Computer , as well as Ted Schultz and projects that involve imaging and digital Science, University of Maryland, the Brian Harris from the NMNH Department Identifier conversion of Museum collections. gives the user a choice of leaf of Entomology. Over-all responsibility Russell covered the 40-year history of images of taxa that are possible matches. for the exhibit came from the Horticul- “The Instant Identification System – Plant ture Division, working in cooperation data management and digitization in the st Department, focusing specifically on the Exploration and Discovery in the 21 with the Office of Exhibits Central. success of the Type Register, and ended Century” project is funded in part by NSF The exhibit reveals not only the beauty with a discussion of challenges facing the Grant ITR-03-25867. and diversity of orchids, but also focuses Institution as it moves into newer digital on their natural history, evolution, and technologies. In November, he chaired Orchids: Take a conservation. This is the first Smithsonian one of the tracks at a follow-up workshop orchid exhibit with major input from which developed more specific recom- Walk on the Wild Smithsonian scientists, and many of the mendations for long range planning. Side labels focus on science, particularly those The Department’s Instant Identifica- explaining the evolution of orchids and their adaptation to diverse environments. tion System (IIS) was selected as a The 13th Annual Orchid Show is now Visitors follow in the footsteps of demonstration project for the digitization on display at the National Museum of Smithsonian researchers from the forest conference. The IIS team (W. John Natural History (NMNH) in the special floor up into the tree canopy to learn Kress, Steven Feiner (CU), David Jacobs exhibition gallery off the Museum’s about orchids in their natural habitats. The (UMd), Sean White (CU), Ellen Farr, Rotunda. The show is a joint presentation exhibition recreates a tropical rainforest Ida Lopez, Norm Bourg, Michael Butts of the Smithsonian Institution Horticul- bursting with gorgeous orchids and even and Ingrid Poly-Yin Lin) presented two ture Division and the U.S. Botanic Gar-

25-26 April 2008 NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY In collaboration with the United States Botanic Garden

In anticipation of the opening of the new hall of coevolution “Partners in Evolution: Butterflies and Plants,” the Department of Botany is pleased to announce that the next Smithsonian Botanical Symposium will be held 25-26 April 2008 at the National Museum of Natural History.

Please visit the Symposium Web page at http://persoon.si.edu/sbs for developing information. The Purple-throated Carib (Eulampis jugularis) pollinating Heliconia caribaea, its primary host plant in the Eastern Caribbean [Photo by W.J. Kress]

Page 10 includes the mock up of a small research prepares a final assessment of all known station. Orchids are displayed naturalisti- plant species. cally rather than submerged in mulch as is In addition, the following publications typical for such exhibits. Information on contribute to this target: orchid ecology, pollination biology, sym- bioses, evolution, phylogeny and conser- Kvist, L.P., L.E. Skog, J.L. Clark and R.W. vation is interspersed on display panels Dunn. 2004. The family Gesneriaceae throughout the exhibit. Scientific re- as example for the biological extinc- search at NMNH, Smithsonian Tropical tion in western Ecuador. Lyonia 6(2): Research Institute (STRI), and Smith- 128-151. sonian Environmental Research Center Sakai, A.K., W.L. Wagner and L.A. Mehr- (SERC) also is mentioned in this wonder- hoff. 2002. Patterns of endangerment ful new exhibit. in the Hawaiian flora. Systematic Biology 51: 276-302. Wen, J., P.P. Lowry II and J.C. Zech. Botanical Partners 2004. Osmorhiza bipatriata (Api- Lecture Series aceae) in Texas: taxonomic status and conservation considerations. Sida 21: Arthur O. Tucker, Research Professor 501-506. at Delaware State University, continued Zhou, S.L., J.Wen and D.Y. Hong. 2004. the Botanical Partners Lecture Series by Allozyme diversity in Eleutherococcus presenting “Chemistry and Ethnobotany senticosus and E. brachypus (Arali- The U.S. National Herbarium contains of Commercial Incense Copals, Copal aceae) from China and its implications Blanco, Copal Oro, and Copal Negro, of many type specimens of endangered for conservation. Sida 21: 993-1007. North America” on 26 October at the and extinct species. This holotype of United States Botanic Garden (USBG) Conserving Plant Diversity Pradosia mutisii (Sapotaceae) from Conservatory. The Botanical Partners Colombia represents a species that is Lecture Series is a collaboration between Target 4: At least 10 percent of each of poorly known and has only been the Department and USBG, designed to the world’s ecological regions effec- described from four collections. It is bring together the Washington scientific tively conserved; and listed as Extinct in the 2006 IUCN Red community interested in botanical Target 5: Protection of 50 percent of List of Threatened Species. © U.S. studies. Invited speakers have been the most important areas for plant National Herbarium chosen to attract participants from a diversity assured broad spectrum of the local community sis of five florulas from northeastern Proceedings of the who are interested in the botanical sci- Vicki Funk’s group (Biological South America. Academy of Natural Sciences of ences. Informal receptions after the talks Diversity of the Guiana Shield Program, Philadelphia were hosted to promote discussion and BDG) has been operating in north eastern 154: 29-37. exchange of ideas. If you have sugges- South America since 1983 using species Funk, V.A., K.S. Richardson and S. Ferrier. tions for future speakers, please contact data from herbarium collections (recent 2005. Survey-gap analysis in expedi- Gary Krupnick at [email protected]. and historic) and published floras to tionary research, where do we go from identify conservation priority regions. here? Biological Journal of the The information gathered has assisted in Linnean Society 85: 549-567. the designation of protected areas in Kelloff, C.L. 2003. The use of biodiver- Guyana where the National Protected sity data in developing Kaieteur Area System (NPAS) is sponsored by the National Park, Guyana for ecotourism Profile World Bank. and conservation. Pp. 1-44. In: P. Continued from page 1 John Kress and his team have worked DaSilva and V.A. Funk (eds.). Contri- with the Forestry Department of Myan- butions to the Study of Biological algorithm that runs inventoried specimens mar to inventory and assess plant diversity Diversity. University of Guyana, through a series of questions to generate in their national parks and protected areas. Georgetown, Guyana. a preliminary assessment of the conserva- Gary Krupnick has used specimen data Kress, W. J., and V. A. Funk. 2005. Her- tion status of each plant species. To date, and floristic information to assess global barium, floras, and checklists. Pp. 209- an assessment of the Gesneriaceae, Heli- biodiversity hotspots in Southeast Asia 217. In: G. A. Krupnick and W. J. Kress coniaceae, and the Hawaiian Island flora and the Malay Archipelago. (eds.). Plant Conservation: A Natural have been completed. The specimen data The following publications also History Approach. University of obtained from the further inventory of contribute to this target: Chicago Press, Chicago and London. USNH will eventually be combined with Kress, W. J., R. A. DeFilipps, E. Farr, and the assembled records from the other Clarke, H.D. and V.A. Funk. 2005. Using Daw Yin Yin Kyi. 2003. A Checklist of major international herbaria. Recommen- checklists and collections data to the Trees, Shrubs, Herbs and Climbers investigate plant diversity. II. An analy- dations will then be given to IUCN as it Continued on page 12

Page 11 Profile Target 9: 70 percent of the genetic ties and associated habitats and eco- Continued from page 11 diversity of crops and other major systems socio-economically valuable plant of Myanmar (Revised from the species conserved, and associated The following publications contribute original works by J. H. Lace and H. G. indigenous and local knowledge to this target: Hundley). Contrib. U. S. Nat. Her- maintained barium. 45: 1-590. Poulin, J., A. K. Sakai, S. G. Weller, and Krupnick, G. A. 2005. Hot spots and John Kress has been working with W. L. Wagner. 2005. Invasive species. ecoregions. Pp. 218-223. In: Krup- several Latin American institutions on a Pp. 176-184. In: Kress, W. J. and G. nick, G. A. and W. J. Kress (eds.). Plant GEF/WB sponsored project on the Krupnick (eds.). Plant Conservation: Conservation: A Natural History “Conservation and Sustainable Use of A Natural History Approach. Univer- Approach. University of Chicago Neotropical Native Crops and their Wild sity of Chicago Press, Chicago and Press, Chicago and London. Relatives.” London. Krupnick, G.A., and W.J. Kress. 2003. In order to develop a rapid and reliable Rosen, D.J. and R.B. Faden. 2005. Giba- Hotspots and ecoregions: a test of system for identifying useful plants to sis pellucida (Commelinaceae), a new conservation priorities using taxo- humans, John Kress and post-doctoral and potentially weedy genus and nomic data. Biodiversity and Conser- fellow David Erickson in collaboration species for Texas. Sida 21(3): 1931- vation 12: 2237-2253. with the U.S. Botanic Garden are develop- 1934. Krupnick, G. A. and W. J. Kress (eds.). ing a DNA barcode library of the world’s Using Plant Diversity Sustainably 2005. Plant Conservation: A Natural most widely used medicinal plants. History Approach. University of In 2005, the Department teamed up Target 11: No species of wild flora Chicago Press, Chicago and London. with the Earthwatch Institute to pursue an endangered by international trade 346 pp. extensive effort to database and image ethnobotanical specimens from the The Department is involved in two Target 8: 60 percent of threatened Pacific Islands. Under the direction of programs that will eventually assist plant species in accessible ex situ Rusty Russell and John Kress, the trafficking agents identify endangered collections, preferably in the country project, titled “Plants and People through plants: plant image recognition technol- of origin, and 10 percent of them the Ages,” aims to inventory specimens ogy and plant identification protocols included in recovery and restoration with label-explicit ethnobotanical data using DNA barcode technology. Plant programs such as common name or use informa- image recognition software uses shape tion, ultimately providing a searchable matching algorithms that can identify The Botany Research Greenhouse specimens by comparing the shape of complex at the Smithsonian’s Museum database of the ethnobotanical specimens of USNH. leaves from an unknown species to the Support Center is a living plant collec- shape of leaves of a digitized species tions facility for the Department. Cur- Vicki Funk arranged for the acquisition of the Brent Berlin ethnobotanical image library. DNA barcode technology, a rently, 1,467 living accessions are rapid, cost-effective system, uses short maintained in the greenhouses, many of specimen collection documenting the indigenous use of plants in Mexico. gene sequences taken from a standardized which represent rare and threatened plant portion of the genome, used to identify species. The following publications also contribute to this target: species. The following publications also Liu, A-Z., W.J. Kress and C.-L. Long. contribute to this target: 2003. The ethnobotany of Musella lasiocarpa (Musaceae), an endemic Agarwal, G., H. Ling, D. Jacobs, S. plant of southwest China. Economic Shirdhonkar, W.J. Kress, R. Russell, Botany 57: 279-281. N.A. Bourg, P. Belhumeur, N. Dixit, S. Kress, W.J., K.J. Wurdack, E.A. Zimmer, Feiner, D. Mahajan, K. Sunkavalli, R. L.A. Weigt and D.H. Janzen. 2005. Use Ramamoorthi and S. White. 2006. of DNA barcodes to identify flowering First steps toward an electronic field plants. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 102: guide for plants. Taxon 55: 597-610. 8369-8374. Cowan, R. S. M. W. Chase, W. J. Kress, Cowan, R. S. M. W. Chase, W. J. Kress, and V. Savolainen. 2006. 300,000 and V. Savolainen. 2006. 300,000 species to identify: problems, prog- species to identify: problems, prog- ress, and prospects in DNA barcoding Columnea schimpffii (Gesneriaceae) ress, and prospects in DNA barcoding of land plants. Taxon 55: 611-616. from Ecuador is part of the living Kress, W.J., K.J. Wurdack, E.A. Zimmer, of land plants. Taxon 55: 611-616. plant collection in the Botany Re- L.A. Weigt and D. H. Janzen. 2005. search Greenhouse complex. The Use of DNA barcodes to identify Target 10: Management plans in place species is listed as Endangered in the flowering plants. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. for at least 100 major alien species 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened that threaten plants, plant communi- 102: 8369-8374. Species. (Photo by Leslie Brothers)

Page 12 considers evolutionary and taxonomic Reduced Diversity: Heterozygosity threats and consequences of habitat Loss, Inbreeding Depression, and alteration; specific threats to plant diver- Effective Population Size sity, such as invasive species and global • Chapter 10. Mapping Biological climate change; consequences of plant Diversity (Herbarium Collections, population decline at the ecological, Floras, and Checklists; Hot Spots and evolutionary, and taxonomic levels; and, Ecoregions; Phylogenetic Consider- finally, management strategies that ations) protect plant biodiversity from further • Chapter 11. Assessing Conservation decline. With a unique perspective on Status (Genetic Assessment Methods biodiversity and scientific collections, for Plant Conservation Biology; Plant Conservation ultimately empha- Species Assessment: The IUCN Red sizes the role museums and botanical List; Community Assessment: Rapid gardens will play in future conservation. Assessment Teams) The 14 chapters are as follows: • Chapter 12. Management Strategies (Ex Situ Conservation of Plants; A • Chapter 1. Evolution of Land Plant Proposed Sustainable Coral-Reef Diversity: Major Innovations and Management Model; Application of a Lineages through Time Seagrass Management Model) • Chapter 2. Diversity and Distribution • Chapter 13. Laws and Treaties: Is the of Plants (Terrestrial Plant Diversity; Convention on Biological Diversity Marine Plant Diversity) Protecting Plant Diversity? • Chapter 3. Plant (A Pale- • Chapter 14. Grassroots Conservation Promoting Education and Awareness ontological Perspective on Plant • Conclusion: Documenting and Con- About Plant Diversity Extinctions; Current Plant Extinctions: serving Plant Diversity in the Future Chiaroscuro in Shades of Green) Target 14: The importance of plant • Chapter 4. Case Studies in Select The Department’s Plant Conservation diversity and the need for its conserva- Tropical and Subtropical Habitats (The Unit further promotes the conservation of tion incorporated into communica- Ecuadorian Andes; The Ramal de plant diversity by contributing regularly to tion, educational and public-aware- Guaramacal in the Venezuelan Andes; published newsletters and magazines, ness programs The Guiana Shield; Pacific Oceanic including the Biological Conservation The importance of plant diversity and Islands; The Gaoligong Mountains of Newsletter (BCN), Plant Press, and Plant the need for its conservation is strongly Southwest China and Northeast Myan- Talk. The bibliography of the BCN, for emphasized in the book Plant Conserva- mar) instance, includes 29,128 references to tion: A Natural History Approach (2005, • Chapter 5. Case Studies among Select literature on conservation biology (from University of Chicago Press), edited by Taxonomic Groups (Dinoflagellates: 1983 to the present). Gary Krupnick and W. John Kress. Phylum Dinoflagellata; Lichens: To reach the national and international Natural history has always been the Phylum Ascomycota; Mosses: Phylum plant systematics community in a public foundation of conservation biology. For Bryophyta; Grasses: Family Poaceae; forum, the Department has been hosting centuries, botanists collected specimens Day Flowers: Family Commelinaceae; the annual Smithsonian Botanical Sympo- in the field to understand plant diversity; Acanthus: Family Acanthaceae; sium since 2001. The Symposium now that many habitats are threatened, Daisies and Sunflowers: Family Aster- frequently has speakers that address plant botanists have turned their focus to aceae; African Violets: Family Ges- conservation, with the 2002 Symposium conservation, and, increasingly, they look neriaceae; Litchis and Rambutans: having the entire focus on the impact of to the collections of museums, herbaria, Family Sapindaceae) the CBD on scientists. and botanical gardens for insight on • Chapter 6. Habitat Fragmentation and The following presentations at the developing informed management Degradation (Forest Fragments and Smithsonian Botanical Symposiums have programs. Plant Conservation explores Tropical Plant Reproduction in addressed issues in plant conservation: Amazonian Brazil; Habitat Alteration the value of these collections in light of 2002 – The Convention on Biological contemporary biodiversity studies. in the Caribbean: Natural and Human- Induced; Habitat Loss: The Extreme Diversity: The Globalization of Natural No less than 27 scientists from the History Science Smithsonian Institution (24 from the Case of Madagascar; Degradation of Algae in Coral Reefs; Alteration of • “Caught Up in the Moment: Botanists Botany Department) participated in and the CBD a Decade After Rio” by writing the book. They were joined by 21 Kelp Communities in the Northwest- ern North Atlantic) Brian M. Boom (Center for Environ- collaborators representing research mental Research and Conservation) institutions in the USA, Brazil, England, • Chapter 7. Invasive Species • Chapter 8. Global Climate Change: • “The CBD Challenge in Botany: Germany, Scotland, and Venezuela. Emerging Responsibilities, Priorities Plant Conservation opens with a The Spring Temperate Flora broad view of plant biodiversity and then • Chapter 9. Genetic Consequences of Continued on page 14

Page 13 Profile Christen Wemmer (Conservation and 2006 – Island Archipelagos: Cauldrons of Continued from page 13 Research Center, Smithsonian Institu- Evolution tion) and U San Lwin (Institute of “The Galápagos Islands – Aspects of and Practices” by Stella Simiyu • Forestry, Yezin, Union of Myanmar) Vegetation Dynamics and Conserva- (National Museums of Kenya) • “Botanical Diversity in Vietnam: New tion” by Ole Hamann (Botanic Garden, • “Linking Science and Policy: The Case Discoveries and Challenges in Conser- University of Copenhagen, Denmark) of the United Nations Convention on vation” by Jack Regalado (Vietnam “ and Restoration: Oceanic Biological Diversity” by Cristián Sam- • Botanical Conservation Program, Islands as Testing Grounds for Conser- per K. (Smithsonian Tropical Research Missouri Botanical Garden) and vation Biology” by Mike Maunder Institute) Nguyen Tien Hiep (National Center (Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden) • “Impact of the Convention on Biologi- for Science and Technology, Hanoi, and Marie M. Bruegmann (U.S. Fish cal Diversity on Taxonomy and Biodi- Vietnam) and Wildlife Service Hawaii) versity Information” by Scott Miller (National Museum of Natural History) 2004 – Botanical Progress, Horticultural Moreover, the Department organizes • “Access and Discovery of Pharmaco- Innovations, and Cultural Changes and participates in many public lectures logically Active Metabolites from • “Horticulture in a Changing World” by on plant conservation each year, such as Fungi and Other Microorganisms” by Peter del Tredici (Arnold Arboretum the quarterly Botanical Partners on the Gerald Bills (Merck Research Labora- of Harvard University) Mall Lecture Series at the U.S. Botanic tories, Spain) • “New Plants for Research and Horti- Garden. • “The Convention on Biological Diver- culture: The Problem of Invasive In addition, the following publications sity: Challenges and Opportunities in Species” by Dan Hinckley (Herons- contribute to this target: Mainstreaming Biodiversity into wood Nursery) Society and Economy” by Braulio • “Plant Exploration in the 21st Century: Bawa, K.S., W.J. Kress, N. Nadkarni and Ferreira de Souza Dias (Brazilian Intellectual Property Rights, Global- S. Lele. 2004. Beyond paradise - Ministry of the Environment) ization, and Technological Tools” by meeting the challenge in tropical • “Commentary” by Tom Lovejoy (The W. John Kress (National Museum of biology in the 21st Century. Biotro- World Bank) Natural History) pica 36: 437-446. • “A Retrospective View of the Rio Bawa, K.S., W.J. Kress, N.M. Nadkarni, S. Convention” by Keynote Speaker, The 2005 –The Future of Floras: New Lele, P.H. Raven, D.H. Janzen, A.E. Hon. Bruce Babbitt (Secretary, U.S. Frameworks, New Technologies, New Lugo, P. Ashton and T.E. Lovejoy. Department of the Interior, 1992- Uses 2004. Tropical ecosystems into the 2000) • “Using Computer Vision to Help 21st century. Science 306: 227-228. Biologists Recognize Organisms” by Kress, W. J., J. D. O’Connor, and P. 2003 – Botanical Frontiers in Southeast David Jacobs (University of Maryland) DePriest. 2002. The globalization of Asia • “DNA Barcoding in Plants: Prospects nature. Science 296: 1612. • “Conservation in Myanmar: A Tale of and Problems” by Vincent Savolainen Krupnick, G.A. and W.J. Kress (eds.). Taxonomy in the Golden Land” by (Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew) 2005. Plant Conservation: A Natural History Approach. University of Chicago Press, Chicago and London. 346 pp. Miller, S. E., W. J. Kress, and C. Samper K. 2004. Crisis for biodiversity collections. Science 303: 310. Shetler, S. 2003. Native plant societies and grassroots conservation. Wild- flower 19(2): 42-44. Building Capacity for the Conserva- tion of Plant Diversity Target 15: The number of trained people working with appropriate facilities in plant conservation in- creased, according to national needs, to achieve the targets of this Strategy The speakers at the 2002 Smithsonian Botanical Symposium “The Convention on Using formal workshops and informal Biological Diversity: The Globalization of Natural History Science.” From left, field training opportunities, the Depart- Ira Rubinoff, Brian Boom, Scott Miller, Tom Lovejoy, Gerald Bills, Stella ment has educated botanists, students, and Simiyu, Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Paula DePriest, Cristian Samper K., volunteers in field techniques (collecting, and W. John Kress. (Photo by Leslie Brothers) identifying, inventory, and surveying) and Page 14 attention on the plight of pollinators and ily (Symplocarpus, Lysichi- the need to protect them and their host ton, and Orontium) of in eastern plants throughout the tri-national region Asia and North America. Mol. Phylogen- comprised of the U.S., Canada, and et. Evol. 40: 155-165. Mexico. The Department has hosted the 2004 and 2005 annual meetings of Nie, Z., H. Sun, R. G. Olmstead and J. NAPPC at the Smithsonian Institution. Wen. 2006. Evolution of biogeographic PCA is a consortium of ten federal disjunction between eastern Asia and government member agencies and over eastern North America in Phryma (Phry- 257 non-federal cooperators representing maceae). Am. J. Bot. 93: 1343-1356. various disciplines within the conserva- Pandey, A.K., J. Wen and J.V.V. Dogra, tion field. PCA works collectively to eds. 2006. Plant Taxonomy: Advances solve the problems of native plant and Relevance. The CBS Publishers & extinction and native habitat restoration. Distributors, New Delhi, India. PCA, a public-private partnership, also serves as a forum for the exchange of Peterson, P.M., R.J. Soreng and Y. ideas, expertise and information between Herrera Arrieta. 2006. Poa matri- public and private organizations engaged occidentalis (Poaceae: : : in habitat restoration and preservation. Poinae), a new species from Mexico. These exchanges take place in various Sida 22(2): 905-914. herbarium techniques (specimen preser- forms of public outreach, including e- vation and mounting) in the following Saarela, J.M, P.M. Peterson and N.F. mail lists, postal mailings, a Web site, and Refulio Rodriguez. 2006. Bromus ayacu- countries: Argentina, Canada, China, bi-monthly meetings in Washington, DC. Guyana, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, chensis (Poaceae: Pooideae: Bromeae), a Peru, Thailand, United States, and new species from Peru, with a key to Venezuela. Bromus in Peru. Sida 22(2): 915-926. Target 16: Networks for plant conser- Soejima, A. and J. Wen. 2006. Phyloge- vation activities established or netic analysis of the grape family (Vita- strengthened at national, regional and ceae) based on three chloroplast markers. international levels Am. J. Bot. 93: 278-287. The Plant Conservation Unit coordi- Publications Touwaide, A. 2006. L’anatomia e la nates activities and research in the patologia nel “Trattato di materia medica” Department that focus on plant conserva- Alexander, S.N. 2006. Review of: di Dioscorides: dal sociale al biologico, tion and endangered plant species. One Demons in Eden: the Paradox of Plant pp. 169-177. In S. Sconocchia and L. primary objective of the unit is to Diversity by Jonathan Silvertown. Science Toneatto. Lingue Tecniche del Greco e promote awareness about plant conserva- 314: 763. del Latino, III. Patron Editore, Bologna. tion. The Unit works closely with non- Touwaide, A. 2006. Latin crusaders, governmental and governmental organiza- Finot, V.L., P.M. Peterson and F.O. Zuloaga. 2006. Two new combinations in Byzantine herbals, pp. 25-50. In J.A. tions in the nation’s capitol. In this Givens, K.M. Reeds and A. Touwaide, eds. capacity, the Department is affiliated with Peyritschia (Poaceae: Pooideae: Aveni- nae). Sida 22(2): 895-903. Visualizing Medieval Medicine and the North American Pollinator Protection Natural History, 1200-1550. Ashgate, Campaign (NAPPC) and with the Plant Givens, J.A., K.M. Reeds and A. Tou- Aldershot. Conservation Alliance (PCA). waide, eds. 2006. Visualizing Medieval NAPPC is a consortium of more than Medicine and Natural History, 1200- Wen, J. and Z.-D. Chen. 2006. Cayratia 90 affiliated organizations, working to 1500. Ashgate, Aldershot. 278 pp. lanceolata (C.L. Li) J. Wen & Z.-D. implement, promote and support a clear, Chen, a new nomenclatural combination continent-wide coordinated action plan to Herrera Arrieta, Y. and P.M. Peterson. in Vitaceae from China. Acta Bot. coordinate projects in the areas of pol- 2007. Muhlenbergia (Poaceae) de Yunnan. 28: 471-472. linator research, education and awareness, Chihuahua, Mexico. Sida, Bot. Misc. 29: Wen, J. and P.P. Lowry II. 2006. New conservation and restoration, policies and 1-109. species and new combinations in Bras- practices, and special partnership initia- Ickert-Bond, A. and J. Wen. 2006. Phy- saiopsis (Araliaceae) from Vietnam and tives; to facilitate communication among logeny and biogeography of Altingiaceae: southwestern China. Adansonia 28: 181- stakeholders, build strategic coalitions, evidence from combined analysis of five 190. and leverage existing resources; and to non-coding chloroplast regions. Mol. demonstrate a positive measurable impact Phylogenet. Evol. 39: 512-528. Zhou, S.L., S.S. Renner and J. Wen. 2006. on the populations and health of pollinat- Molecular systematics and inter- and ing animals. Since its founding, NAPPC Nie, Z.L., H. Sun, H. Li and J. Wen. 2006. intracontinental biogeography of Calycan- has been instrumental in focusing Intercontinental biogeography of subfam- thaceae. Mol. Phylogenet. Evol. 39:1-15.

Page 15 Art by Alice Tangerini

Aridarum caulescens M. Hotta var. angustifolium Bogner & Nicolson

After just short of 43 years in the Department, Dan Nicolson officially retired in December 2006. Nicolson published nearly 250 papers, includ- ing four books, and is working (with L.J. Dorr) on the last Supplement (F-G) of Taxonomic Litera- ture. This illustration (from Willendowia 21: 43. 1991, with a revised classification of Araceae) is of an unusually small and narrow-leaved aroid, Aridarum caulescens var. angustifolium, the leaves being about 2.5 cm (=1 inch) long and 0.25 cm (=1/8th inch) wide. A rheophyte, this species roots on stones in fast- moving waters of Bornean forests. Note the deeply excavated filaments of the male flowers (top center and top right) and the posi- tions of their horned thecae.

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