Special Symposium Issue - see page 13 Department of & the U.S. National Herbarium The Press

New Series - Vol. 13 - No. 4 October-December 2010 Botany Profile Food, Glorious Food By Gary A. Krupnick he ninth annual Smithsonian a place “dear to [her] heart.” She was hon- Olsen also spoke of the two indepen- Botanical Symposium was held on ored to have been in the same department dent origins of rice domestication. Two T24-25 September at the National with Cuatrecasas for several years, and monophyletic groups (Japonica, Aro- Museum of Natural History in Wash- even noted matic and ington, DC, bringing together botanists, that she Indica, Aus) anthropologists, archaeobiologists, and had named are nested other scientists to examine “Food for a within Thought: 21st Century Perspectives on (Polylepis Oryza .” The event, hosted by the pepei) in rufipogon. A Departments of Botany and Anthropol- his honor, weedy rice ogy, was held in collaboration with the using for the species epithet a form of his (red rice, Oryza sativa) has lead to major Botanic Garden. nickname “Don Pepe.” loss in rice crop yields in the southern The symposium began with opening United States. Using molecular neutral remarks by Warren L. Wagner, Chair ruce D. Smith, Curator of North markers, Olsen examined the origin of of the Botany Department, and Cris- American Archaeology, Smithso- US weedy rice: US crop varieties (de- tián Samper, Director on the National Bnian Institution, who chaired the domestication), other Asian domesticated Museum of Natural History. As Wag- morning session, introduced the first set rice, wild Oryza populations, or multiple ner introduced Samper, a slide of the of speakers. Kenneth Olsen of Washing- origins. He argued that the weed is likely Encyclopedia of Life webpage for ton University in St. Louis first spoke of derived from domesticated rice, but not “Sampera V. Funk & H. Rob, 2009” was “Genetic Signatures and Consequences directly derived from extant crop variet- displayed. The webpage recently went the Old World Tropics.” Olsen discussed of current weed populations. live in honor of Samper’s birthday. Vicki evidence as to whether or not certain spe- Next, Allison Miller of Saint Louis Funk and Harold Robinson named the cies under domestication were brought University spoke about the “Evolution Sampera () in honor of into cultivation once or multiple times. of Clonally Propagated under Samper’s research and service. He presented two cases studies, coconut Domestication.” Miller presented two Before the seven invited speakers (Cocos nucifera) and rice (Oryza sativa), case studies, horseradish (Armoracia gave their talks, Laurence Dorr presented which both show evidence of more than rusticana) and pecan (Carya illinoin- the ninth José Cuatrecasas Medal for one domestication event. Using microsat- ensis), to explain the evolutionary Excellence in Tropical Botany to Beryl ellite markers and a worldwide germplasm dynamics of clonally-propagated crop B. Simpson, C.L. Lundell Professor of collection, Olsen showed differentiation perennials. One of the evolutionary Systematic Botany, University of between coconut populations in the Pacific consequences of clonal reproduction for at Austin. Simpson is an expert in the and Indian . These patterns reveal plant mating systems is reduced fertility. phylogeny and biogeography of vari- that cultivated coconuts are derived from Miller explored the possible mecha- ous angiosperm groups, with particular two distinct ancestral gene pools, with nisms underlying reduced fertility by emphasis on plants from the American independent cultivation origins in the testing the hybrid origin of horseradish. Southwest, , and Central and Pacific and Indian Oceans. There is also A phylogenetic and Bayesian approach . While accepting her evidence of Pacific coconut admixture in suggests a progenitor-descendant rela- award, Simpson spoke of her long rela- the southwestern Indian , specifi- tionship between A. macrocarpa and A. tionship with the , cally along ancient Austronesian trade routes. Continued on page 16 Travel Pedro Acevedo traveled to London, cially the types from the Guianas at the ginia (9/7) to present the LeafID applica- Leiden, and Berlin (7/3 – 7/28) to study Jussieu herbarium and to present a talk at tion project to the college biology class of collections of from the Gui- the Passiflora Society International Meet- the Central Virginia Governor’s School for anas; and to Manaus, Brazil (9/4 – 9/18) ing 2010 near Blois. Science and Technology (CVGS) and use to coordinate a symposium on Vicki Funk traveled to Providence, their assistance in gathering more data for in the Amazon Basin, to present a talk at Rhode Island (7/30 – 8/5) to present a the project. the 61st National Brazilian Botanical paper at Botany 2010; and to Manaus Paul Peterson traveled to Wye Mills, Congress, to visit the INPA herbarium Brazil (9/4 – 9/9) to present a paper the Maryland (7/24 – 7/27) and ­Annapolis to study Paullinia, and to visit a planta- Brazilian Botanical Congress. Junction, Maryland (8/23 – 8/24) to tion of Guaraná (Paullinia cupana) in Carol Kelloff traveled to Providence, collect with state botanist Christopher EMBRAPA, Manaus, Amazonas. Rhode Island (7/30 – 8/5) to present a Frye, Maryland Department of Natural Walter Adey traveled to Quebec City, poster at Botany 2010. Resources; to Providence, Rhode Island Canada (9/24 – 9/28) to deliver a talk at Gary Krupnick traveled to Edmonton, (8/1 – 8/4) to present a talk at Botany Lavall University. Canada (7/3 – 7/7) to present a poster at 2010; to Bennington, New Hampshire Laurence J. Dorr traveled to Phila- the 24th International Congress for Conser- and Brunswick, Canada (8/5 – 8/10) for a delphia, Pennsylvania (9/23) to use the vation Biology. collecting expedition; and to Little Rock, library of the Academy of Natural Sci- Dail Laughinghouse traveled to East Arkansas (9/1 – 9/2) and San Antonio, ences and to participate in a Ph.D. com- Lancing, Michigan (7/10 – 7/13) to pres- Texas (9/2 – 9/3) to collect grasses. mittee meeting at Drexel University. ent a poster at the PSA annual meeting; to Harold Robinson traveled to Provi- Christian Feuillet traveled to Macapa, Belize (7/16 – 7/23) to conduct field work dence, Rhode Island (8/1 – 8/5) to attend Brazil (7/24 – 8/8) to study the collections mainly with cyanobacteria and diatoms; Botany 2010 as an invited speaker. of Gesneriaceae and Passifloraceae of the to Steuben, Maine (7/25 – 7/31) to take Rusty Russell traveled to Riverside, Herbário Amapaense (HAMAB) and to a seminar on freshwater diatoms at the California (7/9 – 7/25) for the “Mapping attend the 2nd International Congress on Humboldt Institute; and to Ceske Bude- of Century of Change in the San Jacinto Biodiversity of the Guiana Shield; and to jovice, Czech Republic (8/16 – 8/20) to Mts.” project; and to Woods Hole, Massa- Paris, France (9/8 – 9/22) to work on the deliver a talk on a new combination of a chusetts (9/23 – 9/27) to attend a confer- Passiflora and Dilkea collections, espe- cyanobacterium, based on material from ence at the Marine Biological Laboratory. South America at the 18th International Laurence Skog traveled to Provi- The Plant Press Association for Cyanophyte Research dence, Rhode Island (7/30 – 8/5) to attend Symposium. Botany 2010. New Series - Vol. 13 - No. 4 Diane and Mark Littler traveled to Robert Soreng traveled to Russia and Belize City, Belize (8/11 – 8/26) to con- Georgia (7/13 – 8/23) to collect seed of Chair of Botany tinue ongoing research; to Athens, Ohio grasses and other forages in the northwest Warren L. Wagner (9/23 – 10/1) to receive an award, give Caucasus Mountains and adjacent steppes. ([email protected]) a seminar, and discuss future research at Alice Tangerini traveled to Pittsburgh, Ohio University; and to Tallahassee, Flor- Pennsylvania (9/21 – 9/26) to attend and EDITORIAL STAFF ida (10/7 – 10/10) to attend a workshop.­ participate in the Annual Meeting of the Editor Ida Lopez traveled to Lynchburg, Vir- Continued on page 5 Gary Krupnick ([email protected]) Visitors News Contacts MaryAnn Apicelli, Robert Faden, Shirley Zhou Zhuo, Kunming Institute of Botany, Maina, Rusty Russell, Alice Tangerini, Mike Martin, Johns Hopkins University; and Elizabeth Zimmer Ambrosia (Compositae) (1/1/09-6/30/11). China; Cyanthus (Campanulaceae) (4/1/10-3/29/11). The Plant Press is a quarterly publication pro- Qing Liu, South China Botanic Garden, vided free of charge. To receive notification of when new pdf issues are posted to the web, please Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guang- Li-min Lu, Chinese Academy of Sci- subscribe to the listserve by sending a message zhou; Chloridoideae () (7/4/09- ences; Parthenocissus () (4/1/10- to [email protected] containing only the following in the body of the text: SUBSCRIBE 7/26/10). 3/31/11). PLANTPRESS-NEWS Firstname Lastname. Replace “Firstname Lastname” with your name. Jimmy Triplett, University of Missouri; Bertrand Ndzelen, University of the If you would like to be added to the hard-copy North American Arundinaria, and Asian District of Colombia; DNA research (5/1- mailing list, please contact Dr. Gary Krupnick at: Pleioblastus, Sasa, and Sasamorpha bam- 8/30). Department of Botany, Smithsonian Institution, boos (Poaceae) (1/1-12/31). PO Box 37012, NMNH MRC-166, Washington, Kerry Carfagno, University of Mary DC 20013-7012, or by E-mail: krupnickg@ si.edu. Jianying Xiang, Kunming Institute of Washington; Cyanolichen Index (5/14- Botany, China; Dryopteris (Dryopteri- 8/30). Web site: http://botany.si.edu/ daceae). (1/1-12/31). Continued on page 8 Page 2 The Grand Challenges of the New Smithsonian Consortia By W. John Kress Chair ne of the enduring strengths of the Smithsonian­ the process. As a result we have just launched the is its great diversity of museums, research first institution-wide competition for funds to act as With Ounits, and intellectual endeavors, which have seed money to define and enable new cross-cutting evolved over the lifetime of the institution. However, programs to be developed by Smithsonian scholars. when the Secretary of the Smithsonian Wayne Clough So far the number, breadth, and innovation of the A launched the new strategic plan for the Institution last proposals we have received are wildly encouraging. year, one of his main priorities was to consolidate A major question that I asked myself before I View these diverse scholarly activities into four “Grand accepted the position as Director of the Biodiversity Challenges:” Unlocking the Mysteries of the Universe, Consortium was whether or not the Smithsonian Understanding and Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet, is indeed uniquely positioned to succeed in such Warren Valuing World Cultures, and Understanding the a multi-dimensional approach to biodiversity. I American Experience. It was clear to the Secretary and reviewed the scope and depth of the taxonomic, evo- L. the Strategic Planning Committee that the immense lutionary, phylogenetic, ecological, and conservation Wagner diversity of activities was a challenge to condense into expertise and activities across the Institution; I evalu- an easily understood core mission of the Smithsonian. ated the extent and projected growth of our scientific This problem was especially acute as the biggest capi- collections that are so essential to documenting the tal campaign in the history of the Institution was about diversity and distribution of species across the planet; to be launched. Thus these four Grand Challenges were I studied the list of scientists currently in our depart- designed to distill the complexity of the Smithsonian ments, the roster of research projects currently under- into a more focused message to bring forth to our pub- way, and the level of peer-reviewed funding currently lic constituents. available to make sure that we will be successful in As pointed out by the Secretary in a recent address, these endeavors; and I compared all of these met- the Smithsonian established the scope and depth of its rics with other similar natural history museums and scientific and cultural collections in the 19th ­century, academic institutions around the world pursuing these built and expanded its great museums in the 20th goals. century, and is now strengthening its core scholarly The conclusions I drew from these inventories and scientific disciplines by fostering a greater level were encouraging and illuminating. Yes, we have the of interdisciplinary research and education through the scientists in our departments to succeed at under- Grand Challenges. As a means to accomplish this trans- standing and sustaining a biodiverse planet; yes, we formation, four Consortia, each of which corresponds are engaged in cutting-edge and far-reaching projects to one of the Grand Challenges, were established and in biodiversity research and sustainability; yes, our a director was selected from within the ranks of the collections are growing at a substantial and manage- Smithsonian community to lead each one. able rate; and, yes, most surprising, our levels of As Director of the Consortium for Understanding internal and external funding support for our natural and Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet, I have accepted the history research are substantial. On the other hand it challenge to follow-through on the Secretary’s vision was also obvious that we have much work to do to for the Strategic Plan. Both Unlocking the Mysteries have the impact on biodiversity research and conservation that of the Universe and Understanding and Sustaining a such a world-recognized scientific institution should be able Biodiverse Planet consortia are located in the Office of to achieve. For example, we need to make a substantial effort the Under Secretary for Science. Dr. Eva Pell, who was to increase our activities in next-gen genomics applications appointed as Under Secretary for Science less than a across taxonomic and genetic disciplines; we need to augment year ago, has been instrumental in developing the con- our more traditional specimen inventory with a genome-quality ceptual as well as practical aspects of launching these tissue repository; we need to revolutionize our capabilities in two consortia. The goal of the Biodiversity Consortium bioinformatics management and analyses of specimen, genetic, is to generate major new interdisciplinary research and ecological data; we need to mobilize and synthesize our programs, and funding to support them, across all units pan-institutional efforts in marine sciences; and, we need to col- and museums at the Smithsonian that are focused on lectively benefit from our extremely broad approach to under- the biological sciences, which includes activities at the standing climate change and carbon cycling in past, present, and National Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian future environments. These are just a few of the possible and Tropical Research Institute in Panama, the National immediately obvious multi-disciplinary areas of research and Zoo and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology infrastructure that cut-across scientific units at the Smithsonian. Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, and the Smithsonian And these are exactly the areas of excellence that the Smithso- Environmental Research Center on the Chesapeake nian’s Secretary, Under Secretary for Science, and Consortia are Bay, as well as certain aspects of the Museum Conser- trying to build with both internal and external, new and exist- vation Institute in Suitland, Maryland. This task is not ing funding. The next decade will be a Grand Challenge for all an easy one, but fortunately we were presented with a scholars at the Smithsonian as we move together into a new era gift of $10 million across all four Consortia to initiate of understanding and sustaining a biodiverse planet. Page 3 the Members Gallery website where she Staff is coordinator between members and the Webmaster, Frank Reynolds, who also Research & maintains the Hunt Institute website. The Activities ASBA is moving towards a more active web based organization since members are located throughout the U.S. and 22 foreign W. John Kress was selected as the Direc- countries. Tangerini will likely be working tor of the Consortium for Understanding with a web committee on improvements and Sustaining a Biodiverse Planet. Four to the Members gallery website in the Consortia, each reflecting one the Grand coming year. The meeting culminated in Challenges of the Smithsonian’s Strate- the awards ceremony where the “James gic Plan, will draw from various fields to J. White Award for Service to Botani- advance research and provide core content cal Art” was instituted to honor James to inform exhibitions, curricula, and public White, former Hunt Curator of Art and programs. former Collections Manager in the Botany Department, NMNH. The award was On 8 September, Gary Krupnick hosted given to his assistant and current Curator, Vicki Funk (center) receives the IAPT the bimonthly meeting of the Plant Con- Lugene Bruno. Stebbins Medal from Warren Wagner servation Alliance, a consortium of ten and Pamela S. Soltis (Chair of the Steb- On 22 July, Alain Touwaide presented a federal government member agencies and bins Medal Committee). over 225 non-federal cooperators repre- two-part seminar for Smithsonian Resi- dent Associates on the history of ancient senting various disciplines within the con- Medal for 2007-2009 from the Interna- scientific books. On 19-20 August, Tou- servation field, at the National Museum of tional Association for Plant waide and Emanuela Appetiti attended Natural History. The meeting consisted of (IAPT). The medal is given for “an out- the Ghafiqi Workshop devoted to the 12th- a behind-the-scenes tour of the exhibition standing article or book on plant systemat- century Andalusian botanist al-Ghafiqi and “Losing Paradise? Endangered Plants Here ics and/or plant evolution.” Funk received organized at McGill University in Mon- and Around the World” and a presentation the award at the American Society of treal, Canada. Touwaide presented a paper about the research of the Plant Conserva- Plant Taxonomists (ASPT) banquet at on “Exploring Ghafiqi’s Herbal.” On 25 tion Unit of the Botany Department. the Botany 2010 meeting in Providence, August, Touwaide made a one-hour semi- Rhode Island. Robert Soreng joined a U.S. Department nar presentation to Smithsonian docents of Agriculture expedition, cosponsored on plants and peoples. On 11 September, Vicki Funk received a Distinguished by the Vavilov Institute of Plant Industry Touwaide and Appetiti organized a lecture Alumnus Award from Murray State Uni- (WIR), 13 July to 23 August 2010, and on “Greek Medicine at the Smithsonian” versity, Murray . Funk received lead by Doug Johnson, USDA-ARS, for the delegates of the American Hel- her B.S. (1969) and M.S. (1975) from Logan, , to collect seed of grasses and lenic Educational Progressive Association Murray State University; after her Masters other forages in the northwest Caucasus (AHEPA). The lecture was followed by a she went on to for Mountains and adjacent steppes. Soreng visit of the museum. her Ph.D. and the New York Botanical collected about 300 herbarium vouch- Garden for a postdoctoral fellowship. ers for the grasses and silica dried leaves On October 8, 2010, as part of the award for DNA studies. The first set was sent activities, Funk presented a departmental to US, and the second set went to WIR. seminar on some of her research and in the On 18-24 August, he revisited the her- Awards & evening she gave a short after-dinner talk barium of Komarov Botanical Institute about her experiences. (LE) to examine specimens and types of Grants Poa and related genera, 16 years after his Mark Littler received the 2010 Distin- previous visit to work on the C.B. Trinius Martin R. Kalfatovic (Smithsonian guished Alumni Award from Ohio Univer- herbarium with Paul Peterson and Carol Institution Libraries) and Laurence Dorr sity’s College of Arts and Sciences. The Annable (Guide to the Microform Collec- received support from the Atherton Seidell award ceremony took place 24 September tion, Trinius Herbarium, IDC, 1995). Grant Program to prepare an on-line ver- 2010. Preceding the ceremony, Littler sion of Taxonomic Literature, ed. 2, and its mentored and advised students in the In September, Alice Tangerini attended supplements that will be incorporated into Department of Environmental and Plant the American Society of Botanical Artists the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL), Sciences. annual meeting and conference which the digitization component of the Encyclo- was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at pedia of Life. The American Society of Plant Taxono- the Hunt Institute for Botanical Docu- mists awarded Harold E. Robinson, a mentation. As an ASBA Board of Direc- Vicki Funk, as lead editor of the book prolific expert on the sunflower family, tors member, Tangerini attended the Systematics, Evolution, and Biogeogra- their Asa Gray Award for outstanding Board Meeting and gave her report on phy of Compositae, received the Stebbins career achievements at the society’s

Page 4 Staff, volunteers, and fellows of the National Museum of Natural History celebrate the museum’s 100th birthday. annual meeting in August. Robinson is tional Association for Plant Taxonomy Staff Centennial hailed by his peers as a leader in research council meeting and to speak at the productivity, with his publication of 900 international conference “New Frontiers in Celebration papers and over 600 new species names in Plant Systematics and Evolution”; and to his 54-year career. Providence, Rhode Island (7/31 – 8/5) to Staff, volunteers, fellows and others attend Botany 2010, and the council and gathered on October 5, 2010 to celebrate Alain Touwaide was elected Overseas business meetings of the American Society the National Museum of Natural History’s th Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine of Plant Taxonomists. 100 birthday. The celebration kicked off of the UK in July 2010, and Emanu- Jun Wen traveled to Beijing, China with a photograph taken on the front steps ela Appetiti has been appointed on the (7/4 – 7/7) to attend the international con- of the museum, followed by a wine and Advisory Board of the World History of ference “New Frontiers in Plant Systemat- cheese reception in the Rotunda. Science On-line (WHSO). ics and Evolution”; to Kumming, China To learn more about what has hap- (7/7 – 7/28) for fieldwork in Yunnan; to pened at this museum since the doors Travel Providence, Rhode Island (8/1 – 8/5) to opened in 1910 visit the “Celebrating 100 Continued from page 2 attend Botany 2010 and to collect on her Years” website where you will find a Alain Touwaide traveled to New York gapore (8/17 – 9/5) to collect Tetrastigma timeline, interviews, and photographs. County, New York (7/15) to meet with the in the Malesiana region and to attend the In the above photograph, members Greek Council; and to Montreal, Canada 8th Flora Malesiana Symposium; and to of the Botany Department are standing (8/18 – 8/21) to attend and present a paper Knoxville, Tennessee (9/15) and Tallahas- together on the right side, approximately at conference on ancient Arabic botany, see, Florida (9/16) to make collections of half way up the stairs. pharmacy and medicine, organized by Vitaceae in the southeastern US. McGill University. Elizabeth Zimmer traveled to Provi- Warren Wagner traveled to Beijing, dence Rhode Island (7/30 – 8/5) to attend China (7/4 – 7/12) to attend the Interna- Botany 2010. Page 5 Cyanolichen Index This is the critical step, making these which is now a content partner in EOL. important specimens available for scien- The task of improving collections in On 2 August, the Encyclopedia of Life tific study. an enterprise as large as the U.S. National (EOL) published 853 new taxon pages Next we addressed the need to elec- Herbarium is daunting and never-ending. for cyanolichens, lichens whose phyco- tronically deliver specimen data, a process But a multi-year push to make positive biont is a cyanobacterium. This is the that we pioneered in 1970 with the Type changes in this particular part of our col- latest milestone in a project begun two Register. In the early 1990s, the lichen lection has been very successful due to years ago with support from the Drouet family Parmeliaceae was completely data- the graciousness of our partners and the Fund, a bequest of the late Francis Drouet based resulting in over 40,000 specimen competence of our staff, students, and which supports care and maintenance of records. Contractor Jackie Carroll began contractors. cyanobacterium collections. the task of entering cyanolichen data into The lichen collection of the United EMu, the electronic museum specimen States National Herbarium constitutes one catalog. She was followed by Zuvayda of the finest and most complete research Abdurahimova, a lichenlogist and former resources of its kind. Specialists world- Fulbright Scholar from Turkmenistan, who wide take advantage of these specimens has also improved the curatorial state of Catalogue of Seed and their related data to support studies in the collection by resolving nomenclatural systematics, ecology, biogeography, and problems and identifying new collections. Plants of the West other species-based research. Over the last Since the project’s inception, almost 7,000 50 years there have only been two lichen specimen records have been created. Indies curators caring for these collections, Finally, Kerry Carfagno, a student As a contribution to the International Mason Hale and Paula Depriest, the at the University of Mary Washington Year of Biodiversity, in early December latter departing almost ten years ago. Even in Fredericksburg, was hired to begin Pedro Acevedo and Mark T. Strong will during their respective curatorial tenures, the tedious task of assembling species be posting the final version of the “Cata- the backlog of unprocessed specimens information from published sources and logue of Seed Plants of the West Indies.” was considerable and, despite a steady organizing it for eventual posting to the This catalogue, which is part of the “Flora flow of foreign students under Depriest, Encyclopedia of Life. An online work- of the West Indies” webpage , contains a searchable updated list of for the single family Parmeliaceae (a Hale being acquired. Information (when avail- scientific and common names of the seed specialty), no non-type specimens had able) is provided on life habit, morphol- plant taxa known to occur in the Bahamas, been databased or imaged. ogy, habitat, distribution, toxicity, and Greater Antilles, and Lesser Antilles. The The Cyanolichen Index was a project conservation status. In addition, protolog Catalogue is expected to be an essential conceived by Rusty Russell to improve citations, synonyms, and a reference list tool for conservation and biogeography the state of the lichen collections by of data sources are also included. Eight studies in the West Indies, the third most processing and conserving backlog collec- lichen scholars have signed up to review important biodiversity hotspot in the tions, improving specimen level identifica- and approve content. world, with high priority for conservation tions, and databasing specimens. Because Compared to the majority of EOL due to the loss of habitat. Nearly 30,000 the Drouet bequest specifies support of pages, this project represents a unique scientific names and 30,000 common cyanobacteria, those lichen taxa con- methodology for acquiring and delivering names are treated in the catalogue, com- taining blue-green phycobionts (mainly data. It is the only EOL effort encompass- prising 231 families, 1,945 genera, and a Nostoc) were project priorities. Finally, in ing this many taxa that draws its informa- total of 10,525 indigenous taxa with 71% concert with lichen specialists around the tion solely from the published literature. (7,479 taxa) endemism. Additionally, the world, the plan included the creation of an With each bit of data properly referenced website provides distributions of the spe- EOL page for each species. against a bibliographic resource that num- cies within and outside of the West Indies, The first task was to continue an exist- bers almost 400 titles, the species informa- and numerous color images. A printed ing contract with Patty Groome who had tion is both well-cited and easily revisited, version of the catalogue is expected early been processing backlog lichens under an and it results from the published efforts of in 2011. earlier Collections Conservation Grant. the entire community rather than a single The majority of the backlog lichens have researcher or research team. Hundreds been housed at the Museum Support of high quality images were graciously Center and, under the guidance of Greg provided through a Creative Commons McKee, collections coordinator for ferns, license by Stephen Sharnoff who produced lichens and bryophytes, specimens were all of the photographs for the landmark prioritized, selected and returned to the publication Lichens of North America, Mall for processing. Including the work Yale University Press, 2001. And, at the DC () conducted under the earlier grant, a total urging of Carfagno, hundreds more were is an endemic species from Puerto Rico of 12,300 specimens have been processed, provided by a site devoted to tropical but it is widely cultivated through the conserved and added to the collection. lichen and other tropical regions. Page 6 The Field Book important if a specimen was collected only cation uploads. Beta-testing applications once. A detailed catalog of field books include the of Rock Creek Park in Project would allow users to identify the specific the Washington, DC area and the trees of resources needed to reconstruct an itiner- Central Park, New York. The Smithsonian has taken part in ary without the need to travel. A library of leaf images is necessary to hundreds of national and international The Field Book Project is collaborating capture the morphological differences in field surveys and expeditions including with the broader biodiversity community each species of trees found in the app. To the historically significant United States to ensure that we build on existing stan- achieve that library, images of 50 differ- Exploring Expedition (1838-1842), United dards and consider various research needs. ent leaves taken with a cellular phone are States and Mexican Boundary Survey Through our partners at the Biodiversity utilized. The app algorithm searches this (1848-1855), Biological Survey of the Heritage Library (BHL), we hope to gar- library to come up with ranked possible Panama Canal Zone (1910), Botanical ner the interest and participation of other matches of species. Explorations of Haiti (1919), and the custodians of biodiversity field books Hoping to draw future scientists, Botanical Explorations in Amazonian Peru worldwide. Lopez travelled to Lynchburg, Virginia and Brazil (1929). Field books document- We look forward to working with our on 7 September 2010, to meet with the ing these explorations number in the SI colleagues and invite comments and college biology class of the Central Vir- thousands, yet descriptive access points feedback while we develop the catalog ginia Governor’s School for Science and for these items are typically minimal at system. Anyone interested in testing the Technology (CVGS) and to make use of best, making discovery challenging and registry in the future when a prototype is their assistance in capturing leaf images relevancy assessments nearly impossible available may contact Sonoe Nakasone at for the project library. Early that morning, for offsite research. 202-633-1061 or [email protected]. Lopez met with the class of 19 students, Although earlier attempts within the Cheryl Lindeman, class teacher and Biol- Department of Botany to improve access ogy/Partnership Coordinator for CVGS, to field books, such as the searchableCol - LeafID Enlists and Nancy Cowden, botany professor lector’s Field Books and Miscellaneous ­Citizen Scientists at Lynchburg College. The group met at Notes Index greatly improved access to Lynchburg’s Old City Cemetery, a 26-acre field books and related materials within As natural habitats continue to disap- historic cemetery and arboretum with the museum, more detailed information pear, biologists increasingly find the need many old, established trees. Greeting the about these collections is still needed. for more help in searching for species. group that morning was Bruce Christian, Now, the Department, in conjunction Engaging the citizen scientist is one of the Ted Delaney and other staff members of with the Smithsonian Institution Archives goals of the LeafID application that John the Old City Cemetery. The students were (SIA), will go several steps further in mak- Kress, Ida Lopez, and collaborators at incredibly focused on their task. After ing field books accessible throughout the Columbia University and the University preliminary instructions on the require- Institution. Exposing Biodiversity Field- of Maryland are developing. The smart ments for the images, the group was able books and Original Expedition Journals at phone application, currently in beta-test- to collect and image over 500 leaves in the Smithsonian Institution—or the Field ing, is able to identify a based on an less than two hours thus adding another Book Project—is an effort to locate and image of the leaf. This NSF funded project 11 of the harder-to-find tree species to the make accessible field research materials. A has created datasets of locations for appli- LeafID library. searchable database will be developed to describe, cross-reference, and locate each field note collection and every set of docu- ments within. This database will also serve as the framework for a larger registry system that will allow other organizations to enter detailed records for their field book hold- ings in an aggregated digital repository. The goal of the registry is to alleviate the struggle of scholars who must search for related materials that are physically dis- persed throughout multiple facilities or in disparate locations even within the same institution. Because field books provide the context in which a specimen was col- lected, they are useful, for example when reconstructing a collector’s itinerary in order to locate specimens. As Vicki Fuck noted in conversation, this is especially Ida Lopez (far right) with college biology students of the Central Virginia Gover- nor’s School for Science and Technology (CVGS). Page 7 Art and Science Presented in a Unique Exhibition The traveling exhibition, “Losing Paradise? Endangered Plants Here and Around the World,” recently opened at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. The exhibition, a collaborative effort between the American Society of Botanical Art- ists and the museum, showcases botani- cal illustrations and features work from several renowned artists, including Alice Tangerini. The exhibition is on display until 12 December 2010. Focusing on global conservation, the exhibition educates the public about endangered, threatened, and extinct plants. Additional custom content designed by Artists and the exhibit design team, including Alice Tangerini (top row, third from the museum for this venue highlights the left) and Gary Krupnick (top row, far left), at the opening reception for the exhibi- unique and provocative way scientists and tion “Losing Paradise? Endangered Plants Here and Around the World.” conservation biologists are approaching the loss of plant biodiversity—particularly amsocbotartists.org/ASBA-Catalogs. Rhiannon Knol, Randolph College, and through their work with botanical artists html> expands on the stories of each plant Robert MacInnis, George Mason Univer- whose captivating and scientifically accu- included in the exhibition and the methods sity; Maps internship (5/23-8/13). taken by the artists to visually capture the rate images serve as an essential historical Matthew Johnson, Virginia Polytechnic record of plant species. endangered specimens. “Determining which species are endan- Institute and State University; Plant con- With 44 framed artworks by various servation internship (5/24-8/12). international artists from Australia, Brazil, gered is a complicated endeavor,” said Israel, South Africa, South Korea, the Krupnick. “With conservation assessments Kelsey Branch, College of William and United Kingdom, and the United States; of plant species woefully behind, we are Mary; United States grasses (5/24-8/20). eight interpretive panels; and two cases of devising ways to use data from historically Megan Ondricek, Southern Virginia Uni- specimens and objects from the museum’s collected specimens to identify rare and versity; San Jacinto Project (5/24-8/20). botany collection, “Losing Paradise?” tells endangered plant species. The museum’s the valuable and fascinating story of spe- work in conservation assessment is critical Abbi Simons, Rochester Institute of cies like the critically endangered Mor- as each year more species are lost to habi- Technology; Micro-imaging project (5/24- toniodendron uxpanapense. It was found tat destruction and degradation.” 8/20). when researchers re-evaluated collections A companion website to the exhibition features a study of lege; Botanical Expeditions research museum’s herbarium specimens. the illustrations of endangered plants and (5/24-8/20). A companion catalog, with an essay a view of herbarium specimens up-close, a chance to share your own botanical Yovanna Kolitsopoulos, Fordham Uni- by exhibition curator and conservation versity; Internship (6/1-7/30). biologist Gary Krupnick, accompanies illustrations with others online, and a way the exhibition. The catalog

Page 10 New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Echinoderms specialist, loaned the group Scottsdale. DC’s first community coral books containing images of specimens reef exhibit made of crocheted, knitted from coral reefs. Mah created a blog site and other media, even recycled materials, for the Botany crochet and recycled mate- will be displayed in the Natural History rial pieces and added some information Museum’s Sant Ocean Hall, 16 October about the exhibit at . The Haug, Maria Faust, Jenny Datiles, reef will be divided into three parts, a Shruti Dube, Nistha Dube, and Marielle living reef (colorful pieces), a dead reef tions, such as hydrographic survey vessels, Saums) contributed to the project. Marga- (all white, beige, and mauve pieces), and salvage vessels, search and rescue vessels, ret Wertheim, the mathematical twin sister, toxic reef (pieces composed of recycled and fishing boats from Saba, St. Eustatius, relates the coral reefs through some of material). and St. Maarten with a permit to fish on crocheted pieces to the newly discovered Jennifer Lindsay has been coordinat- the Bank. The Coastguard of the Nether- “hyperbolic geometry,” which gives the ing the museum crochet project. She has lands Antilles and Aruba will be enforcing upcoming exhibit its name, the Hyperbolic a website and a Flickr site devoted to the this prohibition. Crocheted Coral Reef Exhibit. art work . Hundreds of 2,500 km2, this makes the Saba Bank plants as part of a coral-microalgal part- people have contributed items, and each the fifth largest marine protected area in nership. The corals on a coral reef live in contributor will be acknowledged for the Wider Caribbean. The average depth a partnership with microscopic plants, but their efforts. The Botany group created 47 of the Bank is about 80 feet, and there many are unseen – these microscopic spe- pieces. are extensive coral reefs on the eastern cies are hidden in the plankton or within and south-eastern edges. New species of the tissues (zooxanthellae) of corals. The seaweeds, fish, and gorgonians have been simplest plants on the reef are the microal- discovered on the Bank which has been gae (some are a little more than a fuzz of found to be among the richest areas of the brown or green on the bare reef surfaces), Caribbean in seaweed diversity. Much of while others have broad leafy blades of the area and its biodiversity still remain to turtle grass, Thalassia testudinum, fine be explored. blades of sea grasses, and . Like all An application for Particularly Sensi- algae, microalgae use special pigments tive Sea Area (PSSA) status has been sent to capture the energy from sunlight. In to the International Maritime Organiza- the process known photosynthesis, they tion (IMO) by the Netherlands. It will be use this energy to convert carbon dioxide discussed at the next meeting of the envi- and water into sugars, which they need in ronmental committee of the IMO in the order to grow. This crocheted red brittle star (Oph- spring of next year. PSSA status will allow The coral polyps provide a safe and iothrix purpurea) appears in the new further regulation of international shipping secure home for the zooxanthellae,­ a exhibition “The Hyperbolic Crochet to protect the Bank. microalgal form, which lie hidden within Coral Reef.” the tissue of corals, and in turn the micro­ Botany Partakes in algae provide the corals with sugars and Publications other food that help the corals to grow and Coral Reef Exhibit build the coral reef. Thanks to this part- Columbus, J. T., P.M. Peterson, N. Refu- In 2005 twin sisters in Sydney, Austra- nership, corals can thrive even in places lio Rodríguez, R. Cerros-Tlatilpa and M.S. lia, Margaret and Christine Wertheim, a where there is little food to be filtered Kinney. 2010. Phylogenetics of Muhlen- mathematician and an artist, were con- from the water. Many reef corals get 80-90 bergiinae (Poaceae: Chloridoideae, Cyno- tacted by some environmentalists to help percent of their food from these tiny algal donteae) based on ITS and trnL-F DNA them create a display to represent how partners and catch very little for them- sequences, pp. 477–496. In O. Seberg, G. global warming and pollution are affect- selves. It is the photosynthetic pigments Petersen, A.S. Barfod and J.I. Davis, eds. ing the world’s coral reefs. Since then, the of the algae which give the corals their Diversity, Phylogeny, and Evolution in the project has spread over three continents beautiful colors. And it is this dependence . Aarhus University Press. and has involved thousands of people. The on sunlight which means that reef corals interdisciplinary project, which combines only thrive in clear shallow waters. Davidse, G., R.J. Soreng and P.M. Peter- marine biology, mathematics, feminine The Botany staff made their artistic son. 2010. Poa unispiculata, a new gyno- handicraft, and environmental activism, pieces as realistic as possible and provided dioecious species of cushion grass from continues to raise awareness and public photographs to identify each piece to a Peru with a single spikelet per inflores- interest in coral reefs here in the United living species. Stephen Carins, a deep sea cence (Poaceae: Pooideae: Poeae: Poinae). States. Successful displays have been coral specialist in the Department of Inver- J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 4(1): 37-44. hosted in numerous U.S. cities, including tebrate Zoology, and Christopher Mah, an Continued on page 12 Page 11 Publications Ireland, R.R. and B. Allen. 2010. Genus Wash. 123(1): 87-91. Continued from page 11 Porotrichodendron, 315-325. In B. Allen, ed. Moss Flora of Central America. Mis- Robinson, H. and J.J. Skvarla. 2010. Dorr, L.J. 2010. “Muy poco se sabe de souri Botanical Garden, St. Louis. Genera of the Vernonieae (Asteraceae) of los resultados”: Francis E. Bond’s expedi- China with a study of their pollen. Tai- tion to the Paria Peninsula and Delta of Littler, M.M., D.S. Littler and N.P. wania 55(3): 254-272. the Orinoco, Venezuela (1911). Arch. Nat. Smith. 2010. Pancake-seagrass formations in Florida Bay. Reef Encounter 38: 11-12. Robinson, H. and J.J. Skvarla. 2010. The Hist. 37(2): 292-308. restoration of the genus Vernonella Sond. Dorr, L.J. 2010. Review of: Malagasy Martén-Rodríguez, S., C.B. Fenster, I. (Vernonieae: Asteraceae). Proc. Biol. Soc. nature: Journal international sur l’histoire Agnarsson, L.E. Skog and E.A. Zimmer. Wash. 123(3): 181-192. 2010. Evolutionary breakdown of pollina- naturelle de Madagascar et des îles Romaschenko, K., P.M. Peterson, R.J. voisines (Mascareignes, Seychelles et tion specialization in a Caribbean plant radiation. New Phytol. 188(2): 403-417. Soreng, N. Garcia-Jacas and A. Susanna. Comores). Taxon 59(4): 1313-1314. 2010. Phylogenetics of Stipeae (Poaceae: Dorr, L.J. and J.H. Wiersema. 2010. Nie, Z., H. Sun, Z. Chen, Y. Meng, S.R. Pooideae), pp. 511-538. In O. Seberg, G. Names of American vascular plants Manchester and J. Wen. 2010. Molecular Petersen, A.S. Barfod and J.I. Davis, eds. published in Loefling’s Iter Hispanicum phylogeny and biogeographic diversifica- Diversity, Phylogeny, and Evolution in the (1758) and its German translation (1766). tion of Parthenocissus (Vitaceae) disjunct Monocotyledons. Aarhus University Press. Taxon 59(4): 1245-1262. between Asia and North America. Am. J. Bot. 97(8): 1342-1353. Saarela, J.M., Q. Liu, P.M. Peterson, R.J. Dorr, L.J. and J.H. Wiersema. 2010. Pro- Soreng and B. Paszko. 2010. Phyloge- posals to reject twelve names emanating Ohlsen D.J., C.F. Puttock and N.G. netics of the grass ‘Aveneae-type plastid from Loefling’s Iter Hispanicum (1758), Walsh. 2010. Phenetic analyses of Ozo- DNA clade’, pp. 557-588. In O. Seberg, G. Ayenia sidiformis (Malvaceae), Cofer thamnus hookeri (Asteraceae), with the Petersen, A.S. Barfod and J.I. Davis, eds. (Symplocaceae), Cruzeta and C. hispanica recognition of a new species, O. cupres- Diversity, Phylogeny, and Evolution in the (Amaranthaceae), Edechia inermis and soides. Muelleria 28(2): 110-121. Monocotyledons. Aarhus University Press. E. spinosa (Rubiaceae), Justicia putata Peterson, P.M., K. Romaschenko and G. Saarela, J., P. Peterson, M. González (Acanthaceae), Menais and M. topiaria Johnson. 2010. A phylogeny and classifi- Elizondo and D. Rosen. 2010. Eleocharis (? Boraginaceae), Muco (Capparaceae), cation of the Muhlenbergiinae (Poaceae: cryptica (Cyperaceae), a dwarf new Samyda parviflora (Salicaceae), and Sper- Chloridoideae: Cynodonteae) based on species from Durango, Mexico. Brit- macoce suffruticosa (Rubiaceae). Taxon plastid and nuclear DNA sequences. Am. tonia 62(3): 233-238. 59(4): 1280-1282. J. Bot. 97(9): 1532-1554. Skema, C. and L.J. Dorr. 2010. Dombeya Feuillet, C. 2010. Folia taxonomica 17. Penev, L., D. Agosti, T. Georgiev, T. Cata- gautieri (Dombeyaceae), a remarkable Dilkea (Passifloraceae) 2. Conspectus pano, J. Miller, V. Blagoderov, D. Roberts, new species from Madagascar. Kew Bull. of the species of the Guianas with three V.S. Smith, I. Brake, S. Ryrcroft, B. Scott, 65(2): 305-310. new species. J. Bot. Res. Inst. Texas 4(1): N.F. Johnson, R.A. Morris, G. Sautter, 55-62. V. Chavan, T. Robertson, D. Remsen, P. Soreng, R. J., R.D. Bull and L.J. Stoev, C. Parr, S. Knapp, J.W. Kress, F.C. Gillespie. 2010. Phylogeny and reticula- García–Robledo, C. 2010. Restoration of tion in Poa based on plastid trnTLF and plant -pollinator interactions: pollination Thompson and T.L. Erwin. 2010. Seman- tic tagging of and semantic enhancements nrITS sequences with attention to diploids, neighborhood and asymmetric pollen flow pp. 619-644. In O. Seberg, G. Petersen, between restored habitats in a -polli- to systematics papers: ZooKeys working examples. ZooKeys 50: 1-16. A.S. Barfod and J.I. Davis, eds. Diversity, nated aroid. Restor. Ecol. 18: 94 -102. Phylogeny, and Evolution in the Mono- García-Robledo, C., C.C. Horvitz and Redden, K.M., P.S. Herendeen, K.J. cotyledons. Aarhus University Press. C.L. Staines. 2010. Larval morphology, Wurdack and A. Bruneau. 2010. Phy- logenetic Relationships of the northeast- William, B., J. Halfar, R. Steneck, U. development, and notes on the natural his- Wortmann, S. Hetzinger, W. Adey, P. tory of Cephaloleia “rolled-leaf” ern South American Brownea clade of tribe Detarieae (Leguminosae: Caesal- Lebednik and M. Joachimski. 2010. Twen- (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Cassidi- tieth century δ13C variability in surface nae). Zootaxa 2610: 50-68. pinioideae) based on morphology and molecular data. Syst. Bot. 35(3): 524-533. water dissolved inorganic carbon recorded Gillespie, L.J., R.J. Soreng, M. Paradis by coralline algae in the northern North and R.D. Bull. 2010. Phylogeny and Robinson, H., S. Bunwong and P. Chan- Pacific Ocean and the Bering Sea.Biogeo - reticulation in subtribe Poinae and related taranothai. 2010. A new genus, Kurziella sci. Discuss 7: 5801-5828. subtribes (Poaceae) based on nrITS, from Thailand (Vernonieae: Asteraceae). Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. 123(2): 174-178. Yu, F., W.J. Kress and J.Y. Gao. 2010. ETS, and trn TLF data, pp. 589-618. In Morphology, distribution, and chromo- O. Seberg, G. Petersen, A.S. Barfod and Robinson, H. and J.J. Skvarla. 2010. A some counts of two varieties of Hedy- J.I. Davis, eds. Diversity, Phylogeny, and new genus, Okia, from northern Myanmar chium villosum (Zingiberaceae). J. Syst. Evolution in the Monocotyledons. Aarhus (Vernonieae, Asteraceae). Proc. Biol. Soc. Evol. 48(5): 344-349. University Press.

Page 12 Simpson Receives Ninth Cuatrecasas Medal The Department of Botany and the plant- interactions, and her text book Michoacán, Mexico (2005); Sherwin Car- United States National Herbarium present on economic botany are all evidence of a lquist of Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gar- this annual award to a botanist and scholar rich and diverse career. The award com- den and Pomona College (2006); Mireya of international stature who has contrib- mittee also took note of her three decades D. Correa A. of the University of Panama uted significantly to advancing the field of guiding and supervising students as a and Smithsonian Tropical Research of tropical botany. The José Cuatrecasas Professor at the University of Texas and of Institute (2008); and Norris H. Williams Medal for Excellence in Tropical Botany her many contributions to tropical botany of the Florida Museum of Natural History is named in honor of Dr. José Cuatrecasas through directing the University of Texas and the University of Florida, Gainesville (1903-1996), a pioneering botanist and herbaria and service as editor or officer of (2009). taxonomist who spent nearly a half-cen- professional societies. tury working in the Smithsonian Institu- Simpson received her A.B. magna cum tion’s Department of Botany. Cuatrecasas laude from Radcliffe College in 1964, devoted his career to plant exploration in and her M.A. and Ph.D. from Harvard tropical South America and this award University in 1967 and 1968, respectively. serves to keep vibrant the accomplish- She continued at Harvard, first as a post- ments and memory of this outstanding doctoral fellow and then as an Assistant scientist. Curator of the Gray Herbarium. In 1972, The winner of this prestigious award is she joined the Smithsonian Institution as selected by a committee made up of four an Associate Curator in the Department botanists on the staff of the Department of Botany at the National Museum of in consultation with other plant scientists Natural History. In 1978, she secured an outside of the Smithsonian Institution. appointment as Professor at the University Nominations for the Medal are accepted of Texas at Austin, and in 1994 became from all scientists in the Botany Depart- the C.L. Lundell Professor of Systematic ment. The award consists of a bronze Botany. Simpson has held several major medal bearing an image of José Cuatreca- offices with professional societies, such as sas on the front with the recipient’s name President of the Society for the Study of and date of presentation on the back. Evolution, Chairman of the U.S. Commit- Highlights from past presentations to the tee to the International Union of Biologi- recipients are available on the Symposium cal Sciences, President of the Botanical Archives at . American Society of Plant Taxonomists. Beryl B. Simpson of the University In 1994, she was honored as an Elected of Texas at Austin is the ninth recipient Fellow of the American Academy of Arts Beryl Simpson, C.L. Lundell Professor of the José Cuatrecasas Medal for Excel- and Sciences. of Systematic Botany at the University lence in Tropical Botany. Simpson’s area Past recipients of the Cuatrecasas of Texas at Austin, accepts the 2010 José of expertise is the phylogeny and bioge- Medal are Rogers McVaugh of the Uni- Cuatrecasas Medal for Excellence in ography of various angiosperm groups, versity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Tropical Botany from Laurence Dorr primarily from the American Southwest, (2001); P. Barry Tomlinson of Harvard (Chair of the Cuatrecasas Medal selec- Mexico, and Central and South America. University (2002); John Beaman of the tion committee). (Photo by Ken Wur- The award committee was impressed Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (2003); dack) with her monograph of Krameriaceae and David Mabberley of the University of her revisions of Andean genera such as Leiden, The Netherlands, and the Royal Polylepis (Rosaceae) and Perezia (Aster- Botanic Gardens, Sydney (2004); Jerzy aceae) as well as other tropical groups of Rzedowski and Graciela Calderón de Rze- plants. Simpson’s papers on biogeography, dowski of Instituto de Ecología del Bajío,

Page 13 Abstracts from the Speakers at the ­Smithsonian Botanical ­Symposium

The ninth annual Smithsonian Botani- cal Symposium was held 24-25 Septem- ber 2010. The symposium, “Food For Thought: 21st Century Perspectives on Ethnobotany,” explored the 21st century transformation of the study of interactions between plants and people. The invited speakers covered a wide range of top- ics: from the role molecular biology now has in elucidating crop domestication to the ways in which peoples across myriad ecosystems interact with specific plants and landscapes. Below are the speak- ers’ abstracts from the papers that were presented. Chair of the Botany Department Warren L. Wagner (left) with the speakers of Kenneth Olsen the 2010 Smithsonian Botanical Symposium (left to right): Kenneth Olsen, Bruce Washington University in St. Louis Smith (morning symposium chair), Allison Miller, Torben Rick, Eve Emshwiller, Julie Velásquez Runk, Laurence J. Dorr (symposium convener), Ruth Defries, “Genetic Signatures and Consequences Dolores Piperno (afternoon symposium chair), Cameron McNeil, and Beryl Simp- of Dual Crop Domestication Events in the son (Cuatrecasas Medal recipient). (Photo by Ken Wurdack) Old World Tropics” domestication alleles arose in the japonica of literature demonstrates that perennial Neutral markers and candidate genes rice domestication event and were only species, like annuals, exhibit substantial can provide complementary insights into subsequently introgressed into the inde- morphological and genetic evolution crop origins and the genetic changes pendently-domesticated indica subspecies. under domestication. I present two case underlying domestication. Here I discuss studies of clonally propagated perennial recent findings on the evolution of two crops (horseradish, pecan) with differ- Old World crops that each arose through Allison Miller Saint Louis University ent targets of selection (roots, ) and at least two domestication events: coconut characterize their evolutionary histories “Evolution of Clonally Propagated (Cocos nucifera) and rice (Oryza sativa). under domestication. These studies high- Plants under Domestication” For coconut, we have taken advantage of light important aspects of the evolution microsatellite markers and a worldwide The development of sustainable agri- of clonally propagated perennials under germplasm collection to examine the cultural practices is one of the primary domestication, including breeding system geographical context of its domestication challenges facing the global scientific evolution and broad domestication bottle- history. We find evidence of two highly community. Perennial crops are an impor- necks. Domesticated perennials present an differentiated genetic subpopulations tant component of sustainable agriculture, important opportunity to investigate the that correspond to the Pacific and Indian and provide an abundance of edible plant tempo and mode of evolutionary processes Ocean basins, with persistent population products including fleshy roots and other in long-lived species, and to examine the structure on a global scale despite long- below-ground materials, fruits, and seeds. evolutionary and ecological consequences term human dispersal. Genetic admixture Current understanding of the way in which of clonal reproduction. is apparent only in the region correspond- plants evolve under domestication is based ing to the ancient Austronesian trade largely on studies of sexually reproducing route that connected Southeast Asia to Eve Emshwiller annual crops. Perennial crops are often University of Wisconsin Madagascar and East Africa. Interestingly, propagated asexually via clones, but rela- the definitive domestication traits—dwarf tively little is known about how clonally “Human/Plant Interactions in Crop habit, self-pollination, and ‘niu vai’ fruits propagated perennials respond to artificial Evolution: Integrating Different Sources (i.e., rounded fruits with sweet liquid selection pressures. Based on life history of Data in Contemporary Ethnobotany” endosperm)—arose only within the Pacific characteristics (e.g., long juvenile phases) Although ethnobotany is a multidis- domestication event. This finding paral- and mode of reproduction, relatively slow ciplinary field by definition, most ethno- lels that of rice, where examinations of rates of evolution in perennial crops have botanical studies are centered primarily candidate genes indicate that most major been suggested. However, a growing body in either the social sciences or the natu-

Page 14 ral sciences, and few studies integrate identified by AFLP and morphological between these domains. Yet when we data. New results of spatial-statistical anal- draw on data and methods from across yses will be presented at the symposium. disciplinary boundaries in studies of the evolution and conservation biology of Cameron L. McNeil crop plants, we may uncover information Lehman College, The City University that would have remained hidden if the of New York studies were conducted within a single “Theobroma cacao L.: Chocolate in discipline. Both studies of crop origins Ancient and Modern Mesoamerica” and studies of ongoing crop evolution can integrate anthropological survey data This presentation will examine the use with molecular data. Our studies of the of cacao in Mesoamerica, both in the past Andean tuber crop “oca,” Oxalis tuberosa, and present. The species Theobroma cacao have addressed both the crop’s origins originates in the Amazon Basin. From (of polyploidy and domestication) and its the Amazon cacao was likely introduced continuing evolution, and have integrated as a cultigen to Mesoamerica. The pre- data from surveys of farmers with molecu- Columbian role of cacao in Mesoamerica lar, morphological, and DNA ploidy data. was culturally and economically more Hypotheses derived from survey data were significant than it was in South America. tested with other data sources, leading to Mesoamericans predominantly consumed new insights that would probably not have the seeds of the tree, whereas South been revealed otherwise. Americans predominantly consumed the To conserve crop genetic diversity, we sweet pulp. While the areas where the spe- need to know what is happening to that cies thrived in Mesoamerica were limited, diversity through space and time. Because the seeds were easily transportable and humans are primary dispersal agents for became a valued source of stimulants. clonally-propagated crops, investigators By 1900 B.C. cacao was used in feasting have used surveys to study “seed flows” of rituals as evidenced by chemical residue NMNH Director Cristián Samper Andean tubers to determine the directions analysis of vessels from Paso de la Amada, presents opening remarks at the 2010 and amounts of “seed tubers” exchanged Mexico. For pre-Columbian peoples T. Smithsonian Botanical Symposium. and transported among farmers. We are cacao came to be associated with markers (Photo by Ken Wurdack) now investigating the effects of those of life passage events (such as birth, mar- of exchange. Where cacao grew well, it exchange networks on the geographic riage, and death), was linked to rulership was one of several important tree crops distributions of oca’s clonal genotypes as and power, and was used as a medium which undoubtedly aided populations in preserving forest cover while providing an esteemed comestible and trade good. While the Spanish during the colonial period initially preserved the orchards of cacao, gradually coffee and cattle usurped the lowlands along river-ways where the tree thrived. Today, traditional cacao consumption and production has been lost in many areas, and where it remains it is gradually disappearing.

Julie Velásquez Runk University of Georgia “Exploring Connections in Culturally Oriented Ethnobotany: Examples from Panama and the U.S.” As the first decade of the 21st century soon will come to a close, there is no doubt about the interconnectedness of the world and the rapid pace of globaliza- tion. The ubiquity of such connections runs counter to some of the history of ethnobotany, which often has centered on Speaker Eve Emshwiller discusses human-plant interactions in crop evolution. (Photo by Ken Wurdack) Continued on page 16 Page 15 Abstracts and between islands. Largely absent from in central illustrate the vast array of Continued from page 15 recent discussions of human interac- landscapes, food production systems, and tions with island ecosystems is the use of implications for the planet. a crisis narrative of documenting endan- island marine and terrestrial plants. Here gered traditions. Where current conditions I explore the use of marine plants (kelp Sponsors of the and ethnobotany’s traditions meet results and sea grass) by Island Chumash peoples in exciting productive spaces for research. drawing on ethnographic and archaeologi- 9th Smithsonian Here I will draw upon my research in cal data. Panama to explore some of those spaces in Botanical Symposium culturally focused ethnobotany, discussing Ruth Defries expanding notions of time and space, the • Cuatrecasas Family Foundation Columbia University integration of power and politics, and the • National Museum of Natural incorporation of multiple methodological “Food, Landscapes and the Planet’s ­History tools in research. In addition I will show Life Support System” • Department of Botany how ethnobotanical ideas are becoming The Earth’s metabolism cycles carbon • Department of Anthropology ever more understood in the U.S. at the and nitrogen among the atmosphere, land • Office of the Associate Director local level by their integration into the and ocean and makes our planet uniquely for Research and Collections local food and primitive skills movements. suited to produce food for the 6.7 billion- • United States Botanic Garden strong human population. Since people Torben Rick first domesticated crops about 9,000 years Smithsonian Institution ago, human societies have struggled to Symposium “Archaeology, Marine Paleoethnobot- obtain secure food supplies by divert- Continued from page 1 any, and California Coastal Ecosystems” ing and manipulating carbon and nitro- gen from these cycles to benefit crops rusticana, and that A. rusticana may have California’s Channel Islands contain a and livestock. Agricultural landscapes been domesticated from A. macrocarpa in lengthy record of human interactions with are the visible face of successes in this Hungary or the Ukraine. The next step in marine and terrestrial ecosystems, span- millennia-long endeavor. But this massive, future research is to ask whether horserad- ning some 13,000 years. Native Americans global-scale transformation of the planet’s ish is mate-limited and self-incompatible. living and foraging on the islands during landscapes also has consequences for cli- Miller’s second case study explored the Holocene appear to have influenced mate and other species. These unintended how domestication bottlenecks reduce the size and age of marine mollusks, consequences potentially undermine the genetic variation in cultivated populations. affected the distribution and abundance planet’s life support system. Examples Her data suggest that three factors have of seals and sea lions, and translocated from commercial food production in the shaped the variation in domesticated pecan terrestrial mammals from the mainland southern Amazon to subsistence farming trees: (1) native pecans exhibit geographic patterns of genetic variation; (2) domes- ticated populations were derived from geographically and genetically distinct native populations; and (3) local environ- mental control of flowering time suggests a mechanism for ongoing gene flow with wild progenitors. Her results support the role of perennial crops in sustainable agri- culture and food security. Following Miller was Eve Emshwiller from the University of Wisconsin at Madison who examined the role of human and plant interactions in crop evolution. Emshwiller presented her 17 years of eth- nobotanical research on the origins and the continuing evolution of the tuber crop oca (Oxalis tuberosa) in the Central Andes. In discussing the origins of oca, an octopo- lyploid species, she spoke of the “Oxalis tuberosa alliance,” a clade of diploid spe- cies from the Andes. Emshwiller hypoth- esized that Oxalis tuberosa is the result of autoallopolyploidy, the hybridization of three diploid species. Speaker Torben Rick discusses paleoethnobotany of the California coastal ecosys- Emshwiller continued with a discus- tems. (Photo by Elaine Haug) Page 16 their land as a relationship and network between the plant, rivers, and spirits, as opposed to conservationists who focus on trees and forests with a bias on the physi- cal rather than the spiritual. Next, Torben Rick of the National Museum of Natural History spoke about “Archaeology, Marine Paleoethnobotany, and California Coastal Ecosystems.” As a zooarchaeologist, Rick was able to provide a unique perspective on the intersection of botany, biological sci- ences, and anthropology. Most marine plants have not come under domestication, but Native Americans have a history of interacting with kelp forest ecosystems around the Northern Channel Islands of California. Rick described how kelp forests sustained hunter-gatherers on the Speaker Cameron McNeil describes the ethnobotany of chocolate in ancient and Channel Islands for 10,000 years. There modern Mesoamerica. (Photo by Ken Wurdack) is evidence that the Chumash people used kelp as a fuel source, boat anchors, sion of the enthnotaxonomy of oca in and pataxte (T. bicolor). Pataxte, a more and protection against magic. It is dif- three communities in southern Peru. Her expensive form of cacao, contains high ficult, however, to ascertain whether or research integrates anthropological survey levels of ethylene, which can be used to not kelp was harvested, mainly because data with molecular data. Through sur- ripen other such as bananas. Because fronds preserve poorly in the archaeologi- veys, Emshwiller found different modes of the ripening process, pataxte was asso- cal record. In the Channel Islands, there of exchange of the crops at different ciated with the “male” in artwork, while is an abundant sea grass archaeological scales. Patterns of distribution of clonal cacao was associated with the “female.” record, but none for kelp. Rick explained genotypes of oca are correlated with Chemical residue analysis of vessels from Continued on page 18 distributions of different human languages 1900 B.C. shows evidence of cacao. Most and dialects. Some genotypes have very believe cacao was only consumed as a restricted distributions while others are beverage, but other vessels show pos- ­Acknowledgements widespread, leading to implications on sible use of cacao as a sauce. Today, the how to conserve the oca varieties. Emsh- traditional uses of cacao in Mesoamerica The success of the Symposium was willer expressed concern about the status are fading away as fields once devoted to due to the significant time and efforts of oca in the villages, as many farmers are cacao are being turned over to cattle and of the following people: switching to either an introduced potato or sugar. Additionally, soda is being used as a growing feed for dairy cattle. substitute for home-grown cacao in many Organizers After lunch, Dolores R. Piperno, Cura- rituals. • Laurence J. Dorr tor of Archaeobotany and South American Cultural anthropologist Julie Velásquez • Joshua A. Bell Archaeology, Smithsonian Institution, Runk from the University of Georgia • Nancy Khan chaired the session and introduced the in Athens followed McNeil’s talk by • Gary Krupnick afternoon speakers. Chocolate was the “Exploring Connections in Culturally Ori- • Igor Krupnik topic on everyone’s mind as Cameron ented Ethnobotany: Examples from Pan- • Sue Lutz L. McNeil of Lehman College, The City ama and the U.S.” Focusing her research • Sylvia Orli University of New York, discussed the on the Wounaan people of the Darién in • Warren L. Wagner ritual associations of Theobroma cacao eastern Panama, Velásquez Runk explored • Jamie Whitacre in ancient and modern Mesoamerica. An the endangered traditions in agriculture, Support archaeologist, McNeil presented results medicine, art, and decoration while living • Mary Ann Apicelli from her 9-year research program from with the Wounaan for over two years. The • Patricia Davis Copan, which is on the southeastern Maya lunar cycle has a strong influence on their periphery. Evidence shows that cacao was traditions, as the high and low tide affect Photographers used both culturally and economically the harvesting time of plants. Velásquez • Elaine Haug in Mesoamerica nearly 4,000 years ago. Runk explained how the development of • Kenneth Wurdack Seeds were used as money, and the cacao the Pan-American Highway has impacted And many others who had helped in a beverage was a sign of wealth in paintings the livelihoods of the Wounaan, once a myriad number of ways. on vessels. Two plant species were com- nomadic people who are now sedentary. monly used: cacao (Theobroma cacao) She described how the Wounaan perceive

Page 17 Symposium Continued from page 17 that there is an archaeological record for three invertebrate species that live on kelp ( annulatum, C. ligatum, and brunnea), and thus Native Americans may have used the kelp to harvest these animal species. He argued that an increase in the integration of eth- nobotany and ethnozoology—especially in archaeological research—can provide new insights into anthropology. The final speaker of the day was Ruth Defries from Columbia University who spoke about “Food, Landscapes and the Planet’s Life Support System.” Defries, a geographer, discussed how the Earth’s metabolism cycles carbon and nitrogen among the atmosphere, land, and ocean, which makes our planet uniquely suited to produce food for the 6.7 billion-strong Speaker Ruth Defries discusses the planet’s life support system. (Photo by Elaine human population. She explained that Haug) an increase in food production triggers population growth, and that when eco- income and the consumption of animal Supplementary logical parameters limit further increases products also increase. The challenge for in food production, population density the future, she explained, is how to inten- Symposium Links will decrease (starvation, migration). She sify food production while maintaining on the Web showed how the discovery of an industrial biodiversity. She pointed out that there are no clear answers on the horizon. way to synthesize nitrogen allowed for a The website to the 9th Annual Smith- From Olsen’s morning talk focusing at tremendous increase in food production, sonian Botanical Symposium has many links and tation at the global level, the 2010 Smith- population size. Defries then contemplated documents related to the conference. sonian Botanical Symposium provided doomsday scenarios where drought and Included on the website is the full pro- a unique perspective on the interactions increasing food prices lead to riots and gram, abstracts of the talks, links related to between humans and plants. instability. She pointed out trends such as the speaker’s presentations, and selected when the size of urban areas increases, images from the various events. A digital video recording of the presentations will be posted soon. Additional items related to the Symposium can be added to the list of links and documents by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. The Symposium archive pages also includes programs, abstracts, and images from the past six symposia: “Linnaean Taxonomy in the 21st Century” (2001); “The Convention on Biological Diversity” (2002); “Botanical Frontiers in South- east Asia” (2003); “Botanical Progress, Horticultural Innovations, and Cultural Changes” (2004); “The Future of Floras: New Frameworks, New Technologies, New Uses” (2005); “Island Archipelagos: Cauldrons of Evolution” (2006); “Partners in Evolution: Interactions, Adaptations, and Speciation” (2008); and “Genes, Genomics and Genome Evolution in Opening reception of the ninth annual Smithsonian Botanical Symposium at the Plants” (2009). United States Botanic Garden. (Photo by Ken Wurdack) Page 18 Additional Scenes from the 9th Annual Smithsonian Botanical Symposium

Clockwise (from top left): Dolores Piperno and Torben Rick at the recep- tion at the US Botanic Garden (Photo by Ken Wurdack); NMNH Director Cristián Samper talks with Jennifer Tafe and USBG Executive Director Holly Shimizu (Photo by KW); Speak- ers Julie Velásquez Runk and Ruth Defries at the evening reception at the NMNH exhibition “Losing Paradise? Endangered Plants Here and Around the World” (Photo by Elaine Haug); The Symposium dinner in the Rotunda of the National Museum of Natural His- tory (Photo by EH); and Jay Bolin and speaker Allison Miller at the evening reception (Photo by KW).

Page 19 Art by Alice Tangerini

Persea americana P. Mill

Persea americana (Lauraceae), the avocado, was an illustration for Medicinal Plants of the West Indies (Reference Publications, 1982) by Edward S. Ayensu. Tangerini made the drawing using herbarium specimens and photographs from books in the Botany library. The avocado, although primarily noted as a food product, was listed as having medicinal qualities: “Leaf and bark teas for diarrhea, colds. Poultice of leaves for headache, rheumatism, sprains. Leaves boiled for tea for the blood. Drink for colds and lotion for pains. Leaves for fever and pain; high blood pressure.” The book was the second in a series on medicinal plants edited by Robert DeFilipps and illustrated by Tangerini, Cathy Pasquale and Mary Monsma. The ethnobotany and evolution of other cultivated plants were discussed at the ninth annual Smithsonian Botanical Symposium on September 25, 2010.

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