Department of Systematic Biology - Botany & the U.S. National Herbarium The Plant Press

New Series - Vol. 6 - No. 1 January-March 2003

Botany Profile Botanist Untangles Caribbean Vines By Robert DeFilipps ost people are surprised to the Serjania and Talisia being studied by Virgin Islands), to be published this year learn that the largely tropical Acevedo, exhibit a peculiar syndrome by Sheridan Press, Hanover, Pennsylva- dicot family Sapindaceae, wherein populations of the plants produce nia. The 387 species of vines treated here Msource of the edible fruit-bearing trees a male-flowered phase, followed by a are illustrated by Bobbi Angell, one of yielding akee (Blighia), rambutan female phase, and then by another male the most skilled botanical illustrators. (Nephelium) and leechee nuts (Litchi), phase. This little-explored phenomenon While a research fellow at the New also contains a large number of saponin- has been termed “sequentially monoe- York Botanical Garden from 1983-1989, laden, toxic vines. The New World cious” and “(duo) dichogamy,” and is Acevedo pursued graduate studies, with representatives of these vines are a believed by Acevedo to be a natural way Scott Mori (NY) as major professor, and special focus of research by curator to promote gene exchange among popula- received his Ph.D. from the City Univer- Pedro Acevedo-Rodríguez. tions. Altogether a fascinating array of sity of New York in May 1989, writing a Indeed, a mere look at some of the inquiries are presented by the neotropical dissertation on Serjania Sect. Platy- species epithets in the vine genus vines, but an even larger research subject, coccus. As of April 1989 he took up the Serjania Miller, which is now being studies of the flora of the West Indies and position of Associate Curator of Botany revised by Acevedo, can give a premoni- Caribbean Basin, particularly the Greater in the U.S. National Herbarium, and has tion of the effects of their various Antilles, with their varying degrees of maintained an active program of scien- chemical constituents. These include plant generic endemism, is also under his tific research on the systematics and plants named S. inebrians (“inebriating, purview. biogeography of tropical plants. Field intoxicating”), S. lethalis (“lethal”), S. cevedo was born in San Juan, studies have taken him to Mexico, South noxia (“noxious, injurious”), and S. Puerto Rico. He received a B.S. America (Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, piscatoria, the latter an indication of use from the University of Puerto Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, as a fish poison. A number of Amazonian Rico,A Mayagüez in 1977, and later held Suriname, Venezuela), and the West Amerindian tribes employ the ichthyo- several technical positions with the U.S. Indies (Cuba, Dominican Republic, toxic vines to catch fish, by introducing Forest Service studying plants in various Jamaica, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. and the macerated tissues of the crushed Puerto Rican forests including the Luquillo British Virgin Islands). Various collec- plant into rivers to release their stupefy- National Forest, followed by employment tions have resulted in new species, ing saponins. As a whole, perhaps about as a specialist with the Department of including the Puerto Rican Piptocoma 90 percent of Sapindaceae are usable as Natural Resources, Puerto Rico, doing acevedoi Pruski (Asteraceae) and Calyp- fish poison. ecological and floristic work in the Rio tranthes acevedoi Liogier (Myrtaceae) Besides their fish-numbing virtues, Abajo Forest. During this period a being named for him. some vining members of the Sapindaceae multitude of vines were observed and Extensive studies in the Caribbean exhibit unusual anomalous growth, with collected in the forests, the genesis of a flora in the 1990s culminated in a major stems produced as a rope-like structure, career-wide interest in their taxonomy and publication by Acevedo and collabora- and “watch-spring” tendrils that are distribution. A major manifestation of this tors entitled “Flora of St. John, U.S. probably modified lower cincinni of the interest is the 498-page book which Virgin Islands,” Memoirs of the New York inflorescences: they coil in one flat plane, Acevedo has prepared, now in press, Botanical Garden 78: 1-581 (1996). A instead of being spirally coiled in three entitled “Bejucos y Plantas Trepadoras de substantial grant of $73,500 from the dimensions. In addition, many unisexual- Puerto Rico e Islas Virgenes” (Vines and Homeland Foundation in California flowered members of this family, such as Climbing Plants of Puerto Rico and the Continued on page 11 Visitors

Bryan Simon, Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Terry Macfarlane, Western Australian Liliana Katinas, Universidad Nacional de Australia; Poaceae (10/3-10/4). Herbarium, Department of Conservation La Plata, Argentina; Onagraceae (11/9-12/ and Land Management; Poaceae (10/21-10/ 17). H. David Clarke , University of North 24). Carolina, Asheville; Guyana collections Piero Delprete, New York Botanical Gar- (10/9-10/13; 12/27-12/31). Sonia Franco Martinez, Instituto de Biolo- den; Rubiaceae (11/12-11/16). gia, UNAM, Mexico; Mexican Agavaceae Erin Tripp Trish Flaster , Philadelphia Academy of (10/23-10/31). , Botanical Liaisons; Plants Natural Sciences; Guyana collections (10/ as dietary supplements (11/13-11/14). 9-10/13; 12/27-12/31). Abisai Garcia Mendoza, Instituto de Biolo- Geoffrey Levin gia, UNAM, Mexico; Mexican Agavaceae , Illinois Natural History Myron Kimnach , Cactus and Succulent (10/23-10/31). Survey; Euphorbiaceae: Acalypha sp. (11/ Journal, Editor; Crassulaceae, Cactaceae, 13-11/15). Piperaceae (10/14-10/15). Qingjun Li, Xishuangbamna Tropical Sue duPont Botanical Garden; General research (10/28- , Maryland Department of Ag- Gregory Plunkett , Virginia Commonwealth 11/14). riculture; Herbarium consultation (11/14). University; Araliaceae: Polyscias and Xochitl Munn Schefflera (10/14-10/16). Grady Webster, University of California- , University of Texas, Davis; Euphorbiaceae: Croton and Phyl- Austin; Flora of Sierra Mazateca, Mexico Arthur Edward Salgado , Christian Broth- lanthus (10/28-11/8). (11/14). ers University; General research (10/15-10/ Rodney Dever 19). Fabian Michelangeli, New York Botanical , Shepherd College; Her- Garden; Melastomataceae (11/4-11/5). barium consultation (11/15). Lynn Gillespie, National Herbarium of Peter Hoch Canada, Canadian Museum of Nature; Poa Bonnie Crozier, University of Texas, , Missouri Botanical Garden, St. (Poaceae) (10/16-10/26). Austin; Cactaceae (11/7-11/13; 12/9-12/15). Louis; Onagraceae (11/24-12/11). German Carnevali Fernandez-Concha Jean Burns, Florida State University; Jose Panero, University of Texas, Austin; , Commelinaceae (10/17-10/21). Asteraceae (11/7-11/13; 12/9-12/15). Centro de Investigacion de Yucatan; Flora de Guaramacal; Flora Mesoamericana (12/ Jeffrey Johansen, John Carroll University; Jorge Crisci, Universidad Nacional de La 2-12/17). Drouet Cyanophyta Collection (10/21-10/ Plata, Argentina; Onagraceae (11/9-12/17). Continued on page 10 22). The Plant Press Travel

New Series - Vol. 6 - No. 1 Dan Nicolson traveled to Cartagena, 12/17) to attend the “Flora of China” Head of Botany Colombia (10/11–10/22) to attend the editorial committee meeting. W. John Kress International Association for Plant Taxon- Paula DePriest traveled to Durham, ([email protected]) omy (IAPT) business meeting as past North Carolina (10/28–10/29) to attend a president during the 8th Latin-American committee meeting for graduate student EDITORIAL STAFF Botanical Congress. Rebecca Yahr at Duke University. Co-Editors Maria Faust traveled to St. Petersburg, Gary Krupnick traveled to Kolkata, Gary Krupnick Florida (10/20–10/25) to present a paper at India (12/14–12/21) to present a paper as th ([email protected]) the X International Conference on Harm- an invited guest at the International Sym- Robert DeFilipps ful Algae. posium on Plant Biodiversity: Conserva- ([email protected]) Vicki Funk traveled to Oahu, Hawaii tion and Evaluation, at the Bose Institute. (10/20–11/05) to conduct research on Mark and Diane Littler traveled to Ft. News Contacts Asteraceae DNA analysis at the University Pierce, Florida (12/16–2/21) to conduct MaryAnn Apicelli, Robert Faden, Ellen Farr, George Russell, Alice Tangerini, and of Hawaii. ongoing research at the Smithsonian Elizabeth Zimmer W. John Kress traveled to Durham, Marine Station (SMS). North Carolina (10/28–10/29) to collaborate The Plant Press is a quarterly publication with graduate student Kyle Williams and provided free of charge. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please contact Gary to attend a committee meeting for graduate Krupnick at: Department of Systematic student Tanya Rehse at Duke University; Biology - Botany, Smithsonian Institution, PO to Denver, Colorado (11/1–11/2) with Alice Box 37012, NMNH MRC-166, Washington, Tangerini to visit the Denver Art Museum DC 20013-7012, or by e-mail: krupnick.gary@ nmnh.si.edu. exhibit on “A Passion for Plants” in order to make selections for a future exhibit at Web site: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/botany NMNH; and to St. Louis, Missouri (12/15–

Page 2 “Natural History Research and Collections: An Integrated Enterprise Chair to Inventory Life on Earth” he Smithsonian Institution was started in 1846 to Not only are we accountable for the curation and care curate the nation’s natural history collections of for our scientific collections, but we must continue to biological, anthropological, and geological enhance these specimens by placing them at the core of With Tspecimens. These collections numbering in the thou- our research activities. The Science Commission Report sands originated first from the activities of the Colum- emphatically supports this integration. bia Institute for Science of the 1820s followed by the The parallel and intertwined activities of research A Wilkes U.S. International Exploring Expedition of the and collections in natural history science programs are 1840s. Even at that time in the history of our country emphasized by the three central themes of the interna- the potential scientific value of plant and animal tional biodiversity agenda: 1) the inventory of diversity collections for understanding our world was recog- through exploration, discovery, and documentation; 2) View nized. With these natural history collections and the the mobilization through bioinformatics of the data con- bequest of James Smithson the Smithsonian became the tained in the three billion biological collections available premiere scholarly scientific institute in the nation, not worldwide; and 3) assembling the tree of life through only housing the collections, but promoting research phylogenetic analyses of morphological and molecular that utilized these specimens. characters. Scientists at NMNH have taken a leadership W. In the late 1800s the Institution accepted a third mis- role in establishing these priorities, especially through John sion: to educate the public about science by presenting the development and dissemination of Systematics displays of these collections in the Smithsonian Castle. Agenda 2000 and our efforts and activities surrounding Kress The public education function came to prominence dur- the Convention on Biological Diversity with associated ing the tenure of Secretary S. Dillon Ripley when a host international systematic initiatives, e.g. the Global Biodi- of new museums were initiated on and off the Mall. versity Information Facility and the Global Taxonomy Science and collections activities continued to grow, Initiative. This tripartite biodiversity agenda inextricably but the large measure of resources were directed to combines systematic research and collections with public exhibitions and educational programs. During achievable goals and products. the last two decades the emphasis on public programs At NMNH we must mobilize our own research forces has grown disproportionately at the expense of scien- to tackle these three major objectives and work along tific activities at the Smithsonian, especially as the lead- with the international community in pursuing bioinfor- ership changed from science-based to management- matics, phylogenetic classifications, and biotic inven- based. tory. As mentioned above, broad international funding The decline of support for science and collections at will soon be available for significant bioinformatics the Smithsonian during the last half-century was con- progress and the National Science Foundation (and firmed by the recent Report of the Smithsonian Science potentially the European science funding agencies) has Commission appointed by the Board of Regents. As a initiated new resources for assembling the tree of life. result of an extensive review of the research endeavors Two of the three objectives are now taking on a life of throughout the Smithsonian, the Science Commission their own with significant international support. A wide- has laid out a plan including 48 specific recommenda- ranging vision and plan for the third goal, the inventory tions to reset the institutional mission to balance of life, is yet to come. science and education activities. Within the scientific The scientific community at NMNH needs to take a ranks at the National Museum of Natural History, we serious look at how we can assume a leadership role in heartily welcome the recommendations of the Science this third systematics objective: to explore, to discover, Commission, especially the call to invigorate the lead- to identify, and to describe life in the remaining biodiver- ership in our Museum by establishing in the director’s sity priority areas of the world. The NGO conservation office a firm base in science and research. The appoint- community launched a very successful effort to identify, ment of Dr. Cristián Samper as the next director is a and in some cases prioritize, biodiversity “hot spots” for tremendously encouraging sign of progress. major management and preservation action. However, no natural history In addition to re-asserting science at the core of organization or biodiversity consortium has stepped up to formulate a NMNH, we must also maintain a balance and integra- coherent plan to inventory life in the poorly known regions of the planet. tion of research and collections activities in the Perhaps it is time that the biodiversity scientists at NMNH with the museum. Over the last decade it has not always been support of the Science Commission Report and a new director develop apparent that our research and collections pursuits and pilot a coordinated strategy to mobilize our efforts in were developing in tandem as integral functions central concert with the international taxonomic neighbor- to our scientific mission. Too often I have heard talk hood to inventory life on Earth. This endeavor is a only of our legal responsibility to maintain the national legitimate, universally agreed-upon scientific goal. collections with no parallel discussion of our scholarly If we, as the largest natural history museum in the responsibility to maintain vigorous research as well. world, don’t do it, then who will?

Page 3 have characterized the successful transi- on IAPT finances. The next day, Enrique Staff tion of green plants to land. Forero treated the council to an all-day trip to the mangroves. Nicolson also attended Research Staff Activities the week long 8th Latin-American Botanical Congress. They expected 750 delegates In October 2002, Robert DeFilipps partici- and were delighted that 1,200 came, pated as a research proposal evaluator for including about 40 from the U.S. There John Kress, with former Botany post-doc the United States Department of State were 907 posters, many courses (such as Linda Prince and current Duke graduate regarding India-U.S. projects, and was on a botanical illustration, botanical Latin, student Kyle Williams, published the proposal evaluation panel for the National biogeography, Araceae, ethnobotany), cover-story paper in the November issue Academy of Sciences regarding USAID- hundreds of papers, and a countless of the America Journal of Botany, the Israel projects. number of meetings. Nicolson reports that premier botanical journal in the plant th “it was truly a splendid show in a splendid sciences. The paper, entitled “The phylog- Maria Faust attended the X International city, an excellent Botanical Congress.” eny and a new classification of the gingers Conference on Harmful Algae, 21-25 (Zingiberaceae): evidence from molecular October, in St. Pete Beach, Florida. She On 20 October, Stanwyn Shetler was the data” (Amer. J. Bot. 89: 1682-1696) required presented a paper entitled “The occurrence keynote speaker for the Potowmack five years to complete. The investigation of harmful dinoflagellates: implications for Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant presents the first modern classification of transport in the Gulf Stream” coauthored Society in Annandale, Virginia. The the fifty genera in the family Zingibera- with P.A. Tester. The presentation pro- occasion of the annual meeting was the ceae, an economically important group of vided evidence that the Gulf Stream 20th anniversary celebration, and Shetler medicinal plants found primarily in South- apparently acts as the transport mecha- spoke on the “Role of Native Plant east Asia. nism for distributing coastal harmful algal Societies in Grass Roots Conservation.” bloom (HAB) dinoflagellates. This discov- On 28 October, Shetler lectured on “Local Alain Touwaide, visiting botanist, pub- ery suggests that swift moving currents Conservation and Biodiversity” in the lished “Arabic Materia Medica in Byzan- are involved in distributing HAB species Johns Hopkins University graduate tium during the 11th century A.D. and the between continents. course, “Biodiversity and Wildlife Con- problems of transfer of knowledge in servation,” in Washington, D.C. Medieval science” in Science and Tech- Gary Krupnick was an invited guest and nology in the Islamic World, Proceedings speaker at the “International Symposium Alain Touwaide, visiting scholar, attended of the XXth International Congress of on Plant Biodiversity: Conservation and the History of Science Society meeting, an History of Science (Liege, 20-26 July 1997), Evaluation,” 17-20 December, at the Bose international venue for scholars from all Volume XXI, edited by S.M. Razaullah Institute in Kolkata, India. He presented a over the world working on all possible Ansari, Turnhout (Belgium): Brepols, 2002, paper entitled “Using Natural History topics in the field of history of science. It p. 223-247. This work is the 21st volume of Resources to Test Conservation Hotspots was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on 6- the proceedings of the 1997 Meeting of the and Ecoregions in the Indo-Pacific,” co- 10 November. The general theme of this International Society for the History of authored with W. John Kress. The meeting year’s meeting was “Crossing Bound- Science where Touwaide delivered a paper. featured six invited guests from the U.K. aries.” In this context, Touwaide organized and U.S. as well as numerous presenta- a panel on “Crossing Boundaries: Transla- Elizabeth A. Zimmer and her collaborators tions from speakers from the Bose Institute tors and Translations in the Middle Ages (Kathleen M. Pryer, Harald Schneider, and and other Indian institutions. The scientific and the Renaissance.” The panel included Jo Ann Banks) published the cover article session addressed issues of exploration five papers on subjects as different as “Deciding among green plants for whole and benefit sharing; germplasm conserva- botany, philosophy, astronomy, cartogra- genome studies” for the December issue of tion; evaluation of plant genetic resources phy and literature. Trends in Plant Science (Vol. 7, No. 12, pp. for useful secondary metabolites; genome 550-554). The article argues that plant- analysis, molecular markers and biopros- genomic efforts can and should extend pecting for useful genes; biotechnological beyond angiosperm crop and model approaches; bio-informatics for database systems. The use of plant species repre- development; and strategy and action plan sentative of other crucial evolutionary for biodiversity conservation in West Staff on the Move nodes would produce the comparative Bengal. information necessary to understand fully the organization, function and evolution of Dan Nicolson visited Cartagena, Colombia Maxine Schein, volunteer for Alice Tan- plant genomes. This initiative includes the from 11-19 October. As the Immediate Past gerini for five years, left to pursue other simultaneous development of genomic President, Nicolson spent the first day in a art interests at her home. Schein had been tools for green algae, mosses, ‘seed-free’ meeting of the International Association working steadily every Tuesday since she vascular plants and gymnosperms. These for Plant Taxonomy Council. He presented came to Tangerini’s office on 8 September tools will provide insight into the complex a major revision of the IAPT Constitution 1998 for a total of 1,444 hours over five morphological, physiological, reproduc- and Bylaws done by a committee headed years on the Botanical Art Catalog. With a tive, and biochemical innovations that by Gerrit Davidse and a 3rd quarter report background in graphic design, Schein was Page 4 the perfect complement to the project of 200 km2 Guaramacal National Park in the undisturbed, closed-canopy forests. The sorting, mounting, and labeling original Andes of Venezuela. research team, however, has documented illustrations for the Botanical Art Catalog spectacular mass flowerings in several of John Kress while Tangerini handled the database entry , along with collaborators Nor- the study populations after fires burned in the computer. Schein understood the man Bourg, a Ph.D. candidate in biology at through the sites in 1996 and 1999. An techniques necessary to work with delicate the University of Maryland, Douglas Gill, a episode of fire disturbance increases the art objects and had the artist’s eye for professor of biology at the University of chance that an individual plant receives composing the artwork on its archival Maryland, and William McShea, a research pollen from another turkeybeard plant. backing. She mounted an entire group of scientist at the Smithsonian Institution’s Outcrossing produces more fruits and watercolors and ink drawings that came Conservation and Research Center, has seeds than self-pollination. Thus, habitat from Marine Fisheries, detailing the prepar- recently received a one-year grant from the disturbance by fire may influence the ation of algae into edible products. Many National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for abundance and distribution of this rare of these were of Japanese origin on fragile their research into the ecology and genet- species over the forest landscape. Bourg rice paper. The main project during her ics of a fire-adapted plant. A rare species of will be conducting genetic population stay was to mount and label (and repair) all lily called mountain asphodel (Xerophyl- analyses using isozyme electrophoresis in 700 plates from the Lyman B. Smith and lum asphodeloides) or turkeybeard, listed the Botany laboratory at Smithsonian’s Jack Downs’ “Monograph of the Bromelia- as state-endangered in portions of the Museum Support Center (MSC). ceae” published in three volumes (1974, Appalachian range, rarely blooms in 1977, 1979) in the Flora Neotropica series. This group of drawings came to be the Prescott Prize to Diane and Mark Littler most difficult to handle physically as many The Phycological Society of America mous keys, along with descriptions of of the pieces were glued, taped and even (PSA), a scientific society that promotes individual species and more than 1,600 line paper clipped to their original backings the study of algae, will present its 2002 drawings that illustrate morphological and and were often in some process of deteri- Gerald W. Prescott Prize to Diane and anatomical features. Complementary oration. Some plates had as many as 26 Mark Littler for their book Caribbean information for each species includes individual small drawings featuring almost Reef Plants: An Identification Guide to the abundance, geographical distribution, and as many species and up to five artists Reef Plants of the Caribbean, Bahamas, habitat information. The book is enlivened represented. These factors led to the Florida and Gulf of Mexico by numerous captioned reconfiguration of the database entry (2000. OffShore Graphics, photographs that depict fields on the Art Catalog web site by Ellen Inc., Washington, DC. 542 interesting reef phenom- Farr. Schein vowed that she would stay to pp.; http://www.erols.com/ ena, including hidden see the final entry which she did on 10 offshoregraphics/). The algal habitats, photosyn- December 2002. A small party was given on Prescott Prize is an en- thetic symbioses, her final day. Schein continues to work as dowed award that honors competition for space, a volunteer at the Naturalist Center in highly meritorious schol- herbivory, animal camou- Leesburg, Virginia, where her knowledge of arly work in the form of a flage and gardening design is much appreciated in helping with book or monograph behavior, and marine their exhibit displays. devoted to the algae and botanists at work. published during the last The marine plants Awards & two years. featured in the identifica- Grants The fruit of fifteen years tion guide are, along with of exploration in the waters corals, the major photo- Laurence Dorr received one of two 2002 of the greater Caribbean, synthetic producers and Scholarly Studies Program awards made to the Littlers’ book is being recognized for builders of reef systems. Members of the scientists at the National Museum of “its comprehensive treatment of the flora award committee appreciated “the wide- Natural History. The Scholarly Studies of the Caribbean, the abundance of spread need for a reference of this type Program was established to foster Smith- excellent plates and line drawings, and the and the fact that Caribbean Reef Plants sonian scholarship by providing support detail and editing of the text and keys.” will be utilized by a wide range of people, for projects that advance knowledge in The book combines the features of a user- including students, researchers, recre- important and significant ways, including friendly, photographic field guide and a ational users of the Caribbean marine new research initiatives. The successful scholarly monograph, with morphological environment, and reef managers.” The proposal entitled “Flora de Guaramacal, and anatomical information for 565 species committee concluded that “the book will Venezuela: I” will assist Dorr to complete of marine plants. More than 700 underwa- do a great deal to increase appreciation for the first of three projected volumes of this ter color photographs illustrate the beauty and knowledge of marine algae and flora of ca. 1,350 species of vascular and diversity of the marine flora. The tropical marine environments.” The Littlers plants. The first volume will treat ca. 500 photos enable the user to “picture-key” will formally receive the Prescott Prize in species of ferns and fern allies, gymno- specimens initially and then to make a June 2003 at the 57th Annual Meeting of sperms, and monocots that occur in the positive identification using the dichoto- the PSA at the Salishan Resort in Oregon.

Page 5 Thirteen Speakers to Explore the Botanical Frontiers of Southeast Asia at the 2003 Smithsonian Botanical Symposium Over the last decade significant new Botanic Garden. The speakers are: plant exploration in tropical South America. biodiversity discoveries and advances in • Robin Buell, The Institute for Genomic Two associated exhibits are planned to the plant sciences have been made in the Research, Rockville, Maryland; open to coincide with the symposium. At tropical areas of Southeast Asia through the National Museum of Natural History, Leonardo L. Co the collaborative efforts of local and • , University of the “A Passion for Plants: Contemporary Art foreign scientists. Exploration in many Philippines; from the Shirley Sherwood Collection” will remote and poorly surveyed regions in • Stuart Davies, Center for International open in March. “Traditions in Elegance” such countries as Laos, Cambodia, and Development and the Arnold Arbore- will open in January at the U.S. Botanical Myanmar is uncovering new taxa of plants tum, Harvard University; Garden. and animals and expanding the inventory • David L. Dilcher, Florida Museum of For more information and registration, of biodiversity. At the same time in China, Natural History, University of Florida, visit the Symposium Web site or call 202-357-2534. tive field and The registration deadline is 7 March. • Ge Sun, laboratory investi- Research Center gations have led to of Palaeontology, great strides in our Jilin University, understanding of Changchun, the ecological China; complexity of habitats as well as the evolutionary history • Nguyen Tien Hiep, National Center for and genetic diversity of plants in this Science and Technology, Hanoi, Viet region. Despite these innovations the Nam; increasing rate of destruction of pristine • Kuswata Kartawinata, Center for Inter- Teapots on Display environments necessitates rapid conserva- national Forestry Research (CIFOR), tion action. Jakarta, Indonesia; at the US Botanic The 2003 Smithsonian Botanical • U San Lwin, Institute of Forestry, Yezin, Garden Symposium, entitled “Botanical Frontiers Union of Myanmar; The United States Botanic Garden in Southeast Asia: from the Discovery of (USBG) has a new exhibit on display in the the Earliest Flowering Plants to the • Daniel A. Lagunzad, University of the East Gallery of the Conservatory, “Tradi- Sequencing of the Rice Genome,” will Philippines; tions in Elegance: 100 Teapots from the explore the numerous new developments • Hei Leung, International Rice Research Norwich Castle Museum,” on view 16 in our knowledge of plant diversity in Institute, Manila, Philippines; January through 30 March 2003. From Southeast Asia by bringing together • Christine Padoch, Institute of Eco- simple beverage to social ritual, the tea botanists from around the world for nomic Botany, New York Botanical plant has inspired devotion and charmed discussion and exchange. The Symposium Garden, Bronx; craftsmen in many cultures. On display is a will be held 28-29 March 2003 at the Jack Regalado selection of 100 teapots from the world’s National Museum of Natural History in • , Vietnam Botanical Con- finest collection at Norwich Castle Washington, D.C. Topics will include servation Program, Missouri Botanical Museum in England. An astounding recent fossil discoveries of the earliest Garden, St. Louis; and, variety of fanciful, utilitarian, historical, angiosperms, ethnobotanical surveys, • Christen Wemmer, Conservation and modern, and classical teapots are pre- systematics and floristics, forest structure, Research Center, Smithsonian Institu- sented. Also displayed is the world’s conservation, and breakthroughs in tion, Front Royal, Virginia. largest teapot made in 1851 for the Crystal genome technology. The third José Cuatrecasas Medal in Palace exhibition in London. The debut in The Symposium will include a day of Tropical Botany will be awarded at the Washington is the traveling exhibit’s final invited speakers followed by a keynote Smithsonian Botanical Symposium. This venue. “Traditions in Elegance” is part of address, and is being sponsored by the prestigious award is presented annually to an ongoing collaboration between Botany National Museum of Natural History, the an international scholar who has contrib- and the U.S. Botanic Garden. Plant Cuatrecasas Family Foundation, the uted significantly to advancing the field of specimens from the U.S. National Her- International Association for Plant tropical botany. The award is named in barium and the living collection at USBG Taxonomy, the United States Botanic honor of Dr. José Cuatrecasas, a pioneer- are featured in conjunction with the Garden, and Twinings Tea. An opening ing botanist who spent many years exhibit. John Kress served as an advisor reception will be held Friday evening, 28 working in the Department of Botany at for the exhibit and related educational March, in the Conservatory of the U.S. the Smithsonian and devoted his career to activities.

Page 6 Flora of Marquesas Islands Debuts on Web An isolated group of 12 volcanic hot approximately 45 percent being endemic to on the larger islands ranging from dry on spot islands in the southeastern Pacific the archipelago, including five endemic the leeward sides to mesic valleys and Ocean, the Marquesas Islands are one of genera. During the last two decades, cloud covered summits. The searchable five archipelagos of French Polynesia. A roughly 40 new species have been image gallery offers over 800 photographs number of botanical explorations to the discovered which represents a substantial of plants from these varied habitats. Marquesas Islands have been undertaken increase to the native vascular flora, Plans are underway to increase the since the late 1700s, but none have thereby accentuating the need for further scope of the Pacific Flora Web site to resulted in a comprehensive treatment of field exploration efforts. The present encompass other island groups. A flora of the flora. As a checklist the Hawaiian Islands is currently available response to this database on at . Wagner and David consists of The Flora of the Marquesas Islands is the H. Lorence (National 104 families, second module of what will be six over the Tropical Botanical 364 genera, next three years to cover the vascular Garden) initiated the and 597 taxa plants of the Oceanic Pacific (Hawaiian Flora of the of flowering Islands to Micronesia, to Fiji, to Easter Marquesas Islands plants and 27 Island). project. One result families, 55 Data are maintained by Wagner, of the project is the genera, and Lorence, and Denise Mix. Jessica Braun release of the new 117 taxa of prepared photographic images of plant Web site, “Flora of ferns and taxa for web presentation and helped the Marquesas Islands” related maintain the image database, with addi- . tion can be retrieved on specimens that Hodapp and Robynn Shannon processed The aim of the Web site is to provide a have been collected in the Marquesas, specimens and contributed to initial data- flexible query tool to access taxonomic and including a list of herbaria where collec- base development and maintenance. Tim geographical information on Marquesas tions are held. Flynn and Melany Chapin, of the National vascular plants. The overarching goal of The topography of the Marquesas Tropical Botanical Garden, developed and the project, however, is to present a Islands is extremely rugged and beautiful, maintain the NTBG database which has framework for preserving the biodiversity and the collection of images on the Web been incorporated with the Smithsonian of the islands. Of the nearly 714 vascular site attests to that fact. The rugged database. plant species, 337 species are native, with topography has produced varied habitats

Herbarium Welcomes Historic Wye Oak Specimens A partnership between the United specimens, in the National Herbarium. On in 1608, Capt. John Smith sailed up the States National Herbarium and two State of 14 November, the herbarium accepted the Chesapeake Bay mapping areas for future Maryland agencies becomes part of the last voucher specimens. settlements. He called the area “Brooke’s final chapter in the story of the great Wye Estimated to be 460 years old, the Wye Forest” and the Wye Oak became its most Oak, America’s largest white oak (Quercus Oak was already a mature specimen when, famous and longest living member. alba). The Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources have combined their efforts to preserve the remains of this champion tree after it crashed to earth dur- ing a fierce storm on 6 June 2002. The tree was 382 feet in circumference, 96 feet tall, and a crown spread of 119 feet—covering nearly one-third acre. With the assistance of biologists from the University of Maryland, Montgomery College and Anne Arundel Community College, a large amount of herbarium material has been collected and dried and will be stored, along with the last voucher

Page 7 rainforest “hotel” and “supermarket,” it Institute is readying a BPH update and Rediscovering an provides a home and food for many Gavin Bridson wants to verify their entries Unpublished Type fascinating creatures, all of which seem to against this card file. Deborah Bell be using the plant for their own gain. packaged the card files and sent the three During a recent examination of unpub- Stunning macro photography reveals how boxes to the Hunt Institute. Kiger acknowl- lished types, Dan Nicolson came across a butterflies, bees, ants, hummingbirds, bats edged receipt of the files in mid-January Philippine specimen from Mindanao and frogs take advantage of the plant’s and said that they were happy to add this collected by Edgar Mearns in 1904. It was offerings, while unwittingly making a vital resource to their collection. annotated Hoya schallertiae by C. M. contribution to the survival of the plant as Burton on 1 April 1982 and “Holotype.” pollinators, fertilizers and protectors. Nicolson pondered whether this specimen Web Access to was named for Botany’s librarian, Ruth Type Specimen Schallert. Hoya schallertiae does not appear on Ferns and the Web site of the International Plant Name Index (IPNI). The Kew Record of Cryptogams Now Taxonomic Literature under publications Available by “Burton CM,” however, lists number 67 The complete catalog of type speci- (of 91 publications) as “Hoya schallertiae mens from the United States National Burton CM Hoyan 3(4): 96-97. 1982 Herbarium (US) is now available on the (illustr.).” The listing in The Hoyan shows Botany Web site . For nearly two years a Web well as a citation of the US specimen. Best interface to type specimens for flowering of all was the dedication: “This hoya ... is plants and the growing type specimen named in honor of Mrs. Ruth Schallert, image collection (now numbering over Botany Librarian at Smithsonian Institu- Hidden Treasure 25,000 images) was provided. The type tion in Washington, D.C. U.S.A., who has Found in the specimen records for ferns and crypto- helped me, (and HSI) far beyond the call of gams, however, were accessible only on duty, in obtaining Hoya research material.” Botany Library the Internet Gopher server application that Schallert was unaware that a species had In late November, Botany librarian Ruth was set up in 1994. Over 95,000 records for been named for her, and she plans to write Schallert found three boxes of hundreds type specimens are now available on the a thank-you note, twenty years late. of handwritten slips with journal titles and Web. Nicolson contacted Rosemary Davies, call numbers of area libraries. The boxes indexer for Index Kewensis, who confirmed had turned up during construction that this overlooked name will be added. associated with the library expansion. Schallert had no idea where they came from. She saw no use in keeping the card file and turned them over to Dan Nicolson. Nicolson’s first guess as to their origin was that they were from the early days of the Index Nominum Genericorum (ING), a project initiated in 1954 as a compilation of generic names published for all organisms covered by the International Code of Introducing Hotel Botanical Nomenclature. Ellen Farr, computer specialist and current co-editor Staff Lecture Heliconia of ING, had never seen or used the card Series Continues file. In November, W. John Kress intro- The Botany lecture series continued on Nicolson then chatted with Laurence duced a screening of the BBC documen- 8 October with Laurence J. Dorr present- Dorr and they agreed that the card file tary Hotel Heliconia at the National ing “Guaramacal: Botanical Exploration in would best be offered to the Hunt Institute Museum of Natural History Film and the Venezuelan Andes.” On 5 November, for Botanical Documentation since they Lecture Series. Serving as an advisor to guest speaker, Qing-Jun Li, from the published the periodical index Botanico- the film, Kress provided natural history Xishaungbanna Tropical Botanical Garden Periodicum-Huntianum (BPH). Nicolson anecdotes to producer and director Phil in Yunnan, China, presented “Research on copied a small selection of files, sent it to Savoie. The 45-minute film reveals the Flexistyly, a Unique Floral Mechanism in Robert Kiger, Director of the Hunt Insti- story of the Heliconia, a tropical rain and Alpinia (Zingiberaceae).” Botany curators tute, and asked if they would like to have cloud forest plant with some of the most will resume delivering research seminars the collection. It turns out that the Hunt beautiful flowers on Earth. Both a each month at the start of the new year.

Page 8 Science Commission Proposes New Vision for Science at the Smithsonian The Smithsonian Science Commission, recent decades, science has been “unfo- an Institution-wide strategic-management an 18-member committee established by cused and under-funded.” To recapture its and fund-raising plan for science educa- the Board of Regents, the Institution’s prominence in the sciences and once again tion. Restoration of the Scholarly Studies governing body, recently released “The become a national leader in science will and Fellowships programs, creation of an Report of the Smithsonian Institution “require strong leadership, setting of education council and establishment of a Science Commission,” a 15-month study Institution-wide priorities that emphasize biannual “Smithsonian Conference” series examining all science activities at the the four-theme vision and a reversal of to showcase emerging matters of public Institution. Headed by Jeremy A. Sabloff, years of declining support through better interest should follow quickly. Director of the University of Pennsylvania communication of the importance of The challenges facing Smithsonian Museum of Archaeology and Anthropol- scientific research at the Smithsonian.” science today stem, in part, from inad- ogy, and including Warren Wagner Sabloff described several ways to equate communication of the Institution’s among its members, the Commission called overcome the financial hurdle: increase research, according to the commission. on the Institution to renew its dedication efforts to fund scientific activities through They recommend that the Under Secretary to science by improving leadership, private and foundation sources; work with for Science and the Director of Communi- communications and funding. Congress to obtain direct federal funding cations and Public Affairs should work The Commission proposed a core for research; encourage all Smithsonian together to promote Smithsonian research mission based on four key themes that scientists to compete for National Science to many audiences. “will provide a strategic platform for both Foundation grants; and seek full funding The full text of the science commission the short- and long-term growth of science of mandatory annual salary increases from report is available at . costly, large-scale administrative reorgani- commission’s report. zation.” These themes would provide a In its assessment of the National blueprint or vision for the future of science Museum of Natural History, the commis- at the Smithsonian. The commission calls sion recognized the importance of the this vision Science Smithsonian, and lists museum’s collections (124 million items) the themes as follows: Origin and Nature and the need to maintain this “vital and of the Universe; Formation and Evolution unique national resource.” A lack of of the Earth and Similar Planets; Discover- leadership and inadequate funding, ing and Understanding Life’s Diversity; however, have taken their toll on the and, Study of Human Diversity and museum. The report makes nine specific Culture Change. recommendations on subjects ranging Sabloff told the Board of Regents, at its from department structure to the relation- meeting on 6 January, that “the science ship between science and exhibitions. mission of the Smithsonian is vital to the The commission recommends that the future of the Institution,” and that its Smithsonian take up the goal of becoming collections make the Smithsonian an the world’s preeminent science educator, internationally important resource. But, in starting at once with the development of

Researching the Medicinal Plants of Antiquity Alain Touwaide, research associate and Library of Rome, compiling a comprehen- generated will stimulate progress in many visiting botanist, has received funding sive database of ancient therapeutic areas, from the integration of traditional from the Earthwatch Institute for his practices from rare books and archaeologi- medicines to an epidemiology of the project entitled “Medicinal Plants of cal sites. ancient world. Antiquity.” This project consists of As part of the first year of Touwaide’s analyzing early printed herbals the project, volunteer field assistants will Renaissance period, the late 15th and 16th become intimately familiar with historic century, to increase the database he has texts in the Rare Book Department. built on plants in the ancient Mediterra- Although most of the books are in Latin, nean world. For the past decade, Touwaide field assistants will collect data on plant has been investigating therapeutic representations, plant names, and refer- prescriptions and plant representations in ences to ancient texts. Two days will ancient Greek and Arabic manuscripts. involve visits to archaeological sites, such Starting next summer, Earthwatch volun- as Pompeii and Ostia, to research botanical teers will work with him at the National representations found there. The database

Page 9 Two New Monographs are Published in Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Maria Faust has published “Identify- mental researchers and health profession- Guyana showing collecting localities. Part ing Harmful Marine Dinoflagellates” (2002, als. IV lists collections in numerical order with Smithsonian Institution, Contributions Tom Hollowell, Lynn Gillespie (Cana- identifications and authors. Part V lists from the United States National Her- dian Museum of Nature, Ottawa), Vicki collections ordered by determined name. barium 42: 1-144). The guide is the most Funk, and Carol Kelloff have published The appendix is a personal account by the comprehensive reference manual for “Smithsonian Plant Collections, Guyana: collector describing some of her experi- identifying harmful algal bloom (HAB) 1989 – 1991, Lynn J. Gillespie” (2003, ences while collecting plants in Guyana. dinoflagellates. The guide illustrates the Smithsonian Institution, Contributions This volume is the second in a series on morphology of toxin-producing HAB from the United States National Her- the Smithsonian Institution’s Biological species, which have been implicated to barium 44: 1-104). This publication details Diversity of the Guianas collectors, the cause red tides, marine life mortality, and the Guyana collections of Lynn J. Gillespie. first being on the collections of John J. seafood-borne human diseases. The It is intended as a comprehensive refer- Pipoly, which is available at . synonyms, and etymology. Information is mists interested in particular groups of also available on species reproduction plants. The volume also contains a list of ecology, biogeography, distribution, collections of particular interest, a fascinat- habitat and locality. Species illustrations ing narrative about the collecting trips, and are presented as SEM and light micro- photographs of localities and plants taken graphs and line drawings. A comprehen- by Gillespie. Part I provides the collector’s sive glossary and reference section is notes on trips in chronological order. Part included. This fully illustrated reference II lists collection localities, with collection guide is intended for the scientist, instruc- number ranges, habitat descriptions, tor and student. It can also serves as a geographic coordinates, and assisting field guide for marine biologists, environ- collectors. Part III consists of maps of

Revealing the Beauty of Vegetable Gardens Susan Pennington, contractor to Paul Peterson, has recently released Feast Your Eyes: The Unexpected Beauty of Veg- etable Gardens, published by University of California Press, in association with Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibi- Visitors Continued from page 2 tion Service. The book examines the historical antecedents of the modern Erika Fernandez Terrazas movement of beautifying traditional , Centro de Bio- vegetable gardens as well as the changing diversidad y Genetica, Universidad Mayor perceptions of the beauty of vegetable de San Simon, Bolivia; Commelinaceae (12/ gardens over time and among different As the boundary between vegetable 8-12/20). cultures. Generously illustrated with over garden and flower garden has become Patricia DeAngelis, U.S. Fish & Wildlife one hundred historical and contemporary blurred, the same is true for vegetables. Service; Cimicifuga racemosa (Ranun- photographs and artwork highlighting Horticulturists have developed popular culaceae) (12/12; 12/17). material from the Smithsonian Institution’s garden ornamentals from kale, chili Archives of American Gardens, this book peppers, sweet potato, and eggplant. Jeffery Lake, University of Georgia; provides a fascinating and wide-ranging Pennington provides “biographies” of General research (12/13-12/23). discussion of such topics as the vegetable these vegetables and describes new Richard Mack, Washington States garden at Versailles, Ming dynasty varieties that are being developed for their University; Poaceae (Bromus) and vegetable gardens, the war gardens of aesthetic qualities. She shows how this is Berberidaceae (Berberis) (12/13-12/16). World War I, World War II victory gar- not a uniquely modern phenomenon but is dens—including those of the Japanese rooted in the introduction of exotic Jeanmaire Molina, Rutgers University; American internees—and vegetable still vegetables to Europe starting as early as Apocynaceae: Neubergia sp. (12/23-12/ lifes. the thirteenth century. 23).

Page 10 Acevedo Hamburg), Acevedo, as senior contribu- (eds.). Guide to the Vascular Plants of Continued from page 1 tor with three co-authors, has submitted Central French Guiana. Part 2. Dicotyle- an account of Sapindaceae which is dons. Memoirs of the New York Botanical provided finances for the book, which is going to pave the way for clarifying and Garden 76(2): 145-151. fully illustrated by Bobbi Angell. At the revising the chaotic tribal classification(s) Feuillet, C. 2002. Passifloraceae. In: S.A. present time, Acevedo is deeply involved within the family. Mori, G. Cremers, C. Gracie, J.-J. de Gran- with projects on floras of the Greater Acevedo is strongly committed to the ville, S.V. Heald, M. Hoff and J.D. Mitchell Antilles (Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola [Haiti values of biological conservation, and (eds.). Guide to the Vascular Plants of and Dominican Republic], Puerto Rico), as has demonstrated this along several Central French Guiana. Part 2. Dicotyle- well as the preparation and publication of avenues. For example, he studied the dons. Memoirs of the New York Botanical Sapindaceae treatments for the floras of effects of the devastating Hurricane Garden 76(2): 566-570. Venezuelan Guayana Hugo in Puerto Rico (excluding Paullinia) in 1990 and produced Feuillet, C., and O. Poncy. 2002. Aristo- and the Guianas a video on it; he lochiaceae. In: S.A. Mori, G. Cremers, C. (Guyana, Suriname, participated and wrote Gracie, J.-J. de Granville, S.V. Heald, M. French Guiana). (as first co-author) the Hoff and J.D. Mitchell (eds.). Guide to the Currently, Acevedo Flora section of a Vascular Plants of Central French Guiana. is preparing taxonomic biodiversity assess- Part 2. Dicotyledons. Memoirs of the New treatments of the ment of the Lower York Botanical Garden 76(2): 87-89. families Araceae (with Urubamba River Dan H. Nicolson), region of Peru in 1997; Feuillet, C. and L.E. Skog. 2002. Gesneri- Dioscoreaceae, and he co-authored aceae. In: S.A. Mori, G. Cremers, C. Gracie, Smilacaceae, and with W. John Kress J.-J. de Granville, S.V. Heald, M. Hoff and Cyperaceae (with and others (1998, J.D. Mitchell (eds.). Guide to the Vascular research assistant 2000) articles with Plants of Central French Guiana. Part 2. Mark T. Strong) for a respect to biotic Dicotyledons. Memoirs of the New York publication on “Mono- assessment and Botanical Garden 76(2): 334-344. cots of Puerto Rico and conservation priorities Kelloff, C.L., J. Skog, L. Adamkewicz and the Virgin Islands,” a on Amazonian C. Werth. 2002. Differentiation of eastern project originated by biodiversity. North American Athyrium filix-femina taxa: George R. Proctor (Jamaica), and being So his work proceeds towards more evidence from allozymes and spores. edited by Acevedo. He is approximately precise delimitations of the areas of high American Fern Journal 92(3): 185-213. half done with a draft of Sapindaceae for plant endemism in the Greater Antilles, a the “Flora of the Guianas,” an international region whose natural vegetation (after Levin, R.A., W.L. Wagner, P. Hoch, M. project being edited at Utrecht, The the Carib and Arawak Indians were Nepokroeff, J.C. Pires, E.A. Zimmer and Netherlands; eighteen genera are in the demolished) has been under alteration for K.J. Sytsma. 2003. Family-level relation- Guianan flora. His Sapindaceae account for 500 years since the days of Spanish ships of Onagraceae based on chloroplast Scott Mori et al.’s “Guide to the Vascular colonization. In those giant Caribbean rbcL and ndhF data. American Journal of Plants of Central French Guiana” (2002) islands, as explained by Acevedo, there is Botany 90: 107-115. was recently published, while the much basic floristic work yet to be Peñaloza-Jiménez, G., P.M. Peterson and D. Melicocceae (Sapindaceae) is in press for accomplished before an understanding of Giraldo-Cañas. 2002. Los géneros Eragros- “Flora Neotropica” Volume 87. the true relationships of the floras from tis y Leptochloa (Poaceae: Cynodonteae) Beyond those activities, Acevedo is one island to the next can be achieved. en Colombia. Hickenia 35: 133-141. the Coordinator for Angiosperms, in a By knowing these biotic relationships consortium of investigators preparing a and floristic complexities in terms of Skog, J.E., E.A. Zimmer and J.T. Mickel. “Flora of the Greater Antilles.” In addition biogeography and phyletic lines, we will 2002. Additional support for two subgen- to having a treatment of Sapindaceae be able to better understand the various era of the genus Anemia Swartz from underway for that flora, he is compiling a influences of plant migrations, extinc- preliminary data of the chloroplast gene “Checklist of Seed Plants of the Greater tions, introductions of species through trnL-F and morphology. The Fern Journal Antilles” with the assistance of Strong and human activities, and the effects of 92: 119-130. various family contributors. A rough draft generations of disturbances in the based on the compilations has been vegetation. Zimmer, E.A., E.H. Roalson, L.E. Skog, completed, which will facilitate future J.K. Boggan and A. Idnurm. 2002. Phylo- analyses of generic endemism amongst the Publications genetic relationships in the Gesnerioideae islands. (Gesneriaceae) based on nrDNA ITS and cpDNA trnL-F and trnE-T spacer region For the series of books on “The Feuillet, C. 2002. Boraginaceae. In: S.A. sequences. American Journal of Botany Families and Genera of Vascular Plants” Mori, G. Cremers, C. Gracie, J.-J. de Gran- 89: 296-311. edited by Klaus Kubitzki (Universität ville, S.V. Heald, M. Hoff and J.D. Mitchell

Page 11 Art by Alice Tangerini

Serjania erythrocaulis Acev.-Rodr. & Somner. Serjania erythrocaulis Acev.-Rodr. & Somner. is a new Serjania species collected by Acevedo and a collaborator whle doing field work in the southeastern states of Brazil. This woody vine has a reddish coloration not known from any other species of Serjania. It is known only from the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil.

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