Redbay (Persea Borbonia) Abundance and the Potential Effect of Laurel Wilt Disease in the Bald Head Woods Reserve, North Carolina, USA

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Redbay (Persea Borbonia) Abundance and the Potential Effect of Laurel Wilt Disease in the Bald Head Woods Reserve, North Carolina, USA Redbay (Persea borbonia) abundance and the potential effect of Laurel Wilt Disease in the Bald Head Woods Reserve, North Carolina, USA Maureen E. Dewire Department of Environmental Studies, University of North Carolina at Wilmington Submitted in partial fulfillment of Masters of Arts Degree May 2011 ! "! Table of Contents Abstract………………………………………………………………………………3 Introduction…………………………………………………………………………..3 Methods………………………………………………………………………………9 Results………………………………………………………………………………...10 Discussion…………………………………………………………………………….11 Figures and Tables…………………………………………………………………....14 Map of P. borbonia and LWD Distribution………………………………….14 Map of Study Site…………………………………………………………….15 Graphs of P. borbonia Percent Cover in BHI Woods………………………..16 Tables of Transects 1-5………………………………………………………17-18 Works Cited…………………………………………………………………………..19 ! #! Abstract Laurel Wilt Disease (LWD) has spread rapidly across the southeastern United States since first identified in Georgia in 2004, causing significant mortality of redbay (Persea borbonia) in the coastal plain. Vectored by the invasive redbay ambrosia beetle (Xlyeborus glabratus), LWD is a fungal disease (Raffaelea lauricola) that causes near 100% mortality in infected areas with no effective methods of control identified to date. Aided by anthropogenic actions, LWD is now established in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Mississippi. Bald Head Woods Reserve, located on Bald Head Island, North Carolina, is a 191-acre preserve of maritime forest at risk of losing its redbay population should LWD expand to the island. Maritime forests are globally imperiled ecosystems that are generally not well understood. Further, there is even less known about how forest compositions will be altered by the removal of redbay from the system. This study sought to identify the percent cover of redbay in Bald Head Woods in anticipation of the imminent arrival of LWD. Examination of 52 quadrats along five transects within the reserve boundary lines found that approximately 11.4% of the plant cover in the Bald Head Woods is redbay with the majority occurring in the southern portion of the forest. Future monitoring of the current redbay population will be essential to better understanding the impacts of LWD. It is suggested that the current redbay population be categorized by size and closely monitored for LWD infection. If and when LWD impacts Bald Head Woods, it will be important to study the rate of death, the size class affected, changes in forest species composition and signs of successful regeneration. Introduction Maritime forest communities can be found along the eastern seaboard of the United States, stretching from North Carolina south to Florida, restricted to barrier islands and the adjacent mainland (Bellis, 1995). Defined by the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission as “those woodlands that have developed under the influence of salt spray on barrier islands and estuarine shorelines”, maritime forest are influenced by several environmental factors: exposure to high levels of salt; strong winds and tidal overwash during storm events; poor nutrient levels in the soil; limited supply of freshwater; unstable soil that is prone to wind or water erosion (Bellis, 1995). There are several distinct but related communities within this coastal zone, defined by ! $! their species composition and physical characteristics (Schafale and Weakley, 1990). Specifically, maritime evergreen forests are located on barrier islands, formed on old sand dunes that are out of the reach of storm surge flooding and away from the most intense salt spray. They differ from other coastal zone communities (maritime deciduous forest, maritime shrub and coastal fringe evergreen) by the presence of hardwoods in the canopy (Q. virginiana and Q. hemispaerica), a tree canopy height of greater than 5m tall, and their limited distribution on barrier islands or the ocean side peninsulas, respectively (Schafale and Weakley, 1990). Although somewhat protected, maritime evergreen forests must cope with a series of stresses including a constant salt spray and disturbance from storm events including hurricanes (Schafale and Weakley, 1990). This community is distinguished from the maritime deciduous forest by the presence of live oak (Quercus virginiana) and laurel oak (Quercus hemisphaerica) as the dominant canopy trees (Bellis, 1995). The Smith Island Complex in southeastern North Carolina is a southern variant of this forest, with Sabal palmetto (Sabal palmetto) an additional member of the forest canopy (Bellis, 1995). Together, these trees provide a network of limbs and foliage that create a canopy, thereby protecting the understory trees, shrubs and vines that include red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria), Carolina laurel cherry (Prunus caroliniana), redbay (Persea borbonia), flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), wild olive (Osmanthus americanus), American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia), poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) and Smilax spp (Bellis, 1995). Considered globally imperiled ecosystems, maritime forests are a critical component to the overall health and stability of barrier islands providing habitat and foraging material for wildlife, stabilizing the soil and acting as a buffer against severe storms. These features also make ! %! maritime forests attractive for development and many have been partially or fully removed to make room for homes and buildings, an action likely to have long-term negative impacts on the health of such forests (Schafale and Weakley, 1990). Habitat fragmentation and the loss of biological and ecological functions as a result of development is one of the greatest challenges facing maritime forests (Bellis, 1995). A more recent threat to the health of maritime forests is the introduction of non-native, invasive species that have the potential to wreak havoc on entire ecosystems. Due in large part to the expansion of global trade, the unintentional introduction of harmful species has increased significantly in recent years (Liebhold et al. 1995). Pimentel et al. estimate an astonishing 50,000 non-native species now occur in the United States with some brought in intentionally, others by accident (2000). While not all introduced species will become established and some are even beneficial, a lack of natural predators outside their normal range allows exotics to rapidly overrun their native counterparts, resulting in the potential for catastrophic losses, both ecologically and economically (Pimental et al. 2000). Invasive species are considered one of the leading causes of biodiversity loss; 49% of imperiled species are in decline in large part due to non-native species, according to federal agencies and The Nature Conservancy (Wilcove et al. 1998). Two of the greatest threats to the health of forests in the United States are the introduction of insects and pathogens. Familiar examples include the chestnut blight fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica) and the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae), both infestations resulting in massive alterations in forests and species composition across the northeastern United States (Spiegel, 2005). In the past decade, a newly introduced species, the redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus), has established itself across the coastal plain of the southeastern United States. The ! &! 2mm-long beetle vectors a non-native fungus (Raffaelea lauricola), resulting in widespread mortality of redbay (Persea borbonia) trees and other members of the Lauraceae family, including sassafras and avocado (Fraedrich et al. 2008). First discovered in 2002 near Georgia’s largest shipping port in Savannah, it is assumed that X. glabratus, an ambrosia beetle native to Asia, arrived via cargo ships and wood packing material (Fraedrich et al. 2008). By 2003 and 2004, significant mortality events of redbay trees were being documented in the coastal regions of both Georgia and South Carolina, though the exact cause was not determined until late 2004 by which time eradication was deemed unfeasible (USDA, 2010). Inspection of the dead trees resulted in the discovery of several species of ambrosia beetles, some native, some exotic. One native ambrosia beetle, the black twig borer (Xylosandrus compactus) is known to cause damage to small diameter branches on redbay trees, mimicking the initial damage caused by X. glabratus; the twig borer however does not impact larger limbs or kill the entire tree as X. glabratus does (USDA, 2010). Like most ambrosia beetle species, adult X. glabratus bore into healthy trees, creating tunnels in which they lay their eggs. As part of a symbiotic relationship, the beetle carries a fungus in its mycangia that is released into the tree and serves as food for the developing larvae (Fraedrich et al. 2008). This fungus, R. lauricola, spreads through the vascular tissue of the tree, prohibiting the uptake of nutrients and water, resulting in the ‘wilt’ appearance and eventual death of the tree, hence the name Laurel Wilt Disease (LWD) (Fraedrich et al. 2008). In an experiment carried out by Fraedrich et al., R. lauricola was found regularly inside the head of X. glabratus confirming their symbiotic relationship (2008). Further in their experiment, they found that when X. glabratus were exposed to redbay trees, 96% of the trees were bored into by the beetles, 70% of the trees died, and R. lauricola was present in 91% (Fraedrich, 2008). Results from these experiments
Recommended publications
  • Approved Plant List 10/04/12
    FLORIDA The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, the second best time to plant a tree is today. City of Sunrise Approved Plant List 10/04/12 Appendix A 10/4/12 APPROVED PLANT LIST FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES SG xx Slow Growing “xx” = minimum height in Small Mature tree height of less than 20 feet at time of planting feet OH Trees adjacent to overhead power lines Medium Mature tree height of between 21 – 40 feet U Trees within Utility Easements Large Mature tree height greater than 41 N Not acceptable for use as a replacement feet * Native Florida Species Varies Mature tree height depends on variety Mature size information based on Betrock’s Florida Landscape Plants Published 2001 GROUP “A” TREES Common Name Botanical Name Uses Mature Tree Size Avocado Persea Americana L Bahama Strongbark Bourreria orata * U, SG 6 S Bald Cypress Taxodium distichum * L Black Olive Shady Bucida buceras ‘Shady Lady’ L Lady Black Olive Bucida buceras L Brazil Beautyleaf Calophyllum brasiliense L Blolly Guapira discolor* M Bridalveil Tree Caesalpinia granadillo M Bulnesia Bulnesia arboria M Cinnecord Acacia choriophylla * U, SG 6 S Group ‘A’ Plant List for Single Family Homes Common Name Botanical Name Uses Mature Tree Size Citrus: Lemon, Citrus spp. OH S (except orange, Lime ect. Grapefruit) Citrus: Grapefruit Citrus paradisi M Trees Copperpod Peltophorum pterocarpum L Fiddlewood Citharexylum fruticosum * U, SG 8 S Floss Silk Tree Chorisia speciosa L Golden – Shower Cassia fistula L Green Buttonwood Conocarpus erectus * L Gumbo Limbo Bursera simaruba * L
    [Show full text]
  • Plant Succession on Burned Areas in Okefenokee Swamp Following the Fires of 1954 and 1955 EUGENE CYPERT Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge U.S
    Plant Succession on Burned Areas in Okefenokee Swamp Following the Fires of 1954 and 1955 EUGENE CYPERT Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge U.S. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and 'Wildlife Waycross, GA 31501 INTRODUCTION IN 1954 and 1955, during an extreme drought, five major fires occurred in Okefenokee Swamp. These fires swept over approximately 318,000 acres of the swamp and 140,000 acres of the adjacent upland. In some areas in the swamp, the burning was severe enough to kill most of the timber and the understory vegetation and burn out pockets in the peat bed. Burns of this severity were usually small and spotty. Over most of the swamp, the burns were surface fires which generally killed most of the underbrush but rarely burned deep enough into the peat bed to kill the larger trees. In many places the swamp fires swept over lightly, burning surface duff and killing only the smaller underbrush. Some areas were missed entirely. On the upland adjacent to the swamp, the fires were very de­ structive, killing most of the pine timber on the 140,000 acres burned over. The destruction of pine forests on the upland and the severe 199 EUGENE CYPERT burns in the swamp caused considerable concern among conservation­ ists and neighboring land owners. It was believed desirable to learn something of the succession of vegetation on some of the more severely burned areas. Such knowl­ edge would add to an understanding of the ecology and history of the swamp and to an understanding of the relation that fires may have to swamp wildlife.
    [Show full text]
  • TAXON:Conocarpus Erectus L. SCORE:5.0 RATING:Evaluate
    TAXON: Conocarpus erectus L. SCORE: 5.0 RATING: Evaluate Taxon: Conocarpus erectus L. Family: Combretaceae Common Name(s): button mangrove Synonym(s): Conocarpus acutifolius Willd. ex Schult. buttonwood Conocarpus procumbens L. Sea mulberry Assessor: Chuck Chimera Status: Assessor Approved End Date: 30 Jul 2018 WRA Score: 5.0 Designation: EVALUATE Rating: Evaluate Keywords: Tropical Tree, Naturalized, Coastal, Pure Stands, Water-Dispersed Qsn # Question Answer Option Answer 101 Is the species highly domesticated? y=-3, n=0 n 102 Has the species become naturalized where grown? 103 Does the species have weedy races? Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) - If 201 island is primarily wet habitat, then substitute "wet (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) (See Appendix 2) High tropical" for "tropical or subtropical" 202 Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2-high) (See Appendix 2) High 203 Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility) y=1, n=0 n Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or 204 y=1, n=0 y subtropical climates Does the species have a history of repeated introductions 205 y=-2, ?=-1, n=0 n outside its natural range? 301 Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see Appendix 2), n= question 205 y 302 Garden/amenity/disturbance weed 303 Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed n=0, y = 2*multiplier (see Appendix 2) n 304 Environmental weed n=0, y = 2*multiplier (see Appendix 2) n 305 Congeneric weed n=0, y = 1*multiplier (see Appendix 2) n 401 Produces spines, thorns or burrs y=1, n=0 n 402 Allelopathic 403 Parasitic y=1, n=0 n 404 Unpalatable to grazing animals 405 Toxic to animals y=1, n=0 n 406 Host for recognized pests and pathogens 407 Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans y=1, n=0 n 408 Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems y=1, n=0 n 409 Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle y=1, n=0 n Creation Date: 30 Jul 2018 (Conocarpus erectus L.) Page 1 of 17 TAXON: Conocarpus erectus L.
    [Show full text]
  • Impacts of Laurel Wilt Disease on Native Persea of the Southeastern United States Timothy M
    Clemson University TigerPrints All Dissertations Dissertations 5-2016 Impacts of Laurel Wilt Disease on Native Persea of the Southeastern United States Timothy M. Shearman Clemson University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_dissertations Recommended Citation Shearman, Timothy M., "Impacts of Laurel Wilt Disease on Native Persea of the Southeastern United States" (2016). All Dissertations. 1656. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_dissertations/1656 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Dissertations at TigerPrints. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Dissertations by an authorized administrator of TigerPrints. For more information, please contact [email protected]. IMPACTS OF LAUREL WILT DISEASE ON NATIVE PERSEA OF THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES A Dissertation Presented to the Graduate School of Clemson University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy Forest Resources by Timothy M. Shearman May 2016 Accepted by: Dr. G. Geoff Wang, Committee Chair Dr. Saara J. DeWalt Dr. Donald L. Hagan Dr. Julia L. Kerrigan Dr. William C. Bridges ABSTRACT Laurel Wilt Disease (LWD) has caused severe mortality in native Persea species of the southeastern United States since it was first detected in 2003. This study was designed to document the range-wide population impacts to LWD, as well as the patterns of mortality and regeneration in Persea ecosystems. I used Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data from the U.S. Forest Service to estimate Persea borbonia (red bay) populations from 2003 to 2011 to see if any decline could be observed since the introduction of LWD causal agents.
    [Show full text]
  • Persea Species Restoration in Laurel Wilt Epidemic Areas
    Persea Species Restoration in Laurel Wilt Epidemic Areas Photo: Chip Bates Photo: LeRoy Rodgers Melbourne, Florida Ambrosia beetles are typically harmless But, some are causing mass tree mortality Xyleborus glabratus – redbay ambrosia beetle Clonal symbiosis! Raffaelea lauricola - Ophiostomatales Lauraceae are dominant canopy species throughout the tropics • Over 3000 species so taxonomy is poorly understood • Important essential oils: repel insects, perfumes, spices, fragrant wood and www.mobot.org medicine • Agriculturally important: avocado and spices Non-native Lauraceae susceptibility to Raffaelea lauricola Cinnamomum pedunculatum (Japanese cinnamon) Lindera megaphylla 30 days PI (Asia) wilt some, then stop 20 days PI overall tolerant but not resistant Persea podadenia (Mexico) overall susceptible 30 days PI ~35 more species to test Known hosts in the USA Persea borbonia - Redbay Persea palustris – Swamp bay Persea humilis - Silkbay Persea americana - Avocado *Persea indica Cinnamomum camphora – Camphor tree AGprofessional.com Sassafras albidum - Sassafras *Umbellularia californica – California bay laurel Laurus nobilis – European bay laurel *Lindera benzoin - Northern spicebush en.wikipedia.org/ aLindera melissifolia - Pondberry wiki/Sassafras aLitsea aestivalis - Pondspice *Licaria triandra - Gulf licaria *Ocotea coriacea - Lancewood *Persea mexicana – Mexican redbay *artificial fungal inoculation a threatened or endangered Palamedes swallowtail (Papilio palamedes) Laurel Wilt Disease-Widespread and High Mortality Percent redbay
    [Show full text]
  • Aboretum Plant List.Xlsx
    ROBERT J. HUCKSHORN OFFICIAL ARBORETUM PLANT LIST Common Name Scientific Name Family Ecosystem Wildlife Value The fruits of American beautyberry are an important food source for many species of birds American Beautyberry Callicarpa americana Verbenaceae Pine Flatwoods including bobwhite quails, mockingbirds, robins, Bahama Strongbark Bourreria succelenta Boraginaceae Butterfly Garden Nectar for butterflies, and fruit for wildlife Bald Cypress Taxodium distichum Taxodiaceae Mixed Hardwood Swamp Birds eat the cones Bitterbush Picramnia pentandra Simaroubaceae Tropical Hardwood Hammoc Berries for wildlife Blackbead Pithecellobium keyense Fabaceae Butterfly Garden This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and This plant offers protection and food to several Black‐Eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta Asteraceae Pine Flatwoods song and game birds Blolly Guapira discolor Nyctaginaceae Tropical Hardwood Hammoc Red fruit used by birds Blue Plumbago* Plumbago auriculata Plumbagnaceae Butterfly Garden Caterpillar food for Cassius Blues Butterfly Sage Cordia globosa Boraginaceae Butterfly Garden Nectar for butterflies and pollinators, berries for Fruits ripen in the late fall and are eaten by crows, mockingbirds, warblers, pileated and red‐ Cabbage Palmetto Sabal palmetto Arecaceae Pine Flatwoods bellied woodpeckers and squirrels. The blackish to purplish berries (cocoa‐plums or icacoa‐plums) are great for wildlife and are Cocoplum Chrysobalanus icaco Chrysobalanaceae Mixed Hardwood Swamp edible for people to taste; foilage may provide Coontie Zamia floridana
    [Show full text]
  • Persea Borbonia Redbay1 Edward F
    Fact Sheet ST-436 October 1994 Persea borbonia Redbay1 Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2 INTRODUCTION This handsome North American native evergreen tree can reach 50 feet in height with a comparable spread but is often seen somewhat shorter and wider, particularly when grown in the open in an urban area (Fig. 1). The glossy, leathery, medium green, six-inch leaves emit a spicy fragrance when crushed and the inconspicuous, springtime flower clusters are followed by small, dark blue fruits which ripen in fall. These fruits are enjoyed by birds and squirrels and add to the tree’s overall attractiveness. The trunk bears very showy, ridged, red-brown bark and frequently branches low to the ground forming a multi-stemmed habit Figure 1. Mature Redbay. similar to live oak, but it can be pruned to make a single, short central leader which would be most suitable for many urban plantings. DESCRIPTION GENERAL INFORMATION Height: 30 to 50 feet Spread: 30 to 50 feet Scientific name: Persea borbonia Crown uniformity: symmetrical canopy with a Pronunciation: PER-see-uh bor-BOE-nee-uh regular (or smooth) outline, and individuals have more Common name(s): Redbay or less identical crown forms Family: Lauraceae Crown shape: round; spreading USDA hardiness zones: 7B through 11 (Fig. 2) Crown density: dense Origin: native to North America Growth rate: medium Uses: wide tree lawns (>6 feet wide); recommended Texture: medium for buffer strips around parking lots or for median strip plantings in the highway; near a deck or patio; Foliage reclamation plant; shade tree; specimen; residential street tree; no proven urban tolerance Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Recovery Plan for Laurel Wilt on Redbay and Other
    Recovery Plan for Laurel Wilt on Redbay and Other Forest Species Caused by Raffaelea lauricola and disseminated by Xyleborus glabratus Updated January 2015 (Replaces December 2009 Version) Table of Contents Executive Summary……………………………….………………………………………………..…………………………………………….. 2 Contributors and Reviewers…………………………………………………………………………..………………………………………. 4 I. Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 5 II. Disease Cycle and Symptom Development….……………………………………………………………………………….……. 9 III. Spread……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……….…… 23 IV. Monitoring and Detection………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 25 V. Response…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 29 VI. Permits and Regulatory Issues…………………………………………………..……………………………………………………. 32 VII. Cultural, Economic and Ecological Impacts……………..…………………………………………………………………….. 33 VIII. Mitigation and Disease Management…………………………………………………………………………………………... 38 IX. Infrastructure and Experts……………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 45 X. Research, Extension, and Education Needs….……………………………………………………………………………….... 48 XI. References……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………... 50 XII. Web Resources…………………………………………………...……………………………………………………………………..…. 58 This recovery plan is one of several disease-specific documents produced as part of the National Plant Disease Recovery System (NPDRS) called for in Homeland Security Presidential Directive Number 9 (HSPD-9). The purpose of the NPDRS is to insure that the tools, infrastructure, communication
    [Show full text]
  • (GISD) 2021. Species Profile Xyleborus Glabratus. Availab
    FULL ACCOUNT FOR: Xyleborus glabratus Xyleborus glabratus System: Terrestrial Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Animalia Arthropoda Insecta Coleoptera Curculionidae Common name Xyleboro (Italian), Holzborher (German), redbay ambrosia beetle (English), Asian ambrosia beetle (English), xylébore (French), Ambrosiakäfer (German) Synonym Similar species Summary Xyleborus glabratus is an ambrosia beetle native to Asia which is the only known vector of a newly discovered fungus Raffaelea lauricola that causes laurel wilt in members of the Lauraceae family, most notably redbay trees (Persea borbonia) and avocado (P. americana). The recent introduction, rapid spread, and high mortality rates associated with X. glabratus and R. luaricola implicate the complex as a serious threat to the survival of redbay trees in southeastern United States. Furthermore, its invasive potential to the avocado industry in Florida and elsewhere could be devastating. view this species on IUCN Red List Species Description Xyleborus glabratus is a small, slender, cylindrical beetle about 2 mm long and brown or black in color. Its punctures are relatively large, larger and deeper than on the elytral disc, and the surface is shinny. The posterio-lateral portion of the declivity has a distinct raised, almost carinate margin. The first interstriae have a distinct tubercle at the middle of the declivity, and interstria 3 has a much smaller tubercle at about the same position. Its blackish coloration, nearly glabrous upper surface, and abrupt apical declivity helps to distinguish it from other members of its genus. Positive identification typically requires examination by a specialist. Males of are dwarfed, haploid, and flightless (Rabaglia, 2008; Cameron et al, 2008; Hodges & Eickwort, 2009).
    [Show full text]
  • <I>Alseodaphnopsis</I> (<I>Lauraceae</I>)
    Blumea 64, 2019: 186–189 www.ingentaconnect.com/content/nhn/blumea RESEARCH ARTICLE https://doi.org/10.3767/blumea.2019.64.02.10 Alseodaphnopsis (Lauraceae) revisited H. van der Werff1 Key words Abstract Generic delimitations among the Asian members of the Persea group, including the recently described genus Alseodaphnopsis, are discussed. These genera, with the exception of Alseodaphnopsis, are characterized by Alseodaphne reproductive characters. A study of flowers of Alseodaphnopsis species found that Alseodaphnopsis species have Alseodaphnopsis unisexual flowers and that Alseodaphnopsis is better defined by its unisexual flowers than by vegetative characters. Lauraceae This is the first report of the presence of unisexual flowers in any member of the Persea group. Persea group unisexual flowers Published on 17 September 2019 ASIAN GENERA OF THE PERSEA GROUP One of the three main groups of genera in tropical Asian is the Persea group, characterized by the inflorescence type described The classification of the Lauraceae has long been problematic. above. This group consists of the following genera in tropical During the 19th century several classifications were proposed Asia: Alseodaphne Nees, Cinnamomum Schaeff. Dehaasia (Nees 1836, Meissner 1864, Bentham 1880, Mez 1889), all Blume, Machilus Nees, Nothaphoebe Blume and Phoebe Nees. based on characters of flowers, fruits and inflorescences. Dur- The Persea group also includes the neotropical Persea Mill. ing the 20th century Kostermans (1957) added a new scheme, and Apollonias Nees with one species in the Canary Islands. this one largely based on the position of the ovary. Only dur- Cinnamomum can be divided into two groups, one with op- ing the last 40 years have other characters been used in the posite, tripliveined leaves and one with alternate, pinnately to classification.
    [Show full text]
  • Persea Borbonia) Population Structure and Forest Communities in the Coastal Plain of Georgia, USA
    Georgia Southern University Digital Commons@Georgia Southern Electronic Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies, Jack N. Averitt College of Summer 2010 Impacts of Laurel Wilt Disease on Redbay (Persea Borbonia) Population Structure and Forest Communities in the Coastal Plain of Georgia, USA Kimberly S. Spiegel Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd Recommended Citation Spiegel, Kimberly S., "Impacts of Laurel Wilt Disease on Redbay (Persea Borbonia) Population Structure and Forest Communities in the Coastal Plain of Georgia, USA" (2010). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 746. https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/746 This thesis (open access) is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies, Jack N. Averitt College of at Digital Commons@Georgia Southern. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@Georgia Southern. For more information, please contact [email protected]. IMPACTS OF LAUREL WILT DISEASE ON REDBAY (PERSEA BORBONIA) POPULATION STRUCTURE AND FOREST COMMUNITIES IN THE COASTAL PLAIN OF GEORGIA, USA by KIMBERLY S. SPIEGEL (Under the direction of Lissa M. Leege) ABSTRACT Laurel wilt disease (LWD), a fungal disease vectored by the non-native redbay ambrosia beetle (Xyleborus glabratus), has caused mortality of redbay (Persea borbonia) in the Coastal Plain of Georgia, USA, since 2003. This disease has spread 30-100 km/year and little research has evaluated its impacts on redbay population structure and forest communities. Healthy and infested populations of redbay and their associated communities were compared in five sites infested with LWD and three un-infested sites in five counties in Georgia.
    [Show full text]
  • The Mountain Avocado of Costa-Rica. Persea Americana Var
    Proceedings V World Avocado Congress (Actas V Congreso Mundial del Aguacate) 2003. pp. 27-33. THE MOUNTAIN AVOCADO OF COSTA-RICA. PERSEA AMERICANA VAR. COSTARICENSIS, A NEW SUB-SPECIES A. Ben-Ya'acov1. A. Solis-Molina2 and G. Bufler3 1 "Granot" Regional Research Center, D.N. Chefer 38100, Israel E-mail: [email protected] 2 Ministry of Agriculture, San Jose, Costa Rica. 3 Hohenheim University, Germany. SUMMARY In a study of Avocado genetic resources, the related species were explored in Costa Rica. It was found in this country that the native avocado population and its botanical relatives are unique and differ from those known from northern countries. One unique item is the mountain avocado of Costa Rica, hereby described as a new sub-species-Persea americana var. Costaricensis. This is an abundant type of avocado, distributed in elevation between 1200 and 2000 m. above sea level. The fruit characteristics separate it from other known sub-species: it is much smaller than West Indian (P. americana var. Americana), and Guatemalan (P. americana var. Guatemalen- sis) avocados, it has skin like the West Indian avocado in its pale green color, soft leathery textu- re, medium thickness and peelability, but a seed like the Guatemalan avocado in its oblate form and smooth surface. The possibility of being hybrid of the above mentioned two "races" discussed and contradicted. Key Words: avocado, Costa Rica, germplasm, Persea americana BACKGROUND The avocado genetic resources are located mainly in those parts of the world where destruction of native vegetation has reached an advanced stage. Many avocado relatives that were described in the literature about 20-30 years ago are no longer available.
    [Show full text]