BEN # 248

[Adolf Ceska]

BBBBB    EEEEEE   NN   N             ISSN 1188-603X
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BBBBB    EEEEE    NN N N             BOTANICAL
BB   B   EE       NN  NN             ELECTRONIC
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No. 245                              April 11, 2000

aceska at victoria.tc.ca                Victoria, B.C.
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 Dr. A. Ceska, P.O.Box 8546, Victoria, B.C. Canada V8W 3S2
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CALL FOR HELP: LUZULA MULTIFLORA GROUP IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
From: Jan Kirschner @ Adolf Ceska, c/o [aceska at victoria.tc.ca]

We  would like to repeat our appeal (cf. BEN # 95, May 16, 1995)
to field botanists in the western North America to help us  with
the  study of _Luzula_ sect. _Luzula_. In our area, this section
of the genus _Luzula_ is a mixture of introduced  species  ("_L.
campestris-multiflora_  group")  and native species (such as _L.
subsessilis, L. comosa_ and several  subspecies  of  _L.  multi-
flora_).  Plants  of the genus _Luzula_ exhibit chromosome frag-
mentation ("agmatoploidy")  and  relatively  simple  cytoxonomic
techniques  can  answer  many essential questions related to the
taxonomy of this group (Kirschner, 1992b). Karyotypes of western
members of _Luzula_ have been studied in only a few  collections
(e.g.,  Nordenskiold  1951)  and more examinations are needed to
solve our taxonomical problems. Jan Kirschner and the  Botanical
Institute  in  Pruhonice near Prague (Czech Republic) would like
to help with cytotaxonomical investigations.

The best time to collect _Luzula_ specimens is when  plants  are
in  full  bloom.  Flowering  specimens are easy to identify. The
identification of specimens with ripe fruit  is  more  difficult
and requires some experience. On the other hand, the identifica-
tion  of  specimens  that  are out-of-flower and don't have ripe
fruits is very difficult and often almost impossible  (Kirschner
1982).  When collecting herbarium specimens, collect plants with
underground parts and take notes of possible rhizomes & stolons.
More than one plant  from  a  locality  should  be  sampled;  in
southern  Europe,  for  instance, four species and three hybrids
were found at a single locality (Kirschner 1992a).

WE ARE  INTERESTED  IN  GETTING  RIPE  SEEDS  FOR  CYTOTAXONOMIC
STUDIES!  If you can, visit each locality twice and collect both
flowering and fruiting specimens. When collecting ripe, fruiting
plants, shake out seeds from capsules into small envelopes (each
plant into a separate envelope because several taxa can  coexist
at  one  locality  and, rarely, a hybridization may take place).
Without this precaution seeds of different collections  can  get
mixed up in the herbarium. Specimens should be dried in low heat
(30-40 deg. C). Do not freeze dry specimens!

We  would greatly appreciate your co-operation. Please, send the
specimens and seeds to:

Adolf Ceska, P.O. Box 8546, Victoria, B.C. Canada V8W 3S2

References

Kirschner,  J.  1982.  Poznamky  k  urcovani  zastupcu  komplexu
   _Luzula campestris-multiflora_ (_L. campestris_ agg.) v CSSR.
   [Notes  on  the  determination  of the members of the _Luzula
   campestris-multiflora_  complex  (_L.  campestris_  agg.)  in
   Czechoslovakia.] Zpr. Cs. Bot. Spolec., Praha 17: 25-37.
Kirschner,  J.  1992a.  A Luzula sect. Luzula puzzle near Sofia,
   Bulgaria. Ann. Bot. Fenn. 29: 235-241.
Kirschner, J. 1992b. Karyological  differentiation  of  _Luzula_
   sect. _Luzula_ in Europe. Thaiszia, Kosice 2: 11-39.
Nordenskiold,  H.  1951.  Cyto-taxonomical  studies in the genus
   _Luzula_. Hereditas, Lund 37: 325-355.

The following taxa of _Luzula_ section _Luzula_  may occur on 
the Pacific Coast:

   _L. multiflora_ subsp. _frigida_
   _L. comosa_ var. _comosa_
   _L. comosa_ var. _laxa_
   _L. subsessilis_ (incl. _L. comosa_ var. _macrantha_)
   _L. orestera_

   and introduced
   _L. multiflora_ subsp. _multiflora_
   _L. campestris_ ???

   Some taxa remain unclear.


LUPINES AND BUTTERFLIES ON VANCOUVER ISLAND [Re: BEN # 243]
From: Cris Guppy [cguppy at quesnelbc.com]

The   lupine  article  was  quite  interesting.  Fender's  Blue,
Icaricia icariodes fenderi, does  not  occur  north  of  Oregon.
However,  the  Vancouver  Island  subspecies  Icaricia icariodes
blackmorei is present. It has been virtually eliminated from low
elevations, due to the lack of patches of lupines of  any  size.
The butterfly is still known from a few subalpine habitats, such
as  Mt.  Brenton  near Ladysmith, where increased lupine popula-
tions due to clearing and soil disturbance resulting  from  log-
ging (especially roads) had resulted in strong butterfly popula-
tions.  The  butterfly  subspecies is provincially "blue-listed"
(S3).

The herbivory on the herbarium specimens may have  been  due  to
the  larvae  of  the  Blue, however it was more likely caused by
beetles that commonly feed on lupine leaves. If anyone knows  of
low  elevation  southern Vancouver Island populations of lupines
of any species greater than (at a guess) 100 plants, it would be
worth looking for Icaricia icariodes blackmorei  adults  in  May
and  early June. Silvery Blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus) adults may
also be present, with a faint possibility of  the  probably  ex-
tinct  Vancouver  Island  subspecies  of Greenish Blue (Plebejus
saepiolus insulanus)  also  being  present.  The  Greenish  Blue
probably  only  fed on native clovers, but low elevation lupines
are a possible alternative.


NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS WORKSHOP - CRESTON, B.C.
From: Mike Keefer [mkeefer at cyberlink.bc.ca]

Ktunaxa Kinbasket Treaty Council is  organizing  a  workshop  on
non-timber forest products, May 23 and 24, 2000 in Creston, B.C.
(Lower Kootenay Band Gymnasium).

British  Columbia's  interior  forests  are a rich storehouse of
food, medicinal, industrial, aesthetic and spiritual  resources.
Commercial  interest  in  non-timber forest products (NTFP's) is
growing rapidly, but these many  of  these  same  products  have
always  been used by First Nations people. Commercial harvesting
of NTFP's is coming in conflict with traditional First  Nations'
use  in  many  parts  of  British  Columbia.  By bringing people
together to talk about these issues,  future  conflicts  may  be
avoided.

This  informal,  interactive  Workshop is designed for First Na-
tions people, wildcrafters, industry, consultants and  research-
ers in NTFP.

NTFP  is an industry in its infancy, so we have a chance to "get
things right," striking a respectful balance between traditional
First  Nations  use  and  sustainable  commercial  exploitation.
Finding that balance is the objective of this Workshop.

As a participant, you will hear dynamic speakers presenting many
points  of  view,  and be able to put forward your own ideas and
questions. Display  tables  will  demonstrate  sustainable  NTFP
products and projects. The rich cultural and ecological heritage
of  the  Lower Kootenay Band will provide a fascinating backdrop
for the Workshop. Participants may wish to come  early  for  the
yakan nukiy Pow Wow, at the same location.

Directions  to  Lower  Kootenay  Band  Gymnasium:  from downtown
Creston, head south on Highway 21, following signs to US Border,
for approximately 3km. Turn left at yakan nuqiy  Band  sign  and
proceed  300m  to  Gymnasium. Accommodations: several motels are
available in Creston. Camping spots near the  site  may  be  ar-
ranged  by  contacting Wilfred Jacobs at (250) 428-2719. For Pow
Wow information contact Lower Kootenay Band Office at (250)  428
4428.

Cost:   payment received before April 28:       $60.00
                payment received after April 28:        $75.00

For  registration questions, contact: Kathy Tompkins, College of
the Rockies-Creston (250) 428-5332

For all other questions, contact Mike Keefer, Ktunaxa  Kinbasket
Treaty Council, (250) 489-2464 or mkeefer at cyberlink.bc.ca


ANNOUNCEMENT: RARE ENDEMIC VASCULAR PLANTS OF THE ARCTIC

Talbot, S. S., Yurtsev, B. A., Murray, D. F., Argus, G. W., Bay,
   C.,  and  Elvebakk,  A.  1999. Atlas of Rare Endemic Vascular
   Plants of the Arctic. Conservation of Arctic Flora and  Fauna
   (CAFF)  Technical  Report No. 3. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serv-
   ice, Anchorage, AK. iv + 73 p.

   There is no charge for the report. It is available from:

   CAFF National Representative for the United States
   U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
   1011 East Tudor Road
   Anchorage, Alaska 99503 USA
   fax:   +1-907-786-3640

   or from:

   CAFF International Secretariat
   Hafnarstraeti 97
   P.O. Box 375
   602 Akureyri
   Iceland

Abstract: The vascular flora  of  the  Arctic  was  surveyed  by
specialists  from  eight  arctic countries to: (1) identify rare
taxa endemic to the region; (2) establish an annotated  list  of
these  taxa; and (3) determine the level of protection currently
afforded these plants. "Arctic" is defined as those lands beyond
latitudinal tree line. Ninety-six rare endemic taxa  were  iden-
tified.  Information  was  compiled  for each included taxonomy,
geographic distribution, habitat preferences, biological charac-
teristics, estimates of endangerment, and citations of  support-
ing  literature.  Gap  analysis  determined the relation of rare
taxa to areas of protected  habitats.  Taxa  were  grouped  into
three  categories:  (1)  unprotected  (no occurrences are within
protected areas); (2) partially protected (some occurrences  are
within  protected areas); and (3) protected (all occurrences are
within protected areas). Results indicate that 47% of  the  rare
endemics  are  unprotected,  23%  partially  protected,  and 30%
protected. According to IUCN Red List threat categories, 19%  of
the  taxa  are  vulnerable,  29% near threatened lower risk, 26%
least concern lower risk, 1% endangered, and 24% data deficient.
The majority of rare  endemic  taxa,  61%,  occur  outside  IUCN
protected  areas  (categories  I-V);  25%  occur  within  strict
nature/scientific reserves (IUCN category  I);  12%  in  managed
nature  reserves/wildlife  sanctuaries  (IUCN  category IV); and
1.6% in national parks (IUCN category II).


CATALOGUE OF THE COLORADO FLORA ON-LINE
From: Dr. W.A. Weber [weberw at spot.colorado.edu]

We would like to announce the availability of an online  version
of  Weber  and  Wittmann,  Catalog  of  the  Colorado  Flora:  A
Biodiversity Baseline, at

http://www.colorado.edu/CUMUSEUM/research/botany/Catalog
                                             /Catalog.htm

The Catalog is intended  to  account  for  all  names  used  for
Colorado vascular plants, bryophytes, and lichens since 1874. An
exhaustive bibliography is included.

This  is  a  revised electronic version of the book published in
1992 by the University Press of Colorado  (still  available  c/o
University  of  Oklahoma  Press,  4100  28th Ave. NW, Norman, OK
73069-8218, 1-800-627-7377).

We plan to update  this  material  frequently,  and  would  much
appreciate comments and corrections:

   weberw at spot.colorado.edu
   wittmann at boulder.nist.gov

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