9 published articles in 2005 were authored or coauthored by 4 BRIT scientists with 3 collaborators. A capsule of the results is given for each publication. A list of BRIT authors and collaborators gives home institutions.
Costea, M., G.L. Nesom, and F. Tardif. 2005. Taxonomic status of Cuscuta nevadensis and Cuscuta veatchii (Convolvulaceae). Brittonia 57(3):264–272.
A taxonomic study of definitions and relationships among a group of species of parasitic flowering plants in the morning glory family. Summaries of relevant information are provided, including synonymy, distribution and ecology, keys, a comparative presentation of morphology, and SEM photographs of flowers and seeds. The morphological basis of vivipary in Cuscuta nevadensis is discussed.
Lipscomb, B.L. and G.M. Diggs, Jr. 2005. Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides (Apiaceae) new for Texas and notes on introduced species. 21:2449–2456.
This species, a "marsh-pennywort" native to Asia, is reported from Dallas, where it was found growing as a lawn weed. It has previously been been found in Louisiana, Arkansas, and other eastern USA states. Introduced species in the East Texas flora, as well as noxious plants and invasive exotics (including four particularly problematic species -- Japanese dodder, hemp broom-rape, tropical soda apple, and Chinese tallow tree) are discussed.
Luckeydoo, L.M. 2005. Muscari comosum (Liliaceae) new to Texas. Sida 21:2445–2447.
This species of "grape hyacinth," a Mediterranean native, is reported to grow without cultivation in Parker Co., Texas. It is the first such report of the species in the state, although it is widely cultivated and known as an "escape" from a few other states of the USA.
Nesom, G.L. 2005. Infrageneric classification of Liatris (Asteraceae: Eupatorieae). Sida 21:1305–1321.
A formal classification divides the species of Liatris (blazing star or gayfeather) into 5 'sections,' two of which are further divided into 'series.' The classification is based on observations of similarities among the 37 species and hypotheses regarding their evolutionary relationships.
Nesom, G.L. 2005. Broadened concept of Liatris helleri (Asteraceae: Eupatorieae). Sida 21:1323–1333.
A much-broadened concept is documented for a species formerly considered to be rare and narrowly endemic to a small area in the North Carolina mountains. In the amended concept, it occurs more broadly through North Carolina and also in Virginia and West Virginia (and is no longer rare).
Nesom, G.L. 2005. Taxonomic review of Astranthium integrifolium (Asteraceae: Astereae). Sida 21:2015–2021.
Astranthium integrifolium has previously been treated as one species with two geographic segments, one eastern and one western, each formally recognized as a variety. A reevaluation of its taxonomy provides geographical and morphological evidence to justify identifying each of two at the rank of species (vs. "variety").
Nesom, G.L. 2005. Taxonomy of the Symphyotrichum (Aster) subulatum group and Symphyotrichum (Aster) tenuifolium (Asteraceae: Astereae). Sida 21:2125–2140.
The North American aster, Symphyotrichum subulatum, has mostly been treated as a single species with five varieties, including a common colonizer of lawns and roadsides in the central USA, several worldwide weeds, and a South American native recorded primarily as a waif in the USA. Morphological discontinuities and reproductive isolation indicate that each of the 5 is appropriately treated as a distinct species -- each is morphologically distinct and reproductively isolated from the others. A key is provided to the species under consideration and a nomenclatural summary is given for each. New records for state distribution are documented for S. subulatum, S. divaricatum, S. bahamense, S. expansum, and S. squamatum.
Nesom, G.L. and B.L. Lipscomb. 2005. ICBN clarification needed: Use of ranks. Sida 21: 2185–2191.
A commentary on several critical tenets (Articles 4 and 5) of the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature. In question is the order in which taxonomic "ranks" are assigned (for example, species, subspecies, variety). According to the authors, the ICBN 2000 Code is open to divergent interpretation, and suggestions for clarification of the Code are offered.
Nesom, G.L. and J.F. Pruski. 2005. Proposal (278) to conserve the name Gnaphalium purpureum L. (Compositae: Gnaphalieae) with a conserved type. Taxon 54:1103–1104.
Gnaphalium purpureum was named by Linnaeus to describe a relatively common species of eastern North America. In 1981, the name was formally defined so that by necessity it applies to a South American species. The present authors "redefine" it to conform to the original intention of Linnaeus, as best understood, and so that it matches the general usage of the name as a North American species for the last 250 years.
BRIT AUTHORS, 2005
G.M. Diggs, Jr.
B.L. Lipscomb
L.M. Luckeydoo
G.L. Nesom
COLLABORATORS:
M. Costea
Wilfrid Laurier Univ., Waterloo, Ontario
J.F. Pruski
Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis
F. Tardif
Univ. of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario
