Abstract Detail

Systematics Section/ASPT

Naczi, Robert F. C. [1], Abbott, J. Richard [1], Downey, Alisen [1].

New Floristic Manual for Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada: Status report and emerging patterns.

The New Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada is a project by The New York Botanical Garden to fully revise, update, and innovate the classic Manual by Gleason and Cronquist (1991, NYBG Press). Gleason and Cronquist's Manual is the latest in a long lineage of manuals by NYBG authors, the first written in 1901 by NYBG Founding Director Nathaniel Lord Britton. The chief goal of the New Manual is to enable identification of all vascular plants growing spontaneously in a vast region spanning portions or the entirety of 22 states and 5 Canadian provinces. The New Manual will include improved identification tools for about 5300 species, amounting to 25% of the total botanical diversity of North America north of Mexico. Approximately 20% of the species to be included are additions to the 1991 Gleason & Cronquist Manual. In addition, the New Manual will provide information on morphology, ecology, phenology, geographic distributions, and conservation status for each species. The audience for the New Manual will be all those interested in North America’s rich botanical resources, including students, conservationists, wildlife managers, educators, and gardeners. In the process of preparing the New Manual, several patterns are emerging. First, many species in the Northeast have been poorly defined. Though these species have taxonomic merit, confusing and/or conflicting identifications of these species by previous taxonomic and floristic authors have clouded their identity, often with deleterious consequences for their conservation. Second, undescribed species remain in the flora of the Northeast. Third, in general, new identification features abound for the careful observer, and can be used to improve existing identification tools.

Related Links:
New Manual of Vascular Plants

1 - The New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Blvd., Bronx, NY, 10458-5126, USA

Keywords:
Northeastern USA
Canada
Floristic Manual
identification
Flora.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 18
Location: Salon 3/The Shaw Conference Centre
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2015
Time: 2:30 PM
Number: 18005
Abstract ID:673
Candidate for Awards:None