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Flora of the Carolinas, Virginia, and Georgia
by Alan S. Weakley
Taxonomic treatment. Taxonomic treatments generally
follow recent monographic and revisionary work, but an effort is
made to provide a certain rough consistency of “splitting”
vs. “lumping” across different taxonomic groups. As
is generally true in recent treatments, generic and family concepts
are often narrower than those used in the “RAB Manual”,
based on new evidence, including (but not limited to) cladistic
methods applied to morphologic and molecular data. Ironically, these
results have often resulted in a validation of earlier, narrower
generic (and familial) concepts espoused by Small, Rydberg, and
others. Varieties are less frequently recognized than by Fernald,
though a considerable number of species and infraspecific taxa “lumped”
by RAB are recognized (generally following more recent monographic
or revisionary work). Some taxa not formally recognized are discussed
and characters for their recognition provided.
Detailed keys. Keys are subjected to rigorous
testing in the field and herbarium, by hundreds of users. To the
degree feasible, keys are structured to emphasize characters that
are readily observable and available for long parts of the year,
such as vegetative characters (of course, this is not possible for
all groups). Multiple characters are provided. Terminology strives
to avoid abstruse technical terms which do not significantly add
meaning (for some genera, an introduction to morphological characters
and terms used is provided as “Identification notes”
preceding the key). Geographic distributions and habitats are sometimes
included in the keys as pragmatic, useful, secondary “characters,”
but are placed in brackets to indicate that they are not “true”
characters. The keys include all species from the primary flora
area (North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia), as well as
all species occurring in a broader secondary area. The inclusion
in the keys of taxa from the broader, secondary area will facilitate
the discovery of range extensions, as well as extending the usefulness
of the Flora to a broader geographic area. In some cases, several
alternate keys are provided. The primary emphasis of the 3 keys
is pragmatism -- effective and efficient identification. For this
reason, a key to a genus sometimes includes closely similar taxa
not in the genus that may be mistaken for it. Another example is
that the “family key” to ferns and fern allies is actually
a key to genera, allowing an emphasis in the key on readily observable
characteristics, rather than the technical characters often needed
to distinguish fern families. Keys are based on herbarium specimens,
though reference is made when live characters may differ from those
of pressed specimens. Some keys have been adapted from literature
cited; where the adaptation is particularly close, credit is given
to the source by specific citation. All keys should be regarded
as “draft”; many will be substantially altered prior
to publication, based on additional field and herbarium testing.
Habitat. Information is provided about the habitat
of the taxon. Especially for more localized, specialized, or rare
taxa, the habitat is described in considerable detail. Supplemental
habitat information for GA rare species is taken from online information
posted by the Georgia Natural Heritage Program.
Native status. The native or alien status is stated.
If there is a question, that is mentioned or discussed. For aliens,
an opinion is given as to whether the taxon is naturalized, persistent,
waif, etc. in the primary flora area.
Flowering/fruiting dates. Flowering and fruiting
dates are provided for the primary flora area, in a format similar
to the Manual. These are derived from herbarium specimens viewed
by the author (collected from within the Flora area), from field
observations by the author (within the Flora area), and from literature
cited.
Distribution of species. A statement of the rangewide
distribution of each taxon treated is provided. This is based on
published distribution maps and distribution statements in other
floras, amended and improved by additional herbarium specimens and
published records (such as the “Noteworthy Collections”
section in Castanea). The distribution within the primary area is
provided by state and physiographic province.
Literature. Nearly all genera have citations to
recent, pertinent systematic literature, as well as more limited
citations to literature on ecology and population biology. The intent
is to provide the user with access into more detailed literature,
and to document the literature basis of the treatment followed in
the Flora. So far, about 1500 references are cited, and more will
be added prior to publication.
Synonymy. Cited synonymy is provided to regional
floras, monographs, revisions, and other significant floristic treatments.
This allows comparison of the treatment in the Flora to other treatments,
and convenient access to the other treatments. Synonymy is provided
comprehensively for the following floras: Radford, Ahles, &
Bell (1968); Small (1933); Fernald (1950); G leason and Cronquist
1st edition (1952); Godfrey & W ooten (1979, 1981); Vascular
Flora of the Southeastern States (Cronquist 1980, Isely 1990); W
offord (1989); Gleason and Cronquist 2nd edition (1991); Kartesz
(1999); and Flora of North America (1993, 1997, 2000). Also, cited
synonymy is provided for some families to other important and influential
works, such as Hitchcock & Chase for grasses, Correll for orchids,
Luer for orchids, Mackenzie for Carex, W ilbur for legumes (1961),
etc. Synonymy used in recent monographs and revisions is also cited.
All names attributed to the Flora area in other floras, monographs,
and revisions are accounted for.
Rarity. Species monitored as rare, threatened,
or endangered by the state agencies of North Carolina, South Carolina,
and Virginia, or by the U.S. Fish and W ildlife Service, are so
indicated. W hile the details of rarity status will change, this
will still provide the user a preliminary indication that the taxon
is one of conservation concern.
Comments and discussion. Miscellaneous comments
and discussion are provided for many species and genera, including
discussion of biogeography, more details on distribution of rare
species, additional notes on identification not included in the
keys, information of particular interest on species biology and
ecology, habitat, uses, discovery in the flora area or a state,
etc. These “idiosyncratic comments” (as they have been
called) add to the general usefulness and interest of what is intended
to be a rigorous, practical, and interesting flora.
  
Curriculum North Carolina UNC
In Ecology Botanical Garden Biology Department
University of North Carolina
Herbarium
CB# 3280, Coker Hall
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3280
phone: (919) 962-6931
fax: (919) 962-6930
email: herbarium@bio.unc.edu
Last Updated: 4 March
2005
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