Harperella (Harperella nodosum) is a federally endangered plant with 26 known sites in the southeastern United States. Experiments in the greenhouse and observations in the wild demonstrated that harperella is an annual plant and its seeds can germinate immediately after seed maturation under warm-weather conditions in late summer. Harperella was observed to utilize two complementary reproductive strategies as important adaptations to survival in a frequently flooded, semiaquatic habitat, depending on flooding frequency and amplitude: (a) sexual reproduction during low-water years involving flowering and seed production and (b) asexual reproduction during high-water years involving viability of ramets produced at the nodes.

Soil parameters were compared between serpentine oak savanna and grassland in Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area, Maryland. Soils were analyzed for texture, depth to bedrock, bulk density, magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), potassium (K), iron (Fe), phosphorous (P), and acidity or alkalinity (pH). Oak savanna occurred on silt loam (61% silt) and grassland on sandy loam (64% sand). Silt loam had significantly greater depth (mean depth > 900 mm) than sandy loam (mean depth < 100 mm) and 50% higher fine soil bulk density. Rock fragment content was high in sandy loam (0.46 kg kg⁻¹, 0.20 m³ m⁻³) and very low in silt loam (0.01 kg kg⁻¹, 0.01 m³ m⁻³). The Mg:Ca ratio was not significantly different between soil types, pH was high for both soils (5.8 to 6.7), and bioavailability of Ni was probably not important ecologically. Based on the results of this study, soil physical properties contribute to vegetation differences between these soil types and not soil chemistry. Very shallow soil depth and high rock fragment content probably inhibit woody species establishment and development on sandy loam. However, based on the historical literature, woody plants may become established on sandy loam not excessively shallow for root system development.

Populations of naturalized mimosa (Albizia julibrissin Durazz., Fabaceae) are reported from 32 counties in the southern third of Illinois. Literature and field studies suggest a significant range expansion of this taxon within Illinois during the last 50 yr. Most populations occur in open areas or along roadsides and forest edges, but a high-quality loess hill prairie on the Mississippi River bluffs contains high densities of mimosa seedlings and saplings. Mimosa is expected to continue to spread into suitable habitat based on its long history of invasion.

Back Bay and its flora have historically been influenced by the interaction of freshwater flow in combination with frequent intrusion of saline water into its basin. These events have resulted in a dynamic environmental setting influencing the abundance and composition of its phytoplankton community. Dominating these oligohaline waters is a diverse representation and high abundance of freshwater filamentous and colonial cyanobacteria. These include the nonheterocystous Planktolyngbya contorta, Planktolyngbya limnetica, and Pseudanabaena limnetica, taxa implicated as bloom producers in Bay waters with N:P molar ratios ranging from 23:1 to 74:1.

Buford Mountain Conservation Area, located primarily in the northeastern corner of Iron County, Missouri, on the border with Washington County, is both geologically and floristically unique. To help develop an area management plan, the Missouri Department of Conservation was interested in conducting a floristic survey of vascular plants on a designated igneous glade region. The purpose of this study was to provide a vouchered floristic inventory, and to document any occurrences of rare or endangered taxa. The floristic survey was conducted over parts of two growing seasons (from 7 August 2010 to 2 August 2011) during which specimens were collected on approximately weekly to biweekly intervals. A controlled burn that encompassed the entire study site was conducted by the Missouri Department of Conservation on 13 April 2011 in an attempt to discourage encroachment by Carya ovata (shagbark hickory) and Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana (red cedar). A total of 132 vascular plant taxa (including 15 taxa identified to the level of variety or subspecies) in 102 genera and 49 families were collected, including 3 ferns, 1 gymnosperm, 25 monocots, and 103 dicots. All of the taxa were native except for Setaria faberi (nodding foxtail). The most diverse family was the Asteraceae with 22 species, followed by the Fabaceae and Poaceae represented by 14 and 12 species, respectively. The most diverse genus was Panicum with six different species. Only one species of conservation concern was collected, Eupatorium semiserratum (a thoroughwort), which was abundant in the wooded areas surrounding the glades.

The first occurrence of Lythrum hyssopifolia L. (hyssop loosestrife or grass poly, Lythraceae) is documented for Illinois. This Old World native is presently known from every continent except Antarctica with its North American distribution limited to thirteen states within the United States as well as two Canadian provinces.

There has been question whether the taxon known as Yucca filamentosa (Agavaceae) is to be distinguished from the taxon known as Yucca flaccida. Much of the uncertainty lay in the absence of sure knowledge of the forms intended by their original authors. A neotype of Y. flaccida from Florida was selected in 2006. Here, the type locality in Virginia of Y. filamentosa is revisited and an epitype is selected. The two taxa, as represented by plants from these two type localities, differ markedly in a number of characteristics. It is suggested that Y. filamentosa and Y. flaccida be retained at specific rank.