Wildflowers of Alabama and Adjoining States

532 Pages·1983·9.51 MB·English

by  Blanche E. Dean

Wildflowers of Alabama and Adjoining
title:
States
Dean, Blanche Evans.; Mason, Amy;
author:
Thomas, Joab L.
publisher: University of Alabama Press
isbn10 | asin: 081730147X
print isbn13: 9780817301477
ebook isbn13: 9780585278223
language: English
Wild flowers--Alabama--Pictorial works,
subject Wild flowers--Southern States--Pictorial
works.
publication date: 1983
lcc: QK145.D4eb
ddc: 582/.13/09761
Wild flowers--Alabama--Pictorial works,
subject: Wild flowers--Southern States--Pictorial
works.
Page iii
Wildflowers of Alabama And Adjoining States
Blanche E. Dean/
Amy Mason/
Joab L. Thomas
The University of Alabama Press
Tuscaloosa and London
Page iv
copyright © 1973
THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA PRESS
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0380
All rights reserved
Printed in Hong Kong
Library of Congress Card Catalog Number 73-10585
First Paperback Edition 1983
Second Paperback Edition 1994
ISBN 0-8173-0147-X
Page v
Contents
Introduction ix
Acknowledgements xiii
Glossary xviii
Descriptions of the Wildflowers 2
Photographic Credits 203
List of Sponsors 207
Index 209
Page vii
From The Atlas of Alabama, Copyright © 1973 by The University
of Alabama Press.
Page ix
Introduction
The rich flora of Alabama, although not yet adequately catalogued,
contains almost 3000 species of native or naturalized flowering plants.
Few states, indeed, are blessed with a native flora that can compare
with the diversity and the beauty of the flowering plants of Alabama.
The term wildflower is used in a variety of senses, but generally it
refers to any flowering plant that occurs outside of
cultivationregardless of whether the species is native or introduced.
With such a wide variety of wildflowers in the state it was difficult to
decide which species should be included in a book of this scope. In
making these decisions highest priority was given to plants that would
be of particular interest to amateur naturalists and wildflower
enthusiasts. For this reason special consideration was given to a group
such as the orchids whereas a large group such as the grasses is
represented by only one species. A few very rare plants, such as the
Alabama croton, are included because of their special significance in
the flora of Alabama. On the other hand a few very beautiful and very
common species were not included because they are so well known
that there is scarcely anyone who is not familiar with them.
Although this book treats primarily the herbaceous flowering plants, it
also includes a few striking trees and shrubs that have been brought to
the authors for identification. The trees and shrubs of Alabama were
treated in an earlier work by Blanche DeanTrees and Shrubs in the
Heart of Dixie.
Nomenclature
The English or common names and the Latin or scientific names are
given for the plant families and for each wildflower illustrated. Many
wildflowers have more than one common namesome have more than a
half dozen. Because of space limitations, no more than two common
names are listed at the beginning of a description, although additional
names are included in the index. Common names are inexact,
however, and will vary considerably from one part of the country to
the next. Moreover, many plants do not have common names, or are
lumped together with a group of related species under a
Page x
single name. For these reasons even amateur botanists are encouraged
to use the scientific names whenever accuracy of communication is
necessary.
The scientific name consists of three partsthe genus, the species, and
the authority. The genus is a group name and consists of one or more
related species. For example, Viola is the genus or group name for
violets. Viola tricolor L. is one particular violet, the pansy, or Johnny-
jump-up. The initial L. following the name stands for Linnaeus, who
first described this species and is thus the authority for the name. In
many cases the scientific name will refer to some peculiar
characteristic of the plant. Certain ones of particular interest are
explained in the description.
In general the sequence and the scientific nomenclature used in this
book follow that of the Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas
by Radford, Ahles, and Bell, University of North Carolina Press,
1968. This manual is the most recent technical manual published on
the flora of the southeastern United States, and it follows the latest
International Code of Botanical Nomenclature.
Plant Descriptions
Most of the illustrations are close-up photographs of one or a few
flowers. Although the most important characteristics used in the
identification of flowering plants are found in the flowers, it is often
helpful or even essential to have other information in order to make an
accurate identification. This additional information is supplied in the
descriptions that accompany the wildflowers illustrated. The
descriptions contain primarily information useful in identifying the
plant, such as the size and growth habit of the entire plant, the size and
shape of the leaves, and the size, color, and any notable variation that
might be expected in the flowers. This information is followed by a
listing of the months during which the plant usually blooms in
Alabama and adjoining states, the habitat in which it is usually found,
and the geographic range of the species in the United States. For many
species additional information is given, particularly if the plant is
poisonous, edible, or has some other special significance.
In describing the habitat of a plant, reference is often made to the
major physiographic provinces in Alabama: the Coastal Plain, the
Piedmont, the Ridge and Valley, and the Cumberland Plateau. These
provinces are shown in the accompanying physiographic map of
Alabama. These physiographic references indicate the distribution of
the species in Alabama and adjoining states, but not necessarily
throughout the range of the species. For example, a species