Ecology Seminar today -- 4:10 (ISB 110) Amy Angert – Colorado St. Ecology and evolution of geographical range limits

Becky Fletcher

banner Wings = 2 unfused Keel = 2, fused calyx bilateral symmetry 5 sepals 5 petals Fabaceae – papilionaceous flowers

Fabaceae - Pea/Bean family Gynoecium 1 carpel = 1 ovary superior ovary 

Fabaceae - Pea/Bean family Fruit type (unique to family) Legume = dry, dehiscent fruit (1 carpel) splitting on 2 sutures 

Fabaceae - Pea/Bean family 

Lupinus - Lupines  palmately compound leaves often silvery (hairy) foliage showy terminal racemes

Astragalus - Milkvetch pinnately compound leaves low-growing, foliage often silvery (hairy) some poisonous/medicinal (locoweeds) >50 native species!!

Other notable native legumes DaleaThermopsis

Vicia - Vetches pinnately compound leaves tendrils, vine-like habit ‘one-sided’ racemes 

Many non-native legumes have been introduced for hay, pasture and “green manure” Trifolium (clovers) Medicago (alfalfa) Melilotus Lotus

Subclass Asteridae (aka Asterids) Monocots Basal Eudicots CaryophyllidsRosidsAsterids Eudicots

Subclass Asteridae (aka Asterids)  >50 families world-wide  monophyletic (shared, exclusive common ancestor)  diverse, but not as many woody species as Rosidae  more “advanced” or derived flowers  corollas often tubular (petals connate)  flowers often have bilateral symmetry  whorls often fused (adnate), but hypanthiums rare

some local Asteridae

Important Asterid families worldwide Ebenaceae (Ebony) Lecythidaceae (Brazil Nuts) Sarraceniaceae (Pitcher Plants) Theaceae (Tea/Camelia) Rubiaceae (Coffee) Convolvulacae (Sweet Potatoes) Apocynaceae (Milkweeds) Oleaceae (Olives) Gesneriaceae (African Violets) Aquifoliaceae (Hollies)

Important Asterids in Montana Families-to-knowGenera-to-know EricaceaeCampanula (Campanulaceae) PolemoniaceaeCornus (Cornaceae) SolanaceaePhiladelphus (Hydrangaceae) BoraginaceaeDodecatheon (Primulaceae) Scrophulariaceae Lamiaceae Caprifoliaceae Apiaceae Asteraceae

Today -- Woody families/genera in Asteridae Ericaceae Philadelphus Cornus Caprifoliaceae

Ericaceae - Heath or Rhododendron family  Wordwide distribution 130 genera, >2500 species all regions, especially in montane habitats Ecology/Life history often woody perennials (shrubs), some herbs strong associations with mycorrhizae often grow in acid soils (bogs, conifer forests, etc.)

Associations w/ Ericoid mycorrhizae (fungi) provide access to nutrients, especially Phosphorus

Heath communities dominated by Ericaceae shrubs Chaparral (California) Fynbos (South Africa) Montane Heath (Alberta)

Ericaceae - Heath family  In Montana ~15 genera, ~30 species common, especially at higher elevations Habit perennial herbs shrubs

Woody Ericaceae (many evergreen)

Herbaceaous Ericaceae Pyrola Allotropa (Candystick) Monotropa (Indian Pipe) Saprophytes/ Parasites -- no chlorophyll, steal sugars from other plants or fungi

Ericaceae - Heath family  Leaves simple alternate (or opposite, whorled) often dentate sometimes evergreen missing in saprophytes Inflorescences clusters, corymbs or racemes Chimaphila (Prince’s Pine)

Ericaceae - Heath family  Flowers bisexual symmetry radial (most) or bilateral (ex. Rhododendron) flowers often urn-shaped (urceolate) and pendulous

Ericaceae - Heath family  Sepals usually 5 (may be fused) Petals 5, connate (fused into tube) Stamens usually 10, distinct may be adnate to corolla Gynoecium variable (2-10 fused carpels, inferior or superior) always 1 style (hollow)

Ericaceae - Heath family  Fruit types berry capsule Rhododendron

Vaccinium -- Huckleberry  In Montana ~6 species Habitat open conifer woodlands montane shrublands Growth habit shrubs ( m tall) mostly deciduous (here)

Vaccinium -- Huckleberry  Flowers connate (fused) calyx urceolate corolla ovary inferior Fruit = berry color variable

Vaccinium -- Huckleberry  Grizzly bear foods (by volume in scat)

Arctostaphylos -- Bearberry  In Montana 1 species here -- A. uva-ursi (aka Kinnickinnick) genus name and specific epithet both mean “bear-grape” Many others further West (aka manzanitas) Habitat open conifer woodlands rocky areas Growth habit creeping shrub *evergreen*

Arctostaphylos -- Bearberry  Flowers connate calyx urceolate corolla ovary superior Fruit = berry (drupe-like) red fruit (mealy, not juicy) seeds large relative to berry

Caprifoliaceae - Honeysuckle family  In Montana 5 genera, 14 species mostly woody shrubs & vines 1 common herb (Linnaea) Lonicera (Honeysuckle) Sambucus (Elderberry)

Caprifoliaceae - Honeysuckle family  Leaves opposite simple or compound Inflorescences “umbel-like cyme” OR a pair of flowers => twinflower, twinberry

Caprifoliaceae - Honeysuckle family  Flowers regular (most) OR irregular (Lonicera) often w/ bracts below Sepals 5, fused Petals 5, fused into tube Stamens 4 or 5, epipetalous Gynoecium 2-5 locules, 1 style position variable (usually inferior)

Caprifoliaceae - Honeysuckle family  Fruit berry (most), drupe (Viburnum) or capsule (Linnaea)

Symphoricarpos - Snowberry  - low shrubs of open woods - deciduous, entire leaves - short, tubular flowers - fruit a 2-seeded berry or drupe - white or pink, not tasty