James Stubbendieck - North American Wildland Plants

A comprehensive reference containing the important characteristics of the most important wildland plants of North America is critical for ecologists, range managers, land managers, and other natural resource professionals. In addition, university students and range plant identification teams needed a single, primary resource for learning about important wildland plant species. North American Range Plants was developed to meet these needs and was first published in 1981. Subsequent editions (1982, 1986, 1992, 1997) included changes in nomenclature, refinement of distributions, additional information on each of the species, and new illustrations. The illustrations were prepared to highlight general and specific characteristics to aid identification of the featured range plants. The fifth edition (1997) reflected changing attitudes toward riparian areas and wetlands. Reflecting this increased concern and interest, about 10 percent of the species included in this book occur on these sites. North American Wildland Plants (2003, 2011) included many nomenclatural changes, and the illustrations were labeled to accentuate specific characteristics. The title change reflected the importance of plants across ecosystems and the multiple uses of the plant resources within ecosystems. This edition contains additional refinements in the nomenclature, distribution, illustrations, and descriptions of plants. This reference will help both individuals with limited botanical knowledge and natural resource professionals to identify wildland plants.

The two hundred species in this book were selected because of their abundance, desirability, or noxious properties; in short, they are important wildland species. The list of plant species was developed over the course of nearly sixty years by faculty from the universities and colleges with rangeland management and ecology programs and by coaches of range plant identification teams. The formal list is now the Master Plant List for the International Range Plant Identification Contest sponsored by the Society for Range Management (6901 South Pierce Street, Littleton CO 80128; www.rangelands.org).

Plant species descriptions in this book include characteristics for their identification, a labeled illustration of a typical plant (with enlarged plant parts), and a general distribution map for North America. Each species description includes nomenclature; life span; origin; season of growth; inflorescence, flower or spikelet or other reproductive parts; vegetative parts; and growth characteristics. Forage values for wildlife and livestock are estimated. Brief notes are included on habitat; livestock losses; and historical, food, and medicinal uses. Information on historical, food, and medicinal uses was gathered from numerous sources and is presented as a point of interest and to broaden readers appreciation of these plants. It is strongly emphasized that these plant species should not be used for these purposes.

Grasses ( POACEAE family) are described first and are aligned by tribe, genus, and specific epithet in alphabetical order by rank. Grasslike plants ( CYPERACEAE and JUNCACEAE families) are next. All other families follow in alphabetical order by rank for family, genus, and specific epithet with the exception of members of the ASTERACEAE family, which are aligned as the POACEAE family.

The grass ( POACEAE ) and composite ( ASTERACEAE ) families are treated by tribe to help the reader relate to smaller groups within these large, complex families. Recognition of species within tribes builds a concept of tribal characteristics. When an unknown species of either family is encountered, knowledge of tribal alignments below family may reduce the time required for making an identification using a diagnostic key.