Pteridophytes of southeast Alabama: Dichotomous keys, illustrations and distribution maps.

ABSTRACT

This treatment includes all species of pteridophytes known to occur naturally and those that have become naturalized in southeast Alabama. A total of seventeen families, twenty-nine genera, fifty-nine species, two varieties, and four hybrid taxa are known to occur in the study area. Dichotomous keys are provided for all families, genera, species, and three of the hybrids. A description is provided for the remaining two varieties and one hybrid. County level distribution maps and illustrations are provided for all species. The area delineated as southeast Alabama includes Barbour, Butler, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Pike Counties. Distribution records are based upon specimens deposited in the Troy University Herbarium (TROY), J. D. Freeman Herbarium (AUA), The University of Alabama Herbarium (UNA), and University of West Florida Herbarium (UWFP).

INTRODUCTION

Diamond and Woods (2007) discussed the history of the literature dealing with pteridophytes of Alabama, and also provided a description, including geology, topography, watersheds, and climate of the twelve counties in the southeastern section of the state that comprise the study area (Barbour, Butler, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crensha, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Pike Counties). They provided a dichotomous key to the seventeen families and a checklist of the fifty-nine species, and three hybrid taxa known to occur in the study area.

The objectives of this treatment were to expand on the earlier publication and to develop dichotomous keys, not only for the families but for all species of pteridophytes known to occur naturally, and those that have become naturalized in southeast Alabama. Also provided in this treatment are descriptions for each genus, and illustrations, county level distribution maps, and habitats for each species.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The dichotomous keys and descriptions are based upon material deposited in the herbarium of Troy University (TROY) and descriptions provided by Snyder and Bruce (1986). Distribution records are based upon specimens deposited in the Troy University Herbarium (TROY), J. D. Freeman Herbarium (AUA), The University of Alabama Herbarium (UNA), and University of West Florida Herbarium (UWFP). Additional distribution data were obtained from Jack Short (pers.com.). With the exception of Isoetaceae and Lycopodiaceae, the nomenclature follows Flora of North America (Flora of North America Editorial Committee, 1993).