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BEN # 206

                                                   
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BBBBB    EEEEE    NN N N             BOTANICAL
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No. 206                              November 2, 1998

aceska@victoria.tc.ca                Victoria, B.C.
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 Dr. A. Ceska, P.O.Box 8546, Victoria, B.C. Canada V8W 3S2
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BOTANY NIGHT SPECIAL, VICTORIA, B.C., NOVEMBER 17, 1998

Terry & Rosemary Taylor:  "Plants  of Greece." 
   University of Victoria, Elliott 168, November 17, 1998,  
   7:30  p.m.  Admission: $3.-


CANADIAN WEEDS: SCOTCH BROOM - CYTISUS SCOPARIUS

Peterson,  D.J.  and  Prasad,  R.  1998. THE BIOLOGY OF CANADIAN
   WEEDS, 109. Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link. Canadian Journal  of
   Plant Science 78: 497-504.

Abstract:  Scotch  broom (Cytisus scoparius) is an exotic peren-
nial, leguminous, deciduous shrub, which during the past century
has greatly expanded its range along the  Pacific  and  Atlantic
coasts  of  North  America, and in Australia, New Zealand. South
Africa, Chile, Iran and India. This shrub rapidly  invades  dis-
turbed  areas,  forming  dense  thickets, which can suppress and
inhibit  native  vegetation,  including  economically  important
conifer   seedlings.  The  development  characteristics  whereby
Scotch  broom  invades  new  sites  include   specialized   stem
photosynthesis,  prolific seed production, longevity of seeds in
the soil, and nitrogen fixation. Human activities such as plant-
ing along highways for beautification  and  prevention  of  soil
erosion  have  accelerated  the  problem  of  rapid geographical
dispersal. Various methods of  control  (chemical,  manual,  and
biological)   together  with  habitat  morphology,  reproductive
biology, growth and development are discussed.


PHRAGMITES CONFERENCE - TREBON, CZECH REPUBLIC, APRIL 1999

The International conference on  Phragmites-dominated  wetlands,
their  functions  and  sustainable  use. Trebon, Czech Republic,
April 18-23, 1999. Convener: Institute of Botany of the  Academy
of Sciences of the Czech Republic.

All  aspects  of  the  biology  and  ecology  of  Phragmites and
Phragmites-dominated wetlands will be considered. The  following
topics will be given priority:

 1. Biogeochemical cycling in Phragmites-dominated ecosystems
 2. Growth dynamics of Phragmites
 3. Ecophysiology of Phragmites
 4. Direct and indirect effects of eutrophication on Phragmites-
    dominated ecosystems
 5. Effects of environmental factors (e.g., salinity and water)
 6. Effects of stochastic effects (e.g., fire and harvesting)
 7. Genetic  variability  within  and between Phragmites popula-
    tions
 8. Management and rehabilitation

For details see the website http://www.butbn.cas.cz/phraconf
or contact the Organizing Committee c/o Hana Cizkova, e-mail:
cizkova@butbn.cas.cz


REQUEST FOR PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST PLANTS
From: Marie Fontaine <ocotillo@hotmail.com>

We need a few plant slides at the British Columbia  Conservation
Data  Centre;  these plants are rare in our province, but may be
common in your area:

   Sporobolus compositus
   Castilleja pallescens
   Orobanche corymbosa subsp. mutabilis
   Pyrrocoma carthamoides

These slides would be used to illustrate a brochure on grassland
species at risk in British Columbia, put out by the B.C.  Minis-
try  of  Environment, Lands & Parks. If you have any good slides
of these species in your collection, please contact me at:
ocotillo@hotmail.com

Thank you for your help.


COLLECTIONS ASSISTANT FOR LICHENS, MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

The Michigan State University, East Leasing, seeks a full-time 2
year Collections Assistant  for  Lichens.  The  salary  ($23,566
minimum,  depending  on experience) will be funded by a National
Science Foundantion grant for physical and  curatorial  improve-
ments  to lichen collection. The MSU Herbarium houses one of the
largest lichen collection in the world  and  has  strong  repre-
sentation  from  Southern  Hemisphere. During the two-year grant
period  the  Collections  Assistant  will  be  responsible   for
processing  our backlog of lichen species, overseeing a shift of
the lichen specimens in the herbarium, assisting visiting scien-
tists, coordinating our lichen exchange and loan  programs,  and
assisting  with  curation of the lichen collection. The position
requires a 4 year college degree in botany or a  related  field,
basic  computer  literacy,  and  experience with lichen or plant
identification. Strong preference  will  be  given  to  any  ap-
plicants with lichenological training, experience in a herbarium
setting,  and  database  management skills. We would ike to have
the position filled by 1  January  1999,  and  applications  are
being  accepted  now.  Priority  will  be  given to applications
received by 12 November 1998. Send applications and refer  ques-
tions to:

   Alan  Prather,  Department  of  Botany and Plant Biology, 168
   Plant Biology, Michigan State University,  East  Leasing,  MI
   48824-1312;  phone:  517-355-4695,  Fax:  517-353-1926, or e-
   mail: alan@pilot.msu.edu

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