A floristic inventory of east-central Idaho, U.S.A

Publication Type:

Thesis

Authors:

Joshua J. Irwin

Source:

Department of Botany, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming, p.99 pp (2014)

Call Number:

U14IRW01IDUS

Abstract:

A vascular plant inventory was completed in east-central Idaho during the summers of 2010 through 2012, providing a comprehensive update to a similar flora published in 1992. The area encompassed includes the Salmon-Challis National Forest and all intervening public land for a total of 10,552 mi2 (27,330 km2). This portion of Idaho is geographically diverse, containing six mountain ranges with over a mile of vertical relief (1,609 m) and average annual precipitation ranging from less than 8 in (24.4 cm) to over 50 in (152 cm). A total of 11,237 voucher specimens were collected from 1,196 sites. The annotated checklist documents 1,349 unique taxa from 459 genera and 93 families. A total of 157 populations of species of conservation concern were located, representing 45 taxa. 44 populations of noxious weeds were recorded from 12 species. One species new to science, Polemonium elusum J. J. Irwin & R. L. Hartm., was discovered and subsequently published in 2012. <br> Biogeographic review includes discussions of past botanical inventories, climate, geology, and vegetation. A limited spatial analysis was performed to assess sampling adequacy. Detailed specimen data are provided in the annotated checklist as well as online (http://www.rmh.uwyo.edu). A complete set of specimens are housed at the Rocky Mountain Herbarium with duplicates sent to the Salmon-Challis National Forest and Idaho regional herbaria.