SOME ECOLOGICAL NOTES ON THE MUSCATINE 



FLORA. 



By L. H. Pa mine I. 



THE purpose of presenting a few notes on the flora of Muscatine 

 from an ecological standpoint is to call attention to a flora that 

 is unique in many respects. It is the meeting point of many- 

 southern and northern plants For the purpose of becoming 

 acquainted with this region a few days were spent in the vicinity of 

 Muscatine with Mr. Ferdinand Reppert, who has carefully collected 

 and preserved this unique flora for many years. Messrs. Barnes and 

 Miller, who have done much towards collecting material for a flora of 

 Scott and Muscatine counties, in conjunction with Mr. Reppert, hope 

 shortly to issue a catalogue of the plants of this region. My notes are 

 ecological rather than systematic. 



From a climatic standpoint it is very evident that the plants of 

 this region are highly favored. For a long period of years many of 

 the more tender cultivated plants have proven hardy. As instances, 

 mention may be made of the peach, maidenhair tree, tulip tree, pear, 

 PcEonia Montan, Magnolia acianinata and Japanese Ivy. 



A study of this flora shows the importance of considering the 

 external relations of plants. A mere catalogue of the species from 

 the standpoint of biology will not suffice. It is essential above all to 

 study field conditions I had come to look upon Physostcgia Virginiana 

 as a semi-hydrophytic species, and yet on Muscatine Island this plant 

 is frequent on banks, growing with Spiranthes ccrmia. The latter is 

 common throughout the level prairie region of Iowa. This sandy soil, 

 though commonly dry on the surface, is quite retentive of moisture a 

 few feet below the surface. Hence the appearance of semi-hydro- 

 phytic plants like PJiysostegia. Another most singular fact is that 

 these plants should grow in situations similar to that of Aster multi- 

 fioriis, Talimnn teretifoliinn and Polygonum teiiue. 



Many of the introduced species are xerophytic in their nature, 

 namely, HeliantJuis pctiolaris, Salsola tragus and Tribulus maximiis. 

 It is noticeable also that while elsewhere in Iowa Set aria glaiiea, 

 Setaria viridis and Paiiiciim capillare occupy a prominent place, these 

 species are not common on the island. The most common weeds are 

 Panicum sanguinale, Cenchriis tribuloides, FrcelicJiia Floridana and 

 Ambrosia psilostacJiya. 



HcliantJiiis petiolaris, a strictly western xerophytic plant, has been 

 naturalized along the C, R. I, & P. Railroad between Muscatine and 

 where the road strikes the hill, some nine miles south of Muscatine. 



