BEN
BOTANICAL ELECTRONIC NEWS
ISSN 1188-603X

No. 206 November 2, 1998aceska@victoria.tc.ca Victoria, B.C.
Dr. A. Ceska, P.O.Box 8546, Victoria, B.C. Canada V8W 3S2

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 perennial, 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 disturbed 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 planting 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 populations
  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:

These slides would be used to illustrate a brochure on grassland species at risk in British Columbia, put out by the B.C. Ministry 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 Lansing, 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 improvements to lichen collection. The MSU Herbarium houses one of the largest lichen collection in the world and has strong representation 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 scientists, 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 applicants 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 questions to:

Submissions, subscriptions, etc.: aceska@victoria.tc.ca.
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