Upper Canopy Collection and Identification of Grapevines (Vitis) from Selected Forests in the Southeastern United States
Everhart SE. 2010. Upper Canopy Collection and Identification of Grapevines (Vitis) from Selected Forests in the Southeastern United States. Castanea. 75(1):141-149
ABSTRACT: ABSTRACT Woody grapevines (Vitis spp.) are common in the deciduous forests southeastern United States. Their growth habit makes leaf collection challenging polymorphic leaves make identification of species difficult. Mature grapevines to 48 cm in diameter at breast height and reach the upper canopy of trees more than height. Leaf morphology is the most readily available character used for species identification. However, most mature grapevines do not produce leaves below the upper canopy do, these leaves are morphologically indistinguishable from other species. In order leaves from mature grapevines, the doubled rope climbing method was used canopy in Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, Daniel Boone National and Berea College Forest in Kentucky, and Ha Ha Tonka State Park in Missouri. specimens were collected from the upper canopy and used to create a modified key for those regions. The purposes of this paper are to report a new method for grapevine leaf vouchers from the upper canopy of trees, to present a modified identifying dried leaf vouchers of Vitis species, and to present a discussion of the possible of this research for future studies.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Everhart, Sydney
- Units
- GRSM
- Keywords
- APHN, Appalachian Highlands Network, canopy, climbing, grapevines, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, GRSM, GRSM-00068, SER, Southeast Region, vascular plants, vines, Vitis