Since 1978 the Massachusetts Natural Heritage Program has conducted an inventory of rare species throughout the state of Massachusetts. For 286 rare vascular plant taxa information is provided on ...current nomenclature, number of stations, endangerment status, range extensions, habitat preference, and identification.
Based on morphological analysis, Rhynchospora leptocarpa, long synonymized under R. capitellata, is reinstated as a distinct species. Although clearly related to the latter, R. leptocarpa differs in ...a number of mensural and qualitative characters. Furthermore, its distribution is confined to the southern coastal plain and it inhabits a narrow range of plant communities, very unlike those of R. capitellata. Based on the relative ease of finding R. leptocarpa in suitable habitat, it is believed not to be rare, but merely overlooked. En base a análisis morfológicos Rhynchospora leptocarpa, que fue sinonimizada a R. capitellata, se vuelve a considerar como una especie diferente. Aunque claramente relacionada con esta última, R. leptocarpa difiere en cierto número de caracteres cuantitativos y cualitativos. Además, su distribución está confinada al sur de la llanura costera y vive en un número restringido de comunidades vegetales, muy diferentes de las de R. capitellata. Debido a lo fácil que es encontrar R. leptocarpa en los habitats adecuados, se cree que no es rara, sino que simplemente ha sido ignorada.
Three Mile Island, New Hampshire (U.S.A.), located on the northwest arm of Lake Winnipesaukee in central New Hampshire, is approximately 17.4 ha in size. The flora of this island has been studied ...intermittently by various botanists and naturalists since 1900. Surveys and collections of the vascular plant flora were undertaken by the authors between 1978 and 1985. A single synthetic list of the island's vascular flora was produced, including plants listed by all previous observers. A total of 363 species is here reported, including Cypripedium arietinum, a rare species listed by the state of New Hampshire. General characteristics of plant taxa lost and gained reflect the land use patterns of Three Mile Island, a continuum of small changes occupying eight decades.
