A Natural Areas Inventory of the - Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory ...

cited as adventive in Freeman et al. (1997), were frequently observed in 2003 and now are
considered well established on FLMR. Fieldwork carried out by staff affiliated with the R. L.
McGregor Herbarium from 1998–2003 has demonstrated each of these species to be more
common than previously thought in eastern Kansas. Some exotic species, such as Alliaria
petiolata (Bieb.) Cavara & Grande (Brassicaceae; common garlic-mustard), Ligustrum
obtusifolium, Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Maxim. (Caprifoliaceae; Amur honeysuckle), and Rosa
multiflora Thunb. (Rosaceae; multiflora rose) were reported as infrequent in appropriate habitats
by Freeman et al. (1997), but are reported here as common. Two exotic pest species, Phalaris
arundinacea L. (Poaceae; reed canary grass) and Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. (Poaceae;
Johnson grass), were reported as common in appropriate habitats by Freeman et al. (1997), but
were observed during the 2003 field season to be locally dominant in open areas in the floodplain
and reported here as abundant.
Fieldwork in 2003 documented several exotic species that were either overlooked during the
1995–1996 field seasons and are reported here as additions to the flora of FLMR, or are reported
from Kansas for the first time here. Among the exotics known from Kansas, but previously
unknown from FLMR, are the ornamentals Lythrum salicaria L. (Lythraceae; purple loosestrife)
and Lonicera japonica Thunb. (Caprifoliaceae; Japanese honeysuckle). Native to Europe, purple
loosestrife is an ecologically important wetland weed in the northeast U.S. It has been
documented from 10 scattered wetlands in the eastern half of Kansas. Observations during 2003
confirmed individuals of this species growing along the Missouri River. Native to eastern Asia,
Japanese honeysuckle is an ecologically and economically important weed of forests throughout
the southeastern United States. Observations in 2003 confirmed several sizeable populations of
this species in openings in White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest on FLMR.
Exotic taxa documented in Kansas in 2003 for the first time are Cyperus fuscus L. (Cyperaceae;
brown flat-sedge), Euonymus alatus (Celastraceae; winged burningbush), and Rhodotypos
scandens (Rosaceae; jetbead). Native to Eurasia, brown flat-sedge is an annual graminoid
previously known in the Great Plains from specimens taken in Missouri, Nebraska and South
Dakota (Tucker et al. 2002). Two subpopulations of this species were discovered on drying mud
flats along the Missouri River. It is unlikely that this species will become a pest in Kansas.
Native to eastern Asia, winged burningbush frequently is planted as an ornamental shrub
throughout the eastern United States. It has been reported as naturalized elsewhere in the eastern
U.S. (Rhoads and Block 2000), but specimens have not previously been taken from wild plants in
Kansas. Several specimens were taken during the 2003 field season from plants scattered
throughout the White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest on FLMR. It is unlikely that this species will
become a pest in Kansas, but, along with other naturalized exotic shrubs, winged burningbush
may contribute locally to the decline of native plants in eastern Kansas forest communities.
Native to Japan, jetbead has been planted widely and is reported as an occasional escape in the
northeastern United States (Rhoads and Block 2000). Two small populations, each of fewer than
10 plants, were observed in White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest along horse trails. These appear
to represent the first documented occurrence of this species in the Great Plains. This species has
not proved itself to be a pest where it has become established elsewhere in the U.S., and it is
unlikely it will become a pest in Kansas.
NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY OF FT. LEAVENWORTH II 82