Brunnichia ovata (Walter) Shinners

Weakley, Alan S., Kees, John C., Sorrie, Bruce A., Ward, Scott G., Poindexter, Derick B., Brock, Mason, Estes, L. Dwayne, Bridges, Edwin L., Orzell, Steve L., Levin, Geoffrey A., McClelland, R. Kevan Schoonover, Schmidt, Ryan J. & Namestnik, Scott A., 2023, Studies In The Vascular Flora Of The Southeastern United States. Ix, Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 17 (1), pp. 191-257 : 242-243

publication ID	https://doi.org/10.17348/jbrit.v17.i1.1293
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03B387CF-4971-6523-FFD0-FA575773661D
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Brunnichia ovata (Walter) Shinners
status

Treatment

Brunnichia ovata (Walter) Shinners View in CoL [ Polygonaceae ]

Brunnichia ovata is reported as new to Indiana (Floyd County) based on a collection made in 2022 by Scott Namestnik. It was found growing not far from a population of Alternanthera philoxeroides . A vegetative, mounding colony of B. ovata approximately 15 m 2 in size was discovered on a muddy slope along the Ohio River, above the Ordinary High Water Mark of the river but within its floodway ( Fig. 23 View FIG ). To date, this is the only known occurrence of B.ovata in Indiana.

This semi-woody vine with tendrils and distinctive alternate, simple, lanceolate to ovate leaves with wavy margins and truncate to subcordate bases is common through the Mississippi Embayment, with scattered occurrences outside of this region of the southeastern United States ( Kartesz 2015; Weakley & Southeastern Flora Team 2022a). It is treated as introduced in Virginia ( Weakley & Southeastern Flora Team 2022a) but is native elsewhere in its North American range. Subnational conservation status ranks have not been assigned throughout most of its native range, but at its northernmost extent in Illinois it is considered vulnerable ( S3 ?), and in Kentucky it is considered secure ( S5 ); globally it is apparently secure ( G4 G5 ), and in the United States it is apparently secure ( N4 N5 ) ( NatureServe 2023). In Indiana B. ovata is being treated as an unnatural but unintentional introduction, expected to have been brought into the state on fishing equipment or through Ohio River floodwaters, and thus it does not have a conservation status rank ( SNA). It can grow in disturbance communities and ruderal areas and has been considered a problem weed in crop fields in some parts of its range ( Yatskievych 2013), so there is potential for spread at this site and beyond in southern Indiana .

Voucher Specimens: INDIANA. Floyd Co.: River Front Park , New Albany , on muddy slope along Ohio River , 38.2917, –85.6774, 17 Aug 2022, S GoogleMaps . Namestnik 5557 ( BUT, IND) .