A new population of Opuntia humifusa (Raf.) Raf. was found in Pike County, Kentucky. Consequent examination of other misidentified populations in Kentucky (Harlan and Pike counties) and West Virginia (Jackson County) provides the first known occurrences of Opuntia humifusa (sensu stricto) in Kentucky and a confirmed range extension into the Unglaciated Appalachian Plateaus Province.
Opuntia mesacantha includes two subspecies, O. mesacantha subsp. mesacantha (tetraploid) and O. mesacantha subsp. lata (diploid), that are difficult to distinguish in the field. We show that (1) stomata length is effective for distinguishing the two subspecies, and (2) this can be visually assessed, reliably and non-destructively, using a microscope with a reticle (ocular data). We compare our ocular results with digital imaging and chromosome counts from mitosis in root tips to confirm that our approach is effective for these taxa.
Veronica sublobata M.A. Fisch. has been verified as new to the state of Georgia from a recent collection. Diagnostic characters and difficulties in the determination of field collections and herbarium specimens are described and a key is presented with the closely related V. hederifolia.
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