News

Dr. Struwe, Rutgers University-NB, passed on a request from Dario Chavez, a botanical PhD candidate in University of Florida's Stone Fruit Breeding and Genetics Program.  Dario is requesting Northeastern botanists assist in the collection of the subsection of the Genus Prunus that includes plums.  This researcher is studying the phenology of North American plums and their phylogenetic framework (relatedness, evolution and character trait diversification).  Leaves, fruit and budwood is … [Read more...] about Florida Botanist Seeking Northern Plums

Dr. Heckscher has provided a wonderful short paper on the interesting forest we call Bear Swamp (click here for a pdf file of Ecological Rambles #2).  The Flora of New Jersey Project is pleased to provide the second edition in the running dialog with our resident ecologist on a topic that is dear to his heart.  Bear Swamp is a large, magnificent woodland is found NW of the village of Dividing Creek on the Cumberland County Bayshore.  It is one of New Jersey's ecological treasures and Stevens … [Read more...] about A Forest Primeval: The Second Edition of Ecological Rambles Now Available

A recent article on Smithsonian Institution's web page (www.smithsonian.com/invasives) highlighted the culinary uses of a variety of invasive species, notably plants.  The feature species was Garlic Mustard.  This plant as botanists in the Northeast US know is an ever present pest that is ruining our botanical experience.  This species can out compete many natives, reducing our woodlands to barren mono-specific stands of this invasive weed.  Well, to the rescue are chef's and foodies that are … [Read more...] about If you can’t beat them, eat them!

Joan Ehrenfeld, a friend of the Flora Project, passed away on Sunday June 26, 2011 at the age of 63.  Joan was a professor of ecology at Rutgers University's Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources.  She was an engaging scientist and just a wonderful person.  The New Jersey scientific community has lost an advocate and a voice for the plant sciences.  We will miss Joan's smile and her never ending energy.  Our condolences go out to her family and friends in this time of mourning. … [Read more...] about Dr. Joan G. Ehrenfeld

The American Littoral Society, Rutgers University and the National Park Service are partnering  to sponser a Bio-Blitz in the Sandy Hook portion of the Gateway National Wildlife Refuge.  This effort is scheduled September 17, 2011. BioBlitz events are intense 24-hour field surveys to catalog as many organisms as possible.  This field event is part contest, part education and part scientific endeavor scheduled to increase the public awareness of the biological diversity found in our own … [Read more...] about Botanists Needed for September’s Sandy Hook BioBlitz