Abstract

This paper is the result of a taxonomic study of the species of the genus Smilacina occurring naturally in North America north of Mexico. In the past it has been difficult to make satisfactory determinations of members of this genus from existing manuals, especially among western forms. West of the great plains the great diversity in environmental conditions has given rise to a diversity in form of the species that are widely distributed. Many of these forms have been given specific or varietal names recently, and as no comprehensive work on the genus has been done since most of these were published, it is hoped that this study will be generally helpful in identifying members of the group. During the preparation of this work over 2500 herbarium specimens have been examined and annotated and comparative measurements made of many of these. Specimens have been examined from all of the forty-eight states except Louisiana and Florida, also from Canada, Alaska, Mexico, Central America, and Asia. Field work has been comparatively limited.

Degree

College and Department

Life Sciences; Plant and Wildlife Sciences

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