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

A NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY OF THE 

FT. LEAVENWORTH MILITARY RESERVATION, 

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY, KANSAS. II 

Open-file Report No. 117 

December 31, 2003 

Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory 

Kansas Biological Survey 

2101 Constant Avenue 

Lawrence, KS 66047-3759

A NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY OF THE 

FT. LEAVENWORTH MILITARY RESERVATION, 

LEAVENWORTH COUNTY, KANSAS. II 

Cover Photo: Understory of Pecan-Hackberry Floodplains Forest on Ft. Leavenworth Military 

Reservation. Photo by Craig. C. Freeman, 2003. 

Citation: 

Freeman, C. C, W. H. Busby, J. Delisle, W. D. Kettle, K. Kindscher, H. Loring, C. A. 

Morse, and V. B. Salisbury. 2003. A natural areas inventory of the Ft. Leavenworth 

Military Reservation, Leavenworth County, Kansas. II. Open-file Report No. 117. Kansas 

Biological Survey. Lawrence, KS. 199 pp. 

Assume corporate authorship for chapters and appendices except where stated otherwise. 

Chapters and appendices with individual authors may be cited as in the following example: 

Loring, H. 2003. Natural communities. Pp. 13–46. In: Freeman, C. C., W. H. Busby, J. 

Delisle, W. D. Kettle, K. Kindscher, H. Loring, C. A. Morse, and V. B. Salisbury. Natural 

areas inventory of Ft. Leavenworth Military Reservation, Leavenworth County, Kansas. II. 

Open-file Report No. 117. Kansas Biological Survey. Lawrence, KS. 199 pp.

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

List Of Figures ............................................................................................................................................................. iii 

List Of Tables ................................................................................................................................................................ v 

Acknowledgments ....................................................................................................................................................... vii 

Abstract ...................................................................................................................................................................... viii 

Chapter 1. Background ................................................................................................................................................. 1 

1.2. DETAILED STUDY OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................ 2 

1.3. STUDY AREA ................................................................................................................................................. 4 

1.4. LAND USE HISTORY AND VEGETATION ................................................................................................. 6 

1.5. PROTECTED AND RARE SPECIES .............................................................................................................. 7 

1.6. PREVIOUS STUDIES ..................................................................................................................................... 8 

Chapter 2. Natural Communities ................................................................................................................................ 13 

2.1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................... 13 

2.2. METHODS ..................................................................................................................................................... 13 

2.3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ..................................................................................................................... 14 

Forest Communities ........................................................................................................................................... 15 

Herbaceous Communities .................................................................................................................................. 33 

Sparse Vegetation Communities ........................................................................................................................ 37 

Successional Areas ............................................................................................................................................. 38 

2.4. SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................................... 39 

Chapter 3. Animals ..................................................................................................................................................... 44 

3.1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................... 44 

3.2. METHODS ..................................................................................................................................................... 46 


Species Accounts–Federal-listed Species ........................................................................................................... 50 

Species Accounts–State-listed Species ............................................................................................................... 55 

Species Accounts–Kansas Species in Need of Conservation (SINC).................................................................. 58 

Species Accounts–Former Federal Candidate Species ...................................................................................... 63 

Species Accounts–Other Rare Species ............................................................................................................... 64 

Faunistic Surveys ............................................................................................................................................... 65 

3.4. SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................................... 67 

Chapter 4. Plants ......................................................................................................................................................... 77 

4.1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................... 77 

4.2. METHODS ..................................................................................................................................................... 78 


Floristic Surveys ................................................................................................................................................ 80 

Federal-listed Species ........................................................................................................................................ 85 

State-rare Species .............................................................................................................................................. 85 

4.4. SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................................... 92 

Chapter 5. Management Recommendations .............................................................................................................. 110 

5.1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 110 

5.2. LANDSCAPE ISSUES AND FACTORS INFLUENCING THE BIODIVERSITY OF THE FT. 

LEAVENWORTH MILITARY RESERVATION ............................................................................................... 110 

NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY OF FT. LEAVENWORTH II i

5.3. RECOMMENDATIONS .............................................................................................................................. 112 

Chapter 6. Summary ................................................................................................................................................. 120 

Literature Cited .......................................................................................................................................................... 124 

Appendix A. Directions to vegetation plots. ............................................................................................................. 131 

Appendix B. Checklist of vertebrates known to occur or possibly occurring on the Ft. Leavenworth Military 

Reservation. ............................................................................................................................................................... 135 

Appendix C. Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Leavenworth County and the Ft. Leavenworth Military 

Reservation (FLMR). ................................................................................................................................................. 146 

Appendix D. A report on a field survey of summer bats on FLMR. ......................................................................... 178 

Appendix E. Report on a 2003 field survey of snakes on FLMR. ............................................................................ 183 

Appendix F. Exotic and Invasive Plant Species of Concern. .................................................................................... 187 

NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY OF FT. LEAVENWORTH II ii

LIST OF FIGURES 

FIGURE 1.1. Location of the Ft. Leavenworth Military Reservation ......................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 

FIGURE 1.2. Locations and names of trails referenced in this report. ....................................................................... 12 

FIGURE 2.1. Locations of vegetation plots within natural communities on FLMR ... Error! Bookmark not defined. 

FIGURE 2.2. High-quality forest communities .......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 

FIGURE 2.3. Prairie remnants on FLMR ................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 

FIGURE 3.1. Southern flying squirrel trap arrays (1–3), capture location (square), and unconfirmed sightings 

(circles) on FLMR in 2002 and 2003 ................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 

FIGURE 3.2. Locations of baiting stations for American burying beetle on FLMR in September 2003 ........... Error! 

Bookmark not defined. 

FIGURE 3.3. Locations of point counts for breeding birds in old-growth, mid-successional, and early successional 

floodplain forests on FLMR in June 2003 .......................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 

FIGURE 3.4. Element occurrence polygons for cerulean warbler and yellow-throated warbler. Both species are 

known to occur at multiple sites within the delimited areas, but populations are not continuous. Yellowedthroated 

warbler polygon includes that of cerulean warbler ............................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 

FIGURE 3.5. Locations of eastern chipmunk sightings on FLMR from 1995–2003.. Error! Bookmark not defined. 

FIGURE 3.6. Element occurrence centroids for great egret, broad-winged hawk, red-shouldered hawk, and 

ovenbird on FLMR ............................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 

FIGURE 3.7. Sites where reptiles and amphibians were encountered on FLMR in 2002 and 2003.Error! Bookmark 

not defined. 

FIGURE 4.1. Generalized distribution of suitable habitat for Aster lateriflorus var. lateriflorus on FLMR ...... Error! 


FIGURE 4.2. Generalized distribution of suitable habitat for Brachyelytrum erectum on FLMR ...Error! Bookmark 

not defined. 

FIGURE 4.3. Distribution map of known extent of Bromus nottowayanus on FLMR Error! Bookmark not defined. 

FIGURE 4.4. Generalized distribution of suitable habitat for Carex crus-corvi on FLMR ........................................ 97 

FIGURE 4.5. Generalized distribution of suitable habitat for Carex hirtifolia on FLMR ......... Error! Bookmark not 

defined. 

FIGURE 4.6. Generalized distribution of suitable habitat for Carex hitchcockiana, Carex rosea, Osmorhiza 

claytonii, and Uvularia grandiflora on FLMR .................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. 

FIGURE 4.7. Generalized distribution of suitable habitat for Carex normalis on FLMR ......... Error! Bookmark not 

defined. 

FIGURE 4.8. Generalized distribution of suitable habitat for Carex radiata on FLMR ........... Error! Bookmark not 

defined. 

FIGURE 4.9. Generalized distribution of suitable habitat for Carex tribuloides var. sangamonensis on FLMR .... 102 

FIGURE 4.10. Generalized distribution of suitable habitat for Hydrophyllum appendiculatum on FLMR ....... Error! 


FIGURE 4.11. Distribution map of known extent of Hypericum ascyron on FLMR . Error! Bookmark not defined. 

FIGURE 4.12. Generalized distribution of suitable habitat for Lipocarpha micrantha on FLMR ...Error! Bookmark 

not defined. 

FIGURE 4.13. Generalized distribution of suitable habitat for Packera glabella on FLMR .... Error! Bookmark not 

defined. 

FIGURE 4.14. Generalized distribution of suitable habitat for Ranunculus recurvatus var. recurvatus on FLMR 

........................................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 

FIGURE 4.15. Generalized distribution of suitable habitat for Rubus alumnus on FLMR ....... Error! Bookmark not 

defined. 

FIGURE 4.16. Generalized distribution of suitable habitat for Stachys pilosa var. arenicola on FLMR........... Error! 


FIGURE 5.1. One of the small remnant prairies at FLMR. Woody vegetation within and surrounding the site should 

be removed and a prescribed burning plan implemented to preserve biodiversity ........................................... 119 

FIGURE D.1. Locations of bat netting stations on FLMR ......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 

NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY OF FT. LEAVENWORTH II iii

NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY OF FT. LEAVENWORTH II iv

LIST OF TABLES 

TABLE 2.1. Summary of natural community survey activities on FLMR in 2003 ..................................................... 15 

TABLE 2.2. Natural communities documented on FLMR ......................................................................................... 16 

TABLE 2.3. Locations of vegetation plots and community types in which they occur .............................................. 17 

TABLE 2.4. Average basal area (cm 2 /400 m 2 ) and sapling count (number/400 m 2 ) of overstory trees and vines in 

the Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest in 1995–1996 and 2003 ...................................................................... 18 

TABLE 2.5. Average cover (%) of understory species in the Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest in 1995–1996 and 

2003 ................................................................................................................................................................... 19 


the mature to old-growth Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest in 1995–1996 and 2003 ........................... 22 


the early to mid-successional Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest in 1995–1996 and 2003 .................... 22 

TABLE 2.8. Average cover (%) of understory species in the old-growth Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest in 

1995–1996 and 2003 .......................................................................................................................................... 23 

TABLE 2.9. Average cover (%) of understory species in the early to mid-successional Cottonwood-Sycamore 

Floodplain Forest in 1995–1996 and 2003 ......................................................................................................... 25 


the White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest in 1995–1996 and 2003 ...................................................................... 27 

TABLE 2.11. Average cover (%) of understory species in the White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest in 1995–1996 and 

2003 ................................................................................................................................................................... 28 


the Maple-Basswood Forest in 1995–1996 and 2003 ........................................................................................ 32 

TABLE 2.13. Average cover (%) of understory species in the Maple-Basswood Forest in 1995–1996 and 2003 .... 32 

TABLE 2.14. Vascular plant species observed on prairie remnants on FLMR .......................................................... 34 

TABLE 3.1. Animal species protected by federal and/or state laws with historical or extant occurrences in 

Leavenworth County, Kansas ............................................................................................................................. 45 

TABLE 3.2. Summary of areas surveyed for plants and animals in 2002 and 2003 on FLMR .................................. 49 

TABLE 3.3. Element occurrence records for state-rare animals on FLMR ................................................................ 50 

TABLE 3.4. Carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae) collected on FLMR 3–6 September 2003 .............................. 51 

TABLE 3.5. Carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae) collected at FLMR on 9–12 September 2003 .......................... 51 

TABLE 3.6. Aerial surveys for bald eagles conducted by KDWP from 1991–1993.................................................. 52 

TABLE 3.7. Results of strip-plot surveys for canopy-dwelling warblers in old-growth forest at FLMR in 2002–2003 

........................................................................................................................................................................... 59 

TABLE 3.8. Results of point counts for birds conducted in June 2003 in three floodplain forest types on FLMR .... 66 

TABLE 3.9. Number of vertebrate species known to occur or potentially occurring on FLMR based on data in 

Appendix B ........................................................................................................................................................ 68 

TABLE 4.1. Summary of dates, areas surveyed for vascular plant species, effort, and results during the 2003 field 

season on FLMR ................................................................................................................................................ 78 

TABLE 4.2. Number of taxa and cumulative percentage of the 10 most species-rich vascular plant families known 

from Leavenworth County and FLMR ............................................................................................................... 81 

TABLE 4.3. Number and cumulative percentage of introduced and native taxa in Leavenworth County and on 

FLMR ................................................................................................................................................................. 83 

TABLE 4.4. Number and cumulative percentage of annual, biennial, and perennial taxa in Leavenworth County and 

on FLMR ............................................................................................................................................................ 83 

TABLE 4.5. Number of instances and cumulative percentage in which taxa were reported from different habitat 

types in Leavenworth County and on FLMR ..................................................................................................... 84 

TABLE 4.6. Number of instances and cumulative percentage in which taxa were reported from different habitat 

types in Leavenworth County and on FLMR ..................................................................................................... 84 

TABLE 4.7. Summary of element occurrence records for 21 state-rare vascular plant species on FLMR ................. 90 

TABLE D.1. Species of bats captured at FLMR in 2002 and 2003 .......................................................................... 179 

TABLE D.2. Numbers of each bat species collected at each net site ....................................................................... 179 

NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY OF FT. LEAVENWORTH II v

TABLE D.3. UTM coordinates for net locations ..................................................................................................... 180 

TABLE E.1. Reptiles and amphibians observed on FLMR between May and October 2003 .................................. 185 

TABLE F.1. Exotic plant species of concern at FLMR ............................................................................................ 188 

TABLE F.2. Life forms (habit) of exotic plant species of concern at FLMR ........................................................... 189 

NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY OF FT. LEAVENWORTH II vi

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 

This work was carried out under Cooperative Agreement No. DAMD17-02-2-0050 awarded by 

the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity in Ft. Detrick, Maryland (under the project 

title “A natural features inventory of the Fort Leavenworth Military Reservation”) to the 

University of Kansas, Kansas Biological Survey. It builds on the earlier studies of the Kansas 

Biological Survey, which were supported by Cooperative Agreement No. DAMD17-94-V-4019 

awarded by the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity in Ft. Detrick, Maryland 

(under the project title “Managing bottomland hardwoods for neotropical migratory birds, project 

#94-0614") and Cooperative Agreement No. 14-48-0006-95-3006, awarded by the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service in Denver, Colorado. 

We are grateful to Judy Wimberg and Matt Nowak at Ft. Leavenworth, who provided logistical 

assistance and information about management issues. Both have been enthusiastic supporters of 

the Survey’s work. 

Many individuals assisted with various aspects of the field work and processing of data. Special 

thanks go to Dr. Lynn Robbins, Southwest Missouri State University, who conducted surveys of 

bats, and Hank Guarisco, Lawrence, Kansas, who conducted American burying beetle and 

herpetological surveys. Erika Noguera and Todd Aschenbach assisted Hillary Loring in the field. 

NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY OF FT. LEAVENWORTH II vii

ABSTRACT 

A two-year field study was initiated in 2002 on the Ft. Leavenworth Military Reservation 

(FLMR) as a follow-up to research conducted there by the Kansas Biological Survey in 1995 and 

1996. The project had four primary objectives: 1) conduct surveys to update information about 

biotic assemblages, outstanding natural areas, and protected species, 2) identify the primary 

threats from exotic plants to native biodiversity, 3) make these data available in a geographic 

information system format, and 4) develop management recommendations to assist resource 

managers with maintenance of the installation’s biodiversity assets. 

Seven kinds of terrestrial natural communities were confirmed. Riverine communities were not 

examined or evaluated. One occurrence each of the four forest types was updated in Kansas 

Natural Heritage Inventory’s database. The floodplain forest on FLMR remains one of the 

largest old-growth stands in the lower Missouri River valley, and upland forests and associated 

communities are regionally important. Visual analysis of the floodplain forests suggests 

significant changes have occurred since 1995–1996, but analysis of data did not reveal any 

statistically significant differences. Threats to biodiversity include degradation, fragmentation, 

isolation, and destruction of natural areas both on-site and off-site. Riparian forests are 

especially significant to native biodiversity, providing routes for the movement of wildlife and 

helping to maintain water quality. Degraded prairies, forests, and wetlands may serve as buffer 

areas and connectors between high-quality sites, and many areas have restoration potential. 

Animal surveys revealed few changes from the earlier findings. One federally protected species 

is a regular migrant and winter resident. Four species of federally protected birds may migrate 

through the area, but nesting and/or foraging habitat for these species is limited or absent. No 

state-listed threatened or endangered species were documented, but several migratory species 

may make brief stops. Five Kansas Species In Need of Conservation (SINC) were documented 

on the installation and two species may use habitat on the installation. Four state-rare bird 

species also were documented. Of 428 vertebrate species potentially occurring on the 

installation, 292 species have been confirmed since 1995. 

No populations of federal-listed plant species were observed. However, nine of 11 state-rare 

vascular plant taxa documented earlier were confirmed persisting. Populations of two state-rare 

species were not relocated but may persist. Ten species were added to the list of state-rare taxa 

occurring on FLMR. Plant surveys yielded 267 specimens of vascular plants and bryophytes, 

including 55 taxa previously undocumented on FLMR. Currently, 585 species of vascular plants 

and 43 species of bryophytes are confirmed at the site. A number of exotic plant species appear 

to have increased in abundance since the initial study, and several of these represent threats to the 

native biodiversity of the site. 

Seventeen recommendations are made to help maintain and enhance the native biodiversity of the 

installation. The recommendations fall into one of three general categories: land management, 

education/promotion, and future studies. 

NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY OF FT. LEAVENWORTH II viii

1.1. INTRODUCTION 

CHAPTER 1. BACKGROUND 

Craig C. Freeman 



Lawrence, KS 66047-3759 

ccfree@ku.edu 

In 1997, the Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory (KSNHI), a program of the Kansas Biological 

Survey (KBS) at the University of Kansas, completed a two-year field study of the terrestrial 

natural environment of the Ft. Leavenworth Military Reservation (FLMR) in extreme northeast 

Kansas (Freeman et al. 1997). That study had five objectives: 1) compile a list of protected and 

rare species of plants and animals potentially occurring on FLMR, 2) plan and conduct surveys 

for these species, 3) document and map all findings of threatened and endangered species, 4) 

compile a comprehensive report detailing all occurrences of protected and rare species and 

describing exceptional biological natural areas on FLMR, and 5) assist in the formulation of 

management recommendations based on the survey results. The Kansas Cooperative Fish and 

Wildlife Research Unit at Kansas State University also conducted fish surveys in the Missouri 

River along the north and east side of the fort in 1996 as part of the overall effort to inventory the 

FLMR biota. 

The Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory identified nine kinds of natural communities on FLMR 

during its study: four forest types, two herbaceous types, one sparse vegetation type, and two 

riverine types. One occurrence each of the four forest types was added to KSNHI’s database of 

outstanding natural community occurrences in Kansas. Field surveys confirmed that the 

floodplain forest at FLMR is globally significant and among the largest old growth stands left in 

the lower Missouri River valley. Upland forests and smaller natural communities associated with 

them were found to be regionally important, collectively providing habitat for nearly two-dozen 

globally rare or state-rare species and a rich assemblage of plants and animals representative of 

forest and grassland communities in northeast Kansas. Floristic and faunistic surveys greatly 

expanded the list of organisms known to use habitat on FLMR. A total of 253 species of 

vertebrates was confirmed on the installation, including 179 birds, 33 mammals, 28 reptiles, and 

13 amphibians. Surveys for fishes in the Missouri River yielded 21 species. Five hundred thirtytwo 

species of vascular plants were documented, including 460 that were confirmed during the 

study. Seven vascular plant species were documented in Kansas for the first time. Bryophyte 

surveys yielded 42 species, including 15 county records and one state record. Primary threats to 

the biodiversity included destruction and degradation of natural areas (both on and off the 

installation) and establishment and spread of several species of exotic plants. Based on its 

findings, KBS made 15 recommendations to help maintain and enhance the biodiversity of 

FLMR. Among them was a recommendation to conduct periodic surveys to monitor the 

condition of populations and natural communities and to assess environmental trends. 

NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY OF FT. LEAVENWORTH II 1

In response to that recommendation, in 2002 the FLMR Directorate of Installation Support, 

Environmental Division, requested a proposal from KSNHI for fieldwork to update the 1997 

study. A proposal was prepared and submitted, and an award was made in July 2002. 

There were four primary objectives. First, new surveys were conducted to update information 

concerning floristic and faunistic assemblages, outstanding natural areas, and species protected 

by federal and state laws. Natural communities identified during the first survey were reevaluated 

to document any significant changes in extent, structure, or species composition. 

Systematic surveys were conducted for protected species known to occur on the installation and 

several other species that potentially might use habitat there. Second, because some rare species 

and natural communities are vulnerable to the spread of exotic species, the most serious threats 

from non-native species (mostly exotic plants) also were identified. Third, based on the 

cumulative findings, management recommendations were developed to assist resource managers 

with maintenance of the installation’s biodiversity assets. Fourth, locations of rare species, 

aggressive exotic species, and outstanding natural community occurrences were mapped using a 

geographic information system (GIS) and made available to the natural resources staff at FLMR. 

Field studies were initiated in July 2002 and were completed in November 2003. This report 

summarizes our work and compares current conditions to those described five years earlier 

(Freeman et al. 1997). 

1.2. DETAILED STUDY OBJECTIVES 

Objective 1. Surveys and Assessments of Natural Communities and Rare Species. A primary 

objective was to update element occurrence records compiled by KSNHI and summarized in 

Freeman et al. (1997). Natural communities identified previously were revisited to document any 

significant changes in their distribution, structure, or species composition. Natural community 

quality grades assigned during the first study were re-evaluated qualitatively with data generated 

from new field surveys. Additionally, areas of FLMR that were not accessible during the first study 

(e.g., the farm area) were visited and surveyed for the first time. 

Similarly, zoological and botanical surveys were conducted to update data compiled during the first 

survey. At the request of FLMR personnel, surveys were carried out for one species not 

investigated during the first survey—the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis). The Indiana bat is a federal 

endangered species that inhabits cave regions in the eastern United States. Most of the world’s 

populations are found in Missouri. The species has not been documented in Kansas. Females 

disperse to maternity roosts in late spring, and it is at this time that they have the potential to occur 

on FLMR. Dr. Lynn Robbins, Southwestern Missouri State University, an expert on this species, 

was contracted to conduct surveys for the bat. Information on other bat species encountered on 

FLMR was recorded during surveys for the Indiana bat, and this information is presented herein. 

Populations of the 11 state-rare plants documented on the installation were revisited and assessed. 

Occurrences for nine of these were updated in the KSNHI database. 

Objective 2. Surveys for Exotic Species. More than 40% of the plant species documented on 

FLMR by Freeman et al. (1997) grow in disturbed habitats. Many of these were introduced 


intentionally or accidentally from Europe or Asia. While many non-native plants rarely persist very 

long outside of cultivation, some have become naturalized in North America, and a few have 

become serious threats to native biodiversity. Freeman et al. (1997) identified Garlic mustard 

(Alliaria petiolata) as a serious pest in floodplain forests on the installation. More than a dozen 

non-native, woody species also were listed as potential threats and monitoring of their status was 

recommended. 

As part of this study, we attempted to determine the distribution and abundance of exotic plants 

that represent the most serious threats to native biodiversity on FLMR. Our initial interested was 

garlic mustard, Japanese barberry (Berberis thunbergii DC.), Chinese spindle-tree (Euonymus 

fortunei (Turcz.) Hand.-Mazz.), autumn-olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.), Amur honeysuckle 

(Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Maxim.), multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora Thunb.), and common 

privet (Ligustrum vulgare L.). In addition, sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata (Dum. Cours.) 

G. Don), added to the state noxious weed list in 2000, was documented on FLMR during the first 

survey. Surveys for it were conducted and are summarized. 

Objective 3. Data Management. Data about each population of rare plant and animal were 

entered into KSNHI's databases using standard Heritage methodology. Locations of rare species 

were mapped onto topographic maps maintained in the KSNHI map file. Natural community 

occurrences that meet KSNHI database criteria also were mapped and added to the databases. 

Natural community locations and plant and animal locations were digitized using ArcView GIS 

software. Attributes describing the species and plant community occurrences were attached to 

these polygon and point coverages. 

Objective 4. Management Recommendations. Preservation of native biological diversity is 

mandated for Army installations and must be undertaken in ways consistent with military 

mission. Effective preservation efforts will require that conservation goals are science-based and 

fully integrated with current and planned military activities, recreational and education programs, 

and other endeavors. The linchpin of an effective preservation program is a set of sound 

management recommendations, targeted to specific sites, which can be referenced by natural 

resource personnel to accomplish well-defined conservation and restoration objectives. 

Freeman et al. (1997) offered 15 recommendations intended to maintain and enhance the 

biodiversity of natural communities documented on FLMR. The recommendations fell into three 

categories: land management, education and promotion, and additional studies. Based on recent 

surveys, we have built on these original management recommendations by developing and 

expanding the management strategies to preserve and enhance the natural features of FLMR. 

Broadly defined, the objectives of this part of the study were: 1) maintain and enhance highquality 

native communities on the installation, 2) improve habitat condition and quality of 

degraded sites, and 3) identify opportunities to restore other communities and populations. The 

methods used in planning require several integrated steps including: 1) establishing clear goals 

and objectives; 2) delineating management units; 3) identifying management issues and 

concerns; 4) developing recommendations and alternatives for different levels of management; 

and 5) outlining methods to assess the effectiveness of the plan in meeting objectives. 


The over-arching goal of this aspect of the project was to provide recommendations for 

maintaining native communities and rare species at FLMR, and enhancing them wherever 

possible. Resource managers and other personnel may then use this information as guidance to 

preserve and enhance native biodiversity at FLMR. Although the scope of this project focuses on 

native biodiversity, other base activities—such as landscaping programs, golf course 

maintenance, recreation (hunting, fishing, hiking, birding), and infrastructure development—may 

impinge upon native communities and should be at some point integrated into the planning 

process. 

1.3. STUDY AREA 

Freeman et al. (1997) provide a detailed description of the physical setting, history, environment, 

and biota of FLMR and surrounding areas. The history of the post is not discussed here, but 

information about the physical setting, environment, and biota is summarized from Freeman et 

al. (1997) to provide context for the chapters that follow. 

The 2,399-ha (5,927-ac) Ft. Leavenworth Military Reservation is located in northeast Kansas in 

eastern Leavenworth County (Figure 1.1). Situated on the north side of the city of Leavenworth, 

FLMR is roughly 40 km (25 mi) northwest of downtown Kansas City, Kansas. It is the oldest 

continuously-active Army post west of the Mississippi River. Ft. Leavenworth today is the home 

of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College within the U.S. Army Combined Arms 

Center (Edgerton 1995). It is considered to be among the finest senior tactical schools in the 

world for advanced military education. 

The Ft. Leavenworth Military Reservation lies completely within the Glaciated Region 

physiographic province of Kansas (Schoewe 1949, Zavesky and Boatright 1977). It encompasses 

two distinct landscape features: rolling hills and uplands above the Missouri River, and an area of 

nearly level river floodplain. Elevations range from 232 m msl (760 ft) along the Missouri River 

at the southeast corner to 329 m msl (1080 ft) at Hancock Hill near the northwest corner. 

Slightly more than half of FLMR is situated on rolling hills above the Missouri River. Most 

upland areas south and east of a line extending from a point where Quarry Creek empties onto 

the Missouri River floodplain (in the center of the installation) southwest through the National 

Cemetery and then along Hancock Avenue to its junction with US 73 and KS 7 (at the fort’s 

southwest entrance) has been developed. This area, which lies mostly between 244–274 m msl 

(800–900 ft), supports much of the fort’s infrastructure. North and west of this line are a series 

of forested ridges and valleys. 

Most of Sheridan Drive (Figure 1.2) sits atop a prominent, sinuous ridge on the west side of 

FLMR that is part of the Oread Escarpment (Brumwell 1951). This ridge, which rises to an 

elevation of 323–329 m msl (1060–1080 ft) and extends from Government Hill in the south to 

Hancock Hill in the north, separates the major drainage basins of the fort. West of the ridge, 

streams flow west to Salt Creek, which flows north-northeast and joins Plum Creek 0.8 km (0.5 

mi) northwest of the northwest corner of FLMR. Roughly 0.6 km (0.4 mi) northeast of the 

confluence of these two streams, they join the Missouri River. East of the ridge, streams flow 


east toward the Missouri River. Two intermittent streams drain most of the uplands. Corral 

Creek drains the southern quarter while Quarry Creek and its tributaries drain interior sections. 

Between these two creeks is One Mile Creek, an intermittent stream that was dammed to form 

Merritt and Smith Lakes. Uplands in the northwest corner are drained by a series of short, highgrade, 

intermittent streams that drop quickly from the bluffs to the Missouri River floodplain. 

The remainder of FLMR lies on the broad, flat to gently undulating floodplain of the Missouri 

River. At FLMR, the floodplain is 4.3 km (2.5 mi) wide and lies on the inside of a large, tight 

meander. This meander begins on the west side of the floodplain at the northwest corner of the 

installation. From there, the river arcs eastward to the east side of the floodplain, creating a loop 

called Weston Bend, and then it swings back to the southwest to the west side of the floodplain 

near the site of the old Fort Bridge. 

The southwest third of the floodplain is surrounded by artificial levees and dominated by open, 

grassy fields and former crop land around the Sherman Army Airfield. Outside the levees is a 

mix of floodplain forest and marshy, backwater areas. Most historical drainage patterns in the 

floodplain were obscured long ago due to human activities. 

Brumwell’s (1951) description of the floodplain vegetation in 1939 and 1940 is very similar to 

the way it appears today. The eastern half of the floodplain supported oak-hickory-pecan forest 

surrounded by a fringe of cottonwood-sycamore forest. The southwest section of the floodplain 

was cleared of its forest in the late 1800s. In the north part of the floodplain were numerous 

oxbow lakes and marshes that filled with water during floods and periods of heavy precipitation. 

A railroad right-of-way runs the length of the fort at the base of the river bluff. 

Uplands on FLMR, which lie along the Oread Escarpment (Brumwell 1951), consist of a mixture 

of rolling hills and inconspicuous limestone bluffs protruding from thick accumulations of loess 

or eroded slopes above the Missouri River. The oldest exposed bedrock is limestone and shale of 

the Douglas, Shawnee, and Lansing Groups of the Pennsylvanian system (Ross 1991). Most 

upland areas are overlain by unconsolidated till and windblown loess of Pleistocene age. The 

broad, fan-shaped area of floodplain along the Missouri River is covered by Recent alluvium 

(Brumwell 1951, Zavesky and Boatright 1977). 

Three main soil associations are represented on FLMR (Zavesky and Boatright 1977). The 

Onawa-Haynie-Eudora association comprises nearly level soils formed in alluvium on 

floodplains and terraces. These soils are deep, well drained to somewhat poorly drained, nearly 

level, and have a loamy to clayey surface layer. Soils of this association cover an extensive area 

of floodplain along the Missouri River near Sherman Army Airfield. 

The Gosport-Sogn association includes soils on moderate to steep slopes on uplands. They 

formed in silty to loamy loess and in material weathered from shale and limestone. These soils 

are moderately deep, moderately well drained, and have a silty clay subsoil. They cover a fairly 

narrow area along the ridge extending along the west side of the installation roughly from 

Hancock Hill south to Wagner Point and Government Hill. 


The Marshall-Sharpsburg association comprises soils on gentle to steep slopes on uplands in 

loess. These soils are deep, well drained to moderately well drained, and have a silty clay-loam 

subsoil. This association covers the remainder of the installation and covers the largest area of 

the three associations. 

The climate of FLMR is classified as humid continental and is characterized by warm to hot 

summers, cold winters, moderate surface winds, maximum precipitation in the warm season, and 

frequent day-to-day changes in the weather (Zavesky and Boatright 1977). Average precipitation 

is roughly 89 cm (35 in) per year, 70% of which falls from April through September during 

evening or early morning showers or thunderstorms (Zavesky and Boatright 1977). Extended 

periods of below-average precipitation occur at irregular intervals. Average daily maximum and 

minimum temperatures for the year for the period 1910–1960 were 19.3 C (66.5 F) and 7 C 

(44.5 F), respectively. The growing season generally lasts 180–185 days, from mid-April 

through late October (Zavesky and Boatright 1977). 

1.4. LAND USE HISTORY AND VEGETATION 

Before Euro-Americans settled in eastern Kansas, the landscape of this region was dominated by 

a mosaic of tallgrass prairie and deciduous forest vegetation. Küchler (1974) used historical and 

recent evidence to map the potential natural vegetation of the state. Upland sites in northeast 

Kansas were dominated by tall and medium-tall grasses and a rich variety of graminoids and 

herbaceous plants, broadleaf deciduous forests dominated by oaks and hickories, or a mosaic of 

these vegetation types. Floodplains comprised a mix of floodplain forests, low prairies, and 

freshwater marshes. Herbaceous vegetation dominated poorly drained floodplain sites. 

In Leavenworth County, Küchler (1974) mapped floodplain vegetation along the Missouri River 

and large streams, oak-hickory forest on uplands in a 10-km wide band paralleling the Missouri 

River, and a mosaic of tallgrass prairie and oak-hickory forest in the western and southern parts 

of the county. On FLMR, only the former two types were mapped. 

He described the floodplain vegetation as comprising a mixture of forests, savannas, and 

freshwater marshes. Floodplain forests were dominated by medium-tall to tall broadleaf tree 

species and often with a dense understory and many vines. Dominant species included 

hackberry, cottonwood, American elm, and willow. Characteristic species included mulberry, 

honey-locust, common sycamore, ash, and maple. Oak-hickory forest on the uplands and steep 

slopes of valleys consisted of medium-tall deciduous trees dominated by bitter-nut and shag-bark 

hickory and red, white, and black oak. Secondary species included ash, walnut, ironwood, and 

common pawpaw. 

A detailed review of Public Land Survey records from the mid-1850s has not been conducted to 

determine the general vegetation patterns in Leavenworth County as they existed 150 years ago. 

However, anecdotal reports hint at the extent and rate of change in the coverage of natural 

communities once Euro-Americans began to settle in the area. In the mid-1870s, the Kansas 

State Board of Agriculture estimated that 90% of the area of the county was prairie and 10% was 

forest (Kansas State Board of Agriculture 1877). According to the Kansas State Board of 


Agriculture figures (1874), there were 3,890 ha (9,612 ac) of prairie meadow and 4,189 ha 

(10,352 ac) of prairie pasture in the county in 1873, but none of these acres was in Kickapoo 

Township, which includes the FLMR. By 1946, the amount of wild (prairie) hay harvested in the 

county dropped to 1,064 ha (2,630 ac) (Kansas State Board of Agriculture 1948). 

Fire and large grazing animals played important roles in the ecology of the North American 

tallgrass prairie before the arrival of Euro-Americans (Axelrod 1985, Shelford 1963). The 

suppression of fires formerly caused by lightning or set by Native Americans permitted woody 

species to spread onto grasslands, gradually shifting the boundary between prairie and forest 

(Axelrod 1985, Bragg and Hulbert 1976). The elimination of most large, native, grazing animals 

on the plains before 1900 also affected the vegetation (Shelford 1963). 

Forested river valleys were settled quickly because of their accessibility from rivers, reliable 

water supplies, and the widely held but erroneous belief among Euro-American settlers that only 

forested land could be farmed successfully (Ware and Smith 1939). Forests provided 

construction materials, fuel, fertile soil, and abundant wildlife. Associated waterways were foci 

for transportation and the development of commerce. Forests along the Missouri and Kansas 

Rivers were cleared for agricultural and urban development, and their banks were stabilized and 

channels straightened (Bragg and Tatschl 1977). As human populations grew, upland areas 

gradually were settled and the prairie quickly was plowed to support annual row crops. Most 

areas that historically supported tallgrass prairie were plowed before the turn of the century. 

1.5. PROTECTED AND RARE SPECIES 

The federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service of the Department of the Interior. The Act provides federal protection for plants and 

animals listed as endangered or threatened. Previous studies (Freeman et al. 1997) confirmed 

that one federally-protected species, the bald eagle, is a regular migrant and winter resident on 

FLMR. Five species of federally protected birds were determined to migrate through the area, 

but nesting and/or foraging habitat for these species was determined to be limited or absent. 

They include the Eskimo curlew, least tern, peregrine falcon, piping plover, and whooping crane. 

No threatened or endangered plant species were found on the installation. 

The Kansas Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act (K.S.A. 32-501 through 32- 

510) places responsibility for identifying and undertaking conservation measures for threatened 

and endangered wildlife species with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP). 

Specifically, the Act requires KDWP to determine which species in Kansas are threatened or 

endangered because of habitat destruction or alteration, overutilization, disease or predation, 

inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms, or other natural or anthropogenic factors. It 

further directs KDWP to undertake conservation efforts for these species, including the 

establishment of mechanisms to protect the habitats of threatened and endangered species. The 

Act provides protection for rare and declining animal species but not native Kansas plants. All 

federal-listed animal species also are state-listed. 

The Department also maintains a list of Species in Need of Conservation (SINC). Species on the 


SINC list receive no legal protection from habitat impacts under the Kansas Nongame and 

Endangered Species Conservation Act, but they are rare or threatened enough to be monitored by 

KDWP. In addition, KDWP may offer suggestions about how projects can proceed while 

minimizing impacts to SINCs. 

Previous studies (Freeman et al. 1997) suggested that the white-faced ibis, a state-listed bird, may 

make infrequent, brief stops at FLMR during migration. Three SINCs also infrequently may use 

habitat on the installation: black tern, blue sucker, and red-shouldered hawk. The eastern 

chipmunk, a SINC, is a resident, and three neotropical migratory SINC birds breed on the 

installation: cerulean warbler, yellow-throated warbler, and whip-poor-will. 

One population each of 11 state-rare plants were documented on FLMR (Freeman et al. 1997): 

white woodland aster, hairy wood-mint, upright shorthusk, Nottoway brome, notchbract 

waterleaf, American gromwell, hairy sweet-cicely, eastern hooked buttercup, floodplain ragwort, 

marsh hedge-nettle, and large-flowered bellwort. State-rare animals with no protection status 

documented on FLMR during that study were broad-winged hawk, Cooper’s hawk, great egret, 

and ovenbird (Freeman et al. 1997). 

1.6. PREVIOUS STUDIES 

The purchase of the Louisiana Territory by the United States from France in 1803 ushered in an 

exciting period of scientific exploration and study in the American West. Some of the 19th 

century’s most prominent natural historians and explorers passed through Ft. Leavenworth in the 

early 1800s, but few recorded their observations of the area. Among the first written records 

concerning the flora and fauna of the Ft. Leavenworth environs were those made by Meriwether 

Lewis and William Clark on their famous expedition to look for a route to the Pacific Ocean in 

1804-1806. On 2 July 1804, on their way upstream, they stopped in the vicinity of present-day 

Leavenworth. From a vantage point, Clark wrote, “The plains of this countrey are covered with a 

Leek green Grass...Groops of Shrubs covered with the most delecious froot is to be seen in every 

derection and have exerted herself to butify the senery by the variety of flours...which strikes & 

profumes the Sensation.” (Cuttright 1969). On 14 September 1806, on their return trip, they 

collected the last botanical specimen of the expedition in the vicinity of Leavenworth; a 

specimen of heart-leaf raccoon-grape (Ampelopsis cordata Michx.) (Coues 1898, Cuttright 

1969). The next day, near the mouth of the Kansas River, they stopped to collect pawpaw fruits 

(Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal) (Cuttright 1969), a species common today in floodplain forests in 

the area. 

Another observation pertinent to the natural history to FLMR was made by John James Audubon. 

On a trip up the Missouri River to collect and observe animals in 1843, he briefly visited Ft. 

Leavenworth. On 3 May he observed and collected a specimen of Carolina parakeet, Conuropis 

carolinensis, (Barry 1972, Peterson 1987), a species formerly common in eastern Kansas but that 

was decimated by the mid-1850s (Anonymous 1966). The bird now is extinct. 

The most comprehensive study of the biota and ecology of FLMR prior to studies by KSNHI was 

conducted by Brumwell (1951). His work, conducted from January 1939 to November 1940, 


examined the status and ecological associations of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds on 

the installation. Brumwell (1951) reported 259 vertebrate species on or near Ft. Leavenworth, 

including 12 amphibians, 36 reptiles, 47 mammals, and 164 birds. He also classified and 

described six major terrestrial natural communities (associations) on the installation: prairie, 

buckbrush (Symphoricarpos)-sumac, oak-hickory, cottonwood-elm, sedge-willow, and littoral. 

During the past six decades, scientists from the University of Kansas sporadically collected plant 

and animal specimens on and around FLMR. Most voucher collections are deposited in the 

research collections of the Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center at the 

University of Kansas. These collections provide useful baseline information about certain 

elements of the flora and fauna. 

Other studies have examined various aspects of the ecology of the Missouri River basin and have 

some relevance to FLMR. Weaver (1960) studied the vegetation of the central Missouri valley 

and contacts of woodland with prairie in this area. The portion of the Missouri River along 

FLMR was on the fringe of the area covered in his study and received very little mention. 

Funk and Robinson (1974) examined changes in the channel of the lower Missouri River 

between 1879 and 1972. In a 36-mile reach of the river that includes Ft. Leavenworth, they 

reported a 57% reduction in water surface area. Most islands and chutes were eliminated and 

river bends were smoothed during the period. The authors also summarized anecdotal reports of 

changes in wildlife and riparian habitat along the river. 

Bragg and Tatschl (1977) examined changes in the vegetation on the lower Missouri River 

floodplain from 1826 to 1972. Their study focused on the river in the state of Missouri, but 

many of their observations probably hold true for the length of the river in Kansas. They found 

that floodplain forest decreased in coverage from 76% in 1826 to 13% in 1972. Cultivated 

ground increased from 18% to 83% during the same period. These changes occurred coincident 

with bank stabilization and channelization efforts initiated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

Woody species composition in mature floodplain forests evaluated in 1972 was observed to be 

similar to composition data derived from General Land Office Survey reports from 1826. 

Stevens and Dill (1942) and Kramer and Wagenknecht (1957) focused on the habitat and 

occurrence of the puttyroot orchid, Aplectrum hyemale (Muhl. ex Willd.) Torr., in Kansas. Both 

papers reported on occurrences of this perennial forest plant on or near the Missouri River 

floodplain on FLMR. 

Information about reptiles and amphibians was provided in unpublished reports by Simon (1988) 

and Simon and Dorlac (1990). In the latter study, the authors reported seven species of 

amphibians and six species of reptiles on FLMR. 

Several previous and ongoing studies have focused on the avifauna of FLMR. Zimmerman and 

Tatschl (1975) examined species diversity and density of birds in floodplain habitats on FLMR. 

Canopy warblers inhabiting mature bottomland forest were studied by Schukman and Mouras 

(1992) and Schukman (1966). The Institute for Bird Populations (2003) conducted the MAPS 


(Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship) program on FLMR from 1993–2002. MAPS 

used point counts and constant-effort mist-netting during the breeding season to study 

reproductive success and population demography. Four sites, two in upland forest and two in 

bottomland forest, were studied during the 8-year effort. A checklist of birds of Ft. Leavenworth 

was produced in 1996, based largely on observations by J. Schukman, C. Hobbs, and others. 

In 1990, the Kansas Ornithological Society initiated the Kansas Breeding Bird Atlas (KBBAT) 

project (Kansas Biological Survey et al. 1992). The project provides basic information about the 

breeding status of birds throughout Kansas, and data collection began in 1992. For KBBAT, the 

state was divided into 748 survey blocks, each nine square miles in size. Detailed records of 

breeding birds were compiled in each block, and one special survey block was located on FLMR. 

Busby and Zimmerman (2001) summarized the statewide results of the project. 

The most comprehensive examination of the ecology and biota of FLMR was carried out by 

KSNHI from 1995–1997 (Freeman et al. 1997). That study, which provides a baseline for 

assessment of the condition of natural communities and populations of rare species on the 

installation, is the foundation of this report. In the chapters that follow, we examine the current 

conditions on FLMR and compare them to our findings of five years ago (Freeman et al. 1997). 

Trails and roads are referenced in various chapters of this report using names coined by KBS 

staff during various studies. Their locations are shown in Figure 1.2. 




CHAPTER 2. NATURAL COMMUNITIES 


Hillary Loring 




hillaryloring@netscape.net 

Freeman et al. (1997) documented nine kinds of natural communities on FLMR: four forest types 

(Maple-Basswood Forest, White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest, Cottonwood-Sycamore 

Floodplain Forest, and Pecan-Sugarberry Floodplain Forest); two herbaceous types (Big 

bluestem-Indian grass Tallgrass Prairie and Bulrush-Cattail Marsh); one sparse vegetation type 

(Limestone Caprock Butte Sparse Vegetation); and two riverine types (Glaciated Region 

Headwater and Big River). Their surveys confirmed that FLMR supports several large and 

globally significant forest remnants. Floodplain forests on the installation were believed to be 

the largest old-growth stands remaining in the lower Missouri River valley. Upland forests and 

smaller natural communities associated with them were determined to be regionally important. 

Collectively, these natural communities were found to provide habitat for nearly two-dozen 

globally rare or state-rare species and support a rich biota characteristic of the forest-grassland 

ecotone. 

Surveys undertaken in 2003 updated earlier studies by: 1) re-examining the boundaries of the 

significant community types; 2) gathering additional species composition and cover data to 

permit more accurate characterization of the community types; and 3) searching for and 

describing previously unreported, exceptional natural areas on the installation. It should be noted 

that surveys conducted in 1995–1996 occurred soon after the massive floods of 1993. The 

disturbance, seed dispersal, and flood-induced germination associated with that event likely 

caused significant and continuing changes in the distribution, composition, and structure of the 

floodplain forest communities. It was hoped that our follow-up studies would help characterize 

these changes. 

2.2. METHODS 

During the 1995–1996 field seasons, vegetation samples were obtained from six upland sites and 

14 floodplain sites, all dominated by forest vegetation. Four plots were established at each site 

for a total of 24 sample plots on the uplands and 56 sample plots in the floodplain. Our hope was 

to resample each plot in 2003, but many of the plot markers could not be located, apparently 

having been removed by floods or humans. New plots were established as close as possible to 

the old plots. 

Six upland sites (AA through FF) and 23 floodplain sites (A through W) were sampled (Figure 


2.1). One plot was measured per site (compared to four per site during the 1995–1996 field 

seasons) except at three floodplain sites, where four plots were measured per site. This yielded a 

total of 38 plots: 32 in the floodplain, and six on the upland. Sampling procedures described in 

Freeman et al. (1997) were followed. A 20 x 20 m plot was established at each site. Within each 

plot, all trees and shrubs greater than 5 cm diameter at breast height (DBH) were measured and 

identified to species. Tree saplings less that 5 cm DBH were counted and identified to species. 

Herbaceous cover was estimated for each species within a 20 x 5 m subplot established within 

each 20 x 20 m plot. 

Following standard Heritage methodology, a letter grade was assigned to each natural community 

occurrence and species occurrence to summarize its quality, condition, viability, and 

defensibility. Four grades were used, ranging from A–D. An A-grade was assigned to pristine or 

relatively undisturbed occurrences, while a D-grade occurrence was severely disturbed but still 

retained some semblance of its pre-European settlement character. Detailed information 

typically is gathered only for A- or B-grade community occurrences. Limited data generally are 

gathered for C-grade occurrences, and D-grade sites rarely receive attention beyond that needed 

to assign a grade or if they border an area of higher quality. Information about lower quality sites 

often is useful when attempting to identify buffers for high-quality core areas of nature preserves, 

links between high-quality sites, restoration projects, and public use areas. C- and D-grade sites 

sometimes are identified and characterized if the information is deemed potentially useful, but 

normally they are not added to the Heritage database. 

2.3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 

Surveys during the 2003 field season involved 228 person-hours of field work (Table 2.1) and 

confirmed the occurrence of seven types of terrestrial plant communities on FLMR (Table 2.2.). 

Vegetation samples from 38 plots at 29 sites (Figure 2.1, Table 2.3) were used to characterize the 

forest communities. Directions (Appendix A) and GPS coordinates (Table 2.3) were recorded 

for all plots. Natural community nomenclature follows Lauver et al. (1999) and North America 

(NatureServe 2003). In general, each name reflects the dominant species of a community type 

and also may contain references to a specific climate, soil type, topography, or other important 

factor. Plant nomenclature follows Freeman (2003). Survey results are discussed below in the 

context of specific natural community types. 

The seven terrestrial community types currently represented FLMR (Table 2.2) include four 

forest types, one prairie type, and two sparse vegetation communities. Riverine types, which 

were examined briefly by Freeman et al. (1997) are not discussed here because no new data were 

gathered about them. It is likely that other community types existed in the neighborhood of 

FLMR prior to Euro-American settlement. Brumwell (1951) described the western part of the 

river floodplain on FLMR as a mosaic of oxbow lakes, sandbars, and various types of marsh 

communities, mostly dominated by sedges and willows. At that time, spring floods and 

occasional heavy rains often inundate the northern part of the floodplain. Although many 

community types may have been lost, FLMR today remains a significant regional refuge for 

species and natural communities. 


TABLE 2.1. Summary of natural community survey activities on FLMR in 2003. Hours are 

number of person-hours per survey. 

Date Location Hours Personnel Notes 

2003-05-30 Floodplain 

forest 

18 

H. Loring & E. 

Noguera 

Collected data on vegetation survey plots 

A1, A2, A2 


forest 

18 


Noguera 


A4, B1, B3 


forest 

18 


Noguera 


B2, B4, M 


forest 

16 


Noguera 


L1, L2 


forest 

16 


Noguera 


L3, L4 


forest 

17 


Noguera 


E, D 


forest 

18 

H. Loring & J. 

Delisle 


F, K, N 


forest 

18 


Delisle 


G, I, J 


forest 

16 

H. Loring & T. 

Aschenbach 


C, H 

2003-09-05 Upland 

forest 

9 

H. Loring Collected data on vegetation survey plots 

AA, CC 

2003-09-19 Upland 

forest 

16 

H. Loring & T. 

Aschenbach 


BB, EE 

2003-09-10 Upland 

forest 

16 


Delisle 


DD, FF 


forest 

16 

H. Loring & 

W.H. Busby 


O, P, Q, R, S 


forest 

16 

H. Loring & 

W.H. Busby 


T, U, V, W 

Forest Communities 

Forests are dominated by trees greater than 5 m tall with overlapping crowns, generally forming 

60–100% cover (Lauver et al. 1999). Forest communities may occupy upland and floodplain 

sites. The largest forested areas on FLMR occur in two distinctly different sites: on uplands 

where topographic relief is the greatest, especially in the north half of the installation, and on the 

Missouri River floodplain north and east of the Sherman Army Airfield. These forests figure 

prominently in the long-term maintenance of the biological diversity and the ecological health of 

FLMR. They provide habitat essential to neotropical migrant birds and many other animals and 

plants, help maintain water quality, provide corridors for the movement of wildlife, and 

contribute significantly to the aesthetics of the area. 


TABLE 2.2. Natural communities documented on FLMR. Nomenclature follows Laver et al. 

(1999). Patterns are: LP = large patch (on subdominant landform features, large but interrupted 

cover, 8–400 ha), M = matrix (on dominant landform features, large and often uninterrupted, 

>400 ha), and SP = small patch (on specialized landforms or microhabitats,

TABLE 2.3. Locations of vegetation plots and community types in which they occur. 

Plot # Latitude Longitude Community Type 

A1 39.38280 N 94.89471 W Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest 




B1 39.38557 N 94.89910 W Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest 




C 39.36872 N 94.88852 W Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest 

D 39.37718 N 94.88948 W Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest 

E 39.38174 N 94.88783 W Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest 

F 39.38651 N 94.89428 W Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest 

G 39.37805 N 94.88773 W Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest 

H 39.37750 N 94.88320 W Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest 

I 39.37945 N 94.88964 W Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest 

J 39.36643 N 94.89248 W Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest 

K 39.38820 N 94.88701 W Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest 

L1 39.39095 N 94.89393 W Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest 




M 39.38952 N 94.89716 W Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest 

N 39.38926 N 94.89079 W Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest 

O 39.37255 N 94.90057 W Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest 

P 39.37241 N 94.89834 W Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest 

Q 39.37522 N 94.89781 W Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest 

R 39.37468 N 94.90266 W Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest 

S 39.37490 N 94.90154 W Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest 

T 39.37296 N 94.89406 W Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest 

U 39.37860 N 94.90697 W Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest 

V 39.38023 N 94.90688 W Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest 

W 39.37969 N 94.91080 W Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest 

AA 39.35463 N 94.93615 W White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest 

BB 39.36961 N 94.93415 W White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest 

CC 39.35297 N 94.93610 W White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest 

DD 39.36179 N 94.93494 W White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest 

EE 39.36742 N 94.93317 W White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest 

FF 39.38149 N 94.93571 W Maple-Basswood Forest 


Although the age and detailed management history of this floodplain forest has not been 

determined, it seems likely that the shape and location of the river meander in which it is located 

have changed even in recent history. However, the journals of Lewis and Clark noted the 

presence of a woodland and an abundance of pecan trees in the area of present-day Leavenworth 

(Pavri et al. 2003), suggesting that Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest has been a part of the 

mosaic of floodplain communities in the vicinity of FLMR for at least 200 years. 

TABLE 2.4. Average basal area (cm 2 /400 m 2 ) and sapling count (number/400 m 2 ) of overstory 

trees and vines in the Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest in 1995–1996 and 2003. Empty cell 

indicates species not recorded. Totals are approximate due to rounding. 

Genus Species Common Name 

1995-‘96 

Saplings 

(n = 24) 

1995-‘96 

Basal 

Area 

(n = 24) 

2003 

Saplings 

(n = 12) 

2003 

Basal 

Area 

(n = 12) 

Acer negundo boxelder 62.5 1184.2 253.7 1608.6 

Ampelopsis cordata heart-leaf raccoon-grape 0.4 

Asimina triloba common pawpaw 32.4 5.5 22.7 

Carya cordiformis bitter-nut hickory 17.1 

Carya illinoinensis pecan 3811.8 5702.8 

Celtis occidentalis common hackberry

green ash seedlings, and silver maple (Acer saccharinum L.) seedlings. Tree seedlings have 

since grown into thickets of young saplings, which in many instances shade out most herbaceous 

cover. While no pecan saplings were recorded in plots either during the 1995–1996 or 2003 field 

seasons, younger pecan trees do occur in areas southwest of the older forest. Thus, it appears 

some recruitment of this co-dominant may be occurring. It is not clear if the dramatic increase in 

the amount of bare ground in 2003 as compared to the 1995–1996 field seasons was the result of 

phenological differences, recent drought conditions that affected the survival of understory 

species, or some other factor. It was observed in all forest types. 

TABLE 2.5. Average cover (%) of understory species in the Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest 

in 1995–1996 and 2003. Empty cell indicates species not recorded. Total average covers are 

approximate due to rounding. 


1995-‘96 

Cover (%) 

(n = 24) 

2003 

Cover (%) 

(n = 12) 

Acalypha virginica Virginia copperleaf 0.2 

Acer negundo boxelder 14.6 

Acer saccharinum silver maple 4.2 

Agastache nepetoides catnip giant-hyssop 0.3 

Ageratina altissima tall snakeroot


1995-‘96 

Cover (%) 

(n = 24) 

2003 

Cover (%) 

(n = 12) 

Carya illinoinensis pecan


1995-‘96 

Cover (%) 

(n = 24) 

2003 

Cover (%) 

(n = 12) 

Rosa multiflora multiflora rose

A visual analysis of the floodplain forests seemed to indicate significant changes, possibly 

resulting from the 1993 flood. However, plot data analyzed by analysis of variance did not reveal 

statistically significant differences between cover data gathered in 1995–1996 and 2003. We 

believe this is due to the inherent stability of dominant trees in mature forest communities and 

unavoidable methodological inconsistencies, which made comparisons of the two data sets 

difficult. A floodplain forest tolerates and thrives under a regime of occasional flooding, 

siltation, and erosion. In terms of basal area, it appears that a natural variability in tree size and 

number of trees from plot to plot affected the statistical analysis. The presence or absence of a 

single massive tree within randomly located plots can dramatically affect measurements in a 20 x 

20 m plot. Differences in species cover and composition might be tracked more easily with a 

larger number of samples obtained from permanent plots. 

Grades assigned to this forest type on FLMR range from A-C. Eleven high-quality occurrences 

of Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest have been documented in Kansas by KSNHI, most 

along the Republican River in the north-central part of the state. The occurrence on FLMR is the 

only one documented along the Missouri River in Kansas. 


trees and vines in the mature to old-growth Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest in 1995– 

1996 and 2003. Empty cell indicates species not recorded. Totals are approximate due to 

rounding. 


1995–‘96 

Saplings 

(n = 16) 

1995–‘96 

Basal Area 

(n = 16) 

2003 

Saplings 

(n = 4) 

2003 

Basal Area 

(n = 4) 


Acer saccharinum silver maple 70.1 172.1 

Asimina triloba common pawpaw 0.4 32.2 1.1 17.9 

Carya cordiformis bitternut hickory 4.5 

Carya illinoinensis pecan 1.8

ounding. 


1995–‘96 

Saplings 

(n = 12) 

1995–‘96 

Basal Area 

(n = 12) 

2003 

Saplings 

(n = 16) 

2003 

Basal Area 

(n = 16) 


Acer saccharinum silver maple 0.7 70.0 0.3 

Ampelopsis cordata raccoon grape 0.1 

Asimina triloba common pawpaw 0.2 

Celtis occidentalis common hackberry 10.2 21.4 387.2 

Cephalanthus occidentalis common buttonbush


1995–‘96 

Cover (%) 

(n = 16) 

2003 

Cover (%) 

(n = 4) 

Carex frankii Frank’s sedge 0.13 

Carex grisea narrow-leaf sedge


1995–‘96 

Cover (%) 

(n = 16) 

2003 

Cover (%) 

(n = 4) 

Solanum ptycanthum black nightshade


1995–‘96 

Cover (%) 

(n = 12) 

2003 

Cover (%) 

(n = 16) 

Chenopodium berlandieri pit-seed goosefoot


1995–‘96 

Cover (%) 

(n = 12) 

2003 

Cover (%) 

(n = 16) 

Solanum carolinense Carolina horse nettle


1995–’96 

Saplings 

(n = 20) 

1995–’96 

Saplings 

(n = 20) 

2003 

Saplings 

(n = 5) 

2003 

Saplings 

(n = 5) 

Acer saccharum sugar maple 24.3 

Asimina triloba common pawpaw 10.4 30.7 35.8 

Carya cordiformis bitter-nut hickory 2.5 430.2 13.0 183.3 

Carya laciniosa king-nut hickory


1995–‘96 

Cover (%) 

(n = 20) 

2003 

Cover (%) 

(n = 5) 

Aplectrum hyemale puttyroot 0.1 

Arisaema triphyllum Jack-in-the-pulpit


1995–‘96 

Cover (%) 

(n = 20) 

2003 

Cover (%) 

(n = 5) 

Hackelia virginiana Virginia bracted-stickseed


1995–‘96 

Cover (%) 

(n = 20) 

2003 

Cover (%) 

(n = 5) 

Staphylea trifolia American bladdernut 3.6 

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus coral-berry 1.6 2.9 

Thalictrum dasycarpum purple meadow-rue 0.1 

Toxicodendron radicans poison-ivy 1.5 6.5 

Tridens flavus purpletop 0.1 

Triosteum perfoliatum clasping horse-gentian 0.6 

Ulmus americana American elm 2.3 

Ulmus rubra slippery elm 0.2 1.8 

Urtica dioica American stinging nettle 0.1 

Uvularia grandiflora large-flower bellwort 0.2 0.1 

Verbesina alternifolia wing-stem crownbeard


trees and vines in the Maple-Basswood Forest in 1995–1996 and 2003. Empty cell indicates 

species not recorded. Totals are approximate due to rounding. 


1995–‘96 

Saplings 

(n = 4) 

1995–‘96 

Basal Area 

(n = 4) 

2003 

Saplings 

(n = 1) 

2003 

Basal Area 

(n = 1) 

Acer saccharum sugar maple 6.3 3624.1 3319.9 

Asimina triloba common pawpaw 14.8 13.0 350.0 44.7 

Carya cordiformis bitter-nut hickory 0.3 156.8 2287.1 

Celtis occidentalis common hackberry 0.5 456.2 5.0 

Cercis canadensis eastern redbud 5.1 

Juglans nigra black walnut 1066.5 

Morus rubra red mulberry 0.8 319.4 

Quercus macrocarpa bur oak 1385.4 

Quercus muehlenbergii chinquapin oak 5182.6 

Quercus rubra northern red oak 4500.9 7598.1 

Tilia americana American basswood 4446.5 274.2 


Ulmus rubra slippery elm 20.0 

Standing dead 61.9 

Total 23.0 15973.9 375.0 18768.5 

TABLE 2.13. Average cover (%) of understory species in the Maple-Basswood Forest in 1995– 

1996 and 2003. Empty cell indicates species not recorded. Totals are approximate due to 

rounding. 


1995–‘96 

Cover (%) 

(n = 4) 

2003 

Cover (%) 

(n = 1) 

Acalypha rhomboidea rhombic copperleaf 0.1 

Acer saccharum sugar maple 6.5 

Alliaria petiolata garlic mustard 0.3 

Asarum canadense Canadian wild-ginger 1.1 0.5 

Asimina triloba common pawpaw 17.5 

Asplenium rhizophyllum walking fern 0.1 

Boehmeria cylindrica small-spike false-nettle 0.5 

Carex sp. sedge 0.1 

Carya cordiformis bitter-nut hickory 1.4 

Celtis occidentalis common hackberry 0.3 

Cystopteris fragilis fragile fern 3.8 

Fraxinus pennsylvanica green ash 0.1 

Galium circaezans forest bedstraw 0.1 

Hackelia virginiana Virginia bracted-stickseed

Phryma leptostachya American lopseed 0.3 

Pilea pumila dwarf clearweed 1.4 

Poa sylvestris woodland blue grass 0.8 

Podophyllum peltatum May-apple 0.1 

Quercus borealis northern red oak 0.4 

Sambucus canadensis American elderberry 0.9 

Sanicula odorata fragrant sanicle 0.3 

Smilax lasioneura Blue Ridge greenbrier 0.1 

Smilax tamnoides bristly greenbrier 0.4 

Solidago ulmifolia elm-leaf goldenrod 0.3 

Staphylea trifolia American bladdernut 6.4 5.0 

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus coral-berry 0.5 

Toxicodendron radicans poison-ivy 0.4 


Ulmus rubra slippery elm 0.1 

Uvularia grandiflora large-flower bellwort 0.1 

Viola pratincola meadow violet 0.4 

Vitis cinerea gray-bark grape 0.3 

Bare ground 70.0 

Total 52.1 102.5 

Herbaceous Communities 

Herbaceous communities are dominated by graminoids and forbs (broadleaf, non-woody plants), 

which generally form at least 25% of the cover. Trees, shrubs, and dwarf shrubs constitute less 

that 25% of the cover (Lauver et al. 1999). Freeman et al. (1997) reported a Bulrush-Cattail 

Marsh of approximately 6 ha (15 ac) between the Missouri Pacific Railroad right of way and 

Chief Joseph Loop Road, extending from near the intersection of Chief Joseph Loop Road and 

Warehouse Road north to where Chief Joseph Loop road turns southeast onto the floodplain. 

Recent construction along the railroad has altered that area and has destroyed this already 

degraded community. It is likely that Bulrush-Catttail Marshes were fairly common along the 

Missouri River floodplain prior to construction of levees. 

Glaciated Tallgrass Prairie. One herbaceous natural community type, Glaciated Tallgrass 

Prairie, was confirmed. In Kansas, this community occurs on level to steep slopes on uplands in 

the Glaciated Region, essentially that area north of the Kansas River and east of the Little Blue 

River. Soils generally are deep, somewhat poorly drained to well drained, and silty to loamy, 

having formed from loess, glacial till, or colluvium (Lauver 1989). Prairie was the dominant 

vegetation type in northeast Kansas when Public Land Surveys were conducted in the mid-1850s. 

However, there is no evidence that prairies ever were abundant on FLMR. Brumwell (1951) 

reported that prairie surrounded Merritt and Smith Lakes in 1939 and 1940, but most of this area 

now is developed as part of the golf course. The few tracts of remaining prairie are less than 0.2 

ha (0.5 acre) in size, isolated within the White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest, and moderately to 

severely degraded due to woody plant encroachment resulting from fire suppression. They may 

indicate that some upland areas once supported woodlands or savannas—natural communities in 

which there were large, open-grown trees with crowns not usually touching and understory 

vegetation dominated by prairie plants(Lauver et al. 1999). 


Vegetation plot data were not gathered from this herbaceous natural community because the 

existing five remnants (Figure 2.3) are too small. A species list was compiled for each remnant 

(Table 2.14), which collectively contain 129 species of vascular plants. Dominant plants are big 

bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), yellow Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash), 

and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash). Common shrubs are inland 

ceanothus (Ceanothus herbaceus Raf.), smooth sumac (Rhus glabra L.), and prairie willow 

(Salix humilis Marshall). 

The best remnants of Glaciated Tallgrass Prairie are in the southwest part of FLMR along the 

horse trail that extends from Sheridan Drive east and northeast along the north edge of the 

National Cemetery. Two small areas are situated on the north side of the trail roughly 100 m 

(330 ft) east of Sheridan Drive and extend discontinuously for 50–75 m (160–250 ft). Additional 

areas parallel the extreme south end of Sheridan Drive. Surveys of the forest immediately 

surrounding these prairies reveal that many prairie plants persist in the understory, suggesting 

that the remnants once were larger but have been reduced due to encroachment by woody 

vegetation. Presumably, these prairies could be recovered with proper management. No rare 

species were documented in this natural community. Despite their size, the prairie remnants of 

FLMR contribute significantly to the plant species richness on the installation. 

Along the northeast edge of Government Hill, prairie remnants with a slightly different species 

composition occur on the steep slopes. Plants of interest at this location include leadplant 

(Amorpha canescens Pursh), plaintain-leaf pussy’s-toes (Antennaria parlinii Fernald), and blue 

wild-indigo (Baptisia australis (L.) R. Br.). The three woodland sedges there; white-tinge sedge 

(Carex albicans Willd. ex Spreng.), oval-leaf sedge (Carex cephalophora Muhl. ex Willd.), and 

Muhlenberg’s sedge (Carex muehlenbergii Schkuhr ex Willd.), suggest that this area once was a 

savanna or woodland. Post oak (Quercus stellata Wangenh.) and sandstone outcrops on these 

bluffs also suggest that a savanna once may have covered this hill instead of the White oak- 

Shagbark hickory Forest that now dominates. 

TABLE 2.14. Vascular plant species observed on prairie remnants on FLMR. Numbers 

correspond to sites shown in Figure 2.3. Dots (●) indicate known occurrences. 

1 2 3 4 5 Family Scientific name Common name 

● ● ● ● ● Cypressaceae Juniperus virginiana L. var. virginiana eastern red-cedar 

● ● ● ● Acanthaceae Ruellia humilis Nutt. fringe-leaf ruellia 

● ● ● ● Anacardiaceae Rhus glabra L. smooth sumac 

● ● ● ● Anacardiaceae 

Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze subsp. negundo 

(Greene) Gillis 

poison-ivy 

● ● ● ● Apiaceae Daucus carota L. subsp. carota wild carrot 

● Apiaceae Sanicula odorata (Raf.) Pryer & Phillippe fragrant sanicle 

● ● ● Apocynaceae Apocynum cannabinum L. hemp dogbane 

● Asclepiadaceae Asclepias verticillata L. whorled milkweed 

● ● ● Asteraceae Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. common ragweed 

● Asteraceae 

Antennaria parlinii Fernald subsp. fallax (Greene) R.J. 

Bayer & Stebbins 

plantain-leaf pussy’s-toes 

● ● ● Asteraceae Aster drummondii Lindl. subsp. drummondii Drummond's aster 



● ● ● Asteraceae Aster ericoides L. subsp. ericoides var. ericoides heath aster 

● ● ● ● ● Asteraceae Aster laevis L. var. laevis smooth blue aster 

● ● ● Asteraceae Aster oblongifolius Nutt. aromatic aster 

● Asteraceae Aster oolentangiensis Riddell var. oolentangiensis azure aster 

● ● ● ● ● Asteraceae Aster pilosus Willd. var. pilosus hairy aster 

● ● Asteraceae Aster praealtus Poir. var. praealtus willow-leaf aster 

● Asteraceae Cirsium altissimum (L.) Hill tall thistle 

● ● ● ● ● Asteraceae Echinacea pallida (Nutt.) Nutt. pale purple coneflower 

● ● ● Asteraceae Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. annual fleabane 

● Asteraceae Erigeron philadelphicus L. Philadelphia fleabane 

● Asteraceae Erigeron strigosus Muhl. ex Willd. daisy fleabane 

● ● ● ● ● Asteraceae Eupatorium altissimum L. tall joe-pye-weed 

● ● ● ● ● Asteraceae Helianthus hirsutus Raf. hairy sunflower 

● ● Asteraceae Helianthus pauciflorus Nutt. var. pauciflorus stiff sunflower 


Heliopsis helianthoides (L.) Sweet var. scabra (Dunal) 

Fernald 

sunflower heliopsis 

● Asteraceae Lactuca canadensis L. Canadian lettuce 

● ● ● ● ● Asteraceae Liatris aspera Michx. button gayfeather 

● ● ● Asteraceae Liatris squarrosa (L.) Michx. var. hirsuta (Rydb.) Gaiser plains gayfeather 

● ● ● ● Asteraceae Ratibida pinnata (Vent.) Barnhart gray-head prairie-coneflower 

● Asteraceae Rudbeckia triloba L. var. triloba brown-eyed-Susan 

● ● ● Asteraceae Silphium integrifolium Michx. var. integrifolium whole-leaf rosinweed 

● ● ● ● ● Asteraceae Silphium laciniatum L. compassplant 

● ● Asteraceae 

Solidago canadensis L. var. scabra (Muhl. ex Willd.) Torr. 

& A. Gray 

Canadian goldenrod 

● ● Asteraceae Solidago gigantea Ait. late goldenrod 


Solidago nemoralis Ait. subsp. decemflora (DC.) 

Brammall 

oldfield goldenrod 

● ● ● ● Asteraceae Solidago rigida L. subsp. rigida stiff goldenrod 

● ● Asteraceae Solidago ulmifolia Muhl. ex Willd. var. ulmifolia elm-leaf goldenrod 

● ● ● ● ● Asteraceae 

Vernonia baldwinii Torr. subsp. interior (Small) W.Z. 

Faust 

inland ironweed 

● ● Betulaceae Corylus americana Walter American hazelnut 

● ● ● ● Betulaceae Ostrya virginiana (Mill.) K. Koch American hop-hornbeam 

● ● ● Boraginaceae Lithospermum canescens (Michx.) Lehm. hoary gromwell 

● Boraginaceae 

Onosmodium bejariense A. DC. var. occidentale (Mack.) 

B.L. Turner 

western marbleseed 

● ● Campanulaceae Lobelia spicata Lam. pale-spike lobelia 

● ● ● ● Caprifoliaceae Symphoricarpos orbiculatus Moench coral-berry 

● ● Caprifoliaceae Triosteum perfoliatum L. clasping horse-gentian 

● Caprifoliaceae Viburnum prunifolium L. black-haw viburnum 

● Celastraceae Celastrus scandens L. American bittersweet 

● ● ● ● ● Cornaceae Cornus drummondii C.A. Mey. rough-leaf dogwood 

● Cyperaceae Carex albicans Willd. ex Spreng. var. albicans white-tinge sedge 

● Cyperaceae Carex cephalophora Muhl. ex Willd. oval-leaf sedge 

● Cyperaceae Carex frankii Kunth Frank's sedge 

● ● ● ● ● Cyperaceae Carex meadii Dewey Mead's sedge 

● ● ● Cyperaceae Carex molesta Mack. ex Bright pest sedge 

● Cyperaceae Carex muehlenbergii Schkuhr ex Willd. var. inermis Boott Muhlenberg’s sedge 

● ● Cyperaceae Carex pellita Muhl. ex Willd. woolly sedge 

● Cyperaceae Carex umbellata Schkuhr ex Willd. low sedge 

● Cyperaceae 

Eleocharis compressa Sull. var. acutisquamata (Buckley) 

S.G. Sm. 

flat-stem spike-rush 



● Cyperaceae Scirpus atrovirens Willd. green bulrush 

● ● Cyperaceae Scirpus pendulus Muhl. drooping bulrush 

● Dioscoreaceae Dioscorea villosa L. Atlantic yam 

● ● ● Ebenaceae Diospyros virginiana L. common persimmon 

● Euphorbiaceae Acalypha virginica L. Virginia copperleaf 

● ● Euphorbiaceae Croton monanthogynus Michx. one-seed croton 

● ● ● ● ● Euphorbiaceae Euphorbia corollata L. flowering spurge 

● ● ● ● ● Fabaceae Amorpha canescens Pursh leadplant 

● Fabaceae Baptisia alba (L.) Vent. var. macrophylla (Larisey) Isely white wild-indigo 

● ● ● ● ● Fabaceae Cercis canadensis L. var. canadensis eastern redbud 

● Fabaceae Chamaecrista fasciculata (Michx.) Greene var. fasciculata showy partridgepea 

● ● ● ● Fabaceae Dalea purpurea Vent. var. purpurea purple prairie-clover 

● ● ● ● ● Fabaceae 

Desmanthus illinoensis (Michx.) MacMill. ex Rob. & 

Fernald 

Illinois bundle-flower 

● ● Fabaceae Desmodium glutinosum (Muhl. ex Willd.) A.W. Wood large-flower tick-clover 

● ● ● Fabaceae Desmodium paniculatum (L.) DC. panicled tick-clover 

● Fabaceae Desmodium sessilifolium (Torr.) Torr. & A. Gray sessile-leaf tick-cover 

● Fabaceae Gleditsia triacanthos L. common honey-locust 

● ● Fabaceae Kummerowia stipulacea (Maxim.) Makino Korean low bush-clover 

● Fabaceae Lespedeza capitata Michx. round-head bush-cover 

● ● Fabaceae Lespedeza violacea (L.) Pers. violet bush-clover 

● Fabaceae Medicago lupulina L. black medick 

● ● ● ● Fabaceae Melilotus albus Medik. white sweet-clover 

● Fabaceae Robinia pseudoacacia L. black locust 

● Fabaceae Trifolium pratense L. red clover 

● Fagaceae Quercus alba L. white oak 

● ● ● ● ● Fagaceae Quercus prinoides Willd. dwarf chinquapin oak 

● ● Fagaceae Quercus rubra L. northern red oak 

● Fagaceae Quercus stellata Wangenh. post oak 

● Fagaceae Quercus velutina Lam. black oak 

● Iridaceae Sisyrinchium campestre E.P. Bicknell prairie blue-eyed-grass 

● ● ● Juglandaceae Carya ovata (Mill.) K. Koch shag-bark hickory 

● ● Juglandaceae Juglans nigra L. black walnut 

● Juncaceae Juncus tenuis Willd. path rush 

● ● Lamiaceae Mentha arvensis L. field mint 

● Lamiaceae Monarda fistulosa L. var. fistulosa wild bergamot 

● ● Lamiaceae Prunella vulgaris L. common selfheal 

● Lamiaceae 

Scutellaria parvula Michx. var. missouriensis (Torr.) 

Goodman & C.A. Lawson 

Leonard's small skullcap 

● Lamiaceae Teucrium canadense L. var. canadense American germander 

● Nyctaginaceae Mirabilis albida (Walter) Heimerl white four-o'clock 

● ● ● ● Oleaceae Fraxinus americana L. white ash 

● Phytolaccaceae Phytolacca americana L. var. americana American pokeweed 

● ● Plantaginaceae Plantago lanceolata L. English plantain 

● ● ● Plantaginaceae Plantago rugelii Decne. Rugel's plantain 

● Poaceae Agrostis stolonifera L. creeping bent grass 

● ● ● ● ● Poaceae Andropogon gerardii Vitman big bluestem 

● ● ● Poaceae Aristida oligantha Michx. old-field threeawn 

● ● Poaceae Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr. var. curtipendula side-oats grama 

● ● Poaceae Bromus japonicus Thunb. Japanese brome 

● Poaceae Bromus pubescens Muhl. ex Willd. Canadian brome 



● Poaceae 

Dichanthelium acuminatum (Sw.) Gould & C.A. Clark 

var. implicatum (Scribn.) Gould & C.A. Clark 

pointed dichanthelium 

● ● ● Poaceae 

Dichanthelium oligosanthes (Schultes) Gould var. 

scribnerianum (Nash) Gould 

Scribner's dichanthelium 

● ● Poaceae Elymus canadensis L. var. canadensis Canadian wild-rye 

● ● Poaceae Elymus villosus Muhl. ex Willd. var. villosus hairy wild-rye 

● ● Poaceae Elymus virginicus L. var. virginicus Virginia wild-rye 

● ● Poaceae Leersia oryzoides (L.) Sw. rice cut grass 

● Poaceae Leersia virginica Willd. white grass 

● ● ● ● Poaceae Lolium pratense Huds. meadow rye grass 

● Poaceae Muhlenbergia frondosa (Poir.) Fernald wire-stem muhly 

● ● ● ● Poaceae Panicum virgatum L. var. virgatum switchgrass 

● ● Poaceae Poa compressa L. Canadian blue grass 

● ● Poaceae Poa pratensis L. Kentucky blue grass 

● ● ● Poaceae Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash little bluestem 

● Poaceae Setaria faberi R.A.W. Herrm. Chinese bristle grass 

● ● ● ● Poaceae Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash yellow Indian grass 

● Poaceae Spartina pectinata Link prairie cordgrass 

● ● ● ● Poaceae Sporobolus compositus (Poir.) Merr. var. compositus rough dropseed 

● ● Poaceae Sporobolus neglectus Nash puff-sheath dropseed 

● ● ● Poaceae Tridens flavus (L.) Hitchc. var. flavus purpletop 

● Polygonaceae Rumex crispus L. curly dock 

● ● Ranunculaceae Anemone virginiana L. var. virginiana tall anemone 

● Ranunculaceae 

Delphinium carolinianum Walter subsp. virescens (Nutt.) 

R.E. Brooks 

plains larkspur 

● ● ● Rhamnaceae Ceanothus americanus L. American ceanothus 

● ● ● Rhamnaceae Ceanothus herbaceus Raf. inland ceanothus 

● ● Rosaceae Agrimonia pubescens Wallr. downy agrimony 

● Rosaceae Prunus mexicana S. Watson big-tree plum 

● Rosaceae Prunus serotina Ehrh. var. serotina black cherry 

● ● ● ● Rosaceae Rosa arkansana Porter ex Porter & J.M. Coult. Arkansas rose 

● Rosaceae Rubus enslenii Tratt. small dewberry 

● ● ● ● Rubiaceae Galium circaezans Michx. forest bedstraw 

● Rubiaceae Galium concinnum Torr. & A. Gray shining bedstraw 

● ● ● ● ● Rutaceae Zanthoxylum americanum P. Mill. common prickly-ash 

● Salicaceae Salix humilis Marshall var. humilis prairie willow 

● ● ● ● Santalaceae Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. subsp. umbellata umbellate bastard-toadflax 

● Scrophulariaceae Dasistoma macrophylla (Nutt.) Raf. big-leaf mullein-foxglove 

● Scrophulariaceae Veronica arvensis L. corn speedwell 

● Smilacaceae Smilax tamnoides L. bristly greenbrier 

● Tiliaceae Tilia americana L. var. americana American basswood 

● Ulmaceae Celtis occidentalis L. common hackberry 

● ● ● Ulmaceae Ulmus americana L. American elm 

● Ulmaceae Ulmus pumila L. Siberian elm 

● Vitaceae Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch. var. quinquefolia Virginia creeper 

● ● ● Vitaceae Vitis cinerea (Engelm.) Engelm. ex Millardet gray-bark grape 

Sparse Vegetation Communities 

Sparse Vegetation communities are areas where vegetation is scattered or nearly absent; total 


vegetation cover is less than 25% and generally 1 to 10% (Lauver et al. 1999). These early 

successional communities are characterized by parent material that is at or near the surface, with 

soil thin or absent (Nelson 1985). Examples include cliffs, talus slopes, gravel washes, and sand 

bars. 

Limestone-Dolostone Midwest Moist Cliff Sparse Vegetation. Areas of the Limestone- 

Dolostone Midwest Moist Cliff Sparse Vegetation extend discontinuously along the steep bluffs 

of the Missouri River in the north part of FLMR. All are contained almost entirely within the 

Maple-Basswood Forest. In some areas, 5–10 m of limestone are exposed on the lower parts of 

the slope, and scattered limestone boulders have broken free and rolled down slope. 

Sugar maple and American bladdernut are characteristic woody species in this community. 

Characteristic herbaceous plants are walking fern (Asplenium rhizophyllum L.), northern maidenhair 

fern (Adiantum pedatum L.), and American columbine (Aquilegia canadensis L.). Short’s 

rockcress (Arabis shortii (Fernald) Gleason), southern bladder fern (Cystopteris protrusa 

(Weath.) Blasdell), and dwarf clearweed (Pilea pumila (L.) A. Gray) are other typical vascular 

plants. Mosses, liverworts, and lichens also are common. Little is known about this natural 

community in Kansas, and element occurrence criteria for it have not been established. 

Consequently, occurrence records were not processed for these small areas. 

Riverine Sand Flats-Bars Sparse Vegetation. Riverine Sand Flats-Bars Sparse Vegetation 

occurs on shifting sand and mud flats along the Missouri River. The hydrologic regime of the 

Missouri River has changed drastically since Euro-American settlement. Historically, the river 

was one of the most turbid large streams in North America and was characterized by a wide, 

braided channel, rapid current, heavy bedload of fine sediments, and wide fluctuation in flow 

volume (Pflieger 1989). The construction of dikes and revetments, and river dredging has 

confined flow to a single, relatively narrow (300 m wide) channel and eliminated many 

backwater habitats (Funk and Robinson 1974, Pflieger 1989, Water Science and Technology 

Board 2002). Natural stream flow also has been modified due to construction of six large 

reservoirs on the mainstem upstream from Kansas. These changes have greatly affected the biota 

of the river, especially fishes and terrestrial animals that rely on riparian habitats (Funk and 

Robinson 1974, Pflieger 1989). As with many other Sparse Vegetation communities in Kansas, 

systematic surveys for this community type have not been carried out, evaluation criteria have 

not been established, and occurrence records were not processed. Casual observations indicate 

that on FLMR representative species are annual flat-sedges (Cyperus spp.), beggar-ticks (Bidens 

spp.), yellow false-pimpernel (Lindernia dubia (L.) Pennell), small-flower dwarf-bulrush 

(Lipocarpha micrantha (Vahl) G.C. Tucker), and teal love grass (Eragrostis hypnoides (Lam.) 

Britton et al.). This community was not reported in Freeman et al. (1997). 

Successional Areas 

Successional areas include roadsides, ditches, forest clearings, and open sites dominated by forbs 

and non-native, cool-season grasses (i.e., brome, fescue, or bluegrass). They have been altered 

by major ecosystem disturbances, but if allowed to undergo succession, they pass through a 

predictable series of vegetative stages. Disturbed areas are dominated by weedy, herbaceous 


annuals initially. Eventually, herbaceous biennial and perennial plants replace these. Ultimately, 

in the absence of further human perturbation, woody species may come to dominate. 

Common species in recently disturbed sites on FLMR include common ragweed (Ambrosia 

artemisiifolia L.), giant ragweed (A. trifida L.), smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.), Japanese 

brome (B. japonicus Thunb.), Canadian horseweed (Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist), stink 

grass (Eragrostis cilianensis (All.) Vignolo ex Janch.), Carolina love grass (E. pectinacea 

(Michx.) Nees), white sweet-clover (Melilotus albus Medik.), yellow sweet-clover (M. officinalis 

(L.) Lam.), Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis L.), Chinese bristle grass (Setaria faberi R.A.W. 

Herrm.), yellow bristle grass (S. pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.), common dandelion 

(Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg.), and common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.). 

Much of FLMR is vegetated by introduced grasses and forbs, but some areas contain remnant or 

colonizing prairie species. Common non-native species include smooth brome, meadow rye 

grass (Lolium pratensis Huds.), Kentucky blue grass, low hop clover (Trifolium campestre 

Schreb.), red clover (T. pratense L.), and white clover (T. repens L.). Common remnant or 

colonizing prairie species are big bluestem, showy partridgepea (Chamecrista fasciculata 

(Michx.) Greene), Illinois bundle-flower (Desmanthus illinoensis (Michx.) MacMill. ex Rob. & 

Fernald), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), black-eyed-Susan (Rudbeckia hirta L.), fringe-leaf 

ruellia (Ruellia humilis Nutt.), and yellow Indian grass. 

2.4. SUMMARY 

Field studies in 2003 confirmed seven kinds of terrestrial natural communities on FLMR: four 

forest types (Maple-Basswood Forest, White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest, Cottonwood- 

Sycamore Floodplain Forest, and Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest), one herbaceous type 

(Glaciated Tallgrass Prairie), and two sparse vegetation types (Midwest Moist Limestone- 

Dolostone Cliff and Riverine Sand Flats-Bars Sparse Vegetation). Riverine communities were 

not examined or evaluated in this study. One occurrence each of the four forest types was of 

sufficient size and quality to be added to KSNHI’s database of outstanding natural community 

occurrences in Kansas. Detailed information for other natural community occurrences was not 

gathered because these communities are too small, too degraded, or too poorly known in the state 

to permit satisfactory evaluation. The name of the Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest, reported 

by Freeman et al. (1997) as the Pecan-Sugarberry Floodplain Forest, was changed to reflect the 

co-dominance of common hackberry, not sugarberry, in that community. A small, degraded 

remnant of Bulrush-Catttail Marsh reported in Freeman et al. (1997) was found to have been 

destroyed due to construction along the railroad on FLMR. 

Natural community surveys confirm that FLMR supports several large and globally significant 

forest remnants. The floodplain forest is believed to be the largest old-growth stand remaining in 

the lower Missouri River valley. Upland forests and smaller, associated natural communities are 

regionally important. Collectively, these natural communities provide habitat for globally rare or 

state-rare species, and they support a rich biota representative of the forest-grassland ecotone of 

central North America. 


Visual analysis of the floodplain forests suggested significant changes since the 1995–1996 field 

seasons, probably the ongoing results of the 1993 flood. However, analysis of plot data from 

1995–1996 and 2003 did not reveal statistically significant differences, perhaps due to the 

inherent stability of dominant trees in the community and methodological differences that 

affected the two data sets. 

While FLMR supports a diverse flora and fauna, the long-term maintenance of many of its 

ecosystems depends on a host of factors and influences outside the control of the resource 

managers at FLMR. The native species that inhabit FLMR year-round or seasonally face 

growing threats from degradation, fragmentation, isolation, and destruction of natural areas both 

on-site and off-site. Many species depend on air, land, and water corridors to rest, feed, and 

reproduce, and as avenues for their movement. Human activities have disrupted and altered 

many of these terrestrial and aquatic corridors, jeopardizing the survival of some species. 

Riparian forests on FLMR are especially significant in this regard, providing routes for the 

movement of wildlife, helping to maintain water quality, and contributing to the aesthetics of 

FLMR. Efforts to maintain the ecological health of FLMR must begin by recognizing the 

importance of natural habitats on FLMR and the role they play in the local and regional 

movement of animals and plants. 

While the emphasis of this study was placed on the identification of outstanding terrestrial 

natural areas supporting protected and rare species, other natural areas are vital to native plants 

and animals. Degraded prairies, forests, and wetlands can serve as buffer areas and connectors 

for high-quality sites, and many areas have restoration potential. Aquatic habitats were not 

studied in detail, but they are extremely important. Clearly, humans have affected rivers and 

streams on and near FLMR, but detailed baseline studies are needed to determine the extent of 

these changes. 






CHAPTER 3. ANIMALS 

William H. Busby 




wbusby@ku.edu 

Zoological studies on FLMR during the 1995–1996 field seasons consisted of five objectives: 1) 

compile a list of protected and rare species of animals, 2) plan and conduct surveys for these 

species, 3) document all findings of all endangered, threatened, and special status species, 4) 

compile a report detailing all occurrences of these species and describing exceptional biological 

natural areas on the installation, and 5) assist in the formulation of management ideas based on 

the survey results. In addition, baseline data about mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians 

were collected ancillary to targeted surveys for protected species. 

Federally and state-listed species were documented by Freeman et al. (1997). One federal 

threatened species, the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Linnaeus)), was a regular winter 

resident. Four species of federally protected birds were determined possibly to migrate through 

the area, but nesting or foraging habitat is limited or absent on FLMR. They are the Eskimo 

curlew (Numenius borealis (Forster)), least tern (Sterna antillarum (Lesson)), piping plover 

(Charadrius melodus Ord), and whooping crane (Grus americana (Linnaeus)). The white-faced 

ibis (Plegadis chihi (Vieillot)) and peregrine falcon (Falco pereginus Tunstall), both state-listed 

birds, occasionally may appear during migration. Three Kansas Species in Need of Conservation 

(SINC) infrequently might use habitat on FLMR: black tern (Chlidonias niger (Linnaeus)), blue 

sucker (Cycleptus elongatus (LeSueur)), and red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus Gmelin). One 

SINC mammal, the eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus (Linnaeus)), was a resident on FLMR, 

and three SINC migratory birds bred on FLMR: cerulean warbler (Dendroica cerulea (Wilson)), 

yellow-throated warbler (Dendroica dominica (Linnaeus)), and whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus 

vociferus Wilson). Several state-listed species that were not found during the 1995–1996 field 

seasons were thought possibly to occur on FLMR because suitable habitat was available: eastern 

spotted skunk (Spilogale putorius (Raf.)), redbelly snake (Storeria occipitomaculata (Storer)), 

and smooth earth snake (Virginia valeriae (Baird & Girard)). 

In this follow-up study, all federally and state-listed animal species identified in Freeman et al. 

(1997) excluding fishes were re-surveyed. The Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis Miller & G.M. 

Allen), was added to our survey list. Bat surveys were conducted by Dr. Lynn Robbins and 

students, Southwestern Missouri State University. Surveys for the American burying beetle 

(Nicrophorus americanus Olivier) and a survey of snakes were conducted by Hank Guarisco, 

Lawrence, KS. Information about floodplain forest bird communities was gathered in the major 

forest tracts differing in successional stage on FLMR. 


TABLE 3.1. Animal species protected by federal and/or state laws with historical or extant 

occurrences in Leavenworth County, Kansas. Surveys were conducted in 2002–2003 for species 

followed by an asterisk. 

Common Name Scientific Name Survey Period Status 1 

Mammals 

eastern spotted skunk Spilogale putorius interrupta (Raf.) T 

eastern chipmunk* Tamias striatus (Linnaeus) All year S 

Franklin’s ground squirrel Spermophilus franklinii (Sabine) S 

southern flying squirrel* Glaucomys volans (Linnaeus) All year S 

Birds 

bald eagle* Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Linnaeus) Dec-Mar LT, E 

black tern Chlidonias niger (Linnaeus) S 

cerulean warbler* Dendroica cerulea (Wilson) May-Jul S 

Eskimo curlew Numenius borealis (Forster) LE, E 

least tern Sterna antillarum (Lesson) LE, E 

peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus Tunstall E 

piping plover Charadrius melodus Ord LT, T 

red-shouldered hawk* Buteo lineatus Gmelin Apr-Aug S 

whip-poor-will Caprimulgus vociferus (Wilson) S 

white-faced ibis Plegadis chihi (Vieillot) T 

yellow-throated warbler* Dendroica dominica (Linnaeus) May-Jul S 

Reptiles 

redbelly snake* Storeria occipitomaculata (Storer) Apr-Jun; Sep-Oct T 

smooth earth snake* Virginia valeriae (Baird & Girard) Apr-Jun; Sep-Oct T 

timber rattlesnake* Crotalus horridus Linnaeus Apr-Oct S 

Amphibians 

spring peeper* Pseudacris crucifer (Wied) Mar-Apr T 

Fishes 

blue sucker Cycleptus elongatus (LeSeur) S 

brassy minnow Hybognathus hankinsoni Hubbs S 

chestnut lamprey Ichthyomyzon castaneus (Girard) T 

flathead chub Platygobio gracilis (Richardson) T 

pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus (Forbes & LE, E 

& Richardson) 

river shiner Notropis blennius (Girard) S 

sturgeon chub Macrhybopsis gelida (Girard) T 

sicklefin chub Macrhybopsis meeki (Jordan & Evermann) E 

silverband shiner Notropis shumardi (Girard) T 

tadpole madtom Noturus gyrinus (Mitchill) S 

western silvery minnow Hybognathus argyritis (Girard) T 

Invertebrates 

American burying beetle* Nicrophorus americanus Olivier May-Sep LE, E 

1 Status abbreviations, arranged by regulatory agency and threat level, are as follows: 

LE = listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 

LT = listed as threatened by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 

E = listed as endangered by the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks. 

T = listed as threatened by the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks. 

S = Species in Need of Conservation, listed by the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks. 

3.2. METHODS 


Field surveys for animals were initiated on 12 March 2002 and completed 11 November 2003. 

Techniques followed those described by Freeman et al. (1997) and consisted of taxon-specific 

methods for certain species listed in Table 3.1 and general surveys for amphibians, reptiles, 

mammals, and birds (Appendix B). Methods differing from those presented in Freeman et al. 

(1997) are provided below. 

Southern flying squirrel 

Surveys for southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans (Linnaeus)) were conducted by placing 

artificial nest boxes on trees in oak-hickory forest and in floodplain forest as described in 

Freeman et al. (1997). A total of 12 boxes was placed on trees at three sites (Figure 3.1), four 

boxes per site, on 5 December 2002. Boxes were checked on 14 April 2002 and 10 November 

2003 for squirrels and spoor. 

American burying beetle 

Site Selection. Guidelines for selection of survey sites were based upon experience over the past 

several years in Kansas, combined with information obtained from studies done in other parts of 

the range of the American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus Olivier). Primary selection 

criteria were as follows: 

1. Relatively remote, undisturbed areas were chosen. Agricultural land and areas with bright 

lights were avoided. 

2. Seven of eight traplines were located on upland sites to ensure adequate dispersal of the bait’s 

odor plume because many molecules generated by the decaying process are heavier than 

air and may travel downhill when there is no appreciable wind. Upland sites also contain 

more areas of loess and loamy soil, which is associated with populations of the species in 

southeast Kansas (Guarisco 1997). One trapline was placed on the side of the levee near 

the air field mainly for comparison. 

3. Prairie remnants, fields, and mixed woodlands were surveyed since the species has been found 

in these habitat types. 

Survey Sites. On 2 September, four traplines were placed at locations 1-4 (Figure 3.2): 

Location 1: Boy Scout Camp. A trapline was placed in an open area in mixed woodland 

at this site because of the exceptional soil (friable, loamy loess). 

Location 2: Detention Barracks (DB) Farm area. A trapline was placed on a hill with 

open fields and forest just west of the DB Farm. 

Location 3: Dump Area. A trapline was placed along a low ridge at the top of a disturbed 

field covered with rank vegetation. This is an elevated site with a view of the railroad 

tracks and floodplain. 

Location 4: DB Road. A trapline was placed on both sides of the road leading to the DB. 

It is surrounded by undisturbed forest with original understory vegetation. On the 

immediate west side of the road is a large loess hill. 

These traplines were checked early each morning on 3–6 September and removed on 6 


September. 

On 8 September, four traplines were placed at locations 5–8 (Figure 3.2): 

Location 5: Corner Area. A trapline was placed along the east edge of the road northeast 

of Wagner Point. It is an upland, open area with nearby forest. 

Location 6: Hancock Hill. A trapline was placed along the east edge of the road in a 

prairie remnant. 

Location 7: Sherman Army Airfield Area. A trapline was placed along the slope of the 

levee just northwest of the air field. 

Location 8: McClellan Avenue Area. A trapline was placed along an old field at the 

north end of McClellan Avenue and near the top of a hill. 

These traplines were checked each morning from 9–12 September and removed 12 September. 

Sampling Protocol. The American burying beetle is most active in Nebraska from June– 

August; however, one individual was discovered as late as 29 October (Ratcliffe 1996). Most 

beetles found in Kansas were encountered from late August to early September, and very little 

activity in any member of the genus was evident during mid-summer drought conditions 

(Guarisco 1997, 1998). Therefore, trapping at FLMR was begun after the 37.8˚C (100˚F) 

temperatures and drought conditions ended in early September. Nighttime low temperatures 

during the first trip (2–6 September) were around 14˚C (57˚F) except for the night of 4 

September when temperatures were ca 11˚C (52˚F). Temperatures during the second trip were 

higher, with low temperatures ranging from 14–22˚C (52–72˚F) during the nights preceding the 

four consecutive survey days (9–12 September). 

The standard survey protocol outlined in the American burying beetle recovery plan (U.S. Fish 

and Wildlife Service 1991) was used with a slight modification recommended by B. Ratcliffe, 

the authority on this species in Nebraska. Sampling was conducted by under authority of permit 

#TEO43393-0 issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and as a subpermittee of the state of 

Kansas scientific collecting and salvage wildlife permit. 

Traplines consisted of a series of containers (32-oz plastic cups and/or a 2.1-gallon plastic 

bucket) placed ca 27 m (30 yd) apart. Rotten chicken and road-killed squirrels were used as bait. 

Each container was placed in the ground so that its rim was flush with the soil surface. Aged bait 

was placed in an empty film canister and hung inside the containers. The carcass of a fresh, 

road-killed squirrel or a carcass that had been collected earlier, frozen, thawed, and allowed to rot 

was placed in the bottom of each container. A 30.5-cm (12-in) square piece of chicken wire 

(mesh openings ca 2.5 cm diameter) was placed over the trap and anchored at the corners with 

rocks. A plywood sun/rain shelter 30.5-cm (12-in) square was placed on top of the rocks and 

staked into the ground with two spikes driven through holes in the plywood. A 5-cm (2-in) layer 

of soil was placed in the bottom of the trap to help prevent desiccation. Traplines were checked 

on the four consecutive mornings following their installation. Captured carrion beetles were 

identified using Ratcliffe (1996) and released 0.4–0.8 km (0.25–0.5 mi) away from the trapline. 

Traplines at locations 1, 3, and 7 each consisted only of cups; traplines at the remaining locations 

each consisted of five cups and a bucket. 

Floodplain Bird Communities 


The old-growth floodplain forest was censused during spring and early summer of 2002 and 2003 

for canopy warblers, including two listed in Kansas as SINCs: cerulean warbler (Dendroica 

cerulea (Wilson) and yellow-throated warbler (Dendroica dominica (Linnaeus)). A strip-census 

method (Emlen 1984) was used following a route discussed in Schukman (1996). The walking 

route was covered from approximately 0700–1100h on days without rain or strong winds. The 

route followed a circuit beginning at the south end of the River Trail, proceeding north on this 

trail to a point approximately due east of the great blue heron rookery, then following trails 

southwest into the Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest, eventually returning to the River Trail at 

the South Weston MAPS station. Locations of all canopy warblers that were detected were 

recorded on maps of the route. Surveys were conducted on 5 and 26 May 2002 and on 24 April, 

25 May, and 13 June 2003. 

In addition, point count surveys of birds in three floodplain forest types were conducted from 5– 

14 June 2003. All species detected by sight or vocalization 1) within a 50-m (164-ft) fixedradius 

distance and 2) at unlimited distance were recorded for a period of 10 minutes (Ralph et 

al. 1993). In each forest type (Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest, and early-successional and 

mid-successional Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest) 13 point-counts were conducted at 

250 m (820 ft) or greater intervals along randomly placed transects (Figure 3.3). Censuses were 

conducted between 0600–1000h on days with light wind and no rain. All counts were made by 

W. H. Busby. 

Bat Surveys 

A survey of the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis Miller & G.M. Allen) was conducted in 2002 and 

2003 by L. Robbins (Appendix D). This study yielded information about six species of summerresident 

bats on FLMR. 

Herpetological Surveys 

A survey of snakes was conducted in 2003 by H. Guarisco (Appendix E). Surveys for northern 

spring peeper and other anurans were not conducted because drought conditions failed to fill 

temporary breeding pools with water. Other herpetological records were obtained during general 

field surveys by W. H. Busby, a Kansas Herpetological Society field trip to FLMR on 11 October 

2002 (Collins 2003), and examination of specimens in the FLMR Entomology Office (Pest 

Control) (Appendix E). 


During this study, sites throughout the undeveloped portions of FLMR were surveyed for rare 

animals, involving an estimated 434-person-hours of field work (Table 3.2). Following on-site 

assessments of potential habitat for the species listed in Table 3.1, field surveys were conducted 

for the following species: Indiana bat, southern flying squirrel, eastern chipmunk (Tamias 

striatus (Linnaeus), great egret (Ardea alba (Linnaeus)), red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus 

Gmelin), broad-winged hawk (Buteo platypterus (Vieillot)), cerulean warbler, yellow-throated 


warbler, ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus (Linneaus), redbelly snake (Storeria occipitomaculata 

(Storer), smooth earth snake (Virginia valeriae (Baird & Girard)), timber rattlesnake (Crotalus 

horridus Linnaeus), and American burying beetle. Element occurrences for nine species were 

documented (Table 3.3). Species accounts are presented below for animals listed in Table 3.1, 

except for fishes. Accounts are grouped by protection status and organized alphabetically by 

common name within each group. 

TABLE 3.2. Summary of areas surveyed for plants and animals in 2002 and 2003 on FLMR. 

Time is survey duration in person-hours. 

Date Location Time Notes 

2002-03-12 Bottomland Forest 8 W. H. Busby & S. Roth: visit Great Blue Heron rookery and count nests 

Bundel Road area 4 W. H. Busby & S. Roth: visit proposed road corridor along Missouri River with J. 

Wimberg 

2002-05-02 Bottomland Forest 4 W. H. Busby: census birds along River Trail with J. Schukman & D. Kilby 

Boy Scout area 1 W. H. Busby: census birds with J. Schukman 

2002-05-26 Bottomland Forest 4 W. H. Busby: census birds along River Trail with J. Schukman & D. Williams 

2002-07-08 Bottomland Forest 28 L. Robbins & field crew: initiate bat survey 

2002-07-09 various 28 L. Robbins & field crew: bat surveys 



2002-12-05 Pecan forest, McPherson Ave 

forest, Maple-Basswood Forest 

10 W. H. Busby, W. D. Kettle, and S. Roth: install flying squirrel boxes at three sites 

2003-04-03 various 21 W. H. Busby, S. Roth & G. Pisani: check flying squirrel boxes. Evaluate 

potential habitat for redbelly snake and earth snake at various sites. 

2003-04-24 Bottomland Forest 5 W. H. Busby: bird censuses along River Trail with J. Schukman 

Bundel Road area 2 W. H. Busby: visit old landfill site with M. Nowak, M. Sorenson, J. Harrington & 

C. Davis to evaluate habitat value 

2003-05-02 Bluff Forest 4 W. H. Busby & H. Guarisco: herp surveys 

2003-05-02 Pecan Forest 4 W. H. Busby & H. Guarisco: herp surveys 

2003-05-03 various 8 W. H. Busby: lead Kansas Ornithological Society field trip group with D. 

Williams; most of time spent in old-growth bottomland forest 

2003-05-22 Pecan Forest 6 W. H. Busby: bird censuses in old-growth bottomland forest 

2003-05-25 Bottomland Forest 5 W. H. Busby: bird censuses with J. Schukman along River Trail 

2003-05-27 various 6 W. H. Busby, C. C. Freeman & H. Loring: photos of natural communities 

2003-06-05 Bottomland Forest 5 W. H. Busby: point counts for birds 

2003-06-05 Ft. Cavagnial Picnic area 1 W. H. Busby: survey for ovenbird below picnic area 



2003-06-12 DB farm road 8 H. Guarisco: install herp shelters; herp surveys 

2003-06-13 Bottomland Forest 6 W. H. Busby: bird censuses in pecan forest with J. Schukman 

2003-06-13 DB farm 8 H. Guarisco: herp surveys 



2003-06-23 upland sites 8 H. Guarisco: herp surveys 



2003-07-02 Hancock Hill 8 W. H. Busby: survey upland forest birds 


2003-08-06 Government Hill, Wagner Point 6 W. H. Busby: survey upland forest birds 

2003-09-02 uplands 8 H. Guarisco: install herp trap arrays 

2003-09-02/06 various 31 H. Guarisco: burying beetle and herp surveys 

2003-09-08/12 various 31 H. Guarisco: burying beetle and herp surveys 

2003-09-21 Government Hill 8 H. Guarisco: herp surveys 









2003-11-03 Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain 

Forest, McPherson Ave Maple- 

Basswood Forest 

10 W. H. Busby, S. Roth & C. Davis: check flying squirrel boxes 

TABLE 3.3. Element occurrence records for state-rare animals on FLMR. For definitions of 

state-ranks see NatureServe website (http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/ranking.htm). 

Latitude-longitude data are provided for an observation centroid (see maps for each species for 

more complete distribution information). Format is degrees, minutes, seconds (DDMMSS). 

Common Name Scientific Name 

Element 

Occurrence Code 

State 

Rank 

Latitude & 

Longitude 

southern flying Glaucomys volans AMAFB09010.017 S3 392150 N 

squirrel 

945601 W 

eastern chipmunk Tamias striatus AMAFB02230.002 S2 392059 N 

945615 W 

great egret Ardea alba ABNGA04040.008 S2B, 392243 N 

S3N 945313 W 

Cooper’s hawk Accipiter cooperi ABNKC12040.026 S3B, 

SZN 

392308 N 

945334 W 

broad-winged Buteo platypterus ABNKC19050.004 S1B, 392150 N 

hawk 

SZN 945601 W 

red-shouldered Buteo lineatus ABNKC19030.019 S2S3 392308 N 

hawk 

945334 W 

ovenbird Seiurus aurocapillus ABPBX10010.005 S1B 392117 N 

945617 W 

cerulean warbler Dendroica cerulea ABPBX03240.002 S1B 392217 N 

945334 W 

yellow-throated Dendroica dominica ABPBX03130.004 S1B 392254 N 

warbler 

945302 W 

Species Accounts–Federal-listed Species 

American burying beetle: Nicrophorus americanus Olivier 

Notes on Status 

Widespread, low-density 

population; confirmed in 2003 

Widespread in wooded areas; 

multiple sites in 2003 

2–10 nesting pairs in great blue 

heron colony in 1995–‘96 not 

observed in 2002–‘03 

One breeding pair in 1994; 

present in 2003; species no 

longer tracked 

Probable nester; breeding not 

confirmed; observed in 2003 

Probable nester; breeding not 

confirmed; observed in 2003 

1–2 breeding pair in 1995–‘96; 

not observed in 2003 

1–4 breeding pairs; observed in 

2003 

Estimate 30+ breeding pairs; 

observed in 2003 

Past Records. The American burying beetle historically occurred throughout much of the eastern 

U.S. including the Kansas counties of Doniphan, Douglas, Pottawatomie, and Shawnee (U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service 1991). Currently, it is known from six states: on Block Island off the 

coast of Rhode Island, southern South Dakota, central Nebraska, eastern Oklahoma, western 

Arkansas (Ratcliffe 1996), and southeastern Kansas (Guarisco 1997, Miller and McDonald 

1997). In the past several years, this species has been found at eight sites in Wilson, Elk, 

Montgomery, and Chautauqua counties in the Chautauqua Hills physiographic province in 

southeast Kansas (Guarisco 1998, 1999). No American burying beetles were found on FLMR by 

Freeman et al. (1997). 


TABLE 3.4. Carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae) collected on FLMR 3–6 September 2003. 

See text for descriptions of locations. 

Species Location 

No. Collected 

3 rd –4 th –5 th –6 th 

Sum Total 

Nicrophorus marginatus 2 0–0–1–0 1 

3 0–0–0–2 2 3 

Nicrophorus orbicollis 1 1–1–0–0 2 

2 4–6–5–1 16 

3 1–0–0–0 1 

4 0–6–4–3 13 32 

Nicrophorus tomentosus 1 0–2–0–1 3 

2 0–36–12–14 62 

3 0–0–0–1 1 

4 0–5–1–6 12 78 

Necrophila americana 2 0–0–0–1 1 

4 0–1–0–0 1 2 

TABLE 3.5. Carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae) collected at FLMR on 9–12 September 

2003. See text for description of locations. 

Species Location 

No. Collected 

9th–10 th –11 th –12 th Sum Total 

Nicrophorus marginatus 6 0–0–1–0 1 

7 0–0–0–2 2 3 

Nicrophorus orbicollis 5 0–0–4–3 7 

6 1–2–2–4 9 

7 0–1–0–0 1 

8 1–0–0–1 2 19 

Nicrophorus tomentosus 5 0–0–20–24 44 

6 0–21–20–9 50 

7 0–23–21–0 44 

8 1–6–1–0 8 146 

Necrophila americana 5 0–1–0–0 1 

6 0–0–1–0 1 

7 0–1–0–0 1 3 

Available Habitat and Surveys. Surveys for carrion beetles were conducted 2–6 and 8–12 

September 2003. Following a technique modified from Kozol (1990), a series of pitfall traps 

baited with carrion were placed at eight sites (Figure 3.2). Traps were checked each morning for 

adult beetles. A total of 311 specimens representing four species of carrion beetles was 

collected (Table 3.4, Table 3.5), but no American burying beetles were found. 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. The recent decline and apparent extirpation of the American 

burying beetle over most of its former range may be due to multiple ecological factors and life 


history attributes of this species. It is the largest member of the genus Nicrophorus in North 

America and requires larger carrion (80–300 gm; 3–11 oz) for best reproductive success (U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service 1991). This species is associated with specific soil types (Lomolino et 

al. 1995) and habitats with abundant small birds and mammals (Holloway and Schnell 1997). 

Only limited areas on the uplands of FLMR currently support habitat potentially suitable for 

American burying beetle populations. Extensive human activity, particularly agricultural 

development, in the historic past throughout the Glaciated Region of Kansas and Missouri has 

greatly reduced the amount of suitable habitat for this species. It is unlikely to occur on FLMR. 

Recommendations. If populations of the American burying beetle are discovered close to FLMR, 

additional surveys should be conducted on the post. 

Bald eagle: Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Linnaeus) 

Past Records. The bald eagle is a large raptor that is a regular winter visitor and local breeder in 

Kansas (Thompson and Ely 1989, Collins et al. 1995). It bred historically along major rivers in 

Kansas, but breeding populations were extirpated shortly after Euro-America settlement 

(Levenson and Bee 1980). The first confirmed nesting in more than a century occurred in Kansas 

in 1989, and the breeding population continues to expand (Watkins et al. 1994). Winter 

populations also have been expanding for several decades and current winter populations 

sometimes exceed 600 birds. During aerial surveys of eagles in the winters of 1991–1993, the 

Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks documented that, at times, the Missouri River hosts 

large numbers of bald eagles. 

Available Habitat and Surveys. The preferred habitat of the bald eagle includes areas of open 

water and along large rivers. In Kansas, the greatest numbers in winter occur at large reservoirs 

and along the major rivers. Breeding pairs currently are found at large reservoirs in eastern 

Kansas and in riparian areas in western Kansas (Watkins et al. 1994, 1996). No winter surveys 

were conducted due to the abundance of existing information (Table 3.6). No bald eagles were 

seen on FLMR during breeding season surveys, and there is no evidence that eagles nest on the 

post. Because of regular winter use by bald eagles, all lands and waters in a corridor along the 

main stem of the Missouri River from the Nebraska state line downstream to Wyandotte County, 

Kansas, are designated as critical habitat by KDWP. 

TABLE 3.6. Aerial surveys for bald eagles conducted by KDWP from 1991–1993. FLMR = Ft. 

Leavenworth; LC = Leavenworth County; and MR = Missouri River (in Kansas). 

Number of bald eagles 

Date FLMR LC MR 

1991-02-13 0 1 12 

1992-02-10 3 6 42 

1992-12-16 3 4 23 

1993-01-14 9 35 80 

1993-02-22 4 6 55 


Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. Bald eagles are frequent winter visitors along the Missouri 

River on FLMR. This bird currently does not breed on the installation, but apparently suitable 

breeding habitat exists there. As the breeding population expands, nest sites along the Missouri 

River on or near FLMR could be established. The known breeding site nearest to FLMR is at 

Perry Lake in Jefferson County, Kansas. 

Recommendations. Forested riparian habitat along the Missouri River should be monitored for 

breeding bald eagles. 

Eskimo curlew: Numenius borealis (Forster) 

Past Records. This shorebird was an abundant migrant in eastern Kansas in the 1800s, but by the 

early 1900s it was nearly extinct due to hunting pressure (Thompson and Ely 1989). A historical 

record for the Eskimo curlew exists from Douglas County, Kansas, and there is an unconfirmed 

1995 report from Anderson County. 

Available Habitat and Surveys. The Eskimo curlew reportedly frequented wet meadows and 

open grassland in the Great Plains, especially recently burned prairie. FLMR does not contain 

suitable habitat, and no surveys were conducted during this study. 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. Many biologists believe this species is extinct. If extant, 

exceedingly low population numbers and the absence of suitable habitat on FLMR make the 

probability of visits by this species remote. 

Recommendations. None. 

Indiana bat: Myotis sodalis Miller & G.M. Allen 

Past Records. The Indiana bat inhabits forested areas of the eastern U.S. westward to Missouri. 

This species has not been documented in Kansas (3D/Environmental Services 1993), but 

reproductively active individuals have been observed approximately 160 km (100 mi) east and 

northeast of FLMR in Caldwell and Nodaway counties, Missouri (Appendix D). 

Available Habitat and Surveys. Suitable habitat consists of forest and forest edge where dead or 

dying trees with defoliated bark are present. Surveys were conducted in July 2002 and June-July 

2003 (Appendix D). No Indiana bats were detected during this study. 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. Surveys efforts probably were sufficient to detect Indiana 

bats if they were present. However, it is possible that the species occurs irregularly on FLMR. 

Recommendations. Mature upland and lowland forests should be managed without removing 

dead trees or snags to maintain habitat potentially suitable for this species. 

Least tern: Sterna antillarum (Lesson) 


Past Records. Least terns nest in riparian and wetland areas with large patches of bare soil or 

sparse vegetation. Nesting colonies are found along the Kansas River in northeastern Kansas 

(Busby et al. 1997) and along the Platte River in Nebraska (Sidle and Harrison 1990). Least 

terns nested historically on sandbars along the Missouri River, but most of this habitat has been 

compromised due to alteration of the river’s hydrology. The species was observed on FLMR in 

the late 1980s when low water in the Missouri River exposed many sandbars (J. Schukman 

personal comm.), but there are no known nesting records. 

Available Habitat and Surveys. The Missouri River provided ideal nesting habitat prior to 

hydrological modifications. Construction of large reservoirs upstream and channelization of 

most of the river reduced breeding habitat for least tern. Among the changes was a reduction in 

the extent of sandbars and open, sparsely vegetated sites frequented by this and other species for 

nesting (Haig et al. 1988). Good nesting sites currently do not exist on FLMR, and no breeding 

colonies are present on or near the installation. No systematic surveys were conducted during 

this study, and no least terns were seen during other field work on FLMR. 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. Least terns wander widely during the spring and late 

summer, and probably migrate along the river near FLMR. Nesting along the Missouri River on 

or near FLMR is unlikely given current river management. 

Recommendations. The absence of suitable habitat is due largely to hydrological changes in the 

Missouri River. Restoration of habitat will require modifications in the way the river is managed 

by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. If future management changes result in the production of 

large sandbars in the river, these should be monitored during June and July for least terns. 

Piping plover: Charadrius melodus Ord 

Past Records. This small shorebird breeds in the central and northern Great Plains; it is a rare 

spring and fall migrant in Kansas (Thompson and Ely 1989). Piping plovers routinely nest along 

the Platte River and upper Missouri River (Haig et al. 1994). Small numbers of individuals also 

nest along the upper Kansas River (Busby et al. 1997). 

Available Habitat and Surveys. Similar to the least tern, piping plovers breed on sparsely 

vegetated sandbars along rivers, along sandy shores of marshes and lakes, and on open flats 

(Collins et al. 1995). Formerly, the Missouri River provided suitable nesting habitat. However, 

channelization and reservoir construction has altered the river’s hydrology, resulting in fewer 

sandbars and open, sparsely vegetated sites that might be used by nesting individuals (Haig et al. 

1988). No nesting habitat currently exists on FLMR, and no breeding colonies are present on or 

near FLMR. Systematic surveys were not conducted during this study, and no piping plovers 

were seen during other field work on the installation. 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. Migrating birds may fly over the area and occasionally may 

stop to forage along the Missouri River. 


Recommendations. The lack of suitable habitat on FLMR is due largely to hydrological changes 

in the Missouri River. Restoration of habitat will require modifications in the way the river is 

managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Future surveys should be conducted if changes 

in river management result in the creation of suitable nesting habitat. 

Whooping crane: Grus americana (Linnaeus) 

Past Records. Whooping cranes migrate through Kansas during spring and fall on their way 

between wintering grounds on the Texas coast and breeding grounds in Canada. Most cranes 

migrate through central Kansas, but individuals occasionally are reported farther east in the state 

(Thompson and Ely 1989). Recent records exist for Jefferson and Douglas counties. 

Available Habitat and Surveys. This large bird feeds mostly in wetlands, such as exist along the 

central Platte River in Nebraska and at Cheyenne Bottoms in Kansas. During migration; 

however, small groups of birds or single individuals may stop to roost overnight at farm ponds 

and other aquatic sites that are not used for foraging. Whooping cranes generally pass quickly 

through Kansas. 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. Individuals occasionally may migrate through extreme 

eastern Kansas, as happened at Clinton Lake Wildlife Area in November 1996. However, habitat 

at FLMR is marginal, and the probability of visits by whooping cranes is remote. 


Species Accounts–State-listed Species 

Eastern spotted skunk: Spilogale putorius interrupta (Rafinesque) 

Past Records. The eastern spotted skunk historically was common throughout Kansas and 

Missouri. Brumwell (1951) wrote in his annotated list of mammals of Ft. Leavenworth, “The 

spotted skunk is a common inhabitant of woodland and broken terrain about ledges, and railroad 

ballast. Evidence of this skunk was found in every association except prairie. From the number 

of dens found occupied there could not be more than one Spilogale for every twenty or thirty 

acres.” The species has declined markedly during the past three decades (Collins et al. 1995), 

and there are no recent records from northeast Kansas. 

Available Habitat and Surveys. This species inhabits a wide range of habitats. It frequented 

forest margin and upland prairie environments in eastern Kansas, especially where rock outcrops, 

abandoned buildings, and other cover existed (Bee et al. 1981). Suitable habitat exists on FLMR, 

but no trapping was conducted because of its rarity in eastern Kansas. Davis (2003) found no 

evidence of spotted skunk during his work at FLMR. 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. The potential for eastern spotted skunks to occur on FLMR 

is considered to be low. 



Peregrine falcon: Falco peregrinus Tunstall 

Past Records. This raptor is a rare to uncommon migrant in Kansas (Thompson and Ely 1989). 

In the last few years, peregrine falcons have been seen on FLMR (J. Schukman personal comm.) 

and elsewhere in northeast Kansas along the Missouri River. Peregrine falcon populations, 

decimated by the effects of DDT contamination in the 1950–‘70s, have begun to recover. This 

species recently was delisted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Nesting has occurred 

recently on tall buildings in Kansas City, Missouri, and in Topeka, Kansas. 

Available Habitat and Surveys. This bird visits a variety of habitats during migration. Favored 

sites are wetlands, lakes, and large rivers where there are concentrations of prey birds. The 

Missouri River valley provides good foraging habitat, but cliffs and tall buildings that might 

attract breeding falcons are limited. No surveys were conducted for the peregrine falcon, and no 

observations were made during other field work. 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. Migrating and wandering individuals occasionally pass 

through the area. However, sufficiently tall structures to attract breeding birds to FLMR are not 

present. 


Redbelly snake: Storeria occipitomaculata (Storer) 

Past Records. This snake is at the western edge of its range in eastern Kansas. Records in 

northeast Kansas come from Atchison, Jefferson, and Douglas counties (Collins 1993). No 

redbelly snakes were observed on FLMR by Freeman et al. (1997). 

Available Habitat and Surveys. The redbelly snake inhabits woodlands and forests, most often 

those dominated by oaks and hickories, and with a dense layer of leaf litter. Sites with extensive 

rock in the substrate are preferred. Forested uplands on FLMR were surveyed from April– 

October 2003 (Table 3.2, Appendix E). Surveys involved searching in leaf litter and under logs 

and rocks. 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. This secretive species is difficult to find using any survey 

technique because it occupies subterranean habitats. Individuals are most likely to be found 

above ground in the spring and fall. Even though individuals were not found during this survey, 

it is possible that the species inhabits large tracts of high-quality White oak-Shagbark hickory 

Forest and Maple-Basswood Forest on FLMR, especially around rock outcrops on slopes in the 

north part of the installation. 

Recommendations. Existing stands of upland forest should be maintained. Not enough is known 

about the habitat requirements of this snake to permit specific management recommendations to 

be made. However, the fact that the redbelly snake generally is found in high-quality forests 


suggests that practices that degrade this natural community, such as livestock grazing, extensive 

logging, and fragmentation due to development would be detrimental if the species occurs on the 

site. 

Smooth earth snake: Virginia valeriae (Baird & Girard) 

Past Records. This small, secretive snake is at the western edge of its range in northeast Kansas. 

There are documented occurrences from Leavenworth and all surrounding Kansas counties 

(Collins 1993). No smooth earth snakes were observed on FLMR by Freeman et al. (1997). 

Available Habitat and Surveys. Similar to the redbelly snake, the smooth earth snake lives in 

forests and woodlands where it typically occupies rocky slopes and forest margins. Surveys in 

the forested uplands on FLMR were conducted from April–October 2003 (Table 3.2, Appendix 

E). Leaf litter and potential shelter sites (rocks and logs) were searched during periods of mild 

weather. No smooth earth snakes were found during this study. 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. Habitat for the smooth earth snake is limited and 

fragmented at FLMR. Nonetheless, this snake may occur in rocky woodlands. George Pisani 

(University of Kansas), who has conducted research on the species in the eastern U.S. and who 

visited FLMR as part of this study, believes the rocky bluffs in the Maple-Basswood Forest 

provide the best potential habitat for the snake (personal comm.). 

Recommendations. Stands of upland forest and woodland with rocky substrates should be 

maintained. Because this species generally is found in high-quality forests, practices that degrade 

or fragment forest habitat are likely to be detrimental to smooth earth snake populations if the 

exist on FLMR. 

Spring peeper: Pseudacris crucifer (Wied) 

Past Records. Collins (1993) states that Ft. Leavenworth is the type locality for this frog, but 

Rundquist (1977) suggests the type collection comes from another location. Other than the type 

collection, there are no other reports of the species from Leavenworth County. Recent surveys 

on FLMR yielded no populations of spring peepers (Simon 1988, Simon and Dorlac 1990). The 

populations nearest to FLMR are in Miami County, Kansas (Collins 1993). 

Available Habitat and Surveys. The spring peeper inhabits woodlands and generally is found 

near ponds and marshes that lack fish (Collins 1993). Limited suitable habitat is present on 

FLMR. It was surveyed in 2003, but no chorusing frogs were heard. However, conditions during 

the spring were unusually dry, and few temporary wetlands held water. In general, breeding 

activity by all anurans was reduced or absent on FLMR in 2003. 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. It is unlikely that this frog exists in Leavenworth County 

due to the fact that it is outside the known species range. 



White-faced ibis: Plegadis chihi (Vieillot) 

Past Records. This large waterbird has been recorded at scattered sites throughout Kansas 

(Thompson and Ely 1989). It breeds at Cheyenne Bottoms and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge 

in central Kansas. Individuals recently summered at the Benedictine Bottoms along the Missouri 

River in Atchison County (Busby and Zimmerman 2001), and birds have been seen in May flying 

over FLMR (J. Schukman personal comm.). 

Available Habitat and Surveys. The white-faced ibis normally inhabits open wetlands where it 

probes for food with its long bill. Cat-tail stands provide nesting sites. Little permanent, suitable 

habitat for this species occurs on FLMR, and no surveys were conducted. 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. As with other migratory birds, this species occasionally may 

pass over the area. This is one of many wetland bird species that might breed at FLMR if 

bottomland wetlands were restored. 

Recommendations. Restoration of marsh habitat in the floodplain of the Missouri River might 

attract this and other wetland birds to the area. 

Species Accounts–Kansas Species in Need of Conservation (SINC) 

Black tern: Chlidonias niger (Linnaeus) 

Past Records. This small tern is a regular migrant through Kansas, and there are numerous 

records from northeast Kansas (Thompson and Ely 1989). With few exceptions, this species 

breeds north of Kansas. Unconfirmed sightings of black terns have been made at FLMR during 

migration (J. Schukman personal comm.). 

Available Habitat and Surveys. This prairie species and can be found during migration far from 

large lakes and wetlands. It often feeds on flying insects over ponds and streams (Thompson and 

Ely 1989). No surveys were conducted, and no incidental sightings of this species were made. 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. The black tern probably passes over FLMR occasionally 

during migration. 


Cerulean warbler: Dendroica cerulea (Wilson) 

Past Records. The cerulean warbler is a rare migrant and local breeder in eastern Kansas 

(Thompson and Ely 1992) where it is at the extreme western edge of its breeding range. The 

species is a summer resident and probable breeder at FLMR in mature Pecan-Hackberry and 

Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forests, where is occurs in low densities, often in association 

with two other canopy warblers, the northern parula and yellow-throated warbler (Schukman 


1996, Freeman et al. 1997). 

Available Habitat and Surveys. Breeding habitat in eastern Kansas consists of bottomland 

hardwood forest in areas with large trees and a broken canopy (Hands et al. 1989, Hamel 2000). 

J. Schukman and W. Busby conducted surveys in 2002 and 2003 using a strip-plot method 

(Emlen 1984) as implemented by Schukman (1996). Only one cerulean warbler was detected 

during the surveys (Table 3.7). During other 2003 visits to this same old-growth forest, cerulean 

warblers were encountered (3 May and 25 May-1 singing male; 9 June-2 singing males). 

Breeding season distribution of this species on FLMR is shown in Figure 3.4. 

TABLE 3.7. Results of strip-plot surveys for canopy-dwelling warblers in old-growth forest at 

FLMR in 2002–2003. Routes are described in Schukman (1996). 

Date American redstart northern parula 

yellow-throated 

warbler 

cerulean warbler Route 

2002-05-02 44 10 5 0 standard 

2002-05-26 38 5 6 0 standard 

2003-04-24 1 12 9 0 standard 

2003-05-25 38 6 10 1 standard 

2003-06-13 Not counted 3 19 0 northern 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. This presence of this species on FLMR was confirmed. 

However, its numbers are low and it may not be present every year. This is the only known, 

regular breeding site for this bird in northeast Kansas (KSNHI unpublished data). 

Recommendations. Maintenance of the large tracts of mature bottomland forest is essential. 

Cerulean warblers are sensitive to forest fragmentation. Extensive logging or disturbance of the 

mature bottomland forest probably would eliminate populations from FLMR. 

Eastern chipmunk: Tamias striatus (Linnaeus) 

Past Records. The eastern chipmunk ranges across much of the eastern U.S., west to extreme 

eastern Kansas. This species is known in Kansas counties along the Missouri River, including 

Leavenworth (Bee et al. 1981). Brumwell (1951) observed a single animal in oak-hickory forest 

in the vicinity of the Sherman Army Airfield. Chipmunks were reported at seven upland sites by 

Freeman et al. (1997). 

Available Habitat and Surveys. The eastern chipmunk inhabits deciduous forest and forest edge 

habitat where fallen logs, rock ledges, rock outcrops, and other structures offers protected sites 

for burrows. The White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest on FLMR is well suited to this species. 

Chipmunks were observed at a number of sites during this study (Figure 3.5). Most observations 

were from upland forest, although chipmunks occur in floodplain forests. 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. The large number of sightings in recent years contrasts to 


the single record reported by Brumwell (1951). This suggests that eastern chipmunk populations 

may have expanded greatly on FLMR during the past 50 years. 

Recommendations. Existing stands of oak-hickory forest on FLMR should be maintained. This 

species is fairly tolerant of forest fragmentation and may utilize habitat in disturbed woodlands. 

Franklin’s ground squirrel: Spermophilus franklinii (Sabine) 

Past Records. Franklin’s ground squirrel is known historically from scattered sites in more than 

a dozen counties in the eastern half of Kansas, including Leavenworth (Bee et al. 1981). 

Brumwell (1951) reported a colony of a dozen or fewer individuals on the bank of the Missouri 

River opposite Grant Hill. This squirrel has experienced widespread declines in the southern part 

of its range, including Kansas and Missouri (Pergrams and Nyberg 2003). No recent records are 

known from FLMR or from northeastern Kansas. 

Available Habitat and Surveys. This mammal typically occupies prairie-forest ecotones, building 

burrows in dense grass, weedy fields, wasteland, and shrubby forest edges (Bee et al. 1981, 

Schwartz and Schwartz 1981). Surveys were not conducted for this species, and no individuals 

were observed during this study. Davis (2003) was unable to find any Franklin’s ground 

squirrels in his study at FLMR. 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. With the loss of most grassland vegetation on FLMR, 

suitable habitat virtually has been eliminated. It is probable that Franklin’s ground squirrel has 

been extirpated on the installation. 

Recommendations. If nearby populations are discovered, additional surveys for this species 

should be conducted on FLMR. 

Red-shouldered hawk: Buteo lineatus Gmelin 

Past Records. This hawk is a local, uncommon, summer resident and transient in the eastern 

quarter of Kansas. Records exist for Leavenworth and most surrounding counties (Thompson 

and Ely 1989). However, most of these individuals probably are transients. Few summer records 

exist for northeast Kansas (Busby and Zimmerman 2001, KSNHI unpublished data). Brumwell 

(1951) reported a nesting pair in a cottonwood tree near the upper reaches of Corral Creek on 

FLMR. Red-shouldered hawks were not observed by Freeman et al. (1997), but they were 

recorded at MAPS banding stations in the mid-1990s, including one bird at the Weston Bend 

North site on 24 June 1995 and 15 June 1996, and at the Weston Bend South site on 11 June 

1996 (Institute for Bird Populations unpublished data). 

Available Habitat and Surveys. This hawk favors wooded floodplains and wetlands, and FLMR 

appears to offer excellent habitat. One bird was detected in the mature floodplain forest near the 

great blue heron colony on 9 June 2003 (Figure 3.6). Observations of red-shouldered hawks 

during the breeding season suggest a breeding pair occurs on or near FLMR. 


Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. Red-shouldered hawks were confirmed on FLMR. It is 

unclear if the birds breeds on the installation or are transients. Suitable habitat is present, and 

surveys should continue to determine if this species breeds in the area. 

Recommendations. Floodplain forests on FLMR should be maintained. Floodplain pools and 

wetlands provide important foraging habitat for this species, and accordingly, these features 

should be maintained and restored. 

Southern flying squirrel: Glaucomys volans (Linnaeus) 

Past Records. The southern flying squirrel is widespread in the eastern U.S., reaching the 

western limit its range in eastern Kansas. About a dozen occurrences are known in Kansas, most 

of which are in the two easternmost tiers of counties (KSNHI unpublished data), including 

Leavenworth (Bee et al. 1981). Brumwell (1951) reported a squirrel killed by workmen while 

felling a tree on FLMR. Five specimens labeled “West bank Missouri River, Ft. Leavenworth” 

with collection dates of 1 January-14 March 1955 are deposited in the University of Kansas 

Museum of Natural History. 

Available Habitat and Surveys. This small, nocturnal squirrel inhabits deciduous and mixed 

forests, particularly beech-maple, oak-hickory, and poplar. Mature, closed-canopy forests near 

water are preferred. Squirrels readily use nest boxes and abandoned bird and squirrel nests. Nest 

boxes were used to survey for the species in floodplain and upland forests on FLMR. Three 

series of nest boxes (four boxes per site) were installed on 5 December 2002 and checked in 

April and November 2003 (Figure 3.1). No flying squirrels were found using nest boxes. Davis 

(2003) trapped unsuccessfully for this species on the installation. However, one southern flying 

squirrel was captured while netting bats near the Boy Scout Camp on 2 June 2003 (C. Davis 

personal comm.). Sightings in 2003 include one animal on 3 May on the River Trail by S. 

Seltman (personal comm.) and reports by bow hunters in the cottonwood forest north of the 

airfield (C. Davis personal comm.). 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. Flying squirrels were found during this study, with one 

confirmed record in White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest and several observations in the 

floodplain forests. Limited records indicate that the southern flying squirrel is an uncommon 

resident in larger forest tracts on the installation. 

Recommendations. Mature forest stands on the installation should be maintained. Additional 

surveys should be carried out if more detailed information about this species’ distribution and 

abundance is needed. 

Timber rattlesnake: Crotalus horridus Linneaus 

Past Records. The timber rattlesnake, the largest venomous snake in Kansas, is restricted in 

Kansas to counties in the eastern quarter. Specimens have been collected in Leavenworth and all 

surrounding Kansas counties (Collins 1993). Brumwell (1951) reported the species from Corral 

Creek, Government Hill, and other locations on FLMR. The Pest Control office has one timber 


attlesnake specimen collected near the Missouri River along Sherman Avenue between Meade 

and Reynolds Avenues (date unknown). Simon and Dorlac (1990) listed the species as occurring 

on the installation. This rattlesnake was not observed by Freeman et al. (1997). 

Available Habitat and Surveys. Timber rattlesnakes typically occur in open woodlands with rock 

outcrops. Suitable habitat is found in upland forest and woodlands at FLMR, but suitable rock 

substrates are limited. Searches were conducted for timber rattlesnakes on forested uplands, 

especially where rock outcrops were present (Appendix E). No animals were found on FLMR by 

KBS personnel, but a large road-killed male was collected 16 September 2003 on US 73 at the 

west entrance to the post. Another road-killed specimen was observed in June 2003 on KS 92 

near Sunset Memorial Gardens which is 4 km (2.5 mi) southwest of FLMR. 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. Records indicate that the timber rattlesnake is present in low 

densities. Habitat fragmentation and human activity probably preclude healthy timber rattlesnake 

populations. This snake grows slowly, has a low reproductive rate, and suffers from human 

persecution. It tends to disappear as development pressure increases. 

Recommendations. Stands of White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest on FLMR should be 

maintained. Habitat fragmentation should be avoided if timber rattlesnake populations are to be 

maintained. This species is sensitive to human disturbance. 

Whip-poor-will: Caprimulgus vociferus (Wilson) 

Past Records. The whip-poor-will is a locally common transient and summer resident in eastern 

Kansas (Thompson and Ely 1989). Brumwell (1951) reported it was common on the installation 

during the summer. Freeman et al. (1997) observed the species in upland forests on the 

installation. 

Available Habitat and Surveys. Whip-poor-wills are ground-nesting birds of upland forests and 

woodlands. Suitable habitat is present on wooded slopes on FLMR. This species was observed 

in May 2002 along Sheridan Drive. Systematic surveys for this species were not conducted. 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. Suitable habitat exists, and the species was confirmed on 

FLMR during this study. Whip-poor-wills appear to be common breeders on upland slopes in 

the larger tracts of forest. 

Recommendations. Stands of White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest should be maintained. This 

species is vulnerable to high levels of predation along forest edges and in proximity to human 

development because of its ground-nesting habit. Activities promoting forest fragmentation 

should be avoided. 

Yellow-throated warbler: Dendroica dominica (Linneaus) 

Past Records. The yellow-throated warbler is a rare migrant and local breeder in eastern Kansas 

(Thompson and Ely 1992), where it is at the extreme northwest edge of its breeding range. 


FLMR is the only site in northeast Kansas where the warbler occurs regularly as a summer 

resident (KSNHI unpublished data). A population exists in the old-growth bottomland forest on 

FLMR (Schukman and Mouras 1992, Schukman 1996, Freeman et al. 1997). 

Available Habitat and Surveys. Breeding habitat in eastern Kansas consists of mature riparian 

forest containing large sycamore trees. Strip-plot surveys conducted in 2002 and 2003 yielded a 

number of records (Table 3.7). Territorial males also were observed in May 2003 adjacent to the 

Maple-Basswood Forest and in June 2003 in mid-successional Cottonwood-Sycamore 

Floodplain Forest north of Rialto Trail (tail dike trail). This latter tract of forest contains few 

large sycamores, and numbers of yellow-throated warblers there appear to be low. The area of 

FLMR occupied by the yellow-throated warbler is shown in Figure 3.4. 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. The yellow-throated warbler was confirmed as a summer 

resident on FLMR. The species is widespread in bottomland forest on the installation, especially 

where large sycamores are present. The largest population is in old-growth forest east of the 

Sherman Army Airfield. Smaller populations on the river floodplain are found north of the 

airfield adjacent to Maple-Basswood Forest and in the mid-successional Cottonwood-Sycamore 

Floodplain Forest. 

Recommendations. Mature bottomland forest on the Missouri River floodplain should be 

maintained, especially those that support large sycamore trees. 

Species Accounts–Former Federal Candidate Species 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service eliminated its lists of Category 2 and Category 3 species in 

1996. Discussed below are some former Category 2 species that originally were to be included in 

this study. Because they no longer have special federal or state status, targeted surveys for these 

species were not conducted. 

Clanton's cave amphipod: Stygobromus clantoni (Creaser) 

Past Records. Clanton's cave amphipod is a subterranean crustacean known from 10–20 sites in 

east-central Kansas and west-central Missouri. The population closest to FLMR is in a spring in 

Franklin County, Kansas (Busby and Danoff-Burg 1992). 

Available Habitat and Surveys. This species is found in underground waters in the Flint Hills 

and Osage Cuestas physiographic provinces in areas with limestone and shale substrates. Survey 

methods consist of visually searching cave streams and by placing baited traps into open wells. 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. Leavenworth County is approximately 48 km (30 mi) north 

of the known range of Clanton's cave amphipod. The installation appears to lack suitable habitat 

for this species, but the habitat requirements of Clanton’s cave amphipod are poorly known. 



Loggerhead shrike: Lanius ludovicianus Linnaeus 

Past Records. This small, predatory bird is an uncommon migrant and summer resident in 

eastern Kansas (Thompson and Ely 1992). There are numerous records for Leavenworth County 

and other sites northeastern Kansas. Loggerheads shrikes were observed on FLMR in the 1990s 

(J. Schukman personal comm., Freeman et al. 1997), the latter reporting them at three locations 

in the Missouri River floodplain. 

Available Habitat and Surveys. Shrikes prefer grasslands and other open habitats with scattered 

trees and large shrubs that are used for foraging perches and nesting sites (Thompson and Ely 

1992). Short grass and herbaceous cover is preferred over tall, dense vegetation. Shrike habitat 

is limited on FLMR. Sites where shrikes were observed in 1995–1996 were revisited in this 

study, but none was found. Other observers have not seen loggerhead shrike in the past few 

years on FLMR (J. Schukman personal comm.). 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. The absence of recent shrike sightings may be due to 

regional population declines unrelated to conditions on the post. Alternatively, recent changes in 

land management at Sherman Army Airfield may have reduced habitat suitability for this species 

by converting mowed grassland and cropland to taller vegetation that is not suitable for shrikes. 

Recommendations. Shrike habitat could be improved by creating more short vegetation by 

mowing fields near the airfield. However, the advantages of this need to be weighed against the 

preferences of many other wildlife species for tall vegetation. 

Regal fritillary butterfly: Speyeria idalia (Drury) 

Past Records. This large, colorful butterfly is found in eastern Kansas and western Missouri (Ely 

et al. 1986). Specimens are known from Leavenworth County. 

Available Habitat and Surveys. The regal fritillary is found in prairies, where the larvae feed on 

violets. It can persist on small prairie remnants and is a good disperser. Very little suitable 

habitat exists on FLMR, and no surveys were conducted. 

Potential for Occurrence on FLMR. It is unlikely that this butterfly reproduces on the installation 

because of the extremely limited amount of suitable habitat. Dispersing individuals occasionally 

may find their way onto the installation. 

Recommendations. If existing prairie remnants are managed and expanded, it is possible that 

sufficient habitat on FLMR could be restored to support populations of this butterfly. 

Species Accounts–Other Rare Species 

Three state-rare species tracked by KSNHI, but which lack protection under federal or state 

endangered species laws, were documented during this study or in the previous Kansas 

Biological Survey study (Freeman et al. 1997). 


A Broad-winged hawk, Buteo platypterus (Vieillot), was seen in 1995 in the oak-hickory forest 

in the vicinity of the National Cemetery (Freeman et al. 1997). This species was observed in 

2002–2003 in the same general vicinity (Figure 3.6). Nesting has not been confirmed but it is 

likely that a pair is nesting somewhere between the National Cemetery and Hancock Hill. 

The great egret, Ardea alba (Linnaeus), has nested at FLMR from about 1992 to at least 1996 in 

the large colony of great blue herons in the mature floodplain forest (Figure 3.6). However, none 

was observed in this study. This is a conspicuous bird, so it probably was not present these two 

years, a fact perhaps related to drought conditions that may have reduced foraging habitat. 

Ovenbirds, Seiurus aurocapillus (Linnaeus) were recorded at two sites in upland forest in 1995– 

1996 (Figure 3.6). This large, ground-nesting warbler occurs most often in large tracts of dry, 

upland woods with abundant leaf litter. Ovenbirds were not observed in 2002–2003. 

Faunistic Surveys 

Herpetological Survey. A report on a survey of snakes on FLMR is presented in Appendix E. 

In addition to that survey, other records were gathered of reptiles and amphibians encountered 

while conducting targeted surveys for protected species. Reptile and amphibian site locations are 

summarized in Figure 3.7. Most records are described in Appendix E. 

Floodplain Point Counts for Birds. Results of fixed-radius and unlimited-distance point counts 

for birds in three forest types (Figure 3.3) along a successional gradient are summarized in Table 

3.8. Species richness was highest in the old-growth forest (43 species, unlimited distance; 36 

species, fixed-radius), lowest in the mid-successional forest (36 species, unlimited distance; 29 

species, fixed-radius), and intermediate in the early successional forest. Species composition 

exhibited high overlap among forest types, but each forest type had some unique species or at 

least some species whose relative abundance varied markedly with forest type. Species recorded 

only in old-growth forest included the red-shouldered hawk, yellow-throated warbler, and parula 

warbler. Species more abundant in this forest type included the pileated woodpecker, Acadian 

flycatcher, Carolina wren, and wood thrush. As expected, most of these birds prefer mature, 

closed-canopy forest. Species unique to early successional forest were open country or edgedwelling 

birds such as the northern bobwhite, eastern kingbird, eastern bluebird, brown thrasher, 

yellow warbler, and orchard oriole. As expected from its intermediate successional condition, the 

mid-successional forest had no species unique to it, and the relative abundance of most species 

was intermediate between the other two forest types. The only species that was markedly more 

common in mid-successional forest was warbling vireo, a species that prefers large cottonwoods. 

All three floodplain forest types support a relatively high diversity and density of breeding birds 

and contribute substantially to the native, avifaunal diversity of FLMR. However, it should be 

pointed out that the conservation status of different bird species does vary (Partners in Flight 

2003). Higher priority species in Bird Conservation Region 22 (Eastern Tallgrass Prairie) that 

are found in the FLMR floodplain forest include, from higher to lower scores, cerulean warbler, 

red-headed woodpecker, wood thrush, prothonotary warbler, Acadian flycatcher, orchard oriole, 


and brown thrasher. The habitat preferences of these species as a whole represent a broad habitat 

spectrum from savanna/shrub to closed canopy forest, but the majority prefers mature forest, a 

fact that highlights the importance of protecting old-growth forest at FLMR. 

TABLE 3.8. Results of point counts for birds conducted in June 2003 in three floodplain forest 

types on FLMR. Data are mean number of individuals detected during 10-minute counts (n = 13 

counts per forest type). Data exclude birds flying above the canopy during the counts. Scientific 

names are given in Appendix B. 

Species Old-growth Mid- Early- 

Successional Successional Old-growth 

Mid- Early - 

Successional Successional 

Unlimited distance Fixed distance (50 m radius) 

mean indiv. mean indiv. mean indiv. mean indiv. mean indiv. mean indiv. 

great blue heron 0.462 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 

red-shouldered hawk 0.077 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 

turkey vulture 0.077 0.000 0.000 0.077 0.000 0.000 

ring-necked pheasant 0.000 0.000 0.154 0.000 0.000 0.000 

wild turkey 0.231 0.000 0.077 0.154 0.000 0.077 

northern bobwhite 0.000 0.000 0.385 0.000 0.000 0.000 

mourning dove 0.385 0.769 0.385 0.077 0.000 0.000 

yellow-billed cuckoo 0.538 0.769 0.538 0.000 0.308 0.308 

red-headed woodpecker 0.538 0.385 0.231 0.077 0.000 0.154 

red-bellied woodpecker 1.385 1.615 0.769 0.385 0.231 0.000 

downy woodpecker 0.538 0.538 0.692 0.077 0.385 0.308 

hairy woodpecker 0.154 0.385 0.077 0.154 0.000 0.077 

northern flicker 0.154 0.462 0.462 0.000 0.077 0.154 

pileated woodpecker 0.462 0.154 0.000 0.154 0.077 0.000 

eastern wood-pewee 1.000 0.538 0.462 0.231 0.000 0.308 

Acadian flycatcher 0.615 0.385 0.000 0.231 0.231 0.000 

great crested flycatcher 1.385 0.462 0.385 0.769 0.308 0.385 

eastern kingbird 0.000 0.000 0.154 0.000 0.000 0.154 

yellow-throated vireo 0.077 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 

warbling vireo 0.308 1.308 2.154 0.000 0.538 1.154 

red-eyed vireo 1.077 1.231 0.615 0.615 0.538 0.154 

blue jay 0.769 0.462 0.615 0.231 0.000 0.385 

American crow 0.000 0.385 0.769 0.000 0.000 0.000 

black-capped chickadee 0.769 0.462 0.462 0.615 0.231 0.308 

tufted titmouse 0.615 0.231 0.308 0.231 0.231 0.231 

white-breasted nuthatch 0.846 0.769 0.000 0.308 0.462 0.000 

Carolina wren 0.462 0.538 0.077 0.154 0.231 0.000 

house wren 1.538 1.385 1.615 0.846 0.923 0.923 

blue-gray gnatcatcher 0.154 0.000 0.000 0.154 0.000 0.000 

eastern bluebird 0.000 0.000 0.154 0.000 0.000 0.154 

wood thrush 1.615 0.615 0.077 0.385 0.154 0.000 

American robin 0.000 0.000 0.154 0.000 0.000 0.077 


Species Old-growth Mid- Early- 

Successional Successional Old-growth 

Mid- Early - 

Successional Successional 

Unlimited distance Fixed distance (50 m radius) 

mean indiv. mean indiv. mean indiv. mean indiv. mean indiv. mean indiv. 

gray catbird 1.923 0.615 0.769 1.231 0.308 0.615 

brown thrasher 0.000 0.000 0.154 0.000 0.000 0.077 

northern parula 0.923 0.000 0.000 0.385 0.000 0.000 

yellow-throated warbler 0.923 0.000 0.000 0.385 0.000 0.000 

American redstart 2.308 1.846 1.615 1.462 1.077 0.846 

prothonotary warbler 0.077 0.231 0.000 0.077 0.000 0.000 

common yellowthroat 0.000 0.615 1.769 0.000 0.308 1.231 

yellow-breasted chat 0.000 0.000 0.077 0.000 0.000 0.000 

scarlet tanager 0.077 0.000 0.000 0.077 0.000 0.000 

eastern towhee 0.077 0.385 0.538 0.077 0.154 0.154 

lark sparrow 0.000 0.000 0.154 0.000 0.000 0.000 

northern cardinal 1.077 1.615 1.385 0.615 0.846 0.538 

rose-breasted grosbeak 2.846 2.077 0.846 1.154 1.231 0.385 

indigo bunting 0.231 1.154 2.000 0.154 0.385 1.385 

red-winged blackbird 0.000 0.154 0.615 0.000 0.000 0.154 

eastern meadowlark 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 

common grackle 0.000 0.077 0.000 0.000 0.077 0.000 

brown-headed cowbird 0.308 0.308 1.154 0.077 0.077 0.462 

orchard oriole 0.000 0.000 0.692 0.000 0.000 0.462 

Baltimore oriole 0.308 0.923 1.077 0.231 0.615 0.692 

American goldfinch 0.000 0.000 0.615 0.000 0.000 0.308 

Species Count 43 36 42 36 29 33 

Vertebrate Species Overview. A list of vertebrates for FLMR is presented in Appendix B, and 

numbers of species in each taxonomic class are summarized in Table 3.9. Of 428 vertebrate 

species considered potentially to occur on FLMR, 323 (75%) have been confirmed, and 292 

(68%) have been confirmed since 1995. The high proportion of recently documented species is a 

consequence of this and other studies conducted in recent years at FLMR (see citations in 

Appendix B). Greater attention has been devoted to birds and mammals. Consequently, the 

proportion of recently confirmed species in these two groups (80% and 77%, respectively) is 

higher than that of other classes. The low proportion of recently confirmed fishes (30%) is 

attributable in part to the limited attention given to this class of organisms on the installation. 

3.4. SUMMARY 

Surveys for rare and protected animals at FLMR during 2002 and 2003 revealed few changes 

from the findings reported by Freeman et al. (1997) As reported in that study, one federally 

protected species, the bald eagle, is a regular migrant and winter resident on FLMR. Four species 

of federally protected birds may migrate through the area, but nesting and/or foraging habitat for 

these species is limited or absent. They include the Eskimo curlew, least tern, piping plover, and 

whooping crane. Due to the recent delisting of the peregrine falcon, there is one less federally 


TABLE 3.9. Number of vertebrate species known to occur or potentially occurring on FLMR 

based on data in Appendix B. Recently confirmed = species reported since 1995; Total 

confirmed = includes records prior to 1995; and All categories = includes species of possible, 

probable, and confirmed occurrence on FLMR. 

Class Recently confirmed Total confirmed All categories 

Mammals 40 44 52 

Birds 205 218 258 

Reptiles 20 30 39 

Amphibians 7 11 12 

Fishes 20 20 67 

Total 292 323 428 

protected bird species on FLMR than was reported in Freeman et al. (1997). The federally 

endangered pallid sturgeon, was documented in the Missouri Kansas River at FLMR in 2003. 

Two other federally endangered species, Indiana bat and American burying beetle, were not 

found during this study. 

No state-listed threatened and endangered species were documented during this study. The 

white-faced ibis, a state-threatened bird, may make infrequent, brief stops at FLMR during 

migration. Five Kansas SINCs were documented in 2003. Two SINC mammals, eastern 

chipmunk and southern flying squirrel, are resident on FLMR. Three SINC neotropical migrant 

birds breed on the installation: cerulean warbler, yellow-throated warbler, and whip-poor-will. A 

fourth SINC bird, the red-shouldered hawk, probably breeds on or near FLMR. One additional 

Kansas SINC bird, the black tern, infrequently may use habitat on the installation. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has not designated any habitat on FLMR as critical for any of 

the species it is charged with protecting. However, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks 

has designated the mainstem of the Missouri River as critical habitat for the bald eagle and seven 

fish species: chestnut lamprey, Ichthyomyzon castaneus (Girard); pallid sturgeon, 

Scaphirhynchus albus (Forbes & Richardson); flathead chub, Platygobio gracilis (Richardson); 

sicklefin chub, Macrhybopsis meeki (Jordan & Evermann); sturgeon chub, Macrhybopsis gelida 

(Girard); silverband shiner, Notropis shumardi (Girard); and western silvery minnow, 

Hybognathus argyritis (Girard). 

Several state-threatened and state-endangered species not found during this study still may occur 

on FLMR because there is suitable habitat, including eastern spotted skunk, redbelly snake, and 

smooth earth snake. All suitable woodland habitats in Leavenworth County are designated as 

critical habitat for the redbelly snake and the smooth earth snake. 

Four state-rare animals with no protective status that were documented on FLMR during this 

study. They were the broad-winged hawk, Cooper’s hawk, great egret, and ovenbird. 

Of 428 species of vertebrates considered potentially to occur on the installation, 292 species 


(68%) have been confirmed since 1995. Birds and mammals are among the vertebrates best 

documented. Reptiles and amphibians are less well known, and fishes are the least studied 

vertebrate group. 










CHAPTER 4. PLANTS 

Caleb A. Morse 

R. L. McGregor Herbarium 

Natural History Museum & Biodiversity Research Center 



cmorse@ku.edu 

Botanical studies on FLMR during the 1995–1996 field seasons consisted of five primary 

objectives: 1) compile a list of protected and rare species of plants, 2) plan and conduct surveys 

for those species, 3) document all findings of threatened and endangered species, 4) compile a 

comprehensive report detailing all occurrences of protected and rare species and describing 

exceptional biological natural areas on the installation, and 5) assist in the formulation of 

management recommendations based on survey results. In addition, surveys were carried out in 

order to gather baseline data about vascular plants and bryophytes on the installation. 

No federal-listed vascular plant species were discovered on the installation during the 1995–1996 

field seasons. However, at least one population of each of 11 state-rare vascular plants was 

documented. These were Aster lateriflorus (L.) Britton var. lateriflorus (Asteraceae; white 

woodland aster), Blephilia hirsuta (Pursh) Benth. (Lamiaceae; hairy wood-mint), Brachyelytrum 

erectum (Schreb.) P. Beauv. (Poaceae; upright shorthusk), Bromus nottowayanus Fernald 

(Poaceae; Nottoway brome), Hydrophyllum appendiculatum Michx. (Hydrophyllaceae; 

notchbract waterleaf), Lithospermum latifolium Michx. (Boraginaceae; American gromwell), 

Osmorhiza claytonii (Michx.) C.B. Clarke (Apiaceae; hairy sweet-cicely), Packera glabella 

(Poir.) C. Jeffrey (Asteraceae; floodplain ragwort, reported as Senecio glabellus Poir.), 

Ranunculus recurvatus Poir. var. recurvatus (Ranunculaceae; eastern hooked buttercup, reported 

as Ranunculus recurvatus), Stachys pilosa Nutt. var. arenicola (Britton) G.A. Mulligan & D.B. 

Munro (Lamiaceae; marsh hedge-nettle, reported as Stachys palustris L. subsp. pilosa (Nutt.) 

Epling.), and Uvularia grandiflora Sm. (Liliaceae; large-flower bellwort). Floristic work on 

FLMR surveys confirmed 99 families (88% of the total number known from Leavenworth 

County), 313 genera (77%), 532 species (68%), and 535 taxa (67%) of vascular plants and 17 

families, 31 genera, and 42 species of bryophytes. Seven species of vascular plants and one 

species of bryophyte were documented in Kansas for the first time. Preliminary evaluation was 

made for several species of exotic vascular plants documented on FLMR, with an assessment of 

the potential threats posed by each species to natural communities on the installation. 

During the 1995–1996 field seasons, emphasis was placed on identification of outstanding 

terrestrial natural areas supporting protected and rare species. In contrast, during the 2003 field 

season, fieldwork was directed towards refining knowledge of the vascular plant flora of FLMR, 

and documenting the persistence and extent of populations of the state-rare vascular plant species 


previously reported from the installation. In addition, suitable habitat was resurveyed for three 

federal-listed vascular plant species and 24 state-rare vascular plant species discussed by 

Freeman et al. (1997) but undocumented on the installation during the 1995–1996 field seasons. 

4.2. METHODS 

Plant surveys were carried out during the 2003 field season on FLMR between 6 May and 11 

November. Techniques follow those described by Freeman et al. (1997). These comprised 

efforts to refine and elaborate on the vascular flora presented by those authors as Appendices A 

and B, resurvey for three federal-listed vascular plant species, document the persistence and 

extent of populations of 11 state-rare vascular plant species previously reported from FLMR, and 

survey for the presence of 24 state-rare vascular plant species discussed by Freeman et al. (1997) 

but undocumented on the installation. 


Plant surveys of more than 17 sites were performed by C. C. Freeman and C. A. Morse on 16 

days, for a total of 120 person hours (Table 4.1). Many more sites were checked briefly on foot 

(survey time < 30 minutes) but are not reported here. Emphasis was placed on documenting taxa 

for the installation that were excluded from the floristic list produced by Freeman et al. (1997), 

resurveying for three federally protected plant species identified as potentially occurring by 

Freeman et al. (1997), and documenting the distribution and extent of populations of 11 state-rare 

vascular species identified as occurring on the installation during the 1995–1996 field seasons. 

Plant surveys were carried out in a diversity of sites in an effort to expand the floristic list of the 

installation. In all, 267 specimens of vascular plants and bryophytes were collected. Data for the 

vascular flora of Leavenworth County were acquired using the R. L. McGregor Collection 

Management Information System and these, along with data from FLMR, were reanalyzed for 

comparison with results presented by Freeman et al. (1997). 

TABLE 4.1. Summary of dates, areas surveyed for vascular plant species, effort, and results 

during the 2003 field season on FLMR. Survey duration (time) is in person-hours for work 

performed by C. C. Freeman and C. A. Morse only; work performed by H. Loring is recorded 

elsewhere in this report. 


2003-05-06 39.3715°N, 94.9319°W; ENE of Hancock Hill 

at Fort de Cavagnial Picnic Area 

39.3611°N, 94.9302°W; around Girl Scout 

Camp Conestoga 

2003-05-13 39.3656°N, 94.9364°W; near water reservoir, 

ca 0.5 mi NE Bell Point and ca 0.25 mi 

Hancock Hill 

39.3733°– 39.3786°N, 94.9061°W; N side of 

Sherman Army Airfield, just S of Weston 

Bend of Missouri River 

2 C. C. Freeman: survey White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest on hills 

and bluffs above Missouri River and disturbed areas along roads and 

trails; document populations of Ranunculus recurvatus var. 

recurvatus. Collections 19748–19753. 

1 C. C. Freeman: survey White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest and 

disturbed areas. Collections 19754–19756. 

3 C. A. Morse, C. C. Freeman & W. D. Kettle: survey disturbed White 

oak-Shagbark hickory Forest on moderate, NE-facing slopes; 

document populations of Carex hitchcockiana, Carex rosea, and 

Uvularia grandiflora. Collections 9367–9379. 

3 C.A. Morse, C. C. Freeman & W. D. Kettle: survey Cottonwood- 

Sycamore Floodplain Forest along the Missouri River. Collections 

9380–9389. 



39.3611°N, 94.9278°W; bluffs W of N end of 

Sherman Army Airfield and ca 0.75 mi NE of 

Hancock Hill 

2003-06-04 39.3720°N, 94.8952°W and points to ca 1 NE 

on peninsula; N side of Sherman Army 

Airfield, just S of Weston Bend of Missouri 

River 



Hancock Hill 

2003-06-11 39.3657°–39.3676°N, 94.9349°– 94.9297°W; 

area to N of water reservoir, E of Hancock Hill 

39.3718°N, 94.9320°W; Fort de Cavagnial 

Picnic Area 

2003-06-23 39.3711°N, 94.9337°W; area E of Hancock 

Hill and S of Fort de Cavagnial Picnic Area 

6 C. A. Morse, C. C. Freeman & W. D. Kettle: survey Maple- 

Basswood Forest on steep, NE-facing bluffs above Missouri River 

and floodplain forest at base of bluffs; document populations of 

Carex hitchcockiana, Hydrophyllum appendiculatum, Packera 

glabella, and Rubus alumnus. Collections 9390–9402. 

6 C. A. Morse: survey Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest; document 

populations of Carex crus-corvi, Carex radiata, and Carex 

tribuloides var. sangamonensis. Collections 9445–9664. 

2 C. A. Morse: survey Maple-Basswood forest on steep, NE-facing 

bluffs above Missouri River and floodplain forest at base of bluffs; 

document populations of Carex hitchcockiana, Carex normalis, 

Carex rosea, and Osmorhiza claytonii. Collections 9465–9472. 

7 C. A. Morse: survey mesic White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest on 

NE-facing slopes and floodplain forest along tributary to Quarry 

Creek; document populations of Brachyelytrum erectum, Bromus 

nottawayanus, Carex hirtifolia, Carex hitchcockiana, Carex rosea, 

and Osmorhiza claytonii. Collections 9478–9511. 

1 C. A. Morse: survey weedy edge of White oak-Shagbark hickory 

Forest and mowed parkland. Collections 9512–9520. 


SE-facing slope along tributary to Quarry Creek. Collections 9684– 

9689. 

39.3590°N, 94.9424°W; area near Hunt Lodge 1 C. A. Morse: survey weedy seep and dry creek at base of wooded 

slope. Collection 9690. 

39.3497°–39.3504°N, 94.9332°–94.9373°W; 2 C. A. Morse: survey disturbed White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest 

area to N and W of National Cemetery 

on SE-facing slope; document populations of Osmorhiza claytonii 

and Rubus alumnus. Collections 9691–9797. 

2003-06-27 39.3720°–39.3905°N, 94.8952°– 94.8891°W; 7 C. A. Morse: survey Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest and weedy 

N side of Sherman Army Airfield, just S of 

openings; document populations of Carex tribuloides var. 

Weston Bend of Missouri River 

sangamonensis and Stachys pilosa var. arenicola. Collections 9708– 

9727. 

2003-07-02 39.3526°–39.3545°N, 94.9391°–94.9304°W; 8 C. A. Morse: survey disturbed White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest 

area to E of Wagner Point and NW of National 

on steep slopes above tributary to Quarry Creek and floodplain forest 

Cemetery 

along creek; document populations of Carex hirtifolia, Carex 

radiata, and Ranunculus recurvatus var. recurvatus. Collections 

9728–9748. 

2003-07-18 39.3541°–39.3649°N, 94.9112°–94.8940°W; 3 C. A. Morse: survey muddy bank of river, weedy levy, disturbed 

E side of Sherman Army Airfield, just S of 

floodplain forest between levee and river, and Eleocharis marsh 


along levee. Collections 9750–9758. 

39.3627°–39.3620°N, 94.9328°–94.9371°W; 4 C. A. Morse: survey disturbed White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest 

ravine 0.25 mi E of Bell Point, between 

on moderate E-facing slope with deep, steep sided draws along 

reservoir to N and radio tower to S 

tributary to Quarry Creek; document populations of Brachyelytrum 

erectum. Collections 9759–9762. 

2003-07-24 39.3507°–39.3533°N, 94.9362°–94.9352°W; 5 C. A. Morse: survey disturbed White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest 

area to N and W of National Cemetery 

and small tallgrass prairie remnant openings on SE-facing slope. 

Collections 9764–9766. 

39.3774°–39.3804°N, 94.9294°–94.9305°W; 3 C. A. Morse: survey Maple-Basswood forest on steep, NE-facing 

bluffs W of N end of Sherman Army Airfield 

bluffs above Missouri River and floodplain forest at base of bluffs 

and ca 0.75 mi NE of Hancock Hill 

and on E- and W side of Union Pacific RR tracks; document 

populations of Carex crus-corvi, Carex hirtifolia, and Carex 

tribuloides var. sangamonensis. Collections 9767–9771. 

2003-08-05 39.3707°–39.3710°N, 94.9217°–94.9240°W; 2 C. A. Morse: survey mowed area surrounding cemetery and 

Military Prison Cemetery and environs to N, 

disturbed Maple-Basswood forest on steep, primarily N-facing 

ca 0.5 mi E Fort de Cavagnial Picnic Area 

slopes; document population of Carex hitchcockiana. Collections 

9774–9777. 

39.3461°–39.3512°N, 94.9424°–94.9414°W; 5 C. A. Morse: survey openings in forest along top of ridge, lightly 

Government Hill and area 0.25 mi S Wagner 

wooded oak savanna and Glaciated Tallgrass Prairie remnants. 

Point 


2003-08-08 39.3585°–39.3618°N, 94.9076°–94.9033°W 1 C. A. Morse: survey weedy levee and two-track along Missouri 

and 39.3686°N, 94.9013°W; E side of 

River; document population of Stachys pilosa var. arenicola. 

Sherman Army Airfield, just S of Weston 

Bend of Missouri River 


39.3774°N, 94.9063°W; N side of Sherman 1 C. A. Morse: survey edge of Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain 

Army Airfield, just S of Weston Bend of 

Forest along Missouri River; document populations of Carex crus- 

Missouri River 

corvi and Carex tribuloides var. sangamonensis. Collection 9787. 



39.3657°–39.3667°N, 94.9349°–94.9279°W; 

area to E of water reservoir , E of Hancock 

Hill 

2003-09-18 39.3660°–39.3775°N, 94.8942°–94.8827°W; 

E side of Sherman Army Airfield, just S of 




Hancock Hill 

2003-09-30 39.3799°–39.3911°N, 94.9003°–94.9030°W; 



2003-10-31 39.3526°–39.3545°N, 94.9391°–94.9304°W; 

area to E of Wagner Point and NW of National 

Cemetery 

39.3652°–39.3676°N, 94.9303°–94.9263°W; 

area to E of water reservoir and E of Hancock 

Hill 

39.3628°N, 94.9297°W; landfill dump to SE 

of Scout Camp Miles 



Hancock Hill 

2003-11-10 39.3679°–39.3748°N, 94.9331°–94.9279°W; 

bluffs W of N end of Sherman Army Airfield 

and ca 0.75 mi NE of Hancock Hill 

39.3717°–39.3744°N, 94.9313°–94.9306°W; 

area to N and E of Fort de Cavagnial Picnic 

Area 

39.3471°–39.3512°N, 94.9439°–94.9414°W; 

Government Hill and area 0.25 mi S of 

Wagner Point 

2003-11-20 39.3507°N, 94.9362°W; area to N and W of 

National Cemetery 

Floristic Surveys 

39.3471°–39.3512°N, 94.9439°–94.9414°W; 

Government Hill and area 0.25 mi S of 

Wagner Point 

39.3776°–39.3780°N, 94.8904°–94.8807°W; 




NE-facing slope and floodplain forest along tributary to Quarry 

Creek; document populations of Bromus nottawayanus, Carex 

hirtifolia, Carex normalis, and Carex rosea. Collections 9788–9792. 

4 C. A. Morse: survey disturbed Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain 

Forest along river. Collections 9793–9805. 

4 C. A. Morse: survey Maple-Basswood Forest on steep NE- and Wfacing 

bluffs above Missouri River, and marshy floodplain forest at 

base of bluffs. Collections 9806–9813. 

5 C. A. Morse: survey Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest with 

herbaceous understory and mud flat along Missouri River; document 

populations of Carex crus-corvi, Carex tribuloides var. 

sangamonensis, Hypericum pyramidatum, and Lipocarpha 

micrantha. Collections 9814–9839. 

4 C. A. Morse: survey disturbed White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest 

on steep slopes above tributary to Quarry Creek and floodplain forest 

along creek; document population of Aster lateriflorus var. 

lateriflorus. Collections 9873–9886. 

2 C. A. Morse: survey mesic, White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest on 

NE-facing slope and Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest along 

tributary to Quarry Creek; document populations of Aster lateriflorus 

var. lateriflorus, Bromus nottawayanus, and Carex hirtifolia. 


1 C. A. Morse: survey weedy reclaimed landfill on E side of two-track. 

Collection 9890. 

2 C. A. Morse: survey Maple-Basswood Forest on steep NE- and Wfacing 

bluffs above Missouri River, and marshy floodplain forest at 

base of bluffs; document population of Aster lateriflorus var. 

lateriflorus. Collections 9891–9892. 

4 C. A. Morse & H. Loring: survey Maple-Basswood Forest and White 

oak-Shagbark hickory Forest transition on steep NE-facing bluffs 

above Missouri River, and marshy floodplain forest at base of bluffs 

on E- and W side of Union Pacific RR tracks to edge of river; 

document populations of Carex crus-corvi, Carex hitchcockiana, 

Carex tribuloides var. sangamonensis, and Hydrophyllum 

appendiculatum. Collections 9893–9898. 

2 C. A. Morse & H. Loring: survey disturbed White oak-Shagbark 

hickory Forest and transition to Maple-Basswood forest on moderate, 

NE-facing slopes above Missouri River floodplain; document 

population of Aster lateriflorus var. lateriflorus. Collections 9900– 

9903. 

1 C. A. Morse & H. Loring: survey openings in White oak-Shagbark 

hickory Forest along top of ridge, lightly wooded oak savanna and 

tallgrass prairie remnants. Collections 9904–9908. 

1 C. A. Morse, H. Loring, & V. B. Salisbury: survey disturbed 

Glaciated Tallgrass Prairie remnants on moderate S-facing slope. 

Collection 9909. 

1 C. A. Morse, H. Loring & V. B. Salisbury: survey openings in White 

oak-Shagbark hickory Forest along top of ridge, lightly wooded oak 

savanna and tallgrass prairie remnants. No collections. 

6 C. A. Morse, H. Loring & V. B. Salisbury: survey Pecan-Hackberry 

and Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forests on gently rolling 

topography and muddy bar along river; document population of 

Carex tribuloides var. sangamonensis, Hydrophyllum 

appendiculatum, and Lipocarpha micrantha. Collections 9910-9913. 

Analysis of data provided by the R.L. McGregor Collection Management Information System 

showed that fieldwork carried out by staff and students affiliated with the R. L. McGregor 

Herbarium between 1998 and 2003 has yielded 14 genera, 53 species, and 58 taxa of vascular 


plants (including all infraspecific taxa) previously undocumented in Leavenworth County. 

Survey work during the 2003 field season yielded specimens representing 4 families, 12 genera, 

51 species, and 54 taxa previously undocumented on FLMR. A revised list of the vascular flora 

of the county and the installation is presented as Appendix C. A total of 113 families, 421 

genera, 832 species, and 853 taxa are reported from Leavenworth County. Of this number, 103 

families (91% of the total flora of the county), 325 genera (77%), 585 species (70%), and 591 

taxa (69%) have been documented on FLMR. 

The 10 families reported by Freeman et al. (1997) as comprising the most taxa are retained after 

the 2003 field season, although several families have changed rank (Table 4.2). Poaceae, 

reported here as comprising the largest number of taxa, was reported by Freeman et al. (1997) as 

second to Asteraceae; Rosaceae, reported here as comprising the seventh largest number of taxa, 

is reported here as fifth, followed by Brassicaceae (sixth) and Lamiaceae (seventh). These ten 

families cumulatively account for 475 (57%) of the taxa known in the county and 335 (57%) of 

the taxa known on FLMR. 

TABLE 4.2. Number of taxa and cumulative percentage of the 10 most species-rich vascular 

plant families known from Leavenworth County and FLMR. Cumulative % = cumulative 

percent of taxa relative to totals reported for county (853) and FLMR (591). 

Family Leavenworth Co Cumulative % FLMR Cumulative % 

Poaceae 111 13 76 13 

Asteraceae 111 26 73 25 

Cyperaceae 64 34 50 34 

Fabaceae 45 39 30 39 

Rosaceae 30 42 27 43 

Brassicaceae 30 46 21 47 

Lamiaceae 26 49 21 50 

Polygonaceae 22 51 13 53 

Apiaceae 18 54 12 55 

Scrophulariaceae 18 57 12 57 

Provenance. Based on the provenance data presented in Appendix C, floristic work since 1997 

has resulted in little change in the percentage of native/non-native taxa documented for 

Leavenworth County and FLMR (Freeman et al. 1997) (Table 4.3). The percentage of native taxa 

reported here for the installation has remained stable, despite the increase in number of 

documented taxa. Populations of exotic species cited by Freeman et al. (1997) as having become 

established on the installation have also either remained stable, or apparently increased in 

abundance. Several species, including Berberis thunbergii DC. (Berberidaceae; Japanese 

barberry), Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. (Elaeagnaceae; autumn-olive), and Ligustrum 

obtusifolium Sieb. & Zucc. (Oleaceae; border privet, previously reported as Ligustrum vulgare), 


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. 


TABLE 4.3. Number and cumulative percentage of introduced and native taxa in Leavenworth 

County and on FLMR. Cumulative % = cumulative percent of taxa relative to totals reported for 

county (853) and FLMR (591). 

Provenance Leavenworth Co. Cumulative % FLMR Cumulative % 

Native 679 80 457 77 

Introduced, naturalized 154 98 122 98 

Introduced, adventive 20 100 12 100 

Longevity. Longevity data for vascular plants documented for Leavenworth County and FLMR 

and presented in Appendix C reveal little change from the results published by Freeman et al. 

(1997) (Table 4.4). The majority of the vascular plants remain perennial herbaceous (52% of all 

taxa), with annual (25%), perennial woody (17%), and other groups comprising the remainder. 

TABLE 4.4. Number and cumulative percentage of annual, biennial, and perennial taxa in 

Leavenworth County and on FLMR. Cumulative % = cumulative percent of taxa relative to 

totals reported for county (853 taxa) and FLMR (591). 

Longevity Leavenworth Co 

Cumulative 

% 

FLMR 

Cumulative 

% 

Perennial herbaceous 473 55 307 52 

Annual 218 81 150 77 

Perennial woody 115 94 98 94 

Biennial 23 97 17 97 

Annual or biennial 9 98 8 98 

Biennial or perennial herbaceous 8 99 7 99 

Annual, biennial, or perennial 

herbaceous 

4 >99 2 >99 

Annual or perennial herbaceous 3 100 2 100 

Habitat. Habitat data for vascular plants documented for Leavenworth County and FLMR and 

presented in Appendix C reveal minor changes from the results published by Freeman et al. 

(1997) (Table 4.5). As reported previously, a large proportion of the taxa regularly occupy 

upland forest and disturbed habitats. Smaller percentages of taxa occupy floodplain forest, 

prairie, and wetland habitats, and a very small percentage of taxa documented on FLMR occupy 

aquatic habitats. Changes in the rank of taxa found in floodplain forest and prairie habitats (these 

occupy ranks 3 and 4 here, but were reported by Freeman et al. (1997) ranked 4 and 3, 

respectively) may be attributed to the relatively greater percent effort expended in 2003 surveying 

floodplain habitats than prairies. Habitat data were not summarized for Leavenworth County by 

Freeman et al. (1997), but are also summarized here in Table 4.5. It may be noted that the 

percentage of taxa reported from forest habitats is considerably smaller for Leavenworth County 

than it is for FLMR, while the percentage of taxa reported from prairie habitats is greater. These 

results may be explained by the general inaccessibility of forested sites in the county other than 


those on FLMR, resulting in relatively less survey effort, and the paucity of prairies on FLMR. 

TABLE 4.5. Number of instances and cumulative percentage in which taxa were reported from 

different habitat types in Leavenworth County and on FLMR. % = percent of taxa relative to 

totals reported for county (853) and FLMR (591). Total number of instances in which all habitat 

types were reported were 1,305 for Leavenworth County and 942 for FLMR. 

General habitat Leavenworth Co % FLMR % 

Forest, upland 338 40 270 46 

Disturbed sites 353 41 250 42 

Forest, floodplain 168 20 153 26 

Prairie 275 32 140 24 

Wetlands 156 18 124 21 

Rivers and ponds (aquatic) 15 2 5 1 

Abundance. Abundance data for vascular plants documented for FLMR were not summarized 

by Freeman et al. (1997) but are presented here in Table 4.6 without comparison. Data presented 

in Appendix C reveal that the majority (55%) of taxa documented on FLMR is only infrequently 

encountered in appropriate habitats, 32% of taxa are reported as common on the installation, 12% 

are reported as rare, and only 1% are reported as dominant. 

TABLE 4.6. Number of instances and cumulative percentage in which taxa were reported from 

different habitat types in Leavenworth County and on FLMR. Cumulative % = cumulative 

percent of taxa relative to totals reported for county (853) and FLMR (591). 

Abundance FLMR Cumulative % 

Infrequent 328 55 

Common 184 87 

Rare 70 99 

Dominant 9 100 

Bryophytes. Few collections of bryophytes were prepared during the 2003 field season. The 

documented bryophyte flora for FLMR has changed very little from the information presented by 

Freeman et al. (1997), and detailed data on the bryoflora of the installation is still largely lacking. 

However, voucher specimens were obtained in 2003 for several bryophtye taxa and deposited in 

KANU, and the flora may be updated with the following records: Riccia frostii Aust. (Hepaticae: 

Ricciaceae; vouchers: Morse 9837, Morse et al. 9913), Entodon seductrix (Hedw.) C. Muell. 

(Musci: Entodontaceae; voucher: Morse et al. 9384), and Plagiomnium cuspidatum (Hedw.) T. 

Kop. (Musci: Mniaceae; vouchers: Morse et al. 9378, Morse et al. 9382). In addition, one taxon 

representing a family previously undocumented on FLMR was discovered. Atrichum angustatum 

(Brid.) Bruch & Schimp. (Musci: Polytrichaceae; voucher: Morse 9511) was confirmed to be 

locally abundant in shaded ravines in upland oak-hickory forest, on soils of sandstone and 


limestone derivation. After the 2003 field season, a total of 18 families, 32 genera, 43 species of 

bryophytes are reported from FLMR. 

Federal-listed Species 

Several hours were spent in 2003 surveying potential habitat for the three federally protected 

species discussed by Freeman et al. (1997). No evidence was found that any of these species 

occur on the installation. Given the paucity of suitable prairie habitat for Asclepias meadii Torr. 

ex A. Gray (Asclepiadaceae; Mead's milkweed) and Platanthera praeclara Shev. & M. Bowles 

(Orchidaceae; western prairie fringed orchid), it is unlikely that either species occurs on FLMR. 

Trifolium stoloniferum Muhl. ex Eaton (Fabaceae; running buffalo clover) has not been observed 

in Kansas since 1885 (Brooks and Freeman 1989) and it remains highly unlikely that this species 

will be discovered on FLMR. 

State-rare Species 

At least one occurrence of each of 11 state-rare vascular plant taxa was documented on FLMR 

during the 1995–1996 field seasons and reported by Freeman et al. (1997). During the 2003 field 

season, nine of these taxa were confirmed as persisting on the installation. In addition, three 

state-rare taxa reported by Freeman et al. (1997) as occurring on FLMR but not included among 

the state-rare species discussed by those authors were confirmed as persisting on the installation, 

and seven state-rare taxa were documented as occurring there for the first time. Of the seven 

state-rare taxa discovered on FLMR in 2003, six are reported here for the first time for 

Leavenworth County. Altogether, 13 of these state-rare species occur in upland forest habitats, 

two occur both in upland and floodplain forest habitats, three occur in floodplain forest habitat, 

one occurs in open floodplain habitats, and one occurs in wetland habitats along the Missouri 

River. Species accounts for each of these 21 taxa are presented below, arranged in alphabetical 

order. Element occurrence records for all taxa, including element occurrence code, state rank, 

locations of populations and subpopulations for taxa observed in 2003, and date of last 

observation for each taxon are summarized in Table 4.7. 

Aster lateriflorus (L.) Britton var. lateriflorus (Asteraceae; white woodland aster) was first 

discovered in Kansas on FLMR during plant surveys in the 1995–1996 field seasons by J. Elliott 

and C. C. Freeman and reported as new to the state by Freeman et al. (1998). Observations 

during the 2003 field season confirmed that white woodland aster comprises at least three 

sizeable subpopulations in mesic ravines in White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest (Table 4.7, 

occurrences 1 and 2) and Maple-Basswood Forest (Table 4.7, occurrence 3) (Figure 4.1), where it 

is often found with a similar, more common congener, Aster ontarionis. To date, this herbaceous 

perennial is known in Kansas only from populations on FLMR. 

A small population of the perennial herb Blephilia hirsuta (Pursh) Benth. (Lamiaceae; hairy 

wood-mint) was discovered at the edge of a trail in White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest west of 

the National Cemetery during the 1995–1996 field seasons. This species has been collected on 

four separate occasions in three counties in northeastern Kansas. Only one other collection, 

made in 1992, is recent enough to be considered to represent an extant population. Efforts to 


elocate the population on FLMR in 2003 were unsuccessful. However, given the longevity of 

individuals of this species, additional surveys may reveal that plants persist on the installation. 

Two small subgroups of the perennial grass Brachyelytrum erectum (Schreb.) P. Beauv. 

(Poaceae; upright shorthusk) were discovered in White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest in the northcentral 

part of FLMR during the 1995–1996 field seasons. Observations during the 2003 field 

season confirmed that upright shorthusk is locally common on north-facing slopes and in mesic 

ravines in both high-quality (Table 4.7, occurrence 1) and somewhat more disturbed (Table 4.7, 

occurrence 2) White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest on the installation (Figure 4.2). This species is 

known in Kansas from nine historic and recent collections made in three counties in the northeast 

part of the state. Of these, eight collections in two counties were made subsequent to 1990, and 

the populations they represent are considered likely to be extant. 

Bromus nottowayanus Fernald (Poaceae; Nottoway brome), a perennial grass, was first 

discovered in Kansas on FLMR during plant surveys in the 1995–1996 field seasons by J. Elliott 

and C. C. Freeman and reported as new to the state by Freeman et al. (1998). To date, Nottoway 

brome is known in Kansas from a single large population on FLMR in mesic White oak- 

Shagbark hickory Forest northeast of Camp Miles (Figure 4.3). Observations in 2003 confirmed 

that this population comprises thousands of individuals. 

Carex crus-corvi Shuttlew. ex Kunth (Cyperaceae; raven-foot sedge), a perennial graminoid, is 

common to locally abundant along edges of and in openings in Cottonwood-Sycamore 

Floodplain Forest on FLMR (Figure 4.4), where it may become co-dominant with Carex 

tribuloides var. sangamonensis. This species is known in Kansas from 26 recent and historic 

collections from 11 counties in the eastern part of the state. Of these, five collections in five 

counties were made after 1975, and the populations they represent are considered likely to be 

extant. This is the first record of the occurrence of raven-foot sedge in Leavenworth County. 

Several subpopulations of Carex hirtifolia Mack. (Cyperaceae; hairy-leaf sedge), a perennial 

graminoid, were discovered in 2003 in White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest (Table 4.7, 

occurrences 1–3) and Maple-Basswood (Table 4.7, occurrence 3) forests (Figure 4.5). 

Occurrences 1, 2, and 4 cited in Table 4.7 were very small, comprising 1–5 individuals only. 

However, occurrence 3 is large, comprising many hundreds of individuals. All subpopulations 

occupied slightly disturbed sites, in mesic microsites on east-facing slopes along deer or horse 

trails (Table 4.7, occurrences 1, 3 [in part], and 4) or in wet-mesic microsites on bars along 

creeks (Table 4.7, occurrences 2 and 3 [in part]). This is the first record of the occurrence of 

hairy-leaf sedge in Leavenworth County and only the second record of its occurrence in Kansas. 

Prior to its discovery on FLMR, this species was known in Kansas from a single locality in 

Wyandotte County. 

Large populations of Carex hitchcockiana Dewey (Cyperaceae; Hitchcock's sedge), a perennial 

graminoid, were discovered in 2003 in high-quality White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest (Table 

4.7, occurrences 1 and 2), and disturbed (Table 4.7, occurrence 3) and high-quality (Table 4.7, 

occurrence 4) Maple-Basswood forests (Figure 4.6). Hitchcock’s sedge is observed most 

frequently on FLMR in mesic ravines and on north- and east-facing slopes and less frequently on 


ock outcrops; it is often found with similar and more common congeners Carex grisea and 

Carex oligocarpa. This species is known in Kansas from five recent and historic collections in 

three counties. Of these, at least one population has been documented in each county subsequent 

to 1986, and the populations they represent are considered likely to be extant. Prior to its 

discovery on FLMR, the species had not been documented in Leavenworth County since 1964. 

Two small subpopulations of Carex normalis Mack. (Cyperaceae; large straw sedge), a 

perennial graminoid, were discovered in 2003, one along a deer trial in high-quality White oak- 

Shagbark hickory Forest (Table 4.7, occurrence 1) and the other on an east-facing slope in 

Maple-Basswood Forest (Table 4.7, occurrence 2). Neither population comprised more than five 

individuals, but additional surveys likely would reveal that this frequently overlooked species is 

scattered throughout the upland forests on FLMR (Figure 4.7). This species is known in Kansas 

from seven recent and historic collections in four counties in the eastern part of the state. All but 

one of these collections were made subsequent to 1985, and the populations they represent are 

considered likely to be extant. This is the first documented occurrence of large straw sedge in 

Leavenworth County. 

Carex radiata (Wahlenb.) Small (Cyperaceae; radiate sedge) was first collected on FLMR by C. 

C. Freeman during the 1989 field season. This species was not included among the state-rare 

species discussed by Freeman et al. (1997), but subsequent research has shown radiate sedge to 

be rare in Kansas. On FLMR, this perennial graminoid is occasional in Pecan-Hackberry 

Floodplain Forest (Table 4.7, occurrence 1) and in mesic ravines and along creek beds in White 

oak-Shagbark hickory Forest (Table 4.7, occurrence 2; Figure 4.8), where it is often found with 

similar congeners Carex rosea and Carex sparganioides. This species is known in Kansas from 

35 recent and historic collections made in 10 counties in the easternmost part of the state. Of 

these, 22 collections in nine counties were made subsequent to 1973 and the populations they 

represent are considered likely to be extant. 

Carex rosea Schkuhr ex Willd. (Cyperaceae; rosy sedge) was first collected on FLMR during 

the 1995–1996 field seasons. This species was not included among the state-rare species 

discussed by Freeman et al. (1997), but subsequent research has shown rosy sedge to be rare in 

Kansas. On FLMR, this perennial graminoid is occasional in mesic ravines and on north-facing 

slopes in White oak-Shagbark hickory (Table 4.7, occurrences 1 and 2) and Maple-Basswood 

(Table 4.7, occurrence 3) Forests (Figure 4.6), where it is often found with similar congeners 

Carex radiata and Carex sparganioides. This species is known in Kansas from 26 recent and 

historic collections made in eight counties in the easternmost part of the state. Of these, eight 

collections in six counties were made subsequent to 1986 and the populations they represent are 

considered likely to be extant. 

Carex tribuloides Wahlenb. var. sangamonensis Clokey (Cyperaceae; festival sedge) is 

common to abundant in Cottonwood-Sycamore and Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forests on 

FLMR (Figure 4.9), where it is often co-dominant with Carex crus-corvi and Carex grayi in 

seasonally wet depressions. This species is known in Kansas from eight recent and historic 

collections four counties in the eastern part of the state. Of these, three collections in two 

counties were made subsequent to 1990 and the populations they represent are considered likely 


to be extant. This is the first record of the occurrence of Carex tribuloides var. sangamonensis in 

Leavenworth County and the first time the taxon has been documented in the northeastern part of 

the state. 

A large population of Hydrophyllum appendiculatum Michx. (Hydrophyllaceae; notchbract 

waterleaf) was reported by Freeman et al. (1997) from Maple-Basswood forest at the base of the 

steep bluff that parallels the Missouri River floodplain in the north-central part of FLMR, and the 

species was reported to be scattered to locally common in floodplain forests along the Missouri 

River. Observations during the 2003 field season confirmed that this species is common in wetmesic 

sites in Maple-Basswood Forest on the installation (Table 4.7, occurrence 1; Figure 4.10), 

where it is often found with its more common congener, Hydrophyllum virginianum. A smaller 

population was observed in high-quality Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest (Table 4.7, 

occurrence 2). This species is known in Kansas from 21 recent and historic collections made in 

six counties in the northeastern part of the state. Of these, 11 collections in five counties were 

made subsequent to 1975 and the populations they represent are considered likely to be extant. 

A single individual of Hypericum ascyron L. (Clusiaceae; giant St. John’s-wort) was discovered 

late in the 2003 field season near the edge of the Missouri River in disturbed Cottonwood- 

Sycamore Floodplain Forest (Figure 4.11). Subsequent attempts to locate additional individuals 

of this species in similar habitat proved unsuccessful and the size and quality of this population is 

unknown. Prior to its discovery on FLMR, this species was known in Kansas only from a single 

historical collection made in 1947 in Doniphan County. 

Lipocarpha micrantha (Vahl) G.C. Tucker (Cyperaceae; small-flower dwarf-bulrush) was first 

collected on FLMR during the 1995–1996 field seasons. This species was not included among 

the state-rare species discussed by Freeman et al. (1997), but subsequent research has shown 

small-flower dwarf-bulrush to be rare in Kansas. On FLMR, this annual graminoid is locally 

abundant with other members of the sedge family in the Riverine Sand Flats-Bars Sparse 

Vegetation community along the Missouri River (Figure 4.12). This species is known from 12 

recent and historic collections from nine counties throughout the eastern half of the state. Of 

these, seven collections in five counties were made subsequent to 1979 and the populations they 


Two small subpopulations comprising widely scattered individuals of the perennial herb 

Lithospermum latifolium Michx. (Boraginaceae; American gromwell) were discovered in mesic 

draws in White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest during the 1995–1996 field seasons. In Kansas, this 

species is known from eight recent and historic reports or collections from 5 counties in 

northeastern part of the state. Of these, three collections in three counties were made subsequent 

to 1979 and the populations they represent are considered likely to be extant. Efforts to relocate 

the population on FLMR during the 2003 field season were unsuccessful. However, given the 

longevity of individuals of this species, additional surveys may reveal that plants have persisted 

on the installation. 

Populations of Osmorhiza claytonii (Michx.) C.B. Clarke (Apiaceae; hairy sweet-cicely) were 

reported by Freeman et al. (1997) as occurring throughout most of the White oak-Shagbark 


hickory Forest on FLMR. Observations during the 2003 field season confirmed that hairy sweetcicely 

is scattered throughout both White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest (Table 4.7, occurrences 1 

and 2) and Maple-Basswood Forest (Table 4.7, occurrence 3) on the installation (Figure 4.6), 

where it is often found with its more common congener, Osmorhiza longistylis. This species is 

known in Kansas from eight recent and historic collections made in six counties in the 

northeastern part of the state. Of these, five collections in four counties were made subsequent to 

1974 and the populations they represent are considered likely to be extant. 

A large population of thousands of individuals of Packera glabella (Poir.) C. Jeffrey 

(Asteraceae; floodplain ragwort) was reported by Freeman et al. (1997; as Senecio glabellus 

Poir.) in open, wet-mesic to aquatic habitat in the floodplain of the Missouri River, especially in 

the depression between the railroad right-of-way and bluffs in the northwest part of FLMR. 

Populations of this annual herb may undergo dramatic fluctuation in size from year to year. 

However, observations during the 2003 field season confirmed that this population of floodplain 

ragwort is stable, slightly larger than it was in 1995–1996 (Figure 4.13). This species is known 

in Kansas from 17 recent and historic collections made in nine counties in the eastern part of the 

state. Of these, nine collections in six counties were made subsequent to 1975 and the 

populations they represent are considered likely to be extant. 

A small population of Ranunculus recurvatus Poir. var. recurvatus (Ranunculaceae; eastern 

hooked buttercup) was reported by Freeman et al. (1997; as Ranunculus recurvatus Poir.) from a 

deep ravine in White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest west-northwest of the National Cemetery. 

Observations during the 2003 field season confirmed that eastern hooked buttercup comprises at 

least several small subpopulations in mesic ravines (Table 4.7, occurrences 1 and 3) and along 

vehicle trails (Table 4.7, occurrence 2) in White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest and on lower 

slopes in Maple-Basswood Forest (Table 4.7, occurrence 4; Figure 4.14). This species is known 

in Kansas from seven recent and historic collections made in three counties in the eastern part of 

the state. Of these, four collections in two counties were made subsequent to 1987 and the 


Two small subpopulations of Rubus alumnus L.H. Bailey (Rosaceae; nursling highbush 

blackberry), a thicket-forming shrub, were discovered during the 2003 field season, one along a 

power line clearing (Table 4.7, occurrence 1) and the other along an old two-track on an eastfacing 

slope in Maple-Basswood Forest (Table 4.7, occurrence 2). It is likely that additional 

surveys would reveal that this frequently overlooked species is scattered in openings throughout 

the upland forests on FLMR (Figure 4.15). This species is known in Kansas from 17 historic and 

recent collections made in 12 counties in the eastern half of the state. This is the first 

documented occurrence of nursling highbush blackberry in Leavenworth County. 

Stachys pilosa Nutt. var. arenicola (Britton) G.A. Mulligan & D.B. Munro (Lamiaceae; 

marsh hedge-nettle) was reported by Freeman et al. (1997; as Stachys palustris L. subsp. pilosa 

(Nutt.) Epling) as occurring in scattered locations on the Missouri River floodplain. This 

rhizomatous, perennial herb grows in open, mesic to wet-mesic or marshy habitats or at the edge 

of floodplain forests or willow thickets. Observations during the 2003 field season confirmed that 

marsh hedge-nettle is locally common in disturbed sites in the floodplain, along vehicle trails, 


and on the levy (Figure 4.16), where it often occurs with Teucrium canadense, another, 

superficially similar, member of the mint family. This species is known in Kansas from 10 

recent and historic collections made in four counties in the northeastern part of the state. Of 

these, five collections in three counties were made subsequent to 1980 and the populations they 


Populations of Uvularia grandiflora Sm. (Liliaceae; large-flower bellwort) were reported by 

Freeman et al. (1997) as occurring throughout most of the White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest on 

FLMR. Observations during the 2003 field season confirmed that this species is abundant 

throughout both White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest (Table 4.7, occurrences 1 and 2) and Maple- 

Basswood forests on the installation (occurrence not mapped; Figure 4.6). This species is known 

in Kansas from 22 recent and historic collections made in six counties in the northeastern part of 

the state. Of these, five collections in three counties were made subsequent to 1976 and the 


TABLE 4.7. Summary of element occurrence records for 21 state-rare vascular plant species on 

FLMR. Nomenclature for scientific names and common names follows Freeman (2003). 

Synonyms (SYN) are provided in brackets for names of taxa reported from the FLMR in 

Freeman et al. (1997) when they differ from those accepted here. Element occurrence codes are 

unique, 15 character alphanumeric codes applied to each state-rare species by KSNHI. State 

ranks are applied by examination of the number of extant populations for the state: S1 = 1–5 

populations known in the state; S2 = 6–20 populations known in the state. Latitude-longitude 

data are provided for populations and subpopulations for all taxa observed during the 2003 field 

season. Each point recorded represents an observation. However, when populations appeared to 

be essentially continuous between two points, the occurrence is provided as a range. 

Scientific 

Name 

Aster lateriflorus 

(L.) Britton var. 

lateriflorus 

Blephilia hirsuta 

(Pursh) Benth. 

Brachyelytrum 

erectum 

(Schreb.) P. 

Beauv. 

Bromus 

nottowayanus 

Fernald 

Family 

Common 

Name 

Asteraceae white 

woodland 

aster 

Lamiaceae hairy woodmint 

Poaceae upright 

shorthusk 

Poaceae Nottoway 

brome 

Element 


State 

Rank 

Occurrence(s) 

Documented in 

2003 

Last 

Observation 

PDASTE8226*001* S1 [1] 39.3510°– 

39.3567°N, 

94.9386°– 

94.9301°W 

[2] 39.3669°N, 

94.9282°W 

[3] 39.3761°N, 

94.9295°W 

2003-11-10 

PDLAM06020*002* S1 not observed in 2003 1995-06-28 

PMPOA12010*002* S1 [1] 39.3621°N, 

94.9349°W 

[2] near 39.3682°N, 

94.9324°W 

PMPOA150Z0*001* S1 [1] 39.3674°– 

39.3676°N, 

94.9310°– 

94.9263°W 

2003-07-18 

2003-10-31 


Scientific 

Name 

Carex crus-corvi 

Shuttlew. ex 

Kunth 

Carex hirtifolia 

Mack. 

Carex 

hitchcockiana 

Dewey 

Carex normalis 

Mack. 

Carex radiata 

(Wahlenb.) Small 

Carex rosea 

Schkuhr ex 

Willd. 

Carex tribuloides 

Wahlenb. var. 

sangamonensis 

Clokey 

Family 

Common 

Name 

Cyperaceae raven-foot 

sedge 

Cyperaceae hairy-leaf 

sedge 

Cyperaceae Hitchcock's 

sedge 

Cyperaceae large straw 

sedge 

Element 


State 

Rank 

Occurrence(s) 

Documented in 

2003 

PMCYP033B0*015* S2 [1] near 39.3789°N, 

94.8901°W 

[2] 39.3774°– 

39.3816°N, 

94.9063°– 

94.9010°W 

[3] 39.3840°– 

39.3798°N, 

94.9364°– 

94.9294°W 

PMCYP03610*003* S1 [1] 39.3545°N, 

94.9304°W 

[2] 39.3551°N, 

94.9344°W 

[3] 39.3676° 

39.3674°N, 

94.9297°– 

94.9280°W 

[4] 39.3774°N, 

94.9295°W 

PMCYP03630*004* S1 [1] 39.3633°N, 

94.9327°W 

[2] 39.3656°– 

39.3676°N, 

94.9364°– 

94.9297°W 

[3] 39.3708°N, 

94.9225°W 

[4] 39.3819°– 

39.3774°N, 

94.9361°– 

94.9294°W 

PMCYP039C0*001* S1 [1] 39.3668°N, 

94.9285°W 

[2] 39.37738°N, 

94.92936°W 

Cyperaceae radiate sedge PMCYP03BB0*008* S2 [1] near 39.3771°N, 

94.8898°W 

[2] near 39.3539°N, 

94.9362°W 

Cyperaceae rosy sedge PMCYP03BM0*007* S2 [1] 39.3545°N, 

94.9348°W 

[2] 39.3656°– 

39.3656°N, 

94.9364°– 

94.9364°W 

[3] 39.3779°N, 

94.9295°W 

Cyperaceae festival sedge PMCYP03DW1*003* S1 [1] 39.3774°– 

39.3775°N, 

94.8964°– 

94.8829°W 

[2] 39.3774°– 

39.3816°N, 

94.9063°– 

94.9010°W 

[3] 39.3778°N, 

94.92838°W 

[4] 39.3841°– 

39.3792°N, 

94.9364°– 

94.9276°W 

Last 

Observation 

2003-11-10 

2003-10-31 

2003-08-05 

2003-08-08 

2003-06-04 

2003-06-11 

2003-11-10 


Scientific 

Name 

Hydrophyllum 

appendiculatum 

Michx. 

Hypericum 

ascyron L. 

Lipocarpha 

micrantha (Vahl) 

G.C. Tucker 

Lithospermum 

latifolium Michx. 

Osmorhiza 

claytonii 

(Michx.) C.B. 

Clarke 

Packera glabella 

(Poir.) C. Jeffrey 

[SYN = Senecio 

glabellus Poir.] 

Ranunculus 

recurvatus Poir. 

var. recurvatus 

Rubus alumnus 

L.H. Bailey 

Stachys pilosa 

Nutt. var. 

arenicola 

(Britton) G.A. 

Mulligan & D.B. 

Munro 

[SYN = Stachys 

palustris L. 

subsp. pilosa 

(Nutt.) Epling] 

Uvularia 

grandiflora Sm. 

Family 

4.4. SUMMARY 

Common 

Name 

Hydrophyllaceae notchbract 

waterleaf 

Clusiaceae giant St. 

John’s-wort 

Cyperaceae small-flower 

dwarf-bulrush 

Boraginaceae American 

gromwell 

Apiaceae hairy sweetcicely 

Asteraceae floodplain 

ragwort 

Ranunculaceae eastern 

hooked 

buttercup 

Rosaceae nursling 

highbush 

blackberry 

Lamiaceae marsh hedgenettle 

Liliaceae large-flower 

bellwort 

Element 


State 

Rank 

Occurrence(s) 

Documented in 

2003 

Last 

Observation 

PDHYD08010*006* S2 [1] 39.3815°– 

39.3784°N, 

94.9356°– 

94.9279°W 

[2] 39.3852°– 

39.3861°N, 

94.8968°– 

94.8958°W 

2003-11-20 

PDCLU031E0*002* S1 [1] 39.3909°N, 

94.9029°W 

2003-09-30 

PMCYP0H040*002* S2 [1] near 39.3637°N, 

94.8986°W 

(1997 coll) 

[2] 39.3780°N, 

94.8807°W 

[3] 39.3911°N, 

94.9030°W 

2003-11-20 

PDBOR0L080*008* S2 not observed in 2003 1996-07 31 

PDAPI1K040*008* S1 [1] near 39.3526°N, 

94.9352°W 

[2] near 39.3680°N, 

94.9316°W 

[3] 39.3774°N, 

94.9294°W 

PDAST8H1G0*001* S2 [1] near 39.3807°– 

39.3775°N, 

94.9320°– 

94.9276°W 

PDRAN0L2A0*003* S1 [1] 39.3545°N, 

94.9348°W 

[2] 39.3620°N, 

94.9371°W 

[3] near 39.3709°N, 

94.9351°W 

[4] near 39.3773°N, 

94.9278°W 

PDROS1K0D0*001* S2 [1] near 39.3506°N, 

94.9346°W 

[2] near 39.3759°N, 

94.9265°W 

PDLAM1X0R0*005* S2 [1] 39.3585°N, 

94.9076°W 

[2] 39.3739°– 

39.3731°N, 

94.9047°– 

94.8964°W 

PMLIL24020*001* S2 [1] 39.3526°N, 

94.9391°W 

[2] 39.3656°N, 

94.9364°W 

2003-06-23 

2003-07-24 

2003-07-02 

2003-06-23 

2003-08-08 

2003-07-02 

In surveys of more than 17 sites on FLMR during the 2003 field season, 267 specimens of 

vascular plants and bryophytes were collected. Among these were voucher specimens 


epresenting 5 families, 13 genera, 52 species, and 55 taxa of vascular plants and bryophytes 

previously undocumented on FLMR, making a total of 103 families, 325 genera, 585 species, and 

591 taxa of vascular plants and 18 families, 32 genera, 43 species of bryophytes confirmed on 

FLMR. Overall, the provenance for, longevity of, and habitat regularly occupied by taxa 

reported from FLMR have changed little between the 1995–1996 and 2003 field seasons. 

However, the frequency of certain exotic taxa on the installation indicates that several species, 

including Berberis thunbergii, Elaeagnus umbellata, and Ligustrum obtusifolium, cited by 

Freeman et al. (1997) as adventive, are better considered naturalized in the area. Moreover, some 

exotic taxa, such as Alliaria petiolata, Ligustrum obtusifolium, Lonicera maackii, and Rosa 

multiflora, previously reported as rare, are now common, while others, such as Phalaris 

arundinacea and Sorghum halepense, previously reported as common, are now abundant in 

certain habitats on FLMR. Three exotic taxa, Cyperus fuscus, Euonymus alatus, and Rhodotypos 

scandens, were documented for the first time in Kansas during the 2003 field season. It is 

unlikely that any one of these species will exhibit a significant, negative ecological impact on 

natural communities in the state. 

No populations of the federal-listed species Asclepias meadii, Platanthera praeclara, or 

Trifolium stoloniferum were observed during the 2003 field season. However, nine of 11 staterare 

vascular plant taxa documented on FLMR during the 1995–1996 field seasons and reported 

by Freeman et al. (1997) were confirmed as persisting on the installation. These were Aster 

lateriflorus, Brachyelytrum erectum, Bromus nottowayanus, Hydrophyllum appendiculatum, 

Osmorhiza claytonii, Packera glabella, Ranunculus recurvatus var. recurvatus, Stachys pilosa 

var. arenicola, and Uvularia grandiflora. Populations of Blephilia hirsuta and Lithospermum 

latifolium were not relocated during the 2003 field season, but these may persist on FLMR. In 

addition, Carex radiata, Carex rosea, and Lipocarpha micrantha, three state-rare taxa reported 

by Freeman et al. (1997) as occurring on FLMR but not included among the state-rare species 

discussed by those authors were confirmed as persisting on the installation and seven state-rare 

taxa were documented as occurring there for the first time. These were Carex crus-corvi, Carex 

hirtifolia, Carex hitchcockiana, Carex normalis, Carex tribuloides var. sangamonensis, 

Hypericum ascyron, and Rubus alumnus. 



















CHAPTER 5. MANAGEMENT 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

W. Dean Kettle, William H. Busby, and Vaughn B. Salisbury 




kettle@ku.edu, wbusby@ku.edu, and salisbur@ku.edu 

Preservation of native biological diversity is mandated for Army installations and must be 

undertaken in ways consistent with military mission. The purpose of this study was to identify 

high-quality natural areas on FLMR and to identify management recommendations, educational 

opportunities, and scientific activities that would, if implemented, promote the preservation and 

enhancement of native biodiversity at the site. These recommendations also are intended to 

provide the public, FLMR personnel, and others with opportunity for greater understanding and 

appreciation of the natural environment of the site. Management recommendations in this report 

are based on this and previous studies, and on discussions with knowledgeable individuals. 

A number of globally and regionally significant native species and communities are found at 

FLMR (see relevant sections of this report); yet the majority of these elements are not afforded 

protection at the site. A further concern is that there is not a comprehensive plan that identifies 

conservation issues and management recommendations for these elements. However, the lack of 

such a plan is understandable given the previous paucity of information on the native 

environment at FLMR and the lack of resources to develop such a plan. This report, with the 

identification of location and character of native biological diversity at FLMR and with 

identification of issues relevant to their management, provides a fundamental building block 

from which to develop a comprehensive plan. 

5.2. LANDSCAPE ISSUES AND FACTORS INFLUENCING THE BIODIVERSITY OF 

THE FT. LEAVENWORTH MILITARY RESERVATION 

Effective management and preservation of natural resources at FLMR requires a landscape 

context, whereby decisions are made in consideration of the regional context of the site (e.g., not 

treating FLMR as an isolated area independent of the larger landscape). Wiens et al. (2002) have 

identified three challenges to sound land-use management in general, and these may be 

appropriately applied to FLMR. First, lands can be managed as isolated units only as regards to 

ownership, administration, or politics, but not in regards to ecology. Second, land management 

is often carried out over a limited range of spatial and temporal scales, yet natural systems are not 

nearly so restricted; sound land management requires an ecological perspective cognizant of the 

broad range of scales. Lastly, resource management issues require the integration of ecology 


with other considerations, including economics, land ownership, politics, and sociology. 

Freeman et al. (1997) suggested use of a landscape approach to conservation planning at FLMR, 

proposing that this method permits broader understanding of environmental, biological, and 

cultural factors influencing multiple sites in the region. They suggest that this approach has the 

advantage of identifying regional conservation issues and priorities, and developing conservation 

strategies that could benefit multiple sites. 

The landscape area considered here lies within the Glaciated Region of northeast Kansas. FLMR 

is one of four large sites along the extreme eastern edge of this area (Freeman et al. 1997). The 

other sites, all of which encompass floodplain and bluff habitats along the Missouri River from 

the Nebraska border to Kansas City, are White Cloud Bluff Forest (Doniphan County), Mosquito 

Bluff Forest (Doniphan County), and Wyandotte County Park Site (Wyandotte County). 

Historically, the Missouri River Valley was a dynamic natural system exhibiting a range of 

conditions. As described by Freeman et al. (1997), “…The river was characterized by a wide, 

braided channel, rapid current, high turbidity, and wide seasonal fluctuation in flow volume. 

Flooding and channel changes were frequent, creating numerous sandbars and islands and 

rearranging the natural communities of the floodplain. A mixture of marshes, low prairies, 

forests, oxbow lakes, and other natural features in the floodplain were shaped by the forces of the 

river, and their boundaries and successional stages constantly were shifting. Other sources of 

natural disturbance were fire and grazing, both of which maintained upland tallgrass prairie on 

the bluffs and likely affected floodplain vegetation as well.” 

Euro-American settlement and activity within the Missouri River Valley have disrupted natural 

disturbance regimes in this landscape and fragmented and destroyed most natural communities 

Freeman et al. (1997) explain that “natural hydrology of the Missouri River has been altered 

greatly through the construction of large reservoirs and levees, which channelized the river and 

controlled much of the seasonal flooding. Because of this, most native bottomland vegetation 

long ago was converted to cropland. Similarly, most upland natural communities were altered by 

humans during the past 150 years. These changes have fragmented many of the terrestrial 

communities once used by wildlife. However, stream valleys and other areas exhibiting 

moderate to high relief still support corridors essential to many species. Riparian forests are 

especially significant. In addition to providing routes for the movement of wildlife, they help 

maintain water quality and contribute to the aesthetics of FLMR by providing structural diversity 

to the landscape.” 

FLMR is an important contributor to regional biodiversity because it supports significant 

remnants of several kinds of forests. This is in stark contrast to most areas of the Missouri River 

valley where native communities have been greatly altered. The remnant communities at FLMR 

remain largely because they were not suitable for other uses during the development of the 

military facilities and activities. These native communities at FLMR are vulnerable to 

destruction from a variety of direct, disruptive activities (e.g., construction and agriculture). 

However, native communities also are vulnerable to degradation from a number of “indirect” 

forces. Freeman et al. (1997) commented on the vulnerability of natural communities at FLMR 

by stating that “Habitat degradation is a more insidious consequence of human alteration of the 


landscape. Small, fragmented, and isolated natural community remnants are more susceptible to 

anthropogenic influences because of a host of size-dependent factors. Natural processes that 

historically influenced the larger landscape areas of which these remnants originally were a part 

are more easily disrupted (e.g., fire on prairies no longer sweep over large areas). A small natural 

area also has a greater ratio of edge to area as compared to a large natural area. Often, these 

edges abut disturbed land from which exotic species can invade and out-compete native species. 

Edges also are favored by predators (e.g., cats, raccoons, skunks) and parasites (e.g., cowbirds) of 

nesting songbirds and other small vertebrates.” 

5.3. RECOMMENDATIONS 

Based on the findings of this and previous studies of the biota and natural environment of FLMR, 

the following recommendations are offered to help maintain and enhance the biodiversity of the 

installation (some of these recommendations are updates of those proposed in Freeman et al. 

1997). Recommendations fall into one of three general categories: land management, 

education/promotion, and future studies. Recommendations for land management are based on 

the best professional judgment of the scientific staff preparing this report and range from 

recommendations for immediate action to steps that can be implemented in the future. We 

strongly recommend efforts to enhance recreational and educational opportunities on FLMR by 

improving the public’s knowledge, understanding, and appreciation for the natural environment 

at the site. Lastly, there are gaps in our knowledge of the natural environment at FLMR, and we 

have identified several activities that, if completed, would provide information valuable to 

natural resource management, including public education and recreational opportunities. 

Our knowledge of the biota of FLMR is far from complete. Several data gaps were identified 

during the course of this study. The following recommendations are intended to allow some of 

these information gaps to be filled, thereby yielding a more complete picture of the ecosystems 

and species on FLMR and assisting us in our efforts to inform better the public and installation 

personnel about the significance of these natural resources. 

Recommendation 1. A comprehensive conservation and resource management plan should be 

developed for FLMR. It should identify the priorities and principal stake-holders for the 

maintenance and use of biodiversity on FLMR, evaluate all existing management practices, 

and identify new initiatives targeted to preservation and enhancement of natural resources. 

An essential aspect of this plan should be a comprehensive review of existing land management 

policies and practices on the installation. The plan should examine all major management issues 

that affect native and naturalized species and natural communities, including silvicultural 

practices, burning, road construction, infrastructure development, herbicide and pesticide use, 

mowing, recreational use (e.g., hiking, horse riding, hunting, bird watching, and mushroom 

hunting), and agricultural practices. FLMR is updating an Integrated Natural Resource 

Management Plan for the site (estimated completion in 2004) and that document should address 

these issues. 

Recommendation 2. The timber harvest policy on FLMR should be formalized in light of 


existing natural areas information. Because of the ecological importance of the old-growth 

forest on FLMR, a no-harvest policy should be established for the highest quality areas of 

upland and floodplain forest. 

Old-growth forest remnants on the uplands and bottomlands on FLMR are exceptional in part 

because timber harvesting has been limited. This policy has helped maintain occurrences of 

plants, animals, and natural communities on FLMR that are declining elsewhere. Clearly, the 

long-term viability of many of these species depends on maintaining high-quality forest remnants 

on FLMR. For these reasons, a no-harvest policy in core forest areas should be adopted. Core 

area boundaries for upland and bottomland forests were presented Freeman et al. (1997). 

Currently there is a salvage only policy in place at FLMR that is used for timber resources in 

heavily disturbed or modified areas. 

Recommendation 3. Areas outside the levee on the Missouri River floodplain should be 

managed in such a way as to emulate historical disturbance regimes and the full array of 

natural communities once represented in the floodplain. 

Perhaps the biggest threats to floodplain natural communities along the Missouri River are 

hydrologic changes and continued clearing of the forest remnants. It is unrealistic to expect in 

the foreseeable future that the seasonality, intensity, and duration of flow in the Missouri River 

will be modified to approximate conditions that existed before dams and levees were built. 

Nevertheless, some management practices can be implemented to manage better these floodplain 

forests and to increase overall biological diversity in and along the river. This includes managing 

areas for a variety of successional stages of herbaceous and woody plant communities. Currently 

there is a program underway to notch wing-dikes along the Missouri River to provide greater 

diversity of aquatic and wetland habitats for certain species. 

Recommendation 4. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers should be encouraged to regulate the 

flow of the Missouri River in such a way as to maximize benefits to native animals, plants, and 

natural communities on FLMR. 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Natural Resources staff of Ft. Leavenworth function 

largely independently, but we encourage the two organizations to cooperate and coordinate in 

efforts to manage the Missouri River for the benefit of the region’s biodiversity. Interactions 

could be facilitated by holding annual meetings to discuss respective management goals and 

strategies and by exploring resource management opportunities that could be mutually beneficial. 

Management of the Missouri River is key to protection of a number of threatened and 

endangered species. The majority of federal-listed species in this region depend on aquatic or 

terrestrial habitats in or immediately along the river, including the pallid sturgeon, least tern, 

piping plover, and bald eagle. As mentioned in Recommendation 3, there is currently a program 

underway to notch wing-dikes along the Missouri River to provide greater diversity of habitat for 

certain species. 

Recommendation 5. Areas on the Missouri River floodplain, formerly in agricultural row 


crop farming, should be maintained/restored as open, native, herbaceous vegetation. 

Efforts have been made to establish plantings of eastern gamma grass (Tripsacum dactyloides 

(L.) L.) in some formerly row-cropped areas within the floodplain levee. They now are 

maintained with an open aspect. One presumed advantage of this change in land use was to 

reduce parasitism by Brown-headed cowbirds on songbird nests (cowbirds forage in cropland and 

proximity of such areas is related to cowbird parasitism rates in forest birds). 

It should be noted that much of the Missouri River floodplain on FLMR probably is federal 

jurisdictional wetland as defined in the Clean Water Act. Depending on their nature, some landuse 

changes associated with restoration work in the floodplain might require consultation with 

and approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. However, these actions generally are 

viewed favorably by the agency during the review process. 

Recommendation 6. Tallgrass prairie remnants on the uplands of FLMR should be actively 

managed to preserve native biodiversity. If no management is implemented, woody vegetation 

will continue to encroach and eventually will eliminate the native herbaceous species. 

Five small (

these areas would enhance the prairie habitat. The entire “prairie corridor” along the horse trail 

north of the National Cemetery could be expanded gradually by removing trees and shrubs and 

allowing recovery of prairie vegetation that exists in the understory at the edge of the forest. 

Recommendation 7. Buffer areas should be established where possible to insulate highquality 

natural areas from future anthropogenic disturbances. Such areas also may be 

restored to support natural communities and species that historically were more widespread 

but which have been eliminated due to human activities. 

All areas and activities at FLMR are potentially important in preserving native biodiversity. For 

example, even degraded natural areas can be extremely important in conserving local biodiversity 

by serving as buffer areas and connectors for high-quality sites. Lower quality sites also may 

have restoration potential. Thus, even though most degraded prairies, forests, and wetlands are 

not discussed herein, they are vital components of the biodiversity of FLMR, and integral 

elements of plans to preserve and enhance the natural environment. There are several concerns 

that might be addressed using buffer areas (e.g., slowing invasion by exotic plants and reduction 

of songbird nest predators and parasites). 

Recommendation 8. Fragmentation of native habitats on FLMR must be minimized. 

Activities such as road construction, development of utility corridors, and other land use 

changes that divide native habitats into smaller pieces, would degrade native biodiversity at 

FLMR. 

Habitat fragmentation occurs when landscapes and habitats are broken into smaller pieces. The 

fragmentation and isolation of natural habitats are hallmark effects of expanding humandominated 

landscapes. Examples of common activities causing habitat fragmentation, and loss 

of native biodiversity, include road construction, utility corridors, and land use changes (e.g., 

logging, cultivation, and grazing). Patterns of human-induced fragmentation are strongly 

influenced by culture, economics, politics, social conventions, and aesthetic preferences 

(Nassauer 1995). In the resulting patchwork, natural areas often are surrounded by humaninfluenced 

environments that may harbor invasive species, generalist predators, and ecological 

processes that can degrade natural areas. Other effects of habitat fragmentation that have been 

well documented include increased edge effects, disrupted species dispersal, reduced 

biodiversity, and changes in natural disturbance regimes. 

Major efforts should be made at FLMR to limit further fragmentation of contiguous blocks of 

native habitat, mainly the upland and bottomland forests. The unique nature of the floodplain 

forest on a regional scale makes management to prevent fragmentation a priority. Road 

construction, timber harvest, and other activities that create artificial disturbance corridors into 

natural areas should be eliminated. These corridors can act as pathways for biological invasion 

by unwanted species. At the same time efforts to limit edge effects and buffer these areas with 

low intensity land uses should be encouraged. 

Recommendation 9. Monitor and control exotic plants that pose a threat to native biodiversity 

at FLMR. 


Biological communities at FLMR represent a rich reservoir of native biodiversity, and there are 

plans to enhance and preserve this biodiversity through strategic management initiatives. 

Invasive (exotic) plants pose a threat to the native biodiversity at FLMR and may interfere with 

future restoration efforts. Exotic species are those that do not naturally occur within an area. 

Although many exotic species have minimal impact on native communities, some that colonize 

an area can become so abundant that they out-compete native plants and disrupt native habitats. 

For these reasons, sound management requires monitoring the status of potentially aggressive 

exotic species and, in some cases, active treatment to reduce their abundance. We have 

identified 27 species of exotic plants that are of concern at FLMR (Appendix F). 

Monitoring the distribution and abundance of these species is a critical step in protecting 

biodiversity at FLMR. For some species, an active program of control is recommended (see 

species-specific summaries in Appendix F). Control programs must be implemented carefully to 

minimize the impact on non-target species; a poorly implemented program can be extremely 

harmful to native biodiversity. Workshops on invasive species and educational materials 

(pamphlets and handouts) could help inform resource managers and the public about the threats 

posed by exotic species. 

Recommendation 10. The old-growth floodplain forest on FLMR should be designated 

formally as an outstanding natural area. 

The old-growth floodplain forest on FLMR is believed to be the largest example of this natural 

community type remaining in the lower Missouri River basin. It supports a variety of state-rare 

species (Chapters 3 and 4 in this report) and contains the state champion pecan tree. This tract of 

floodplain forest should be nominated for recognition by appropriate state and/or federal agencies 

that operate natural areas programs, such as the National Park Service’s National Natural 

Landmark Program. Other types of recognition also may be appropriate. Before specific areas 

are nominated for recognition, a list of activities planned in the forest should be made, including 

military training and recreational uses (hunting, horse riding, mushroom hunting, hiking, and bird 

watching). Some activities may have to be restricted in the floodplain forest depending on the 

type of recognition sought. We believe formal recognition would increase awareness of the 

importance of this area and instill pride among the base staff and in the community as a whole. 

Recommendation 11. A trail plan should be developed for the installation that will promote 

greater public understanding and appreciation for the natural environments of FLMR and 

minimize damage to fragile ecosystems. 

The trail system that exists currently on FLMR should be modified in light of the results of this 

study. Specifically, we suggest that one primary interpretive trail be established in the upland 

forest and one in the floodplain forest. Development and maintenance of these trails might 

involve civic organizations from FLMR or the city of Leavenworth. Interpretive trails should be 

built on existing trails and designed to provide reliable access, minimize off-trail damage, and 

stabilize or repair damage that has resulted from earlier trail use. A well-marked trail head at 

which hikers can pick up trail guides and other interpretive information is strongly suggested. 


Other trails and paths on the installation, especially those in high-quality natural communities, 

near populations of rare species, or through sites that are fragile (such as on steep slopes along 

the bluffs in the north part of the installation) should be closed to reduce further environmental 

damage caused by hikers, horse riders, hunters, or other recreational users. Use of trails by 

people in motorized vehicles (e.g., trucks, ATVs, or motorcycles) is particularly damaging to 

certain sensitive areas. 

Recommendation 12. More interpretive information about the natural history of FLMR 

should be made available to the public and installation personnel. 

The abundant information about the flora, fauna, and ecology of FLMR and the landscape area in 

which it is located should be used to produce brochures, pamphlets, and booklets about these 

subjects. Easy-to-understand, readily available information is an essential element to improve 

the public’s understanding of natural history. Examples of such publications are available at Ft. 

Riley Military Reservation and at many of the public lands managed by state and federal agencies 

across Kansas. Various professional societies and others likely would be willing to help with 

these projects (e.g., Kansas Ornithological Society, Kansas Herpetological Society, and Kansas 

Wildflower Society). 

Recommendation 13. A comprehensive publication dealing with natural resources at FLMR, 

including historical perspectives, should be produced. 

This type of publication would be invaluable in describing the current and historic status of 

natural resources at FLMR, and could serve as a fundamental building block in raising awareness 

of the character and nature of the natural environment. A key person in producing this document 

would be the FLMR Forester, Matt Nowak, who’s tenure at FLMR exceeds 25 years. An issue in 

planning this project will be balancing technical information with ease of reading by a broad 

audience. 

Recommendation 14. Baseline studies of aquatic environments on FLMR should be 

conducted. 

Aquatic habitats are an integral part of the natural environment of FLMR but have received only 

limited attention. Urbanization, industrial development, and agricultural activity in the 

watersheds on and near the installation clearly have affected streams and rivers. Unfortunately, 

few studies have examined the extent to which these streams and their biota have changed. 

Baseline studies of all aquatic environments on FLMR should be conducted and should include 

invertebrates as well as vertebrates. Once these studies have been completed, periodic 

monitoring of aquatic species and their habitats should be implemented. 

Recommendation 15. FLMR should continue to support the MAPS initiative. 

Long-term data on breeding birds resulting from the MAPS project by the Institute for Bird 

Populations (2003) were compiled through 2001; however, that research was discontinued at 

FLMR in 2002. These are extremely valuable data and the staff of FLMR is encouraged to 


support this research program in the future given the opportunity. 

Recommendation 16. Periodic surveys should be conducted on FLMR to update existing 

information about rare plants and animals and outstanding natural areas. 

Occurrence records maintained by the Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory should be updated 

periodically to determine the status of rare and declining species and natural communities and to 

assess the results of changes in the management of the natural areas of the installation. 

Recommendation 17. Habitat maps should be produced to facilitate natural resources 

management planning for FLMR. 

Maps of vegetation and habitat are fundamental components of natural resource planning and 

should be produced for FLMR. High-quality natural areas have been identified in the present 

report; however, a complete habitat map that also includes other features (e.g., degraded native 

communities, small high-quality natural areas, disturbed areas, and cultural vegetation types) is 

needed to plan for preservation and enhancement of the natural environment. Baseline 

vegetation data could be collected in conjunction with mapping that could serve as baseline to 

monitor changes in conditions. All such information should be mapped in GIS format and data 

layers should be updated as required. 


FIGURE 5.1. One of the small remnant prairies at FLMR. Woody vegetation within and 

surrounding the site should be removed and a prescribed burning plan implemented to preserve 

biodiversity 

. 


CHAPTER 6. SUMMARY 

A two-year field study was initiated in 2002 on the Ft. Leavenworth Military Reservation as a 

follow-up to research conducted there by the Kansas Biological Survey in 1995 and 1996 

(Freeman et al. 1997). The project had four primary objectives. First, new surveys were 

conducted to update information about biotic assemblages, outstanding natural areas, and 

protected species. Natural communities identified during the first survey were re-evaluated to 

document any significant changes in extent, structure, or species composition. Systematic 

surveys were conducted for protected species known to occur on the installation and several other 

species that potentially might use habitat there. Second, because some rare species and natural 

communities are vulnerable to the spread of exotic species, threats from exotic plants were 

identified. Third, locations of rare species, problematic exotic species, and outstanding natural 

community occurrences were mapped in GIS for use by members of the natural resources staff at 

FLMR. Fourth, based on the cumulative findings, management recommendations were 

developed to assist resource managers with maintenance of the installation’s biodiversity assets. 

Seven kinds of terrestrial natural communities were confirmed: four forest types (Maple- 

Basswood Forest, White oak-Shagbark hickory Forest, Cottonwood-Sycamore Floodplain Forest, 

and Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest), one herbaceous type (Glaciated Tallgrass Prairie), and 

two sparse vegetation types (Midwest Moist Limestone-Dolostone Cliff and Riverine Sand Flats- 

Bars Sparse Vegetation). Riverine communities were not examined or evaluated in this study. 

One occurrence each of the four forest types, first identified by Freeman et al. (1997), was 

updated in KSNHI’s database of outstanding natural community occurrences. Detailed 

information for other natural community occurrences was not gathered because these 

communities are too small, too degraded, or too poorly known in the state to permit satisfactory 

evaluation. The name of the Pecan-Hackberry Floodplain Forest, reported by Freeman et al. 

(1997) as the Pecan-Sugarberry Floodplain Forest, was changed to reflect the co-dominance of 

common hackberry, not sugarberry, in that community. A small, degraded remnant of Bulrush- 

Catttail Marsh reported in Freeman et al. (1997) was found to have been destroyed due to 

construction along the railroad on FLMR. 

As reported earlier (Freeman et al. 1997), natural communities on FLMR are regionally or 

globally significant. The floodplain forest is believed to be the largest old-growth stand 

remaining in the lower Missouri River valley. Upland forests and smaller, associated natural 

communities are regionally important. Collectively, these natural communities provide habitat 

for globally-rare or state-rare species, and they support a rich biota representative of the forestgrassland 

ecotone of central North America. 

Visual analysis of the floodplain forests suggest significant changes have occurred since the 

1995–1996 field seasons, probably the ongoing results of the 1993 flood. Analysis of plot data 

from 1995–1996 and 2003 did not reveal statistically significant differences, perhaps due to the 

inherent stability of dominant trees in the community and methodological differences that 

affected the two data sets. 


While FLMR supports a diverse flora and fauna, the long-term maintenance of many of its 

ecosystems depends on a host of factors and influences outside the control of the resource 

managers at FLMR. Native species that inhabit FLMR year-round or seasonally face growing 

threats from degradation, fragmentation, isolation, and destruction of natural areas both on site 

and off-site. Many species depend on air, land, and water corridors to rest, feed, and breed, and 

as avenues for their movement. Human activities have disrupted and altered many of these 

corridors, jeopardizing the survival of some species. Riparian forests on FLMR are especially 

significant in this regard, providing routes for the movement of wildlife, helping to maintain 

water quality, and contributing to the aesthetics of FLMR. Efforts to maintain the ecological 

health of FLMR must begin by recognizing the importance of natural habitats on FLMR and the 

role they play in the local and regional movement of species. Degraded prairies, forests, and 

wetlands can serve as buffer areas and connectors between high-quality sites, and many areas 

have restoration potential. 

Animal surveys revealed few changes from the findings reported by Freeman et al. (1997). As 

before, one federally protected species, the bald eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Linnaeus), is a 

regular migrant and winter resident on FLMR. Four species of federally protected birds may 

migrate through the area, but nesting and/or foraging habitat for these species is limited or 

absent. They include the Eskimo curlew, Numenius borealis (Forster); least tern, Sterna 

antillarum (Lesson); piping plover, Charadrius melodus Ord; and whooping crane, Grus 

americana (Linnaeus). Due to the recent delisting of the peregrine falcon, Falco peregrinus 

Tunstall, there is one less federally protected bird species on FLMR than was reported earlier. 

The federally endangered pallid sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus albus (Forbes & Richardson), was 

documented in the Missouri River at FLMR in 2003. Surveys for two other federally endangered 

species, Indiana bat, Myotis sodalis Miller and G.M. Allen, and American burying beetle, 

Nicrophorus americanus Olivier, were conducted but neither species was found. 

No state-listed threatened and endangered species were documented. The white-faced ibis, 

Plegadis chihi (Vieillot), a state-threatened bird, may make infrequent, brief stops at FLMR 

during migration. Five Kansas SINCs were documented in 2003. Two SINC mammals, eastern 

chipmunk, Tamias striatus (Linnaeus) and southern flying squirrel, Glaucomys volans 

(Linnaeus), are resident on FLMR. Three SINC neotropical migrant birds breed on the 

installation: cerulean warbler, Dendroica cerulea (Wilson); yellow-throated warbler, Dendroica 

dominica (Linnaeus); and whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus Wilson. A fourth SINC bird, 

the red-shouldered hawk, Buteo lineatus Gmelin, probably breeds on or near FLMR. One 

additional Kansas SINC bird, the black tern Chlidonias niger (Linnaeus), infrequently may use 

habitat on the installation. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has not designated any habitat on FLMR as critical for any 

protected species. However, the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has designated the 

mainstem of the Missouri River as critical habitat for the bald eagle and seven fish species: 

chestnut lamprey, Ichthyomyzon castaneus (Girard); pallid sturgeon, Scaphirhynchus albus 

(Forbes & Richardson); flathead chub, Platygobio gracilis (Richardson); sicklefin chub, 

Macrhybopsis meeki (Jordan & Evermann); sturgeon chub, Macrhybopsis gelida (Girard); 


silverband shiner, Notropis shumardi (Girard); and western silvery minnow, Hybognathus 

argyritis (Girard). 

Several state threatened and endangered species not found during this study still may occur on 

FLMR because there is suitable habitat. They include: eastern spotted skunk, Spilogale putorius 

(Raf.); redbelly snake, Storeria occipitomaculata (Storer); and smooth earth snake, Virginia 

valeriae (Baird & Girard). All suitable woodland habitats in Leavenworth County are designated 

as critical habitat for the redbelly snake and the smooth earth snake. 

State-rare animals with no protection status documented on FLMR were the broad-winged hawk, 

Buteo platypterus (Vieillot), Cooper’s hawk, Accipiter cooperi (Bonaparte), great egret, 

Casmerodius albus (Linnaeus), and ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapillus (Linnaeus). 

Of 428 species of vertebrates considered potentially to occur on the installation, 292 species 

(68%) have been confirmed since 1995. The bird and mammal faunas of FLMR are the best 

documented. The level of understanding of the reptile and amphibian fauna on the installation is 

intermediate, with fishes being the most poorly studied vertebrate group. 

No populations of the federal-listed plant species Asclepias meadii, Platanthera praeclara, or 

Trifolium stoloniferum were observed. However, nine of 11 state-rare vascular plant taxa 

documented by Freeman et al. (1997) were confirmed as persisting. These were Aster 

lateriflorus, Brachyelytrum erectum, Bromus nottowayanus, Hydrophyllum appendiculatum, 

Osmorhiza claytonii, Packera glabella, Ranunculus recurvatus var. recurvatus, Stachys pilosa 

var. arenicola, and Uvularia grandiflora. Populations of Blephilia hirsuta and Lithospermum 

latifolium were not relocated during the 2003 field season, but these may persist. In addition, 

Carex radiata, Carex rosea, and Lipocarpha micrantha, three state-rare taxa reported by 

Freeman et al. (1997) as occurring on FLMR but not included among the state-rare species 

discussed by those authors were confirmed as persisting on the installation, and seven state-rare 

taxa were documented as occurring there for the first time. These were Carex crus-corvi, Carex 

hirtifolia, Carex hitchcockiana, Carex normalis, Carex tribuloides var. sangamonensis, 

Hypericum ascyron, and Rubus alumnus. 

Plant surveys of more than 17 sites yielded 267 specimens of vascular plants and bryophytes. 

Among these were voucher specimens representing 5 families, 13 genera, 52 species, and 55 taxa 

of vascular plants and bryophytes previously undocumented on FLMR, making a total of 103 

families, 325 genera, 585 species, and 591 taxa of vascular plants and 18 families, 32 genera, 43 

species of bryophytes confirmed on FLMR. Overall, the provenance for, longevity of, and 

habitat regularly occupied by taxa reported from FLMR have changed little between 1995–1996 

and 2003. 

The frequency of certain exotic taxa on the installation indicates that several species, including 

Berberis thunbergii, Elaeagnus umbellata, and Ligustrum obtusifolium, cited by Freeman et al. 

(1997) as adventive, are better considered naturalized in the area. Moreover, some exotic taxa, 

such as Alliaria petiolata, Ligustrum obtusifolium, Lonicera maackii, and Rosa multiflora, 

previously reported as rare, are now common, while others, such as Phalaris arundinacea and 


Sorghum halepense, previously reported as common, are now abundant in certain habitats on 

FLMR. Three exotic taxa, Cyperus fuscus, Euonymus alatus, and Rhodotypos scandens, were 

documented for the first time in Kansas. It is unlikely that any one of these species will exhibit a 

significant, negative ecological impact on natural communities in the state. 

Based on the findings of this and previous studies, 17 recommendations are made to help 

maintain and enhance the biodiversity of the installation. Some of these are updates of those 

proposed by Freeman et al. (1997). The recommendations fall into one of three general 

categories: land management, education/promotion, and future studies. Land management 

recommendations include those that could be implemented quickly and relatively inexpensively 

to those that will require considerable allocation of resources and extensive coordination. Efforts 

to enhance recreational and educational opportunities on FLMR can take several forms. 

Improving the public’s knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the natural environment at 

the site is strongly encouraged. Several recommendations will help fill gaps in our knowledge of 

the natural environment at FLMR and would provide information valuable to natural resource 

managers. 


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APPENDIX A. Directions to vegetation plots. 

Lowland Forest Plots 

Plots A1-4 From the intersection of Rialto Trail (Tail Dike Trail) and Pecan Alley, go SE on 

Pecan Alley to a large pecan tree broken off at head height on the N side of the 

trail. The center post is located 45 m due E of the broken pecan tree. 20 m from 

the center post in each of the cardinal directions a 30-cm long piece of rebar, sunk 

level with the ground, marks the corner of each plot. The plots radiate in a 

clockwise direction from those corners. 

Plots B1-4 From the intersection of Rialto Trail (Tail Dike Trail) and Pecan Alley, go 100 m 

due W to a center post at the base of a large cottonwood tree. 20 m from the 

center post in each of the cardinal directions a 30-cm long piece of rebar, sunk 

level with the ground, marks the corner of each plot. The plots radiate in a 

counter clockwise direction from those corners. 

Plot C From the intersection of Chief Joseph Loop and River Trail, go NE along River 

Trail for approximately 1500 paces (1 km). A large, dead tree lies parallel to the 

trail on the NW side. A major trail crosses the trail 15 m SW of the dead tree. 

From the root base of the dead tree go 100 m SE to the corner of the plot. The 

plot has one large cottonwood, a variety of mixed hardwoods, and an herbaceous 

understory of horsetails. 

Plot D From the intersection of Sawmill Trail and the S end of Pecan Alley go NE along 

Sawmill Trail 26 m to a large, double-trunk pecan. From the tree go 99 m N to a 

mulberry tree with a circumference of 89 cm, which marks the corner of the plot. 

Plot E From the intersection of Sawmill Trail and the S end of Pecan Alley go NE along 

the old Sawmill Trail. The trail deteriorates. Follow the broad drainage to the 

vicinity of the heron rookery. In the drainage due N of the heron rookery a large 

double-trunk pecan is in the corner of the plot. 

Plot F From the intersection of Rialto Trail (Tail Dike Trail) and Pecan Alley, continue 

NE on Rialto Trail for approximately 200 m to birding flags on the right side of 

the trail. Go due E 250 m to a pecan-hackberry site. 

Plot G From the intersection of Sawmill Trail and Pecan Alley go N on Pecan Alley for 

approximately 240 m. Then go due E for 235 m to large sycamores. 

Plot H From the intersection of Chief Joseph Loop and River Trail go NE on River Trail. 

Approximately 2.4 km from the intersection. Go due E for 65 m to the corner of 

the plot. 

Plot I From the intersection of Sawmill Trail and Pecan Alley, go 340 m N along Pecan 


Alley to a trail to the NE. Follow the trail approximately 140 m to a large doubletrunk 

pecan, which is in the SW corner of the plot. 

Plot J From the intersection of Chief Joseph Loop and River Trail, go NE on River Trail 

approximately 750 m. Enter the woods at 125˚ for 40 m. A large cottonwood is 

in the NW corner of the plot. 

Plot K From the intersection of Rialto Trail (Tail Dike Trail) and River Trail go SE on 

River Trail. Approximately 300 m past the river overlook, an area of large 

cottonwood trees and dense horsetail will in on the W side of the trail. The plot is 

located just off of the trail. A large cottonwood tree is in the NW corner. 

Plots L1-4 From the intersection of Rialto Trail (Tail Dike Trail) and Weston Bend Trail go 

WNW 114 m along Weston Bend Trail. Go 18 m N of the trail to the largest 

cottonwood tree in the area (circumference 338 cm). The N side of that 

cottonwood marks the SE corner of Plot L4. 40 m N of that tree is the center post 

of the 4 plots. 20 m in each of the cardinal directions, a 30-cm long piece of 

rebar, sunk level with the ground, marks the corner of each plot. The plots radiate 

in a clockwise direction from those corners. 

Plot M The center point is a large dead cottonwood tree (325 cm circumference) with a 

large burl approximately 7.6 m above ground level. A huge grape vine drapes the 

bole. It stands in an area with little to no understory and a sparse herbaceous 

layer. It is located approximately 650 m from the intersection of Rialto Trail (Tail 

Dike Trail) and Pecan Alley and approximately 265 m from the nearest point on 

Rialto Trail. The plot is located 20 m N of that tree. 

Plot N From the corner post of plot K go NW for approximately 350 m past a terrace of 

sycamores to a narrow pecan-dominated terrace. 

Plot O From the intersection of Chief Joseph Loop and Cottonwood Trail go NE along 

Cottonwood Trail for 200 m. Turn to the NW at 315˚ for 140 m. The plot 

corner is at the edge of a thin stand of young cottonwoods. The GPS reading is 

for the SE corner of the plot. 

Plot P From the intersection of Chief Joseph Loop and Cottonwood Trail go NE along 

Cottonwood Trail for 400 m. Turn SE and enter the woods at 120˚ for 100 m. 

The GPS reading is for the SE corner of the plot. 

Plot Q From the intersection of Chief Joseph Loop and Cottonwood Trail go NE along 

Cottonwood Trail for 735 m. Go due W for 20 m to the SE corner of the plot. 

Plot R From the intersection of Chief Joseph Loop and Rialto Trail (Tail Dike Trail) go 

NE along trail until it is interrupted at the scour hole. Go to the right around the 

scour hole to a stand of young, even-aged pecans on the SE side of the scour hole. 


The GPS reading is the SE corner of the plot. 

Plot S From Plot R continue around the scour hole to the E side of the hole, across a 

ravine, and up onto a small terrace. The plot is located in a thin stand of young 

cottonwood trees and reed canary grass. The GPS reading is for the SE corner of 

the plot. 

Plot T From the intersection of Chief Joseph Loop and Sawmill Trail go NE along 

Sawmill Trail for approximately 0.8 km. The plot is approximately 200 m past 

the intersection with the Canary Cutoff. The large slough is on the SE side of the 

trail. The GPS reading is for the SE corner of the plot. 

Plot U From Chief Joseph Loop go N on Marsh Trail to the end of that trail. Go 160 m at 

350˚ to a stand of very large cottonwood trees. 

Plot V From Plot U go due N for 115 m to a mixed stand of cottonwood, hackberry, and 

boxelder trees with an herbaceous layer of almost pure horsetails. 

Plot W From Plot V go 345 m at 260˚ to a stand of even-aged, mature boxelders in a sea 

of horsetails. 

Upland Forest Plots 

Plot AA Enter the woods from the trailhead S of the shooting range on Sheridan Drive. 

Walk 475 paces to the ENE. Three large bur oak trees loom to the S of the trail. 

The N-most of those trees is the NW corner of the plot. A recent fall of a large 

branch from one of the oaks is in the center of the plot. 

Plot BB From the picnic area parking lot (Fort de Cavagnial) on Sheridan Drive, walk S on 

old road/trail into the woods. Go 300 paces to the trail intersection marked with 

flagging. Go W 400 paces. While ascending the hill (bearing NE), leave the trail 

going 40 paces to the W to the plot. 

Plot CC Enter the woods from trailhead on Sheridan Drive, S of the shooting range. Walk 

300 paces ENE. Just after descending the hill, turn SE onto a smaller trail. This 

trail intersects with a larger horse-riding trail in approximately 100 paces. Follow 

the horse trail to the SW for 250 paces, where a smaller trail diverges to the SE 

across creek. Go 300 paces on the smaller trail, through the creek, and up the 

other side to a T-intersection with another small trail. A green metal fencepost is 

at that intersection on a N-facing slope. Go 20 m N to the corner of the plot. 

Plot DD From intersection of Sheridan Drive and McPherson Drive go E on McPherson 

Drive. Halfway down the hill, a trail leads NW. Go 500 paces NW on that trail. 

Turn W off of trail for approximately 40 m to the corner of the plot, which sits on 


a terrace E of a small ravine. A large chinquapin oak is in the NE corner of the 

plot. 

Plot EE From the picnic area parking lot on Sheridan Drive, enter the woods E of the 

parking lot. Go S on the trail until reaching the creek at the base of hill. Walk 

along the creek to the NW until the creek begins a second loop toward the N. 

Climb steep ridge to the S. Plot is near top of ridge. 

Plot FF Park near the NE corner of Chief Joseph Loop and the railroad tracks. Cross the 

tracks and follow the base of the cliff to the NW for approximately 1.2 km. 

Ascend the ridge. The plot is near the ridge top to the SE of a ravine. A large 

northern red oak is in the NW corner of the plot. 


APPENDIX B. Checklist of vertebrates known to occur or possibly occurring on the Ft. 

Leavenworth Military Reservation. 

Presence codes are: C = confirmed on FLMR during this study or previous studies (* = confirmed 

breeding); Pr = probably occurs on FLMR; Po = possibly occurs on FLMR. Sources of data are: 1 

= surveys conducted specifically for this study (1997 and 2003); 2 = Brumwell (1951); 3 = 

unpublished data from the MAPS project, data from the Kansas Breeding Bird Atlas Project 

(Kansas Biological Survey et al. 1992), or Checklist of Birds, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; 4 = 

Davis (2003, unpublished data). Status codes are: R = year-round resident; B = summer resident 

and presumed breeder; M = migrant or winter resident, X = presumed extirpated. 

ORDER 

Species 

MAMMALS 

Common Name Presence Source Status 

Didelphis virginiana Virginia opossum C 2,4 R 

Blarina brevicada northern short-tailed shrew C 2,4 R 

Cryptotis parva least shrew C 2,4 R 

Scalopus aquaticus eastern mole C 2,4 R 

Myotis lucifugus little brown myotis C 1,2 B 

Myotis septentrionalis northern myotis C 1 B 

Pipistrellus subflavus eastern pipistrelle C 1 B 

Eptesicus fuscus big brown bat C 1,2,4 R 

Lasiurus borealis red bat C 1,2,4 B 

Lasiurus cinereus hoary bat C 1,2 B 

Nycticeius humeralis evening bat C 1,2,4 B 

Tadarida brasiliensis Brazilian free-tailed bat Po - M 

Dasypus novemcinctus nine-banded armadillo Po - ? 

Sylvilagus floridanus eastern cottontail C 1,2,4 R 

Lepus californicus black-tailed jackrabbit C 2 X 

Tamius striatus eastern chipmunk C 1,2,4 R 

Marmota monax woodchuck C 2,4 R 

Spermophilus tridecemlineatus thirteen-lined ground squirrel C 2,4 R 

Spermophilus franklinii Franklin's ground squirrel C 2 X 

Sciurus carolinensis gray squirrel C 1,2,4 R 

Sciurus niger fox squirrel C 1,2,4 R 

Glaucomys volans southern flying squirrel C 1,2,4 R 

Geomys bursarius plains pocket gopher C 2,4 R 

Castor canadensis beaver C 1,2,4 R 

Reithrodontomys montanus plains harvest mouse Po - ? 

Reithrodontomys megalotis western harvest mouse C 2,4 R 

Peromyscus maniculatus deer mouse C 2,4 R 

Peromyscus leucopus white-footed mouse C 1,2,4 R 

Sigmodon hispidus hispid cotton rat C 4 R 

Neotoma floridana eastern woodrat C 1,2,4 R 


ORDER 

Species 


Microtus ochrogaster prairie vole C 1,2,4 R 

Microtus pinetorum woodland vole C 2,4 R 

Ondatra zibethicus muskrat C 2 ? 

Synaptomys cooperi southern bog lemming C 4 R 

Rattus norvegicus Norway rat C 2 R 

Mus musculus house mouse C 2,4 R 

Zapus hudsonius meadow jumping mouse C 1,4 R 

Canis latrans coyote C 2,4 R 

Vulpes vulpes red fox C 2,4 R 

Urocyno cinereoargenteus gray fox C 4 R 

Ursus americanus black bear - - X 

Procyon lotor raccoon C 1,2,4 R 

Lutra canadensis river otter Pr - ? 

Mustela nivalis least weasel Po - ? 

Mustela frenata long-tailed weasel C 2 ? 

Mustela vison mink C 2,4 R 

Taxidea taxus badger Po - ? 

Spilogale putorius eastern spotted skunk C 2 X 

Mephitis mephitis striped skunk C 2,4 R 

Cervus elaphus elk - 2 X 

Odocoileus virginianus white-tailed deer C 1,4 R 

Homo sapiens man C 1,2 R 

BIRDS 

Anser albifrons greater white-fronted goose C 3 M 

Chen caerulescens snow goose C 2,3 M 

Chen rossii Ross' goose Pr - M 

Branta canadensis Canada goose C* 1,2,3 M/R 

Aix sponsa wood duck C* 1,2,3 B 

Anas crecca green-winged teal C 1,2,3 M 

Anas rubripes American black duck Po - M 

Anas platyrhynchos mallard C 1,2,3 M 

Anas acuta northern pintail C 2,3 M 

Anas discors blue-winged teal C* 1,2,3 M 

Anas clypeata northern shoveler C 2,3 M 

Anas strepera gadwall C 2,3 M 

Anas americana American wigeon Pr - M 

Aythya valisineria canvasback C 2 M 

Aythya americana redhead C 3 M 

Aythya collaris ring-necked duck Pr - M 

Aythya marila greater scaup Po - M 

Aythya affinis lesser scaup C 2,3 M 

Bucephala clangula common goldeneye C 2,3 M 

Bucephala albeola bufflehead Pr - M 

Lophodytes cucullatus hooded merganser C 3 M 


ORDER 

Species 


Mergus merganser common merganser C 3 M 

Oxyura jamaicensis ruddy duck Pr - M 

Phasianus colchicus ring-necked pheasant C 1,3 R 

Bonasa umbellus ruffed grouse Po - R 

Meleagris gallopavo wild turkey C* 1,3 R 

Colinus virginianus northern bobwhite C 1,2,3 R 

Gavia immer common loon Po - M 

Podilymbus podiceps pied-billed grebe C 1,2,3 M 

Podiceps auritus horned grebe Po - M 

Podiceps nigricollis eared grebe Po - M 

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos American white pelican C 1,2,3 M 

Phalacrocorax auritus double-crested cormorant C 1,2,3 M 

Botaurus lentiginosus American bittern C 2,3 M 

Ixobrychus exilis least bittern C 1,3 M 

Ardea herodias great blue heron C* 1,2,3 B 

Casmerodius albus great egret C* 1,2,3 M 

Egretta thula snowy egret C 1 M 

Egretta caerulea little blue heron C 1,2,3 M 

Bubulcus ibis cattle egret C 1,3 M 

Butorides striatus green heron C 1,2,3 B 

Nycticorax nycticorax black-crowned night-heron C 2 M 

Nyctanassa violacea yellow-crowned night-heron Po - M 

Plegadis chihi white-faced ibis Po - M 

Cathartes aura turkey vulture C 1,2,3 M/B 

Pandion haliaetus osprey C 2 M 

Haliaeetus leucocephalus bald eagle C 3 M 

Circus cyaneus northern harrier C 1,3 M/B 

Accipiter striatus sharp-shinned hawk C 2,3 M 

Accipiter cooperii Cooper's hawk C* 1,2,3 M/B 

Buteo lineatus red-shouldered hawk C 1,2,3 M/B 

Buteo platypterus broad-winged hawk C 1,2,3 M/B 

Buteo swainsoni Swainson's hawk C 3 M 

Buteo jamaicensis red-tailed hawk C* 1,3 R 

Buteo lagopus rough-legged hawk C 2,3 M 

Falco sparverius American kestrel C* 1,2,3 M/B 

Falco columbarius merlin C 2 M 

Falco peregrinus peregrine falcon C 3 M 

Rallus elegans King rail Po - M 

Rallus limicola Virginia rail C 3 M 

Porzana carolina sora C 3 M 

Porphyrula martinica common moorhen Po - M 

Fulica americana American coot C 1,2,3 M 

Pluvialis squatarola black-bellied plover Po - M 

Pluvialis doninica American golden-plover Po - M 


ORDER 

Species 


Charadrius alexandrinus snowy plover Po - M 

Charadrius semipalmatus semipalmated plover C 2 M 

Charadrius vociferus killdeer C* 1,2,3 B 

Recurvirostra americana American avocet Po - M 

Tringa melanoleuca greater yellowlegs C 2,3 M 

Tringa flavipes lesser yellowlegs C 2,3 M 

Tringa solitaria solitary sandpiper C 2,3 M 

Catoptrophorus semipalmatus willet Po - M 

Actitis macularia spotted sandpiper C 2,3 M/B 

Bartramia longicauda upland sandpiper Po - M 

Limosa haemastica Hudsonian godwit Po - M 

Limosa fedoa marbled godwit Po - M 

Calidris alba sanderling Po - M 

Calidris pusilla semipalmated sandpiper C 2 M 

Calidris mauri western sandpiper C 3 M 

Calidris minutilla least sandpiper C 2,3 M 

Calidris fuscicollis white-rumped sandpiper C 3 M 

Calidris baridii Baird's sandpiper C 2,3 M 

Calidris melanotos pectoral sandpiper C 2,3 M 

Limnodromus scolopus long-billed dowitcher C 3 M 

Calidris himantopus stilt sandpiper Po - M 

Tryngites subruficollis buff-breasted sandpiper Po - M 

Gallinago gallinago common snipe C 3 M 

Scolopax minor American woodcock C 1,2,3 B 

Phalaropus tricolor Wilson's phalarope Po - M 

Larus pipixcan Franklin's gull C 2,3 M 

Larus philadelphia Bonaparte's gull C 2 M 

Larus delawarensis ring-billed gull C 2,3 M 

Larus argentatus herring gull C 2 M 

Sterna caspia Caspian tern Po - M 

Sterna forsteri Forster's tern C 2 M 

Sterna antillarum least tern C 2 M 

Chlidonias niger black tern C 2,3 M 

Columba livia rock dove C 1,3 R 

Streptopelia decaocto Eurasian collared-dove Pr - R 

Zenaida macroura mourning dove C 1,2,3 M 

Coccyzus erythroptalmus black-billed cuckoo C 3 B 

Coccyzus americanus yellow-billed cuckoo C* 1,2,3 B 

Tyto alba common barn-owl C 2 R 

Otus asio eastern screech-owl C 1,2,3 R 

Athene cuncularia burrowing owl C 3 M 

Bubo virginianus great horned owl C* 1,2,3 R 

Strix varia barred owl C 1,2,3 R 

Asio otus long-eared owl C 2 M 


ORDER 

Species 


Asio flammeus short-eared owl C 2,3 M 

Cordeiles minor common nighthawk C 1,2,3 B 

Caprimulgus carolinensis chuck-will's-widow C 3 B 

Caprimulgus vociferus whip-poor-will C 1,2,3 B 

Chaetura pelagica chimney swift C* 1,2,3 B 

Archilochus colubris ruby-throated hummingbird C* 1,2,3 B 

Ceryle alcyon belted kingfisher C* 1,2,3 M/B 

Melanerpes erythrocephalus red-headed woodpecker C* 1,2,3 R 

Melanerpes carolinus red-bellied woodpecker C* 1,2,3 R 

Sphyrapicus varius yellow-bellied sapsucker C* 1,2,3 M 

Picoides pubescens downy woodpecker C* 1,2,3 R 

Picoides villosus hairy woodpecker C* 1,3 R 

Colaptes auratus northern flicker C* 1,2,3 R 

Dryocopus pileatus pileated woodpecker C* 1,2,3 R 

Contopus borealis olive-sided flycatcher C 2,3 M 

Contopus virens eastern wood-pewee C* 1,2,3 B 

Empidonax alnorum alder flycatcher C 3 M 

Empidonax traillii willow flycatcher C 1,2,3 B/M 

Empidonax virescens Acadian flycatcher C 1,3 B 

Empidonax minimus least flycatcher C 1,2,3 M 

Sayornis phoebe eastern phoebe C* 1,2,3 B 

Myiarchus crinitus great crested flycatcher C* 1,2,3 B 

Tyrannus verticalis western kingbird C 2,3 B 

Tyrannus tyrannus eastern kingbird C* 1,2,3 B 

Tyrannus forficatus scissor-tailed flycatcher Pr - B 

Lanius ludovicianus loggerhead shrike C 1,2,3 B/M 

Vireo griseus white-eyed vireo C* 3 M 

Vireo bellii Bell's vireo C 1,2,3 B 

Vireo solitarius solitary vireo C 3 M 

Vireo flavifrons yellow-throated vireo C* 1,3 B 

Vireo gilvus warbling vireo C* 1,2,3 B 

Vireo philadelphicus Philadelphia vireo Po - M 

Vireo olivaceus red-eyed vireo C* 1,2,3 B 

Cyanocitta cristata blue jay C* 1,2,3 B 

Corvus brachyrhynchos American crow C 1,2,3 R 

Eremophila alpestris horned lark C 2,3 R 

Progne subis purple martin C* 1,2,3 B 

Tachycineta bicolor tree swallow C 1,2,3 B 

Stelgidopteryx serripennis northern rough-winged swallow C* 1,2,3 B 

Hirundo pyrrhonoto cliff swallow C 2,3 B 

Hirundo rustica barn swallow C* 1,2,3 B 

Riparia riparia bank swallow C 2,3 B/M 

Parus atricapillus black-capped chickadee C* 1,2,3 R 

Parus bicolor tufted titmouse C* 1,2,3 R 


ORDER 

Species 


Sitta canadensis red-breasted nuthatch C 3 M 

Sitta carolinensis white-breasted nuthatch C 1,2,3 R 

Certhia americana brown creeper C 1,2,3 M 

Thryomanes ludovicianus Carolina wren C* 1,2,3 R 

Troglodytes aedon house wren C* 1,2,3 B 

Thyomanes bewickii Bewick’s wren C 3 B 

Troglodytes troglodytes winter wren Po - M 

Cistothorus platensis sedge wren C 1,3 B 

Cistothrus palustris marsh wren C 3 M 

Regulus satrapa golden-crowned kinglet C 2,3 M 

Regulus calendula ruby-crowned kinglet C 2,3 M 

Polioptila caerulea blue-gray gnatcatcher C* 1,2,3 B 

Sialia sialis eastern bluebird C* 1,2,3 R 

Catharus fuscescens veery C 3 M 

Catharus guttatus hermit thrush C 3 M 

Catharus ustulatus Swainson's thrush C 2,3 M 

Catharus minimus gray-checked thrush C 3 M 

Hylocichla mustelina wood thrush C* 1,2,3 B 

Turdus migratorius American robin C* 1,2,3 R 

Dumetella carolinensis gray catbird C* 1,2,3 B 

Mimus polyglottus mockingbird C 1,2,3 R 

Toxostoma rufum brown thrasher C 1,2,3 B 

Sturnus vulgaris European starling C* 1,2,3 R 

Bombycilla cedorum cedar waxwing C 1,3 B/M 

Vermivora pinus blue-winged warbler Pr - M 

Vermivora chrysoptera golden-winged warbler C 3 M 

Vermivora peregrina Tennessee warbler C 1,2,3 M 

Vermivora celata orange-crowned warbler C 1,3 M 

Vermivora ruficapilla Nashville warbler C 1,3 M 

Parula americana northern parula C 1,3 B 

Dendroica petechia yellow warbler C 1,2,3 B 

Dendroica pensylvania chestnut-sided warbler C 3 M 

Dendroica magnolia magnolia warbler C 3 M 

Dendroica tigrina Cape May warbler C 3 M 

Dendroica coronata yellow-rumped warbler C 1,2,3 M 

Dendroica virens black-throated green warbler C 3 M 

Dendroica fusca Blackburnian warbler C 3 M 

Dendroica dominica yellow-throated warbler C* 1,3 B 

Dendroica palmarum palm warbler Pr - M 

Dendroica pinus pine warbler C 3 M 

Dendroica castanea bay-breasted warbler C 3 M 

Dendroica striata blackpoll warbler C 1,3 M 

Dendroica cerulea cerulean warbler C 1,3 B 

Mniotilta varia black-and-white warbler C 1,2,3 B 


ORDER 

Species 


Setophaga ruticilla American redstart C* 1,2,3 B 

Protonotaria citrea prothonotary warbler C* 1,2,3 B 

Helmitheros vermivora worm-eating warbler C 3 M 

Seiurus aurocapillus ovenbird C* 1,2,3 B 

Seiurus noveboracensis northern waterthrush C 1,3 M 

Seiurus motacilla Louisiana waterthrush C* 1,3 B 

Oporornis formosus Kentucky warbler C* 1,2,3 B 

Oporornis agilus Connecticut warbler C 3 M 

Oporornis philadelphia mourning warbler C 1,3 M 

Geothlypis trichas common yellowthroat C* 1,2,3 B 

Wilsonia citrina hooded warbler C 3 M 

Wilsonia pusilla Wilson's warbler C 3 M 

Wilsonia canadensis Canada warbler C 3 M 

Icteria virens yellow-breasted chat C* 1,2,3 B 

Piranga rubra summer tanager C 1,2,3 B 

Piranga olivacea scarlet tanager C* 1,2,3 B 

Pipilo erythrophthalmus eastern towhee C* 1,2,3 B 

Pipila maculates spotted towhee C 1 M 

Spizella arborea American tree sparrow C 1,2,3 M 

Spizella passerina chipping sparrow C 1,2,3 B 

Spizella pallida clay-colored sparrow C 3 M 

Spizella pusilla field sparrow C 1,2,3 B 

Pooecetes gramineus vesper sparrow C 2,3 M 

Chondestes grammacus lark sparrow C* 1,2,3 B 

Passerculus sandwichensis savannah sparrow C 1,2,3 M 

Ammodramus savannarum grasshopper sparrow C 1,2,3 B 

Ammodramus henslowii Henslow's sparrow Po - B/M 

Ammodramus leconteii Le Conte's sparrow C 2 M 

Ammodramus nelsoni Nelson’s sparrow Po - M 

Passerella iliaca fox sparrow C 2,3 M 

Melospiza melodia song sparrow C 1,2,3 B/M 

Melospiza lincolnii Lincoln's sparrow C 2,3 M 

Melospiza georgiana swamp sparrow C 2,3 M 

Zonotrichia albicollis white-throated sparrow C 1,2,3 M 

Zonotrichia leucophrys white-crowned sparrow C 1,2,3 M 

Zonotrichia querula Harris' sparrow C 1,2,3 M 

Junco hyemalis dark-eyed junco C 1,2,3 M 

Calcarius lapponicus Lapland longspur C 3 M 

Cardinalis cardinalis northern cardinal C* 1,2,3 R 

Pheucticus ludovicianus rose-breasted grosbeak C* 1,2,3 B 

Guiraca caerulea blue grosbeak C 1,3 B 

Passerina cyanea indigo bunting C* 1,2,3 B 

Passerina ciris painted bunting C 3 M 

Spiza americana dickcissel C* 1,2,3 B 


ORDER 

Species 


Dolichonyx oryzivorus bobolink C 3 M 

Agelaius phoeniceus red-winged blackbird C* 1,2,3 R 

Sturnella magna eastern meadowlark C 1,2,3 R 

Sturnella neglecta western meadowlark C 2,3 M 

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus yellow-headed blackbird C 2,3 M 

Euphagus carolinus rusty blackbird C 2,3 M 

Euphagus cyanocephalus Brewer's blackbird Po - M 

Quiscalus mexicanus great-tailed grackle Pr - M 

Quiscalus quiscala common grackle C* 1,3 B 

Molothrus ater brown-headed cowbird C 1,2,3 B 

Icterus spurius orchard oriole C* 1,2,3 B 

Icterus galbula Baltimore oriole C* 1,2,3 B 

Carpodacus purpureus purple finch C 3 M 

Carpodacus mexicanus house finch C 1,2,3 R 

Loxia curvirostra red crossbill Po - M 

Carduelis flammea common redpoll Pr - M 

Carduelis pinus pine siskin C 3 M 

Carduelis tristis American goldfinch C* 1,2,3 R 

Passer domesticus house sparrow C* 1,2,3 R 

REPTILES 

Chelydra serpentina common snapping turtle C 1,2 R 

Chrysemys picta painted turtle C 1,2 R 

Graptemys geographica common map turtle Po - R 

Graptemys pseudogeographica Ouachita map turtle C 2 R 

Terrapene carolina eastern box turtle Po - R 

Terrapene ornata ornate box turtle C 1,2 R 

Trachemys scripta slider C 2 R 

Apalone mutica smooth softshell C 2 R 

Apalone spinifera spiny softshell C 2 R 

Ophisaurus attenuatus slender glass lizard C 2 R 

Eumeces fasciatus five-lined skink C 1,2 R 

Eumeces obsoletus Great Plains skink C 2 R 

Scincella lateralis ground skink Po - R 

Cnemidophorus sexlineatus six-lined racerunner C 2 R 

Carphophis amoenus western worm snake C 1,2 R 

Coluber constrictor racer C 1,2 R 

Diadophis punctatus ringneck snake C 1,2 R 

Elaphe emoryi Great Plains rat snake C 1,2 R 

Elaphe obsoleta eastern rat snake C 1,2 R 

Heterodon platirhinos eastern hognose snake Po - R 

Heterodon nasicus western hognose snake C 1 R 

Lampropeltis calligaster prairie kingsnake C 1,2 R 

Lampropeltis getula common kingsnake C - R 

Lampropeltis triangulum milk snake C 1,2 R 


ORDER 

Species 


Opheodrys aestivus rough green snake C 1 R 

Pituophis melanoleucus gopher snake Pr - R 

Nerodia erythrogaster plainbelly water snake C 2 R 

Nerodia rhombifer diamondback water snake Po - R 

Nerodia sipedon northern water snake C 1,2 R 

Storeria dekayi brown snake C 1,2 R 

Regina grahami Graham's crayfish snake Po - R 

Storeria occipitomaculata redbelly snake Po - R 

Tantilla gracilis flathead snake C 2 R 

Thamnophis proximus western ribbon snake C 1,2 R 

Thamnophis sirtalis red-sided garter snake C 1,2 R 

Tropidoclonion lineatum lined snake C 2 R 

Virginia valeriae smooth earth snake Po - R 

Agkistrodon controtrix copperhead C 1,2 R 

Crotalus horridus timber rattlesnake C 1,2 R 

AMPHIBIANS 

Ambystoma texanum smallmouth salamander C 2 R 

Ambystoma tigrinum eastern tiger salamander C 2 R 

Necturus maculosus mudpuppy C 2 R 

Spea bombifrons plains spadefoot Pr - R 

Bufo americanus American toad C 1,2 R 

Bufo woodhousei Woodhouse's toad C 1,2 R 

Acris crepitans Blanchard's cricket frog C 1,2 R 

Hyla versicolor gray treefrog C 1,2 R 

Pseudacris triseriata western chrous frog C 1,2 R 

Rana blairi plains leopard frog C 1,2 R 

Rana catesbeiana bullfrog C 1,2 R 

Gastrophryne olivacea Great Plains narrowmouth toad C 2 R 

FISHES 

Ichthyomyzon castaneus chestnut lamprey Pr - M 

Scaphirhynchus albus pallid sturgeon C 1 R 

Scaphirhynchus platorynchus shovelnose sturgeon C 1 R 

Polyodon spathula paddlefish Pr - R 

Lepisosteus osseus longnose gar Pr - R 

Lepisosteus platostomus shortnose gar C 1 R 

Hiodon alosoides goldeneye C 1 R 

Alosa chrysochloris skipjack herring Pr - M 

Dorosoma cepedianum gizzard shad Pr - R 

Campostoma anomalus central stoneroller Po - R 

Carassius auratus goldfish Po - R 

Ctenopharyngodon idella grass carp Po - R 

Cyprinus carpio common carp C 1 R 

Hybognathus argyritis western silvery minnow Po - R 

Hybognathus hankinsoni brassy minnow C 1 R 


ORDER 

Species 


Hybognathus placitus plains minnow Po - R 

Hypophthalmichthys nobilis bighead carp C 1 R 

Notropis atherinoides emerald shiner C 1 M 

Notropis stramineus sand shiner C 1 R 

Notropis shumardi silverband shiner Po - R 

Phenacobius mirabilis suckermouth minnow Pr - R 

Pimephales notatus bluntnose minnow Pr - R 

Pimephales promelas fathead minnow Pr - R 

Macrhybopsis gracilis flathead chub Pr - R 

Macrhybopsis gelida sturgeon chub Po - R 

Macrhybopsis meeki sicklefin chub Po - R 

Macrhybopsis storeriana silver chub C 1 R 

Semotilus atromaculatus creek chub Pr - R 

Cyprinella lutrensis red shiner C 1 R 

Luxilus cornutus common shiner Pr - R 

Lythrurus umbratilis redfin shiner Pr - R 

Carpiodes carpio river carpsucker C 1 R 

Carpoides cyprinus quillback Pr - R 

Carpoides velifer highfin carpsucker Pr - R 

Catostomus commersoni white sucker Pr - R 

Cycleptus elongatus blue sucker Pr - R 

Ictiobus bubalus smallmouth buffalo C 1 R 

Ictiobus cyprinellus bigmouth buffalo Po - M 

Ictiobus niger black buffalo Po - M 

Moxostoma macrolepidotum shorthead redhorse Po - R 

Ictalurus furcatus blue catfish Pr - R 

Ictalurus punctatus channel catfish C 1 R 

Noturus flavus stonecat Pr - R 

Noturus exilis slender madtom Pr - R 

Pylodictis olivaris flathead catfish C 1 R 

Ameiurus melas black bullhead Pr - R 

Ameiurus natalis yellow bullhead Pr - R 

Osmerus mordax rainbow smelt C 1 R 

Lota lota burbot Pr - R 

Fundulus zebrinus plains killifish Pr - R 

Gambusia affinis western mosquitofish Pr - R 

Morone chrysops white bass C 1 R 

Lepomis cyanellus green sunfish C 1 R 

Lepomis gulosus warmouth Pr - R 

Lepomis humilis orangespotted sunfish Pr - R 

Lepomis macrochirus bluegill C 1 R 

Lepomis megalotis longear sunfish Pr - R 

Micropterus dolomieu smallmouth bass Pr - R 

Micropterus salmoides largemouth bass Pr - R 


ORDER 

Species 


Pomoxis annularis white crappie Pr - R 

Pomoxis nigromaculatus black crappie Po - R 

Etheostoma spectabile orangethroat darter Pr - R 

Perca flavescens yellow perch Pr - R 

Percina caprodes logperch Pr - R 

Stizostedion canadense sauger C 1 R 

Stizostedion vitreum walleye Pr - R 

Aplodinotus grunniens freshwater drum C 1 R 


APPENDIX C. Annotated checklist of the vascular plants of Leavenworth County and the Ft. 

Leavenworth Military Reservation (FLMR). 

Species collected on FLMR are in bold face, accompanied by voucher information. Numbers 

following family names are the total number of genera, species, and infraspecific taxa in each 

family in the county [C] and on Ft. Leavenworth [F], respectively. Nomenclature for scientific 

names and common names follows Freeman 2003. Synonyms are provided in brackets for names 

of taxa reported from the FLMR in Freeman et al. (1997) when they differ substantially from 

those accepted here. The following codes denote the provenance (N = native; I = introduced, 

naturalized; A = introduced, adventive), longevity (Pw = perennial, woody; Ph = perennial, 

herbaceous; B = biennial; A = annual), general habitat (P = prairie; Ff = forest, floodplain; Fu = 

forest, upland; W = wetlands; A = rivers and ponds [aquatic]; D = disturbed sites), and 

abundance on FLMR of each species (4 = dominant in appropriate habitat; 3 = common in 

appropriate habitat; 2 = infrequent in appropriate habitat; 1 = rare in appropriate habitat; 0 = not 

known to occur on FLMR). The last names of infrequent collectors have been spelled out in full. 

All vouchers cited below are deposited in the R. L. McGregor Herbarium (KANU) at the 

University of Kansas. Collectors whose activities account for the majority of vouchers at KANU 

are abbreviated by the first letter of the collector(s) last name (E = J. Elliott; F = C. C. Freeman; 

M = C. A. Morse; W = B. L. Wagenknecht; thus EF = J. Elliott & C. C. Freeman; EM = J. Elliott 

& C. A. Morse; FE = C. C. Freeman & J. Elliott). 

PTERIDOPHYTES, the ferns and fern allies 

1. Aspleniaceae, the spleenwort family [C=1/2/2, F=1/1/1] 

Asplenium platyneuron (L.) Britton et al. ebony spleenwort N/Ph/Fu/0 

Asplenium rhizophyllum L. walking fern N/Ph/Fu/2; Brooks 14154, Brooks & Harris 

15155, F 2860, FE 6981, Keith & Wagenknecht 2348, Morse & Loring 9893 

2. Dryopteridaceae, the wood fern family [C=5/6/6, F=2/2/2] 

Cystopteris protrusa (Weath.) Blasdell southern bladder fern N/Ph/Fu/3; Brooks 14150, E 

477, EM 641, M 9499, Morse & Loring 9895, W 2349 

Cystopteris tennesseensis Shaver Tennessee bladder fern N/Ph/Fu/0 

Diplazium pycnocarpon (Spreng.) M. Broun narrow-leaf glade fern N/Ph/Fu/0 

Dryopteris marginalis (L.) A. Gray marginal wood fern N/Ph/Fu/0 

Onoclea sensibilis L. sensitive fern N/Ph/FuW/2; EM 644, F 7129 

Woodsia obtusa (Sprengel) Torr. subsp. obtusa blunt-lobe cliff fern N/Ph/Fu/0 

3. Equisetaceae, the horsetail family [C=1/4/4, F=1/2/2] 

Equisetum arvense L. field horsetail N/Ph/DPW/2; FE 6962 

Equisetum hyemale L. subsp. affine (Engelm.) Calder & Roy L. Taylor common scouringrush 

N/Ph/DFfW/4; F 7146, M 9721, Morse & Loring 9897 

Equisetum laevigatum A. Braun smooth scouring-rush N/Ph/DPW/0 


Equisetum ×ferrissii Clute (Equisetum hyemale × Equisetum laevigata) intermediate scouringrush 

N/Ph/DPW/0 

4. Ophioglossaceae, the adder’s-tongue family [C=2/3/3, F=2/3/3] 

Botrychium dissectum Spreng. dissected grape fern N/Ph/Fu/2; FE 6990, M 9873 

Botrychium virginianum (L.) Sw. rattlesnake fern N/Ph/Fu/2; E 478, EM 652, F 7101, M 

9688 

Ophioglossum engelmannii Prantl limestone adder's-tongue N/Ph/D/1; McGregor 886 

5. Osmundaceae, the royal fern family [C=1/1/1, F=0/0/0] 

Osmunda regalis L. var. spectabilis (Willd.) A. Gray royal fern N/Ph/Fu/0 

6. Pteridaceae, the maiden-hair fern family [C=3/4/4, F=2/2/2] 

Adiantum pedatum L. northern maiden-hair fern N/Ph/Fu/2; E 482, F 7090, M 9492 

Argyrochosma dealbata (Pursh) Windham false cloak fern N/Ph/Fu/0 

Pellaea atropurpurea (L.) Link purple cliff-brake N/Ph/Fu/1; Morse & Loring 9894, 

Wagenknecht et al. 2350 

Pellaea glabella Mett. ex Kuhn subsp. glabella smooth cliff-brake N/Ph/Fu/0 

7. Selaginellaceae, the spike-moss family [C=1/1/1, F=0/0/0] 

Selaginella rupestris (L.) Spring rock spike-moss N/Ph/Fu/0 

GYMNOSPERMS, the conifers 

8. Cupressaceae, the cypress family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Juniperus virginiana L. var. virginiana eastern red-cedar N/Pw/FuP/3; E 483 

ANGIOSPERMS, the flowering plants 

9. Acanthaceae, the acanthus family [C=2/3/3, F=1/2/2] 

Justicia americana (L.) Vahl American water-willow N/Ph/W/0 

Ruellia humilis Nutt. fringe-leaf ruellia N/Ph/P/1; E 1114 

Ruellia strepens L. limestone ruellia N/Ph/Fu/2; EM 640, M 9506 

10. Aceraceae, the maple family [C=1/4/5, F=1/3/4] 

Acer negundo L. var. negundo boxelder N/Pw/Ff/0 

Acer negundo L. var. violaceum (Kirchn.) Jaeger boxelder N/Pw/FfFuW/3; FE 6977 

Acer negundo L. var. texanum Pax boxelder N/Pw/FfFuW/3; M 9724 


[Acer nigrum Michx. f. = A. saccharum] 

Acer saccharinum L. silver maple N/Pw/Ff/3; F 7103 

Acer saccharum Marshall sugar maple N/Pw/Fu/3; E 1126, FE 6852, Morse et al. 9393, W 

3409 

11. Alismataceae, the water-plantain family [C=3/4/4; F=3/3/3] 

Alisma triviale Pursh northern water-plantain N/Ph/FuW/3; F 7461 

Echinodorus berteroi (Spreng.) Fassett upright burhead N/A/W/3; F 7460 

Sagittaria latifolia Willd. broad-leaf arrowhead N/Ph/W/0 

Sagittaria montevidensis Cham. & Schltdl. subsp. calycina (Engelm.) Bogin giant 

arrowhead N/Ph/W/2; F 7462 

12. Amaranthaceae, the pigweed family [C=1/6/6, F=1/3/3] 

Amaranthus albus L. tumbleweed pigweed I/A/D/2; F 7880 

Amaranthus hybridus L. slender pigweed N/A/D/0 

Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson Palmer's pigweed I/A/D/1; F 8299 

Amaranthus retroflexus L. rough pigweed N/A/D/0 

[Amaranthus rudis J. D. Sauer = A. tuberculatus] 

Amaranthus spinosus L. spiny pigweed I/A/D/0 

Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) J. D. Sauer tall water-hemp N/A/DW/3; Brooks & 

Harris 15147, E 1101, F 7774, F 8290, F 8301, M 9828 

13. Anacardiaceae, the cashew family [C=2/4/4, F=2/2/2] 

Rhus aromatica Aiton var. serotina (Greene) Rehder fragrant sumac N/Pw/P/0 

Rhus copallina L. dwarf sumac N/Pw/P/0 

Rhus glabra L. smooth sumac N/Pw/P/3; EF 798 

Toxicodendron radicans (L.) Kuntze subsp. negundo (Greene) Gillis poison-ivy 

N/Pw/FfFu/3; EM 650 

14. Annonaceae, the custard-apple family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Asimina triloba (L.) Dunal common pawpaw N/Pw/FuFf/3; F 19753, FE 6969, M 9460, W 

2402, W 3411 

15. Apiaceae, the parsley family [C=14/18/18, F=10/12/12] 

Chaerophyllum procumbens (L.) Crantz spreading chervil N/A/Ff/3; FE 6979, W 2400 

Chaerophyllum tainturieri Hook. var. tainturieri southern chervil N/A/Fu/3; E 430, F 7143 

Cicuta maculata L. var. maculata spotted water-hemlock N/BPh/W/3; F 7858 

Conium maculatum L. poison-hemlock I/B/DFf/3; EF 812, M 9717 

Cryptotaenia canadensis (L.) DC. honewort N/Ph/Fu/2; EM 648 

Daucus carota L. subsp. carota wild carrot I/B/D/2; EF 671 


Daucus pusillus Michx. southwestern wild carrot N/A/P/0 

Eryngium yuccifolium Michx. var. yuccifolium button snake-root eryngo N/Ph/P/0 

Lomatium foeniculaceum (Nutt.) J. M. Coult. & Rose var. daucifolium (Torr. & Gray) Cronquist 

fennel-leaf desert-parsley N/Ph/Ff/0 

Osmorhiza claytonii (Michx.) C.B. Clarke hairy sweet-cicely N/Ph/Fu/2; F 7141, M 9467, 

M 9491, M 9699 

Osmorhiza longistylis (Torr.) DC. long-style sweet-cicley N/Ph/Fu/3; E 486, F 7099, 

Hulbert 3372, M 9490 

Pastinaca sativa L. garden parsnip I/B/D/3; EM 672 

Polytaenia nuttallii DC. Nuttall’s prairie-parsley N/Ph/P/0 

Sanicula canadensis L. var. canadensis Canadian sanicle N/B/Fu/0 

Sanicula odorata (Raf.) Pryer & Phillippe fragrant sanicle N/Ph/Fu/3; E 431, EF 775, EM 

643 

Spermolepis inermis (Nutt. ex DC.) Mathias & Constance spreading scaleseed N/A/P/0 

Torilis arvensis (Huds.) Link field hedge-parsley I/A/D/3; EF 772 

Zizia aurea (L.) W.D.J. Koch common golden-alexanders N/Ph/Fu/2; E 484, EM 653, F 

7130, M 9494 

16. Apocynaceae, the dogbane family [C=2/2/2, F=1/1/1] 

Apocynum cannabinum L. hemp dogbane N/Ph/DFuP/3; Brooks 14423; EM 619, F 7459 

Vinca minor L. common periwinkle A/Ph/Fu/0 

17. Araceae, the arum family [C=1/2/2, F=1/2/2] 

Arisaema dracontium (L.) Schott dragonroot Jack-in-the-pulpit N/Ph/Fu/2; F 7144, M 

9697 

Arisaema triphyllum (L.) Schott subsp. triphyllum Indian Jack-in-the-pulpit N/Ph/Fu/3; E 

489, FE 6978, W 2364 

18. Aristolochiaceae, the Dutchman’s-pipe family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Asarum canadense L. Canadian wild-ginger N/Ph/Fu/3; F 2854, FE 6966, Hulbert 3371, 

Morse et al. 9374, W 2389 

19. Asclepiadaceae, the milkweed family [C=2/13/13, F=2/6/6] 

Asclepias amplexicaulis Sm. blunt-leaf milkweed N/Ph/P/0 

Asclepias hirtella (Pennell) Woodson prairie milkweed N/Ph/P/0 

Asclepias incarnata L. subsp. incarnata swamp milkweed N/Ph/W/2 ; F 7436 

Asclepias meadii Torr. ex A. Gray Mead's milkweed N/Ph/P/0 

Asclepias purpurascens L. purple milkweed N/Ph/FuP/2 ; EM 627; Busby s.n. (22 Jun 

1995) 

Asclepias stenophylla A. Gray narrow-leaf milkweed N/Ph/P/0 

Asclepias sullivantii Engelm. ex A. Gray smooth milkweed N/Ph/P/0 


Asclepias syriaca L. common milkweed N/Ph/DP/3; EF 784 

Asclepias tuberosa L. subsp. interior Woodson butterfly milkweed N/Ph/P/0 

Asclepias verticillata L. whorled milkweed N/Ph/DP/2; F 8126 

Asclepias viridiflora Raf. green milkweed N/Ph/P/2; EF 795 

Asclepias viridis Walter spider milkweed N/Ph/P/0 

Cynanchum laeve (Michx.) Pers. smooth swallow-wort N/Ph/DFu/2; F 7464 

20. Asteraceae, the sunflower family [C=47/102/111, F=35/71/73] 

[Achillea millefolium L. subsp. occidentalis (DC.) Hyl = Achillea millefolium subsp. lanulosa] 

Achillea millefolium subsp. lanulosa (Nutt.) Piper western yarrow N/Ph/DP/1; E 450 

Ageratina altissima (L.) R.M. King & H. Rob. tall snakeroot N/Ph/Fu/3; F 7793, W 3381 

Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. common ragweed N/A/DFfP/3; E 1089, F 7776, W 3397 

Ambrosia psilostachya DC. western ragweed N/Ph/P/0 

Ambrosia trifida L. giant ragweed N/A/DFf/2; E 1092, W 3387 

Amphiachyris dracunculoides (DC.) Nutt. prairie broomweed N/A/P/0 

Antennaria neglecta Greene field pussy’s-toes N/Ph/P/0 

Antennaria parlinii Fernald subsp. fallax (Greene) R.J. Bayer & Stebbins plantain-leaf 

pussy’s-toes N/Ph/Fu/2; F 7092 

Anthemis cotula L.(DC.) may-weed chamomile A/A/D/0 

Arctium minus (Hill) Bernh. common burdock I/B/DP/0 

Arnoglossum atriplicifolium (L.) H. Rob. pale Indian-plantain N/Ph/Fu/1; E 1091 

Arnoglossum plantagineum Raf. tuberous Indian-plantain N/Ph/P/2; EF 793 

Artemisia annua L. sweet wormwood I/A/DFfW/1; F 7869, F 8279, M 9832 

Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. var. ludoviciana Louisiana sagewort N/Ph/P/0 

Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. var. mexicana (Willd. ex Spreng.) Fernald Louisiana sagewort 

N/Ph/DP/0 

Aster cordifolius L. var. sagittifolius (Wedem. ex Willd.) A.G. Jones heart-leaf aster 

N/Ph/Fu/0 

Aster drummondii Lindl. subsp. drummondii Drummond's aster N/Ph/Fu/2; F 7803, M 

9878, W 3397 

Aster drummondii Lindley in Hook. subsp. texanus (Burgess) A.G. Jones Drummond's aster 

N/Ph/Fu/0 

Aster ericoides L. subsp. ericoides var. ericoides heath aster N/Ph/P/2; F 7815 

Aster laevis L. var. laevis smooth blue aster N/Ph/Fu/2; F 7814, Morse & Loring 9904 

Aster lanceolatus Willd. subsp. lanceolatus var. lanceolatus lance-leaf aster 

N/Ph/FfFuW/2; F 8276, W 3384 

Aster lanceolatus Willd. subsp. lanceolatus var. interior (Wiegand) Semple & Chmiel. 

lance-leaf aster N/Ph/FfFu/2; F 7862 

[Aster lanceolatus Willd. subsp. simplex (Willd.) A.G. Jones = Aster lanceolatus subsp. 

lanceolatus var. interior] 

Aster lateriflorus (L.) Britton var. lateriflorus white woodland aster N/Ph/Fu/2; F 7808, M 

9874, M 9887, M 9891, Morse & Loring 9902 

Aster novae-angliae L. New England aster N/Ph/FuW/2; F 7832 

Aster ontarionis Wiegand Ontario aster N/Ph/FfFu/2; F 7788, F 7871, M 9888, W 3397 


Aster oolentangiensis Riddell var. oolentangiensis azure aster N/Ph/P/2; Morse et al. 9909 

Aster pilosus Willd. var. demotus S.F. Blake hairy aster N/Ph/DFfFuP/0 

Aster pilosus Willd. var. pilosus hairy aster N/Ph/DFfFuP/2; F 7781 

Aster praealtus Poir. var. praealtus willow-leaf aster N/Ph/DFfFu/3; F 7848 

Bidens aristosus (Michx.) Britton var. retrorsa (Sherff) Wunderlin coreopsis beggar-ticks 

N/AB/W/0 

Bidens bipinnatus L. Spanish needles N/A/D/1; F 8302 

Bidens cernuus L. nodding beggar-ticks N/A/DW/2; F 7784, F 8285, M 9829 

Bidens comosus (A. Gray) Wiegand leafy-bract beggar-ticks N/A/DFfW/2; F 7798, M 

9830 

Bidens connatus Muhl. ex Willd. purple-stem beggar-ticks N/A/FfW/0 

Bidens frondosus L. devil's beggar-ticks N/A/DFf/2; F 7851, M 9809 

Bidens vulgatus Greene tall beggar-ticks N/A/DFf/2; F 7785, F 7794 

Brickellia eupatorioides (L.) Shinn. var. corymbulosa (Torr. & Gray) Shinners corymbulose 

false-boneset N/Ph/P/0 

[Cacalia atriplicifolia L. = Arnoglossum atriplicifolium] 

[Cacalia plantaginea (Raf.) Shinners = Arnoglossum plantagineum] 

Carduus nutans L. subsp. leiophyllus (Petrovič) Stoj. & Stefani musk plumeless-thistle 

I/B/DP/3; EM 618 

[Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L. = Leucanthemum vulgare] 

Cichorium intybus L. common chicory I/Ph/D/2; F 7455 

Cirsium altissimum (L.) Hill tall thistle N/B/DFfFu/2; F 8293 

Cirsium undulatum (Nutt.) Spreng. wavy-leaf thistle N/Ph/DP/0 

Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. bull thistle I/B/D/1; F 8292 

Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronquist var. canadensis Canadian horseweed N/A/D/2; E 1088, 

W 3360 

Coreopsis grandiflora Hogg ex Sweet big-flower coreopsis N/Ph/DP/0 

Coreopsis palmata Nutt. finger coreopsis N/Ph/DP/0 

Cyclachaena xanthifolia (Nutt.) Fresen. bur-weed marshelder N/A/DW/0 

Dyssodia papposa (Vent.) Hitchc. prairie foetid-marigold N/A/D/0 

Echinacea pallida (Nutt.) Nutt. pale purple coneflower N/Ph/P/2; EM 636 

Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. yerba de tajo N/A/W/2; F 7498 

Erechtites hieraciifolia (L.) Raf. ex DC. American burnweed N/A/FfW/2; F 7790 

Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. annual fleabane N/A/D/2; E 508, M 9737 

Erigeron philadelphicus L. Philadelphia fleabane N/BPh/D/2; F 7115 

Erigeron strigosus Muhl. ex Willd. daisy fleabane N/BPh/DP/2; EM 624 

Eupatorium altissimum L. tall joe-pye-weed N/Ph/DP/2; F 7830, W 3390 

Eupatorium purpureum L. var. holzingeri (Rydb.) E. Lamont Holzinger's joe-pye-weed 

N/Ph/Fu/3; F 7437, M 9777 

[Eupatorium rugosum Houtt. = Ageratina altissima] 

Eupatorium serotinum Michx. fall joe-pye-weed N/Ph/FfW/3; F 7783, M 9831 

Euthamia gymnospermoides Greene sticky euthamia N/Ph/D/0 

Helianthus annuus L. common sunflower N/A/DP/3; F 7490 

Helianthus grosseserratus Martens saw-tooth sunflower N/Ph/P/1; F 8329, W 3385 

Helianthus hirsutus Raf. hairy sunflower N/Ph/DFu/3; F 7451 


Helianthus maximilianii Schrad. Maximilian's sunflower N/Ph/P/0 

Helianthus mollis Lam. ashy sunflower N/Ph/P/0 

Helianthus pauciflorus Nutt. var. pauciflorus stiff sunflower N/Ph/P/2; F 7831, F 8123 

Helianthus tuberosus L. Jerusalem-artichoke sunflower N/Ph/FfFu/3; F 7856 

Heliopsis helianthoides (L.) Sweet var. scabra (Dunal) Fernald sunflower heliopsis 

N/Ph/Fu/2; F 7446 

Heterotheca subaxillaris (Lam.) Britton & Rusby subsp. latifolia (Buckley) Semple broad-leaf 

golden-aster N/A/DP/0 

Hieracium longipilum Torr. ex Hook. long-beard hawkweed N/Ph/FuP/0 

Iva annua L. annual sumpweed N/A/DW/0 

Lactuca canadensis L. Canadian lettuce N/B/DFu/0 

Lactuca floridana (L.) Gaertn. Florida lettuce N/B/Fu/2; F 7802, F 7861, W 3370 

Lactuca saligna L. willow-leaf lettuce I/A/D/3; F 7488, W 3386 

Lactuca serriola L. prickly lettuce I/A/D/3; F 7489 

Leucanthemum vulgare Lam. common ox-eye daisy I/Ph/DP/2; E 468 

Liatris aspera Michx. button gayfeather N/Ph/P/2; E 1117, F 7816 

Liatris pycnostachya Michx. thick-spike gayfeather N/Ph/P/0 

Liatris squarrosa (L.) Michx. var. hirsuta (Rydb.) Gaiser plains gayfeather N/Ph/P/2; E 

1109, F 7817 

Matricaria matricarioides (Less.) Porter pineapple-weed I/A/D/3; E 503, F 7134 

Packera glabella (Poir.) C. Jeffrey floodplain ragwort N/A/FfFuW/2; F 7147 

Packera obovata (Muhl. ex Willd.) W.A. Weber & Á. Löve round-leaf ragwort N/Ph/Fu/0 

Packera plattensis (Nutt.) W.A. Weber & Á. Löve prairie ragwort N/Ph/P/0 

Packera pseudaurea (Rydb.) W.A. Weber & Á. Löve var. semicordata (Mack. & Bush) W.A. 

Weber & Á. Löve false golden ragwort N/Ph/P/0 

Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (L.) Hilliard & B.L. Burtt fragrant false-cudweed N/A/DP/0 

Pyrrhopappus carolinianus (Walt.) DC. Carolina false dandelion N/AB/D/1; F 8273 

Ratibida columnifera (Nutt.) Wooton & Standl. upright prairie-coneflower N/Ph/P/0 

Ratibida pinnata (Vent.) Barnhart Gray-head prairie-coneflower N/Ph/P/2; EF 832 

Rudbeckia hirta L. var. pulcherrima Farw. black-eyed-Susan N/BPh/DP/3; EF 821 

Rudbeckia laciniata L. var. laciniata cut-leaf coneflower N/Ph/FfFu/2; E 1075, W 3365 

Rudbeckia triloba L. var. triloba brown-eyed-Susan N/Ph/FfFu/3; F 7453, W 3393 

[Senecio glabellus Poir. = Packera glabella] 

Silphium integrifolium Michx. var. deamii L.M. Perry Deam’s rosinweed N/Ph/P/0 

Silphium integrifolium Michx. var. integrifolium whole-leaf rosinweed N/Ph/P/2; F 7439 

Silphium integrifolium Michx. var. laeve Torr. & A. Gray showy rosinweed N/Ph/P/0 

Silphium laciniatum L. compassplant N/Ph/P/2; E 474 

Silphium perfoliatum L. var. perfoliatum cup rosinweed N/Ph/DFfFuW/2; F 7512 

Solidago canadensis L. var. hargeri Fernald Canada goldenrod N/Ph/FuP/3; F 7846 

Solidago canadensis L. var. scabra (Muhl. ex Willd.) Torr. & A. Gray Canadian goldenrod 

N/Ph/DFuP/2; F 7827 

Solidago gigantea Ait. late goldenrod N/Ph/FfFuP/3; E 1107, F 7820, W 3383 

Solidago missouriensis Nutt. Missouri goldenrod N/Ph/P/0 

Solidago nemoralis Ait. subsp. decemflora (DC.) Brammall oldfield goldenrod N/Ph/P/2; F 

7822 


[Solidago nemoralis Ait. var. longipetiolata (Mack. & Bush) E.J. Palmer & Steyerm. = Solidago 

nemoralis subsp. decemflora] 

Solidago petiolaris Ait. var. petiolaris downy goldenrod N/Ph/Fu/0 

Solidago rigida L. subsp. rigida stiff goldenrod N/Ph/P/2; F 7821 

Solidago speciosa Nutt. var. rigidiuscula Torr. & A. Gray showy-wand goldenrod N/Ph/P/0 

Solidago ulmifolia Muhl. ex Willd. var. ulmifolia elm-leaf goldenrod N/Ph/Fu/2; F 7805, 

M 9807, W 3407 

Sonchus asper (L.) Hill prickly sow-thistle I/A/D/3; E 504 

Taraxacum laevigatum (Willd.) DC. red-seed dandelion I/Ph/D/0 

Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wigg. common dandelion I/Ph/D/2; F 7854, W 2395 

Tragopogon dubius Scop. western salsify I/BPh/D/2; E 442 

Verbesina alternifolia (L.) Britton ex Kearney wing-stem crownbeard N/Ph/Fu/2; F 7837, 

W 3413 

Vernonia baldwinii Torr. subsp. baldwinii inland ironweed N/Ph/DP/0 

Vernonia baldwinii Torr. subsp. interior (Small) W.Z. Faust inland ironweed N/Ph/DP/2; 

E 1069 

Vernonia fasciculata Michx. subsp. fasciculata prairie ironweed N/Ph/W/1; F 8129 

Xanthium strumarium L. common cocklebur N/A/D/3; F 7770 

21. Balsaminaceae, the touch-me-not family [C=1/2/2, F=1/2/2] 

Impatiens capensis Meerb. spotted touch-me-not N/A/FuW/3; EF 780 

Impatiens pallida Nutt. pale touch-me-not N/A/FuW/3; E 1076, F 7458, W 3371 

22. Berberidaceae, the barberry family [C=2/2/2, F=2/2/2] 

Berberis thunbergii DC. Japanese barberry I/Pw/Fu/2; F 7132, F 7867, M 9501, M 9700 

Podophyllum peltatum L. common May-apple N/Ph/Fu/3; E 427 

23. Betulaceae, the birch family [C=2/2/2, F=2/2/2] 

Corylus americana Walter American hazelnut N/Pw/Fu/3; EF 805, F 8307, M 9509 

Ostrya virginiana (Mill.) K. Koch American hop-hornbeam N/Pw/Fu/3; EM 632, FE 

6848, M 9698 

24. Bignoniaceae, the bignonia family [C=2/2/2, F=2/2/2] 

Campsis radicans (L.) Seem. common trumpet-creeper N/Pw/Ff/2; F 7470 

Catalpa speciosa Warder northern catalpa I/Pw/Ff/2; EF 816 

25. Boraginaceae, the borage family [C=7/10/10, F=4/6/6] 

Cynoglossum officinale L. common hound’s-tongue I/BPh/D/1; F 7855 

Echium vulgare L. blueweed I/B/P/0 

Hackelia virginiana (L.) I.M. Johnst. Virginia bracted-stickseed N/B/DFfFu/2; F 7450 


Lappula squarrosa (Retz.) Dumort blue stickseed I/A/DFu/0 

Lithospermum arvense L. corn gromwell I/A/D/3; FE 6853, W 2354 

Lithospermum canescens (Michx.) Lehm. hoary gromwell N/Ph/FuP/2; EM 649, F 7095 

Lithospermum incisum Lehm. plains gromwell N/Ph/P/0 

Lithospermum latifolium Michx. American gromwell N/Ph/Fu/1; E 507, F 8113 

Myosotis verna Nutt. spring forget-me-not N/A/DP/0 

Onosmodium bejariense A. DC. var. occidentale (Mack.) B.L. Turner western marbleseed 

N/Ph/P/1; M 9739 

26. Brassicaceae, the mustard family [C=19/30/30, F=15/21/21] 

Alliaria petiolata (M. Bieb.) Cavara & Grande common garlic-mustard I/B/DFfFu/3; FE 

6960, M 9461 

Arabis canadensis L. Canadian rockcress N/B/Fu/2; EF 776, F 8119, M 9479 

Arabis shortii (Fernald) Gleason Short's rockcress N/B/Fu/2; Brooks 14151, F 2859, FE 

6974, W 2396 

Barbarea vulgaris W.T. Aiton bitter wintercress I/B/D/2; FE 6987 

Brassica rapa L. subsp. rapa field mustard A/A/D/2; E 422 

Camelina microcarpa Andrz. ex DC. little-pod false-flax I/A/D/1; F 7142 

Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. common shepherd's-purse I/A/D/3; FE 6844 

Cardamine bulbosa (Schreb. ex Muh.) Britton et al. spring bittercress N/Ph/W/0 

Cardamine concatenata (Michx.) O. Schwarz cut-leaf toothwort N/Ph/Fu/3; FE 6975 

Cardaria draba (L.) Desv. heart-pod hoarycress I/Ph/D/0 

Descurainia pinnata (Walter) Britton subsp. brachycarpa (Richardson) Detling tansy 

mustard N/A/D/3; F 7102, FE 7000 

Draba brachycarpa Nutt. ex Torr. & A. Gray short-pod draba N/A/DP/0 

Draba cuneifolia Nutt. ex Torr. & Gray wedge-leaf draba N/A/D/2; FE 6995 

Draba reptans (Lam.) Fernald white whitlow-wort N/A/D/0 

Erysimum repandum L. bushy wallflower I/A/DP/3; E 437, FE 6986 

Hesperis matronalis L. dame's rocket I/BPh/D/0 

Lepidium campestre (L.) R. Br. field pepper-grass I/AB/D/2; F 7094 

Lepidium densiflorum Schrad. var. densiflorum prairie pepper-grass N/AB/D/3; F 7113 

Lepidium virginicum L. var. virginicum Virginia pepper-grass N/AB/D/3; F 7838, Morse 

et al. 9388 

Microthlaspi perfoliatum (L.) F.K. Mey. perfoliate-pennycress I/A/D/3; FE 6846 

Nasturtium officinale W.T. Aiton watercress I/Ph/W/0 

Rorippa palustris (L.) Besser subsp. fernaldiana (Butters & Abbe) Jonsell var. fernaldiana 

bog yellowcress N/ABPh/W/2; Brooks & Harris 15143, M 9827 

Rorippa sessiliflora (Nutt.) Hitchc. stalkless yellowcress N/AB/W/2; F 7468, F 8286 

Rorippa sinuata (Nutt.) Hitchc. spreading yellowcress N/Ph/W/2; E 439, F 7486 

Sibara virginica (L.) Rollins Virginia rockcress I/A/D/0 

Sinapis arvensis L. charlock I/A/D/0 

Sisymbrium altissimum L. tumble-mustard I/A/D/0 

Sisymbrium loeselii L. tall hedge-mustard I/A/D/3; E 423, F 7109, M 9715 

Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop. common hedge-mustard I/A/D/2; Morse et al. 9396 


Thlaspi arvense L. field pennycress I/A/D/3; FE 6993, W 2362, W 2403 

[Thlaspi perfoliatum L. = Microthlaspi perfoliatum] 

27. Campanulaceae, the bellflower family [C=3/5/5, F=3/4/4] 

Campanula americana L. American bellflower N/A/FfFuW/3; F 7431 

Lobelia siphilitica L. great lobelia N/Ph/FfFuW/3; Brooks & Harris 15151, F 7857, W 

3399 

Lobelia spicata Lam. pale-spike lobelia N/Ph/P/2; E 1116, EF 796, Freeman 8122 

Triodanis leptocarpa (Nutt.) Nieuwl. slender-fruit Venus’-looking-glass N/A/DP/0 

Triodanis perfoliata (L.) Nieuwl. clasping-leaf Venus’-looking-glass N/A/DP/2; E 455 

28. Cannabaceae, the hemp family [C=2/3/3, F=2/2/2] 

Cannabis sativa L. hemp I/A/D/3; Busby s.n. (22 Jun 1995), F 7769, W 3388 

Humulus japonicus Siebold & Zucc. Japanese hop I/Ph/DFf/3; Brooks & Harris 15152, F 

7501, M 9793 

Humulus lupulus L. var. pubescens E. Small common hop I/Ph/Fu/0 

29. Caprifoliaceae, the honeysuckle family [C=5/8/8, F=5/8/8] 

Lonicera japonica Thunb. Japanese honeysuckle I/Pw/FfFu/2; M 9889 

Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Maxim. Amur honeysuckle I/Pw/FuP/3; E 433, F 7865, F 7866, 

M 9517 

[Lonicera tatarica L., reports of this species in Freeman et al. 1997 were based on misidentified 

specimens of Lonicera ×bella and Lonicera maackii] 

Lonicera ×bella Zabel (Lonicera morrowii × Lonicera tatarica) Bell’s honeysuckle 

I/Pw/FuP/2; F 7087 

Sambucus canadensis L. American elder N/Pw/FfFu/3; EM 662, W 3396 

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus Moench coral-berry N/Pw/FuP/2; F 8325 

Triosteum perfoliatum L. clasping horse-gentian N/Ph/FuP/2; F 7850, M 9765 

Viburnum dentatum L. var. lucidum Aiton northern arrow-wood A/Pw/Fu/1; F 8328 

Viburnum prunifolium L. black-haw viburnum N/Pw/Fu/3; F 7089, FE 6994, M 9687, M 

9780 

30. Caryophyllaceae, the pink family [C=11/17/17, F=7/9/9] 

Agrostemma githago L. common corncockle A/A/D/0 

Arenaria serpyllifolia L. subsp. serpyllifolia thyme-leaf sandwort I/A/D/2; FE 6985 

Cerastium fontanum Baumg. subsp. vulgare (Hartman) Greuter & Burdet common mouse’sear-chickweed 

N/Ph/DP/0 

Cerastium nutans Raf. nodding mouse’s-ear-chickweed N/A/DFu/2; E 454, F 7114 

Dianthus armeria L. Deptford pink I/A/D/0 

Dianthus barbatus L. subsp. barbatus sweet-William I/A/D/0 

Holosteum umbellatum L. subsp. umbellatum jagged-chickweed I/A/D/3; FE 6856 


Myosoton aquaticum (L.) Moench water chickweed I/Ph/Ff/1; M 9718 

Paronychia canadensis (L.) A.W. Wood Canadian nailwort N/A/FuP/2; EF 788, M 9465 

Sagina apetala Ard. hairy-leaf pearlwort A/A/D/0 

Sagina decumbens (Elliott) Torr. & A. Gray subsp. decumbens trailing pearlwort N/A/DFu/0 

Saponaria officinalis L. common soapwort I/Ph/D/0 

Silene antirrhina L. sleepy catchfly N/A/D/3; E 461, F 7153 

Silene latifolia Poir. subsp. alba (Mill.) Greuter & Burdet white catchfly A/Ph/D/0 

Silene stellata (L.) W.T. Aiton starry catchfly N/Ph/D/2; F 7433 

Stellaria pallida (Dumort.) Crép. pale chickweed I/A/D/3; FE 6958, M 9480 

Stellaria media (L.) Vill. common chickweed I/A/D/3; F 19756, 

31. Celastraceae, the stafftree family [C=2/4/4, F=2/4/4] 

Celastrus scandens L. American bittersweet N/Pw/Fu/2; F 8127 

Euonymus atropurpureus Jacq. eastern wahoo N/Pw/Fu/3; Brooks & Harris 15153, EM 

660, F 7457, W 3410 

Euonymus fortunei (Turcz.) Hand.-Mazz. Chinese spindle-tree I/Pw/FfFu/2; F 7868, 

F8327, M 9496 

Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb. winged burning bush I/Pw/Fu/3; M 9497, M 9695, M 

9761, M 9877 

32. Ceratophyllaceae, the hornwort family [C=1/1/1, F=0/0/0] 

Ceratophyllum demersum L. common hornwort N/Ph/A/0 

33. Chenopodiaceae, the goosefoot family [C=4/8/8, F=2/5/5] 

Chenopodium ambrosioides L. var. ambrosioides worm-seed goosefoot I/ABPh/D/0 

Chenopodium berlandieri Moq. var. zschackei (Murray) Murray ex Aschs. pit-seed 

goosefoot N/A/D/2; E 1094, F 8289 

Chenopodium missouriense Aellen Missouri goosefoot N/A/D/2; F 8333 

Chenopodium simplex (Torr.) Raf. maple-leaf goosefoot N/A/DFf/2; F 7773, F 8330, M 

9836 

Chenopodium standleyanum Aellen Standley's goosefoot N/A/DFuFf/2; F 8121, M9835, W 

3372, W 3363 

Cycloloma atriplicifolium (Spreng.) J.M. Coult. tumble ringwing N/A/D/0 

Kochia scoparia (L.) Schrad. broom kochia I/A/D/0 

Monolepis nuttalliana (Schult.) Greene Nuttall's poverty-weed N/A/D/1; FE 6963 

34. Clusiaceae, the St. John’s-wort family [C=1/2/2, F=1/1/1] 

Hypericum ascyron L. giant St. John’s-wort N/Ph/Ff/1; M 9833 

Hypericum perforatum L. common St. John's-wort I/Ph/P/0 

35. Commelinaceae, the spiderwort family [C=2/4/4, F=2/3/3] 


Commelina communis L. Asiatic dayflower I/A/DFu/3; EF 778, EM 639, F 7836 

Commelina erecta L. var. erecta erect dayflower I/A/DFu/2; E 1086, W 3379 

Tradescantia bracteata Small bracted spiderwort N/A/P/0 

Tradescantia ohiensis Raf. Ohio spiderwort N/Ph/FuP/2; E 505, F 8323 

36. Convolvulaceae, the morning-glory family [C=3/6/6, F=3/4/4] 

Calystegia sepium (L.) R. Br. subsp. angulata Brummitt common hedge-bindweed 

N/Ph/D/2; F 7440 

Calystegia silvatica (Kit.) Griseb. subsp. fraterniflora (Mack. & Bush) Brummitt woodland 

hedge-bindweed N/Ph/D/0 

Convolvulus arvensis L. field bindweed I/Ph/D/3; E 448 

Ipomoea hederacea Jacq. ivy-leaf morning-glory N/A/D/1; F 8294 

Ipomoea lacunosa L. white morning-glory N/A/DFf/2; F 7780 

Ipomoea pandurata (L.) G.F.W. Mey. big-root morning-glory N/Ph/DP/0 

37. Cornaceae, the dogwood family [C=1/2/2, F=1/1/1] 

Cornus amomum Mill. subsp. obliqua (Raf.) J.S. Wilson pale dogwood N/Pw/FuP/0 

Cornus drummondii C.A. Mey. rough-leaf dogwood N/Pw/FuP/2; E 1079, EM 617, M 

9512 

38. Cucurbitaceae, the cucumber family [C=2/2/2, F=1/1/1] 

Echinocystis lobata (Michx.) Torr. & A. Gray wild mock-cucumber N/A/Fu/0 

Sicyos angulatus L. wall bur-cucumber N/A/Ff/2; F 7768, M 9802, W 3380 

39. Cuscutaceae, the dodder family [C=1/4/4, F=1/3/3] 

Cuscuta cuspidata Engelm. cusp dodder N/A/FuP/1; Brooks & Harris 15145 

Cuscuta megalocarpa Rydb. big-fruit dodder N/A/FuP/1; W 3361 

Cuscuta pentagona Engelm. var. pentagona field dodder N/A/DW/1; M 9754 

Cuscuta polygonorum Engelm. smartweed dodder N/A/FfW/0 

40. Cyperaceae, the sedge family [C=7/62/64, F=5/49/50] 

Carex aggregata Mack. cluster sedge N/Ph/FfW/2; Morse et al. 9398 

Carex albicans Willd. ex Spreng. var. albicans white-tinge sedge N/Ph/Fu/2; FE 6984, W 

2360 

[Carex amphibola Steud. var. turgida Fern. = Carex grisea Wahlenb.] 

Carex austrina Mack. southern sedge N/Ph/DW/3; F 19752 

Carex bicknellii Britton Bicknell’s sedge N/Ph/P/0 

Carex blanda Dewey woodland sedge N/Ph/FfFu/2; EM 645, M 9453, Morse et al. 9371, 

W 2399 


Carex brevior (Dewey) Mack. ex Lunell short-beak sedge N/Ph/DFuW/2; F 7139 

Carex cephalophora Muhl. ex Willd. oval-leaf sedge N/Ph/Fu/3; M 9470, M 9487, Morse 

et al. 9401 

Carex conjuncta Boott soft sedge N/Ph/FfW/3; M 9446, Morse et al. 9399 

Carex cristatella Britton crested sedge N/Ph/W/2; EF 837 

Carex crus-corvi Shuttlew. ex Kunth raven-foot sedge N/Ph/FfW/2; M 9448, M 9768, M 

9787 

Carex davisii Schwein. & Torr. Davis' sedge N/Ph/FfFu/1; EM 621, M 9451 

Carex emoryiDewey Emory’s sedge N/Ph/W/1; F 7961 

Carex frankii Kunth Frank's sedge N/Ph/FuPW/2; EF 797, M 9484 

Carex granularis Muhl. ex Willd. var. granularis meadow sedge N/Ph/DFuW/2; M 9690 

Carex gravida L.H. Bailey heavy sedge N/Ph/PW/2; EM 625 

Carex grayi Carey Gray's sedge N/Ph/Fu/1; Hulbert 3370, M 9445 

Carex grisea Wahlenb. narrow-leaf sedge N/Ph/FuP/2; F 2855, F 7155, M 9450, M 9723 

Carex hirtifolia Mack. hairy-leaf sedge N/Ph/Fu/2; M 9481, M 9732, M 9767 

Carex hitchcockiana Dewey Hitchcock's sedge N/Ph/Fu/3; M 9472, M 9482, Morse et al. 

9369, Morse et al. 9391 

Carex hyalinolepis Steud. shoreline sedge N/Ph/FfFuW/3; E 466, F 2863, F 7145, M 9454 

Carex inops L.H. Bailey subsp. heliophila (Mack.) Crins sun sedge N/Ph/P/0 

Carex jamesii Schwein. James' sedge N/Ph/FfFu/2; EM 642, Freeman & Brooks 2909, M 

9452, Morse et al. 9400 

Carex laeviconica Dewey smooth-cone sedge N/Ph/Ff/3; M 9455 

Carex leavenworthii Dewey Leavenworth’s sedge N/Ph/FuP/3; F 19750 

Carex lupulina Muhl. ex Willd. hop sedge N/Ph/FfFuW/1; F 2856, M 9731 

Carex meadii Dewey Mead's sedge N/Ph/P/0 

Carex mesochorea Mack. savannah sedge N/Ph/P/0 

Carex missouriensis P.E. Rothr. & Reznicek Missouri sedge N/Ph/W/0 

Carex molesta Mack. ex Bright pest sedge N/Ph/FuW/3; M 9485 

Carex muehlenbergii Schkuhr ex Willd. var. inermis Boott Muhlenberg’s sedge 

N/Ph/Fu/1; M 9486, M 9778 

Carex normalis Mack. large straw sedge N/Ph/Fu/1; M 9469, M 9788 

Carex oligocarpa Schkuhr ex Willd. straight-fruit sedge N/Ph/Fu/2; Morse et al. 9370 

Carex pellita Muhl. ex Willd. woolly sedge N/Ph/PW/0 

Carex radiata (Wahlenb.) Small radiate sedge N/Ph/FfFu/3; F 2862, Freeman & Brooks 

2908, M 9449, M 9733 

Carex rosea Schkuhr ex Willd. rosy sedge N/Ph/Fu/3; EM 646, F 7136, M 9471, M 9488, 

Morse et al. 9373 

Carex shortiana Dewey Short's sedge N/Ph/FuW/2; EM 666, M 9483 

Carex sparganioides Muhl. ex Willd. bur-reed sedge N/Ph/Fu/3; EF 783, F 7138, Morse et 

al. 9372, Morse et al. 9390 

Carex stipata Muhl. ex Willd. stalk-grain sedge N/Ph/FuW/0 

Carex tribuloides Wahlenb. var. sangamonensis Clokey festival sedge N/Ph/FfFuW/4; M 

9447, M 9713, M 9769 

Carex tribuloides Wahlenb. var. tribuloides festival sedge N/Ph/W/0 

Carex umbellata Schkuhr ex Willd. low sedge N/Ph/Fu/2; FE 6842 


Carex vulpinoidea Michx. fox sedge N/Ph/FfFuW/2; E 515, M 9714 

Carex ×subimpressa Clokey (Carex hyalinolepis ×Carex pellita) impressed sedge 

N/Ph/FuW/2; EM 620 

Cyperus acuminatus Torr. & Hook. tape-leaf flat-sedge N/A/W/2; E 1113, F 7484, F7819 

Cyperus bipartitus Torr. brook flat-sedge N/A/W/0 

Cyperus echinatus (L.) A.W. Wood globe flat-sedge N/Ph/DW/1; F 8303 

Cyperus erythrorhizos Muhl. red-root flat-sedge N/A/FfW/2; Brooks & Harris 15144, F 

7791, M 9814 

Cyperus esculentus L. var. leptostachyus Boeck. yellow nut-sedge N/Ph/DW/1; E 1100 

Cyperus fuscus L. brown flat-sedge I/A/W/2; M 9815, Morse et al. 9911 

Cyperus lupulinus (Spreng.) Marcks subsp. lupulinus slender-stem flat-sedge N/Ph/DP/1; 

F 8295 

Cyperus odoratus L. slender flat-sedge N/A/W/2; M 9817 

Cyperus squarrosus L. awned flat-sedge N/A/FfW/3; F 7473, M 9816 

Cyperus strigosus L. false nut-sedge N/Ph/W/0 

Eleocharis compressa Sull. var. acutisquamata (Buckley) S.G. Sm. flat-stem spike-rush 

N/Ph/PW/1; M 9734 

Eleocharis compressa Sull. var. compressa flat-stem spike-rush N/Ph/PW/2; F 7093 

Eleocharis obtusa (Willd.) Schultes blunt spike-rush N/A/W/2; F 7485 

Eleocharis macrostachya Britton large-spike spike-rush N/Ph/FfFuW/3; F 7093, F 8130 

[Eleocharis xyridiformis Fern. & Brackett = Eleocharis macrostachya] 

Lipocarpha micrantha (Vahl) G.C. Tucker small-flower dwarf-bulrush N/A/W/2; F 7476, 

F 7495, M 9818, Morse et al. 9912 

Schoenoplectus acutus (Muhl. ex Bigelow) Á. Löve & D. Löve var. acutus hard-stem twinebulrush 

N/Ph/AW/0 

Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (C.C. Gmel.) Palla soft-stem twine-bulrush N/Ph/AW/0 

Scirpus atrovirens Willd. green bulrush N/Ph/W/2; F 7452, M 9735 

Scirpus georgianus R.M. Harper Georgia bulrush N/Ph/AW/0 

Scirpus pendulus Muhl. drooping bulrush N/Ph/AW/2; Elliott 493 

Scleria triglomerata Michx. whip nut-rush N/Ph/P/0 

41. Dioscoreaceae, the yam family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

[Dioscorea quaternata J.F. Gmel. = Dioscorea villosa] 

Dioscorea villosa L. Atlantic yam N/Ph/FuFf/2; EF 799, F 7445, M 9696 

42. Dipsacaceae, the teasel family [C=1/2/2, F=1/1/1] 

Dipsacus fullonum L. Fuller's teasel I/B/D/0 

Dipsacus laciniatus L. cut-leaf teasel I/B/D/2; F 7506, M 9775 

43. Ebenaceae, the ebony family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Diospyros virginiana L. common persimmon N/Pw/Fu/2; EF 792 


44. Elaeagnaceae, the oleaster family [C=1/2/2, F=1/1/1] 

Elaeagnus angustifolia L. Russian-olive I/Pw/D/0 

Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. autumn-olive I/Pw/Fu/2; F 7441; M 9516 

45. Elatinaceae, the waterwort family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Bergia texana (Hook.) Seub. ex Walp. Texas bergia N/A/W/2; F 7496 

46. Euphorbiaceae, the spurge family [C=4/14/14, F=4/9/9] 

Acalypha rhomboidea Raf. rhombic copperleaf N/A/DFfP/2; F 7502, F7797, M 9801, W 

s.n. (23 Sep 1956), W 3367 

Acalypha virginica L. Virginia copperleaf N/A/DFf/2; E 1080 

Chamaesyce maculata (L.) Small spotted mat-spurge N/A/DP/2; E 1096, F 7481, W 3403 

Chamaesyce nutans (Lag.) Small eyebane N/A/D/3; E 1099, F 7499, W 3400 

Chamaesyce prostrata (Aiton) Small prostrate mat-spurge I/A/DP/3; F 7879 

Chamaesyce serpens (Kunth) Small round-leaf mat-spurge N/A/D/3; F 7480 

Croton capitatus Michx. var. capitatus woolly croton N/A/DP/0 

Croton glandulosus L. var. septentrionalis Müll. Arg. tropic croton N/A/D/0 

Croton monanthogynus Michx. one-seed croton N/A/DP/2; F 7444 

Euphorbia corollata L. flowering spurge N/Ph/P/2; F 8124 

Euphorbia cyathophora Murray painted spurge N/A/DFu/0 

Euphorbia davidii Subils western toothed spurge N/A/D/3; EF 813 

Euphorbia dentata Michx. eastern toothed spurge N/A/D/0 

Euphorbia marginata Pursh snow-on-the-mountain N/A/DP/0 

47. Fabaceae, the bean family [C=26/45/45, F=20/30/30] 

Amorpha canescens Pursh leadplant N/Pw/FuP/2; EF 803 

Amorpha fruticosa L. bush wild-indigo N/Pw/FuPW/0 

Amphicarpaea bracteata (L.) Fernald American hog-peanut N/A/FuP/3; F 7812, W 3369 

Apios americana Medik. American potato-bean N/Ph/FfP/2; F 7786 

Astragalus crassicarpus Nutt. var. crassicarpus ground-plum milk-vetch N/Ph/P/0 

Baptisia alba (L.) Vent. var. macrophylla (Larisey) Isely white wild-indigo N/Ph/FuP/1; F 

7845 

Baptisia australis (L.) R. Br. var. minor (Lehm.) Fern. blue wild-indigo N/Ph/P/0 

Baptisia bracteata Muhl. ex Elliott var. leucophaea (Nutt.) Kartesz & Gandhi plains wildindigo 

N/Ph/P/0 

Cercis canadensis L. var. canadensis eastern redbud N/Pw/Fu/3; E 1110, FE 6992, W 

2351 

Chamaecrista fasciculata (Michx.) Greene var. fasciculata showy partridgepea N/A/P/2; F 

7504, W 3391 

[Coronilla varia L. = Securigera varia] 

Crotalaria sagittalis L. arrow rattlebox N/A/FuP/0 


Dalea candida Michx. ex Willd. var. candida white prairie-clover N/Ph/FuP/0 

Dalea leporina (Ait.) Bullock hare-foot prairie-clover N/Ph/DW/2; Freeman 8275 

Dalea purpurea Vent. var. purpurea purple prairie-clover N/Ph/P/1; Elliott 1112 

Desmanthus illinoensis (Michx.) MacMill. ex Rob. & Fernald Illinois bundle-flower 

N/Ph/P/2; Freeman 7443 

Desmodium cuspidatum (Muhl. ex Willd.) DC. ex Loud. long-leaf tick-clover N/Ph/Fu/1; 

F 8306 

Desmodium glutinosum (Muhl. ex Willd.) A.W. Wood large-flower tick-clover 

N/Ph/Fu/3; E 1064, EF 810, M 9738, W 3394 

Desmodium illinoense A. Gray Illinois tick-clover N/Ph/P/0 

Desmodium paniculatum (L.) DC. panicled tick-clover N/Ph/FuP/2; E 1068, F 8278, W 

3389 

Desmodium perplexum B.G. Schub. Dillen’s tick-clover N/Ph/FuP/0 

Gleditsia triacanthos L. common honey-locust N/Pw/Fu/2; E 480 

Glycine max (L.) Merr. soybean A/A/D/2; EF 840 

Gymnocladus dioicus (L.) K. Koch Kentucky coffeetree N/Pw/FfFu/3; F 8315 

Kummerowia stipulacea (Maxim.) Makino Korean low bush-clover I/A/D/2; F 8334 

Kummerowia striata (Thunb.) Schindl. Japanese low bush-clover I/A/FuP/2; F 7824 

Lespedeza capitata Michx. round-head bush-cover N/Ph/D/0 

Lespedeza cuneata (Dum. Cours.) G. Don sericea lespedeza I/Ph/D/2; F 7859 

Lespedeza violacea (L.) Pers. violet bush-clover N/Ph/DFuP/2; F 7809, F 8316 

Lespedeza virginica (L.) Britton slender bush-clover N/Ph/P/0 

Lespedeza ×manniana Mack. [Lespedeza capitata × Lespedeza virginica] Mann’s bush-cover 

N/Ph/P/0 

Medicago lupulina L. black medick I/APh/DP/3; Elliott 443 

Medicago sativa L. subsp. sativa alfalfa A/Ph/D/2; M 9784 

Melilotus albus Medik. white sweet-clover I/AB/D/3; EM 626 

Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam. yellow sweet-clover I/AB/D/2; E 440 

Mimosa quadrivalvis L. var. nuttallii (DC.) L.S. Beard ex Barneby cat-claw mimosa N/Ph/P/0 

Pediomelum esculentum (Pursh) Rydb. bread-root scurf-pea N/Ph/P/0 

Psoralidium tenuiflorum (Pursh) Rydb. narrow-leaf scurf-pea N/Ph/P/0 

Robinia pseudoacacia L. black locust I/Pw/Fu/2; E 435 

Securigera varia (L.) Lassen common crown-vetch I/Ph/D/3; EM 659 

Strophostyles helvola (L.) Elliott trailing wildbean N/A/DFf/2; F 7472 

Tephrosia virginiana (L.) Pers. Virginia hoarypea N/Ph/P/0 

Trifolium campestre Schreb. low hop clover I/A/D/2; E 469 

Trifolium hybridum alsike clover I/Ph/DW/3; M 9757 

Trifolium pratense L. red clover I/Ph/D/3; E 441 

Trifolium repens L. white clover I/Ph/D/3; E 426 

48. Fagaceae, the oak family [C=1/9/9, F=1/7/7] 

Quercus alba L. white oak N/Pw/Fu/3; F 7442, M 9478 

[Quercus borealis Michx. f. var. maxima (Marshall) Ashe = Quercus rubra] 

Quercus imbricaria Michx. shingle oak N/Pw/Fu/0 


Quercus macrocarpa Michx. bur oak N/Pw/FfFu/3; F 8308 

Quercus muehlenbergii Engelm. chinquapin oak N/Pw/Fu/2; E 1070 

Quercus prinoides Willd. dwarf chinquapin oak N/Pw/Fu/2; F 7086, M 9694 

Quercus rubra L. northern red oak N/Pw/Fu/4; F8318 

Quercus stellata Wangenh. post oak N/Pw/Fu/2; EF 787, F 7454, F 8319 

Quercus velutina Lam. black oak N/Pw/Fu/2; E 1072, F 7515, F 7801 

Quercus x faxonii Trel. Faxon’s oak N/Pw/Fu/0 

49. Fumariaceae, the fumitory family [C=2/3/3, F=2/3/3] 

Corydalis flavula (Raf.) DC. pale fumewort N/A/Ff/3; F 2853, FE 6980, M 9457, W 2359, 

W 2401 

Corydalis micrantha (Engelm. ex A. Gray) A. Gray subsp. micrantha slender fumewort 

N/A/DFu/3; FE 6982 

Dicentra cucullaria (L.) Bernh. Dutchman's-breeches N/Ph/Fu/3; FE 6855, W 2356, 

Wagenknecht et al. 2355 

50. Gentianaceae, the gentian family [C=1/1/1, F=0/0/0] 

Gentiana flavida A. Gray white prairie gentian N/Ph/FuPW/0 

51. Geraniaceae, the geranium family [C=1/2/2, F=1/1/1] 

Geranium carolinianum L. Carolina crane’s-bill N/A/D/3; E 458, F 7150 

Geranium maculatum L. spotted crane’s-bill N/Ph/Fu/0 

52. Grossulariaceae, the currant family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Ribes missouriense Nutt. Missouri gooseberry N/Pw/DFuP/3; FE 6970, W 2368 

53. Hippocastanaceae, the buckeye family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Aesculus glabra Willd. var. arguta (Buckl.) B.L. Rob. western Ohio buckeye 

N/Pw/FuFf/2; FE 6959 

54. Hydrangeaceae, the hydrangea family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Philadelphus inodorus L. scentless mock-orange A/Pw/DFfFu/1; EF 834, M 9759 

(determination tentative) 

55. Hydrocharitaceae, the frog’s-bit family [C=2/2/2, F=0/0/0] 

Elodea nuttallii (Planch.) H. St. John Nuttall’s waterweed N/Ph/A/0 

Najas guadalupensis (Spreng.) Magnus subsp. guadalupensis common naiad N/A/A/0 


56. Hydrophyllaceae, the waterleaf family [C=2/3/3, F=2/3/3] 

Ellisia nyctelea (L.) L. water-pod N/A/DFfFu/3; F 7105 

Hydrophyllum appendiculatum Michx. notchbract waterleaf N/Ph/FfFu/3; F 2858, F 7149, 

Freeman & Brooks 2906, Hulbert 3373 

Hydrophyllum virginianum L. Virginia waterleaf N/Ph/FfFu/3; E 506, F 7148 

57. Iridaceae, the Iris family [C=3/4/4, F=2/3/3] 

Belamcanda chinensis (L.) DC. Chinese blackberry-lily I/Ph/D/0 

Iris virginica L. var. shrevei (Small) E.S. Anderson southern iris N/Ph/FuW/1; M 9791 

Sisyrinchium angustifolium Mill. narrow-leaf blue-eyed-grass N/Ph/FuP/2; E 447, Morse 

et al. 9395 

Sisyrinchium campestre E.P. Bicknell prairie blue-eyed-grass N/Ph/P/2; E 487 

58. Juglandaceae, the walnut family [C=2/4/4, F=2/4/4] 

Carya cordiformis (Wangenh.) K. Koch bitternut hickory N/Pw/Fu/3; EF 806 

Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch pecan N/Pw/Ff/2; Brooks & Harris 15154, M 

9786 

Carya ovata (Mill.) K. Koch shag-bark hickory N/Pw/Fu/4; F 8317 

Juglans nigra L. black walnut N/Pw/FfFu/3; EF 807, M 9776 

59. Juncaceae, the rush family [C=1/6/6, F=1/4/4] 

Juncus anthelatus (Wiegand) R.E. Brooks forgotten rush N/PH/PW/3; EM 630 

Juncus dudleyi Wiegand Dudley's rush N/Ph/PW/0 

Juncus interior Wiegand inland rush N/Ph/FfPW/2; M 9709 

Juncus marginatus Rostk. grass-leaf rush N/Ph/FuPW/0 

Juncus tenuis Willd. path rush N/Ph/FfFuPW/2; M 9685, M 9710, M 9744 

Juncus torreyi Coville Torrey’s rush N/Ph/PW/2; F 8134 

60. Lamiaceae, the mint family [C=19/26/26, F=16/21/21] 

Agastache nepetoides (L.) Kuntze catnip giant-hyssop N/Ph/FfFu/2; F 7775, W 3402 

Ajuga reptans L. carpet bugleweed I/Ph/D/2; F 19754 

Blephilia hirsuta (Pursh) Benth. hairy wood-mint N/Ph/Fu/1; EF 773 

Glechoma hederacea L. gill-over-the-ground I/Ph/DFf/2; Freeman 7106 

Hedeoma hispida Pursh rough false-penny-royal N/A/DP/0 

Hedeoma pulegioides (L.) Pers. American false-penny-royal N/A/DFU/0 

Lamium amplexicaule L. var. amplexicaule hen-bit dead-nettle I/A/D/3; FE 6841 

Lamium purpureum L. var. purpureum purple dead-nettle I/A/D/2; FE 6983 

Leonurus cardiaca L. common motherwort I/Ph/DFf/2; EF 814, M 9716 

Leonurus marrubiastrum L. horehound motherwort I/B/DFf/3; F 7465, M 9753, M 9770 

Lycopus americanus Muhl. ex W.P.C. Barton American water-horehound N/Ph/W/2; E 


1121, F 7491 

Lycopus virginicus L. Virginia water-horehound N/Ph/FfW/1; F 8287, Morse & Loring 

9898 

Mentha arvensis L. field mint N/Ph/W/2; F 8280 

Monarda fistulosa L. var. fistulosa wild bergamot N/Ph/DP/2; Elliott 1067 

Nepeta cataria L. common catnip I/Ph/D/0 

Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton common perilla I/A/DFfFuW/2; F 7777, M 9797, W 3374 

Physostegia virginiana (L.) Benth. subsp. virginiana Virginia lion’s-heart N/Ph/FfW/1; E 

1087; F 8272 

Prunella vulgaris L. common selfheal I/Ph/DFfW/2; E 1111, F 7432 

[Pycnanthemum pilosum Nutt. = Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. pilosum] 

Pycnanthemum tenuifolium Schrad. narrow-leaf mountain-mint N/Ph/PFu/0 

Pycnanthemum verticillatum (Michx.) Pers. var. pilosum (Nutt.) Cooperr. hairy mountainmint 

N/Ph/P/2; E 1108 

Salvia azurea Michx. ex Lam. var. grandiflora Benth. blue sage N/Ph/P/0 

Scutellaria lateriflora L. var. lateriflora side-flower skullcap N/Ph/FfW/2; F 7507 

[Scutellaria parvula Michx. var. leonardii (Epling) Fernald = Scutellaria parvula var. 

missouriensis] 

Scutellaria parvula Michx. var. missouriensis (Torr.) Goodman & C.A. Lawson Leonard's 

small skullcap N/Ph/P/2; EM 657 

[Stachys palustris L. subsp. pilosa (Nutt.) Epling = Stachys pilosa var. arenicola] 

Stachys pilosa Nutt. var. arenicola (Britton) G.A. Mulligan & D.B. Munro marsh hedgenettle 

N/Ph/W/2; F 7494, F 8128, M 9708, M 9783 

Stachys tenuifolia Willd. slender-leaf marsh-nettle N/Ph/DFfW/2; F 7771, M 9771 

Teucrium canadense L. var. canadense American germander N/Ph/DPW/2; EF 827 

61. Lemnaceae, the duckweed family [C=2/2/2, F=1/1/1] 

Lemna minor L. lesser duckweed N/Ph/A/3; M 9755 

Spirodela polyrrhiza (L.) Schleid. greater duckmeat N/Ph/A/0 

62. Liliaceae, the lily family [C=13/14/15, F=7/7/7] 

Allium canadense L. var. canadense Canadian wild onion N/Ph/FuP/3; E 490, EF 785 

Allium canadense L. var. lavandulare (Bates) Ownbey & Aase Canadian wild onion 

N/Ph/Fu/0 

Allium vineale L. field garlic I/Ph/D/0 

Asparagus officinalis L. garden asparagus I/Ph/D/2; F 7097 

Camassia scilloides (Raf.) Cory Atlantic camas N/Ph/PFu/0 

Erythronium albidum Nutt. white fawn-lily N/Ph/Fu/3; FE 6965, W 2353 

Hemerocallis fulva (L.) L. orange day-lily I/Ph/DFu/2; EF 831, M 9689 

Hypoxis hirsuta (L.) Coville hairy yellow star-grass N/Ph/P/0 

Lilium michiganense Farw. Michigan lily N/Ph/FuP/0 

Melanthium virginicum L. Virginia bunchflower N/Ph/FuP/0 

Muscari botryoides (L.) Mill. common grape-hyacinth I/Ph/D/0 


Nothoscordum bivalve (L.) Britton yellow false-garlic N/Ph/FuP/0 

Ornithogalum umbellatum L. common star-of-Bethlehem N/Ph/DFu/2; Morse et al. 9376 

Polygonatum biflorum (Walt.) Ell. small Solomon's-seal N/Ph/Fu/2; E 488, M 9498 

Uvularia grandiflora Sm. large-flower bellwort N/Ph/Fu/3; Brooks 14155, EM 665, F 

2861, FE 6964, FE 6989, Morse et al. 9375, W 2361 

63. Linaceae, the flax family [C=1/1/1, F=0/0/0] 

Linum sulcatum Riddell var. sulcatum grooved flax N/A/P/0 

64. Lythraceae, the loosestrife family [C=3/5/5, F=2/4/4] 

Ammannia coccinea Rottb. purple toothcup N/A/W/3; F 7497 

Ammannia robusta Heer & Regel stout toothcup N/A/W/2; F 7463, F 8283, M 9823 

Cuphea viscosissima Jacq. blue waxweed N/A/W/0 

Lythrum alatum Pursh winged loosestrife N/Ph/W/2; EF 782 

Lythrum salicaria L. purple loosestife N/Ph/DW/3; M 9719, M 9758 

65. Malvaceae, the mallow family [C=3/3/3, F=2/2/2] 

Abutilon theophrasti Medik. common velvetleaf I/A/D/2; F 7875 

Hibiscus trionum L. flower-of-an-hour I/A/D/0 

Sida spinosa L. prickly sida I/A/D/2; F 7479, W 3357 

66. Menispermaceae, the moonseed family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Menispermum canadense L. Canadian moonseed N/Pw/FfFu/2; M 9743, M 9806 

67. Molluginaceae, the carpetweed family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Mollugo verticillata L. green carpetweed I/A/D/1; F 8332 

68. Monotropaceae, the Indian-pipe family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Monotropa uniflora L. one-flower Indian-pipe N/Ph/Fu/2; F 7804 

69. Moraceae, the mulberry family [C=2/3/3, F=1/2/2] 

Maclura pomifera (Raf.) Schneid. Osage-orange I/Pw/DFuP/0 

Morus alba L. white mulberry I/Pw/FfFu/2; F 7474, M 9712 

Morus rubra L. red mulberry N/Pw/FfFu/2; EM 668, F 7456, M 9462 

70. Nyctaginaceae, the four-o’clock family [C=1/2/2, F=1/1/1] 

Mirabilis albida (Walter) Heimerl white four-o'clock N/Ph/P/0 


Mirabilis nyctaginea (Michx.) MacM. wild four-o'clock N/Ph/DP/2; EF 825, W 3364 

71. Oleaceae, the olive family [C=3/5/5, F=3/5/5] 

Fraxinus americana L. white ash N/Pw/Fu/2; F 8331 

Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marshall green ash N/Pw/FfP/2; F 8336, M 9711 

Ligustrum obtusifolium Sieb. & Zucc. border privet I/Pw/Fu/3; EM 634, F 7133, F 7863, 

F 19863, M 9519, M 9792 

[Ligustrum sinense Lour., reports of this species in Freeman et al. 1997 were based on 

misidentified specimens of Ligustrum obtusifolium] 

Ligustrum vulgare L. common privet A/Pw/Fu/1; M 9515, Morse & Loring 9901 (reports 

of this species in Freeman et al. 1997 were based on misidentified specimens of 

Ligustrum obtusifolium) 

Syringa ×persica L. Persian lilac A/Pw/Fu/1; M 9514 

72. Onagraceae, the evening-primrose family [C=4/10/10, F=4/7/7] 

Circaea lutetiana L. subsp. canadensis (L.) Asch. & Magnus northern enchanter'snightshade 

N/Ph/Fu/2; EF 774, M 9686 

Gaura longiflora Spach large-flower butterfly-weed N/A/DP/2; E 1084, F 7810 

Gaura mollis E. James velvet butterfly-weed N/A/DP/1; F 8274 

[Gaura parviflora Dougl. ex Lehm. = Gaura mollis] 

Ludwigia alternifolia L. bushy seedbox N/Ph/AW/1; F 8297 

Ludwigia peploides (Kunth) P.H. Raven subsp. glabrescens (Kuntze) P.H. Raven floating 

seedbox N/Ph/W/1; E 1123 

Oenothera biennis L. common evening-primrose N/B/DFf/2; E 1102, F 7493, F7792 

Oenothera laciniata Hill cut-leaf evening-primrose N/A/DP/2; E 452 

Oenothera macrocarpa Nutt. subsp. macrocarpa Missouri evening-primrose N/Ph/P/0 

Oenothera speciosa Nutt. showy white evening-primrose N/Ph/P/0 

Oenothera villosa Thunb. subsp. villosa hairy evening-primrose N/B/DP/0 

73. Orchidaceae, the orchid family [C=6/10/10, F=4/4/4] 

Aplectrum hyemale (Muhl. ex Willd.) Torr. puttyroot N/Ph/FfFu/3; Freeman & Brooks 

2907, FE 6854, Kramer s.n. (20 May 1956), M 9834, M 9879, Morse et al. 9368, Morse et 

al. 9910 

Corallorrhiza odontorhiza (Willd.) Poir. fall coralroot N/Ph/Fu/2; F 7842 

Corallorrhiza wisteriana Conrad Wister’s coralroot N/Ph/Fu/0 

[Cypripedium calceolus L. var. pubescens (Willd.) Correll = Cypripedium parviflorum var. 

parviflorum] 

Cypripedium parviflorum Salisb. var. parviflorum yellow lady's-slipper N/Ph/Fu/1; F 

7127, M 9760 

Galearis spectabilis (L.) Raf. showy orchis N/Ph/Fu/1; EF 808 

Platanthera praeclara Sheviak & M.L. Bowles western prairie fringed orchid N/Ph/P/0 

Spiranthes cernua (L.) L.C. Rich. nodding ladies'-tresses N/Ph/FuP/0 


Spiranthes lacera (Raf.) Raf. slender ladies'-tresses N/Ph/FuP/0 

Spiranthes tuberosa Raf. little ladies'-tresses N/Ph/Fu/0 

Spiranthes vernalis Engelm. & A. Gray upland ladies'-tresses N/Ph/P/0 

74. Orobanchaceae, the broomrape family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Orobanche uniflora L. one-flower broomrape N/Ph/Fu/1; F 7135, F 19748 

75. Oxalidaceae, the wood-sorrel family [C=1/3/3, F=1/3/3] 

Oxalis dillenii Jacq. gray-green wood-sorrel N/Ph/DFuP/3; E 449 

Oxalis stricta L. yellow wood-sorrel N/Ph/DFuP/3; EF 777, W 3366 

Oxalis violacea L. violet wood-sorrel N/Ph/FuP/2; E 471 

76. Papaveraceae, the poppy family [C=2/2/2, F=1/1/1] 

Papaver dubium L. long-pod poppy A/A/D/0 

Sanguinaria canadensis L. bloodroot N/Ph/DFu/3; FE 6967, Morse et al. 9394, W 2366 

77. Pedaliaceae, the unicorn-plant family [C=1/1/1, F=0/0/0] 

Proboscidea louianica (Mill.) Thell. common devil’s-claw N/A/D/0 

78. Penthoraceae, the ditch-stonecrop family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Penthorum sedoides L. Virginia penthorum N/Ph/FfW/2; F 7796 

79. Phytolaccaceae, the pokeweed family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Phytolacca americana L. var. americana American pokeweed N/Ph/DFfFu/2; EF 819, W 

3378 

80. Plantaginaceae, the plantain family [C=1/6/6, F=1/3/3] 

Plantago aristata Michx. bottle-brush plantain N/A/FuP/0 

Plantago lanceolata L. English plantain I/ABPh/D/3; E 444 

Plantago patagonica Jacq. var. patagonica woolly plantain N/ABPh/DP/0 

Plantago pusilla Nutt. tiny plantain N/A/Fu/0 

Plantago rugelii Decne. Rugel's plantain N/Ph/DFuP/2; F 7849 

Plantago virginica L. pale-seed plantain N/A/DP/2; E 451, F 7152 

81. Platanaceae, the planetree family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Platanus occidentalis L. common sycamore N/Pw/FfFu/2; EF 786, W 3358 


82. Poaceae, the grass family [C=51/106/111, F=40/74/76] 

Aegilops cylindrica Host jointed goat grass I/A/D/3; E 470, F 7126 

Agrostis perennans (Walter) Tuck. autumn bent grass N/Ph/FfFu/0 

Alopecurus carolinianus Walter Carolina foxtail N/A/DFfW/3; F 2852 

Andropogon gerardii Vitman big bluestem N/Ph/P/4; E 1073 

Andropogon virginicus L. broom-sedge bluestem N/Ph/DP/0 

Aristida oligantha Michx. old-field threeawn N/A/DP/2; F 7825, F 8326 

Arundinaria gigantea (Walter) Muhl. giant cane N/Ph/FfW/0 

Avena fatua L. wild oat A/A/D/0 

Bothriochloa ischaemum (L.) Keng var. songarica (Rupr. ex Fisch. & C.A. Mey.) Celarier & J.R. 

Harlan Turkestan bluestem I/Ph/P/0 

Bothriochloa laguroides (DC.) Herter subsp. torreyana (Steud.) Allred & Gould silver bluestem 

N/Ph/P/0 

Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr. var. curtipendula side-oats grama N/Ph/P/2; E 

1118, M 9764 

Brachyelytrum erectum (Schreb.) P. Beauv. upright shorthusk N/Ph/Fu/2; F 7447, F 7843, 

F 8114, M 9493, M 9762 

Bromus inermis Leyss. smooth brome I/Ph/DP/3; EF 790 

Bromus japonicus Thunb. Japanese brome I/A/D/3; E 512 

Bromus nottowayanus Fernald Nottoway brome N/Ph/Ff/1; F 8118, M 9500, M 9789 

Bromus pubescens Muhl. ex Willd. Canadian brome N/Ph/Fu/2; E 511, F 7448, F 8115, M 

9468 

Bromus secalinus L. rye brome I/A/D/1; F 7960 

Bromus tectorum L. downy brome I/A/D/3; E 424 

Cenchrus longispinus (Hack.) Fernald field sandbur N/A/D/1; F 8291 

Chloris verticillata Nutt. whorled windmill grass N/Ph/D/2; F 7852 

Cinna arundinacea L. eastern wood-reed N/Ph/FfFu/2; F 7806 

Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. common bermuda grass I/Ph/D/2; E 1082 

Dactylis glomerata L. common orchard grass I/Ph/D/2; E 472 

Diarrhena obovata (Gleason) Brandenburg American beakgrain N/Ph/Fu/2; F 7434, F 

8117, W 3369 

Dichanthelium acuminatum (Sw.) Gould & C.A. Clark var. implicatum (Scribn.) Gould & 

C.A. Clark pointed dichanthelium N/Ph/Fu/2; EF 791 

Dichanthelium clandestinum (L.) Gould deer-tongue dichanthelium N/Ph/Fu/2; F 8296, 

Morse & Loring 9905 

Dichanthelium latifolium (L.) Gould & C.A. Clark broad-leaf dichanthelium N/Ph/Fu/2; 

EM 631, M 9498 

Dichanthelium oligosanthes (Schultes) Gould var. scribnerianum (Nash) Gould Scribner's 

dichanthelium N/Ph/DP/2; EM 623 

Digitaria ciliaris (Retz.) Koeler southern crab grass I/A/D/0 

Digitaria cognata (Schult.) Pilg. subsp. cognata fall witch grass N/Ph/PD/0 

Digitaria ischaemum (Schreb.) Muhl. smooth crab grass I/A/D/2; F 7835 

Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. hairy crab grass I/A/D/2; E 1081 

Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) P. Beauv. common barnyard grass I/A/DW/2; E 1097, M 9821 


Echinochloa muricata (P. Beauv.) Fernald var. microstachya Wiegand rough barnyard 

grass N/A/D/2; W 3359 

Echinochloa muricata (P. Beauv.) Fernald var. muricata rough barnyard grass N/A/D/0 

Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn. Indian goose grass I/A/D/3; F 7503 

Elymus canadensis L. var. canadensis Canadian wild-rye N/Ph/D/0 

Elymus glabriflorus (Vasey) Scribn. & C.R. Ball southeastern wild-rye N/Ph/D/0 

Elymus hystrix L. var. bigelovianus (Fernald) Bowden bottle-brush wild-rye N/Ph/Fu/2; F 

7435 

Elymus hystrix L. var. hystrix bottle-brush wild-rye N/Ph/Fu/2; EM 628, M 9684 

Elymus macgregorii R.E. Brooks & J.J.N. Campbell early wild-rye N/Ph/FfFu/3; M 9458, 

M 9502 

Elymus repens (L.) Gould quack grass I/Ph/D/1; F 8133 

Elymus submuticus (Hook.) Smyth & Smyth short-awn wildrye N/Ph/DFu/0 

Elymus villosus Muhl. ex Willd. var. villosus hairy wild-rye N/Ph/Fu/2; EM 655, EF 655 

Elymus virginicus L. var. jejunus (Ramaley) Bush Virginia wild-rye N/Ph/DFfP/0 

Elymus virginicus L. var. virginicus Virginia wild-rye N/Ph/DFfP/3; EF 820 

[Elytrigia repens (L.) Nevski = Elymus repens] 

Eragrostis cilianensis (All.) Vignolo ex Janch. stink grass I/A/D/3; F 7482 

Eragrostis frankii C.A. Mey. ex Steud. sandbar love grass N/A/DFf/0 

Eragrostis hypnoides (Lam.) Britton et al. teal love grass N/A/FfW/2; F 8281, M 9819 

Eragrostis pectinacea (Michx.) Nees var. pectinacea Carolina love grass N/A/D/3; F 7466, 

M 9822 

Eragrostis spectabilis (Pursh) Steud. purple love grass N/Ph/DP/0 

Eragrostis trichodes (Nutt.) A.W. Wood var. trichodes sand love grass N/Ph/P/0 

Eriochloa contracta A.S. Hitchc. prairie cup grass N/A/DP/0 

[Festuca pratensis (Huds.) Darbysh. = Lolium pratense] 

Festuca subverticillata (Pers.) E.B. Alexeev nodding fescue N/Ph/FfFu/3; E 446, M 9459 

Glyceria striata (Lam.) A.S. Hitchc. fowl manna grass N/Ph/FfW/2; M 9742 

Hesperostipa spartea (Trin.) Barkworth porcupine grass N/Ph/P/0 

Hordeum jubatum L. fox-tail barley N/Ph/DW/2; E 510 

Hordeum pusillum Nutt. little barley N/A/D/3; E 479, F 7140 

Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) Schult. prairie June grass N/Ph/P/0 

Leersia oryzoides (L.) Sw. rice cut grass N/Ph/FfW/3; F 7860 

Leersia virginica Willd. white grass N/Ph/FfW/2; F 7787, W 3373 

[Leptochloa fascicularis (Lam.) Gray = Leptochloa fusca subsp. fascicularis] 

Leptochloa fusca (L.) Kunth subsp. fascicularis (Lam.) N. Snow bearded sprangletop 

N/A/DW/2; F 7467 

Leptochloa panicea (Retz.) Ohwi subsp. mucronata (Michx.) R. Nowak red sprangletop 

N/A/D/0 

Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh. tall rye grass I/Ph/DP/0 

Lolium perenne L. var. aristatum Willd. perennial rye grass A/Ph/D/2; Elliott 501 

Lolium perenne L. var. perenne perennial rye grass A/Ph/D/2; EM 664 

Lolium pratensis Huds. meadow rye grass I/Ph/D/2; E 492; F 8335 

Muhlenbergia bushii R.W. Pohl Bush's muhly N/Ph/DFu/0 

Muhlenbergia capillaris (Lam.) Trin. hair-awn muhly N/Ph/FuP/0 


Muhlenbergia frondosa (Poir.) Fernald wire-stem muhly N/Ph/DFf/2; F 8284 

Muhlenbergia mexicana (L.) Trin. Mexican wire-stem muhly N/Ph/DFuP/2; F 7782, F 

7807 

Muhlenbergia schreberi J.F. Gmel. nimblewill N/Ph/DFfFu/3; Freeman 7839, F 7872 

Muhlenbergia sobolifera (Muhl. ex Willd.) Trin. rock muhly N/Ph/Fu/2; F 7811, M 9808 

Muhlenbergia sylvatica (Torr.) Torr. forest muhly N/Ph/Fu/2; F 7829, F 8120 

Panicum capillare L. var. capillare common witch grass N/A/D/2; F 7833 

Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx. fall panicum N/A/D/3; Brooks & Harris 15149; F 7800, 

M 925 

Panicum virgatum L. var. virgatum switchgrass N/Ph/P/3; F 7847 

Paspalum laeve Michx. var. laeve field paspalum N/Ph/D/2; F 8320 

Paspalum pubiflorum Rupr. ex Fourn. var. glabrum Vasey ex Scribn. hairy-seed paspalum 

N/Ph/D/3; F 7516, F 7795, F 8304 

Paspalum setaceum Michx. var. muehlenbergii (Nash) D.J. Banks thin paspalum N/Ph/P/0 

Phalaris arundinacea L. reed canary grass N/Ph/DW/4; EF 826 

Phleum pratense L. subsp. pratense common timothy I/Ph/DFuP/2; EF 801 

Poa annua L. annual blue grass I/A/D/3; FE 6843 

Poa compressa L. Canadian blue grass I/Ph/DFu/2; M 9693 

Poa pratensis L. Kentucky blue grass I/Ph/DFfFuP/3; E 425 

Poa sylvestris A. Gray woodland blue grass N/Ph/FfFu/3; Brooks 14152, E 491, F 7112, 

Hulbert 3374, Morse et al. 9376 

Schedonnardus paniculatus (Nutt.) Trel. tumble grass N/Ph/DP/0 

Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash little bluestem N/Ph/P/2; F 7818 

Sclerochloa dura (L.) P. Beauv. hard grass I/A/D/2; FE 6998 

Setaria faberi R.A.W. Herrm. Chinese bristle grass I/A/D/3; E 1083, F 7510 

Setaria parviflora (Poir.) Kerguélen knot-root bristle grass N/Ph/P/0 

Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult. yellow bristle grass I/A/D/3; F 7513 

Setaria viridis (L.) P. Beauv. green bristle grass I/A/D/3; F 7876 

Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash yellow Indian grass N/Ph/P/4; F 7823 

Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench subsp. bicolor grain sorghum I/A/D/2; F 7874 

Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. Johnson grass I/Ph/D/4; EF 828 

Spartina pectinata Link prairie cordgrass N/Ph/PW/0 

Sphenopholis intermedia (Rydb.) Rydb. slender wedge grass N/APh/FfFu/2; EF 809 

[Sphenopholis obtusata (Michx.) Scribn. var. major (Torr.) Erdman = Sphenopholis intermedia] 

Sphenopholis obtusata (Michx.) Scribn. prairie wedge grass N/APh/FfW/0 

[Sporobolus asper (Michx.) Kunth var. asper (Michx.) Kunth = Sporobolus compositus var. 

compositus] 

Sporobolus clandestinus (Biehler) Hitchc. eastern dropseed N/Ph/DFuP/0 

Sporobolus compositus (Poir.) Merr. var. compositus rough dropseed N/Ph/P/2; F 7826 

Sporobolus compositus (Poir.) Merr. var. drummondii (Trin.) Kartesz & Gandhi Drummond's 

dropseed N/Ph/DP/0 

Sporobolus cryptandrus (Torr.) A. Gray sand dropseed N/Ph/DP/0 

Sporobolus heterolepis (A. Gray) A. Gray prairie dropseed N/Ph/P/0 

Sporobolus neglectus Nash puff-sheath dropseed N/A/D/2; F 7844 

[Sporobolus ozarkanus Fernald, reports of this species in Freeman et al. 1997 were based on a 


misidentified specimen of Sporobolus neglectus] 

Sporobolus pyramidatus (Lam.) A.S. Hitchc. whorled dropseed N/Ph/DP/0 

Sporobolus vaginiflorus (Torr. ex A. Gray) A.W. Wood poverty dropseed N/A/D/0 

Tridens flavus (L.) Hitchc. var. flavus purpletop N/Ph/DP/3; F 7828, W 3406 

Tripsacum dactyloides (L.) L. var. dactyloides eastern gamma grass N/Ph/P/1; F 8125 

Triticum aestivum L. bread wheat A/A/D/2; F 7156, Morse et al. 9397 

Vulpia octoflora (Walter) Rydb. six-weeks annual-fescue N/A/DP/0 

83. Polemoniaceae, the polemonium family [C=1/3/3, F=1/1/1] 

Phlox divaricata L. subsp. laphamii (A.W. Wood) Wherry sweet-William phlox 

N/Ph/DFu/2; FE 6971, W 2358, W 2392 

Phlox paniculata L. summer phlox N/Ph/Fu/0 

Phlox pilosa L. subsp. fulgida (Wherry) Wherry prairie phlox N/Ph/P/0 

84. Polygalaceae, the milkwort family [C=1/1/1, F=0/0/0] 

Polygala incarnata L. slender milkwort N/A/P/0 

85. Polygonaceae, the buckwheat family [C=2/22/22, F=2/13/13] 

Polygonum achoreum S.F. Blake leathery knotweed N/A/D/0 

Polygonum amphibium L. var. emersum Michx. swamp smartweed N/Ph/AW/3; EF 822, 

F 7487 

Polygonum arenastrum Boreau sand knotweed I/A/D/2; F 7840 

Polygonum bicorne Raf. pink smartweed N/Ph/D/0 

Polygonum cespitosum Blume var. longisetum (Bruijn) Steward Asian smartweed 

I/A/DFfFuW/2; F 7779, F 7864, M 9722, M 9736, M 9875 

Polygonum convolvulus L. dull-seed cornbind I/A/D/0 

Polygonum erectum L. erect knotweed N/A/D/0 

Polygonum hydropiper L. water-pepper smartweed N/A/DW/0 

Polygonum hydropiperoides Michx. mild water-pepper smartweed N/Ph/AW/0 

Polygonum lapathifolium L. pale smartweed N/A/W/2; F 7799 

Polygonum pensylvanicum L. Pennsylvania smartweed N/A/W/2; E 1093, F 7778, M 9826, 

W 3362 

Polygonum persicaria L. lady's-thumb smartweed I/A/DW/2; F 7870 

Polygonum punctatum Ell. dotted smartweed N/Ph/FfW/2; F 7789, M 9795 

Polygonum scandens L. hedge cornbind N/Ph/DFf/2; F 7834, M 9796, W 3382 

Polygonum virginianum L. jumpseed N/Ph/FfFu/2; F 7813, W 3398 

Rumex acetosella L. sheep sorrel I/Ph/D/0 

Rumex altissimus A.W. Wood pale dock N/Ph/DW/0 

Rumex crispus L. curly dock I/Ph/D/3; E 514 

Rumex cristatus DC. crested dock A/Ph/D/0 

Rumex obtusifolius L. bitter dock I/Ph/DW/2; EF 781 

Rumex patientia L. patience dock I/Ph/DW/2/ E 513 


Rumex stenophyllus Ledeb. narrow-leaf dock I/Ph/DW/2; EF 839, M 9824 

86. Pontederiaceae, the pickerel-weed family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Heteranthera rotundifolia (Kunth) Griseb. round-leaf mud-plantain N/Ph/DW/2; F 7500 

87. Portulacaceae, the purslane family [C=2/2/2, F=1/1/1] 

Claytonia virginica L. Virginia springbeauty N/Ph/Fu/2; FE 6851 

Portulaca oleracea L. common purslane N/A/D/0 

88. Potamogetonaceae, the pondweed family [C=1/2/2, F=0/0/0] 

Potamogeton foliosus Raf. subsp. foliosus leafy pondweed N/Ph/A/0 

Potamogeton nodosus Poir. long-leaf pondweed N/Ph/A/0 

89. Primulaceae, the primrose family [C=3/3/3, F=1/1/1] 

Anagallis arvensis L. scarlet pimpernel I/A/DP/0 

Androsace occidentalis Pursh western rock-jasmine N/A/P/0 

Lysimachia ciliata L. fringed loosestrife N/Ph/PW/2; EF 804 

90. Ranunculaceae, the buttercup family [C=8/14/14, F=6/11/11] 

Anemone canadensis L. Canadian anemone N/Ph/FfP/3; E 438, Hulbert 3369, M 9456 

Anemone virginiana L. var. virginiana tall anemone N/Ph/FfFu/2; EF 802, EM 637, M 

9740 

Aquilegia canadensis L. American columbine N/Ph/Fu/2; Brooks 14148, E 481, F 7128 

Clematis pitcheri Torr. & A. Gray var. pitcheri Pitcher's clematis N/Ph/FfFu/0 

Delphinium carolinianum Walter subsp. virescens (Nutt.) R.E. Brooks plains larkspur 

N/Ph/P/0 

Delphinium tricorne Michx. dwarf larkspur N/Ph/Fu/0 

Enemion biternatum Raf. false rue-anemone N/Ph/FfFu/3; FE 6973, W 2404 

[Isopyrum biternatum (Raf.) Torr. & Gray = Enemion biternatum] 

Myosurus minimus L. tiny mousetail N/A/D/1; F 7104 

Ranunculus abortivus L. early wood buttercup N/BPh/FfFu/2; Brooks 14153, FE 6847, W 

2369, W 2394 

Ranunculus hispidus Michx. var. nitidus (Elliott) T. Duncan bristly buttercup 

N/Ph/AW/2; W 2393 

Ranunculus micranthus Nutt. small-flower buttercup N/Ph/Fu/2; F 7088 

Ranunculus recurvatus Poir. var. recurvatus eastern hooked buttercup N/Ph/FuW/2; F 

7137, F 19749, M 9730 

Ranunculus sceleratus L. var. sceleratus cursed crowfoot N/A/DW/2; F 7107 

Thalictrum dasycarpum Fisch. & Avé-Lall. purple meadow-rue N/Ph/Fu/2; EM 635 


91. Rhamnaceae, the buckthorn family [C=2/3/3, F=2/3/3] 

Ceanothus americanus L. American ceanothus N/Pw/FuP/1; M 9779 

Ceanothus herbaceus Raf. inland ceanothus N/Pw/P/2; E 475 

Rhamnus lanceolata Pursh var. glabrata Gleason lance-leaf buckthorn N/Pw/FuP/2; F 

7091, M 9518 

92. Rosaceae, the rose family [C=12/30/30, F=11/27/27] 

Agrimonia parviflora Aiton small-flower agrimony N/Ph/Fu/1; F 8324 

Agrimonia pubescens Wallr. downy agrimony N/Ph/Fu/2; F 7438, M 9766 

Amelanchier arborea (Michx. f.) Fernald downy service-berry N/Pw/Fu/0 

Crataegus crus-galli cock-spur hawthorn N/Pw/DFuP/1; M 9741 

Crataegus mollis (Torr. & A. Gray) Scheele downy hawthorn N/Pw/DFuP/2; FE 6988 

Duchesnea indica (Andr.) Focke Indian mock-strawberry N/Ph/DFf/2; M 9720 

Fragaria virginiana Mill. wild strawberry N/Ph/FuP/2; FE 6997 

Geum canadense Jacq. white avens N/Ph/Fu/2; EF 811 

Geum vernum (Raf.) Torr. & A. Gray heart-leaf avens N/Ph/Fu/2; F 7096 

Malus ioensis (A.W. Wood) L.H. Bailey var. ioensis Iowa crab apple N/Pw/Fu/0 

Malus sieboldii (Regel) Rehd. var. zumi (Matsumura) Asmai Toringo crab apple 

I/Pw/Fu/1; M 9876 

Potentilla arguta Pursh var. arguta tall cinquefoil N/Ph/D/0 

Potentilla norvegica L. Norwegian cinquefoil N/AB/W/2; E 436, EM 663, F 7154, M 9466 

Potentilla recta L. sulphur cinquefoil I/Ph/D/2; EM 661 

Potentilla simplex Michx. old-field cinquefoil N/Ph/DFuP/2; E 473 

Prunus hortulana L.H. Bailey Hortulan plum N/Pw/DFf/2; M 9785 

Prunus mexicana S. Watson big-tree plum N/Pw/FuP/2; FE 6991, M 9781, W 2370 

Prunus serotina Ehrh. var. serotina black cherry N/Pw/Fu/2; F 8300 

Prunus virginiana L. var. virginiana choke cherry N/Pw/FuP/3; F 7098 

Rhodotypos scandens (Thunb.) Makino jetbead I/Pw/FuD/1; M 9507, Morse & Loring 

9896 

Rosa arkansana Porter ex Porter & J.M. Coult. Arkansas rose N/Pw/FuP/2; EM 651 

Rosa multiflora Thunb. multiflora rose I/Pw/DFfFuP/3; E 432 

Rosa setigera Michx. prairie rose N/Pw/FuP/3; EF 800 

Rubus aborginum Rydb. one-flower dewberry N/Pw/FuP/2; M 9691, M 9728 

[Rubus allegheniensis Porter, reports of this species in Freeman et al. 1997 were based on a 

misidentified specimen referable to Rubus rosa] 

Rubus alumnus L.H. Bailey nursling highbush blackberry N/Pw/DFu/2; M 9701, Morse 

et al. 9377, Morse et al. 9392 

Rubus enslenii Tratt. small dewberry N/Pw/Fu/2; F 7116, F 19751, M 9503 

Rubus flagellaris Willd. American dewberry N/Pw/DFuFf/1; F 19864, M 9692, M 9729 

(determination for specimens collected by Morse are tentative; plants are referable to 

Rubus meracus L.H. Bailey) 

Rubus laudatus A. Berger praiseworthy blackberry N/Pw/Fu/2; M 9505 

Rubus occidentalis L. black raspberry N/Pw/DFu/3; E 502, M 9504 


Rubus rosa L.H. Bailey rose blackberry A/Pw/Ff/3; Elliott 429 

93. Rubiaceae, the madder family [C=3/8/8, F=2/5/5] 

Cephalanthus occidentalis L. common buttonbush N/Pw/FfW/2; F 7475 

Galium aparine L. catch-weed bedstraw N/A/DFfFuP/3; E 428 

Galium circaezans Michx. forest bedstraw N/Ph/Fu/2; EM 658 

Galium concinnum Torr. & A. Gray shining bedstraw N/Ph/FuP/3; EF 789, M 9508 

Galium obtusum Bigelow subsp. obtusum bluntleaf bedstraw N/Ph/FfW/0 

Galium pedemontanum (Bellardi) All. foothill bedstraw I/A/D/2; E 500, Morse et al. 9389 

Galium triflorum Michx. sweet-scent bedstraw N/Ph/DFuP/0 

Houstonia pusilla Schöpf small bluet N/A/DFuP/0 

94. Rutaceae, the citrus family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Zanthoxylum americanum P. Mill. common prickly-ash N/Pw/FuP/2; EM 654, M 9513 

95. Salicaceae, the willow family [C=2/6/8, F=2/5/5] 

Populus deltoides W. Bartram ex Marshall subsp. monilifera (Aiton) Eckenw. plains 

cottonwood N/Pw/DFf/4; F 7477, W 3412 

Salix amygdaloides Andersson peach-leaf willow N/Pw/FfW/4; EF 835, F 7469 

Salix eriocephala Michx. subsp. eriocephala var. eriocephala diamond willow N/Pw/Ff/2; 

F 7111, W 2391 

Salix eriocephala Michx. subsp. eriocephala var. famelica (C.R. Ball) Dorn plains willow 

N/Pw/Ff/0 

Salix exigua Nutt. subsp. interior (Rowlee) Cronquist sandbar willow N/Pw/FfW/4; EM 

669, EM 670, F 7151, F 7478 

Salix humilis Marshall var. humilis prairie willow N/Pw/P/2; EF 794 

Salix humilis Marshall var. microphylla (Andersson) Fernald dwarf upland willow N/Pw/P/0 

Salix nigra Marshall black willow N/Pw/Ff/0 

96. Santalaceae, the sandlewood family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. subsp. umbellata umbellate bastard-toadflax N/Ph/P/2; E 

485 

97. Sapindaceae, the soapberry family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Koelreuteria paniculata Laxm. golden rain-tree A/Pw/Fu/1; F 8314 

98. Saxifragaceae, the saxifrage family [C=1/1/1, F=0/0/0] 

Heuchera richardsonii R. Br. Richardson’s alumroot N/Ph/FuP/0 


99. Scrophulariaceae, the figwort family [C=12/17/18, F=8/12/12] 

Agalinis tenuifolia (Vahl) Raf. narrow-leaf agalinis N/A/FuP/0 

Buchnera americana L. American bluehearts N/Ph/P/0 

Dasistoma macrophylla (Nutt.) Raf. big-leaf mullein-foxglove N/A/FfFuP/1; E 1115 

Leucospora multifida (Michx.) Nutt. paleseed N/A/FfW/1; F 8282 

Lindernia dubia (L.) Pennell yellow false-pimpernel N/A/FfW/3; F 7483, M 9820 

Mimulus alatus Aiton sharp-wing monkey-flower N/Ph/FfW/1; F 8131, M 9752 

Mimulus ringens L. Alleghany monkey-flower N/Ph/W/2; Brooks & Harris 15150, F 

7873, M 9751 

Pedicularis canadensis L. subsp. canadensis Canadian lousewort N/Ph/FuP/2; F 7131 

Penstemon digitalis Nutt. ex Sims smooth beardtongue N/Ph/FuP/0 

Penstemon pallidus Small pale beardtongue N/Ph/P/0 

Scrophularia marilandica L. Maryland figwort N/Ph/DFu/3; F 7511 

Verbascum blattaria L. moth mullein I/B/D/2; EF 817 

Verbascum thapsus L. flannel mullein I/B/D/3; EF 823 

Veronica arvensis L. corn speedwell I/A/D/2; FE 6999 

Veronica peregrina L. subsp. peregrina purslane speedwell N/A/D/2; F 7108, FE 6996 

Veronica peregrina L. subsp. xalapensis (Kunth) H. St. John & F.A. Warren purslane speedwell 

N/A/D/0 

Veronica polita Fries wayside speedwell I/A/D/3; FE 6845 

Veronicastrum virginicum (L.) Farw. Culver's-root N/Ph/FuP/0 

100. Simaroubaceae, the quassia family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle tree-of-heaven I/Pw/D/2; F 7449, F 8298 

101. Smilacaceae, the catbrier family [C=1/3/3, F=1/3/3] 

Smilax ecirrata (Engelm.) S. Watson upright greenbrier N/Ph/Fu/2; M 9780 

[Smilax herbacea L. var. lasioneura (Hook.) A. DC. = Smilax lasioneura Hook.] 

Smilax lasioneura Hook. Blue Ridge greenbrier N/Ph/FfFu/2; EF 833 

[Smilax hispida Muhl. ex Torr. = Smilax tamnoides] 

Smilax tamnoides L. bristly greenbrier N/Pw/FfFu/2; F 8322 

102. Solanaceae, the nightshade family [C=2/6/6, F=2/5/5] 

Physalis heterophylla Nees clammy ground-cherry N/Ph/DFuP/2; E 1105, EF 841, F 

7430, F 7853, W 3404 

Physalis longifolia Nutt. var. longifolia common ground-cherry N/Ph/DFfFuP/3; E 1077, 

F 7877, M 9756 

Physalis pubescens L. var. integrifolia (Dunal) Waterf. downy ground-cherry N/A/D/1; F 

7878 

Solanum carolinense L. Carolina horse-nettle N/Ph/D/2; EF 771 

Solanum ptycanthum Dunal black nightshade N/A/DFf/2; F 8288, M 9794 


Solanum rostratum Dunal buffalo-bur nightshade N/A/D/0 

103. Staphyleaceae, the bladdernut family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Staphylea trifolia L. American bladdernut N/Pw/Fu/3; E 476, FE 6972, W 3408 

104. Tamaricaceae, the tamarix family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb. tamarisk I/Pw/D/1; M 9890 

105. Tiliaceae, the linden family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Tilia americana L. var. americana American basswood N/Pw/FfFu/3; E 1106, EF 770, F 

7085, M 9520 

106. Typhaceae, the cat-tail family [C=1/3/3, F=1/3/3] 

Typha angustifolia L. narrow-leaf cat-tail N/Ph/W/3; EF 838 

Typha domingensis Pers. southern cat-tail N/Ph/W/3; F 8277 

Typha latifolia L. broad-leaf cat-tail N/Ph/W/3; EF 815 

107. Ulmaceae, the elm family [C=2/5/5, F=2/4/4] 

Celtis laevigata Willd. sugarberry, sugar hackberry N/Pw/FfFu/0 

Celtis occidentalis L. common hackberry N/Pw/FfFu/3; F 7100 

Ulmus americana L. American elm N/Pw/FfFu/3; FE 6850 

Ulmus pumila L. Siberian elm I/Pw/D/3; EF 818 

Ulmus rubra Muhl. slippery elm N/Pw/Fu/2; FE 6849, W 2367 

108. Urticaceae, the nettle family [C=5/5/5, F=5/5/5] 

Boehmeria cylindrica (L.) Sw. small-spike false-nettle N/Ph/FfW/2; F 7772, W 3375 

Laportea canadensis (L.) Wedd. Canadian wood-nettle N/Ph/FfFu/3; F 7508, M 9798, W 

3376 

Parietaria pensylvanica Muhl. ex Willd. Pennsylvania pellitory N/A/FfFu/3; EM 656, F 

7110 

Pilea pumila (L.) A. Gray dwarf clearweed N/A/FfFu/2; F 7509, M 9800 

Urtica dioica L. subsp. gracilis (Aiton) Selander American stinging nettle N/Ph/FfFu/2; 

EF 824, M 9799, W 3377 

109. Valerianaceae, the valerian family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Valerianella radiata (L.) Dufr. limestone cornsalad N/A/DFuP/2; E 460 

110. Verbenaceae, the verain family [C=3/9/9, F=3/7/7] 


Phryma leptostachya L. American lopseed N/Ph/Fu/3; EF 779 

Phyla lanceolata (Michx.) Greene northern fogfruit N/Ph/FfW/2; E 1124, EF 836 

Verbena bracteata Lag. & Rodr. prostrate verbena N/Ph/DP/3; EM 673 

Verbena hastata L. blue vervain N/Ph/PW/2; F 7514 

Verbena simplex Lehm. narrow-leaf vervain N/Ph/DP/3; M 9495 

Verbena stricta Vent. hoary vervain N/Ph/DP/2; F 7505 

Verbena urticifolia L. nettle-leaf vervain N/Ph/DFf/2; F 7471 

Verbena ×moechina Moldenke (Verbena simplex × Verbena stricta) pasture vervain 

N/Ph/DP/0 

Verbena ×rydbergii Moldenke (Verbena hastata × Verbena stricta) Rydberg's vervain 

N/Ph/DP/0 

111. Violaceae, the violet family [C=1/5/5, F=1/3/3] 

Viola bicolor Pursh Johnny-jump-up N/A/DFuP/3; FE 6857 

Viola pedatifida G. Don bird-foot violet N/Ph/FuP/0 

[Viola pratincola Greene = Viola sororia var. sororia] 

Viola pubescens Aiton var. pubescens downy yellow violet N/Ph/FfFu/3; Brooks 15277, 

Brooks 15277-5, FE 6968, W 2357, W 2390 

[Viola rafinesquii Greene = Viola bicolor] 

Viola sororia Willd. downy blue violet N/Ph/DFuP/2; FE 6961, FE 6976, W 2352, W 2363, 

W 2397 

Viola ×bernardii Greene Bernard's violet N/Ph/FuP/0 

112. Vitaceae, the grape family [C=3/7/7, F=3/5/5] 

Ampelopsis cordata Michx. heart-leaf raccoon-grape N/Pw/FfFu/3; EF 842, F 7492, M 

9725 

Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch. var. quinquefolia Virginia creeper N/Pw/FuFf/3; 

F 8321, M 9510 

Parthenocissus vitacea (Knerr) Hitchc. thicket creeper N/Pw/Fu/0 

Vitis aestivalis Michx. var. aestivalis pigeon grape N/Pw/Ff/2; M 9727 

Vitis cinerea (Engelm.) Engelm. ex Millardet gray-bark grape N/Pw/FfFu/2; F 8305 

Vitis riparia Michx. riverbank grape N/Pw/FfFu/3; F 8132, M 9726, M 9750 

Vitis vulpina L. winter grape N/Pw/Fu/0 

113. Zygophyllaceae, the caltrop family [C=1/1/1, F=1/1/1] 

Tribulus terrestris L. puncturevine I/A/D/1; E 1078 


APPENDIX D. A report on a field survey of summer bats on FLMR. 

INTRODUCTION 

Bat Survey of Ft. Leavenworth Military Reservation, Kansas, 

with Emphasis on Rare and Endangered Species 

Dr. Lynn W. Robbins 

Department of Biology 

Southwest Missouri State University 

Springfield, MO 65804 

(417) 836-5366 

fax: (417) 836-4204 

lwr704f@smsu.edu 

An intensive study was conducted at Ft. Leavenworth Military Reservation (FLMR), Kansas to 

determine the presence of all bat species on the base, but special emphasis was placed on the 

endangered Indiana bat, Myotis sodalis. This species has not been documented in Kansas 

(3D/Environmental Services 1993), but reproductively active individuals have been observed 

approximately 160 km (100 mi) east and northeast of FLMR in Caldwell and Nodaway counties, 

Missouri. Because habitat similarities do exist, it is reasonable to expect that Indiana bats may 

occur in suitable habitat near the Missouri River. 

METHODS 

Survey methods were based on the recommended mist netting protocol provided by the Indiana 

Bat Recovery Team (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1999) in conjunction with Anabat II bat 

detectors and a species identification program using a call library that includes species known to 

be in eastern Kansas or adjacent Missouri (Britzke et al. 2002, Murray et al. 1999, 2001). 

Methods used consisted of a number of mist net sets (two nets not closer than 60 m from each 

other) in appropriate areas in the floodplain and upland forests. One bat detector, recording call 

sequences to a laptop computer, was set up at each net set and left to record throughout the night, 

weather permitting. The protocol recommends that the nets be set for two nights in the same 

location. Data presented here are from 8–13 July 2002 and represent the first night of the survey 

for each net set, and from May 31 through June 4, and July 17 and 18, 2003 that represent the 

second night of the survey for localities 1-10, and two nights at locality 11. Data from each net 

(A, B) at a site were pooled for each year, then combined for the final results. 


Net sets 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11 are located in the lowland floodplain of the Missouri River, and 

sets 5, 6, 7, and 8 are in the upland deciduous forest (Figure D.1). Net set 9 consisted of only one 

net set adjacent to a large pond in the lowlands. Net set 8 was along a perennial stream, Quarry 

Creek, and both nets were set across the stream. All other nets were set across roads or openings 

in the forest. UTM coordinates were recorded for all collecting locations. Nets and bat detectors 

also were set up at Weston Bend State Park during both summers. This park is located across the 

Missouri River in Missouri and consists of upland deciduous forest and riparian corridors. 

RESULTS 

Species numbers (Table D.1) and numbers of individuals (Table D.2) are summarized for 48 net 

nights over two summers. Net locations are presented in Table D.3. 

TABLE D.1. Species of bats captured at FLMR in 2002 and 2003. Species with asterisks were 

recorded with bat detectors but not captured in nets. 

Scientific Name Common Name 2002 2003 Total 

Lasiurus borealis (LABO) red bat 14 8 22 

Lasiurus cinereus (LACI) hoary bat 1 - 1 

Eptesicus fuscus (EPFU) big brown bat 73 76 149 

Nycticeius humeralis (NYHU) evening bat 8 3 11 

Myotis septentrionalis (MYSE) northern bat 1 - 1 

Myotis lucifugus (MYLU)* little brown bat 0 0 0 

Pipistrellus subflavus (PISU)** eastern pipistrelle 0 0 0 

*Little brown bats were recorded at two locations in 2003. 

**Eastern pipistrelles were recorded at eight locations in 2002 and 2003. 

TABLE D.2. Numbers of each bat species collected at each net site. A = Adult, J = Juvenile, P 

= pregnant, L = lactating, M = Male, F = Female, U = Undetermined, and asterisk (*) indicates 

presence documented with detector. Data for 2002 and 2003 are combined. 

Set LABO LACI EPFU NYHU MYSE MYLU PISU 

1 2,A,F,P* U,?* 7,M,F,A,J* 1,J,M* - -* 

2 2,A,J,F,P* -* 40,A,J,M,F,P* 4,A,J,F,P* 1,A,F,L* -* 

3 -* - 2,A,J,F* -* - - 

4 7,J,M,F* - 12,A,J,M,F* 4,J*,M,F - -* - 

5 -* - 3,A,J,M,F* -* - -* 

6 -* -* 1,J,F* 1 - -* 

7 2,J,M,F* - 5,A,J,M,F* - - -* 

8 7,A,J,M,F,P* - 48,A,J,M,F,P,L* 1,M,A - -* 

9 1,J,F* -* 1,A* 1,A,F* - -* -* 

10 -* - 1,A* - - -* 

11 1,A,F - 29,A,J,M,F - - - - 


TABLE D.3. UTM coordinates for net locations. Locations are the same for 2002 and 2003, 

with the exception of 11, which was monitored only in 2003. 

Location Easting Northing 

NT 1A 0336680 4359854 

NT 1B 0336773 4359784 

NT 2A 0336997 4359993 

NT 2B 0337128 4360148 

NT 3A 0336486 4361118 

NT 3B 0336404 4360859 

NT 4A 0336608 4361403 

NT 4B 0336643 4361446 

NT 5A 0333709 4359046 

NT 5B 0333683 4359128 

NT 6A 0333387 4358952 

NT 6B 0333348 4358925 

NT 7A 0334523 4358911 

NT 7B 0334542 4358895 

NT 8A 0334261 4358689 

NT 8B 0334200 4358631 

NT 9 0336052 4360750 

NT10A 0333888 4360750 

NT10B 0333858 4360758 

NT11A,B 0335165 4356302 

CONCLUSIONS 

No Indiana bats were captured or recorded at FLMR or at Weston Bend State Park, but both sites 

support habitat potentially capable of sustaining reproducing populations of three (red, big 

brown, and evening) of the five bat species that we captured. A fourth species, Myotis 

septentrionalis, the northern bat, was represented by a single individual, but this was a lactating 

female, indicating there is habitat available for reproductive success. Two species, the eastern 

pipistrelle and the little brown bat were represented only by echolocation recordings but probably 

represent reproductively active populations. These two species are known to forage over open 

water, which was not sampled using our protocol. The seventh species, the hoary bat, probably is 

an uncommon resident based on our recordings, but the one captured individual escaped before 

age or reproductive data could be collected. Big brown bats were the most common species 

recorded and are most likely forming maternity colonies in both natural tree cavities and in manmade 

structures. Adult males, females, and juveniles were common. Red bats roost in canopy 

foliage and were captured in lowland and upland habitats. Only adult females and juveniles were 

captured. Evening bats were more common in lowland habitats, and adults of both sexes and 

juveniles were captured. The one adult male was the first to be recorded from the state of 

Kansas. 

Limited netting (two nights) at Weston Bend State Park yielded only one capture—a red bat. 


However, Anabat recordings indicated the presence of all other species documented at FLMR 

except the two species of Myotis (Table D.2). 

The only habitat management recommendations offered at this time are to maintain mature 

upland and lowland forests without removing dead trees or snags. Evening bats, big brown bats, 

and northern bats prefer these habitats. If Indiana bats are present in adjacent areas, this area 

could serve as a refuge for them if their present habitat should be disturbed or eliminated. 


Britzke, E. R., K. L. Murray, J. E. Heywood, and L.W. Robbins. 2002. Acoustic identification. 

In The Indiana Bat: Biology and Management of an Endangered Species (A. Kurta and J. 

Kennedy, eds.) Bat Conservation International, Austin, TX. 

Murray, K. L., E. R. Britzke, B. M. Hadley, and L.W. Robbins. 1999. Surveying bat 

communities: a comparison between mist nets and the Anabat II detector system. Acta 

Chiropterologica 1: 105–112. 

Murray, K. L., E. R. Britzke, and L. W. Robbins. 2001. Variation in search-phase calls of bats. 

J. Mammalogy 82: 728–737. 

3D/Environmental Services. 1993. A summer survey for federally endangered Indiana bats 

(Myotis sodalis) in eastern Kansas. Report submitted to Western Resources, Topeka, KS. 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1999. Agency draft Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) revised 

recovery plan. Fort Snelling, MN. 53 pp. 



APPENDIX E. Report on a 2003 field survey of snakes on FLMR. 

INTRODUCTION 

A Survey of the Snakes of Ft. Leavenworth Military Reservation, 

Leavenworth County, Kansas, in 2003 

Hank Guarisco 

Research Associate 

Denver Museum of Nature & Science 

P.O. Box 3171, Lawrence, KS 66046 

A survey of the snakes of Ft. Leavenworth Military Reservation (FLMR), Leavenworth County, 

Kansas, was conducted from May–October 2003. This work was part of a larger investigation 

intended to identify the presence of notable species of plants, animals, and natural communities 

on FLMR. Of particular interest were three snake species that potentially may occur on FLMR: 

northern redbelly snake (Storeria occipitomaculata), smooth earth snake (Virginia valeriae), and 

timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus). The first two species are state threatened in Kansas, 

while the timber rattlesnake is a Kansas Species In Need of Conservation (SINC). 

METHODS 

Both systematic and opportunistic surveys were conducted in 2003. For the former, 31 pieces of 

corrugated metal, which served as shelters, were placed in upland areas on FLMR, mostly along 

roads and trails, and at the edges of forests and old fields. Shelters were installed on 11 June and 

checked periodically until 11 July, when an extended period of hot, dry weather commenced. 

This hot spell lasted though August, precluding any field work. The weather improved in early 

September, at which time six drift fence arrays were installed in the extreme southeastern part of 

FLMR in an attempt to detect the presence of the western hognose snake, which was collected in 

this area in October 1999. These methods were described and evaluated by Fitch (1987) and 

Parmelee and Fitch (1995). Each array consisted of a drift fence of galvanized roll metal 36–41 

cm (14-16 in) wide and 3–6 m (10–20 ft) long. The ends usually were located in a sheltered spot, 

such as a group of trees. A wire funnel trap with a large-mouth mason jar was placed at each 

end. The base of the fence was buried in the soil ca 5 cm (2 in) and the fence fastened with lag 

bolts to 3 or 4, 5 x 5 cm pine braces. The braces were angled away from the drift fence and 

staked into the ground with #20 nails. Coordinates of shelters and traps were determined using a 

Magellan GPS 310 unit. Reptiles that were not recognized immediately were identified using 

Collins (1993) and released as soon as possible thereafter. Drift fences and traps were removed 

on 12 October. 

Opportunistic surveys consisted of frequently checking a junk pile containing scattered metal tins 


and old appliances, and exploring rock ledges and other natural materials, such as logs, which 

might shelter snakes. A few records were obtained when snakes were encountered by accident. 

RESULTS AND DISUCSSION 

The survey yielded 63 records of 12 species of reptiles (10 snakes, 1 lizard, and 1 turtle). Dates 

and locations are presented in Table E.1. The ringneck snake was encountered most frequently— 

22 times The next in order of abundance was the common garter snake (16 records), followed by 

the five-lined skink (7 records), black rat snake (5 records), racer (4 records), milksnake (2 

records), brown snake (2 records), prairie kingsnake (1 record), western worm snake (1 record), 

northern water snake (1 record), western ribbon snake (1 record), and the ornate box turtle (1 

record). 

Although no timber rattlesnakes were captured during the survey, a road-killed timber rattlesnake 

was collected near the back entrance on Santa Fe Trail Road and deposited in the Entomology 

Office Collection (Pest Control) of FLMR on 16 September 2003. It was a large male, 

approximately 122 cm (48 in) in length. The collection also includes a small timber rattlesnake 

taken near the park above the river along the bluffs. Specimens of two other species not captured 

during this study are contained in the collection: two juvenile copperheads taken on sticky traps 

near the museum close to the river bluffs, and a western hognose snake taken October 1999 in 

the parking lot at the extreme southeastern corner of FLMR in an area of loess. A juvenile snake 

initially identified as a fox snake later was confirmed to be a young black rat snake. 

It appears that the timber rattlesnakes occasionally occur along the bluffs above the river and in 

the vicinity of Government Hill. The two state-threatened species, redbelly snake and smooth 

earth snake, were not encountered in this study. The record of the western hognose is significant 

and may indicate a small population of this species in loess areas of FLMR. This species occurs 

across the Missouri River in northwestern Missouri where the rough, rolling loess hills meet the 

river floodplain (Johnson 1987). 


TABLE E.1. Reptiles and amphibians observed on FLMR between May and October 2003. 

Latitude and longitude data are in degrees-decimal minutes (DDMM.MM). 

Species Date N Latitude W Longitude Individuals 

ringneck snake 2003-09-05 392243 945615 1 

2003-09-06 392243 945615 1 

2003-09-22 392195 945605 3 (juveniles) 

2003-09-22 392160 945657 1 

2003-09-29 392192 945624 1 

2003-09-29 392195 945605 4 

2003-10-02 391996 945500 3 

2003-10-04 391996 945500 1 

2003-10-08 392195 945605 3 

2003-10-09 392195 945605 3 

2003-10-11 392236 945622 1 

Total = 22 

black rat snake 2003-05-02 392256 945576 1 (adult) 

2003-06-23 392230 945641 1 (adult) 

2003-07-11 392243 945615 1 (juvenile) 

2003-10-08 392194 945616 1 (adult) 

2003-10-09 392194 945616 1 (adult) 

Total = 5 

racer 2003-10-07 391996 945500 1 (juvenile) 

2003-10-08 392230 945641 1 (juvenile) 

2003-10-09 391996 945500 1 (juvenile) 

2003-10-11 392217 945634 1 (juvenile) 

Total = 4 

milk snake 2003-10-08 392236 945603 1 

2003-10-11 392236 945603 1 

Total = 2 

prairie kingsnake 2003-09-29 391991 945501 1 

Total = 1 

western worm snake 2003-07-01 On wooded hill by DB Road 1 1 

Total = 1 

northern water snake 2003-07-11 By pond DB Farm 1 (juvenile) 

Total = 1 

common garter snake 2003-06-12 392230 945641 1 

2003-06-23 392230 945641 1 

2003-06-24 392230 945641 2 

2003-09-09 392192 945624 1 

2003-09-22 392192 945624 1 

2003-09-22 392172 945592 1 (juvenile) 

2003-09-29 392259 945567 4 (adults) 

2003-09-29 391996 945500 3 

2003-10-08 391996 945500 2 

2003-10-11 391997 945503 1 

Total = 17 

western ribbon snake 2003-05-02 392256 945574 1 


Species Date N Latitude W Longitude Individuals 

Total = 1 

brown snake 2003-06-12 392232 945637 1 

2003-06-18 392232 945637 1 

Total = 2 

ornate box turtle 2003-09-21 On wooded path on Government Hill 1 

Total = 1 

five-lined skink 2003-06-12 392230 945641 1 

2003-06-23 392158 945648 1 

2003-06-23 392238 945618 1 

2003-07-01 392232 945637 1 

2003-07-11 By pond at DB Farm 1 

2003-09-04 392258 945561 1 

Total = 6 

northern cricket frog 2003-06-23 392234 945631 1 

Total = 1 


Collins, J. T. 1993. Amphibians and reptiles in Kansas. 3 rd ed. University of Kansas, Lawrence, 

KS. 397 pp. 

Fitch, H. S. 1987. Collecting and life-history techniques. Pp. 143–164 In: R. A. Seigel, J. T. 

Collins, and S. S. Novak (eds.). Snakes; ecology and evolutionary biology. Macmillan. 

New York, NY. 

Johnson, T. R. 1987. The amphibians and reptiles of Missouri. Missouri Department of 

Conservation. Jefferson City, MO. 368 pp. 

Parmelee, J.R. and H. S. Fitch. 1995. An experiment with artificial shelters for snakes: effects 

of material, age, and surface preparation. Herpetological Natural History 3: 187–191. 


APPENDIX F. Exotic and Invasive Plant Species of Concern. 

Invasive (exotic) plants are species that prosper and spread without human assistance after being 

moved from their native habitat to a new location. They are becoming one of the greatest threats 

to natural ecosystems worldwide. Problems associated with invasive plants have increased 

dramatically with expanding human population, world travel, and international trade. Exotic 

plants are of particular concern since many natural controls formally regulating their populations 

are absent in the new non-native environment. They are often able to out-compete native 

vegetation resulting in reduced biodiversity, habitat modification, and impacts on many 

ecological processes. 

The existence and distribution of exotic species of concern on FLMR have been established by 

several studies (Freeman et al.1997, this report). The decision to pursue active control of a given 

species will depend upon the degree to which native species are displaced and vegetation 

management decisions may need to be made on a species-specific basis. The impact any exotic 

species has on the natural system must be weighed against the impacts of controlling it. The 

effects of any type of control on non-target plants and animals must be considered. Resource 

restrictions will likely limit complete eradication of aggressive species and minimizing the 

impact of exotics on native populations may be a more realistic goal in some situations. 

Established guidelines for pest control at Army installations must be consulted when planning 

control measures. 

Proper identification of exotic and native plants is critical to preserving native biodiversity at 

FLMR. Resource personnel in charge of invasive species control must be certain of their target 

species, and must exercise care not to damage native plants when implementing treatment. 

Poorly implemented control measures on exotic species have the potential to be extremely 

damaging to native biodiversity. Conversely, soundly implemented measures to control exotic 

species can help maintain and enhance native biodiversity. A strong monitoring program that 

tracks the location and abundance of species of concern is a fundamental component of a sound 

program of exotic species control. 

We have identified 27 exotic plant species of concern at FLMR (Table F.1). These plants 

represent real or potential threats to biodiversity. We provide general information on the biology, 

history, and management of each species, followed by information on the species location at 

FLMR, and site-specific considerations and recommendations. Life form information, which 

may be useful when evaluating these species of concern, appears in Table F.2. 

We make only general recommendations for woody exotics. These species are thought not to 

threaten the biodiversity in native communities at FLMR currently, and no control measures are 

recommended at this time. However, the distribution and abundance of these species should be 

monitored to detect any increase in invasive tendencies. They should not be used for landscaping 

in the future, and consideration should be given to removal of existing individuals that may be 

contributing to spread into native communities. Future efforts, if any, to control these species in 

natural communities should be carefully chosen so as not to adversely affect native species. 

Although no one species is a particular threat at this time, it is important to note 


TABLE F.1. Exotic plant species of concern at FLMR. 

Scientific Name Common Name Family Habit Habitat Comments 

Ailanthus altissima tree-of-heaven Simaroubaceae tree openings in upland forests 1,2 

Alliaria petiolata common garlic-mustard Brassicaceae biennial forb upland forests, floodplain 1,2 

Berberis thunbergii Japanese barberry Berberidaceae shrub ravines in upland forests 2 

Carduus nutans subsp. musk plumeless-thistle Asteraceae biennial forb floodplain, roadsides, disturbed Legally noxious weed in 

leiophyllus 

Cirsium vulgare bull thistle Asteraceae biennial forb roadsides, disturbed areas 2 

areas 

Kansas and Missouri; 1,2 

Convolvulus arvensis field bindweed Convolvulaceae perennial forb roadsides, fields Legally noxious weed in 

Kansas and Missouri; 1,2 

Dipsacus laciniatus cut-leaf teasel Dipsacaceae biennial forb floodplain, roadsides Legally noxious weed in 

Elaeagnus umbellata autumn-olive Elaeagnaceae shrub upland forests 1,2 

Missouri; 1,2 

Euonymus alata winged burningbush Celastraceae shrub upland forests First record of occurrence in 

Euonymus fortunei Chinese spindle-tree Celastraceae woody vine ravines in upland forests, 

Koelreuteria 

panicled golden-rain 

floodplain 

Sapindaceae tree openings in upland forests 3 

Kansas; 2 

paniculata 

tree 

Lespedeza cuneata sericea lespedeza Fabaceae perennial forb open uplands Legally noxious weed in 


Ligustrum obtusifolium border privet Oleaceae shrub upland forests 1 

Ligustrum vulgare European privet Oleaceae shrub upland forests 1 

Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle Caprifoliaceae shrub upland forests 1,2 

Lonicera maackii Amur honeysuckle Caprifoliaceae shrub upland forests 1 

Lonicera ×bella pretty honeysuckle Caprifoliaceae shrub upland forests 2 

Lythrum salicaria purple loosestrife Lythraceae perennial herb river bank, wetlands, mesic 

Maclura pomifera Osage-orange Moraceae tree uplands 1,2 

Melilotus albus white sweet-clover Fabaceae annual or biennial uplands 1,2 

Melilotus officinalis yellow sweet-clover Fabaceae annual or biennial uplands 1,2 

forb 

forb 

Phalaris arundinacea reed canary grass Poaceae perennial 

graminoid 

areas 

floodplain 2 

NATURAL AREAS INVENTORY OF FT. LEAVENWORTH II 188 

1,2 

Banned from nursery trade 

in Kansas; Legally noxious 

weed in Missouri; 1,2 

Rhodotypos scandens jetbead Rosaceae shrub upland forests First record of occurrence in 

Robinia pseudoacacia black locust Fabaceae tree uplands 1,2 


Rosa multiflora multiflora rose Rosaceae shrub upland forests Legally noxious weed in 

Securigera varia (= 

Coronilla varia in 

many fieldguides 

and floras) 

common crown-vetch Fabaceae perennial forb roadsides 1,2 

Sorghum halepense Johnson grass Poaceae perennial 

graminoid 

Kansas and Missouri; 1, 

floodplain, roadsides Legally noxious weed in 

Kansas and Missouri; 1,2

TABLE F.2. Life forms (habit) of exotic plant species of concern at FLMR. 

Trees 

Ailanthus altissima tree-of-heaven 

Koelreuteria paniculata panicled golden-rain tree 

Maclura pomifera Osage-orange 

Robinia pseudoacacia black locust 

Shrubs 

Berberis thunbergii Japanese barberry 

Elaeagnus umbellata autumn-olive 

Euonymus alata winged burning bush 

Euonymus fortunei Chinese spindle-tree 

Ligustrum obtusifolium border privet 

Ligustrum vulgare European privet 

Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle 

Lonicera maackii Amur honeysuckle 

Lonicera ×bella pretty honeysuckle 

Rhodotypos scandens jetbead 

Rosa multiflora multiflora rose 

Forbs (non-grass herbs) 

Alliaria petiolata common garlic-mustard 

Carduus nutans ssp. leiophyllus musk plumeless-thistle 

Cirsium vulgare bull thistle 

Convolvulus arvensis field bindweed 

Dipsacus laciniatus cut-leaf teasel 

Lespedeza cuneata sericea lespedeza 

Lythrum salicaria purple loosestrife 

Melilotus albus white sweet-clover 

Melilotus officinalis yellow sweet-clover 

Securigera varia (= Coronilla varia) common crown vetch 

Graminoids (grasses) 

Phalaris arundinacea reed canary grass 

Sorghum halepense Johnson grass 

that, collectively, there may be impacts exerted by a suite of species. For example, there may be 

an impact on native biodiversity caused by the shrub guild (in particular, Japanese barberry, 

winged burning bush, Chinese spindle-tree, border privet, Japanese honeysuckle, Amur 

honeysuckle, and multiflora rose). 

Ailanthus altissima (Simaroubaceae; tree-of-heaven) 

Native to China, tree-of-heaven is a rapidly growing deciduous tree that can reach a height of 25 

m and out-compete native vegetation. It can form dense thickets and produces toxins that 

prevent the establishment of other species. It mainly invades disturbed habitats but is sometimes 


found in undisturbed habitats. As a control, cutting alone is usually ineffective as large numbers 

of stump sprouts and root suckers are produced. Targeting reproductive trees may help reduce 

the spread of seed. Young seedlings may be pulled or dug by hand. 

The species is not currently a problem at FLMR (but see general considerations for exotic trees 

and shrubs). 

Alliaria petiolata (Brassicaceae; common garlic-mustard) 

Native to northern Europe, common garlic-mustard is now found in 34 states. A biennial herb of 

the mustard family, it has no known natural enemies in North America. It is one of the few 

exotic species that can invade and dominate the understory of forests. It is found invading the 

understory of deciduous forests, forest edges, hedgerows, shaded roadsides, and riparian and 

urban areas. Any type of control must be continued until the seedbank is exhausted. Fire may 

increase total presence if not thorough. Once successful establishment is achieved, control is 

unlikely without a large commitment of money and labor over an extended period. 

Common garlic-mustard can become highly invasive, forming dense populations that diminish 

native biodiversity or impede efforts at ecosystem restoration. This species is particularly 

problematic in forests, woodlands, and edge habitats. Common garlic-mustard is locally 

abundant in wooded habitat at FLMR. Once established, control of this species will be difficult 

due to its abundance and distribution, and the precautions that need to be taken to avoid 

damaging non-target native species. A working strategy is to survey high-quality woodlands and 

remove any light infestations. We recommend mapping the existing population before a control 

program is implemented in order to devise a control plan. Complete eradication of the species 

from FLMR, while desirable, is likely not feasible and therefore minimizing spread to highquality 

natural communities may be, at this stage, a more realistic goal. 

Berberis thunbergii (Berberidaceae; Japanese barberry) 

Native to Asia, Japanese barberry is a woody shrub with arching branches, yellow flowers, and 

red berries, which can grow to 2 m. It is often planted as an ornamental hedge. It is found along 

roadsides, fences, old fields and open woods. Mechanical removal may be the least intrusive 

method of control. 

Japanese barberry at FLMR is primarily found along stream courses in upland forest 

communities. The species is not currently a problem at FLMR (but see general considerations 

for exotic trees and shrubs). 

Carduus nutans (Asteraceae; musk plumeless-thistle) 

Native to Europe and introduced into the U.S. in the 1850s, musk plumeless-thistle is a large 

biennial herb that can grow to 2 m tall. It favors abandoned fields and overgrazed pastures. It is 

often found along roads, in old fields, pasture, and in waste ground. It can also invade existing 

native prairie, grasslands, and glade communities, but will not tolerate shading in woodland 

settings. Varying degrees of control have been achieved with chemical, biological, mechanical 

and cultural control methods. Many types of control are ineffective if carried out while thistles 


are in bloom. Fire has not been proven an effective control. 

Musk plumeless-thistle is not thought to be a major threat to native biodiversity at FLMR at this 

time. However, as it is officially designated as a noxious weed in Kansas, there are requirements 

for its control. This species is generally associated with disturbed habitats (roadsides, abandoned 

fields, construction areas) and can become very abundant in areas grazed heavily by livestock. It 

also can appear during the early years of prairie restorations, but in successful restorations will 

generally not persist as a problem species. Extreme care must be exercised in controlling this 

species where it occurs within or near native communities so as not to damage non-target 

species. 

Cirsium vulgare (Asteraceae; bull thistle) 

Bull thistle is native to Europe, North Africa, and west Asia. It is now the most widespread and 

common rangeland and pasture thistle in western North America. It is a biennial, but sometimes 

annual or monocarpic, perennial forb and can grow to 2 m tall. It is found along roadsides and 

other disturbed areas, but will not tolerate shading in woodland settings. Key to successful 

management is the prevention of seed production. Monitoring efforts should be concentrated at 

the most disturbed areas and control should be centered on small areas of infestation so they do 

not expand. 

Bull thistle is not thought to be a major threat to native biodiversity at FLMR at this time. This 

species is generally associated with disturbed habitats (roadsides, abandoned fields, construction 

areas) and can increase in areas grazed heavily by livestock. It also can appear during the early 

years of prairie restorations, but in successful restorations will generally not persist as a problem 

species. Extreme care must be exercised in controlling this species where it occurs within or 

near native communities so as not to damage non-target species. 

Convolvulus arvensis (Convolvulaceae; field bindweed) 

Field bindweed is native to Eurasia. It is a perennial vine of the morning-glory family that 

spreads by rhizomes and seeds. Seeds are extremely persistent and can remain viable in the 

ground for many years. Seeds fall near the parent plant or can be transported by water and birds. 

It has been studied mainly as a crop pest and its impact on natural areas is less well known. It is 

found in a wide range of habitats but prefers strong sunlight and moderate to low moisture. 

Burning alone is not an effective control. Mowing is ineffective since it encourages a low 

growth form and plants can be missed. At sites previously used for agriculture, tilling may aid in 

controlling infestations. In small areas hand tools or application of herbicide with a backpack 

sprayer may be employed. 

Field bindweed is not thought to be a major threat to native biodiversity at FLMR at this time. 

However, as it is officially designated as a noxious weed in Kansas, there are requirements for its 

control. This species is generally associated with disturbed habitats (lawns, roadsides, 

abandoned fields) and certain agricultural lands. Extreme care must be exercised in controlling 

this species where it occurs within or near native communities so as not to damage non-target 

species. 


Dipsacus laciniatus (Dipsacaceae; cut-leaf teasel) 

Native to Europe, cut-leaf teasel was probably introduced to North America in the 1700s for use 

in the textile industry. A biennial or monocarpic perennial, its rapid expansion was probably 

aided by construction of the interstate highway system and its use in flower arrangements, 

especially around gravestones in cemeteries. A single plant can produce 2,000 seeds. Seeds 

typically do not disperse far but may be water borne over a greater distance. It is an aggressive 

species that can degrade prairies and savannas if allowed to establish. It is found in open habitats 

under a wide range of moisture conditions. Mowing is ineffective as is prescribed burning alone. 

Foliar herbicide spot treatment with a backpack sprayer may be the most cost effective method 

for high-quality sites that are not yet heavily infested. 

Cut-leaf teasel is not thought to be a major threat to native biodiversity at FLMR at this time. 

This species is generally associated with disturbed habitats (roadsides, abandoned fields, 

construction areas), and does not do well in shaded environments. It also can appear during the 

early years of prairie restorations, but in successful restorations will generally not persist as a 

problem species. Extreme care must be exercised in controlling this species where it occurs 

within or near native communities so as not to damage non-target species. 

Elaeagnus umbellata (Elaeagnaceae; autumn-olive) 

Native to Japan, China, and Korea, autumn-olive was introduced to the United States in 1830. It 

is a medium to large shrub that can reach a height of 6 m. It has been planted widely for wildlife 

habitat, erosion control and reclamation. Seed dispersal is by falling fruit, birds, and small 

mammals. Once established, autumn-olive can be difficult to control. It is often found in 

disturbed areas, roadsides, pastures, open woodlands and forest edges. A combination of 

mechanical and chemical treatments may be effective. Cutting without herbicide treatment and 

burning are not effective. 

Autumn-olive is not currently a problem at FLMR (but see general considerations for exotic trees 

and shrubs). 

Euonymus alata (Celastraceae; winged burningbush) 

Native to northeastern Asia to central China, winged burningbush was introduced about 1860 as 

an ornamental shrub. It is a deciduous shrub that can grow to 6 m. The foliage turns bright red 

in the fall. Stems have two to four prominent corky wings. Commonly used for landscaping, its 

seeds are readily dispersed by birds. In natural areas it shades out native herbs and competes 

with native shrubs. It is found in a variety of areas but prefers well-drained soils and does poorly 

on waterlogged soils. It does well in full sun or full shade but shows stress in soils subject to 

drought. Woodlands where birds nest near ornamental plantings may become infested. Control 

can be difficult once winged burningbush becomes established because of seed dispersal by 

birds. The best control is to abstain from using it as an ornamental. 

Winged burningbush at FLMR is found primarily found along stream courses in upland forest 

communities. The species is not currently a problem at FLMR (but see general considerations 

for exotic trees and shrubs). 


Euonymus fortunei (Celastraceae; Chinese spindle-tree) 

Native to Asia, Chinese spindle-tree was introduced as an ornamental groundcover. It is an 

evergreen vine that can form a dense ground cover or climb up to 6 m high. It is an aggressive 

species, spreading rapidly, and can out-compete native groundcover and replace spring 

ephemerals. It can be spread by birds eating its seed. Found usually as a cultivated plant, 

Chinese spindle-tree can invade natural openings along with floodplain, mesic and dry-mesic 

forests that are relatively undisturbed. For small infestations hand pulling by the roots can be 

effective. For larger infestations, vines can be cut by hand and herbicide applied. Mowing is not 

effective without chemical treatment and fire may not be an alternative in forests. 

Chinese spindle-tree is not currently a problem at FLMR (but see general considerations for 

exotic trees and shrubs). 

Koelreuteria paniculata (Sapindaceae; panicled golden-rain tree) 

Native to China and Japan, the panicled golden-rain tree is a medium sized deciduous tree 

reaching 12 m tall. It is an introduced, ornamental, lawn tree with yellow flowers borne in large 

clusters 6 cm long. It has shown an invasive tendency in some areas of the country. It does well 

on a variety of soils in full sunlight and is tolerant of pollution, drought, heat and wind. 

Ornamental plantings should be discontinued near natural areas and existing trees replaced with 

native species. 

Panicled golden-rain tree is not currently a problem at FLMR (but see general considerations for 


Lespedeza cuneata (Fabaceae; sericea lespedeza) 

Native to eastern Asia, sericea lespedeza is a perennial legume with slightly woody stems that 

can grow to 2 m tall. It has been introduced into many areas for erosion control and as food and 

cover for wildlife. It is unpalatable to livestock compared to native grassland species due to 

tannins found in its tissue. Seeds are dispersed in the fall, may be dispersed by birds, and can 

remain viable for over 20 years. It is found extensively along roadsides but also can invade a 

variety of other sites including thickets, fields, meadows, prairies, and woodlands. It is very 

drought hardy. Burning, grazing, and fertilization can achieve control on rangeland. Late spring 

burns on non-rangeland have achieved some success. For small, scattered infestations, backpack 

sprayer application of herbicides has been effective. 

Sericea lespedeza can become highly invasive, forming dense populations that diminish native 

biodiversity or impede efforts at ecosystem restoration; it is particularly problematic in rangeland 

of the Flint Hills of Kansas. The species is a threat to prairie and grassland habitats. It is 

officially designated as a noxious weed in Kansas, and therefore certain control measures are 

required. The current population at FLMR is small (known from a few plants along Corral 

Creek) and we recommend a program targeted at complete eradication. This species easily can 

be confused with several native plants and therefore accurate identification is critical before 

implementing control measures. Extreme care must be exercised in controlling this species 

where it occurs within or near native communities so as not to damage non-target species. 


Ligustrum obtusifolium (Oleaceae; border privet) 

Native to Japan, border privet is a perennial shrub, which can grow to 3 m tall with a spread of 

arching branches. It grows readily from seed or sprouting and birds can distribute seeds to 

distant locations. It can form dense thickets and out-compete native vegetation. It is often found 

along roadsides, in old fields, and other disturbed areas but can invade a variety of undisturbed 

natural areas. Mowing and cutting or manual pulling can be used for small infestations and 

sensitive areas where herbicides cannot be used. 

Border privet is not currently a problem at FLMR (but see general considerations for exotic trees 

and shrubs). 

Ligustrum vulgare (Oleaceae; European privet) 

Native to the Mediterranean region European privet is a perennial shrub with spreading branches 

that can grow to 4 m tall. It is widely naturalized in the U.S., has few pests or predators here, and 

has high reproductive capacity. It grows well in open sun in low nutrient soils but tolerates lower 

light levels where nutrients are more abundant. It has been found in bottomland, mesic and 

riparian forests in Arkansas. Mowing and cutting or manual pulling can be used for small 

infestations and sensitive areas where herbicides cannot be used. 

European privet is not currently a problem at FLMR (but see general considerations for exotic 

trees and shrubs). 

Lonicera japonica (Caprifoliaceae; Japanese honeysuckle) 

Japanese honeysuckle was introduced from Japan in 1806 as a horticultural ground-cover 

species. It is a semi-evergreen vine with white or yellow tubular flowers and small black 2–3seeded 

fruits. It shades out native understory and herbaceous plants by overgrowing them and 

can climb trees into the canopy. Japanese honeysuckle can spread by seeds and vegetative 

runners. Birds readily disperse the seeds. It does not do well in heavily shaded environments and 

preferentially invades open communities such as successional fields, prairies, savannas, glades, 

and open upland and floodplain forests. This species is a serious pest in tree farms in the 

southeastern United States, as it tends to overgrow sapling trees. Control methods have included 

mowing, grazing, prescribed burning and herbicides. 

Japanese honeysuckle is not currently a problem at FLMR (but see general considerations for 


Lonicera maackii (Caprifoliaceae; Amur honeysuckle) 

The Amur honeysuckle is native to central and northeastern China and Korea. The exotic bush 

honeysuckles are upright, multi-stemmed, opposite-branched, deciduous shrubs that can grow to 

4 m in height. The species can be very difficult to differentiate (e.g., L. maackii from L. ×bella, 

which both occur on FLMR). In addition, another species of Lonicera (L. tatarica) has been 

found in Kansas and may be present at FLMR; this species would be very difficult to distinguish 

from L. maackii and L. ×bella. All species have been planted as ornamentals. In natural areas 

they can contribute to reduced species richness in herbaceous communities and inhibit 

regeneration in early to mid-successional forests. Birds and possibly small mammals can 


disperse their seeds. They are found in forests with histories of fragmentation, woodcutting, or 

grazing and along semi-shaded fencerows and weedy thickets. Control may be achieved by 

pulling or repeatedly clipping seedlings and mature shrubs for a period of three to five years. 

Winter clipping encourages vigorous re-sprouting. Herbicides may be necessary for control. 

Amur honeysuckle is not currently a problem at FLMR (but see general considerations for exotic 


Lonicera ×bella (Caprifoliaceae; pretty honeysuckle) 

Lonicera ×bella is a hybrid of two exotic bush honeysuckles, L. morrowii and L. tatarica, which 

are native to Japan and Russia respectively. It has intermediate characteristics with leaves 

slightly hairy beneath and flowers pink fading to yellow. It is found on forest edges and interiors 

as well as lakesides, riparian areas, and disturbed areas. Control can be by pulling or repeatedly 

clipping seedlings and mature shrubs for a period of three to five years. Winter clipping 

encourages vigorous re-sprouting. Herbicides may be necessary for control. 

Pretty honeysuckle is not currently a problem at FLMR (but see general considerations for exotic 


Lythrum salicaria (Lythraceae; purple loosestrife) 

Native to Europe and Asia, purple loosestrife is an erect perennial herb that grows to 2 m tall and 

produces a showy spike of rose-purple flowers. It was imported for use by beekeepers and as an 

ornamental in the 1800s. A single stalk can produce 300,000 seeds, which can be dispersed by 

wind, water, or animals; it also spreads vegetatively. Once established, it can block waterways 

and destroy marshes and wet prairies. It is found widely in wet habitats and moist soil conditions 

in full sun, but can survive up to 50% shade. With small infestations of

purposely planted in the late 19 th century in northeast Kansas for livestock fencing. It often 

invades prairies, savannas, and open forests with a history of grazing. It is found in open areas 

on a variety of soils. It is often found in pastures and hedgerows but also along riverbanks and in 

disturbed forests. It does not tolerate heavy shade well, and will not reproduce under those 

conditions. Control can be achieved by cutting and/or burning. Cutting works best during the 

summer months. Burning will keep young plants from establishing but older trees may be 

resistant to fire. 

Osage-orange is not currently a problem at FLMR (but see general considerations for exotic trees 

and shrubs). 

Melilotus spp (Fabaceae; M. albus (white sweet-clover) and M. officinalis (yellow sweetclover)) 

Melilotus spp. are native to the Mediterranean area through central Europe to Tibet and were 

reported as early as 1664 in North America. These biennial legumes have been used in the 

production of honey, as wildlife cover, as a forage crop and as a soil builder. They can easily 

invade open habitats and will remain a problem for managers because of continued planting due 

to their economic importance. They are found on roadsides, abandoned fields, pastures and other 

open habitats such as prairies. They can grow in cold and hot climates in full sun to partial 

shade. Light infestations can be controlled by hand-pulling stems in late fall or early spring. 

Large colonies can be cut close to the ground after the leaves on the lower stem die but before 

seeds form. Prescribed burning with an April burn the first year and May burn the following year 

can be effective. 

White sweet-clover and yellow sweet-clover are not thought to be a major threat to native 

biodiversity at FLMR at this time. These species are generally associated with disturbed habitats 

(roadsides, abandoned fields, construction areas), and can become abundant in native prairie 

where there has been disturbance. They can appear during the early years of prairie restorations, 

but in successful restorations will generally not persist as a problem species. These species are 

often relicts of past agricultural plantings and, because of their potential to interfere with native 

and restored areas, should not be planted in the future. Extreme care must be exercised in 

controlling these species where they occur within or near native communities so as not to damage 

non-target species. 

Phalaris arundinacea (Poaceae; reed canary grass) 

Native to the temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America, reed canary grass is a large, 

coarse, perennial grass that can grow to 2 m tall. Planted widely for forage and erosion control, it 

poses a threat to natural wetlands and marshes due to its aggressiveness, hardiness, and rapid 

growth. It can replace native wet prairie and wetland species several years after establishment. It 

is found in a variety of wetlands including stream banks, swales, fens, wet meadows, wet 

prairies, and marshes. Prescribed fire in the form of repeated late fall or spring burns over 

several years can be an effective control especially in areas where native species are present or in 

the seed bank. Fire may not be effective in dense monocultures of this species. Hand removal 

may be feasible in small stands. Mowing is probably not effective. 


Reed canary grass can become highly invasive, forming dense populations that diminish native 

biodiversity or impede efforts at ecosystem restoration. The species is particularly problematic in 

wetlands, low prairies, and mesic areas. There is a robust population at FLMR in floodplain 

areas of the Missouri River. Control of this species will be difficult due to its abundance and 

distribution. We recommend mapping the existing population before a control program is 

implemented. To minimize potential colonization of natural areas, future planting of this species 

should not be allowed. This species could potentially become a major impediment to current and 

future restoration efforts in the floodplain (low prairie and wetland systems) and in other “marsh 

habitat” (e.g., shorelines of reservoirs and ponds). 

Robinia pseudoacacia (Fabaceae; black locust) 

Black locust’s original range was in the southeastern U.S. on the lower slopes of the Appalachian 

Mountains with some outliers further north on slopes and forest margins in Illinois, Indiana, and 

Missouri. It is a rapidly growing, deciduous tree in the legume family that can grow to 30 m tall. 

Most natural reproduction is by root suckering and stump sprouting. Black locust becomes a 

management problem when it aggressively invades dry prairies and savannas and shades native 

species. It is found on a range of disturbed sites such as pastures, degraded woods, old fields, 

roadsides and rights-of-way. Mowing and burning are somewhat ineffective due to vegetative 

propagation. Management has concentrated more on chemical control. Haying annually may 

prevent first year seedlings from spreading into prairie communities. 

Black locust is not currently a problem at FLMR (but see general considerations for exotic trees 

and shrubs). 

Rhodotypos scandens (Rosaceae; jetbead) 

Native to Japan, jetbead is a fast growing, deciduous shrub that can grow to 2 m tall. It has 

dense, arching branches and shining black fruit found in groups of 3 or 4 that remain throughout 

the winter. It is planted as an ornamental and spreads by both seeds and suckering. It 

occasionally escapes from cultivation and may crowd out native species. It is found on a variety 

of soils in full sun to shade. Small plants can be removed by hand digging. Larger infestations 

can be cut in the fall or winter and an herbicide applied to new growth in the spring. 

Jetbead is not currently a problem at FLMR (but see general considerations for exotic trees and 

shrubs). 

Rosa multiflora (Rosaceae; multiflora rose) 

Native to Japan, Korea, and eastern China multiflora rose was introduced in 1866 as rootstock 

for ornamental roses. It since has been planted for erosion control, as living fences, cover for 

wildlife, and in highway median strips. It is a medium height, thorny shrub with clusters of white 

flowers blooming in late spring. It grows aggressively and produces large numbers of fruit that 

are eaten and dispersed by birds. It can form dense thickets that exclude native plants. It is found 

on a wide range of soil, moisture, and light conditions. It can invade fields, forests, prairies, 

some wetlands, and other habitats. For light infestations, pulling individual plants by hand can 

be successful. Frequently repeated cutting or mowing can kill mature plants. Routine prescribed 

burning will hinder invasion. 


Multiflora rose is not thought to represent a major threat to native biodiversity on FLMR at this 

time. However, as it is officially designated as a noxious weed in Kansas, there are requirements 

for its control. Extreme care must be exercised in controlling this species where it occurs within 

or near native communities so as not to damage non-target species. 

Securigera varia (Fabaceae; common crown-vetch; synonym = Coronilla varia) 

Native to Europe, southwest Asia, and northern Africa, crown vetch is a perennial legume, which 

can have stems up to 2 m tall with rhizomes up to 3 m long. The agent of dispersal is unknown 

but animals may play a role. It has been planted for erosion control, bank stabilization, and 

temporary ground cover. Its rapid spread by rhizomes and seeding ability poses a threat to 

natural areas. It is found in open sunny areas such as roadsides, open fields and gravel bars along 

streams. Prescribed burning alone has not shown success. Repeated late spring mowing has 

shown some success and may at least stop its spread. It should be watched for along rights-ofway 

and controlled to prevent invasion of natural areas. 

Common crown-vetch is not thought to be a major threat to native biodiversity at FLMR at this 

time. This species is generally associated with disturbed habitats, especially where it occurs as a 

relict of plantings for erosion control. Because of its potential to interfere with native and 

restored areas, its use as a cover plant for erosion control should be severely limited (alternatives 

for erosion control include native grasses and forbs). Extreme care must be exercised in 

controlling this species where it occurs within or near native communities so as not to damage 


Sorghum halepense (Poaceae; Johnson grass) 

Native to the Mediterranean, Johnson grass was introduced to the U.S. in the 1800s as a potential 

forage crop. It is a coarse, perennial grass that can reach 2.5 m tall and is characterized by having 

stout rhizomes. It spreads by seed and rhizomes, forming dense clumps. It can crowd out native 

species, reducing plant diversity and complicating restoration efforts in areas it comes to 

dominate. It is found invading disturbed sites including fallow fields, forest edges, and 

riverbanks. It also can be a pest in annually tilled agricultural fields. Johnson grass grows on a 

variety of soils but can thrive on fertile lowlands. Individual plants in small infestations can be 

hand-pulled in June after rain has softened the ground. This may need to be repeated several 

times for control. Individual plants also can be sprayed with a backpack sprayer. Repeated, 

close mowing can kill seedlings and reduce rhizome growth. 

Johnson grass can become highly invasive, forming dense populations that diminish native 

biodiversity or impede efforts at ecosystem restoration. It is officially designated as a noxious 

weed in Kansas, and therefore certain control measures are required. The current population at 

FLMR is large and widespread. It occurs abundantly in low, mesic restoration areas on former 

agricultural land and in disturbed areas throughout FLMR. Extreme care must be exercised in 

controlling this species where it occurs within or near native communities so as not to damage 



References 

Information on exotic and invasive species was obtained from the following sources: Butterfield, 

Stubbendieck, and Stumpf (1996); Hoffman and Kearns (1997); Illinois Nature Preserves 

Commission (1990); Packard and Mutel (1997); Smith (1997); Swearingen, Reshetiloff, Slattery, 

and Zwicker (2002); and Tu, Hurd, and Randall (2001). Refer to the Literature Cited section of 

the main report for complete citations.

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

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