Research Training Program

Jeffery Michael Saarela
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Paul M. Peterson, Ph.D.
Supervising Scientist
Department of Systematic Biology
Division of Botany

"A summer at the Smithsonian Institution doing real research - need I say more?"

The Taxonomy of Brachyelytrum (Poaceae)

Brachyelytrum, commonly known as long-awned wood grass, is a small native grass genus occurring in eastern North America and eastern Asia that grows in deciduous and mixed-coniferous forests. In the past, workers have recognized variation in the genus at the species, subspecies and varietal levels. Statistical analyses of 19 characters measured on 110 specimens of Brachyelytrum revealed three distinct groups correlated with differences in geography. Scanning electron microscope images were taken to illustrate diagnostic characters, and field work allowed the observation of living plants and collection of fresh plant material for future DNA studies. Asian plants comprise a distinct species, B. japonicum, characterized by narrow leaves, long floral bracts and long floral axes. In North America there are two species that share similar ecological tolerances. Brachyelytrum erectum is characterized by long hairs on the lemma (structure that bears the flower), wider lemmas, and wider on average leaves and is distributed throughout the eastern United States. Brachyelytrum aristosum is characterized by short hairs on the lemma, narrower lemmas, and narrower on average leaves and has a more northernly distribution, occurring in southern Canada, northern United States and south through the Appalachian mountains. As habitats continue to be lost and more species become extinct, it is crucial that scientists understand the biodiversity of the plants in the world. Understanding the variation within Brachyelytrum is one step towards this goal.

This research was supported by a grant from the Smithsonian Women's Committee.

Letter of Gratitude