DBG Mirabilis rotundifolia Demographic Monitoring
Citation
Levy R, DePrenger-Levin M (2018). DBG Mirabilis rotundifolia Demographic Monitoring. Kathryn Kalmbach Herbarium (Denver Botanic Gardens). Sampling event dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/afaalv accessed via GBIF.org on 2024-12-11.Description
This data set is derived from a monitoring study of Mirabilis rotundifolia that was conducted from 1993 to 1999. Individual plants within 15 circular plots (radius = 5 meters) were tagged and revisited. Plant height, plant diameter at the widest point, the number of buds, flowers, and fruits were measured. Plant description: Small (.5-4 dm) and variously branched perennials, dying back to ground level in winter. A single population may contain individuals with one or two stems as well as nearly hemispheric individuals with many branches. Leaves are leathery and exhibit a wide range of hairiness, but the plants are never completely without hairs. Lower leaves are round in outline, upper leaves are more pointed (egg-shaped to lance-shaped). Flowers are bright magenta and flared to approximately 2 cm. in diameter. The flowers are only open between dawn (or perhaps earlier) and about 10 or 11 am during the month of June. The small oval fruits develop in a papery, umbrella-shaped structure with breaks off and rolls or blows away when the fruits are mature. Plants are associated with, platy shale in the Arkansas valley, between Canon City and Pueblo.Purpose of the study: This study is the result of a cooperative relationship of Halnam, Inc., the Nature Conservancy, and the Denver Botanic Gardens. The study as aimed at investigating the life history and population biology of Mirabilis rotundifolia. Mirabilis rotundifolia is particularly threatened due to the close proximity of its populations to Halnam inc. The study should determine the effects that Halnam inc.’s practices are having on Mirabilis rotundifolia, and should determine what aspects are crucial to the long term health of the plants.
Purpose
Monitoring of a sensitive species population located near an active cement manufacturing site. Study intended to measure impact of industrial activity on health of population.
This study is the result of a cooperative relationship of Halnam, Inc., the Nature Conservancy, and the Denver Botanic Gardens. The study as aimed at investigating the life history and population biology of Mirabilis rotundifolia. Mirabilis rotundifolia is particularly threatened due to the close proximity of its populations to Halnam inc. The study should determine the effects that Halnam inc.’s practices are having on Mirabilis rotundifolia, and should determine what aspects are crucial to the long term health of the plants.
Sampling Description
Study Extent
15 circular plots (radius = 5 meters) were surveyed on an annual basis. Each individual of the species of interest was tagged and measured each year. New individuals were given a new tag. Often seedlings would arise very near to existing plants; in this case a decimal point or letter was appended to the plant's identifying number.Sampling
15 circular plots (radius = 5 meters) were surveyed on an annual basis. Each individual of the species of interest was tagged and measured each year. New individuals were given a new tag. Often seedlings would arise very near to existing plants; in this case a decimal point or letter was appended to the plant's identifying number.Quality Control
The data provided was transcribed from original, often handwritten, data sheets. Originals will be archived and may be made available upon request.Method steps
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15 circular plots (radius = 5 meters) were surveyed on an annual basis. Each individual of the species of interest was tagged and measured each year. New individuals were given a new tag. Often seedlings would arise very near to existing plants; in this case a decimal point or letter was appended to the plant's identifying number.In 1994 at plot 978 #576 we quit tagging seedlings and just kept track of numbers.
The following data was also recorded:
1.The height of the overall plant. This measurement is taken from the base of the stem to the tip of the longest stem.
2.The two diameters of the plant. This gives us an idea of the width of the plants, so measure the two largest diameters. The combination of these two measurements and the height of the plant gives us a cylindrical representation of the overall size of the plant. See figure below.
3.How many flowers on the plant. 4.How many buds on the plant. 5.How many fruit are present.
Additional info
Please contact the Denver Botanic Gardens Department of Research and Conservation for any additional information.Taxonomic Coverages
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Mirabilis rotundifoliacommon name: Roundleaf four o'clock rank: species
Geographic Coverages
Portland East Site in Florence, Colorado. Fremont County.
Bibliographic Citations
Contacts
Richard Levyoriginator
position: Database Associate
Denver Botanic Gardens
909 York St
Denver
80206
Colorado
US
Telephone: 7208653657
email: richard.levy@botanicgardens.org
homepage: http://www.botanicgardens.org
Michelle DePrenger-Levin
originator
position: Research Associate
Denver Botanic Gardens
909 York St
Denver
80206
Colorado
US
email: DePrengM@botanicgardens.org
homepage: http://www.botanicgardens.org
Richard Levy
metadata author
position: Database Associate
Denver Botanic Gardens
909 York St
Denver
80206
Colorado
US
Telephone: 7208653657
email: richard.levy@botanicgardens.org
homepage: http://www.botanicgardens.org
Richard Levy
user
position: Database Associate
Denver Botanic Gardens
909 York St
Denver
80206
Colorado
US
Telephone: 7208653657
email: richard.levy@botanicgardens.org
homepage: http://www.botanicgardens.org
Richard Levy
administrative point of contact
position: Database Associate
Denver Botanic Gardens
909 York St
Denver
80206
Colorado
US
Telephone: 7208653657
email: richard.levy@botanicgardens.org
homepage: http://www.botanicgardens.org