Foamflowers in Kentucky

In November 2022, iNaturalist split Tiarella cordifolia into five species, two of which occur in Kentucky: Tiarella stolonifera and Tiarella wherryi. The ranges of the two species overlap in three counties in south-central Kentucky.

Distribution of Tiarella in Kentucky counties (overlap in bold):

  • Tiarella stolonifera: Bell, Carter, Clay, Elliot, Estill, Floyd, Gallatin, Garrard, Greenup, Harlan, Jackson, Jessamine, Jefferson, Johnson, Kenton, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lincoln, Madison, Martin, McCreary, Menifee, Perry, Pike, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Whitley, Wolfe, Woodford
  • Tiarella wherryi: Clinton, Cumberland, Edmonson, Hart, Laurel, McCreary, Metcalfe, Pulaski, Wayne

Observations of Tiarella stolonifera in Kentucky:

Observations of Tiarella wherryi in Kentucky:

Tips for identification of Tiarella species:

Tiarella stolonifera is distinguished by the presence of a stolon, which Tiarella wherryi does not have. Since stolon production is seasonal, it is sometimes helpful to examine the leaves. A basal leaf of Tiarella wherryi is usually longer than wide. with acute-acuminate lobes and a prominently extended terminal lobe. On the other hand, a basal leaf of Tiarella stolonifera usually has obtuse to rounded lobes and a terminal lobe that is not prominently extended.

For details, including a color-coded range map and an identification key, see: Nesom, Guy L. (2021). "Taxonomy of Tiarella (Saxifragaceae) in the eastern USA" (PDF). Phytoneuron. 31: 1–61. (A shortened version of Nesom's paper was published by the North Carolina Botanical Garden in 2022.)

For more general information about Tiarella, see: Observing and identifying Foamflowers in eastern North America

由使用者 trscavo trscavo2022年12月18日 19:51 所貼文

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Okay

發佈由 jasontyler 大約 2 年 前

@trscavo Regarding the “Tiarella is unexpected here” comment for observations in certain localities, can you clarify why they’re unexpected? If it’s based on Nesom’s map, some of the unexpected counties do show records for either stolonifera or wherryi. Sorry if I’m misreading, was just confused by this.

發佈由 vvoelker 大約 2 年 前

@vvoelker thanks for the feedback. I'm going by the range map on page 10 of [Nesom 2021]. The above list of counties comes directly from that map. If I've misinterpreted that, please let me know.

發佈由 trscavo 大約 2 年 前

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