Lysimachia minima (Primulaceae) is reinstated in the flora of New York after being excluded by Werier in 2017.
Lysimachia minima (L.) U. Manns & Anderb. was excluded from the flora of New York by Werier (2017) because after extensive searches he could not locate a voucher of the species from New York. Historically, L. minima has been reported (sometimes as Anagallis minima (L.) E.H.L. Krause or Centunculus minimus L.) from New York by Mitchell (1986), New York Flora Association (1990), Mitchell and Tucker (1997, 2003), and Cholewa (2009). Lysimachia minima, commonly called chaffweed, is a cosmopolitan annual herb native widely across North and South America, Eurasia, and northern Africa. Its habitat is typically described as sandy or muddy soil that is prone to temporary standing water such as pond edges and low ground in old fields (Cholewa 2009, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 2023).
In 2004, Blanchard collected L. minima on Long Island, New York and deposited a voucher in the systematics lab at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, Brookville, NY. The collection was determined by Blanchard. At the site he also collected Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. (O.J. Blanchard 2961) and Ludwigia palustris (L.) Elliott (O.J. Blanchard 2963), and observed Lindernia dubia (L.) Pennell var. anagallidea (Michx.) Cooperr.
Voucher Specimen. USA. New York. Suffolk County: mowed edge of a pond in Huntington Bay, 19 Jul 2004, O.J. Blanchard 2962 (systematics lab at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University, Brookville, NY).
Based on the above collection, L. minima is reinstated in the flora of New York. We have not revisited the site since 2004 and to our knowledge no one has checked on the status of this population. Because of its diminutive size and inconspicuous flowers L. minima may be overlooked in New York.
Several unresolved questions remain concerning the status of L. minima in New York. Cholewa (2009) reported the species as native throughout its North American range, but Mitchell (1986) considered it “a non-native species which is no longer known to persist” (p. 73). The habitat of the population on Long Island is consistent with the species’ preferred habitat throughout its global range. Native waterfowl visit ponds and other wetlands throughout the Huntington Bay region (Lamont and Blanchard, personal observation) and are possible agents of seed dispersal.
Cholewa (2009) noted that L. minima was historically reported from New York and was last collected there in 1878. The unpublished New York State Museum cards (at NYS) note one specimen of this species collected in New York (Albany Co., Albany, 5 Jun [18]78, Wibbe s.n., in collection of Hobart). At least part of Hobart's herbarium was transferred to NY and BKL (Werier 2017); Werier searched unsuccessfully for vouchers of L. minima at both herbaria and elsewhere.
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