JOHN W. THIERET, VALUABLE BOTANICAL FRIEND (1965-2005)

2006·11 MB·English

by  Ronald L Stuckey

W
JOHN
THIERET,
VALUABLE BOTANICAL FRIEND
(1965-2005)
Ronald L.Stuckey
Emeritus Professor of Botany
Museum
Herbarium, of Biological Diversity
Ohio
State University
Road
1315 Kinnear
Columbus.Ohio 43212-1
192, U.S.A.
W
my
John Thieret was one of valuable botanical friends, and his loss through
now
death is clearly becoming a reality. received notice of his death on 7 De-
I
cember 2005 from morning from
a short telephone conversation his zoological
Tom Rambo Tom known
colleague, of Northern Kentucky University. has been
me We
when
was
to since his graduate school days he studying ornithology.
were together during summers at The Ohio State University's Franz Theodore
Stone Laboratory Biological Field Station in western Lake Erie on Gibraltar and
My
South Bass Islands, at the town of Put-in-Bay, Ohio. recollections of John
my
Thieret are based on facts that have obtained from correspondence with
1
mine
him, students of that have taken his Field Botany class that he taught at
my
the Stone Laboratory, interactions with him as an editor for Sida and book
review editor for Economic Botany, and other recollections have of him during
I
our 40 years of working together.
my
had completed on The Taxonomy and
In 1965, doctoral dissertation
1
Distribution ojthe Genus Rorippa (Cruciferae) North America, a group of yel-
commonly
low-petaled plants in the mustard family, referred to as marsh cress.
May
received the Ph. D. degree at graduation on 1965 at the University of
I 1
Ann
Michigan, Arbor, and arrived in Columbus in September of that year to
my
begin career as an assistant professor of botany at The Ohio State Univer-
W
name who
believe had heard of the John Thieret, as a botanist had
sity.
I I
now
been in the Chicago area, but was teaching and conducting research at the
University Southwestern Louisiana
of Lafayette.
at
John W. Thieret, Rorippa, and Ronald Stuckey (1965-1966)
L.
A
December which
letter dated 3 1965 arrived addressed to me, the short text
stated;
We
note with interest that you are carryuig on work with Rorippa. May we send to you our speci-
m
mens
of this taxon for annotation? Most of the material our herbarium consists of Louisiana plants
m
collected during extensive field work over the past several years connection with our state flora
project.
SIDA22(1):33-49.2006
34 BRIT.ORG/SIDA
22(1)
responded on 7 December (exactly 40 years earlier on the same day of his death)
I
telling him that would annotate his specimens of Rorippa, and on January
28
I
Upon
1966 signed the loan form for 31 specimens and one to retain. returning
1
my
him March
the loaned specimens, wrote in letter to of 1966 offering to
1
1
write a key to the species of Rorippa that grow in Louisiana, as John w^as pre-
my
paring a flora of that state. also noted that dissertation w^as not yet pub-
1
lished, and therefore some new^ names and/or combinations were not yet valid.
my
Johns immediate reply of thanks lor annotations on the specimens was re-
ceived a few days later The letter concluded with "Let us know^ we can ever be
if
We
of help to you. are always willing to loan or to try to collect specimens for
who
those
ask..."
John W. Thierel and Robert Haynes (1968-1969)
R.
m
who
Robert R. Haynes was a graduate student of worked the Herbarium un-
J ;"
of Southwestern Louisiana, Lalayette with a thesis, titled "A Monograph of the
Genus May
Conopholis (Orobanchaceae)," completed Robert
in 1969. w^as re-
ally more interested in aquatic vascular plants, and he wanted to study pond-
genus Potamogeton no program was
v^^eeds in the but, of course, Ph. D. offered in
biology or botany at the University of Southwestern Louisiana. He sought
who
hnn name
Thieret's advice, told that a young prolessor by the of Ronald
L.
Stuckey Department Botany The Ohio might
in the of at State University be a
where
place he could study these narrow-leaved pondweeds.
Robert R. Haynes, Potamogeton^ and Ronald Stuckey (1968-1973)
L.
me
came
dated October with
Bob's first letter 12 1968, to the following request:
Tliis spring hope to receive a Master ol Science degree from the Universit}^ of Southwestern Louisi-
I
summer
ana.! pU^n to begin work this toward a Doctor of Philosophy degree in plant systeinaticsand
am My
considering Oliio State University as a possible school. mahi interests lie in aquatic plants.
Preferably, would like to do some biosystcmatic work in the genus Potamogeton subsection Pusilli.
I
am
writing to inc[uire there any possibility of working under your direction and of ob-
I if is
am my
taining the fmancial aid that will be necessary to continue studies.
if
I
By this time Bob had in press his paper on the 'Totamogeton in Louisiana"
iProc.
my
Louisiana Acad. 82-90. The paragraph Bob on
Sci, 31: 1968). first of reply to
22 October 1968
stated:
It is a pleasure to learn of your interest in beginning a program toward a Doctor
m
am
of Philosophy degree plant systematics at The Ohio State University.
1
m
also pleased to learn of your interests in aquatic plants, particularly the ge-
nus Potamogeton.
My
letter conti nued explaining that was "primarily interested in loristic and
f
1
phytogeographical problems in aquatic and shore plants." acknowledged that
I
his interest in aquatic plants would into our program. mentioned the avail-
fit
1
STUCKEY, JOHN W.THIERET, VALUABLE BOTANICAL FRIEND 35
summary
ability of teaching assistantships, and asked Bob that he send a of his
course work, his graduate Record Examination Scores, and asked the Graduate
School Admissions Office to send him application forms and instructions. John
W
recommendation graduate work has not been
Thieret's letter of for Bob's lo-
cated and probably no longer extant. Bobs application for Graduate School,
is
review by the Graduate Committee in the Department of Botany initially
after
W
chairman committee
was not favorable for accepting him. John Schmit, of the
Bob
and with the permission of the Committee, agreed to give a trial period,
1,
summer
and asked him to enroll in the 10-week field program, taking a maxi-
mum
of four courses at the Franz Theodore Stone Laboratory Bob completed this
He
work during the summer of 1969 and earned As in all four courses. then re-
turned to Louisiana where he was a teacher at Cecila Jr High School in Cecila.
Dean
Department Chairman Schmitt and College Rich-
In the of 1969,
fall
my
ard H. Behning agreed that needed more permanent help with responsi-
I
bilities as Curator of The Ohio State University Herbarium. The position of
was The person appointed the position
Assistant Curator established. to
first
and with
had to leave at the conclusion of the fall 1969 quarter, the position
Robert Haynes he would accept that responsibility
vacant, called R. to see
if
I
toj
J
J
which was
published
Potamogeton Subsection (Potamogetonaceae)," in
Pusilli
Rhodora 564-649. Bob remained Columbus The Ohio State Univer-
1975. in at
76:
the academic year 1973-1974 and was an instructor in botany teaching
sity for
summer
General Botany three quarters and Local Flora during the quarter.
for
taxonomy
Bob developed a career as a professor teaching plant advising
herbarium— which concluded with
graduate students, curating a all of his re-
tirement May 2005 from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. His major
in
North
work on Potamogeton and related genera is published in the Flora of
Volume
America North Mexico, 3-94. 2000.
22:
of
John W. Thieret and the Stone Laboratory (1970-1971)
In 1956 a new summer teaching program was developed at the F.T Stone Labo-
Putnam,
under newly appointed Director Loren ornithologist of
ratory Dr.
S.
T
The Ohio State University In the new system, Dr Richard Fisher of the De-
partment Botany taught two 5-week courses, Field Botany during the first
of
had
term and Higher Aquatic Plants during the second term. the privilege of
I
him
attending the Stone Laboratory and took the Field Botany course from in
who
Dr
summer with
the of 1959. Since that time kept in contact Fisher, later
1
my
was responsible joining the faculty of The Ohio State University in the
for
my
of 1965. Among responsibilities eventually was to teach at the Stone
fall
summer
came
and opportunity surprisingly the following
Laboratory, that
.
36
BRIT.ORG/SIDA
22(1)
when
taught Field Botany. Durhig the 1967 season taught the Ac[uatic Plants
I I
Then
course. ui 1968 Fisher left the University to become chairman of the Bio-
Bowlmg
logical Sciences Department at Green State University in Ohio. Dr Put-
who
nam, had
a budget for the courses at the Laboratory, and in agreement with
chairman Schmit Department non^OSU
of the of Botany, chose to hire a teacher
for the Field Botany course in 1969 and 1970. That arrangement was allow
to
me
to have more time to develop a research program studying the aquatic vas-
cular plants of western Lake Erie, instead of teaching both courses as Fisher
Dr.
had done Putnam non-OSU
since 1956. also preferred to have professors teach-
ing two consecutive summers and then change Putnam
to a different teacher.
my whom
relied on advice in these situations and asked we might
hire teach
to
summer
the Field Botany course during the of 1971. At the time Robert Haynes
was OSU
the Assistant Curator of the Herbarium, and asked him sugges-
for
1
W
Naturally he suggested John and Putnam
tions. Thieret, reported with
to
1
recommendation.
this
From Putnam knew
soon was
that Thieret hired to teach Field Botany,
I
and November came me
a letter of 9 1970 to from Thieret:
Tve just spoken with Dr, Putnam regarding Put-in-Bay next summer, asked him suggest someone
to
1
whom
to could write concerning such things as an oiithne or syUabus or what-have-you Botany
1 for
610, Field Botany; the text or texts used; class procedure; collcctnig locahties; etc.; etc.; etc. h^ response
my
to question, he suggested your name. Thus you are the chosen victim.
John followed with four questions that concerned the course outline, the text-
book used, class procedure, and good and
field localities to see collect plants. In
regard to the latter item he wrote:
am
must admit that a bit panicked by the thought of trying to fmd enough such localities on a
1 1
small island. (A bn more limited area than am used Lake you know. mean
to at Itacsa,
"Itasca.")
1 1
. .
Pm my
certainly looking forward to trying hand at Put-in-Bay, Maybe Pll even be given the chance to
And my
meet
you. Best wishes. please give regards Bob Maynes.
to
My
three and one-half page November 1970
letter of 17 followed. began:
It
am
very pleased to learn that you are going to be with us teaching Botany 610 (Field BotanyJ, this
1
summer
at Stone Laboratory. Your letter of 9 November, full of questions is at hand, and Pll try to
answer them
as best 1 can. I took the field botany course at Stone Lab in 1959 and taught it once, in
1966. Since then have been developing and teaching the aquatic plant course which meets every
1
summer
other and to develop a research program around the theme of the changing lora of the
i
and
ishtnds of the acpiatic situations that we find in the area.
My
letter continued by giving John some statements about the kinds of students
that take the course and their knowledge of plants. noted that the course prima-
1
concerned
rily the flowering plants, that Clara G. Weishaupt Vascuhr Plants
s of
Ohio was the book used, and that had an outline of the course with various
I
procedures that would mail him. Then wrote long statement about
a class field
1 1
37
STUCKEYJOHNW.THIERET.VALUABLE BOTANICAL FRIEND
assuring him that he would have plenty of plants and ample places to take
trips,
students. With reference to field work, added a statement about taking field trips
I
by boat to the various islands in Lake Erie and to the Ohio mainland.
My
comments
concluded with on the available library resources, labo-
letter
and drying
ratory supplies for the course, materials for pressing collected plants,
commonly known
more
and the information sheets, then as "handouts," that
1
used in the 1966 Field Botany course. The latter offered to mail to him. con-
1 1
my
own up-coming summer.
cluded the about projected plans for the
letter
will be at the Laboratory all summer myself. The first term will be for research, at which time I will
I
my
be spending most of time writing. Hopefully can finish the manuscript on the Tlora of the Erie
I
my
and make significant progress on anticipated treatise on the "Origin, Changes, and Geo-
Islands,"
and Marsh Western Lake and Northwestern
graphical Relationships of the Aquatic Flora of Erie
am
Ohio." During the second term will be teaching the Aquatic Plant course. looking forward very
1 1
much your coming Stone Lab next summer. Please do not hesitate to write you have further
to to if
comments
questions. hope the above will be helpful to you.
1
November
John did not hesitate to send a return letter, dated 20 1970. It began,
thank you your long letter— and the useful data therein. Be-
"1 certainly for all
commenting on
me, your help deeply appreciated." After the various
lieve
is
items had mailed him, he concluded his letter saying, "After IVe gone over all
1
know Thanks
the material thoroughly, 111 let you if any other questions arise.
. . .
your
a lot for all fine help."
summer
program
John continued his pursuit concerning the 1971 at the
Stone Laboratory, and on 19 January 1971, he wrote to Director Putnam, greet-
him
ing with:
Dear
Puttie:
note in your bulletin for summer 1970 that you had, in 1969 a series of talks—a "Special Lecture
I
my
am
Series"—by "outstandmg scientists;' While certainly not "outstanding" (except in unrivalled
1
who am
humility) and there are those maintain that no scientist, still intend, via this letter, to offer
1
I
summer work
to give some sort of a talk this coming have done quite a bit of botanical field in
1
Canada's District of Mackenzie-in the Great Slave Lake region. As a result of the work, have a set of
1
when
slides that some people find interesting, especially the slides are accompanied by the delight-
commentary presented by humble John. you wish such a presentation—lets call a travelog—
ful If it
my Tm
rd be glad to import slides to Put-m-Bay this commgjune. not at all certain that a travelog by
WT
empty
would be w^orth a mention in your 1972 bulletin, but it might fill in an otherwise evening
J
And me
on know.
Gibraltar. besides, like to talk...Let
1
much humor
This reveals of the kind of John displayed about himself.
letter
summer
Regarding these special lectures, beginning in the of 1970, Director
Putnam asked me make arrangements the special lecture series at the
to for
Laboratory. contacted the potential speakers, prepared the program, hosted
I
them when made on Thurs-
and introduced they their presentations
their
visit,
was
Scheduling special lecture by John W. Theiret easily ac-
a
5.
and schedule with Thieret 13
complished, distributed the lecture listed for
1
38 BR1T.ORG/SIDA
22(1)
Highway
July 1971 with the "The Yellowknife Region, Canada: Flora and
title
wish was and
Vegetation.'' John's to present a lecture fulfilled, his lecture
title
was
later listed in the 1972 admissions bulletin.
and
Again, Thieret, Rorippa, Stuckey (1966-1972)
When my
completed dissertation on the genus Rorippa was
in 1965,
diffi-
I it
cult to locate a journal that would publish a large taxonomic monograph as a
My
single paper or issue of a journal. advisoi; Edward G. Voss, had anticipated
that could retain the entire dissertation as one unit were published in the
I if it
Conirihutionsjwm the University Mid]igan Herbarium. Th\^
of
been some and McVaugh
inactive for years, editor Rogers reaffirmed that funds
w^ere not available at that time to reactivate The conclusion w^as that would
it.
1
my
have look elsewhere publish
to to dissertation.
Edw^ard G. Voss held in high regard the taxonomic knowledge of Lloyd 11
When
Shinners of Southern Methodist University. Lloyd taught the tax-
field
onomy summer
course in the of 1952, at the University of Michigan Biological
Station, Pellston, Ed was graduate teaching assistant and from then on grew
liis
SMU
a close botanical relationship and great respect for each other. In 1962,
at
pubhshmg
Shinners began a private taxonomic journal named and Ed
Sida,
my
Dr
might
suggested that contact Shinners regarding publication of Rorippa
1
my
monograph.
then proceeded to correspond with Shinners about study of
I
and
Rorippa, during 1966 extracted and published short papers taken from
tw^o
1
my
They
dissertation. w^ere "The distribution of Rorippa syhestris (Cruciferae)
in North America" (Sida 2:361-376. and Rorippa and
1966), walteri R. ohlusa
synonyms
of R. teres (Cruciferae)" (Sida 2:409-418. 1966). During 1967 through
my
monograph
1969, revised on Rorippa, and on December
5 1969, w^'ote to
1
1
my
Dr. Shinners asking if he would publish Rorippa study in Sida. He enthusi-
me
responded on December and
astically 9 send manuscript
1969, told to the to
him A
March
after Christmas. letter of 26 1970 confirmed that he had accepted
whose
the manuscript, heard nothing from
'^bulk a bit appalling." further
is
1
Shinners until learned of his death of 16 February 1971, The future status of
1
my
was and
Sida in doubt, therefore the publication of Rorippa monograph
was on March Dr
also in doubt. Later 15 1971 wrote, wrote William E Mahler,
1 1
who
was him
Shinners replacement, thanking March
for his letter of 3 1971
which
indicated that publication of Sida would be continued and that addi-
my
work was am
tional to proceed on Rorippa monograph. pleased that you
"I
my
have selected Dr. Thieret to go over manuscript in preparation for
its
may know
you
publication.. ..As Dr. Thieret will be at our University for 5 weeks
summer
this teaching at Stone Laboratory w^ll be there the same time and
at
I
can work with him on
the manuscript."
In April John and began correspondence on
1971, a the preparation of the
1
monograph
Rorippa for publication in Sida. Together,John and discussed the
I
STUCKEYJOHNW.THIERET^VALUABLE BOTANICAL FRIEND 39
Rorip-pa manuscript while both of us were at the Stone Laboratory. Later in the
me
year John wrote letters on the progress of the editing which continued into
Johns
January 1972
f972. letter of 11 stated:
when
finish with the ms., shall return to Mahler have just been asked to serve as Associate
I I it I
Editor of Sida— which just what TVe been doing along!
is all
By John had Rorippa manuscript and
April sent the edited to Mahler, the latter
my
me, "manuscript
replied to 13 April 1972, that already at the printers."
is
me
Thieret received the galley proof sheets and then sent them on read-
to for
summer
ing. Together that at Stone Laboratoryjohn and read the galley sheets.
1
came
Page proofs on 25 July 1972, according to Mahler's letter to me, on 8 Au-
gust 1972. returned the final page proofs, and by 27 September, was complet-
1 I
my My
200 mono-
ing the transaction to purchase copies of study of Rorippa.
Taxonomy
graph, "The and Distribution of the genus Rorippa (Cruciferae) in
W
North America" appeared in Sida 4(4):279-430. 1972.John Thieret was listed
Had
and William E Mahler
as the associate editor as the copyright owner. not
it
my
been for Thieret entering the situation, monograph might never have been
owed him
published. a great debt of gratitude for his unselfish help in editing
1
my
publication.
and
Again, Thieret Stone Laboratory (1972)
summer
and
In the of 1972, Thieret returned to the Stone Laboratory again
summer
taught Botany This he had prepared book mimeographed
Field a of
handouts
course that w^ere to be given to each student. Nearly everything that
John wrote had some humor with At bottom
associated the of the Table of
it.
was HAVE YOU THANKED A GREEN PLANT TODAY?
Contents page
the notation,
My
masters student David Moore took the course from Thieret that sum-
L.
mer. At that time also, David was studying the changes, since 1895, in the aquatic
vascular plant-flora of East Marbor State Park, Ottawa County Ohio (Completed
Oh
1973; portion published in 76:78-86. 1976). David later in 1976 earned
loj. Sci.
the Ph.D. degree from The Ohio State University by studying the distribution
of freshwater algae in northeastern Ohio with Clarence Since then
Dr. Taft.
E.
David has taught botany courses in the Department of Biology Utica College
at
New
of Syracuse University, Utica, York. Beginning in 1993, he returned to the
summer
and
Stone Laboratory has taught the aquatic plants course every ex-
The was summer.
cept 2005. course not taught that
my
In response to request for information about John Thieret 1972 Field
s
Botany David provided the following three paragraphs:
class,
my
05U
As retrieved an soft cover binder from office shelf, was reminded of the passage of 34
1 I
summer
years by the yellowed, brown-edged, hand-written pages! The 1972 Field Botany course with
me We
came
Dr. John Thieret back to as read through the pages of notes. learned a total of 191 taxa
1
in thosefiveweeksand the floral formulae for 25 plant families. Indeed was the first time had ever
it 1
My
seen floral formuhre and floral diagrams! favorite plant was Matricaria matricarioides, the Pine-
BRIT.ORG/SIDA
40 22(1)
apple Weed, which Thieret picked by the docks and gleefully crushed his palm so we could
Dr,
iii
sniff the fragrance of fresh pineapple.
went Everyone laughed
At the class session Dr. Thieret over the syllabus.
first
remember
when he referred to examinations as "mental enemas," will always
I
the cover of his mnneographed course handouts which he provided to us that
Hidu Dance
day The front page pictured Shiva Nataraja, the Lord of the
first
on Nupharadyena leaf which protruded from the fruit of Nelumho lutea In the
a
right rear hand was a leaf of Rhus toxicodendron (Poison Ivy) while in her left
rear hand was an Aescylus glabra leaf (Buckeye). The afternoon of July 8 was
my
was
first trip to Pelee Island. It probably one of the highlights of the session,
know
and where saw Populus gramlideniata and Diplotaxis. don't
first still if
1 T
was
D, tenuifolia or D. muralis.
it
poem
At the end of the session, just before the final exam, Dr. Thieret read a
he had composed on the porch of Bay view House where he and his family lived.
he he
In he dedicates a verse to each of the students in the class. After read
it
it
my
gave each of us a two page mimeographed copy on yellow paper. kept copy
I
my
we same
with
notebook finished the course. retyped the spelling,
in after
it
I
m
punctuation and format that he used except that placed two columns.
I it
There one misspelling left intact - "cannister"- and the two lower case letters
is
was
w^hich should have been capitalized. All of his "poetic license retained).
fjoh
Summer
RIIYM,
1972/' publication here:
for
Rmym
Botany 610
in
Summer
1972
young Madchen
This the forest primeval That lovely Miss Schiller
is
The murmuring Acer and Celtis With plant names really did
fill 'er.
1
And
this the class that beneath Bui a turtle so cool
is it
Romped
cheerfully after their Leader. She found in a pool
Was what
This the class below pictured really, think, did thrill
is 'cr.
1
In verses rhythmic, poetic.
man
There goes that bold Rick McGill
Twas watch Moore Out botanical
a pleasure to for a kill.
K'lr.
Whose knowledge of plants was not poor. He works day and night
With might
Like an eye-talian barber all of his
And
He combs over east Harbor does get his plant press quite [ill.
And
there gave Fearless Leader a tour
And
but not Fearless Leader
last, least,
And now Whose and
time Miss Kneller disciples learned oak, elm, cedar.
for
it is
low on The Rock
hard plant world
tried this to sell oft,
I 'er. 1
my He
By wares did gather his flock
selling
And
increased her cares. exhort them there, n^uch like old Peter.
I
So often 'AVork hard, dear^^ rd tell er,
STUCKEYJOHNW.THIERELVALUABLE
BOTANICAL FRIEND
41
At the conclusion of the poem, John
wrote, "... presented with thanks and
my
appreciation Stone Lab
to Students.
may
Long )y
they
flower!
The
verse pertaining Rick McGill
to
noteworthy he was working with
as
is
me
making com-
for his master's degree a
parison of the vascular plant flora of the
two lakes northern Champaign
in
County
Ohio (completed not pub-
1973;
lished).
Tom
John W. Duncan, and
Thieret, the
rieU Soto.
71lA
"Flora of the Erie Islands" (1972-2005)
Tom
Duncan, an undergraduate major-
ing education and working
in as a teach-
ing assistant in chemistry the The
at
Ohio State University introduced him- Cover page of John W. Thierefs Field Botany, Course
m Summer
Handouts, 1972.
me
during sophomore
self to his year
the early spring of 1968. Later that sprin
me
he accompanied on field trips learning the local flora, and in the spring of
my
1969 he began working an under OSU
as assistant direction in the Her-
my
summer Tom
barium. That
invited to serve as research assistant at the ET.
I
my
He
Stone Laboratory continued
to serve part-time as research assistant on
the Flora of the Erie Islands until he graduated at the end of the quarter
fall
Tom
1970. continued working on the Flora manuscript from 1971 through 1973
while he was a graduate student at the University of Mighican. He earned his
Ph. D. in Botany there in 1976 and was employed as an assistant professor botany
beginning
July 1976 at the University ranted
1
tenure there in 1982, was the Director of the Herbarium 1982-1991, then be-
came Museum
Director of the Informatics Project until his retirement in 2002
an
as associate professor emeritus age
at 54.
W
John
Thieret
in July
Joh
summer
to teach Field Botany was visiting Stone Laboratory for a few days to
I
discuss with Ronald L. Stuckey progress on the preparation of our manuscript
The
titled Flora the Erie Islands: Origin, History, and Change,
of Its
Stuckey on
initiated a project the flora of the Erie Islands in the mid-60s. In
undertook on
1969, a project as his research assistant the changes in the flora
1
of the seven small islands in western Lake Erie (The Michigan Botanist 9:175-
200. 1970), and was invited to collaborate on the more inclusive project in 1970.
BRIIORG/SIDA
22(1)
42
By 1972 we were in the initial stages of preparing together a manuscript de-
our
scribing the results of research.
summer
was spending second an instructor Stone
John Thieret his as at
and
Laboratory, had become intensely focused on the flora of the islands
fie
m my
me
on
discussing with the progress to date collaboration
w^as interested
One we was information
with Stuckey area discussed the lack of
in this regard,
on
previous about cultivated plants the islands.
in floras
Cultivated species are of interest because they are an important source for
the advcntive and naturalized flora of the islands, are a conspicuous aspect of
the and are an important feature of the flora for the residents of the is-
flora,
John and concluded that we would undertake a survey of gardens on
lands.
1
and compile the
South Bass Island a of the cultivated flora for incltision in
list
manuscript Stuckey and were preparing on the total flora.
I
We
spent a day wandering the roads of South Bass Island stopping at houses
we examine and names
and asking local residents could record the of the
if
m
Hyde Manual
With
plants their gardens. a copy of Liberty Baileys oj Culti-
we
vated Pla (1949), in hand, were able to prepare a preliminary list oi plants.
fits
Ultimately included 258
this taxa.
list
was
John often stated that our field trip on South Bass Island that day one
of his favorite memories of his time at Lake Erie. After our initial meeting in
1972 w^e continued to correspond and talk on the telephone about the progress
of the flora manuscript. In 1982 John brought the nomenclature of our list of
cultivated plants up to date using Hortus Third (1976), the nomenclatural ref-
February 1982 he con-
erence for cultivated plants at that time. In his letter of 3
wishes from wish we could wander over South
"best John.
_, I
Bass Island again. Fun, fun, fun."
am
Whenever reminded Johns charm-
think of these events, alw^ays of
I I
ing personality his appreciation of natural history and his joy in studying plants.
m
His interest the flora of the Erie Islands continued for over 30 years until the
end
his
of
lite.
Stuckey and completed our manuscript in 1976 and submitted to the
it
I
Ohio Biological Survey for publication. The Survey accepted the manuscript
publication and planned publication in 1979. John volunteered to serve
for for
as editor for the Survey and w^orked extensively on the manuscript. Unfortu-
nately the Ohio Biological Survey could not publish the manuscript at that time,
and involvement with other
partially because of the lack of funds, Stuckey's
projects for the Survey For the next 20 years the manuscript and three edited
copies resided in Stuckey office with an additional copy in the Franz Theodore
s
Stone Laboratory library
During John continued and frequently asked both
this period, his interest
me way
Stuckey and w^e would complete the manuscript and iind a to render
if
in a form for wide distribution. During a visit to The Ohio State University in
it