THE VASCULAR FLORA AND VEGETATIONAL COMMUNITIES OF HAYES ARBORETUM IN WAYNE COUNTY, INDIANA

An inventory of the naturally occurring or naturalized vascular flora occurring at Hayes Arboretum revealed 525 species representing 316 genera and 97 families. The 12 families containing 57% of the documented species were Asteraceae, Poaceae, Cyperaceae, Rosaceae, Ranunculaceae, Liliaceae. Fabaceae, Brassicaceae, Lamiaceae, Apiaceae, Scrophulariaceae, and Caprifoliaceae. Of the documented flora, 375 were native and 150 were adventives. A detailed physiognomic analysis is presented. Of the 525 species reported, 305 represent Wayne County records. The Floristic Quality Index (FQI) for the native species is 72.0, while for all species the FQI is 60.8. The mean Coefficient of Conservatism (Cav ) for the native species is 3.7, while for all species the Cav is 2.7. The mean Wetland Indicator Status (W) for the native species is 0.7, while for all species, the mean W is 1.3. The FQI, Cav, and mean W are discussed; and they suggest that Hayes Arboretum is a site with high natural quality that is being com- promised by adventives. The vascular flora of Hayes Arboretum includes one rare species. (Crataegus succulenta), one endangered species (Geranium bicknellii), two threatened species (Thalictrum pubescens and Veronica anagallis-aquatica), and one species on the watch list {Panax qiiinquefolius). Based on hydrology, soil types, and topography, the major community types (beech-maple forest, mixed hardwood forest in various stages of succession, steep slope and upland woods, floodplain woodland adjacent to Culmer's Run, wet meadows, cattail marsh, seeps, ponds, and fields) are described.