Pulmonaria officinalis

Weakley, Alan S., Kees, John C., Sorrie, Bruce A., Ward, Scott G., Poindexter, Derick B., Brock, Mason, Estes, L. Dwayne, Bridges, Edwin L., Orzell, Steve L., Levin, Geoffrey A., McClelland, R. Kevan Schoonover, Schmidt, Ryan J. & Namestnik, Scott A., 2023, Studies In The Vascular Flora Of The Southeastern United States. Ix, Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas 17 (1), pp. 191-257 : 236-237

Pulmonaria officinalis L. ( Boraginaceae ) is an ornamental waif which has been found growing outside of cultivation along the Paulinskill Valley Rail Trail in Hardwick and near Lake Hopatcong ( U.S.A. New Jersey. Morris Co.: Jefferson Township, 8 Stonehenge Rd near Great Cove, Lake Hopatcong, 27 Mar 2021, Schmidt 176, CHRB).

Verbascum densiflorum Bertol. ( Scrophulariaceae ) was found growing in the interior of Liberty State Park ( U.S.A. New Jersey. Hudson Co.: Jersey City, Liberty State Park-Interior [Communipaw], 9 Aug 2021, Schmidt et al. 976, CHRB) and on Petty’s Island in Pennsauken ( U.S.A. New Jersey. Camden Co.: Pennsauken, Petty’s Island, 29 Jun 2021, Schmidt 659, CHRB). Although no specimens of this species were previously collected at these localities, this species was likely introduced via the historical deposition of solid ballast in the two localities ( Schmidt et al. submitted) with no other populations of the species having been identified in New Jersey. Since this species exhibits a similar distributional pattern to other species which were introduced via solid ballast deposition during the 19th century ( Schmidt et al. submitted), we assert that this species is actually established in New Jersey despite its limited collection and geographic range.

Verbascum maurum Maire & Murb. ( Scrophulariaceae ) was also found growing on Petty’s Island, representing the first known collection of this plant in North America ( U.S.A. New Jersey. Camden Co.: Pennsauken, Petty’s Island, 29 Jun 2021, Schmidt 651, CHRB).Similar to V.densiflorum this species was likely introduced via historical ballast deposition on Petty’s Island. While this species was also never before collected on Petty’s Island, there are reports of V. virgatum (which previously included V. maurum ) having been observed by Addison Brown at another ballast site in Jersey City ( Brown 1878a); the location of Brown's specimen is currently unknown and an additional contemporary population was identified at a former ballast site in Baltimore, Maryland ( U.S.A. Maryland. Baltimore Co.: Baltimore, Masonville Cove, 14 Jul 2022, Schmidt et al. 1723, CHRB). Given the association of both V. maurum and Petty’s Island with ballast deposition, we assert that this species is also established and rare in New Jersey.

Verbascum × kerneri Fritsch [ V. phlomoides × V. thapsus ] ( Scrophulariaceae ) was collected near railroad lines in Glassboro ( U.S.A. New Jersey. Gloucester Co.: Glassboro Township, Glassboro Historic Train Station, 27 Jul 2021, Schmidt 835, CHRB) and West Deptford ( U.S.A. New Jersey. Gloucester Co.: West Deptford, Wheelabrator Wildlife Refuge and Butterfly Garden, 13 Jul 2022, Schmidt &Knapik 1709, CHRB) in Gloucester County as well as along an abandoned railroad line in Andover ( U.S.A. New Jersey. Sussex Co.: Andover Township, Kittatinny Valley State Park—bed of Lehigh and Hudson River Railway, 4 Aug 2022, Schmidt 1853, CHRB). While this sterile hybrid is reportedly common where the two parents are present in Europe ( Tutin et al. 1972), it has not before been reported in New Jersey. Since this is a sterile hybrid, it does not have established populations, however, it is occasionally present as a waif where the two parents are present.

Nepeta × faassenii Bergmans ex Stearn ( Lamiaceae ) is an ornamental species that was found growing along the side of the road in the interior of Liberty State Park ( U.S.A. New Jersey. Hudson Co.: Jersey City, Liberty State Park-Interior [Communipaw], 21 Jun 2021, Schmidt & Semmling 545, CHRB).

Verbena × moechina [ V.stricta × simplex ]Moldenke( Verbenaceae )wasfoundgrowingindrysoilnearaseldomused road in the interior of Liberty State Park ( U.S.A. New Jersey. Hudson Co.: Jersey City, Liberty State Park-Interior [Communipaw], 5 Jul 2021, Schmidt et al. 699, CHRB). Both parents are not very common in New Jersey ( Anderson 1989), however, where the two species occur in the West, hybrids are known to occur ( McGregor et al. 1986). We consider this species a waif in New Jersey.