Peters, M.D., E.E. Culpepper, and C.K. McMullen. 2003. Floristic studies in Rockingham County, Viriginia.

Presentation Abstract: The most recent thorough survey of the vascular plants of Rockingham County, Virginia, was conducted in 1979. Since then, the county has experienced unprecedented human population growth and the loss of undisturbed habitat that often accompanies such growth. It is important that the flora be accurately documented at this time, to serve as a baseline for future studies, as well as to provide needed information to local plant taxonomists, foresters, county agents, and amateur botanists. Such a survey will also provide new plant distribution information that will prove useful to The Flora of Virginia Project. Rockingham County, located in the northwestern part of Virginia, comprises 864 square miles and is botanically rich and diverse. Five basic habitats are represented, including mountain crests and slopes, valley woodlands, old meadows, floodplains, and shale barrens. The study reported here, initiated in June 2002 and slated to continue through May 2003, is updating county records via field studies and review of herbarium records. Thus far, 392 new numbers have been collected, including 22 county records. At this time, the Rockingham County flora comprises 131 families, 490 genera, and 1221 species.