Academic Degrees
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Ph.D. Botany, University of Michigan (1976)
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M.S. Botany University of Michigan (1972)
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B.S. Biology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte (1970)
Courses Taught
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BIOL 3202
Horticulture
with Laboratory (Writing Intensive)
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BIOL 4205 Advanced Horticulture
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BIOL 3215 Economic Botany (Writing Intensive)
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BIOL 3229 Field Botany (taught during 2 week period in mid-May
every year)
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BIOL 4221 Plant Systematics with Laboratory (Writing Intensive)
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BIOL 4229 Dendrology with Laboratory
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BIOL 4600 Senior Seminar in Pollination Biology
Research Interests
The Breeding and Behavior of Carnivorous Pitcher Plants
The genus Sarracenia occurs through the wetlands of the Southeast.
They are a unique group of plant in Eastern North America. There
are some 10 species that often grow together, and they have they
have the ability to hybridize and produce hybrid swarms in the wild.
In cultivation they may be bred under controlled conditions to generate
certain characteristic hybrids. They are grow as seedlings under
normal horticultural conditions. Prior to my research, it was thought
that they could not be fertilized with chemical fertilizers. Through
experiments we find that various soil mixes (including peat:sand)
may be used with a fertilization rate of 1/4 to 1/2 Tablespoon of
Peters 15-16-17 fertilizer twice a month give greatly enhanced growth
of the seedlings, allowing them to mature to flowering in as few
as three years, while in the wild in could take as long as 12 years.
Also, Sarracenia pitcher plants attract and capture insect (and
other) prey to use as a nutrient supplement. They grow in nutrient-poor
sites in the wild. Recent research has shown that the pitchers are
very effective at attracting and capturing, and that there be a
more complex relationship between groups of prey than previously
thought. In addition to the nectar-seeking insects (such as ants,
moths and bees) there may be carrion-seeking insects attracted to
the earlier dead-and-decaying victims; and furthermore, there may
be predatory insects attracted to the prey being caught. All this
adds up to a sumptuous and continuous feast for the pitcher plant,
resulting in different categories of insects being caught throughout
the growing season for different reasons, prolonging the effectiveness
of the pitchers.
See outline of write-up on past undergraduate students' research
on carnivorous plants on our Botanical gardens web page (
http://gardens.uncc.edu/carnivorous.htm
)
Species Biology of rare and endangered plant species
I have done research on factors that contribute to the rarity of
plants - what are the weak links in their life cycle. It could be
pollination, dispersal, or germination factors. We have especially
concentrated in species in the Carolinas. We have worked on Coreopsis
latifolia, Nestronia umbellula, Hexastylis nanniflora, Ranunculus
laxicaulis, Helianthus schweinitzii, and Magnolia macrophylla -
in this region.
Selected Bibliography
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Wells, James, Fred Case & T. Lawrence Mellichamp.
1999. Wildflowers of the Western Great Lakes region.
Cranbrook Institute of Science, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.
[Excellent photos and descriptions of wildflowers, arranged in chapters
by habitat. Large format]
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Loewer, Peter & Larry Mellichamp. 1997. The Winter
Garden. Stackpole Press, Mechanicsburg, PA. 194 pages. [Well-illustrated
semi-popular gardening book.]
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Mellichamp, T.L., J.F. Matthews & M.C. Murray. 1996.
Selection and planting guide for aquatic and wetland plants in the
Piedmont region of North Carolina. 27 pages. Written for Mecklenburg
County Engineering and Building Standards Dept. [Booklet]
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Baldwin, A.S., E.F. Menhinick & T.L. Mellichamp. 1996.
The occurrence of predatory arthropods in the pitcher plant Sarracenia
flava. Assoc. of Southeastern Biologists Meeting, April 1996. ASB
Bull. 43(2) Abstract #257. [Contributed Paper]
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Mellichamp, T.L. 1996. Sarraceniaceae. A presentation to
the Seattle Chapter, North American Rock Garden Society. [presentation
to plant society]
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Mellichamp, T.L. 1996. Secrets of Floral Sex. Presentation
at Southern Gardening Symposium, Gwinnett Tech. Institute, Lawrenceville,
GA. [Symposium presentation]
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Mellichamp, T.L.
1995. Sarraceniaceae, in 'The World of
Plants"," a weekly plant magazine in Japan, Asahi Shimbum
Press, Tokyo, Japan. [Illustrated semi-technical publication]
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Mellichamp, T.L
1994. Are you stuck on the fine points
of sharp-object nomenclature? Cactus and Succulent Journal 66(5):208-213.
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Mellichamp, T.L. 1994. Sarracenia hybrids - American style.
The Public Garden-Journal of the American Assoc. of Botanical Gardens
and Arboreta. 9(3):39, 46. [Professional-interest article]
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Mellichamp, T.L. 1993. Rhododendrons of the Carolinas.
J. Amer. Rhododendron Soc. 47(4):210-215. [semi-popular article
on UNC Charlotte rhododendron garden started I 1966]
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Mellichamp, Larry. 1993. Ferns in the Van Landingham Glen
at UNC Charlotte. Hardy Fern Foundation Newsletter. Fall.
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Kaufman, P.B., T.L. Mellichamp, J. Glimn-Lacy, & D.
LaCroix. 1983. Practical Botany. Reston Publ., Reston, VA. [A horticulture
textbook]
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Mellichamp, T.L. 1983. Cobras of the Pacific Northwest
(the evolution of the California pitcher plant, Darlingtonia californica).
Natural History Magazine 92(4):46-51. [semi-technical article]
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Mellichamp, T.L. 1988. Coryanthes macrantha: What does
it smell like? Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 57:172-175.
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Mellichamp, T.L., J.F. Matthews, & Paula J. Smithka.
1987. New state and regional records of vascular plants in the Carolinas.
Castanea 52(2):95-111. [technical refereed article]
UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens
http://gardens.uncc.edu
Dr. Mellichamp is director of the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens,
consisting of the
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McMillan Orchid Greenhouse - over 4,000 sq. ft. of tropical plant
displays, including a tropical rain forest conservatory, an extensive
collection of species orchids, and many unusual tropical plants
from around the world. In addition, there is a world-class collection
of Sarracenia pitcher plants and unusual horticultural hybrids,
include some recently released as tissue cultured plants for the
nursery industry. These are "Dixie Lace' and "Ladies-in-Waiting'.
The Greenhouse is open Mon - Sat, 10 am - 3 pm. Visitors welcome;
Tours by appointment.
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SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT ORCHIDS: the orchid collection in the McMillan
Greenhouse is one of the finest to be found at any academic or public
institution in America. There are thousands of specimens from all
over the world, ranging from the very tiniest tropical orchids to
a plant of the largest orchid species known. The collection heavily
emphasizes species, but has many outstanding modern and traditional
hybrids. The orchids are used for teaching and display. Several
have won awards from the American Orchid Society.
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Van Landingham Rhododendron Glen - a seven acre woodland garden
started in 1966 and now containing over 3,000 hybrid rhododendrons
and 1,000 species of native trees, shrubs, wildflowers and ferns
of the Carolinas.
Over 1 mile of trails leads through the rustic woods. Peak of bloom
in April through mid-May. The Glen is open seven days a week.
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Susie Harwood Ornamental Garden - a three acre formal garden with
woody plants and perennials from around the world. Special collections
include dwarf conifers, unusual cultivars of trees and shrubs, 40
cultivars of Japanese maples, 40 selections of Viburnum, an extensive
winter garden, and many azaleas. Peak of bloom is Jan-Mar for winter;
April-May for spring. Open for visitors seven days a week.
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