BIO 377 - Plant Systematics
Spring
2003
Instructor: Dr. Cindy Johnson-Groh
Office: Nobel
332, x7043
Office Hours: 2:30-3:30
M, W, F. Feel free to make appointments
at other times.
Textbooks and equipment
Required:
·Morley,
Thomas. 1966. Spring flora of
Minnesota. St. Paul, Minnesota:
University of
Minnesota Press.
·Walters,
Dirk R. and David J. Keil. 1996.
Vascular Plant Taxonomy, 4th ed.
Kendall /
Hunt Publishing Co., Dubuque, Iowa.
·10x hand lens
·Field notebook
·Pocketknife
Recommended:
·Preston,
Richard. 1993. North American Trees.
4th edition. Iowa State University
Press, Ames, IA.
Grading:
Two lecture exams--short answer and essay: 75 pts. 150
Three lab exams: 60 pts. 180
Family Presentation 30
Literature Review 10
Flora or Fieldtrip: 80
Flora (St. Peter vicinity)
paper / species list 40
field notes 15
collection vouchers 25
Missouri Fieldtrip
paper / species list 40
field notes 15
collection vouchers 25
Total 450
*Papers,
reports, and exams submitted or taken late will be worth 10% less each day
delayed
(including weekends).
*Lab exams
include sight identification, terminology and keying skills (identifying
unknowns and writing keys).
*There
will be an optional 5-day fieldtrip to the Missouri Ozarks. The Ozarks are a significantly different
flora than Minnesota and will give students and opportunity to experience the
flora, practice keying skills and family identification skills. Students are required to choose between the
St. Peter flora project and the Missouri flora project. The cost for the fieldtrip will be approximately
$100 - $130.
The course
is designed to give you a broad overview of plant systematics and is divided
into three parts. The first third of
the course will focus on terminology, the second part will focus on
identification of woody plants and the final portion will cover important plant
families. Students will learn to
site-recognize selected woody species and plant families. Emphasis will be on learning to use
identification manuals. The labs are
designed to give you practice in plant identification, as well as expose you to
aspects of systematics. We will try to
spend as much time outside identifying plants as weather allows. Plan on being outside and dress accordingly.
Purpose: Document
the spring flora (through collection and identification) of:
1. Gustavus
Adolphus Campus (or a nearby natural area).
OR
2. Fieldtrip
to Missouri Ozarks
Project Requirements (85 pts):
a.
One set of vouchers (minimum 25 specimens), correctly
identified and mounted.
b.
Complete field notes
c.
Report which includes discussion on the following topics:
·Number and
summary of species, genera and families.
·Comparison
of number of species with other areas in Minnesota.
·Occurrence
– (frequency) and general habitat all species.
·Notes on
phenology
·Origin of
species (introduced or native).
·Origin of
flora (land history, phytogeography).
·Complete
list of species including authorities and common names.
·List of
all literature cited.
d.
The report should be modeled after examples shown in class.
e.
Students are encouraged to collect and identify plants
cooperatively, but each student must submit their own independent report and
set of vouchers.
Purpose: Gain familiarity with plant
families and literature.
Requirements:
·15-minute
oral PowerPoint presentation on family of choice. Points will be awarded for completeness, creativity and
effectiveness.
·Review /
critique of current article (primary source) on family
Grading:
Systematics Content (20 points)
Submit notes and/or handout following presentation
Accuracy
Pertinent diagnostic features
highlighted
Question / Website Exploration /
Activity (5 points)
Was the assignment / activity well
thought out?
Did it help to learn the material?
Presentation / Creativity (5 points)
Was the material effectively
delivered?
What did we learn?
Were
additional materials used effectively? (Internet, live plants, etc…)
Paper Review (10 points)
Date Lecture
/ Lab Topics Reading
February 10 Introduction 1-12
12 Variation / Phytography 509-519
13 Lab: Twig morphology
14 No class – all
school meeting
17 Vegetative
morphology 29-48
19 Anthophyta 143-144
20 Lab: Vegetative
morphology
21 Flower morphology 145-155
24 Flowers - carpel
development
26 Inflorescences - Fruits 158-166
27 Lab: Flowers /
Inflorescences / Fruits
28 Lab - Asteraceae
March 3 Flora formula /
Diagrams 167-178
5 Lab Review
6 Lab:
LAB EXAM 1 - Morphology
7 Pteridophytes
93-119
10 Mating
Systems Proctor
12 Mating
Systems
13 Lab:
Pteridophytes
14 Gymnosperms 121-142
17 Nomenclature 13-24
19 New Species /
Revisions / Monographs / Keys 541-549,
49-66
20 Lab: Gymnosperms
21 Lab: Gymnosperms
24 Lab: Woody
Anthophyta
25 Lab: Woody
Anthophyta
26 Lab: Woody
Anthophyta,
27 LECTURE EXAM 1
Spring Break (After
spring break we may utilize lecture periods for campus field trips to identify
plants.)
April 7 Phytogeography Qian
9 Pollination Waser
10 Lab: Woody
Anthophyta, Herbarium techniques 67-80
11 Pollination,
Evolutionary trends 478
14 Lab Review
16 LAB EXAM 2 - Sight Identification - Pteridophytes,
Coniferophyta, Woody Anthophyta
17 LAB EXAM 2 – Keying,
Coniferophyta, Woody Anthophyta
18 Easter Break
21 Easter Break
23 Magnolidae, Rosidae 179-264
24 Lab: Family
Recognition
25 Asteridae 265-316
28 Asteridae 265-316
30 Dilleniidae,
Caryophillidae, Hammamelidae 317-396
(May Day
class 11:30-12)
May 1 Lab: Family
Recognition
2 Monocots 397-458
5 Classification 461-503
7 Missouri
phytogeography
8 Missouri Fieldtrip (depart ~ noon)
9 Missouri Fieldtrip
12 Missouri Fieldtrip (return ~ 8 p.m.)
14 Campus Family
Recognition
15 Lab: Family
Recognition
16 Campus Family
Recognition
19 Plant Conservation FLORA DUE
21 LECTURE EXAM 2
24 (Saturday) LAB
EXAM 3 (Recognition / Keying, 3:30-5:30)