Summer Flora 2011
EEB 4272
Summer Session I
June 1st to July 8th
M/W/F 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
TLS 179
Instructor
Nicholas Tippery (nicholas.tippery@uconn.edu)
Contact me for a permission number
Course description
New England is home to a diverse and thriving selection of plants, many of which reach their peak exuberance during the summer. Proper identification of plants and an understanding of their interactions with the environment are important facets that aid in the appreciation of our natural resources. In this course, students will:
- Learn to recognize by sight some of the more common plant species
- Develop a skill set for identifying unknown plant species
- Gain experience in plant census, collection and curation techniques
- Learn the system of classifying plant diversity and of naming plant species
- Learn about the diversity of plant habitats in New England
The course focuses primarily on plant identification and classification, but students also will acquire skills that would serve them in any number of careers dealing with natural resource management.
Required text (not available at UConn Co-op)
L. Newcomb. 1989. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. ISBN: 0316604429.
Required equipment (all available from UConn Co-op)
- 10x hand lens
- field notebook
- pencils
Recommended optional texts
J. G. Harris and M. W. Harris. 2001. Plant Identification Terminology. ISBN: 0964022168
D. W. Magee and H. E. Ahles. 1999. Flora of the Northeast. ISBN: 1558495770 (
1999 edition ISBN: 1558491899)
Grading
Student plant collection: 25%
Exam 1: 30%
Exam 2: 35%
Quizzes: 10%
Tentative schedule
Date | Lecture | Lab | Field | Notes |
Week 1 | ||||
Wed., June 1st | Introduction to course | Reproductive features | Campus walk | |
Fri., June 3rd | Plant identification using keys and other resources | Vegetative features | ||
Week 2 | ||||
Mon., June 6th | Plant nomenclature and taxonomy | Fern terminology | Wolf Rock | **Last date to add/drop |
Wed., June 8th | Fern identification | Webster Fern Garden, Pink Ravine | ||
Fri., June 10th | Phylogenetics and Systematics | Gymnosperm identification | Mansfield Hollow S.P. | |
Week 3 | ||||
Mon., June 13th | Trees and shrubs | Brassicaceae / Ranunculaceae / Rosaceae | Boston Hollow | |
Wed., June 15th | Moss identification | TBD | Room available for review after class | |
Fri., June 17th | MIDTERM EXAM | Lamiaceae / Plantaginaceae / Scrophulariaceae | UConn Forest - student collection 1 | |
Week 4 | ||||
Mon., June 20th | Natural History collections | Tour UConn Herbarium | Identification of student collection 1 | |
Wed., June 22th | Plant and animal interactions | Goodwin S.F. | ||
Fri., June 24th | Invasive species and species of conservation concern | Apiaceae / Asteraceae / Fabaceae | UConn Forest - student collection 2 | |
Week 5 | ||||
Mon., June 27th | Graminoid (grass / sedge / rush) identification | Cyperaceae / Juncaceae / Poaceae | Identification of student collection 2 | |
Wed., June 29th | Ecological survey techniques | Fenton River | ||
Fri., July 1st | Aquatic plants | Amaranthaceae (incl. Chenopodiaceae) / Ericaceae / Polygonaceae | Bigelow Hollow S.P. | |
Week 6 | ||||
Mon., July 4th | NO CLASS - Independence Day | |||
Wed., July 6th | Collection notebook due | Student collections due (dry!) / Collection labels due (electronic document) |
Hammonasset S.P. | Room available for review after class |
Fri., July 8th | FINAL EXAM | Specimen mounting |