Summer Flora 2011

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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 equipment (all available from UConn Co-op)

  • 10x hand lens
  • field notebook
  • pencils

Texts under consideration

  • L. Newcomb. 1989. Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide. ISBN: 0316604429.
  • H. A. Gleason and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern America and Adjacent Canada. ISBN: 0893273651
    (**illustrations are a separate book:
    N. H. Holmgren, P. K. Holmgren, and H. A. Gleason. 1998. Illustrated Companion to Gleason and Cronquist's Manual: Illustrations of the Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. ISBN: 0893273996)
  • J. G. Harris and M. W. Harris. 2001. Plant Identification Terminology. ISBN: 0964022168
  • D. W. Magee and H. E. Ahles. 2007. Flora of the Northeast. ISBN: 1558495770
    (1999 edition ISBN: 1558491899)

Grading

Student plant collection: 25%
Exam 1: 30%
Exam 2: 35%
Assignments and 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 Campus walk
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