Summer Flora 2014
EEB 4272
Summer Session I
June 2nd to July 2nd
M/W/F 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
TLS 179
Instructor
Nora Mitchell (nora.mitchell@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
- Learn about invasive species and conservation issues in plant biology
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 (provided for you!)
- field notebook
- pencils
Course Materials
- Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide by L. Newcomb, 1989.
- Trees of Eastern and Central United States and Canada by W.M. Harlow, 1957.
- Fern Finder by A. C. Hallowell and B. G. Hallowell, 1981.
Grading
Quizzes 20%
Field notebook 10%
Mid-term exam 25%
Final exam 25%
Plant collection/preservation project 20%
Tentative schedule
Date | Lecture | Lab | Field | Notes |
Week 1 | ||||
Mon., June 2 | Introduction to course | Reproductive features | Campus walk | |
Wed., June 4 | Plant identification using keys and other resources | Vegetative features | Campus walk | |
Fri., June 6 | Plant nomenclature and taxonomy | Fern terminology | Wolf Rock | |
Week 2 | ||||
Mon., June 9 | Fern identification | Webster Fern Garden, Pink Ravine | ||
Wed., June 11 | Phylogenetics and Systematics | Gymnosperm identification | Mansfield Hollow S.P. | |
Fri., June 13 | TBD | Moss identification | TBD | Room available for review after class |
Week 3 | ||||
Mon., June 16 | MIDTERM EXAM | Brassicaceae / Ranunculaceae / Rosaceae | Boston Hollow | |
Wed., June 18 | Natural History collections | Tour UConn Herbarium | UConn Forest - student collection 1 | |
Fri., June 20 | TBD | Lamiaceae / Plantaginaceae / Scrophulariaceae | Identification of student collection 1 | |
Week 4 | ||||
Mon., June 23 | TBD | TBD | TBD | |
Wed., June 25 | TBD | Plant and animal interactions | Goodwin S.F. | |
Fri., June 27 | Invasive species and species of conservation concern | Apiaceae / Asteraceae / Fabaceae | UConn Forest - student collection 2 | |
Week 5 | ||||
Mon., June 30 | Graminoid (grass / sedge / rush) identification | Cyperaceae / Juncaceae / Poaceae | Identification of student collection 2 | Room available for review after class |
Wed., July 2 | FINAL EXAM | Specimen mounting |