"Systematic botany is the broad field concerned with the study of the diversity of plants and their identification, naming, classification, and evolution."
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. L.K. "Larry" Magrath
Office: 204 Austin Hall (if not there check AH 307, AH 312, &/or AH 112 --the Herbarium)
Phone: 574-1292 222-0904 (home with answering machine)
Email: facmagrathlk@usao.edu OR marduk11@cox.net (home)
Web site: www.usao.edu/lmagrath/index.htm
TEXTBOOKS:
REQUIRED:
Judd, S. J., C. S. Campbell, E. A. Kellogg, P. F. Stevens, M. J. Donoghue. 2002. Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach, 2nd ed. [ISBN: 0-87893-403-0] Sinauer Assoc. Inc. $86.95
Harris & Harris. 2003. Plant Identification Terminology: An Illustrated Glossary. [ISBN: ] Spring Lake Pub. $18.95
Tyrl, R. J. et al. 2003. Identification of Oklahoma Plants, including Waterfall's Keys & Keys to the Vascular Plant Families of Oklahoma. Flora Oklahoma Inc. [May 2003 edition] ca $20.00
Zomlefer. 1994. Guide to Flowering Plant Families. [ISBN: 0-8078-4470-5] North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill $34.95
RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTARY RESOURCES:
Buck, P. 1991. Distribution and Identification of Woody Plants of Oklahoma in the Winter Condition, 2nd ed. Oklahoma Academy of Science, Tulsa.
Burrows, G. E. & R. J. Tyrl. 2001. Toxic Plants of North America. Iowa State Univ. Press, Ames.
Diggs, G. M. Jr, B. L. Lipscomb & R. J. O'Kennon. 1999. Shinners' & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute of Texas and Austin College.
McCoy, D. 1977. Common Roadside Flowers of Oklahoma Vol. 1
McCoy, D. 1979. Common Roadside Flowers of Oklahoma Vol. 2
McCoy, D. 1980. Roadside Wild Fruits of Oklahoma
McCoy, D. 1981. Roadside Trees and Shrubs of Oklahoma
McCoy, D. 1987. Oklahoma Wildflowers
Nelson & Couch. 1985. Aquatic Plants of Oklahoma: Submerged, Floating-leaved and Selected emergent Macrophytes. Pub. by the authors, Oral Roberts Univ., Tulsa
Taylor & Taylor. 1994. An Annotated List of the Ferns, Fern Allies, Gymnosperms and Flowering Plants of Oklahoma, 3rd ed. Biology Dept. Herbarium, SEOSU, Durant, OK.
Taylor, C. 1997. Keys to the Asteraceae. Biology Dept. Herbarium, SEOSU, Durant, OK.
COURSE (CATALOG) DESCRIPTION: Classification and identification of flowering plants with emphasis on Oklahoma flora; consideration given to ecological and economic importance of selected plant groups.
CLASS INTENDED FOR: Taxonomy of Vascular Plants is an upper division biology course that:
is a required course for Biology Majors;
serves an an upper division science elective for students majoring in Natural Science; or
is an elective for those interested/curious in knowing "what plant is that?".
COURSE OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course you should be able to:
develop a working proficiency with the flora of Oklahoma and adjacent regions. This will involve both:
use of various dichotomous "keys" and "floras" & identify appropriate taxonomic literature
"sight" identification
recognize the characteristics of about 40 plant families
identify approximately 100-150 species of common plants growing in Oklahoma
develop an understanding of basic plant morphology and anatomy and the terminology used to describe various plant structures (build a working vocabulary of botanical terms).
learn how to properly collect both plant specimens provide the appropriate support documentation for future study
herbarium specimens
alcohol and FFA preserved specimens for classroom use
understand the effects of climate, geology, and topography on local plant communities
be able to recognize/identify the locally important toxic plants.
learn basic herbarium protocols/techniques.
describe the characteristics of the common vegetation types in Oklahoma
understand the principles of nomenclature
understand the principles of classification
be able to describe the phylogeny of vascular plants
know how to access botanical literature
GRADES:
Grades will be based on percentages of total points accumulated during the trimester. Points may be accumulated by means of hour exams, lab exams, plant collections, short quizzes, etc.
GRADE SCALE: 90% = A; 80% = B; 70% = C; 60% = D; 59 or less = F
EXAMS:
Exams will be based on lecture material, laboratory work, "keying" and "sight" identification in the field.
PLANT COLLECTIONS:
All students must turn in a plant collection consisting of at least 40 plants that have been properly pressed, dried and identified. Each plant must have a
completed label with it. Indicated below are the number of correctly identified plants with labels using the USAO format that must be turned in, in order
to be eligible for a particular grade:
Grade of "C" 40 plants (35 families)
Grade of "B" 60 plants (50 different families)
Grade of "A" 80 plants (70 different families)
PLANT COLLECTIONS REQUIREMENTS: you must have representatives of:
at least 35 different families
at least seven (7) Liliopsida (monocotyledon) families -- including at least one representative from each of the three graminoid families (Poaceae, Cyperaceae, and Juncaceae)
at least 3 families of non-flowering vascular plants (Coniferophyta, ferns & fern-allies).
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
include ONLY NATIVE or naturalized plants growing without cultivation. Cultivated plants, including trees, shrubs and herbs that have been planted in gardens, yards or flower beds are NOT acceptable
be pressed, dried, and enclosed in a SINGLE SHEET of standard newspaper (the TREND is the right size) newspaper that is folded in half.
remember that a good specimen has both scientific and aesthetic value (i.e. be attractive to look at, not look like a wad of cooked spinach or a bale of hay)
have each specimen accompanied by a printed/typed herbarium label
have the binomial, family name, your collection number and your initials on the outside edge of the newsprint
turn in your field notebook, which should have all the information that is on the label
unless other arrangements have been made with the instructor, student plant collections will be kept by the school and added to the USAO Herbarium collection, and/or be used for the USAO Herbarium exchange program with other herbaria.
you are encouraged to go on collecting trips with others, HOWEVER you are required to -- collect, press, identify, and label your own plants.
you should always have another person go with you in the field; if you must go alone, make certain that your family/friends know where you are going, how long you plan to be there, and when you anticipate being back (anyone can have an accident!)
you ARE NOT allowed to "trade" plants or have anyone else collect or identify plants for you.
GRADING OF PLANT COLLECTIONS: Collections will be graded on the basis of: [total pts = 24/specimen]
IDENTIFICATION: correct family (6 pts); correct genus (5 pt); correct specific epithet/species (3 pt); authority(s) (2pt); italicize or underline the binomial; don't forget to use correct/proper spelling and punctuation. [total = 16 pts]
COLLECTION DATA: labels should include -- state; county; specific locality {mileage from a known reference point}; legal, &/or GPS (latitude & longitude) if possible; elevation (in feet &/or meters); soil type; date of collection; your name & collection number [= 8 pts]
SPECIMEN DATA (for a specific plant): labels should have relevant information about the plant including -- growth form (herb, vine, shrub, tree, etc.); height of plant (if entire plant is not collected); abundance (rare, uncommon, scattered, common, abundant); flower color; fruit color (if mature fruit is present); odor if noticeable (mint, onion, etc.); associated vegetation; sun exposure (full shade, partial shade, full sun, etc.); slope exposure (south facing, north facing, etc.); lastly DO NOT use abbreviations on labels [= 8 pts]
QUALITY OF SPECIMEN: good specimens will have -- flowers &/or fruits; sterile specimens are usually not acceptable; herbaceous specimens should have roots &/or other underground structures; be typical of the population; be completely dried; show both surfaces of leaves (especially important for woody specimens); woody plants must be cut with pruning shears -- not broken off which will cause unnecessary damage to the parent plant; fit on an herbarium sheet and leave room for the label; seeds, flowers, flower parts, etc that come loose from the specimen should be placed in a paper packet and included with the specimen. [= 4 pts]
QUALITY OF LABELS: labels must be printed on acid-free archival quality (100% rag) paper; laser printers produce the best quality of printing; and neatly cut into uniform-sized (ca 3 x 5 inch ) labels with square corners); follow the USAO template (see: sample label given below): (= 2 pts)
CYPERACEAE USA
PLANTS OF OKLAHOMA
Carex tribuloides Wahlenberg
McCURTAIN CO.: ca 1 mile south of Tom; T9S, R26E, S 1/4 Sec 34 & T10S, R26E, NE 1/4 Sec 3; elevation ca 200 ft; roadside ditch and pond/bog in woods; clay soil; scattered; associated with Rhyncospora corniculata & Sagittaria papillosa
L K Magrath, Pete Taylor, Denise Begay, Stormy Beasly & Jason Downing 20644, 12 June 1999
Herbarium of the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma; Chickasha, Oklahoma 73018 (cited OCLA)
FIELD TRIPS WILL BE OF THREE TYPES:
"In class," everyone will be expected to be on these short field trips.
Half-day or one-day trips, there may be several trips of this type.
Weekend trips, these will be one or more 2 or 2 1/2 day trips, depending on scheduling problems and interest - one or more trips of this type may be scheduled.
The field trips will provide students a chance to collect plants for their collections, and also to see various plant communities (sphagnum bogs, eastern
woodlands, true prairies, sand dunes, etc.) Keep in mind, that in order to study and/or collect a plant you must first know where it grows (i.e. learn a little bit of the plant's ecology).
Dress appropriately for field trips we will probably get dusty, muddy, snagged on bushes and vines, and attached by insects (mosquitoes, flies, etc) and ticks. Insect repellant, a bottle of water, sunscreen, etc. should be used as appropriate.
CLASS SUPPLIES:
10X hand lens {ABSOLUTE NECESSITY}
field notebook
insect repellant
sturdy shoes
dandelion digger (or equivalent)
pruning shears for woody plants (optional)
1 gallon & 2 gallon zip-lock type plastic bags
bottle of water
camera (optional)
GPS (optional, but highly recommended)
USE OF USAO (OCLA) HERBARIUM:
It is assumed that you will be using the herbarium facilities. Please keep in mind that this is an important research facility and that we have collections that are quite valuable - both USAO collections and collections on loan from other institutions. So handle all specimens with the utmost care. Your instructor will discuss proper handling of specimens with you.
PLEASE make sure that any specimens that you remove from the herbarium files are properly refilled in their CORRECT ALPHABETIC SEQUENCE. If in doubt about where to find a particular specimen please check with Dr. Magrath, or one of the research assistants.
ABSOLUTELY NO SMOKING IN THE HERBARIUM AT ANY TIME!!!!
USE OF MANUALS AND KEYS, ETC:
You are encouraged to become familiar with all of the different manuals and keys kept in the herbarium library. HOWEVER, please keep in mind that this is an active research facility, and DO NOT remove a book from the herbarium or laboratory without getting specific permission from Dr. Magrath.
Plant Taxonomy Plant Collection Grade Sheet\Summer 2003
NAME
All collections must consist of an adequate amount of plant specimen material that is properly dried and pressed; and that is accompanied with a completed label with all appropriate support documentation for future study.
REQUIREMENTS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A/AN:
C B A
40 plants total 60 plants total 80 plants total
35 different families 50 different families 70 different families
40 different genera 60 different genera 80 different genera
POINTS FOR PLANT COLLECTION WILL BE ASSIGNED AS FOLLOWS:
pts
I. Family 6
Genus 5
species 3
authority 2
collection data 8
specimen data 8
specimen quality 4
label quality 2
Total 38 pts
II. Undetermined plants, labeled with all appropriate field data/documentation. 22 pts.
*********************************************************************************************************
I. Spore producing vascular plants (at least 3 families):
Family 1 Genus species
Family 2 Genus species
Family 3 Genus species
Family 4 Genus species
Family 5 Genus species
II. Non-flowering seed producing vascular plant (at least one family):
Family 1 Genus species
III. Flowering plants:
A. Liliopsida (monocots) (at least seven families including representatives of all three graminoid
families -- Poaceae, Cyperaceae & Juncaceae):
Family 1 Genus species
Family 2 Genus species
Family 3 Genus species
Family 4 Genus species
Poaceae Genus species
Juncaceae Genus species
Cyperaceae Genus species
B. Magnoliidae (dicots) (at least 19 families):
Family 1 Genus species
Family 2 Genus species
Family 3 Genus species
Family 4 Genus species
Family 5 Genus species
Family 6 Genus species
Family 7 Genus species
Family 8 Genus species
Family 9 Genus species
Family 10 Genus species
Family 11 Genus species
Family 12 Genus species
Family 13 Genus species
Family 14 Genus species
Family 15 Genus species
Family 16 Genus species
Family 17 Genus species
Family 18 Genus species
Family 19 Genus species
IV. Additional Collections:
Family 20 Genus species
Family 21 Genus species
Family 22 Genus species
Family 23 Genus species
Family 24 Genus species
Family 25 Genus species
Family 26 Genus species
Family 27 Genus species
Family 28 Genus species
Family 29 Genus species
Family 30 Genus species
Family 31 Genus species
Family 32 Genus species
Family 33 Genus species
Family 34 Genus species
Family 35 Genus species
Family 36 Genus species
Family 37 Genus species
Family 38 Genus species
Family 39 Genus species
Family 40 Genus species
Family 41 Genus species
Family 42 Genus species
Family 43 Genus species
Family 44 Genus species
Family 45 Genus species
Family 46 Genus species
Family 47 Genus species
Family 48 Genus species
Family 49 Genus species
Family 50 Genus species
Family 51 Genus species
Family 52 Genus species
Family 53 Genus species
Family 54 Genus species
Family 55 Genus species
Family 56 Genus species
Family 57 &nb