SYSTEMATIC BOTANY

Botany 4114

Spring 1996

INSTRUCTOR

Monica Macklin Science Bldg. 311a Ext. 3831 macklin@cherokee.nsuok.edu

OFFICE HOURS

M-W-F 12:00 PM T-Th 11:00 am and 3:00 pm

MEETING TIMES AND PLACE

Lecture: M-W-F 9:00 am SC 318 Lab: Tuesday 1:00 - 3:00 SC 318

TEXTBOOK AND CLASS SUPPLIES

1. Guide to Flowering Plant Families by W. Zomlefer

2. Keys to the Flora of Oklahoma by U.T. Waterfall and Flora of Oklahoma (Families) This is sold as a combined package by the NSU bookstore

3. An Annotated List of the Ferns, Fern Allies, Gymnosperms and Flowering Plants of Oklahoma by R. John Taylor and Constance E. Taylor

4. Optional: Field Guide (Instructor will provide a list of suitable books)

Field Notebook (pocket size)

10x hand lens

Notepad and clipboard 5 x 8 inches

COURSE CATALOG DESCRIPTION

The study of the relationships of plants and their classification. Lecture, herbarium use, and field studies. Prerequisites: Botany 1123 and 1132

COURSE OBJECTIVES

This course is designed to present the current principles and practices of plant systematics. The classification of plants requires a synthesis of many fields of plant biology including biogeography, ecology, phenetics, cladistics, plant biochemistry, morphology and anatomy. Systematic Botany contains a strong field experience and fulfills the requirement for a field course. After completing this class the students should understand:

1. The historical development of plant classification

2. The system of nomenclature used in Botany

3. Current classification systems

4. Use of a dichotomous key

5. Correct use of a herbarium

6. Database applications of herbarium management

7. Characteristics of common and important vascular plant families.

EVALUATION OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE

Grades will be assigned based on total points accumulated during the semester. Final letter grades are calculated on the basis of 90% = A scale. Percentage of total points from various sources are:

Quizzes 20%

Exams 25%

Projects 20%

Collection 15%

FINAL 20%

PLANT COLLECTION

It is not possible to understand the similarities and differences between individual plants and groups of plants without careful and extensive examination of those plants. The making of a proper collection is fundamental to the study of plant systematics. This collection accounts for 15% of the total points possible. Due to the importance of the collection in your study of taxonomy, an incomplete (I) will be assigned if the collection is not completed. The collection will be due in three parts. The details of the collection including the numbers of specimens and the methods of collection will be explained in class.

COURSE OUTLINE

A field course like Systematic Botany is very dependent upon weather conditions. The lab portion of this class will vary based on the time of the year and the progression of the seasons. Therefore, the following sequence of topics is at best tentative. We will cover all of the following topics sometime during the semester.

TOPIC

Introduction and History

Plant Nomenclature

Terminology of Flowering Plants

Principles of Plant Taxonomy

Sources of Taxonomic Evidence

Evolution, Variation, and Biosystematics

EXAM ONE

Methods of Identifying Vascular Plants

Selected Literature of Systematic Botany

Specimen Preparation

Pteridophytes

Gymnosperms

EXAM TWO

More Terminology of Flowering Plants

Origin and Classification of the Magnoliophyta

Angiosperm Families

EXAM THREE

More angiosperm families

FINAL EXAM Monday May 4, 1998 9:00-11:00 am