Catalog Description: Field and laboratory identification of native and exotic trees, shrubs and woody vines using leaf, twig, bark, and fruit characteristics.  Requires $20 fee to cover cost of transportation for field trips.  Prerequisite: Plant Biology 200.

Student Objectives: Identify at least 80-100 angiosperm trees, shrubs, and vines by various characteristics.  Provide the family, genus, specific epithet, and common name for each quiz specimen.  Identify the correct terminology for various plant components including leaf shapes, fruit types and other structures.

Course Format: Course will be conducted primarily outdoors rain or shine.  Approximately 10 new species of plants will be introduced each class session.  Quizzes will be held weekly.  Quiz specimens will come from the pool of species introduced in previous class sessions.   Sharing of personal observations during tree introductions is encouraged.  Please note that the wooded areas we will be visiting may contain poison ivy and various thorny plants so wear appropriate clothing such as long pants, raincoats, and boots for various field and climatic conditions.  A large clear plastic bag slipped over a clipboard is crucial for note taking and quizzes on damp mornings or rainy days.  Use of a #1 or #2 pencil is best especially for writing on damp paper during rainy days. 

Attendance at laboratory sessions is mandatory.   Meet in room AG 187. Only pre-arranged or validated medical excuses will be acceptable for rescheduling of an quiz.

Suggested Texts: Harlow, Harrar, Hardin, and White.  Textbook of Dendrology.  McGraw-Hill.

Fralish, J.S. Woody Plant Taxonomy. SIUC, Carbondale, IL.  Available at 710 Bookstore.

Needed Materials: Clipboard, notebook, clear plastic bag, rain gear, pocket knife, 10X hand lens, metric ruler, plant press (large magazine or catalog will do)

Evaluations, Grades:   After the first species set given in class 1, field quizzes will be held most weeks drawing upon test specimen from the pool of previously introduced species.  Field quizzes will require the field identification of 10 to 35 specimen.  Points for correct identification of specimens on field quizzes are as follows: common name, genus, species, and family = 1 point.  A minimum of one-half point (up to one point) will be deducted for each misspelled Latin or common name.  Each specimen is worth a maximum of 4 points.  Additionally, a written lab quiz covering terminology, leaf shapes, and fruits.  The terms for the written lab quiz will passed out in the first week of class.  We will be using these terms throughout the semester.  It is the student's responsibility to know these definitions for the lab quiz on these terms that is scheduled on the following weekly outline.  No smoking during class.

                       Grade Percentage = Total points earned by student    X 100
                                                              Possible total points

                                                         Scale  A 90.0-100.0%
                                                                     B 80.0-89.99
                                                                     C 70.0-79.99
                                                                     D 60.0-79.99
                                                                     F <60.0