Taxonomy is the science of classification. In this course you will learn how plants are named and classified, and how an evolutionary classification system can help one understand the biology of plants. Students will “learn by doing” through active participation in lecture and lab meetings.  Labs include hands-on plant identification and field trips.  This experience will help students appreciate the botanical diversity that we encounter each day.

Specific objectives for the course include learning the principles of plant taxonomy, learning basic plant morphology, learning how to use field guides and keys, learning about the evolutionary processes that have promoted plant diversity, and learning how to collect and document plants for scientific studies. All of these skills will contribute to a deeper appreciation of plant diversity and the importance of plants in our global and local ecosystems.

Course Meeting Times:

• Lecture: T & Th, 9:55-10:45, 2102 Miller Plant Sciences
• T/Th Lab Section: 11:00-12:55, 2604 Miller Plant Sciences
• W/F Lab Section: 11:15-1:10, 2604 Miller Plant Sciences

Text Books (Required):

• Guide to Flowering Plant Families, 1994, Zomlefer
• Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas , 1969, Radford et al.