Dr. Joseph Dallon, Jr.
Office: G-324
Phone: (201) 684-7730, Secretary's extension: 7748

SBIO 0220 PLANT IDENTIFICATION

COURSE DESCRIPTION:      A practical and hands-on approach toto the identification of deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs, vines, and ground covers.  Emphasis is on development of skills in the use of leaf keys, pictorial, and descriptive guides in accurately identifying important cultivated and non-cultivated plants used in residential, commercial, industrial, and other landscapes such as parks, highway systems, and urban population centers.  In addition, the course addresses basic growth requirements and landscape value of the plants surveyed.  The course is typically given during the summer session.  Every class meeting is a field to on-campus areas and to local sites where there is abundant native and cultivated plants.

GOALS OF THE COURSE:

    1.    To facilitate the acquisition of knowledge of plant nomenclature and to develop skills in recognizing, on sight, a wide
           range of cultivated and native plants.

    2.    To develop an awareness of the distinctions among seed-bearing plants, particularly those with significant aesthetic and
           commercial value.

    3.    To develop an understanding of the importance of landscape value associated with evergreen and deciduous plants.

    4.    To equip the students with knowledge in growth requirements necessary for the expression of genetic potential of plants
           for landscape value, and

    5.    To facilitate high recognition of native and cultivated plants.

COURSE OUTLINE

I.        Introduction:  Dichotomous keys, morphological features, important families of angiosperms and gymnosperms,
          landscape value and flowering habits

II.      Identifying characteristics of deciduous and broadleaf evergreens trees and shrubs

III.     Identifying characteristics of evergreen trees and shrubs

IV.     Identifying characteristics of Vines and ground covers

V.      Field experiences in identifying deciduous and broadleaf evergreens trees and shrubs

VI.     Field experiences in identifying evergreen trees and shrubs

VII.    Field experiences in identifying Vines and ground covers

VIII.   Deciduous and evergreen plants in the landscape: specimen plants, accent plants,
          screen plants, border plants, etc.

IX.     Geographic and climatic considerations for landscape use

X.      Preparation of herbaria

Texts: Viertel, A. T.  1961.  Trees, shrubs, and vines.   Syracuse University Press.
Brockman, F. C. 1985.  Trees of North America: A guide to field identification, 5th edit.

Suggested references:
          Collingworth, G. H. and W. D. Brush.  1964.  Knowing trees.  The American Forestry  Association, Washington, D. C.

          Crocket, J. U. 1972.   Trees.  Time-Life Books, Inc., New York, NY

          Featherly, H. I. 1975.   Taxonomic terminology of higher plants.  Hafner Publishing Company,  New York, NY

          Harlow, W. H. 1982.  Trees of eastern and central United States and Canada.  Dover Publications, New York, NY

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