plant taxonomy practical

[Donna I. Ford-Werntz]

Jeremy, Maybe you could have your students make some basic observations
(leaf arrangement, blade division, number and fusion of floral parts) on a
small group of live plants.  I'm thinking only of angiosperms here, but
depending on your purposes you might want to include bryophytes,
pteridophytes, and gymnosperms.  Then use the data to construct groupings
and compare their classifications to the taxa recognize by most botanical
systematists.  Good luck & have fun!  Donna

Donna I. Ford-Werntz     West Virginia Univ.                                    
Herbarium Curator (WVA)  Box 6057                                               
Asst. Prof. Biol.        Morgantown, WV 26506                                   
425 Brooks Hall          (304)293-5201 X2549                                    
email: diford at wvu.edu    fax: (304)293-6363                                     
Web site at http://www.as.wvu.edu/biology/                                      

---