Field Botany

This course is designed as an introduction to or refresher in the discipline of field botany and the taxonomy of flowering plants. Participants of all experience levels are encouraged to attend.

Instruction will focus on the basics of plant morphology (structure and function), technical terminology, and the tricks and tools employed to identify plants in the field. A combination of indoor and outdoor instruction will be used to familiarize participants with field identification techniques.

While keying will not be explicitly taught, an important course objective is to build in participants the skills and knowledge needed to identifying plants using a technical botanical key.

The required text for this course is Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification, 6th Edition by Thomas J. Elpel (2013, Hops Press; ISBN-13: 978-1892784353; ISBN-10: 1892784351; $19-26 online). You are asked to purchase this text from your preferred bookseller and bring it to the workshop, along with a hand lens. All other supplies will be provided.