BSC 434/534 – Plant Systematics
Professor: Dr. John L. Clark
Office: Mary Harmon Bryant Hall - #411
Location: Biology Building – Room 205 (Lecture) 408 (Lab)
E-mail: jlc@ua.edu
Telephone: 348-1826
Office hours: Tuesday 1:00-2:00 PM; Wednesday 9:00-10:00 PM (or by appointment)
Required Texts:
Castner, J.L. 2004. Photographic atlas of botany and guide to plant identification.
Feline Press, Gainesville, Florida.
Harris, J.G., and M. Woolf Harris. 2006. Plant identification terminology: an
illustrated glossary. Spring Lake Publishing, Spring Lake, Utah.
Weakley, A.S. Flora of the Carolinas, Virginia, and Georgia, and Surrounding
Areas. University of North Carolina. Hardbound copies can be purchased
from Carol Ann McCormick for $60 (919-962-6931). The text can be
downloaded from:
http://www.herbarium.unc.edu/WeakleysFlora.pdf
Optional Texts:
Judd, W.S. et al. 2002. Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach. Sinauer
Associates, Inc., Sunderland, MA.
Radford, A. E., H.E. Ahles & C. R. Bell. 1964. Manual of the vascular flora of the
Carolinas. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.
Simpson, M.G. 2006. Plant Systematics. Elsevier Academic Press.
Course Description: Survey and introduction to the morphology, evolution, and
classification of land plants. We will use the native Alabama flora as a basis for learning
phylogenetic classification and clade-based characteristics for plant classification. This
course will meet every Monday from noon to 5:50 pm. Most class time is dedicated to
lab- and field-based activities.
Prerequisites: ((BSC 114 and BSC 115) or BSC 118) and ((BSC 116 and BSC 117) or
BSC 120) or permission from the instructor.
Course Objectives:
The primary objective of this course is to gain experience in plant identification by
studying phylogenetic systematics, plant taxonomy, and creating a plant collection. Major
concepts include:
 Recognize and understand the role of phylogenetics and evolution in the
classification of plant diversity.
 The use of herbaria, arboretum, literature, and taxonomic resources for
documenting plant biodiversity.


A working understanding of terminology of characters used for differentiating
major plant lineages.
Appreciate Alabama plant diversity by recognizing and identifying local flora.
Student Learning Objectives:
A student who completes this course will be able to:
 Identify common flora in Alabama.
 Gain skills in the use of taxonomic keys and technical literature by correctly
identifying plant collections.
 Use an herbarium as a research tool.
 Built an individual plant collection correctly identified to species.
 Name, classify, and diagnose several of the major flowering plant families.
 Name, classify, and diagnose several of the major land plant lineages.
 Recognize and apply the terms polyphyletic, monophyletic, and paraphyletic to
current formal and informal classifications.
 Describe a species using descriptive terminology of plant morphology.
Service Learning:
You will be required to participate in a service-learning project. Service learning is meant
to combine formal classroom education with service that meets real-world community
needs. This is an exciting opportunity for you to participate in something that is
community-based, hands-on, and geared towards appreciating local plant diversity. We
will discuss this in more detail on January 26th with by Lindsey M. Thomas. Your service
will comprise 15 hours that will be completed outside of normal class hours. This is
required and it will constitute 14% of your grade. Your particular duty will be determined
when your group is formed.
Course Outline
Date and Activity
January 12 – Monday, 12- 5:30
Lecture: What is systematics? Introduction to course and lab procedures.
Lab: What are basal Embryophytes? An exploration of liverworts, hornworts, mosses.
Field: What is the scientific protocol for documenting plant diversity? A study of
common plants on the University of Alabama campus. Review of taxonomic
resources, collecting supplies, and field-collecting techniques.
January 19 – Monday – Martin Luther King day
NO CLASS
January 26 – Monday, 12- 5:30
Lecture: Service learning presentation by Lindsey M. Thomas on Service Learning Pro
(noon).
Lab: What are Lycophytes? An exploration of basal tracheophytes (Lycopodiaceae,
Selaginellaceae, Isoetaceae).
Field trip to the University of Alabama Arboretum: What is the role of an arboretum?
An introduction to the University of Alabama Arboretum.
February 2 – Monday, 12- 5:30
Lab: What are Monilophytes? An exploration of basal tracheophytes (Equisetales,
Marattiales, Polypodiales, Ophioglossales, Psilotales)
Field: Talladega National Forest
February 9 – Monday, 12- 5:30
Lab: What are gymnosperms? An exploration of Cycads, Ginkgos, and conifers.
Field: Lake Lurleen State Park – emphasis on Oaks
February 16 – Monday, 12- 5:30
Exam #1 - Hornworts, liverworts, mosses, lycophytes, monilophytes, phylogenetic
classification
Lecture & Lab: What is an herbarium? What is a scientific name? Differentiating
between taxonomy (knowing a lot about a little), floristics (knowing a little about
a lot), and nomenclature (knowing a little about a little).
Field: University of Alabama campus
February 23 – Monday, 12- 5:30
Lecture: What are angiosperms? An exploration of perianth, androecium, gynoecium,
and floral formulas.
Field: Tanglewood Estate
March 2 - Monday – Monday, 12- 5:30
Lecture: Basal angiosperms part 1: Amborellales, Nymphaeales, Austrobaileyales,
Chloranthaceae, and Magnoliids
Field: Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge
March 9 - Monday – Monday, 12- 5:30
Lecture: Basal angiosperms part 2: Monocots; understanding inflorescence and flower
structure in grasses, sedges, and rushes
Field: Hurricane Creek
March 16 - Monday – SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS
March 23 - Monday – Monday, 12- 5:30
Exam #2 – Angiosperms and floral diversity
Lecture: What is the difference between a fruit and a vegetable (from a botanicalcontext)?
Lab: Plant identification & the use of dichotomous keys
Field: Cemetery
March 30 - Monday – Monday, 12- 5:30
Field: Rocky Branch – Deep Gorge (canoe trip)
April 6 - Monday – Monday, 12- 5:30
Lecture: Understanding inflorescence and flower structure in the Asteraceae
Field: Hurricane Creek, Tuscaloosa
April 13 – Monday, 12- 5:30
Field: Birmingham Botanical Garden
April 18-19 – Saint Clair Weekend fieldtrip
April 20 – Monday, 12- 5:30
Lab day dedicated for keying out plants from weekend field trip
April 27 – Monday, 12- 5:30
Field: Chalk prairies, Sumter County
May 5, 2009 - Tuesday 11:30 - 2:00 PM - ROOM #202
FINAL EXAM - Exam #3 - Plant identification & fruit diversity
Undergraduate grading:
Exam #1 100 pts.
Exam #2 100 pts.
Exam #3 100 pts.
Herbarium 200 pts.
Quizzes 100 pts. (total)
Service Learning 100 pts.
Graduate grading:
Exam #1 Exam #2 Exam #3 Herbarium Quizzes Service Learning Research paper
100 pts.
100 pts.
100 pts.
200 pts.
100 pts. (total)
100 pts.
100 pts.
**There will be no make-up of missed work without valid excuse. Make-up exams need
to be arranged with Dr. Clark and taken within 1-2 days of the scheduled exam.
Grading Scale:
A+ = 98-100
A = 92-97.9
A - = 90-91.9
B+ = 88-89.9 C+ = 78-79.9
B = 82-87.9 C = 72-77.9
B - = 80-81.9 C - = 70-71.9
D+ = 68-69.9 F = <60
D = 62-67.9
D - = 60-61.9
Attendance Policy:
Attendance is required. You are responsible for all information, announcements, and
material presented in class. If you must miss a period due to serious illness or other
emergency, documentation is required for validation.
Disability Services: Students with disabilities are encouraged to register with the Office
of Disability Services (348-4285). Thereafter, please schedule an appointment with Dr.
Clark to discuss accommodations.
Academic Misconduct: All acts of dishonesty in any work constitute academic
misconduct. This includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, fabrication of
information, misrepresentations, and abetting in any of the above. The Academic
Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event that academic misconduct
occurs. Students should refer to the Student Affairs Handbook, which can be obtained n
the Office of Student Life and Services in the Ferguson Center.