Biology 211 — Fall 2004
Flowering Plant Taxonomy
Lecture/Discussion: MWF 9:00-9:50 in Olin 335
Laboratory: W 1:00-4:00 in Olin 314
Course Web Pages: www.colby.edu/its/BI211
Instructors:
Ray Phillips, Asst. Prof. of Biology — Lovejoy 105, Phone: 4209 (call Chris, my
Administrative Secretary, at 4201 to make an appointment), Email: rbphilli
Lindsey Colby, Biology Teaching Associate — Olin 304, Phone: 3558, Email:
lwcolby
This course provides an introduction to the principles and practice of biological systematics and
classification (taxonomy). Emphasis is placed on acquiring the facility to use appropriate terminology in
order to identify flowering plants, as well as understanding the historical context and investigative
procedures used by taxonomists in developing classifications. Of particular importance is gaining an
understanding of the philosophical bases in taxonomy and the relevance of this field to the areas of
biology that use classifications.
Objectives:
1. Learn vegetative and reproductive features and terminology that are useful in the identification of
flowering plants.
2. Gain ability to use published keys for the identification of flowering plants.
3. Learn to recognize some of the common and unusual families of flowering plants in Maine.
4. Understand the principles of plant taxonomy, including evolutionary trends, patterns of speciation,
biogeography, and floral biology.
5. Gain an understanding of the relationships between evolutionary mechanisms, evolutionary history,
and the classification of organisms.
6. Develop an ability to critically examine the extent to which a classification system reflects
relationships between organisms and to understand the reasons for the significant changes now being
made in biological classification systems.
Evaluation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8
9
.
.
Daily Quizzes - (5 pts each, drop 3 lowest scores and add 15 pts)
Report – Taxonomic review of a group of plants selected by each
student. Due November 29.
Examination I (October 11-15)
Examination II (November 10-15)
Laboratory Exercises
Plant Collection (Oct. 6, Nov. 10, Dec. 8)
Lab Exam I: Family Recognition (Families 1-2, 17-36; Sept. 29)
Lab Exam II: Family Recognition (Families 37-60, 3-16; Nov. 3)
Final Examination (Date to be announced)
TOTAL
150 pts.
150 pts.
100 pts.
100 pts.
100 pts.
200 pts.
100 pts.
100 pts.
100 pts.
1,100 pts.
Textbooks:
Judd, Campbell, Kellogg, and Stevens, 2002. “Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach,” 2 nd
Edition, Sinauer Associates.
Magee, Dennis W., and Harry E. Ahles, 1999. "Flora of the Northeast. A Manual of the Vascular Flora
of New England and Adjacent New York," University of Massachusetts Press, Amherst.
Plant Collection:
Due:
5 specimens due Oct. 6,
15 additional specimens due Nov. 10,
Complete collection due Dec. 8
The plant collection must include 100 75 50 40 fully identified specimens representing different species (or
infraspecific taxa). Ten specimens must be mounted properly on herbarium paper. A typed or neatly
printed label must be prepared for every specimen and affixed in the extreme lower, right-hand corner of
the sheet for mounted specimens. The label must include the collector's name and collection number,
family, genus and species with the author citation, date of collection, locality, country, and any other
pertinent data. The remaining unmounted specimens should be loose in folded (11x16) newsprint with a
prepared label as described above. Required: 3 specimens in Poaceae, 2 in Cyperaceae, and 1 in
Juncaceae.
A field book must accompany the collection. The field book must be compiled in the field as you collect
each specimen; it should be in pencil; all records must be entered, dated, and numbered sequentially; and
the field book and label data must coincide. You will probably collect more than 50 specimens. Frost
comes early in Maine so collect early!
The collection will be graded in the following manner:
Identification: Each specimen is worth 5 points. Misidentification to family results in a –7 point
assessment; to genus –3 points; and to species –1 point. In difficult groups, species ID is leniently graded.
Quality of the collection: Are the leaves and flowers pressed flat? Is the specimen dry? Are the
upper and lower surfaces visible? Are the mounted specimens firmly and totally attached? Is the label
prepared properly? Is the mounting aesthetically pleasing? A poor quality specimen will result in a –2
point assessment.
Label and Field Data: Is the collection label complete and specific? Given the information on the
label, would it be possible for another collector to return to the same location? If the specimen is from a
tree or shrub, are there notes on features of the plant (such as tree height, bark texture) that are not
evident from the specimen itself? An inadequate label and field notes for a specimen will be assessed –2
points.
You will be able to use the lab after class hours by checking the key out from the Science Library in Olin
(hours are posted and available on the web). Other classes may use the laboratory; a schedule for the lab
will be posted. In general, the lab is available for your use evenings and weekends. Cabinet space will be
available for you to store your collection as you work on it during the semester.
Report: Taxonomic review of a group of flowering plants (Preliminary Report due Oct. 8, Report due
Nov. 29, Oral Reports to Class Nov 29 to Dec. 3).
Each student will select a group of flowering plants and review its taxonomic history in terms of
classification within the group and position relative to other groups. The focus should be on changes that
have occurred since Linnaeus through the different historical periods when different approaches to
biological classification were used in recognizing groups (taxa) and their relationships within the group
and between this group and other groups. Special attention should be given to the changes associated
with application of the phylogenetic approach to classification during the past ten to twenty years.
Monophyletic, paraphyletic, and polyphyletic groups recognized in past classification systems should be
identified. Included should be a review of major characters and the various synapomorphies and
symplesiomorphies that have given rise to different classifications in the past.
The group selected can be as high (class, subclass, order, family) or as low (genus, species, varieties) in
hierarchical rank as you wish but it is likely to be more difficult if the group is at a lower rank.
The group should be selected and reported to the instructor with a basic bibliography by Oct. 8. Feel free
to talk with the instructor prior to that date as you develop ideas or if you have questions or need
suggestions.
The report should not be longer then about fifteen pages. If desired, the report can be presented in a
poster form or as a PowerPoint document. Each student will give a short (5 to 10 minute) oral report to
the class outlining the findings in this review. These oral reports will take place the week of Nov. 29. The
project is worth 150 points, of which 50 points will be based on the oral report and 100 points on the
printed report.
Flowering Plant Family Recognition (Laboratory Exams Sept. 29 and Nov. 3):
During this course you will be introduced to many flowering plant families. Some of the most important
of these will be reviewed with examples and the characteristic features will be described and illustrated.
You will be expected to recognize members of these families without the aid of a key. Most of these you
will find very easy to recognize. Below is a complete list of these 60 families. Be sure to see the textbook
and its included CD-ROM, as well as the web pages for this course, where family descriptions and
examples will be found.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Nymphaeaceae
Magnoliaceae
Araceae
Lemnaceae* (in Araceae)
Alismataceae
Liliaceae*
Iridaceae
Orchidaceae
Arecaceae (Palmae)
Commelinaceae
Bromeliaceae
Typhaceae
Sparganiaceae* (in Typhaceae)
Juncaceae
Cyperaceae
Poaceae (Gramineae)
Ranunculaceae
Papaveraceae
Caryophyllaceae
Chenopodiaceae*(in Amaranthaceae)

21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
Cactaceae
Droseraceae
Polygonaceae
Viscaceae
Saxifragaceae
Crassulaceae
Vitaceae
Geraniaceae
Oxalidaceae
Euphorbiaceae
Violaceae
Salicaceae
Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Rosaceae
Ulmaceae
Cucurbitaceae
Fagaceae
Betulaceae
Onagraceae
Brassicaceae (Cruciferae)
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
Malvaceae
Tiliaceae* (in Malvaceae)
Anacardiaceae
Aceraceae* (in Sapindaceae)
Ericaceae
Sarraceniaceae
Solanaceae
Convolvulaceae
Cuscutaceae*(In Convolvulaceae)
Rubiaceae
Gentianaceae
Asclepiadaceae* (in Apocynaceae)
Oleaceae
Plantaginaceae*
Scrophulariaceae*
Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)
Caprifoliaceae
Campanulaceae
Asteraceae (Compositae)
The textbook, Judd et al., either does not recognize the family (4, 13, 20, 42, 44, 49 and 52) or has
a significantly different circumscription (boundaries around what is included; 6, 54 and 55) than
traditional classifications. For these families use the lab handouts and web resources for
descriptions and examples.
Some families have alternative acceptable names (33, 40, 56, 57, and 60).
Flowering Plant Taxonomy
Lecture and Laboratory Schedule
Prof. Ray Phillips – Fall 2004
FAMILIES
DATE
LECTURE/LAB TOPIC
QUIZ INTRODUCED
READING
Sept. 8 1) Introduction
1
1-2, 17-18 Preface, Chapter 1
LAB 1: Lab orientation, Plant Collecting Techniques;
Appendix 2; Chapte
Overview of Families 1-2, 17-18
(Family descriptio
10
2) Terminology: Vegetative Structures
2
19-21
Chapter 4 (55-62)
11
SATURDAY FIELD TRIP - meet at noon, finish in lab by
5pm
13
3) Terminology: Vegetative Structures and Life Cycles of
3
22-24
Chapter 4(63-65)
Plants
15
4) Terminology: Flower Structures
4
25-27
Chapter 4(66-74)
LAB 2: Review of Plant Morphology, Use of Keys,
Chapter 9 (Family
Identification; Overview of Families 20-27
descriptions)
17
5) Terminology: Inflorescences, Seeds and Fruit
5
28-30
Chapter 4(75-81)
18
SATURDAY FIELD TRIP - meet at 9am, finish in lab by
4pm
20
6) What is evolution and what does taxonomy have to do
6
31-33
Chapter 6 (121-125
with it?
22
7) History of Taxonomy
7
34-36
Chapter 3
LAB 3: Plant Morphology/Terminology, Identification(2-3
Chapter 9 (Family
plants); Overview of Families 28-36
descriptions)
24
8) Comparison of Major Classification Systems up to Mid8
37-39
20th Century
27
9) Comparison of Cronquist’s and Phylogenetic Systems
9
40-42
Chapter 9 (217-222
29
10) Phylogenetic Systematics - Cladistics
10
43-45
Chapter 2 (13-21)
LAB 4: FAMILY EXAM I (Families 1-2, 17-36).
Chapter 9 (Family
Dendrogrammaceae Intro; Identification (2-3 plants),
descriptions)
Student Collection; Overview of Families 37-45.
Oct. 1 11) Phylogenetic Systematics - Cladistics
11
46-49
Chapter 2 (22-31)
4
12) Phylogenetic Systematics - Cladistics
12
50-52
Chapter 2 (31-38)
6
13) Macromolecular Sequence and Cladistics
13
53-56
Chapter 5 (105-110
LAB 5: Dendrogrammaceae Cladistic Analysis; Student
Chapter 9 (Family
Collections; Overview of Families 46-56.
descriptions)
 First set of five correctly identified and labeled collection
specimens are due.
8
14) Macromolecular Sequence and Cladistics
14
57-60
Chapter 5 (110-118
[Preliminary report – group selection and basic
bibliography due.]
11
15) Review Session (Exam completed by 9 AM, Friday,
10/15)
13
16) Evolution of Green Plants
15
3-9
Chapter 7 (153-173
LAB 6: Student Collections; Overview of Families 53-60 and
Chapter 9 (Family
DATE
LECTURE/LAB TOPIC
FAMILIES
QUIZ INTRODUCED
15
3-9
17) EXAM DUE; Origin of Flowering Plants
16
18
20
FALL BREAK
18) Instructor Away – Work on individual papers
17*
LAB 7: Student Collections; Overview of Families 10-16
22
25
27
19) No Class – Work on individual papers
20) Biogeography
21) Vicariance Biogeography
Chapter 9 (Family
descriptions)
18
19
LAB 8: Student Collections. Review Families 37-60, 3-16
29 22) Vicariance Biogeography
Nov. 1 23) Examples
3
24) Nomenclature
10-16
READING
descriptions)
Chapter 7 (173-181
Chapter 9 (Family
descriptions)
20
21
22
Appendix 1
23
24
Appendix 1
Appendix 1
25
26
Chapter 6 (121-12
Chapter 6 (127-13
Chapter 6 (133-13
27
28
Chapter 6 (138-14
Chapter 6 (144-14
29
30
Chapter 6 (147-15
LAB 9: FAMILY EXAM II (Families 37-60, 3-16). DNA
Sequencing, Student Collections
5
8
10
25) Nomenclature
26) Nomenclature – Approaching Revolution?
27) Review Session (Exam taken by 9AM
Monday,11/15)
LAB 10: Electron Microscopy Exercise, Student Collections
 Second set of 15 correctly identified and labeled
collection specimens are due.
12
15
17
28) Species  Variation within populations
29) EXAM DUE; Species  Isolation and Speciation
30) Species  Isolating Mechanisms I
LAB 11: Student Collections
19
22
24
26
29
Dec. 1
31) Species  Isolating Mechanisms II
32) Species  Species Concepts
THANKSGIVING RECESS
THANKSGIVING RECESS
33) PAPERS DUE; Oral Reports
34) Oral Reports
LAB 12: Student Collections
3
6
8
35) Oral Reports
36) Species  Case Studies
37) Species  Case Studies
LAB 13: Student Collections
 Student Collections are due
10
38) Course Evaluations; Schedule Final Exam Review;
Wrap-up
*This quiz will be a worksheet to be completed during the week while Prof. Phillips is away.
Final Exam: Schedule to be announced.