| I.
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND TEXT: |
|
Nomenclature,
identification and landscape characteristics of native and introduced
deciduous and evergreen woody plants most commonly planted in
the Northern Plains.
Text: Dirr, M.A. 1998. Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, 5th Edit.,
Stipes Publ. Co., 1187 pp. (See Reference List for additional
information.)
|
| II.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: |
|
A)
Acquaint students with the botanical/horticultural classification,
nomenclature, and principles of identification of woody plants. |
|
B)
Acquire expertise in identifying 300+ of the most common native
and introduced woody plants used for environmental landscaping and
shelter plantings in the Northern Plains. |
|
C)
Acquire knowledge of environmental adaptation and ornamental plant
characteristics which influence landscape use. |
|
D)
Learn to appreciate the importance of woody plants as functional
elements in diverse landscape situations, including urban, suburban,
and rural environments. |
|
E)
Expose students to simple generic identification keys and woody
plant communities in human-dominated ecosystems. |
| III.
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY: |
|
This
is a hands-on, living plant laboratory course. Students learn best
and become most excited when allowed to experience live plants growing
in the outdoor environment. Additional opportunities are provided
to expand student learning by utilizing fresh samples, dry herbarium
specimens, including seeds/fruits, Kodachrome slides and Dirr's
Photo-Library of Woody Landscape Plants on CD-Rom. In addition to
the text, students need to purchase the instructional handout packet
at the Varsity Mart. Several other references are also available
for student purchase. Whether you pursue a plant-related career
or enjoy gardening in your home landscape, the knowledge you learn
in this course can provide professional and personal benefits that
last a lifetime. |
| IV.
HELPFUL STUDY HINTS: |
|
A)
|
To
get the most out of this course, be inquisitive and enthusiastic.
Allow it to be fun outdoor nature experiences. |
|
- |
Cultivate
a desire to learn the plants you walk by every day in the landscape. |
|
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Participate
in class with a sense of purpose. |
|
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Keep
an open mind for learning new paradigms about microclimates and
human-plant interactions. |
|
- |
Learn
to identify species discussed each week, not two weeks later. This
will greatly enhance your performance and enjoyment of the course. |
|
- |
This
course contains much information. Do not wait for the last minute
to study. Spend time outside observing the plants beyond lab periods.
A little extra effort will pay dividends. |
|
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Collect
leaf samples, visit "the cooler window" in the hall and
the dried specimens in the Learning Center of Loftsgard Hall at
least twice each week. |
|
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Study
twig characteristics of deciduous plants so you are not solely dependent on leaves for identification. Remember, leaves drop in October. |
|
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Use
the "student note sheet" and/or flash cards with the common
name and ID features on one side and the scientific name on the
other side to assist you in learning the names and correct spelling. |
|
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Learn the family names; they provide clues to distinguishing
between narrower categories of genera and species. |
|
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Organize
a small two to three student study group. Students who participate
and contribute to such a group often earn better grades. |
|
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Make
a list and update each week of the plants you find more difficult
to identify. This will save you time later and greatly assist in
wise use of your time. |
|
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Highlight
3 to 5 key identification characteristics and also list 3 to 5 key
landscape or ornamental features and uses of the plant as you take
notes. Remember, read about each plant in text, etc., to fill
in voids in your notes of plants covered weekly. |
|
V.
COURSE OUTLINE:
|
|
(NOTE!
A complete alphabetical listing of all plants (categorized by family,
genus, species, and cultivar) covered in this course is in the instructional
handout packet available at the Varsity Mart. The plants are also
categorized by size, from medium to tall trees to ground covers. |
|
A.
|
Discussion
of Plant Nomenclature |
|
1.
|
Naming |
|
|
Family |
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|
Genus |
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|
Species |
|
|
Subspecies |
|
|
Botanical
Variety |
|
|
Forma |
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|
Cultivar |
|
|
a. Clone
b. Hybrid
c. Seed
Strain |
|
2.
|
Relationships
between respective groups above. |
|
3.
|
Terminology
essential for using identification keys. |
|
B.
|
Plant
Identification - Woody plants hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3 and 4.
|
|
1.
|
Identification
Breakdown |
|
|
a.
|
Type
of plant (coniferous and deciduous) |
|
|
-- |
Medium
to large trees - 35 feet and over |
|
|
-- |
Small
to medium trees - under 30 feet |
|
|
-- |
Large shrubs - greater than 7 feet |
|
|
-- |
Medium
shrubs - 4-7 feet |
|
|
-- |
Small
shrubs - less than 4 feet |
|
|
-- |
Vines |
|
|
-- |
Ground
covers |
|
|
-- |
Broadleaf
evergreens |
|
|
b.
|
Type
of leaf insertion |
|
|
-- |
Alternate simple |
|
|
-- |
Alternate
compound |
|
|
-- |
Opposite
or whorled simple |
|
|
-- |
Opposite
or whorled compound |
|
|
-- |
Awl-shaped
and scale leaves |
|
|
-- |
Needle-like
leaves |
|
C.
|
Plant
Characters Affecting Landscape or Ornamental Value |
|
1. |
Environmental
Adaptation |
|
|
a.
|
Native,
Introduced, Naturalized |
|
|
b.
|
Winter
Hardiness - (Hardiness Zone Maps) |
|
|
c.
|
Soil
Requirements |
|
|
|
--
|
Texture |
|
|
|
--
|
pH,
aeration and drainage |
|
|
|
--
|
Salinity |
|
|
|
--
|
Fe
chlorosis |
|
|
d.
|
Moisture
Needs |
|
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e.
|
Wind
Tolerance relative to wood strength, crotch angle, winter injury |
|
|
f. |
Insect
Susceptibility |
|
|
g.
|
Disease
Susceptibility |
|
|
2.
|
Seasonal
Landscape and Ornamental Features |
|
|
|
a.
|
Leaf
Characters, including fall coloration |
|
|
|
b.
|
Twig
and Bark Characters |
|
|
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c.
|
Flower
Characters |
|
|
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d.
|
Fruit
Characters |
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|
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e.
|
Shape
or Growth Form, including ultimate size |
| VI.
STUDENT EVALUATION: |
|
Outdoor
Lab Quiz/Exams: (Dates are tentative due to dependence on weather.) |
|
|
Thurs., August 31 |
ID quiz |
40
points |
|
|
Thurs., September 14 |
ID quiz |
80
" |
|
|
Thurs., September 28 |
ID exam |
90
" |
(Note: Any outdoor quiz after Oct. 26 |
|
|
Thurs., October 12 |
ID exam |
110
" |
will be announced in class due to weather.) |
|
|
Thurs., October 26 |
ID exam |
110
" |
|
Lecture
Quizzes: |
|
|
|
Tues., October 3 (during lecture) |
35
points |
|
|
Tues., October
24 (during lecture) |
35 " |
|
Lecture
Exam: |
|
|
|
Tues.,
November 7 (during lab) |
140
points (may include about 20 points ID) |
|
Final
Exam: |
|
|
|
Fri.,
December 15 (1:00pm - 3:00pm) |
140
points |
|
|
|
|
|
Potential
Points |
780
points |
|
VII. TWO FIELD TRIPS:
|
|
|
(NDSU
Research Arboretum, Absaraka, ND – Attendance is mandatory!) |
|
Dates:
Tues., Sept. 5 and Tues., Sept. 19. Leave 9:30am - return 2:20pm. Bring sack lunch and drinks.
(meet at Hort Greenhouse across the street west of Morrill Hall, just 50 feet west of south wall of No. Crops Institute) |
| VIII.
GRADING: |
|
|
>
90% |
A |
|
|
80
- < 90% |
B |
|
|
70
- < 80% |
C |
|
|
60
- < 70% |
D |
|
|
<
60% |
F |
|
| IX.
ATTENDANCE: |
|
|
To
learn effectively, students must attend all lectures, labs, and
field trips. Attendance is very important to succeed in this course.
No makeup tests will be allowed except for a doctor-excused illness,
funeral, etc. Graded exams will be returned only to students present
in class -- they cannot be picked up by another student. |
| X.
CANCELLATIONS: |
|
|
A
university cancellation of a class meeting time automatically delays
all scheduled activities (lecture, lab, exam) to the NEXT regularly
scheduled meeting time. |
| XI.
SPECIAL NEEDS: |
|
|
Any
student with a disability or special need is invited to share these
concerns with the instructor as soon as possible so I can assist
you. |
| XII.
DISHONESTY: |
|
The
College of Agriculture operates under "The Honor System"
which believes that a student has the privilege and obligation
to perform honestly and responsibly. An indication or infraction
of dishonesty is referred to the Honor Commission governed by
students. Students must sign the College of Agriculture Honor
Pledge at the end of each exam.
|
