Plsc 465/665 - Advanced Landscape Plants

PLSC 465/665 - ADVANCED LANDSCAPE PLANTS

Dr. Dale E. Herman
Loftsgard 266E

Course Syllabus - Fall, 2006

2 credits2
(2 hour labs)

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION AND TEXT:

Nomenclature, identification and landscape characteristics of native and introduced deciduous and evergreen woody plants grown in the Upper Midwest. Emphasis on cultivar introduction, diversity within species, trademarks/patents, and plants which merit greater attention and use. Field trips are mandatory.

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.	Acquire expertise in identification of woody plants, including familiarization of students with woody landscape and shelter taxa in USDA hardiness zones 5 and 6, in addition to the plants covered in PLSC 355.

B.	Acquire an in-depth appreciation of plant characteristics and environmental conditions (e.g., microclimates) which can markedly influence landscape use and plant performance.

C.	Learn how to use and prepare an identification key, including generic to cultivar levels.

D.	Acquaint students with arboreta and the latest evaluation research work being carried out regionally in woody plant improvement (e.g., selection, breeding, seed source, naming, introduction, trademarking, patenting).

E.	Expose students to the literature which enables them to keep up to date on newly introduced woody/herbaceous plants, e.g., books, journals, periodicals, nursery catalogs, newsletters, videos, CD-Rom’s, web sites, etc.

III. EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY:

As with PLSC 355, this is a hands-on, living plant laboratory course. Students learn best and become most excited when allowed to experience and intermingle with live plants growing in varied environments. A special effort is made to pique student’s interest, imagination, and sensitivity to equip them to be uniquely skilled in selecting the “right plant” for the “right site/micro-environment.” Some people are born with this ability, others can learn this science/art. Opportunities are provided to enhance student learning by utilizing fresh samples, dry herbarium mounts, including seeds/fruits, full color pictures, Kodachrome slides and Dirr’s Photo-library of Woody Landscape Plants on CD-Rom. In addition to the text and other references, students purchase an instructional handout packet at the Varsity Mart. Knowledge you learn in this course will provide professional benefits that last a lifetime, particularly for students pursuing nursery, landscape and arboricultural careers, and graduate students who plan careers in research, teaching, or extension with emphasis on woody plants..

IV. HELPFUL STUDY HINTS:

A)	To get the most out of this course, be inquisitive and enthusiastic. Allow it to be fun.
	–	Cultivate a desire to learn the plants you walk by every day in the landscape.
	–	Participate in class with a sense of purpose.
	–	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 considerable information. Do not wait for the last minute to study. Spend time outside observing the plants. A little extra effort will pay dividends.
	–	Collect leaf samples, make regular visits to “the cooler window” in the hall and the dried specimens in the Learning Center of Loftsgard Hall.
	–	Study all plant material information placed in the “green labeled box” in the Plant Sciences Learning Center, which includes plants not usually found growing outdoors in the Northern Plains region due to insufficient winter hardiness. New material will be added weekly! These plants are a major part of this course.
	–	Review twig characteristics of deciduous plants both before and after leaf drop in fall.
	–	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.
	–	Learn family names; they are often clues to distinguishing between narrower categories of genera and species.
	–	Organize a small two to three student study group. Students who participate and contribute to such a group often earn better grades.
	–	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.
	–	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. The PLSC 355 - Woody Landscape Plants list is also included.

A. Discussion of Plant Nomenclature

1. Naming

Family

Genus

Species

Subspecies

Botanical Variety

Forma

Cultivar

a. Clone
b. Hybrid

c. Line
d. Seed strain

2. Relationships between respective groups above.

3. Terminology essential for using identification keys.

4. Patents, trademarks, royalties.

B. Plant Identification

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 Value 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

e. Wind tolerance

f. Insect susceptibility

g. Disease susceptibility

2. Seasonal landscape and ornamental features

a. Leaf characters, including fall coloration

b. Twig and bark characters

c. Flower characters

d. Fruit characters

e. Shape or growth form, including ultimate size

VI. TENTATIVE FIELD TRIPS (4) - Attendance is mandatory! This will be discussed.

	1. NDSU Research Arboretum (Mon. Sept. 11 - Leave 10:00 a.m.; return 1:30 p.m.)
	2. NDSU Research Arboretum (Mon. Sept. 18 - Leave 4:00 p.m.; return 8:00 p.m.)
	3. University of MN - Landscape Arboretum (Sat., Sept. 30 - Leave 6:30 a.m.; return 10:00 p.m.)
	4. NDSU Research Arboretum (Sat. Oct. 21 - Leave 9 a.m. - return 2 p.m.)

VII. TESTING

ID Quiz - Exam Dates		Points
Wed., Sept. 6	ID Quiz (10 - 12 plants)	25
Wed., Sept. 20	ID Exam	82
Mon., Oct. 9	ID Quiz (10 - 12 plants)	100
Mon., Oct. 16	ID Exam	100
Wed., Oct. 25	ID Quiz (10 - 12 plants)	20-25
Wed., Nov. 1	ID Exam	100
Wed., Nov. 15	Lecture Exam	100

Any quiz or exam date after Nov. 8 will be announced in class.		?
Wed., Dec. 13, 1- 3 PM Final Exam		130
		700 (approx)

Student Plant Key (50 points)/Graduate Student Plant Key (100 points)		50/100

Total Points		650/700 (approx.)

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, Food Systems, and Natural Resources 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.