Semester:
Offered:
Co-taught with Melanie Gunn
A comprehensive field approach to vascular plants of the region, including characteristic species of terrestrial and wetland habitats as well as species known for their rarity or distinctive distribution patterns. Topics covered include the major plant families of the Great Lakes area, basic terminology and techniques useful in plant identification, the general phytogeography and ecology of the region especially as these relate to recent geological history of the landscape, and field recognition of over 300 selected species. A phylogeny of vascular plants provides the framework for their evolution and diversification. Prior familiarity with at least some families and species will be extremely helpful.
Prerequisites: Two college-level courses in biology and some previous experience with plant taxonomy/identification, or permission of instructor.
Offered at The University of Michigan Biological Station