Plant Taxonomy: The Identities of Plants

Sabrina Sewell, botanist

Taxonomy is the fundamental branch of science that names and classifies all elements of the world around us, including living things. A plant taxonomist specializes in determining groupings, relationships and ultimately, the names and identities of plants. This process utilizes pertinent data such as phylogenetics, phytogeography and phenology, but most essentially, plant morphology—the forms of plant parts. In this multi-session virtual course, students will focus on the diverse morphological characteristics of plants (including descriptors of leaves, flowers, roots, etc.) and their utility in identifying unknown plants. Students will also survey the history, principles and practices of plant taxonomy as a discipline and be guided through the process of plant identification via dichotomous keys. It is recommended, but not necessary, that students take Basic Botany before this class.

Course Structure

This class consists of four elements: a series of pre-recorded introductory videos; at-home exercises exploring plant anatomy, collecting and dichotomous keys; an in-person lab session or virtual lab session; and a wrap-up discussion session through Zoom.

• Part 1 – Introductory Video Lectures – content released March 4
• Part 2 – At-Home Exercises – content released March 4
• Part 3 – Plant ID Lab – choice of in-person session March 28, 10 a.m.–noon or 1–3 p.m. OR virtual session March 30, 6–8 p.m.
• Part 4 – Online Discussion Session – Zoom March 31; 6 – 7 p.m.

This class is a core class for the Certificate in Native Plants.