BI367
Field Botany - Flora of Ontario
0.5 Credit

Basic principles of field botany with an emphasis on the identification and systematics of vascular plants (ferns, gymnosperms and angiosperms) from Southern Ontario will be covered. The course will introduce students to field, herbarium, and laboratory methods used in plant organismic biology research. Native plants from diverse habitats, weeds and invasive species, medicinal as well as selected cultivated plants will be covered. Topics will include: plant collecting, plant identification and preparation of herbarium voucher specimens, documenting plant diversity in relation with ecological factors, vegetation sampling, observations on reproductive biology, natural history, and uses of plants by aboriginal peoples. Day trips may be arranged to various natural habitats, the Arboretum in Guelph and the Royal Botanical Gardens. The course is typically offered during two weeks in August. Consult the department regarding enrolment limits and extra fees that may be required.