Natural History of Plants
S07
Kerry Woods
Plants define the biological environment. All organisms depend on plants’ capacity for photosynthesis. Plant structure and chemistry have shaped animal (including human) evolution, and we depend on their products for food, medicine, structural materials, and many other things. Yet few people can name even the dominant plants in their environment, recognize the role of vegetation in providing living landscape, or are aware of the particulars (and vulnerabilities) of our dependence on plants. This course encompasses a general exploration of the structure, habits, and diversity of plants, with a strong emphasis on the study of plants in habitat. Themes include basic plant structure and function (anatomy, physiology, development); identification of plants in habitat (with an emphasis on the local flora) and an understanding of their evolutionary relationships (taxonomy and systematics); relationships between plant growth and habit and species distributions and abundance (ecology); and the history and nature of human use of and dependence on plants (ethnobotany). The course includes extensive fieldwork in diverse terrain and weather, and there is at least one weekend field trip. There is written work in the form of problems, field journals, and two short papers. Development of independent observational skills is important.

This class is appropriate for all students, and may be taken at either an introductory or intermediate level. Students registering at intermediate level have differently structured assignments, and are expected to exhibit greater scientific sophistication.