You should prepare a written report including all information listed below. Please answer in a numbered list fashion rather than trying to incorporate all material into a single essay-type report. In many cases, complete sentences are not necessary; however, for questions that ask you to discuss, please do so in complete sentences and well-organized paragraphs. You should include figures to illustrate plant appearance, geographic distribution, etc., as appropriate. Please include a complete bibliography for each report.
Your written reports should address the following:
- Currently accepted scientific name of the plant, including the most recent approved authority
- Synonyms for scientific name of this plant (if applicable)
- Classification (Division, Class, Subclass, Order, Family)
- Common or vernacular name(s)
- Meaning or derivation of the scientific and/or common name (any info that you can find or infer from knowledge of other plant names and/or Latin syllables)
- Growth form (herb, shrub, tree, etc.)
- Complete description of the plant’s roots, stems, leaves, flowers (as appropriate) – Note: please put in “common” language or at least be sure that you understand all the technical terms that you use, as I may ask you about them and expect you to be able to prove that you didn’t just copy down a bunch of mumbo jumbo that makes no sense to you
- Duration – annual, biennial, perennial (above and below ground); time of flowering (if applicable)
- Number of species in the genus: total (worldwide), in the U.S., in VA
- List other most similar species and/or genera that your plant resembles and discuss how to distinguish your plant from these other species/genera
- Geographic distribution of the species
- Habitats where found
- Native or introduced species? If introduced, from where?
- Discuss any other important and/or interesting information that you found about the plant or, in general, about its genus or family. Examples of some possible points of interest:
- Ecological adaptations to its habitat
- Plant/plant or plant/animal interactions
- Vegetative reproduction capabilities
- Food for humans or wildlife – parts eaten?
- Poisonous to humans or livestock
- Medicinal uses
- Cultivation as food crop, ornamental, etc.
- Agricultural weed or exotic invasive in natural areas
- Human uses of wood, fiber, wax, oil, etc.
- Rare or endangered species
- Disease problems or other management concerns
