Week 4 Laboratory

Basal Angiosperms (ANITA & Magnoliids) & Basal Eudicots (Ranunculales, Proteales)


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Refer to pp. 141-153, 228-238 in Plant Systematics and pp. 27-53 in Zomlefer resource for information on this group of angiosperms; additionally, the optional CD will have images of species. Also, please visit the University of Wisconsin Plant Systematics Collection homepage that will describe these and other families in some detail and are linked to images:

 

I. Detailed floral dissections on frozen/pickled flowers. Include these in your laboratory notebook with illustrations and labeled parts. Refer to Gleason & Cronquist for descriptions of the species as needed, and to Plant Systematics [T] and Zomlefer [Z] for descriptions and drawings of the families.

 

A. Caltha palustris (Ranunculaceae - marsh marigold) (p. 233 [T], 42-45 [Z])

Caltha has a large number of primitive features. Look for modifications of the perianth [hint: only one perianth whorl is present]; numerous floral parts exist; carpels are separate and free [apocarpy]; ovule number is many per carpel [what kind of fruit is produced then?; what kind of placentation?]. Indicate the floral formula of Caltha next to your illustrations.

 

B. Clematis (Ranunculaceae - clematis) (p. 233 [T], 42-45 [Z])

Clematis is a vine with typical family compound leaves. Like the marsh marigold, there are only sepals. Unlike marsh marigold, fruits are one seeded achenes with feathery style for wind dispersal.

 

II. Demonstration floral dissections. Look at these in as much detail as you want, but be sure to identify and understand the characters indicated on the sheet next to each floral dissection. Many of these also will be found in Gleason & Cronquist, Plant Systematics [T], or Zomlefer [Z].

  I. ANITA

1. Nymphaea sp. (Nymphaeaceae - water lily) (pp. 143-144 [T], 49-54 [Z])

 

  II. Magnoliid complex

2. Magnolia stellata (Magnoliaceae - magnolia) (p. 149 [T], 29-31 [Z])

3. Asarum canadense (Aristolochiaceae - wild ginger) (p. 149 [T],33-35 [Z])

 

  III. Ranunculids

4. Podophyllum peltatum (Berberidaceae - may apple) (pp. 228-230 [T])

5. Sanguinaria canadensis (Papaveraceae - bloodroot) (pp. 230-233 [T], 45-49 [Z])

 

III. 15 genera of Wisconsin plants to be able to identify on site (* = not presently found natively in Wisconsin). A = ANITA, M = Magnoliid, LE = lower eudicot.

Herbarium specimens of these plants will be marked to genus (and to family) and will be kept in the laboratory until the next laboratory exam when you will be tested on them. Use the the Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada (2nd edition) by Gleason & Cronquist [copies of the book will be available at the front desk] as much as possible to understand why each genus is different from other genera in the same family. This will help you not only to identify the plants to genus and family, but might be necessary as we will test you with different herbarium sheets of these plants!

1. *Magnolia (Magnoliaceae - magnolia) M

2. *Liriodendron (Magnoliaceae - tulip tree) M

3. Nuphar (Nymphaeaceae - yellow pond lily) A

4. Nymphaea (Nymphaeaceae - water lily) A

5. Asarum (Aristolochiaceae - wild ginger) M

6. Aquilegia (Ranunculaceae - columbine) LE

7. Caltha (Ranunculaceae - marsh marigold) LE

8. Clematis (Ranunculaceae - clematis) LE

9. Hepatica (or Anemone, Ranunculaceae - hepatic) LE

10. Ranunculus (Ranunculaceae - crowfoot, buttercup) LE

11. Berberis (Berberidaceae - barberry) LE

12. Podophyllum (Berberidaceae - may apple, mandrake) LE

13. Sanguinaria (Papaveraceae - bloodroot) LE

14. Dicentra (Fumariaceae or Papaveraceae- Dutchman's breeches, squirrel corn) LE

15. Nelumbo (Nelumbonaceae - lotus lily) LE

 

IV. Key these two plant specimens to species using the Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada (2nd edition) by Gleason & Cronquist [copies of the book will be available at the front desk]. This kind of question might well be on a laboratory exam.

A. Anemone sp. (Ranunculaceae) [p. 51]

B. Ranunculus sp. (Ranunculaceae) [p. 55]

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