These are 3 of approximately 140 common names
for this species. Use internet resources to come up with at least
3 other common names for this species.
Virola sp.
Myristicaceae
The fruit shown here has a red aril attached to
the seed. Find 2 ethnobotanical uses of the arils in the family
Myristicaceae.
Phytolacca
americana
pokeweed
This plant is highly poisonous if parts are not
treated properly prior to eating. What is the actual compound
that makes it poisonous to humans?
What is this plant? Shown here are the fruits that have rolled down the lawn
behind the greenhouses of Birge Hall towards University Avenue.
A close up of one of these "grapefruit"-like fruits
is shown at the bottom right.
Artocarpus - breadfruit of the Moraceae - will be forever linked
with the Mutiny on the Bounty and Captain Bligh and Fletcher
Christian. Breadfruit is seen on the deck of the Bounty
in this scene where Captain Bligh is set adrift in a rowboat.
Find out where the breadfruit came from and where it
was being taken by the Bounty.
This plant is Exacum (persian
violet) of the Gentianaceae. Note the left handed (relative to flower)
skew of the style in bottom flower. Other flowers may show a right
handed skew. What is this condition called and what purpose might
it serve?
Eupatorium
rugosum
white snakeroot
As the common name might suggest, this plant
is highly poisonous. Humans typically are poisoned by drinking
milk from cattle eating the plants. What famous person
is thought to have died from snakeroot?
Lodoicea
maldivica
coco-de-mer, double-nut,
Seychelles palm
This genus of 1 species is endemic to the Seychelles and
has generated a lot of interest in having the largest seed
known, and in that the shape of the seed has suggested the
devil's work or aphrodisiacal properties. What is unusual
about how this species was first discovered?
Cucurbita maxima
Dioscorea battata
Gulo gulo
Meleagris gallopavo
Vaccinium macrocarpon
Taxidea taxus
Thomomys talpoides
Organisms of the [holi]day!
What are these organisms?
Which 3 organisms would you not invite
to the Thanksgiving table?
What is the entire native angiosperm flora of Antarctica
(yes, scientific names for all of them)? Hint: one of them is a
grass in the Pooideae, shown here along with mosses and lichens
that you don't have to worry about.
