Plants of the Day

 

Lecture 1 Exam

Lecture 2 Exam

Lecture 3 Exam

Holloween BotCostumes

 

Images of "plants of the day" mentioned in lecture will be added here as they are covered in lecture. Extra credit will be provided for solving the question given for each plant.

Verbascum thapsus L. common mullein, flannel plant, toilet paper plant 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.

 

Myristica fragrans 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.

 

 

Camellia sinensis - tea of the Theaceae (order Ericales) - originates in China. The Dutch and Portuguese (and even the late coming Brits) all claim to have introduced tea into the western hemisphere. Historical records now indicate that it is none of the above. Who is now credited in introducing tea out of the orient?   [photo credit: Gerry Carr]

 

Linnaea borealis (twinflower) - the genus is named after Carolus Linnaeus. From what plant did Linnaeus' forefathers derive their surname, however?

 

Centaurea maculosa (spotted knapweed) is a serious invasive pest in North America. The species (and close relatives) was introduced accidentally into North America from its native range in central Eurasia somewhere in the late 1800s. One known mode of introduction was via seed in contaminated alfalfa seed lots. What other means of introduction is believed to be responsible for the presence of spotted knapweed in places like Victoria, British Columbia and San Francisco, California?

 

Cucurbita maxima Dioscorea battata Meleagris gallopavo Pongo pygmaeus Vaccinium macrocarpon Zenaida macroura Organisms of the [holi]day! What are these organisms? Which 3 organisms do not belong in this list and why?

 

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.

 

 

Halloween Plant Costumes by Botany 400 Students

Arctium lappa

Cucurbita pepo

Dionaea muscipula

Ficus bengalensis

Hedera helix

This could be you!

Ribes hirtellum

Juglans X Malus

Rudbeckia hirta

Halloween Plant Costumes by other Crazy Botanists

Rafflesia Dan Nickrent

Sarracenia