WEEK 6 LABORATORYCARYOPHYLLIDS |
Refer to pp. 238-249 in Plant Systematics and pp.54-69 in Zomlefer resource for information on this group of angiosperms; additionally, the CD bundled with the text 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 [GC] for descriptions of the species as needed, and toPlant Systematics [T] or Zomlefer [Z] for descriptions and drawings of the families.
1. Phytolacca americana (Phytolaccaceae - pokeweed, pokeberry) (pp. 239 [T], 61-63 [Z], 92 [GC])
Phytolacca has a very simple type of inflorescence, what kind is it?
The gynoecium is modified from the more typical placentation type seen in the subclass; what placentation does it exhibit? How many carpels are there? How many ovules in each? What kind of fruit is produced?
Take a look at the demonstration jar of another species of Phytolacca discovered in Olin Park. Compare the type of gynoecium; what is different about this species?
Give a floral formula for Phytolacca.
2. Silene latifolia [= Lychnis alba] (Caryophyllaceae - white campion, white cockle) (pp. 244-249 [T], 54-56 [Z]; 123 [GC])
Notice the inflorescence of Silene. It is typical for the family. What kind is it?
The calyx and/or corolla show some modifications; can you list them? Find the blade and claw of the corolla.
Silene possesses the typical placentation type of the group, what is it? What kind of fruit is produced?
Provide a floral formula for Silene.
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 Plant Systematics [T], Zomlefer [Z], and Gleason & Cronquist [GC].
1. Portulaca oleracea (Portulacaceae - purslane) (pp. 56-58 [Z], 110 [GC])
2. Chenopodium album (Chenopodiaceae - lamb's quarters) (pp. 241-244 [T] - placed under Amaranthaceae, 65-67 [Z], 96 [GC])
3. Amaranthus retroflexus (Amaranthaceae - pigweed) (pp. 241-244 [T], 67-69 [Z], 104 [GC])
4. Polygonum pensylvanicum (Polygonaceae - smartweed) (pp. 249 [T], 86-87 [Z], 132 [GC])
III. 11 genera of Wisconsin plants to be able to identify on site (* = not presently found in Wisconsin).
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 copies of Gleason & Cronquist 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. Froelichia (Amaranthaceae - cottonseed)
2. Amaranthus (Amaranthaceae - pigweed)
3. Opuntia (Cactaceae - prickly pear)
4. Phytolacca (Phytolaccaceae - pokeweed)
5. Chenopodium (Chenopodiaceae [now Amaranthaceae] - lamb's quarters)
6. Saponaria (Caryophyllaceae - bouncing bet, soapwort)
7. Silene (Caryophyllaceae - catchfly, campion)
8. Arenaria (Caryophyllaceae - sandwort)
9. Portulaca (Portulacaceae - purslane)10. Claytonia (Portulacaceae - spring beauty)
11. Polygonum (Polygonaceae - smartweed, knotweed)
IV. Additional representatives of these and other families are placed around the room. As time permits, examine these plants and especially note the floral structures. You will not be required to know these plants; they are simply provided to illustrate additional members of these families.
1. Rivinia humilis (Phytolaccaceae - rouge plant)
2. Talinum paniculatum (Portulacaceae - jewels of opar)
3. Portulaca grandiflora (Portulacaceae - rose moss)
4. Gypsophila elegans (Caryophyllaceae - baby's breath)
5. Dianthus chinensis (Caryophyllaceae - rainbow pink)
6. Dianthus barbatus (Caryophyllaceae - sweet William)
7. Mirabilis nyctagineus (Nyctaginaceae - wild four-o'clock)
8. Bouganvillea glabra (Nyctaginaceae - bouganvillea)
9. Pisonia umbellifera (Nyctaginaceae - para para)
10. Cactaceae spp. (cacti) - look for examples of the three subfamilies
11. Didiereaceae - cacti mimics from Madagascar (octopus plant and others)
12. Lithops (Aizoaceae -- living stones)
13. Kochia scoparius (Chenopodiaceae [ow Amaranthaceae] - summer cypress)
14. Gomphrena globosa (Amaranthaceae - globe amaranth)
15. Celosia cristata (Amaranthaceae - feather amaranth, cockscomb)16. Amaranthus caudatus (Amaranthaceae - loves lies bleeding)
17. Nepenthes (Nepenthaceae - pitcher plants)
18. Drosera (Droseraceae - sundews)
19. Dionaea (Droseraceae - Venus flytrap)
20. Fagophyrum esculentum (Polygonaceae - buckwheat)
V. Key these two plant specimens to species using the Gleason & Cronquist provided. This kind of question might well be on a laboratory exam.
1. Arenaria sp. (p. 114 [GC])
2. Polygonum sp. (p. 132 [GC]) [this species is low growing, found in a lawn]
