Virtual Herbarium Page Descriptions

Goal

• To learn to build Virtual Herbarium Pages
• To learn to use trigonometry to calculate the height of trees
• To learn to use FrontPage to write web pages
• To begin to learn some of the basics of digital camera photography

For measurements, you may give a range, e.g. 3 to 5 mm. Use metric measurements. For shapes, you may use a "to" statement, e.g. blades ovate to lanceolate. Refer to your vegetative and floral character and morphology handouts to help with the terminology.

Many of these sections apply only to angiosperms, some sections would be omitted for gymnosperms and seedless vascular plants. Use your best judgement and adapt the descriptions seen below.

1. Genus Species (if identifiable)
2. Family (if indentifiable)
3. Chuukese name (if named in Chuukese)
4. English name (if named in English)
5. Kosraen name (if named in Kosraen)
6. Pohnpeian name (if named in Pohnpeian)
7. Yapese name (if named in Yapese)
8. Growth form (herb, shrub, tree, vine)
9. Growth location: terrestrial, epiphytic, aquatic.
10. Growth environment: forest, savannah, mangrove, cultivated garden, etc.
11. Growth zone: Tropical
12. Average height (in centimeters or meters as appropriate). Talk to Lee Ling on tree height measurements.
13. Stem--branching pattern, shape, pubescence (presence of hairs), color; bark characters if woody
14. Leaf arrangement
15. Stipule---present/absent, if present--shape, size, color, unusual features, etc
16. Petioles--length, surface, other features; or stipe and rachis description for ferns.
17. Leaf blade--shape, dimensions, apex, base, color, pubescence, venation, margin. If doing ferns see Lee Ling for guidance on frond descriptors.
18. Inflorescence--type, average number of flowers, peduncle length, pedicel length, pubescence (hairiness, if any). For ferns describe the sori: shape, color, presence or absence of indusia, pattern the sori make on the frond, location of the sori relative to the midrib and frondlets. For plants with strobili (cones) try to locate a cone and describe the cone.
19. Floral bracts--if present, shape, size, color
20. Flower--symmetry, sex, arrangement of male and female flowers if unisexual
21. Calyx--number of parts, degree of fusion (if any),shape, size, pubescence, color
22. Corolla--number of parts, degree of fusion (if any), shape, size, color, pubescence
23. Stamens--number, insertion, arrangement, filament length, anther shape, length, dehiscence, color
24. Ovary--position, size, number of carpels (sections), pubescence, color
25. Style--length, color, stigma--number of lobes/branches, shape, color
26. Fruit--type, dimensions, surface features, dehiscence (how many parts it splits into naturally)
27. Seed--number per fruit, shape, dimensions, surface features
28. Anything else--scent, glands, pollinator, habitat, etc.
29. Cultural usage if any (food, medicinal, legends, meaning as a gift, etc.)

The items in blue need only be done for the three plants that are being turned in for the term project.

Adapted from: http://www.csdl.tamu.edu/FLORA/tfplab/pdesc.htm

Virtual Herbarium Page Laboratory Directions

First, as a group, we will practice measuring the height of a tree using trigonometry.    Lee Ling will diagram this operation on the board.  Two people will sight the top of a tree from two different locations with modified protractors to determine the angle theta to the top of the tree.  Four other people in teams of two will measure the horizontal distance to the tree with tape measures.  The height of the protractor from the ground, h1, will also be measured.  The height of the tree H is then calculated from H = h1 + x tan q.

After learning this skill, necessary for students who are choose trees for their term project, students will work in laboratory groups of two. 

As a twosome, pick a plant that is in flower and write up a full description as shown above.  You will need to walk around the campus to find a flower that you and your partner wish to work on.  Remember that there are flowers all around the campus - don't be afraid to walk around to find the particular flower you want to use.  Last week we looked at a number of different flowers on and around campus. 

Do not pick any of the potted or planted flowers around campus.  Do not picked any obviously owned flowers.  You may need to use magnifying glasses to inspect the flower. 

Remember that Asteraceae (sunflowers with head type inflorescence) have both a disk flower in the center and a ray flower around the edge.  Many of the Asteraceae disk flowers would be best imaged by using the magnification capabilities of the scanner.   It is acceptable for two groups to do the same flower. 

If it is not raining, then Lee Ling should have the digital camera so that pictures can be taken of your plant and flower. 

If the flower is not potted or planted and does not obviously belong to anyone you can pick the plant and flower and scan the flower and leaves in with the scanner.

Use Microsoft FrontPage in the A204 laboratory to write up your plant description.   Lee Ling will demonstrate FrontPage near the beginning of the laboratory.  Lee Ling will have to work with groups on the digital camera images in his office during the coming days - the digital camera software is all connected to the computer in F105.

Due to be turned in two weeks times:  A single page description conforming to the above 22 sections with images of the leaves, plant habit, inflorescence, and flower.  

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