Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Plant material identification skills are basic to all parts of the horticulture/landscape industry. The focus is on summer herbaceous annuals and perennials. In this course students are required to identify plant materials by both botanical (scientific) and common names. All of the plants studied are used in landscapes in the Pacific Northwest.
This course can fulfill the requirement for the two-year certificates in Management and Design; and for the two-year Associate Degree in Landscape Technology. It can also be used for a landscape elective. The credits are transferable to the University of Oregon on a petition basis and transfer to Oregon State University.

•   In the field, identify, by scientific and common names, a predetermined block of plants.
• Record graphic information from the field and verbal information in a concise, useable fashion for future reference.
•   Demonstrate knowledge of plant growth requirements and plant use.

Lecture time will provide the basic botanical information needed to make accurate field identification decisions and will cover the general requirements for growing healthy, useful plants. Lab time is spent in the field directly observing plant characteristics for identification. The required plant notebook requires additional time for obtaining more plant information, graphically documenting plant characteristics and assembly of the information in a useable format. Students use electronic information as well as printed materials.

Assessment will be based on the student's ability to pass the objectives identified for the quarter. Assessment will take place through plant identification field exams and on the assembly of plant information in the plant notebook. This is a graded course.

1.0 NOMENCLATURE
1.1 Binomial Nomenclature
1.2 List the names of the 7 major groups within ranked system by which plants are classified.
1.3 State the rules for writing the scientific names of plants and give an example.
1.4 Derivation of Plant Names
1.4.1 Explain how the common and scientific names of plants may be derived from the following:
1. Habitats
2. Distinctive features
3. Locality or region
4. Use
5. Commemorative purpose
6. Adaptations from other languages
2.0 TAXONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS
2.1. Leaf Characteristics
2.2. Identify a leaf and its following parts:
1. Blade
2. Margin
3. Petiole
4. Midrib
5. Lobe
6. Veins
7. Sinus
8. Rachis
9. Stipule
10. Base
11. Stomata
12. Apex
13. leaflets
2.3 Identify the following four forms of leaf arrangement:
1. Whorled
2. Alternate
3. Opposite
4. Fasciculate (Pines)
2.4 Identify the following common leaf types:
1. Simple
2. Compound
3. Palmately compound
4. Pinnately compound
1. Odd
2. Even
3. Double
4. Trifoliate
needle and scale like
2.1.4 Identify each of the following leaf shapes:
1. Cordate
2. Reniform
3. Cuneate
4. Acicular
5. Elliptic
6. Linear
7. Lanceolate
8. Scale-like
9. Oblong
10. Deltoid
11. Oblanceolate
12. Auriculate
13. Obovate
14. Perfoliate
15. Orbicular (or round)
16. Awl-shape
17. Ovate
18. Spatulate
2.1.5 Identify each of the following leaf margins:
1. Crenate
2. Dentate, Denticulate
3. Serrate, Serrulate, and Double Serrate
4. Entire
5. Incised, Lobed, and Parted
6. Undulate
2.1.6 Identify the following leaf apices:
1. Acuminate
2. Round or obtuse
3. Acute
4. Truncate
5. Cuspidate
6. Retuse
7. Emarginate
8. Obcordate
9. Mucronate
10. Apiculate
2.1.7 Identify the following leaf bases:
1. Acute
2. Obtuse
3. Cordate
4. Round
5. Cuneate
6. Truncate
7. Inequilateral
8. Auriculate
9. Attenuate
10. Sagitate
2.1.8 Identify the following arrangements of leaf venation:
1. Pinnately veined
2. Palmately veined
3. Parallel venation
4. Pinnately arcuate or bowed
5. Dichotomous venation
2.1.9 Identify the following types of leaf surfaces:
1. Glabrous
2. Tomentose
3. Glaucous
4. Scabrous
5. Pubescent
6. Spiny
2.2.0 Floral Arrangement
2.2.1 Given a diagram of a complete flower, identify the floral parts.
2.3.0 Bark Types, Twigs, and Pith
2.3.1 Identify the following bark types:
1. Corky
2. Corky-Winged
3. Exfoliating
4. Furrowed
5. Smooth
2.3.2 Given a diagram of twigs and pith, identify all component parts.
2.3.3 Identify a chambered and a solid twig pith.
3.0 ENVIRONMENT AND GROWTH
3.1.0 Plant Forms
3.1.1 Describe the following seasonal plant forms:
1. Deciduous plants
2. Evergreens
3.1.2 Describe the following plant types:
1. mass plantings
2. screens
3. ground cover
4. annuals
5. biennials
6. perennials
3.2.0 Plant Growth Patterns
3.2.1 Describe each of the following growth patterns of plants:
1. Fastigiate
2. Globe-Shaped or Round
3. Columnar
4. Vase-Shaped or Fan
5. Pyramidal
6. Weeping
7. Broad-Oval
8. Irregular
9. Oval
10. Mounding
11. Prostrate
4.0 CLIMATIC ZONES
4.1.0 Western Plant Hardiness Zones
4.1.1 Explain the importance of the following factors in determining a hardiness zone:
1. Distance from the equator
2. Elevation
3. Influence of the Pacific Ocean
4. Influence of the Continental Air Mass
5. Mountains and hills
6. Lakes, streams, and rivers
7. Local topography
4.1.2 Define micro-climate.
4.1.3 Explain the difference in USDA hardiness and Sunset Hardiness
5.0 CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS
5.1.0 Soils
5.1.1 List ten (10) plants from those studied that are suited for the following soil conditions:
1. Clay soils
2. Sandy soils
3. Rock soils
4. Alkaline soils
5. Acid soils
5.2.0 Drainage
5.2.1 List ten (10) plants from those studied that can be used in each of the following drainage
situations:
1. Well-drained soils
2. Seasonal wet/flooded areas
3. Wet-Heavy soils
4. Slow drainage
5. Fast drainage
5.3.0 Irrigation
5.3.1 List ten (10) plants from those studied that require spring and summer irrigation. Also, list ten
(10) plants that should not need spring and summer irrigation.
5.4.0 Pruning
5.4.1 List fifteen (15) plants from those studied that have special pruning requirements for fruit production, suckering, weakness, etc.
5.5.0 Propagation
5.5.1 Given a list of twenty (20) plants studied state how each plant is most commonly propagated.
5.60 Planting and transplanting
5.61 Given the list of plants for the term, discuss planting and transplanting techniques for each.
6.0 PLANT MATERIALS IDENTIFICATION
6.1.0 Plant Identification
6.1.1 When shown a part of an actual specimen, or the entire plant, identify that plant by its scientific and common name.
(Please see the attached list of plants for a representative selection of the plants to be covered in the course.