BPSC X419 - Introduction to Plant Identification and Ecology

Course Description

Appropriate for individuals with no experience identifying plants, this course introduces a simplified process of plant identification. Discussion and direct observation explore the relationships between plant species and families in several common habitats. Plant materials are used to teach botanical terminology and introduce the concept of keying as a means to identify plants. Saturday and Sunday field trips to the local mountains provide an opportunity to study the native flora of Southern California. Field studies include discussions of plant distribution and community ecology, plant physiology, adaptation to environmental stresses, pollination biology, conservation and uses of native plants. This course provides a framework for those who wish to continue explorations of the plant world.