C-ID Descriptor
Plant Materials and Usage I

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1. Background of Botanical Nomenclature
   1. Categories of consecutive rank
   2. Cultivar names
   3. Hybrid names
   4. Budded and grafted plants names
   5. Lines
   6. Clones
2. External Structures Used in Identification of Plants
   1. Buds
   2. Item
   3. Bark
   4. Leaves
   5. Flowers
   6. Fruit
3. Identification by sight memory of 200 plants best observed in the spring season taken from cloud-based resources and college/university plant lists (from Addendum A) selected for regional climate zones:
   
   1. Indoor plants
   2. Annuals
   3. Perennials
   4. Vines
   5. Ground covers
   6. Shrubs
   7. Trees
4. Plant Physical or Growth Characteristics
   1. Origin and climatic range
   2. Form of growth
   3. Rate of growth
   4. Ultimate height and spread
   5. Leaf structure with special emphasis on texture and color
   6. Flower color and texture in relation to their value in landscape use
   7. Fruit size and color
   8. Exposure, soil and water requirements of the plants studied
   9. Maintenance needs of plant
   10. Landscape use of each species of plant studied
   11. Propagation of each plant studied
   12. Pests and diseases which attack the plants collected

Laboratory Activities may include but are not limited to:

1. Utilizing the Western Garden Book (Climate Zones) section students will find and identify the climate zone for the following cities in California.
2. Identify botanical terms as they relate to plant structures used in plant identification.
3. Collect or take digital photograph of plant material
4. Create a plant characteristics key or chart
5. How to use plant keys
6. Identification of plants from leaf, flower, seed, bud, stem and bark.

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

• Explain the binomial method of plant nomenclature
• Identify botanical terms (plant identification terminology) as related to various plant parts and structures
• Identify and classify landscape plants using physical features of leaf, bark, flower, fruit, and growth habit
• Describe the importance of understanding soil requirements, water usage and ecology of different plants
• Summarize the various uses of plants as related to landscape and garden applications
• Explain growth habits and requirements
• Select plants with requirements that conform to selected landscape use criteria
• Use plant keys to identify plants
• Demonstrate the use of computerized plant selection programs
• Create a plant characteristics key for future design work

Lecture

Comprehensive Quizzes and Exams
Written Critical Thinking Scenarios
Problem Analysis and Solution
Research and Term Papers

Laboratory 

Laboratory Skill Validation by Observation
Laboratory Projects and Reports
Laboratory Research Projects and Reports
Laboratory Skill Practicum Exams

Sunset Western Garden Book, Oxmoor House. Birmingham, AL

Other References

Conner, W.E., Back Pocket Guide to Ornamental Plants, VEP, San Luis Obispo, CA

Wait, D. D., Ornamental Plants: Their Care, Use, Propagation, and Identification, EHC, Modesto, CA.

Harris & Harris, Plant Identification Terminology: An Illustrated Glossary

Dirr, M. A., Manual of Woody Landscape Plants

Editors of Botanica, The Plant Book, Random House. Australia

Editors of the American Horticultural Society, A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants

PlantMaster-California College Edition. Version 6.71, CDROM Plant Selection Database, 2000-2004 (GardenSoft, 2686 Velarde Dr., Thousand Oaks, CA 91360)

Horticopia, CDROM Plant Selection Database, 2005 (Horticopia Inc., P.O. Box 1200, Purcellville, VA 20134)

Bailey, L.H., Hortus Third

Duffield & Jones, Plants for Dry Climates

Hoyt, R.E., Check Lists of Plants for Subtropical Regions

McClintock & Leiser, A Checklist of Woody Ornamental Plants of California

Perry, B., Trees and Shrubs for Dry California Landscapes

Jepson,W.L., The Jepson Manual: higher plants of California

Note:  There are a large number of other specific references dealing with the identification of individual or related groups/families/genera of plants.  In addition, most general horticulture texts have sections dealing with plant nomenclature and identification.