Plant Classification

Materials:

• Google Slides Template (https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/15qYogAvF7Klv_nvKcuE0p0mMnGRcOXGnssXCCLa_oKY/edit?usp=sharing)

Step 1: Choose 6 Plants

You need to have 6 different plants that you can provide your photographs of real specimens (not internet pictures).  These six plants must cover at least three different phyla and have at least one monocot and one dicot. 

Examples of specimens can include plants in your yard or at a park, house plants, and food items (e.g. apple).  You will need to have pictures of your six plants.  When you take your picture, make sure to include your student ID (or other photo ID) in the picture; this is verify that it is your picture. 

You do NOT need to pick the plant/leaf/flower/etc.; it is perfectly fine to take a picture of the fern at the park or your mother’s Christmas cactus in its pot.

Step 2: Research

For each of your six plants you are going to provide some basic information.  This must include, which of the four main groups each plant belongs in, the phylum of the plant, and if it is a monocot or dicot (for plants in phylum Anthophyta only).  Additionally, you must include at least two “fun facts” about each plant.   Make sure to include citations for any information that is not your opinion or common knowledge.

You may use any reputable source that you like, including lecture notes and the OpenStax textbook.  This is a not a minimum or maximum number of sources to be used.

Step 3: Phylogenetic Tree

You will need to draw a phylogenetic tree for your six plants.  You may draw this electronically, or you can draw it on paper and then take a picture (if taking a picture, remember to include your student ID).  You may wish to refer to the lecture material about cladistics and plant evolution to help construct your tree.

Step 4: Complete the Template

Put all of your information in the Google slides template provided.  Red text on the slides should be replaced with your information.

Your picture should be inserted onto the slide with the information about the plant.  Sources should be listed on the slide with the information being used from them.  (You do not need to include in-text citations, but the sources listed on the slide must be full MLA citations, including author name, title, publication date, etc.)

After all of the information about your plants, you should include your phylogenetic tree of your plants.  This should be neatly drawn and clearly state each of your six plants.  (You do not need to include pictures in your tree but you can, if you wish.)

You are encouraged to change the background and font of the slides.  Be creative but make sure that the slides are still easy to read!

Step 5: Submit the Project

Make sure that your completed project is saved as a single file.  Upload that file into Canvas for this assignment by the due date.