Family: Rosaceae
Genus/species: Rosa sp.
Common name: Rose Bush
Description: This plant was found in a cultivated flower bed on the northwest corner of Aronoff Laboratory. The soil in the flower bed is a commercial topsoil mixed with wood-chips. This rose bush was identified as a plant in the Rosaceae family due to the presence of alternate leaves and stipules. In fact, this plant’s stipules are fused. Also, the serrated leaf margin is a common characteristic of plants within the Rosaceae family.
Family: Solanaceae
Genus/species: Capsicum annuum
Common name: Banana Pepper
Description: This plant was found in a cultivated flower bed between the RPAC and the PAES buildings on central campus. The plant was surrounded by other banana pepper plants and a tomato plant. The soil did not contain any weeds or small stones and appeared to be composed of mainly topsoil. The plant is clearly in the Solanaceae family since it has an alternate leaf arrangement and is herbaceous. In addition, the fruit that is on the plant is a berry containing two carpals.
Sight ID item: Quercus rubra
Family name: Fagaceae
Genus/species: Quercus rubra
Common name: Red Oak
Description: This plant was located north of the Psychology building near the walkway between Thompson Library and the RPAC. This plant was found growing in a large population of grass on a cultivated lawn. The Quercus rubra was identified due to it’s leaves which are simple, alternate, and lobed.
Sight ID item: Fraxinus sp.
Family: Oleaceae
Genus/species: Fraxinus americana
Common name: Ash Tree
Description: This tree is located on the east side of Jennings Hall and is accompanied by another Ash tree right behind it. It is also in a cultivated lawn. The Ash tree was easily recognizable by its oppositely arranged, compound leaves. It also appears to be infected with the Emerald Ash Bore; a large portion of the tree is dead due to the Emerald Ash Bore.
Character item: Acute leaf apices
Family name: Lauraceae
Genus/Species: Lindera benzoin
Common name: Spice bush
Description: This spice bush was observed in a weedy lot amongst many other bushes and shrubs between Aronoff Laboratory and Jennings Hall. The plant has acute leaf apices. More specifically, the apex of the leaf is formed by both sides of the leaf margin that come together to form a point (or an apex). In these leaves the apex that is formed is less than 90 degrees and more than 45 degrees.
Character item: Actinomorphic flowers
Family: Asteraceae
Genus/species: Chrysanthemum sp.
Common name: White Mum
Description: This plant was found in a cultivated flower bed on the north side of Aronoff Laboratory. This plant contains actinomorphic flowers since these flowers have a radial symmetry between their petals and parts.