Author: Reid Greiner

Scavenger Hunt

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1a. A member of the Asteraceae with an explanation of the characters that you used to determine the family identification.

The inflorescence of Asteraceae is distinctive. Has a prominent head, a cluster of flowers that appear to be a single flower.

Specimen: Goldenrod (Solidago sp.)

Location of specimen: Mt. Sterling, OH

IMG_2718      IMG_2716

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1b. A member of the Poaceae with an explanation of the characters that you used to determine the family identification.

Field Corn (Zea sp.) is a member of the Poaceae family because the fruit is a caryopsis (the seed coat of a corn kernel is fused to the fruit wall). This family has leaves with entire margins and parallel venation. Other characters include: hollow stems, and open leaf sheaths. Location of specimen: Mt. Sterling, OH

IMG_2719      IMG_2720

 

2a. Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora)

Shrub. Compound leaves with 5-9 leaflets and feathered stipules. Other ID characters include reddish/purple hips and stout prickles. Location of specimen: Waterman Farm, OSU.

IMG_2687        IMG_2690

2b. Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans)

The base of the leaf has a “rabbit ears” structure. Leaves with entire margins and parallel venation. Other ID characters include: hollow stems, and open leaf sheaths. Location of specimen: OSU

IMG_2684       IMG_2685

 

 

3a. A plant with ovate leaves:

Ovate: a leaf with the shape of an egg.

Specmien: Tri colored beech (Fagus sylvatica ‘Roseo-marginata’)

Location of specimen: Upper Arlington, OH

IMG_2723

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3b. A plant with a gynoecium composed of five carpels

Gynoceium: The female structures of a flower, collectively.

Carpel: The innermost whorl of a flower

Specimen: Geranium (Geranium sp.)

Location of specimen: Upper Arlington, OH

IMG_3311

Deer Creek SP

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Vernonia noveboracensis
Vernonia noveboracensis

Scientific Name: Vernonia noveboracensis

Common Name: New York Ironweed

Family: Asteraceae

Status: Native

Field Notes:    

Date: 9.12.14

Location: Mt. Sterling, OH (northeastern Fayette County)

Habitat: Meadow/old field scattered between soybean fields.

Microhabitat: Soils ranged from Algiers silt loam to Fox silt loams.

Discussion of characters: Tall plants (3-10′) with small purple flowers in heads (1/2 – 3/4″ wide) and finely toothed leaves. Bracts with long, threadlike tips cover the base of the flower heads. Each flower head contains 30-50 flowers.

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photo 2-2

Scientific Name: Ipomoea purpurea

Common Name: Common morning glory

Family: Convolvulaceae

Status: Introduced (escaped cultivation)

Field Notes:           

Date: 9.12.14

Location: Mt. Sterling, OH (northeastern Fayette County)

Habitat: Meadow/old field scattered between soybean fields.

Microhabitat: Soils ranged from Algiers silt loam to Fox silt loams.

Discussion of characters:  Funnel/trumpet shaped flowers (1 3/4 – 3″ long) with heart-shaped (chordate) leaves. The flowers are blue, purple, red, white or variegated. Note: this flowers grows on a vine.

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Rudbeckia triloba
Rudbeckia triloba

Scientific Name: Rudbeckia triloba

Common Name: Thin-leaved coneflower

Family: Asteraceae

Status: Native

Field Notes:   

Date: 9.12.14

Location: Mt. Sterling, OH (northeastern Fayette County)

Habitat: Meadow/old field scattered between soybean fields.

Microhabitat: Soils ranged from Algiers silt loam to Fox silt loams.

Discussion of characters: Flower heads 1-2″ wide; have a dark brown central disk (1/2 – 3/4″ wide). Lower leaves sometimes 3-lobed; alternate leaf arrangement.