Range Plant Taxonomy

Catalog description

This is an introductory course in vascular plant taxonomy, with a primary focus on the classification of flowering plants. Characteristics of some of the major plant families will also be examined. Basic taxonomic skills will be taught to build a foundation for successful plant identification using a dichotomous key. The principal plant communities of the western United States will be presented. A secondary focus will be on the identification of selected range plants, including their forage value, toxicity, invasiveness, and habitat value.