PLS 831

Taxonomy of Ornamental Plants

Spring 1997

Test 2

                        Name  _______________________________________

Part 1.  Familial characteristics (50 pts).

1.   Write a dichotomous key that will separate among the following families (30 pts):

                        Aceraceae                   Hippocastanaceae

                        Betulaceae                   Illiciaceae

Bignoniaceae                 Lauraceae

Caprifoliaceae                 Thymelaeaceae

                        Ericaceae                     Ulmaceae

 2.  How do you justify four subfamilies within the Rosaceae (include descriptions of the subfamilies)?   (10 pts)

3.     Indicate to which subclass each of the following families belong and why? (10 pts)

Illiciaceae

Myricaceae

Oleaceae

Stachyuraceae

Part 2.  Essay questions (50 pts).  Please answer each of the following essay questions with complete yet concise answers.  You are limited to the face of the page for your answer.

1.  As the curator of a small garden that is computerizing its records, indicate what information you would compile on each accession (list those categories that will be incorporated in the database).  What type of system will you choose?  This garden has a large collection of maples.  A nomenclatural change occurs in this group splitting the genus Acer into 7 new genera.  How will a relational database facilitate this change as compared to a non-relation database such as d-Base IV?   (25pts)
2.   The Missouri Botanic Gardens is in the process of hiring a new taxonomist.  As a budding taxonomist yourself, the director asks for your advise on what type a laboratory equipment and supplies you would provide for this individual.  Although this botanic garden has a taxonomic interest it has only this one taxonomist.  Based on our discussion of sources of taxonomic evidence, what would you recommend that Missouri Botanic Gardens supply for the candidate?  Consider the fact that no one person will have expertise in many different areas and that the budget must be realistic.  Include in your answer your evaluation as to the most important/ useful techniques to plant taxonomy and why.  (25 pts)