PLSC 831

Taxonomy of Ornamental Plants

Spring 1999

Test 2

                        Name  _______________________________________

1.  Discuss the evolutionary development of the gynoecium (from the primitive to the derived state in all of its major characteristics) in angiosperms using the subfamilies of the Rosaceae as an example. (25pts)
2.   List three different techniques for the acquisition of phylogenetic data discussed in class (excluding DNA and RNA techniques).  How useful is the information that each generates?  If you had to select one of these three as the technique of choice, which would you select and why?  (25 pts)

3.  Discuss the pros and cons of molecular (DNA and RNA) techniques as they apply to phylogeny.  Analysis of molecular data is accomplished by cladisitical analysis.  How valid is the resultant cladogram printed in the typical paper?   (25 pts)
4.  You are a new employee at a small, public university botanic garden that, like most, suffers from an inadequate budget.  But alas, you just found the proverbial goose that laid a golden egg!  The egg is in the form of a yellow flowered crapemyrtle that is hardy to USDA zone 0.  This is a plant so highly sought after that it could solve your financial troubles and provide an endowment that would dwarf Longwood Gardens, Inc.  What will you name your new cultivar of Lagerstroemia indica?  What will you do, if anything, to protect your "golden egg"?  How will you justify your name in light of the rules of nomenclature?