Evolution of Flowering Plants

This class will be an introduction to Plant Systematics, the study of relationships between plants. We will cover basic flower structure, the development of flowers, and comparison of flowers that exhibit “ancestral” characteristics with those with more “derived” characteristics. We will study representative flowers from a number of flowering plant families.This class will be in person.

Activities will include developing and using floral formulas; dissecting  flowers and fruits; and making simple, accurate drawings.

Besides pencil and paper, students should bring some sort of magnifier, a pair of tweezers, and a small knife or single-edged razor blade. A book that some will want to purchase before or after taking the class is Botany in a Day by Thomas J. Elpel. Bring water and a snack if needed.

Instructor:  Mary Priestley is a Sewanee Herbarium Associate. She is the editor and illustrator of the Friend's of the Herbarium newsletter, The Sewanee Plant Press. She is the author of Sewanee Wildflowers in Color (also applicable to this class), William's Wildflowers children's guide to wildflowers, What if Trees Could Walk?: A Sewanee Tree Book, and Fiery Gizzard, Voices from the Wilderness, available at Amazon. An active member of the Tennesse Native Plant Society, she has served as their president and assisted in writing and editing the TNPS field guide, Wildflowers of Tennessee, the Ohio Valley, and the Southern Appalachians. Mary also edited Under the Sun at Sewanee, third edition, also available on Amazon. She has been natural journaling for 15 years and has conducted several nature journaling workshops, including for the Great Smoky Mountain National Park Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage.

This course is an elective course and provides 4 credits toward the completion of the Certificate in Native Plants program. A $3.00 materials fee is included in the cost for plant material provided.

Registration Policy:  As with all Certificate in Native Plants classes, class size is limited.  To give everyone the best opportunity to participate, there is a non-refundable cancellation fee of $10, with the balance refunded if you cancel at least 7 calendar days before the class will be held.  If the class is cancelled by the instructor or the CNP program, registrants will get a full refund. You will not be registered until your payment is received.