Plant Biology for Gardeners

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Plant Biology for Gardeners =

Participant Guide

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Plant biology is the study of plant life. As a gardener, it is important to understand how plants grow and function. We could not survive without plants and we depend on them for food, fossil fuels, lumber, fibers, medicines, pap= er, latex, resin, cork, spices, fragrances, and dyes. After gaining an understanding of plant structure and function, participants will be able to translate these skills into more complex gardening topics. (Sourced from University of Maryland Master Gardener Handbook, pg. 27 =C2=A0https://extension.umd.edu/pr= ograms/environment-natural-resources/program-areas/master-gardener-program).

By act= ively participating in Plant Biology for Gardeners, you will:

Recognize the parts of= a plant and their functions.

Discover the ways pla= nts are classified into family groups and the value of scientific names.

Become familiar with the environmental factors that affect plant germination, growth, and phenology (spacing, nutrients, light, day length, water, an= d temperature).

Examine the three ba= sic processes for plant growth and development: photosynthesis, respiration= , and transpiration.

Consider how plant characteristics are used in classification, identification, and dichotomous keys.

Before Session

READ:

Cornell=E2= =80=99s Botany Language Basics (6-page handout provided)

=C2=B7      Latin 101 by Dora Galitzki in Garden Design magazine from October 2000. (2-pag= e handout provided)

=C2=B7      Plant Biology for Gardeners FAQ

WATCH:

=C2=B7      Plant Biology for Gardeners, <= /a>with Barb Neal= , CCE Tioga (9 minutes) https://youtu.be/9HVCo6ViOdw= =C2=A0

=C2=B7      MGV Level 1: Introduction to Plants videos from the University of Wisconsi= n. (Collectively ~ 50 minutes) https://www.youtub= e.com/playlist?list=3DPLrktjgTJbkvVjl-0QrbIM4Ox0AyLaK68C

THINK:

=C2=B7      What captivates you the most about the lives of plants?

=C2=B7      Why is a scientific name important? Why might it be important for gardeners to know how to research and identify a plant=E2=80=99s scientific = name?=C2=A0 What more do you want to know about= plants in general or about a specific family, species, or cultivar?<= /p>

Opening = and Introduction

=C2=B7      Facilitator reviews housekeeping, ground rules, learning objectives, and class flow.

Reconnect

=C2=B7      Partner up to discuss the question listed under the pre-w= ork THINK prompt.

Cultivating Plant Observation Skills Activity<= /span>

=C2=B7      Facilitator leads participants through group activity.

Station-Based Hands-on Activities Part 1

=C2=B7      Participants divide up into smaller groups and rotate aro= und to stations to engage in hands-on activities about plant parts and characteristics.

<= ![if !supportLists]>=C2=B7      Station-Based Hands-on Activities Part 2

=C2=B7      Participants divide up into smaller groups and rotate aro= und to stations to engage in hands-on activities about plant parts and characteristics.

Conclusions

=C2=B7      Facili= tator leads group reflection on key take= home points and any lingering questions.

Program Feedback

=C2=B7      Share your insight to help us improve the program, report results, & plan for the future.

Knowledge Check

=C2=B7      Assess what you now know. Be motived and empowered to sha= re with your peers and learn more.

After Session

REFLECT:

=E2=80=A2       What happened?

=E2=80=A2       What was my response to what happen? How do I make sense of it?<= /o:p>

=E2=80=A2       How does it relate to other things I know?

=E2=80=A2       What can I conclude?

=E2=80=A2       What might I do differently next time?

PRACTICE:

=C2=B7      Using identification keys takes practice. There are many print publications for plant identification; below are a few online tools. I= f you are new to using identification keys, try starting with a plant that you already know the identification for and attempt to work through one of these keys or a key from another source.

o Cornel= l=E2=80=99s Woody Plant Database = =C2=A0http://woodypla= nts.cals.cornell.edu/home<= /o:p>

o Cornel= l=E2=80=99s Turfgrass and Landscape Weed ID http://turfweed= s.cals.cornell.edu/<= /o:p>

o Cornel= l=E2=80=99s online Guide to Viburnums http://w= ww.hort.cornell.edu/vlb/key/index.html<= /o:p>

o&nbs= p; The Plant List, a working list of all known species http://www.worldfloraonline.org/ = <= /o:p>

LEARN MORE:

=C2=B7      The Patterns Method of Plant Identification: An Easier Way to Identify Plants by Thomas J. Elpel, author of Botany in a Day. = http:/= /www.wildflowers-and-weeds.com/Plant_Identification/index.html =

=C2=B7      Botany for Gardeners, Third edition, 2010 by Br= ian Capon.

=C2=B7      Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Manual - Botany chapter =C2=A0<= /o:p>

https://cornell.app.box.com/s/rlbsc1vedf00jxi7dduh6guvncpot4rv/= file/75129090182 =

=C2=B7      Photos= ynthesis: Fun in the Sun. Though way more than you might need to know, this is wel= l done and helps us appreciate the marvelous system that is the basis for life= on earth. (~14 minutes). https://www.youtube.com/wat= ch?v=3DFfLLHQDgpjI<= /o:p>

=C2=B7      = =C2=A0 https:= //www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/flower/

=C2=B7      Twig Identification PowerPoint. This lecture will show you how to use the Virginia Tech Twig ID websites. (YouTub= e video) https://youtu.be/WZeDrn8SRaQ

=C2=B7      The Love Life of Plants https://youtu.be/tUZTdtnO3Xw =C2=A0

Campus Links:

Cornell=E2=80=99s Plant Biology section: https://plantbio.cals.cornell.edu/

Cornell=E2=80=99s Plant Breeding and Genetics section: https://plbrgen.cals.cornell.edu/

Cornell=E2=80=99s Horticulture section: https://hort.cals.cornell.edu/<= /o:p>

Looking for Cornel= l people and resources? Don=E2=80=99t Google; try the Cornell web search: http://www.cornell.edu/search/index.cfm=

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P= ublished: April 2019

R= evised: December 2022, August 2024, June 2026

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