PLB440 Grassland Ecology morphology lab

PLB 440: Morphology Lab

Objectives:

1. Become familiar with the morphological (vegetative and reproductive) features of the grass plant.
2. Understand the grass spikelet.
3. Understand differences among the subfamilies within the Poaceae.

Procedure:

Herbarium and fresh specimens will be provided. Select an example from each of the 6 subfamilies; i.e., Bambusoideae, Arundinoideae, Pooieae, Chloridoideae, Panicoideae, and Oryzoideae (considered within the Bambusoideae by some authors).

Draw and label the following:

1. General diagram to illustrate major morphological features.
2. Diagram of a spikelet.

For both drawings, point out features that are diagnostic of the genus/species and subfamily.

Inflorescences of Sorghastrum nutans (Indian grass) in the Panicoideae subfamily. Note the contracted panicle.

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This page prepared by Prof David J. Gibson; e-mail comments, suggestions, corrections to dgibson@plant.siu.edu.

http://www.science.siu.edu/plant-biology/PLB440/morphlab.htm