tree-logo.gif (7741 bytes) Plant Taxonomy (BIOL308)  -  Stephen G. Saupe, Ph.D.; Biology Department, College of St. Benedict/St. John's University, Collegeville, MN 56321; ssaupe@csbsju.edu; http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/ssaupe/

Lab:  Common Plants of Wet Areas

ObjectivesUpon completion of this field trip the student should be able to:

  1. describe some adaptation plants use for survival in aquatic habitats
  2. identify approximately 30 species of aquatic plants common in the lakes and wetlands at St. John's

Introduction:
   The many lakes, marshes, and wet meadows on our campuses provide habitat for a rich flora of aquatic plants.   Plants of open water, like lakes and ponds, can exhibit a variety of growth forms.  For example, some species: (1) float on the surface of the water and are not rooted in the substrate (e.g., Spirodela, Lemna minor, Wolfia); (2) float submerged under the water and are not rooted in the substrate (e.g., Lemna trisulca, Utricularia, Ceratophyllum); (3) have leaves that float on the surface but are rooted in the substrate (e.g., Brasenia schreiberi, Nuphar variegatum, Nymphaea odorata; (4) are completely submerged (except for the flowering shoot) and are rooted (e.g., Elodea, Potamogeton, Myriophyllum, Vallisneria, Ranunculus flabellaris); and (5) dimorphic plants with both submerged and floating leaves and are rooted (e.g., Potamogeton). 

    Some common adaptations exhibited by species of open water include: (1) thin, highly-dissected leaves; (2) no cuticle; (3) no roots; (4) stomata on the upper sides of leaves; (5) reproduction by fragmentation; and (f) flowers produced above or on the water surface for pollination (e.g., Utricularia). In a few species (e.g., Vallisneria) the male flowers are produced underwater but the flowers and/or pollen floats to the surface for pollination.

    Plants of marshes are typically emergent (rooted in the substrate and emerge above the surface of the water). These plants must be adapted to having their roots permanently or seasonally flooded. Marshes are among the most productive and provide floodwater retention, habitat for wildlife, and protect shorelines from erosion. Some common plants in these areas include cattails (Typha sp.) and bulrush (Scirpus sp.)

    Many species of wetland plants occur on the campus of St. John's University. Some of these are 'obligate' wetland species such as Potamogeton, Typha) that only grow in wet areas, while others are 'facultative' wetland species such as Fraxinus nigra, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Vitis riparia) that will grow in wet or drier areas.  The purpose of today's lab is to introduce you to some of the more common wetland species that occur in central Minnesota.

Assignment Due Today:

Lab Activity
    During today's lab we will visit the St. John's lake to find the plants in the PTK list below.  We will go out rain or shine so dress appropriately.  Out in the field I will describe the key characteristics of these species and provide other information (edibility, uses, etc.) as appropriate.   You will may want to bring a notebook and pen to take notes about each species that we find. 

Plants to Know:  (We will locate the following species that will be "fair game" on the PTK quiz/exam.  Other species may also be included.)

ACERACEAE - Maple family

  • Acer saccharinum - Silver maple

  • Acer negundo - Box elder

ALISMATACEAE � Water-plantain Family

  • Sagittaria sp. � Arrowhead

AQUIFOLIACEAE - Holly Family

  • Ilex verticillata - Winterberry

ASCLEPIADACEAE - Milkweed Family

  • Asclepias incarnata - Swamp milkweed

ASTERACEAE � Sunflower Family

  • Bidens cernua - Stick-tight, Beggar-ticks

  • Eupatorium maculatum - Joe Pye weed

  • Eupatorium perfoliatum - boneset

BALSAMINACEAE - Touch-Me-Not Family

  • Impatiens capensis � Touch-me-not, jewelweed

BETULACEAE - Birch Family

  • Alnus incana - Speckled alder

BRASSICACEAE (Cruciferae) - Mustard Family

  • Nasturtium officinale - Watercress

CERATOPHYLLACEAE � Hornwort Family

  • Ceratophyllum demersum � Coontail, hornwort

CORNACEAE - Dogwood Family

  • Cornus stolonifera - Red osier dogwood

CUCURBITACEAE - Gourd Family

  • Echinocystis lobata - Wild cucumber

 

CYPERACEAE - Sedge Family

  • Carex sp. - sedge

  • Cyperus sp. - Nut grass, umbrella sedge

  • Scirpus sp. - Bulrush

EQUISETACEAE - Horsetail Family

  • Equisetum sp. - Horsetail

HALORAGACEAE � Water-Milfoil Family

  • Myriophyllum sp. � Water milfoil

HYDROCHARITACEAE

  • Elodea canadensis - Canada waterweed

IRIDACEAE - Iris family

  • Iris versicolor - Blue flag

LAMIACEAE - Mint Family

  • Lycopus americanus - water horehound

LEMNACEAE � Duckweed family

  • Lemna minor- Lesser duckweed

  • Lemna trisulca - Star duckweed

  • Spirodela polyrhiza � Greater Duckweed

  • Wolfia columbiana - Water meal

LENTIBULARIACEAE

  • Utricularia sp. - Bladderwort

NYMPHAEACEAE - Water lily Family

  • Nuphar luteum � Spatterdock, Pond lily

  • Nymphaea odorata � Water lily

  • Brasenia schreiberi � Water shield

OLEACEAE - Olive family

  • Fraxinus nigra - Black ash

 

POACEAE - Grass Family

  • Phalaris arundinacea - Reed canary grass

POLYGONACEAE - Smartweed Family

  • Polygonum amphicum - water smartweed

POTAMOGETONACEAE - Pond Weed Family

  • Potamogeton sp. - Pond weed

SPARGANIACEAE � But-reed Family

  • Sparganium eurycarpum  � Bur-reed

TYPHACAEAE - Cattail Family

  • Typha angustifolia - Narrow-leaved cattail

  • Typha latifolia - Broad-leaved cattail

  • Typha x glauca - hybrid between the two species above

URTICACEAE - Nettle Family

  • Urtica dioica - Stinging nettle

VITACEAE - Grape Family

  • Vitis riparia � Wild or river grape

 

 References:

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Last updated:  10/23/2007 / � Copyright by SG Saupe