Hello, and welcome to CyberFlora! The latest addition
to your electronic classroom. Only this curriculum goes outside the classroom
(where you belong!), to explore the particulars and peculiars of the plant
world, with Professor Tom Siccama leading the way. This course was historically
called "Local Flora," back when geographic location meant something. Actually,
if you are a plant, or trying to identify one, physical location (aka.
the environment) still does mean a great deal. This course concerns itself
with plants of the northeast, meaning Georgia to the Mississippi River,
north to Canada.
As decreed by Tom, the purpose of this information
is to make you functionally literate with respect to the plant species
of the northeast (woody and some herbaceous), meaning: 1) You can identify
major native (and locally common exotic species) tree and shrub species
on sight with their scientific name and common name; 2) You can say something
about the species with respect to its range, special features, ecology,
uses... etc.
- By Dave Gaillard (borrowing heavily from Tom Siccama)
On
to Lecture 1!