The purpose of this workshop is to learn basic morphological terminology and dissection skills, learn to recognize the most common plant families, and gain skills in identification of species of the Colorado Desert in San Diego. We will focus on 15-20 of Californias most common plant families, emphasizing the diagnostic features of each family. Lectures will alternate with lab activities using fresh plant material. Field trips will alternate with labs to collect material and review diagnostic features in the wild. The workshop will include an introduction to The Jepson Manual: Vascular Plants of California, Second Edition, and the use of the family key to identify unknown plants. We will review recent changes in the classification of Californias plants and explain why such changes have taken place. Also recommended, but not required, is Checklist of the Vascular Plants of San Diego County (Rebman and Simpson 2014).

Approved