Intermediate Botany

This course provides an in-depth overview of the tools and techniques used by botanists to identify plants to the species level, with a strong emphasis on family characteristics. Attendees are exposed to concepts in plant classification, nomenclature, habitat, distribution, and of course, vegetative and reproductive characteristics – all of which can be used to help identify plants to the species level. Emphasis is on native or naturalized species in Virginia, and the use of dichotomous keys in technical plant manuals and regional floras.

Instructor: Dr. Douglas A. DeBerry, Research Assistant Professor of Biology and Environmental Science at the College of William and Mary, and contributing author on the Flora of Virginia.   NOTE: all sessions involve outside activity, so dress for hiking and the weather.

Contact Hours: 21