Learn to recognise and classify plants quickly and accurately, far beyond the average skill level. Experts worldwide acknowledge a sharp decline in taxonomic knowledge; this course helps reverse that trend. If you work with plants, understanding plant taxonomy isn’t optional – it’s essential.

WHAT THE COURSE COVERS – 4 LESSONS

  Lesson 1: THE WHY AND HOW OF PLANT NAMES Why Name Plants? Scientific vs. Vernacular Names History   o John Ray   o Linnaeus Ranks and Language   o Ranks of Classification (KPCOFGS)   o Latin Names   o Gardener’s Ranks International Code of Botanical Nomenclature   o Valid Publication   o The Type Method   o Principle of Priority (Aims and Exceptions)   o Legitimate Naming   o Recent Changes to the Code International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants Taxonomic Name Resolution Service International Plant Names Index The Rise of Molecular Data Impact of Molecular Data   Lesson 2: NAMING THE PARTS – PLANT ANATOMY Describing a Plant for the First Time Habit Stems Hairs Flowers Botanical Characteristics of Dianthus Fruits   o Indehiscent   o Schizocarpic   o Dehiscent A Key to the Main Types of Fruits and Roots   Lesson 3: IDENTIFICATION TOOLS Using Resources Collecting and Preserving Plants   o Fresh Material   o Herbarium Specimens   o Photographs The Problem of Colour The Law Relating to Plant Collecting Describing a Plant on Paper The Equipment You Need DNA Bar-coding Floral Formulae Floral Diagrams Plant Keys   o Making a Key   o Using a Key When All Else Fails, What Do You Do? Botanic Gardens and Nurseries     Lesson 4: PLANT FAMILIES What Genera Are in What Family? Monocotyledons Dicotyledons Major Families   o Anthophyta   o Apiaceae (= Umbelliferae)   o Araceae   o Asteraceae (= Compositae)   o Brassicaceae (= Crucifereae)   o Bromeliaceae   o Cucurbitaceae   o Fabaceae (= Leguminosae or Papilionaceae)   o Gesneriaceae   o Lamiaceae (= Labiatae)   o Liliaceae   o Myrtaceae   o Orchidaceae   o Poaceae (= Graminae) Other Significant Plant Phyla   o Coniferophyta   o Monilophyta   COURSE FEATURES · 20-hour, self-paced course · Fully online, flexibly paced · Optional practical tasks throughout · Automated self-assessment tests · “Certificate of Completion” on achieving a 60% pass rate on a final assessment.   WHO SHOULD STUDY THIS COURSE? What you learn in this course are fundamental, underpinning skills for anyone working in gardening, horticulture, environmental management or farming. If you are working with plants, it is critical to know exactly what plant you are working with.