Identification should include
- using common and botanical names
- describing plant nomenclature and its importance, such as
- a description of the importance of plant taxonomy
- the differentiation between a variety and a cultivar
- a distinction among deciduous trees, broad-leaf evergreen trees, and needle-leaf evergreen trees
- using a dichotomous key to identify plants according to their botanical characteristics
- classifying plants and turfgrass as annuals, biennials, and perennials
- using identification techniques to determine the species of an herbaceous plant, woody plant, or tree
- explaining the benefits of, or developing, a school arboretum/learning garden
- visiting gardens and nurseries.
Teacher Resource: Nursery/Landscape CDEs, FFA
Process/Skill Questions:
- Why is it important to know both botanical and common names of plants?
- Why is it important to visit a variety of gardens and nurseries?
- What do botanical names describe?
- Why is plant classification and biology important to understand as a landscaping professional?