Get to grips with the basic features of the largest family of flowering plants
About the event
Can you distinguish between all the thistle lookalikes, between the mayweeds and chamomiles, or between the hawkbits and the hawkweeds?
Sort out the look-alikes in this, the largest family of flowering plants – the Asteraceae (or Compositae as they were previously called).
Spend the morning getting to grips with the basic features of this family, particularly those features that help us sort out the different genera and species. The rest of the day will be spent exploring the local habitats (at a leisurely pace) and practising those ID skills.
By the end of the session you will be able to tackle the identification of the major genera and species of our Asteraceae, by their key floral features, using a hand lens.
Led by Ros Bennett, Botanist
Suitable for beginners and improvers
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Accessible toilet
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Picnic area
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Toilets
MORE INFORMATION
What to bring:
Notebook and pencil. A x10 magnification hand lens (available on loan or for purchase during the
course at £9) Suitable outdoor clothing and a picnic lunch.
We shall be using simplified keys. It is not essential to bring any books but you my like to
consider the following if you have them:
- A picture field guide such as Rose and O’Reilly’s Wild Flower Key or Collins Wild Flower Guide by David Streeter (Harper Collins 2nd edition 2016) if you have one, though we shall also be using simplified keys.
- The New Flora of the British Isles by Clive Stace (edition 4).
Minimal walking at a slow pace.