Florida Native Plant:  Research Activity

Objective:  Students will learn about Florida native plants and their role in
an ecosystem.  Each student will choose and research two Florida native plants from the list of plants from the regional plant map.  Each student will fill out the comparison chart, answer the questions and create a poster depicting their findings about the plant for a presentation to the class and / or to the teacher.

Materials:
Native Plant Comparison Chart
Regional plant list and photos from website
Glossary of Illustrated Leaf Shapes
Graph paper
Sketch paper
Color pencils, markers, paints, etc.
Poster Board or show board
Internet websites

Websites:
http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/drawlist.html
http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/guide/natplant.html
http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/guide/
http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/education/regional_map.html
http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/guide/mgmtagen.html
http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/education/dvd.html#careers

Activity:  Students will first fill out the comparison chart based on the plants of their choice.  Students will research their chosen plants and design a poster.  The poster should contain the following information:

• Scientific name and common name of plant
• Drawings, photographs or graphics of the plant
• Plant parts labeled:  flower, stems, leaf shapes, margins, arrangements
• A map showing geographic locations of this plant
• A description or drawings of the habitat of this plant, including other living things in this ecosystem

Students will present their findings to the class and / or teacher.

A collaboration of the UF/IFAS Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
and the Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Invasive Plant Management.
02/18/07 MS/HS/EA
SSS: SC.F.1.2, SC.G.1.2, SC.G.2.2, SC.H.3.2, SC.H.1.2