led by Bill Moorhead
This
plant identification workshop focuses on field identification, ecology, and
indicator value of genus Carex, i.e. the “sedges”, the most diverse
genus of vascular plants in Connecticut.
Considered by many a “cryptic” (i.e., hard-to-identify) group, the
sedges are actually a well-behaved taxonomic group with relatively little
hybridization. The majority of sedges are in fact identifiable in the field
with no more than 10X magnification, and many Carex species have high
value as indicators of hydrologic regime, fertility regime, and natural
community types of special biodiversity significance. The workshop will emphasize
development of field identification skills, as opposed to collection and keying
out of specimens in the lab. If/when
weather is severe, we will work inside with collected specimens. For the
information of those who have attended our earlier Carex workshops, we
will cover several of the same habitats and most of the same species as in
previous years, but we also visit some new sites and habitats, and will cover
some species not covered in previous years. Also, there will be new, improved
editions of the class handouts available.
In
addition to the field sessions there will be an optional lab session offered on
July 8th after a dinner break.
Each
participant should bring: a good quality hand lens with at least 10X
magnification; fine-pointed forceps that can be carried in the field; a
centimeter/millimeter ruler; hip or chest waders; his/her choice of insect
repellent, sun protection, etc. The waders are not absolutely essential, but
participants should in any case be prepared be in thigh-deep water/muck some of
the time. A waterproof field notebook and collecting bags are highly
recommended.
Taxonomy
will follow Arthur Haines'
Flora Novae Angliae.
Please contact instructor Bill Moorhead, atwhmoorhead@optonline.net or 860-567-4920, if you have any questions about the level and content of the workshop (particularly as they relate to decisions about taking only one day vs. both days of the workshop).
BILL MOORHEAD is an independent consulting field botanist based
in western Connecticut. He has specialized
for 25 years in the search for populations of rare plants and their habitats,
and the study of plant communities and the factors determining their species
composition and distribution. He leads
plant and plant community walks and canoe-trip “eco-tours”, and teaches plant
identification workshops in difficult plant groups, such as sedges, grasses,
asters and goldenrods, as well as invasive species and their native
look-a-likes.
NOTE: This workshop needs a minimum of 12 participants to run.
Continuing Education Units Available:
CT Forest Practitioner - 2.5 CEU / day
CT Pesticide Applicator - 8.0 CEU (3A) / day
NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professionals - 4.0 CEU / day
Location: Aton Forest (
270 North Colebrook Rd. Norfolk, CT)
Date: Wednesdays, July 1 & 8, 2015
Time: 8:30AM - 5:00PM
Registration: $75 (each day), lunch and refreshments provided
