Conducting floristic studies of local plant populations: The potential of two-year college students and faculty

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the ability of two-year college students and faculty in one area of activity and to gain a more adequate understanding of them. A dearth of taxonomic literature on plant populations at the local level prompted this study. It has been observed that amateur botanists have accomplished satisfactory and commendable work in plant taxonomy. Also, it has been observed that a high percentage of students in two year colleges commute considerable distances. These disparate observations led to a potential solution to the botanical dilemma. Since the students are traveling already, if they were trained and inspired, they could eventually make thorough collections of plant specimens.; The question then became, "What is the potential of two-year college students and faculty to do creditable plant taxonomic work?" To answer this basic question, several subsidiary questions were developed and several assumptions made. To answer these questions and to test the assumptions, strategies and procedures were developed by which students and faculty went into the field and laboratory and attempted to do a taxonomic study of the grass family of one county.; Using the techniques of traditional botany, they collected, preserved, and identified about 60% of these plants. They were able to develop a taxonomic manual of some merit. As they did this work, they were developing a model for others to follow.; Professional quality was not achieved. However, it was demonstrated that two-year colleges can contribute substantially to taxonomic studies. They, in conjunction with the universities, could do complete and thorough floral analyses of local areas.