Botany

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Preface

This manual is your guide to discovering the remarkable world of plants through hands-on observation and investigation. Unlike a traditional textbook that asks you to memorize facts, this manual asks you to discover those facts yourself by working directly with living plants in their natural environments.

Botany is fundamentally a field science. While microscopes and laboratories have their place, the most profound botanical insights come from careful observation of plants in nature: watching how a cactus survives months without rain, discovering why mesquite trees dominate desert washes, or understanding how a wildflower's shape perfectly matches its pollinator. This manual will take you outside to observe these phenomena firsthand. Be sure to be safe in the field, take water and sun protection. Leave only foot prints and follow the 1-in-20 rule while collecting plants.

This manual was specifically designed for Mohave County, Arizona, one of the most botanically fascinating regions in North America. The Mohave Desert presents unique challenges for plant life extreme heat, minimal rainfall, intense solar radiation, and rocky, nutrient-poor soils. Yet despite these harsh conditions, hundreds of plant species thrive here, each with remarkable adaptations. You'll study plants that can photosynthesize without leaves, shrubs that live for thousands of years, and flowers that bloom only after rare desert rains.

The plants you'll encounter here are not just curiosities they sustained indigenous peoples for over 10,000 years, they're currently responding to rapid climate change, and they hold insights into how life survives under extreme conditions. By studying desert botany, you're learning principles that apply far beyond Arizona.

The data you collect in these labs should be your own work. If weather, access issues, or other problems prevent fieldwork, contact your instructor rather than fabricating data. Science depends on honesty. Copied or invented data undermines your learning and violates academic integrity policies.

That said, science is also collaborative. You may work with lab partners, compare observations, and discuss interpretations. The key distinction: collect your own data, then discuss what it means with others.

Botany changes how you see the world. Once you learn to really look at plants—to notice patterns, ask questions, and seek explanations you'll never see a landscape the same way again. A vacant lot becomes a study in succession ecology. A roadside becomes a lesson in plant competition. A hike becomes a treasure hunt for botanical adaptations.

This transformation is the real goal of these labs. We hope you finish this course not just with botanical knowledge, but with botanical eyes a permanent ability to see and appreciate the plant world around you.

Materials

• Metric measuring tape

• Scale

• Resealable plastic bags (various sizes: quart, gallon)

• Plant press

• Scissors

• Field notebook

• Camera

• Trowel

• Heavy Gloves

• Clear plastic cups (3-5)

• Food coloring (red or blue)

• Tweezers (fine-point)

• Rubber bands

• Petroleum jelly/Vaseline

• pH test strips (range 4-9)

• Glass jars with lid

• White vinegar (small bottle)

• Hydrogen peroxide 3% (small bottle)

• Seeds for planting (cilantro, basil, or dill)

• Small pots (10-15 cm diameter)

• Potting soil

• Cardboard box (for experiments)

• String or rope (100+ meters)

Essential Apps (Free)

• Plant identification

• Light meter

• Compass

• GPS/Mapping

• Clinometer

• Protractor

Field Safety

Before You Go

Proper planning and preparation are essential before heading into the field. Check the weather forecast and avoid going out on extreme heat days when temperatures exceed 105°F. Always tell someone where you're going and when you expect to return, and bring a charged cell phone, though you shouldn't rely on having service. Know the location of the nearest medical facility and never work alone in remote areas. Essential gear includes a minimum of one gallon of water per person, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher that should be reapplied every two hours, light-colored and lightweight long pants and long sleeves, closed-toe boots or sturdy shoes, a first aid kit, an emergency whistle, and a map and compass since you shouldn't rely solely on GPS.

Desert-Specific Hazards

To prevent heat illness, work during the cooler hours of the day before 10 AM or after 4 PM. Drink water before you feel thirsty and take breaks in the shade every 30 minutes. Watch for symptoms including dizziness, nausea, confusion, excessive sweating, or the absence of sweating. If heat exhaustion is suspected, move to shade immediately, drink water, wet the skin, and seek help.

Sun protection is critical since Mohave County has intense UV radiation year-round. Wear a hat even on cloudy days to protect yourself from harmful rays.

Plant Hazards

Spines and thorns require extreme caution in the desert. Cholla cactus segments detach easily and have barbed spines that are extremely painful if a segment attaches to you, use a comb or sticks to remove it and never pull with bare hands, so always carry a comb in your field kit. Prickly pear cacti have large spines plus tiny glochids that are actually worse than the big spines, causing intense itching and being nearly invisible remove them with duct tape or tweezers. Catclaw acacia has curved thorns that tear skin and clothing, while agave has terminal spines that can puncture like needles. Always wear heavy leather gloves when working near spiny plants.

Several toxic plants require careful attention. Never taste any plant unless an instructor explicitly approves it. Datura, also known as jimsonweed, has all parts that are extremely poisonous observe only and do not touch. Poison ivy is rare but present in riparian areas, and you should remember "leaves of three, let it be." Creosote, spurge, and milkweed have sap that can irritate skin, so avoid contact with these plants. If skin contact with any toxic plant occurs, wash with soap and water immediately.

Animal Hazards

Rattlesnakes are most active from April through October, especially at dawn and dusk. Watch where you step and place your hands, and give snakes at least six feet of distance if you encounter one. If bitten, stay calm, immobilize the affected limb, and seek immediate medical help. Do not apply a tourniquet or attempt to catch or kill the snake.

Scorpions are another concern shake out clothing and boots before putting them on and check under rocks before lifting them. While a sting is painful, it's rarely dangerous to adults, though you should seek medical help if a severe reaction occurs. Bees and wasps, including Africanized bees which are present in Arizona and very aggressive when disturbed, pose a serious threat. If attacked by a swarm, run to an enclosed space and cover your face. Spiders such as black widows and brown recluses require caution as well avoid reaching into dark spaces, shake out field equipment before use, and seek medical attention for bites.

Environmental Hazards

Flash floods are extremely dangerous and you should never work in washes during monsoon season from July through September when clouds are visible. Even distant storms can cause flash floods, so if water appears in a wash, move to high ground immediately. Water rises in minutes and you should not try to outrun it. Lightning is common during summer monsoons. If a thunderstorm approaches, seek shelter in a vehicle or building. Avoid tall trees, metal objects, and high points. If caught in the open, crouch low to minimize ground contact. Rough terrain also presents hazards watch your footing on rocky slopes and loose gravel, test your footing before putting full weight down, use a hiking stick for stability on slopes, and avoid cliff edges and unstable rock formations.

Medical Emergencies

In case of a medical emergency, first assess the situation for safety, then call 911 if cell service is available. Know the nearest emergency facilities before you go. Keep emergency numbers handy: 911 for emergency services and Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Respect and Leave No Trace

Finally, practice responsible fieldwork by staying on established trails when possible, packing out all trash and materials, and not disturbing archaeological sites. Respect private property and tribal lands, minimize your impact on vegetation, and leave plants and rocks where you found them unless you have explicit permission to collect them.