Pre-Conference Workshops

Decrypting Cryptantha

Workshop length: Half day, Jan 11, 2012 9:00 am - 2:00 pm- San Diego State University campus.

Presenter: Michael G. Simpson, Professor, San Diego State University and Curator of the SDSU Herbarium. Dr. Simpson specializes in the phylogeny of monocots, particularly the Commelinids. He is an author of Plant Systematics (Elsevier-Academic Press, 2nd edition 2010), Plant Collecting and Documentation Field Notebook, and co-author of Checklist of the Vascular Plants of San Diego County (2006).

Workshop goals

To introduce participants to Crypantha and their relatives in San Diego County and beyond. Using herbarium specimens and dried fruits, participants will practice their identification skills using the new Jepson Manual key.

Workshop description, including materials received

The genus Cryptantha s.l. consists of ca. 204 species. Members are amphitropically distributed, with 137 found in western North America and 70 in western South America (3 species in both continents). This workshop will consist of training in the identification of Cryptantha taxa, using the key in The Jepson Manual II. Herbarium specimens and fruit (nutlet) preparations will be available for participants to practice and test their powers of identification of this traditionally difficult group. A microscope video projection system will be available. We will also use computers to access both on-line keys and images from the SDSU Cryptantha web site (http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/plants/cryptantha). No materials needed. Dissecting tools and handouts will be provided.

Outline of major topics

A) Classification of Cryptantha; B) Cryptantha of California, southern California, and San Diego County; C) Characters used in identification of Cryptantha; D) Keys and images; E) Hands-on practice with identification.

Remote Location: Workshop will be held on the San Diego State University campus

a short trolley ride from the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center. Exact details will be supplied after you register.