Botany

Palm Morphology and Anatomy

T. K. Broschat

Palms differ greatly from broadleaf (dicot) and coniferous (Gymnosperm) trees in their overall form and external structure (morphology) and in their internal structure (anatomy). Morphology and anatomy determine how palms grow, function, and respond to external and internal stress factors. This publication provides a basic understanding of how palms are constructed.

Sugarcane Botany: A Brief View

Hardev S. Sandhu, M. P. Singh, R. A. Gilbert, and D. C. Odero

Florida 4-H Horticulture Identification and Judging: Contest Rules and Glossary

Sydney Park Brown, Jeffrey G. Williamson, and Tom Wichman

This publication provides guidelines and information for Florida 4H members and Master Gardeners interested in horticulture and/or in participating in state contests held annually at 4-H Congress or the Master Gardener Annual Conference.

Orchid Pollination Biology

Haleigh Ray and Wagner Vendrame

Linking Waterbody Acidification and Aquatic Plant Metabolism: A Lesson Plan for Middle School Students

Alexandra L. Bijak, Laura K. Reynolds, and Ashley R. Smyth

Ocean acidification, the lowering of seawater pH due to increased concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, is an emerging environmental challenge associated with climate change. This publication is intended for Florida grade eight educators and other environmental educators of middle school students. We designed a lesson plan to reinforce fundamental concepts in acid-base chemistry, including the pH scale, and to introduce students to waterbody acidification, its negative effects on shell-forming organisms, and the potential role of aquatic plant metabolism (i.e., photosynthesis and respiration) in mitigating these effects. The goal of the lesson plan is to encourage students to link water chemistry and biological processes while learning about the challenges and potential solutions to acidification within a local context. This lesson plan will contribute to state learning standards while generating appreciation for the complexity of the natural environment. 

Cannabis sativa Plant Identification and Its Look-Alikes

Cliff G. Martin and Zachary T. Brym

The purpose of this document is to provide an identification guide for Cannabis sativa to be used by growers and land managers by showing key factors to distinguish it from similar-looking plants. The general public and aspiring botanists may also use this document to see how a plant is defined botanically and how those characteristics can distinguish a plant of interest from other look-alike plants. Written by Cliff G. Martin and Zachary T. Brym, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, March 2024.

Growth and Development Stages of Four Japanese Persimmon Varieties in North Florida

Muhammad A. Shahid, Ali Sarkhosh, and Shahid Iqbal

Japanese persimmon (Diospyros kaki) are a good source of vitamins A and C and dietary fiber, while also being low in calories and fat. These fruits are popular in many Asian cuisines and are enjoyed in various ways, including fresh, dried, or cooked in multiple value-added products. This publication will provide information on persimmon phenological growth stages of four established varieties grown at the UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center in Quincy, Florida. The nine major persimmon growth stages are divided into two categories: vegetative and reproductive stages. This publication provides illustrative figures for each development stage. Accurate identification of phenological stages is important for making informed decisions on plant care, fertilizer, irrigation, and fruit harvesting. This information will be helpful to students, growers, homeowners, nursery workers, and Extension agents interested in growing persimmons in Florida.

Cultivating Curiosity: A New Plant Podcast

Alyssa Vinson

Hours long commutes, appointments, meetings, kids, family obligations, mindless scrolling; all the ways that we inadvertently chip away at our finite resource of time. I often find myself seeking out those timeless moments, watching a cloud change shape, listening to the hum of bees visiting palm flowers, wondering at the fractal patterns in tree branches. […]

Ethnobotany at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

Theresa Badurek

By Rebekah Heppner, Pinellas County Master Gardener Volunteer What the heck is Ethnobotany? Good question. Ethnobotany refers to the scientific study (like botany, get it?) of how people (that’s the ethno part) have traditionally used plants for medical, religious and practical purposes. And you can, too. We don’t suggest you cut down a bald cypress […]

Plant Identification & Weed Management

Yvette Goodiel

Licensed pesticide applicators know the importance of identifying potential pest and disease issues before they apply any type of pesticide, including an herbicide. Pest identification is always the first step in Integrated Pest Management, one of the key principles of Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM. Why Plant ID is important Knowing the names of the plants in the […]