Sedge Identification Workshop
| Date | July 27-29, 2010 |
| Time | 10 a.m. Tuesday-1 p.m. Thursday |
| Location | Hitchcock Hall University of Washington Seattle, WA |
| Instructor | Peter Zika, Research Associate, University of Washington Herbarium |
| Sponsors | University of Washington Herbarium at the Burke Museum and the Washington Native Plant Society |
| Class Size | limited to 20 |
Carex (sedges) is the largest genus of flowering plants in Washington, and its members often dominate meadow communities throughout the state. Sedges are critical to the ecology of wetlands and riparian zones by providing structure, bank stabilization, food, and cover. Come to this workshop to understand Carex diversity. Learn the common species, how to identify the rare ones, and how to tackle other problems and solutions in sedge identification. We will use the new color illustrated textbook for OR/WA sedges, and work with lots of fresh material in the lab and on field trips. Overcome your fear of sedges, and discover how many recognizable and attractive species there are in our flora.
Basic sedge terminology, morphology, ecology, evolution, and keying techniques will be covered. Participants will spend time dissecting and keying specimens in the laboratory using a microscope. Many specimens will be available for review, inspection, and comparison. Much of Tuesday’s session will be spent in the Cascade foothills working on field identification.
Optional evening keying sessions in the lab with Peter are included. Participants are strongly encouraged to bring plant material from their areas of interest for identification and discussions.
This workshop is geared for experienced botanists, both professional and amateur, who are proficient in the use of dichotomous keys and comfortable with technical botanical terminology.
Peter Zika received his undergraduate degree in Botany at the University of Vermont in 1983. His early botanical interest was the circumboreal sedges of New England, but his interests broadened to include the conservation of the flora of the entire region. He has worked as a rare plant botanist in Vermont, New York, and Oregon for the Nature Conservancy's Natural Heritage Programs. Peter helped found the Washington and Oregon Flora Checklist projects, is a Research Associate at the Burke Museum's University of Washington Herbarium, as well as author of several genera for Flora of North America and the second edition of The Jepson Manual.
Workshop Registration
Workshop Cost: $300 (Field trip transportation included.)
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Select the"Register Now" button to submit your PayPal payment using your credit card.
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Mail in your registration
Print the registration form and send it to the Washington Native Plant Society by July 19.
For more information, contact Linda Ellis at 206-527-3210 or by e-mail lindaellis@wnps.org
Workshop Materials
Required textbook:
Wilson, B. L., R. Brainerd, D. Lytjen. B. Newhouse, and N. Otting. 2008. Field Guide to the Sedges of the Pacific Northwest. Oregon State University Press, Corvallis, OR. 431 p. pb. ISBN-13: 978-0-87071-197-8. Available at book table of local WNPS meetings, or order from OSU press: 541-737-3166 http://oregonstate.edu/dept/press.
Other items to bring:
- Minimum 10x hand lens
- Notebook
- Footgear for damp ground
- Appropriate field clothing (e.g., hat, raingear)
- Please bring fresh local sedges from your home area, to identify in the lab or share with others
- All are welcome to bring pressed sedges to identify in the lab
- Sack lunches
Optional references for participants to bring; at least one copy will be available at workshop:
- 1993 Jepson Manual
- 2002 sedge volume of FNA (Vol. 23)
- 1969 monocot volume of Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest (Vol. 1)
- 1977 monocot volume of Intermountain Flora (Vol. 6)
This Carex Identification Workshop is co-sponsored by the University of Washington Herbarium at the Burke Museum and the Washington Native Plant Society.