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Cleome multicaulis
Cleome "many stems"
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Latin Roots
Are they Greek to you?
Procedure
In this activity students will learn the meanings of some Latin
and Greek roots used in scientific naming. Students will draw pictures
of fictitious plants based on the meanings of their names.
First, randomly
generate a plant list of fictitious scientific names and print
it out. Give one scientific name out to each student (or student
groups). Although the genus and species names are fictitious, the
roots, prefixes, and suffixes are real Latin or Greek terms.
Explain that each group will be illustrating a plant and that their
group drawing must include:
- Characteristics representing each of the four segments of the
scientific name must be included in the drawing (two segments
for the genus and two for the species).
- The plant must be drawn as part of a habitat from Great Sand
Dunes (discuss the various habitat
types of Great Sand Dunes).
- A common name must be created for the plant.
Your students will want to look up the meanings of their species'
Latin and Greek roots. Make copies of the plant list key and distribute
one per group.
After the students have illustrated their plant and its native
habitat, they should present their illustrations to the class and
explain what makes this plant special and how it survives in its
habitat.
Extension
In Tree Classification, students will
learn the basics of tree identification at Great Sand Dunes and
how to use a dichotomous key.
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