Using the Flora of Virginia

Recently published in 2012, the Flora of Virginia is our long-overdue technical manual covering all of the native and naturalized plant species found in the Commonwealth.  This massive volume – almost 1600 pages in all – is the first comprehensive treatment of Virginia’s flora since the mid-1700s, and if you’re like us you couldn’t wait to get your hands on a copy.  But if you are still asking yourself, “OK, how do I use this thing?”, then the Flora of Virginia short course is for you.  This three-day session is dedicated to teaching you how to get the MOST out of your investment in the Flora of Virginia.  We’ll cover essential aspects of the Flora that will help you successfully navigate dichotomous keys at all levels (family, genus, species), teach you how to get the information you need out of the species descriptions, and introduce you to some other very helpful components of the book that you may not have even known about.  We’ll explain how and why the book is structured the way it is, how to cross-reference different sections, and how to minimize wasted time and “dead ends” each time you use the Flora.  This course is taught by William and Mary professor Doug DeBerry, who is a contributing author on the Flora and a professional botanist with nearly 25 years of experience.

Attendees will need to bring their own copy of the Flora of Virginia, or purchase one prior to the class.  The Flora of Virginia is available for purchase in The Garden Shop or online from BRIT Press (http://shop.brit.org/products/flora-of-virginia).  Course includes lecture, lab, and field practicum.  Prerequisites: Intermediate Botany or instructor permission.

Contact Hours: 21