Trees Honor - advanced

Nature Study

Requirements

1. Have the Trees Honor.

   Answer: The basic Trees Honor teaches fundamental concepts (general anatomy, visual identification of common species, life cycle, ecological importance) that are prerequisites for the advanced one, which goes deeper into scientific botanical techniques such as herbarium specimens, leaf classification, binomial taxonomy and the study of families. — Pedagogical progression is fundamental in the natural sciences. The basic level sparks interest and offers an overview; the advanced one requires rigorous scientific methodology. Knowledge of basic species (10-20 common trees) prepares one to identify 35 in the advanced level. Familiarity with the parts of the tree (root, trunk, crown) is the basis for concepts such as xylem, phloem and cambium. The sequence respects cognitive development.

2. Assemble herbarium specimens of 35 different tree species and label each specimen. The labels must contain the scientific name, family, common name and characteristics of the tree.

   Answer: Collect healthy leaves, flowers and fruits from 35 species, press them between sheets of newspaper changed every 2 days for 2 weeks, fix them on white A3 cardstock with adhesive tape, and label each specimen with: the binomial scientific name (genus+species in italics), the botanical family, the regional common name, distinguishing characteristics (size, habitat, time of collection), and the location and name of the collector. — The herbarium specimen is a herbarium piece, a scientific technique used by botanists for centuries. Pressing dehydrates it without deforming the structure. The newspaper absorbs moisture, preventing mold. The label contains information for future identification. Brazilian herbarium specimens are in museums such as the Botanical Garden of Rio. For 35 species, plan collections in parks, local green areas and excursions to the Atlantic Forest or Cerrado.

3. Classify the leaves of the specimens in the collection from the previous requirement according to leaf composition (simple or compound), petiole (petiolate, peltate, sessile), the shape of the leaf blade and the type of margin.

   Answer: Composition: simple (a single leaf) or compound (several leaflets on a common petiole, palmate or pinnate). Petiole: petiolate (with a stalk), peltate (petiole at the center of the blade), sessile (no petiole). Blade: lanceolate, oval, cordate, linear, palmate, round. Margin: smooth (entire), serrate, dentate, lobed, incised. — Leaf morphology is a classic taxonomic criterion. Compound leaves (ipê, jacaranda) differ from simple ones (mango). The petiole connects the leaf to the stem. The shape of the blade varies by species and function (linear in grasses, lanceolate in dicots). The margin indicates adaptations: a serrate margin favors transpiration; a smooth one retains moisture. Practicing classification strengthens scientific botanical observation skills.

4. Do the following:
   • Describe the advantages of using scientific names.
   • What are the two parts of a scientific name for?

   Answer: Advantages of binomial nomenclature (the Linnaean system): 1) Universal standardization — each species has a single valid name worldwide (e.g., the ipê is Tabebuia/Handroanthus in any country), avoiding the confusion of common names that vary from region to region and may designate different plants; 2) Precise and unambiguous scientific communication among researchers of any language; 3) It indicates kinship — species of the same genus are grouped together. The two parts of the binomial name: a) Genus — the first word, always with an initial CAPITAL letter, grouping related species; b) Specific epithet (species) — the second word, in lowercase, identifying the species within the genus. The two words are written in italics (or underlined) and in Latin; the name of the author who described the species may come after the binomial. — Carl Linnaeus created the binomial system in 1753 (Species Plantarum). Before, plants had long descriptive names. Now each species has a unique identifier: genus+species. E.g.: Mangifera indica (Indian mango). Latin/Greek was universal among scientists. Today the ICBN (International Code of Botanical Nomenclature) regulates nomenclature, avoiding confusion and democratizing worldwide scientific botanical communication.

5. Give the names of 6 tree families from the angiosperm division and 3 tree families from the gymnosperm division.

   Answer: Angiosperms: Fabaceae (jacaranda, yellow ipê, sucupira), Bignoniaceae (purple ipê, jacaranda-mimoso), Myrtaceae (eucalyptus, jabuticaba, guava), Lauraceae (cinnamon, avocado), Meliaceae (cedar, mahogany) and Anacardiaceae (mango, cashew). Gymnosperms: Pinaceae (pine), Araucariaceae (araucaria or Paraná pine) and Cupressaceae (cypress, ornamental arborvitae). — Angiosperms (with flowers and fruit) are the majority of Brazilian trees. Gymnosperms (naked seeds) are a minority but include important ornamental and timber trees. The families group together related genera. Knowing families makes it easier to identify new species. In Brazil, Fabaceae is dominant in the Caatinga; Myrtaceae in the Cerrado; Araucariaceae in the South (Araucaria Forest). Brazil's diversity is one of the greatest in the world.

6. Define the following terms: stipule, resin, heartwood, sapwood, fiber, cambium, xylem and phloem.

   Answer: Stipule: a small leaf-like appendage (blade) at the base of the petiole. Resin: a viscous organic secretion produced by some trees (e.g., pines). Heartwood: the central part of the trunk, darker, harder and dead, which provides support. Sapwood: the outer part of the trunk, lighter and still living, which conducts the raw sap. Fiber: an elongated cell with thick walls that gives strength to the wood. Cambium: the growth tissue (meristem) between the xylem and the phloem, responsible for the trunk's growth in thickness. Xylem: the conducting tissue that carries the raw sap (water and mineral salts) from the root to the leaves (it forms the wood). Phloem: the conducting tissue that distributes the elaborated sap (sugars produced in photosynthesis) to the rest of the plant. — Technical terms describe plant structures. Knowledge of woody tissues (xylem, phloem, cambium) explains how trees grow. Heartwood is resistant, used in durable furniture; sapwood is more fragile. Resins have commercial uses (varnish, rosin, natural fixatives). Stipules vary by species, being a taxonomic characteristic. Knowing this basic terminology is essential for botanists, dendrologists and advanced students of trees.

7. Identify 10 common plants by their characteristics (other than the leaves), such as tendrils, thorns, prickles, bark, flowers, fruits, plant-animal interactions, characteristic shape and growth habits.

   Answer: Identify using characteristics other than the leaves: 1) Bamboo by its hollow, segmented stems/culms; 2) Rosebush by the curved thorns (prickles) on the stem; 3) Cactus by its straight spines and succulent stem; 4) Willow (weeping willow) by its habit of drooping branches; 5) Coconut palm by its tall trunk and fruits (coconuts); 6) Eucalyptus by its bark that peels off in strips and its aromatic smell; 7) Mango tree by its dense, rounded crown and fruits (mangoes); 8) Pine by its cones and resin; 9) Avocado tree by its pear-shaped fruits (avocados); 10) Jabuticaba tree by its fruits that grow directly on the trunk (cauliflory) and its smooth, peeling bark. — Identifying plants requires broad observation. Leaves can be seasonal (deciduous), requiring other clues. Tendrils indicate climbers. Thorns identify specific families (Cactaceae, Rosaceae, Fabaceae). Bark, rhytidome and peeling are unique to each species. Fruits and flowers offer certain identification when present. Growth habit (erect, prostrate, climbing) helps. Combining multiple clues is an essential practice in botanical identification.