The Wildflower Project

A project on local biodiversity and ecology

Maeve Perich
B Block Biology

Introduction
The wildflower project is about the biodiversity of plants in our day to day life; while
exploring the diversity of nature around us we learned about the ecology and genetics of these
species. When looking deeper into the floral structure we can look at ecosystem interactions,
various traits, inheritance, and how Mendel help shape our knowledge of genetics. Along with this
exploration of biodiversity; we learned new skills and built upon others. There was a learning
curve of how to use dichotomous keys to identify the flowers and how to keep our data organized.

The majority of my collection of wildflowers came from Montgomery and Prince Georges
counties. Many of my flowers came from areas with deciduous trees that provide shade or where in
areas with some but limited shade.
4 questions I had:
1. How do different flower petals impact the plant?
2. What can we learn from the anatomy of a flower?
3. What does the anatomy of a flower tell us about the environment/ecosystem in which it
lives?
4. Why are there so many species?

Materials
 Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide
 Paper Towels
 Book pressed (use to press flowers in phone book)
 Heavy book (text book and/or phone book)
 Sharpie or pen or pencil or any writing utensil
 Sticky notes
 Spray mount/ spray adhesive
 Printer paper
 Binder

2
Procedure:
1. Find wildflower
2. Identify flower using dichotomous key
a. Go to the key
b. Find 3-digit code
i. Type/number of petals
ii. Structure
iii. Leaf type
c. Using the code find the page
d. Once at the page use the pictures on the right-side page
i. Once the similar flower is found go to the left-hand page and look at the
other options to make sure you have correctly Identified the specimen
e. Enter data into your Database
3. Collect/pick the flower
a. make sure to pick from the bottom (don’t collect the roots)
4. Press the flower
a. Place flower on to a paper towel
b. Put the petals face down
i. Make sure to spread them out
c. Lay the stem down and spread the leaves out.
5. Mounting
a. In a well-ventilated use spray adhesive on paper
b. Place flower and label on paper
c. Wait for it dry than place them into a plastic sleeve.
6. Labeling
a. Using database to make labels
i. Open google docs
ii. Open add-on, Avery Label Merge (download if you do not already have)
iii. Attach database
iv. Merge two documents
v. Print labels
b. Mount labels on to page next to the matching/correct flower

3
Discussion:
Through this project I learned how wildlife impacts the surrounding ecosystems and how
knowing the plants around you can tell you more about that area. I made the mistake of not
pressing and identifying sooner. I would have pressed my flowers better as well as not waiting to
press some of them. When the weather is warm the flowers wilt faster once picked, which is
helpful when pressing, but not helpful if you need to identify after picking. If you are going to pick
and then identify, taking photos of the flowers is helpful. This way identifying is easier and the
photo of the flower can confirm your identification.

This project allowed me to learn more about the environment and gave me a chance to learn
how the wildlife effects the other species in that areas nearby. By knowing more about the
ecological interactions; you can help preserve different areas based on need and balance it with the
local biodiversity. Wildflowers are one part of ecosystem that help other spices survive. Many of
my plants were found in deciduous forest where the plants were in shade. The shade allows plants
to go through photosynthesis. This way energy is managed. Plants that have more than one stem or
creep tend to be lower to the ground; they can preserve their energy this way. In addition to saving
and storing energy they can spend more time branching out rather than growing up. Another thing
observed was that the mustard family has a wide range of variance in the phenotype of the plant.

4
Conclusion:
After finishing this project some of my questions remained unanswered and after reflecting
on the project and doing a little research, I found that: Flower petals impact the production of
agriculture and our food. The purpose flower petals are to attract pollinators. We need pollinators
to fertilize crops and other plants different petals attract the different pollinators. Each part of the
flower plays a vital role in the function of flowers and pollinators. The anatomy of a flower
informs and educates us on how flowers are able to fertilize and germinate. Through germination
flowers are able to spread; Through evolution and adaptation flowers have been able to change to
survive in different conditions; whether that is because of the climate or the predators and other
creatures in the biome.

Over the short time that flowers were being picked the number of flowers blooming
decreased. When we first started there was a bounty of flowers. Now Towards the end it is harder
to find flowers still in bloom. The flowers that still in bloom are flowers that need more sunlight;
these are flowers, like the common dandelion and the bulbous butter cup. The flowers that died
sooner are flowers that needed more shade.

The flowers when they are in the more, shady places, like deciduous forest, bloom earlier while the
flowers that are still in bloom like the common dandelion and the bulbous buttercup which need
direct sunlight are still in bloom.

Two new research questions:

1. What is the average window of time when wildflowers are blooming in spring?
2. What season has more flowers in the riparian zone?