Botany Leaf Collection Test/Project

							                                Botany Leaf Collection Test/Project
*Each student must select two trees common to Alabama and our area (unless otherwise approved
by the teacher).

*Scientific name and common name are required. They are to be typed or written neatly on a
small index card, one card for each tree.

*The student’s name, date and class period should be on the back of the card. **The exact
location of where the specimen was collected should also be written on the back of the card!

*A color photograph of student and tree is also required. At least one per tree.

*When signing up for the trees that the student will be selecting, it is important that they look at
the list and NOT select a tree that is already chosen by another student!

*Specimen should be neatly collected and should contain enough leaves to show the tree’s
characteristics. If there are other easily collected structures, they can be included as long as they
are press-able and not “juicy”. Be sure to turn some leaves so that the back of the leaf shows.

* Specimen should be neatly collected and should contain enough leaves to show the tree’s
characteristics. If there are other easily collected structures, they can be included as long as they
are press-able and not “juicy”. Be sure to turn some leaves so that the back of the leaf shows.
.
*Lay specimens out neatly on newspaper and press them between sheets of news paper a heavy
stack of books for several days.

*After properly pressing and drying…Using a white 8 x 11 sheet of paper(you can use card stock
or typing paper as long as it is not super thin for each specimen) and CLEAR PACKING TAPE
to completely tape over your specimen. Be sure to make a nice placement of your specimen on
your paper before taping.

*Place each specimen in a clear page protector (preferably the type that has the fold over top).
Creatively and neatly make your Leaf Project notebook.

*Project should be placed in a 3 prong folder.

********WARNING: LEAVES OF THREE LEAVE THEM BE! Do not pick poison oak or ivy!




                                                                         Key feature of poison sumac is large
alternate leaves with 9-13 leaflets entire (not toothed) with a red rachis (the stem connecting the leaflets).
The leaflets are smooth and may be shiny above. Common along swampy water edges and wet woods.