Phylogenetic Tree Activity
Instructions
Below are some unique plants from several different phyla that you will hopefully find interesting and may pique your interest in plants. Included in their description is a list of traits pertinent to their evolutionary history. Using the traits listed for each plant, complete the phylogenetic tree below. Each letter will be representing one of the plants, and each number will be representing a trait. Upload your completed tree as a Word or .pdf document into the submission link found in Module 1.
Sequoiadendron giganteum
Drosera rotundifolia
Ephedra californica
Flowers
Seeds
Megaphylls
Vascular Tissue
Lithops comptonii
Selaginella lepidophylla
Selaginella lepidophylla: Also known as the Rose of Jericho or the resu
ection plant, this species is a desert dwelling plant that can survive prolonged periods of drought and near 100% desiccation. When in these conditions, it will curl up into a small dry ball. However, when reintroduced to water, the plant will unfurl and recover its photosynthetic abilities. Video: https:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0KTq7rdbpY
Traits:
· Vascular Tissue
Cyrtomium falcatum: The Holly Fern, or the Japanese Holly fern is an evergreen plant that grows well in shady environments in North Texas. You can find this plant all over the UTA campus. In fact, an entire bed in front of the University Hall, just west of the Life Science building is planted with only Holy Ferns.
Traits:
· Vascular Tissue
· Megaphylls
Ephedra californica: Commonly known as Mormon Tea or Desert Tea, this plant is native to the southwestern region of the United States including California, Nevada, and Arizona. It was often used by indigenous people of California for its medicinal properties including cleansing blood and kidneys as well as an appetite suppressant.
Traits:
· Vascular Tissue
· Megaphylls
· Seeds
Sequoiadendron giganteum: The giant sequoia or the coast redwood is one of the largest living organisms on the planet. It is a coniferous tree, meaning it produces cones and is in the family coniferophyta. One of the most famous giant sequoias had a tunnel carved out of it and cars had been driving through it for more than 100 years. Sadly, it finally fell in a storm in 2017.
Traits:
· Vascular Tissue
· Megaphylls
· Seeds
Drosera rotundifolia: The common sundew is a carnivorous plant that can be found across the planet, from Japan, to North America, no New Guinea. It is a flowering plant; however, instead of petals, it has sticky hairs with glands that present like a little sunburst. These glands produce a sugary mucous that attracts and then sticks to insects, which the plant then
eaks down and consumes.
Traits:
· Vascular Tissue
· Megaphylls
· Seeds
· Flowers
Lithops comptonii: The lithops is a drought tolerant succulent that is commonly grown in succulent gardens and xeroscaping. The leaves take on a bulbous shape that mimics pe
les and rocks. However, when new leaves appear, yellow and white flowers also bloom.
Traits:
· Vascular Tissue
· Megaphylls
· Seeds
· Flowers