Science Grade 6 Ch 112.22 (6.1)(A), (6.1)(B), (6.2)(B), (6.12)(C) Grade 7 Ch 112.23 (7.12)(A), (7.12)(B), (7.12)(C). (7.12)(D). Grade 8 Ch 112.24 (8.14)(B), (8.14)(C)

English Language Arts Grade 6 Ch 110.22 (b) (8)(D), (10)(F) Grade 7 Ch 110.23 (b) (8)(D), (10)(F) Grade 8 Ch 110.24 (b) (8)(D), (10)(F), (8.14)

Prairie Grasses in the Big Thicket

Literally hundreds of grasses thrive in the Thicket providing food for cows, hogs, goats, wild turkeys, doves, quail, pigeons, ducks and hundreds of feathered creatures. The fresh grass and seeds so plentiful in the area provide forage for deer and other grazers as well. Timothy grass, Kentucky blue grass, and bermuda make excellent hay. Animals thrived on these and birds found every reason to migrate to the Thicket for rest and food.

Historically, grasses impacted the lives of the Jayhawkers. When the War Between the States broke out and the Jayhawkers went into hiding, grasses made their lives more tolerable. They roped and milked wild cows and killed deer, and wild turkey, animals that were all dependent on grasses for their survival. Even shaggy ponies, once listed as residents of the Thicket years ago, lived on the grasses of the Thicket prairies. The Indians used grasses in the building of shelters, and pioneers stuffed it into mattresses and in the making of rope.

Today grasses still grow prolifically. In addition to their food value, grasses are noted for being able to control erosion and for ornamentation purposes. The wide variety of grasses growing in the Big Thicket make it an ideal area for those wishing to learn more about grasses and their uses. (Youngblood,1964)

(Note: Although grasses grow throughout the Thicket, Sam’s Prairie, Pelt Prairie and Jones Prairie are located west of Sour Lake. The Mary See Prairie, outside of Batson, is a restoration project of Big Thicket Association volunteers. It has received funding from Entergy.)

Activity: The student will prepare 5 Herbarium species according to the instructions by Dr. Phillip Malnassy. Grasses are most suitable for collection because of their common availability. For this Big Thicket studies, the collection of wildflower specimens, ferns and mosses is not recommended

Preparing Herbarium Specimens (by Dr. Phillip Malnassy, Biology Department, Lamar University)

One of the best ways to learn to identify plants is to collect and press them. Remember though that it is illegal to collect in protected areas and to be respectful of private property, seeking permission first.

A study specimen of a flowering plant consists of two equally important parts: a carefully pressed sample of the plant itself and the label data to go with this specific plant.

Equipment and Materials

Digging tool- trowel like digger; Sharp knife- for cutting woody twigs or a pocket knife; Plant Press- Layers of cardboard and newspaper sandwiched between two boards (Plywood the same size as that of cardboard, 12 x 17 inches) Straps or stout cords to tie the plant press; Collecting Notebook; Herbarium Sheets; Large glass plate; Elmer’s or herbarium glue; Glass of water and brush to spread glue; Paper towels; Labels; Pressed plant specimens (with label data for each)

The Plant Specimen

1. Collect the entire plant. The specimen must include a complete plant. Roots and other underground parts are important and should never be omitted except in the case of shrubs, trees or vines.
2. Collect native vascular plant (for example, ground plants such as grasses, ferns and especially flowering plants) from different habitats. Ideal places to collect are abandoned fields, roadsides, woods, and along streams, bogs and swamps.
3. For small plants collect 5 or 6 specimens or enough to fill the herbarium sheet.
4. When you collect a plant, write your collection number on the margin of the newspaper. This number will refer to important information. a. Collection Number b. Date: Month, day, year; the month should be written out in full, as May 3, 1978 c. Exact map locality: Including county, name of road, or highway where the plant was collected or distance to nearest town. d. Habitat or Plant Association: Specific type of place such as roadside, field, pasture, bog, hillside, disturbed soil, Beech-Magnolia forest, arid-sandy lands, stream flood plain, seepage area, mixed pine hardwood forest, acid bog-baygall e. Average height of the plant f. Flower color g. Give each different plant a different collection number

Pressing

1. Plants should be neatly pressed to fit well within the limits of the size of the herbarium sheets (12x17). It may be necessary to fold the plant in order that it fit within these dimensions.
2. Large plants often must be divided into several parts, with each part being mounted on a separate herbarium sheet. Leaves should lie beneath everything else, spread out flat, with some turned so that both surfaces will show when the specimen is mounted. Flowers if necessary, may lie over leaves.
3. Carefully place the plant on an open newspaper inside the open plant press or open catalog for small plants. With your fingernail carefully flatten the leaves down by pressing against their petioles near their point of attachment to the stem.
4. When all leaves are lying flat, close the newspaper and weight down the plant specimen with the remaining cardboards of the plant press. At this point take care not to change the position of the leaves; especially making sure that they do not fold upon themselves.
5. The plant press should be stored where it will lose moisture but temperature should not exceed 130°F.

Mounting

1. The plants are ready for mounting after about 10 days of pressing. Spread out some glue, somewhat diluted with water, on a plate of glass with a paintbrush.
2. Place the dried plant on the surface of the glass. Tap the leaves so as to assure good contact with the glue. Do not get any glue on the upper surface of the leaves or stem.
3. Pick up the plant and place it straight down on the mounting card. Be sure to leave enough room for the label.
4. Cover the herbarium specimen with wax paper and place some heavy flat object upon it to make sure it lies flat during drying.

The Label

1. Write in black ink.
2. Complete information on the collection label.

Works Cited

Malnassy, Phil. Letter to the Author. 1994.

United States Department of the Interior National Park Service. Checklist of Grasses of Big Thicket National Preserve.

Youngblood, Bertha Brown. Story of the Big Thicket in Fact and Fiction. Houston: The Author, 1964.