Seedless vascular plants in ethnobotany

The week began with the seedless vascular plants presentation. The presentation saw additional images added and slides based on the Book of Luelen to provide support for local plant names, especially kideu ang ulungen kieil.

An early arrival provided time to set up the board more thoughtfully. The presentation in its present configuration ran through to 16:45, perhaps 15 minutes longer than is reasonable. Perhaps the gametophyte, sporophyte explanation could be trimmed, simplified, and tightened. Maybe a chromosomal diagram would help speed up the explanation. Perhaps the new Luelen portion of the presentation could be tightened up as well. 

Thursday dawned with flooding rains but gave way to sunny midday skies. The class launched on a cold open at 15:28 and headed to the northeast corner where all of the usual suspects are already located. The Phlegmariurus phlegmaria is very well developed on the first mango.

On stump past the second mango at the edge of the bushline was moss with sporophytes.

There remains a few Palhinhaea cernua at the top of the rise. Nostoc commune was in full gel form due to the rainy day. 

The Psilotum complanatum had well developed sporangia. Psilotum nudum was on the same tree. Nice pairing and contrast: the upright P. nudum and the pendant P. complanatum.

Psilotum nudum. A rainy morning gave way to high clouds by 3:30. The ground was wet but navigable.

With the weather holding, the class moved down the Pterocarpus indicus line. Haploteris elongata was also seen along with the orchid Dendrobium adamsii.

At the gym the class went south to the Haruki cemetery. A front route was taken using a well worn trail. Selaginella was hard to find. Asplenium polyodon was easier to find. After a long search a couple remnant Selaginella were found. A new home for Selaginella would be useful.

As the class left Haruki, rain could be seen moving in from the south. The rain hit campus as some of the students reached the dining hall. Others were caught by the rain. That timing was near on perfect, made possible by the cold open and immediate movement to the northeast corner.

Although the specific end time in the field was not noted, I reached my car at 16:43.