Ecology and Taxonomy of Saskatchewan Asteraceae

3 credits

The Asteraceae (aster/sunflower family) is one of the largest plant families (# of species) in the world and is well-represented in Saskatchewan. This course will examine the ecology of Saskatchewan Asteraceae (e.g. life history patterns and ecological niches), as well as the fairly complicated taxonomy of this large group as related to species native to Saskatchewan (the province hosts members of three of the sixteen sub-families). Lastly, there will be a brief examination of the traditional Indigenous medicinal uses of selected Saskatchewan members of the family (e.g. Echinacea angustifolia).