Plant Hunt

Participants collect and sort leaf samples to determine how many species of plants grow in the activity site.

Group Size: This activity is suitable for both small and large groups.

Suggested Age: 10 and up

Time: Plan on forty to fifty minutes for this activity.

Consider…
Site: Pick a site with a variety of plants - vacant lots, weedy lawns, or fields where the taking of leaf samples is not a problem. A picnic table or other level surface is handy for sorting the leaves and for playing the leaf-characteristic game.

Safety: No specific considerations.

Materials/Prep:
For each team of two to four youngsters: 1 plastic bag, 1 hand lens.
For the group: 4 marker flags, 2 data boards, 1 marking pen, 1 roll of transparent tape.

Focus question:
How many different kinds of plants grow in our study site?

• Key characteristics are distinguishing features of an object (size, shape, pattern of veining, color, odor, texture, and appearance of the surface) that can be used to identify it.
• The term species refers to a group of the same kind of organism that is different from all other kinds of organisms.
• The term species richness refers to the number of species found in an area.

Summary:
Plant Hunt introduces participants to the diversity of plants that are found in a study site. Participants closely observe the similarities and differences of the plants that grow in the activity site by collecting a leaf sample from as many different kinds of plants as they can find. Participants then consolidate and count their leaf samples with other teams on a grid board.

In an extension, “Leaf Characteristic Game,” one participant identifies a key characteristic of a “mystery” leaf and other group members get two guesses as to which leaf is being described. If they are not successful, the participant gives one more key characteristic. The game continues until a group member guesses the secret leaf.

Extension Activities:
1.Challenge the teams to sort a few leaves with their eyes closed. Ask them what characteristics they used to sort the leaves.

2. Make a permanent collection of the leaves by:
- Pressing the between two sheets of tissue paper in large books. Let the leaves dry out for several weeks.
- Making crayon rubbings from the leaves.
- Making sun prints of the leaves.

3. Conduct the activity at a different site, and compare your pressed leaves or crayon rubbings from the first site with the leaves from the second site.

4. Use the OBIS Lawn Guide and/or a local plant guide to identify the plants in the activity