Plant Nature Study II by Jacob Joshua Levison Plant Nature Study II by Jacob Joshua Levison    

Lesson 3: Deciduous - The Poplar

Directions

Study the lesson for one week.

Over the week:

• Read the lesson.
• Review the synopsis.
• Recite aloud the vocabulary words and their definitions.
• Learn the concepts.
• Complete the enrichment activities.
• Study the review questions.

Synopsis

This lesson covers the hardy Lombardy poplar tree, which grows into a narrow, identifying spire and has branches low on its trunk. The Lombardy poplar tree is often called black poplar. The scientific (Latinized) name of the Lombardy is Populus nigra.

Vocabulary

Lombardy: A region situated in northern Italy, where its capital and the largest city Milan is founded in the Po Valley.
Spire: A sharp or tapering point.
Hardy: Having rugged physical strength and inured to fatigue or hardships.
Shelterbelt: A row of trees that acts as a windbreak.
Pruning: A removal of excess material from a tree or shrub.
Binomial Nomenclature: The scientific system of naming each species of organism with a Latinized name in two parts.

Concepts

BINOMIAL NOMENCLATURE

Binomial Nomenclature is the scientific system of naming each species of organism with a Latinized name (binomial name) in two parts:

1. Genus: A larger group or organisms containing multiple species groups.
2. Species: A group of organisms that can interbreed.

When writing a binomial name:

1. The genus term is capitalized (Populus).
2. The species-specific part of the term is all lowercase (nigra).

The genus part is often abbreviated to its initial letter.

1. Homo sapiens is the binomial/scientific name for humans.
2. Homo sapiens may be abbreviated to H. sapiens.

Abbreviate the genus part of:

1. Populus nigra
2. Populus mexicana
3. Populus alba

Enrichment

Activity 1: Narrate the Lesson

• After reading or listening to the lesson, narrate the lesson aloud using your own words.

Activity 2: Study the Lesson Pictures

• Study the lesson pictures and describe how they relate to the lesson.

Activity 3: Map the Tree

• The Lombardy poplar tree is named for a region in Italy named Lombardy.
• Find Italy on the map of the world.

• Find Italy on the map of the Europe.

• The city of Milan is located in the Lombardy region of Italy. Find Milan on the map of Italy.

Activity 4: Binomial Name, Genus, and Species

Identify the binomial name, genus, and species (Species is the full two-part name.) of:

• Populus nigra
• Populus mexicana
• Populus alba
• P. nigra
• P. mexicana
• P. alba

Activity 5: Take a Nature Walk and Research Online

• Bring a small sketchbook and a specimen collection bag and embark on a nature walk.
• Find two (2) trees with vastly different overall forms or shapes.
• Study and sketch the appearance and habitat of the trees.
• Research online to find the Binomial name of the trees you collected specimens from.
• Use the sketches to create the field book entry.

Activity 6: Complete a Field Book Entry   

After your nature walk, complete page 9 in 'Science Field Book for Fourth Grade.'

Review

Question 1

What is the binomial name of the Lombardy poplar tree?

1 / 8

Answer 1

The binomial name of the Lombardy poplar tree is Populus nigra.

1 / 8

Question 2

What is the binomial name of humans?

2 / 8

Answer 2

The binomial name of humans is Homo sapiens.

2 / 8

Question 3

What are the genus and species of Homo sapiens?

3 / 8

Answer 3

The genus of Homo sapiens is Homo and the species is Homo sapiens.

3 / 8

Question 4

What are the genus and species of Panthera tigris (tigers)?

4 / 8

Answer 4

The genus of Panthera tigris is Panthera and the species is Panthera tigris.

4 / 8

Question 5

What is the abbreviated binomial name of Panthera leo (lion)?

5 / 8

Answer 5

The abbreviated binomial name of Panthera leo is P. leo.

5 / 8

Question 6

What is the abbreviated binomial name of Panthera tigris (tigers)?

6 / 8

Answer 6

The abbreviated binomial name of Panthera tigris is P. tigris.

6 / 8

Question 7

What can you say about Panthera tigris (tigers) and Panthera leo (lions) based on their binomial names?

7 / 8

Answer 7

Panthera tigris and Panthera leo share the same genus (Panthera), but are different species (Panthera tigris and Panthera leo).

7 / 8

Question 8

What is wrong with the binomial name Giraffa Camelopardalis (giraffe)?

8 / 8

Answer 8

The species-specific part of the name should not be capitalized. The correct name is Giraffa camelopardalis.

8 / 8

❮ ❯

1. What is the binomial name of the Lombardy poplar tree? The binomial name of the Lombardy poplar tree is Populus nigra.
2. What is the binomial name of humans? The binomial name of humans is Homo sapiens.
3. What are the genus and species of Homo sapiens? The genus of Homo sapiens is Homo and the species is Homo sapiens.
4. What are the genus and species of Panthera tigris (tigers)? The genus of Panthera tigris is Panthera and the species is Panthera tigris.
5. What is the abbreviated binomial name of Panthera leo (lion)? The abbreviated binomial name of Panthera leo is P. leo.
6. What is the abbreviated binomial name of Panthera tigris (tigers)? The abbreviated binomial name of Panthera tigris is P. tigris.
7. What can you say about Panthera tigris (tigers) and Panthera leo (lions) based on their binomial names? Panthera tigris and Panthera leo share the same genus (Panthera), but are different species (Panthera tigris and Panthera leo).
8. What is wrong with the binomial name Giraffa Camelopardalis (giraffe)? The species-specific part of the name should not be capitalized. The correct name is Giraffa camelopardalis.

References

'Studies of Trees' by Jacob Joshua Levison. gutenberg.org/ebooks/16116. n.p.

'Populus nigra.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.