Authors: Annika Wood
Mentors: Michael Rotter
Insitution: Utah Valley University
The Asteraceae is the most common plant family in Utah County, Utah. With over 79 genera and 238 species, it is also the most diverse family. Due to this substantial size and diversity, the genera of the Asteraceae have traditionally been placed into tribes. This confusing taxonomic situation has made the Asteraceae a noticeable but difficult group to identify. In particular the beginning botany students and non-technically trained citizens often can recognize the Asteraceae but have trouble distinguishing the many species. To help with this issue, we are creating a guide to the tribes and genera of the Asteraceae of Utah County. This key will provide a general view of which genera are connected and which are not. Knowing these patterns and differences could prove to be useful information for those who wish to know more about the fantastic plants that grow within Utah County. The course of action for creating these keys include research of the specimens in Utah Valley University's herbarium as well as other online herbariums. For the tribes we are specifically researching the distinct taxonomic classifications for each tribe individually as well as what connects them together. When those connections and distinctions are laid out in an understandable key, we will further create keys for each genera in the tribes. The end result we hope will be a useful and informative tool for identifying plants in the Asteraceae family.