Saturday August 15, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Offered by the North Coast Chapter of CNPS and Cal Poly Humboldt Biology Graduate Student Association
Registration LINK [not yet live, but soon]; notice that you do not need to tip Zeffy.
Asteraceae (Compositae) is the largest family of angiosperms worldwide and the most species rich and ecologically prominent plant family in California. On the North Coast alone, dozens of genera occur across prairies, dunes, wetlands, forests, and disturbed habitats. Asteraceae is ubiquitous, encompassing a wide range of taxa from common non-natives to regionally rare and endemic species. The ability to recognize and accurately key composites is essential for botanical surveying, wetland and habitat assessments, restoration, and general biological work. Asteraceae has a reputation for being overwhelming, with immense diversity and a large array of forms. However, with a fundamental understanding of the characteristics of the family and the patterns of keying in the Jepson Manual 2nd Ed., you will be able to break the big topic into manageable groups.
Target Audience: Professionals and students, consultants, regulators, ecologists, etc. Participants should have familiarity with basic plant terminology and experience using dichotomous keys such as the Jepson Manual.
Participants will gain proficiency in:
- Fundamental Asteraceae terminology, morphology, and inflorescence structure.
- Recognizing major head types (radiate, discoid, liguliflorous) and tribes that are most important on the North Coast.
- Using Jepson Manual 2nd Ed. or Jepson eFlora to key Asteraceae effectively.
- Distinguishing taxa that are commonly confused on the North Coast.
- Developing confident sight ID of common and ecologically important composites.
- A deeper appreciation for the diversity, structural innovation, and ecological importance of the sunflower family.
Description:
This is a full-day workshop on Asteraceae identification, using species that occur on the North Coast. The workshop begins with a focused lecture on composite morphology and diagnostic characters. It proceeds with guided dissection and practical step-by-step interpretation of differences. Following lunch, the evolutionary radiation of the Asteraceae will be narrated. Then we’ll jump back into keying specimens using dissecting microscopes. Throughout the day, work with the Jepson key will be supplemented with discussion of tribal-level patterns, common pitfalls, and practical field recognition tips. Emphasis will be placed on learning locally occurring taxa while building a strong structural understanding of the family.
Cost: $175 CNPS members; $225 non-CNPS members; Students; $35
Registration: LINK [not yet live but soon]; notice that you do not need to tip Zeffy.
Venue: Cal Poly Humboldt, Arcata, CA. Directions and additional information will be provided to registered participants about a week before the workshop. Continental breakfast and simple lunch included.
Instructors:
Zachary Kinman is a graduate student at Cal Poly Humboldt whose master’s research involves Asteraceae systematics and speciation.
Kipp Pow is an environmental consultant who studied solitary bee biology for his master’s thesis and who has taken a workshop on Asteraceae identification through the Jepson herbarium.
Paul Wilson is a retired professor of Ecology and Evolution. He worked at Cal State Northridge.
Anise Dellith-Moser is a graduate student at Cal Poly Humboldt who has been working as a Teaching Associate providing instruction in Plant Taxonomy Lab classes.