Diario del proyecto Flora and Fauna by Hugo, Nina, and Weiyi

Adaptations of the Douglas Fir Tree (Pseudotsuga menziesii):

Due to the constant stress of growing in the context of forest fires, the Douglas Fir has developed numerous adaptations that help it survive. First, the Douglas Fir has developed a bark that is much thicker than other woody trees, almost cork-like in its composition. This helps protect older trees in their longevity. Second, the tree has developed adventitious roots, meaning that they grow directly out of the trunk of the tree rather than out of other roots. This allows the Douglas Fir to be stronger and less likely to be tipped over. Third, the tree has developed a rapid growth cycle as well as a long individual life cycle. This permits the abundance of trees helping it from drying out or becoming more scarce across the forests.

(Source: Bioweb.uwlax.edu)

Phylogeny Placement of the Douglas Fir Tree (Pseudotsuga menziesii):

Domain: Eukarya

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Coniferophyta
Class: Pinopsida
Order: Pinales
Family: Pinaceae
Genus: Pseudotsuga
Species: Pseudotsuga menziesii

(Source: Bioweb.uwlax.edu)

Adaptation across Observations:

An adaptation that the observed species have in common is some form of defense mechanism. As mentioned previously, the Douglas Fir is able to use its thick, cork-like bark to protect itself from animals and fires, while the European Cross spider uses venom delivered through a bite to defend itself. Similarly, Rubus fruiticosus, the European Bramble, uses sharp thorns to protect grazing wildlife and birds from eating its vines before the berry bushes flower and later when the blackberries are produced. The rose plant follows the same method, using thorns to prevent animals from consuming its stem and leaving its vibrant petals as an attractant to pollinators. Lastly, the seed of the false bindweed maintains a certain level of toxicity.

1 adaptation of Rhus typhina
Rhus typhina is able to survive in a wide range of conditions. It can tolerate slightly acidic soils with it’s texture ranging from fine to coarse. It can even grow in air-polluted area.

1 phylogeny placement
(Jerusalem Artichoke)
Planta, Tracheophyta, Magnoliopsida, Asterales, Asteraceae, Helianthus, Tuberosus

1 common adaptation
One adaptation the plants all share is that their leaves all have pointed tips. This allows water to drip down the leaves so that they won’t be damaged. The leaves also have serrated edges. Plants with serrated leaves photosynthesize early in the growing season. This helps these plants to survive in cold climate, because cold temperature limits photosynthesis. This adaptation is consistent with the cold climate in Montreal.

1 unique adaptation for one selected observation:
Rough Cocklebur：
Fruits of cocklebur is enclosed in bur with hooked spines on the surface, which facilitate their dispersal. Their special hooked spines have them easily attached to fur and skin of passing animals or socks, shoes and cloth of humans. Therefore, these "hitchhikers" are able to travel large distances to grow and reproduce.

1 phylogeny placement for one selected observation：
Zephyranthes candida (White Rain-Lily) is in Zephyranthes, Amaryllidoideae, Amaryllidaceae, Asparagales, Monocots, Angiosperms, plantae.

1 adaptation that all observations have in common:
They all have mechanisms to modulate water loss. Flora have stomatal movement (open and close) to increase and reduce transpiration according to humidity. Most of them also shed their leaves to decrease water loss in dry conditions. Spiders also has exoskeleton to prevent water loss and excessive water loss.