Research Training Program

Terry Fitzpatric
Prairie View A & M University
Prairie View, Texas

Vicki Funk, Ph.D.
Supervising Scientist
Department of Botany

"Before I came here, I looked at plants indifferently, but after having participated in this internship, I look at them through eyes filled with wonder and amazement."

Compositae Curation

Data was collected on the seed morphology of well over 300 species of Gesneriaceae. All of the species represented were illustrated using S.E.M. photomicrographs. Utilizing notes and a dissertation on the seed surface morphology of Gesneriads done by Helen Beaufort-Murphy, the S.E.M. photos were inventoried and recorded. The S.E.M. photos were then filed with the actual seeds and any data collected. In addition, a seed file was created of those species not represented by S.E.M. photos. Also, care was taken of those species of Gesneriaceae represented in the greenhouse.