This course is an introduction to the classification, identification, ecological adaptation and distribution of the native plants of Alberta. The focus is the use of botanical dichotomous keys, identifying characteristics, morphology, and terminology in the Flora of Alberta. Concepts of botanical nomenclature, species epithet, and author are taught, in addition to collection principles and the creation of permanent herbarium records. For higher taxa, the plant phylogeny, life cycles and characteristics are discussed. While the focus is on vascular plants, a brief survey of a number of common mosses and Sphagnum is included.