[Cedars]

Originally Posted by Turtle

I often focus on a plant's leaf for identification, whether I'm ID'ing on the spot or referencing a source later on. Here's a few leaf tips I look for.

- leaf shape (oval, elliptical, curled, slender, etcetera)
- leaf margin (smooth, toothed, doubly toothed)
- leaf color (top & bottom)
- leave texture (smooth, hairy, waxy, etcetera)
- leaf size
- leaf attachment to stem
- leaf vein structure

Knowing that each of these is a potential identifying factor, I look over these features on each leaf I need to ID. That's all I got right now.

Good list there Turtle! I put off learning details about plant ID for years, even though I know how important it is in connecting alot of other interests I have (like birding).

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by Ganoderma

very useful, yes. but not many plants are described without flowers. thus, using flowers (aka reproductive organs) to ID is far more accurate. everything must be taken into account though i too use leaves as my first clues.

A major problem with focusing on the flowers is that they only occur on the plant for a portion of the year. Typically, plants' leaves can be examined even when flowers are absent, but not the reverse.

For deciduous annuals in Winter there is the bark and fruit to turn to for ID. If there's no fruit on the bare plant, try looking on the ground below.

[Ganoderma]

indeed yes, you need everything for an ID, but some genera are extremely difficult! the 2 above are good examples...another good example is cacti, without a flower no id is for sure...even after it is not always 100%. many trees seem easy, but tehre are many very similar plants that need to have their "goods" checked

i too follow your type of list first, i always check leaves first. but i will never be sure in my mind without leaves and flowers. then theres the hybrid issue.....

[InfiniteNow]

Oooh! I've got one!

If it scurries across the forest floor and is hairy with four legs, it's probably not a plant, it's probably...




... an animal!

[freeztar]

Conifers are so much easier to ID than deciduous trees, imho.
The main difference is the growth pattern seen from a distance.

Deciduous trees are usually undefined in form, but cone-bearing trees tend to have a more prominent distinction.

In the NW of the US, it is easy to see a Doug Fir forest and extrapolate that form to every future Doug Fir encounter. You happen to see a tree by the road and say, "There's a Doug Fir". Cedars are morphologically different, as are larches.

Outside my door is a sycamore, sweet gum, water oak, and tulip poplar. Much less obvious than the distinguished marks of the cone-bearers, but noble companions nonetheless (and hardier ).

[Turtle]

i'm hunting now for a list of plants & their phyllotaxic classification, as i never see that classification listed in usual plant id sources. none the less it is a strict method of identifying plants as well as a fascinating peek into Nature's use of mathematics. i ran across the subject of phyllotaxy when i raised bonsai.

>> Phyllotaxis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

>> About "Phyllotaxis"

>> http://www.math.ntnu.no/~jarlet/Douady96.pdf

>> Phyllotaxis -- from Wolfram MathWorld

>> Phyllotaxis

[Ganoderma]

indeed one of the best ways to work your way down the tree...makes it much easier....but many plants are very hard to distinguish with this method alone.

[Michaelangelica]

Thanks for this GREAT thread
Daisy- fine


I recognize square stemmed plants, daisies and not much else being too stupid to study botany
Funny I can recognize solanacare sp (potato et al)plants very easily-they just look the same.

Keep up he good work. I appreciate the lessons

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by Ganoderma

indeed [phylotaxis is] one of the best ways to work your way down the tree...makes it much easier....but many plants are very hard to distinguish with this method alone.

agreed. just one more tool in the ID toolbox. it sometimes can settle indecision between choices narrowed by other means, and along with leaf scars*, it is handy in Winter when no leaves or flowers are present.

*leaf scar: definition, usage and pronunciation - YourDictionary.com the shape of leaf scars are plant ID tools as well.

Originally Posted by Michaelangelica

I recognize square stemmed plants, daisies and not much else being too stupid to study botany
Funny I can recognize solanacare sp (potato et al)plants very easily-they just look the same.

cross section of stem! good call Micha. this can be invaluable with the grasses, a particularly challenging group of plants to differentiate.

[Ganoderma]

some very good reading is about Richard Shultes' experience in south America looking for and studying rubber plants....truly amazing! Also a good reminder of how important flowers can be in certain groups.

i totally gave up on grasses, they are a pain. now i go by tall, short and hard to kill.