Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Plant Identification Handout
Plant Identification Handout
e.g.Quercus rubra
Back to our example:
• Atlas cedar
Plant Classification
• There are over 1 million
botanically different plants in
existence named by the binomial
system of nomenclature.
Plantanus x acerifolia
Plant name exercise
• What is the name of the plant that
produces maple syrup?
Integrated Approach to
Plant Identification
• Visual inspection of plant
characteristics
• Photographic references
• Plant classification keys
• Expert advice
Collect information
about what you see:
AA. canvas
E. velcro closures
EE. shoe laces
F. low top Keds
FF. high top Converse
Example of dichotomous key
A. Leaves needle-like
B. Needles clustered
C. 2-5 needles/cluster Pine
CC. >10 needles/cluster
BB. Needles not clustered
D. Pegs on twigs
E. Square, sharp needles Spruce
EE. Round, blunt needles Hemlock
DD. No pegs on twigs
F. Large pointed buds Douglas-fir
FF. Buds round, clustered True fir
Landscape Plants
Images, Identification, and Information
Volume 1 Copyright, Oregon State University, 1999-2004
http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants
More resources
More resources