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Difference between revisions of "Plant Identification"
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To properly identify a plant, the whole plant has to be carefully observed. The physical form and external structure have to be studied to see what categories the plant fits into. These are the features that need to be observed- | To properly identify a plant, the whole plant has to be carefully observed. The physical form and external structure have to be studied to see what categories the plant fits into. These are the features that need to be observed- | ||
| − | + | == Habit (form) == | |
| − | *Herb | + | |
| − | Plants that have non-woody stems. Herbs can be annuals or perennials | + | *Herb: Plants that have non-woody stems. Herbs can be annuals or perennials |
| − | *Shrub | + | |
| − | Woody plants that are less than 6m tall and have multiple stems. Shrubs are perennials. | + | *Shrub: Woody plants that are less than 6m tall and have multiple stems. Shrubs are perennials. |
| − | *Tree | + | |
| − | Perennial woody plants with an elongated trunk with leafy branches at the top. | + | *Tree: Perennial woody plants with an elongated trunk with leafy branches at the top. |
| − | *Climber | + | |
| − | Plants with stems that are unable to stand erect, and use trees and other objects to climb up. There are herbaceous as well as woody climbers ([[lianas]]) | + | *Climber: Plants with stems that are unable to stand erect, and use trees and other objects to climb up. There are herbaceous as well as woody climbers ([[lianas]]) |
== Leaf type == | == Leaf type == | ||
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*Pinnate (even): Leaflets are attached along the rachis; there is no terminal leaflet and therefore an even number of leaflets. | *Pinnate (even): Leaflets are attached along the rachis; there is no terminal leaflet and therefore an even number of leaflets. | ||
| − | *Bipinnate: Leaflets that are further subdivided in a unipinnate arrangement. | + | **Bipinnate: Leaflets that are further subdivided in a unipinnate arrangement. |
| − | *Tripinnate: Leaflets that are further subdivided in a bipinnate arrangement. | + | **Tripinnate: Leaflets that are further subdivided in a bipinnate arrangement. |
*Palmate/Digitate: A type of compound leaf in which the leaflets all originate from the same point, like the fingers from the palm of the hand. | *Palmate/Digitate: A type of compound leaf in which the leaflets all originate from the same point, like the fingers from the palm of the hand. | ||
A way to distinguish simple leaves from compound leaves would be to check for axillary buds. Only simple leaves would have an axillary bud. Pinnate leaves will not have them. | A way to distinguish simple leaves from compound leaves would be to check for axillary buds. Only simple leaves would have an axillary bud. Pinnate leaves will not have them. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | == Leaf arrangement == | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Alternate: One leaf attached at a node, arranged alternately on the stem. | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Opposite: A pair of leaves attached at a node, arranged oppositely. | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Whorled: Three or more leaves attached at a node. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | == Leaf Shape == | ||
| + | Leaves come in a variety of shapes and sizes. | ||
| + | |||
| + | <gallery> | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology acuminate.png|Acuminate | ||
| + | Leaf morphology aristate.png|Aristate | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology cordate.png|Cordate | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology cuneate.png|Cuneate | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology deltate.png|Deltate | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology deltoid.png|Deltoid | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology digitate.png|Digitate | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology elliptic.png|Elliptic | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology ensiforme.PNG|Ensiforme | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology falcate.png|Falcate | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology flabelate.png|Flabelate | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology hastate.png|Hastate | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology lanceolate.png|Lanceolate | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology linear.png|Linear | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology lobed.png|Lobed | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology multifide.svg|Multifide | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology obcordate.png|Obcordate | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology oblanceolate.png|Oblanceolate | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology oblong.png|Oblong | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology obovate.png|Obovate | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology obtuse.png|Obtuse | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology orbicular.png|Orbicular | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology ovale.png|Ovale | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology pandurate.png|Pandurate | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology pedate.png|Pedate | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology peltate.png|Peltate | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology pinnatisect.png|Pinnatisect | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology posture plicate.png|Plicate | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology reniform.png|Reniform | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology rhombic.png|Rombic | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology spatulate.png|Spatulate | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology truncate.png|truncate | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
Revision as of 17:51, 8 April 2019
To properly identify a plant, the whole plant has to be carefully observed. The physical form and external structure have to be studied to see what categories the plant fits into. These are the features that need to be observed-
Habit (form)
- Herb: Plants that have non-woody stems. Herbs can be annuals or perennials
- Shrub: Woody plants that are less than 6m tall and have multiple stems. Shrubs are perennials.
- Tree: Perennial woody plants with an elongated trunk with leafy branches at the top.
- Climber: Plants with stems that are unable to stand erect, and use trees and other objects to climb up. There are herbaceous as well as woody climbers (lianas)
Leaf type
- Simple
A leaf that has an undivided blade. The leaf may be lobed but does not form distinct leaflets.
- Compound
The leaf blade is separated into separate leaflets. There are several ways in which the leaflets may be arranged on the rachis.
- Pinnate (odd): Leaflets are attached along the rachis; there is a terminal leaflet and therefore an odd number of leaflets.
- Pinnate (even): Leaflets are attached along the rachis; there is no terminal leaflet and therefore an even number of leaflets.
- Bipinnate: Leaflets that are further subdivided in a unipinnate arrangement.
- Tripinnate: Leaflets that are further subdivided in a bipinnate arrangement.
- Palmate/Digitate: A type of compound leaf in which the leaflets all originate from the same point, like the fingers from the palm of the hand.
A way to distinguish simple leaves from compound leaves would be to check for axillary buds. Only simple leaves would have an axillary bud. Pinnate leaves will not have them.
Leaf arrangement
- Alternate: One leaf attached at a node, arranged alternately on the stem.
- Opposite: A pair of leaves attached at a node, arranged oppositely.
- Whorled: Three or more leaves attached at a node.
Leaf Shape
Leaves come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Acuminate
Aristate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltate
Deltoid
Digitate
Elliptic
Ensiforme
Falcate
Flabelate
Hastate
Lanceolate
Linear
Lobed
Multifide
Obcordate
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovale
Pandurate
Pedate
Peltate
Pinnatisect
Plicate
Reniform
Rombic
Spatulate
truncate
