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Difference between revisions of "Plant Identification"
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**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. | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Trifoliate: A compound leaf made up of three leaflets. | ||
*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. | ||
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<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
File:Leaf morphology acuminate.png|Acuminate | File:Leaf morphology acuminate.png|Acuminate | ||
| − | Leaf morphology aristate.png|Aristate | + | File:Leaf morphology aristate.png|Aristate |
File:Leaf morphology cordate.png|Cordate | File:Leaf morphology cordate.png|Cordate | ||
File:Leaf morphology cuneate.png|Cuneate | File:Leaf morphology cuneate.png|Cuneate | ||
| Line 78: | Line 80: | ||
File:Leaf morphology spatulate.png|Spatulate | File:Leaf morphology spatulate.png|Spatulate | ||
File:Leaf morphology truncate.png|truncate | File:Leaf morphology truncate.png|truncate | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | == Leaf attachment == | ||
| + | The point of attachment of a leaf to a stem. | ||
| + | |||
| + | <gallery> | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology attachment amplexicaul.png|Amplexicaule | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology attachment decurrent.png|Decurrent | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology ocrea.svg|Ocrea | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology attachment perfoliolate.png|Perfoliate | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology attachment petiolate.png|Petiolate | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology attachment sessile.png|Sessile | ||
| + | File:Leaf morphology attachment sheathing.png|Sheathing | ||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
Revision as of 18:02, 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.
- Trifoliate: A compound leaf made up of three leaflets.
- 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
Leaf attachment
The point of attachment of a leaf to a stem.
Amplexicaule
Decurrent
Ocrea
Perfoliate
Petiolate
Sessile
Sheathing
