Plant Identification

Sheila Macfie, PhD

Dept. of Biology,

Why identify plants?• Joy of discovery• Ecological literacy• Biodiversity awareness• Communication

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Elements of identification1. Latin versus common names

https://pixabay.comhttp://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/sci-names.htm; https.//en.wikipedia.org

Nymphaea odorata (Aiton)Over 15 common names in English; incl. beaver root and fragrant, white, or sweet-scented water lily

Acer rubrum (L.)red, scarlet, swamp, or soft maple

Latin (binomial) namesGenus (taxonomic relationship)

Acer (maples)

Bellis (daisies)

Solidago (goldenrods)

Species name (specific epithet)

australis (southern)

rotundifolia (round-leaved)

rubrum (red)

vulgaris (common)

AuthorityL. = Carl Linnaeus

(1707-1778)

Lam. = JB Lamarck (1744-1829)

Vanij. = OngkarnVanijajiva

(born 1977)

e.g., Acer rubrum (L.)

2. Plant type

Trees – Grasses – Forbs Woody Not woody

3. Forb flower types https://pixabay.com

A) Regular (symmetrical) flower parts

≥ 7 regular parts 6 regular parts 3 regular partsAsters and daisies

4 regular parts family Brasicaceae• Also called ‘crucifers’• Cabbages and mustards • 372 genera; 4060 species• Linnaeus named the group “Tetradynamia”

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B) Irregular (asymmetrical) flower parts

jack-in-the-pulpit

Lady slipper orchid

clover

touch-me-notorange jewelweedand 5 other names

Impatiens capensis (Meerb)

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C) Indistinguishable flower parts

4. Forb plant types

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A) Basal leaves only

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B) Leaf arrangement along the stem

alternate opposite whorled

5. Forb leaf types A) leaf margins

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Entire (no teeth)

Toothed (single, double, sharp, smooth)

B) leaf shapes

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Lobed Simple Divided

A test:How many of the following are in these pictures?

• Divided leaves

• Leaves with toothed margins

https://commons.wikimedia.org

6. Other clues : time and locationPhysostegia virginiana (L.) Benth.

Obedient plant, Obedience, False Dragonhead

Meehania (Meehania cordata). Light purple flowers, 1-1.5” long. Rich woods. W Pennsylvania to S, Illinois. Late spring and early summer.

Lyre-leaved Sage (Salvia lyrica). Violet flowers, about 1” long. Dry, open woods. S Connecticut to S Illinois. Late spring and early summer.

False Dragonhead (Physostegia virginiana). Pale purple or rose flowers, ¾-1” long. Moist thickets and banks. E Canada to N Mexico. Summer and fall.

Do you know which plants grow near your home or in your favourite natural area?

Flora Delaterra, plant detectiveMontanna public radio(1996-2013)