Plant Identification - Botanical Sunprints · Flora Delaterra, plant detective. Montanna public...
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Plant Identification Sheila Macfie, PhD Dept. of Biology,
Transcript of Plant Identification - Botanical Sunprints · Flora Delaterra, plant detective. Montanna public...
Plant Identification
Sheila Macfie, PhD
Dept. of Biology,
Why identify plants?• Joy of discovery• Ecological literacy• Biodiversity awareness• Communication
https://pixabay.com
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”
https://pixabay.com
B) Irregular (asymmetrical) flower parts
jack-in-the-pulpit
Lady slipper orchid
clover
touch-me-notorange jewelweedand 5 other names
Impatiens capensis (Meerb)
https://pixabay.com
C) Indistinguishable flower parts
4. Forb plant types
https://pixabay.com
A) Basal leaves only
https://pixabay.com
B) Leaf arrangement along the stem
alternate opposite whorled
5. Forb leaf types A) leaf margins
https://pixabay.com
Entire (no teeth)
Toothed (single, double, sharp, smooth)
B) leaf shapes
https://pixabay.com
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)
