Plant Identification

The Quick and Easy
Way to Identify Plants

         First of all in order to facilitate plant identification... let me suggest a notebook or sketchbook [see page on Photography & Sketching] in which to record your notes on the particular flowers you have found.

Then the 'how to' of quick and easy note taking:

        So first, note the number of petals. {Up to 4;  5-7;   and 8 or more.}

        Next, check the number of sepals.

        Then check the colour, either white, yellow, red and pink, blue, or green and inconspicuous.

        Lastly, note where it is growing. Is it in full sun, partial or full shade, dry conditions, boggy, or growing IN the water?

The other things to take note of are the stems and leaves. With the stems, are they round or square, smooth or hairy? And as for leaves, there are many shapes and arrangements, as well as different textures and shades of green.

It is best to note if the leaves are opposite, arranged in whorls or scattered up the stems, or, are they just at ground level? Also, note the size and shape of the leaves, and if that size and/or shape changes with the position of the leaf on the stems.

When all these details have been taken down, you will have a fairly complete picture with which to go to your Field Guide and make a plant identification ... who knows, it may be a rarity!

The above is just a simple introduction to plant identification... your Wildflower Books and Field Guides should all have detailed sections on identifying the beautiful wild flowers which it will be your priviledge to find.

To facilitate your search for plant identification books I am including a link to somewhere where it should be easy to find just what you are looking for!

At Amazon you will find a vast choice... US based...

Our BOOKS page has links and useful information on all aspects of selecting your ideal books; and our Photography & Sketching page is a mine of useful information!

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