#Leaf guide tree identification key how to#

Simple leaves have only one leaf blade, with or without a stalk or petiole.Leaves may have a single undivided blade or a blade that is divided into parts. For example in Crape Myrtle ( Lagerstroemia indica) the lower leaves of a shoot may have an opposite leaf arrangement, but toward the end of the shoot the leaves may be alternate or even whorled. Occasionally a given plant may exhibit more than a single type of leaf arrangement. Sometimes more than two leaves arise from the same location (node) on a twig, the leaves may radiate from the twig like the spokes on wheel, this is called a whorled arrangement. Opposite leaves are common in the following genera: Buxus (boxwood), Cornus (dogwood), Euonymus, Fraxinus (ash), Lonicera and Viburnum. Opposite leaves refer to two leaves being attached at the same location (a node) on a stem, but opposite one another, that is, on either side of the stemĬommon Boxwood,.Alternate leaves have only a single leaf attached at one location (a node) on a stem, often the leaves alternate from one side to the other as one moves along the stem, or they may be in a spiral pattern around the stem.Įastern Redbud, Īmerican Elm, Īlternate leaves are common in the following genera: Alnus (alder), Crataegus (hawthorn), Cotoneaster, Magnolia, Prunus, Quercus (oak), and Rubus.There are two large groups, alternate and opposite patterns, and a third less common pattern, whorled. The pattern by which leaves are attached to a stem or twig is also a useful characteristic in plant identification. Incense Cedar, [ Calocedrus decurrens, branchlets with scale-like leaves

Norway Spruce, ĭeodar Cedar and Blue Atlas Cedar, Narrow leaves are slender, without a wide blade, these leaves are often referred to as “needle” or “scale-like”.Ĭonifers, such as pine ( Pinus), spruce ( Picea) and juniper ( Juniperus), have narrow leaves, some have needles.įamiliar examples of plants with broad leaves are apple ( Malus), oak ( Quercus), maple ( Acer), etc. Broad leaves have a wide blade, often with a visible network of veins.Leaves can be divided into categories of broad and narrow. Although basketball players may vary in size, shape, and color, a “typical” physical characteristic of a basketball player often is “tallness”. So when trying to determine the identity of a plant by its leaves, make sure you examine many leaves and attempt to determine what might be considered “typical” leaf characteristics. They may vary in size, color, and even shape and those that receive much sun may look different from those in heavy shade.

(Use your browser's Back button to return to this page.)įirst be aware that all the leaves on a given plant do not have the same size or even appearance. There is a bud at the point where the petiole attaches to the stem. The blade, the wide or more obvious part of a leaf,Īnd the “stalk” or petiole by which the blade is attached to the stem. Leaves are often the basis for identifying plants since they are so easily observed. So what are some plant characteristics that can be used to identify plants? Similarly, we can probably all immediately recognize a Volkswagen Beetle among a group of cars in a parking lot. Some plants characteristics are so obvious or unique that we can recognize them without a detailed examination of the plant. However, with many horticultural plants, especially woody plants, we may have to make an identity without regard to flowers, for often flowers are not present or are very small, and other characteristics may be more obvious. Structural similarity of reproductive parts is an important means by which plants are categorized, grouped, named, and hence identified. Now if this was a botany class dealing with plant systematics, the field of study concerned with identification, naming, classification, and evolution of plants, we would spend a good deal of time on the reproductive parts of plants, i.e., mostly the various parts of the flower, i.e., stamen, ovary, stigma, etc.

#Leaf guide tree identification key how to#

Accurate identification of a cultivated plant can be very helpful in knowing how it grows (e.g., size shape, texture, etc.) as well as how to care and protect it from pests and diseases.įirst let’s look at some common characteristics of plants that are useful in identifying them. Identifying a landscape or garden plant requires recognizing the plant by one or more characteristics, such as size, form, leaf shape, flower color, odor, etc., and linking that recognition with a name, either a common or so-called scientific name. Or, that large woody plant in the park is a tree, more specifically a Doug-fir. Such as, that tan automobile in front of our house is a Honda Accord. To identify an item is to recognize the item and associate it with its appropriate name.