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.
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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.
HOW TO TELL WHAT KIND OF TREE IT IS BY THE LEAVES 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. If the smaller leaves have tiny stems that attach them to the main stem, you may be dealing with leaves from a Pecan, Honey or Black Locust, Walnut, Ash or Hickory tree.To identify an item is to recognize the item and associate it with its appropriate name. If the smaller leaves seem to grow directly from the stem, they are likely from a Chestnut or Buckeye tree. If the lobes are even, the leaves may be from a Maple, Sweet Gum, Yellow Poplar, Red Oak or White Oak tree.Ĭompound leaves are slightly easier to deal with. If the lobes are uneven, the leaf may be from a Mulberry or Sassafras tree. If the leaf is lobed, decide if the lobes look even or not.If it has spiked edges, it may be a Willow, Beech, Elm, Birch or Cherry tree leaf. If it has smooth edges, it may be a Magnolia, Dogwood, Persimmon, Black Gum or Water Oak leaf. If the leaf is unlobed, decide if it has smooth or spiked edges.If you have a simple leaf, decide if it is, unlobed (completely solid all around) or lobed (scalloped edges that weave in towards the stem and back out). It essentially looks like a stem with several simple leaves attached. Compound leaves have one stem that has several leaves coming off it.Simple leaves have a single stem that runs up through the body of the leaf, with veins coming off from the central stem leaf system.Start by deciding if the leaf is simple or compound: They typically come from hardwood or deciduous trees. They are the most typical kinds of leaves and are associated with the greatest number of trees. They can be the most difficult to classify, simply because there are so many different kinds.
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The leaves that are not needles or scaly are either simple or compound leaves. Step 3: Check for Simple and Compound Leaves