How to identify a Plant by its Leaves

Identifying plants using their leaves

Environmental Science

​Know the surrounding envronment and its conditions.

Evergreens are common in coniferous forests in cold regions.

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​Note the climate and region

Look for distinct characteristics on the stalks and branches that contain hardwood are usually wood plants, while soft, flexible branches are characteristics of herbaceous plants.

​Observe Stems and Branches

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​Broad, wide leaves indicate a tropical plant

Pointy pine needles may indicate an evergreen species. Triangular leaves may indicate herbaceous plants

Thick, waxy leaves may indicate succulents​

​Check the leaf shape and size

Formation and structure of the plant's leaves. Count the lobes on the plant;s leaves and note whethehr its edges are smooth or notched. clusters of three blunt-toothed leaflets can mean poison ivy, while rounded lobes mean poison oak.

Check the leaf arrangement

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Use the details you have pointed out about your leaf to help you determine the type of plant it is.

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​Narrow your search

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​In your search, remember to include information about the region you found the leaf!!!

​The next slide is a link to a helpful website

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Remember we live in SC

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Google search:

"identifying trees by leaves with pictures South Carolina"​

​Add other details about your leaf as it applies​

​Research!

​Link didn't work?

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Identification Requirements

Write all responses in your Environmental notebook!

Identification must include:

• Rough sketch or drawing of the leaf

• Both common name and scientific name of the organism

• 1-3 facts found about the organism from research

• Estimate how common the organism is in our forests of LHS

  • limit estimate responses to: rare, sparse, common, very common