Tag: plant_identification

Oak, sage, and buckwheat

A large oak stood on a ridge. Its thick branches of curved spiked leaves reached out to protect the bright sage by dark brown late summer crisped flowers of California buckwheat, still in the paltry breeze. How do these plants grow without much rain? These plants are native, right?

Yes, there are, but you can over water them during the summer. The heat and wet make the roots moist and ready for bacteria that could damage the plant. So, you plant them when it is wet and cold: October and November. Master Gardeners say to plant oaks like this one. This place, this region was full of them and their shade, stature against the wind, and nutrients and more nurture the smaller ones and the outstanding biodiversity of this region that’s in danger without them.

Beans sprouts

There were some beans left over that didn’t get soaked overnight. We tossed some in a black plastic container with a six inch diameter and nine inches tall to see if they would grow. They persisted in its stubborn, alkaline soil and broke green shoots with delicate curves of leaves. With infrequent watering, they grew in the hot sun.

How did these leaves unfurl so quickly?

  • drawing-of-a-bean-sprout-like-a-lily-pad
  • drawing-of-a-bean-sprout-like-a-sideways-spade
  • drawing-of-a-bean-sprout-like-a-spade
  • bean-sprouts-in-the-garden
Bean sprouts in the garden

An introduction to plant identification

Simple Criteria

We can use pattern on a leaf to identify its tree. Let’s start by zooming in to a leaf and working our way out.

  1. Vein pattern (Venation)
    1. Is there a single central vein with smaller veins branching off at intervals? Then, it is pinnate.
    2. Are there three or more central veins from the base spreading out like a fan? Then, it is palmate. (Think: maple leaf)
      • If it is a mix of pinnate and palmate, the leaf is pinnipalmate.
    3. Are there parallel veins? Then it is parallel.
  2. Shape
    1. Is the leaf widest at the center, like an ellipse? Then it is elliptical.
    2. Is it widest about a third from the base and then tapers to the apex? Then, it is like a lance: lanceolate.
      • If the reverse is true, then it is oblanceolate.
    3. Is it egg-shaped and widest below the middle? Then, it is ovate
      • If the reverse is true, then it is obvate
    4. Is it many times longer than wide? Then, it is linear.
  3. Edge of the leaf
    1. Is the edge of the leaf smooth or does it have teeth (serrate)?

Now after looking at the leaf by itself, let’s zoom out and identify how the leaf is arranged on the stem.

  • Arrangement
    • Is the leaf connected to the stem by itself? If so, then it has an alternating arrangement.
    • Are two leaves paired at the same height, one on each side of the stem? Then it has an opposite arrangement.
    • Are two or more leaves found at the same node? Then, it is whorled.

Example: Lemon tree (citrus limon)

A perennial that bears fruit all year.

A pinnate, elliptical, serrate leaf of a lemon tree taped to a notebook with a drawing of it on the right
A pinnate, elliptical, serrate leaf of a lemon tree
  1. Vein pattern (Venation): pinnate, a central vein with smaller branching veins
  2. Shape: Elliptical
  3. Edge of leaf: Serrate

Alternate arrangement on the stem. One leaf per a node, or connection to stem.