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Auxin

Plant ID resources?

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I've never been especially good at IDing wild plants.

Is there any sort of site or pdf that gives good tips at identifying plants using internet resources?

Like right now I'm looking at one that I think I narrowed down to Family Asteraceae (definatly), Tribe Gnaphalieae (probably) but I get lost from there :BANGHEAD2: Its even a common wildflower in my region.. but people only seem to photograph wildflowers if theyre the type europeans would find attractive :lol:

Edited by Auxin

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I've never been especially good at IDing wild plants.

Is there any sort of site or pdf that gives good tips at identifying plants using internet resources?

Like right now I'm looking at one that I think I narrowed down to Family Asteraceae (definatly), Tribe Gnaphalieae (probably) but I get lost from there :BANGHEAD2: Its even a common wildflower in my region.. but people only seem to photograph wildflowers if theyre the type europeans would find attractive :lol:

 

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A good starting point would be to get some books about local wildflowers - ones with photos, diagrams etc. Or you could phone up your national parks & wildlife service and ask to speak to a botanist for some guidance.

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Yeah thats what I'm generally told, lol

However for the former, introduced or rare plants would be omitted. For the latter, that wouldnt really be IDing them for myself now, would it? ;)

I could also post pics here and someone would likely know but if I did that for every odd plant I saw I'd drive you folks nuts :P

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Auxin..........I'm sure you'll find what you seek at one of these links, just be sure you click on every link found within them !! :wink:

http://www.dmoz.org/Science/Biology/Flora_and_Fauna/Plantae/

http://www.khake.com/page78.html

Wildflower Identification.... there's even a PC app you can dl

http://www.realtimerendering.com/flowers/flowers.html

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just be sure you click on every link found within them !! :wink:

laugh2.gif

Thanks, that third one especially will be useful

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learn about,dichotomous key.

Then i reckon screw the internet and get some good keying books from local library.. go wild.

They books will be made specially for your area (state), you will most likely need 2 books, 1 to key family, then you use the family name and the 2nd book to key down to genus/species.

I know you mentioned internet resources but in the end its easier just going to the library after you sort threw the load of crap the net is full with, even if you goto drive 4hrs to get to the library, a good keying book is essential...

Theres like 50 thousand ASTERACEAE keys there, I just just google..

or.... http://plantfileonline.com/ but you may have to pay for access, i get free access from my study. (very sweeeeet!)

or..... Try the free stuff here http://www.lucidcentral.org/

Edited by vual

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Ooo, sweet.. that berkeley key will help alot, thanks :)

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i like to start with orders. the higher up you go, the easier sometimes. first find the descriptions to the various orders your into. then follow the trail down the system the way you like. your on the right track when you can tell the different orders apart in the field. then try and get down to families. in a lot of cases species, and even genus, are not readily identified in the field, but have specimens taken back for someone to properly ID...so dont get down on yourself if you cant nail species in the field most of the time.

one site i enjoy is efloras.org

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