How To Identify A Plant
Carl von Linnaeus, 1707-1778 (credit: public domain)
The Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus developed a scientific method to identify plants in 1735. His botanical "keys" systematically organized morphological features of plants into a structure to follow when trying to identify a new plant. By ranking the arrangements of petals, ovaries, anthers, leaves, seeds, and bark, Linnaeus organized plants into families, genera, and species based on their similar characteristic. His Systema Naturae was the start of plant taxonomy and the basis of plant science in general. His system unlocked the evolutionary wonder of the plant world and still used today.
Hortus Cliffortianus, Linnaeus 1738 (public domain) Flower Arrangement Forms (credit: Claremont College)
The times have changed but the need to identify plants has not. New species and genera continue being discovered and determining their position and relationship on the 'tree of life' is important. DNA analysis, comparing samples of genetic sequences from different species, has confirmed many of the relationships Linnaeus originally identified, has completely re-ordered others into new relationships, and has greatly expanded understanding of plant evolution.
New tools keep emerging that allow ever more people to become involved with identifying plants even if they aren't students of plant biology. One clever mobile app turns a smartphone into an electronic "key" that can identify a plant seen while walking in a forest, in the mountains, or in the desert. The science organization, Pl@ntNet, has created Shazam to process plant features---flowers, leaves, bark---by sending photos from a phone to their botanical database. The database then compares the viewer's images to what is digitally stored so to help with an identification. As with digital maps that can get driving locations confused, digital plant ID's aren't perfect yet. However, with every new species that gets entered into the database, the ID's will improve. Pl@ntNet's application can be used by trained scientists and interested plant enthusiasts alike. It is a perfect example for assisting "citizen scientists" to use big-data tools where everyone learns in the process.
The knowledge of plants expands as more and more participants add data gather in the field by using such a technology. It also has the added benefit of counteracting 'plant blindness' which is a serious malady. Previously, you had to haul a bulky plant press around to prepare collected specimens. The dried plants were then sent to a dusty archive where few would see again. Now, your cell phone can open a "world of wonder" in real time to discover plants and their diversity. That can also become addictive!
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