Plant Identification

"Take on the challenge of plant identification and you might feel a little overwhelmed! Any given area can contain hundreds of different species. Plants, especially wildflowers, come in a high diversity of colors, shapes, sizes, textures and even smells. To effectively identify plants in the field, a simple method based on easily observable and comparable characteristics is required. One such system is ""Newcomb's Method"" outlined in Newcomb's Wildflower Guide by Lawrence Newcomb. This straightforward approach to plant identification is used in many of Alderleaf's courses. Newcomb's Method is easy to learn and is based on three easily observed plant parts. Despite being written for primarily the central and northeastern regions of North America, the majority of plants found in North America are included. This plant identification method trains your eye to recognize important plant characteristics. Using Newcomb's Wildflower Guide in conjunction with a local plant book (for cross-referencing) is one of the most effective systems for quickly identifying plants. Breaking it Down Identifying plants using Newcomb's Method involves looking at the flower type, the plant/branching type, and the leaf type. This system uses a series of questions to guide you towards species identification. The questions are as follows:"