Identifying Plants

This website is aimed at giving the reader a true and correct description of plants in order to identify them in the field. This is an effort that is sometimes precarious because plants, even of the same species, have varying growth habitats according to the climate and soil conditions. Tree heights can vary greatly from one location to the next.

Certain characteristics, such as the leaf, flower, and fruit, do not change. Since no plant is permanently in flower or fruit, it is the leaf that often seals the process of identification.

Trunk

On approach, the shape of the trunk and texture of the bark help give a clear indication of the species in question, such as the pale, flaky bark of a eucalyptus tree that is distinctive in identifying the tree. The shape of trunks can vary from species to species. They can be straight boles like those of a crooked and gnarled like those of a Dhak. 

The texture of a tree's bark ranges from smooth to flaky or fissured and is sometimes distinctly spiky, like that of a young Chorisia, which when mature becomes less spiky.

Leaves

On closer inspection, the factors that confirm the species of a plant are the leaf, flower, and sometimes its distinctive fruit. Leaves are classified as simple or compound. 

Simple leaves are often identified by their shape and arrangement. For example, a peepal leaf is heart-shaped with an acutely pointed tip.

Compound leaves are easier to identify and are common to certain groups of trees. For example, the palmately compound leaf defines most trees in the mallow family. They are further sub-classified as palmate, pinnate, or feathered, twice pinnate, or rarely thrice pinnate. There are also compound leaves made up of two leaflets like those of Anjan and Bauhinia, and sometimes three leaves as in Barna and Flame of the Forest.

Flowers

Most plants can be clearly identified by their flowers. A most distinct example is the flower of the Bird of Paradise, whose bird-like shape and dramatic colours leave no doubt about its species. However, some flowers are inconspicuous in shape, such as those of Maulsari, but have a distinct smell that identifies the tree.

Edible fruits such as apples, pears, and jackfruit require little description and are easily recognised by most people. Some fruits, however, are not so common but easily identify the plant, such as the rattling pods of Siris or the long, bean-like pods of Babool with a curvy edge.