Bulbs Flower Basics Flower Beds & Specialty Gardens Flower Garden Garden Furniture Garden Gnomes Garden Seeds Garden Sheds Garden Statues Garden Tools & Supplies Gardening Basics Green & Organic Groundcovers & Vines Growing Annuals Growing Basil Growing Beans Growing Berries Growing Blueberries Growing Cactus Growing Corn Growing Cotton Growing Edibles Growing Flowers Growing Garlic Growing Grapes Growing Grass Growing Herbs Growing Jasmine Growing Mint Growing Mushrooms Orchids Growing Peanuts Growing Perennials Growing Plants Growing Rosemary Growing Roses Growing Strawberries Growing Sunflowers Growing Thyme Growing Tomatoes Growing Tulips Growing Vegetables Herb Basics Herb Garden Indoor Growing Landscaping Basics Landscaping Patios Landscaping Plants Landscaping Shrubs Landscaping Trees Landscaping Walks & Pathways Lawn Basics Lawn Maintenance Lawn Mowers Lawn Ornaments Lawn Planting Lawn Tools Outdoor Growing Overall Landscape Planning Pests, Weeds & Problems Plant Basics Rock Garden Rose Garden Shrubs Soil Specialty Gardens Trees Vegetable Garden Yard Maintenance

How to Identify Plant Leaves

How to Start Lemon Seeds Indoors - watch on youtube
How to Identify Plant Leaves

How to Identify Plant Leaves. Sometimes, when a plant is not in flower, it isn't obvious what the plant is. You can use the color, shape and habit of leaf growth to help identify the plant in question. Here are some suggestions on how to identify plant leaves.

Sometimes, when a plant is not in flower, it isn't obvious what the plant is. You can use the color, shape and habit of leaf growth to help identify the plant in question. Here are some suggestions on how to identify plant leaves.
First, check the size and shape of the leaf. Some common shapes are good clues to the type of plant you are seeking. Take note if the shape is a simple ovate shape (like a candle flame), palmate (spread out like a hand) like a sycamore or maple leaf, or if it is bipinnate (with oval leaves lining a single stem on either side) like an ash tree, for some examples.
Check the color and thickness of the leaf. Notice the form and habit of growth. How tall is your plant and does it grow tall and thin or short and wide.
There are a number of web sites that can walk you through plant identification. Asking one question at a time you can be guided to identify your mystery plants. Try sites like Web World Wonders or some of the university sites to find keys for leaf identification in your area. Some links have been provided in the Resources below.
Once you've identified your plant, you will have a better idea of not only what your plant needs to grow well, but whether or not this is a plant you want to grow.

Check out these related posts