Part of the joy of having a garden is knowing exactly which plants are growing. In some ways, learning the names, characteristics, and growth patterns of plants is like learning a new language. It’s this kind of knowledge that helps create a meaningful relationship between gardener and garden.
This article will cover the basics of identifying plants, including some top tips and some apps that can be a real boon when trying to tell plants apart.
How to identify plant leaves
Although the flowers of a plant seem like the first port of call when trying to identify it, it’s not always the best practice. Identifying a plant by its leaves is a preferable method because the leaves are present for most of the year, whereas flowers only appear during the flowering season.
To identify a plant by its leaves, it’s vital to take several different characteristics of the foliage into account. The two main characteristics to observe are the leaf itself, otherwise known as the “blade”, and the configuration of the stalk. This section of the plant is also known as the “petiole”.
Leaves are present on most plants from the early spring through to the fall. Some categories of plants such as evergreens will keep their leaves for the whole year, making it easier to identify these species even in the winter.
How to tell plant leaves apart
There are five main characteristics to evaluate when trying to identify a plant using its leaves:
Leaf type
There are several different types of leaf. Many leaves will be the quintessential type – a broad, green singular protrusion from the stalk, usually teardrop-shaped. These are known as “simple” leaves.
For some trees like pines, their “leaves” come in the form of needles. Other plants, such as ferns, will have multiple smaller leaves growing out evenly in all directions from a single leaf stalk. These types are referred to as “compound” leaves.
Other plants will take this a step further with “double compound” leaf systems. These plants have petioles that have multiple smaller branches that each have leaves growing on both sides. Acacias are a good example of this.
Leaf shape
The shape of a leaf is also a key thing to evaluate. Many leaves may be teardrop-shaped, such as ash. Maples have a distinctive lobed shape that’s easily recognizable.
Some plants, like buddleia, will have lance-shaped (lanceolate) leaves. Other shapes include heart-shaped leaves (cordate) and oval or egg-shaped (ovate) leaves.
Leaf edges
The edges of the leaves can also be a giveaway when trying to identify a plant. Check if the margins of the leaf are smooth or if they have lobes or teeth. With tooth-edged plants, the serrated shapes can be finely-toothed or quite jagged and coarse.
Leaf lobes
Some leaves, such as maple leaves, have noticeable lobes as part of their shape. These lobes can be pointed or rounded. The positioning of the lobes is also an identifying characteristic.
Some lobes are pinnate, which means that the lobes branch out from either side of the center of the leaf. Palmate lobes extend in various directions from the main body of the leaf.
Leaf stalk
The way that the leaf stalks are arranged on a plant can help with identification. Some leaves will grow out from the stalk in opposite directions, creating a symmetrical growth pattern. On other plants, the leaves will grow in an alternating direction like a series of footsteps.
Other plants grow in a whorled fashion, with multiple leaves growing out from a single shared location on the stem. Even when foliage has dropped off in the fall or winter, looking at the stem structure of the plant can still aid identification.
Plant ID tips
While evaluating the five characteristics of a leaf described above can solve most identification queries,some other tips can help as well.
Observing the growing behavior of an unidentified plant can provide clues to its identification. Noting down when the plant flowers and when its flowering season stops is a good behavior to monitor.
Some summer flowering plant may also open their blooms during the night rather than the day. Seeing the appearance of the plant’s buds or fruits can also help identify it during the fruiting or flowering seasons.
The thickness and feel of the leaf are some good things to observe, especially with fleshy plants such as succulents. Another thing to examine is the vein structure on the leave and how the veins are arranged.
3 apps to help identify plants
In the smartphone era, there are several plant identification apps available. Here are three of the best:
PlantSnap
One of the most commonly used plant ID apps, PlantSnap is extremely simple to use. When trying to identify a plant, simply take a picture or a short video through the app. The software searches a database of over 500,000 species and often delivers a response in a matter of seconds.
PlantNet
PlantNet is a collated database of over 20,000 plants created by its users. After receiving a picture, PlantNet will ask the user if the results match the appearance of the unknown plant. Upon confirmation, this new result is added to keep the database as accurate as possible.
FlowerChecker
While the previous two apps were free, FlowerChecker is a paid app. However, rather than relying on a computer database, queries are sent to a team of botanists who evaluate the photo and identify the plant before replying. Despite taking an hour or more, FlowerChecker delivers expert knowledge.
How to identify a plant for free
As well as using free or paid apps, there are a couple of other ways to identify plants for free:
Google Lens and Google Images
Google Lens is an advanced camera app that can recognize objects placed in front of the lens. The software performs a search for related images, helping users compare an object to similar results. Google Images works in a similar way using Reverse Image Search.
Additionally we have provided more resources on growing plants by specific plants. Do check out the resources.
