Plant descriptions. how to....

hortriot

Hello Bonsaitalkers.

Over the past few days i have read a few confusing threads asking for identification of, or advice on a plant, the author sometimes doesn't know the species or sometimes the genus which can confuse the reader and lead to incorrect advice.

This is not a dig/criticism at these threads. I aim to clear some things up.



There is a method for plant description to enable identification. It may not get as specific as to single out a cultivar but you should be able to find out the genus and species.

In the appendix of some plant books there is a list of descriptions for plant parts including flower types, leaf types, leaf stalks etc, but to save me typing it all out......

here is a link where you can read up on the descriptions and get familiar with the graphics ,it is quite concise.

http://www.hcs.ohio-state.edu/hcs30...ry/glossary.htm

There may be better sites but this is a good place to start.

Using this terminology you can provide a pretty good picture, (if you don't have a photo that is). A flower is always helpful but obviously with pines this can be hard to provide as technically they don't have flowers.If you can get used to using the terms, your plant could be identified much quicker/easier.

Of course there is a hitch, if you start using this language to describe a plant to those that don't speak this talk, you will inevitably hit a wall.

Give it a try

hope i haven't muddied the water

best of luck.......

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another day, another leaf

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hortriot

PS. there is a more concise method known as a key but i'm not sure this is neccesary here.

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another day, another leaf

Joanie

Thank you for this link! Every once in a while, we really need to remember that there are classification systems to help us, because a picture or verbal description isn't enough.

Joanie

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pootsie

Pity is, the people who need the most basic advice are unlikely to have any idea about identification keys.

Ovate? Dentate? Alternating or opposite? I don't know, they're just yellow!

pootsie

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p.s. My cat is a bonsaiTALK Master.
Columbus Bonsai Society

Joanie

"Help! My opposing dentate leaves are dying!"

Joanie

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Joanie

The hardest to understand is the "growth forms". Yikes.

Joanie

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PatArizona

G'day all...

Maybe we could use the KISS (KeepItSimpleS-----you fill it in...maybe Sonny) Principle here...

Like, provide the genus and species and common name. In other words, the botanical name and the common name.

The common name isn't always unique...IRONWOOD, for example, can be Carnipus caroliniana (American Horngeam), or Ostrya virginiana (American Hophornbeam) or Olneya tesota (Arizona Ironwood)...and that's just for starters. Worldwide, there are at least 15 different Genera that are called "ironwood".

Confusion running rampant!

Pat

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BONSAI isn't about surviving in a storm, rather, how to dance in the rain.
THE ONLY WAY: Always remember, and don't ever forget, that whatever you read here is not cast in concrete... the intent of any advice is to help. In no way should you feel that I’m saying that my way is the only way…heaven forbid! I've seen far too much of the "my way or the highway" attitude in bonsai as well as in other areas of life.

hortriot

pat,

you are spot on. common names are novel at best. they do often lead to confusion.

as for the previous posts, frustrating as novices may be, tolerance and encouragement is most important.......

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another day, another leaf

PatArizona

"...tolerance and encouragement is most important......."

Good on ya, Hortriot

Pat

PS...Don't forget patience!

__________________
BONSAI isn't about surviving in a storm, rather, how to dance in the rain.
THE ONLY WAY: Always remember, and don't ever forget, that whatever you read here is not cast in concrete... the intent of any advice is to help. In no way should you feel that I’m saying that my way is the only way…heaven forbid! I've seen far too much of the "my way or the highway" attitude in bonsai as well as in other areas of life.