Key to Plant Traits
(Created by David Archbald)
To help identify an unknown forb, you may fill out this form and click the "Submit" button at the bottom. That will bring up any Cedar Creek plants that match those traits.

If you need to identify a tree, please see the tree key, or for ferns, the fern key.

(About these keys)

How tall is the plant? (more info)

		Less than one foot tall (under 30 cm)
		One foot tall but less than two feet (30-60 cm)
		Two feet or more tall (over 60 cm)
		Don't know

Does any leaf have a petiole? (more info)

		Yes, petiole is present
		No, petiole is absent
		Not clear

How are the leaves arranged? (more info)

		Alternate
		Opposite
		Whorled
		None of the above (or don't know)

What about the leaves themselves? (more info)

		Simple leaves, about as long as broad
		Simple leaves, 1.5 to 5 times as long as broad
		Simple leaves, over 5 times as long as broad
		Compound trifoliate leaves
		Compound palmate leaves
		Compound pinnate leaves
		None of the above (or don't know)

What is the nature of the leaf edge? (more info)

		Edge is entire (smooth)
		Edge is toothed or scalloped, with four or more per inch (less than about 6 mm between teeth)
		Edge is irregular
		Edge is deeply cut
		None of the above (or don't know)

How do the veins on the leaves appear? (more info)

		Veins more or less parallel
		Veins branched
		Don't know

What about the stems? (more info)

		Creeping or twining
		Hairy or spiny
		Square
		None of the above

How are the flowers arranged? (more info)

		Flowers singly on the stem
		Several flowers on the stem
		Flowers in a cluster or a spike
		Flowers in an umbel
		None of the above (or don't know)

What are the flowers like? (more info)

		Three petals each
		Four petals each
		Five petals each
		Six petals each
		Seven or more petals
		Like a tube or bell
		Irregular in form
		Don't know

How wide do the flowers appear to be? (more info)

		Less than 1/8 inch wide (under 3 mm)
		1/8 inch but smaller than 3/8 inch (3-10 mm)
		3/8 inch but smaller than 5/8 inch (10-15 mm)
		5/8 inch but smaller than 1 inch (15-25 mm)
		1 inch but smaller than 2 inches (25-50 mm)
		2 inches or more wide (over 50 mm)
		Don't know

What color are the flowers? (more info)

		Whitish
		Pink to red
		Yellow to orange
		Brownish or greenish
		Blue to purple
		Don't know

When does the plant bloom? (more info)

		April or earlier
		May
		June
		July
		August
		September or later
		Don't know

(We are seeking experts to develop descriptions and keys for the lichens and also for the fungi of Cedar Creek. Dr. Jan Janssens of BetaMax Research has kindly agreed to work up the mosses.)