You're a landscape architect working in a rural environment. How can you identify plants with ease?

1 Use your senses

One of the simplest ways to identify plants is to use your senses of sight, touch, smell, and sometimes taste. You can observe the shape, size, color, texture, and pattern of the leaves, stems, flowers, fruits, and seeds. You can also feel the surface, edges, and veins of the leaves, or smell the fragrance of the flowers or the sap. Some plants may have distinctive flavors that can help you identify them, but be careful not to taste anything that may be poisonous or harmful.

2 Learn the basics

Another way to identify plants is to learn the basic terms and concepts of plant morphology, anatomy, and taxonomy. You don't have to be a botanist, but knowing some common plant families, genera, and species can help you narrow down your options. You can also learn how to use dichotomous keys, which are guides that help you identify plants by asking a series of yes or no questions based on their characteristics. You can find dichotomous keys online, in books, or in apps.

3 Use technology

Speaking of apps, technology can be a great ally for plant identification. There are many apps and websites that can help you identify plants by using artificial intelligence, image recognition, or crowdsourcing. Some examples are PlantSnap, iNaturalist, and PictureThis. You can simply take a photo of the plant or upload an image, and the app or website will give you suggestions of possible matches, along with information and tips. You can also compare your results with other users or experts, and learn from their feedback.

4 Consult experts

Sometimes, technology may not be enough, and you may need to consult experts for more accurate or reliable identification. You can contact local botanists, horticulturists, or plant enthusiasts who may have more knowledge and experience with the plants in your area. You can also join online communities, forums, or groups where you can ask questions, share photos, and get advice from other landscape architects or plant lovers. You can also visit botanical gardens, nurseries, or nature centers where you can see live specimens and labels.

5 Keep a record

Finally, one of the best ways to identify plants with ease is to keep a record of your observations and findings. You can create a plant journal, a scrapbook, or a digital portfolio where you can document the plants you encounter, their names, locations, features, and uses. You can also include sketches, photos, samples, or notes that can help you remember and recognize them. Keeping a record can help you improve your plant identification skills, as well as your landscape architecture practice.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?