National Plant Data Team

 

PLANTS Identification
Instructions, Information, Disclaimers, and Policies

 

Data

Software

To Use PLANTS Identification On-line

To Download PLANTS Identification

To Use PLANTS Identification

Instructions

Buttons and Links

Glossary

Citation

User Comments Invited

Accessibility

Disclaimer

USDA Non-Discrimination Policy

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Data:

Version: 30DEC2007.  This is a draft interactive key and plant character data set.  Taxon names used in this key may not be the currently accepted names as they appear in the PLANTS database, but links to the PLANTS Database PLANTS Profiles will always go to names that are accepted as of this key’s release date. Data for this key were compiled by Stephen Meyers and collaborators from numerous and varied sources including available literature and specimens.

 

Software:

This application’s JavaScript software, called SLIKS (Version 2.3), was approved 06 May 2005 for use on USDA NRCS Common Computing Environment hardware, and approved 29 August 2006 for NRCS Web deployment. SLIKS is copyrighted freeware distributed under the GNU public license (http://www.gnu.org/). 

 

The version of SLIKS used with this data set was specifically designed for use in Microsoft Internet Explorer. You can learn more about SLIKS and check for versions that run in other browsers at www.stingersplace.com/SLIKS/.

Anti-virus software and recent MS Windows updates may hinder opening this application since it runs in JavaScript. You may need to turn off Script Blocking in your anti-virus software prior to running this application or agree to Allow Blocked Content when your browser opens and you are asked whether you want to run this application showing active content.  If you wish to run the program locally please see the download instructions below.

 

To Use PLANTS Identification On-line:

Go to the NPDT Web site, click on Technical Resources, then click on this link:

PLANTS Identification Keys Available for Use and Testing.  Then go to the table in the middle of the page and click on the "on-line" link for the key that you want.

 

To Download PLANTS Identification to run without an internet connection:

1.      Go to the table of keys on the page and click on "Download" for the key that you want.

2.      Create a new folder (directory) to hold the unzipped files.

3.      Unzip/extract the zip file and COPY the files to your new empty folder.

4.      There will be an uppercase file name in the folder that corresponds to the key (e.g., GYMNOSPERMS.html). Click on this file and the key should open in your browser.

5.      With newer versions of Internet Explorer, you can go to Tools, Internet Options, Advanced, Security, and check the box for “Allow active content to run in files on My Computer” then Apply, in order to avoid the repeated warnings on active content. 

 

To Use PLANTS Identification:

Unlike a traditional plant identification key that provides you with only two choices at each step (a dichotomous key), this key lets you select multiple characters simultaneously (a polyclave key). This makes more character data available in the key and minimizes the number of steps it takes to identify a plant.

 

The key’s browser window contains three frames: 1) a set of action buttons at the top; 2) a set of plant characters and character states on the left side of your browser; and 3) a list of taxa (e.g. plant families or species) on the right side that match the characters and states you have chosen on the left side. 

 

Some terms may be unfamiliar:

·   A taxon (pl: taxa) is a taxonomic unit such as a family or species.

·   A character is a feature of a plant such as leaf venation. 

·   A character state is the condition of a character, such as parallel leaf venation.

·   A plant family name always ends in "aceae" in PLANTS data sets.

·   A species name is a binomial (has two parts) consisting of a genus and a specific epithet (e.g. Pinus glabra). 

 

Instructions:

1.      Have a plant specimen you want to identify in front of you. 

2.      Click on one or more character state boxes (characteristics) of your unknown plant.

a.      The characters on the list are not prioritized.

b.      You can highlight a term in the character list, then click on the “Lookup” button for a Google definition that will appear in a new browser window.

3.      Click the ‘Matching Taxa’ button.

4.      The plants that match your selected characters and character states will appear in the right frame.

If  you click on one, the PLANTS Profile appears in a new browser window.

5.      Repeat Steps 2-4 as many times as necessary to identify your plant.

a.      If you make a mistake, you can remove character choices using the "R" button next to them in your list on the right.

b.      Do NOT use the back button on your browser.

6.      When only a single taxon remains, a description of it will appear in the main window.

7.      You can click on the “D” button next to each plant name to get a full description of that plant based on the characters and characters states in the key.

8.      If you are connected to the internet, you can click on a plant name to go to a PLANTS Profile at the PLANTS database.

9.      Always use your local flora and other resources to verify your results.

 

Buttons and Links:

·         About: Dialogue box with brief information about SLIKS freeware.

·         D: Click on the “D” button next to the taxon name in the right frame to get a full description of that plant compiled from the key characters in that data set.

·         Describe Remaining: Produces descriptions of all taxa listed in the right column of your browser page.

·         Help: Gives very brief instructions for using SLIKS.

·        Filter by Genus: Allows you to restrict the key to a single genus.   

·         Keep all characters visible. There is a checkbox on the left side below the action buttons in the top frame (you may have to scroll down). Checking this box will keep all characters visible in the menu frame regardless of whether they are useful in discriminating among your remaining taxa or not. This can be useful in teaching and error checking during an identification session. Note that if this option is selected, individual taxa that you key fully are not described in the left frame, though you can use the D button to get a description.

·         Lookup: Highlight any word in the Characters section and click on the ‘Lookup’ Button to get a definition from Google. 

    • You have to be on-line to use this function.

·         Best: This function reports the number of remaining taxa with each character in brackets after the character. This greatly helps you to know which characters will get you to an answer the fastest. For example, if your plant has blue flowers and you see "Flowers, blue [3]" you know that only three taxa will remain if you choose that character.  

·         Matching Taxa: Once you have selected the characters (checked the boxes) displayed by the plant you are identifying, click this button to generate a list of matching taxa. The characters will also be automatically updated to reflect only those that vary among the remaining taxa.

·         R: Click on the “R” button next to the character name in the right frame to remove that character from your list of chosen characters. The lists of taxa and characters will automatically be recalculated. If you remove all characters, the key will simply restart.

·         Restart: Resets the current plant identification key to the beginning. 

    • The software currently does not go backwards (the back arrow function of your browser window does not back up the key correctly). 
    • You must use Restart if you come to an impasse and want to start over or return to a previous point in the key.

·         Scientific Name Hot Link: Located in the right frame.

    • If the name is a plant species, the link opens that PLANTS Profile in a new browser window at PLANTS <http://plants.usda.gov>. 
      • If the name is a synonym in PLANTS, the PLANTS Profile for its accepted counterpart is displayed.

 

Glossary:

Highlight any word in the Characters section and hit the ‘Lookup’ Button to get a definition from Google. Of course, you have to be connected to the internet to use this function. 

 

Citation:

USDA NRCS. 2008. PLANTS Identification. (Followed by the individual key name in the header of the key, such as, “Gymnosperm Species of the United States") National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC. It is highly recommended that credit be given to the primary data developers as well (in this case Stephen Meyers et al.) wherever possible.

 

User Comments Invited:

We welcome your comments to improve this draft data set or the interactive key. Please email < plants@ftc.usda.gov> the USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center and include the name of the data set (ex. PLANTS Identification-Gymnosperms) in your subject line.

 

Accessibility:

This is a pre-release draft data set loaded into freeware for data testing purposes. SLIKS freeware is not completely accessibility compliant <http://www.section508.gov/>. The NRCS plans to develop accessibility-compliant software in the future that uses these draft plant identification data. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of this information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

 

Disclaimer:

These data are not exhaustive and may not encompass all plants in the respective groups. The United States Department of Agriculture and the Natural Resources Conservation Service are not liable for any decisions made using these data. No warranty is expressed or implied by the USDA, NRCS, or NPDT on the data or decisions made based upon it. Links to Web sites included in this tool are for the user’s convenience. USDA NRCS is not responsible for the availability or accuracy of information on non-USDA sites. The use of trade, firm, or corporation names in this page and linked publications is for the information and convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute an official endorsement or approval by the United States Department of Agriculture of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.

 

USDA Non-Discrimination Policy:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.). Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.