Plant Identification System

Woody Plant Identification System

Check below the known characteristics of the plant(s) in question and then press the Search button below. Begin the search with a limited number of characteristics; then as needed use additional characteristics in subsequent searches.

Hint: Hover over green underlined names to see extra detail

Plant

: Native or naturalized in Oregon

Growth habit (select only one)

: Tree

: Shrub

: Vine or ground cover

Stems

: Thorns, prickles, or spines

: Pendulous

: Twisted or curved

Leaves

Persistence

: Deciduous
Deciduous

Not evergreen
Leaves drop off in autumn

: Evergreen
Evergreen

Having green foliage throughtout the year.

Attachment to stem

: Alternate
Alternate

A single leaf per node

: Opposite
Opposite

Two leaves per node (opposite each other).

: Whorled
Whorled

Leaves arise, or appear to arise, at a common point or node.

Color (growing season)

Type (simple or compound)

: Simple
Simple

Undivided, not separated into leaflets.

Length of most leaves

: 15 cm (6 in.) or less

: Greater than 15 cm (6 in.)

: Compound
Compound

A leaf separated into two or more leaflets.

Leaflet number per leaf

: 2-3 leaflets

: More than 3

Type of compound leaf

: Palmate
Palmate

Leaf divided into leaflets from a common point, like the fingers of a hand.

: Pinnate
Pinnate

Leaf in which the leaflets are arranged on opposite sides of an elongated axis.

: Pinnate leaflets: 10 or less

: Pinnate leaflets: more than 10

Other attributes (leaf or leaflets)

: Lobed
Lobed

Bearing lobes, the projecting parts or segments of a leaf.

: Lobes rounded

: Lobes pointed

: Unlobed
Unlobed

Without lobes.

Margin (leaf or leaflets)

: More or less smooth (entire, turned under)
More or less smooth (entire, turned under)

: Not smooth (serrate, toothed, spines, etc.)
Not smooth (serrate, toothed, spines, etc.)

: Obvious spines
Obvious spines

: Prominent odor when crushed

Flowers

: Catkins (such as in birch, poplar, oak, etc)
Catkins (such as in birch, poplar, oak, etc)

Dense linear, inflorescence of apetalous, unisexual flowers.

Predominant Color of Flowers

: Not showy (tiny, of little ornamental value)

: Showy (obvious or colorful or abundant, etc.)

Fruit

Shape

: Oblong (pod or rod-like, e.g. pea pod, banana, redbud, magnolia)

: Spherical or ovoid (e.g. rose hips, black walnut, pecan)

: Winged (e.g. ash, maple, elm, etc.)
Winged (e.g. ash, maple, elm, etc.)

Winged: possessing wings; thin flat margins boardering a seed or other structures.

: Catkin or cone-like (e.g. birch, alder)
Catkin or cone-like (e.g. birch, alder)

Not true cones (i.e., as in conifers), but elongated, woody-like elongated fruit.

: Acorn (e.g. oak)

: Other (lobed, hemispherical, cone, etc.)

Color (ripe)

For comments, suggestions, or corrections concerning this site please contact Patrick Breen, CPN (Certified Plant Nerd), Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University breenp@hort.oregonstate.edu

Department of Horticulture

Deciduous

Evergreen

Alternate

Opposite

Whorled

Simple

Compound

Palmate

Pinnate

Lobed

Unlobed

More or less smooth (entire, turned under)

Not smooth (serrate, toothed, spines, etc.)

Obvious spines

Catkins (such as in birch, poplar, oak, etc)

Winged (e.g. ash, maple, elm, etc.)

Catkin or cone-like (e.g. birch, alder)