FEATURES USED FOR IDENTIFICATION IN PLANTS

Leaves

1. Type of leaf

(a) Compound leaves.

(b) Type of venation.

1. Simple leaf
2. Trifoliate
3. Pinnate
4. Type of leaf margin.
5. Type of leaf arrangement on stem.
6. The colour of leaf.
7. The texture ofleaf; whether hairy or smooth.
8. Shape of the leaf e.g. palmate.

Stem

1. Type of stem – woody or herbaceous.
2. Shape of stem – cylindrical or rectangular.
3. Texture of stem smooth or spiny.

Inflorescence

1. Are flowers terminal or lateral
2. For each flower:
3. Is the flower regular or irregular?
4. Number of floral parts for each whorl.
5. Are floral parts free or fused?

Roots

1. Type of root system- Taproot or fibrous?
2. Function of the root.

In Animals

Features used to identify animals:

1. Type of mouthparts.
2. Type of skeleton.
3. Presence or absence of antennae.
4. Body segmentation.
5. Body covering: scales, fur, hair or feathers.
6. Number of body parts.
7. Locomotory structures: legs, wings and fins.
8. Presence or absence of vertebral column.
9. Presence and type of eves.