The Plants of Michigan: Simple Keys for the Identification of the Native Seed Plants of the StateGleason, Henry A. (Henry Allan)
Science
The Plants of Michigan: Simple Keys for the Identification of the Native Seed Plants of the State
Gleason, Henry A. (Henry Allan)
Plants -- Michigan
Under every number at least two lines of description are given,
designated a and b, and under a few numbers additional lines appear,
designated c, d, etc. In every case, the user of the key will select
from the different lines under the same number that particular line
which agrees with the structure of the plant, and follow up the
reference given at the end of that line. Eventually one finds at the end
of a line, instead of a number, the name of a family of plants, to which
this particular plant belongs, and then turns over to the page where
this family is treated. Under each family is a similar key, to be
followed in exactly the same way, until finally one finds instead of a
number the common name and the scientific name of the plant in hand. The
process of identification is now completed, and the student has found
the name of the plant.
In some cases, a reference is made in the key to a particular portion of
the family key. One then turns directly to this particular number in the
family key, and continues his identification in the usual way.
As a definite example of the use of the key, suppose that one has in
hand a branch of the White Oak, and that he does not know its name. To
determine its name, he will trace it through the following steps in the
key. Under the Key to the Groups, it agrees with line 1a, which refers
to Group 1, Woody Plants. Under this group it agrees in structure with
line 1a, which refers to 2; with line 2b, referring to 21; with line
21b, referring to 22; with 22b, referring to 29; with 29b, referring to
32; with 32c, referring to 47; with 47b, referring to 48; with 48b,
referring to 51; with 51b, referring to number 1b in the Beech Family.
Turning to the proper number in this family, the plant is referred to
line 3; it agrees with line 3c, referring to 10; with 10a, referring to
11; and with 11b, which gives the name of the plant. White Oak, _Quercus
alba_.
As a second example, suppose one has a common yellow-flowered plant
blooming on lawns and roadsides in spring. Under the Key to the Groups,
it agrees with 1b, referring to 2; with 2b, referring to 3; and its
net-veined leaves place it in 3b, referring to Group 4, Dicotyledones.
Under this group, its basal leaves place it in 1b, referring to 2; its
simple leaves in 2b, referring to 18; the absence of stem-leaves places
it in 18b, referring to 23; its solitary flowers on each flower-stalk
place it in 23b, referring to 24; its yellow flowers agree with 24a,
referring to 25; and its milky juice refers the plant to number 16, in
the Composite Family. In the key to this family, its lobed leaves agree
with 16b, referring on to 17; its large flowers with 17b, giving one the
common name Dandelion, and referring on to 18 to determine which kind of
Dandelion the plant may be.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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