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Plant Identification Key
(Diagnostic Key/Taxonomic key)
• Most useful method of identification
Keys in Plant Identification
• Important scientific tool for used by biologists to
identify plants
• A key is an identification device
Taxonomic keys • Prepare character comparison table using diagnostic
characters
Character Comparison Chart Types of Plant Identification Keys
Characters Taxon 1 Taxon 2 Taxon 3 Taxon 4 Taxon 5
(Diagnostic Keys/Taxonomic keys )
Habit Herb Shrub Herb Shrub Herb
Inflorescence Types of taxonomic keys
Racemose Cymose Single Capitulum Single
/single
Calyx Free,3 Fused,5 Free,5 Absent Free,5
Dichotomous key (single access key)
Corolla Free,3 Fused,5 Free,5 Fused,5 Free,5
Multi-access key
Androecium
Free,6 Fused,5 Fused,5 Fused,5 Fused, Many
Stamens
Gynoecium
Fused,3 Fused,2 Fused,3 Fused,2 Fused,5
Carpel
Placentation Axile Axile Parietal Basal Axile
Fruits Berry Berry Pepo Achene Capsule
Dichotomous key
Dichotomous keys
• Made up of sequential series of questions, having • Two formats:
two possible answers
• Consist of a sequence of two contrasting statements – Bracketed key
• Each statement known as a lead; the two leads – Indented Key
together comprise a couplets
• Most common type of key
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Bracketed Key
Bracketed Key 1. Superior ovary …………………………………………….....6
Inferior ovary …………………………………………….......2
2. Inflorescence head ………………………… ………………..Asteraceae
1. Each couplet has its 2 leads immediately adjacent Inflorescence other than head ………………………………..3
under the same left-hand number. 3. Actinomorphic flower ………………………………………..5
Zygomorphic flower …………………………………….......4
4. Labellum, gynostegium present ……………………………..Orchidaceae
Labellum, gynostegium absent ……………………………....Musaceae
2. The first couplet to be consulted stands at the head 5. Unisexual flowers ……………………………………………Cucurbitaceae
of the key next to the number 1. Bisexual flowers ……………………………………………..Rubiaceae
6. Monadelphous stamens present (staminal tube)...…………..Malvaceae
Monadelphous stamens absent ………………………………7
3. The next appropriate couplet to be consulted is 7. Perianth absent or reduce to bristle or rarely scales …………Cyperaceae
Perianth not reduce to bristle or scales ………………………8
indicated by the reference number to further down the 8. Bracts colourful ……………………………………………...Nyctaginaceae
key, placed on the right-hand side of the chosen lead. Bracts not colourful ………………………………………….9
9. Gynoecim bicarpellary and bilocular ………………………..Solanaceae
Gynoecium tricarpellary and trilocular ……………………...Liliaceae
Indented Key Indented Key
1. A dichotomous key in which the first part of a
contrasting couplet is followed by all subsequent
couplets
2. each subordinate couplet being indented one step
further to the right for clarity of presentation
3. each of the couplets is indented a fixed distance
from the left margin of the page
Comparison of Indented Key and Bracketed Key Multi-access key
Indented Key • Consists of a list of numerous characters
1. Each couplet has its 2 leads indented by the same • User selects all characters that match the specimen
amount from the left-hand margin of the page. • Develop using DELTA (DEscription Language in
2. The first couplet to be consulted is the one least Taxonomy) package
indented and which has its first lead at the head of the
key.
3. The next appropriate couplet to be consulted is the
one with its first lead immediately below the chosen
lead of the previous couplet, its leads being the next
least indented pair below the latter.
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DELTA (DEscription Language in Taxonomy) DELTA (DEscription Language in Taxonomy)
package package
DELTA (DEscription Language in Taxonomy)
package
