Flora Education Module 5 - Keying

This module provides background information and training on using two types of keys to identify plants, dichotomous keys and graphic keys. We first introduce the concept of keys and tools needed for using keys. Then, by mirroring the Flora App from a mobile device, we walk through all the steps of identifying a common dandelion plant using both types of keys.

For the best practice, collect a sample dandelion plant that you can examine while watching the module.

There are the following four sections of this module. The timestamps and titles of each section are listed below and section descriptions follow.

01:38 Section 1 Introduction to Keys and Preparing to Use Them

13:19 Section 2 Using the Flora's Dichotomous Key

33:35 Section 3 Using the Flora's Graphic Key

49:15 Section 4 Final Pointers

Section 1, Introduction to Keys and Preparing to Use Them, discusses what a key is and the tools you will need to use one to identify an unknown plant sample.

Section 2, Using the Flora’s Dichotomous Key, walks through the keying of a dandelion using the dichotomous key that can be found in either the manual or the app.

Section 3, Using the Flora’s Graphic Key, walks through the keying of a dandelion using the graphic key that is found in the app.

Section 4, Final Pointers, discusses what to do when you think you have arrived at an identification of an unknown plant sample and some resources for learning more.

Presenters: Michelle Prysby, Sally Anderson, and Marion Lobstein from the Flora of Virginia Education Committee.

Media credits

Image credits are displayed on each image throughout the video. All screen shots of the dichotomous and graphic keys in the app were taken by Michelle Prysby.

Resource links

Simplified Key to pp. 92-93 in the Flora of Virginia, developed by Marion Lobstein: https://floraofvirginia.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Simplified-Key-to-Families-in-Flora-of-Virginia-pp.-92-93.pdf

© 2021 Flora of Virginia Project, www.floraofvirginia.org, under the Creative Commons license,

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

These materials are intended for educational purposes, but contact the Flora Project Education Committee at [email protected] for permissions beyond the scope of this license. For some images in the videos, the copyright is held by a person or entity other than the Flora of Virginia Project.

Final Cut: 6/19/2021