University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.

1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory

Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

EXERCISE 11
BOTANICAL KEYS

Introduction

Botanists and other plant enthusiasts use botanical keys to identify plants by their physical
characteristics, such as their leaves, flowers and stems. They consist of a series of questions or
statements that assist the researcher in correctly identifying the plant. Botanical keys are frequently
employed in fieldwork, where accurate identification of plant species is crucial.
It is feasible for botanical keys to be dichotomous or descriptive. Dichotomous keys consist
of questions with two possible answers guiding the researcher to identify the plant correctly. On
the other hand, descriptive keys provide detailed descriptions of the plant's characteristics,
allowing the researcher to identify the plant based on its unique characteristics.
Botanical keys have been utilized for centuries, with the earliest known instance dating
back to the sixth century B.C. in ancient Greece, where it was used to identify medicinal plants.
Today, botanists, ecologists, naturalists, and others who study and work with plants employ them
extensively. They are an indispensable instrument for plant identification and aid in
comprehending and preserving plant biodiversity.

Objectives

Utilizing botanical keys is a crucial skill for anyone interested in identifying plants. Students
should be able to do the following by the end of an exercise involving botanical keys:

• Use botanical keys to identify unknown plants.

• Explain the significance of using correct scientific names. derived from a plant's
characteristics and are specific to each species. This ensures that everyone refers to the
same plant, regardless of where they are or their language.

In addition, using scientific names aids in avoiding confusion and mistakes in plant identification,
which is particularly important in fields such as agriculture, horticulture, and conservation biology.
 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Lastly, scientific names are frequently derived from Latin or Greek roots, which can reveal
information about a plant's characteristics or uses. Understanding these roots can add to our
knowledge of a plant's ecology, evolution, and cultural significance.

Materials
• Plant specimens
• Each student is required to collect fresh complete specimens of 10 species of flowering
plants (Angiosperm) growing within the university campus or elsewhere.
• Dissecting kit (razor blade, pair of dissecting needles, fine-point forceps)
• Dissecting plate
• Good hand lens
• Stereomicroscope
• Key to families of vascular plants (e.g., Pancho 1983, Merrill 1912 or other available
materials).

Procedure

This laboratory exercise consists of two sections (i.e., Parts A and B). The focus of Part A
is dichotomous botanical key construction. Students were instructed to create the two types of
dichotomous key based on the relative positions of the leads in this section. In accordance with
their taxonomic keys, students observed and dissect ten identified plant specimens. Ten specimens
were identified based on characteristics including their habit, leaf arrangement, inflorescence,
flower type, number of petals, number of stamens, ovarian position, and fruit type. Part B,
however, focuses on the application of botanical keys. In this section, students identify unknown
plant specimens using botanical keys. In the sections that follow, we provide a more in-depth
analysis of the two parts of the exercise.

Discussion and Results

Part A. Construction of dichotomous botanical keys.

Table 1.1 Comparison of the specimen using a set of characteristics\

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Presence
Leaf Inflorescence Flower Leaf
species Habit of
Arrangement Type Type Venation
Bracts
Heliconia Alternate Incomplete,
Erect Spike Pinnate Present
rostrata Imperfect
Solitary Complete,
Arachis pintoi Prostrate Alternate Pinnate Absent
axillary Perfect
Spike Complete,
Ruellia tuberosa Erect Opposite Pinnate Present
Perfect
Complete,
Duranta erecta Branching Opposite Raceme Pinnate Present
Perfect
Hibiscus rosa- Solitary Complete,
Erect Alternate Reticulate Absent
sinensis cyme Perfect
Complete,
Ixora coccinea Branching Opposite Head Reticulate Present
Perfect
Allamanda Solitary Complete,
Branching Opposite Pinnate Present
cathartica axillary Perfect

Caesalpinia Complete,
Branching Alternate Raceme Reticulate Present
pulcherrima Perfect

Tabernaemontana Complete,
Erect Opposite Cyme Pinnate Absent
pandacaqui Perfect
Complete,
Lantana camara Branching Opposite Head Reticulate Present
Perfect

Table 1.2 Continuation of the comparison of the specimen using a set of characteristics

Ovary Flower Color

Species Petal No. Stamen No. Position Fruit Type

Heliconia 3 5 Inferior Drupe Red and

rostrata Yellow

Arachis pintoi 5 10 Superior Legume Yellow

Ruellia tuberosa 5 4 Superior Capsule Purple

Duranta erecta 5 5 Superior Drupe Purple

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

5 many Inferior Capsule Pink

Hibiscus rosa-
sinensis
Ixora coccinea 4 4 Inferior Capsule Red

Allamanda 5 5 Superior Follicle Yellow

cathartica

Caesalpinia 5 10 Superior Legume Red and

pulcherrima Yellow

Tabernaemontana 5 10 Superior Drupe White

pandacaqui

Lantana camara 4 4 Inferior Drupe Yellow and

Orange

There were two types of dichotomous keys that were utilized, the indented type and bracket type:

Table 3: Indented Type Dichotomous Key

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

A dichotomous key of the bracket type is a tool for identifying different species based on
their physical characteristics. The key consists of a series of paired statements, each of which
describes a characteristic of the identifying species. The key is organized so that each statement
leads to the identification of the species.
The first statement in the provided key indicates whether the leaves are alternately or
oppositely arranged on each side of the stem. The key determines whether the flower type is
incomplete and imperfect or complete and perfect if the leaves are alternately arranged. Based on
the response to this statement, the key leads to further statements until the species is identified as
Heliconia rostrata,Arachis pintoi, Ruellia tuberosa, Duranta erecta, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, Ixora
coccinea Allamanda cathartica, Caesalpina pulcherrima, Tabernaemontana pandacaqui,
Lantana camara, depending on their characteristics.

Table 4: Bracket Type Dichotomous Key

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

The indented type of dichotomous key is comparable to the bracket type, but it utilizes

indentation to indicate relationships between characteristics. Each question or statement is

indented to the right, and the alternatives or answers are further indented to the right. This helps

create a hierarchical structure that makes it easier to follow the key and identify the proper

organism.

In this case, the key starts with two main choices: leaves that are arranged alternately on

each side of the stem or leaves that are arranged oppositely on each side of the stem. From there,

the key goes on to different features, such as the type of flower, the type of fruit, the way the plant

grows, the number of petals, the presence of bracts, and the number of stamens. Each trait has two

choices, and the researcher chooses the one that best describes the plant they are trying to identify.

For example, if the plant has leaves that are arranged in pairs and flowers that are full and

perfect, the researcher would choose Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, which has capsule fruit. The

researcher would choose the option for Allamanda cathartica, which has a solitary axillary

inflorescence type, if the plant has oppositely arranged leaves and five-petaled flowers with bracts.
 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Heliconia rostrata

Figure 1.1. Heliconia rostrata Figure 1.2. Sketch of Heliconia rostrata

©freepik

Arachis pintoi

Figure 2.1. Arachis pintoi Figure 2.2. Sketch of Arachis pintoi

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Ruellia tuberosa

Figure 3.1. Ruellia tuberosa Figure 3.2. Sketch of Ruellia tuberosa

©wikipedia

Duranta erecta

Figure 4.1. Duranta erecta Figure 4.2. Sketch of Duranta erecta

©wikipedia
 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Figure 5.1. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Figure 5.2. Sketch of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Ixora coccinea

Figure 6.1. Ixora coccinea Figure 4.2. Sketch of Ixora coccinea

©flower-db
 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Allamanda cathartica

Figure 7.1 Allmanda cathartica Figure 7.2. Sketch of Allamanda Cathartica

©housing

Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Figure 8.1 Caesalpinia pulcherrima Figure 8.2. Sketch of Caesalpinia

©bageecha pulcherrima
 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Tabernaemontana pandacaqui

Figure 9.1 Pandakaki Figure 9.2. Sketch of Pandakaki

Lantana camara

Figure 10.1 Lantana camara Figure 10.2. Sketch of lantana camara

Part B. Use of botanical keys

 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Vitex parviflora

Figure 11.1 Vitex parviflora Figure 11.2. Sketch of Vitex Parviflora

©Wikipedia

Here is a more detailed dichotomous key for identifying Vitex parviflora:

• Leaves simple, not compound → go to 2

• Leaves compound, with 5-7 leaflets → go to 5
• Leaves opposite → go to 3
• Leaves alternate → go to 4
• Leaf blades with palmate venation and margins that are coarsely toothed or lobed, with a
hairy surface above and below → Vitex negund
• Leaf blades with pinnate venation and margins that are finely toothed or entire, with a
smooth or slightly hairy surface above and below → not Vitex parviflora
• Leaf blades with palmate venation and margins that are coarsely toothed or lobed, with a
hairy surface above and below → not Vitex parviflora
• Leaf blades with pinnate venation and margins that are finely toothed or entire, with a
smooth or slightly hairy surface above and below → go to 6
• Leaflets with lanceolate or ovate shape and pointed tips, margins coarsely toothed or
serrated, and with a smooth or slightly hairy surface above and below → Vitex parviflora
 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

• Leaflets with other shapes, margins finely toothed or entire, and with a hairy surface
above and below → not Vitex parviflora
• Inflorescence a spike, with small, lavender or blue flowers and long peduncles → Vitex
parviflora
• Inflorescence not a spike, with flowers of other colors or shapes → not Vitex parviflora

Cana Glauca

Figure 12.1 Canna Glauca Figure 12.2. Sketch of Canna Glauca

©Wikipedia

Detailed dichotomous key to identify Canna glauca:

• Leaves with a solid green coloration → go to 2

• Leaves with variegated or striped coloration → not Canna glauca
• Leaves arranged in a whorled pattern → not Canna glauca
• Leaves arranged in an alternate pattern → go to 3
• Leaf blades narrow and elongated with parallel venation and entire margins → not Canna
glauca
• Leaf blades broad and ovate to elliptical in shape with pinnate venation and prominent
parallel secondary veins → go to 4
• Leaf blades with a bluish-green coloration and densely pubescent (hairy) surfaces above
and below → Canna glauca
 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

• Leaf blades with other coloration and smooth or slightly pubescent surfaces above and
below → not Canna glauca
• Inflorescence a spike with showy, red to orange flowers that emerge from papery bracts
→ Canna glauca
• Inflorescence not a spike or with flowers of other colors or shapes → not Canna glauca

Conclusion

In conclusion, botanical keys are essential for identifying unidentified plants through a
series of choices between two or more statements. The dichotomous key, which can be either
indented or bracketed, is the botanical key used most often. The indented type makes it easy to see
what traits taxa share significantly above the species level. The bracketed type, on the other hand,
takes up less space and is easier to use. The poly clave is another type of identification key. It is
computer-aided and requires a trained taxonomist or systematist to look at unknown samples and
determine what they are. Taxonomic keys are used to figure out what kind of plant something is.
The names in the key are divided into smaller groups based on the differences and similarities
between the different parts of the plant.
 University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College Bio 111.1 Plant Morphoanatomy and Diversity Laboratory
Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

References

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three/classification-ii2/dichotomous-key

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https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/simple/

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