Random access identification key for vascular plants based on simple, easy to observe characteristics. In most cases the key will allow you to reduce the number of potential matching species to a manageable level, at which point you can browse through the images and descriptions of those species to find the one that best matches your plant.

To use this key you will need to compare your plant against the characteristics given below and then select those characteristics that best match your plant. Once you are finished, click on the Show Matches button to view a list of all the species in our photo collection that match the characteristics you selected.

Characteristics are organized into categories, and for each category you can make one or more selections. If you are uncertain which character to select within a category you are better off leaving that category blank.

Characters
Location
Taxonomy
Growth Habit:

 

Tree
Shrub
Vine
Herbaceous
 
Growth Duration:

 

Annual
Biennial
Perennial
 
Leaf Arrangement:

 

Alternate
Opposite
Whorled
All basal
Leaves absent
 
Leaf Type:

 

Needle-like
Simple
Compound
Leaves absent
 
Main Flower Color:

 

White
Yellow or orange
Red or pink
Blue or purple
Greenish
Brownish
No flowers
 
Flowering Period:

 

March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November - February
No Flowers
 
Habitat:

 

Forested areas at low-mid elevation in Western WA
Forested areas at low-mid elevation in Eastern WA
Subalpine/alpine forest, meadow, or rocky slopes
Prairie or rocky bald in Western WA
Sagebrush-steppe, desert, or grassland in Eastern WA
Freshwater wetland, bog, lake, river, or stream
Saltwater beach, marsh, or dunes
Disturbed area - field, roadside, wastelot, town
 
Origin:

 

Native to Washington
Introduced to Washington
 
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