Classifying Plants
The features of a plant include the stem, leaves, roots, flower and seeds. Scientists determine a plant's species by looking at its features. This helps us to choose the right plants to suit our garden, spot poisonous plants, identify plants that can be used for medicine, and for botanists to protect endangered species or classify new plants they discover.
​
A botanist studies plants - the way they grow, the differences between them and everything else that has to do with plant science.
​
Click here to draw and label a plant on your web whiteboard
​
Word bank: roots, stem, leaf, petal
​
Classification Key
You are now going to look at a set of leaf cards and discuss their features: What makes each leaf different? What sort or questions could you ask to identify the leaf?
With your teacher, create a classification key on the whiteboard by posing questions and moving the leaf cards around according to your suggestions using Blu-Tack.
​
BOTANIST REQUIRED!
Must be able to help classify a variety of leaves to work out which plants they belong to
Imagine you are a botanist - a plant expert!
​
In pairs, collect four different leaves outside and construct your own classification key, posing questions in order to identify them. Think about the classification key you made as a class with your teacher or look at the one below to help you.
BIGGEST flower in the world
Rafflesia Kerrii is one of the biggest flowers in the world. The leathery petals can reach up to 90 cm across - almost the length of your teacher's one metre ruler!. Rafflesia are found in the rainforest of southern Thailand.