- 1). Use a camera to take pictures of the plants you want to identify. Be sure to carefully photograph the whole plant, the leaves and any other identifying details such as flowers or berries. Take photos of the individual parts of the plant as close up as your camera will allow. Take the advice of PhotographyTips.com and focus on one section of the plant while blurring what is in the background.
- 2). Make notes in a notebook about the plants' characteristics. Describe the size, shape and color of the leaves. Note whether the leaves grow in groups or along a stem. Describe whether or not the plant seems to have shoots for regrowth.
- 3). Visit a website with pictures of various plants. Many horticultural programs at universities have websites to help identify plants. The Texas A&M Horticultural Department has this type of website. The United States Department of Agriculture also has a plant database. Take notes in your notebook about what you think your plant might be based on characteristics you find online.
- 4). Take a cutting of your plant using scissors. Place the plant in a cup of water so that it stays fresh as long as possible.
- 5). Go to a local nursery, university horticultural department, arboretum or to find an expert on plants. Bring your pictures, your notes and your cutting. A plant expert will not only tell you what kind of plant you have, she will also be able to tell you how to care for it.
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