Diagnóstico e identificación de plantas

How to Use a Dichotomous Key: A Tutorial Featuring 10 Common Shade Trees of the Tampa Bay Area

Andrew K. Koeser, Gitta Hasing, Michael G. Andreu, and Melissa H. Friedman

A dichotomous key is a tool used to help identify an unknown organism. This fact sheet features a key of leaf characteristics for ten common broadleaf trees in the Tampa Bay Area. Accurately navigating this series of paired, either-or choices about leaf characteristics will lead the reader to identify the correct tree from the group of ten.

How to Identify a Tree

Michael G. Andreu, Erin M. Givens, and Melissa H. Friedman

Lesion Mimics in Mule Palm (× Butyagrus nabonnandii)

Braham Dhillon, Lucas Altarugio, Seemanti Chakrabarti, and Kamaldeep Bansal

Palms (Arecaceae) are flowering plants with varied growth forms ranging from climbers to tree-like plants found across diverse habitats. Some palm species naturally hybridize with other species, whereas a few species can be artificially hybridized to produce new morphotypes. Mule palm (× Butyagrus nabonnandii) is an artificial hybrid that is becoming popular as a landscape ornamental because of its appearance and cold hardiness. However, hybridization among different species could lead to unintended outcomes, including lesion mimics. A lesion mimic phenotype was identified in mule palms growing across multiple farms across central and south Florida. As leaf spots are one of the most common symptoms observed during disease or nutritional deficiency, the detection of lesion mimics can sometimes be challenging. This publication documents a simple method to identify lesion mimics in palms. Correct diagnosis of lesion mimics would limit unnecessary applications of fungicides or fertilizers.

The Florida Plant Diagnostic Network

C. L. Harmon, A. Hodges, N. Peres, P. D. Roberts, L. Buss, W. T. Crow, J. Xin, and M. Paret

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.

Cannabis sativa Plant Identification and Its Look-Alikes

Cliff G. Martin and Zachary T. Brym

The purpose of this document is to provide an identification guide for Cannabis sativa to be used by growers and land managers by showing key factors to distinguish it from similar-looking plants. The general public and aspiring botanists may also use this document to see how a plant is defined botanically and how those characteristics can distinguish a plant of interest from other look-alike plants. Written by Cliff G. Martin and Zachary T. Brym, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, March 2024.

Florida Turfgrass Identification

Alex J. Lindsey, Claude J. Jean, Marco Schiavon, Kevin E. Kenworthy, and J. Bryan Unruh

Proper turfgrass identification is required before considering any lawn maintenance practices. Each of the different grasses used for Florida lawns have different management and without accurate identification, mismanagement could occur, leading to undesirable results. Turfgrass identification can be challenging due to the lack of inflorescence or seedheads at certain times in their life cycle or due to being mowed off. Thus, other plant characteristics are used to help with turfgrass identification.

Getting Into the “Weeds:” An Introduction to Common Lawn Plants and Their Ecological Benefits in North Central Florida

Olesya Malakhova, Wendy L. Wilber, Sandra B. Wilson, Kacey A. Russo, Jesse C. Jones, Brooke L. Moffis, Johanna S. Walker, and Basil V. Iannone III

Maintaining monoculture lawns is resource intensive and can have environmental impacts on arthropod and aquatic communities. Here we introduce the reader to some of the many native plants that establish in lawns and if left to grow can provide ecological benefits to urban landscapes. Most resources and marketing regarding these plants focus on killing them rather than on their ecological benefits. This publication introduces the audience to these species and provides information about the biology and benefits of these species, as well as resources to learn more about self-recruiting lawn species.

Sample Submission Guide for Plant Diagnostic Clinics of the Florida Plant Diagnostic Network

N. Peres, P. F. Harmon, and C. L. Harmon

A UF/IFAS numbered Fact Sheet.