How I use the Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide

When I first started on this journey of a more natural way of being healthy, I was intimidated by having to learn a whole new way of speaking. I was adding new words to my vocabulary, and I will admit it was scary and at times I did not know where to start or what I should be doing first. I still struggle with that today when I am introducing my clients and friends to herbs and plant identification. Should I be teaching them what a tincture is first, or what a simple-compound leaf looks like? Today, I thought we would take a look at the parts of a plant and how to identify which plant you have. I think this is probably the first and most important step. You should never ingest a plant if you are unsure of what it is.

My favorite guidebook for plant identification is Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide by Lawrence Newcomb. The book contains a key system that begins with 5 simple questions that you will use to identify any plant.

The five questions are:

1. Is the flower regular (radially symmetrical) or irregular or are the flower parts indistinguishable?
2. If regular, how many petals or similar parts does it have?
3. Is the plant a wildflower or shrub or a vine?
4. If a wildflower, is it without leaves, or if it has leaves, are they all at the base of the plant, or are they arranged singly on the stem (alternate) or are they opposite one another in pairs or whorls?
5. Are the leaves entire (with even and unbroken margins) or are they toothed or lobed or divided?

Let’s look at each question individually.

Question 1)   Is the flower regular (radially symmetrical) or irregular or are the flower parts indistinguishable? What are the flower parts?

Flowers are made up of several different parts. There are the petals, the stamen, the pistil, and the sepals. To answer the question, we need to look at the petals, or ray, of the flower.  Are the petals symmetrical? To answer this part of the question we are looking for the petals to be arranged around the center like the spokes of a wheel. Each petal is similar in size, shape, and color to all the other petals. An example of this would be a daisy. Irregular flowers are not radially symmetrical. These flowers typically have an upper and lower part or lip. Examples of this would be an iris, a violet, or a jack in the pulpit. Indistinguishable flowers either have no visible petal like structures or their parts are so small that it is difficult to make out their numbers or arrangements. A word of caution: a flower may be very small and still have discernible parts. Make it a habit to carry a small magnifying glass with you when you are foraging for plants to identify.

Question 2) If regular, how many petals or similar parts does it have? This is important for the key as it gives you the first number in the key. Does it have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or more regular parts? Remember we are counting petals.

We have now successfully identified the type of flower it is, and believe it or not, that in my humble opinion, is the toughest part of the key.  Now we move on to identifying structure of the plant itself.

Question 3) Is the plant a wildflower, a shrub, or a vine? A wildflower is defined as any flowering plant that grows in a natural state and is not a tree, a shrub or a vine.  A tree is a woody plant, generally with a single main stem that is permanently above ground.  A shrub is also a plant with a woody stem that is permanently above ground but at maturity it is usually less than 10 feet tall. Shrubs are extensively branched with several main stems.  A vine is a plant with a long, trailing, twining, or climbing stem.

Question 4) If a wildflower, is it without leaves? If it has leaves, are they all at the base of the plant, or are they arranged singly on the stem (alternate), or are they opposite one another in pairs or whorls?  First of all, I know this is going to sound crazy, but what is a leaf? A leaf is an above ground plant organ responsible for photosynthesis. It is typically a green flat blade that is attached to the stem directly or by a stalk.  This question asks how the leaves are attached to the stem.  Are the leaves alternate, meaning successive, in an alternate direction along the stem; opposite, meaning two structures one on each opposite side of the stem; or whorled, meaning three or more leaves attached at each point or node on the stem. We now have our second number.

Now for the final number to the key. 

Question 5) Are the leaves entire, toothed, lobed, or divided? Entire leaves have a smooth unbroken margin. Toothed leaves have an uneven or wavy edge. Lobed leaves have one or more deeper indentations, which separate the leaves into sections know as lobes.  Divided leaves are also known as compound leaves. These leaves have separate parts called leaflets. Identifying the type of leaf gives us our third number.

Let’s put all of these steps together to identify this plant.

Step one: Is the flower regular or irregular or indistinguishable?  If regular how many petals does it have?

The flower has 4 white petals of equal size and shape.

Is it a wildflower, shrub or vine? If it is a wildflower, is it without leaves, are they at the base of the plant or are they arranged singly or opposite in pairs?

This is a wildflower and the leaves are alternately arranged.

The final question: are the leaves entire, or are they toothed, lobed, or divided?

The leaves are toothed.

If we go to the key our first number is 4 the second number is 3 and the third number is 3. 

Our group number is 433.

We then go to the Locator Key on page 1 and locate group number 433 and it gives us the description of “Leaves toothed or lobed…white, pink or purple flowers…Leaves not arrow shaped…” and our page number is 138. We turn to page 138 and we find a description of garlic mustard (Alliaria officinalis) and a drawing on page 139 that matches the plant we were identifying.

I know this may seem intimidating at first, but as you use the guide, it does become easier and this time of year is a great time to practice, with so many wildflowers in bloom.

So, the next time you take a walk, I hope you will take your copy Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide and a notebook with you and record the plants you encounter.  I wish you good luck as begin your journey of natural health and wellness.

Peace,

Tammy Deatelhauser, LMT BCTMB

Healing Traditions

Young Living Member 1521964   

Check out www.myyl.com/tmdmassage for more information about Young Living wellness products and essential oils.

FDA Disclosure

I am a licensed massage therapist with training in culinary herbalism. I am not a doctor. Posts in this blog are for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Also, these thoughts and opinions do not represent Young Living. Young Living products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your physician before making any changes. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

References:

Newcomb’s Wildflower Guide by Lawrence Newcomb