Question

Dichotomous Key

1a. Needle leaves: go to step 2
1b. Non-needles leaves: go to step 3

2a. Needles are grouped in clusters: pine tree
2b. Needles are individually arranged: spruce tree

3a. Simple (individual) leaves: go to step 4
3b. Compound leaves (leaflets): go to step 5

4a. Leaf edge is smooth and lobed: oak tree
4b. Left edge is rough and tooth-like: elm tree

5a. Leaflets are attached at one point: chestnut tree
5b. Leaflets are attached at many points: walnut tree

1A. Veins branch off the main vein in the middle…..go to 3
1B. Veins branch off of one central point…..go to 2

2A. Star-shaped…..Liquidambar
2B. Heart-shaped…..Cercis

3A. Smooth edge…..Magnolia
3B. Jagged edge…..Betula

Answer 1

4A. Alternate branching pattern…..Acer
4B. Opposite branching pattern…..Fraxinus