Helpful Tips and Resources for Beginner (Plant) iNatters AND Common Beginner Mistakes

[deboas]

I’m not sure grasses have been specifically mentioned here, so it seems worth repeating these suggestions here in this thread:

@sedgequeen

What should you post about a grass to get identification? In general, you should post the following photos:

1. The whole plant.
2. Close-ups of where the leaf blade meets the leaf sheath. You want to show the ligule (a flap or line of hairs on the upper side of the blade) and whatever may be on the sides or front of this area.
3. Inflorescence (where the flowers/seeds are). You’re trying to show the structure/shape of the inflorescence.
4. Spikelets. Spikelets are the unit of the inflorescence – what it’s made of, what hides the flowers/seeds.
5. The parts within a spikelet. Spread the separate parts on your hand and photo them.

Specialized photos may be needed for some species, but if you don’t know what it is, you don’t know what you need, so start with 1 - 5.

Comment on whether the plant is growing as a clump or spreading out, whether it seems to be annual or perennial, and whether leaves are smooth, rough, hairy. Comment on habitat.

You may need to put your hand against the back of the grass part you’re trying to photo in order to get a well-focused picture.