I want to learn more about taxonomy, but I’m not a biologist and know only basic things. I find myself often tagging “Plantae” on unknown… but I really want to learn ! I’m a bit confused on how though… is there a method or a usual way to go about it ? It feels really intimidating right now ! I don’…

How to learn about taxonomy in ways useful for identifying? Think about an organism or group of organisms that interests you. Then look into their taxonomy. How can you learn about that? Most field guides sort organisms into taxonomic groups. If you can buy one (often available used) or check o…

I don’t ID as much as I should online, but ID things for people often in my daily work. Outside the skills itself, I would say, start with what interests you. If there is already a group you know somewhat, you can look to expand that group. Or you can try to start mastering whats around you. Like …

Today’s ID-a-thon target is for you. Echinoderms and Flowering plants https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/id-a-thon#flowers Clearly presented by @kestrel out of her CNC and iNat staff experience. :clap: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/identify?taxon_id=47125&lrank=subphylum&hrank=subphylum&…

[image] DianaStuder: Date Ascending (satisfying to clear an obs that has been ignored for months or even years!) Maybe not where a novice at plants wants to start, since these will often be the difficult observations that nobody has been able to take further.

I have my URL open - not seeing difficult obs there, just missed their initial chance for an ID. ID-a-thon comes with kind advice to skip what you are not sure of. Pick a bunch of roses and leave the shrubby green stuff to someone else. Try all the different approaches to identify, till you find on…

[image] sedgequeen: It’s very useful to go out in the field with other people interested in nature. You may find groups near you for people interested in birds, native plants, weeds, fishing, etc. Attend some meetings and especially field trips. I would love that ! but I’m in a fairly rural a…

I feel your difficulty! For years I lived on a farm 40 miles from the nearest nature-oriented meetings. Making contacts was difficult. Nothing like the difficulty connecting that many rural people face, though!

Personally, I learn from a variety of places regardless of topic. I, too, am learning taxas/taxons. I have most basics down for being able to move observations (obs) out of Unknowns, but wish to be able to identify lower. It is frustrating at times. Three things I think help me are/would be: Field…

[image] lizaeckardt: If I want to learn more about breaking plants into the next level I also use the taxonomy tab to see how which bit fits where in the taxonomy. I chose the wrong Family, can I remember the right one next time ?

Learning taxonomy for newbie

Nature Talk

comfycademia December 29, 2025, 1:48pm 13

I really like this way of picturing it, in school we were taught to think about it as Russian dolls :)

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Learning taxonomy for newbie

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