GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The computer plant keys described here include all the vascular plants known to grow in the state or province for which the keys are available. This includes native or naturalized plants; all trees, flowering plants, grass-like plants, conifers, and spore-bearing plants.
The keys are much easier to use than traditional dichotomous keys. Flora ID Northwest has developed comprehensive plant keys for British Columbia, Alberta (new), Saskatchewan (new), Manitoba (new), Washington, Oregon, California (new), Idaho, Nevada (new), Utah, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisconsin. They contain comprehensive descriptive data for each plant species, allowing the use of almost any plant feature to identify it.
To identify a plant, the user first selects from a hierarchical menu of types of plant characteristics (such as leaves, stem, inflorescence, flower or fruit). The user then selects those characteristics which best describe the plant to be identified. The computer eliminates from consideration all plants which do not match each characteristic as it is selected, and the computer also marks all menu choices which would not help to distinguish between the remaining species.
The user continues to mark selections of characteristics. At any point, the user may ask the computer to analyze the remaining species and provide a list of the menus which are easiest to use and will most effectively separate between the remaining species. The user may select from that list or go to a different menu. There are no forced choices.
In addition, one may refer to an alphabetized list of the remaining species (in either common or scientific names). From that list, one may select any species and access descriptive information, including color photographs for virtually all species, and the page numbers of references that describe each plant. It is also possible to call up a gallery of photos of the remaining species. The user may also call up a list of the characteristics they have marked and change any marks. If at any time the remaining species are of the same family or the same genus, the computer identifies that family or genus. When all species are eliminated but one, the plant has been identified. The user may then check it against the references listed for that species.
The Help program includes a User's Guide with a Tutorial, and a Quick Reference Guide for first-time users.
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