How to Identify a Tropical Plant by Description

Idenitfing tropical plants is easy.

Oftentimes gardeners are wowed and amazed at tropical flowers they encounter either on vacation, in botanical gardens or walking down the street. To find out more about a tropical plant, it is important to be able to identify the plant by its description. By closely taking notes, drawing a sketch of the plant and examining its surrounding habitat, you come one step closer to determining the type of tropical plant you want to grow. Once you can identify plants you can grow them in your yard or home.

Things You'll Need

• Pencil
• Colored pens
• Paper
• Book

Instructions

1. Check to see if the plant is planted in the ground or in a container. If the plant is planted in the ground then it may be a native plant to the region. Plants in containers can grow in whatever soil medium they are planted in; therefore it may be tougher to find out what type of tropical plant they are.

2. Examine the plant to see what type of light it is growing in such as full sunlight, shade or partial shade. By finding out what type of light the plant needs, you can narrow your list of possible tropical plant types. Many tropical plants enjoy full sunlight; therefore, you may have a smaller list of shade-loving tropical plants.

3. Write down and sketch the physical description of the plant. Use colored pens or pencils for coloring in the blossoms. Notice the size of the leaves and measure the height of the plant and leaf size. Tropical plants like macaranga grandifolia generally have large, lush leaves.

4. Smell the tropical plant to see if it gives off a fragrance. Genista canariensis, aloysia virgata, telosoma cordata and plumeria are intensely fragrant plants that release an intense smell.

5. Feel the soil. Most tropical plants need well-draining loam soil in order to grow. Squeeze the soil to see if it releases water droplets. Because few tropical plants can grow on clay or sandy soil, you may not be looking at a tropical plant if it releases water droplets or breaks apart in your hand.

6. Bring your notes and sketches to a local nursery. If you are in an exotic location and want to identify a native plant, you may have success finding out its name through your description.

7. Visit Tropical Plants Library Online to see pictures of numerous plants that could match up with the ones you sketched. Use a generic description such as "shrub" or "vine" to narrow the search. By identifying the plant as a tree, shrub, vine or flowering plant, you can look for your tropical plant at the library or by running those terms through a search engine.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy a book of tropical plants to help you determine the plant type. Look for books like botanical encyclopedias to find pictures, sketches and descriptions of tropical plants.

• Avoid tearing a piece off the plant to help you identify. it Wounds on the plant can cause fungal infections.

References

• Martha Stewart: Fragant Tropical Plants
• University of Texas: House Plants
• Master Gardener: Tropical Plants Libary Online