Introduction

In this Key there are 54 native plants that have been scored and can be identified using this tool.

Some of the scored plants do not have their own individual fact sheets, because they will be related to one of the main 42 native species that have been chosen. These 42 were chosen as species commonly found in school grounds and Marae in the Canterbury region; these include trees, shrubs, ferns, tufted plants, grasses and flaxes. The 42 fact sheets include images, botanical descriptions, links to scientific papers and other websites, and a section on similar or related species. Additionally, there is information on general Māori uses and medicinal uses for most of these native plants.

In the Hebe fact sheets there is a link to the Hebe Information Sheet, which provides current scientific information on the origins of Hebe in New Zealand, and the Adaptive Radiation of Hebe is also explained and some Hebe mages included.

Gathering your Plant Sample(s)

Firstly, you need to observe how the plant is growing, is it a small shrub or a large tree or growing directly from the ground without a trunk? Your plant sample should be big enough to see how the leaves grow on the branch, noticing if they grow opposite to each other or do they alternate or are they hand-shaped, etc. Ideally you would also get a flower if possible or a fruit to help you identify the plant. You will need to measure your leaf so you will need a ruler as well.