Skip Navigation
Share Share
Classify - The Key To It All!

Now it’s time to apply what you have learned! You will need to observe each of the following leaves very closely. Make sure that you look for the details needed to create a useful dichotomous key. The dichotomous key you create is to identify the leaves in the pictures shown below. Since you probably do not know the names of the trees these leaves came from, your key should identify each leaves by number.

Procedure:

  1. Start by dividing the leaves into two groups.
  2. Then keep dividing the leaf groups into two groups until all of the leaves have been separated.
  3. Design a dichotomous key that can be used to identify each of these leaves. If you forgot how a dichotomous key works, refer to the Bone Key for an example.
  4. When you finish creating your key, give your key to a friend and have them check it to see how well it works!

Leaf 1

Leaf 3

Leaf 5

Leaf 2

Leaf 4

Leaf 6

Analysis:

  1. Which was easier, dividing the leaves into groups or writing the dichotomous key?
  2. Did your friend successfully use your key to identify each of the leaves?
    • If not, which leaf numbers were not successfully identified?
    • Why were some leaves difficult to identify using the key?
Utah State Office of Education This Sci-ber Text was developed by the Utah State Office of Education and Glen Westbroek.