Keying Exercise (4)

Tree 1 : black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica)
Keying Steps: 1', 2', 3', 5', 8', 9', 13 --> Group 8 : Trees with alternate, simple, smooth leaves
Group 8 --> 1', 3', 4', 16', 18', 19', 23', 24', 27', 29', 30', 31', 32', 33', 34', 35', 26', 40', 41', 42

I almost lost hope trying to key this tree after I reached the group. The longer the chain of keying steps grew, the more I wondered if I had gone wrong somewhere along the way and if I was standing in front of this person's house for too long for no reason. However, those fidgety feelings were probably just due to the immediate gratification I've become used to for so many things. I think it's correct, but even if it's not, it was exciting to finally come to an answer.

Tree 2: Monterey cypress (Hesperocyparis macrocarpa)
Keying steps: 1', 2', 3, 4 --> Group 2 : Trees with scale-like, awl-like, or apparently absent leaves
Group 2 --> 1', 4', 6', 8', 9', 11

The genus of this tree was different in the keying manual than on iNat, which confused me for a minute. Nothing google couldn't answer.

Posted on May 26, 2020 03:56 PM by