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The vast majority of horticulture books use the color or form 

method for identifying rather than discrete, consistent 

characters

Besides Bailey’s 

Encyclopedia of Horticulture

and a few others, 

few horticulture books cover the whole spectrum of garden 
plants, leaving many possibilities out

Few horticulture books address a 

Key

for correct identification 

(more about keys in a moment)
If you’re interested in a special group of garden plants like 
roses, chrysanthemums, and cacti there are books covering 
those subjects in fair detail, making i.d. somewhat more 
practical

Currently, the best way to id garden plants is by learning to 
key to family and then consulting books on genera, if available

Comments:

PLANT TAXONOMY (Identification, classification and description of plants)

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