When using this program DO NOT MARK characteristics which might be subject to interpretation. The program processes all data entered as absolute in true computer style. For example, say you try to identify a 10 inch high plant that is in fact, a baby tree. It is sometimes is difficult to determine if a characteristic that we see in one plant is characteristic of the species in general or only of this single individual plant. This plant identification key includes normal characteristics for the species in general and characteristics of an individual that are different than the normal will lead to an incorrect answer.
Many times there are multiple individuals of a plant in a local area.
Looking for other plants in the area and confirming that characteristics are consistant across multiple individuals can save considerable time and frustration. If a characterristic is questionable, skip it and use another characteristic that you are sure will be representative of the species. The reason to only mark one trait at a time is to avoid inadvertently marking an inappropriate characteristic. Let the program eliminate the impossible choices. While of initial value, this camouflages the relational meaning of a characteristic.