Woody Plant ID Lab Woody Plant ID Lab Background Plant identification is a useful tool to determine the cultural requirements and desirable attributes of the plants around you. By familiarizing yourself with a small group of plants, it will be easy to increase your knowledge about other plant species, their use, and their culture.
Woody plants are the foundation of the landscape.
Woody plants are characterized by form and are either trees, shrubs, or lianas. Unlike herbaceous plants which often die back to the ground or are killed by the freezing temperatures of winter, woody stems attain a long life span, and produce new growth each season. Biologically, woody plants produce vascular cambium which accounts for growth in diameter of stems and trunks, and cork cambium that produces bark. Woody plants are also composed of lignin which provides rigidity and causes wood to resist decay. Woody plants may be selected for sun protection, height, flowers, fruit, and color and texture of foliage.