CLASSIFYING PLANTS FOR THE EXPERIENCED HERBOLOGIST

Chapter 100

For this chapter we are looking into the professional classifying of plants. The first part of categorizing plants is relatively simple. Knowing how much sun a plant requires is vital to caring for plants. This is where the first set of classifications comes from for Herbologists. A plant may have the designation 'moonlight' 'shade' 'partial sun' or 'full sun,' unless of course 'darkness' is more appropriate, as in the case of Devil's snare. Light: Moonlight: Plant requires light to be reflected, and should not come from a direct source. Usually, this means that the plant thrives in the moonlight. Herbologists usually place these plants in the category of shade, but others distinguish these plants by using the category of moonlight. All moonlight plants are said to be nocturnal, which is why most Herbologists do feel the need to label them irregularly (as moonlight instead of shade). Shade: Plant should be kept from too much sun, or is best lit by the reflection of sunlight from the moon Partial Sun: Plant should be in the sunlight for the duration of morning Full Sun: Plant should be in the sun for the duration of the afternoon The second part of classifying plants relates to colour. Plants are categorized by both flower and leaf (foliage) colour. These categories are as follows: Flower Colour: Green: pigment between yellow and blue Blue: pigment between green and violet Purple: pigment between blue and red Pink: pigment of red with white in it, a light red Red: pigment between orange and violet Orange: pigment between red and yellow Yellow: pigment between orange and green White: pigment which reflects all visible colour and light Black: the darkest pigment, an absorption of all colour While flowers can be colours other than these, these are noted as proper flower colours as of the 1384 Herbologists' Meeting. Foliage Colour: Vivid Green: pigment between yellow and blue Blue/Green: pigment between yellow and blue with a heavy focus on blue Chartreuse/Gold: pale green, yellow, or metallic yellow-brown pigment Grey/Silver: a pigment between black and white, possibly metallic Purple/Deep Red: a dark pigment of violet or red The third part of classifying plants is by its type. The following are acceptable as of the 1617 Herbologists' Meeting (when the official classification information was determined, as is still in place today). Type: Annual: plant with a lifespan of a year (or less) Biennial: plant with a two year lifespan Perennial: plant which lives a relatively long period of time (as compared to previous categories) Bulb: this type of plant stores itself, to keep through winter, and can be recognized when bought in its bulb-shape Fruit: a plant which produces sweet and fleshy product, containing seeds in its centre Herb: any plant with flowers, leaves, or seed which may be used for medicine, flavouring, food, or perfume. This definition, however, allows almost all plants to be classified as herb, hence this subject is called Herbology! Houseplant: any plant that is grown indoors Rose: a prickly bush or shrub bearing the flower capable of healing a great many ailments as covered in lesson 7 of year one. Yes, rose gets its own category. Shrub: a rather woody plant that is at once smaller than a tree but alike it in nature. Shrubs consist of several stems rising from the ground. Tree: also a woody plant, with one stem or trunk that grows to considerable heights and may have branches stemming from its trunk. Always a perennial. Water Plant: any plant which grows under the condition of having at least a centimetre of water surrounding its existence above ground at all times. Vine: a plant that is woody, and climbs or trails along objects. Vegetable: a plant that is edible, and in the form of a substance that can usually itself be a seed, or is at least not containing seeds in its centre. The next characteristic plants are categorized by is its height. They are self explanatory. Height: Under 12 inches 1 to 3 feet 3 to 8 feet 8 to 20 feet 20 feet and higher Herbologists also note the special features of plants when applying a classification. These include, but are not limited to: Special Features: Spring Flower - blooms in the spring season Fall Flower - blooms during the fall season Re-flowering - blooms multiple times throughout the year Summer Flower - blooms in the season of summer Winter Flower - blooms during the season of winter Fall Foliage - foliage changes colour during the fall season Constant / year interest - remains the same all year (like an evergreen) Low Maintenance - easy to take care of Attracts Birds, Bugs, or other animals - there will usually be a list of birds/bugs/animals the plant attracts Fragrant - given to plants with a strong smell Solution (solves greenhouse problem, such as consistency of dirt, or helps prevent erosion of slopes) - Drought Tolerant - can survive periods without water It is recommended (but not necessary) that you take the time to go back and categorise some of the plants we covered in first year. You may want to include other information, such as the required pH level of the soil, for your own records. For this weeks assignment you will need to categorise a plant, any plant you want EXCEPT the English Rose, which as an example of proper classification will be given below. Please see the assignment for more details. English Rose (Rosa) Rose Partial to Full Sun 1-3, 3-8, 8-20 feet Flower: green, blue, pink, red, orange, white Foliage: Chartreuse/Gold Features: Spring, Summer, and Fall Flower; helps slow erosion of slopes; fragrant; low maintenance