Basics of Plant Identification

Learn the basics of identifying native desert plants using dichotomous keys in a one-day workshop.

This is a moderate activity - less than 5 miles of walking, with multiple hours outdoors in the elements. 

Melanie Davis lives in Joshua Tree and is a research field ecologist and botanist at UC Riverside's Center for Conservation Biology in Palm Desert. She has been working in the California deserts since 2017, and her field research takes her to remote corners of the Colorado, Mojave, and Sonoran deserts to study the effects of climate change and human disturbance on desert ecosystems and the distribution of rare native plants.

In this beginner to intermediate-level, in-classroom course, students will learn the basics of how to identify desert plants. The instructor, Melanie, will walk students through terminology, dissection skills, and the use of botanical keys. Students will also be introduced to online resources for plant identification. The first half of the class will include a lecture introduction. We will then walk through keying out common desert species and, in the afternoon, identify plants outside if the weather allows.

Participants must bring ALL required items for your course: students should wear appropriate clothing for colder temperatures, bring water, snacks and lunch, and come prepared for light walking. Any other pertinent information: The instructor will provide teaching material, DI will provide loupes, and the class will meet in the Black Rock Education Room. 

Photo credit: Bob Grubbs, Desert Institute Volunteer