Question

Dichotomous Key

1a. Needle leaves: go to step 2
1b. Non-needles leaves: go to step 3

2a. Needles are grouped in clusters: pine tree
2b. Needles are individually arranged: spruce tree

3a. Simple (individual) leaves: go to step 4
3b. Compound leaves (leaflets): go to step 5

4a. Leaf edge is smooth and lobed: oak tree
4b. Left edge is rough and tooth-like: elm tree

5a. Leaflets are attached at one point: chestnut tree
5b. Leaflets are attached at many points: walnut tree

1A. Veins branch off the main vein in the middle…..go to 3
1B. Veins branch off of one central point…..go to 2

Answer 1

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

2A. Leaves are heart-shaped with smooth edges…..go to 4

2B. Leaves are oval or lance-shaped with serrated edges…..go to 5

3A. Leaves are palmately lobed with 5 lobes…..maple tree
3B. Leaves are pinnately lobed with pointed lobes…..oak tree

4A. Flowers have 5 rounded petals…..cherry tree
4B. Flowers have 5 pointed petals…..apple tree

5A. Leaves are pinnately compound with 5-11 leaflets…..hickory tree
5B. Leaves are palmately compound with 3 leaflets…..ash tree