Identify, Label, and Present Common Trees Shrubs and Climbers

Based on NZQA

The Ceiba Tree was the sacred tree of the Mayans, and it had many representations and significances. According to www.ceiba.org, "The ancient Maya of Central America believed that a great Ceiba tree stood at the center of the earth, connecting the terrestrial world to the spirit-world above. The long thick vines hanging down from its spreading limbs provided a connection to the heavens for the souls that ascended them." A cool science fact is that the boles of Ceiba trees are often tinted green by chlorophyll pigments that allow the tree's trunk to photosynthesize! Image sourced from Wikimedia Commons

This unit standard is for people working, or intending to work, in amenity horticulture. People credited with this unit standard are able to investigate the cultural requirements of specified plants, select plants for specific uses and sites.

• Learning activities
• Library of resources

This unit is used in the following courses

• Horticulture

Identify and Explain the physical characteristics of trees, shrubs and climbers

Basic plant parts are identified in terms of : flower, stem, node, internode, leaf blade, leaf petiole and roots.
Basic identifying features of plants are recognised and their importance in plant identification is explained.

Identify, label and present a range of amenity trees, shrubs and climbers

Forty common amenity plant specimens are visually identified, collected , pressed and dried, and mounted neatly or photographed.
Plants collected may include but are not limited to the NZHITO list;plant parts collected or photographed include - stem, foliage and flowers.

Plant Labels
Plant labels should include - botanical, common and family names; identifying features; plant type; plant use; cultural requirements; date and site collected.

Plant Specimen or photographic collection includes at least five plants from each group - trees, shrubs, climbers, New Zealand native plants.

Investigate the cultural requirements of specified plants

Range: ten plants which are grown locally.

• For each plant the required soil conditions and tolerance to variations are investigated and summarised.

Range: soil texture, soil moisture, pH, nutrients, temperature.

• For each plant the required climatic conditions and tolerance to variations are investigated and summarised.

Range: air temperature range, humidity, light level, wind exposure, salt tolerance.

• The importance of selecting plants suitable for site conditions is explained in terms of successful plant establishment and development.

Select plants for specific uses and sites

• Plants that will grow well in specific conditions are identified.

Range: three plants selected for each of the following in the local area – wet, dry, sunny, shady, acidic, alkaline, frosty, windy, coastal.

• Plants for specific uses are identified.

Range: one species selected for each of the following in the local area – shade tree, shelter to four metres, background shrubs, accent plant, visual screen, groundcover in shade, groundcover in sun, scent, seasonal flower, seasonal foliage, foliage colour, fine textured, medium textured, coarse textured.

• Plants suitable for use in specific sites are identified.

Range: one species selected for use in each of the following – specimen trees in dry areas, wet areas, windy areas, coastal areas; visual barriers in dry areas, wet areas, windy areas; specimen shrubs in wet areas, dry areas, windy areas, frosty areas, coastal areas, shady conditions.

Definition

Plants refer to trees, shrubs, and climbers, including New Zealand native plants, used in landscaping and amenity horticulture. Plants to be covered at this level require the study of botanical details for positive identification.