Species Sampling at Allan Gardens

DICHOTOMOUS KEY SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST 8 STEPS if you have 8 species! 1) Is your species a plant? a) if YES, go to #2b) if NO, it is a ladybug. ...etc. etc.

Is your species a plant? If no, go to 2. If yes, go to 3. Does your species have a shell? If yes, it is a turtle. If no, it is a Koi fish. Is your species a tree? If no, go to 4. If yes, go to 5. Is your species fully green? If yes, go to 6. If no, go to 7. Is your species over 15 ft tall? If no, it is a Birds of Paradise tree. If yes, it is a Norfolk Island Pine.Does you species have round and completely flat leaves? If yes, it is a maidenhair fern. If no, go to 8.Does your species have spikes? If yes, it is a Golden Barrel cactus. If no, it is a Fiddle leaf fig.Does your species have round green-bean like leaves? If yes, it is a Round-leaved vine.

I found the Birds of Paradise tree in the Tropical house. It was very tall and vibrant, and had striking leaves that were standing out beautifully compared to the much smaller neighbouring shrubs and plants. I noticed the leaves were angled in a way that seemed like it would direct water to its roots if there were to be a rainfall, which I also found interesting.

The Maidenhair Fern stuck out to me because I have grown up with regular ferns in my backyard and my cottage, and this one caught my eye because it looks the same with slightly differently shaped leaves. They were very soft and seemed delicate, and the fern as a whole seemed to have a sort of peaceful aura about it. It also seemed to fit in well with the other plants and foliage surrounding it. It would act as good ground cover in a garden.

I found the fiddle leaf fig very interesting. As I was walking through the Orchid-Bromeliad house, I was quickly glancing over all the plants, but the Fiddle-Leaf fig caught my eye with its flower-shaped array of leaves and red inside. They were very vibrant and colourful, especially with the small fruiting part, which is actually inedible.

The turtles were certainly the main attraction of the Orchid-Bromeliad House for me. They stood out, being the only wildlife, and it was very interesting watching them move and look up at us. They were some sprawled on the rocks in their habitat, and some sitting in shallow water or swimming.

I was drawn to the Koi fish because of their flashy colours and patterns, and also because they are the only sea life in the whole garden, and there was little actual wildlife and mostly just plants. They seemed like the main attraction in the Temperate show house, but they seemed a little out of place, and did not seem integrated with the rest of the species.

When I first noticed the leaves of the Norfolk Island Pine, I was taken aback. I was surprised at how detailed they were and how intricate the cable pattern was. It stood out from the foliage and bush plants surrounding it not only because of its size, but the way it hung as well.

I found the golden barrel cactus in the Arid house. It seemed to be the centre of attention and the main attraction of the plants in this area, sticking out from the smaller plants surrounding it. When I look at it, I feel a sense of respect as if it's a lion, king of the jungle.

I found the Round-Leaved vine in the Arid house. It seems to fit in nicely with the plants surrounding it, as if it were interlocked in a plant community. This makes sense, as it is a epiphytic plant and possesses the ability to grow on other plants. As I felt it it reminded me of green beans and seemed like it was edible. They are safe to eat but not a very good idea.