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Recognition of plant families will greatly aid in identifying unknown plants. Following is a guide to identifying plant families found on this site. Compare the unknown plant with the phrases below, referring to the glossary as needed. Click the + to expand the one that appears the most correct. Continue expanding until reaching a family name. Look up the family and compare the plant with the family description or compare the unknown plant with the drawings and descriptions of plants in that family. If the match is not correct, come back to the Family Finder and choose an alternate pathway. This finder is not foolproof or universal but only a guide to help in locating unknowns.

          • Note: rattlesnake master in the parsley family (a dicot) also has linear leaves and tiny flowers in heads.