Identifying grasses using Poland’s Vegetative Key

Learn to identify non-flowering grasses using Poland and Clement’s Vegetative Key in a relaxed environment.

When surveying out of season or in grazed/mown habitats, being able to confidently identify grasses is an essential skill. Poland and Clement’s Vegetative Key is a fantastic resource that is, in our experience, more likely to give you a correct identification than any other publication. It can however be daunting to use. Becoming proficient will enable year-round habitat surveying or simply allow you to get your botanical fix during the winter months! The vast majority of the day will be spent practicing the key with the support of your expert tutor. Samples not found at the training venue (such as those of wetland and acidic habitats) will be brought in and excursions will be taken on foot to explore local habitats including a range of grassland and woodland types. Teaching will be informal, with participants encouraged to practice the key independently in small groups. Time will also be spent discussing identification features in the field and revising commonly encountered species. Anatomy, terminology and the key itself will become second nature by the end of the day. Fiona, a participant on our Vegetative Grass Identification course in October 2023 said, "I think you are the best tutor I've had in 25 years of learning." Please let us know if you do not own a copy of the book (2nd edition) and we can bring sufficient print-outs. https://www.summerfieldbooks.com/product/the-vegetative-key-to-the-british-flora-a-new-approach-to-plant-identification-naming-british-irish-vascular-plants-based-on-vegetative-characters/ Also let us know if you do not have access to a hand lens.

Typical target audiences include: land managers, local authority ecologists and planners, conservation officers, students, graduates, ecological consultants, environmental managers, wardens, rangers.

Beginner - Intermediate

Basic botanical skills would be useful, such as grass anatomy.

• Use Poland and Clement’s Vegetative Key to identify non-flowering grasses