Process of identification

Process of identification : 10 posts by 2 authors.
For efloraofindia, not only identification, but process of identification is also important. 

It shows how we are looking into similar species and ignoring them on what basis. It also shows on what sources and keys etc., we are basing our oberservations. It also throws up similar species and genera, which we have to keep looking for in future, if already not there. 
All our observations remain on our site and important ones are displayed at the top of the page, for our future guidance. 
Even if we critically look at our older observations, we will find many new species in our database, as I have observed time and again. In the process, we closely look at our species and unravel many new ones for Efi site. 
It is my feeling that we are developing into a world class and most important and advertisement free site as far as Flora of the subcontinent is concerned. 

Absolutely right, Sir. I accessed Sida article yesterday and it made me re-think my earlier assumptions …it seems I have been looking at Sida alnifolia all the time and misidentifying it a Sida rhombifolia. Now I have to look and re-look at the literature and re-evaluate my earlier collections, plus have to look at new specimen with new eyes! 

Thanks, …, Also check Monograph of Malvaceae link, I have sent you earlier, for this purpose.
It is a very detailed and wonderful documents, though sometimes some pages may not visible.

…, please send Malvaceae link again. 

” …….but process of identification is also important.“

Exactly. Most of the times we dont mention what our observations were and instead just give the binomials and the other side is happy to have the name. We do so because we know that most of the times the other side is just looking for a name. He doesnt want to know if there is an inter and intra-petiolar stipule, he doesnt even want to know what stipule is. This is the reason why sometimes I dont like to help in ID. Two of the group members were in so much of hurry in knowing the name that they sent me pics of their camera screen taken by their mobile phone and asking me to ID. I told them that this is not the right way. Have the patience and send me proper pics. One of the guys sent me more pics of their camera screen. I said, this is not what I meant. Have patience, go home, download the pics and then send. He replied, oh you dont know the plant. I said I knew the plant on the first pic itself. He insisted then to tell him the name. I told him that I can tell you the name but you will not learn by this. But he insisted to tell him the name. I said I have a condition. He said I will follow all your condition but tell me the name. I said name first or condition first. He said whatever. I said the plant is Eulophia flava and the condition is, from now on you can’t send me any pics on my phone because I am blocking you. And obviously as he had already agreed I blocked him.

It is becoming a trend of matching pics with other pics available on internet and just attach a name. And if there is one mistake, it gets carried on and on……….

I agree with you, wholeheartedly….
its very frustrating sometime

yes, agree with you. I see you go thru those week’s submissions. trying to reconcile or get more info.
what if the process was up front and not later ?

What is also important is that many members try that process, but do not show us that in black and white.
So it will be good if they also put that process in black and white for everybody here and future generations to see it.
We should not only speak the truth but also appears to do so.

… mentioned mistakes being carried on and on … Very right. Problem is, this ailment is an epidemic in online academic world too… many a respectable websites thrive on copy paste …that means same mistake being repeated. At times I feel I am lucky if I could separate wheat from chaff. 

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