34
USA-NPN Plant Phenology Program Developing a plant profile Table of contents (Click on any line of the table of contents to go that section in the document.) Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 1 What is a plant profile? ................................................................................................................... 2 Steps to a plant profile .................................................................................................................... 3 Useful web references for plant profile development ..................................................................... 4 General references ...................................................................................................................... 4 Good links for photos.................................................................................................................. 5 Good links for grasses................................................................................................................. 6 Good links for invasive plants .................................................................................................... 6 Other useful links ........................................................................................................................ 7 Citations ........................................................................................................................................ 10 Appendix A NPN Phenophase events and BBCH codes .......................................................... 11 Appendix B Plant profile: Descriptive template ....................................................................... 14 Appendix C Plant profile: Phenophase events .......................................................................... 16 Cactus........................................................................................................................................ 17 Conifer ...................................................................................................................................... 18 Deciduous, flower first.............................................................................................................. 20 Deciduous, pollen only ............................................................................................................. 24 Deciduous, leaf first .................................................................................................................. 27 Evergreen broadleaf .................................................................................................................. 31 Herb........................................................................................................................................... 33 Grass ......................................................................................................................................... 34 Introduction The USA-National Phenology Network (USA-NPN) National Coordinating Office (NCO) facilitates the development of standard protocols and methods for phenology monitoring across the nation. As part of the NCO, the Plant Phenology Program has developed a plant profile for each plant species currently in the program including “calibration” and “regional-focal” species, as well as additional plant species for regional networks and for specialized phenology projects. Calibrations species are a set of 20 plants distributed across the USA that are monitored to provide patterns of plant phenophase responses nationwide. Regional-focal species are a larger set of plants with regional or local importance but limited distribution that are monitored to 5/16/2008, version 1.0 1

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Page 1: USA-NPN Plant Phenology Program Developing a plant profile Table

USA-NPN Plant Phenology Program Developing a plant profile

Table of contents (Click on any line of the table of contents to go that section in the document.) Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 1 What is a plant profile? ................................................................................................................... 2 Steps to a plant profile .................................................................................................................... 3 Useful web references for plant profile development..................................................................... 4

General references ...................................................................................................................... 4 Good links for photos.................................................................................................................. 5 Good links for grasses................................................................................................................. 6 Good links for invasive plants .................................................................................................... 6 Other useful links........................................................................................................................ 7

Citations ........................................................................................................................................ 10 Appendix A NPN Phenophase events and BBCH codes .......................................................... 11 Appendix B Plant profile: Descriptive template ....................................................................... 14 Appendix C Plant profile: Phenophase events .......................................................................... 16

Cactus........................................................................................................................................ 17 Conifer ...................................................................................................................................... 18 Deciduous, flower first.............................................................................................................. 20 Deciduous, pollen only ............................................................................................................. 24 Deciduous, leaf first .................................................................................................................. 27 Evergreen broadleaf .................................................................................................................. 31 Herb........................................................................................................................................... 33 Grass ......................................................................................................................................... 34

Introduction The USA-National Phenology Network (USA-NPN) National Coordinating Office (NCO) facilitates the development of standard protocols and methods for phenology monitoring across the nation. As part of the NCO, the Plant Phenology Program has developed a plant profile for each plant species currently in the program including “calibration” and “regional-focal” species, as well as additional plant species for regional networks and for specialized phenology projects. Calibrations species are a set of 20 plants distributed across the USA that are monitored to provide patterns of plant phenophase responses nationwide. Regional-focal species are a larger set of plants with regional or local importance but limited distribution that are monitored to

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provide regional patterns of plant phenology. To promote and develop consistent plant protocols the NCO has developed this document to guide people in developing additional regional-focal or specialized plant profiles. The document is a work in progress; we welcome your comments at [email protected].

What is a plant profile? A USA-NPN plant profile provides descriptive information, phenophase event descriptions, and instructions on how to observe those phenophase events. Any person or group that wishes to participate in the USA-NPN will use these plant profiles as part of their field monitoring. If a plant profile does not exist for a species of interest, the NCO encourages knowledgeable participants to help by compiling a profile for consideration and review by the USA-NPN. Plant phenology monitoring consists of observations of specific phenophase events that occur during the growth stages in the seasonal cycle of a plant. USA-NPN currently recognizes twelve growth stages, modified from Meier (2003). Those growth stages are:

1. Emergence 2. Budburst 3. Leaf or needle out 4. Stem elongation 5. Leaf or needle elongation 6. Flower or cone development 7. Flowering or pollen release 8. Fruit or seed development 9. Fruit ripening or seed maturation 10. Leaf color change 11. Leaf fall 12. Senescence

Not every species will experience these growth stages in a single year, and the growth stages will not occur in the same order for every species. It is the occurrence and timing of specific phenophase events within these growth stages that USA-NPN participants note, record, and document. Each plant profile will have phenophase events described at two levels of monitoring intensity, “core” events and “intensive” events. The core events are a basic set of phenophase events which all participants are encouraged to observe. Observing core events requires some botanical knowledge, but takes less time and/or expertise than observing the intensive events. The intensive events include some additional phenophase events appropriate for observation by researchers and/or participants with more time and more advanced botanical skills. Project

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BudBurst, a citizen science field campaign collaborating with the NPN, asks observers to monitor a subset of the “core” events; more information about Project BudBurst is at www.budburst.org. A third class of phenophase events are described in “specialized” plant profiles. A specialized plant profile includes a set of phenophase events or event definitions that describe phenophases that are different or more detailed than core and intensive phenophase and are specific to a particular research or monitoring need (e.g., Monarch Watch has a particular set of phenophase events they are interested in for determining resources for Monarch butterflies). Specialized profiles are developed in consultation with the Plant Phenology Program; please contact us for more information about developing specialized plant profiles for your network. Each of the USA-NPN phenophase events is assigned a BBCH code within the USA-NPN Phenology Database. The BBCH is a coding system widely used in Europe to identify unique phenophase events (Meier 2003, also see http://www.bba.de/veroeff/bbch/bbcheng.pdf). Use of the BBCH code facilitates comparisons across other phenological monitoring programs. See Appendix A for a cross-walk between USA-NPN phenophase events and BBCH codes.

Steps to a plant profile The initial preparers of the plant profile are referred to as the profile compiler(s). The recommended steps for compilers to prepare a profile are:

1. The compiler confirms the plant species of interest with NCO and that a profile is not in development already. Please submit the species scientific and common names, the USDA Plants or ITIS code, a brief justification as to why this plant should be included as an NPN ‘calibration’ or ‘regional-focal’ species, and a brief description of the individual or team of people who would prepare the profile.

2. Use the descriptive template (Appendix B) as the guide to developing the descriptive material for the profile. Some descriptive templates already exist or are in development. Be sure and ask if a template exists for your species.

3. Select the phenophase event template (Appendix C) that is appropriate for the life form of the plant you are working with. These standard phenophase event descriptions for each life form may describe your plant exactly, but in some cases, the phenophase events may need revision to fit the botanical characteristics of your plant. We suggest that you look at an existing profile for a species in the same life form as an example. Examples of existing profiles are on the USA-NPN web site.

4. The compiled plant profile is version 0.draft; submit it to the Plant Phenology Program contacts (above). Members of the Plant Phenology Program and/or the USA-NPN Species Protocol Working Group will review the draft.

5. After review and revision, we will post the plant profile on the USA-NPN web site as a beta version.

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Useful web references for plant profile development

General references http://plants.usda.gov/ USDA Plants Database; get taxonomic, plant code, distribution info, and sometimes

photos http://www.itis.gov/ ITIS taxonomic database; get taxonomic info and TSN code http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/interchange/I_treat_indexes.html Jepson Manual; California, western U.S. http://hua.huh.harvard.edu/FNA/families.shtml Flora of North America; covers U.S. by family; not all families are completed to date http://nymf.bbg.org/contents.asp Brooklyn Botanic Garden, New York Metropolitan Flora Project; for the eastern U.S.;

not all plants are completed http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/ U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire

Sciences Laboratory; focuses on Fire Effects for species across the U.S.; if the plant is on this site it has lots of good information to use

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/Volume_1/vol1_Table_of_contents.htm USFS Silvics manual for Conifers

http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/silvics_manual/volume_2/vol2_Table_of_contents.htm USFS Silvics manual for Hardwoods http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/trees/handbook/ndhand-1.htm#small North Dakota Tree Handbook http://hort.ufl.edu/trees/ 680 Tree Fact Sheets, University of Florida; covers a wide southeastern area http://www.uwgb.edu/BIODIVERSITY/herbarium/trees/tree_list_by_Latin.htm Cofrin Center for Biodiversity, Herbarium, University of Wisconsin; covers a wide

northern area, with great photos http://www.cnr.vt.edu/DENDRO/dendrology/factsheets.cfm Virginia Tech, Department of Forestry, College of Natural Resources; covers a wide

eastern area, with great photos http://www.floridata.com/index.cfm Floridata; covers a wide eastern area http://www.windows.ucar.edu/citizen_science/budburst/plantlist.php Project Budburst; limited species, but good info http://www.ibiblio.org/openkey/intkey/ OpenKey, Illinois - North Carolina Collaborative Environment for Botanical Resources;

limited species with good descriptions; good photos http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/trees/eb38-1.htm#contents Trees and Shrubs of North Dakota, North Dakota State University; northern species http://www.duke.edu/~cwcook/trees/index.html Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina, Will Cook’s Web Site; southeastern

species

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http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/ansci/range/eb69-2.htm#INDEX NDSU, Selected North Dakota and Minnesota Range Plants http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/trees/ North Dakota Tree Information Center, North Dakota Tree Handbook http://www.hort.uconn.edu/Plants/a/a.html UConn Plant Database of trees, shrubs, and vines; northeastern species and ornamentals http://extension.usu.edu/forestry/UtahForests/TreeID/speclist_scientific.htm Utah State University, Forestry Extension http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/factsheets/SCIENTIFIC/scientific_index.html

North Carolina State University, NC Cooperative Extension http://extension.unh.edu/Forestry/BigTree.htm University of New Hampshire Extension; general search on the site for bulletins, etc. http://www.mda.state.mn.us/atoz_index.aspx?categoryID=46 Minnesota Department of Agriculture; use search http://uvalde.tamu.edu/herbarium/index.html Native Plants of South Texas; has trees http://www.wildflower.org/plants/ University of Texas at Austin, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center; has trees http://arnoldia.arboretum.harvard.edu/static/home the publication Arnoldia; use search http://www.missouriplants.com/Whiteopp/Species_list.html MissouriPlants.com; great site http://www.conifers.org/index.htm The Gymnosperm Database

Good links for photos http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/ CalFlora; great photos http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/frame.htm Bioimages, Vanderbilt University; great photos http://www.forestryimages.org/ Forestry Images: Forest Health, Natural Resources & Silviculture Images; may need to

sign up for use (no requirements); great photos http://wisplants.uwsp.edu/VascularPlants.html Robert W. Freckmann Herbarium, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point; great photos http://www.noble.org/WebApps/PlantImageGallery/Index.aspx The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, The Noble Foundation Plant Image Gallery;

great photos http://www.sbs.utexas.edu/bio406d/PlantPics_archive.htm Image Archive of Central Texas Plants http://biology.burke.washington.edu/herbarium/imagecollection.php?ID=6483 The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture http://biology.missouristate.edu/Herbarium/Plants%20of%20the%20Interior%20Highlands/phot

ographs_of_flowering_plants.htm

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Photographs of Flowering Plants of the Ozarks and the interior highlands of North America

Good links for grasses http://www.wheat.okstate.edu/wm/ptfs/cropmngmnt/pt95-25.pdf Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Glossary for “Growth of a Wheat Plant”;

terminology for grasses and phenology http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/default.htm Intermountain Herbarium, Grass Manual on the Web; great info for grasses http://www.eeob.iastate.edu/research/iowagrasses/speciessn.html Grasses of Iowa http://forage.okstate.edu/grasses.htm Oklahoma Forages; grasses http://forage.okstate.edu/index.htm Oklahoma Forages; can look at grasses or legumes http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/grasses/grass_index.htm#bigblue Prairie Wildflowers of Illinois http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/ Purdue University; Agronomy Extension; search http://www.kew.org/data/grasses-db/www/imp07304.htm Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Grassbase – The Online World Grass Flora http://www.tropicalforages.info/key/Forages/Media/Html/ Tropical Forages http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/Indices/index_ab.html Duke, J.A. 1983. Medicago sativa L.; Handbook of energy crops

Good links for invasive plants http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/products.html The Nature Conservancy; Element Steward papers http://www.invasivespecies.net/database/welcome/ Global Invasive Species Database http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ipc/weedinfo/winfo_table-commname.htm California Department of Food and Agriculture http://www.ppws.vt.edu/scott/weed_id/genusindex.htm Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide http://www.lucidcentral.org/keys/FNW/FNW%20Disseminules%20Key/html/index.htm Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules of the U.S. http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants/weeds/ USDA Forest Service, Forest Health, Weed of the Week http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/ Aquatic, Wetland and Invasive Plants, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants

University of Florida, IFAS http://www.invasive.org/weeds/knapweed/chapter1.html#spotted

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Invasive.org http://www.msuturfweeds.net/browse-by-name/ Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Michigan State University and Ronald Calhoun;

MSU Turf Weeds.net http://www.ksda.gov/plant_protection/content/181/cid/895 Kansas Department of Agriculture http://www.idahoweedawareness.org/vfg/weedlist/weedlist.html Idaho Weed Awareness Campaign http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/ USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/weedguide/ Ohio Perennial & Biennial Weed Guide http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/index.html University of California; Agriculture and Natural Resources; IPM Online http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/ Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board http://www.ag.uiuc.edu/~vista/html_pubs/WEEDS/list.html Weeds of the North Central States; Bulletin 772 http://oregonstate.edu/dept/nursery-weeds/ Weed Management in Nursery Crops, Dr. James Altland http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/weeds/weed_index.htm#sp_knapweed Weedy Wildflowers of Illinois

Other useful links http://www.cwnp.org/photoindex.html Central Washington Native Plants; Plant Gallery http://www.ext.colostate.edu/menunatr.html Colorado State University Extension, Natural Resources http://e-forest-autecology.org/Acer_pensylvanicum/scientific_frame.html Electronic Forest Autecology Project http://hgic.clemson.edu/plants.htm#1.1 Clemson Extension Home & Garden Information Center http://www.nps.gov/ National Park Service; search http://www.ag.auburn.edu/hort/landscape/dbpages/botanicalindex.html Auburn University, Horticulture Department, Plant Identification Resource http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/plantsci/classes/range/index.html Rangeland Ecosystems & Plants http://extension.usu.edu/range/index.htm Utah State University, Range Plants of Utah http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/seedid/single.asp?strID=207 Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, Ohio State University, Seed ID Workshop http://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/

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U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Germplasm Resources Information Network

http://www.ars-grin.gov/~sbmljw/cgi-bin/ U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Germplasm Resources

Information Network; GRIN taxonomy http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Germplasm Resources

Information Network; GRIN taxonomy for plants http://www.nsl.fs.fed.us/wpsm/ U.S. Forest Service, Woody Plant Seed Manual http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~plants-c/bio414/ Arizona Biomes; Native Plants of Arizona https://cms.imr.nps.gov/arch/naturescience/scientificnames.htm http://www.kswildflower.org/ Kansas Wildflower and Grasses http://2bnthewild.com/plants/H248.htm Wildflowers of the Southern U.S. http://www.auburn.edu/~deancar/index.html Wildflowers of Alabama http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plant_index.htm#western_ragweed Weedy Wildflowers of Illinois http://www.callutheran.edu/wf/ Wildflowers of Southern California, A photographic gallery http://montana.plant-life.org/sci.html Montana Plant Life; scientific names of plants http://montana.plant-life.org/ Montana Plant Life; many categories to search http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/browse.asp Atlas of Florida; Vascular Plants; by family http://www.paflora.org/ The Pennsylvania Flora Project http://www.wildflower.org/plants/ The University of Texas at Austin; Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center http://laurentiancenter.com/content/view/175/67/ Laurentian Environmental Center, Learning in the Outdoors http://plants.bees.net/gallery/albums.php Michigan Bee Plants http://ontariowildflowers.com/index.php Ontario Wildflowers http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/plants/floramw/species.htm#group7 USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center http://www.vplants.org/ V Plants, A Virtual Herbarium of the Chicago Region http://www.eiu.edu/~prairie/index1.htm Prairie Restoration, A Digital Aid Featuring Seeds, Seedlings, and Fruits http://www.tva.gov/river/landandshore/stabilization/plants/

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Tennessee Valley Authority, Riparian Restoration http://www.biosurvey.ou.edu/shrub/shrubndx.htm#index Oklahoma Biological Survey http://hcs.osu.edu/pocketgardener/source/index.html Ohio State University, OSU Pocket Gardener http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www.microscopy-

uk.org.uk/mag/bj-flowers.html A Flower Garden of Macroscopic Delights http://www.salisbury.edu/arboretum/welcome.html Arboretum, Salisbury University http://botany.cs.tamu.edu/FLORA/bwgpror.htm Digital Flora of Texas, Vascular Plant Image Library http://www.plantations.cornell.edu/collections/ F.R. Newman Arboretum, Cornell Plantations http://www.opsu.edu/UnivSchools/ScienceMathNurs/PlantsGrassh/plants/pasturefiles/sciencena

mes.html Goodwell and Texhoma, Oklahoma, Pasture and Roadside Plants http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/staff/index.php?action=list&user_name=krrobert Illinois Natural History Survey; Ken Robertson http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/lawn_garden_trees.htm NDSU Agriculture and University Extension; Education Materials http://ontariowildflowers.com/main/species.php?id=2057 Ontario Wildflowers http://www.swcoloradowildflowers.com/index.htm Southwest Colorado Wildflowers, Ferns, & Trees; great site http://www.botgard.ucla.edu/html/botanytextbooks/economicbotany/ The Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden, Economic Botany http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ldplants/ Weed Management in Nursery Crops, Dr. James Altland http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/index.html Illinois Natural History Survey http://faculty.etsu.edu/mcdowelt/ Tim McDowell, East Tennessee State University http://www.laddarboretum.org/tree_red%20maple.htm The Ladd Arboretum and Evanston Ecology Center http://herb.umd.umich.edu/ University of Michigan, Dearborn; Native American Ethnobotany

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Citations Meier, U. Phenological growth stages. In: Schwartz (ed.). Phenology: An integrative environmental science. Kluwer Academic Publishers. The Netherlands. pp 269-283.

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Appendix A NPN Phenophase events and BBCH codes BBCH code Growth stage Protocol Phenophase

09 Budburst Conifer Budburst (conifer) 09 Emergence Herb Emergence above ground

10a Leaf out Deciduous-flower first First leaf (3 locations) 10a Leaf out Deciduous-leaf first First leaf (3 locations) 10a Leaf out Deciduous-pollen only First leaf (3 locations) 10a Leaf out Conifer First needles (conifer) 10a Leaf out Lilac-honeysuckle program First leaf (lilac/honeysuckle) 10a Leaf out Evergreen broadleaf Leaf out 10e Leaf out Lilac-honeysuckle program Full leaf out 35 Stem elongation Conifer 50% stem elongation (conifer) 39 Stem elongation Conifer Full stem elongation (conifer) 43 Leaf elongation Deciduous-flower first 25% leaf elongation (trees) 43 Leaf elongation Deciduous-pollen only 25% leaf elongation (trees) 43 Leaf elongation Evergreen broadleaf 25% leaf elongation (evergreen) 45 Leaf elongation Deciduous-flower first 50% leaf elongation (trees) 45 Leaf elongation Deciduous-leaf first 50% leaf elongation (trees) 45 Leaf elongation Deciduous-pollen only 50% leaf elongation (trees) 45 Leaf elongation Evergreen broadleaf 50% leaf elongation (evergreen) 47 Leaf elongation Deciduous-flower first 75% leaf elongation (trees) 47 Leaf elongation Deciduous-leaf first 75% leaf elongation (trees) 47 Leaf elongation Deciduous-pollen only 75% leaf elongation (trees) 47 Leaf elongation Conifer 75% needle elongation (conifer) 47 Leaf elongation Evergreen broadleaf 75% leaf elongation (evergreen) 49 Leaf elongation Deciduous-flower first Full leaf elongation (trees) 49 Leaf elongation Deciduous-leaf first Full leaf elongation (trees) 49 Leaf elongation Deciduous-pollen only Full leaf elongation (trees) 49 Leaf elongation Evergreen broadleaf Full leaf elongation (evergreen) 51 Cone development Conifer First male cone (conifer) 51 Flower development Specialized First flower bud (1 location) 60 Flowering Deciduous-flower first First flower (3 locations) 60 Flowering Deciduous-leaf first First flower (3 locations)

60 Flowering Deciduous-pollen only First pollen released (angiosperm 3 locations)

60 Pollen release Conifer First pollen released (conifer) 60 Flowering Herb First flower (1 location) 60 Flowering Lilac-honeysuckle program First bloom (lilac) 60 Flowering Specialized First flower (1 location) 60 Flowering Evergreen broadleaf First flower (3 locations) 65 Flowering Deciduous-flower first Full flower 65 Flowering Deciduous-leaf first Full flower 65 Flowering Lilac-honeysuckle program Full bloom (lilac) 65 Flowering Evergreen broadleaf Full flower 67 Flowering Deciduous-flower first Last flower

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BBCH code Growth stage Protocol Phenophase

67 Flowering Deciduous-leaf first Last flower 67 Flowering Herb Last flower 67 Flowering Lilac-honeysuckle program End bloom (lilac/honeysuckle) 67 Flowering Specialized Last flower 67 Flowering Evergreen broadleaf Last flower 71 Fruit development Specialized First fruit (1 location) 89 Fruit ripening Deciduous-flower first First fruit ripe (3 locations) 89 Fruit ripening Deciduous-leaf first First fruit ripe (3 locations) 89 Fruit ripening Deciduous-pollen only First fruit ripe (3 locations) 89 Fruit ripening Herb First fruit ripe (1 location) 89 Fruit ripening Specialized First fruit ripe (1 location) 89 Fruit ripening Evergreen broadleaf First fruit ripe (3 locations)

89c Fruit ripening Deciduous-flower first 50% fruit ripe 89c Fruit ripening Deciduous-leaf first 50% fruit ripe 89c Fruit ripening Deciduous-pollen only 50% fruit ripe 89c Fruit ripening Evergreen broadleaf 50% fruit ripe 89e Fruit ripening Deciduous-flower first All fruit ripe 89e Fruit ripening Deciduous-pollen only All fruit ripe 89e Fruit ripening Evergreen broadleaf All fruit ripe 92a Leaf color change Deciduous-flower first First leaf colored (3 locations) 92a Leaf color change Deciduous-leaf first First leaf colored (3 locations) 92a Leaf color change Deciduous-pollen only First leaf colored (3 locations) 92b Leaf color change Deciduous-flower first 25% of leaves colored 92b Leaf color change Deciduous-leaf first 25% of leaves colored 92b Leaf color change Deciduous-pollen only 25% of leaves colored 92c Leaf color change Deciduous-flower first 50% of leaves colored 92c Leaf color change Deciduous-flower first 50% of leaves colored 92c Leaf color change Deciduous-leaf first 50% of leaves colored 92c Leaf color change Deciduous-pollen only 50% of leaves colored 92d Leaf color change Deciduous-flower first 75% of leaves colored 92d Leaf color change Deciduous-leaf first 75% of leaves colored 92d Leaf color change Deciduous-pollen only 75% of leaves colored 92e Leaf color change Deciduous-flower first All leaves colored 92e Leaf color change Deciduous-leaf first All leaves colored 92e Leaf color change Deciduous-pollen only All leaves colored 93 Leaf fall Deciduous-flower first First leaf fallen (3 locations) 93 Leaf fall Deciduous-leaf first First leaf fallen (3 locations) 93 Leaf fall Deciduous-pollen only First leaf fallen (3 locations) 93 Leaf fall Conifer First needles fallen (conifer) 93 Leaf fall Evergreen broadleaf First leaf fallen (evergreen, 3 locations) 94 Leaf fall Deciduous-flower first 25% of leaves fallen 94 Leaf fall Deciduous-leaf first 25% of leaves fallen 94 Leaf fall Deciduous-pollen only 25% of leaves fallen 95 Leaf fall Deciduous-flower first 50% of leaves fallen 95 Leaf fall Deciduous-flower first 50% of leaves fallen 95 Leaf fall Deciduous-leaf first 50% of leaves fallen

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BBCH code Growth stage Protocol Phenophase

95 Leaf fall Deciduous-pollen only 50% of leaves fallen 96 Leaf fall Deciduous-flower first 75% of leaves fallen 96 Leaf fall Deciduous-leaf first 75% of leaves fallen 96 Leaf fall Deciduous-pollen only 75% of leaves fallen 97 Leaf fall Deciduous-flower first All leaves fallen 97 Leaf fall Deciduous-leaf first All leaves fallen 97 Leaf fall Deciduous-pollen only All leaves fallen 97 Senescence Herb All leaves senesced

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Appendix B Plant profile: Descriptive template This template provides the items that appear in the descriptive part of the plant profile in the order and placement in which they occur in the profile. The text in italics indicates that you substitute the appropriate text. Gray highlight indicates notes and instructions on how to fill out a particular item. Delete the gray highlight as you compile the profile. When you make a new plant profile, cut this entire template into a new document. Label it GenusName_SpeciesName_v0_draft (fill in the appropriate plant name for the italics). Species Latin name Species family Common names of species Description:

A 100-200 word general description of the species. See existing profiles for examples of depth. In general, we want to make sure that the characteristics listed here include characteristics used for the phenophase events. Useful web resources are listed at the bottom of this document.

Variation: Make notes on general taxonomy, for example varieties, subspecies, and cultivars if needed to understand variation in species. Size: Generally 1-4 sentences Leaves (or Needles): Generally 1-4 sentences Flowers: Generally 1-4 sentences Fruit: Generally 1-4 sentences Bark: Generally 1-4 sentences Habitat: Generally 1-4 sentences Species distribution:

List acronym (2 letter state code) in upper case bold for states in which the species occurs according to USDA Plants (http://plants.usda.gov/)

Species images:

Choose images from available web sources to illustrate characteristics of the plant. Choose 1-3 best links for each plant part. The plant features listed are for deciduous trees. Change these features as appropriate to the plant life form you are working with, e.g. inflorescence, stem, needles, and juvenile leaves/needles.

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Whole plant: Bark: Leaf: Colored leaves: Buds: Flowers: Staminate (male) flowers: Pistillate (female) flowers: Fruit: Expected timing of growth stages: Eventually all phenophase events to be monitored should be included; however, information may not be known at this time for all phenophase events. The range of time should be general; regional timing should be noted as such. A good reference is http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/ but occasionally some species aren’t covered. Useful web resources are listed at the bottom of this document. Phenophase events to be observed Select the appropriate phenophase event template from Appendix C and insert here. If you make modifications please use grey highlight like this so that reviewers can identify the modifications. Did you know? An interesting fact about the species, if known. Biography: List web references or other references used including sources of images Notes: The USDA PLANTS symbol for this plant is USDA Plants Code see http://plants.usda.gov/

The ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. for this species is ITIS Code see http://www.itis.gov/ Document history: V0.draft, date Protocol compiler: Names of all people that contributed to original content Reviewers: Names of all people that reviewed document, will be filled out by Plant Phenology Program USA National Phenology Network National Coordinating Office 1955 East 6th Street Tucson, AZ 85719 www.usanpn.org

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Appendix C Plant profile: Phenophase events Standard templates for phenophase events exist (or are being developed) for different plant groups, based on lifeform and timing of phenophase events. This list and phenophase event descriptions are still in development, so make sure you are using the most recent version of this document and let us know if you have any comments on the description of phenophase events and instructions for observation. Cactus Conifer Deciduous, flower first Deciduous, leaf first Deciduous, pollen only Evergreen broadleaf Herb Grass Select the phenophase event template that is appropriate for the plant you are working on. Titles for growth stage (in bold text) and phenophase event (in italics) should not be changed. The first part of the definition should not be changed (unless it is not at all accurate for your species, in which case please contact the Plant Phenology Program contacts). However, where necessary you may append the definitions to better describe phenophases of the individual species if you feel the first part of the definition will not be clear enough. If you would like to see a new phenophase event added to this list, please contact the Plant Phenology Program contacts. Comments in gray highlight are for guidance in developing text and should be deleted in the final draft for each species. The task of the compiler is to: 1) Make sure the order of the phenophase events in the template are the same as actually

expressed by the species of interest. Ensure that all phenophase events listed actually occur on the species of interest.

2) Where necessary, add descriptive text to the phenophase events that are specific to the species of interest. On the templates, gray highlight indicates places where descriptive text might be needed.

3) Contact the Plant Phenology Program if you believe an additional phenophase event is required.

4) Describe any special considerations for the species of interest.

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Cactus In development

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Conifer Budburst • Budburst

In at least three locations on the plant, a bud has broken and the newly developing stem (candle) has begun to push through the bud scales. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Leaf out • First needles

In at least three locations on the plant, the young needles have begun to visibly emerge or unfold along the developing stem. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Stem elongation • 50% stem elongation (Intensive only)

The majority of developing stems are 50% of the length of the stems from the previous year. The length of stems from the previous year is determined by measuring the distance between nodes that mark the beginning and end of the stem growth on that branch in the previous year. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• Full stem elongation (Intensive only) The majority of developing stems are 100% of the length of the stems from the previous year. The length of stems from the previous year is determined by measuring the distance between nodes that mark the beginning and end of the stem growth on that branch in the previous year. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Needle elongation • 75% needle elongation (Intensive only)

The majority of developing stems have elongating needles that are three-quarters (75%) as long as the length of the needles on the previous year’s growth. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Cone development • First male cone

In at least three locations on the plant, a male cone (strobilus) has emerged. A few to many individual pollen sacs (which look tiny balloons) have visibly emerged from the bud (though they may be quite small). For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

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Pollen release • First pollen released

In at least three locations on the plant, the pollen sacs on a male cone (strobilus) have broken and pollen is released when the cone is gently shaken or blown. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Leaf fall Note: If drought seems to be the cause of leaf fall for a plant, please make a comment about it for that plant. • First needles fallen

In at least three locations on the plant, needles from previous years’ growth have yellowed and fallen or fall from the stem upon gentle handling. Leaf fall may also be indicated by the presence of at least 3 needles or needle clusters on the ground below the plant and appear to have newly fallen from it. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

[A paragraph can be included here with any special instructions for observing this species.]

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Deciduous, flower first Flowering [For species with separate male and female flowers] Note: Where possible, observe both male and female flowers and evaluate them separately. • First flower

In at least three locations on the plant, a flower has opened completely. Flowers are considered ‘opened’ when the reproductive parts are visible between unfolded or opened flower parts. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for. For species with separate male and female flowers, add this statement: If you know whether the flowers you are observing are male or female, please report this information as well.]

• Full flower (Intensive only) The plant has reached its peak floral display. For Your species, [please include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• Last flower The last visible flower is opened completely and is still fresh. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Leaf out • First leaf

In at least three locations on the plant, the very first green tip of a young leaf has visibly moved out of the leaf bud. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Leaf elongation Note: These measures can be difficult to estimate without a few seasons of practice. • 25% leaf elongation (Intensive only)

The majority of young leaves have unfolded completely and have expanded to one-quarter (25%) of their mature size. Leaf elongation may also be estimated by viewing the canopy as a whole. At 25% leaf elongation, the canopy appears to be approximately one-quarter (25%) full. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 50% leaf elongation (Intensive only)

The majority of young leaves have unfolded completely and have expanded to half (50%) of their mature size. Leaf elongation may also be estimated by viewing the canopy as a whole.

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At 50% leaf elongation, the canopy appears to be approximately half (50%) full. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 75% leaf elongation

The majority of young leaves have unfolded completely and have expanded to three-quarters (75%) of their mature size. Leaf elongation may also be estimated by viewing the canopy as a whole. At 75% leaf elongation, the canopy appears to be approximately three-quarters (75%) full. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• Full leaf elongation (Intensive)

The majority of young leaves have unfolded completely and have expanded to 95-100% of their mature size. At full leaf elongation, the canopy appears to have reached its full density. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Fruit ripening • First fruit ripe

In at least three locations on the plant, a fruit has become ripe. For Your species, [please include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 50% of fruit ripe (Intensive only) For the whole plant, half (50%) of the fruits are ripe. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• All fruit ripe (Intensive only) For the whole plant, virtually all (95-100%) of the fruits are ripe. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Leaf color change Note: If drought seems to be the cause of leaf color change for a plant, please make a comment about it for that plant. • First leaf colored (Intensive only)

In at least three locations on the plant, the green leaves have begun to change to their late season colors. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 25% of leaves colored (Intensive only)

For the whole plant, one-quarter (25%) of the leaves (including any that have fallen to the ground) have changed to their late season colors. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

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• 50% of leaves colored

For the whole plant, half (50%) of the leaves (including any that have fallen to the ground) have changed to their late season colors. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 75% of leaves colored (Intensive only)

For the whole plant, three-quarters (75%) of the leaves (including any that have fallen to the ground) have changed to their late season colors. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• All leaves colored

For the whole plant, virtually all (95-100%) of the leaves (including any that have fallen to the ground) have changed to their late season colors and there is virtually no green left in the leaves. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Leaf fall Note: If drought seems to be the cause of leaf fall for a plant, please make a comment about it for that plant. • First leaf fallen (Intensive only)

In at least three locations on the plant, a leaf easily falls off into your hand when touched or gently handled. First leaf fallen may also be indicated by the presence of at least three leaves on the ground below the plant (that are not apparently from another individual nearby). For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 25% of leaves fallen (Intensive only)

For the whole plant, one-quarter (25%) of the leaves have fallen. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 50% of leaves fallen

For the whole plant, half (50%) of the leaves have fallen. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 75% of leaves fallen (Intensive only)

For the whole plant, three-quarters (75%) of the leaves have fallen. [for oak, beech and other relevant species include: For Your species, this includes any leaves that have dried and remain dead on the plant.]

• All leaves fallen

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For the whole plant, virtually all (95-100%) of the leaves have fallen. [for oak,beech and other relevant species include: For Your species, this includes any leaves that have dried and remain dead on the plant.]

A paragraph can be included here with any special instructions for monitoring this species.

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Deciduous, pollen only Flowering • First pollen released (Intensive only)

In at least three locations on the plant, pollen is released from a flower when gently shaken or blown. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.

Leaf out • First leaf

In at least three locations on the plant, the very first green tip of a young leaf has visibly moved out of the leaf bud. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Leaf elongation Note: These measures can be difficult to estimate without a few seasons of practice. • 25% leaf elongation (Intensive only)

The majority of young leaves have unfolded completely and have expanded to one-quarter (25%) of their mature size. Leaf elongation may also be estimated by viewing the canopy as a whole. At 25% leaf elongation, the canopy appears to be approximately one-quarter (25%) full. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 50% leaf elongation (Intensive only)

The majority of young leaves have unfolded completely and have expanded to half (50%) of their mature size. Leaf elongation may also be estimated by viewing the canopy as a whole. At 50% leaf elongation, the canopy appears to be approximately half (50%) full. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 75% leaf elongation

The majority of young leaves have unfolded completely and have expanded to three-quarters (75%) of their mature size. Leaf elongation may also be estimated by viewing the canopy as a whole. At 75% leaf elongation, the canopy appears to be approximately three-quarters (75%) full. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• Full leaf elongation (Intensive only)

The majority of young leaves have unfolded completely and have expanded to 95-100% of their mature size. At full leaf elongation, the canopy appears to have reached its full density. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

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Fruit ripening • First fruit ripe

In at least three locations on the plant, a fruit has become ripe. For Your species, [please include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 50% of fruit ripe (Intensive only) For the whole plant, half (50%) of the fruits are ripe. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• All fruit ripe (Intensive only) For the whole plant, virtually all (95-100%) of the fruits are ripe. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Leaf color change Note: If drought seems to be the cause of leaf color change for a plant, please make a comment about it for that plant. • First leaf colored (Intensive only)

In at least three locations on the plant, the green leaves have begun to change to their late season colors. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 25% of leaves colored (Intensive only)

For the whole plant, one-quarter (25%) of the leaves (including any that have fallen to the ground) have changed to their late season colors. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 50% of leaves colored

For the whole plant, half (50%) of the leaves (including any that have fallen to the ground) have changed to their late season colors. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 75% of leaves colored (Intensive only)

For the whole plant, three-quarters (75%) of the leaves (including any that have fallen to the ground) have changed to their late season colors. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• All leaves colored

For the whole plant, virtually all (95-100%) of the leaves (including any that have fallen to the ground) have changed to their late season colors and there is virtually no green left in the

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leaves. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Leaf fall [for plants with leaf abscission] Note: If drought seems to be the cause of leaf fall for a plant, please make a comment about it for that plant. • First leaf fallen (Intensive only)

In at least three locations on the plant, a leaf easily falls off into your hand when touched or gently handled. First leaf fallen may also be indicated by the presence of at least three leaves on the ground below the plant (that are not apparently from another individual nearby). For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 25% of leaves fallen (Intensive only)

For the whole plant, one-quarter (25%) of the leaves have fallen. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 50% of leaves fallen

For the whole plant, half (50%) of the leaves have fallen. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 75% of leaves fallen (Intensive only)

For the whole plant, three-quarters (75%) of the leaves have fallen. [for oak, beech and other relevant species include: For Your species, this includes any leaves that have dried and remain dead on the plant.]

• All leaves fallen For the whole plant, virtually all (95-100%) of the leaves have fallen. [for oak, beech and other relevant species include: For Your species, this includes any leaves that have dried and remain dead on the plant.]

[A paragraph can be included here with any special instructions for observing this species.]

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Deciduous, leaf first Leaf out • First leaf

In at least three locations on the plant, the very first green tip of a young leaf has visibly moved out of the leaf bud. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Flowering [For species with separate male and female flowers] Note: Where possible, observe both male and female flowers and evaluate them separately. • First flower

In at least three locations on the plant, a flower has opened completely. Flowers are considered ‘opened’ when the reproductive parts are visible between unfolded or opened flower parts. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for. For species with separate male and female flowers, add this statement: If you know whether the flowers you are observing are male or female, please report this information as well.]

• Full flower (Intensive only) The plant has reached its peak floral display. For Your species, [please include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• Last flower The last visible flower is opened completely and is still fresh. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Leaf elongation Note: These measures can be difficult to estimate without a few seasons of practice. • 25% leaf elongation (Intensive only)

The majority of young leaves have unfolded completely and have expanded to one-quarter (25%) of their mature size. Leaf elongation may also be estimated by viewing the canopy as a whole. At 25% leaf elongation, the canopy appears to be approximately one-quarter (25%) full. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 50% leaf elongation (Intensive only)

The majority of young leaves have unfolded completely and have expanded to half (50%) of their mature size. Leaf elongation may also be estimated by viewing the canopy as a whole.

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At 50% leaf elongation, the canopy appears to be approximately half (50%) full. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 75% leaf elongation

The majority of young leaves have unfolded completely and have expanded to three-quarters (75%) of their mature size. Leaf elongation may also be estimated by viewing the canopy as a whole. At 75% leaf elongation, the canopy appears to be approximately three-quarters (75%) full. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• Full leaf elongation (Intensive only)

The majority of young leaves have unfolded completely and have expanded to 95-100% of their mature size. At full leaf elongation, the canopy appears to have reached its full density. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Fruit ripening • First fruit ripe

In at least three locations on the plant, a fruit has become ripe. For Your species, [please include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 50% of fruit ripe (Intensive only) For the whole plant, half (50%) of the fruits are ripe. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• All fruit ripe (Intensive only) For the whole plant, virtually all (95-100%) of the fruits are ripe. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Leaf color change Note: If drought seems to be the cause of leaf color change for a plant, please make a comment about it for that plant. • First leaf colored (Intensive only)

In at least three locations on the plant, the green leaves have begun to change to their late season colors. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 25% of leaves colored (Intensive only)

For the whole plant, one-quarter (25%) of the leaves (including any that have fallen to the ground) have changed to their late season colors. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

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• 50% of leaves colored

For the whole plant, half (50%) of the leaves (including any that have fallen to the ground) have changed to their late season colors. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 75% of leaves colored (Intensive only)

For the whole plant, three-quarters (75%) of the leaves (including any that have fallen to the ground) have changed to their late season colors. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• All leaves colored

For the whole plant, virtually all (95-100%) of the leaves (including any that have fallen to the ground) have changed to their late season colors and there is virtually no green left in the leaves. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Leaf fall Note: If drought seems to be the cause of leaf fall for a plant, please make a comment about it for that plant. • First leaf fallen (Intensive only)

In at least three locations on the plant, a leaf easily falls off into your hand when touched or gently handled. First leaf fallen may also be indicated by the presence of at least three leaves on the ground below the plant (that are not apparently from another individual nearby). For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 25% of leaves fallen (Intensive only)

For the whole plant, one-quarter (25%) of the leaves have fallen. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 50% of leaves fallen

For the whole plant, half (50%) of the leaves have fallen. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 75% of leaves fallen (Intensive only)

For the whole plant, three-quarters (75%) of the leaves have fallen [for oak, beech and other relevant species include: For Your species, this includes any leaves that have dried and remain dead on the plant.]

• All leaves fallen

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For the whole plant, virtually all (95-100%) of the leaves have fallen. [for oak, beech and other relevant species include: For Your species, this includes any leaves that have dried and remain dead on the plant.]

[A paragraph can be included here with any special instructions for observing this species.]

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Evergreen broadleaf Leaf out • First leaf

In at least 3 locations on the plant, the very first green tip of a new young leaf has visibly moved out of a leaf bud. New leaves are generally located at branch tips, and are a lighter shade of green than the older leaves on the plant. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Leaf elongation • 25% leaf elongation (Intensive only)

The majority of new young leaves have unfolded completely and have expanded to one-quarter (25%) of the size of older leaves on the plant. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 50% leaf elongation (Intensive only)

The majority of new young leaves have unfolded completely and have expanded to half (50%) of the size of older leaves on the plant. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 75% leaf elongation

The majority of new young leaves have unfolded completely and have expanded to three-quarters (75%) of the size of older leaves on the plant. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• Full leaf elongation (Intensive only)

The majority of new young leaves have unfolded completely and have expanded to 95-100% of the size of older leaves on the plant. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Flowering [For species with separate male and female flowers] Note: Where possible, observe both male and female flowers and evaluate them separately. • First flower

In at least three locations on the plant, a flower has opened completely. Flowers are considered ‘opened’ when the reproductive parts are visible between unfolded or opened flower parts. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for. For species with separate male and female flowers, add this statement: If you know whether the flowers you are observing are male or female, please report this information as well.]

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• Full flower (Intensive only) The plant has reached its peak floral display. For Your species, [please include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• Last flower The last visible flower has opened completely and is still fresh. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Fruit ripening • First fruit ripe

In at least three locations on the plant, a fruit has become ripe. For Your species, [please include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• 50% of fruit ripe (Intensive only) For the whole plant, half (50%) of the fruits are ripe. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

• All fruit ripe (Intensive only) For the whole plant, virtually all (95-100%) of the fruits are ripe. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Leaf fall Note: If drought seems to be the cause of leaf fall for a plant, please make a comment about it for that plant. • First leaf fallen

In at least three locations on the plant, a leaf from previous years’ growth has yellowed and fallen or falls from the stem upon gentle handling. Leaf fall may also be indicated by the presence of at least three leaves on the ground below the plant and appear to have newly fallen from it. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

[A paragraph can be included here with any special instructions for observing this species.]

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Herb [For species that are clonal include following text] This species often reproduces clonally and may form large patches of individual plants. Where possible, choose one or more individuals to mark and monitor separately. However, if it is too difficult to distinguish and follow individuals, a group of individuals can be monitored as a single patch instead. Please indicate in the plant registration form whether you are monitoring an individual or a patch. (See the Sampling Protocol for guidelines on marking plants and establishing patches.) Emergence • Emergence above ground

New growth of the plant has begun above the soil surface, with aboveground buds showing green tips, or new shoots breaking through the soil surface. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Flowering • First flower

At least one flower on the plant has opened completely. Flowers are considered ‘opened’ when the reproductive parts are visible between unfolded or opened flower parts. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for. For species with separate male and female flowers, add this statement: If you know whether the flowers you are observing are male or female, please report this information as well.]

• Last flower The last visible flower has opened completely and is still fresh. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Fruit ripening • First fruit ripe

At least one fruit on the plant has become ripe. For Your species, [please include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

Senescence Note: If drought seems to be the cause of senescence for a plant, please make a comment about it for that plant. • All leaves senesced

Of the leaves that developed this season, virtually all (95-100%) are now dried and dead. For Your species, [if necessary include species specific definition to describe what to look for.]

[A paragraph can be included here with any special instructions for observing this species.]

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Grass In development