Spotlight on a new Seed Identification website

Lucid  Seed Identification Guide Home ScreenA website (https://www.idseed.org/) has recently been launched by the International Seed Morphology Association to “promote collaboration, knowledge sharing, resource development, and research among those who are interested in seed morphology and seed identification”.

The site provides information on various resources, including a Seed Identification Guide currently consisting of Seed identification fact sheets for 127 species, a searchable image gallery, botany glossary, Lucid seed identification keys, links to two online keys. https://www.idseed.org/seedidguide/home.html).

The website also provides resources for authors who are interested in developing and publishing seed identification factsheets or images, including protocols, template and standard feature descriptions. See more at https://www.idseed.org/authors.html. We welcome authors and collaborators to enrich the resources and the Seed Identification Guide for end users.

Both seed keys are Lucid keys: one key is to 36 common plant families, where a family identification is needed for an unknown seed or fruit. The following feature descriptors are used: Seed shape, Colour, Surface features, Hilum-Attachment scar, Size (Length/Diameter range).

Lucid Seed Identification Guide

https://www.idseed.org/seedidguide/keys/details/Use-the-Poaceae-key-if2.html

The other key is to the propagules or fruits of 102 biosecurity-relevant species of the daisy or sunflower family Asteraceae. It was produced by CSIRO scientist Alexander Schmidt-Lebuhn at the Australian National Herbarium (CANB) in collaboration with and through funding from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

https://www.idseed.org/seedidguide/keys/details/Use-the-Fabaceae-key-if.html