with stem nodes each containing 🍁︎ leaves or ⬮ leaf scars usually numbering/​arranged …

1-at-a-node,
arranged
╧╤╧╤
alternate
 (spiral)
  if unsure
2-at-a-node,
arranged
═╪═╪
opposite
 or
3+-at-a-node,
arranged
═❋═❋
whorled
:

1-at-a-node, arranged ╧╤╧╤ alternate (spiral)

The identification paths for these plants are 🚧 under construction.  Until we finish, …
garlic mustard  Alliaria petiolata
early in growing season;  🥾 boot-top-high;  flower=green, like a small cup with a built-in cover over the top, may have red mixed in with green if mature
Jack in the pulpit  Arisaema triphyllum

leaves arranged alternate, but each leaf is doubly-pinnately-compound
water hemlock  Cicuta maculata

creeping thistle or field thistle  Cirsium arvense 🇪🇺 ♒︎ European swamp thistle  Cirsium palustre
poison hemlock  Conium maculatum
leafy spurge  Euphorbia esula

Japanese knotweed  Fallopia japonica

2-at-a-node, arranged ═╪═╪ opposite ⊖ MAD-Cap-Horse

The identification paths for these plants are 🚧 under construction.  Until we finish, …

3+-at-a-node, arranged ═❋═❋ whorled

3+-at-a-node,
arranged
═❋═❋
whorled
  3+-at-the-node,
near the ground,
arranged =
⚶ basal or rosette

:

3+-at-the-node near the ground, arranged =⚶ basal or rosette

The identification paths for these plants are 🚧 under construction.  Until we finish, …

Seedless vascular plants:  clubmoss division Lycophyta and ferns division Polypodiophyta, ferns  class Polypodiopsida, ferns and fern allies (Minnesota Wildflowers), ferns (photo thumbnails) (Minnesota), ferns (photo thumbnails) (Missouri).

deep-red, right at ground level (dig through leaf-litter to see it)
wild ginger  genus Asarum

✽ common daisy  Bellis perennis

hairy bittercress  Cardamine hirsuta
narrowleaf bittercress  Cardamine impatiens
spotted knapweed  Centaurea stoebe
🥾 boot-top-high, four yellow petals with yellow center, petals do not overlap
greater celandine poppy  Chelidonium majus

leaves=👟︎ ankle-high, two-color (gray and dark-green);  if present, flower has 6 white petals
◼︎ white trout lily  Erythronium albidum
leaves=👟︎ ankle-high, two-color (gray and dark-green);  if present, flower has 6 yellow petals
◼︎ yellow trout lily or ◼︎ ◼︎ yellow dogtooth violet  Erythronium americanum

many very-long furry ░ "smoky" petals, below 🦵 knee-high;
leaves are 👟︎ ankle-high
░ prairie smoke  Geum triflorum

Learn more about terrestrial 🌾︎ herbaceous plants

plant terminology