Native Plant Identification

About Course

This unit teaches you steps to identifying native plants – an essential skill in the conservation sector. The unit will:

Give you an overall awareness of how unique and special our native plants are.
Help you to develop a deeper understanding of ecological processes, e.g. how plant communities work.
Provide a valuable framework of knowledge to use the plant communities to monitor conservation outcomes e.g. through the presence and absence of certain species, this can help you to assess how ‘healthy’ a particular habitat is.
Enable you to make the distinction between native and exotic plants.

Course Content

New Zealand Plant Identification Unit Introduction

Introduction Video

Module one: Introduction to the Native Plants of Aotearoa, New Zealand
Kia ora and welcome to Module 1 of our Training Unit – Native Plant Identification. In this module, we'll begin to explore some of the incredible native plants that grow in Aotearoa New Zealand. We’ll look at how they came to be, what makes them unique, and the threats they face. Our hope is that by the end of this Module, you will begin to recognise the beauty and diversity of our native flora. Native plants are not only fascinating, they are the cornerstone of every ecosystem. They produce the oxygen we breathe, form the base of every food web, and shape the very landscapes we live in. Without plants, there is simply no existence. While we aim to keep this Training Unit accessible to everyone, regardless of background, it’s important to say up front that plant identification does rely on a certain level of technical language. Terms like “lanceolate,” “glaucous,” or “dioecious” might seem unfamiliar at first, but they offer precise ways to describe plant features that are often crucial for accurate identification. Over time, as you build confidence, these terms become part of your observational toolkit, in turn helping you to see a level of detail you may have previously overlooked. You will also notice that we use terms like ‘approximately’, ‘over’ or ‘around’ when talking about numbers of species etc. This is because our understanding of our native flora is changing almost daily. With so much study being done, especially at a genetic level, what we know about plant relationships, individual species, and even what name we give to plants is constantly evolving. As a result these numbers can change accordingly. Science is always refining itself, and our knowledge about our native plants is no exception. Our hope is that by the end of this module, you’ll not only recognise the beauty and diversity of our native flora, but also feel a deeper connection to it. Native plants are not only fascinating — they are the cornerstone of every ecosystem. They produce the oxygen we breathe, form the base of every food web, and shape the very landscapes we live in. Without plants, there is simply no existence.

Module Two: It’s All in the Name!
It’s All in the Name! - Introduction to Plant Taxonomy Kia ora, and welcome to Module Two of our training unit — Native Plant Identification. In this module, we’re going to explore the basics of taxonomy; what it is and why it’s important. We’ll also look at how plants are named and grouped together. Then, we’ll use this knowledge to zoom in and look closely at two of our native plant families and some of the species contained within.

Module Three: Know it! Name it!
Welcome to Module Three of our training unit — Native Plant Identification. Hopefully, by now you have developed an understanding of how special our native plants are, how they are named and how they are related to each other. In this module, we move from the broad world of taxonomy into the practical skills of recognising and naming plants based on their physical features.

Module Four: Protecting Threatened Plants
Kia ora and welcome to Module Four of this training unit, where we explore New Zealand’s threatened plant species; what they are, how they’re classified, and how we can contribute to their recovery.

Add this certificate to your resume to demonstrate your conservation skills & knowledge.

Native Plant Identification

About Course

Native Plant Identification

What Will You Learn?

Course Content

New Zealand Plant Identification Unit Introduction

Introduction Video

Module 1 ViewTorial & Helpful Links

Module 1 Reading & Resources

Module 1 Self-Led Activity

Module 1 Self Assessment

Module 2 ViewTorial & Helpful Links

Module 2 Reading & Resources

Module 2 Self-Led Activity

Module 2 Self-Assessment

Module 3 Part 1 ViewTorial & Helpful Links

Module 3 Part 2 ViewTorial

Module 3 Part 3 ViewTorial

Module 3 Reading & Resources

Module 3 Self-Led Activity

Module 3 Self Assessment

Module Four: Protecting Threatened Plants
Kia ora and welcome to Module Four of this training unit, where we explore New Zealand’s threatened plant species; what they are, how they’re classified, and how we can contribute to their recovery.

Module 4 ViewTorial & Helpful Links

Module 4 Reading & Resources

Module 4 Self Assessment.

Earn a certificate

About Course

Native Plant Identification

What Will You Learn?

Course Content

New Zealand Plant Identification Unit Introduction

Introduction Video

Module 1 ViewTorial & Helpful Links

Module 1 Reading & Resources

Module 1 Self-Led Activity

Module 1 Self Assessment

Module 2 ViewTorial & Helpful Links

Module 2 Reading & Resources

Module 2 Self-Led Activity

Module 2 Self-Assessment

Module 3 Part 1 ViewTorial & Helpful Links

Module 3 Part 2 ViewTorial

Module 3 Part 3 ViewTorial

Module 3 Reading & Resources

Module 3 Self-Led Activity

Module 3 Self Assessment

Module Four: Protecting Threatened Plants Kia ora and welcome to Module Four of this training unit, where we explore New Zealand’s threatened plant species; what they are, how they’re classified, and how we can contribute to their recovery.

Module 4 ViewTorial & Helpful Links

Module 4 Reading & Resources

Module 4 Self Assessment.

Earn a certificate

Module Four: Protecting Threatened Plants
Kia ora and welcome to Module Four of this training unit, where we explore New Zealand’s threatened plant species; what they are, how they’re classified, and how we can contribute to their recovery.