Elements and Performance Criteria

What range of plants may be relevant to this standard?
Plants may be native or introduced species including weeds. Plants will comprise those commonly encountered within the industry workplace.

How will plants be named?
Common names will be used in recognition of plants. However, in some situations botanical names may be required. In Indigenous communities, language names can be used in lieu of common names.

What resources may be used to recognise plants?
Resources may include enterprise or public library, business and research organisation websites, suppliers and contractors, enterprise supervisor and team colleague experience, and experts in the local area or industry sector. It may also include personal or enterprise reference collection.

What equipment may be used to recognise plants?
Equipment may include computer assisted or manual word processors, telecommunication appliances, plant fixing materials, secateurs, folders and exercise books, pens and pencils.

What processes may be available for aid in the recognition of plants?
Processes may include literature searches, internet browsing, personal consultation with experts, specimen collections, field guides, workplace notes, and use of simple keys.

What identifiable plant characteristics may be useful when identifying plants?
Plant characteristics may include the shape, size colour, texture, presence of hairs and spikes on leaves, stem, fruit, flower or seed.

What documentation is involved in identifying plants?
Documentation may include a written description of the plant species including common and botanical names, visible characteristics, details of occurrence or origin, optimum growth requirements and/or a herbarium of plant samples preserved according to the requirements of the enterprise or industry sector.
For more information on contexts, environment and variables for training and assessment, refer to the Sector Booklet.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in recognising plants requires evidence that a person can identify and utilise available resources and equipment to identify plants accurately. The skills and knowledge required to recognise plants must be

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

Range of plant identification techniques.
Plant nomenclature.
Enterprise procedures for obtaining and supplying advice and information about plants.
Enterprise expectations about the range and number of plants to be recognised.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

Recognise the range of plants specific to the enterprise, and describe their attributes, main purpose within the enterprise, specific handling requirements and growth requirements.
Use simple keys.
Communicate with customers and clients, interpret questions effectively, and provide limited advice and information about the plants specific to the enterprise.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard
There is essential information about

Essential Assessment Information
There is

What processes should be applied to this competency standard? There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Ideas and information relating to plant recognition activities and problems encountered should be discussed with other members of the work team and the supervisor. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Enterprise specific plants should be inspected visually research processes undertaken, and the information gained discussed with the work team and supervisor. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Equipment, materials and work procedures for recognition activities will need to be arranged before and between work periods. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Plant recognition activities may involve working with other members of a team to complete the program, or work alone with advice and help sought where necessary. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Measuring the length, regularity and period of plant identifying features will require mathematical application. (1)

Solving problems
Problems relating to the difficulty of recognising certain features of a plant may arise. (1)

Using technology
Technology may be applied in the provision of information about plants to clients and customers. (1)