Verdia · Library
Why does a genus-level match not establish species-specific care?
Keep a broad genus match separate from species-specific care and pet-safety conclusions.
Read the level of the match
This reference contains a limited set of genus entries with a few broad traits. A matching genus is useful for finding that source record, but it does not establish the species, the condition of an individual plant or a complete care programme. A broad label should stay visible as a broad label.
Keep the name supplied by the user separate from the lookup result. If only the genus is known, do not fill an unobserved species name from a familiar photograph. An alias match can also help find a source entry; it is not a current taxonomic authority for every accepted name.
A bounded lookup record
- Example: record the entered name as Monstera, without inventing a species.
- Label the result as a genus-level source entry and retain the date.
- Use an appropriately identified species and a primary source before making a specific care or pet-toxicity claim.