Virtual Museum of Canada
Jardin botanique de Montréal 
Centre for Forest Research

Is it a tree? Yes! No! … Maybe?!?

Why are some plants called trees? It depends on whom you ask!

Try to identify which plants are trees, according to the classic definition, or according to the new definition proposed by Francis Hallé, a renowned French botanist.

Here's how to play.

Classic
definition
Hallé's
definition
Not a tree

Each question is accompanied by the name of a plant and a picture of it. Use this diagram to indicate whether the plant is a tree according to the classic definition, that of Francis Hallé, or whether the plant is simply not a tree at all.

Consult the definitions.




Beginner

You are provided clues to help you find the correct answer.

Advanced

You are provided no clues.

Expert

You are provided no clues, you cannot consult the definitions of a tree or the Latin name of the plants while the game is in progress. You must also justify your answers!