I think the wiki images provide an invaluable service. While they may not be able to confirm an exact identification every time, in many instances they can identify an inaccurate id - which sends us in search of other resources (like Mary Sue and the other PBS'ers) who gladly share their knowledge and expertise. For those interested in taking pictures for identification purposes a scale (metric units) and a gray scale (for color calibration)are recommended in at least one of the photo's taken of a taxon on a specific day. As Diane points out with reference to Galanthus; knowledge of the key identifying characteristics is also required. At Chicago Botanic Garden we have been taking digital images for outside verification experts to use for a number of years. In general, we try to start photographing at least 2 years before the experts show up in an effort to document all of the key characteristics; taking into account the influence of weather (and photographer vacation schedules). The images (typically 4 - 9 in number (depending on taxon) include habit through all of the key identification characteristics). These images are imbedded in an InDesign document that is printed, reviewed and annotated by the taxonomic expert; similar to a traditional herbarium voucher. This whole process is very time consuming and images, lacking verification by a recognized expert in the taxon, can suggest an identification but can not confirm an ID. Boyce Tankersley Director of Living Plant Documentation Chicago Botanic Garden 1000 Lake Cook Road Glencoe, IL 60022 tel: 847-835-6841 fax: 847-835-1635 email: btankers@chicagobotanic.org It is up to us to make the photos on the wiki helpful for identifying plants.