How to Identify a Flower With Four White Petals & a Yellow Pistil Center

Flowers come in all petal and color combinations, such as a blossom with four white petals and a yellow pistil center. A bloom that has only four petals makes it easier for you to name because the quantity of petals puts your flower in one of five plant families: brassicaceae, onagraceae, ranunculaceae, gentianaceae and capparaceae. Take note of your flower's particular traits to successfully identify your white blossom.

Write the type of environment, such as a forest or mountain, where you see the white flower blooming and record the way the blossom grows on the plant. The sea rocket, for example, is found in sandy areas, like the beach, and the flowers grow in clusters.

Inspect the characteristics of the four petals, noting the shape and any markings they bear. For instance, the willow-herb (evening primrose), contains spaces in the middle of each petal and some varieties display multiple dark lines.

Record whether the flower is found on a herbaceous plant, which is one that does not contain wood stems above the ground, or a woody plant, which contains wooden stems that do not die during different seasons. The stems of a herbaceous plant fall to the ground during the winter season, while a woody type displays its wooden branches throughout the year.

Write down the time of year that you spot the flower to help pinpoint your blossom. Some blooms, like the western white clematis, for example, only produce flowers during the months of May through August.

Photograph your flower and compare your picture and notes to a flower field guide until you discover your white blossom. Alternately, bring your findings to local nursery to get help with naming your flower.