Question
Hi Rick, do you know of some websites that one can go to, type in descriptions of a houseplant, like leaf shape, color, size, succulent, flower, etc and the site identifies it for you.  I realize that YOU do this, but I cannot send you any pictures.  I KNOW all MY houseplants names but I would like to know if there is a good site out there.  I have searched botany.com, skg.com, zoneten.com forestfarm.com etc.  I have BEEN to this site before but cannot remember it's name, can you help.  Also, what do you know about a little houseplant, crassula family, leaves are fleshy, about 1/2" long, cream edge, light green centers, grow on several stalks straight up and out.  AND, what is the variegated Ficus Benj. called that has cream leaves with a "brush stroke of green" in the center.  AND, what is the Fic Benj. called that has green, wavy leaves that can grow to 6-8 feet indoors. Thanks VERY much, Halla

Answer
Crassula portulacea includes the jade plants. one is similar to what you describe - Crassula ovata 'tricolor'
numerous varieties exist of ficus benjamina. many more are introduced every year. too many to even guess from your description.
for both of these you need to type the binomial name (Ficus benjamina, Crassula portulacea, etc.)into your search engine (or Yahoo, etc.). it will give you a listing of sites for that particular plant family. from there you have to view different sites that have pictures to match it to the one you have.
i don't know of any sites that allow you to input descriptions and arrive at a particular plant type. please email me at [email protected] w/the address if you find one. numerous books do this as a process of elimination. most are listed as guide books. i have one for insects and one for trees at work. i got them at border's bookstore. i use my 20+ years of experience selling indoor tropical plants to help people ID plants.
buy or borrow an inexpensive digital camera and send them to my email address. i have a 3 year old then $450(now $299+) sony mavica F-85 that allows me to take 20+ individual pictures on a regular 3 1/2" floppy disc. i use it all the time.
good luck
rick