What are Plant ID-apps, Actually?

Identifying plants that grows in the soil around us has engaged humans since the beginning of time. Bestsucculentplants.com takes a closer look at Plant ID-Apps and what they are capable of.

Thankfully, plant identification or deepening your knowledge doesn’t require delving into specialized literature or attending plant walks – Just download an App and start identifying plant species with a click of a green thumb.

Below is a guide about Plant Apps:

  • What is a Plant ID-App?
  • Strength and weaknesses
  • Findings from scientific journals regarding some of the best Plant Apps

How do Plant Identification Apps Work?

Imagine you’re standing in front of a plant, unsure of its name. Well, just whip out your smartphone! Take a quick snap of the plant and upload it to the dedicated app. These apps recommend capturing specific parts of the plant, like just the leaves of a tree or the flowers against a neutral background, to enhance accuracy.

Afterwards, the apps provide several suggestions, ranking them by probability. The first guess is usually around 80% accurate. If the initial suggestion is off, not to worry – the correct answer typically hides among the first five suggestions.

Most apps identify plants through photos, focusing on distinctive details like flowers, leaf shapes, or colors. The best results occur with a neutral background. The app then suggests possible plants, often providing valuable care information. The suggestions are ranked by probability, improving as more people use the app and contribute to larger datasets.

Plant identification apps typically use image recognition technology to analyze photos of plants. They compare the characteristics of the plant in the photo with a database of known plant species to provide accurate identifications. Users usually need to capture clear images of the plant’s leaves, flowers, or other distinctive features for accurate results.

Plant ID apps are often correct – but not always

How can I identify a plant?

While there are countless books on plant identification. Very few people want to carry around a backpack full of books while exploring plants in the wilderness. Instead, an app on your phone is a much more convenient option. They can with high accuracy identify uncountable plant species. Are they correct every time? – No, they are not. Always question the app´s result with a different source to be sure. Since plant apps are very good, but not perfect. They are correct around 80% – 90% of the time.

 

Check out a few Plant Identification Apps from 2023

Correctly identifying plants – a measure of safety

If you dare to collect and consume herbs and wild plants, never rely solely on your intuition. But rather confirm the plant species you have in your hand before you consume it. Since many plants look remarkably similar and differ only in subtle details, such as fine hairs on the stem or an oddly shaped pattern on a leafs underside. These botanical doppelgangers can potentially be hazardous.

Even seemingly harmless plants can be poisonous. Ingesting unidentified plants can have dangerous health consequences, sometimes even fatal. Take, for instance, the spring emergence of wild garlic, visually resembling the toxic Lily of the Valley. Therefore, enthusiasts should acquire sufficient knowledge before consuming any wild plants. And it is the individual’s responsibility to fully understand if a plant is toxic. Always treat unknown plants as if they are toxic until prove otherwise.

Can Google recognize plants?

“Ask Google” – a familiar phrase. But can Google identify plants? Thanks to artificial intelligence, the “Google Lens” app can recognize plants. It’s deemed reliable due to Google’s access to vast datasets. “Google Lens” identifies plants based on existing photos or in real-time. Android users can find it for free on the Google Play Store, while iOS users can access it through the Google app.

That being said, Google Lens is not the top performer of Plant ID-Apps.

Plant-Apps are scientifically tested

Two scientific journals are written based on extensive studies where several plant identification apps are tested on their ability to correctly identify plants:

A research journal published at the highly reputable PLOS investigates the effectiveness of six popular Smartphone applications (Google Lens, iNaturalist, Leaf Snap, Plant Net, Plant Snap, Seek) in identifying herbaceous plants, using the Irish flora as a test case. The study develops two scoring systems to assess the accuracy of these apps in identifying plants based on photographs taken with a Samsung Galaxy A50. The results show considerable variation among the apps, with Plant Net and Leaf Snap outperforming others. However, even the best-performing apps did not achieve accuracy above ~88%, and lower-scoring apps performed considerably below this threshold. The study emphasizes the potential of Smartphone apps to engage people with plants but warns against assuming their accuracy, especially for toxic or problematic species. The article concludes that while these apps have significant potential, they should be considered aids to plant identification rather than infallible tools.

Another scientific journal at the highly regarded British Ecological Society evaluates the performance of various plant identification mobile applications using 857 professionally identified images of 277 plant species. On average, the first identification suggestion was correct for 69% of images, and the correct identification was included in the first five suggestions for 85% of images. Notable variations in accuracy were observed among applications. Plant-specific apps like PlantNet, iNaturalist Seek, and LeafSnap consistently outperformed Google Lens and PlantSnap in identifying plants. The overall accuracy at the genus level ranged from 72% (Google Lens) to 97% (PlantNet). Despite differences, the study concludes that these free mobile apps can provide accurate plant identifications at a taxonomic level suitable for applied ecological contexts, suggesting their potential utility in ecological surveys and monitoring activities. The study also emphasizes the importance of user experience and suggests that the complementary of automated and traditional identification methods could offer unique advantages. The authors note the need for further research on user interaction and the adoption of these applications in both professional and non-professional contexts.

Conclusion: Identifying plants doesn't have to break the bank

Whether exploring nature, tending your garden, or entertaining plant enthusiasts of all ages, delving into the world of botany can be done with free apps. Even on vacation, a nature recognition app is a handy addition to your smartphone. For those wanting a deeper dive, perhaps to transform their garden or diagnose plant diseases, a little investment may be necessary. Start with a free version, and if needed, upgrade – just be sure to read the fine print to avoid accidental subscriptions!

FAQ - Plant ID-Apps - how to use them

Most frequent questions and answers

They’re great for common plants, flowers, and trees. But don’t expect miracles – rare or new species might stump them. Also, if plants look really similar or you’re in an off-the-grid place, the app might struggle. Think of it as a handy helper, not a magic wand for all plants.

Some do, some don’t. Apps that work offline have their own database inside, so you can ID plants without being online. But remember, if you want the latest info, like new plants added to the database, you might need to connect to the internet for updates.

Well, it depends. Some plant ID apps are pretty good, especially for common plants. But they might struggle with rare ones. The app’s accuracy depends on its database, how its algorithm works, and the quality of the pictures you take. Check reviews and go for apps with regular updates to get the best results.

To get the best results, make sure your plant photos are clear and focused. Capture the leaves, flowers, or any unique features up close. Good lighting helps too! Avoid blurry shots or busy backgrounds, as they can make it harder for the app to identify the plant.