Nowadays, technology has made life easier for many, including those who want to learn more about the plant kingdom. With the growing popularity of apps and their numerous available resources, it is possible to identify plants using just your smartphone. For nature lovers and those curious about the world of plants, this article presents how apps can help discover the names of plant species quickly and efficiently.
Applications aimed at identifying plants work in a simple way: just take a photo of the plant in question and the application will analyze the image to determine the plant's species. Among the applications available on the market, PlantNet, PlantSnap, Google Lens and NatureID stand out. These applications help not only in identification, but also in expanding knowledge about different species of flowers, leaves, trees, mushrooms and cacti.
Main Applications
There are several apps available for identifying plants using photos. These applications use artificial intelligence and image recognition technology to discern the identity of plants and provide useful information to users.
PlantNet is a popular app available for iOS and Android. It allows you to identify plants from photos and has a large database with detailed information about each species. You can search for plants based on their geographic location and share your discoveries with the community.
iNaturalist is another app available for both iOS and Android. It not only helps in identifying plants, but also animals and other living beings. The platform is a partnership between the National Geographic Society and California Academy of Sciences, and users can learn and contribute to citizen science by using the app.
In case of PlantSnap, also available for iOS and Android, the application offers instant identification of more than 600,000 types of plants, whether flowers, trees, succulents, mushrooms or cacti. The platform also provides gardening tips and advice to properly care for identified plants.
The application PictureThis It has similar features and can be found for Android and iOS. In addition to identifying plants through photos, the application provides detailed information about each species, as well as cultivation tips.
Seek, developed by the same team as iNaturalist, is an application more focused on identifying plants and animals through augmented reality. Compatible with iOS and Android, the app allows users to point the device's camera at the plant and receive information in real time.
Another interesting option is the Flora Incognita, which offers a fast and accurate system for identifying wild plants, as well as detailed information about the flora of different regions. This app is available for both iOS and Android devices.
O Google Lens, Google's artificial intelligence tool, can also be used to identify plants and flowers. Simply point the device's camera at the plant and the app will provide relevant information. Google Lens is compatible with iOS and Android.
Finally, the LeafSnap Plant Identification is another application that helps with plant identification, available for both iOS and Android. With an approach focused on plant leaves, LeafSnap is able to provide accurate information, making it a useful resource for nature lovers and students.
These apps make it easy to identify plants with ease. Different applications have different characteristics, so it is important to choose the one that best suits your profile and needs.
How They Work
Photography and Camera
Applications for discovering plant names work mainly through camera from your cell phone. To use these applications, simply take a Photograph of the plant in question, such as a tree, flower or leaf. It is important that the image is of good quality to improve identification accuracy. With the captured photo, the application analyzes the characteristics of the plant present in the image and searches its database for the closest match.
Automatic Identification
Plant identification applications use artificial intelligence to recognize and analyze the characteristics present in the photos taken. This technology allows applications to quickly identify plants present in nature, comparing their characteristics, such as leaf shape, flower pattern and other details, with the information stored in their knowledge base.
When a match is found, the app provides information about the plant species, including its name, characteristics and interesting facts. Additionally, many of these apps have the ability to recognize a wide variety of plants like trees, flowers, leaves, and even mushrooms in different regions of the world. With the increasing evolution of artificial intelligence, the accuracy and speed of plant identification continues to improve, allowing users to have greater interaction and connection with the nature that surrounds them.
Species Recognition
By using an app to discover the name of plants, it is possible to identify a wide variety of species, including flora, vegetables, mushrooms and even animals. These apps are designed to recognize different types of plants and provide accurate information about their characteristics and properties.
There are several applications available on the market that can help with identifying plant species, such as Seek, Google Lens, TreeApp, LeafSnap and iNaturalist. These applications work through the cell phone's camera and, in some cases, the device's photo gallery. They use artificial intelligence resources and advanced algorithms to compare captured images with a database of known plants and animals.
Species recognition is not just limited to plants but also encompasses animals. Some applications, such as iNaturalist, are developed in partnership with scientific institutions, aiming not only to help users identify the species around them, but also to provide important data for research and environmental conservation.
It is always important to remember that, although these applications are useful and efficient in identifying plants and animals in many cases, they are not infallible. There may be limitations in the ability to recognize some species, especially if the captured image is not of high quality or is a rare or unknown species.
Furthermore, the correct identification of plants and animals is essential, especially when it comes to mushrooms and vegetables, as the consumption of some species can be toxic and harmful to health. Therefore, it is essential to verify the information provided by the application before making any decisions based on species recognition.
Additional Information
By using an application to discover the name of plants, users can obtain basic information and particular characteristics about them. Depending on the app, you can also learn about the toxicity of some plants, which is especially useful for those with pets or children at home.
Gardening tips can be found in some applications, helping plant lovers to take better care of their gardens and vegetable gardens. These apps can provide information about watering, fertilizing, and other care needed to help plants thrive.
Some apps feature augmented reality, allowing users to view plants in detail and with a more realistic appearance. This can help in identifying and understanding species characteristics.
Videos and multimedia content may also be available in some applications, offering users a richer, more interactive experience. These resources may include videos of plants in their natural environment or informational material about growing and maintaining them.
It is also important to check the comments and ratings of the applications before downloading. This practice can help in choosing the application that best meets the user's needs and preferences.
Most plant identification apps are available for iPhone and Android, making it possible for people with different devices to enjoy these useful tools to improve their knowledge about plants and take better care of the environment.
Registration and Community
When using applications to discover plant names, many of them offer registration features and integration with communities focused on the scientific and botanical areas. These communities involve entities such as the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society, which contribute knowledge and observations.
To gain access to these communities, users typically need to provide basic information such as an email address and create a password. Once registered, the user will be ready to connect to the network of other plant enthusiasts, researchers and scientists, and explore the vast botanical database available.
Plant identification apps and projects are often supported by scientific communities working to continually expand knowledge about species. This enables it to be frequently updated and improved to reflect new discoveries and research. These communities also offer users the opportunity to contribute their own observations and discoveries, helping to expand botanical knowledge.
The exchange of information between users and the scientific community helps improve the quality of data in applications, as well as allowing personal experiences to be shared among plant enthusiasts. The collaboration involves academics, researchers and enthusiasts in the quest to identify species and raise awareness about plant diversity.
By engaging in an in-app community, users can expect to have a supportive, clear and neutral environment where sharing knowledge and discussions is a priority. The confident and specialized approach of existing communities in this area enables the exchange of knowledge and experiences on a platform that is easy to access and understand for all interested parties.
Efficient Use of Applications
Uniform Background and Lighting
To obtain better results when identifying plants through applications, it is crucial to provide a uniform background and adequate lighting. A simplified background, preferably a neutral color, will help the application focus on the plant and avoid distractions that could compromise the identification process. Furthermore, ensuring that the photographed plant is well lit, preferably with natural light, will allow the details and characteristics of the plant to be more easily recognized by the application. This way, the user will have more reliable and accurate information about the species in question.
Focus on the Plant Organ
When photographing the plant for identification, it is essential to focus on the specific organs of the plant, such as leaves, flowers, fruits and bark. This is because the applications analyze these characteristics to determine the correct species. When taking the photo, make sure the plant organ is in focus and fills much of the image so that the details are clearly visible. Here are some tips for focusing on different plant organs:
- Sheets: Photograph a single leaf or a small group of leaves, ensuring that the edges and veins are sharp and visible.
- Flowers: Capture the entire flower, including shape and color, as well as details from the center of the flower, such as stamens and pistils.
- Fruits: Photograph the whole fruit or in section, showing both the skin and the pulp.
- Shells: Capture images of the bark of trees or bushes, focusing on textures and patterns.
By following these recommendations, the user will increase the chances of obtaining accurate results when identifying plants using the applications.
Final considerations
In recent years, several applications have emerged with the aim of helping to identify and care for plants. These apps aim to help users identify plants by photos and offer information about the plant's name, its characteristics and how to care for it.
PlantNet, for example, is an application dedicated to identifying non-ornamental or horticultural plants. A database assists in the process of automatically identifying the plants that the user photographs. The system analyzes the image and informs you which species it is. It is possible to download the application on Android or iPhone (iOS) devices, as mentioned in a TechTudo publication.
Another option is the PlantSnap, available on the App Store. This plant identifier makes it much easier to find out the name and information about the plant. Just take a photo using the app and with the help of the app's database, all the information about it will be found.
In addition to these, the Google Lens is a tool that presents several options for using the camera. It is possible to copy texts, solve equations, inspect places and recognize animals and plants, as highlighted on the Canaltech website.
These apps are interesting options for those looking to raise awareness about the environment and want to learn how to better care for plants. However, it is important to remember that in some cases, plant identification may not be 100% accurate, and the application may have advertisements or limitations, such as being only partially free.
The databases used generally have partnerships with research institutions, such as CIRAD, INRA, INRIA and IRD, and there may also be external references, such as the website iNaturalist.org, which help ensure reliable and up-to-date information about plants.
Therefore, these applications for identifying plants are useful and valuable tools to help identify species and raise awareness and care for the environment.
