Ep 51 Our Top Plant ID Apps

These two free plant ID tools can help you level up your observation and identification skills, spot invasive species, and even engage in citizen science to track what is spreading in your area. If you garden, hike, or just want to know whether that weird thing in your yard is a native, a weed, or a problem waiting to happen, this episode is for you.

Sean sends Erin to do a trial run of the apps he actually trusts, including the built-in photo matching tools on smart devices, iNaturalist, and EDD Maps. They explain why a confident-looking app result is not the same as a correct identification, how to improve your odds with better photos, and how to improve your own skills by learning to think about location, season, leaf shape, branching pattern, and flower stage.

You’ll discover:

Why free tools often beat paid plant ID apps

How iNaturalist turns your plant photos into citizen science

What EDD Maps tracks beyond plants, including insects, diseases, fungi, and wildlife

How to increase your chances of an accurate match

Links

iNaturalist

“Identify plants, animals, fungi, and more while adding to a living atlas of life on Earth.”

EDDMapS

Find, map, and report invasive species in your area.