Apps to Detect Plant Names

Have you ever wondered what that vibrant flower in the park or the towering tree in your neighborhood is called?

Botanical curiosity is common, and the good news is that you don't have to be an expert to satisfy it.

There are several apps to detect plant names that make identification a simple and fun task, and best of all, many of them are completely free.

PlantNet: The Botanical Identification Community

THE PlantNet is a giant in the world of plant identification, known for its accuracy and for being a citizen science project.

This means it is continually improving with contributions from millions of users and botanical experts.

• How it works: It’s incredibly simple. Take a clear photo of the plant – it could be a leaf, flower, fruit, or even bark. PlantNet compares it to its vast database and suggests possible identifications based on probability. You can even specify whether it’s a leaf or a flower for more accurate results.
• What it offers for free: The main plant identification feature from photos is 100%, which is free. You can also explore species collections, browse specific botanical projects (such as regional flora or biomes), and participate in the community by helping to validate other users’ identifications. It’s a great way to learn and contribute.

Google Lens: Google's Intelligent Recognizer

Although it is not an app exclusively for plants, Google Lens is an incredibly powerful and completely free visual recognition tool.

It is integrated into the Google app or directly into the camera on many Android phones, and can be downloaded separately for iOS.

• How it works: Simply open Google Lens, point your camera at the plant you want to identify, and tap the search button. Within seconds, it will analyze the image and return results from the web, including the plant name, links to related wikis, articles, and images.
• What it offers for free: Instant identification of plants, flowers, trees, as well as objects, texts, landmarks and even animals. With the power of Google's search engine behind it, it can access a huge amount of information to give you the answer. It's the perfect tool for quick and practical identification, without the need to create accounts.

Seek by iNaturalist: Identification That Turns Game

Developed by the renowned iNaturalist (a collaboration between the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society), Seek transforms species identification into a gamified and educational experience, ideal for all ages.

• How it works: Use Seek’s camera to scan the plant. It uses artificial intelligence to identify the species in real time, without you having to take a photo and send it. In addition to identification, the app provides detailed information about the species, its habitat, and even challenges for you to find different types of organisms.
• What it offers for free: Unlimited identifications for plants, animals, fungi, and more. You get access to rich information about each species, see where they’re commonly found, and earn “badges” for your discoveries, encouraging you to explore even more of nature. A big plus is that Seek doesn’t require registration and doesn’t collect location or observation data, ensuring your privacy.

PictureThis: High Accuracy Identification (with Free Version)

THE PictureThis gained popularity for its intuitive interface and high accuracy in identifications.

Although it is an app focused on premium features, its free version is still very valuable for those looking to identify plants.

• How it works: The process is straightforward: take a photo of the plant. The app uses advanced artificial intelligence to quickly identify the species, displaying its name and a concise description.
• What it offers for free: The free version allows a certain number of identifications per day or week. It also gives you access to basic information about the identified plants, including fun facts and general care tips. If you don’t need unlimited identifications every day, this is a great option. Be aware that the app may display invitations to upgrade to the premium version, but you can simply ignore these and continue using the free features.

Conclusion:

With these powerful tools in the palm of your hand, the world of plants is at your fingertips!

You apps to detect plant names as PlantNet, Google Lens, Search by iNaturalist and the free version of PictureThis are incredible resources that transform any outing into a botany class.

They make identification accessible, fun and educational, allowing you to appreciate and understand the plant diversity around you in a whole new way.

Choose your favorite, point the camera and unravel the mysteries of nature!