Earlier this week, I discovered a new app called Pl@ntNet (identify.plantnet-project.org). I have been waiting for this app since the dawn of smartphone technology. I remember going out into the garden with my first iPad hoping an app like this existed to help me discern which plants were weeds. It didn't. Pl@ntNet is a tool designed to assist people in identifying plants. It uses your phone's camera to take a picture of the specimen then compares it to its database of flora to find prospective matches. At least, that is how it is designed to work, but as the app and the database is pretty new, it is far from perfect at this point. This morning, I took a stroll around my garden to see how Pl@ntNet stood up to my own horticultural knowledge.
Nope
Nailed that one
And that one
So close
Oooooh
It didn't get it on the first picture. The app works better when you isolate the flower or leaf, but zoom in too far and you'll lose some of the plant's distinctive features
C'mon, you don't know kale?
Despite its present flaws, the potential for Pl@ntNet is immeasurable. It will be a boon for gardeners, foragers, travelers, and farmers. It could help people learn about unfamiliar plants at home and away, make weeding out the weeds easier, give you the ability to find edible plants in times of emergency, and make you look smart in front of your friends for knowing what kind of tree that is, among a myriad of other functions. At this point though, I'd trust my own knowledge (and especially my grandmother's) for our local flora over the app. Still, I highly recommend you downloading and trying it out. Thanks for reading! Light and love yall!