With over 400,000 known plant species in the world, being able to identify an unknown plant can seem like a daunting task. However, technological advances have made identifying plants much easier for the average person. Using a photo of an unidentified plant, there are now several methods that can help determine what it is. Here we will explore some of the options available for identifying a plant from a photo.
Image recognition apps
One of the easiest and most accessible ways to identify a plant from a photo is to use a plant identification app. There are now dozens of apps available for both iPhone and Android that leverage image recognition technology to match your photo of an unknown plant to an extensive database of plant images. Some of the more popular apps include:
| App Name | Platforms | Number of Species |
|---|---|---|
| PictureThis | iOS, Android | Over 500,000 |
| PlantNet | iOS, Android | Over 20,000 |
| Leafsnap | iOS | Over 600 |
To use one of these apps, simply download it to your smartphone, open up the app, and either take a photo directly through the app or upload a photo from your camera roll of the unknown plant. The app will analyze the photo and provide a list of potential plant name matches, usually ranked by probability of accuracy. The more photos you can provide of the plant, including closeups of leaves, flowers, bark etc, the more accurate the identification will likely be.
Online reverse image search
If you don’t want to download a specialized plant identification app, you can also leverage online reverse image search engines to identify a plant from a photo. Google Images and Bing Images both allow you to upload a photo or enter the URL of an image and they will scan their extensive databases to find visually similar images online. You may be able to find an exact or very close match to your photo that has already been identified by another user.
Some tips for getting the best results from reverse image search:
– Take a clear, well-lit photo against a plain background
– Get closeup detailed shots of the leaves, flowers, seeds, bark, etc
– Try different angles and perspectives
– Search multiple engines like Google, Bing, Yandex, TinEye
– Try cropping and editing the photo to isolate key details
While not flawless, reverse image search can be a free and fairly effective way to identify common household and garden plants.
Post in online plant identification forums
Another option is to post your unidentified plant photo on one of the many plant identification forums and communities on the web. Sites like Reddit, Facebook, and specialized gardening sites have active forums where you can upload a photo and ask fellow gardeners and plant experts for help identifying it. Some good ones to try include:
– /r/whatsthisplant – A subreddit dedicated to identifying plants
– /r/gardening – Popular gardening subreddit that allows ID requests
– Dave’s Garden Plant Identification Forum – Active garden community for ID questions
– GardenWeb’s Plant Identification Forum – Helpful experts identify mystery plants
The advantage of posting in online forums is that you can get opinions from multiple people and draw on the collective knowledge of an enthusiastic gardening community. Remember to include detailed photos and descriptions of key characteristics when making an ID request.
Consult plant identification books and guides
For a more traditional approach, there are many plant field guides and identification books that can assist you in identifying a plant from a photo. These provide detailed descriptions of plant features along with high-quality photos or botanical illustrations that you can visually match to your unidentified plant. Some popular titles to look for include:
– The Plant List – Encyclopedia of over 400,000 known plant species
– Flora of North America – Comprehensive guide to over 20,000 plants
– Audubon Society Field Guides – Region-specific field guides for the U.S. and Canada
– Wildflowers of the Pacific Northwest – Field guide focused on common regional species
– Leaf Snap – Electronic field guide centered on trees and shrubs
This approach requires carefully analyzing key characteristics in your photo like leaf shape and edges, flower shape and color, stem and growth patterns. Consulting multiple guides may be necessary as you narrow down possibilities.
Get expert assistance from a horticulturist
If you need help identifying a plant that can’t be matched to references or stumps online communities, consider seeking out an expert horticulturist. Many county extension offices offer free or low-cost plant diagnostic services. Universities with horticulture programs may also have clinics where you can send photos and samples for identification.
Some things a trained horticultural scientist can analyze:
– Hard-to-see characteristics like tiny flowers and minute leaf hairs
– The overall growth structure and shape of the plant
– Identifying disease symptoms, nutrient deficiencies, or environmental damage
– Recognizing invasive or endangered species that require special care
Providing multiple detailed photos, notes on growing conditions, and plant samples will help the expert identify your mystery plant. This is the most reliable way to get an accurate ID for rare or exotic species.
Other identification methods
In addition to photographic identification, there are some other techniques that can be used by scientists and enthusiasts to identify an unknown plant:
– DNA barcoding – Analyzing plant DNA can pinpoint exact species
– Chemical testing – Compounds in sap, wood, or leaves aid identification
– Microscope analysis – Examining minute details of leaves, stems, roots
– Herbarium samples – Comparing dried specimen samples from verified plants
– Root structure – Distinctive root shapes, tubers, etc can aid ID
For most average users however, photo-based identification will be the most accessible and convenient option. As long as you have a clear detailed photo and use multiple identification methods, identifying most common garden and household plants is very feasible.
Conclusion
Identifying an unknown plant from a photo is very possible thanks to technological advances. Start by using a plant identification app or reverse image search, then verify using books and guides. For difficult identifications, consult plant experts or horticultural institutions. Provide as much detailed photographic evidence and descriptions as possible. With some diligent sleuthing and research, you should be able to put a name to that mystery plant in your garden or home.