Show Notes
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.
Plants Always Win: Resources
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Timestamps
00:12 Introduction 01:11 What’s Growing On? Erin’s Harvest + Japanese Beetles 03:26 What’s Growing On? Sean’s dividing perennials and purging hostas 06:53 The World’s Tallest Sunflower 09:52 What Is Your Favourite Plant Identification App? 10:27 Built-In Smart Device Photo Matching 12:06 Knowing the Basics of Plant Identification 13:30 iNaturalist for Native Plant Tracking 20:22 Himalayan Balsam in Thunder Bay, Ontario 23:48 Correctly Managing Invasive Species 27:43 EDDMapS for Invasive Plant Tracking 34:50 Final Thoughts and Best Practices for Plant ID Apps 38:00 Growing More Fruit Trees and Shrubs in Central-Northern Ontario 42:35 Outro and Contact Us
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