Plant identification is a taxing task for gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts. Whether the plant is a weed with an invasive tendency or a plant that is bringing something positive to the landscape/natural area, solving the mystery of the correct genus and species is the first step that must be completed correctly. A plan of action for control, further research, or even just being able to share the correct ID with friends and family is then possible.
How do you correctly determine a plant’s genus and species when you don’t know where to start?
Over the years, the tools available to identify plants have changed. Not so many years ago, you needed to be trained in botany or have a strong background or history of use with plants in order to easily identify specimens. At a young age, I relied on my family to share the common names of plants. The Horticulture Judging contest offered through my local 4-H club, was my first true opportunity to be taught scientific information about plants, and I was instantly hooked because of the time, personal interest, and previous experience that I already had from studying plants in my own landscape!
There are several books that can help you learn a plant’s identity by following a key and answering different questions about the specimen. The Maryland Native Plant Society’s Recommended Books for Plant Lovers is a nice list of plant identification books. The internet has unlimited information but navigating can be a little tricky. Lastly, we now have the opportunity to install plant photo ID applications (apps) on any mobile device, and anyone can instantly know the ID of any plant! This is just one example of how technological advances have greatly impacted our gardening world and made it easier for everyone to access information.
Are all plant ID apps the same?
We are bombarded with constant options in our society and that is most certainly the case with plant photo ID apps. Just a quick search on my mobile device shows more than 10 options ready to download for easy and quick plant identification services. Some services are free and some require a payment.
In my experience, most apps will probably get you to the correct genus, and from there, you may have to resort to some of the other tools that you have used in the past. Having a high-quality, clear photo of a mature plant can help any app’s accuracy. Regardless of whatever service you are using, be sure to check the results for accuracy by cross-referencing other resources.
Rutgers analyzed the accuracy of photo identification applications based on tree species. Their study can be found on their website if you are interested in seeing how the results compare.
Many people use iNaturalist, a global social network with an application that can be added to your mobile device. It offers identification services and maps of where images were taken. This post, “Let’s find skipper butterflies in Maryland using iNaturalist!”, written by Dr. Anahí Espíndola, explains how this service works and how anyone can utilize the data. It’s a very interesting read that you should check out!
With or without a photo plant app, there are some good questions to remember when searching for a plant ID. Mature plants that are complete specimens are always going to be best for a positive identification.
- Is the plant a monocot (grasses, lilies, rushes, sedges) or dicot (with two seedling leaves—many herbaceous plants are in this category)?
- Remember that some plants require specific details to identify, especially monocot plants. Often monocots are keyed out in charts based on tiny features that are present or absent and use technical terminology like ligules, auricles, etc. Check out this guide from Penn State for more details.
- Is it an isolated specimen, or are there several specimens of the same plant?
- Is there a flower on the plant? Flowers can be very helpful with figuring out the correct plant ID.
- Is the plant mature? Are the leaves complete? Remember, there are simple and compound leaves. Always look for the petiole, which is the structure/stalk that connects the leaf to the stem. Leaflets of a compound leaf will not have individual petioles.
- Are there seeds/fruits/nuts? Underground plant structures like rhizomes, bulbs, or crowns?
The left photo is part one of a leaflet from a shagbark hickory (Carya ovata). The right photo is the complete leaf with all 5 individual leaflets. Photos: Ashley Bodkins, UME
Find an application that you are comfortable with using. Remember to snap clear photos of complete specimens and always include fruits or flowers in the photo when you can. Be sure to use a common-sense approach to obtaining results from any application and always cross-reference the results.
Lastly, I caution you not to get too reliant on apps and still use sources such as guide books and/or memory to keep your skills sharp. It is just too easy to snap a photo and get the identification instantly with no thought-provoking memory required. I don’t fully pay attention to the results or internalize the information. We live in a fast-paced world with constant information at our fingertips. I find it rewarding to go back to basics sometimes and just take a hike or garden walk and test my knowledge without technology.
Remember, you can always contact your local University of Maryland Extension office or use Ask Extension to get answers to all your gardening questions.
Enjoy the warmer weather of late spring and early summer!
By Ashley Bodkins, Senior Agent Associate and Master Gardener Coordinator, Garrett County, Maryland. Read more posts by Ashley.
