Be a Plant Detective: Identify Plants in Your Community Garden

by Paul Hammond

​Ever wondered about the name of that plant that is growing in the community garden? Or wanted to know if that interesting-looking herb is edible?  Maybe you are wondering if something is a weed?Identifying plants can be a fun and rewarding experience, and thankfully, it's easier than ever with the help of technology! Here's a quick guide to get you started:

Traditional Plant Identification
Before we jump into the digital world, let's brush up on some basic plant identification techniques:

• Observe closely: Pay attention to the plant's shape, size, and growth habit. Is it a tree, shrub, vine, or herb?
• Leaf it to me: Leaves are often the key to identification. Note their shape, edges (smooth, toothed, lobed), arrangement on the stem (opposite, alternate, whorled), and venation patterns.
• Flower power: If the plant has flowers, examine their color, shape, number of petals, and arrangement.
• Fruitful findings: Look for any fruits or seeds the plant might be producing.
• Stem study: Observe the stem's color, texture, and whether it's woody or herbaceous.
• Use a field guide: A good field guide specific to your region can be an invaluable resource.

Field Guides
There are many publishings available, and some are focused on particular regions in Australia. Some are available in print and others are accessible online.

Tips for Choosing a Field Guide:

• Focus: Consider your specific interests (native plants, edibles, flowers, fruit or vegetables, pests and weeds).
• Region: Some guides may focus on specific regions within your area (e.g., rural areas, coastal regions, etc.)
• Illustrations: Choose a guide with clear illustrations or photographs.
• User-friendliness: Look for a guide that's easy to navigate and understand.

​Some Guides To Get You Started:

Vegetable growing: a guide for home gardeners in Western Australia
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western Australia.
Bulletin 4629 https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/bulletins/5/​

How to Do It in the Garden by Sabrina Hahn
Available from Fremantle Press: https://fremantlepress.com.au/books/how-to-do-it-in-the-garden/

Edible School Garden Planting and Maintenance Guide
from the Waste Authority of WA, Wastewise Schools Program
https://www.wasteauthority.wa.gov.au/images/resources/wss/Files/2019/10/Edible_Garden_Planting_and_Maintenance_Guide.pdf

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​Turning Your Phone into a Plant Detective: The Magic of Image Recognition

Imagine this: you spot a fascinating plant in the garden, but have no idea what it is.  Instead of flipping through pages of a field guide, you simply pull out your phone, snap a photo, and within seconds, its name and details appear on your screen!

How is this possible?  It's all thanks to the incredible technology of image recognition.

Here's a simplified breakdown:

• Capture: You take a photo of the plant using your phone's camera.   
• Analyze: The app uses sophisticated algorithms to analyze the image, identifying key features like the shape of the leaves, the color of the flowers, and even the texture of the stem.
• Compare: The app compares these features to a vast database of plant images and information.   
• Identify: Based on the comparison, the app identifies the plant with a high degree of accuracy, often providing additional details like its scientific name, growing habits, and even care tips.   

It's like having a botanist in your pocket! This technology is revolutionizing the way we interact with the natural world, making it easier than ever to learn about the plants around us.

Plant Identification Apps: Your Pocket Botanist
Let's add some tech to our toolkit! Here are some popular plant identification apps for your smartphone – some can be installed on your Android tablet or Apple iPad too:
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For Apple iPhone and Android Phone Users:
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Google Lens: This powerful image recognition tool is integrated into many Google products, including Google Photos and the Google app. It can identify a wide range of objects, including plants, landmarks, products, and even text.

Google Lens app icon

Google Photos app icon

The Google App icon

How to get it:

Android: It's likely already on your phone! Look for the Google Lens icon (it looks like a camera with a circle in the center) within the Google app or Google Photos. You can also download the standalone Google Lens app from the Google Play Store.


Apple: Download the Google app from the App Store, which includes Google Lens functionality. You can also access it through the Google Photos app.

How to use it:

1. Open the Google app or Google Photos.
2. Select a photo from your library or take a new one.
3. Tap the Google Lens icon.
4. Lens will analyze the image and highlight any identifiable objects.
5. Tap on the plant you want to identify.
6. Google Lens will provide information about the plant, including its name and related web pages.

Why Google Lens is great for plant identification:

• Convenience: Most users already have it on their phones, eliminating the need to download another app.
• Versatility: It's not just for plants! Use it to identify landmarks, translate text, find products, and more.
• Seamless integration: It works within Google Photos and other Google services.

​For Apple Users:

​PlantNet: This free app is a citizen science project that uses image recognition to identify plants. Simply take a photo of the plant, and PlantNet will compare it to its vast database.
How to get it: Download from the App Store.
How to use it: Snap a photo of the plant (focus on a specific part like a leaf or flower), select the most relevant category (leaf, flower, fruit, etc.), and let PlantNet do its magic!

PictureThis: PictureThis boasts high accuracy and a user-friendly interface. It offers detailed information about the identified plant, including its care tips and potential toxicity. It's a paid app with a free trial available.
How to get it: Download from the App Store.
How to use it: Take a photo or upload one from your library, and the app will quickly provide an identification and a wealth of information.

​For Android Users:

​LeafSnap: LeafSnap uses visual recognition software to identify tree species from photos of their leaves. It also provides beautiful high-resolution images and information about each species.
How to get it: Download from the Google Play Store.
How to use it: Snap a clear photo of a leaf against a contrasting background, and the app will identify the tree species.

​PlantSnap: Similar to PictureThis, PlantSnap identifies a wide variety of plants, flowers, trees, and succulents. It also offers a social platform to connect with other plant enthusiasts. It's a paid app with a free trial available.
How to get it: Download from the Google Play Store.
How to use it: Capture a photo of the plant, and the app will provide its name and additional information.

Tips for Using Plant ID Apps:

Clear photos: Ensure your photos are well-lit and in focus.
Multiple angles: Take photos of different parts of the plant, including leaves, flowers, and stems.
Stable connection: A good internet connection is needed for these apps to work effectively.
Cross-reference: Double-check the results with other resources, like a field guide or online database.

By combining traditional observation skills with the power of technology, you'll be well on your way to becoming a community garden plant expert! Happy gardening!