How Accurate are Plant Identification Apps?

Plant identification apps are becoming more popular, but how accurate are they?
I tested out some of the more popular apps…
#plantidentification #plantIDapps

[@OUTBOUND184]

Love how you have no music, just natural sounds, in your videos

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😁. I do in some of my cooking vids but I definitely prefer the natural sounds when filming outside

[@igettoi]

Thanks for sharing this, I think it's very important for beginner foragers to look at this and not rely on these apps for ID purposes, but use them as a stepping stone for a potential ID to take their finds back home and research further through books or websites/forums. NEVER rely on these apps, take your app-discovered samples back home and double, triple, quadra confirm their identity through multiple sources online or in books, especially if your sample has poisononous look-alikes! Take care.

[@tknoodle]

Identification for curiosity, PictureThis is really good. I've paid the subscription and I use it all over the place for helping my learning. For foraging, I still choose to rely on knowledge learned from publications. Who counts as "knowledgeable" and how good the books are remains a choice to make... AtomicShrimp (I think?) pointed out that starting identification for foraging, get a regular botanical reference first to learn families, and how to "think like a botanist" to identify skillfully. Not a bad approach I reckon... If after studying I can't identify, I just steer clear of the set, whether app or book knowledge... I'm missing out lots probably, but I choose to live 🙂

[@DevonExplorer]

I must admit I don't even have a mobile let alone a smart phone but I did find this interesting because it shows that the apps aren't all that good at this point. To mistakenly identify poisonous plants as harmless ones is incredibly irresponsible, and to have such a poor correct identification rate is inept at best, lol. I've been collecting wild flower books for many decades and it's good to be able to cross reference photos and illustrations to get correct knowledge of each plant, along with the pertinent information. And I'm still learning! :)

[@wolfenstein6676]

Same for me, there's no way I'm carrying one of those mobile 'track and trace' devices, there's nothing 'smart' about owning one :) . It was still a very good review from Lewis in regards to the applications, though.

[@DevonExplorer]

@@wolfenstein6676 Yes, definitely. I always learn something new with his fab videos. :)

[@TheUnhousedWanderer]

As Samuel Thayer said, you don't learn to forage. You create a relationship with one plant at a time. That's how I'm still alive. If I can't immediately identify something, I'll watch it grow for months. There is some purplestem angelica that I'm looking forward to trying in the spring, now that I know it's not water hemlock.

[@DevonExplorer]

@@TheUnhousedWanderer That's a really good way of getting to know the plants properly. :)

[@blazingmytrail1962]

Thankyou. Really good to know 👍🏻 Will only use as you suggest, using my books to verify ✨

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

😁

[@sammyj3048]

Glad you did this video. I was using an app and watching your videos and noticed the app wasn’t very accurate. Thankfully I purchased some foraging books you recommended and use those instead.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Ah good. Books is the best way 😁

[@forresteralex]

Im so glad you chose the one im paying for picture this is often on sale if you use it for free for a while i only paid 15.99 for a year im with you tho take a pic then id it through a book to reconfirm id say im 90% with it over all in everything they do a mushroom one too which is deffo hit and miss but as long as you confirm with a book its good thanks for making this im a great advocate for tech when foraging to help aid the general public... i beleive you can also correct the app which helps others in future. Keep up the great work bud

[@davehumpleby3440]

A very useful and salutory comparison. I've been using PlantNet for a few years for identification of plants whilst out bushcrafting, hiking and camping, but NEVER for foraging. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😁

[@TheUnhousedWanderer]

I'm still learning. I started foraging mushrooms about 3 years ago, and plants last year. I use Google to identify all the time. It's not always right, but it's a good start. When I find something that I can't identify with certainty, it becomes my obsession. I can now tell the difference between cow parsley and poison hemlock, as well as water hemlock v purplestem angelica. The apiaceae family is fascinating!

[@debbiealston6584]

I use the free Flora Incognita app, developed by a German university. It gives you a percentage match score and a few choices so you can make your own mind up. It uses the common names that we are quite familiar with, not American ones, like seek does.

[@Ribeirasacra]

Another vote for Flora Inognita. I do wish i could share my finds with someone over say WhatsApp.

[@BiggerEars]

Excellent and very useful. For a beginner like me, knowing what not to believe is just as, if not more, important than what to. Thanks.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Glad it helps 😁

[@honorata1935]

You right, thank you for sharing.

[@MikeMac1980]

I’d never use app’s for foraging as I tested this myself last year and found a lot of miss identifying problems with them, is great you have put this out there, good work👍🏻

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😁

[@amberdy12]

Great info. thanks for testing. I've used seek when it first came out and thought it was disappointing. Will try it again now, cheers

[@sharonmcanoe]

Have you tried obsidentify? We were using it in the Scilly Isles to try and identify some of the rare plants there. It did seem to pick up on a few

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

No I’ve not heard of that one

[@k.h.6991]

I also use that one.

[@radicalcartoons2766]

I haven't got a government-tracker, aka Smartphone, so don't use these anyway. I've found field-guide books ok, but there's no substitute for getting out there all year round and seeing what the plants look like in different seasons. Thank you for your very useful channel.

[@Sean_Shaun_Shawn]

Glad you started by saying it depends what you're using it for. I think a lot of people shit on these apps on KZbin but completely miss the fact that they're absolutely incredible as a starting point for plant identification and save a huge amount of time and thus are incredible at getting new people into foraging, gardening and more. When used in combination with a brain and common sense they're incredibly useful and like anything if you're using it incorrectly that's on you. Self responsibility is always a thing and plant id apps don't diminish that- use your brain and they're great.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Yes true, they’re useful if used with common sense as you say :)

[@davidedge8808]

Great idea for a video and really useful information

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😁

[@Mahnoordhoop]

Even more reason to love books!

[@robtaylor6233]

I find that as well so not to be relied on but does point you in the right direction

[@guitarnotator]

Excellent video, something these apps can't also tell you is whether that certain species may need to be cooked due to contaminants. For instance picking watercress or mint from water sources. I think I will stick to the old fashion way of hard earned dedication and research.

[@Paravetje]

I've been using the plantnet app for years, I do agree that it doesn't always give the right answer, but when it's wrong, atleast it points in the right direction most of the time, and I like that it gives a percentage of the match. It also has spelling mistakes (I use it in Dutch).

[@GladiolaGirl]

Thank you. This is very useful information. As always I've learned a lot from your videos.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😁

[@valentinabernardi1771]

Picture this is free, i never paid for it and has identified correctly waterdrop hemloc when i tried it last year and just recently identified correctly Aconitum napellum(monkshood). I think allot is also to do with the pics we take, if there is any other plant in the background or out of focus or similar issues. Still i would not rely only on a app to identify something i am plannimg to eat .

[@gingerbinger7485]

Very interesting as some of the times I was thinking was my camera skills 😀 have you thought of including Google lens? Are there any AI versions?

[@melissalambert7615]

Good info. I only recently got an iPhone. Never even thought of using it to ID plants. I know what's in my yard. But I'll take it out walking to ID other plants. Hello from cloudy Oregon US.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

They can be quite handy 😁

[@jessieb7290]

Thanks, cause if your unsure you should never try something if you don’t know what it is. It can be dangerous and life threatening. I’d suggest maybe downloading more than one, so you cross reference. Do you do roaming courses? For people who want to start foraging? That could be a good side hustle and I’m sure lots of people would love to start that.

[@cherryrotella3714]

Very helpful Thankyou. I have plant net on my phone and find it helpful in identifying plants flowers and trees etc.

[@markvincent5241]

It's a bit of a minefield out there, think books is the best option. Clearly as with fungi if you can't clearly identify it then leave it well alone.

[@billyandrew]

You should consider creating your own _Foragers_ app.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

I wouldn’t know where to start with making an app 😁

[@andrewbass1985]

I use picture this alongside Google searching images and information to make sure what it has presented me is correct but more for just learning about different plants than for foraging, I found it to be pretty accurate but haven't tested it on some of the more deadly plants

[@TheKing-ne1ej]

Great information as always

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😁

[@TheRattyBiker]

I use seek and it's great.... Can be awkward though but I'd never use it for edibles... I'd use it to loosely identify before going off and thoroughly researching the plants

[@colinyoung3685]

Counterintuitively when starting out it is best to learn broad categories, it is very natural to want to know precisely what you have found but without direction this is challenging. This is the only area where I see a use case as the apps appear to be minimally functional for that task these days. For a complete beginner I appreciate it could help cultivate the passion, nothing is as frustrating as something spoiling before you get a proper ID. However I would urge everyone to ditch the apps as soon as possible, as outsourcing foundational knowledge will severely hinder growth in the long term.

[@jamescodling8641]

Wonderful as ever sir. Are you doing courses?

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thanks 😁. I’m not doing courses at the moment, one day

[@marksadventures3889]

There's no replacement for learned knowledge- I am in my 60s and was taught about flora and fauna as a child from my parents and family and community, sadly the lack of that support network has been devastating on human life in these last generations.

[@radicalcartoons2766]

Very good point, same here. I remember being amazed when I met people my own age, as an adult, who couldn't identify common flowers or insects. We were also taught to cook by our parents, how to compost, use herbs for health etc. I was in the Girl Guides (when it was actually for girls) and went on camps and walks. We were very lucky to have such a healthy childhood.

[@marksadventures3889]

@@radicalcartoons2766 Yes indeed; they wouldn't let me join the guides but offered the scouts - "go camping with a load of other boys? Sounds really gay", I replied. I went into army cadets instead. I enjoyed that. I got into camping and Bushcraft- the skills are automatically transferable.

[@dandycat2204]

But therein is the problem. In today's society, actually finding the people who you can learn from is nigh on impossible. Out of local area courses are all well and good (though damnably expensive), but of little practical value. So, square the circle. How does a newbie learn with no-one there to teach them?

[@marksadventures3889]

@@dandycat2204 That's a very valid point. One of the places we can get knowledge is in our local groups and depending on where you live that could be simple or hard, but thankfully that's where the internet comes in handy - there's a multitude of KZbinrs channels on every subject and many of them meet in groups and large gatherings - in the UK there's a few gatherings this weekend like the Bushcraft Show - a whole weekend of camping, bushcrafts, exhibitions of skills and knowledge. More shows are popping up all the time. I started by learning from my parents and grandma, but I know others who learnt from books, boy scouts, brownies as kids.

[@Olan...]

Can you recommend any foragers in the NW area that do courses please ?

[@Kiltoonie]

Google lens is a good start, but I never eat anything I am unfamiliar with unless I have verified it from multiple sources. I eat at least 25 different mushrooms and dozens of foraged fruits that I am happy with - but wild herbs can be deceptive - (I'm cool with wild garlic though).

[@marieta.s]

I have used plantsnap in the past which I no longer use, and plantnet. I also contribute regularly to inaturalist. Plantnet does not give accurate results for my region (southeast europe) so I have started not using it. I do prefer inaturalist because it has come a long way and I prefer to stop the id on genus level rather than give me inaccurate species results. However, I think it’s unacceptable for these apps to charge people money when they cannot produce accurate results. It obviously shows that their aim is to grab money rather than actually help people learn or contribute to science.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

inaturalist seems good. I agree some of them overcharge and underdeliver

[@Nathanhiggerz]

I use books to be able to know what I'm after first. Same for trees. When I spot what I'm after I use the plant apps to confirm what I know. I then use chat gbt to advise edible parts n cooking techniques. When's you'd book coming bro? I use plant this.

[@dasja9966]

That doesn't make sense tbh. This is exactly what this vid is warning about. You can't safely confirm an identification with an app that isn't 100% reliable. Especially not when the app can't identify deadly plants like hemlock with 100% certainty.

[@Nathanhiggerz]

@@dasja9966 hence I said I learn from books first, then I only use the app to double up as a confirmation tool. If the app g8ves the wrong name or I think is wrong, I'll just go back to the book. But I only use it to back up what I already know myself. I don't only ho by the app. I use it like a cross check tool. If I see for instance an oxeye daisy, I'll double check to see if I'm right. If it says I'm wrong I'll go back the plant and book and go over the identification. But I'll be already sure via books. Cow parsley for instance I know the key stalk colouration and furrowed nature. I'd check with app, it might say Hemlock, I'd then think, hmmm that can't be right, let me double check in the book.if you know already from the books, the app is more of a buddy companion to confirm what you know or make you double check if it is wrong.

[@Alasdair54]

At least at an occasional gardening level, Picture This can be used free of charge. Haven't tried any of the others. Picture This is pretty good but does struggle with plants that have multiple varieties or species (eg the Veronicas).

[@musicalmarion]

I've been using Flora Incognita but I found it was unreliable too. Great video, thanks for your recommendations 🌿

[@Khraw-issan]

Thank you for sharing

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

You’re welcome 😁

[@ghengis430]

Hemlock= cow parsley. Eek

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Yeah not good

[@graemedevine9651]

Death by an app on your phone, many will suffer from this, did you find any Pokemon while you were out?

[@OhDidYouKnow]

I am using the PlantGO app, which has been the most accurate of all the apps that I have tried.

[@mattgoodchild8215]

Fantastic video yea I’ve seen those apps and as a gardener I’ve always wondered how good they are but tbh I think I’ll stick to books 👍🏼🍻

[@suirall]

it should probably be law that these have to come with disclaimers when you open the app if it isn't already, i'm sure i'm not the only one who sees it coming that some kid is going get hurt here

[@QwinnieLu56]

Useful video - thanks for making and sharing it!

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

You’re welcome 😁

[@David-xh9cw]

Plantnet is excellent if sometimes a little clunky in the amount of recommendations it makes.

[@mariuscg]

Why not try GPT4o? 😉

[@ruthmorgan3749]

I've just invested in PictureThis, was using it for free for a while but decided to subscribe as I like being able to store what I have identified and it also does bird and insect identification in the same app...I am in the market for a pocket size edible foraging book for the UK if any one can recommend a good one...thanks!

[@markgilmour5757]

Plantsnap used to be fantastic, it used to be very very accurate. But in the last couple of years it has become very unreliable. With most apps, the forced update and upgrade seems to make it less reliable. Like the developer is trying to take on the world or boil the Ocean.

[@typower9]

I would be rich if i had received money for every time someone suggests using one of those apps or wanting to use theirs for me.

[@ashb2446]

I use my iPhone pictures to see if it’s correct it’s pretty accurate but I’ve got all my knowledge from your videos on edibles and always if not sure leave alone and study more

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Yep caution is always the best way 😁

[@aengle.]

Very irresponsible of these apps to not show a large, unmissable warning telling users not to eat anything after it makes an "identification" or a warning suggesting when there are possible look-alikes.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Yes some of them don’t seem to have any warnings at all

[@michaelmoran3201]

Another great and a defo subject That should of been at the top of the list in the schools curriculum of useful and a must learning curve of life Instead of teaching children about sexual content and other subjects that are not really needed in life For example how to earn and use money in the future when leaving the school of brainwashing Go to work shut up and die Waste of time disguising themselves as a learning process And no help to anyone But just to go along to get along And all them hours wasted from being a toddler to a young adult No wonder why I never really had my heart in It But enjoyed the laugh and messing around As could see the waste of learning BS even as a child And call it a excuse if you like I don't give a Bloop 😁🍀💯❤️🙏

[@dr.s.p.]

Seek is not a free app

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

It is free

[@dr.s.p.]

@@UKWILDCRAFTS - My apologies, my colleague told me there was a subscription.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

@@dr.s.p. no worries :)

[@The4x4WindowCleaner]

Good advice Lewis! Thanks for the Pl@ntNet recommendations. Got to say, you’re the best UK foraging channel available! BIG thanks dude.

[@UKWILDCRAFTS]

Thank you 😁