Why I'm going back to books for plant identification

I see so many people praising plant ID apps, but I think they cause more problems than they solve. Last month, I scanned a shrub in my garden and the app labeled it as invasive, so I started digging it up. Turns out it was a native species that just looked similar in the photo. Now I have a hole in my yard for no reason. These apps often get confused by leaf shape or flower color in different light. I've followed their watering advice and ended up drowning a succulent that needed dry soil. My old botany book has clear drawings and descriptions that never let me down. It might be slower, but I trust it way more. Maybe apps are fine for quick guesses, but for real plant love, they just don't cut it.

3 comments

3 Comments

victor6512d ago

Funny you should say that, because my phone app saved my garden last spring. I was about to pull up what I thought was a weed, but the app told me it was a rare wildflower. Sure, apps can mess up sometimes, but so can books if you're not careful with the pictures. The best part is getting instant info, like if a plant is toxic to pets, which my old book didn't cover. I get why you'd stick with books, but for quick checks, these apps are a game changer. Maybe it's about using both together, you know?

jason_knight2d ago

Your app called that common weed rare?

piperk882d ago

What gets me is how these apps turn nature into a data game. It’s not about learning the plant anymore, it’s about scanning it to add to your digital collection or get a badge. That mindset totally changes why you’re even outside. You stop looking at the whole environment and just hunt for the next thing to point your phone at. Books make you slow down and actually compare details, which builds real knowledge. The app might tell you the name, but it doesn’t teach you how to see.