Flora Incognita

What is Flora Incognita?

Flora Incognita is a user-friendly mobile application designed to identify wild plants from photographs taken with smartphones or tablets. Developed by researchers at the Technical University of Ilmenau and the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, the app leverages advanced deep learning techniques to provide highly accurate species identification. It supports offline data capture with later synchronization, offers detailed plant profiles, and encourages citizen science participation by collecting valuable biodiversity data. The app is free, ad-free, and available in multiple languages, serving both amateur botanists and scientific communities.

Key Features

• Extensive Species Coverage

  Automatically identifies around 16,000 vascular plant species globally with near-perfect accuracy under optimal conditions.

• Interactive Multi-Image Identification

  Guides users through capturing multiple images of different plant organs (flowers, leaves, bark) to improve identification precision.

• Offline Mode for Field Use

  Allows users to collect plant observations without internet access and perform identification once reconnected.

• Detailed Plant Profiles

  Provides comprehensive information on identified species, including characteristics, distribution, and conservation status.

• Citizen Science Integration

  Supports data collection for scientific research and biodiversity monitoring by sharing anonymized observations with project managers.

• Gamification Elements

  Incorporates badge rewards for documenting specific plant groups to motivate ongoing user engagement and biodiversity awareness.

Use Cases

• Amateur Plant Identification : Enables nature enthusiasts and hobbyists to quickly identify plants during outdoor activities using their mobile devices.
• Educational Tool : Supports teachers and students by providing an accessible platform for learning about plant species and biodiversity.
• Scientific Research Support : Facilitates large-scale data collection on plant distribution and invasive species through citizen science contributions.
• Conservation Efforts : Assists conservationists in monitoring plant diversity and tracking changes in ecosystems over time.

FAQs