MyPlantID is a community where plant hobbyists can go and submit questions, answer the questions they do know, submit photos of curious plants that they've come across but are not sure what they are and help others identify their mystery plants. Users will upload a photo of their plant and add it to the MyPlantID map of unidentified plants. From there, users can discuss the identification of submitted plants with other members and help create a useable and searchable plant identification database. Users can search for plants by inputting their city, zip code of USDA hardiness zip code. Leaf properties can be identified by their arrangement, shape, margin or vein. Plants can also be classified by their type, fruit status, or flower color. Users on MyPlantID can also browse through images of plants that have been identified or remain unidentified. Overall MyPlantID is a good resource for anyone who is interested in classifying plants or who have encountered a plant that they are not sure as to what it is.
MyPlantID originated as a free service to help people identify the plants from their gardens, communities and travels using a straightforward approach: send in the photo and MyPlantID will name the plant. This started back in January 2008 and fairly quickly the team became overwhelmed with requests. So, MyPlantID decided to add a community aspect to its application so they could get some help regarding the true classification of a plant.
MyPlantID is part plant enthusiast community, part database and resource for identifying plants. While it has grown to overwhelm the original administrators, the site is still relatively small. As of April 2012, there were 72 plants identified and 356 other plants need help to be identified. This database may seem small to some users, especially considering how many thousands of plant species there are.
MyPlantID is very well designed. The clip images of the plants can be expanded by registering for a free account and clicking on an image. It would be nice if users could browse through plants and read their details without having to sign into the application.
To register for a MyPlantID, users simply need to provide their username, password, first and last name, email and location. New users also need to accept MyPlantID's terms of service as well.
MyPlantID is 100% free to use. ANyone can sign up and access the app to help identify plants or post their mystery plants to the site.
MyPlantID is ideal for those who are interested in being educated or knowledgeable about the plant species that surround them or those that they simple come across in their daily travels.