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Making a good observation

The quality of observations is essential to ensure accurate identifications and useful data for the scientific community. Follow these tips to optimize your observations:

1. Take sharp and well-framed photos

  • Make sure the photos are perfectly sharp so that the details of the plant organs are clearly visible.

  • Frame the image so as to highlight the organ photographed, without any extraneous elements in the background.

2. Avoid exposure problems

  • Avoid underexposed (too dark) or overexposed (too bright) photos.

3. Document several plant organs

  • Take photos of different organs to maximize the accuracy of the identification:

    • Leaves: show their shape, edge, veins and attachment to the stem.
    • Flowers: capture the petals, the heart of the flower, and their arrangement.
    • Fruits: highlight their shape, color, and possibly the seeds.
    • Whole plant: photograph the general silhouette and its environment.

  • Vary the angles of view for a better representation (front view, side view, underside view).

4. Keep an ecological context

  • If possible, include a photo of the plant in its natural habitat, to provide clues about its ecosystem and environment.

By following these recommendations, your observations will not only be more useful for identification, but they will also help improve the Pl@ntNet database and research projects.