Floras

Pl@ntNet searches in floras or themes which are either automatically suggested if your GPS is activated, or which you can define yourself. These floras correspond to lists of species specific to each region or theme.

Why select a flora or theme in Pl@ntNet?

1. Adaptation to geographical regions:

   • Plant distribution varies considerably depending on the geographical region.
   • By choosing a specific flora, you tell the app which plant species are likely to be present in your area.
   • This allows Pl@ntNet to filter results based on local flora, thereby improving the accuracy of identifications.

2. Reduction of errors:

   • Without selecting a specific flora, the app may generate more possible results, including plants not relevant to your region.
   • By selecting the appropriate flora, you reduce the risk of incorrect identifications.

3. Enriching knowledge of local floras:

   • By choosing a flora, you contribute to enriching knowledge of local biodiversity.
   • Shared data can be viewed in the feed and easily reviewed by specialists of the flora concerned.

Types of Entries for Floras in Pl@ntNet

1. Geographical entry:

   • Searches in the list of native plants of an area.
   • Relevant for identifying wild plants, less useful for ornamental plants whose origin may be different from where they are grown.

2. Thematic entry:

   • Based on various subjects such as useful plants or invasive plants.

3. Microproject entry:

   • Contextualization of the application for a defined theme or geographical area.
   • Searches are carried out only on a list of plants defined within the framework of the project, covering national parks, botanical gardens, or sensitive themes such as the desert locust biotope.

The most used taxonomic reference to define floras in Pl@ntNet is that provided by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, called Plants Of The World Online (POWO).

Some floras and microprojects are still using old reference systems, which causes problems with species names during identification. Their reference systems should be updated in 2026, but as of October 8, 2025, here is the list of these floras in question:

• Useful plants

• Crop weeds

• Invasive plants

• Useful plants of tropical Africa

• Useful plants of Asia

• Les Ecologistes de l’Euzière

• Provence

• LEWA in KENYA

• Ordesa

• Cévennes

• Mediterranean ornamental trees

• Crops

• Trees of Europe

• Desert locust biotopes in West Africa

• Remarkable flora of the Alpes-Maritimes

• ESALQ and Piracicaba trees

• Brazilian Amazon

• Trees of the Brazilian Amazon

• Domaine Saint Jacques du Couloubrier

• Sugarcane weeds in Australia

• Jardin du musée départemental Albert-Kahn

• Guanacaste Conservation Area, Costa Rica

• Gardens by the Bay - Cloud Forest

• Gardens by the Bay - Flower Dome